Mitochondria in Cell Death: Novel Partners and Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Regulated cell death is a complex process involving a cascade of events that leads to elimination of a damaged, infected or useless cell committed to die. When unproperly executed, it compromises both development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Dysfunctions of cell death processes are therefore associated with different human diseases. Though extensive studies on different mechanisms underlying cell death have been carried out so far, a deeper understanding of the available cell processes and their regulation still continues to deserve particular attention due to its impact on the treatment of different human pathologies.

Mitochondria were identified early on as key organelles in the coordinated cell dismantling process, through the release of pro-death factors from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. More recently, its crosstalk with other organelles began to be addressed, adding more complexity to the involvement of mitochondria in cell death. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to identify new potential players and clarify mitochondrial-mediated pathways, including those involving other organelles. These could be pharmacologically targeted and thus exploited in the design of therapeutic strategies to counteract cell death deregulation associated with human disorders, such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of current advances in the field of cell death with particular focus on the central role of mitochondria and its interaction with other organelles, aiming to better understand the multiple components and the complex interaction network involved. Contributions from both mammalian and non-mammalian eukaryotic cell models are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Manuela Côrte-Real
Prof. Dr. Maria João Sousa
Dr. Susana Chaves
Guest Editors

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