Mitochondria play a vital role in stem cell development.
Mitochondria - tiny digestive systems found inside nearly every cell of the body - are traditionally known for their vital role in generating energy for cells to function.
In the new study, published
Mitochondria play a vital role in stem cell development.
Mitochondria - tiny digestive systems found inside nearly every cell of the body - are traditionally known for their vital role in generating energy for cells to function.
In the new study, published in Nature Cell Biology, a team led by researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center, NY, shows that mitochondria's role in the development of stem cells is entirely distinct from that of producing energy for cell metabolism.
In their traditional role, mitochondria provide cells with units of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The chemical reaction that produces ATP relies on an important enzyme called ATP synthase enzyme.
The new research shows that ATP synthase is also important for normal stem cell development. The enzyme directly controls the growth and maintenance of "cristae" - the wrinkled, folded membranes inside mitochondria - as the stem cells divide and form the specific cell components of the female germ cell or egg.
Because ATP synthase energy production is common in all cells with a nucleus, the researchers say it is very likely that what they have found in the fruit flies experiments will be true of all mammals, including humans.
Blocking any of 13 key ATP synthase proteins stopped egg development
Senior investigator Ruth Lehmann, a cell biology professor at NYU Langone, says earlier studies have discovered damaged or immature cristae in several animal species with faulty ATP synthase, but this is the first study to show a link to stem cell development.
In their experiments, Prof. Lehmann and colleagues found blocking any of the 13 key proteins linked to ATP synthase disrupted or stalled egg development in the fruit flies.
They also found that blocking other enzymes involved in ATP production - before ATP synthase steps in - did not damage egg development.
The study took 2 years as the team screened more than 8,000 frui