"Discovery of Novel Protein Promotes Human Cell Health"

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown protein, MceF, produced by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which has antioxidant properties and can keep human cells healthy even when heavily infected. This finding opens up potential new treatments for diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. The protein interacts with an antioxidant enzyme in the mitochondria, promoting an anti-oxidizing effect that prevents cell damage and death caused by pathogen replication inside mammalian cells. This discovery sheds light on potential strategies for treating mitochondrial dysfunction and provides insights into programmed cell death in humans.