Novartis Foundation Symposium 287 - Mitochondrial Biology - New Perspectives

With the recent renaissance in mitochondrial biology and increasing recognition of their role in many diseases, this book provides a timely summary of the current state-of-the-art in mitochondrial research. The book opens with the regulation of mitochondrial replication and biogenesis and reviews the mechanisms and functional consequences of mitochondrial fission and fusion. Further chapters address mitochondria and oxidative stress and their roles in cell signalling and cell death. The book includes extensive, fascinating discussion of the biochemistry of mitochondrial cell signalling (especially involving calcium) and of oxidative stress. The nature of the proteins engaged in these processes, many only recently discovered, is covered in detail.
Mitochondria have been strongly implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. They are also affected in cancer, ageing and cardiovascular disease. The final section of the book reviews mitochondrial mutations and their consequences in ageing and other phenotypic manifestations. The authors discuss how mitochondrial proteins might constitute important therapeutic targets and describe initial attempts to develop compounds that can regulate their function.

The Novartis Foundation is an international scientific and educational charity which promotes the study and general knowledge of science and in particular encourages international co-operation in scientific research.
Chairman: David G Nicholls, Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, USA.

Symposium on New perspectives on mitochondrial biolog y, held at the Novartis Foundation, London, 28–30 November 2006.
Editors: Derek J. Chadwick (Organizer) and Jamie Goode.
This symposium is based on a proposal by Michael Duchen.
David G. Nicholls Chair's introduction.
Albert Neutzner, Richard J. Youle and Mariusz Karbowski, Outer mitochondrial membrane protein degradation by the proteasome.
Discussion.
Sarah E. Haigh, Gilad Twig, Anthony A. J. Molina, Jakob D. Wikstrom, Motti Deutsch and Orian S. Shirihai PA-GFP: a window into the subcellular adventures of the individual mitochondrion.
Discussion.
Luca Scorrano, Multiple functions of mitochondria-shaping proteins. Discussion.
Bruce M. Spiegelman, Transcriptional control of mitochondrial energy metabolism through the PGC1 coactivators.
Discussion.
Charles Affourtit, Paul G. Crichton, Nadeene Parker and Martin D. Brand, Novel uncoupling proteins.
Discussion.
Cecilia Giulivi, Mitochondria as generators and targets of nitric oxide. Discussion.
György Hajnóczky, Masao Saotome, György Csordás, David Weaver and Muqing Yi, Calcium signalling and mitochondrial motility.
Discussion.
Anna Romagnoli, Paola Aguiari, Diego De Stefani, Sara Leo, Saverio Marchi, Alessandro Rimessi, Erika Zecchini, Paolo Pinton and Rosario Rizzuto, Endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondria calcium cross-talk.
Discussion.
Brian O’Rourke, Sonia Cortassa, Fadi Akar and Miguel Aon, Mitochondrial ion channels in cardiac function and dysfunction.
Discussion.
Paolo Bernardi and Michael Forte, The mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
Discussion.
Dominic James, Philippe A. Parone, Olivier Terradillos, Safa Lucken-Ardjomande, Sylvie Montessuit and Jean-Claude Martinou, Mechanisms of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.
Discussion.
M. Flint Beal, Mitochondria and neurodegeneration.
Discussion.
Mügen Terzioglu and Nils-Göran Larsson, Mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian ageing.
Discussion.
Eric A. Schon and Salvatore DiMauro. Mitochondrial mutations: genotype to phenotype.
Discussion.
Contributor Index.
Subject index.