1
|
Yi HS, Chang JY, Kim KS, Shong M. Oncogenes, mitochondrial metabolism, and quality control in differentiated thyroid cancer. Korean J Intern Med 2017; 32:780-789. [PMID: 28823142 PMCID: PMC5583459 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2016.420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common malignancies of endocrine organs, and its incidence rate has increased steadily over the past several decades. Most differentiated thyroid tumors derived from thyroid epithelial cells exhibit slow-growing cancers, and patients with these tumors can achieve a good prognosis with surgical removal and radioiodine treatment. However, a small proportion of patients present with advanced thyroid cancer and are unusually resistant to current drug treatment modalities. Thyroid tumorigenesis is a complex process that is regulated by the activation of oncogenes, inactivation of tumor suppressors, and alterations in programmed cell death. Mitochondria play an essential role during tumor formation, progression, and metastasis of thyroid cancer. Recent studies have successfully observed the mitochondrial etiology of thyroid carcinogenesis. This review focuses on the recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of thyroid cancer relating to altered mitochondrial metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyon-Seung Yi
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joon Young Chang
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Koon Soon Kim
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Correspondence to Minho Shong, M.D. Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 266 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015, Korea Tel: +82-42-280-6994 Fax: +82-42-280-7995 E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wan Nor Hafiza WAG, Yazan LS, Tor YS, Foo JB, Armania N, Rahman HS. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic pathway and mitochondrial dysregulation in HeLa cells treated with dichloromethane extract of Dillenia suffruticosa. Pharmacogn Mag 2016; 12:S86-95. [PMID: 27041866 PMCID: PMC4792007 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.176107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extract of Dillenia suffruticosa (EADS and DCMDS, respectively) can be a potential anticancer agent. The effects of EADS and DCMDS on the growth of HeLa cervical cancer cells and the expression of apoptotic-related proteins had been investigated in vitro. Cytotoxicity of the extracts toward the cells was determined by 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the effects on cell cycle progression and the mode of cell death were analyzed by flow cytometry technique, while the effects on apoptotic-related genes and proteins were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Treatment with DCMDS inhibited (P < 0.05) proliferation and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. The expression of cyclin B1 was downregulated that led to G2/M arrest in the cells after treatment with DCMDA. In summary, DCMDS induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic pathway and dysregulation of mitochondria. The data suggest the potential application of DCMDS in the treatment of cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan Abd Ghani Wan Nor Hafiza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Institute for Medical Research, Jin Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Latifah Saiful Yazan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yin Sim Tor
- Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jhi Biau Foo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurdin Armania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mitochondrial Alterations in Peripheral Mononuclear Blood Cells from Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:5923938. [PMID: 26881032 PMCID: PMC4736772 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5923938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It is well recognized that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, evidences of mitochondrial defects in AD peripheral cells are still inconclusive. Here, some mitochondrial-encoded and nuclear-encoded proteins, involved in maintaining the correct mitochondria machine, were investigated in terms of protein expression and enzymatic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from AD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients and healthy subjects. In addition mitochondrial DNA copy number was measured by real time PCR. We found some differences and some similarities between AD and MCI patients when compared with healthy subjects. For example, cytochrome C and cytochrome B were decreased in AD, while MCI showed only a statistical reduction of cytochrome C. On the other hand, both AD and MCI blood cells exhibited highly nitrated MnSOD, index of a prooxidant environment inside the mitochondria. TFAM, a regulator of mitochondrial genome replication and transcription, was decreased in both AD and MCI patients' blood cells. Moreover also the mitochondrial DNA amount was reduced in PBMCs from both patient groups. In conclusion these data confirmed peripheral mitochondria impairment in AD and demonstrated that TFAM and mtDNA amount reduction could be two features of early events occurring in AD pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tiribuzi R, Tartacca F, Aisa MC, Cerulli GG, Palmerini CA. The impact of nitric oxide on calcium homeostasis in PE/CA-PJ15 cells. Arch Oral Biol 2014; 59:1377-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
5
|
Caneba CA, Yang L, Baddour J, Curtis R, Win J, Hartig S, Marini J, Nagrath D. Nitric oxide is a positive regulator of the Warburg effect in ovarian cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1302. [PMID: 24967964 PMCID: PMC4611736 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is among the most lethal gynecological cancers leading to high mortality rates among women. Increasing evidence indicate that cancer cells undergo metabolic transformation during tumorigenesis and growth through nutrients and growth factors available in tumor microenvironment. This altered metabolic rewiring further enhances tumor progression. Recent studies have begun to unravel the role of amino acids in the tumor microenvironment on the proliferation of cancer cells. One critically important, yet often overlooked, component to tumor growth is the metabolic reprogramming of nitric oxide (NO) pathways in cancer cells. Multiple lines of evidence support the link between NO and tumor growth in some cancers, including pancreas, breast and ovarian. However, the multifaceted role of NO in the metabolism of OVCA is unclear and direct demonstration of NO's role in modulating OVCA cells' metabolism is lacking. This study aims at indentifying the mechanistic links between NO and OVCA metabolism. We uncover a role of NO in modulating OVCA metabolism: NO positively regulates the Warburg effect, which postulates increased glycolysis along with reduced mitochondrial activity under aerobic conditions in cancer cells. Through both NO synthesis inhibition (using L-arginine deprivation, arginine is a substrate for NO synthase (NOS), which catalyzes NO synthesis; using L-Name, a NOS inhibitor) and NO donor (using DETA-NONOate) analysis, we show that NO not only positively regulates tumor growth but also inhibits mitochondrial respiration in OVCA cells, shifting these cells towards glycolysis to maintain their ATP production. Additionally, NO led to an increase in TCA cycle flux and glutaminolysis, suggesting that NO decreases ROS levels by increasing NADPH and glutathione levels. Our results place NO as a central player in the metabolism of OVCA cells. Understanding the effects of NO on cancer cell metabolism can lead to the development of NO targeting drugs for OVCAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C A Caneba
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L Yang
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Baddour
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - R Curtis
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Win
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Hartig
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Marini
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA [2] Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - D Nagrath
- 1] Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA [3] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guha M, Avadhani NG. Mitochondrial retrograde signaling at the crossroads of tumor bioenergetics, genetics and epigenetics. Mitochondrion 2013; 13:577-91. [PMID: 24004957 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a central role not only in energy production but also in the integration of metabolic pathways as well as signals for apoptosis and autophagy. It is becoming increasingly apparent that mitochondria in mammalian cells play critical roles in the initiation and propagation of various signaling cascades. In particular, mitochondrial metabolic and respiratory states and status on mitochondrial genetic instability are communicated to the nucleus as an adaptive response through retrograde signaling. Each mammalian cell contains multiple copies of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA). A reduction in mtDNA copy number has been reported in various human pathological conditions such as diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, aging and cancer. Reduction in mtDNA copy number disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) resulting in dysfunctional mitochondria. Dysfunctional mitochondria trigger retrograde signaling and communicate their changing metabolic and functional state to the nucleus as an adaptive response resulting in an altered nuclear gene expression profile and altered cell physiology and morphology. In this review, we provide an overview of the various modes of mitochondrial retrograde signaling focusing particularly on the Ca(2+)/Calcineurin mediated retrograde signaling. We discuss the contribution of the key factors of the pathway such as Calcineurin, IGF1 receptor, Akt kinase and HnRNPA2 in the propagation of signaling and their role in modulating genetic and epigenetic changes favoring cellular reprogramming towards tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manti Guha
- Department of Animal Biology and the Mari Lowe Center for Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jacques C, Guillotin D, Fontaine JF, Franc B, Mirebeau-Prunier D, Fleury A, Malthiery Y, Savagner F. DNA microarray and miRNA analyses reinforce the classification of follicular thyroid tumors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 98:E981-9. [PMID: 23569218 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2012-4006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Focusing on mitochondrial function and thyroid tumorigenesis, we used an integrative approach to identify relevant biomarkers for borderline thyroid lesions. DESIGN Using cDNA and microRNA (miRNA) microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR analysis (qPCR), we explored samples of various types of thyroid tumors including 25 benign follicular adenomas represented by macrofollicular variants of thyroid adenomas, 38 oncocytic variants of follicular thyroid tumors, 19 papillary thyroid carcinomas, and 10 tumors of uncertain malignant potential, together with 53 normal thyroid tissue samples. RESULTS Our transcriptomic analysis, which highlighted discrepancies between controls and tumor tissues, as well as between various tumor types, led to the identification of 13 genes, allowing discrimination between the thyroid adenomas, oncocytic variants of follicular thyroid tumors, and papillary thyroid carcinomas, whereas the tumors of uncertain malignant potential were found to overlap these classes. Five of these genes (TP53, HOXA9, RUNX1, MYD88, and CITED1), with a differential expression confirmed by qPCR analysis, are implicated in tumorigenesis, 4 in mitochondrial metabolism (MRPL14, MRPS2, MRPS28, and COX6A1), and 2 in thyroid metabolic pathways (CaMKIINalpha and TPO). The global miRNA analysis revealed 62 differential miRNAs, the expression level for 10 of these being confirmed by qPCR. The differential expression of the miRNAs was in accordance with the modulation of gene expression and the ontologies revealed by our transcriptomic analysis. CONCLUSIONS These findings reinforce the classification of follicular thyroid tumors established by the World Health Organization, and our technique offers a novel molecular approach to refine the classification of thyroid tumors of uncertain malignant potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Jacques
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U694, rue des Capucins, F-49033 Angers, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wenz T. Regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and PGC-1α under cellular stress. Mitochondrion 2013; 13:134-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
9
|
quốc Lu’o’ng KV, Nguyễn LTH. The roles of beta-adrenergic receptors in tumorigenesis and the possible use of beta-adrenergic blockers for cancer treatment: possible genetic and cell-signaling mechanisms. Cancer Manag Res 2012; 4:431-45. [PMID: 23293538 PMCID: PMC3534394 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s39153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death in the USA, and the incidence of cancer increases dramatically with age. Beta-adrenergic blockers appear to have a beneficial clinical effect in cancer patients. In this paper, we review the evidence of an association between β-adrenergic blockade and cancer. Genetic studies have provided the opportunity to determine which proteins link β-adrenergic blockade to cancer pathology. In particular, this link involves the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, the renin-angiotensin system, transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. Beta-adrenergic blockers also exert anticancer effects through non-genomic factors, including matrix metalloproteinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase-2, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide synthase. In conclusion, β-adrenergic blockade may play a beneficial role in cancer treatment. Additional investigations that examine β-adrenergic blockers as cancer therapeutics are required to further elucidate this role.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ding S, Riddoch-Contreras J, Contrevas JR, Abramov AY, Qi Z, Duchen MR. Mild stress of caffeine increased mtDNA content in skeletal muscle cells: the interplay between Ca2+ transients and nitric oxide. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2012; 33:327-37. [PMID: 22926241 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-012-9318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Caffeine increases mitochondrial biogenesis in myotubes by evoking Ca(2+) transients. Nitric oxide (NO) also induces mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cells via upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and PGC-1α. However, the interplay and timing sequence between Ca(2+) transients and NO releases remain unclear. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that caffeine-evoked Ca(2+) transients triggered NO production to increase mtDNA in skeletal muscle cells. Ca(2+) transients were recorded with Fura-2 AM and confocal microscopy; mtDNA staining, mitochondrial membrane potential and NO level were determined using fluorescent probes PicoGreen, tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and DAF-FM, respectively. In primary cultured myotubes, a subtle and moderate stress of caffeine increased mtDNA exclusively. Mitochondrial membrane potential and mtDNA were increased by 1 mM as well as 5 mM caffeine, whereas 10 mM caffeine did not change the fluorescence intensity of PicoGreen and TMRM. NO level in myocytes increased gradually following the first jump of Ca(2+) transients evoked by caffeine (5 mM) till the end of recording, when Fura-2 indicated that Ca(2+) transients recovered partly and even disappeared. Importantly, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (L-NAME) suppressed caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis, whereas NO donor (DETA-NO) increased mtDNA content. These data strongly suggest that caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis is dose-sensitive and dependent on a certain level of stress. Further, an increasing level of NO following Ca(2+) transients is required for caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis. Additionally, Ca(2+) transients, a usual and first response to caffeine, was either suppressed or attenuated by L-NAME, DETA-NO, AICAR and U0126, suggesting an inability to control [Ca(2+)](i) in these treated cells. There may be an important interplay between NO and Ca(2+) transients in intracellular signaling system involving NOS, AMPK and MEK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhe Ding
- The Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention, Ministry of Education of China, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Michel S, Wanet A, De Pauw A, Rommelaere G, Arnould T, Renard P. Crosstalk between mitochondrial (dys)function and mitochondrial abundance. J Cell Physiol 2012; 227:2297-310. [PMID: 21928343 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.23021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A controlled regulation of mitochondrial mass through either the production (biogenesis) or the degradation (mitochondrial quality control) of the organelle represents a crucial step for proper mitochondrial and cell function. Key steps of mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control are overviewed, with an emphasis on the role of mitochondrial chaperones and proteases that keep mitochondria fully functional, provided the mitochondrial activity impairment is not excessive. In this case, the whole organelle is degraded by mitochondrial autophagy or "mitophagy." Beside the maintenance of adequate mitochondrial abundance and functions for cell homeostasis, mitochondrial biogenesis might be enhanced, through discussed signaling pathways, in response to various physiological stimuli, like contractile activity, exposure to low temperatures, caloric restriction, and stem cells differentiation. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction might also initiate a retrograde response, enabling cell adaptation through increased mitochondrial biogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Michel
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NARILIS (Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences), University of Namur (FUNDP), Namur, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Jones AWE, Yao Z, Vicencio JM, Karkucinska-Wieckowska A, Szabadkai G. PGC-1 family coactivators and cell fate: roles in cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and retrograde mitochondria-nucleus signalling. Mitochondrion 2011; 12:86-99. [PMID: 21983689 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, a complex nuclear transcriptional machinery controlling mitochondrial biogenesis and function has been described. Central to this network are the PGC-1 family coactivators, characterised as master regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis. Recent literature has identified a broader role for PGC-1 coactivators in both cell death and cellular adaptation under conditions of stress, here reviewed in the context of the pathology associated with cancer, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, we propose that these studies also imply a novel conceptual framework on the general role of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease. It is now well established that the complex nuclear transcriptional control of mitochondrial biogenesis allows for adaptation of mitochondrial mass and function to environmental conditions. On the other hand, it has also been suggested that mitochondria alter their function according to prevailing cellular energetic requirements and thus function as sensors that generate signals to adjust fundamental cellular processes through a retrograde mitochondria-nucleus signalling pathway. Therefore, altered mitochondrial function can affect cell fate not only directly by modifying cellular energy levels or redox state, but also indirectly, by altering nuclear transcriptional patterns. The current literature on such retrograde signalling in both yeast and mammalian cells is thus reviewed, with an outlook on its potential contribution to disease through the regulation of PGC-1 family coactivators. We propose that further investigation of these pathways will lead to the identification of novel pharmacological targets and treatment strategies to combat disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleck W E Jones
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Consortium for Mitochondrial Research, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|