eLife (Sep 2021)

The mitochondrial permeability transition pore activates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and promotes aging

  • Suzanne Angeli,
  • Anna Foulger,
  • Manish Chamoli,
  • Tanuja Harshani Peiris,
  • Akos Gerencser,
  • Azar Asadi Shahmirzadi,
  • Julie Andersen,
  • Gordon Lithgow

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.63453
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

Read online

Mitochondrial activity determines aging rate and the onset of chronic diseases. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is a pathological pore in the inner mitochondrial membrane thought to be composed of the F-ATP synthase (complex V). OSCP, a subunit of F-ATP synthase, helps protect against mPTP formation. How the destabilization of OSCP may contribute to aging, however, is unclear. We have found that loss OSCP in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans initiates the mPTP and shortens lifespan specifically during adulthood, in part via initiation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of the mPTP inhibits the UPRmt and restores normal lifespan. Loss of the putative pore-forming component of F-ATP synthase extends adult lifespan, suggesting that the mPTP normally promotes aging. Our findings reveal how an mPTP/UPRmt nexus may contribute to aging and age-related diseases and how inhibition of the UPRmt may be protective under certain conditions.

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