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Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

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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,...
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What is Cell Signaling?02:03

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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
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Overview of Cell Signaling01:23

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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
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Hormones—or any molecule that binds to a receptor, known as a ligand—that are lipid-insoluble (water-soluble) are not able to diffuse across the cell membrane. In order to be able to affect a cell without entering it, these hormones bind to receptors on the cell membrane. When a first messenger, a hormone, binds to a receptor, a signal cascade is set off, causing second messengers, proteins inside the cell, to become activated, resulting in downstream effects.
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The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

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The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
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Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

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Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
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MitoCeption: Transferring Isolated Human MSC Mitochondria to Glioblastoma Stem Cells
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Mitochondria-derived cell-to-cell communication.

Zahra Al Amir Dache1, Alain R Thierry2

  • 1IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM U1316, CNRS UMR7057, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.

Cell Reports
|July 13, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondria can function outside cells, mediating communication and influencing processes like tissue repair and cancer. Extracellular mitochondria also act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), triggering immune responses and inflammation.

Keywords:
CP: Cell biologyDAMPcirculating DNAcirculating mitochondriainflammationintercellular communicationmitochondria

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mitochondria, traditionally viewed as intracellular organelles, are now recognized for their extracellular functions.
  • Extracellular mitochondria and their components play roles in intercellular communication.
  • Their bacterial origin allows them to be recognized as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current findings on extracellular mitochondria and their by-products.
  • To explore the functions of extracellular mitochondria in physiological and pathological states.
  • To highlight the expanding understanding of mitochondria's biological roles.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on extracellular mitochondria.
  • Analysis of studies investigating mitochondrial transfer and function outside cells.
  • Synthesis of data on mitochondria as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Main Results:

  • Extracellular mitochondria mediate intercellular communication, impacting tissue homeostasis, cell repair, and tumorigenesis.
  • Mitochondria and their components can be released from cells and act on distant cells.
  • Extracellular mitochondria can elicit immune responses and inflammation by acting as DAMPs.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular mitochondria represent a significant mechanism for intercellular communication.
  • The role of mitochondria extends beyond the cell, influencing diverse biological processes.
  • Further research into extracellular mitochondria is crucial for understanding mammalian biology and disease.