by Impact Journals LLC Mitochondria. Credit: Wikipedia commons In addition to their role in energy metabolism, mitochondria play important roles in other cellular processes, such as apoptosis, calcium signaling and the synthesis of certain biomolecules. Mitochondria have also been implicated in the development and progression of cancer. In some cases, cancer cells may overproduce certain...
SALK INSTITUTE IMAGE: MITOCHONDRIA IN THE CELL DURING METABOLIC STRESS. HIGH INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF MITOCHONDRIA (RED), MEDIUM INCREASES (GREEN), AND LOW INCREASES (BLUE). CREDIT: SALK INSTITUTE LA JOLLA (April 20, 2023)—Scientists often act as detectives, piecing together clues that alone may seem meaningless but together crack the case. Professor Reuben Shaw has spent nearly two...
By Nick Lavars; March 27, 2022 Artist’s impression of mitochondrial transplantation using a specially developed syringe. IC: Sean Kilian Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cells, taking in glucose and oxygen and producing energy in return. But this central role in cellular function means when things go awry it can have serious consequences...
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER IMAGE: BOYI GAN, PH.D. CREDIT: MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER HOUSTON – The mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) plays an important and previously unknown role in blocking a form of cell death called ferroptosis, according to a new study published today in Nature by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson...
DOE/OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY IMAGE: The mitochondria in human cells depend on manganese superoxide dismutase to keep the amount of harmful reactive oxygen molecules under control. Researchers have now obtained a complete atomic portrait of the enzyme, providing key information about the catalytic mechanism within its active site, situated between the green and blue subunits...
Researchers have discovered that DNA from the mitochondria – the cell’s “powerhouses” – acts as a danger signal in the body and triggers inflammation in people with sickle cell disease. A better understanding of mitochondrial DNA, long known to circulate in human blood, may provide vital insight into how to stop the underlying chronic inflammation that...
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET IMAGE: METHYLATION IS A SMALL PROTEIN MODIFICATION THAT USES SAM AS A CO-FACTOR. THIS STUDY SHOWS HOW SAM IS REQUIRED FOR MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN VARIOUS ORGANISMS. CREDIT: KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET. Disorders of the cells’ energy supply can cause a number of serious diseases, but also seem to be connected to ageing. More research is needed on...
by Beth Newcomb, University of Southern California Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study shows that humans express a powerful hormone during exercise and that treating mice with the hormone improves physical performance, capacity and fitness. Researchers say the findings present new possibilities for addressing age-related physical decline. The research, published on Wednesday in Nature Communications, reveals a detailed look...
UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG IMAGE: MODEL OF BETA-BARREL MEMBRANE PROTEIN PORE BIOGENESIS AT THE SORTING AND ASSEMBLY MACHINERY (SAM) OF THE OUTER MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE. CREDIT: ILLUSTRATION: NILS WIEDEMANN Mitochondria are vital for the human body as cellular powerhouses: They possess more than 1,000 different proteins, required for many central metabolic pathways. Disfunction of these lead to...
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER NEW YORK, NY (Jan. 11, 2021)–A new study has found that up to 20% of glioblastomas–an aggressive brain cancer–are fueled by overactive mitochondria and may be treatable with drugs currently in clinical trials. Mitochondria are responsible for creating the energy that fuels all cells. Though they are usually less efficient...
