Open research questions in Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
419 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,152 Mitochondrial Function and Pathology papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
The limited number of post-treatment samples restricts the interpretation of the prognostic significance of cfmtDNA. The absence of analyses correlating cfmtDNA levels with PFS and OS limits the understanding of its prognostic value. The interplay between NETs and OC progression is a complex process that is not fully understood.
Translational Perspectives on Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA as a Biomarker in Gynecological Cancers: Current Limitations and Future Research Directions · 2026 · DOIThe limited number of post-treatment samples, - The absence of analyses correlating cfmtDNA levels with PFS and OS, - Some findings remain controversial, - The interpretation of its prognostic significance is restricted, - Pre-analytical artifacts related to the coagulation process may promote cellular DNA release during clot formation
Translational Perspectives on Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA as a Biomarker in Gynecological Cancers: Current Limitations and Future Research Directions · 2026 · DOIFuture studies are therefore required to determine their sensitivity, specificity, feasibility, and prognostic value in critically ill patients
Mitochondria–immunometabolism in sepsis-induced liver injury: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic opportunities · 2026 · DOIThe molecular mechanisms underlying the communication between mitochondrial DNA and the nuclear genome are not fully understood. The role of mitochondria in antibacterial immunity is not well characterized. The study aims to address this gap by investigating mitochondrial-nuclear interactions in the regulation of innate immune responses.
Mitochondria affect antibacterial immunity in cross talk with innate immune response molecules coded by genes of nuclear origin · 2026 · DOIShort-read sequencing may misclassify mtDNA duplications as deletions. Conventional methods for detecting mtDNA duplications, such as Southern blot and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, are labor-intensive and low-throughput.
Characterization of Large-Scale Mitochondrial DNA Rearrangements Using Complementary Short- and Long-Read Sequencing Approaches · 2026 · DOILimited evidence for Idebenone treatment in children under 12 years, - Small sample size, - No significant outcome differences were observed between the treated and untreated subjects
Functional and structural analysis in relation to age at onset of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: a Swedish cohort · 2026 · DOIInvestigate structure-function relationships in individuals with different ages at onset, - Evaluate treatment effects using precise structural and sensitive functional measures, - Investigate gene therapy approaches for LHON
Functional and structural analysis in relation to age at onset of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: a Swedish cohort · 2026 · DOIThe complexity of the OXPHOS system and its regulation. The heterogeneity of SCZ and the difficulty in identifying a single causal factor. The need to develop targeted therapies for SCZ based on the understanding of OXPHOS dysfunction.
Investigate cell type-specific gene expression in pyramidal neurons from the dorsolateral PFC in SCZ and schizoaffective disorder, - Examine mitochondrial abnormalities in postmortem brains of individuals with SCZ, - Study the correlation between OXPHOS dysfunction and other molecular abnormalities
The persistent action of inflammatory mediators or exposure to environmental stressors compromises mitochondrial quality control. The balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission is disrupted in COPD, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. The underlying mechanism of the PINK1/Parkin pathway in COPD pathogenesis remains unclear.
Mitochondrial quality control: a pathophysiological mechanism and potential therapeutic target for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2025 · DOIThe precise molecular mechanisms underlying the contributions of energy metabolism to CVD pathogenesis remain incompletely defined. The dynamic regulation of metabolic reprogramming and its complex interplay with mitochondrial dysfunction are not fully understood. The development of novel precision therapeutic targets for CVDs is hindered by the lack of comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional regulation of metabolic networks.
Energy metabolism in cardiovascular diseases: unlocking the hidden powerhouse of cardiac pathophysiology · 2025 · DOIThe paper identifies the challenge of developing novel therapeutic strategies that can effectively target mitochondrial calcium fluxes. It also highlights the challenge of translating these strategies into clinical practice. The lack of sensitive clinical tools to evaluate mitochondrial Ca 2+ handling directly is another challenge identified.
Metabolic-stress-induced mitochondrial calcium dysregulation: a central hub in diabetic cardiomyopathy pathogenesis and treatment · 2025 · DOICurrent clinical tools lack the sensitivity to evaluate mitochondrial Ca 2+ handling directly, - Emerging noninvasive techniques need to be tested against histological gold standards, - The study relies on preclinical models and clinical studies with limited sample sizes
Metabolic-stress-induced mitochondrial calcium dysregulation: a central hub in diabetic cardiomyopathy pathogenesis and treatment · 2025 · DOIThe study notes the risk of bias in the selection of studies and the potential for discrepancies in opinions between reviewers. The review highlights the need for further investigation on appropriate doses and populations for the clinical application of MitoQ. The study identifies potential biases in the studies, particularly biases related to sample selection, experimental design, and reporting.
Overview of MitoQ on prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases: a scoping review · 2025 · DOIThe scoping review only involved the analysis of published literature, - The review did not involve human participants directly, - Potential biases in the studies were identified and noted, - Biases related to sample selection, experimental design, and reporting were considered, - The review required further investigation on appropriate doses and populations
Overview of MitoQ on prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases: a scoping review · 2025 · DOIThe functional diversity of MFN2 makes it challenging to understand its precise mechanisms of action. The paper identifies the need for further studies to clarify the role of mitofusin 2 in CVD.
The structure and function of mitofusin 2 and its role in cardiovascular disease through mediating mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes · 2025 · DOIThe mechanisms and pathophysiological consequences of reverse electron transport are not fully understood. The molecular switches governing the activation threshold of reverse electron transport need to be elucidated. Tissue-specific reverse electron transport modulators need to be developed.
Mitochondrial Reverse Electron Transport: Mechanisms, Pathophysiological Roles, and Therapeutic Potential · 2025 · DOIThe inflammatory response of sepsis is differentially regulated by various genes related to lipid metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to cardiac dysfunction and requires targeted therapeutic interventions. The paper identifies the need for further investigation into the role of mitochondria in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.
Investigating mitochondria-targeted metabolic resuscitation as a strategy against SICM - Exploring the potential of antioxidative therapy to attenuate oxidative damage in mitochondria - Examining the effects of metabolic modulation of ATP production in mitochondria
The paper identifies the challenge of measuring entropy in cells and isolated mitochondria. It also discusses the challenge of understanding the complex relationship between mitochondrial function and intracellular entropy. Another challenge is the need to balance ATP demand and nutrient supply to maintain optimal mitochondrial function.
Decreasing Intracellular Entropy by Increasing Mitochondrial Efficiency and Reducing ROS Formation—The Effect on the Ageing Process and Age-Related Damage · 2024 · DOIMore measurements are needed to resolve the issue of mitochondrial efficiency and entropy - Further research on the effects of micronutrients on mitochondrial function is required
Decreasing Intracellular Entropy by Increasing Mitochondrial Efficiency and Reducing ROS Formation—The Effect on the Ageing Process and Age-Related Damage · 2024 · DOIsearching for new therapeutic strategies - studying the role of CPT family in cancer
There is a lack of understanding of the molecular structural properties of the CPT family. The roles of the CPT family in tumorigenesis and development are not well understood. There is a need to identify potential therapeutic targets and regulatory roles of CPTs in energy metabolism reprogramming.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging, yet how mitochondrial states are remodeled across tissues and subcellular compartments in vivo remains elusive.
Multiparametric in vivo mapping reveals tissue-specific mitochondrial aging trajectories · 2026 · DOIProgrammed mitophagy is required for MEC differentiation, yet why mitochondrial turnover is necessary during this developmental transition remains poorly understood.
SIM2s coordinates programmed mitophagy with respiratory chain supercomplex remodeling during mammary epithelial differentiation · 2026 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Sequence and organization of the human mitochondrial genome · Nature · 1981 · 7,495 citations
- Mitochondria and Apoptosis · Science · 1998 · 7,409 citations
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases · Nature · 2006 · 5,664 citations
- Prevention of Apoptosis by Bcl-2: Release of Cytochrome c from Mitochondria Blocked · Science · 1997 · 3,971 citations
- The Release of Cytochrome c from Mitochondria: A Primary Site for Bcl-2 Regulation of Apoptosis · Science · 1997 · 3,816 citations
- Normalizing mitochondrial superoxide production blocks three pathways of hyperglycaemic damage · Nature · 2000 · 3,518 citations
- Circulating mitochondrial DAMPs cause inflammatory responses to injury · Nature · 2010 · 3,405 citations
- Mitochondrial Fission, Fusion, and Stress · Science · 2012 · 3,350 citations
- Proapoptotic BAX and BAK: A Requisite Gateway to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Death · Science · 2001 · 3,300 citations
- Molecular characterization of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor · Nature · 1999 · 3,257 citations
Most recent work
- Transplantation of encapsulated mitochondria alleviates dysfunction in mitochondrial and Parkinson’s disease models · Cell · 2026
- Connectomic Analysis of Mitochondria in the Central Brain of Drosophila · bioRxiv · 2026
- The importance of mitochondria and mitochondrial calcium signaling in health and disease: an updated outlook on inflammation · Journal of Translational Medicine · 2026
- Pearling drives mitochondrial DNA nucleoid distribution · Science · 2026
- Mitochondrial metabolism and signaling direct dendritic cell function in antitumor immunity · Science · 2026
- Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cardiovascular Aging: Current Insights and Therapeutic Advances · Biomedicines · 2026
- Astrocytic mitochondrial transfer: a new horizon for metabolic rescue and precision therapy in ischemic stroke · Journal of Translational Medicine · 2026
- The Disrupted Mitochondrial Quality Control Network: A Unifying Mechanism and Therapeutic Target for Chemotherapy-Induced Multi-Organ Toxicity · Biology · 2026
- What Are the Roles of Mitochondrial Stress Responses and Mitohormesis in Neurodegenerative Disorders? · Neurology · 2026
- Mitochondrial dysfunction in neonatal brain injury: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic interventions · Journal of Translational Medicine · 2026
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