Division, degradation and dynamins - Drp1 and Dnm2 in organelle dynamics and maintenance

Mitochondria and peroxisomes, two highly dynamic and specialized compartments in cells, are important for energy production. These compartment are divided by dynamin-proteins, which are also pivotal for cellular dynamics and health. Two dynamins, Dnm2 and Drp1, are components of the division machinery that cuts mitochondria and peroxisomes. However, their hierarchy and involvement in specialized division processes, as well as in degradation pathways was not fully understood. This work clarifies the role of Drp1 and Dnm2 in organelle division and suggests a novel role for Dnm2 in selective cellular degradation processes.