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Viruses Dec 2023Mitochondria have been identified as the "powerhouse" of the cell, generating the cellular energy, ATP, for almost seven decades. Research over time has uncovered a... (Review)
Review
Mitochondria have been identified as the "powerhouse" of the cell, generating the cellular energy, ATP, for almost seven decades. Research over time has uncovered a multifaceted role of the mitochondrion in processes such as cellular stress signaling, generating precursor molecules, immune response, and apoptosis to name a few. Dysfunctional mitochondria resulting from a departure in homeostasis results in cellular degeneration. Viruses hijack host cell machinery to facilitate their own replication in the absence of a bonafide replication machinery. Replication being an energy intensive process necessitates regulation of the host cell oxidative phosphorylation occurring at the electron transport chain in the mitochondria to generate energy. Mitochondria, therefore, can be an attractive therapeutic target by limiting energy for viral replication. In this review we focus on the physiology of oxidative phosphorylation and on the limited studies highlighting the regulatory effects viruses induce on the electron transport chain.
Topics: Humans; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Mitochondria; Apoptosis; Signal Transduction; Virus Diseases; Phosphorylation; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 38140621
DOI: 10.3390/v15122380 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Nov 2017The skin being a protective barrier between external and internal (body) environments has the sensory and adaptive capacity to maintain local and global body homeostasis... (Review)
Review
The skin being a protective barrier between external and internal (body) environments has the sensory and adaptive capacity to maintain local and global body homeostasis in response to noxious factors. An important part of the skin response to stress is its ability for melatonin synthesis and subsequent metabolism through the indolic and kynuric pathways. Indeed, melatonin and its metabolites have emerged as indispensable for physiological skin functions and for effective protection of a cutaneous homeostasis from hostile environmental factors. Moreover, they attenuate the pathological processes including carcinogenesis and other hyperproliferative/inflammatory conditions. Interestingly, mitochondria appear to be a central hub of melatonin metabolism in the skin cells. Furthermore, substantial evidence has accumulated on the protective role of the melatonin against ultraviolet radiation and the attendant mitochondrial dysfunction. Melatonin and its metabolites appear to have a modulatory impact on mitochondrion redox and bioenergetic homeostasis, as well as the anti-apoptotic effects. Of note, some metabolites exhibit even greater impact than melatonin alone. Herein, we emphasize that melatonin-mitochondria axis would control integumental functions designed to protect local and perhaps global homeostasis. Given the phylogenetic origin and primordial actions of melatonin, we propose that the melatonin-related mitochondrial functions represent an evolutionary conserved mechanism involved in cellular adaptive response to skin injury and repair.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Humans; Melatonin; Mitochondria; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 28803347
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2617-7 -
EMBO Reports Jun 2020Multicellular organisms are complex biological systems, composed of specialized tissues that require coordination of the metabolic and fitness state of each component.... (Review)
Review
Multicellular organisms are complex biological systems, composed of specialized tissues that require coordination of the metabolic and fitness state of each component. In the cells composing the tissues, one central organelle is the mitochondrion, a compartment essential for many energetic and fundamental biological processes. Beyond serving these functions, mitochondria have emerged as signaling hubs in biological systems, capable of inducing changes to the cell they are in, to cells in distal tissues through secreted factors, and to overall animal physiology. Here, we describe our current understanding of these communication mechanisms in the context of mitochondrial stress. We focus on cellular mechanisms that deal with perturbations to the mitochondrial proteome and outline recent advances in understanding how local perturbations can affect distal tissues and animal physiology in model organisms. Finally, we discuss recent findings of these responses associated with metabolic and age-associated diseases in mammalian systems, and how they may be employed as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Topics: Animals; Mammals; Mitochondria; Proteome; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32449292
DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050094 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Sep 2012Viewed through the lens of the genome it contains, the mitochondrion is of unquestioned bacterial ancestry, originating from within the bacterial phylum... (Review)
Review
Viewed through the lens of the genome it contains, the mitochondrion is of unquestioned bacterial ancestry, originating from within the bacterial phylum α-Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria). Accordingly, the endosymbiont hypothesis--the idea that the mitochondrion evolved from a bacterial progenitor via symbiosis within an essentially eukaryotic host cell--has assumed the status of a theory. Yet mitochondrial genome evolution has taken radically different pathways in diverse eukaryotic lineages, and the organelle itself is increasingly viewed as a genetic and functional mosaic, with the bulk of the mitochondrial proteome having an evolutionary origin outside Alphaproteobacteria. New data continue to reshape our views regarding mitochondrial evolution, particularly raising the question of whether the mitochondrion originated after the eukaryotic cell arose, as assumed in the classical endosymbiont hypothesis, or whether this organelle had its beginning at the same time as the cell containing it.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Mitochondrial; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; Phylogeny; Proteome; Symbiosis
PubMed: 22952398
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a011403 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Apr 2014While the mitochondrion has long fascinated biologists and the sheer diversity of druggable targets has made it attractive for potential drug development, there has been...
While the mitochondrion has long fascinated biologists and the sheer diversity of druggable targets has made it attractive for potential drug development, there has been little success translatable to the clinic. Given the diversity of inborn errors of metabolism and mitochondrial diseases, mitochondrially mediated oxidative stress (myopathies, reperfusion injury, Parkinson's disease, ageing) and the consequences of disturbed energetics (circulatory shock, diabetes, cancer), the potential for meaningful gain with novel drugs targeting mitochondrial mechanisms is huge both in terms of patient quality of life and health care costs. In this themed issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, we highlight the key directions of the contemporary advances in the field of mitochondrial biology, emerging drug targets and new molecules which are close to clinical application. Authors' contributions are diverse both in terms of species and organs in which the mitochondrially related studies are performed, and from the perspectives of mechanisms under study. Defined roles of mitochondria in disease are updated and previously unknown contributions to disease are described in terms of the interface between basic science and pathological relevance.
Topics: Drug Design; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases; Molecular Targeted Therapy
PubMed: 24684388
DOI: 10.1111/bph.12679 -
Mitochondrion Jul 2018Mitochondria fulfill important and diverse roles during the different stages of T cell adaptive responses. Here we discuss the role of the mitochondria in T cells from... (Review)
Review
Mitochondria fulfill important and diverse roles during the different stages of T cell adaptive responses. Here we discuss the role of the mitochondria in T cells from the initial steps of activation at the immune synapse to their participation in memory response and T cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are relocated to the immune synapse in order to supply local ATP and to aid calcium signaling. During expansion and proliferation, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species drive proliferation. Aerobic glycolysis, glutaminolysis and fatty acid oxidation regulate the program of differentiation into effector or regulatory T cell subsets, and mitochondrial remodeling proteins are required for the long-lasting phenotype of memory cells.
Topics: Animals; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Metabolic Diseases; Mitochondria; Signal Transduction; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 29032101
DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.10.006 -
Mitochondrion Sep 2016Once considered exclusively the cell's powerhouse, mitochondria are now recognized to perform multiple essential functions beyond energy production, impacting most areas... (Review)
Review
Once considered exclusively the cell's powerhouse, mitochondria are now recognized to perform multiple essential functions beyond energy production, impacting most areas of cell biology and medicine. Since the emergence of molecular biology and the discovery of pathogenic mitochondrial DNA defects in the 1980's, research advances have revealed a number of common human diseases which share an underlying pathogenesis involving mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria undergo function-defining dynamic shape changes, communicate with each other, regulate gene expression within the nucleus, modulate synaptic transmission within the brain, release molecules that contribute to oncogenic transformation and trigger inflammatory responses systemically, and influence the regulation of complex physiological systems. Novel mitopathogenic mechanisms are thus being uncovered across a number of medical disciplines including genetics, oncology, neurology, immunology, and critical care medicine. Increasing knowledge of the bioenergetic aspects of human disease has provided new opportunities for diagnosis, therapy, prevention, and in connecting various domains of medicine. In this article, we overview specific aspects of mitochondrial biology that have contributed to - and likely will continue to enhance the progress of modern medicine.
Topics: Energy Metabolism; Humans; Medicine; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases
PubMed: 27423788
DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.07.003 -
Cell Calcium Dec 2021
Topics: Mitochondria
PubMed: 34784537
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102498 -
Experimental & Molecular Medicine Dec 2023Mitochondria participate in a wide range of cellular processes. One essential function of mitochondria is to be a platform for antiviral signaling proteins during the... (Review)
Review
Mitochondria participate in a wide range of cellular processes. One essential function of mitochondria is to be a platform for antiviral signaling proteins during the innate immune response to viral infection. Recently, studies have revealed that mitochondrion-derived DNAs and RNAs are recognized as non-self molecules and act as immunogenic ligands. More importantly, the cytosolic release of these mitochondrial nucleic acids (mt-NAs) is closely associated with the pathogenesis of human diseases accompanying aberrant immune activation. The release of mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) via BAX/BAK activation and/or VDAC1 oligomerization activates the innate immune response and inflammasome assembly. In addition, mitochondrial double-stranded RNAs (mt-dsRNAs) are sensed by pattern recognition receptors in the cytosol to induce type I interferon expression and initiate apoptotic programs. Notably, these cytosolic mt-NAs also mediate adipocyte differentiation and contribute to mitogenesis and mitochondrial thermogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent studies of innate immune signaling pathways regulated by mt-NAs, human diseases associated with mt-NAs, and the emerging physiological roles of mt-NAs.
Topics: Humans; Nucleic Acids; Immunity, Innate; Signal Transduction; Receptors, Pattern Recognition; Mitochondria
PubMed: 38036728
DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01121-x -
The International Journal of... Jun 2018Bipolar disorder is a chronic and often debilitating illness. Current treatment options (both pharmaco- and psychotherapy) have shown efficacy, but for many leave a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Bipolar disorder is a chronic and often debilitating illness. Current treatment options (both pharmaco- and psychotherapy) have shown efficacy, but for many leave a shortfall in recovery. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder suggest that interventions that target mitochondrial dysfunction may provide a therapeutic benefit.
METHODS
This review explores the current and growing theoretical rationale as well as existing preclinical and clinical data for those therapies aiming to target the mitochondrion in bipolar disorder. A Clinicaltrials.gov and ANZCTR search was conducted for complete and ongoing trials on mitochondrial agents used in psychiatric disorders. A PubMed search was also conducted for literature published between January 1981 and July 2017. Systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, case series, and animal studies with an emphasis on agents affecting mitochondrial function and its role in bipolar disorder were included. The search was augmented by manually searching the references of key papers and related literature. The results were presented as a narrative review.
RESULTS
Mitochondrial agents offer new horizons in mood disorder treatment. While some negative effects have been reported, most compounds are overall well tolerated and have generally benign side-effect profiles.
CONCLUSIONS
The study of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and mitochondrial function has contributed the understanding of bipolar disorder's pathophysiology. Agents targeting these pathways could be a potential therapeutic strategy. Future directions include identification of novel candidate mitochondrial modulators as well as rigorous and well-powered clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Antimanic Agents; Bipolar Disorder; Humans; Mitochondria
PubMed: 29596661
DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy018