Tales from the crypt.
Intestinal colonic crypts are derived from a stem cell population located at the base of each crypt. A new analysis of mitochondrial function and of the rates of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in individual crypts shows that mtDNA mutations arise in stem cells - and at a surprisingly high frequency. Because crypts turn over extremely rapidly (about once per week), somatic mtDNA mutations can "take over the system" and even become homoplasmic, in a manner similar to what has been shown to occur in tumors.
Schon
Eric A
EA
Department of Neurology, Room 4-431, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA. eas3@columbia.edu
D015415:Biomarkers; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases