Different platforms for mitomiRs in mitochondria: Emerging facets in regulation of mitochondrial functions

Mitochondria are one of the central organelles involved in cellular energy metabolism and play a regulatory role in various human pathologies ranging from inborn errors of metabolism, cancer, inflammation, and infections. Mitochondrial DNA encodes limited number of genes that is not sufficient for its optimal functioning. Hence, mitochondria import ∼1500 of proteins and ncRNAs from the nucleus depending on energy requirement of cell, tissue size, complexity and diversity of functions. Mitochondrial outer membrane can serve as a platform for regulation of local translation of nuclear-encoded mRNAs of mitochondrial proteins (nmRNAmp); however, underlying molecular mechanism for translational regulation of nmRNAmp at mitochondria is unexplored. Emerging evidence now suggest that mitochondria are enriched with specific miRNAs known as mitomiRs, which may be nuclear or mitochondrial DNA encoded. MitomiRs may modulate mitochondrial function and metabolism by fine-tuning protein levels related to mitochondria. The discovery of mitomiRs raised the questions of elucidating molecular pathways for their biogenesis, translocation, action sites and mechanism of action. Here, we have reviewed the existing reports describing the role of mitomiRs in sub mitochondrial compartments and discussed possible molecular mechanisms of mitomiRs in the regulation of nmRNAmp and mitogenome encoded transcripts. Further understanding of mitomiRs will uncover their implication in various pathophysiological conditions associated with mitochondria.