# Targeting neuronal Drp1-Fis1 interactions to mediate glucocorticoid-induced pathologies

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 2022 · $207,370

## Abstract

Nearly 80% of adults report feeling high levels of stress in their daily lives. As chronic stress exposure is 
associated with negative health outcomes, understanding the effects of this stress exposure is crucial to 
preventing the development of downstream pathologies. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that have 
roles in a number of functions that are crucial for cell survival. One such function includes the synthesis and 
release of glucocorticoids in response to stress exposure. Interestingly, glucocorticoids can also impact 
mitochondrial function, with high levels inducing dysfunction and mitochondrial fragmentation. Mitochondrial 
fragmentation has been shown to activate inflammasomes and increase levels of proinflammatory 
cytokines, which have been linked to negative behavioral outcomes linked to stress. Mitochondrial 
fragmentation relies in part on a fission factor called Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and its interactions 
with its receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane. While studies have shown that chronic stress 
induces fragmentation, the precise interactions between Drp1, its receptors, and chronic unpredictable 
stress remains unclear. Our studies will test whether chronic unpredictable stress induces excessive 
mitochondrial fragmentation via the elevation of glucocorticoids that increase Drp1 recruitment to the 
mitochondrial outer membrane in a receptor-specific manner. We will then examine whether disruption of 
these specific Drp1-receptor interactions can prevent mitochondrial fragmentation and subsequent 
inflammation and downstream behavioral alterations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10624062
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109091-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Fiona E. Hollis
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $207,370
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10624062

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10624062, Targeting neuronal Drp1-Fis1 interactions to mediate glucocorticoid-induced pathologies (5P20GM109091-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10624062. Licensed CC0.

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