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2 clusters · 5 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated
Mitochondrial proteome and evolution research
Overview
A research consortium, including the Broad Institute and various academic institutions, has completed the MitoCarta Tree of Life project. This initiative involved analyzing mitochondrial proteomes across various branches of life, including one plant and five single-celled pathogens, to understand eukaryotic evolution and organelle functions.
Subsequent findings from the international consortium expanded this work into a massive mitochondrial protein atlas, mapping 8,619 proteins across 3,199 families. The study noted that approximately 43% of these protein families were previously undocumented in the Pfam database, suggesting a historical gap in knowledge due to over-reliance on specific model organisms.
The research has significant medical implications. By identifying 33 protein families conserved in eukaryotic pathogens but absent in humans, researchers have pinpointed what they describe as “ideal therapeutic targets.” These findings could lead to drugs that attack parasites responsible for diseases like malaria or sleeping sickness without harming host cells.
Entities
Nature · Mass General Brigham · Pfam · Vamsi Mootha · Broad Institute
Timeline
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[HEALTH] 2 sourcesInternational consortium maps largest mitochondrial protein atlas
An international study has created a massive mitochondrial protein atlas, identifying 33 protein families unique to pathogens that could serve as highly selective targets for new medical treatments.
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[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesBroad Institute leads study on mitochondrial evolution across life forms
The MitoCarta Tree of Life project has mapped mitochondrial protein diversity across various life forms, offering new insights into eukaryotic evolution and potential drug targets for tropical diseases.
Sources
astrobiology.com · ciencias.uy · ma-clinique.fr · merca2.es · news-medical.net