Progress in mitochondrial epigenetics

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Mitochondrial Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Mitochondria, organelles with their own DNA, interact with cellular epigenetic mechanisms.
• Four distinct interaction pathways between mitochondria and epigenetics have been identified.
• Existing research terms like 'mitochondrial epigenetics' require clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the field of mitochondrial-epigenetic interactions.
• To propose a unifying term, 'mitoepigenetics', for all mitochondrial-epigenetic crosstalk.
• To refine the definition and scope of 'mitochondrial epigenetics'.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent epigenetic research involving mitochondria.
• Analysis of identified interaction mechanisms between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes.
• Conceptual framework development for classifying mitochondrial-epigenetic interactions.

Main Results:

• Mitochondria influence nuclear gene expression via nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes.
• Mitochondrial DNA content and activity impact nuclear gene methylation patterns.
• Mitochondrial DNA variants affect nuclear gene expression and DNA methylation.
• Mitochondrial DNA itself undergoes epigenetic modifications (e.g., methylation).

Conclusions:

• The relationship between mitochondria and epigenetics is multifaceted, involving bidirectional communication.
• 'Mitoepigenetics' is proposed to encompass all four interaction types.
• 'Mitochondrial epigenetics' should be reserved for intra-mitochondrial epigenetic modifications.