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Review
. 2018 Dec 5;19(12):3893.
doi: 10.3390/ijms19123893.

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Stem Cells and Differentiation

Bong Jong Seo  1 , Sang Hoon Yoon  2 , Jeong Tae Do  3
Affiliations
Review

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Stem Cells and Differentiation

Bong Jong Seo et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that continuously change their shape. Their main function is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production; however, they are additionally involved in a variety of cellular phenomena, such as apoptosis, cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, reprogramming, and aging. The change in mitochondrial morphology is closely related to the functionality of mitochondria. Normal mitochondrial dynamics are critical for cellular function, embryonic development, and tissue formation. Thus, defects in proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics that control mitochondrial fusion and fission can affect cellular differentiation, proliferation, cellular reprogramming, and aging. Here, we review the processes and proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics and their various associated cellular phenomena.

Keywords: differentiation; fission; fusion; mitochondria; mitochondrial dynamics; pluripotency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic illustration of the mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondria dynamically change their morphology through the cycle of fusion and fission. Main fusion factors are Opa1, Mfn1, and Mfn2, which bind to the inner membrane (IMM) and outer membrane (OMM) of mitochondria. Drp1 is a major fission factor that binds to OMM and forms a ring-like structure around mitochondria, leading to the separation of mitochondria into two, where endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact occurs. Mff, Fis1, Mid49, and Mid51 function as adaptors to recruit Drp1 to the OMM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dynamic change of mitochondrial shape during reprogramming and differentiation. Elongated mitochondria in differentiated cells become spherical shaped during the formation of iPSCs. As iPSCs differentiate, mitochondria resort back to the elongated shape.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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