Research reveals previously unknown qualities of a gene vital to a cell’s mitochondrial structure and function

A key takeaway from first-year biology is that mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells—it’s the thing most people know about them. However, mitochondria perform a large array of functions for cells beyond generating the chemical energy that powers a cell’s biochemical reactions. They play a role calcium signaling and storage, signaling between cells and cell death. And through these various and vital mitochondrial functions, a master regulator is the OPA1 gene.