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Figure 3 | Molecular Neurodegeneration

Figure 3

From: Dominant optic atrophy, OPA1, and mitochondrial quality control: understanding mitochondrial network dynamics

Figure 3

Molecular model of the dual function of OPA1 in mitochondrial inner membrane (IM) fusion and cytochrome C release and cell death. Membrane bound OPA1L and soluble OPA1S form a complex that is able to attract two mitochondrial membranes to enable inner membrane fusion (left) and cristae organization. Proteolytic cleavage of OPA1L to the soluble OPA1S allows the formation of OPA1S complex, which together with BNIP3 promotes mitochondrial outer membrane (OM) permeabilization, cytochrome C release, and cell death (right) by bringing the mitochondrial inner membrane in proximity to the mitochondrial outer membrane, thereby facilitating membrane hemi-fusion states that are energetic favorable for membrane permeabilization.

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