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Powerhouses of the Cells: Mitochondria have a Waste Disposal Mechanism to get rid of Mutated mtDNA

Electron micrograph of nucleoid extraction in a cell and schematic representation of the new mechanism. Copyright: David Pla-Martin

A research team has identified a molecular target that could open up new therapeutic options to treat aging-associated diseases like Parkinson’s. Scientists at the University of Cologne have discovered how cells can eliminate mutated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells. Due to their evolutionary descent from bacteria, they still have genetic material packaged in chromosome-like structures (nucleoids). They convert the chemical energy in our food into a biologically usable form...

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