Fig. 9

Schematic diagram depicting the mechanism of which ATF5-modulated UPRmt in the tubular injury under diabetic conditions. ATF5 coordinates with the UPRmt to play a protective role against tubular cell damage in the early stage of HG exposure (6 h), while ATF5 induces continuous UPRmt activation, which increases tubular cell injury and leads to tubulointerstitial fibrosis under sustained HG exposure. ATF5 activating transcription factor 5, UPRmt mitochondrial unfolded protein response, HSP60 heat shock protein 60, LONP1 Lon peptidase 1, mitochondrial, HG high glucose, MTS mitochondrial targeting sequence, NLS nuclear localization sequence