The Role of Rab Proteins in Mitophagy: Insights into Neurodegenerative Diseases. 2023

Adeena Shafique, and Martina Brughera, and Marta Lualdi, and Tiziana Alberio
Department of Science and High Technology, Center of Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, I-21052 Busto Arsizio, VA, Italy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and vesicular trafficking alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. It has become clear that pathogenetic pathways leading to neurodegeneration are often interconnected. Indeed, growing evidence suggests a concerted contribution of impaired mitophagy and vesicles formation in the dysregulation of neuronal homeostasis, contributing to neuronal cell death. Among the molecular factors involved in the trafficking of vesicles, Ras analog in brain (Rab) proteins seem to play a central role in mitochondrial quality checking and disposal through both canonical PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and novel alternative pathways. In turn, the lack of proper elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria has emerged as a possible causative/early event in some neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we provide an overview of major findings in recent years highlighting the role of Rab proteins in dysfunctional mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, which are characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. A further effort should be made in the coming years to clarify the sequential order of events and the molecular factors involved in the different processes. A clear cause-effect view of the pathogenetic pathways may help in understanding the molecular basis of neurodegeneration.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D044767 Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases A diverse class of enzymes that interact with UBIQUITIN-CONJUGATING ENZYMES and ubiquitination-specific protein substrates. Each member of this enzyme group has its own distinct specificity for a substrate and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme. Ubiquitin-protein ligases exist as both monomeric proteins multiprotein complexes. Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase,E3 Ligase,E3 Ubiquitin Ligase,Ubiquitin Ligase E3,Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase E3,Ligase E3, Ubiquitin,Ligase E3, Ubiquitin-Protein,Ligase, E3,Ligase, E3 Ubiquitin,Ligase, Ubiquitin-Protein,Ligases, Ubiquitin-Protein,Ubiquitin Ligase, E3,Ubiquitin Protein Ligase,Ubiquitin Protein Ligase E3,Ubiquitin Protein Ligases
D019636 Neurodegenerative Diseases Hereditary and sporadic conditions which are characterized by progressive nervous system dysfunction. These disorders are often associated with atrophy of the affected central or peripheral nervous system structures. Degenerative Diseases, Nervous System,Degenerative Diseases, Central Nervous System,Degenerative Diseases, Neurologic,Degenerative Diseases, Spinal Cord,Degenerative Neurologic Diseases,Degenerative Neurologic Disorders,Nervous System Degenerative Diseases,Neurodegenerative Disorders,Neurologic Degenerative Conditions,Neurologic Degenerative Diseases,Neurologic Diseases, Degenerative,Degenerative Condition, Neurologic,Degenerative Conditions, Neurologic,Degenerative Neurologic Disease,Degenerative Neurologic Disorder,Neurodegenerative Disease,Neurodegenerative Disorder,Neurologic Degenerative Condition,Neurologic Degenerative Disease,Neurologic Disease, Degenerative,Neurologic Disorder, Degenerative,Neurologic Disorders, Degenerative
D063154 Mitochondrial Dynamics The continuous remodeling of MITOCHONDRIA shape by fission and fusion in response to physiological conditions. Mitochondrial Fission,Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion,Mitochondrial Fusion,Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission,Dynamic, Mitochondrial,Dynamics, Mitochondrial,Fission, Mitochondrial,Fissions, Mitochondrial,Fusion, Mitochondrial,Fusions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Dynamic,Mitochondrial Fissions,Mitochondrial Fusions
D063306 Mitophagy Proteolytic breakdown of the MITOCHONDRIA via autophagy. Mitochondrial Degradation

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