From Structure to Function: Mitochondrial Morphology, Motion and Shaping in Vascular Smooth Muscle

McCarron, John G.; Wilson, Calum; Sandison, Mairi E.; Olson, Marnie L.; Girkin, John M.; Saunter, Christopher; Chalmers, Susan

Abstract

The diversity of mitochondrial arrangements, which arise from the organelle being static or moving, or fusing and dividing in a dynamically reshaping network, is only beginning to be appreciated. While significant progress has been made in understanding the proteins that reorganise mitochondria, the physiological significance of the various arrangements is poorly understood. The lack of understanding may occur partly because mitochondrial morphology is studied most often in cultured cells. The simple anatomy of cultured cells presents an attractive model for visualizing mitochondrial behaviour but contrasts with the complexity of native cells in which elaborate mitochondrial movements and morphologies may not occur. Mitochondrial changes may take place in native cells (in response to stress and proliferation), but over a slow time-course and the cellular function contributed is unclear. To determine the role mitochondrial arrangements play in cell function, a crucial first step is characterisation of the interactions among mitochondrial components. Three aspects of mitochondrial behaviour are described in this review: (1) morphology, (2) motion and (3) rapid shape changes. The proposed physiological roles to which various mitochondrial arrangements contribute and difficulties in interpreting some of the physiological conclusions are also outlined.

Citation

McCarron, J. G., Wilson, C., Sandison, M. E., Olson, M. L., Girkin, J. M., Saunter, C., & Chalmers, S. (2013). From Structure to Function: Mitochondrial Morphology, Motion and Shaping in Vascular Smooth Muscle. Journal of Vascular Research, 50(5), 357-371. https://doi.org/10.1159/000353883

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: May 22, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 2, 2014
• Journal: Journal of Vascular Research
• Print ISSN: 1018-1172
• Electronic ISSN: 1423-0135
• Publisher: Karger Publishers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 357-371
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000353883
• Keywords: Mitochondrial dynamics, Smooth muscle proliferation, Mitochondrial fission, Mitochondrial fusion.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1431309