Limited predictive value of TFAM in mitochondrial biogenesis

Mitochondrion. 2019 Nov:49:156-165. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2019.08.001. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Abstract

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) plays an important role in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription and replication. In some experimental settings, TFAM expression parallels parameters of mitochondrial biogenesis, which led to a widespread acceptance of TFAM as marker of mitochondrial biogenesis. We modulated TFAM expression in several experimental systems and observed that it fails to consistently parallel mtDNA copy number and expression of mtDNA-encoded polypeptides. We suggest that the use of TFAM as a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis should be avoided outside of systems in which its performance has been carefully validated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / biosynthesis*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Organelle Biogenesis*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • TFAM protein, human
  • Transcription Factors