Figure 1.

Exercise-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis: exercise triggers mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle via the activation of numerous signaling pathways that ultimately converge on the transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α. Once activated, PGC-1α translocates to the nucleus to activate numerous transcription factors and nuclear receptors. Bioactive compounds have the capacity to enhance exercise-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis through contraction-dependent signaling cascades. AICAR, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide; AMPK, 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase; βHAD, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase; BCAA, branch chain amino acids; CaMK, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase; CaMKK, Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase; CPT-1, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I; ERRα, estrogen-related receptor alpha; FADH, flavin adenine dinucleotide; FAO, fatty acid oxidation; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid; mtDNA, mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid; mtTFA, mitochondrial transcription factor A; NRF1, nuclear respiratory factor-1; NRF2, nuclear respiratory factor-2; PGC-1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha; PPARδ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta; RS, RS domain; RXR, retinoid X receptor; SIRT1, sirtuin-1; Sp1, specificity protein 1 transcription factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.