Publications by authors named "Clara Berenguer-Escuder"

Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, individual mitochondria-based analyses do not show a uniform feature in PD patients. Since mitochondria interact with each other, we hypothesize that PD-related features might exist in topological patterns of mitochondria interaction networks (MINs).

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The expected increase in prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) as the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder over the next years underscores the need for a better understanding of the underlying molecular pathogenesis. Here, first insights provided by genetics over the last two decades, such as dysfunction of molecular and organellar quality control, are described. The mechanisms involved relate to impaired intracellular calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamics, which are tightly linked to the cross talk between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria.

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Mitochondrial Rho GTPase 1 (Miro1) protein is a well-known adaptor for mitochondrial transport and also regulates mitochondrial quality control and function. Furthermore, Miro1 was associated with mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCs), which are key regulators of cellular calcium homeostasis and the initiation of autophagy. Impairments of these mechanisms were linked to neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD).

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Background: Although most cases of Parkinson´s disease (PD) are idiopathic with unknown cause, an increasing number of genes and genetic risk factors have been discovered that play a role in PD pathogenesis. Many of the PD-associated proteins are involved in mitochondrial quality control, e.g.

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The outer mitochondrial membrane protein Miro1 is a crucial player in mitochondrial dynamics and calcium homeostasis. Recent evidence indicated that Miro1 mediates calcium-induced mitochondrial shape transition, which is a prerequisite for the initiation of mitophagy. Moreover, altered Miro1 protein levels have emerged as a shared feature of monogenic and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD), but, so far, no disease-associated variants in have been identified.

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