Author Archives: Patricia Inacio, PhD

Mutations in the mitochondrial gene ANT1 may increase the risk of bipolar disease by altering levels of serotonin transmission in the brain, a mouse study suggests. The study, “Ant1 mutant mice bridge the mitochondrial and serotonergic dysfunctions in bipolar disorder,” was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Previous studies have shown…

Researchers found that inherited mutations in the PMPCB gene lead to a wide range of impairments in mitochondria and cause a form of early childhood neurodegenerative disorder in members of four unrelated families. The study, “Mutations in PMPCB Encoding the Catalytic Subunit of the Mitochondrial Presequence Protease Cause Neurodegeneration in…

A specific branch of cells’ stress-response pathway called unfolded protein response (UPR) may help protect mitochondria, new research shows. This finding suggests that controlling this particular branch may help prevent or delay the defects in mitochondria that accumulate as we age and fuel so many human diseases. The study “…

South Korean researchers have developed a simple way to deliver healthy mitochondria to cells where it is dysfunctional, rescuing the cells’ energy levels and metabolic function. The study, “Delivery of exogenous mitochondria via centrifugation enhances cellular metabolic function,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Defects in mitochondria,…

Mutations in the SLC39A8 gene contribute to mitochondria impairments seen in Leigh syndrome by reducing the levels of manganese, a key element that protects against oxidative stress, researchers found. The study, “Functional analysis of SLC39A8 mutations and their implications for manganese deficiency and mitochondrial disorders,” was published in…

The accumulation of the stress-responsive heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the mitochondria of certain lung cells is a hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and inhibiting HSP90 reversed PH in two rat models of the disease, according to researchers. The study, “Mitochondrial HSP90 Accumulation Promotes Vascular Remodeling…

An analog that mimics mitochondrial protein called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been found to protect neuronal mitochondria from the damaging effects of protein aggregates seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The compound, developed by researchers at Arizona State University, may help researchers prevent the toxic effects of amyloid beta aggregates in the brain.

The rate of disease-causing mutations in mitochondrial DNA depends on the ethnic background and age of a specific population, researchers report. Disease-causing mutations were lower in European populations and more frequent in younger groups. The report, “Background sequence characteristics influence the occurrence and severity of disease-causing mtDNA mutations,” appeared…

Children affected by mitochondrial diseases who show nutritional deficiencies improve gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and catch up on their development after receiving nutritional support from a feeding tube, according to researchers. The study, “Enteral Tube Feeding in Pediatric Mitochondrial Diseases,” was published in the journal Scientific…

Researchers have discovered that mitophagy – the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria – allows liver cancer stem cells to survive and contribute to liver tumor growth. Their findings suggest that halting mitophagy temporarily is a potential new therapeutic target for liver cancer. The study “Mitophagy Controls the…