miR-499 regulates mitochondrial dynamics by targeting calcineurin and dynamin-related protein-1

Abstract

Jian-Xun Wang et al. show that mitochondrial fission, which occurs during cell death, is regulated in cardiomyocytes by the microRNA miR-499 through a mechanism involving the phosphatase calcineurin and its substrate Drp1. Overexpression of miR-499 was able to reduce mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in the hearts of mice or rats injured by ischemia-reperfusion and to improve heart function, suggesting new therapeutic approaches for myocardial injury.