Mitochondria are the microscopic power plants found in nearly all cells in the body and are responsible for producing most of the energy we use on a daily basis. While their energy-producing function is critical for normal cellular activity, it has been recently discovered that they also behave as “first responders” when the cell is exposed to chemicals, viruses, or other stressors that can damage DNA.
In a study published in Nature Metabolism, researchers found that mitochondria act as the first line of defense in sensing DNA stress. The mitochondria will sense that the cell is under attack and warn the rest of the cell to prepare to protect itself.
