Mitochondria are essential cytosolic organelles that meet the rapidly-changing metabolic needs of the cell by transforming different substrates into readily available energy. Any loss of this adaptive plasticity has the potential to compromise cellular function and make the cell more susceptible to external stressors. Mitochondria coordinate other critical specialized functions such as cell death and survival pathways, calcium buffering, metabolite production, integration of intracellular signaling, and generation of reactive oxygen species. Mitochondrial integrity is granted by a multi-tier surveillance system known as mitochondrial quality control (MQC), that operates at the protein, organelle and cell level to repair or eliminate damaged mitochondrial components, and replace them with new ones. When these quality-check processes are impaired, mitochondria become more vulnerable to noxious stimuli, which predispose to energy crisis and disease.
Mitochondria dysfunctions, favoring oxidative stress and inflammation, are regarded as crucial determinants of senescence and degenerative disease including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, thus highlighting the therapeutic potential for targeting mitochondria to prevent or slow down disease evolution. A better understanding of the processes involved in cellular metabolic adaptation and MQC is the prerequisite to identifying novel disease biomarkers and to develop improved therapeutic options. In this perspective, thrilling evidence indicates that non coding RNAs of nuclear and mitochondrial origin may play a key role in modulating the nucleo-mitochondrial cross-talk at the basis of mitochondrial function and homeostasis.
The aim of this special issue is to collect novel findings on the genetic and epigenetic molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial function and quality control in physiological and pathological conditions. Original research articles, as well as up-to date reviews and commentaries not restricted to the following topics are all welcome.
• Role of mitochondrial metabolism and plasticity in development, health, stressing conditions and disease
• Role of mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, proteostasis, and mitophagy in development, health, and disease
• Role of non coding RNAs in the regulation of mitochondria function and quality control
• Emerging evidence on inherited and acquired mitochondrial dysfunction
• Generation and release of mitochondria-derived vesicles in health and disease
• Biological and therapeutic implication of mitochondria-derived peptides
• Innovative therapeutic strategies against inherited and acquired mitochondrial disorders
• Novel biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction
• Involvement of mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) expression in cellular physiology and in human disorders.
• Genetics of mitochondrial disease: nuclear DNA or mtDNA mutations for diagnosis and therapy
• Role played by mitochondria in resistance to current therapeutic oncological treatments
• Investigating the role of mitochondrial (dys)function in human health and multisystem pathologies
Mitochondria are essential cytosolic organelles that meet the rapidly-changing metabolic needs of the cell by transforming different substrates into readily available energy. Any loss of this adaptive plasticity has the potential to compromise cellular function and make the cell more susceptible to external stressors. Mitochondria coordinate other critical specialized functions such as cell death and survival pathways, calcium buffering, metabolite production, integration of intracellular signaling, and generation of reactive oxygen species. Mitochondrial integrity is granted by a multi-tier surveillance system known as mitochondrial quality control (MQC), that operates at the protein, organelle and cell level to repair or eliminate damaged mitochondrial components, and replace them with new ones. When these quality-check processes are impaired, mitochondria become more vulnerable to noxious stimuli, which predispose to energy crisis and disease.
Mitochondria dysfunctions, favoring oxidative stress and inflammation, are regarded as crucial determinants of senescence and degenerative disease including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, thus highlighting the therapeutic potential for targeting mitochondria to prevent or slow down disease evolution. A better understanding of the processes involved in cellular metabolic adaptation and MQC is the prerequisite to identifying novel disease biomarkers and to develop improved therapeutic options. In this perspective, thrilling evidence indicates that non coding RNAs of nuclear and mitochondrial origin may play a key role in modulating the nucleo-mitochondrial cross-talk at the basis of mitochondrial function and homeostasis.
The aim of this special issue is to collect novel findings on the genetic and epigenetic molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial function and quality control in physiological and pathological conditions. Original research articles, as well as up-to date reviews and commentaries not restricted to the following topics are all welcome.
• Role of mitochondrial metabolism and plasticity in development, health, stressing conditions and disease
• Role of mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, proteostasis, and mitophagy in development, health, and disease
• Role of non coding RNAs in the regulation of mitochondria function and quality control
• Emerging evidence on inherited and acquired mitochondrial dysfunction
• Generation and release of mitochondria-derived vesicles in health and disease
• Biological and therapeutic implication of mitochondria-derived peptides
• Innovative therapeutic strategies against inherited and acquired mitochondrial disorders
• Novel biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction
• Involvement of mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) expression in cellular physiology and in human disorders.
• Genetics of mitochondrial disease: nuclear DNA or mtDNA mutations for diagnosis and therapy
• Role played by mitochondria in resistance to current therapeutic oncological treatments
• Investigating the role of mitochondrial (dys)function in human health and multisystem pathologies
