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Metabolism

The mitochondria thief

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 15, pages 70–71 (2015)Cite this article

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Cancer is characterized by altered energy metabolism, which is triggered by genetic alterations not only in nuclear DNA but also in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). However, how mutations in mtDNA contribute to tumour initiation, progression and metastasis is unclear. Tan et al. have described that tumour cells without mtDNA show delayed tumour growth, which is then fuelled by the acquisition of mtDNA from host cells.

ρ° cells acquire mitochondria from the host to restore their metabolic capacities to a 'threshold' level that enables them to form tumours

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References

  1. Tan, A. S. et al. Mitochondrial genome acquisition restores respiratory function and tumorigenic potential of cancer cells without mitochondrial DNA. Cell Metab. 21, 81–94 (2015)

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  1. M. Teresa Villanueva
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Villanueva, M. The mitochondria thief. Nat Rev Cancer 15, 70–71 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc3901

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