Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Dual-color Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy for the Visualization of Interactions between Mitochondria and Lysosomes
Published on: September 27, 2024
Mitochondria beyond boundaries: from cellular powerhouses to intercellular messengers in health and disease
Haixia Zhuang1, Wenxin Mo2, Jianming Xie1,2
1Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
Abstract:
Mitochondria, serving as the energy hub and death-immune hub of cells, play pivotal roles in maintaining normal cellular physiology and pathological functions. Under stress conditions, mitochondria can be released from cells into the extracellular environment and even the circulatory system through multiple pathways, and subsequently taken up by other cells. The process of mitochondrial release involves complex mechanisms, exerting multifaceted effects on the fate and functions of recipient cells and playing critical roles in both physiological and pathological processes. This review focuses on the stress-induced release of mitochondria, their uptake by recipient cells, and the changes brought about in the peripheral circulation, aiming to deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and biological implications of this novel mode of intercellular communication and provide new therapeutic insights for related diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondria
Mitochondrial Membranes
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
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,...
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Peroxisomes and Mitochondria
The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within...
Energy to Drive Translocation
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...

