Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
08:03
Unveiling Xenobiotic Transport and Effects in Isolated Mitochondria: Insights from Respirometric and Enzymatic Assays
Published on: March 7, 2025
Effects of ionizing radiation on mitochondria
Winnie Wai-Ying Kam1, Richard B Banati2
1Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, Sydney, New South Wales 2234, Australia; Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Cumberland, Sydney, New South Wales 2141, Australia.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|July 30, 2013
Summary
Radiation impacts mitochondria, not just the cell nucleus. Targeting mitochondria could enhance cancer therapy and protect healthy cells from radiation damage.
Area of Science:
- Radiobiology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Traditional radiobiology focuses on nuclear DNA damage.
- Extranuclear effects, especially mitochondrial responses, are increasingly recognized.
- Mitochondria contain their own DNA and play crucial roles in cellular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental evidence on ionizing radiation's effects on mitochondria.
- To discuss the role of mitochondria in oxidative stress and late radiation effects.
- To explore mitochondria as potential targets for improving radiation therapy and protection.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental observations on mitochondrial DNA and function post-irradiation.
- Discussion of the literature on mitochondria's involvement in radiation-induced oxidative stress.
- Analysis of data related to late effects of radiation on mitochondria.
Main Results:
- Ionizing radiation affects mitochondrial DNA and cellular function.
- Mitochondria are implicated in radiation-induced oxidative stress.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to late radiation effects.
Conclusions:
- Current radiobiology models are insufficient to explain extranuclear radiation effects.
- Targeting mitochondria may enhance tumoricidal efficacy in radiation therapy.
- Protecting mitochondria could mitigate radiation damage to healthy tissues.
Keywords:
Common deletionCopy numberDNAElectron transport chainIonizing radiationMammalian cellsManganese superoxide dismutaseMitochondriaNucleusOXPHOSOxidative phosphorylationOxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)PGC-1αPeroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1αRNAROSRadiation responseReactive oxygen speciesReactive oxygen species (ROS)Superoxidep(0) cells
Related Concept Videos
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
01:37Mitochondria
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,...
01:37Mitochondria
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,...
01:35Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
01:19Translocation 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,...
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,...
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...