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SUMMARY:Horizontal transfer of mitochodria in cancer. - Professor Jiri Neu
 zil\, Head of Apoptosis Research Group\, Griffith University\, Australia
DTSTART:20160511T150000Z
DTEND:20160511T160000Z
UID:TALK64912@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Fiona Roby
DESCRIPTION:We have recently shown that cancer cells devoid of mitochondri
 al (mt) DNA (rho0 cells) form syngeneic tumours with a delay\, and that ma
 lignant cells in the resulting tumours contain host mtDNA.1 We now studied
  what happens during the lag phase between grafting rho0 cells and the ons
 et of tumour initiation. We show that several days after grafting\, tumour
  cells start to acquire mtDNA from host cells\, and its level increases un
 til the tumour starts to grow. mtDNA acquisition triggers retrograde signa
 lling to the nucleus\, and is accompanied by mtDNA replication and transcr
 iption\, with ensuing assembly of mitochondrial complexes and recovery of 
 respiration. We also document that recovery of respiration is important fo
 r ‘unlocking’ tumour cells from their auxotrophic state. We propose th
 at recovery of respiration is important for metabolic remodelling of tumou
 r cells. In conclusion\, cancer cells devoid of mtDNA ought to recover res
 piration to a threshold level\, which is a prerequisite for the cells to i
 nitiate tumour formation and growth.\n1Tan A et al (2015) Mitochondrial ge
 nome acquisition restores respiratory function and tumorigenic potential i
 n cancer cells without mitochondrial DNA. Cell Metab 21\, 81-94.\n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre 2\, Department of Veterinary Medicine
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