Abstract

Aerobic oxidation of carbohydrates by mitochondria has been a great invention of nature, marking a big step in early evolution. This biological system has greatly multiplied the energy production of the cell by supplying this energy to different metabolic units, with increased temporal and spatial specificities. The numerous mitochondrial functions that have emerged and developed along evolution constitute strong signatures of evolution pressures, driving toward higher order, more complex and more energy-expending organisms. In evolution, there is a firm tendency to generate complexity, with larger DNA-containing systems. Therefore it is obvious that these progresses in evolution require an increased in energy production with a better cellular distribution. An overview of few representative mitochondrial functions and a look inside gene evolution of particular examples is a good way to approach and emphasize this process. In order to insist on how mitochondria can guarantee both life and evolution, we have focused on a few mitochondria-linked functions and their phylogenies, such as respiration per se, ATP/ADP and solute transports, contact sites and biogenesis systems, mitochondrial fission/fusion and distribution, and calcium as a central regulator of mitochondrial functions. We will also shed light on the genetic evolution of a very recently discovered mitochondrial protein called ATAD3 that evokes perfectly how evolution has improved discretely but efficiently mitochondrial capacities.

Authors and Affiliations