Roles of mitochondrial genetics in cancer metastasis

Trends Cancer. 2022 Dec;8(12):1002-1018. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.07.004. Epub 2022 Jul 29.

Abstract

The contributions of mitochondria to cancer have been recognized for decades. However, the focus on the metabolic role of mitochondria and the diminutive size of the mitochondrial genome compared to the nuclear genome have hindered discovery of the roles of mitochondrial genetics in cancer. This review summarizes recent data demonstrating the contributions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy-number variants (CNVs), somatic mutations, and germline polymorphisms to cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. The goal is to summarize accumulating data to establish a framework for exploring the contributions of mtDNA to neoplasia and metastasis.

Keywords: metabolism; metastasis; mitochondrial genetics; polymorphism; tumor progression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Genome, Mitochondrial*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial