Figure 1.

Humanin protects from chemotherapy-related toxicity. The mitochondrial-derived peptide, humanin, is encoded within the mitochondria and is secreted in response to cellular stress (A). Both endogenous and exogenous humanin protect a variety of organs such as brain and bone from oxidative stress, age-related damage, amyloid accumulation, and the toxic effects of chemotherapy (B). Through as of yet unknown mechanisms, humanin administration delays tumor progression (C).