Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

8.0K
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...
8.0K
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

3.8K
A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred...
3.8K
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

3.3K
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,...
3.3K
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

21.7K
Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
21.7K
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

4.4K
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...
4.4K
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

12.4K
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,...
12.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

In Memoriam: Dmitri Krysko.

Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death·2026
Same author

Caspase-2 inhibits mitochondrial respiration in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.

Cell communication and signaling : CCS·2026
Same author

Mechanisms and Ways to Overcome Acquired Resistance of Cancer Cells to Mcl-1 Antagonists.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia·2025
Same author

Correction: Requirement for Serine-384 in Caspase-2 processing and activity.

Cell death & disease·2025
Same author

p62-dependent caspase-2 activation governs TDP-43 clearance and neuronal fate in ALS.

Cell death & disease·2025
Same author

Programmed cell death and tissue regeneration: a link that should be resolved.

Physiological reviews·2025
Same journal

Horizontal transfer of mitochondria in cancer: The physiology reborn in disease?

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Spindle errors: A stress test for epithelial robustness.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Multicellular ecosystems: Linking cellular diversity to tissue function and disease.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Orchestrating the signaling-bias at the protease-activated receptor, PAR1.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Crashing by design: Utilizing DNA damage for MCC differentiation.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

The value of a shared lab: Our insights.

Trends in cell biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution
10:47

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

Published on: May 5, 2023

3.8K

Mitochondrial DNA: how does it leave mitochondria?

Vladimir Gogvadze1, Boris Zhivotovsky2

  • 1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE.17177, Stockholm, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia.

Trends in Cell Biology
|July 11, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been found in the cytosol, but the release mechanisms remain unclear. This review clarifies how mtDNA exits the mitochondria, addressing uncertainties in current research.

Keywords:
Bcl-2 family proteinsinner mitochondrial membranemitochondriamtDNAouter mitochondrial membrane

More Related Videos

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
07:24

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing

Published on: February 10, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research
09:53

Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research

Published on: June 7, 2024

1.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution
10:47

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

Published on: May 5, 2023

3.8K
Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
07:24

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing

Published on: February 10, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research
09:53

Author Spotlight: Advancing Techniques and Discoveries in Protein Synthesis and Assembly Through Innovative Mitochondrial Research

Published on: June 7, 2024

1.1K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is typically confined to the mitochondrial matrix.
  • Recent studies report cytosolic presence of mtDNA, raising questions about its release.
  • Existing literature presents uncertainties regarding the mechanisms of mtDNA extrusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine assumptions about mtDNA release.
  • To elucidate the specific processes enabling mtDNA to exit the mitochondria.
  • To clarify the discrepancy between mtDNA's location and observed cytosolic presence.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of existing scientific literature.
  • Comparative examination of proposed mtDNA release pathways.
  • Discussion of cellular mechanisms potentially involved in mtDNA translocation.

Main Results:

  • mtDNA release is distinct from intermembrane space protein pathways.
  • Specific cellular mechanisms are proposed to facilitate mtDNA translocation.
  • The review addresses key uncertainties in the field.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding mtDNA release is crucial for cellular processes.
  • Further research is needed to fully validate proposed mechanisms.
  • This work provides a clearer framework for studying cytosolic mtDNA.