Targeting Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Cells are each packed with hundreds of the organelles called mitochondria, the distant descendants of ancient symbiotic bacteria, constantly dividing, fusing, and passing around component parts. Mitochondria are the power plants of the cell, conducting energetic reactions to produce the chemical energy store molecule adenosine triphosphate. As a side-effect, these reactions produce a flux of oxidative molecules that can react with other cell components to damage them. This damage is constantly repaired in a healthy cell, and even acts as a hormetic signal under some circumstances. It is involved in the beneficial response to exercise, for example. With age, however, mitochondria become less efficient and generate more oxidative molecules, putting stress on the cell. The proximate causes of this decline involves changes in gene expression relating to mitochondrial quality control (the process of mitophagy) and mitochondrial dynamics and structure, as well as damage to mitochondrial DNA. These two issues interact, in that mitochondria in a cell can become resistant to mitophagy, allowing worn and damaged organelles to accumulate. Links to the deeper causes of aging remain to be firmly established. As noted here, researchers are interested in finding ways to improve mitochondrial function in aged tissues, or at the very least soak up the harmful excess of oxidative molecules. Targeting Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress as a Strategy to Treat Aging and Age-Related Dise...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs