How damaged mitochondrial DNA is broken down
Chemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Mitochondrial DNA Degradation
This project looks at how cells remove damaged mitochondrial DNA, which matters for people with mitochondrial disorders, some heart conditions, and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228406 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The research team uses laboratory experiments to find the proteins and molecular triggers that cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to be degraded. They will study cells and biochemical systems to map the steps and enzymes that break down damaged mtDNA and to characterize the DNA fragments that are released. Methods include protein biochemistry, mechanistic enzymology, and quantitative molecular analysis conducted in the PI’s lab. The goal is to connect mtDNA degradation mechanisms to mtDNA depletion syndromes and inflammatory responses driven by cell-free mtDNA.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited mtDNA depletion syndromes, mitochondrial myopathies, or inflammatory conditions linked to cell-free mtDNA are the groups most likely to benefit from these findings in the future, though the grant supports lab research rather than patient enrollment.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to mitochondrial dysfunction or mtDNA-driven inflammation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent mtDNA loss or reduce inflammation from released mtDNA, informing future treatments for mitochondrial and related inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related biochemical work has identified some factors in mtDNA maintenance, but detailed chemical mechanisms of mtDNA degradation remain largely uncharted, making this work relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- University of California Riverside — Riverside, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Linlin — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Linlin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.