Research progress on the role of mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 in diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious complications of diabetes, and mitochondrial dysfunction is a core factor in the development of DN. Mitochondrial fusion protein-2 (Mfn2) is a mitochondrial fusion protein that locates in the outer membrane of the mitochondria and plays an important role in maintaining the structure and function of the mitochondria. Mfn2 can inhibit mitochondrial morphology and dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy, save the cells from damages caused by apoptosis and delay the occurrence and development of DN, so it may become a potential target for DN treatment.

Keywords

• diabetic nephropathy|mitochondrial fusion protein|mitochondrion|oxidative stress|autophagy|apoptosis