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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: March 17, 2023
[Malignant transformation of mouse embryonic fibroblast induced by mitochondrial DNA fragments]
1PLA Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China. floride@online.sh.cn
Objective:
To investigate the malignant transforming effect and mechanism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments.
Methods:
Tumorigenicity of mtDNA-transformed mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH3T3) in nude mice was studied using transgenic techniques. Transformed tumors were detected by pathological examination and hybridization signals of mtDNA probe were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques.
Results:
Hybridization signals were observed on the nuclei of 18% - 20% NIH 3T3 cells 1 week after mtDNA fragments transforming. Tumor from mtDNA-transformed NIH 3T3 cells was developed in all 8 nude mice (8/8) respectively 2 weeks after the transformation. The pathological characteristics of the tumors developed were similar to that of fibrosarcoma.
Conclusions:
Auto-integration of mtDNA fragments into nuclear genome is a new factor involved in carcinogenesis.
