Functions of mitochondria: from intracellular power stations to mediators of a senescence program

Abstract.

In 1950 s I started in science by showing that non-phosphorylating respiration is critical for survival of an animal at low temperature. Later, in the 1960 s and 1970 s, I took part in verification of Mitchell’s chemiosmotic hypothesis postulating that (i)mitochondria transform energy of respiration to electricity and (ii) uncoupling of respiration represents discharge of this electricity by H⁺ cycling. Fifteen years ago I turned to a specific kind of mitochondrial respiration which produces O^-.₂, and I came to the conclusion that it plays an ominous role, killing mitochondria, cells, or even organisms. My present task is a “megaproject” with an ambitious goal of minimizing the damaging effect of O^-.₂ and stopping senescence.