Role of mitochondria in pancreatic metabolism, diabetes, and cancer

Abstract

Ever since from the discovery of mitochondria, it attracted the field of medicine due to its involvement in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, are extremely important for maintenance of several vital processes such as TCA cycle, generation of cellular energy source adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cell growth, cell death, and signal transduction. Therefore, it is evident that any type of mitochondrial perturbations would result in myriad of diseases. Mitochondrial diseases are also results from nuclear DNA mutations because most proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism and mitochondrial DNA maintenance are nuclear encoded. Mitochondrial DNA variations are also observed in aging, diabetes, cancer, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. So far, the research accentuated the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and multitude of diseases. Pancreas is one such organ that is frequently affected by mitochondrial perturbations. Over the past decade, significant amount of research has been done on mitochondria in pancreatic dysfunction. Heretofore, accumulating evidences suggest that pancreatitis, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer have highlighted the relationship with mitochondrial dysfunction. In this book chapter, we explore the advances that have been made toward identifying the mitochondria as therapeutic target in pancreatic malignancies including pancreatic metabolism, diabetes, and cancer.