WIN Seminar: Professor Evgeny Pavlov

Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN)

Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Uncoupling (SIMU): many ways for the mitochondrion to die.

Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre

<p>Abstract:</p><p>Mitochondria are “power plants” that provide cells with energy in the form of ATP. ATP generation by mitochondria first requires the generation of a membrane electrochemical gradient on the mitochondrial inner membrane by the respiratory chain. The energy of this gradient is the driving force used for ATP production by the ATP synthase enzyme. This mechanism of ATP production – oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) - is the process that supplies the bulk of energy to virtually all organs, including the brain and heart. Remarkably, 98% of the oxygen consumed by the human body is dedicated to OXPHOS. Deprivation of oxygen, even for several minutes, leads to ATP depletion and death, underscoring the vital importance of OXPHOS for physiological functions. One of the essential conditions of the proper OXPHOS function is the requirement that inner membrane permeability remains low. This allows for most of the energy stored in the electrochemical gradient to be used to drive protons back inside mitochondria through ATP synthase in a process coupled to phosphorylation of ADP generating ATP. Under normal conditions, the mitochondrial inner membrane is permeable almost exclusively to protons. However, in a broad range of pathologies, loss of mitochondrial function and cell death is linked to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (and ATP generation capacity) due to the increase in membrane permeability in a process that can be described as Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Uncoupling (SIMU). In my talk, I will discuss our recent experimental data that allow us to gain insight into molecular mechanisms underlying SIMU. I will also discuss the translational implications of our findings in the development of protective strategies against acute ischemic brain injury. </p>

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WIN Seminar: Professor Evgeny Pavlov

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WIN Seminar: Professor Evgeny Pavlov

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