Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Understanding the Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology through Dynamic and Three-dimensional Fluorescence Micrographs
08:15

Understanding the Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology through Dynamic and Three-dimensional Fluorescence Micrographs

Published on: August 15, 2025

290

Mitochondria-derived peptides in aging and healthspan

Brendan Miller, Su-Jeong Kim, Hiroshi Kumagai

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |May 2, 2022
    PubMed

    Insights

    Mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) are newly discovered microproteins encoded by mitochondrial DNA. Research into MDPs offers novel insights into aging and age-related diseases like diabetes and cancer.

    Area of Science:

    • Mitochondrial biology and aging research.

    Background:

    • Mitochondrial dysfunction is central to aging and healthspan.
    • Microproteins, including mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs), have been an unexplored area.
    • Eight MDPs, such as humanin and MOTS-c, are currently identified.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review recent advances in microprotein discovery, focusing on MDPs.
    • To discuss the role of MDPs in aging.
    • To explore the implications of MDPs for understanding and treating age-related diseases.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of current literature on microproteins and MDPs.
    • Analysis of the known functions and implications of identified MDPs.
    • Discussion of potential applications in genomics, proteomics, and drug development.

    Main Results:

    • MDPs represent a novel class of biologically active molecules encoded within mitochondrial DNA.
    • Emerging evidence links specific MDPs to key aging processes.
    • MDPs have potential roles in type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

    Conclusions:

    • MDPs are a significant area for future research in aging and age-related diseases.
    • Understanding MDPs can provide new therapeutic targets.
    • This field holds promise for advancing genomic, proteomic, and drug-development strategies.

    More Related Videos

    Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase COX/SDH Double-labeling Histochemistry06:53

    Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase COX/SDH Double-labeling Histochemistry

    Published on: November 23, 2011

    37.0K
    Measurement of Protein Turnover Rates in Senescent and Non-Dividing Cultured Cells with Metabolic Labeling and Mass Spectrometry08:52

    Measurement of Protein Turnover Rates in Senescent and Non-Dividing Cultured Cells with Metabolic Labeling and Mass Spectrometry

    Published on: April 6, 2022

    3.6K

    Related Concept Videos

    Mitochondria01:37

    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,...
    15.3K
    Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

    Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

    Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
    Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
    Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
    5.0K
    Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

    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...
    15.2K
    Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

    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,...
    12.5K
    Aging01:26

    Aging

    Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
    Cellular Clock Theory
    The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
    208
    Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins01:39

    Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins

    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...
    2.6K