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Cell biology

Mitochondrial biogenesis

DEMitochondriale Biogenese

Mitochondrial biogenesis is the process by which cells increase mitochondrial mass and capacity by coordinating the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. The transcriptional coactivator PGC-1-alpha is a key nodal regulator, regulated by AMPK and SIRT1 among other signals. Endurance exercise, caloric restriction, and cold exposure are well-established physiological stimuli, and robust biogenesis is associated with muscular endurance, metabolic flexibility, and healthy aging.

Sources

  1. Mootha VK, Lindgren CM, Eriksson KF, et al.. (2003). PGC-1α-responsive genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation are coordinately downregulated in human diabetes. *Nature Genetics*doi:10.1038/ng1180
  2. Scarpulla RC. (2008). Transcriptional Paradigms in Mammalian Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Function. *Physiological Reviews*doi:10.1152/physrev.00025.2007