Presenilins and mitochondria-an intriguing link: mini-review

Mark Makarov; Liliia Kushnireva; Michele Papa; Eduard Korkotian

doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1249815

Presenilins and mitochondria-an intriguing link: mini-review

Front Neurosci. 2023 Jul 28:17:1249815. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1249815. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mark Makarov^{1

2}, Liliia Kushnireva¹, Michele Papa², Eduard Korkotian¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
² Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.

Abstract

This review uncovers the intricate relationship between presenilins, calcium, and mitochondria in the context of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a particular focus on the involvement of presenilin mutations in mitochondrial dysfunction. So far, it is unclear whether the impairment of mitochondrial function arises primarily from damage inflicted by β-amyloid upon mitochondria or from the disruption of calcium homeostasis due to presenilins dysfunctions. The roles of presenilins in mitophagy, autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and many other functions, non-γ-secretase related, also require close attention in future research. Resolution of contradictions in understanding of presenilins cellular functions are needed for new effective therapeutic strategies for AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; mitochondria associated membranes; neurodegeneration; presenilins; spine apparatus.

Publication types

Review