Mitochondrial Membrane

OPA1 belongs to the Dynamin large GTPase protein family. OPA1 exists as a single-pass membrane protein localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane and also as a soluble form in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. There, it is a key player in fusion of the inner mitochondrial membrane as well as maintenance of the cristae architecture. The oligomerization of differentially processed forms of OPA1 directs mitochondrial membrane formation.

Dynamin-related Protein 1 (DRP1) is known to function in mitochondrial and peroxisomal division and mediate membrane fission through oligomerization into ring-like structure and sever the mitochondrial membrane, through a GTP hydrolysis-dependent mechanism.