Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
06:05
An In Vitro Approach to Study Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cybrid Model
Published on: March 9, 2022
3.9K
COVID-19 and Mitochondrial Non-Coding RNAs: New Insights From Published Data
1Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Frontiers in Physiology
|February 21, 2022
Summary
Long COVID may be linked to altered small mitochondrial RNAs. SARS-CoV-2 infection impacts small mitochondrial RNA expression, potentially causing persistent symptoms and fatigue syndrome. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long COVID presents symptoms similar to fatigue syndromes, often linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Mitochondrial metabolism is implicated in Long COVID pathogenesis, but its effect on mitochondrial non-coding RNAs is unexplored.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection's impact on mitochondrial non-coding RNA transcription remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the expression of mitochondrial non-coding RNAs in COVID-19 patients during recovery.
- To explore the potential role of altered mitochondrial non-coding RNA metabolism in Long COVID syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Utilized publicly available data from patients recovering from COVID-19.
- Analyzed the expression levels of various mitochondrial non-coding RNAs following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- No significant changes were observed in the expression of long non-coding RNAs at any infection stage.
- The expression of up to 43 small mitochondrial RNAs was found to be altered during COVID-19 recovery.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically affected small mitochondrial RNA metabolism without altering overall mitochondrial transcription.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to persistent alterations in small mitochondrial RNA expression.
- These persistent changes in small mitochondrial RNAs may contribute to the development of Long COVID symptoms.
- Further investigation is required to confirm the link between altered small mitochondrial RNAs and Long COVID syndrome.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
12.6K
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,...
12.6K
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
8.2K
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...
8.2K
01:28The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
3.7K
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...
3.7K
01:37Mitochondria
15.4K
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,...
15.4K
01:39Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
2.7K
Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70 chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial...
Most of the mitochondrial...
2.7K
01:39Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
4.6K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death. Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
4.6K