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Functions of mitochondria: from intracellular power stations to mediators of a senescence program

  • Memories of a Senior Scientist
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Abstract.

In 1950 s I started in science by showing that non-phosphorylating respiration is critical for survival of an animal at low temperature. Later, in the 1960 s and 1970 s, I took part in verification of Mitchell’s chemiosmotic hypothesis postulating that (i)mitochondria transform energy of respiration to electricity and (ii) uncoupling of respiration represents discharge of this electricity by H+ cycling. Fifteen years ago I turned to a specific kind of mitochondrial respiration which produces O -.2 , and I came to the conclusion that it plays an ominous role, killing mitochondria, cells, or even organisms. My present task is a “megaproject” with an ambitious goal of minimizing the damaging effect of O -.2 and stopping senescence.

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Correspondence to V. P. Skulachev.

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Received 07 April 2009; accepted 08 April 2009

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Skulachev, V.P. Functions of mitochondria: from intracellular power stations to mediators of a senescence program. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 66, 1785–1793 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-9183-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-9183-6

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