Cardiolipin, Essential Phospholipid in Biogenesis and Function of Mitochondria

Abstract

Cardiolipin, an anionic phospholipid, in the inner mitochondrial membrane is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics and in oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, cardiolipin plays also some role in mitochondria-dependent steps of apoptosis and in mitochondrial membrane dynamics. Alterations in cardiolipin structure (remodelling), its content or the composition of acyl chains as the consequences of oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) are proposed to be responsible for the changes in the mitochondrial membrane fluidity, ion permeability and structure/function of the mitochondrial electron-transport chain components. The mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the above events has been associ­ated with several physiopathological conditions in human tissues, including Barth syndrome, ischemia/reperfusion, different thyroid states, diabetes, aging or heart failure.