Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
08:35

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles

Published on: October 5, 2012

8.4K

The mitomiR/Bcl-2 axis affects mitochondrial function and autophagic vacuole formation in senescent endothelial cells

Angelica Giuliani1, Ilenia Cirilli2, Francesco Prattichizzo3

  • 1Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.

Aging
|October 24, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial microRNAs (mitomiRs) contribute to cellular aging by altering cell function and survival pathways. These aging-associated mitomiRs regulate apoptosis and autophagy, impacting cellular outcomes during senescence.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Cellular senescence involves significant biochemical and morphological changes, leading to cellular dysfunction.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in senescence, with some localizing to mitochondria (mitomiRs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of deregulated mitomiRs in the cellular alterations associated with replicative senescence.
  • To explore the impact of specific mitomiRs on mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and autophagy in senescent human endothelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic analysis of senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (sHUVECs) compared to young cells (yHUVECs).
  • Mitochondrial localization and expression analysis of specific mitomiRs (miR-181a, -34a, -146a).
  • Assessment of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Survivin, caspases), reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL-1β, and autophagy markers (LC3).

Main Results:

  • Senescent cells exhibited elongated mitochondria, increased ROS and IL-1β, and altered apoptosis/autophagy markers.
  • Overexpressed mitomiRs (miR-181a, -34a, -146a) were found in mitochondria of sHUVECs.
  • These mitomiRs downregulated Bcl-2, induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, activated caspases, and promoted LC3-II conversion.

Conclusions:

  • Specific mitomiRs act as mediators of senescence-associated cellular changes.
  • MitomiRs contribute to both pro-apoptotic and pro-survival signaling pathways during cellular aging.
  • MitomiRs influence cellular outcomes by modulating apoptosis and autophagy in senescent cells.
Keywords:
Bcl-2apoptosisautophagymitomiRssenescence

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Bioenergetic Function in Cerebral Vascular Endothelial Cells06:15

Evaluation of Bioenergetic Function in Cerebral Vascular Endothelial Cells

Published on: November 19, 2016

9.6K
A Sensitive Method to Quantify Senescent Cancer Cells09:18

A Sensitive Method to Quantify Senescent Cancer Cells

Published on: August 2, 2013

21.3K

Related Concept Videos

Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.5K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.4K
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

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...
9.2K
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
66.1K
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred...
4.2K
Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
4.9K