Title:Mitochondria Associated Membranes (MAMs): Emerging Drug Targets for Diabetes
Volume: 27
Issue: 20
Author(s): U.S. Swapna Sasi , Sindhu Ganapathy, Salin Raj Palayyan and Raghu K. Gopal*
Affiliation:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanism Laboratory, Agro-processing and Technology Division, CSIRNational Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695019,India
Keywords:
Mitochondria associated membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, calcium ions, insulin resistance,
T2DM.
Abstract: MAMs, the physical association between the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and mitochondria
are, functional domains performing a significant role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.
It is evolving as an important signaling center that coordinates nutrient and hormonal signaling for
the proper regulation of hepatic insulin action and glucose homeostasis. Moreover, MAMs can be
considered as hot spots for the transmission of stress signals from ER to mitochondria. The altered
interaction between ER and mitochondria results in the amendment of several insulin-sensitive tissues,
revealing the role of MAMs in glucose homeostasis. The development of mitochondrial dysfunction,
ER stress, altered lipid and Ca2+ homeostasis are typically co-related with insulin resistance
and β cell dysfunction. But little facts are known about the role played by these stresses in the development
of metabolic disorders. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms involved in maintaining
the contact site with new avenues of investigations for the development of novel preventive and
therapeutic targets for T2DM.