TY - JOUR

T1 - Mitochondria and Aging: Redox Balance Modulation as a New Approach to the Development of Innovative Geroprotectors (Fundamental and Applied Aspects)

AU - Mironova, E.

AU - Kvetnoǐ, I.

AU - Balazovskaia, S.

AU - Antonov, V.

AU - Poyarkov, S.

AU - Mazzoccoli, G.

N1 - Export Date: 09 February 2026; Cited By: 0; Correspondence Address: E. Mironova; Medical Institute, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation; email: katrine1994@mail.ru

PY - 2026/1/14

Y1 - 2026/1/14

N2 - Redox (reduction–oxidation) processes underlie all forms of life and are a universal regulatory mechanism that maintains homeostasis and adapts the organism to changes in the internal and external environments. From capturing solar energy in photosynthesis and oxygen generation to fine-tuning cellular metabolism, redox reactions are key determinants of life activity. Proteins containing sulfur- and selenium-containing amino acid residues play a crucial role in redox regulation. Their reversible oxidation by physiological oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), plays the role of molecular switches that control enzymatic activity, protein structure, and signaling cascades. This enables rapid and flexible cellular responses to a wide range of stimuli—from growth factors and nutrient signals to toxins and stressors. Mitochondria, the main energy organelles and also the major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS), play a special role in redox balance. On the one hand, mitochondrial ROS function as signaling molecules, regulating cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and immune response, while, on the other hand, their excessive accumulation leads to oxidative stress, damage to biomolecules, and the development of pathological processes. So, mitochondria act not only as a “generator” of redox signals but also as a central link in maintaining cellular and systemic redox homeostasis. Redox signaling forms a multi-layered cybernetic system, which includes signal perception, activation of signaling pathways, the initiation of physiological responses, and feedback regulatory mechanisms. At the molecular level, this is manifested by changes in the activity of redox-regulated proteins of which the redox proteome consists, thereby affecting the epigenetic landscape and gene expression. Physiological processes at all levels of biological organization—from subcellular to systemic—are controlled by redox mechanisms. Studying these processes opens a way to understanding the universal principles of life activity and identifying the biochemical mechanisms whose disruption causes the occurrence and development of pathological reactions. It is important to emphasize that new approaches to redox balance modulation are now actively developed, ranging from antioxidant therapy and targeted intervention on mitochondria to pharmacological and nutraceutical regulation of signaling pathways. This article analyzes the pivotal role of redox balance and its regulation at various levels of living organisms—from molecular and cellular to tissue, organ, and organismal levels—with a special emphasis on the role of mitochondria and modern strategies for influencing redox homeostasis. © 2026 by the authors.

AB - Redox (reduction–oxidation) processes underlie all forms of life and are a universal regulatory mechanism that maintains homeostasis and adapts the organism to changes in the internal and external environments. From capturing solar energy in photosynthesis and oxygen generation to fine-tuning cellular metabolism, redox reactions are key determinants of life activity. Proteins containing sulfur- and selenium-containing amino acid residues play a crucial role in redox regulation. Their reversible oxidation by physiological oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), plays the role of molecular switches that control enzymatic activity, protein structure, and signaling cascades. This enables rapid and flexible cellular responses to a wide range of stimuli—from growth factors and nutrient signals to toxins and stressors. Mitochondria, the main energy organelles and also the major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS), play a special role in redox balance. On the one hand, mitochondrial ROS function as signaling molecules, regulating cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and immune response, while, on the other hand, their excessive accumulation leads to oxidative stress, damage to biomolecules, and the development of pathological processes. So, mitochondria act not only as a “generator” of redox signals but also as a central link in maintaining cellular and systemic redox homeostasis. Redox signaling forms a multi-layered cybernetic system, which includes signal perception, activation of signaling pathways, the initiation of physiological responses, and feedback regulatory mechanisms. At the molecular level, this is manifested by changes in the activity of redox-regulated proteins of which the redox proteome consists, thereby affecting the epigenetic landscape and gene expression. Physiological processes at all levels of biological organization—from subcellular to systemic—are controlled by redox mechanisms. Studying these processes opens a way to understanding the universal principles of life activity and identifying the biochemical mechanisms whose disruption causes the occurrence and development of pathological reactions. It is important to emphasize that new approaches to redox balance modulation are now actively developed, ranging from antioxidant therapy and targeted intervention on mitochondria to pharmacological and nutraceutical regulation of signaling pathways. This article analyzes the pivotal role of redox balance and its regulation at various levels of living organisms—from molecular and cellular to tissue, organ, and organismal levels—with a special emphasis on the role of mitochondria and modern strategies for influencing redox homeostasis. © 2026 by the authors.

KW - aging

KW - antioxidants

KW - glutathione

KW - mitochondria

KW - oxidative stress

KW - redox regulation

KW - amino acid

KW - antioxidant

KW - hydrogen peroxide

KW - oxygen

KW - proteome

KW - reactive oxygen metabolite

KW - selenium

KW - sulfur

KW - apoptosis

KW - cell metabolism

KW - cell organelle

KW - drug development

KW - drug therapy

KW - enzyme activity

KW - feedback system

KW - gene expression

KW - generator

KW - homeostasis

KW - human

KW - immune response

KW - mitochondrion

KW - nonhuman

KW - oxidation

KW - oxidation reduction reaction

KW - pharmacology

KW - photosynthesis

KW - protein structure

KW - review

KW - signal detection

KW - signal transduction

KW - solar energy

KW - animal

KW - drug effect

KW - metabolism

KW - Aging

KW - Animals

KW - Antioxidants

KW - Homeostasis

KW - Humans

KW - Mitochondria

KW - Oxidation-Reduction

KW - Oxidative Stress

KW - Reactive Oxygen Species

KW - Signal Transduction

KW - Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism

KW - Aging/metabolism

KW - Antioxidants/pharmacology

KW - Mitochondria/metabolism

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/139bc869-a731-3922-9c4d-3b4ebd828ce6/

U2 - 10.3390/ijms27020842

DO - 10.3390/ijms27020842

M3 - Обзорная статья

C2 - 41596490

VL - 27

JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

SN - 1422-0067

IS - 2

M1 - 842

ER -