Abstract

Intracellular biochemical reactions are compartmentalised to optimise energy efficiency and allow cellular adaptation to environment changes. A staggering variety of metabolites are transported both in and out of mitochondria, under the exquisite control of dedicated solute carrier proteins. These proteins allow specific molecules to cross the impermeable inner mitochondrial membrane and integrate mitochondria in diverse signal transduction and metabolic processes. For instance, mitochondria exchange amino acids for protein and nucleotide biosynthesis and the regulation of oxidative stress responses.

In this seminar, I will present our recent study of mitochondrial methylated amino acid (MeAA) metabolism. MeAAs are obtained from the diet and accumulate within cells upon the degradation of methylated proteins. Despite the association of disturbed MeAA homeostasis with disorders such as cardiovascular disease and renal failure, the roles played by mitochondria in MeAA metabolism and signalling are unclear. I will discuss how mitochondrial MeAA transport is regulated and explore its impact on key metabolic and signalling pathways. Understanding these will help determine whether mitochondrial uptake and metabolism of MeAAs may be future therapeutic targets in cancer and other pathological conditions.