Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Fission/Fusion Dynamics in Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells
06:14

Assessment of Mitochondrial Fission/Fusion Dynamics in Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells

Published on: November 14, 2025

Regulation of mitochondrial morphology and cell survival by Mitogenin I and mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding

Naokatu Arakaki1, Takeshi Nishihama, Akira Kohda

  • 1Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan. arakaki@ph.tokushima-u.ac.jp

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|July 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mitogenin I and mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (mtSSB) regulate mitochondrial shape and are crucial for cell survival. Their dysfunction impacts mitochondrial fusion and fission, affecting cell health.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Juvenile visceral steatosis in mice shows upregulated genes in heart tissue.
  • Mitogenin I (mouse homolog of human DNA polymerase delta interacting protein 38) and mtSSB are implicated in cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Mitogenin I and mtSSB in mitochondrial morphology and cell survival.
  • To determine the involvement of these proteins in mitochondrial fusion and fission.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression and RNA interference (silencing) of Mitogenin I and mtSSB in mouse C2C12 myoblast cells.
  • Analysis of mitochondrial morphology (elongated vs. fragmented).
  • Assessment of cell viability using trypan blue staining and sensitivity to etoposide-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of Mitogenin I led to elongated mitochondria; overexpression of mtSSB led to fragmented mitochondria.
  • Silencing Mitogenin I caused fragmented mitochondria; silencing mtSSB caused elongated mitochondria, indicating roles in fusion and fission respectively.
  • Mitogenin I silencing increased cell death, while mtSSB silencing enhanced apoptosis sensitivity, highlighting their roles in cell survival.

Conclusions:

  • Mitogenin I and mtSSB are key regulators of mitochondrial morphology, influencing both fusion and fission dynamics.
  • These proteins are essential for maintaining cell survival and protecting against apoptosis.

More Related Videos

Understanding the Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology through Dynamic and Three-dimensional Fluorescence Micrographs08:15

Understanding the Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology through Dynamic and Three-dimensional Fluorescence Micrographs

Published on: August 15, 2025

Methods for In situ Quantification of Mitochondrial Morphology in Muscle and Terminal Schwann Cells of Mice08:13

Methods for In situ Quantification of Mitochondrial Morphology in Muscle and Terminal Schwann Cells of Mice

Published on: April 10, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...