Mitochondrial dynamics coordinate cell differentiation

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2018-05, Vol.500 (1), p.59-64
• Main Authors: Noguchi, Masafumi, Kasahara, Atsuko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - genetics; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - metabolism; Animals; Cell Dedifferentiation - genetics; CELL DIFFERENTIATION; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Lineage - genetics; Differentiation; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; MICE; MITOCHONDRIA; Mitochondria - genetics; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondrial dynamics; Mitochondrial Dynamics - genetics; Notch signalling; Phosphoproteins - genetics; Phosphoproteins - metabolism; Receptors, Notch - genetics; Receptors, Notch - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Stem cell; STEM CELLS; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism; Trans-Activators; Transcription Factors; Wnt Proteins - genetics; Wnt Proteins - metabolism; Wnt signalling; YAP/TAZ signalling
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.06.094

Cells differentiate into specific and functional lineages to build up tissues. It has been shown in several tissues that mitochondrial morphology, levels of “mitochondria-shaping” proteins, and mitochondrial functions change upon differentiation. In this review, we highlight the significance of mitochondrial dynamics and functions in tissue development, cell differentiation, and reprogramming processes. Signalling cascades are critical for tissue stem cell maintenance and cell fate determination, and growing evidence demonstrates mitochondria could act as a centre of intra and extracellular signals to coordinate signalling pathways, such as Notch, Wnt, and YAP/TAZ signalling. Just an organelle, however, emerges as a master regulator of cell differentiation, and can be a target to manipulate cell fates. •Mitochondrial fusion and fission are essential in mouse embryogenesis, and cell differentiation.•The mitochondrial shape changes in differentiation and dedifferentiation.•Mitochondrial dynamics act as a hub to consolidate intra-and-extracellular signals in cell differentiation.