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Intercellular transfer of mitochondria

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Abstract

Recently described phenomenon of intercellular transfer of mitochondria attracts the attention of researchers in both fundamental science and translational medicine. In particular, the transfer of mitochondria results in the initiation of stem cell differentiation, in reprogramming of differentiated cells, and in the recovery of the lost mitochondrial function in recipient cells. However, the mechanisms of mitochondria transfer between cells and conditions inducing this phenomenon are studied insufficiently. It is still questionable whether this phenomenon exists in vivo. Moreover, it is unclear, how the transfer of mitochondria into somatic cells is affected by the ubiquitination system that, for example, is responsible for the elimination of “alien” mitochondria of the spermatozoon in the oocyte during fertilization. Studies on these processes can provide a powerful incentive for development of strategies for treatment of mitochondria-associated pathologies and give rise a new avenue for therapeutic approaches based on “mitochondrial transplantation”.

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Abbreviations

iPS:

induced pluripotent stem cells

MMSC:

multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell

mtDNA:

mitochondrial DNA

TNT:

tunneling nanotube

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    E. Y. Plotnikov, D. N. Silachev, T. G. Khryapenkova, I. B. Pevzner & D. B. Zorov

  2. Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    V. A. Babenko & I. B. Pevzner

  3. International Laser Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    L. D. Zorova

  4. Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    E. S. Savchenko

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  1. E. Y. Plotnikov
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  2. V. A. Babenko
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  3. D. N. Silachev
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  4. L. D. Zorova
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  5. T. G. Khryapenkova
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  8. D. B. Zorov
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Correspondence to E. Y. Plotnikov.

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Original Russian Text © E. Y. Plotnikov, V. A. Babenko, D. N. Silachev, L. D. Zorova, T. G. Khryapenkova, E. S. Savchenko, I. B. Pevzner, D. B. Zorov, 2015, published in Biokhimiya, 2015, Vol. 80, No. 5, pp. 642–650.

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Plotnikov, E.Y., Babenko, V.A., Silachev, D.N. et al. Intercellular transfer of mitochondria. Biochemistry Moscow 80, 542–548 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297915050041

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