Horizontal transfer of mitochodria in cancer.

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Professor Jiri Neuzil, Head of Apoptosis Research Group, Griffith University, Australia
• Wednesday 11 May 2016, 16:00-17:00
• Lecture Theatre 2, Department of Veterinary Medicine.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Fiona Roby.

We have recently shown that cancer cells devoid of mitochondrial (mt) DNA (rho0 cells) form syngeneic tumours with a delay, and that malignant cells in the resulting tumours contain host mtDNA.1 We now studied what happens during the lag phase between grafting rho0 cells and the onset of tumour initiation. We show that several days after grafting, tumour cells start to acquire mtDNA from host cells, and its level increases until the tumour starts to grow. mtDNA acquisition triggers retrograde signalling to the nucleus, and is accompanied by mtDNA replication and transcription, with ensuing assembly of mitochondrial complexes and recovery of respiration. We also document that recovery of respiration is important for ‘unlocking’ tumour cells from their auxotrophic state. We propose that recovery of respiration is important for metabolic remodelling of tumour cells. In conclusion, cancer cells devoid of mtDNA ought to recover respiration to a threshold level, which is a prerequisite for the cells to initiate tumour formation and growth. 1Tan A et al (2015) Mitochondrial genome acquisition restores respiratory function and tumorigenic potential in cancer cells without mitochondrial DNA . Cell Metab 21, 81-94.

This talk is part of the Departmental Seminar Programme, Department of Veterinary Medicine series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge Immunology
• Cambridge Infectious Disease
• Cambridge Infectious Diseases
• Departmental Seminar Programme, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Lecture Theatre 2, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Vet School Seminars

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.