The mitophagy receptor BNIP3 is critical for the regulation of metabolic homeostasis and mitochondrial function in the nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc.

ABSTRACT: The contribution of mitochondria to the metabolic function of hypoxic NP cells has been overlooked. We have shown that NP cells contain networked mitochondria and that mitochondrial translocation of BNIP3 mediates hypoxia-induced mitophagy. However, whether BNIP3 also plays a role in governing mitochondrial function and metabolism in hypoxic NP cells is not known. BNIP3 knockdown altered mitochondrial morphology, and number, and increased mitophagy. Interestingly, BNIP3 deficiency in NP cells reduced glycolytic capacity reflected by lower production of lactate/H⁺ and lower ATP production rate. Widely targeted metabolic profiling and flux analysis using 1-2-¹³C-glucose showed that the BNIP3 loss resulted in redirection of glycolytic flux into pentose phosphate and hexo

SUBMITTER: Madhu V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10262801 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature