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Deciphering the complex interplay between neuronal activity and mitochondrial function is pivotal in understanding brain aging, a multifaceted process marked by declines in synaptic function and mitochondrial performance. Here, we identified an age-dependent coupling between neuronal and synaptic excitation and mitochondrial DNA transcription (E-TC), which operates differently compared to classic excitation-transcription coupling in the nucleus (E-TC). We demonstrated that E-TC repurposes molecules traditionally associated with E-TC to regulate mitochondrial DNA expression in areas closely linked to synaptic activation. The effectiveness of E-TC weakens with age, contributing to age-related neurological deficits in mice. Boosting brain E-TC in aged animals ameliorated these impairments, offering a potential target to counteract age-related cognitive decline.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adp6547 | DOI Listing |
Chem Biodivers
September 2025
State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Basic Research and Innovative Application for Green Biological Production, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunm
Understanding the determinants of lifespan is a central objective in biology. Lifespan is shaped by dynamic, stage-specific changes in metabolism, energy allocation, and genome integrity. Heart rate serves as a physiological marker that reflects both life stage and metabolic state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetabolomics
September 2025
Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.
Introduction: The definition of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) does not take into account a preclinical phase during which the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is increased, prior to optic nerve atrophy, reducing the chances of visual recovery.
Objectives: Search for a metabolomic signature characterizing this preclinical phase and identify biomarkers predicting the risk of LHON onset.
Methods And Results: The blood and tear metabolomic profiles of 90 asymptomatic LHON mutation carriers followed for one year will be explored as a function of RNFL thickness and compared to those of a healthy control.
Hum Genet
September 2025
College of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
Recessive variants in TWNK cause syndromes arising from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion. Hearing loss is the most prevalent manifestation in individuals with these disorders. However, the clinical and pathophysiological features have not been fully elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hered
September 2025
Institute of Fishery Science, Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
Nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs), which are mitochondrial DNA fragments integrated into the nuclear genome, serve as markers of evolutionary history. This study aims to enhance the detection and analysis of NUMTs by developing a script named NUMTsearcher. Utilizing the latest chromosome-level genome assemblies from various species, including human, rabbit, and six fish species, the study compares NUMTsearcher's performance against traditional methods such as LAST (Local Alignment Search Tool), BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool), BLAT (BLAST-Like Alignment Tool), and the pan-mitogenome approach, which integrates mitogenomes from diverse sources to identify fixed NUMTs in the nuclear genome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZool Res
September 2025
College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China. E-mail:
The big-headed turtle ( ), currently the only extant member of the genus and the family Platysternidae, has undergone severe population declines driven by poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss, leading to its classification as Critically Endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite its conservation status, persistent taxonomic ambiguities and unresolved phylogenetic relationships have hindered effective protection and management. This study integrated evidence from genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mitochondrial DNA sequences ( , ), and morphological data to reconstruct the phylogeny and phylogeography of and revise its taxonomy.
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