Mitochondrial fission
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Mitochondrial fission is the process where mitochondria divide or segregate into two separate mitochondrial organelles. Mitochondrial fission is counteracted by the process of mitochondrial fusion, whereby two separate mitochondria can fuse together to form a large one.[1] Mitochondrial fusion in turn can result in elongated mitochondrial networks. Both mitochondrial fission and fusion are balanced in the cell, and mutations interfering with either processes are associated with a variety of diseases. Mitochondria can divide by prokaryotic binary fission and since they require mitochondrial DNA for their function, fission is coordinated with DNA replication.[2] Some of the proteins that are involved in mitochondrial fission have been identified and some of them are associated with mitochondrial diseases.[3] Mitochondrial fission has significant implications in stress response and apoptosis.[4]