Heteroplasmy in action: tracking mtDNA segregation dynamics.

Difficulties in tracking the dynamics of heteroplasmy, a state when a single cell contains distinct mtDNA genotypes, have left our understanding of factors influencing it incomplete. New work now provides a powerful approach for monitoring heteroplasmic yeast populations in real-time, and reveals insights into the forces underlying mtDNA variant segregation.

DarT-mediated mtDNA damage induces dynamic reorganization and selective segregation of mitochondria.

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that play essential roles in cell growth and survival. Processes of fission and fusion are critical for the distribution, segregation, and maintenance of mitochondria and their genomes (mtDNA). While recent work has revealed the significance of mitochondrial organization for mtDNA maintenance, the impact of mtDNA perturbations on mitochondrial dynamics remains less understood.