Cited by 128Cholesterol and Lipid MetabolismMitochondrial Function and PathologyCancer, Lipids, and Metabolism

Mitochondrial cholesterol: mechanisms of import and effects on mitochondrial function

Martin, Laura A., Kennedy, Barry E., Karten, Barbara·2016·Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes

Abstract

Mitochondria require cholesterol for biogenesis and membrane maintenance, and for the synthesis of steroids, oxysterols and hepatic bile acids. Multiple pathways mediate the transport of cholesterol from different subcellular pools to mitochondria. In steroidogenic cells, the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) interacts with a mitochondrial protein complex to mediate cholesterol delivery to the inner mitochondrial membrane for conversion to pregnenolone. In non-steroidogenic cells, several members of a protein family defined by the presence of a StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain play key roles in the delivery of cholesterol to mitochondrial membranes. Subdomains of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), termed mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAM), form membrane contact sites with mitochondria and may contribute to the transport of ER cholesterol to mitochondria, either independently or in conjunction with lipid-transfer proteins. Model systems of mitochondria enriched with cholesterol in vitro and mitochondria isolated from cells with (patho)physiological mitochondrial cholesterol accumulation clearly demonstrate that mitochondrial cholesterol levels affect mitochondrial function. Increased mitochondrial cholesterol levels have been observed in several diseases, including cancer, ischemia, steatohepatitis and neurodegenerative diseases, and influence disease pathology. Hence, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms maintaining mitochondrial cholesterol homeostasis may reveal additional targets for therapeutic intervention. Here we give a brief overview of mitochondrial cholesterol import in steroidogenic cells, and then focus on cholesterol trafficking pathways that deliver cholesterol to mitochondrial membranes in non-steroidogenic cells. We also briefly discuss the consequences of increased mitochondrial cholesterol levels on mitochondrial function and their potential role in disease pathology.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s10863-014-9592-6

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  • The ER is the site of action of numerous steroidogenic CYP and HSD/KSR enzymes and has attracted interest as a possible source of cholesterol for mitochondrial cholesterol metabolism.

    “The ER is well known in steroidogenic research as the site of action of numerous steroidogenic CYP and HSD/KSR enzymes (3), but recently, the ER has attracted recent interest in mitochondrial cholesterol metabolism as a possible source of cholesterol (147).”

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Authors
Martin, L. A., Kennedy, B. E., & Karten, B.
Affiliations
Dalhousie University (CA)
Corresponding author
Karten, Barbara
Venue
Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes
Published
2014-11-26
Volume
48
Issue
2
Pages
137-151
ISSN
  • 0145-479X (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6881
OpenAlex
W1993948951
Cited by
128
References
186
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
FWCI
1.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
Keywords
mitochondrial cholesterol, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, mitochondria-associated ER membranes, lipid transfer proteins, mitochondrial function, oxysterols, bile acids, mitochondrial membrane
MeSH terms
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein, Animals, Biological Transport, Active, Cholesterol, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Humans, Mitochondria, Phosphoproteins, Mitochondrial Membranes

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