Mitochondria as Signaling Organelles Control Mammalian Stem Cell Fate

Ram Prosad Chakrabarty; Navdeep S Chandel

doi:10.1016/j.stem.2021.02.011

Mitochondria as Signaling Organelles Control Mammalian Stem Cell Fate

Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Mar 4;28(3):394-408. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.02.011.

Authors

Ram Prosad Chakrabarty¹, Navdeep S Chandel²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: nav@northwestern.edu.

Abstract

Recent evidence supports the notion that mitochondrial metabolism is necessary for the determination of stem cell fate. Historically, mitochondrial metabolism is linked to the production of ATP and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites to support stem cell survival and growth, respectively. However, it is now clear that beyond these canonical roles, mitochondria as signaling organelles dictate stem cell fate and function. In this review, we focus on key conceptual ideas on how mitochondria control mammalian stem cell fate and function through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, TCA cycle metabolite production, NAD⁺/NADH ratio regulation, pyruvate metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics.

Keywords: L-2-HG; ROS; TCA cycle; acetyl-CoA; epigenetics; mitochondrial dynamics; pyruvate.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Differentiation
Citric Acid Cycle
Mitochondria* / metabolism
Signal Transduction*
Stem Cells

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding