Mitochondria of young adipocytes release RNA molecules that serve as signals to stimulate the transcription of nuclear-encoded genes for mitobiogenesis and thermogenesis. Mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) efflux thus establishes retrograde mitochondria–nucleus signalling and triggers heat production from fat. Stimulating this signalling protects against obesity in mice.
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This is a summary of: Hoang, A. C. et al. Mitochondrial RNA stimulates beige adipocyte development in young mice. Nat. Metab. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00683-w (2022).
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Mitochondrial RNA stimulates heat production in young adipocytes to reduce obesity. Nat Metab 4, 1628–1629 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00686-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00686-7