Mitochondria News and Research

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Repairing DNA Double-Strand Breaks May Improve Genomic Stability by Limiting Organelle-to-Nucleus Gene Transfer

A new study in Nature Plants reveals that DNA double-strand break repair (DSBR) pathways help prevent gene transfer from organelles to the nucleus in plants. Disruption of DSBR increases the risk of genomic instability through endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT).

2 Jun 2025

Study Challenges Longstanding Mitochondrial Theory of Aging

The human genome is broadly classified into the genome residing in the cell nucleus (nuclear DNA) and the genome residing in the mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA). Mitochondria are cell organelles that produce energy essential for life activities through oxidative phosphorylation (mitochondrial respiration), and mtDNA encodes a set of genes required for mitochondrial respiration.

27 May 2025

Study Shows How Age-Related Metabolic Decline Impairs the Efficacy of CAR-T Cell Therapy

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has discovered that the metabolic decline that accompanies aging impairs the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy, an immunotherapy in which T cells of the immune system are taken from patients, engineered to target cancer cells and reinfused into the same patients for treatment.

26 May 2025

Unraveling the Co-Evolution of Human Height and Basal Metabolic Rate

Taller stature and a higher basal metabolic rate are two characteristics that distinguish modern humans from non-human primates. A genetic variant that helped these traits co-evolve was discovered by researchers and published in Cell Genomics.

22 May 2025

New Discovery Explains Increased Infection Risk in Patients with Mitochondrial Diseases

Patients with rare mitochondrial diseases already face a host of serious health issues, from muscle weakness to neurological problems and heart conditions.

21 May 2025

Autophagy: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer and Protein Conformational Disorders

A new FEBS Letters review explores the dual role of autophagy in cancer and protein misfolding diseases—highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target and the challenges of tipping the balance between protection and harm.

20 May 2025

Precision Mitochondrial DNA Editing Emerges as a Breakthrough in Neurological Care

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) editing has emerged as a revolutionary approach in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs).

13 May 2025

Estrogen Related Receptors Identified as Key to Muscle Energy Restoration

A new Salk Institute study suggests estrogen-related receptors could be a key to repairing energy metabolism and muscle fatigue.

13 May 2025

New Protein Identified as Regulator of Mitochondrial Calcium Transport

Calcium transport into and out of mitochondria – the powerhouses of cells – is central to cellular energy production and cell death.

9 Apr 2025

New Research Reveals Mitochondrial Guardians Linked to Parkinson’s and ALS

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have discovered how a group of proteins linked to Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis act as "guardians" of mitochondria, small organelles, or subunits, within a cell that make and store energy and are found in almost all plants and animals.

8 Apr 2025

New Discovery Reveals How Cells Repair Damaged Mitochondrial DNA

Damage to the genetic material of mitochondria – the mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA for short – can lead to diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

7 Apr 2025

Genomic and Geological Timeline of Bacterial Evolution

Scientists at the University of Queensland have contributed to the development of a precise timeline for bacterial evolution, indicating that some bacteria used oxygen long before they evolved the ability to manufacture it through photosynthesis.

4 Apr 2025

Horses' Unique Genetic Adaptation for Superior Endurance Revealed

Researchers have revealed a secret behind horses' exceptional endurance – a mutation in the KEAP1 gene that boosts energy production while protecting against cellular oxidative stress.

28 Mar 2025

MitoBrainMap Unlocks Secrets of Brain Energy Distribution

Everything the brain does-from storing memories to interpreting sights to regulating emotions-requires energy, all produced by cellular organelles called mitochondria.

28 Mar 2025

Researchers Unveil the Architecture of Mitochondria at Unprecedented Resolution

Mitochondria are the powerhouses in our cells, producing the energy for all vital processes. Using cryo-electron tomography, researchers at the University of Basel, Switzerland, have now gained insight into the architecture of mitochondria at unprecedented resolution.

22 Mar 2025

Bioengineering a Luminous Biosensor for Aberrant DNA Detection

Cells contain a DNA sensor called cGAS, which alerts the immune system to viral and bacterial infections, cell death, and cancer-related transformations.

20 Mar 2025

Mitochondria Found to Control DNA Repair Protein and Delay Inflammaging

In humans and other multicellular organisms, cells multiply. This defining feature allows embryos to grow into adulthood, and enables the healing of the many bumps, bruises and scrapes along the way.

14 Mar 2025

Structural Insights into uMtCK Offer New Pathways for Targeting Cancer Energy Mechanisms

Cancer cells have an insatiable appetite for energy as they multiply more rapidly than normal cells. Greedy cancer cells hijack various cellular functions to find and exploit energy and other resources, including a group of enzymes that help normal cells maintain a balance of energy.

8 Mar 2025

Understanding TEFM's Role in mtDNA Stability

Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) is vital for cellular energy production and the overall functionality of cells.

6 Mar 2025

Zika Virus Hijacks Placental Tunnels to Evade Immune Defense

Infection with Zika virus in pregnancy can lead to neurological disorders, fetal abnormalities and fetal death. Until now, how the virus manages to cross the placenta, which nurtures the developing fetus and forms a strong barrier against microbes and chemicals that could harm the fetus, has not been clear.

24 Feb 2025