Figure 4.

Increasing DRP1 triggers mt fission in RGCs in vitro. (a) Overexpression of WT DRP1 significantly increased DRP1 protein expression in cultured RGCs. Values are mean±S.D. *Significant at P<0.05 compared with control RGCs transfected with control vector. (b) Representative 2D images from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the soma in cultured RGCs transfected with WT DRP1 had small rounded mitochondria and swollen cristae structure. Arrowheads point to opposite ends of a fission site. Scale bar: 500 nm (all panels). (c) Quantitative analysis showed that RGCs-transfected WT DRP1 showed increased number and decreased lengths of mitochondria. However, there was no difference in mt volume density between WT DRP1 and control. Values are mean±S.E.M. *Significant at P<0.05 compared with control RGCs transfected with control vector