Navigation Links
Hopkins researchers discover genetic switch that turns off an oxygen-poor cell's combustion engine

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized role played by the gene HIF-1 as it helps cell survive when a lack of oxygen decreases production of an energy-rich molecule called ATP and increases production of toxic molecules. ATP supplies energy the cell needs to perform each of its many chemical reactions and tasks, and in this way acts as the "currency" for the cell's energy economy.

A report on the work, done with mouse cells genetically altered to lack the HIF-1 gene, appears in the March 8 issue of Cell Metabolism.

A cell's energy demands are met by two major types of sugar ( glucose) using machines similar to the two types of engines in a hybrid car. One machine, the mitochondrion, is an organelle that breaks down the glucose-using oxygen and produces ATP. The other does the same thing - albeit less efficiently - without using oxygen in a process called glycolysis.

Like the hybrid car, cells use oxygen and the internal combustion engine at higher speeds and rely on an electric engine without need for oxygen consumption at lower speeds. Cells consume glucose through its main energy-producing machine, the mitochondrion, when oxygen is ample. But like the internal combustion engine, this process generates pollutants or toxic oxygen molecules.

At lower oxygen levels, when cells are starved for oxygen - as during exertion or trauma -- the genetic switch that the Hopkins researchers found deliberately shuts off the cell's mitochondrial combustion engine, which scientists had long - and erroneously -- believed ran down on its own due to lack of oxygen.

"The unexpected discovery is that this genetic switch actively shuts off the mitochondrion under low oxygen conditions, apparently to protect cells from mitochondrial toxic oxygen pollutants," said Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, cell biology, oncology and pathology, and vice dean for research at the Johns Hopkins Universit
'"/>

Source:Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Hopkins AIDS experts issue warning about global efforts to provide drug therapies
2. Hopkins scientists uncover tags that force proteins to cell surface
3. Johns Hopkins flu expert calls for mandatory vaccination of health care workers
4. Whole-genome study at Johns Hopkins reveals a new gene associated with abnormal heart rhythm
5. Hopkins study suggests commercially available antibiotic may help fight dementia in HIV patients
6. Johns Hopkins lab scientists tame overactive CF protein
7. Hopkins researchers develop new tool to watch real-time chemical activity in cells
8. Hopkins scientists show hallucinogen in mushrooms creates universal mystical experience
9. Hopkins researchers discover how brain protein might control memory
10. Hopkins scientists link immune response to ghost parasites and severely congested sinuses
11. NYU researchers simulate molecular biological clock
Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/22/2013)... pollinating insects and wild plants have slowed in recent ... by the University of Leeds and the Naturalis Biodiversity ... reductions in the diversity of species in Britain, Belgium ... But the picture brightened markedly after 1990, with a ... hoverflies and wild plants. , Professor Bill ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Using a "patient monitoring" device attached to a whale ... time how fishing lines changed a whale,s diving and ... whales, ability to eat and migrate, depletes their energy ... can result in a slow death. , The scientists ... a Dtag to a two-year-old female North Atlantic right ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... body, stem cells in the blood often jump ... immune cells that can fight off illness. But ... populations, potentially leading to the development of serious ... of researchers led by biologists at the California ... mouse models, the molecule microRNA-146a (miR-146a) acts as ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Encouraging signs for bee biodiversity 2Encouraging signs for bee biodiversity 3Study reveals how fishing gear can cause slow death of whales 2Study reveals how fishing gear can cause slow death of whales 3Keeping stem cells strong 2
... special mechanisms that delay ageing provide exceptionally good health. ... colony-forming ascidians (or sea squirts) can activate the enzyme ... also in humans who attain an advanced age. , ... individual,s body is passes on to the next generations, ...
... Fla., April 20, 2011 After 30 years with ... announces his retirement. Perrott served in ... in 1991. Under his tenure, Chip Supply grew into ... well as a leading global provider of high reliability ...
... fulfill a range of diversified functions. Often such specialization ... places within a cell. It ensures that particular functions ... intracellular asymmetry in the otherwise fluid environment of the ... represent an especially important type of freight. They are ...
Cached Biology News:Marine organisms with eternal life can solve the riddle of aging 2How molecules get to the right place at the right time 2How molecules get to the right place at the right time 3
(Date:5/23/2013)... Virobay, Inc. today announced that their development ... important milestone, as Virobay has now initiated a Phase ... S inhibitor.   The first Phase 1 ... designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics ... "The initiation of this Phase 1 trial with ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Pa. , May 23, 2013 ... research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, ... hepatologists, and infectious disease specialists reported that in ... patients (e.g., intentionally delaying treatment) in anticipation of ... than six months ago, when only 6 percent ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 On April 19th the ... to search for the growing antibiotic resistant bacteria that ... a year long study were released late last month ... meats, over previous years. For those suffering from bacteria ... antibiotic resistant bacteria in food, may eventually help breed ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Ill. , May 23, 2013 Z ... providing value-added ingredients to a variety of industries, announced ... in a panel discussion at this year,s National Restaurant ... 20-21, 2013, on behalf of the Research Chefs Association.  ... for Restaurants: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 2Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 3The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 3Acne Cream, Probiotic Action Shares News on How Some Food may Breed Acne Causing Bacteria 2Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 2Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 3
... a study to be published in the April 21st issue ... of Engineering and Applied Science report their findings that the ... affected the entire circulation of the Southern Hemisphere all the ... the ozone hole is changing the atmospheric flow in the ...
... FRAZER, Pa., April 21, 2011 Cephalon, Inc. (NASDAQ: ... filed a definitive Consent Revocation Statement with the Securities ... Pharmaceuticals International Inc.,s proposals to remove Cephalon,s entire Board ... Valeant.  Cephalon also mailed copies of the Statement to ...
... NEW YORK, April 21, 2011 Collins Stewart LLC ... healthcare investment banking alliance with Beal Advisors and Liberty ... target, originate and execute public and private equity transactions ... Tree Advisors are US-based boutique healthcare advisory firms. Georgia ...
Cached Biology Technology:Columbia engineering study links ozone hole to climate change all the way to the equator 2Columbia engineering study links ozone hole to climate change all the way to the equator 3Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 2Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 3Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 4Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 5Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 6Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 7Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 8Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 9Cephalon Files Definitive Consent Revocation Statement, Commences Mailing to Shareholders 10Collins Stewart Announces Formation of Healthcare Investment Banking Alliance 2Collins Stewart Announces Formation of Healthcare Investment Banking Alliance 3
Human peripheral blood CD19+ B cells, For immunohistochemistry (IHC) Cell Chip with Human Peripheral Blood Monocytes, B Cells, NK Cells and Stem Cells...
Umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells, For immunohistochemistry (IHC) Cell Chip with Human Umbilical Cord Blood MNCs and T Cells...
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells, BDCA-4+, For immunohistochemistry (IHC) Cell Chip with Human Peripheral Blood Dendritic Cells and EPCs...
Umbilical cord blood basophils, For immunohistochemistry (IHC)...
Biology Products: