Domesticated and optimized mitochondria: Mitochondrial modifications based on energetic status and cellular stress

Life Sci. 2021 Jan 15:265:118766. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118766. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

Mitochondria are the main source of energy and play an important role in coupling intracellular and intercellular metabolic cooperation. Cellular stress and energetic status can affect various mitochondrial behaviors, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, assembly of respiratory chain supercomplexes and mitochondrial distribution. These modifications usually result in adaptive adjustment of mitochondrial output and resistance to cellular stress. However, when the pro-death signals triggered by excessive damage converge to mitochondria, mitochondrial reserve and functional status can profoundly determine the direction of cell death, and even affect the survival and death of surrounding or distant tissues. In this review, we discuss multiple mitochondrial modifications in eukaryotes based on metabolic status and cellular stress, and review the emerging knowledge about the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on the fate of cells and surrounding tissues.

Keywords: Endosymbiosis; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial biogenesis; Mitochondrial transfer; Mitophagy; Necrosis; Regulated cell death; Respiratory chain supercomplexes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitophagy
  • Stress, Physiological*