Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
08:43
Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy
Published on: January 24, 2017
19.0K
Non-chemical signalling between mitochondria
Rhys R Mould1, Ifigeneia Kalampouka1, E Louise Thomas1
1Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Physiology
|October 9, 2023
Summary
Isolated mitochondria communicate non-chemically, impacting respiration rates. This novel mitochondrial signaling is light-dependent and differs between cancer and non-cancer cells, suggesting new biological communication pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Organisms exhibit non-chemical communication, but mechanisms remain elusive.
- Potential pathways include vibration, volatile compounds, or light via ultraweak photon emission.
- Mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, are central to cellular metabolism and energy production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate non-chemical communication between isolated mitochondria.
- To determine if stressed mitochondria can influence the respiration of adjacent, isolated mitochondria.
- To explore the role of mitochondrial origin (cancer vs. non-cancer) and light in this communication.
Main Methods:
- Isolated mitochondria from MCF7 (cancer) and MCF10A (non-cancer) cell lines were used.
- Mitochondria in one cuvette were stressed using an electron transport chain inhibitor (antimycin).
- Oxygen consumption rates of mitochondria in adjacent, physically separated cuvettes were measured and compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Stressed mitochondria significantly decreased oxygen consumption in adjacent mitochondria (p < 0.0001).
- This effect was dependent on the mitochondrial cell type (cancer vs. non-cancer).
- The communication was influenced by ambient light, suggesting a light-based mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports non-chemical signaling between isolated mitochondria.
- The observed mitochondrial communication appears to be light-dependent.
- Further research is required to fully understand the nature of this novel signaling pathway.
Keywords:
biophotonbystander effectmetabolic photon emissionnon-chemical signallingradicalsultraweak luminescenceultraweak photon emissionMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
3.1K
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,...
3.1K
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
11.4K
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,...
11.4K
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
7.6K
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...
7.6K
01:21Paracrine Signaling
55.1K
Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...
55.1K
01:32Chemiosmosis
99.1K
Oxidative phosphorylation is a highly efficient process that generates large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic unit of energy that drives many cellular processes. Oxidative phosphorylation involves two processes— the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.
Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain involves a series of protein complexes on the inner mitochondrial membrane that undergo a series of redox reactions. At the end of this chain, the electrons...
Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain involves a series of protein complexes on the inner mitochondrial membrane that undergo a series of redox reactions. At the end of this chain, the electrons...
99.1K
01:37Energy to Drive Translocation
2.1K
Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
2.1K