Mitochondrial Dynamics, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Mitochondria undergo repeated cycles of fusion and fission that regulate their size and shape by a process known as mitochondrial dynamics. Numerous studies have revealed the importance of this process inmaintainingmitochondrial health and cellular homeostasis, particularly in highlymetabolically active tissues such as skeletal muscle and the heart. Here, we review the literature on the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Importantly, we emphasize divergent outcomes resulting from downregulating distinctmitochondrial dynamics proteins in various tissues. This review underscores compensatory mechanisms and adaptive pathways that offset potentially detrimental effects, resulting instead in improvedmetabolic health. Finally,we offer a perspective on potential therapeutic implications of modulating mitochondrial dynamics proteins for treatment of diabetes and CVD.