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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,...

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

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,...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron 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...

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...

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Imaging and Quantifying Mitochondrial Morphology in C. elegans During Aging

Imaging and Quantifying Mitochondrial Morphology in C. elegans During Aging

Published on: January 17, 2025

Stem cell mitochondria during aging.

Jason Chua Min-Wen¹, Elwin Tan Jun-Hao¹, Ng Shyh-Chang¹

¹Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis St, S138672, Singapore.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

|February 7, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondria and their DNA (mtDNA) are key to cellular metabolism and aging. Targeting mitochondrial repair in stem cells could combat age-related diseases.

Keywords:

Aging Degeneration Mitochondria Regeneration Stem cells mtDNA

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Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: June 17, 2008

Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Mitochondrial Biology
Stem Cell Biology

Background:

Mitochondria are central to cellular metabolism and regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels via mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Stem cell factors and nutrient-sensitive pathways influencing longevity converge on mitochondria to control stem cell behavior.
Heritable mtDNA mutations impact stem cell homeostasis and increase the risk of degenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of mitochondria in stem cell aging and regeneration.
To highlight the convergence of longevity pathways on mitochondrial function in stem cells.
To propose mitochondrial repair in stem cells as a therapeutic strategy for aging-related diseases.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on mitochondria, stem cells, and aging.
Analysis of the interplay between stem cell factors, signaling pathways, and mitochondrial function.
Examination of the genomic impact of mtDNA mutations on stem cell homeostasis.

Main Results:

Mitochondrial processes are directly regulated by stem cell factors, influencing tissue regeneration and aging.
Nutrient-sensitive pathways controlling longevity impact stem cell aging through mitochondrial regulation.
mtDNA mutations affect stem cell homeostasis and are linked to degenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

Mitochondria are a unified mechanism modulating cellular and organismal longevity.
Therapeutic targeting of mitochondrial repair in stem cells offers a promising strategy.
This approach could combat aging-related degenerative diseases by enhancing stem cell function.