MFF Gene

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MFF Gene

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">MFF Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>MFF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Mitochondrial Fission Factor</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>5q31.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>27245</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td>614785</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000168955</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td>Q9NXG2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Type</td>
<td>Protein-coding</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Disease</td>
<td>Inheritance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Encephalopathy</td>
<td>AR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Neurodevelopmental Delay</td>
<td>AR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Agent</td>
<td>Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Mdivi-1</td>
<td>DRP1 GTPase</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">P110</td>
<td>DRP1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/cardiac" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cardiac</a>, <a href="/wiki/glioblastoma" style="color:#ef9a9a">Glioblastoma</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td

...

MFF Gene

Introduction

Mff Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

MFF (Mitochondrial Fission Factor) is a critical outer mitochondrial membrane protein that recruits [DRP1](/proteins/drp1) (DNM1L) to mitochondria to mediate mitochondrial fission. It plays essential roles in mitochondrial dynamics and quality control.

Overview

This page provides comprehensive information about the protein/gene, its function in the nervous system, and its role in neurodegenerative diseases.

Basic Information

Function

MFF is the major mitochondrial outer membrane receptor for [DRP1](/proteins/drp1-protein) (Dynamin 1-like protein), mediating mitochondrial fission through:

[DRP1](/genes/drp1) recruitment: MFF recruits DRP1 from the cytosol to mitochondrial fission sites
Fission complex assembly: MFF forms homooligomers that serve as docking sites for DRP1
Peroxisomal fission: MFF also regulates peroxisomal fission via DRP1 recruitment
Mitophagy initiation: MFF-mediated fission is required for selective [autophagy](/entities/autophagy) of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy)
[Apoptosis](/mechanisms/apoptosis) regulation: MFF influences mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during [apoptosis](/entities/apoptosis)

Disease Associations

Expression

MFF is ubiquitously expressed with high expression in:

Brain ([cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), basal ganglia)
Heart
Skeletal muscle
Liver

Key Publications

Gandre-Babbe S, van der Bliek AM (2008) The novel tail-anchored membrane protein Mff controls mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission in mammalian cells. Mol Biol Cell. 19(6):2402-2412.

Otera H, et al. (2010) Mff is an essential receptor for mitochondrial fission. EMBO Rep. 11(9):696-702.

Zhao J, et al. (2019) MFF deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Nat Neurosci. 22(10):1677-1686.

Therapeutic Implications

MFF and mitochondrial fission represent emerging therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases:

Parkinson's Disease: Modulating MFF-DRP1 interaction may protect dopaminergic neurons from mitochondrial dysfunction. Small molecule inhibitors of DRP1 fission activity are under investigation.
Alzheimer's Disease: Normalizing mitochondrial fission/fusion balance may improve neuronal energy metabolism and reduce [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) toxicity.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: MFF-mediated mitochondrial dynamics restoration could address energy deficits in motor neurons.

Drug Development Status

Research Directions

Current research focuses on:

Selective targeting: Developing MFF-specific modulators that avoid off-target effects

Gene therapy: AAV-delivered MFF overexpression for neuroprotection

Biomarkers: MFF expression as a biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction

Combination therapies: MFF modulators with mitochondrial antioxidants

Animal Models

Mff knockout mice: Show elongated mitochondria, growth retardation, and male infertility
Conditional knockout models: Brain-specific MFF deletion causes neurodegeneration
Transgenic models: MFF overexpression protects against MPTP-induced parkinsonism

Clinical Relevance

MFF dysfunction contributes to several clinical conditions:

Metabolic disorders: Altered mitochondrial fission affects insulin sensitivity
Cardiovascular disease: Endothelial MFF affects vascular function
Aging: Age-related decline in MFF function contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction

Summary

MFF is essential for mitochondrial fission and quality control. Its dysfunction is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases through impaired mitophagy and altered mitochondrial dynamics. Therapeutic modulation of MFF-dependent pathways represents a promising approach for treating conditions characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Key Takeaways

MFF recruits DRP1 to mitochondria to mediate fission
Required for mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control
Dysfunction linked to PD, AD, and metabolic disorders
DRP1 inhibitors in preclinical development
Biomarker potential for mitochondrial health

Background

The study of Mff Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

Allen Brain Atlas Resources

Allen Human Brain Atlas: [MFF gene expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=MFF)
Allen Mouse Brain Atlas: [MFF expression](https://mouse.brain-map.org/search/index.html?query=MFF)
Allen Cell Type Atlas: [Transcriptomic cell type reference](https://portal.brain-map.org/atlases-and-data/rnaseq)
BrainSpan Atlas: [MFF developmental expression](https://www.brainspan.org/rnaseq/search/index.html?search_term=MFF)

References

<sup>[[1]](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18516037/)</sup> MFF and mitochondrial fission. PMID: 18516037(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18516037/)

External Links

[NCBI Gene: MFF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/27245)
[UniProt: MFF](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9NXG2)
[GeneCards: MFF](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=MFF)

Pathway Context

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving MFF Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

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MFF Gene

MFF Gene

MFF Gene

Introduction

Overview

Basic Information

Function

Disease Associations

Expression

Key Publications

Therapeutic Implications

Drug Development Status

Research Directions

Animal Models

Clinical Relevance

Summary

Key Takeaways

Background

Allen Brain Atlas Resources

References

See Also

External Links

Pathway Context

Pathway Diagram