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Free keywords:
Animals
Cell Line, Transformed
Eye Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Fibroblasts/cytology/drug effects/metabolism
GTP Phosphohydrolases/deficiency/*genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression
Genome, Mitochondrial
Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/metabolism
Mevalonic Acid/*metabolism
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Mitochondria/*metabolism
Mitochondrial Dynamics/*genetics
*Oxidative Phosphorylation
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics/metabolism
Ubiquinone/*metabolism
Bioenergetics
Coenzyme Q
Mevalonate pathway
Mitochondrial dynamics
Mitofusin 2
Abstract:
Mitochondria are bioenergetic hotspots, producing the bulk of ATP by the oxidative phosphorylation process. Mitochondria are also structurally dynamic and undergo coordinated fusion and fission to maintain their function. Recent studies of the mitochondrial fusion machinery have provided new evidence in detailing their role in mitochondrial metabolism. Remarkably, mitofusin 2, in addition to its role in fusion, is important for maintaining coenzyme Q levels and may be an integral player in the mevalonate synthesis pathway. Here, we review the bioenergetic roles of mitochondrial dynamics and emphasize the importance of the in vitro growth conditions when evaluating mitochondrial respiration. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016,' edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi.
