Mitochondrial non-energetic function and embryonic cardiac development

The initial contraction of the heart during the embryonic stage necessitates a substantial energy supply, predominantly derived from mitochondrial function. However, during embryonic heart development, mitochondria influence beyond energy supplementation. Increasing evidence suggests that mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and closing, mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitophagy, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis regulation, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, and cellular redox state also play critical roles in early cardiac development. Therefore, this review aims to describe the essential roles of mitochondrial non-energetic function embryonic cardiac development.