Notably, p53 modulates mitochondrial dynamics at MAMs through interactions with key mediators: it influences OPA1 (a core mediator of mitochondrial fusion and cristae structure) via Bak/Bax and OMA1, representing a mechanism linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in cardiomyopathies that may extend to atrial myocytes in AF (Zhang et al., 2022). The gene discussed is BAK1; the disease is cardiomyopathy.