Mitochondrial function and dysfunction in the cell: its relevance to aging and aging-related disease.
Mitochondria plays a complex multi-factorial role in the cell. In addition to their primary role in ATP generation, the organelles sequester calcium and both generate and detoxify reactive oxygen species. All these functions are intimately inter-linked through the central bioenergetic parameter of the proton electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Subtle changes in respiratory chain capacity, substrate supply, glutathione levels, cytoplasmic calcium and membrane potential occur in aging and in conditions predisposing towards neurodegenerative disease. These interactions are incompletely understood and in this review I present an overview of some of the current research in this area, and its possible relevance to aging and aging-related disease.
Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, CA 95945, USA. dnicholls@buckinstitute.org
David G
DG
Nicholls
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism
D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III; D005978:Glutathione; D002118:Calcium