SUMMARY
Mitochondrial fission mediated by the GTPase dynamin-related protein-1
(Drp1) is an attractive drug target in numerous maladies that range from heart
disease to neurodegenerative disorders. The compound mdivi-1 is widely reported
to inhibit Drp1-dependent fission, elongate mitochondria, and mitigate brain
injury. Here, we show that mdivi-1 reversibly inhibits mitochondrial Complex
I-dependent O2 consumption and reverse electron transfer-mediated
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production at concentrations (e.g. 50 μM)
used to target mitochondrial fission. Respiratory inhibition is rescued by
bypassing Complex I using yeast NADH dehydrogenase Ndi1. Unexpectedly,
respiratory impairment by mdivi-1 occurs without mitochondrial elongation, is
not mimicked by Drp1 deletion, and is observed in Drp1-deficient fibroblasts. In
addition, mdivi-1 poorly inhibits recombinant Drp1 GTPase activity
(Ki>1.2 mM). Overall, results suggest that mdivi-1 is not a
specific Drp1 inhibitor. The ability of mdivi-1 to reversibly inhibit Complex I
and modify mitochondrial ROS production may contribute to effects observed in
disease models.