Mitochondria play a critical role in skeletal muscle metabolism and function, notably at the level of tissue respiration, which conduct muscle strength as well as muscle survival. Pathological conditions induce mitochondria dysfunctions notably characterized by free oxygen radical production disturbing intracellular signaling. In that way, the second messengers, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, control intracellular signaling at the physiological and transcription levels by governing phosphorylation cascades. Both nucleotides are specifically and selectively hydrolyzed in their respective 5'-nucleotide by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which constitute a multi-genic family differently tissue distributed and subcellularly compartmentalized. These PDEs are presently recognized as therapeutic targets for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurologic diseases. However, very few data concerning cyclic nucleotides and PDEs in skeletal muscle, specifically in mitochondria, are reported in the literature. The knowledge of PDE implication in mitochondrial signaling would be helpful for resolving critical mitochondrial dysfunctions in skeletal muscle.
Keywords: Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase; Mitochondria functions; Skeletal muscle.