We integrated metabolome and proteome profiles of the parental cell line 143B.TK- versus ρ0, including PTM analyses such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination to characterize the impact of the absence of mtDNA for the entire cell. For quantitative proteome profiling, we used a shotgun LC-MS/MS approach including the classical SILAC labeling. For comprehensive metabolome profiling, we applied a targeted LC-MS approach, based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).</br></br>Our study revealed that mtDNA depletion leads to a non-uniform down-regulation of the mitochondrial energy metabolism in ρ0 cells on the proteome level. Metabolites of the TCA cycle were highly dysregulated which in turn had an impact on the amino acid levels, which were up regulated. Perturbation of the mitochondrial energy metabolism could lead to an activation of the retrograde response, indicated by sets of up-regulated signaling pathways in ρ0 cells, further supported by altered phosphorylation in signaling pathways and the cytoskeleton as well as de-ubiquitination of SLC transporters.