About this Research Topic
Mitochondria are organelles that play a crucial role in cellular energy production and metabolism. In addition to their role in producing macromolecules and ATP for the cell, they are also involved in other aspects of cellular metabolism and function, such as ion homeostasis, stress signaling, various cell death mechanisms and redox balance maintenance. Mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, such as mitochondrial proteases, mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, are critical for maintaining normal mitochondrial function and metabolism and preventing cellular damage. Impaired mitochondrial function has been linked to various human diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as aging-associated disorders. Primary mitochondrial diseases are often multisystem disorders that can affect various organs in the body, such as the brain, heart, and muscles.
Recent research has focused on understanding mitochondrial metabolism and function under physiological and pathological conditions. Mitochondrial dysfunction most often affects mitochondrial OXPHOS and bioenergetics but also impairment of other mitochondrial functions and stress signaling cascades elicited upon mitochondrial defects may contribute to the severity and onset of the cellular damage. Mitochondrial defects lead to metabolic alterations that are often tissue or cell-type specific but we currently know very little why this is and what mechanisms coordinate these decisions. What specific stressors trigger mitochondrial metabolic changes and how are these affecting cell survival and function? To better understand the underlying mechanisms we first have to be able to comprehensively characterize these responses and have a better understanding in disease-causing defects. This Research Topic aims to improve our understanding of mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation and the implications for human health and disease.
The aim of this issue is to collect novel findings on the molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial function and metabolism that ultimately has implications to human health. We invite original research articles as well as reviews and commentaries presenting a synthesis with a novel view on recent developments from the field. We focus this Research Topic in the following topics:
• Tissue and cell type-specific metabolic signatures and stress responses affecting mitochondrial function
• Intraorganellar cross-talk between mitochondria and other cell organelles
• Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and stress signaling in controlling cell differentiation and cell death pathways
• Novel tools to study mitochondrial metabolism and bioenergetics
• Comparative tissue- or cell type specific analysis on mitochondrial function
• Novel findings in genetics or molecular mechanisms in mitochondrial diseases
• Role of mitochondrial DNA or RNA release and inflammatory response in physiological and pathological conditions
• Innovative diagnostic or therapy strategies for mitochondrial diseases
Recent research has focused on understanding mitochondrial metabolism and function under physiological and pathological conditions. Mitochondrial dysfunction most often affects mitochondrial OXPHOS and bioenergetics but also impairment of other mitochondrial functions and stress signaling cascades elicited upon mitochondrial defects may contribute to the severity and onset of the cellular damage. Mitochondrial defects lead to metabolic alterations that are often tissue or cell-type specific but we currently know very little why this is and what mechanisms coordinate these decisions. What specific stressors trigger mitochondrial metabolic changes and how are these affecting cell survival and function? To better understand the underlying mechanisms we first have to be able to comprehensively characterize these responses and have a better understanding in disease-causing defects. This Research Topic aims to improve our understanding of mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation and the implications for human health and disease.
The aim of this issue is to collect novel findings on the molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial function and metabolism that ultimately has implications to human health. We invite original research articles as well as reviews and commentaries presenting a synthesis with a novel view on recent developments from the field. We focus this Research Topic in the following topics:
• Tissue and cell type-specific metabolic signatures and stress responses affecting mitochondrial function
• Intraorganellar cross-talk between mitochondria and other cell organelles
• Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and stress signaling in controlling cell differentiation and cell death pathways
• Novel tools to study mitochondrial metabolism and bioenergetics
• Comparative tissue- or cell type specific analysis on mitochondrial function
• Novel findings in genetics or molecular mechanisms in mitochondrial diseases
• Role of mitochondrial DNA or RNA release and inflammatory response in physiological and pathological conditions
• Innovative diagnostic or therapy strategies for mitochondrial diseases
Keywords: mitochondria, mitochondrial bioenergetics, metabolism, ATP, health and disease
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
