mitochondrionderived

Mitochondrion-derived refers to molecules, structures, or signals that originate from mitochondria. In biology, this term is often used to describe components that traceable to mitochondrial processes or genomes, as distinct from those encoded by the nuclear genome but imported into mitochondria. The concept encompasses a range of products, from small peptides to vesicular contributes and nucleic acids.

A prominent example is mitochondrion-derived peptides (MDPs), small peptides encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Notable examples include humanin, MOTS-c, and several SHLPs (short humanin-like peptides). These peptides are encoded by mitochondrial DNA and typically translated within mitochondria; many are thought to modulate cellular metabolism, stress responses, and aging. Humanin has demonstrated cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic properties in various models, while MOTS-c is linked to regulation of insulin signaling and energy homeostasis and can relocate to the nucleus under stress. SHLPs are associated with cell survival and mitochondrial function.

Other mitochondrion-derived components include mitochondrion-derived vesicles (MDVs), small vesicles that bud from mitochondria and participate in quality control by delivering mitochondrial content to lysosomes. Mitochondrion-derived nucleic acids, particularly mtDNA released during stress, can act as signaling molecules or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that influence inflammation and immune responses.

In research, distinguishing mitochondrion-derived molecules from those encoded in the nucleus is important for understanding mitochondria’s roles in signaling, metabolism, and disease. The term is used across studies of aging, metabolism, neurodegeneration, and intercellular communication, and the catalog of mitochondrion-derived entities continues to grow as methods for detection and characterization improve.