The review summarized the involvement of mitochondria in age-related disease progression and highlighted its potential as a therapeutic target of these diseases.
By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.Aug 28 2023Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc. Scientists have recently reviewed the available literature to examine the critical roles played by mitochondria in maintaining homeostasis. This review has been published in Experimental & Molecular Medicine.
The key functions of mitochondria are energy production, fatty acid oxidation, iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis, thermogenesis, and cellular signaling. Since mitochondria are a cell powerhouse, it harbors many catabolic pathways. Mitochondria regulates signaling pathways through cytochrome c release and caspase activation, which leads to immune responses and programmed cell death activation.
PCD is not only an essential feature for the development of multicellular organisms, it also causes degenerative diseases. Apoptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage, karyorrhexis, and nuclear pyknosis, which occurs in response to stimuli . Apoptotic bodies are eventually engulfed by phagocytic cells. In almost every organ system, apoptosis plays a critical role in physiological homeostasis.
Apoptosis and necroptosis differ in many ways. For instance, necroptotic cells are associated with cellular disruption, nuclear condensation, DNA hydrolysis, chromatin digestion, and eventually cell lysis. Tumor necrosis factor plays a key role in driving necroptosis. Mitochondrion-associated PCD has been linked to the incidence of cancer. An elevated level of ROS triggers apoptosis in cancer cells. A significantly high level of ROS disrupts mitochondrial functions, ultimately activating intrinsic apoptosis pathways. An excessive ROS level also triggers necroptosis, activating inflammatory and anticancer immune responses.