Cooperative assembly of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

Deep understanding of the pathophysiological role of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) relies on a well-grounded model explaining how its biogenesis is regulated. The lack of a consistent framework to clarify the modes and mechanisms governing the assembly of the MRC complexes and supercomplexes (SCs) works against progress in the field. The plasticity model was postulated as an attempt to explain the coexistence of mammalian MRC complexes as individual entities and associated in SC species. However, mounting data accumulated throughout the years question the universal validity of the plasticity model as originally proposed. Instead, as we argue here, a cooperative assembly model provides a much better explanation to the phenomena observed when studying MRC biogenesis in physiological and pathological settings.

Automated summary

The lack of a consistent framework to explain the assembly of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and supercomplexes has hindered progress in the field. The plasticity model, which proposes that the complexes can exist as individual entities or be associated in supercomplexes, is being questioned. Instead, a cooperative assembly model is argued to provide a better explanation for the observed phenomena in MRC biogenesis.