# The Perception of Mitochondrial Stress in Receiving Cells

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2020 · $409,506

## Abstract

It was recently discovered that reduced ETC signaling in neuronal cells is sufficient to extend the lifespan of C.
elegans. It was also found that this effect is dependent upon the activity of an essential component of the
mitochondrial stress response or UPRmt. It is not yet understood, however, the fundamental mechanisms by
which this life span extension occurs or how the signal is sent and perceived. Moreover, the essential role that
the mitochondrion has in cellular homeostasis and energy production suggests that it may act as a reactive
sensor of random intrinsic or extrinsic variables capable of influencing an organism's susceptibility to disease.
Changes within the mitochondria thus also might be responsible for the emergent properties displayed in such
a system in response to stochastic changes, and/or may play a significant role in coordinating the activation of
non-mitochondrial stress response pathways. A prediction that genetic modifications will decrease the capacity
for stochastic variation in mitochondrial function will ultimately negatively affect the fitness of the organism.
Such a hypothesis is in keeping with recent evidence suggesting that deleterious mutations actually decrease
the sensitivity of gene expression in response to small environmental changes (a loss of phenotypic
robustness). A further hypothesis is it may predict co-variance between the UPRmt and stress response
pathways, currently thought to act in distinct regulatory networks, and seek to discover the potential
mechanisms by which this co-variance occurs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9918214
- **Project number:** 5R37AG024365-15
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew G Dillin
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $409,506
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-06-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9918214

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9918214, The Perception of Mitochondrial Stress in Receiving Cells (5R37AG024365-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9918214. Licensed CC0.

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