Molecular Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dynamics

Abstract

The dynamics properties of mitochondria control their function. I will update our efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and their physiological functions. I will also discuss our use of somatic cell genetics to identify genes involved in mitochondrial function. This includes our attempt to understand why cancer cells are dependent on glucose metabolism. In such a screen, we identified the xCT antiporter, which plays an antioxidant role by exporting glutamate for cystine. Disruption of the xCT antiporter greatly improves cell viability after glucose withdrawal, because conservation of glutamate enables cells to maintain mitochondrial respiration. In some breast cancer cells, xCT antiporter expression is upregulated through the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 and contributes to their requirement for glucose as a carbon source.

Additional details