Review

Cytoplasmic signaling in the control of mitochondrial uproar?

Martin Hermann¹ , Andrey Kuznetsov² , Manuel Maglione^2,3 , Julija Smigelskaite² , Raimund Margreiter^2,3 and Jakob Troppmair²

¹KMT Laboratory, Innsbruck Medical University (IMU), Innrain 66, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

²Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Innsbruck Medical University (IMU), Innrain 66, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

³Center of Operative Medicine, Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck Medical University, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

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Cell Communication and Signaling 2008, 6:4doi:10.1186/1478-811X-6-4

Published:	19 August 2008

Abstract

The concept of a pre-emptive strike as a good means to prevent greater harm may be frequently over-stressed in daily life. However, biological systems in a homeostatic balance are prepared to withstand a certain degree of hostile fire by rather passive means. This also applies to the maintenance of cell survival, where a plethora of protective proteins provide safeguard against erroneous activation of death pathways. Apart from these mechanisms active processes are also essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, commonly referred to as survival signaling. Frequently their targets may be mitochondrial, assuring organelle integrity, which is essential for continued energy production and survival. Transient or permanent failures in these cellular defense strategies result in pathophysiological conditions, which manifest themselves e.g. as cancer or ischemia/reperfusion-associated organ damage.