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Dynamin-like protein 1 regulates mitchondrial fission and is crucial for embryonic development.

Structure
Dnm1, which is a member of the dynamin superfamily of proteins, consists of a GTPase and GTPase effector domain that are separated from each other by a helical segment of amino acids. There are 3 mouse and 6 human isoforms of Dnm1, which in mammals is commonly referred to as dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), including a brain-specific variant.

Function
Mitochondria are constantly fusing and dividing with each other, forming large, reticular networks. In humans, mitochondrial fission is regulated by Fis1 and Drp1. Several studies have indicated that Drp1 is essential for proper embryonic development. Drp1 knockout mice exhibit abnormal brain development and die around embryonic day 12. In neural specific knockout mice, brain size is reduced and apoptosis is increased. Synapse formation is also impaired. A second group of researchers generated another neural specific knockout mouse line. They found that knocking out Drp1 resulted in the appearance of large mitochondria in Purkinje cells and prevented neural tube formation.

Interactions
Dnm1 interacts with Fis1 through Mdv1. The interaction of Dnm1 with Mdv1 causes Dnm1 to oligomerize and form rings around dividing mitochondria at the so-called "constriction point". Dnml1 has also been shown to interact with GSK3B.