ABSTRACT
Mitochondria are very dynamic organelles that undergo rapid changes in shape, apparent number, and cell localization. Some of these alterations are a consequence of specic proteins that participate in mitochondrial fusion or ssion processes. In this chapter, we analyze the current information available on how the activity of proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics impacts liver metabolism or the capacity of liver cells to respond to hormones. Recent data indicate that the mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 maintains normal hepatic metabolism and its ablation causes reduced mitochondrial respiration, reduced glucose tolerance, and enhanced hepatic glucose production. Mfn2 deciency also causes impaired insulin signaling and insulin resistance. Glucocorticoids induce hepatic Drp1 expression and a dominant negative form of Drp1 impairs some of the metabolic functions of glucocorticoids in hepatoma cells. The liver represents a unique organ in which to analyze, in depth, the mechanisms that link mitochondrial dynamics and disease.
