Mitochondrial aggregates as a novel quality control mechanism and potential relationship to lipofuscinogenesis

Abstract

Mitochondria employ quality control mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. Under chronic stress, these systems become overwhelmed, causing intramitochondrial aggregates formation. As a potential quality control process when canonical pathways are compromised, we propose a model of mitochondrial lipofuscinogenesis where organelles sequester oxidized components into solid inclusions. Observed in neurodegenerative and mitochondrial disease models, this mechanism highlights potential therapeutic targets, although further research is required to elucidate the aggregates’ molecular composition.