Molecular Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Neurodegenerative Diseases
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 28
Special Issue Editors
Interests: molecular biology of mitochondrial neurodegenerative disorders
Interests: food; phenolic compounds; antioxidant capacity; grains; biotechnologies applied to the plant species sorghum
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mitochondrial diseases are a diverse group of rare genetic disorders that result from dysfunctions in the electron transport chain (ETC) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). These defects are implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Melas, Merrf, Lhon, and Leigh Syndrome, among others. Mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles in eukaryotic cells, are regulated by two genetic systems: nuclear DNA, which encodes 90–95% of mitochondrial proteins, and mitochondrial DNA, which encodes the remaining 5%. Mitochondria also contain their own ribosomes, responsible for synthesizing key proteins essential for OXPHOS biogenesis. Diseases can arise from defects in either cytoplasmic (80S) or mitochondrial (70S) ribosomes, commonly due to haploinsufficiency or disruptions in ribosome biogenesis. This Special Issue focuses specifically on studies on mitochondrial ribosomal proteins encoded by nuclear genes, whose mutations may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases of mitochondrial origin. Identifying these proteins will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches. These findings could contribute to the development of effective treatments and preventive strategies for mitochondrial-related neurodegeneration. We also welcome studies investigating the mechanisms of mitochondrial-related neurodegenerative diseases and other related topics.
Dr. Matteo Calcagnile
Dr. Paola Pontieri
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- mitochondrial disease
- nuclear genome
- mitochondrial genome
- human MRP genes
- MRPL44
- NAM9
- GEP3
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- yeast and C. elegans model organisms
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