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Updated: Sep 9, 2025
09:27
Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue
Published on: March 23, 2015
39.7K
Mitochondria power the nucleus under pressure
Meng Yao1, Yao Zong2, Junjie Gao1
1Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, And Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
Mechanobiology in Medicine
|September 2, 2025
Summary
Cells under mechanical stress rapidly reposition mitochondria around the nucleus, forming nuclear-associated mitochondria (NAM). This adaptation fuels nuclear ATP production, preserving DNA repair and chromatin accessibility for cell survival.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mechanical confinement during cell invasion and trafficking threatens nuclear integrity.
- Cells possess adaptive mechanisms to survive physical stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comment on the biological significance of mitochondria-nucleus repositioning under mechanical stress.
- To discuss the role of nuclear ATP in maintaining chromatin state and DNA repair.
- To explore implications for cellular fitness in development and disease.
Main Methods:
- Observation of mitochondrial relocation to the nucleus under confinement.
- Analysis of endoplasmic reticulum and actin filament involvement in mitochondrial clustering.
- Assessment of ATP levels within the nucleus.
Main Results:
- Mitochondria rapidly cluster around the nucleus (forming nuclear-associated mitochondria, NAM) upon confinement.
- Endoplasmic reticulum and actin filaments entrap NAM, creating a localized ATP surge.
- Nuclear ATP fuels chromatin accessibility and DNA damage repair, ensuring cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondria-nucleus repositioning is a critical adaptive response to mechanical stress.
- Localized nuclear ATP is vital for maintaining nuclear function and cell viability under pressure.
- This mechanism has broad implications for understanding cellular fitness in physiological and pathological contexts.
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