Nutrition sensing pathways regulate transmission of mutant mitochondrial genomes

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

• Dr Maulik Patel | Vanderbilt University
• Monday 29 July 2019, 14:00-15:00
• Sackler Lecture Theatre (Level 7) The Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Hannah Burns.

Hundreds to thousands of mitochondrial genome copies are normally present in each cell. However, a fraction of these genomes can acquire pathogenic mutations and coexist with wildtype copies. We sought to determine the cellular forces that allow mutant genomes to persist. Given the central role of mitochondria in metabolism, we reasoned that mitochondrial genome dynamics might be sensitive to nutritional conditions. Using model system C. elegans, we find that mutant genomes lose their competitive advantage over wildtype genomes within the female germline under conditions of caloric restriction. Our subsequent genetic and cellular analyses show that this is because mutant genomes sense and exploit nutrition sensing pathways. We are currently exploring the molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of mutant genomes to exploit nutrition. Taken together, our work suggests that environmental context of diet and nutrition can play an important role in modulating the mitochondrial genotype.

This talk is part of the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit Seminars series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• CamBridgeSens
• Cambridge talks
• Life Science Interface Seminars
• MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit Seminars
• Sackler Lecture Theatre (Level 7) The Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
• Trust & Technology Initiative - interesting events

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.