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Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: June 17, 2008
Microtubule Integrity Is Associated with the Functional Activity of Mitochondria in HEK293
Min Jeong Cho1, Yu Jin Kim2, Won Dong Yu1
1Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Pocheon 11160, Korea.
Abstract:
Mitochondria move along the microtubule network and produce bioenergy in the cell. However, there is no report of a relationship between bioenergetic activity of mitochondria and microtubule stability in mammalian cells. This study aimed to investigate this relationship. We treated HEK293 cells with microtubule stabilizers (Taxol and Epothilone D) or a microtubule disturber (vinorelbine), and performed live-cell imaging to determine whether mitochondrial morphology and bioenergetic activity depend on the microtubule status. Treatment with microtubule stabilizers enhanced the staining intensity of microtubules, significantly increased ATP production and the spare respiratory capacity, dramatically increased mitochondrial fusion, and promoted dynamic movement of mitochondria. By contrast, bioenergetic activity of mitochondria was significantly decreased in cells treated with the microtubule disturber. Our data suggest that microtubule stability promotes mitochondrial functional activity. In conclusion, a microtubule stabilizer can possibly recover mitochondrial functional activity in cells with unstable microtubules.
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