A new paper by scientists from the IEM CAS and the IBT CAS uncovers the link between mitochondrial DNA and carcinogenesis

Scientists from the Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer and the Institute of Biotechnology of the CAS (IBT CAS) are uncovering the link between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and carcinogenesis. Their review article, recently published in the prestigious Trends in Cancer journal (open in a new window) (IF 14.3), offers new insights into how mtDNA damage and repair affect cancer cell behaviour.

In the paper, the scientists not only detail why mtDNA is more susceptible to damage than nuclear DNA but also explore the mechanisms of mtDNA repair that are not well-studied. An experiment on mtDNA exchange between metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer cell lines demonstrates that mtDNA is a key player in cancer development. Mitochondria, often referred to as “cellular power plants”, contain this small circular DNA, but it is crucial for energy metabolism and cell survival. Once mtDNA is mutated or damaged, it can trigger a cascade of events leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumour formation.

One of the authors’ most intriguing proposals is the concept of so-called horizontal mitochondrial transfer as a novel mechanism for repairing damaged mtDNA. This process involves the exchange of mitochondria between tumour cells and tumour stroma cells via intercellular bridges. If this phenomenon can be better understood, it could become the basis for a whole new generation of therapeutic approaches.

This article highlights the enormous potential of mitochondrial biology in modern medicine. The cooperation between the IEM CAS and the IBT CAS, supported by a joint EXPRO grant from the Czech Science Foundation, shows how crucial interinstitutional collaboration is. The combination of expertise and resources enables the achievement of significant ideas and discoveries that can have a major impact on scientific knowledge and clinical practice.