Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria. In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mitochondrial calcium regulates lipid metabolism by modulating tethering of mitochondria to lipid droplets.

The EMBO journal·2026

Same author

SUCNR1 coordinates metabolic flux, mitochondrial function, and nutrient-dependent adaptation in hepatocytes.

Science advances·2026

Same author

Role of autophagy in adipose tissue: Implications for metabolic health.

International review of cell and molecular biology·2026

Same author

Small-molecule binding-site discovery using silyl ether-enabled chemoproteomics.

Nature chemistry·2026

Same author

Activation of the protective arm of renin-angiotensin system enhances mitochondrial turnover improving respiration and decreasing integrated stress response in a human Complex III deficiency model.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

The expanding role of mitochondria-lipid droplet contacts in liver and their disruption by MASLD.

Nature metabolism·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Published on: January 19, 2017

Mitochondrial dynamics as a bridge between mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Antonio Zorzano¹, Marc Liesa, Manuel Palacín

¹Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Baldiri Reixac, Barcelona, Spain. antonio.zorzano@irbbarcelona.org

Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry

|March 10, 2009

Summary

Mitochondrial dynamics proteins, like mitofusins, are implicated in muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Reduced mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) expression is observed in these conditions.

More Related Videos

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry

Published on: May 5, 2022

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Published on: January 19, 2017

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry

Published on: May 5, 2022

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

Area of Science:

Mitochondrial biology
Metabolic diseases
Cellular dynamics

Background:

Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes, contributing to insulin resistance.
The precise mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in these conditions are not fully elucidated.
Mitochondrial dynamics, involving fusion and fission, are crucial for mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of mitochondrial dynamics proteins in obesity- and type 2 diabetes-associated mitochondrial dysfunction.
To explore the potential involvement of mitochondrial dynamics proteins in the development of insulin resistance.

Main Methods:

The study focuses on the expression and function of mitochondrial dynamics proteins, specifically mitofusin-2 (Mfn2).
Analysis of Mfn2 expression in muscle tissue from obese and type 2 diabetic subjects.
Examination of the relationship between Mfn2 expression and insulin sensitivity, particularly in the context of bariatric surgery outcomes.

Main Results:

Muscle tissue from obese and type 2 diabetic individuals exhibits reduced expression of mitofusin-2 (Mfn2).
Amelioration of insulin sensitivity following bariatric surgery correlates with increased Mfn2 expression in muscle.
Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), a mitochondrial fusion protein, is known to enhance respiration, substrate oxidation, and OXPHOS subunit expression.

Conclusions:

Mitochondrial dynamics proteins are hypothesized to play a significant role in mitochondrial dysfunction observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
These proteins may contribute to the development and progression of insulin resistance in metabolic diseases.
Targeting mitochondrial dynamics could offer novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.