Mitochondrial remodeling under hypoxia

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles capable of undergoing fission and fusion in response to the cell’s metabolic demands. These processes, collectively referred to as mitochondrial remodeling, determine the number, shape, and size of mitochondria within the cell. In recent decades, there has been growing interest in elucidating the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial dynamics under both physiological and pathological conditions. Regulatory proteins responsible for the fission and fusion of mitochondrial membranes have been identified and are activated in response to the cell’s energy demands. An imbalance between these processes disrupts cellular metabolism, impairs numerous cellular functions and adaptive capacity. Increasing evidence suggests that hypoxia significantly influences mitochondrial remodeling, with most studies focusing on the relationship between acute hypoxia and the expression levels of key fission and fusion regulatory proteins. The aim of this article is to review the current literature on the effects of hypoxia on mitochondrial changes in both embryonic and adult tissues and to discuss the prospects for further research on mitochondrial remodeling mechanisms under reduced oxygen conditions.