Upregulation of mitochondrial function and antioxidant defense in the differentiation of stem cells.
Stem cell research has received increasing attention due to their invaluable potentials in the clinical applications to cure degenerative diseases, genetic disorders and even cancers. A great number of studies have been conducted with an aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of self-renewal of stem cells and the mysterious circuits guiding them to differentiate into all kinds of progenies that can replenish the cell pools. However, little effort has been made in studying the metabolic aspects of stem cells. Mitochondria play essential roles in mammalian cells in the generation of ATP, Ca(2+) homeostasis, compartmentalization of biosynthetic pathways and execution of apoptosis. Considering the metabolic roles of mitochondria, they must be also critical in stem cells. This review is primarily focused on the biogenesis and bioenergetic function of mitochondria in the differentiation process and metabolic features of stem cells. In addition, the involvement of reactive oxygen species and hypoxic signals in the regulation of stem cell pluripotency and differentiation is also discussed.
Chen
Chien-Tsun
CT
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan. d49303003@ym.edu.tw
Hsu
Shu-Han
SH
Wei
Yau-Huei
YH
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D008322:Mammals; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D001678:Organelle Biogenesis; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate