scholarly journals Back to The Fusion: Mitofusin-2 in Alzheimer’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Sita ◽  
Patrizia Hrelia ◽  
Agnese Graziosi ◽  
Fabiana Morroni

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo constant fission and fusion. Mitochondria dysfunction underlies several human disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Preservation of mitochondrial dynamics is fundamental for regulating the organelle’s functions. Several proteins participate in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology and networks, and among these, Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) has been extensively studied. This review focuses on the role of Mfn2 in mitochondrial dynamics and in the crosstalk between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, in particular in AD. Understanding how this protein may be related to AD pathogenesis will provide essential information for the development of therapies for diseases linked to disturbed mitochondrial dynamics, as in AD.

eNeuro ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. ENEURO.0025-17.2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Isabelle Briggs ◽  
Erwin Defensor ◽  
Pooneh Memar Ardestani ◽  
Bitna Yi ◽  
Michelle Halpain ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinglong Wang ◽  
Bo Su ◽  
Ling Zheng ◽  
George Perry ◽  
Mark A. Smith ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afzal Misrani ◽  
Sidra Tabassum ◽  
Qingwei Huo ◽  
Sumaiya Tabassum ◽  
Jinxiang Jiang ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be an early event in the onset and progression of AD; however, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial proteins involved in organelle dynamics, morphology and energy production in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HIPP) of young (1∼2 months), adult (4∼5 months) and aged (9∼10, 12∼18 months) APP/PS1 mice. We observed increased levels of mitochondrial fission protein, Drp1, and decreased levels of ATP synthase subunit, ATP5A, leading to abnormal mitochondrial morphology, increased oxidative stress, glial activation, apoptosis, and altered neuronal morphology as early as 4∼5 months of age in APP/PS1 mice. Electrophysiological recordings revealed abnormal miniature excitatory postsynaptic current in the mPFC together with a minor connectivity change between the mPFC and HIPP, correlating with social deficits. These results suggest that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, which worsen with disease progression, could be a biomarker of early-stage AD. Therapeutic interventions that improve mitochondrial function thus represent a promising approach for slowing the progression or delaying the onset of AD.


Author(s):  
Afzal Misrani ◽  
Sidra Tabassum ◽  
Li Yang

Mitochondria play a pivotal role in bioenergetics and respiratory functions, which are essential for the numerous biochemical processes underpinning cell viability. Mitochondrial morphology changes rapidly in response to external insults and changes in metabolic status via fission and fusion processes (so-called mitochondrial dynamics) that maintain mitochondrial quality and homeostasis. Damaged mitochondria are removed by a process known as mitophagy, which involves their degradation by a specific autophagosomal pathway. Over the last few years, remarkable efforts have been made to investigate the impact on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) of various forms of mitochondrial dysfunction, such as excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, loss of ATP, and defects in mitochondrial dynamics and transport, and mitophagy. Recent research suggests that restoration of mitochondrial function by physical exercise, an antioxidant diet, or therapeutic approaches can delay the onset and slow the progression of AD. In this review, we focus on recent progress that highlights the crucial role of alterations in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of AD, emphasizing a framework of existing and potential therapeutic approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
V.V. Ganzha ◽  
◽  
E.A. Lukyanetz ◽  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and multiple cognitive impairments. Several decades of intensive research have shown that multicellular changes are involved in AD’s development and progression, including mitochondrial damage, synaptic dysfunction, formation and accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ), formation and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and loss of neurons in patients with this disease. Among them, mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic damage are the primary manifestations in the disease process. Recent studies have also shown that defective mitophagy caused by Aβ and tau protein are the main indicators in AD’s pathogenesis. This review includes an overview of recent researches on the role of mitochondria in AD development. The review summarizes several aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction, including abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, changes in mitochondrial DNA, and calcium dyshomeostasis in AD pathogenesis


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