Disease-causing mutation disrupts movement of cell's 'power house'
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 17:28
in Biology & Nature
New research shows how a mutation causes a common inherited neurodegenerative disease. The study shows that the mutation of a specific protein known to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disrupts the movement of mitochondria, the energy-supplying machines inside each cell. The regulated movement of mitochondria along nerve cell fibers is vital to normal communication between the brain and muscles.