Mitochondrial Dynamics: Coupling Mitochondrial Fitness with Healthy Aging

• Published in: Trends in molecular medicine Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 201 - 215
• Main Authors: Sebastián, David, Palacín, Manuel, Zorzano, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Aging - genetics; Aging - metabolism; Aging - pathology; Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Humans; Metabolic Diseases - genetics; Metabolic Diseases - metabolism; Metabolic Diseases - pathology; Mitochondria - genetics; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondria - pathology; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Mitochondrial Proteins - analysis; Mitochondrial Proteins - genetics; Mitochondrial Proteins - metabolism; Muscular Atrophy - genetics; Muscular Atrophy - metabolism; Muscular Atrophy - pathology; Neurodegenerative Diseases - genetics; Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism; Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology; Pathology; Sarcopenia - genetics; Sarcopenia - metabolism; Sarcopenia - pathology
• ISSN: 1471-4914; 1471-499X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.01.003

Aging is associated with a decline in mitochondrial function and the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria. However, the precise mechanisms by which aging promotes these mitochondrial alterations and the role of the latter in aging are still not fully understood. Mitochondrial dynamics is a key process regulating mitochondrial function and quality. Altered expression of some mitochondrial dynamics proteins has been recently associated with aging and with age-related alterations in yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans , mice, and humans. Here, we review the link between alterations in mitochondrial dynamics, aging, and age-related impairment. We propose that the dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics leads to age-induced accumulation of unhealthy mitochondria and contributes to alterations linked to aging, such as diabetes and neurodegeneration.