| Energy Required |
| Sunday, 13 January 2008 | |
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Scientists at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, have discovered the first ever mitochondrial factor to repress expression of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are organelles within the cell that function as the producers of the body’s ATP, its universal energy store.ATP is used throughout the body, powering everything from keeping warm to movement. A vital question is how mitochondria can tailor their energy output to match the constantly changing needs of the body. Discovery of the new protein, MTERF3, is a step towards solving this problem. MTERF3 is the first mitochondrial protein discovered to specifically repress production of mitochondrial genes. It has been found to work by binding to mitochondrial DNA and preventing transcription.Thus, proteins encoded by mitochondrial DNA, such as subunits of the mitochondria’s own ATP-producing machinery, are downregulated. By altering the expression of proteins needed for ATP-production, MTERF3 might help to control how much energy is produced in the cell, such as reducing ATP synthesis when less is required. Its discovery may also lead to the development of new therapies for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and even ageing, all of which can result from mitochondrial disfunction. |
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