Mining the Mitochondria for Clues to Cell Survival Mechanisms

Researchers have identified a protein in the mitochondria -- where cells generate the energy needed to drive biological processes -- that is dramatically upregulated by nutrient restriction. It appears to protect the cell from stress, in keeping with observations that caloric restriction diets slow aging. The researchers go on to show that a set of other proteins activated in turn by this process may be targets for the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes.