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Upregulation of the Mitochondrial Lon Protease Allows Adaptation to Acute Oxidative Stress but Dysregulation Is Associated With Chronic Stress, Disease, and Aging

Jenny K Ngo, Laura C D Pomatto, Kelvin J A Davies

Redox Biol. 2013 Feb 9;1(1):258-64.

PMID: 24024159

Abstract:

The elimination of oxidatively modified proteins is a crucial process in maintaining cellular homeostasis, especially during stress. Mitochondria are protein-dense, high traffic compartments, whose polypeptides are constantly exposed to superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other reactive species, generated by 'electron leakage' from the respiratory chain. The level of oxidative stress to mitochondrial proteins is not constant, but instead varies greatly with numerous metabolic and environmental factors. Oxidized mitochondrial proteins must be removed rapidly (by proteolytic degradation) or they will aggregate, cross-link, and cause toxicity. The Lon Protease is a key enzyme in the degradation of oxidized proteins within the mitochondrial matrix. Under conditions of acute stress Lon is highly inducible, possibly with the oxidant acting as the signal inducer, thereby providing increased protection. It seems that under chronic stress conditions, however, Lon levels actually decline. Lon levels also decline with age and with senescence, and senescent cells even lose the ability to induce Lon during acute stress. We propose that the regulation of Lon is biphasic, in that it is up-regulated during transient stress and down-regulated during chronic stress and aging, and we suggest that the loss of Lon responsiveness may be a significant factor in aging, and in age-related diseases.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number Product Name Structure CAS Number Price
IAR42411944 FES active human FES active human Price
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