Damage to the genetic material of mitochondria—the mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA for short—can lead to diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Such damage also speeds up the aging process. However, the cells are normally capable of identifying such damage and reacting.
Scientists from University Hospital Düsseldorf and HHU have—in collaboration with the University of Cologne and the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)—discovered a mechanism which protects and repairs the mitochondria. The research team, headed by Professor Pla-Martín from the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I at HHU, has identified a specialized recycling system, which cells activate when they identify damage to the mtDNA.
According to the authors in Science Advances, this mechanism relies on a protein complex known as retromer and the lysosomes—cell organelles containing digestive enzymes. These special cellular compartments act like recycling centers, eliminating the damaged genetic material.