New research reveals an unexpected way that mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, can shape our health by influencing the genes that dictate cellular behavior.
NIEHS researchers have discovered that when mitochondria experience a supercharged state — known as hyperpolarization — it can set off a cascade of changes in DNA methylation and gene activity. This unexpected connection between cellular energy dynamics and gene regulation could have far-reaching implications for human health. The findings were published April 25 in Nature Communications.
“Mitochondria do so much more…