Functions of mitochondria: from intracellular power stations to mediators of a senescence program.
In 1950 s I started in science by showing that non-phosphorylating respiration is critical for survival of an animal at low temperature. Later, in the 1960 s and 1970 s, I took part in verification of Mitchell's chemiosmotic hypothesis postulating that (i)mitochondria transform energy of respiration to electricity and (ii) uncoupling of respiration represents discharge of this electricity by H(+) cycling. Fifteen years ago I turned to a specific kind of mitochondrial respiration which produces O(2)(-.), and I came to the conclusion that it plays an ominous role, killing mitochondria, cells, or even organisms. My present task is a "megaproject" with an ambitious goal of minimizing the damaging effect of O(2)(-.) and stopping senescence.
Skulachev
V P
VP
Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Vorobyevy Gory, Bldg. 40, Moscow, 119991, Russia. skulach@belozersky.msu.ru
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001695:Biology / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D012426:Russia