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Oscillations in energy metabolism
Stefano Iotti1, Marco Borsari, David Bendahan
1Dipartimento di Medicina Interna dell'Invecchiamento e Malattie Nefrologiche, Università di Bologna, I-40138 Bologna, Italy. stefano.iotti@unibo.it
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|March 9, 2010
Summary
Mitochondrial metabolism exhibits dynamic instabilities and oscillations, influenced by factors like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pH. New models explore these phenomena, linking them to experimental muscle energy recovery data.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Mitochondrial metabolism functions as a complex dissipative system capable of dynamic instabilities.
- Physiological conditions can induce instabilities, leading to oscillations in energy metabolism.
- Existing models propose reactive oxygen species (ROS) or extramitochondrial pH variations as triggers for mitochondrial oscillations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genesis of oscillations in energy metabolism.
- To investigate the role of mitochondrial communication and extramitochondrial factors in metabolic oscillations.
- To present and discuss a new mathematical model for oscillatory phosphocreatine recovery.
Main Methods:
- Review of mathematical models for mitochondrial oscillations.
- Analysis of in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data from skeletal muscle phosphocreatine recovery.
- Development of a simple non-linear mathematical model for phosphocreatine recovery.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests mitochondrial communication via ROS can synchronize energy status.
- Extramitochondrial pH variations are proposed as a cause of mitochondrial oscillations.
- Experimental data support the role of cytosolic pH in metabolic oscillations.
- A new model predicts oscillatory phosphocreatine recovery patterns under specific conditions.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial metabolism's oscillatory behavior is influenced by ROS and pH.
- Mathematical modeling and experimental data provide insights into metabolic instabilities.
- The study highlights the interplay between cellular components and metabolic dynamics.
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