Description
Mitofusin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MFN1 gene. It is an 80-90 kDa mitochondrial member of the dynamin family of molecules. It is ubiquitously expressed, and found in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The protein encoded by this gene is a mediator of mitochondrial fusion, and thereby contribute to the dynamic balance between fusion and fission that determines mitochondria morphology. MFN1 is known to form oligomers, either with itself or MFN�2, and to undergo ubiquitination by MARCH5. MFN�1 has two key domains. One is a coiled�coil region that mediates MFN�1: MFN�1/2 binding, and a second is a GTPase domain whose cleavage of GTP is necessary for membrane fusion. Overexpression of MFN1 caused perinuclear mitochondrial clustering