Mitochondrial biogenesis and clearance: a balancing act

Christina Ploumi1,2, Ioanna Daskalaki1,3, Nektarios Tavernarakis1,2

  • 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece.

The FEBS Journal
|July 28, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Mitochondria are vital for energy production and other cellular functions. When they malfunction, it can lead to serious diseases like diabetes and neurodegeneration. To stay healthy, cells must balance the creation of new mitochondria with the removal of damaged ones. This review looks at recent studies to understand how these processes are regulated. It highlights the roles of proteins like PGC-1α, PINK1, and Parkin in maintaining mitochondrial balance. The findings suggest that disruptions in these mechanisms may contribute to disease. Understanding how these pathways work together is essential for developing new treatments. The study emphasizes the need for further research to clarify how these processes interact and how they can be targeted for therapeutic benefit.

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