Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered how mitochondrial turnover – a critical cellular function – begins.
Mitochondria are like the batteries of our bodies. They’re vital sources of energy for cells and are necessary to regulate function in almost all cell types. And, like batteries, mitochondria need to be replaced as they run down over time. If these cell batteries aren’t replaced efficiently, and don’t turn over properly, cells experience stress and can die.
Healthy mitochondria, in turn, are critical in energy-demanding organs such as the brain and muscle. When this degradation process is disrupted, vulnerable neurons can die. This type of disruption is present in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.
Now, a study by Stephen Girardin, a professor of laboratory medicine and pathobiology in the Temerty Faculty of…