Figure 1
From: Mitochondrial therapeutics in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
Synaptic function is dependent on proper trafficking of mitochondria to synapses. Mitochondrial trafficking down a neurite to a synapse can be promoted by increased fission (Drp1 or Fis1) or decreased fusion (Mfn1/2 or OPA1). Alterations in the levels of these proteins can lead to synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and AD/PD pathogenesis. AD, Alzheimer's disease; Drp1, dynamin-related protein 1; Mfn, mitofusin; OPA1, optic atrophy 1; PD, Parkinson's disease.