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Illuminating mitochondrial translation through mouse models

Mitochondria are hubs of metabolic activity with a major role in ATP conversion by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The mammalian mitochondrial genome encodes 11 mRNAs encoding 13 OXPHOS proteins along with 2 rRNAs and 22 tRNAs, that facilitate their translation on mitoribosomes.

Unique architectural features of mammalian mitochondrial protein synthesis

Mitochondria rely on coordinated expression of their own mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with that of the nuclear genome for their biogenesis. The bacterial ancestry of mitochondria has given rise to unique and idiosyncratic features of the mtDNA and its expression machinery that can be specific to different organisms. In animals, the mitochondrial protein synthesis machinery has acquired many new components and mechanisms over evolution.

Mitochondrial gene expression is required for platelet function and blood clotting

Platelets are anucleate blood cells that contain mitochondria and regulate blood clotting in response to injury. Mitochondria contain their own gene expression machinery that relies on nuclear-encoded factors for the biogenesis of the oxidative phosphorylation system to produce energy required for thrombosis.

Multi-omic profiling reveals an RNA processing rheostat that predisposes to prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer deaths. GWAS have identified variants associated with prostate cancer susceptibility; however, mechanistic and functional validation of these mutations is lacking.

Anaesthesia, suicide prevention and rare disease research supported by Telethon 2022

The generous support of West Australians through Channel 7’s Telethon Trust will help support vital child health research at The Kids Research Institute Australia in 2023.

Pathogenic variants in RNPC3 are associated with hypopituitarism and primary ovarian insufficiency

We aimed to investigate the molecular basis underlying a novel phenotype including hypopituitarism associated with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Mitochondrial damage in muscle specific PolG mutant mice activates the integrated stress response and disrupts the mitochondrial folate cycle

During mitochondrial damage, information is relayed between the mitochondria and nucleus to coordinate precise responses to preserve cellular health. One such pathway is the mitochondrial integrated stress response (mtISR), which is known to be activated by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. However, the causal molecular signals responsible for activation of the mtISR remain mostly unknown.

Engineering new tools to improve energy metabolism

Aleksandra Filipovska BSc PhD Louis Landau Chair in Child Health Research; NHMRC Leadership Fellow; Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for

Mitochondrial Gene Therapy

Aleksandra Filipovska BSc PhD Louis Landau Chair in Child Health Research; NHMRC Leadership Fellow; Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for

TANGO2 binds crystallin alpha B and its loss causes desminopathy

Mutations in the TANGO2 gene cause an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by developmental delay, stress-induced episodic rhabdomyolysis, and cardiac arrhythmias along with severe metabolic crises. Although TANGO2 mutations result in a well characterised disease pathology, the function of TANGO2 is still unknown.