Mitochondrial signal transduction, 2022, Picard and Shirihai

Mitochondrial signal transduction
Picard M, Shirihai OS

The analogy of mitochondria as powerhouses has expired. Mitochondria are living, dynamic, maternally inherited, energy-transforming, biosynthetic, and signaling organelles that actively transduce biological information. We argue that mitochondria are the processor of the cell, and together with the nucleus and other organelles they constitute the mitochondrial information processing system (MIPS).

In a three-step process, mitochondria (1) sense and respond to both endogenous and environmental inputs through morphological and functional remodeling; (2) integrate information through dynamic, network-based physical interactions and diffusion mechanisms; and (3) produce output signals that tune the functions of other organelles and systemically regulate physiology.

This input-to-output transformation allows mitochondria to transduce metabolic, biochemical, neuroendocrine, and other local or systemic signals that enhance organismal adaptation. An explicit focus on mitochondrial signal transduction emphasizes the role of communication in mitochondrial biology. This framework also opens new avenues to understand how mitochondria mediate inter-organ processes underlying human health.

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Generally looks like a good overview of current biological concepts.

But also encompasses the mind-body interface!

 

So what's their game? What are they really up to? What, in short, do mitochondria want out of life.

coz it certainly sounds like they are in charge, that 'we' are just the meat cities in which they live, so having some idea of what they 'want' might be a good thing.

 

Maybe we can only ask that question because of our mitochondria. Maybe they're the ones asking?