| 1. |
- Berndtsson, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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Respiratory supercomplexes enhance electron transport by decreasing cytochrome c diffusion distance
- 2020
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Ingår i: Embo Reports. - : EMBO. - 1469-221X .- 1469-3178. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Respiratory chains are crucial for cellular energy conversion and consist of multi-subunit complexes that can assemble into supercomplexes. These structures have been intensively characterized in various organisms, but their physiological roles remain unclear. Here, we elucidate their function by leveraging a high-resolution structural model of yeast respiratory supercomplexes that allowed us to inhibit supercomplex formation by mutation of key residues in the interaction interface. Analyses of a mutant defective in supercomplex formation, which still contains fully functional individual complexes, show that the lack of supercomplex assembly delays the diffusion of cytochromec between the separated complexes, thus reducing electron transfer efficiency. Consequently, competitive cellular fitness is severely reduced in the absence of supercomplex formation and can be restored by overexpression of cytochromec. In sum, our results establish how respiratory supercomplexes increase the efficiency of cellular energy conversion, thereby providing an evolutionary advantage for aerobic organisms.
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| 2. |
- Kohler, Andreas, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Apitoxin and its components against cancer, neurodegeneration and rheumatoid arthritis : limitations and possibilities
- 2020
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Ingår i: Toxins. - : MDPI. - 2072-6651. ; 12:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural products represent important sources for the discovery and design of novel drugs. Bee venom and its isolated components have been intensively studied with respect to their potential to counteract or ameliorate diverse human diseases. Despite extensive research and significant advances in recent years, multifactorial diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases remain major healthcare issues at present. Although pure bee venom, apitoxin, is mostly described to mediate anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and neuroprotective effects, its primary component melittin may represent an anticancer therapeutic. In this review, we approach the possibilities and limitations of apitoxin and its components in the treatment of these multifactorial diseases. We further discuss the observed unspecific cytotoxicity of melittin that strongly restricts its therapeutic use and review interesting possibilities of a beneficial use by selectively targeting melittin to cancer cells.
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| 3. |
- Kohler, Andreas, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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The mitochondrial network in Parkinson's disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Genetics, neurology, behavior, and diet in parkinson's disease. - : Academic Press. - 9780128159507 ; , s. 123-138
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neuronal dysfunction during sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson’s disease is intimately connected to mitochondrial dysfunction. Diverse genetic and environmental factors contributing to Parkinson’s disease development and progression have been shown to interfere with and to compromise mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics and trafficking. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, constantly changing shape and abundance via coordinated fission and fusion events to adapt to cellular needs. Moreover, direct contact between mitochondria and other organelles allows interconnected signaling, and exchange of metabolites and ions. Several proteins associated with familial Parkinson’s disease modulate the equilibrium between fission and fusion, govern distinct mitochondrial degradation pathways and impact the formation of tethering complexes that facilitate interorganellar contact. Here, we discuss molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease, focusing on mitochondrial dynamics and contact sites.
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| 4. |
- Kohler, Verena, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Closing the gap : membrane contact sites in the regulation of autophagy
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 9:5, s. 1184-1184
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In all eukaryotic cells, intracellular organization and spatial separation of incompatible biochemical processes is established by individual cellular subcompartments in form of membrane-bound organelles. Virtually all of these organelles are physically connected via membrane contact sites (MCS), allowing interorganellar communication and a functional integration of cellular processes. These MCS coordinate the exchange of diverse metabolites and serve as hubs for lipid synthesis and trafficking. While this of course indirectly impacts on a plethora of biological functions, including autophagy, accumulating evidence shows that MCS can also directly regulate autophagic processes. Here, we focus on the nexus between interorganellar contacts and autophagy in yeast and mammalian cells, highlighting similarities and differences. We discuss MCS connecting the ER to mitochondria or the plasma membrane, crucial for early steps of both selective and non-selective autophagy, the yeast-specific nuclear–vacuolar tethering system and its role in microautophagy, the emerging function of distinct autophagy-related proteins in organellar tethering as well as novel MCS transiently emanating from the growing phagophore and mature autophagosome.
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