Role of Signaling Molecules in Mitochondrial Stress Response.

Shauna Hill,Kavithalakshmi Sataranatarajan,Holly Van Remmen

doi:10.3389/fgene.2018.00225

Abstract

Mitochondria are established essential regulators of cellular function and metabolism. Mitochondria regulate redox homeostasis, maintain energy (ATP) production through oxidative phosphorylation, buffer calcium levels, and control cell death through apoptosis. In addition to these critical cell functions, recent evidence supports a signaling role for mitochondria. For example, studies over the past few years have established that peptides released from the mitochondria mediate stress responses such as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRMT) through signaling to the nucleus. Mitochondrial damage or danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) provide a link between mitochondria, inflammation and inflammatory disease processes. Additionally, a new class of peptides generated by the mitochondria affords protection against age-related diseases in mammals. In this short review, we highlight the role of mitochondrial signaling and regulation of cellular activities through the mitochondrial UPRMT that signals to the nucleus to affect homeostatic responses, DAMPs, and mitochondrial derived peptides.

Highlights

Mitochondria are essential double membrane cellular organelles that provide the energy to the cell through oxidative phosphorylation
Only constitutive overexpression of flp-2 was shown to induce the UPRMT on its own. These studies suggest that FLP-2 is released by neurons during mitochondrial stress to signal for the induction of the UPRMT in the periphery
Since the initial finding of mitochondrial nuclear signaling in yeast, our understanding of the potential for mitochondrial to act in a cell signaling capacity has expanded significantly

Summary

Introduction

Mitochondria are essential double membrane cellular organelles that provide the energy to the cell through oxidative phosphorylation. Van Remmen H (2018) Role of Signaling Molecules in Mitochondrial Stress Response. Studies over the past few years have established that peptides released from the mitochondria mediate stress responses such as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRMT) through signaling to the nucleus.

Results

Conclusion