MOTS-c · research summary

Small but mighty: mitochondrial DNA at the centre of retrograde signalling.

Cell communication and signaling : CCS · 2026. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Review article synthesizing current knowledge on mtDNA-driven retrograde signalling
“This review synthesises current knowledge on mtDNA-driven retrograde signalling, highlighting both classical and emerging mechanisms by which the mitochondrial genome communicates with the nucleus.”

Subjects

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial-derived non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs), and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs)
“In addition, mtDNA-derived products, including mitochondrial-derived non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs) and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs), have emerged as key messengers that shuttle between cellular compartments, reshape nuclear gene expression, and influence cellular and systemic responses to stress.”

Reported findings

mtDNA functions as an active signalling hub that conveys mitochondrial functional status to the nucleus via retrograde signalling pathways.
“Beyond encoding essential subunits of the electron transport chain, mtDNA functions as a signalling hub that conveys information about mitochondrial functional status to the nucleus.”
Perturbations in mtDNA integrity, copy number, or expression initiate retrograde responses through metabolic rewiring, alterations in redox and calcium signalling, and activation of stress-responsive transcriptional programmes.
“Perturbations in mtDNA integrity, copy number, or expression initiate retrograde responses through metabolic rewiring, alterations in redox and calcium signalling, and activation of stress-responsive transcriptional programmes.”
mtDNA-derived products, including mt-ncRNAs and MDPs, act as key messengers that shuttle between cellular compartments and influence cellular and systemic responses to stress.
“These molecules participate in diverse processes, ranging from mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control to innate immune activation and epigenetic regulation.”

Source: PubMed 41937181 · DOI 10.1186/s12964-026-02858-4 · all study summaries

Subjects

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial-derived non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs), and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs)

“In addition, mtDNA-derived products, including mitochondrial-derived non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs) and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs), have emerged as key messengers that shuttle between cellular compartments, reshape nuclear gene expression, and influence cellular and systemic responses to stress.”

Reported findings

mtDNA functions as an active signalling hub that conveys mitochondrial functional status to the nucleus via retrograde signalling pathways.

“Beyond encoding essential subunits of the electron transport chain, mtDNA functions as a signalling hub that conveys information about mitochondrial functional status to the nucleus.”

Perturbations in mtDNA integrity, copy number, or expression initiate retrograde responses through metabolic rewiring, alterations in redox and calcium signalling, and activation of stress-responsive transcriptional programmes.

“Perturbations in mtDNA integrity, copy number, or expression initiate retrograde responses through metabolic rewiring, alterations in redox and calcium signalling, and activation of stress-responsive transcriptional programmes.”

mtDNA-derived products, including mt-ncRNAs and MDPs, act as key messengers that shuttle between cellular compartments and influence cellular and systemic responses to stress.

“These molecules participate in diverse processes, ranging from mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control to innate immune activation and epigenetic regulation.”