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Related Concept Videos

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
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,...
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...

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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
07:49

Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: March 17, 2023

Evaluating mitochondrial DNA in cancer occurrence and development.

Lijun Shen1, Hezhi Fang, Tao Chen

  • 1Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 24, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) changes, including mutations and deletions, are linked to cancer development. Understanding these alterations is crucial for cancer research and potential therapeutic strategies.

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
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Published on: March 17, 2023

Analytical Determination of Mitochondrial Function of Excised Solid Tumor Homogenates
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High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution
10:47

High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution

Published on: May 5, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Cancer research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Abnormal mitochondria are implicated in tumorigenesis.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are observed in cancer cells, but their role is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mtDNA polymorphism and mutations in cancer.
  • To analyze mtDNA haplogroups, a common 4,977 bp deletion, control region mutations, and heteroplasmy in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mtDNA haplogroups.
  • Detection of a specific 4,977 bp mtDNA deletion.
  • Sequencing of mtDNA control region for mutations.
  • Assessment of mtDNA heteroplasmy levels.

Main Results:

  • Qualitative changes in mtDNA are associated with cancer development.
  • Quantitative alterations in mtDNA also contribute significantly to cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial DNA plays a critical role in cancer occurrence and development.
  • Both genetic and quantitative variations in mtDNA are important factors in tumorigenesis.