Regulation of energy metabolism in human cells in aging and diabetes: FoF(1), mtDNA, UCP, and ROS

Recent advances in bioenergetics consist of discoveries related to rotation al coupling in ATP synthase (FoF(1)), uncoupling proteins (UGP), reactive o xygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). As shown in cloned sheep , mammalian genomes are composed of both nuclear DNA (nDNA) and maternal mt DNA. Oxidative phosphorylation (oxphos) varies greatly depending on cellula r activities, and is regulated by both gene expression and the electrochemi cal potential difference of H+ (Delta mu H+) The expression of both mtDNA ( by mtTFA) and nDNA for oxphos and UCP (by NRFs, etc.) is coordinated by a f actor called PGC-1. The Delta mu H+ rotates an axis in FoF(1) that is regul ated by inhibitors and ATP-sensitive K+-channels.