Mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic protein changes in hearts from copper-deficient rats: up-regulation of PGC-1α transcript and protein as a cause for mitochondrial biogenesis in copper deficiency

Can we optimise the exercise training prescription to maximise improvements in mitochondria function and content?

“…Thus, mitochondrial biogenesis (from the Greek word "genesis", meaning "origin" or "coming into being of something"), more accurately refers to the generation of new mitochondrial components. Despite this seemingly simple definition, researchers have used the term "mitochondrial biogenesis" in many different ways and there is a lack of agreement on the best methods to assess mitochondrial biogenesis [18][19][20].…”

“…Although the measurement of the synthesis rates of mitochondrial proteins may be the best assessment of mitochondrial biogenesis, it has also been argued that multiple methods are required to understand the complex mechanisms underlying mitochondrial biogenesis, and that associated outcomes (e.g., changes in mitochondrial content and function) are required to put mitochondrial synthesis results in context [19,20]. Even though it is well established that mitochondria exist in a three-dimensional network [21], two-dimensional imaging using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is still considered the gold standard for measuring mitochondrial content [4].…”

The Cardiac Copper Chaperone Proteins Sco1 and CCS are Up-Regulated, but Cox 1 and Cox4 are Down-Regulated, by Copper Deficiency

“…Most importantly, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor co-activator α (PGC1-α), has shown increased mRNA and protein levels during copper deficiency [21].…”

“…While marginal dietary copper deficiency may have more clinical relevance, our purpose was first to establish whether dietary copper and its subsequent impact on copper reserves would result in any impact. Cytochrome c oxidase activity has been observed to decrease overall in varied tissues during copper deficiency [21][22][23][24][25][26]. In particular, the Cox4 subunit shows a marked decrease under copper-deficient conditions [6][7][8].…”

Gastric Bypass and Copper Deficiency: A Possible Overlooked Consequence

“…The gene program for mitochondrial biogenesis is turned on, but most hearts will have a normal level of ATP [12]. However, even in marginal copper deficiency, anomalies in electrocardiograms are a telltale sign of copper deficiency [13]. Increased amplitude of the QRS complex, inverted T waves, and increased ST segments are just a few of the negative ECG changes that occur in copper deficiency without other noticeable signs [14].…”