O60313

OPA1 is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein with similarity to dynamin-related GTPases. OPA1 plays a crucial role in mitochondrial dynamics, particularly in regulating mitochondrial fusion and maintaining mitochondrial morphology. This function is vital for cellular energy production and overall cell health, helping ensure mitochondria can efficiently adapt to changes in energy demand and stress conditions. Defects in OPA1 are associated with optic atrophy type 1, leading to vision loss, and OPA1 is predominantly expressed in the retina, although also found in the brain, testis, heart, and skeletal muscles. OPA1′s ability to interact with other proteins involved in mitochondrial function further underscores OPA1′s importance in cellular metabolism and the pathophysiology of mitochondrial diseases.