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New Enzyme Offers Hope for Mitochondrial Disease Treatments

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nucleotide synthesis can proceed independently of mitochondrial respiration, in a study led by José Antonio Enríquez of the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares.
Researchers inserted a yeast-derived enzyme, ScURA, into human cells with mitochondrial defects, enabling growth without extra nutrients.
The findings indicate ScURA could offer an alternative DNA and RNA synthesis pathway, potentially improving treatments for mitochondrial diseases and cancer.

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Story summary

Nucleotide synthesis can proceed independently of mitochondrial respiration, in a study led by José Antonio Enríquez of the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares.
Researchers inserted a yeast-derived enzyme, ScURA, into human cells with mitochondrial defects, enabling growth without extra nutrients.
The findings indicate ScURA could offer an alternative DNA and RNA synthesis pathway, potentially improving treatments for mitochondrial diseases and cancer.