Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
05:45
Author Spotlight: Unveiling Oxidative Phosphorylation System Dynamics and Mitochondrial Roles in Health and Disease
Published on: May 3, 2024
2.2K
Exercise induces sex-specific assembly of mitochondrial supercomplexes.
Jesús R Huertas1, Jerónimo Aragón-Vela2, Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen3
1Department of Physiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Cell Reports
|April 5, 2026
Summary
Exercise intensity influences mitochondrial supercomplex assembly in skeletal muscle. Male subjects showed increased supercomplexes (SCs) with higher intensity, while females maintained stable SC content, indicating sex-specific regulation.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Exercise physiology
- Skeletal muscle metabolism
Background:
- Mitochondrial respiratory complexes form supercomplexes (SCs) with incompletely understood functions.
- Increased carbohydrate oxidation during high-intensity exercise may promote high molecular weight SCs (HMWSCs) assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of exercise intensity on mitochondrial supercomplex assembly in human skeletal muscle.
- To determine if exercise-induced mitochondrial supercomplex changes differ between sexes.
Main Methods:
- Healthy young adults (7 females, 9 males) performed moderate-intensity exercise followed by high-intensity exercise.
- Skeletal muscle samples were analyzed for mitochondrial supercomplex composition.
Main Results:
- Males exhibited an intensity-dependent increase in complex III (CIII) assembly into SCs, especially HMWSCs.
- Females maintained stable HMWSCs and I+III2 SCs content during exercise.
- Exercise did not promote the assembly of complex IV (CIV) into SCs in either sex.
Conclusions:
- Exercise modulates mitochondrial electron transport chain complex organization in human skeletal muscle.
- Mitochondrial supercomplex assembly in skeletal muscle is regulated in a sex-specific manner by exercise.
Keywords:
CP: metabolismCP: molecular biologyelectron transport chainelectron transport chain remodelinghigh-intensity exercisehuman muscle bioenergeticslactatemitochondrial complexessex-specific mitochondrial adaptationsexual dimorphismskeletal muscleskeletal muscle metabolismMore Related Videos
08:37Analyzing Supercomplexes of the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain with Native Electrophoresis, In-gel Assays, and Electroelution
Published on: June 1, 2017
14.9K
11:25Hybrid Clear/Blue Native Electrophoresis for the Separation and Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes
Published on: May 19, 2019
14.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:41The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane
3.2K
The mitochondrial cristae membrane is the primary site for the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process of energy conversion mediated through respiratory complexes I to V. These complexes have been widely studied for decades, and it has been proven that they form supramolecular structures called respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These higher-order complexes may be crucial in maintaining the biochemical structure and improving the physiological activity of the individual complexes while...
3.2K
01:39Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
6.0K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death. Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
6.0K
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
13.7K
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,...
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,...
13.7K
01:37Energy to Drive Translocation
3.0K
Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
3.0K
01:12Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane
5.3K
Porins are beta-barrel proteins translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane through the TOM complex into the intermembrane space. Porin precursors bind TIM chaperones within the intermembrane space and are guided to the Sorting and Assembly Machinery complex or SAM complex on the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
5.3K
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
17.9K
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,...
17.9K