Review

Mitochondria and Cancer

Volume: 32 Number: 1 March 27, 2025
EN

Mitochondria and Cancer

Abstract

Mitochondria generate energy through cellular respiration and regulate various cellular processes such as heat production, generation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species, metabolism, apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis. In human cells, large numbers of mitochondria are present, each containing multiple copies of mitochondrial DNA. Variations in mitochondrial DNA have been associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, including neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders and also several cancers. These variants can be important drivers of cancer and may play a crucial role in tumor development. Additionally, mitochondrial copy number changes and structural variations, such as deletions can be associated with different types of cancer. Therefore, understanding the fundamental mechanisms is highly crucial. The molecular genetic correlations of mitochondrial DNA alterations and cancer, emphasize the importance of mitochondrial integrity in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Gaining knowledge of these associations can help us comprehend cancer processes as well as potential routes for targeted treatments and prevention, while further investigation is still required.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The ethical approval is not required. This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

References

  1. 1. Hatefi Y. The mitochondrial electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation system. Annu Rev Biochem 1985;54:1015-69. doi: 10.1146/annurev.bi.54.070185.005055. PMID: 2862839.
  2. 2. Mitochondrion. In: Encyclopaedia Britannica. [Internet]. Chicago (IL): Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.; [cited 2024 Sep 21]. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/mitochondrion.
  3. 3. Frey TG, Mannella CA. The internal structure of mitochondria. Trends Biochem Sci 2000;25(7):319-24. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0004(00)01609-1. PMID: 10871882.
  4. 4. Collins TJ, Berridge MJ, Lipp P, Bootman MD. Mitochondria are morphologically and functionally heterogeneous within cells. EMBO J 2002;21(7):1616-27. doi: 10.1093/emboj/21.7.1616. PMID: 11927546; PMCID: PMC125942.
  5. 5. Kühlbrandt W. Structure and function of mitochondrial membrane protein complexes. BMC Biol 2015;13:89. doi: 10.1186/s12915-015-0201-x. PMID: 26515107; PMCID: PMC4625866.
  6. 6. Mitochondria in Health and Disease: Clinical Mitochondrial Medicine. Cambridge University Press; 2011.Viscomi C & Zeviani M. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/medicine/neurology-and-clinical-neuroscience/clinical-mitochondrial-medicine?format=PB&isbn=9780521132985
  7. 7. Cooper GM. The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 2nd ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2000. Chapter 14, Mitochondria.
  8. 8. Wallace DC. A mitochondrial paradigm of metabolic and degenerative diseases, aging, and cancer: a dawn for evolutionary medicine. Annu Rev Genet 2005;39:359-407. doi: 10.1146/annurev.genet.39.110304.095751. PMID: 16285865; PMCID: PMC2821041.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cancer Genetics, Cancer Cell Biology

Journal Section

Review

Early Pub Date

February 19, 2025

Publication Date

March 27, 2025

Submission Date

October 7, 2024

Acceptance Date

December 23, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 32 Number: 1

APA
Gerdan, G., Kılıçturgay Yüksel, Ş., & Boylu Akyerli, C. (2025). Mitochondria and Cancer. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University, 32(1), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1562838
AMA
1.Gerdan G, Kılıçturgay Yüksel Ş, Boylu Akyerli C. Mitochondria and Cancer. Med J SDU. 2025;32(1):95-106. doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1562838
Chicago
Gerdan, Gizel, Şirin Kılıçturgay Yüksel, and Cemaliye Boylu Akyerli. 2025. “Mitochondria and Cancer”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32 (1): 95-106. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1562838.
EndNote
Gerdan G, Kılıçturgay Yüksel Ş, Boylu Akyerli C (March 1, 2025) Mitochondria and Cancer. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32 1 95–106.
IEEE
[1]G. Gerdan, Ş. Kılıçturgay Yüksel, and C. Boylu Akyerli, “Mitochondria and Cancer”, Med J SDU, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 95–106, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.17343/sdutfd.1562838.
ISNAD
Gerdan, Gizel - Kılıçturgay Yüksel, Şirin - Boylu Akyerli, Cemaliye. “Mitochondria and Cancer”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32/1 (March 1, 2025): 95-106. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1562838.
JAMA
1.Gerdan G, Kılıçturgay Yüksel Ş, Boylu Akyerli C. Mitochondria and Cancer. Med J SDU. 2025;32:95–106.
MLA
Gerdan, Gizel, et al. “Mitochondria and Cancer”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University, vol. 32, no. 1, Mar. 2025, pp. 95-106, doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1562838.
Vancouver
1.Gizel Gerdan, Şirin Kılıçturgay Yüksel, Cemaliye Boylu Akyerli. Mitochondria and Cancer. Med J SDU. 2025 Mar. 1;32(1):95-106. doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1562838

                                                                                                                 14791 


Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi/Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International.