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
<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><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">190 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
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.
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 antioxidantsAnimal 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/)
See Also
- [Mitochondrial Dysfunction Pathway](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dysfunction)
- [DRP1 Protein](/proteins/drp1-protein)
- MFN2 Gene
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
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)