Guest Editors
Prof. Dr. Russel J. Reiter
Email: reiter@uthscsa.edu
Affiliation: Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, The UT Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
Homepage:
Research Interests: melatonin, free radicals of disease processes and aging, oxygen derivatives, neurodegenerative diseases
Dr. Doris Loh
Email: lohdoris23@gmail.com
Affiliation: Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX, USA
Homepage:
Research Interests: melatonin, ascorbic acid, aging, mitochondria, biomolecular condensates
Summary
Melatonin, an ancient and evolutionarily successful indoleamine, first appeared in Archaea and Bacteria approximately 4 billion years ago. It has since been identified as a ubiquitous molecule in the mitochondria and chloroplasts of tested Eukarya species, regardless of the presence of a pineal gland. Current scientific consensus suggests that mitochondrial melatonin accounts for over 95% of total organismal melatonin production, highlighting the diverse pleiotropic effects of this compound in various biological systems.
In plants and unicellular organisms, melatonin production is highly responsive to both endogenous and exogenous stress, suggesting its role as a protective agent. However, the relationship between mitochondrial melatonin production and pineal melatonin synthesis under cellular stress remains poorly understood. Of particular importance is the realization that many experimental models, including inbred rodents and transgenic animals, exhibit reduced circulating melatonin due to truncated AANAT (SNAT) genes in their mitochondria, potentially complicating the interpretation of findings in fields such as oncology, neurobiology, and other areas of health and disease research.
This special issue aims to delve into the intriguing roles of mitochondrial melatonin beyond the pineal gland, with a focus on how it may interact with pineal melatonin in maintaining cellular homeostasis and mitigating disease. We seek to explore how mitochondrial melatonin influences various biological processes and how these insights might open up new therapeutic avenues for treating conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
Key areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
1. Oxidative Phosphorylation and ATP Synthesis:
- Investigating how mitochondrial melatonin regulates oxidative phosphorylation and energy production.
2. Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Dynamics, Morphology, and Proteostasis:
- Exploring the role of melatonin in maintaining mitochondrial structure and function, including the regulation of mitochondrial fission, fusion, autophagy, and cristae architecture.
3. Mitochondrial Transcription and Translation:
- Understanding how melatonin influences mitochondrial gene expression and protein synthesis, particularly in response to cellular stress or damage.
By compiling cutting-edge research on these topics, this special issue will provide a deeper understanding of the functions of mitochondrial melatonin and its potential applications in health and disease. We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that advance knowledge on this topic and contribute to shaping future research directions in the field.
Keywords
melatonin, mitochondria, oxidative phosphorylation, bioenergetics, mitochondrial dynamics, proteostasis, transcription, translation, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndromes, cancer, cellular stress
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