The latest articles on Forem by Valeria Gutierrez (@valeria_gutierrez_e4c7b15). https://forem.com/valeria_gutierrez_e4c7b15 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3563333%2Fd4eceb79-28d9-439b-8ef5-5c7f43c15d7d.png https://forem.com/valeria_gutierrez_e4c7b15 en Valeria Gutierrez Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:38:08 +0000 https://forem.com/valeria_gutierrez_e4c7b15/the-sleep-mitochondria-connection-a-look-at-fission-and-fusion-3mdb https://forem.com/valeria_gutierrez_e4c7b15/the-sleep-mitochondria-connection-a-look-at-fission-and-fusion-3mdb <p>The connection between sleep and mitochondria is deeper than just energy production. New<br> research shows that sleep loss causes physical changes to mitochondria in key sleep-regulating<br> neurons. After a night of sleep deprivation, mitochondria in dFBNs (dorsal fan-shaped body<br> neurons) became fragmented, meaning they broke down into smaller, less elongated pieces. This<br> change was accompanied by an increase in mitophagy, the process of clearing out damaged<br> mitochondria, and more frequent contact between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.<br> These physical changes are a direct response to the stress of prolonged wakefulness.<br> Interestingly, these physical changes were reversible with recovery sleep. The mitochondria<br> returned to their normal, elongated shape after the flies were allowed to sleep. The study also<br> found a way to prevent this fragmentation. By giving the flies a protein that creates an "electron<br> overflow," the mitochondria were protected from the sleep loss-induced fragmentation. This<br> reinforces the idea that the electron leak, which happens during waking, is the initial trigger for<br> these physical changes.<br> The researchers also manipulated the mitochondria's shape to see how it aected sleep. When<br> they induced mitochondrial fragmentation in dFBNs, the flies slept less. This also eliminated the<br> normal increase in sleep that happens after sleep deprivation, a process known as homeostatic<br> rebound. Conversely, when they tipped the balance toward mitochondrial fusion (making them<br> more elongated), the flies slept more and were harder to wake up. This shows a direct link<br> between the physical state of the mitochondria and the regulation of sleep.<br> This study suggests that the sleep-wake cycle and the process of mitochondrial fission and fusion<br> are part of a feedback loop. When there's a mismatch between energy supply and demand, it<br> leads to mitochondrial changes that trigger the need for sleep. This insight could change how we<br> think about sleep and its fundamental purpose.</p> biotech science