Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor V. Lemeshko
Summary: Recently reported kinase-linked mild depolarization of mitochondria may be a crucial component of the mitochondrial anti-aging program. However, the current measurement methods for mitochondrial inner membrane potential ignore the possibility of outer membrane potential generation. The experimental data reported in this study may reflect changes in the positive outer membrane potential generated by VDAC-kinase complexes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Grant C. C. Walters, Yuriy M. M. Usachev
Summary: Mitochondria play essential roles in cellular function, including ATP synthesis, reactive oxygen species production, calcium buffering, and apoptotic signaling. In neurons, calcium buffering is particularly important for regulating various calcium-dependent functions. Recent discoveries of molecular components involved in mitochondrial calcium transport have shed light on the roles of mitochondrial calcium regulation in neuronal function and its implications in neurological diseases. This review discusses the multiple roles of mitochondrial calcium uptake and release mechanisms in normal neuronal function and provides insight into the calcium-dependent mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological diseases. The targeting of calcium uptake and release mechanisms could potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaofan Ning, Xinyue Li, Kai Ma, Huan Pang, Tiantian Tian, Huifang Hao, Qiaohong Hou, Meng Li, Tianxiang Liu, Shanshan Hou, Haiying Du, Xiuling Song, Zhiwei Sun, Chao Zhao, Minghua Jin
Summary: Silica nanoparticles are widely used in industry, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as medicine, tumor treatment and diagnosis, and other biomedical and biotechnology fields. The increasing exposure to silica nanoparticles through iatrogenic, occupational, and environmental sources has raised concerns about their potential damage and effects on the nervous system.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Hirohito Shimizu, Simon Huber, Adam D. Langenbacher, Lauren Crisman, Jie Huang, Kevin Wang, Fabiola Wilting, Thomas Gudermann, Johann Schredelseker, Jau-Nian Chen
Summary: Mitochondrial VDAC proteins play a crucial role in regulating cardiac rhythmicity, with overexpression of VDAC1 and VDAC2 suppressing arrhythmia. The presence of glutamate at position 73 in VDAC1 and VDAC2, and glutamine in VDAC3, determines their isoform-specific functions in controlling Ca2+ transport. Mutation of E73 or Q73 affects the anti-arrhythmic effect of VDAC isoforms by modulating Ca2+ cross-talk between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in cardiomyocytes.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor V. Lemeshko
Summary: Mitochondria, composed of two membranes, play a key role in energy production in eukaryotic cells. The outer membrane controls the energy flux and exchange of metabolites, while the inner membrane is responsible for oxidative phosphorylation. Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) facilitate the transport of metabolites across the outer membrane. This study analyzes experimental data related to targeting VDACs and VDAC-kinase complexes, expanding on the hypothesis of outer membrane potential (OMP) generation and its effect on cell energy metabolism.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas Tricaud, Benoit Gautier, Jade Berthelot, Sergio Gonzalez, Gerben Van Hameren
Summary: This study found that after nerve injury, there are changes in the pH, motility, and calcium content of Schwann cell mitochondria, leading to demyelination. Calcium release through VDAC channels plays a crucial role in this process. The altered kinetics of mitochondrial calcium release in diabetic mice suggest a potential mechanism for the development of peripheral neuropathy. Blocking VDAC could be a promising target for developing drugs to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordan L. Morris, Germain Gillet, Julien Prudent, Nikolay Popgeorgiev
Summary: Bcl-2 family proteins are not only important regulators of apoptosis, but are also emerging as regulators of intracellular calcium concentrations. They interact with major calcium transporters at mitochondria-ER contact points, controlling mitochondrial calcium balance and impacting cell survival and migration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Sander, Thomas Gudermann, Johann Schredelseker
Summary: Research on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake mainly focuses on the function, regulation, and localization of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex (MCUC), while also investigating the role of the outer mitochondrial membrane channels in regulating this process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren L. Walkon, Jasiel O. Strubbe-Rivera, Jason N. Bazil
Summary: Mitochondrial calcium plays a dual role, with low levels being essential for ATP production and high levels leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. In moderate amounts, calcium inhibits ATP synthesis. The mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction during calcium overload remains unclear, but it may involve changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and enzyme activity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tobias E. Spikes, Martin G. Montgomery, John E. Walker
Summary: The ATP synthase complexes in mitochondria synthesize ATP through a rotary mechanism, with dimers forming chains along cristae tips via interactions in membrane domains. Analysis of purified dimeric bovine ATP synthase particles shows the central rotatory axes of monomeric complexes vary in angle between approximately 76 and 95 degrees, influenced by both catalytic and non-catalytic factors. The monomer-monomer interaction is mainly mediated by j subunits, leading to angular variations from rotational and translational changes that affect the formation of rows along cristae tips.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Swagatika Panda, Suchismita Behera, Mohd Faraz Alam, Gulam Hussain Syed
Summary: Calcium ions serve as secondary messengers in cellular processes, with ER and mitochondria relying on Ca2+ for their function. Viruses exploit Ca2+ signaling to establish infection and evade host immune defenses, highlighting the significance of this interplay on viral life cycles and disease pathogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Fernandez Bernal, Natalia Mota, Reinald Pamplona, Estela Area-Gomez, Manuel Portero-Otin
Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the death of motor neurons (MNs), and dysfunction in mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs) may play a crucial role in the cellular disarrangements in ALS, including dysregulations in lipid metabolism and calcium homeostasis.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mehtab Khan, Yann Baussan, Etienne Hebert-Chatelain
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to the pathophysiology of depression, as evidenced by impaired expression of mitochondrial genes, damage to mitochondrial membrane proteins and lipids, disruption of the electron transport chain, higher oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis in preclinical models and patients with depression. Understanding the mechanisms underlying depression and identifying phenotypes and biomarkers related to mitochondrial dysfunction are crucial for early diagnosis and the development of new treatments for this debilitating disorder.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingjing Pan, Yanfeng Wei, Linlin Ni, Xiaoyang Li, Yu Deng, Bin Xu, Tianyao Yang, Jingyi Sun, Wei Liu
Summary: This study investigates the role of calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. The results suggest that MeHg causes cell damage and increases Ca2+ release from the ER as well as free Ca2+ levels in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Ca2+ channel inhibitors and Ca2+ chelator can partially inhibit MeHg-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shakti Sagar, Himanshi Kapoor, Nisha Chaudhary, Soumya Sinha Roy
Summary: Calcium signaling is crucial in regulating cellular functioning and fate, with recent studies focusing on the impact of mitochondrial calcium accumulation in Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD). Dysregulation of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis can lead to impaired cellular processes, highlighting the potential for advanced therapeutic interventions in CRD.
Review
Cell Biology
Ashley S. Pitt, Susan K. Buchanan
Summary: The TOM complex plays a central role in mitochondrial protein import and has implications for various diseases like neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Recent advances in understanding the TOM complex and outer mitochondrial membrane protein import have opened up exciting possibilities for structure-based therapeutics targeting mitochondrial dysfunction.