Mitochondria

New research explores the link between genetic mutations and infertility, specifically focusing on mitochondrial disruptions in egg cells. It opens potential new treatment strategies for infertility by targeting mitochondrial abnormalities.Approximately 48 million couples globally face infertility challenges, which can arise from multiple factors. In mammals, such as humans, the ovaries are responsible for egg production. Dysfunctions in this process can result in female infertility. Premature ovarian insufficiency is one…

Scientists have revealed in unprecedented detail how obesity affects mitochondria in mice, causing the cellular powerhouses to fragment into smaller pieces.Mitochondria are famous as "powerhouses of the cell," given their crucial role in generating energy. Yet the vital work of these organelles is often impaired in people with obesity, for reasons that remain unclear.And while impaired mitochondria are probably bad news, it's also unclear how that might influence obesity or the additional health problems it can cause.In…

Pictures show small intestinal villi from wild type (top) and enterocyte-specific DARS2 knockout mice (bottom) stained for PLIN2 (yellow), TGN38 (red), E-cadherin (green) and DNA (DAPI, blue). Credit: Chrysanthi MoschandreaMaintaining balanced lipid levels is essential for good health. Consuming too much fatty food can lead to metabolic disorders like obesity and atherosclerosis, but fats are also a vital part of our diet. When digested, lipids provide the body with crucial building blocks and aid in the absorption of…

A study from UC San Diego reveals that obesity causes mitochondrial dysfunction in fat cells, driven by a specific gene. Deactivating this gene in mice prevents obesity, suggesting new treatment approaches.UC San Diego Study reveals key mechanism behind obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.The number of people with obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, resulting in a worldwide epidemic. While lifestyle factors like diet and exercise play a role in the development and progression of obesity, scientists have come to…

Scientists have discovered that mutations in mitochondrial DNA can predict a patient’s response to immunotherapy, potentially leading to more personalized and effective cancer treatments. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA groundbreaking study shows that mitochondrial DNA mutations are key indicators of a patient’s likelihood to respond to immunotherapy, revolutionizing cancer treatment approaches.Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have made an unusual discovery that could help to identify patients who are up to two and a half…

Human cells showing cell nuclei (cyan), mitochondria (magenta), and the Coxiella burnetii protein MceF (yellow). The figure evidences the co-location of MceF with cellular mitochondria. Credit: Robson Kriiger LoterioResearchers have discovered a previously unidentified protein with antioxidant properties produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium. This breakthrough suggests potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.Researchers at the University of São Paulo, in collaboration…

Osaka University research highlights the protein HKDC1’s critical role in preserving mitochondria and lysosomes, thus preventing cellular aging and related diseases. This finding opens potential new therapeutic approaches for aging-related conditions. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers from Osaka University have identified a protein called HKDC1 that’s crucial to maintaining two subcellular structures, mitochondria and lysosomes, thereby preventing cellular senescence.Just as healthy organs are vital to our well-being,…

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown pathological cellular mechanism underpinning heart failure, which currently has no cure, and identified a drug that can reverse the damaging malfunction. The findings open the door to a novel intervention to improve outcomes in people with the condition.With an estimated prevalence of 64 million people worldwide, heart failure is a rapidly growing public health issue. Rather than being a specific disease, heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by a reduced…

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic condition affecting veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, is primarily driven by impaired mitochondrial function, not inflammation as previously believed. The study, which could lead to improved treatment strategies, also suggests that similar mitochondrial impairments might underlie other inflammation-marked conditions.UC San Diego scientists contest longstanding hypothesis about mysterious illness affecting Gulf War…

A research article in Nature has shed light on the structure and function of respiratory supercomplexes in cellular respiration, particularly in a single-cell eukaryote, Tetrahymena thermophila. The study combined various techniques to demonstrate that all four respiratory complexes in this organism associate together to form a massive supercomplex consisting of 150 proteins and 311 lipids, which significantly influences the shape of the mitochondrial membrane. Credit: luminous-lab.comA new study has revealed how…