Author response: Mitochondrial DNA copy number variation across human cancers
Year: 2015
Type: peer-review
Abstract: Within each cell of your body lie hundreds or thousands of mitochondria. These structures are perhaps best known for making energy, but mitochondria also play roles in processes like the immune response and cell signaling. However, in the mutant cells that form cancerous tumors, these roles can be subverted and altered. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, which is distinct from the DNA stored in the nucleus of the cell, and codes for the proteins that the mitochondria need to produce energy. Reznik et al. used next-generation DNA sequencing data produced by The Cancer Genome Atlas consortium to estimate the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA in tumor cells and the adjacent normal tissue. This revealed that in many types of cancer, tumor cells have fewer copies of mitochondrial DNA than the cells that make up normal tissue. In many cases, the depletion of mitochondrial DNA was accompanied by a reduction of the expression of mitochondrial genes, suggesting that mitochondrial activity may be suppressed in these tumor types. Reznik et al. also found that the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA in certain tumor types is related to the incidence of key 'driver' mutations that cause cells to become cancerous. This knowledge may help to develop new treatments for these tumors.
Source: eLife
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W2983998859