Xenogenic transfer of isolated murine mitochondria into human rho0 cells can improve respiratory function.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations are the direct cause of several physiological disorders and are also associated with the aging process. The modest progress made over the past two decades towards manipulating the mitochondrial genome and understanding its function within living mammalian cells means that cures for mitochondrial DNA mutations are still elusive. Here, we report that transformed mammalian cells internalize exogenous isolated mitochondria upon simple co-incubation. We first demonstrate the physical presence of internalized mitochondria within recipient cells using fluorescence microscopy. Second, we show that xenogenic transfer of murine mitochondria into human cells lacking functional mitochondria can functionally restore respiration in cells lacking mtDNA. Third, utilizing the natural competence of isolated mitochondria to take up linear DNA molecules, we demonstrate the feasibility of using cellular internalization of isolated exogenous mitochondria as a potential tool for studying mitochondrial genetics in living mammalian cells.
Katrangi
Eyad
E
Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
D'Souza
Gerard
G
Boddapati
Sarathi V
SV
Kulawiec
Mariola
M
Singh
Keshav K
KK
Bigger
Brian
B
Weissig
Volkmar
V
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D009154:Mutation; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial