Mitochondrial biogenesis in neurodegeneration

Li, P. A., Hou, X. and Hao, S. (2017), J. Neurosci. Res.. doi: 10.1002/jnr.24042

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, cerebral stroke, and others are common neurological disorders that affect millions of people very year. Although there have been advancements in development in the areas of molecular biology, genetics, and pharmaceutical sciences, there are still no effective treatments for these diseases. Activation of mitochondrial biogenesis is a novel therapeutic target that may provide help to inhibit the disease progression or improve the recovery.
Under pathological stresses, mitochondria generate extra amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and/or receive mass influx of calcium. These events trigger the formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP).The MPTP permits proapoptotic molecules to be released from the mitochondria to either the cytosol or nucleus, whereby triggering caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death pathways and eventually leading to neurodegeneration. Because of its critical role in mediating neurodegeneration, mitochondrion has been identified as a major target for neuroprotection. Stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis is a novel approach to preserve mitochondrial function and to improve neuronal cell survival after various injuries.