How is Mitochondrial Biogenesis Affected in Mitochondrial Disease?

Interactions of mitochondrial and skeletal muscle biology in mitochondrial myopathy

Mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle fibres occurs with both healthy aging and a range of neuromuscular diseases. The impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle and the way muscle fibres adapt to this dysfunction is important to understand disease mechanisms and to develop therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, interactions between mitochondrial dysfunction and skeletal muscle biology, in mitochondrial myopathy, likely have important implications for normal muscle function and physiology. In this review, we will try to give an overview of what is known to date about these interactions including metabolic remodelling, mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial turnover, cellular processes and muscle cell structure and function. Each of these topics is at a different stage of understanding, with some being well researched and understood, and others in their infancy. Furthermore, some of what we know comes from disease models. Whilst some findings are confirmed in humans, where this is not yet the case, we must be cautious in interpreting findings in the context of human muscle and disease. Here, our goal is to discuss what is known, highlight what is unknown and give a perspective on the future direction of research in this area.

Cellular organelles as drug carriers for disease treatment

Organelles not only constitute the basic structure of the cell but also are important in maintaining the normal physiological activities of the cell. With the development of biomimetic nanoscience, researchers have developed technologies to use organelles as drug carriers for disease treatment. Compared with traditional drug carriers, organelle drug carriers have the advantages of good biocompatibility, high drug loading efficiency, and modifiability, and the surface biomarkers of organelles can also participate in intracellular signal transduction to enhance intracellular and intercellular communication, and assist in enhancing the therapeutic effect of drugs. Among different types of organelles, extracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, lysosomes, and mitochondria have been used as drug carriers. This review briefly reviews the biogenesis, isolation methods, and drug-loading methods of four types of organelles, and systematically summarizes the research progress in using organelles as drug-delivery systems for disease treatment. Finally, the challenges faced by organelle-based drug delivery systems are discussed. Although the organelle-based drug delivery systems still face challenges before they can achieve clinical translation, they offer a new direction and vision for the development of next-generation drug carriers.

Moderate intensity continuous versus high intensity interval training: Metabolic responses of slow and fast skeletal muscles in rat

The healthy benefits of regular physical exercise are mainly mediated by the stimulation of oxidative and antioxidant capacities in skeletal muscle. Our understanding of the cellular and molecular responses involved in these processes remain often uncomplete particularly regarding muscle typology. The main aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two types of exercise training protocol: a moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic processes in two muscles with different typologies: soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Training effects in male Wistar rats were studied from whole organism level (maximal aerobic speed, morphometric and systemic parameters) to muscle level (transcripts, protein contents and enzymatic activities involved in antioxidant defences, aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms). Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: untrained (UNTR), n = 7; MICT, n = 8; and HIIT, n = 8. Rats of the MICT and HIIT groups ran five times a week for six weeks at moderate and high intensity, respectively. HIIT improved more than MICT the endurance performance (a trend to increased maximal aerobic speed, p = 0.07) and oxidative capacities in both muscles, as determined through protein and transcript assays (AMPK-PGC-1α signalling pathway, antioxidant defences, mitochondrial functioning and dynamics). Whatever the training protocol, the genes involved in these processes were largely more significantly upregulated in soleus (slow-twitch fibres) than in EDL (fast-twitch fibres). Solely on the basis of the transcript changes, we conclude that the training protocols tested here lead to specific muscular responses.

PGC-1α Is a Master Regulator of Mitochondrial Lifecycle and ROS Stress Response

Mitochondria play a major role in ROS production and defense during their life cycle. The transcriptional activator PGC-1α is a key player in the homeostasis of energy metabolism and is therefore closely linked to mitochondrial function. PGC-1α responds to environmental and intracellular conditions and is regulated by SIRT1/3, TFAM, and AMPK, which are also important regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. In this review, we highlight the functions and regulatory mechanisms of PGC-1α within this framework, with a focus on its involvement in the mitochondrial lifecycle and ROS metabolism. As an example, we show the role of PGC-1α in ROS scavenging under inflammatory conditions. Interestingly, PGC-1α and the stress response factor NF-κB, which regulates the immune response, are reciprocally regulated. During inflammation, NF-κB reduces PGC-1α expression and activity. Low PGC-1α activity leads to the downregulation of antioxidant target genes resulting in oxidative stress. Additionally, low PGC-1α levels and concomitant oxidative stress promote NF-κB activity, which exacerbates the inflammatory response.

Blood cell respiration rates and mtDNA copy number: A promising tool for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease

Human mitochondrial diseases are a group of heterogeneous diseases caused by defects in oxidative phosphorylation, due to mutations in mitochondrial (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA. The diagnosis of mitochondrial disease is challenging since mutations in multiple genes can affect mitochondrial function, there is considerable clinical variability and a poor correlation between genotype and phenotype. Herein we assessed mitochondrial function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and platelets from volunteers without known metabolic pathology and patients with mitochondrial disease. Oxygen consumption rates were evaluated and respiratory parameters indicative of mitochondrial function were obtained. A negative correlation between age and respiratory parameters of PBMCs from control individuals was observed. Surprisingly, respiratory parameters of PBMCs normalized by cell number were similar in patients and young controls. Considering possible compensatory mechanisms, mtDNA copy number in PBMCs was quantified and an increase was found in patients with respect to controls. Hence, respiratory parameters normalized by mtDNA copy number were determined, and in these conditions a decrease in maximum respiration rate and spare respiratory capacity was observed in patients relative to control individuals. In platelets no decay was seen in mitochondrial function with age, while a reduction in basal, ATP-independent and ATP-dependent respiration normalized by cell number was detected in patients compared to control subjects. In summary, our results offer promising perspectives regarding the assessment of mitochondrial function in blood cells for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease, minimizing the need for invasive procedures such as muscle biopsies, and for following disease progression and response to treatments.

Impact of pharmacological agents on mitochondrial function: a growing opportunity?

Present-day drug therapies provide clear beneficial effects as many diseases can be driven into remission and the symptoms of others can be efficiently managed; however, the success of many drugs is limited due to both patient non-compliance and adverse off-target or toxicity-induced effects. There is emerging evidence that many of these side effects are caused by drug-induced impairment of mitochondrial function and eventual mitochondrial dysfunction. It is imperative to understand how and why drug-induced side effects occur and how mitochondrial function is affected. In an aging population, age-associated drug toxicity is another key area of focus as the majority of patients on medication are older. Therefore, with an aging population possessing subtle or even more dramatic individual differences in mitochondrial function, there is a growing necessity to identify and understand early on potentially significant drug-associated off-target effects and toxicity issues. This will not only reduce the number of unwanted side effects linked to mitochondrial toxicity but also identify useful mitochondrial-modulating agents. Mechanistically, many successful drug classes including diabetic treatments, antibiotics, chemotherapies and antiviral agents have been linked to mitochondrial targeted effects. This is a growing area, with research to repurpose current medications affecting mitochondrial function being assessed in cancer, the immune system and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. Here, we review the effects that pharmacological agents have on mitochondrial function and explore the opportunities from these effects as potential disease treatments. Our focus will be on cancer treatment and immune modulation.

Late life maintenance and enhancement of functional exercise capacity in low and high responding rats after low intensity treadmill training

Intrinsic exercise capacity is predictive of both lifespan and healthspan but whether adaptive exercise capacity influences the benefits achieved from aerobic training implemented later in life is not known.

AIM

To determine if exercise late in life provides any functional improvements or underlying beneficial biochemical adaptations in rats bred to have a high response to training (HRT rats) or little to no response to training (LRT rats).

METHODS

Adult (11 months) and old (22 months) female LRT and HRT rats either remained sedentary (SED) or were exercised (EXER) on a treadmill 2-3 times/week at 60% of their initial maximum running speed and distance for 4 months. At 26 months of age, exercise capacity was re-evaluated and extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius (GTN), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were excised for histological and biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Both SED-HRT and SED-LRT rats showed decreased exercise capacity from 22 to 26 months, but with 4 months of treadmill training, EXER-HRT rats displayed a 50% improvement in exercise capacity while EXER-LRT rats maintained pre-training levels. Protein levels of antioxidant enzymes PRDX3, CuZnSOD, and PRXV were 6-fold greater in TA muscles of aged HRT rats compared to LRT rats. PGC-1α protein levels were ~2-fold greater in GTN and TA muscles of aged HRT than in LRT rats and TFAM protein was similarly elevated in GTN muscles of aged HRT rats compared with LRT rats. BNIP3 protein levels were 5-fold greater in TA muscles of aged HRT than in LRT rats while PINK1 protein content was reduced by 78% in GTN muscles of aged HRT rats compared with LRT rats.

CONCLUSION

HRT rats retained the ability to improve exercise capacity into late life and that ability was associated with inherent and adaptive changes in antioxidant enzyme levels and markers of and mitochondrial quality related to healthspan benefits in aging. Moreover, low intensity exercise prevented the age-associated decline in functional exercise capacity in LRT rats.

Frequency and association of mitochondrial genetic variants with neurological disorders

Mitochondria are small cytosolic organelles and the main source of energy production for the cells, especially in the brain. This organelle has its own genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and genetic variants in this molecule can alter the normal energy metabolism in the brain, contributing to the development of a wide assortment of Neurological Disorders (ND), including neurodevelopmental syndromes, neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. These ND are comprised by a heterogeneous group of syndromes and diseases that encompass different cognitive phenotypes and behavioral disorders, such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Huntington disease, Leigh Syndrome and bipolar disorder. In this work we carried out a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify and describe the mitochondrial genetic variants associated with the occurrence of ND. Most of genetic variants found in mtDNA were associated with Single Nucleotide Polimorphisms (SNPs), ~79%, with ~15% corresponding to deletions, ~3% to Copy Number Variations (CNVs), ~2% to insertions and another 1% included mtDNA replication problems and genetic rearrangements. We also found that most of the variants were associated with coding regions of mitochondrial proteins but were also found in regulatory transcripts (tRNA and rRNA) and in the D-Loop replication region of the mtDNA. After analysis of mtDNA deletions and CNV, none of them occur in the D-Loop region. This SLR shows that all transcribed mtDNA molecules have mutations correlated with ND. Finally, we describe that all mtDNA variants found were associated with deterioration of cognitive (dementia) and intellectual functions, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and personality and behavior problems.

HO-1 Is Essential for Tetrahydroxystilbene Glucoside Mediated Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Anti-Inflammation Process in LPS-Treated RAW264.7 Macrophages

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), an important monomer extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, can prevent a number of inflammation associated chronic diseases. However, the mechanism involved in TSG inducing anti-inflammatory role remains unclear. As an inducible antioxidant enzyme, Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), is crucial for protecting the mammalian cells against adverse stimuli. Here, we found that the TSG treatment strongly induces the expression of HO-1 in an NRF2-depended manner. Meanwhile, TSG increased the mitochondrial mass through upregulation of the mitochondrial biogenesis activators (PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM) as well as the mitochondrial complex IV. Furthermore, TSG attenuated Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated RAW264.7 cells activation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective inhibitor of HO-1 activity, was able to attenuate TSG mediated mitochondrial biogenesis and anti-inflammatory process. Finally, we observed that LPS induced obvious mtDNA depletion and ATP deficiency, which indicated a severe damage of mitochondria. TSG restored the LPS induced mitochondrial dysfunction via activation of the mitochondrial biogenesis. ZnPP treatment markedly reversed the inhibitory effects of TSG on mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress in LPS stimulated macrophages. Taken together, these findings suggest that TSG enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and function mainly via activation the HO-1. TSG can be developed as a potential drug for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effects of 12 Months of Caloric Restriction on Muscle Mitochondrial Function in Healthy Individuals

CONTEXT

The effects of caloric restriction (CR) on in vivo muscle mitochondrial function in humans are controversial.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated muscle mitochondrial function and associated transcriptional profiles in nonobese humans after 12 months of CR.

DESIGN

Individuals from an ancillary study of the CALERIE 2 randomized controlled trial were assessed at baseline and 12 months after a 25% CR or ad libitum (control) diet.

SETTING

The study was performed at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA.

PARTICIPANTS

Study participants included 51 (34 female subjects, 25 to 50 years of age) healthy nonobese individuals randomized to 1 of 2 groups (CR or control).

INTERVENTION

This study included 12 months of a 25% CR or ad libitum (control) diet.

MAIN OUTCOMES

In vivo mitochondrial function [maximal ATP synthesis rate (ATPmax), ATPflux/O2 (P/O)] was determined by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy, and body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In a subset of individuals, a muscle biopsy was performed for transcriptional profiling via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and microarrays.

RESULTS

Weight, body mass index (BMI), fat, and fat-free mass (P < 0.001 for all) significantly decreased at month 12 after CR vs control. In vivo ATPmax and P/O were unaffected by 12 months of CR. Targeted transcriptional profiling showed no effects on pathways involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, function, or oxidative stress. A subgroup analysis according to baseline P/O demonstrated that a higher (vs lower) P/O was associated with notable improvements in ATPmax and P/O after CR.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy nonobese humans, CR has no effect on muscle mitochondrial function; however, having a "more coupled" (versus "less coupled") phenotype enables CR-induced improvements in muscle mitochondrial function.

Statistical insights into major human muscular diseases

Muscular diseases lead to muscle fiber degeneration, impairment of mobility, and in some cases premature death. Many of these muscular diseases are largely idiopathic. The goal of this study was to identify biomarkers based on their functional role and possible mechanisms of pathogenesis, specific to individual muscular disease. We analyzed the muscle transcriptome from five major muscular diseases: acute quadriplegic myopathy (AQM), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) using pairwise statistical comparison to identify uniquely regulated genes in each muscular disease. The genome-wide information encoded in the transcriptome provided biomarkers and functional insights into dysregulation in each muscular disease. The analysis showed that the dysregulation of genes in forward membrane pathway, responsible for transmitting action potential from neural excitation, is unique to AQM, while the dysregulation of myofibril genes, determinant of the mechanical properties of muscle, is unique to ALS, dysregulation of ER protein processing, responsible for correct protein folding, is unique to DM, and upregulation of immune response genes is unique to PM. We have identified biomarkers specific to each muscular disease which can be used for diagnostic purposes.

Effect of near-infrared light exposure on mitochondrial signaling in C2C12 muscle cells

Near-infrared (NIR) light is a complementary therapy used to treat musculoskeletal injuries but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Acute NIR light treatment (~800-950 nm; 22.8 J/cm(2)) induced a dose-dependent increase in mitochondrial signaling (AMPK, p38 MAPK) in differentiated muscle cells. Repeated NIR light exposure (4 days) appeared to elevate oxidative stress and increase the upstream mitochondrial regulatory proteins AMPK (3.1-fold), p38 (2.8-fold), PGC-1α (19.7%), Sirt1 (26.8%), and reduced RIP140 (23.2%), but downstream mitochondrial regulation/content (Tfam, NRF-1, Sirt3, cytochrome c, ETC subunits) was unaltered. Our data indicates that NIR light alters mitochondrial biogenesis signaling and may represent a mechanistic link to the clinical benefits.

Exercise-inducible factors to activate lipolysis in adipocytes

We examined the effects of exercise training on the levels of lipid droplet (LD)-associated and mitochondria-related proteins in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Furthermore, we assessed putative factors induced by exercise to activate lipolysis in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. DIO Wistar male rats (age 20 wk) were divided into sedentary control (SED, n = 7) and exercise training (EX, n = 7) groups. EX animals were subjected to treadmill running (25 m/min, 1 h/day, 5 days/wk) for 6 wk. Epididymal fat was dissected and used for protein analyses. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with media containing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium-lactate, caffeine, AICAR, or SNAP (NO donor) for 6 h, or 1 mM H2O2 for 15 min, followed by incubation with normal media for up to 24 h total. Protein expression levels and lipolytic activities were biochemically assayed. Epididymal fat significantly decreased in EX animals compared with SED animals. Levels of cytochrome c oxidase (COx), perilipin, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) proteins in epididymal fat pads of EX animals were significantly increased compared with those in SED animals. In 3T3-L1 cells, glycerol or fatty acid release was significantly increased by all treatments. Lactate or SNAP significantly increased PGC-1α expression, and H2O2 significantly increased COx protein levels compared with controls. Expression of perilipin, HSL, ATGL, or comparative gene identification (CGI)-58 was significantly increased by all treatments. By increasing lipolytic activity in adipocytes, the exercise-inducible factors are attractive therapeutic effectors against LD-associated metabolic diseases.

Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis as potential target for mitochondrial medicine

Mitochondria are crucial in different intracellular pathways of signal transduction. Mitochondria are capable of decoding a variety of extracellular stimuli into markedly different intracellular actions, ranging from energy production to cell death. The fine modulation of mitochondrial calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis plays a fundamental role in many of the processes involving this organelle. When mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis is compromised, different pathological conditions can occur, depending on the cell type involved. Recent data have shed light on the molecular identity of the main proteins involved in the handling of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ traffic, opening fascinating and ambitious new avenues for mitochondria-based pharmacological strategies.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and one of the most common adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases with the prevalence of about 5 per 100 000 individuals. It results in the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons and leads to gradual muscle weakening ultimately causing paralysis and death. ALS has an obscure cause and currently no effective treatment exists. In this review, a potentially important pathway is described that can be activated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists and has the ability to block the neuropathological damage caused by inflammation in ALS and possibly in other neudegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease (HD). Neuroinflammation is a common pathological feature in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, PPAR-gamma agonists are thought to be neuroprotective in ALS and HD. We and others have tested the neuroprotective effect of pioglitazone (Actos), a PPAR-gamma agonist, in G93A SOD1 transgenic mouse model of ALS and found significant increase in survival of G93A SOD1 mice. These findings suggest that PPAR-gamma may be an important regulator of neuroinflammation and possibly a new target for the development of therapeutic strategies for ALS. The involvement of PPAR-gamma in HD is currently under investigation, one study finds that the treatment with rosiglitazone had no protection in R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD. PPAR-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) is a transcriptional coactivator that works together with combination of other transcription factors like PPAR-gamma in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, PPAR-gamma is a possible target for ALS and HD as it functions as transcription factor that interacts with PGC-1alpha. In this review, the role of PPAR-gamma in ALS and HD is discussed based on the current literature and hypotheses.

Effects of a 300 mT static magnetic field on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This study describes the effects of a static magnetic field (SMF) on cell growth and DNA integrity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Fast halo assay was used to investigate nuclear damage; quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR), standard PCR, and real-time PCR were used to evaluate mitochondrial DNA integrity, content, and gene expression. HUVECs were continually exposed to a 300 mT SMF for 4, 24, 48, and 72 h. Compared to control samples (unexposed cultures) the SMF-exposed cells did not show a statistically significant change in their viability. Conversely, the static field was shown to be significant after 4 h of exposure, inducing damage on both the nuclear and mitochondrial levels, reducing mitochondrial content and increasing reactive oxygen species. Twenty-four hours of exposure increased mitochondrial DNA content as well as expression of one of the main genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis. No significant differences between exposed and sham cultures were found after 48 and 72 h of exposure. The results suggest that a 300 mT SMF does not cause permanent DNA damage in HUVECs and stimulates a transient mitochondrial biogenesis.

Relationship between Sirt1 expression and mitochondrial proteins during conditions of chronic muscle use and disuse

Sirt1 is a NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase that interacts with the regulatory protein of mitochondrial biogenesis PGC-1alpha and is sensitive to metabolic alterations. We assessed whether a strict relationship between the expression of Sirt1, mitochondrial proteins, and PGC-1alpha existed across tissues possessing a wide range of oxidative capabilities, as well as in skeletal muscle subject to chronic use (voluntary wheel running or electrical stimulation for 7 days, 10 Hz; 3 h/day) or disuse (denervation for up to 21 days) in which organelle biogenesis is altered. PGC-1alpha levels were not closely associated with the expression of Sirt1, measured using immunoblotting or via enzymatic deacetylase activity. The mitochondrial protein cytochrome c increased by 70-90% in soleus and plantaris muscles of running animals, whereas Sirt1 activity remained unchanged. In chronically stimulated muscle, cytochrome c was increased by 30% compared with nonstimulated muscle, whereas Sirt1 activity was increased modestly by 20-25%. In contrast, in denervated muscle, these markers of mitochondrial content were decreased by 30-50% compared with the control muscle, whereas Sirt1 activity was increased by 75-80%. Our data suggest that Sirt1 and PGC-1alpha expression are independently regulated and that, although Sirt1 activity may be involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, its expression is not closely correlated to changes in mitochondrial proteins during conditions of chronic muscle use and disuse.

Mechanisms of exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscleThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process

Acute exercise initiates rapid cellular signals, leading to the subsequent activation of proteins that increase gene transcription. The result is a higher level of mRNA expression, often observed during the recovery period following exercise. These molecules are translated into precursor proteins for import into preexisting mitochondria. Once inside the organelle, the protein is processed to its mature form and either activates mitochondrial DNA gene expression, serves as a single subunit enzyme, or is incorporated into multi-subunit complexes of the respiratory chain devoted to electron transport and substrate oxidation. The result of this exercise-induced sequence of events is the expansion of the mitochondrial network within muscle cells and the capacity for aerobic ATP provision. An understanding of the molecular processes involved in this complex pathway of organelle synthesis is important for therapeutic purposes, and is a primary research undertaking in laboratories involved in the study of mitochondrial biogenesis. This pathway in muscle becomes impaired with chronic inactivity and aging, which leads to a reduced muscle aerobic capacity and an increased tendency for mitochondrially mediated apoptosis, a situation that can contribute to muscle atrophy. The resumption, or adoption, of an active lifestyle can ameliorate this metabolic dysfunction, improve endurance, and help maintain muscle mass.

Potential mechanisms of muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and obesity and cellular consequences

Mitochondria play a key role in the energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. A new concept has emerged suggesting that impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle may be the underlying defect that causes insulin resistance. According to current knowledge, the causes and the underlying molecular mechanisms at the origin of decreased mitochondrial oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle still remain to be elucidated. The present review focuses on recent data investigating these issues in the area of metabolic disorders and describes the potential causes, mechanisms and consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscle.

Mitochondrial function in vivo: spectroscopy provides window on cellular energetics

Mitochondria integrate the key metabolic fluxes in the cell. This role places this organelle at the center of cellular energetics and, hence, mitochondrial dysfunction underlies a growing number of human disorders and age-related degenerative diseases. Here we present novel analytical and technical methods for evaluating mitochondrial metabolism and (dys)function in human muscle in vivo. Three innovations involving advances in optical spectroscopy (OS) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) permit quantifying key compounds in energy metabolism to yield mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation fluxes. The first of these uses analytical methods applied to optical spectra to measure hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) oxygenation states and relative contents ([Hb]/[Mb]) to determine mitochondrial respiration (O2 uptake) in vivo. The second uses MRS methods to quantify key high-energy compounds (creatine phosphate, PCr, and adenosine triphosphate, ATP) to determine mitochondrial phosphorylation (ATP flux) in vivo. The third involves a functional test that combines these spectroscopic approaches to determine mitochondrial energy coupling (ATP/O2), phosphorylation capacity (ATP(max)) and oxidative capacity (O2max) of muscle. These new developments in optical and MR tools allow us to determine the function and capacity of mitochondria noninvasively in order to identify specific defects in vivo that are associated with disease in human and animal muscle. The clinical implication of this unique diagnostic probe is the insight into the nature and extent of dysfunction in metabolic and degenerative disorders, as well as the ability to follow the impact of interventions designed to reverse these disorders.

Sirtuins--novel therapeutic targets to treat age-associated diseases

Sirtuins post-translationally modulate the function of many cellular proteins that undergo reversible acetylation-deacetylation cycles, affecting physiological responses that have implications for treating diseases of ageing. Potent small-molecule modulators of sirtuins have shown efficacy in preclinical models of metabolic, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and so hold promise for drug discovery efforts in multiple therapeutic areas. Here, we discuss current knowledge and data that strengthens sirtuins as a druggable set of enzymes for the treatment of age-associated diseases, including activation of SIRT1 in type 2 diabetes.

Mitochondrial DNA injury and mortality in hemodialysis patients

The role of mitochondrial injury in the pathogenesis of complications of uremia is incompletely defined, although diminished bioenergetic capacity and the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been reported. This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of mtDNA injury in 180 patients who had ESRD and were enrolled into the baseline phase of the HEMO study and to relate these markers to all-cause mortality. The mitochondrial injury markers studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were the mtDNA copy number per cell, measured by quantitative PCR, and the presence of the mtDNA(4977) mutation. After frequency-matching healthy control subjects for age, mtDNA copy number was lower among older dialysis patients compared with older healthy subjects (P = 0.01). A one-log increase in mtDNA copy number was independently associated with a decreased hazard for mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 0.89). The mtDNA(4977) deletion was present in 48 (31%) patients and was independently associated with a decreased hazard for mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.33; 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.56). In summary, the mtDNA(4977) seems to predict survival in ESRD, but a reduced mitochondrial copy number seems to predict a poor outcome. Although further exploration of these associations is needed, evaluation of mitochondrial DNA copy number and somatic mtDNA mutations may provide simple genomic biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes among patients with ESRD.

Mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a complex process involving the coordinated expression of mitochondrial and nuclear genes, the import of the products of the latter into the organelle and turnover. The mechanisms associated with these events have been intensively studied in the last 20 years and our understanding of their details is much improved. Mitochondrial biogenesis requires the participation of calcium signaling that activates a series of calcium-dependent protein kinases that in turn activate transcription factors and coactivators such as PGC-1alpha that regulates the expression of genes coding for mitochondrial components. In addition, mitochondrial biogenesis involves the balance of mitochondrial fission-fusion. Mitochondrial malfunction or defects in any of the many pathways involved in mitochondrial biogenesis can lead to degenerative diseases and possibly play an important part in aging.

Treating neurodegeneration by modifying mitochondria: potential solutions to a "complex" problem

Mitochondria function differently in aged brains than they do in young brains. Consistently reported changes include reduced electron transport chain (ETC) enzyme activities, reduced phosphorylation of ADP, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Various neurodegenerative diseases are also associated with changes in mitochondrial function, and these changes both recapitulate and extend those seen in "normal" aging. Unfortunately, attempts to treat neurodegenerative diseases by treating mitochondria-related pathology have thus far minimally impacted affected patients. A better understanding of how mitochondrial function changes in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, though, now suggests new approaches to mitochondrial therapy may prove more efficacious. Increasing ETC capacity, increasing oxidative phosphorylation, or decreasing mitochondrial ROS may yet prove useful for the treatment of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and accomplishing this seems increasingly feasible. This review will discuss the role of mitochondrial function and dysfunction in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and will focus on potential treatment strategies.

Caenorhabditis elegans mitochondrial mutants as an investigative tool to study human neurodegenerative diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction

In humans, well over one hundred diseases have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and many of these are associated with neurodegeneration. At the root of most of these diseases lay ineffectual energy production, caused either by direct or indirect disruption to components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is surprising then to learn that, in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a collection of mutants which share disruptions in some of the same genes that cause mitochondrial pathogenesis in humans are in fact long-lived. Recently, we resolved this paradox by showing that the C. elegans "Mit mutants" only exhibit life extension in a defined window of mitochondrial dysfunction. Similar to humans, when mitochondrial dysfunction becomes too severe these mutants also exhibit pathogenic life reduction. We have proposed that life extension in the Mit mutants occurs as a by-product of compensatory processes specifically activated to maintain mitochondrial function. We have also proposed that similar kinds of processes may act to delay the symptomatic appearance in many human mitochondrial-associated disorders. In the present report, we describe our progress in using the Mit mutants as an investigative tool to study some of the processes potentially employed by human cells to offset pathological mitochondrial dysfunction.

Lactate sensitive transcription factor network in L6 cells: activation of MCT1 and mitochondrial biogenesis

We hypothesized that in addition to serving as a fuel source and gluconeogenic precursor, lactate anion (La-) is a signaling molecule. Therefore, we screened genome-wide responses of L6 cells to elevated (10 and 20 mM) sodium-La- added to buffered, high-glucose media. Lactate increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and up-regulated 673 genes, many known to be responsive to ROS and Ca2+. The induction of genes encoding for components of the mitochondrial lactate oxidation complex was confirmed by independent methods (PCR and EMSA). Specifically, lactate increased monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT1) mRNA and protein expression within 1 h and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) mRNA and protein expression in 6 h. Increases in COX coincided with increases in peroxisome proliferator activated-receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC1alpha) expression and the DNA binding activity of nuclear respiratory factor (NRF)-2. We conclude that the lactate signaling cascade involves ROS production and converges on transcription factors affecting mitochondrial biogenesis.

Nitric oxide and mitochondrial biogenesis

The characteristic structural organization of mitochondria is the product of synthesis of macromolecules within the mitochondria together with the import of proteins and lipids synthesized outside the organelle. Synthetic and import processes are required for mitochondrial proliferation and might also facilitate the growth of pre-existing mitochondria. Recent evidence indicates that these events are regulated in a complex way by several agonists and environmental conditions, through activation of specific signaling pathways and transcription factors. A newly discovered role of this organelle in retrograde intracellular signaling back to the nucleus has also emerged. This is likely to have far-reaching implications in development, aging, disease and environmental adaptation. Generation of nitric oxide (NO) appears to be an important player in these processes, possibly acting as a unifying molecular switch to trigger the whole mitochondrial biogenesis process. High levels of NO acutely inhibit cell respiration by binding to cytochrome c oxidase. Conversely, chronic, smaller increases in NO levels stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis in diverse cell types. NO-induced mitochondrial biogenesis seems to be linked to proliferation and differentiation of normal and tumor cells, as well as in aging.