Mitophagy and Biogenesis

mTOR and nutrient sensors control

Autophagy processes in all of our cells

Dozens of proteins must play each their role

To enable engulfment of bad organelles

Those who are young may mistakenly think one

Is safe and immune to the dangers of aging

But if you are lacking in proper PINK1

Mitochondrial fires are already raging.

For insight and knowledge some turn to the fly;

Drosophila’s genes can help us discover

The causes of aggregates seen in the eye,

And even find drugs to help us recover.

Ubiquitin’s role in degeneration

Is to set out red flags on relevant cargo

Marking the junk that needs degradation

At a pace that is presto rather than largo.

Mitochondria fear Parkin known as PARK2

Whose ubiquitin tags on two mitofusins

Determine the fate of one or a slew,

For a lonely short life of network exclusion.

Their fate is ensured by sequestosome 1

Who recruits membranes rich with LC3-II

Autophagosome to lysosome a perfect home run

Cellular housekeeping momentarily through.

But the work isn’t over and the job isn’t done

Unless Paris is tagged with ubiquitin too

Then repression is lifted form PGC1

So biogenesis starts and mitos renew!

Roberta A. Gottlieb

Dr. Roberta Gottlieb, author of Autophagy in Health and Disease, epitomizes the passion and intensity with which researchers and contributors are approaching the study of autophagy, as she composes unique poems to accompany the volumes of an exciting, cutting-edge series on the subject.

Autophagy in Health and Disease offers an overview of the latest research in autophagy with a translational emphasis. This publication takes scientific research in autophagy a step further and offers integrated content with advancements in autophagy from cell biology and biochemical research to clinical treatments. It offers an up-to-date overview of autophagy with a translational focus, organized by organ, tissue and disease process.