Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis for promoting health.

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a key physiological process that is required for normal growth and development and for maintenance of ongoing cellular energy requirements during aging. Of equivalent and or greater importance is the regulated enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis upon physiological demand coupled to multiple cellular insults. Basically, cellular survival mechanisms following a variety of disease-related pathophysiological insults are entrained by convergent mechanisms designed to regain homeostatic control of mitochondrial biogenesis. Recent molecular studies represent a clearly defined approach to maximize normative cellular expression of mitochondrial biogenesis for maintenance of cellular energy requirements and as an anti-aging strategy in healthy human populations. This report focuses on mitochondrial transcription factor A, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, PINK1 and Parkin. Designing agents to target mitochondrial function represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for enhancement of cellular expression of mitochondrial biogenesis in diverse human populations afflicted with metabolic, degenerative, neurodegenerative, and metastatic diseases.<br>
PMID: 22367142