Golgi-derived PI(4)P-containing vesicles drive late steps of mitochondrial division
Mitochondrial plasticity is a key regulator of cell fate decisions. Mitochondrial division involves Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) oligomerization, which constricts membranes at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites. The mechanisms driving the final steps of mitochondrial division are still unclear. Here, we found that microdomains of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P] on trans-Golgi network (TGN) vesicles were recruited to mitochondria–ER contact sites and could drive mitochondrial division downstream of Drp1. The loss of the small guanosine triphosphatase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1) or its effector...
Source: ScienceNOW - March 18, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Nagashima, S., Tabara, L.-C., Tilokani, L., Paupe, V., Anand, H., Pogson, J. H., Zunino, R., McBride, H. M., Prudent, J. Tags: Cell Biology reports Source Type: news
Macrophages in Mice Shuttle Mitochondria to Neurons in Need
The findings could represent a novel mechanism for relieving inflammatory pain. (Source: The Scientist)
Source: The Scientist - March 5, 2020 Category: Science Tags: News & Opinion Source Type: news
Mayo Clinic researchers clarify how cells defend themselves from viruses
(Mayo Clinic) A protein known to help cells defend against infection also regulates the form and function of mitochondria, according to a new paper in Nature Communications.The protein, one of a group called myxovirus-resistance (Mx) proteins, help cells fight infections without the use of systemic antibodies or white blood cells. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 3, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Gene Editing Reaches Plant Mitochondria
Modified gene editing machinery enables targeted disruptions of mitochondrial genes in rice and rapeseed plants. (Source: The Scientist)
Source: The Scientist - March 1, 2020 Category: Science Tags: Modus Operandi Source Type: news
A deep dive into cellular aging
(Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute) Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and Harvard University have discovered that mitochondria trigger senescence, the sleep-like state of aged cells, through communication with the cell's nucleus--and identified an FDA-approved drug that helped suppress the damaging effects of the condition in cells and mice. The discovery, published in Genes& Development, could lead to treatments that promote healthy aging or prevent age-associated diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and more. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 20, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
SMAC mimetics and RIPK inhibitors as therapeutics for chronic inflammatory diseases
New therapeutic approaches for chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis are needed because current treatments are often suboptimal in terms of both efficacy and the risks of serious adverse events. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are E3 ubiquitin ligases that inhibit cell death pathways and are themselves inhibited by second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC). SMAC mimetics (SMs), small-molecule antagonists of IAPs, are being evaluated as cancer therapies in clinical trials. IAPs are also crucial regulators of inflammatory pathways because t...
Source: Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment - February 17, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Jensen, S., Seidelin, J. B., LaCasse, E. C., Nielsen, O. H. Tags: STKE Reviews Source Type: news
Researchers Find Cell-Free Mitochondria Floating in Human Blood
The functional, respiring organelles appear to be present in the blood of healthy people, but their function is yet unclear. (Source: The Scientist)
Source: The Scientist - February 7, 2020 Category: Science Tags: News & Opinion Source Type: news
Study provides new understanding of mitochondria genome with potential for new avenues of treatment for multiple cancers
(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) A study led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center furthered understanding about mitochondria, the cell components known as the 'powerhouse of the cell.' Knowing more about the genome is crucial given that mitochondria play important roles in tumorigenesis. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - February 5, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Microglia monitor and protect neuronal function through specialized somatic purinergic junctions
Microglia are the main immune cells in the brain and have roles in brain homeostasis and neurological diseases. Mechanisms underlying microglia–neuron communication remain elusive. Here, we identified an interaction site between neuronal cell bodies and microglial processes in mouse and human brain. Somatic microglia–neuron junctions have a specialized nanoarchitecture optimized for purinergic signaling. Activity of neuronal mitochondria was linked with microglial junction formation, which was induced rapidly in response to neuronal activation and blocked by inhibition of P2Y12 receptors. Brain injury–ind...
Source: ScienceNOW - January 29, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Cserep, C., Posfai, B., Lenart, N., Fekete, R., Laszlo, Z. I., Lele, Z., Orsolits, B., Molnar, G., Heindl, S., Schwarcz, A. D., Ujvari, K., Környei, Z., Toth, K., Szabadits, E., Sperlagh, B., Baranyi, M., Csiba, L., Hortobagyi, T., Magloczky, Z., Tags: Immunology, Neuroscience r-articles Source Type: news
A new blood component revealed
(INSERM (Institut national de la sant é et de la recherche m é dicale)) Does the blood we thought to know so well contain elements that had been undetectable until now? The answer is yes, according to a team of researchers from Inserm, Universit é de Montpellier and the Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM) working at the Montpellier Cancer Research Institute (IRCM), which has revealed the presence of whole functional mitochondria in the blood circulation. The discovery may deepen our knowledge of physiology and open up new avenues for treatment. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - January 23, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Fetal Bovine Serum-More Data
Primary and Stem Cell CultureThis just came across our radar." SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL An eye opener in stroke: Mitochondrial dysfunction and stem cell repair in MCAO induced retinal ischemia "We are always delighted when researchers supplement their cell culture media with ourFetal Bovine Serum (FBS).RPE Cells and MSC Culture Retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE, CRL-4000; ATCC) cells were cultured in Dulbecco ’s Modified Eagle Media/F-12 (DMEM/F-12, 11320033; Gibco) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; FBS001; Neuromics) and 0.01 mg/ml hygromycin B (10687010; Gibco) in incubator (37 °C humidified, with 5% CO2, 95% air)...
Source: Neuromics - January 17, 2020 Category: Neuroscience Tags: adult stem cells FBS Fetal Bovine Serum Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells MSCs Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells RPES Source Type: news
This Strange Microbe May Mark One of Life ’s Great Leaps
A organism living in ocean muck offers clues to the origins of the complex cells of all animals and plants. (Source: NYT Health)
Source: NYT Health - January 15, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Carl Zimmer Tags: Microbiology Oceans and Seas Biology and Biochemistry Mitochondria Bacteria Evolution (Biology) Nature (Journal) Masaru K. Nobu Japan Pacific Ocean Arctic Ocean your-feed-science Source Type: news
A step closer to understanding evolution -- mitochondrial division conserved across species
(Tokyo University of Science) A group of scientists at Tokyo University of Science showed for the first time that in red algae, an enzyme that is usually involved in cell division also plays a role in replication of mitochondria -- a crucial cell organelle. Moreover, they discovered a similar mechanism in human cells, leading them to believe that the process by which mitochondria replicate is similar across all eukaryotic species -- from simple to complex organisms. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - December 20, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: news
VDAC oligomers form mitochondrial pores to release mtDNA fragments and promote lupus-like disease
Mitochondrial stress releases mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytosol, thereby triggering the type I interferon (IFN) response. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, which is required for mtDNA release, has been extensively studied in apoptotic cells, but little is known about its role in live cells. We found that oxidatively stressed mitochondria release short mtDNA fragments via pores formed by the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) oligomers in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, the positively charged residues in the N-terminal domain of VDAC1 interact with mtDNA, promoting VDAC1 oligomerizat...
Source: ScienceNOW - December 18, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Kim, J., Gupta, R., Blanco, L. P., Yang, S., Shteinfer-Kuzmine, A., Wang, K., Zhu, J., Yoon, H. E., Wang, X., Kerkhofs, M., Kang, H., Brown, A. L., Park, S.-J., Xu, X., Zandee van Rilland, E., Kim, M. K., Cohen, J. I., Kaplan, M. J., Shoshan-Barmatz, V., Tags: Cell Biology, Immunology reports Source Type: news
Mitochondria are the 'canary in the coal mine' for cellular stress
(Salk Institute) Mitochondria, tiny structures present in most cells, are known for their energy-generating machinery. Now, Salk researchers have discovered a new function of mitochondria: they set off molecular alarms when cells are exposed to stress or chemicals that can damage DNA, such as chemotherapy. The results, published online in Nature Metabolism on Dec. 9, 2019, could lead to new cancer treatments that prevent tumors from becoming resistant to chemotherapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - December 13, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
