Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Decoding Mitochondrial Aging
08:48

Author Spotlight: Decoding Mitochondrial Aging

Published on: June 30, 2023

4.2K

Altered mitochondrial microenvironment at the spotlight of musculoskeletal aging and Alzheimer's disease

Panagiotis Giannos1,2, Konstantinos Prokopidis3,4, Stuart M Raleigh5

  • 1Society of Meta-research and Biomedical Innovation, London, UK. panagiotis.giannos19@imperial.ac.uk.

Scientific Reports
|July 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies five mitochondrial genes in skeletal muscle that are dysregulated in both aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These genes may serve as early biomarkers for AD risk in aging individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset is increasingly linked to musculoskeletal aging.
  • This connection is mediated by muscle-brain crosstalk involving mitochondrial microenvironment dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify gene biomarkers in skeletal muscle associated with both aging and AD.
  • To investigate the protein interactome of these potential biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 12 microarray datasets from musculoskeletal aging and AD studies.
  • Construction of protein-protein interaction networks for differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
  • Identification of overlapping hub genes using 11 topological algorithms.

Main Results:

  • Five mitochondrial microenvironment genes (NDUFAB1, UQCRC1, UQCRFS1, NDUFS3, MRPL15) showed overlapping dysregulated expression in both aging and AD networks.
  • These genes were identified as potential hub genes.

Conclusions:

  • The identified genes may serve as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease occurrence in the context of musculoskeletal aging.
  • Further human studies are needed to confirm their functional role and prognostic value in aging populations with sarcopenia and AD.

More Related Videos

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry08:19

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.5K
Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)06:41

Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Published on: January 10, 2025

657

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,...
14.6K
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,...
12.0K
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...
14.9K
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,...
3.2K
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
3.9K
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.3K