Linking Cancer Metabolism to Neurodegeneration

The major function of mitochondria in cellular homeostasis has been the generation of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. However, we have previously demonstrated that mitochondria can serve as signaling organelles by releasing low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are essential for hypoxic activation of HIF, antigen activation of T cells, cellular differentiation and proliferation of cancer cells. Our recent findings indicate that mitochondria also release TCA cycle metabolites that are necessary for chromatin and DNA modifications. We will present our current findings on how mitochondria affect cellular function beyond ATP production through ROS and TCA cycle metabolites in controlling cancer and brain metabolism.

Learning Objectives:

Discover:

1. Mechanisms for mitochondria to act as signaling organelles.

2. The role of mitochondria in the TCA cycle and chromatin and DNA modifications.

3. How mitochondria affect cellular function beyond ATP production through ROS and TCA cycle metabolites in controlling cancer and brain metabolism.