<p>Mitochondria produce the energy that cells need to survive, from unicellular yeast to complex multicellular humans. If the energy supply mechanism gets disrupted, serious illnesses may result. One protein that plays a crucial role within mitochondria is known as TIM23. TIM23 is responsible for transporting proteins produced inside the cells through the mitochondrial envelope via a channel-like structure – at least that has been the accepted view for decades. However, recent work by a research team led by Professor Martin van der Laan at Saarland University shows that this role is more likely to be played by TIM23's 'fraternal twin' – TIM17. Their findings have now been published in the leading scientific journal Nature. This is the second paper from van der Laan's research team to appear in Nature in recent weeks.</p>
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California
United-states
Berkeley
Nils-wiedemann
Method-of-research
Saarland-university
University-of-california
Eunyong-park