Mitophagy Protein BNIP3 is Protective Against Inflammation and Muscle Aging

Mitophagy is the cellular maintenance process responsible for removal of damaged mitochondria, the vital power plants of the cell. With age, mitophagy becomes less effective, allowing mitochondrial function to decline, an important contribution to age-related degeneration in energy-hungry tissues such as muscle and the brain. A variety of dysfunctions contribute to this issue. Many arise from age-related changes in gene expression, such as loss of production of proteins necessary for mitochondrial fission, leading to larger mitochondria that are resistant to mitophagy. Researchers here focus on the effects of the BNIP3 protein on mitophagy and mitochondrial function, as well as downstream effects on inflammation and loss of muscle mass and strength with age. Sarcopenia is one of the main factors contributing to the disability of aged people. Among the possible molecular determinants of sarcopenia, increasing evidences suggest that chronic inflammation contributes to its development. However, a key unresolved question is the nature of the factors that drive inflammation during aging and that participate in the development of sarcopenia. In this regard, mitochondrial dysfunction and alterations in mitophagy induce inflammatory responses in a wide range of cells and tissues. However, whether accumulation of damaged mitochondria in muscle could trigger inflammation in the context of aging is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that BNIP3 plays a key role in the co...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs