Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase POLG1 Disease Mutations and Germline Variants Promote Tumorigenic Properties.

Germline mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (POLG1) induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, depletion, and decrease oxidative phosphorylation. Earlier, we identified somatic mutations in POLG1 and the contribution of these mutations in human cancer. However, a role for germline variations in POLG1 in human cancers is unknown.

Human REV3 DNA Polymerase Zeta Localizes to Mitochondria and Protects the Mitochondrial Genome.

To date, mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (POLG) is the only polymerase known to be present in mammalian mitochondria. A dogma in the mitochondria field is that there is no other polymerase present in the mitochondria of mammalian cells. Here we demonstrate localization of REV3 DNA polymerase in the mammalian mitochondria.

Genomic instability induced by mutant succinate dehydrogenase subunit D (SDHD) is mediated by O2(-•) and H2O2.

SDHD mutations are associated with human cancers but the mechanisms that may contribute to transformation are unknown. The hypothesis that mutations in SDHD increase levels of superoxide leading to genomic instability was tested using site-directed mutagenesis to generate a truncated SDHD cDNA that was expressed in Chinese hamster fibroblasts. Stable expression of mutant SDHD resulted in 2-fold increases in steady-state levels of superoxide that were accompanied by a significantly increased mutation rate as well as a 70-fold increase in mutation frequency at the hprt locus.

Cellular model of Warburg effect identifies tumor promoting function of UCP2 in breast cancer and its suppression by genipin.

The Warburg Effect is characterized by an irreversible injury to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and an increased rate of aerobic glycolysis. In this study, we utilized a breast epithelial cell line lacking mitochondrial DNA (rho(0)) that exhibits the Warburg Effect associated with breast cancer. We developed a MitoExpress array for rapid analysis of all known nuclear genes encoding the mitochondrial proteome.

Distinct functions of evolutionary conserved MSF1 and late embryogenesis abundant (LEA)-like domains in mitochondria.

PRELID1, the only late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) domain-containing protein in humans, exerts cytoprotective effects through its LEA domain within the mitochondria. Although PRELID1 homologs in vertebrates contain the LEA domain, homologs in lower eukaryotes are thought to lack this domain. In this study, we identify a novel LEA-like domain in a yeast PRELID1 homolog, Ups2p, which contains sequence conservation with the LEA domain of human PRELID1.

Impaired OXPHOS complex III in breast cancer.

We measured the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (mtOXPHOS) activities of all five complexes and determined the activity and gene expression in detail of the Complex III subunits in human breast cancer cell lines and primary tumors. Our analysis revealed dramatic differences in activity of complex III between normal and aggressive metastatic breast cancer cell lines. Determination of Complex III subunit gene expression identified over expression and co-regulation of UQCRFS1 (encoding RISP protein) and UQCRH (encoding Hinge protein) in 6 out of 9 human breast tumors.

Sensitivity to low-dose/low-LET ionizing radiation in mammalian cells harboring mutations in succinate dehydrogenase subunit C is governed by mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species.

It has been hypothesized that ionizing radiation-induced disruptions in mitochondrial O₂ metabolism lead to persistent heritable increases in steady-state levels of intracellular superoxide (O₂(•U+2212)) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) that contribute to the biological effects of radiation. Hamster fibroblasts (B9 cells) expressing a mutation in the gene coding for the mitochondrial electron transport chain protein succinate dehydrogenase subunit C (SDHC) demonstrate increases in steady-state levels of O₂•- and H₂O₂. When B9 cells were exposed to low-dose/low-LET radiation (5-50 cGy), they displayed significantly increased clonogenic cell killing compared with parental cells.

NADPH oxidase 4 is an oncoprotein localized to mitochondria.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Initially ROS-producing NADPH oxidase (NOX) proteins were thought to be present in phagocytes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that NOX proteins are expressed in many other cell types and tissues.

SIRT3 is a mitochondria-localized tumor suppressor required for maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and metabolism during stress.

The sirtuin gene family (SIRT) is hypothesized to regulate the aging process and play a role in cellular repair. This work demonstrates that SIRT3(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibit abnormal mitochondrial physiology as well as increases in stress-induced superoxide levels and genomic instability. Expression of a single oncogene (Myc or Ras) in SIRT3(-/-) MEFs results in in vitro transformation and altered intracellular metabolism.

Mitochondrial complex II dysfunction can contribute significantly to genomic instability after exposure to ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation induces chronic metabolic oxidative stress and a mutator phenotype in hamster fibroblasts that is mediated by H(2)O(2), but the intracellular source of H(2)O(2) is not well defined. To determine the role of mitochondria in the radiation-induced mutator phenotype, end points of mitochondrial function were determined in unstable (CS-9 and LS-12) and stable (114) hamster fibroblast cell lines derived from GM10115 cells exposed to 10 Gy X rays. Cell lines isolated after irradiation demonstrated a 20-40% loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in mitochondrial content compared to the parental cell line GM10115.

mtDNA G10398A variant in African-American women with breast cancer provides resistance to apoptosis and promotes metastasis in mice.

We investigated the effect of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism G10398A found in African-American women with aggressive breast cancer on apoptosis and tumorigenesis. We generated human cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) by repopulation of recipient rho(0) cells (devoid of mtDNA) with donor mtDNA derived from patients with breast cancer harboring the G10398A polymorphism. We investigated a number of functional phenotypes of the G10398A cybrid.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase-gamma promote breast tumorigenesis.

Decreased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is one of the hallmarks of cancer. To date, the identity of nuclear gene(s) responsible for decreased OXPHOS in tumors remains unknown. It is also unclear whether mutations in nuclear gene(s) responsible for decreased OXPHOS affect tumorigenesis.

Cancer cell mitochondria confer apoptosis resistance and promote metastasis.

Mutations in mtDNA are found in most cancers. In this study, we studied the role of cancer cell mutant mtDNA in tumorigenesis. We sequenced the entire mitochondrial genome of three different breast cancer cell lines and found that all three, MCF7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435, contained mutations in mtDNA.