Mitophagy in neurological disorders

Selective autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that removes excess protein aggregates and damaged intracellular components. Most eukaryotic cells, including neurons, rely on proficient mitophagy responses to fine-tune the mitochondrial number and preserve energy metabolism. In some circumstances (such as the presence of pathogenic protein oligopolymers and protein mutations), dysfunctional mitophagy leads to nerve degeneration, with age-dependent intracellular accumulation of protein aggregates and dysfunctional organelles, leading to neurodegenerative disease. However, when pathogenic protein oligopolymers, protein mutations, stress, or injury are present, mitophagy prevents the accumulation of damaged mitochondria. Accordingly, mitophagy mediates neuroprotective effects in some forms of neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and acute brain damage (e.g., stroke, hypoxic–ischemic brain injury, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury). The complex interplay between mitophagy and neurological disorders suggests that targeting mitophagy might be applicable for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and acute brain injury. However, due to the complexity of the mitophagy mechanism, mitophagy can be both harmful and beneficial, and future efforts should focus on maximizing its benefits. Here, we discuss the impact of mitophagy on neurological disorders, emphasizing the contrast between the positive and negative effects of mitophagy.

Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis: a potential approach for preventing and controlling diabetes

Background Diabetes mellitus is a lingering hyperglycemic ailment resulting in several life-threatening difficulties. Enduring hyperglycemia often persuades the buildup of reactive oxygen species that are the significant pathological makers of diabetic complications. The mitochondrial dysfunction, with mitochondrial damage and too much production of reactive oxygen species, have been proposed to be convoluted in the progress of insulin resistance. Numerous studies advocate that agents that enhance the mitochondrial number and/or decrease their dysfunction, could be greatly helpful in management of diabetes and its complications. Main body Mitochondrial biogenesis is an extremely delimited procedure arbitrated by numerous transcription influences, in which mitochondrial fusion and fission happen in synchronization in a standard vigorous cell. But this synchronization is greatly disturbed in diabetic condition designated by modification in the working of several important transcription factors regulating the expressions of different genes. Numerous preclinical and clinical investigations have suggested that, the compromised functions of mitochondria play a significant protagonist in development of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, skeletal muscle insulin resistance and several diabetic complications. However, there are several phytoconstituents performing through numerous alleyways, either unswervingly by motivating biogenesis or indirectly by constraining or averting dysfunction and producing a beneficial effect on overall function of the mitochondria. Conclusion This review describes standard mitochondrial physiology and anomalous modifications that transpire in answer to persistent hyperglycemia in diabetes condition. It also discusses about the different phytoconstituents that can affect the biogenesis pathways of mitochondria and thus can be used in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

Dark respiration rates are not determined by differences in mitochondrial capacity, abundance and ultrastructure in C4 leaves

Our understanding of the regulation of respiration in C plants, where mitochondria play different roles in the different types of C photosynthetic pathway, remains limited. We examined how leaf dark respiration rates (R), in the presence and absence of added malate, vary in monocots representing the three classical biochemical types of C photosynthesis (NADP-ME, NAD-ME and PCK) using intact leaves and extracted bundle sheath strands. In particular, we explored to what extent R are associated with mitochondrial number, volume and ultrastructure. We found that the respiratory response of NAD-ME and PCK type bundle sheath strands to added malate was associated with differences in mitochondrial number, volume, and/or ultrastructure, while NADP-ME type bundle sheath strands did not respond to malate addition. In general, mitochondrial traits reflected the contributions mitochondria make to photosynthesis in the three C types. However, despite the obvious differences in mitochondrial traits, no clear correlation was observed between these traits and R. We suggest that R is primarily driven by cellular maintenance demands and not mitochondrial composition per se, in a manner that is somewhat independent of mitochondrial organic acid cycling in the light.

Pachymic Acid Attenuated Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Failure by Suppressing miR-24 and Preserving Cardiac Junctophilin-2 in Rats

Defects in cardiac contractility and heart failure (HF) are common following doxorubicin (DOX) administration. Different miRs play a role in HF, and their targeting was suggested as a promising therapy. We aimed to target miR-24, a suppressor upstream of junctophilin-2 (JP-2), which is required to affix the sarcoplasmic reticulum to T-tubules, and hence the release of Ca2+ in excitation–contraction coupling using pachymic acid (PA) and/or losartan (LN). HF was induced with DOX (3.5 mg/kg, i.p six doses, twice weekly) in 24 rats. PA and LN (10 mg/kg, daily) were administered orally for four weeks starting the next day of the last DOX dose. Echocardiography, left ventricle (LV) biochemical and histological assessment and electron microscopy were conducted. DOX increased serum BNP, HW/TL, HW/BW, mitochondrial number/size and LV expression of miR-24 but decreased EF, cardiomyocyte fiber diameter, LV content of JP-2 and ryanodine receptors-2 (RyR2). Treatment with either PA or LN reversed these changes. Combined PA + LN attained better results than monotherapies. In conclusion, HF progression following DOX administration can be prevented or even delayed by targeting miR-24 and its downstream JP-2. Our results, therefore, suggest the possibility of using PA alone or as an adjuvant therapy with LN to attain better management of HF patients, especially those who developed tolerance toward LN.

Managing risky assets – mitophagy in vivo

ABSTRACT Mitochondria, which resemble their α-proteobacteria ancestors, are a major cellular asset, producing energy ‘on the cheap’ through oxidative phosphorylation. They are also a liability. Increased oxidative phosphorylation means increased oxidative stress, and damaged mitochondria incite inflammation through release of their bacteria-like macromolecules. Mitophagy (the selective macroautophagy of mitochondria) controls mitochondria quality and number to manage these risky assets. Parkin, BNIP3 and NIX were identified as being part of the first mitophagy pathways identified in mammals over a decade ago, with additional pathways, including that mediated by FUNDC1 reported more recently. Loss of Parkin or PINK1 function causes Parkinson's disease, highlighting the importance of mitophagy as a quality control mechanism in the brain. Additionally, mitophagy is induced in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, protects the heart and other organs against energy stress and lipotoxicity, regulates metabolism by controlling mitochondrial number in brown and beige fat, and clears mitochondria during terminal differentiation of glycolytic cells, such as red blood cells and neurons. Despite its importance in disease, mitophagy is likely dispensable under physiological conditions. This Review explores the in vivo roles of mitophagy in mammalian systems, focusing on the best studied examples – mitophagy in neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathy, metabolism, and red blood cell development – to draw out common themes.

Mitochondria: Master Regulator of Metabolism, Homeostasis, Stress, Aging and Epigenetics

BACKGROUND: Mitochondria became a driving force in evolution due to their ability to manufacture adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through respiration. The functioning of mitochondria within eukaryotic cells has evolved dramatically as a result of evolution. Recent research has revealed mitochondria form plasticity to keep the cell's needs and function.CONTENT: Mitochondria have long been regarded as the cell's "powerhouse," providing energy for cell metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). A lot of physiological processes were known to be mediated by mitochondria including immunity and autophagy, cell death mechanism, and stem cell reprogramming. Mitochondria can change their shape to form a tubular network that is controlled by fission and fusion processes. Mitochondrial dynamics is the equilibrium between these two opposing processes that regulates mitochondrial number, size, and positioning within the cytoplasm.SUMMARY: All of these discoveries opened up new research avenues and revealed new targets for targeted medication development. Calorie restriction, and the mimetic agents were developed to increase mitochondria biogenesis to improve human lifespan.KEYWORDS: mitochondria, metabolism, homeostasis, stress response, aging, epigenetic

Bryophyte spermiogenesis occurs through multimode autophagic and nonautophagic degradation

SUMMARYMitochondria change their morphology in response to developmental and environmental cues. During sexual reproduction, bryophytes produce spermatozoids with two mitochondria in the cell body. Although intensive morphological analyses have been conducted thus far, how this fixed number of mitochondria is realized remains unknown. Here, we investigated how mitochondria are reorganized during spermiogenesis in Marchantia polymorpha. We found that the mitochondrial number is reduced to one through fission followed by autophagic degradation during early spermiogenesis, and then the posterior mitochondrion arises by fission of the anterior mitochondrion. Autophagy is also responsible for the removal of other organelles, including peroxisomes, but these other organelles are removed at distinct developmental stages from mitochondrial degradation. We also found that spermiogenesis involves nonautophagic organelle degradation. Our findings highlight the dynamic reorganization of mitochondria, which is regulated distinctly from that of other organelles, and multiple degradation mechanisms operate in organelle remodeling during spermiogenesis in M. polymorpha.

Fis1 ablation in the male germline disrupts mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy, and arrests spermatid maturation

Male germline development involves choreographed changes to mitochondrial number, morphology, and organization. Mitochondrial reorganization during spermatogenesis was recently shown to require mitochondrial fusion and fission. Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is another mechanism for controlling mitochondrial number and physiology, but its role during spermatogenesis is largely unknown. During post-meiotic spermatid development, restructuring of the mitochondrial network results in packing of mitochondria into a tight array in the sperm midpiece to fuel motility. Here, we show that disruption of mouse Fis1 in the male germline results in early spermatid arrest that is associated with increased mitochondrial content. Mutant spermatids coalesce into multinucleated giant cells (GCs) that accumulate mitochondria of aberrant ultrastructure and numerous mitophagic and autophagic intermediates, suggesting a defect in mitophagy. We conclude that Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology and turnover to promote spermatid maturation.

LncRNA H19 governs mitophagy and restores mitochondrial respiration in the heart through Pink1/Parkin signaling during obesity

Maintaining proper mitochondrial respiratory function is crucial for alleviating cardiac metabolic disorders during obesity, and mitophagy is critically involved in this process. Long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) is crucial for metabolic regulation, but its roles in cardiac disorders, mitochondrial respiratory function, and mitophagy during obesity are largely unknown. In this study, palmitic acid (PA)-treated H9c2 cell and Lep−/− mice were used to investigate cardiac metabolic disorders in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The effects of H19 on metabolic disorders, mitochondrial respiratory function, and mitophagy were investigated. Moreover, the regulatory mechanisms of PA, H19, mitophagy, and respiratory function were examined. The models tested displayed a reduction in H19 expression, respiratory function and mitochondrial number and volume, while the expression of mitophagy- and Pink1/Parkin signaling-related proteins was upregulated, as indicated using quantitative real-time PCR, Seahorse mitochondrial stress test analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence indicators and western blotting. Forced expression of H19 helped to the recoveries of respiratory capacity and mitochondrial number while inhibited the levels of mitophagy- and Pink1/Parkin signaling-related proteins. Pink1 knockdown also attenuated PA-induced mitophagy and increased respiratory capacity. Mechanistically, RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assays showed that H19 could hinder the binding of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, isoform 2 (eIF4A2) with Pink1 mRNA, thus inhibiting the translation of Pink1 and attenuation of mitophagy. PA significantly increased the methylation levels of the H19 promoter region by upregulation Dnmt3b methylase levels, thereby inhibiting H19 transcription. Collectively, these findings suggest that DNA methylation-mediated the downregulation of H19 expression plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte or H9c2 cells metabolic disorders and induces cardiac respiratory dysfunction by promoting mitophagy. H19 inhibits excessive mitophagy by limiting Pink1 mRNA translation, thus alleviating this cardiac defect that occurs during obesity.