November 5, 2024

Scientists Have Discovered a Previously Unknown Protein Capable of Keeping Human Cells Healthy

The scientists examined more than 130 proteins launched by Coxiella burnetii when this bacterium attacks host cells and found at least one to be capable of lengthening cell longevity by acting directly on mitochondria.After invading host cells, C. burnetii launches a hitherto unidentified protein, which the authors call mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF). We refer to it jokingly as a dazzling cell biologist because of this ability to modulate everything in host cells,” Zamboni said.Another fascinating element of C. burnetii, he included, is that it replicates in cells for about a week. The procedure already happens throughout the bacteriums interaction with host cells,” he said.Reference: “Coxiella co-opts the Glutathione Peroxidase 4 to secure the host cell from oxidative tension– induced cell death” by Robson K. Loterio, David R. Thomas, Warrison Andrade, Yi Wei Lee, Leonardo L. Santos, Danielle P. A. Mascarenhas, Thiago M. Steiner, Jéssica Chiaratto, Laura F. Fielden, Leticia Lopes, Lauren E. Bird, Gustavo H. Goldman, Diana Stojanovski, Nichollas E. Scott, Dario S. Zamboni and Hayley J. Newton, 28 August 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.DOI: 10.1073/ pnas.2308752120.

The scientists analyzed more than 130 proteins launched by Coxiella burnetii when this bacterium invades host cells and found at least one to be capable of lengthening cell longevity by acting directly on mitochondria.After invading host cells, C. burnetii releases a hitherto unidentified protein, which the authors call mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF). We found that its protein MceF reroutes GPX4 to the mitochondria, where it acts as a potent antioxidant, avoiding and cleansing the contaminated cell parts from aging, while allowing replication of the germs,” stated Robson Kriiger Loterio, first author of the post, which obtained from his Ph.D. research.Cell biologistC. We refer to it jokingly as a brilliant cell biologist since of this ability to regulate everything in host cells,” Zamboni said.Another intriguing element of C. burnetii, he added, is that it duplicates in cells for about a week.” The great thing about this research is that by examining a bacterium were finding out a lot about cell signaling, cell death, and unique methods of reversing mitochondrial dysfunction. The procedure already happens during the germss interaction with host cells,” he said.Reference: “Coxiella co-opts the Glutathione Peroxidase 4 to safeguard the host cell from oxidative tension– induced cell death” by Robson K. Loterio, David R. Thomas, Warrison Andrade, Yi Wei Lee, Leonardo L. Santos, Danielle P. A. Mascarenhas, Thiago M. Steiner, Jéssica Chiaratto, Laura F. Fielden, Leticia Lopes, Lauren E. Bird, Gustavo H. Goldman, Diana Stojanovski, Nichollas E. Scott, Dario S. Zamboni and Hayley J. Newton, 28 August 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.DOI: 10.1073/ pnas.2308752120.