Dynamin‐Related Protein 1 Promotes Mitochondrial Fission and Contributes to The Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Death Following Experimental Status Epilepticus

Summary Aims Prolonged seizure activity may result in mitochondrial dysfunction and lead to cell death in the hippocampus. Mitochondrial fission may occur in an early stage of neuronal cell death. This study examined the role of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1) in the hippocampus following status epilepticus. Methods Kainic acid (KA) was microinjected unilaterally into the hippocampal CA3 area in Sprague Dawley rats to induce prolonged seizure activity. Biochemical analysis, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to evaluate the subsequent molecular and cellular events. The effects of pretreatment with a mitochondrial fission protein inhibitor, Mdivi‐1 (2 nmol), were also evaluated. Results Phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 616 (p‐Drp1(Ser616)) was elevated from 1 to 24 h after the elicited seizure activity. Pretreatment with Mdivi‐1 decreased the Drp1 phosphorylation at Ser616 and limited the mitochondrial fission. Mdivi‐1 rescued the Complex I dysfunction, decreased the levels of oxidized proteins, decreased the activation of cytochrome c/caspase‐3 signaling, and blunted cell death in CA3 neurons. Conclusion Our findings suggest that activation of p‐Drp1(Ser616) is related to seizure‐induced neuronal damage. Modulation of p‐Drp1(Ser616) expression is accompanied by decreases in mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidation, providing a neuroprotective effect against seizure‐induced hippocampal neuronal damage.