Dynamin, a membrane-remodelling GTPase

The dynamin GTPase mediates membrane remodelling during endocytosis. Through complementary approaches, including structural and genetic studies, the mechanisms by which dynamin regulates membrane fission events, and the unique physiological roles of its three isoforms, are becoming clear. Dynamin, the founding member of a family of dynamin-like proteins (DLPs) implicated in membrane remodelling, has a critical role in endocytic membrane fission events. The use of complementary approaches, including live-cell imaging, cell-free studies, X-ray crystallography and genetic studies in mice, has greatly advanced our understanding of the mechanisms by which dynamin acts, its essential roles in cell physiology and the specific function of different dynamin isoforms. In addition, several connections between dynamin and human disease have also emerged, highlighting specific contributions of this GTPase to the physiology of different tissues.