Mitochondrial proteins may trigger inflammation by mimicking bacterial distress signals

Mitochondria are often called the powerhouses of the cell. But their ancient origins may also make them drivers of inflammation. Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered that proteins released from mitochondria can activate the immune system in a similar way to invading bacteria. The findings suggest that remnants of mitochondria's e

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  1. First Observation of Mitochondria: Swiss physiologist Albert von Kölliker first observed thread-like granules in insect muscle cells in 1857, which were later termed 'mitochondria' by Carl Benda in 1898.
  2. Endosymbiotic Theory Acceptance: Lynn Margulis revitalized the endosymbiotic theory in 1967, proposing that mitochondria originated from free-living bacteria engulfed by ancestral cells, a concept now widely accepted due to supporting DNA evidence.
  3. Mitochondrial DNA and Immune Signaling: The discovery that mitochondria possess their own DNA, distinct from nuclear DNA, was crucial in supporting the endosymbiotic theory and understanding their role in immune responses, as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can act as a danger signal when released into the cytosol.

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