Mitochondrial DNA mutations in cancer

Published on June 30, 2024   39 min

Other Talks in the Series: Mitochondria in Health and Disease

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0:00
Hi everyone. My name is Laura Greaves, and I work within the Mitochondrial Research Group which is in the Biosciences Institute at Newcastle University. Today, I'm going to talk to you about Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Cancer.
0:14
Just a brief outline of the lecture. I'm going to start by giving you a fairly brief overview on mitochondrial function and mitochondrial genetics. Then, I'm going to talk through some of the research efforts of the past which have looked at the frequency, the prevalence, and the spectrum of mitochondrial DNA mutations in human cancers and talk through some of the technology used to try and understand their functional significance. Then, I'm going to focus on two more recent studies which have taken new approaches to actually, try and determine the mechanistic significance of mitochondrial DNA mutations of cancer. The first is in early-stage intestinal cancer and the second in more advanced malignant melanoma.
0:52
Just to start off with a little bit about mitochondrial structure. So, mitochondria are essential intracellular organelles, which are present in most eukaryotic cells, and they perform a number of crucial cellular functions. Structurally they're double membrane organelles. The outer membrane is completely surrounds the mitochondria and the inner membrane which encapsulates the mitochondrial matrix. The inner membrane is highly folded and this leads to the formation of structures known as cristae. It's on these cristae where the process of oxidative phosphorylation occurs. Mitochondria are actually not these general bean-shaped entities, but they are dynamic organelles which are constantly fusing and dividing and they actually form a reticular network within the cell.
1:34
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell and this is because they have a key role in the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, alongside that major role, they have a role in apoptosis, cell signaling, cell growth, and differentiation. So, they have a major effect on the overall function of the cell.

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