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New research in nature showing mitochondria can split into two different forms resolves a longstanding mystery of how mitochondria can simultaneously provide cells with energy and essential building blocks, even when resources are limited.

15,997 views • 1 year ago •via X (Twitter)

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Dr. Robert Thompson's profile picture
Dr. Robert Thompson1 year ago

@Nature Fascinating discovery! The complexity of mitochondrial function is still being uncovered.

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Science Corner: David Friedberg Explains Recent Mitotherapy Breakthroughs ⚡️ On E224, david friedberg broke down what mitotherapy is and how recent discoveries could unleash this treatment for many diseases: "So mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell." "Every cell in our body gets its energy, which is what it uses to function, from the mitochondria." "And so there's been a lot of research into the relationship between mitochondria and aging, and that dysfunctional mitochondria may actually be a key driver for many diseases." "Including many cancers, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, features of autism, muscle tissues being weak, etc." " So, as the cells get older and the mitochondria stop working, we make new mitochondria." "But over time, the DNA degrades and the mitochondria become less effective and there are fewer functional mitochondria per cell." Friedberg highlighted three recent papers: 1) "The power and potential of mitochondria transfer" (nature) -- "these folks identified and demonstrated that mitochondria can actually transfer from one cell to another" -- " So, if you've got a cell that's got damaged, or dysfunctional mitochondria, they've identified three mechanisms by which mitochondria can move into a cell that needs more mitochondria that are working and are more functional." -- "And as a result, it can rejuvenate or provide energy to a dysfunctional cell, which might improve dysfunctional tissue or improve disease." 2) "A human brain map of mitochondrial respiratory capacity and diversity" (nature) -- " this was the first mapping of the mitochondria in the human brain" -- " what it showed was that different parts of the brain, different cells, had different amounts of mitochondria and different mitochondrial function." -- "(This) starts to highlight how that difference in energy production in different cells in different parts of the brain may actually cause some of the things like memory loss or speech impairment," -- "the mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain might actually be the key driver of that aging symptomology." 3) "Organelle-tuning condition robustly fabricates energetic mitochondria for cartilage regeneration" (nature | Bone Research) -- " (the researchers) figured out a way to treat stem cells so that (they) would start to make an excess amount of mitochondria than they normally would make" -- " So they created highly energetic mitochondria and they made a lot of them." -- " the idea that we can put mitochondria into our body or into tissue in our body to heal it or repair it has been something that folks have been trying to do research around for a long time" -- " but the limiting factor is access to enough mitochondria" -- " so this mechanism that they developed opens up the door to this whole new therapeutic modality, a new type of therapy called mitotherapy" Conclusion: " ... based on the series of papers that we're seeing coming out recently, I believe (this) could end up becoming a really incredible new therapy that may ultimately lead to the treatment for many diseases that we're dealing with right now."

The All-In Podcast

58,558 views • 1 year ago

People who felt more purpose in life had mitochondria in their brain that transformed energy more efficiently. The reverse may also be true: Having mitochondria that flow energy more easily may change how you see life. This is the finding Martin Picard — Columbia University professor of behavioural medicine & pioneer of mitochondrial psychobiology — and his team uncovered. They studied the brains of people after they died. Every year before death, participants reported how much purpose they felt, how connected they felt to others, how optimistic they were about the future. Then Picard & his team looked at their mitochondria. Specifically in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the region involved in executive function and active reasoning. The people who felt more purpose had mitochondria with greater energy transformation capacity (specifically higher abundance of Complex I proteins). In Picard’s terms: lower energy resistance — energy flowing more easily through the brain tissue involved in how you think and decide. The human study couldn't tell which direction caused which. But animal studies suggest the relationship can run both ways. Chronic stress and defeat change mitochondria in the brain — Picard and others showed this in animal studies. Stress the animal, make it feel defeated, and the mitochondria in its brain change. Then reverse it. Boost or inhibit mitochondrial function directly in the brain. Anxiety shifts. Social behavior changes. Picard's conclusion: "How you feel can change mitochondria. The mitochondria can change probably how you feel."

no.mind

18,728 views • 1 month ago