A group of medical scientists working at Monash University’s Biomedical Discovery Institute have published their paper in the journal Science. It refers to the fact that they were able to capture the release of DNA from the mitochondria at the moment when its containing cell died. This process, which was filmed for the first time, can further help to study and understand why autoimmune diseases and various pathological conditions of the body arise, which are the result of mitochondrial release.
In addition, the mitochondrion itself, which contains DNA, is already interesting for medical scientists. Further research is needed because the behavior of the cell and its development affects all sorts of changes that occur in the functioning of the immune system.
It should be noted that mitochondria are capable of doing double work. First, they keep the cell alive. Secondly, when dying, they trigger disturbances in the human immune system. This often results in negative consequences as well. The DNA contained in the mitochondria is very similar in development to bacterial DNA. Because of this, the human immune system cannot make out where the “good” and where the “bad” particle is. It starts the process of eliminating the “useful”. This can be seen by the fact that some drugs and treatments do not help.
But medical scientists from Monash University, using the unique LLSM microscope, were able to see all the stages of death and decay. They found that the main components during the release of DNA from the cell are certain proteins (VAK and VAX), which affect the opening of macropores from the outside of the mitochondrial shell and force its contents to come out.
This leads to the conclusion that the previously unidentified VAK and VAC proteins have a negative effect on it, “forcing” it to collapse. It occurs after a negative reaction of the immune system. After that, various pathologies appear in functioning, and it begins to get rid of useful DNA.
After much research, scientists have come to the conclusion that cell death can be slowed down and even completely controlled. To date, the work of specialists is precisely to put this into action.