Bowel cancer: Mitochondrial DNA fuels progression An increase in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSSCRC) cells stimulates cell proliferation and prevents cell death. MtDNA copy number is regulated by mitochondrial transcription factor A and both increases and decreases in mtDNA levels have been associated with different types of cancer. A study led by Qichao Huang and Xianli He at the Fourth Military Medical University, China, investigated the effects of altering mtDNA levels in MSSCRC cells on tumor progression in mice. They found that high levels of mtDNA promoted MSSCRC cell survival and metastasis by stimulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and energy production. Conversely, mtDNA depletion or treatment with the mitochondrial toxin oligomycin reduced the survival and metastasis of MSSCRC cells. These findings suggest that reducing mtDNA copy number could be a useful therapeutic strategy for MSSCRC.

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mitochondrial dna mtdna mtdna copy number toxin transcription factor oxidative phosphorylation

Xiacheng Sun,Lei Zhan,Yibing Chen,Gang Wang,Linjie He,Qian Wang,Feng Zhou,Fang Yang,Jin Wu,Yousheng Wu,Jinliang Xing,Xianli He,Qichao Huang,.Increased mtDNA copy number promotes cancer progression by enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer. 3 (1),.

Xiacheng Sun,Lei Zhan,Yibing Chen,Gang Wang,Linjie He,Qian Wang,Feng Zhou,Fang Yang,Jin Wu,Yousheng Wu,Jinliang Xing,Xianli He,Qichao Huang,"Increased mtDNA copy number promotes cancer progression by enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer" 3

Xiacheng Sun,Lei Zhan,Yibing Chen,Gang Wang,Linjie He,Qian Wang,Feng Zhou,Fang Yang,Jin Wu,Yousheng Wu,Jinliang Xing,Xianli He,Qichao Huang,"Increased mtDNA copy number promotes cancer progression by enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer"