Iqra Mumal, MSc,  —

Because treatment for mitochondrial DNA diseases is largely limited to addressing only symptoms, researchers are increasingly looking at mitochondrial replacement therapies as a way to allow women to have genetically related children while reducing the risk of transmitting disease. Mitochondrial replacement therapies involve a new and innovative technology to prevent…

An international group of researchers demonstrated that the enzyme EXD2 has a key role in the production of mitochondrial protein. The study, “EXD2 governs germ stem cell homeostasis and lifespan by promoting mitoribosome integrity and translation,” was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. Mitochondria are the major…

The body’s ability to ensure error-free activity of transfer RNA (tRNA), which is essential to the production of protein, is important in the accurate operation of the mitochondria. Researchers have now found a quality-control mechanism that double-checks the correct protein sequence and may help prevent disease. The study, “Editing…

Presenilin-2 (PS2) plays a crucial role in ensuring mitochondria work as intended in a cell, and may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research reports. The study “Presenilin 2-Dependent Maintenance of Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity and Morphology” was published in the journal Frontiers in…

Treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with the generic medicine dichloroacetate (DCA), which activates mitochondrial function, decreased pulmonary arterial pressure and improved the ability to walk, a new study shows. The study, “Inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase improves pulmonary arterial hypertension in genetically susceptible patients,” was published in the…

Researchers have found that mitochondrial DNA copy number may be useful as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. The study titled, “Association of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number With Cardiovascular Disease,” was published in JAMA Cardiology. Mitochondrial DNA copy number, which refers to the amount of DNA in the…

Veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) — a chronic multi-symptom disorder not currently diagnosed by standard medical or laboratory tests — have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction, a new study shows. The study, “Role of mitochondrial DNA damage and dysfunction in veterans with Gulf War Illness,”…

High levels of the FGF-21 protein may be a better indicator of mitochondrial disease than many currently used diagnostic tools, a study reports. This is particularly true in adults with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, whose hallmark is weakness or paralysis of extraocular muscles, researchers said. The seven extraocular muscles consist of six that control eye…