Thread by @KetoCounselor

Let's break down what this fun article is talking about regarding the sociability of mitochondria! I love me a good paradigm shift first thing in the morning. Don't you?! ☕🌞🧵(1/23)

The article discusses the concept of sociality, or the tendency to form social groups, as a phenomenon that exists across different levels of biological complexity. (2/23)
sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

All the cool kids do it! From unicellular organisms to multicellular animals. And mitochondria are no exception! But they have been traditionally viewed as individual entities. And finally, they are being fully recognized for their social behavior. (3/23)

Mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within cells, are social "butterflies" (organelles). How are they social? I am going to tell you. Keep reading! ⬇️ (4/23)

First, mitochondria communicate with each other and with the cell nucleus. (5/23)

When mitochondria are in a state of fusion, they exchange contents, including mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and metabolites, effectively allowing them to "communicate" and share resources with each other. (6/23)

As for communication with the cell nucleus, #mitochondria send signals that can influence gene expression. (7/23)

When a cell's energy levels are low, mitochondria produce a molecule AMP, which signals the nucleus to activate energy-producing genes. This communication ensures the cell can respond effectively to its energy needs. (8/23)

Mitochondria also exhibit group formation and interdependence! (9/23)

In a cell, multiple mitochondria can come together and form functional clusters or groups called mitochondrial networks. This allows mitochondria to coordinate their activities and work collectively to meet the cell's energy demands. (10/23)

Mitochondria exhibit group formation and interdependence within a cell. (11/23)

They come together to form functional clusters called mitochondrial networks, and this interdependence ensures efficient energy production and utilization, optimizing the functioning of the cell and supporting overall cellular health. (12/23)

Mitochondria synchronize their behaviors and functionally specialize to accomplish specific functions within the organism. Let me give you some examples. (13/23)

Mitochondria in cardiac muscle cells synchronize their activities to ensure the continuous contraction and relaxation of the heart, enabling it to pump blood effectively. They have to be in sync to do this for you. (14/23) ❤️

Mitochondria in neurons synchronize their behaviors to provide energy for the complex electrical signaling and neurotransmitter release necessary for proper brain function. They sync up to accomplish this important function! (15/23) 🧠

Got muscles? You need mitochondria that synchronize their behaviors to generate ATP and provide the energy needed for muscle contraction and movement. (16/23) 💪

You get the idea! Imagine all those #mitochondria synching up in every organ so they can do the things that need to be done. (17/23)

The article identifies six essential principles of social organisms and how they manifest in mitochondrial behavior. (18/23)

These include shared environment, communication, group formation, synchronization of behavior, functional interdependence, and specialization and division of labor. (19/23)

So now that we know mitochondria are super social, what are the implications for understanding health and disease processes? (20/23)

The view of mitochondria as social organelles has critical implications for behavioral and biomedical sciences. We are going to see some cool stuff coming out with this shift! (21/23)

Why? Because it encourages a shift from purely reductionistic explanations of biology and behavior to more integrative approaches that consider the social nature of biological entities. (22/23)

Reductionistic views just aren't cutting it anymore. And I will argue they have sometimes (or even often) done more harm than good. So I am excited and hopeful about the potential of studying the mighty #mitochondria from this cool never viewpoint. (23/23)