The study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Compound Xueshuantong (CXst) in the context of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a major cause of kidney failure driven by podocyte inju...The study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Compound Xueshuantong (CXst) in the context of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a major cause of kidney failure driven by podocyte injury and metabolic dysfunction. Given the critical role of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in regulating cellular energy balance, autophagy, and mitochondrial health, we focused on its involvement in podocyte function and how it might be influenced by CXst. Through a series of experiments, we found that CXst treatment led to the upregulation of key proteins involved in autophagy, such as LC3 and p62, as well as proteins critical for mitochondrial function, like PGC-1α. These molecular changes helped to counteract the damaging effects of high glucose levels on podocytes, which are central to maintaining the filtration function of the kidneys. Additionally, CXst's ability to modulate the AMPK/mTOR pathway was shown to be a pivotal factor in its protective effects, as inhibition of AMPK significantly reduced these benefits. This comprehensive study provides strong evidence that CXst exerts its protective effects against DN by modulating the AMPK/mTOR pathway, thus preserving podocyte integrity and function. These findings suggest that CXst could be a promising candidate for the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of DN, offering hope for better management of this challenging condition.
Hu W, Zhang J, Wu Z
… +4 more, Wu Y, Hu Y, Hu X, Cao J
Mitochondrion
· 2025 May · PMID 40024491
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Mitochondria are self-replicating organelles with their own DNA. They play a crucial role in biological, cellular and functional processes, such as energy production, metabolism, and signal transduction. Abnormal mitocho...Mitochondria are self-replicating organelles with their own DNA. They play a crucial role in biological, cellular and functional processes, such as energy production, metabolism, and signal transduction. Abnormal mitochondrial function can cause various diseases such as diabetes, tumour, Parkinson's disease, hereditary optic neuropathy, and others. Although mitochondrial functions have been extensively and widely explored, studies on mitochondrial inheritance have been limited. Mitochondrial inheritance is traditionally thought to be maternal although small amounts of paternally transmitted mitochondria have been discovered on rare occasions, and the role of paternal mitochondria transmission to offspring has been largely ignored. This review highlights the present knowledge on mitochondrial inheritance, especially the controversy and the difficulties in investigating paternal mitochondrial inheritance. More significantly, we present a comprehensive description of the physiological functions of paternal mitochondria in children and discuss the animal model to explore the mechanism of paternal mitochondrial inheritance. This review may provide a theoretical and experimental basis for improving our understanding of paternal mitochondrial inheritance, and also provide new ideas for treating mitochondrial diseases.
Pahal S, Mainali N, Balasubramaniam M
… +2 more, Shmookler Reis RJ, Ayyadevara S
Mitochondrion
· 2025 May · PMID 40023438
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Mitochondria, essential for cellular energy, are crucial in neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) and their age-related progression. This review highlights mitochondrial dynamics, mitovesicles, homeostasis, and organelle co...Mitochondria, essential for cellular energy, are crucial in neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) and their age-related progression. This review highlights mitochondrial dynamics, mitovesicles, homeostasis, and organelle communication. We examine mitochondrial impacts from aging and NDDs, focusing on protein aggregation and dysfunction. Prospective therapeutic approaches include enhancing mitophagy, improving respiratory chain function, maintaining calcium and lipid balance, using microRNAs, and mitochondrial transfer to protect function. These strategies underscore the crucial role of mitochondrial health in neuronal survival and cognitive functions, offering new therapeutic opportunities.
Although several proteins involved in DNA repair systems have been identified in the T. cruzi mitochondrion, limited information is available regarding the specific DNA repair mechanisms responsible for kinetoplast DNA (...Although several proteins involved in DNA repair systems have been identified in the T. cruzi mitochondrion, limited information is available regarding the specific DNA repair mechanisms responsible for kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) maintenance. The kDNA, contained within a single mitochondrion, exhibits a highly complex replication mechanism compared to the mitochondrial DNA of other eukaryotes. The absence of additional mitochondria makes the proper maintenance of this single mitochondrion essential for parasite viability. Trypanosomatids possess a distinct set of proteins dedicated to kDNA organization and metabolism, known as kinetoplast-associated proteins (KAPs). Despite studies identifying the localization of these proteins, their functions remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that TcKAP7 is involved in the repair of kDNA lesions induced by UV radiation and cisplatin. TcKAP7 mutant cells exhibited phenotypes similar to those observed in Angomonas deanei following the deletion of this gene. This monoxenic trypanosomatid colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of insects and possesses a kinetoplast with a distinct shape and kDNA topology compared to T. cruzi, making it a suitable comparative model in this study. Additionally, we observed that DNA damage can trigger distinct signaling pathways leading to cell death. Furthermore, we elucidated the involvement of CSB in this response, suggesting a potential interaction between TcKAP7 and CSB proteins in transcription-coupled DNA repair. The results presented here describe, for the first time, the mechanism of mitochondrial DNA repair in trypanosomatids following exposure to UV radiation and cisplatin.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 May · PMID 39983884
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BACKGROUND: AML exhibits substantial molecular and genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, identifying key biological processes and related genes involved in the pathogenesis, as well as contributing to therapeutic resistance,...BACKGROUND: AML exhibits substantial molecular and genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, identifying key biological processes and related genes involved in the pathogenesis, as well as contributing to therapeutic resistance, is imperative for enhancing clinical outcomes. However, the assessment of mitochondrial function in AML has gradually been acknowledged but has not been widely emphasized. Hence, prioritizing the identification of mitochondrial-related biomarkers is crucial to enhance existing stratification methodologies and guide decisions on risk-adapted therapies. METHODS: We systematically integrated and analyzed data from nine online AML transcriptomics sequencing databases, screening the Human.MitoCarta3.0 mitochondrial gene database to identify AML-specific mitochondrial genes. A prognostic mitochondrial score was developed using LASSO regression analysis in the HOVON database as training cohort (n = 618) and validated in another eight publicly available independent cohorts (n = 1,697). RESULTS: A 19-mitochondrial function gene AML score was further generated and exhibited high prognostic power in 2,315 AML patients, named as MitoScore. MitoScore was an independent survival prognosis biomarker (p < 0.001). The MitoScore effectively distinguishes several genetic abnormalities and significantly improves the ELN (European Leukemia Net) classification. Patients with a high MitoScore demonstrated a notably poor response to induction chemotherapy and related refractory AML (p < 0.001). In the favorable risk gene variant and cytogenetic abnormality group, MitoScore was significantly lower compared to patients without those variants. Conversely, in the adverse group, MitoScore was significantly higher compared to patients with favorable genetic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the utility of the MitoScore as a powerful tool for refined risk stratification and predicting chemotherapy resistance.
Hanada S, Ishikawa K, Shirai T
… +2 more, Takemasa T, Nakada K
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39956167
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Recent studies have reported that endurance exercise enhances mitochondrial function, facilitating discussions of its potential as a therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial diseases caused by the accumulation of mutant mi...Recent studies have reported that endurance exercise enhances mitochondrial function, facilitating discussions of its potential as a therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial diseases caused by the accumulation of mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In this study, we assessed the effects of endurance exercise on muscle pathology in a mitochondrial disease mouse model (mito-miceΔ) that is characterized by severe clinical phenotypes owing to the predominant accumulation of mtDNA with a large-scale deletion (ΔmtDNA). Contrary to expectations that endurance exercise may enhance mitochondrial function, endurance exercise exacerbated muscle pathology in mito-miceΔ. Therefore, exercise interventions should be potentially avoided in patients with severe mitochondrial diseases.
Hemel IMGM, Steen C, Denil SLIJ
… +4 more, Ertaylan G, Kutmon M, Adriaens M, Gerards M
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39909388
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Mitochondrial dynamics is crucial for cellular homeostasis. However, not all proteins involved are known. Using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) approach, we identified ITPRIPL2 for involvement in mitochondrial dynami...Mitochondrial dynamics is crucial for cellular homeostasis. However, not all proteins involved are known. Using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) approach, we identified ITPRIPL2 for involvement in mitochondrial dynamics. ITPRIPL2 co-localizes with intermediate filament protein vimentin, supported by protein simulations. ITPRIPL2 knockdown reveals mitochondrial elongation, disrupts vimentin processing, intermediate filament formation, and alters vimentin-related pathways. Interestingly, vimentin knockdown also leads to mitochondrial elongation. These findings highlight ITPRIPL2 as vimentin-associated protein essential for intermediate filament structure and suggest a role for intermediate filaments in mitochondrial morphology. Our study demonstrates that PPI analysis is a powerful approach for identifying novel mitochondrial dynamics proteins.
Oikarainen J, Hinttala R, Nayebzadeh N
… +7 more, Kangas SM, Mankinen K, Rahikkala E, Kokkonen H, Vieira P, Suo-Palosaari M, Uusimaa J
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39894241
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Leigh syndrome is the most common phenotype of mitochondrial disorders in children. This study demonstrates clinical, neuroradiological, and molecular genetic findings in siblings with Leigh syndrome and isolated complex...Leigh syndrome is the most common phenotype of mitochondrial disorders in children. This study demonstrates clinical, neuroradiological, and molecular genetic findings in siblings with Leigh syndrome and isolated complex I assembly defect associated with intronic c.16 + 5G > A variant in the NDUFS7 gene. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to identify the causative variant. The gene and protein expression of NDUFS7 were studied using patient-derived fibroblasts. Assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes was analyzed using Blue Native PAGE. This study shows that the NDUFS7 c.16 + 5G > A variant (rs375282422) has a causative role in Leigh syndrome. Evolution of neuroimaging findings related to this gene variant are demonstrated.
Sánchez-Mendoza LM, González-Reyes JA, Rodríguez-López S
… +5 more, Calvo-Rubio M, Calero-Rodríguez P, de Cabo R, Burón MI, Villalba JM
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39793940
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Cytochrome b reductase 3 (CYB5R3) overexpression upregulates mitochondrial biogenesis, function, and abundance in skeletal muscle and kidneys, and mimics some of the salutary effects of calorie restriction, with the most...Cytochrome b reductase 3 (CYB5R3) overexpression upregulates mitochondrial biogenesis, function, and abundance in skeletal muscle and kidneys, and mimics some of the salutary effects of calorie restriction, with the most striking effects being observed in females. We aimed to investigate the mitochondrial adaptations prompted by CYB5R3 overexpression in the heart, an organ surprisingly overlooked in studies focused on this long-lived transgenic model despite the critical role played by CYB5R3 in supporting cardiomyocytes mitochondrial respiration. Given that CYB5R3 effects have been found to be sex-dependent, we focused our research on both males and females. CYB5R3 was efficiently overexpressed in cardiac tissue from transgenic mice, without any difference between sexes. The abundance of electron transport chain complexes markers and cytochrome c was higher in males than in females. CYB5R3 overexpression downregulated the levels of complexes markers in males but not females, without decreasing oxygen consumption capacity. CYB5R3 increased the size and abundance of cardiomyocytes mitochondria, and reduced thickness and preserved the length of mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites in heart from males but not females. Metabolic changes were also highlighted in transgenic mice, with an upregulation of fatty acid oxidation markers, particularly in males. Our results support that CYB5R3 overexpression upregulates markers consistent with enhanced mitochondrial function in the heart, producing most of these actions in males, with illustrates the complexity of the CYB5R3-overexpressing transgenic model.
Adhikary A, Joseph VF, Banerjee R
… +1 more, Nagotu S
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39788359
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Mitochondrial morphology is a result of regulated opposite events called fission and fusion and requires the GTPase, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1/Dnm1), or its homologs. A recent clinical report identified a heterozyg...Mitochondrial morphology is a result of regulated opposite events called fission and fusion and requires the GTPase, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1/Dnm1), or its homologs. A recent clinical report identified a heterozygous missense mutation in the human DRP1 that replaces Glycine (G) 149 with Arginine (R) and results in debilitating conditions in the patient. In this study, we mimicked this mutation in yeast Dnm1 (G178R) and investigated the impact of the pathogenic mutation on the protein's function. We provide evidence that the substitution of G with R in the G3 motif of the GTPase domain, renders the protein non-functional and in a dominant-negative way. The mutation hampers the distribution, localization, and function of the protein. Cells expressing the mutant variant exhibit a block in mitochondrial fission and altered peroxisome morphology and number.
Rosales JJ, Brunner MB, Rodríguez M
… +3 more, Marin M, Maldonado EN, Pérez S
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39778729
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Varicellovirus bovinealpha (BoAHV) 1 and 5 are closely related neurotropic alphaherpesviruses with distinct neuropathogenic potential. BoAHV-5 causes meningoencephalitis in calves whereas encephalitis by BoAHV-1 infectio...Varicellovirus bovinealpha (BoAHV) 1 and 5 are closely related neurotropic alphaherpesviruses with distinct neuropathogenic potential. BoAHV-5 causes meningoencephalitis in calves whereas encephalitis by BoAHV-1 infection is sporadic. the mechanisms underlying the differences in tropism and clinical outcomes of the infections are not yet completely understood. Here, we used neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as non-differentiated in comparison with the SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells obtained after exposing SH-SY5Y undifferentiated cells to trans-retinoic acid. We aimed to establish whether there was a relationship between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the kinetics of virus replication. We demonstrated that ROS production after BoAHV infection was higher in differentiated cells. Generation of ROS was also dependent on the infecting BoAHV strain. Higher ROS levels were produced during BoAHV-5 infection concomitantly with enhanced viral replication. We propose that increased ROS production mechanistically contributes to the tissue damage and neuroinflammation induced by BoAHV-5 infection. Future studies will determine specific targets of ROS that mediate the effects on viral replication.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39755161
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Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) enhances the synthesis of endogenous hydrogen sulfide, a potent regulator of cell metabolism. We used 24-month-old rats to investigate the PLP mitoprotective function in the aging heart. We de...Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) enhances the synthesis of endogenous hydrogen sulfide, a potent regulator of cell metabolism. We used 24-month-old rats to investigate the PLP mitoprotective function in the aging heart. We demonstrated improvement of mitochondrial bioenergetic functions, inhibition of mPTP opening after PLP administration. Moreover, PLP treatment increased glucose consumption and utilization, decreased lipid transport into the cells, but increased fatty acid β-oxidation, providing sufficient energy. An ECG study showed a significant improvement in cardiac function in PLP-treated old rats. Our data suggest that PLP may exert its effect through the HS/AKT/GSK3β axis with further targeting of the Sirt1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39732186
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The etiology of MS remains elusive, with a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors contributing to its...Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The etiology of MS remains elusive, with a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. Recent studies showed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a potential player in the development and progression of MS. These studies encompassed mtDNA variants, copy number variations, and haplogroups. This narrative review aims to synthesize the current understanding of the role of mtDNA's in MS. The findings of this review suggest that mtDNA may indeed play a role in the development and progression of MS. Several studies have reported an association between mtDNA variants and increased susceptibility to MS, while others have found a link between mtDNA copy number variations and disease severity. Furthermore, specific mtDNA haplogroups have been demonstrated to confer protection against MS. MtDNA alterations may make neurons and oligodendrocytes more susceptible to inflammatory and oxidative stress, causing demyelination and axonal degeneration in MS patients. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential significance of mtDNA in the pathogenesis of MS and highlights the need for further research to fully elucidate its role. A deeper understanding of mtDNA's involvement in MS may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat this debilitating disease.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39675495
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VopE, a type III effector protein of Vibrio cholerae, modulates host mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial entry of VopE is directly linked with an N-terminal precursor sequence known as the mitochondrial targeting seque...VopE, a type III effector protein of Vibrio cholerae, modulates host mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial entry of VopE is directly linked with an N-terminal precursor sequence known as the mitochondrial targeting sequence or MTS. MTS of VopE is constituted with 23 amino acids. Earlier studies have shown the importance of leucine residue at position 4 in VopE translocation to mitochondria. In the present study, we have identified another leucine residue at position 15 contributing to the mitochondrial uptake of VopE in the yeast model system. Substitution of leucine with glutamate decreases mitochondrial localization and toxicity of the mutants.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39662651
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Mitochondria are the seat of cellular energy and play key roles in regulating several cellular processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, respiration, calcium homeostasis and apoptotic pathways. Mitochondrial dysfuncti...Mitochondria are the seat of cellular energy and play key roles in regulating several cellular processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, respiration, calcium homeostasis and apoptotic pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction results in error in oxidative phosphorylation, redox imbalance, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and disturbances in mitochondrial dynamics, all of which can lead to several metabolic and degenerative diseases. A plethora of studies have provided evidence for the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hence mitochondria have been used as possible therapeutic targets in the regulation of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the double membranous structure of mitochondria poses an additional barrier to most drugs even if they are able to cross the plasma membrane. Most of the drugs acting on mitochondria also required very high doses to exhibit the desired mitochondrial accumulation and therapeutic effect which in-turn result in toxic effects. Mitochondrial targeting has been improved by direct conjugation of drugs to mitochondriotropic molecules like dequalinium (DQA) and triphenyl phosphonium (TPP) cations. But being cationic in nature, these molecules also exhibit toxicity at higher doses. In order to further improve the mitochondrial localization with minimal toxicity, TPP was conjugated with various nanomaterials like liposomes. inorganic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles and dendrimers. This review provides an overview of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and various nanotherapeutic strategies for efficient targeting of mitochondria-acting drugs in these diseases.
Luo J, le Cessie S, Willems van Dijk K
… +4 more, Hägg S, Grassmann F, van Heemst D, Noordam R
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Jan · PMID 39592086
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BACKGROUND: Low leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abundance has been associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but through unclear mechanisms. We aimed to investigate whether low mtDNA ab...BACKGROUND: Low leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abundance has been associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but through unclear mechanisms. We aimed to investigate whether low mtDNA abundance is associated with worse metabolomic profiling, as being potential intermediate phenotypes, using cross-sectional and genetic studies. METHODS: Among 61,186 unrelated European participants from UK Biobank, we performed multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses to examine the associations between mtDNA abundance and 168 NMR-based circulating metabolomic measures and nine metabolomic principal components (PCs) that collectively covered 91.5% of the total variation of individual metabolomic measures. Subsequently, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) to approximate the causal effects of mtDNA abundance on the individual metabolomic measures and their metabolomic PCs. RESULTS: After correction for multiple testing, low mtDNA abundance was associated with 130 metabolomic measures, predominantly lower concentrations of some amino acids and higher concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins and fatty acids; moreover, mtDNA abundance was associated with seven out of the nine metabolomic PCs. Using MR, genetically-predicted low mtDNA abundance was associated with lower lactate (standardized beta and 95% confidence interval: -0.17; -0.26, -0.08), and higher acetate (0.15; 0.07,0.23), and unsaturation degree (0.14; 0.08,0.20). Similarly, genetically-predicted low mtDNA abundance was associated with lower metabolomic PC2 (related to lower concentrations of lipids and fatty acids), and higher metabolomic PC9 (related to lower concentrations of glycolysis-related metabolites). CONCLUSION: Low mtDNA abundance is associated with metabolomic perturbations, particularly reflecting a pro-atherogenic metabolomic profile, which potentially could link low mtDNA abundance to higher atherosclerosis risk.
Ge G, Zhu B, Zhu X
… +3 more, Yu Z, Zhu K, Cheng M
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39586387
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The high morbidity and mortality associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) are global health concerns. AKI is commonly attributed to ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), a condition characterized by activation of inflammat...The high morbidity and mortality associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) are global health concerns. AKI is commonly attributed to ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), a condition characterized by activation of inflammatory responses and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nonetheless, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has the potential to induce renal IRI. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism and function of mtDNA in HK-2 cells that had been exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and in renal IRI mice. OGD/R was discovered to induce an increase in the amount of mtDNA in HK-2 cells. Moreover, our study demonstrated that mtDNA facilitated cellular apoptosis and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Given the potential role of inflammation in OGD/R, we investigated the effect of mtDNA on various signaling pathways associated with inflammation. Western blot analysis demonstrated that mtDNA significantly upregulated NLRC5/TAP1 signaling. Furthermore, the upregulation of NLRC5 and TAP1 expression induced by mtDNA was reversed when NLRC5 was inhibited. It is worth mentioning that the loss of NLRC5 effectively nullified the beneficial effects of mtDNA on inflammation and cell apoptosis induced by OGD/R. In addition, in renal IRI mice, mtDNA treatment also aggravated inflammation and kidney damage, and increased the NLRC5 levels in kidney tissues. These results suggested that NLRC5 acts as an intermediary between mtDNA and the pathogenicity of renal IRI. In summary, this study provides evidence that mtDNA promotes apoptosis and inflammation in OGD/R treated HK-2 cells and renal IRI mice through upregulating NLRC5 levels.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Mar · PMID 39586386
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Highly fragmented ribosomal RNA-coding sequences are characteristic of mitogenomes of protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa. Identification of ribosomal RNA encoding sequences in apicomplexan mitogenomes has larg...Highly fragmented ribosomal RNA-coding sequences are characteristic of mitogenomes of protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa. Identification of ribosomal RNA encoding sequences in apicomplexan mitogenomes has largely relied on sequence similarity with several apicomplexan species for which expression of these genes has been demonstrated. The present study applied Next-Gen sequencing to investigate the expression of fragmented putative mitochondrial rRNAs inEimeria tenella, a coccidian parasite of poultry. Expression of 18 of 19 putative rDNA fragments included in the original publishedE. tenellamitogenome was confirmed. Sequence comparison withPlasmodium falciparumand NGS identified 14 additional putative fragments. Two small RNAs were identified that did not share sequence similarities with other known rDNA sequences. Eight sRNAs were identified that represented smaller chunks of putative rDNA fragments and three were observed that represented two putative rDNA fragments (i.e., polycistronic transcripts). Relative abundances of each sRNA species ranged across three orders of magnitude. Twenty-five of the 45 distinct sRNAs expressed from the mitogenome were polyadenylated in more than 50% of instances. The identification of unique sRNAs without significant homology to known sequences and the observation of polycistronic transcripts highlight the complexity of regulation of expression of theE.tenellamitogenome. The varied relative abundances, presence of shorter RNAs expressed from longer putative rDNA fragments, and variable polyadenylation of these sRNAs highlight additional areas for future work towards better understanding the expression of the mitogenome in this important poultry pathogen. More generally, these findings expand our wider understanding of evolution of apicomplexan mitogenomes.
Patange V, Ahirwar K, Tripathi T
… +2 more, Tripathi P, Shukla R
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Jan · PMID 39505245
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Genetic control is vital for the growth of cells and tissues, and it also helps living things, from single-celled organisms to complex creatures, maintain a stable internal environment. Within cells, structures called mi...Genetic control is vital for the growth of cells and tissues, and it also helps living things, from single-celled organisms to complex creatures, maintain a stable internal environment. Within cells, structures called mitochondria act like tiny power plants, producing energy and keeping the cell balanced. The two primary categories of RNA are messenger RNA (mRNA) and non-coding RNA (ncRNA). mRNA carries the instructions for building proteins, while ncRNA does various jobs at the RNA level. There are different kinds of ncRNA, each with a specific role. Some help put RNA molecules together correctly, while others modify other RNAs or cut them into smaller pieces. Still others control how much protein is made from a gene. Scientists have recently discovered many more ncRNAs than previously known, and their functions are still being explored. This article analyzes the RNA molecules present within mitochondria, which have a crucial purpose in the operation of mitochondria. We'll also discuss how genes can be turned on and off without changing their DNA code, and how this process might be linked to mitochondrial RNA. Finally, we'll explore how scientists are using engineered particles to silence genes and develop new treatments based on manipulating ncRNA.
Mitochondrion
· 2025 Jan · PMID 39505244
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Changes in mitochondrial metabolism produce a malignant transformation from normal cells to tumor cells. Mitochondrial metabolism, comprising bioenergetic metabolism, biosynthetic process, biomolecular decomposition, and...Changes in mitochondrial metabolism produce a malignant transformation from normal cells to tumor cells. Mitochondrial metabolism, comprising bioenergetic metabolism, biosynthetic process, biomolecular decomposition, and metabolic signal conversion, obviously forms a unique sign in the process of tumorigenesis. Several oncometabolites produced by mitochondrial metabolism maintain tumor phenotype, which are recognized as tumor indicators. The mitochondrial metabolism synchronizes the metabolic and genetic outcome to the potent tumor microenvironmental signals, thereby further promoting tumor initiation. Moreover, the bioenergetic and biosynthetic metabolism within tumor mitochondria orchestrates dynamic contributions toward cancer progression and invasion. In this review, we describe the contribution of mitochondrial metabolism in tumorigenesis through shaping several hallmarks such as microenvironment modulation, plasticity, mitochondrial calcium, mitochondrial dynamics, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review will provide a new insight into the abnormal mitochondrial metabolism in tumorigenesis, which will be conducive to tumor prevention and therapy through targeting tumor mitochondria.