Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
08:40
In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice
Published on: November 22, 2017
18.4K
BNIP3L-dependent mitophagy accounts for mitochondrial clearance during 3 factors-induced somatic cell reprogramming
Ge Xiang1,2, Liang Yang1,2, Qi Long1,2
1a CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou , China ; Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , China.
Autophagy
|July 20, 2017
Summary
Somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) involves mitochondrial remodeling. A novel role for mitophagy, mediated by BNIP3L/NIX and involving endosomes, was discovered in SKP/SKO reprogramming.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) exhibit immature mitochondria and rely on glycolysis.
- Somatic cell reprogramming involves organelle remodeling, but interactions are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate organelle remodeling, specifically mitochondria, during somatic cell reprogramming.
- To elucidate the mechanisms and roles of mitochondrial changes in different reprogramming protocols.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of mitochondrial mass and kinetics in SKP/SKO and SKPM/SKOM reprogramming.
- Investigation of mitophagy pathways, including dependence on BNIP3L/NIX and mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Exploration of the role of endosome-related RAB5 in mitophagosome formation.
Main Results:
- Both SKP/SKO and SKPM/SKOM reprogramming decrease mitochondrial mass via distinct pathways.
- SKPM/SKOM reprogramming shows rapid mitochondrial decrease potentially driven by MYC-induced proliferation.
- SKP/SKO reprogramming involves an initial increase then decrease in mitochondrial mass through BNIP3L/NIX-dependent mitophagy, independent of membrane potential, with RAB5 involvement.
Conclusions:
- Mitophagy plays a crucial role in SKP/SKO reprogramming.
- Reprogramming involves complex interactions between mitochondria, autophagy, and endosomes.
- Distinct mechanisms govern mitochondrial remodeling during somatic cell reprogramming.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
13.5K
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,...
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,...
13.5K
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
2.7K
Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012...
2.7K
01:39Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
5.9K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death. Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
5.9K
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
2.2K
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
2.2K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
2.2K
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
2.2K