Early mitochondrial stress reveals potential mechanism for lasting heart protection

Mitochondria are popularly known as the "powerhouse of the cell," but these cellular structures do much more—including acting as signaling hubs. Some signals that mitochondria send can reprogram the activity of the entire cell by switching "on" or "off" different genes through epigenetic changes. Mitochondria's signals can be so effective that, in yeast, fruit flies and worms, mild stress in mitochondria early in life can make the entire organism more resilient and live longer through a process called mitohormesis.

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