ABSTRACT
Mitochondria is one of the important organelles, which is composed of outer mitochondrial membrane and inner mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondrial structure and function are regulated by mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial fusion- and fission-related proteins may participate in the process of mitochondrial fusion and fission, mediate mitochondrial dynamics, thereby regulating cell structure, function and energy metabolism. Mitofusin (MFN) 2, a protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane of mammalian, has guanosine triphosphatase activity, which may mediate mitochondrial fusion, participate in mitophagy, formation of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane and apoptosis, and significantly affect the incidence and development of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In this article, the structure, regulation, function of MFN2 and its role in IRI were reviewed, and the relationship between MFN2 and IRI and underlying mechanism were investigated, aiming to provide novel targets and ideas for the prevention and treatment of IRI.