Mitochondria: Molecular Targeting in Cancer, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Aging
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 213
Editors
Interests: ketogenic diet; microRNAs signature; catalase; heavy metals metabolic effects; epigenetics; apoptosis; antioxidant effects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: bioenergetics; mitochondrial carriers; mutagenesis, drosophila melanogaster; mitochondrial diseases; mitochondrial dysfunction; apoptosis; ROS; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; cancer metabolism; anticancer agents
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mitochondria are central regulators of cellular bioenergetics, metabolism, redox homeostasis, signaling, and cell fate determination. Beyond their classical role in ATP production, mitochondria actively coordinate multiple biochemical pathways that influence cellular adaptation, survival, and stress responses. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is a common hallmark of several major human disorders, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and age-related pathologies.
Recent advances in biochemistry, molecular biology, metabolomics, and mitochondrial medicine have significantly expanded our understanding of the mechanisms linking mitochondrial alterations to disease onset and progression. Changes in oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial dynamics, quality control pathways, and mito-nuclear communication have emerged as critical determinants of cellular dysfunction. These discoveries have also identified novel molecular targets and therapeutic opportunities aimed at restoring mitochondrial homeostasis or selectively exploiting mitochondrial vulnerabilities.
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue aiming to provide an updated overview of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms governing mitochondrial function in health and disease, with particular emphasis on emerging mitochondrial targets and therapeutic strategies in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging. The topic aligns closely with the scope of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences by focusing on the molecular, biochemical, and cellular processes underlying disease pathogenesis and therapeutic intervention.
This Special Issue aims to collect original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Mitochondrial metabolism and metabolic reprogramming in cancer;
- Mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative phosphorylation;
- Reactive oxygen species and redox signaling;
- Mitochondrial DNA integrity, mutations, and repair mechanisms;
- Mitochondrial dynamics: fusion, fission, and organelle remodeling;
- Mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control pathways;
- Mitochondria-mediated cell death and survival signaling;
- Mitochondria–nucleus communication and retrograde signaling;
- Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases;
- Mitochondrial mechanisms of cellular senescence and aging;
- Mitochondrial biomarkers and diagnostic approaches;
- Mitochondria-targeted therapeutics and drug delivery systems.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Graziantonio Lauria
Dr. Rosita Curcio
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- mitochondrial bioenergetics
- metabolic reprogramming
- enzymatic regulation
- oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)
- mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP)
- small-molecule inhibitors
- mitochondria-targeted therapeutics
- oncometabolites
- mithophagy
- proteostasis
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