Control of gene expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in the muscular adaption to endurance exercise

A. M. Joseph, H. Pilegaard, L. Leick, D. A. Hood

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    Abstract

    Every time a bout of exercise is performed, a change in gene expression occurs

    within the contracting muscle. Over the course of many repeated bouts of

    exercise (i.e. training), the cumulative effects of these alterations lead to a

    change in muscle phenotype. One of the most prominent of these adaptations

    is an increase in mitochondrial content, which confers a greater resistance to

    muscle fatigue. This essay reviews current knowledge on the regulation of

    exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis at the molecular level. The major

    steps involved include, (i) transcriptional regulation of nuclear-encoded genes

    encoding mitochondrial proteins by the coactivator peroxisome-proliferatoractivated

    receptor coactivator-1, (ii) control of mitochondrial DNA gene

    1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).

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    © 2006 The Biochemical Society

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    14 Essays in Biochemistry volume 42 2006

    expression by the transcription factor Tfam, (iii) mitochondrial fi ssion and

    fusion mechanisms, and (iv) import of nuclear-derived gene products into

    the mitochondrion via the protein import machinery. It is now known that

    exercise can modify the rates of several of these steps, leading to mitochondrial

    biogenesis. An understanding of how exercise can produce this effect could

    help us decide whether exercise is beneficial for patients suffering from

    mitochondrial disorders, as well as a variety of metabolic diseases.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEssays in Biochemistry
    Volume42
    Pages (from-to)13-29
    ISSN0071-1365
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

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