Fine-tuned repression of Drp1-driven mitochondrial fission primes a 'stem/progenitor-like state' to support neoplastic transformation.

ABSTRACT: Gene knockout of the master regulator of mitochondrial fission, Drp1, prevents neoplastic transformation. Also, mitochondrial fission and its opposing process of mitochondrial fusion are emerging as crucial regulators of stemness. Intriguingly, stem/progenitor cells maintaining repressed mitochondrial fission are primed for self-renewal and proliferation. Using our newly derived carcinogen transformed human cell model, we demonstrate that fine-tuned Drp1 repression primes a slow cycling 'stem/progenitor-like state', which is characterized by small networks of fused mitochondria and a gene-expression profile with elevated functional stem/progenitor markers (Krt15, Sox2 etc) and their regulators (Cyclin E). Fine tuning Drp1 protein by reducing its activating phosphorylation sustains the neop

SUBMITTER: Spurlock B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8497058 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature