title: Maternally inherited susceptibility to cancer.
abstract: Tumor microenvironment promotes mtDNA mutations. A number of these mutations will affect cell metabolism and increase cell survival. These mutations are positively selected and contribute to other tumor features, such as extracellular matrix remodeling and angiogenic processes, thus favoring metastases. Like somatic mutations, although with less marked effects, some mtDNA population polymorphisms will affect OXPHOS function, cell metabolism, and homeostasis. Thus, they could behave as inherited susceptibility factors for cancer. However, in addition to epidemiological evidence, other more direct clues are required. The cybrid approach can help to clarify this issue.
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013-Zaragoza, Spain.
authors: María Pilar
authors: MP
authors: Bayona-Bafaluy
authors: Ester
authors: E
authors: López-Gallardo
authors: Julio
authors: J
authors: Montoya
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Ruiz-Pesini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D050259:Genes, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D040582:Inheritance Patterns / Q000502:physiology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D011247:Pregnancy