Scientists have uncovered a new cellular organelitis, the “hemifusoma”, which could explain certain hereditary diseases and pave the way for unpublished treatments.
A cell sorting center unnoticed until today
It may be a turning point for cell biology. Indeed, a team from the University of Virginia, with the support of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), identified an organization never seen in our cells. His name is the hemifusoma. Its mission: to help our cells to Sort, recycle and eliminate their internal waste.
For Seham Ebrahim, principal researcher, this discovery amounts to finding ” a new recycling center inside the cell“. Concretely, this logistics center contributes to the creation of vesicles. These structures play the role of Small intracellular delivery trucks. In addition, the hemifusoma also participates in the assembly of larger, crucial complexes to keep the cell in good condition.
What researchers have observed and why is important
Thanks to the electronic cryo-tomographya technique that freezes cells in their natural state, scientists have been able to observe the hemifusoma. The latter appears and disappears as needed. He therefore acts as a temporary loading dock For vesicles.
Even if his discovery is recent, the hemifusoma seems present in several zones of the cell. However, he had simply gone unnoticed so far. The goal is now to Understanding your role in healthy peoplebut also What happens when this mechanism is disturbed.
A major advance to understand certain genetic diseases
The hemifusoma could help us better understand certain rare diseases. At least that is what an article published in Nature Communications. In particular, it could play a role in disorders where cell recycling is faulty.
Let’s take the syndrome de hermansky pudlak. This rare hereditary disease causes problems of pigmentation, vision, breathing and coagulation. It is caused by poor management of cellular content. Therefore, one wonders if the hemifusoma would not be a missing piece of the puzzle.
Researchers now want to know how this new organization works in different cells. This knowledge could therefore make it possible to target For genetic pathologies still poorly understood.
What this discovery changes for biomedical research
Discovering an unprecedented structure in our cells is exceptional. This is why Seham Ebrahim says: ” It’s just the start. This discovery opens a new path for research. »»
Scientists now want to dig the links between the hemifusoma and genetic diseases. It will also be necessary to observe your behavior in various types of cells. Ultimately, this advance could thus lead to new therapeutic tools. One thing is certain: cell medicine has just won a new key player.