Mitochondria: Not Just the Powerhouse, but a Pathogen Defense Hub
A fascinating new study published in Science from Lena Pernas’s group at the University of California Los Angeles reveals how our cells can starve intracellular parasites, by harnessing their own mitochondria to compete for essential nutrients.
The research demonstrates that mitochondria take on an active defensive role against the parasite Toxoplasma gondii by competing for folate, a vitamin critical for the parasite’s DNA synthesis.
When host cells detect infection, they trigger the integrated stress response, activating ATF4, which boosts mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism. This metabolic shift depletes host folate, effectively starving the parasite and limiting its replication.
This work highlights a striking example of metabolic immunity, where cells weaponize their own metabolic machinery to fight off infection.
Read the Full article here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr6326
