Mitochondrial dynamics and inheritance during cell division, development and disease

P Mishra, DC Chan - Nature reviews Molecular cell biology, 2014 - nature.com
P Mishra, DC Chan
Nature reviews Molecular cell biology, 2014nature.com
During cell division, it is critical to properly partition functional sets of organelles to each
daughter cell. The partitioning of mitochondria shares some common features with that of
other organelles, particularly in the use of interactions with cytoskeletal elements to facilitate
delivery to the daughter cells. However, mitochondria have unique features—including their
own genome and a maternal mode of germline transmission—that place additional
demands on this process. Consequently, mechanisms have evolved to regulate …
Abstract
During cell division, it is critical to properly partition functional sets of organelles to each daughter cell. The partitioning of mitochondria shares some common features with that of other organelles, particularly in the use of interactions with cytoskeletal elements to facilitate delivery to the daughter cells. However, mitochondria have unique features — including their own genome and a maternal mode of germline transmission — that place additional demands on this process. Consequently, mechanisms have evolved to regulate mitochondrial segregation during cell division, oogenesis, fertilization and tissue development, as well as to ensure the integrity of these organelles and their DNA, including fusion–fission dynamics, organelle transport, mitophagy and genetic selection of functional genomes. Defects in these processes can lead to cell and tissue pathologies.
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