Mitochondria — the intracellular powerhouse in which nutrients are converted into energy in the form of ATP or heat — are highly dynamic, double-membraned organelles that harness a plethora of cellular functions that sustain energy metabolism and homeostasis. Exciting new discoveries now indicate that the maintenance of this ever-changing and functionally pleiotropic organelle is particularly relevant in terminally differentiated cells that are highly dependent on aerobic metabolism. Given the central role in maintaining metabolic and physiological homeostasis, imbalances in the mitochondrial network might therefore confer a potentially devastating vulnerability to high-energy requiring cell types and organs, contributing to pathologies associated with ageing, neurodegeneration, metabolic disease, and cancer. Thus, several and elaborated quality control mechanisms have evolved to cope with perturbations of homeostasis and restore mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, mitochondrial derived vesicles, mitophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome system and mitochondrial unfolded protein response.
Understanding the fundamental principles governing mitochondrial homeostasis is at the forefront of the research. The discovery of behavioral, dietary, and pharmacological interventions has shown the ability to protect against metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and ageing-associated diseases by selectively dismantling potentially harmful, dysfunctional and/or damaged mitochondria and renewing components through biogenesis, collectively preserving cellular and physiological homeostasis. The aim of the current Research Topic is to outline and review the key questions regarding the biological functions of mitochondria in the context of metabolism and ageing, development, disease, nutritional and pharmacological interventions.
We welcome review and articles which cover current trends in the field along with providing broad understanding of the topic.
• Molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control
• Role of mitochondrial respiration in homeostasis, differentiation, and development
• Inherited and acquired disorders affecting mitochondria
• Role of mitochondrial proteostasis in healthy ageing and human diseases
• Tools to monitor mitochondrial dynamics and function in vitro and in vivo
• Modulation of epigenetics by mitochondria
• Role of mitochondria in immunometabolism and senescence
• Mitochondrial transplantation and synthetic biology
• Behavioral, dietary, and pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial function
• Clinical interventions for mitochondrial genetic or age-associated diseases
Mitochondria — the intracellular powerhouse in which nutrients are converted into energy in the form of ATP or heat — are highly dynamic, double-membraned organelles that harness a plethora of cellular functions that sustain energy metabolism and homeostasis. Exciting new discoveries now indicate that the maintenance of this ever-changing and functionally pleiotropic organelle is particularly relevant in terminally differentiated cells that are highly dependent on aerobic metabolism. Given the central role in maintaining metabolic and physiological homeostasis, imbalances in the mitochondrial network might therefore confer a potentially devastating vulnerability to high-energy requiring cell types and organs, contributing to pathologies associated with ageing, neurodegeneration, metabolic disease, and cancer. Thus, several and elaborated quality control mechanisms have evolved to cope with perturbations of homeostasis and restore mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, mitochondrial derived vesicles, mitophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome system and mitochondrial unfolded protein response.
Understanding the fundamental principles governing mitochondrial homeostasis is at the forefront of the research. The discovery of behavioral, dietary, and pharmacological interventions has shown the ability to protect against metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and ageing-associated diseases by selectively dismantling potentially harmful, dysfunctional and/or damaged mitochondria and renewing components through biogenesis, collectively preserving cellular and physiological homeostasis. The aim of the current Research Topic is to outline and review the key questions regarding the biological functions of mitochondria in the context of metabolism and ageing, development, disease, nutritional and pharmacological interventions.
We welcome review and articles which cover current trends in the field along with providing broad understanding of the topic.
• Molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control
• Role of mitochondrial respiration in homeostasis, differentiation, and development
• Inherited and acquired disorders affecting mitochondria
• Role of mitochondrial proteostasis in healthy ageing and human diseases
• Tools to monitor mitochondrial dynamics and function in vitro and in vivo
• Modulation of epigenetics by mitochondria
• Role of mitochondria in immunometabolism and senescence
• Mitochondrial transplantation and synthetic biology
• Behavioral, dietary, and pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial function
• Clinical interventions for mitochondrial genetic or age-associated diseases