Scientists at the ETH Zurich University in Switzerland discovered a “mini-organ” in mammals. It is an organelle called “exclusome” by researchers.
In addition to the “mini-organ” possibly having a direct link with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can serve as a study to deepen our understanding of how cell nuclei evolved throughout history.
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The organelle called “exclusome” was first described on September 21, 2023, in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell.
What makes it so special is the fact that DNA was found in this structure, as eukaryotic cells generally keep most of the genetic material in their nucleus.
One of the most important points described in the discovery, after carefully analyzing the “mini-organ”, is that the new component would be capable of differentiating its own DNA of foreign genetic materials.
Furthermore, the organelle deposits them in the cytoplasm along with plasmids (DNA molecules) outside the mammalian cell. This is a hygiene function that can protect the animals’ chromosomes.
Ruth Kroschewski, coordinator of the study, believes that the “exclusome” plays a role in cellular immunological memory.
(Image: disclosure)
Thus, it is assumed that a protein studied by biologists for many years binds to the DNA rings present in the organelle, resulting in the “illusion of an infection”.
As a result, the body continues to receive signals that the problem is still present, leading the immune system to maintain the inflammatory messenger substance.
Following this reasoning, the illusion of infection would not cease, facilitating autoimmune responses such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
According to Ruth, the “exclusome” is probably linked to the early evolutionary stages, when eukaryotes began to emerge.
Thus, as the process of evolution progressed, a mechanism emerged to ensure that DNA molecules were automatically wrapped in a membrane, as is the case with this new organelle.
Kroschewski points out that, although the “mini-organ” membrane is similar to that of the cell nucleus, it is much simpler.
Furthermore, she believes that perhaps the “mini-organ” is a first attempt to produce a cell nucleus and will continue to investigate the discovery further with her team.