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11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199
#BSITitle: Dynamin-related protein 1 as a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease.
by: Kim Tieu, PhD
Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Abstract
Mitochondrial dynamics involves fission, fusion, and movement of mitochondria. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Dpr1) is a “master regulator” of mitochondrial fission. Although the role of Drp1 in mitochondrial division is critical to normal cellular function, excessive mitochondrial fission is detrimental to cells. My lab and other investigators have reported that partial Drp1 inhibition is protective in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The protective mechanism of blocking Drp1 in these studies has been largely attributed to improving mitochondrial function through balancing mitochondrial fission and fusion. However, our recent data show that Drp1 most likely is a multifunctional protein that exerts its effects beyond mitochondrial fission. In this presentation, I will provide new evidence from my lab showing that a partial reduction in Drp1 levels improves autophagy flux independent of its role in mitochondria. Given that impaired autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction are two prominent pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, the combined protective mechanisms of improving autophagy flux and mitochondrial function conferred by Drp1 inhibition make this protein an even more attractive therapeutic target.
Lunch will be provided.
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