Quality control of mitochondria during aging: is there a good and a bad side of mitochondrial dynamics?

Figge MT, Osiewacz HD, Reichert AS (2013) Quality control of mitochondria during aging: is there a good and a bad side of mitochondrial dynamics? Bioessays 35(4), 314-322.

Abstract

Maintenance of functional mitochondria is essential in order to prevent degenerative processes leading to disease and aging. Mitochondrial dynamics plays a crucial role in ensuring mitochondrial quality but may also generate and spread molecular damage through a population of mitochondria. Computational simulations suggest that this dynamics is advantageous when mitochondria are not or only marginally damaged. In contrast, at a higher degree of damage, mitochondrial dynamics may be disadvantageous. Deceleration of fusion-fission cycles could be one way to adapt to this situation and to delay a further decline in mitochondrial quality. However, this adaptive response makes the mitochondrial network more vulnerable to additional molecular damage. The

Leibniz-HKI-Authors

Marc Thilo Figge

Identifier

doi: 10.1002/bies.201200125

PMID: 23359437