The role of mitochondria in metabolism and cell death

Mitochondria are complex organelles that play a central role in energy metabolism, control of stress responses and are a hub for biosynthetic processes. Beyond its well-established role in cellular energetics, mitochondria are critical mediators of signals to propagate various cellular outcomes. In addition mitochondria are the primary source of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and are involved in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, they contain a self-destructive arsenal of apoptogenic factors that can be unleashed to promote cell death, thus displaying a shared platform for metabolism and apoptosis. In the present review, we will give a brief account on the integration of mitochondrial metabolism and apoptotic cell death. •Mitochondria play a central role in cellular energetics and cell death signaling.•Certain Mitochondrial proteins have dual functions both in cellular energy metabolism as well as apoptosis.•Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can sense and regulate metabolism and cell death in an adaptive fashion.