What happens during the response to hypoxia in the respiratory chain of the mitochondria, responsible for supplying energy to cells, was full of uncertainties with missing pieces to complete the puzzle. But this Wednesday some essential parts fall into place. Spanish researchers have achieved great results, thanks to a study that represents a great advance in the understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms of this cellular organelle. The published conclusions in the prestigious magazine Nature show that sodium plays a key role: it controls signaling and therefore the response to possible oxygen deficiency (hypoxia). This finding constitutes a great step to develop future treatments for associated pathologies, such as stroke or cardiac arrest.
