Open AccessMitochondrial response to nutrient availability and its role in metabolic disease
Author(s) -
Gao Arwen W,
Cantó Carles,
Houtkooper Riekelt H
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
embo molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.923
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1757-4684
pISSN - 1757-4676
DOI - 10.1002/emmm.201303782
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , mitochondrial biogenesis , insulin resistance , mitochondrion , biology , disease , function (biology) , biogenesis , metabolic regulation , metabolic pathway , energy metabolism , microbiology and biotechnology , metabolism , diabetes mellitus , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , gene , statistics , mathematics
Metabolic inflexibility is defined as an impaired capacity to switch between different energy substrates and is a hallmark of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM ). Hence, understanding the mechanisms underlying proper metabolic flexibility is key to prevent the development of metabolic disease and physiological deterioration. An important downstream player in the effects of metabolic flexibility is the mitochondrion. The objective of this review was to describe how mitochondrial metabolism adapts to limited nutrient situations or caloric excess by changes in mitochondrial function or biogenesis, as well as to define the mechanisms propelling these changes. Altogether, this should pinpoint key regulatory points by which metabolic flexibility might be ameliorated in situations of metabolic disease.