José Marín-García, M.D.
2013
Over the past two decades, due to dramatic advances in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics our view on mitochondria as a relatively static cellular powerhouse has changed radically. We now know that these organelles play a critical role in the normal and in the damaged heart as a highly dynamic integrator of energy production, in diverse signaling pathways, intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis, cell survival, and cell death. Although all of these functions are essential for virtually all human organs, they are particularly important for the heart, in order to maintain its permanent rhythmic contraction and ensure oxygenation of all the body tissues. Also, mitochondrial non-bioenergetic, biogenetic, and degradation pathways are very important since understanding of these pathways and the effects that mitochondrial changes have in cardiac pathology are critical for diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial-based cardiac diseases.