Wang Lilin, Zhou Xiaoting, Lu Tianqi
Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
Mol Biomed. 2025 Jun 19;6(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s43556-025-00284-5.
Mitochondria are generally considered essential for life in eukaryotic organisms because they produce most of the energy or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) needed by the cell. Beyond energy production, it is now widely accepted that mitochondria also play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and signaling. The two core processes of mitochondrial dynamics, fission and fusion, serve as crucial foundations for maintaining mitochondrial morphology, distribution, and quantity, thereby ensuring cellular homeostasis. Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) ensures the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria, maintaining quality control. Mitochondrial transport and communication further enhance their role in cellular processes. In addition, mitochondria are susceptible to damage, resulting in dysfunction and disruption of intracellular homeostasis, which is closely associated with the development of numerous diseases. These include mitochondrial diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke, metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, infectious diseases, and the aging process. Given the central role of mitochondria in disease pathology, there is a growing need to understand their mechanisms and develop targeted therapies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of mitochondrial structure and functions, with a particular focus on their roles in disease development and the current therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria. These strategies include mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and quality control, mitochondrial genome editing and genetic therapy, and mitochondrial transplantation. We also discuss the challenges currently facing mitochondrial research and highlight potential future directions for development. By summarizing the latest advancements and addressing gaps in knowledge, this review seeks to guide future research and clinical efforts in the field of mitochondrial medicine.
线粒体通常被认为是真核生物生命所必需的，因为它们产生细胞所需的大部分能量或三磷酸腺苷（ATP）。除了能量产生外，现在人们普遍认为线粒体在维持细胞内稳态和信号传导中也起着关键作用。线粒体动力学的两个核心过程，即裂变和融合，是维持线粒体形态、分布和数量的关键基础，从而确保细胞内稳态。线粒体自噬（mitophagy）确保受损线粒体的选择性降解，维持质量控制。线粒体运输和通讯进一步增强了它们在细胞过程中的作用。此外，线粒体容易受到损伤，导致功能障碍和细胞内稳态的破坏，这与许多疾病的发生密切相关。这些疾病包括线粒体疾病、神经退行性疾病、心血管疾病（CVD）和中风、代谢紊乱如糖尿病、癌症、传染病以及衰老过程。鉴于线粒体在疾病病理学中的核心作用，人们越来越需要了解其机制并开发靶向治疗方法。本综述旨在全面概述线粒体的结构和功能，特别关注它们在疾病发展中的作用以及目前针对线粒体的治疗策略。这些策略包括线粒体靶向抗氧化剂、线粒体动力学和质量控制的调节、线粒体基因组编辑和基因治疗以及线粒体移植。我们还讨论了线粒体研究目前面临的挑战，并强调了潜在的未来发展方向。通过总结最新进展并解决知识空白，本综述旨在指导线粒体医学领域未来的研究和临床工作。
