Mitochondrial Dynamics: Molecular Mechanisms, Related Primary Mitochondrial Disorders and Therapeutic Approaches

Strategic disruption of cancer's powerhouse: precise nanomedicine targeting of mitochondrial metabolism

Mitochondria occupy a central role in the biology of most eukaryotic cells, functioning as the hub of oxidative metabolism where sugars, fats, and amino acids are ultimately oxidized to release energy. This crucial function fuels a variety of cellular activities. Disruption in mitochondrial metabolism is a common feature in many diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative conditions and cardiovascular diseases. Targeting tumor cell mitochondrial metabolism with multifunctional nanosystems emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic efficacy against cancer. This review comprehensively outlines the pathways of mitochondrial metabolism, emphasizing their critical roles in cellular energy production and metabolic regulation. The associations between aberrant mitochondrial metabolism and the initiation and progression of cancer are highlighted, illustrating how these metabolic disruptions contribute to oncogenesis and tumor sustainability. More importantly, innovative strategies employing nanomedicines to precisely target mitochondrial metabolic pathways in cancer therapy are fully explored. Furthermore, key challenges and future directions in this field are identified and discussed. Collectively, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future potential of nanomedicine in targeting mitochondrial metabolism, offering insights for developing more effective cancer therapies.

Mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction: Unraveling the hidden link to depression

Depression is a common mental disorder and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. However, more and more evidence shows that mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction may play an important role in the occurrence and development of depression. Mitochondria are the centre of energy production in cells, and are also involved in important processes such as apoptosis and oxidative stress. Studies have found that there are abnormalities in mitochondrial function in patients with depression, including mitochondrial morphological changes, mitochondrial dynamics disorders, mitochondrial DNA damage, and impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain function. These abnormalities may cause excessive free radicals and oxidative stress in mitochondria, which further damage cells and affect the balance of neurotransmitters, causing or aggravating depressive symptoms. Studies have shown that mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction may participate in the occurrence and development of depression by affecting neuroplasticity, inflammation and neurotransmitters. This article reviews the effects of mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction on the pathogenesis of depression and its potential molecular pathway. The restorers for the treatment of depression by regulating the function of mitochondrial dynamics were summarized and the possibility of using mitochondrial dynamics as a biomarker of depression was discussed.

Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Variants in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Enrichment in the Mitochondrial Control Region and Sirtuin Pathway Genes in Spinal Cord Tissue

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease with prevalent mitochondrial dysfunctions affecting both upper and lower motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Despite mitochondria having their own genome (mtDNA), in humans, most mitochondrial genes are encoded by the nuclear genome (nDNA). Our study aimed to simultaneously screen for nDNA and mtDNA genomes to assess for specific variant enrichment in ALS compared to control tissues. Here, we analysed whole exome (WES) and whole genome (WGS) sequencing data from spinal cord tissues, respectively, of 6 and 12 human donors. A total of 31,257 and 301,241 variants in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes were identified from WES and WGS, respectively, while mtDNA reads accounted for 73 and 332 variants. Despite technical differences, both datasets consistently revealed a specific enrichment of variants in the mitochondrial Control Region (CR) and in several of these genes directly associated with mitochondrial dynamics or with Sirtuin pathway genes within ALS tissues. Overall, our data support the hypothesis of a variant burden in specific genes, highlighting potential actionable targets for therapeutic interventions in ALS.

Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Stroke Pathobiology: Current Therapeutic Avenues and Future Perspective

Neuroinflammation is a key pathophysiological feature of stroke-associated brain injury. A local innate immune response triggers neuroinflammation following a stroke via activating inflammasomes. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been heavily implicated in stroke pathobiology. Following a stroke, several stimuli have been suggested to trigger the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Recent studies have advanced the understanding and revealed several new players regulating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation. This article discussed recent advancements in NLRP3 assembly and highlighted stroke-induced mitochondrial dysfunction as a major checkpoint to regulating NLRP3 activation. The NLRP3 inflammasome activation leads to caspase-1-dependent maturation and release of IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D. In addition, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and downstream signaling has been shown to attenuate brain infarction and improve the neurological outcome in experimental models of stroke. Several drug-like small molecules targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are in different phases of development as novel therapeutics for various inflammatory conditions, including stroke. Understanding how these molecules interfere with NLRP3 inflammasome assembly is paramount for their better optimization and/or development of newer NLRP3 inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and discussed the recent advances in understanding the upstream regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation following stroke. Additionally, we critically examined the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated signaling in stroke pathophysiology and the development of therapeutic modalities to target the NLRP3 inflammasome-related signaling for stroke treatment.

Multifaceted roles of mitochondrial dysfunction in diseases: from powerhouses to saboteurs

The fact that mitochondria play a crucial part in energy generation has led to the nickname "powerhouses" of the cell being applied to them. They also play a significant role in many other cellular functions, including calcium signalling, apoptosis, and the creation of vital biomolecules. As a result, cellular function and health as a whole can be significantly impacted by mitochondrial malfunction. Indeed, malignancies frequently have increased levels of mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control. Adverse selection exists for harmful mitochondrial genome mutations, even though certain malignancies include modifications in the nuclear-encoded tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes that generate carcinogenic metabolites. Since rare human cancers with mutated mitochondrial genomes are often benign, removing mitochondrial DNA reduces carcinogenesis. Therefore, targeting mitochondria offers therapeutic options since they serve several functions and are crucial to developing malignant tumors. Here, we discuss the various steps involved in the mechanism of cancer for which mitochondria plays a significant role, as well as the role of mitochondria in diseases other than cancer. It is crucial to understand mitochondrial malfunction to target these organelles for therapeutic reasons. This highlights the significance of investigating mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer and other disease research.

Novel insights into the involvement of mitochondrial fission/fusion in heart failure: From molecular mechanisms to targeted therapies

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that alter their morphology through fission (fragmentation) and fusion (elongation). These morphological changes correlate highly with mitochondrial functional adaptations to stressors, such as hypoxia, pressure overload, and inflammation, and are important in the setting of heart failure. Pathological mitochondrial remodeling, characterized by increased fission and reduced fusion, is associated with impaired mitochondrial respiration, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, abnormal cytoplasmic calcium handling, and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Considering the impact of the mitochondrial morphology on mitochondrial behavior and cardiomyocyte performance, altered mitochondrial dynamics could be expected to induce or exacerbate the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure. However, whether alterations in mitochondrial fission and fusion accelerate or retard the progression of heart failure has been the subject of intense debate. In this review, we first describe the physiological processes and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial fission and fusion. Then, we extensively discuss the pathological contributions of mitochondrial fission and fusion to heart failure. Lastly, we examine potential therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondrial fission/fusion to treat patients with heart failure.

Mechanistic study of optic atrophy 1 in ischemia-reperfusion disease

Mitochondria consist of the inner mitochondrial membrane and the outer mitochondrial membrane, which maintain mitochondrial homeostasis through continuous fission and fusion to ensure a healthy mitochondrial network and thus regulate normal cellular function, namely mitochondrial dynamics. The imbalance between mitochondrial fusion and fission results in abnormal mitochondrial structure and eventually mitochondrial dysfunction, which is involved in the pathological process of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is a key protein that regulates mitochondrial inner membrane fusion and ensures normal mitochondrial function by balancing mitochondrial dynamics, participating in various processes such as mitochondrial fusion, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Ischemia-induced changes in mitochondrial dynamics may be a key factor in limiting the recanalization time window and exacerbating reperfusion injury, and the mechanisms of these changes deserve further attention. Therefore, targeting OPA1-related mitochondrial fusions, thereby balancing mitochondrial dynamics and improving mitochondrial dysfunction, is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemia-reperfusion diseases. This review will elaborate on the structure and function of OPA1 and the role of OPA1 in IRI to provide promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion diseases.

Cannabinoid-mediated targeting of mitochondria on the modulation of mitochondrial function and dynamics

Mitochondria play a critical role in the regulation of several biological processes (e.g., programmed cell death, inflammation, neurotransmission, cell differentiation). In recent years, accumulating findings have evidenced that cannabinoids, a group of endogenous and exogenous (synthetic and plant-derived) psychoactive compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors, may modulate mitochondrial function and dynamics. As such, mitochondria have gained increasing interest as central mediators in cannabinoids' pharmacological and toxicological signatures. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the cannabinoids' modulation of mitochondrial activity and dynamics, as well as the potential implications of such mitochondrial processes' disruption on cell homeostasis and disease. Interestingly, cannabinoids may target different mitochondrial processes (e.g., regulation of intracellular calcium levels, bioenergetic metabolism, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dynamics, including mitochondrial fission and fusion, transport, mitophagy, and biogenesis), by modulating multiple and complex signaling pathways. Of note, the outcome may depend on the experimental models used, as well as the chemical structure, concentration, and exposure settings to the cannabinoid, originating equivocal data. Notably, this interaction seems to represent not only an important feature of cannabinoids' toxicological signatures, with potential implications for the onset of distinct pathological conditions (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndromes), but also an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic strategies for such pathologies, which is also discussed in this review.

Targeting Mitochondrial Dynamics Proteins for the Development of Therapies for Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The identification of new pathogenetic targets contributes to more efficient development of new types of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review highlights the problem of mitochondrial dynamics disorders, in the context of cardiovascular diseases. A change in the normal function of mitochondrial dynamics proteins is one of the reasons for the development of the pathological state of cardiomyocytes. Based on this, therapeutic targeting of these proteins may be a promising strategy in the development of cardiac drugs. Here we will consider changes for each process of mitochondrial dynamics in cardiovascular diseases: fission and fusion of mitochondria, mitophagy, mitochondrial transport and biogenesis, and also analyze the prospects of the considered protein targets based on existing drug developments.

The Aftermath of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking on Telomere Length and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Human Cumulus Cells Prior to In Vitro Fertilization-A Pilot Study

Cigarette smoking among women of reproductive age is known to take a toll on systemic health and fertility potential by severely impacting ovarian tissues and cells, such as granulosa and cumulus cells (CCs). The purpose of this study was to determine the potential damage caused by tobacco smoke at a molecular level in the CCs of females who had undergone in vitro fertilization. The level of intracellular damage was determined by estimating the average telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), as well as the expression profile of telomere maintenance genes TERF1, TERF2, POT1 and microRNAs miR-155, miR-23a and miR-185. Western blotting analysis was performed to detect consequent protein levels of TERF1, TERF2 and POT1. Our results evidenced significantly lower relative TL and mtDNA-CN and a down-regulation pattern for all three described genes and corresponding proteins in the CCs of smokers compared with controls (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the miRNAs’ modulation. Combined, our data add another piece to the puzzle of the complex regulatory molecular networks controlling the general effects of tobacco smoke in CCs. This pilot study extends the until now modest number of studies simultaneously investigating the mtDNA-CN and TL pathways in the human CCs of smoking women.

Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion: Molecular Mechanisms, Biological Functions, and Related Disorders

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo fusion and fission. These active processes occur continuously and simultaneously and are mediated by nuclear-DNA-encoded proteins that act on mitochondrial membranes. The balance between fusion and fission determines the mitochondrial morphology and adapts it to the metabolic needs of the cells. Therefore, these two processes are crucial to optimize mitochondrial function and its bioenergetics abilities. Defects in mitochondrial proteins involved in fission and fusion due to pathogenic variants in the genes encoding them result in disruption of the equilibrium between fission and fusion, leading to a group of mitochondrial diseases termed disorders of mitochondrial dynamics. In this review, the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of mitochondrial fusion and fission are first discussed. Then, mitochondrial disorders caused by defects in fission and fusion are summarized, including disorders related to MFN2, MSTO1, OPA1, YME1L1, FBXL4, DNM1L, and MFF genes.

Influence of Age and Dose on the Effect of Resveratrol for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Several clinical trials have suggested that resveratrol has hypoglycemic properties; however, there are other studies in which such an effect has not been observed. Methods: We carried out a systematic search in several databases; seventeen studies were selected for the systematic review and fifteen were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Resveratrol decreases glucose levels in subjects aged 45−59 years at doses <250 mg/day (−8.64 mg/dL, p < 0.00001), 250−500 mg/day (−22.24 mg/dL, p = 0.0003), and 500−1000 mg/day (−28.40 mg/dL, p = 0.0008), while in subjects older than 60 years, it only decreases with doses of 250−500 mg/day. Likewise, HbA1c improved in subjects aged 45−59 years with doses of 250−500 mg (−0.60%, p < 0.00001), but not in subjects older than 60 years. Insulin levels improved in subjects aged 45−59 years with doses < 250 mg/day (−0.80 mIU/L, p = 0.0003) and doses of 250−500 mg/day (−5.0 mIU/L, p = 0.0003), although in subjects older than 60 years, they only improved with doses of 250−500 mg/day (−1.79 mIU/L, p = 0.01). On the other hand, HOMA-IR only improved in subjects older than 60 years with doses of 250−500 mg/day (−0.40, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Resveratrol has a statistically significant dose−response effect on glucose concentrations, HbA1c, and insulin levels; however, there is not enough scientific evidence to propose a therapeutic dose.

Treatment and prevention of pathological mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal degeneration and in photoreceptor injury

Pathological deterioration of mitochondrial function is increasingly linked with multiple degenerative illnesses as a mediator of a wide range of neurologic and age-related chronic diseases, including those of genetic origin. Several of these diseases are rare, typically defined in the United States as an illness affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. population, or about one in 1600 individuals. Vision impairment due to mitochondrial dysfunction in the eye is a prominent feature evident in numerous primary mitochondrial diseases and is common to the pathophysiology of many of the familiar ophthalmic disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity - a collection of syndromes, diseases and disorders with significant unmet medical needs. Focusing on metabolic mitochondrial pathway mechanisms, including the possible roles of cuproptosis and ferroptosis in retinal mitochondrial dysfunction, we shed light on the potential of α-lipoyl-L-carnitine in treating eye diseases. α-Lipoyl-L-carnitine is a bioavailable mitochondria-targeting lipoic acid prodrug that has shown potential in protecting against retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell loss in ophthalmic indications.

Androgen and androgen receptor control of mitochondrial function

The effects of androgens have been extensively studied in a variety of organs and cell types with increasing focus on the sexually dimorphic role androgens play not only with respect to cellular functions but also in metabolism. Although the classical mechanism of androgen action is via ligand-dependent binding with the nuclear transcription factor, androgen receptor (AR), cytosolic AR can also activate second messenger signaling pathways. Given that cytosolic AR can signal in this manner, there has been increased interest in the mechanisms by which androgens may control cellular organelle function. This review highlights the effects that androgens have on mitochondrial structure and function with emphasis on biogenesis, fusion/fission, mitophagy, bioenergetics (oxidative phosphorylation), and reactive oxygen species production. There are a number of publications on the effects of androgens in these general areas of mitochondrial function. However, the precise mechanisms by which androgens cause these effects are not known. Additionally, given that the nucleus and mitochondria work in tandem to control mitochondrial function and the mitochondria has its own DNA, future research efforts should focus on the direct, mechanistic effects of androgens on mitochondrial function.

Apicoplast Dynamics During Plasmodium Cell Cycle

The deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, contains a unique subcellular organelle termed the apicoplast, which is a clinically-proven antimalarial drug target. The apicoplast is a plastid with essential metabolic functions that evolved via secondary endosymbiosis. As an ancient endosymbiont, the apicoplast retained its own genome and it must be inherited by daughter cells during cell division. During the asexual replication of P. falciparum inside human red blood cells, both the parasite, and the apicoplast inside it, undergo massive morphological changes, including DNA replication and division. The apicoplast is an integral part of the cell and thus its development is tightly synchronized with the cell cycle. At the same time, certain aspects of its dynamics are independent of nuclear division, representing a degree of autonomy in organelle biogenesis. Here, we review the different aspects of organelle dynamics during P. falciparum intraerythrocytic replication, summarize our current understanding of these processes, and describe the many open questions in this area of parasite basic cell biology.

Mitochondrial Implications in Cardiovascular Aging and Diseases: The Specific Role of Mitochondrial Dynamics and Shifts

Cardiovascular disease has been, and remains, one of the leading causes of death in the modern world. The elderly are a particularly vulnerable group. The aging of the body is inevitably accompanied by the aging of all its systems, and the cardiovascular system is no exception. The aging of the cardiovascular system is a significant risk factor for the development of various diseases and pathologies, from atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke. Mitochondria, being the main supplier of energy necessary for the normal functioning of cells, play an important role in the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. The functioning of each individual cell and the organism as a whole depends on their number, structure, and performance, as well as the correct operation of the system in removing non-functional mitochondria. In this review, we examine the role of mitochondria in the aging of the cardiovascular system, as well as in diseases (for example, atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke). We pay special attention to changes in mitochondrial dynamics since the shift in the balance between fission and fusion is one of the main factors associated with various cardiovascular pathologies.

Mitochondrial Neurodegeneration

Mitochondria are cytoplasmic organelles, which generate energy as heat and ATP, the universal energy currency of the cell. This process is carried out by coupling electron stripping through oxidation of nutrient substrates with the formation of a proton-based electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Controlled dissipation of the gradient can lead to production of heat as well as ATP, via ADP phosphorylation. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation, and is carried out by four multiheteromeric complexes (from I to IV) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, carrying out the electron flow whose energy is stored as a proton-based electrochemical gradient. This gradient sustains a second reaction, operated by the mitochondrial ATP synthase, or complex V, which condensates ADP and Pi into ATP. Four complexes (CI, CIII, CIV, and CV) are composed of proteins encoded by genes present in two separate compartments: the nuclear genome and a small circular DNA found in mitochondria themselves, and are termed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mutations striking either genome can lead to mitochondrial impairment, determining infantile, childhood or adult neurodegeneration. Mitochondrial disorders are complex neurological syndromes, and are often part of a multisystem disorder. In this paper, we divide the diseases into those caused by mtDNA defects and those that are due to mutations involving nuclear genes; from a clinical point of view, we discuss pediatric disorders in comparison to juvenile or adult-onset conditions. The complementary genetic contributions controlling organellar function and the complexity of the biochemical pathways present in the mitochondria justify the extreme genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of this new area of inborn errors of metabolism known as ‘mitochondrial medicine’.

An Overview of Mitochondrial Protein Defects in Neuromuscular Diseases

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are dysfunctions that involve skeletal muscle and cause incorrect communication between the nerves and muscles. The specific causes of NMDs are not well known, but most of them are caused by genetic mutations. NMDs are generally progressive and entail muscle weakness and fatigue. Muscular impairments can differ in onset, severity, prognosis, and phenotype. A multitude of possible injury sites can make diagnosis of NMDs difficult. Mitochondria are crucial for cellular homeostasis and are involved in various metabolic pathways; for this reason, their dysfunction can lead to the development of different pathologies, including NMDs. Most NMDs due to mitochondrial dysfunction have been associated with mutations of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism. This review is focused on some mitochondrial routes such as the TCA cycle, OXPHOS, and β-oxidation, recently found to be altered in NMDs. Particular attention is given to the alterations found in some genes encoding mitochondrial carriers, proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane able to exchange metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol. Briefly, we discuss possible strategies used to diagnose NMDs and therapies able to promote patient outcome.

Advances in Cardiotoxicity Induced by Altered Mitochondrial Dynamics and Mitophagy

Mitochondria are the most abundant organelles in cardiac cells, and are essential to maintain the normal cardiac function, which requires mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy to ensure the stability of mitochondrial quantity and quality. When mitochondria are affected by continuous injury factors, the balance between mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy is broken. Aging and damaged mitochondria cannot be completely removed in cardiac cells, resulting in energy supply disorder and accumulation of toxic substances in cardiac cells, resulting in cardiac damage and cardiotoxicity. This paper summarizes the specific underlying mechanisms by which various adverse factors interfere with mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy to produce cardiotoxicity and emphasizes the crucial role of oxidative stress in mitophagy. This review aims to provide fresh ideas for the prevention and treatment of cardiotoxicity induced by altered mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy.

Pathogenic DNM1L Variant (1085G>A) Linked to Infantile Progressive Neurological Disorder: Evidence of Maternal Transmission by Germline Mosaicism and Influence of a Contemporary in cis Variant (1535T>C)

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles undergoing continuous fusion and fission with Drp1, encoded by the DNM1L gene, required for mitochondrial fragmentation. DNM1L dominant pathogenic variants lead to progressive neurological disorders with early exitus. Herein we report on the case of a boy affected by epileptic encephalopathy carrying two heterozygous variants (in cis) of the DNM1L gene: a pathogenic variant (PV) c.1085G>A (p.Gly362Asp) accompanied with a variant of unknown significance (VUS) c.1535T>C (p.Ile512Thr). Amplicon sequencing of the mother’s DNA revealed the presence of the PV and VUS in 5% of cells, with the remaining cells presenting only VUS. Functional investigations performed on the patient and his mother’s cells unveiled altered mitochondrial respiratory chain activities, network architecture and Ca²⁺ homeostasis as compared with healthy unrelated subjects’ samples. Modelling Drp1 harbouring the two variants, separately or in combination, resulted in structural changes as compared with Wt protein. Considering the clinical history of the mother, PV transmission by a maternal germline mosaicism mechanism is proposed. Altered Drp1 function leads to changes in the mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics as well as in Ca²⁺ homeostasis. The novel VUS might be a modifier that synergistically worsens the phenotype when associated with the PV.