Cited by 1,985Mitochondrial Function and PathologyAutophagy in Disease and TherapyCell death mechanisms and regulation

Mitochondria: More Than Just a Powerhouse

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McBride, Heidi M., Neuspiel, Margaret, Wasiak, Sylwia·2006·Current Biology

Abstract

Pioneering biochemical studies have long forged the concept that the mitochondria are the 'energy powerhouse of the cell'. These studies, combined with the unique evolutionary origin of the mitochondria, led the way to decades of research focusing on the organelle as an essential, yet independent, functional component of the cell. Recently, however, our conceptual view of this isolated organelle has been profoundly altered with the discovery that mitochondria function within an integrated reticulum that is continually remodeled by both fusion and fission events. The identification of a number of proteins that regulate these activities is beginning to provide mechanistic details of mitochondrial membrane remodeling. However, the broader question remains regarding the underlying purpose of mitochondrial dynamics and the translation of these morphological transitions into altered functional output. One hypothesis has been that mitochondrial respiration and metabolism may be spatially and temporally regulated by the architecture and positioning of the organelle. Recent evidence supports and expands this idea by demonstrating that mitochondria are an integral part of multiple cell signaling cascades. Interestingly, proteins such as GTPases, kinases and phosphatases are involved in bi-directional communication between the mitochondrial reticulum and the rest of the cell. These proteins link mitochondrial function and dynamics to the regulation of metabolism, cell-cycle control, development, antiviral responses and cell death. In this review we will highlight the emerging evidence that provides molecular definition to mitochondria as a central platform in the execution of diverse cellular events.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cub.2006.06.054

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  • Normally, mitochondria use electrons from different carbon sources to generate a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, and the energy of this gradient is used to generate ATP.

    “Normally, mitochondria use electrons from different carbon sources to generate a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The energy of this gradient is used to generate ATP (9, 30).”

    From Mitochondrial Dysfunction Contributes to Oncogene-Induced Senescence (2009) · cites this paper as [30]

    The Introduction says mitochondria break down sugars and long-chain fatty acids, recycle ADP into ATP, and house the electron transport chain and ATP synthase in the inner membrane. It does not describe electrons from those sources generating a proton gradient or the gradient’s energy driving ATP synthesis; searches for those mechanisms found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Authors
McBride, H. M., Neuspiel, M., & Wasiak, S.
Affiliations
Ottawa Heart Institute (CA)
Corresponding author
McBride, Heidi M.
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-07
Volume
16
Issue
14
Pages
R551-R560
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2084034472
Cited by
1,985
References
123
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 95 · 2024: 129 · 2023: 126 · 2022: 127 · 2021: 132 · 2020: 130 · 2019: 102 · 2018: 97 · 2017: 125 · 2016: 126 · 2015: 115 · 2014: 100 · 2013: 116 · 2012: 92
FWCI
4.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
Keywords
mitochondria, mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial fusion, mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial reticulum, mitochondrial membrane remodeling, mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial metabolism, signal transduction, GTPase, kinases, phosphatase, cell death, cell cycle regulation, antiviral response, organelle positioning
MeSH terms
Cell Division, Mitochondria, Models, Biological, Neurons, Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases, Protein Kinases, Signal Transduction, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, NF-kappa B, Apoptosis, ras Proteins, Mitochondrial Proteins, Mitochondrial Membranes

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