Mitochondrial energetics and fusion: role of the forkhead protein FOXC2

这项研究的目的是大大提高对身体细胞内能量转换过程的理解。细胞中的能量转换过程远非完美-尽管其机制知之甚少。例如，已知葡萄糖形式的能量转化为“细胞的通用能量货币”三磷酸腺苷是低效的，这是由于称为线粒体质子泄漏的过程。质子漏的机制还不清楚，但质子漏可能占肌肉静息能量代谢的50%。线粒体确实是细胞的“能量屋”，负责广泛的代谢过程，包括ATP合成。在过去的十年中，已经令人信服地证明线粒体不是许多教科书中描述的静态椭圆形结构。事实上，它们不断地经历着聚变和裂变的循环。最近的证据表明，线粒体结构影响效率。自由基/活性氧的产生也受到影响。拟议的研究将专门研究线粒体融合对效率和氧化应激的影响。因此，影响延伸到肥胖和衰老。

This research aims to substantially advance the understanding of energy conversion processes within cells of the body. Energy conversion processes in cells is far from perfect - though the mechanisms are very poorly understood. For example, it is known that the conversion of energy in the form of glucose to the 'universal energy currency of cells', adenosine triphosphate, is inefficient due to a process called mitochondrial proton leak. The mechanisms underlying proton leak are not well understood, but proton leak may account for up to 50% of the resting energy metabolism in muscle. Mitochondria are indeed the 'power-houses' of cells, responsible for a wide range of metabolic processes, including ATP synthesis. Over the last decade, it has been convincingly demonstrated that mitochondria are not the static oblong-shaped structures depicted in many textbooks. In fact, they are constantly undergoing fusion and fission cycles. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial structure impacts efficiency. Also affected is the production of free radicals/ reactive oxygen species. The proposed research will specifically examine the effects of mitochondrial fusion on efficiency and oxidative stress. Implications thus extend to obesity and aging.