Bacteria-Mitochondria Cross-talk: How Microbes Regulate Mitochondrial Dynamics and Bioenergetics of Host Cells

Mitochondria are the cellular powerhouses and are considered to be central to energy metabolism, dynamics, and homeostasis. There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome regulates mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics (fission, fusion, mitophagy), and bioenergetics, and that it does so by connecting bacterial metabolites and signaling molecules. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms that underlie the interplay between bacteria and mitochondria, with a particular focus on the modulation of mitochondrial activities by microbial products, including bile acids, immunological mediators, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria is explored, along with the implications of microbial dysbiosis on mitochondrial dysfunction, which is linked to a variety of inflammatory, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, we emphasised the therapeutic potential of focusing on the microbiota to treat illnesses associated with the mitochondria and to restore mitochondrial health. A better understanding of the complex relationship between bacteria and mitochondria can open up new avenues for disease management and novel treatment possibilities.