Cooperative Roles of PINK1 and PARKIN in Mitochondrial Cell Function

Abstract

Abstract

The mitochondria are one of the most important organelles that are responsible for energy production in the cell. Unfortunately with age, the mitochondria accumulated damage when energy is converted and could lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. One of the most common diseases caused by the dysfunction of the mitochondria is Parkinson’s disease, which is one of the most common neurodegenerative movement disorders. The cell undergoes Quality Control processes in order to slow down the accumulation of damage, depending on whether the damage is moderate to severe. In a severe case, where the mitochondria are unusable then the PINK1 and Parkin pathway is used to undergo autophagy on the damaged mitochondria and is replaced with a more bio energetic mitochondria.