Stress‐Related Mitochondrial Components and Mitochondrial Genome as Targets of Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

In addition to their role as cell powerhouse mitochondria are key organelles in the processes deciding about cell life or death that are crucial for tumor cell growth and survival, as well as for tumor cell ability to metastasize. Alterations in mitochondrial structure and functions have long been observed in cancer cells, thus targeting mitochondria as an anticancer therapeutic strategy has gained momentum recently. We will review the achievements and perspectives in the elucidation of the molecular basis for developing mitochondrial-targeted compounds as potential anticancer agents with special attention to mitochondrial DNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction. Molecules/agents candidate to affect mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells will be dealt with, with a particular focus on approaches targeting defects in the mitochondrial genome.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Molecular insights into the anti-cancer properties of Traditional Tibetan medicine Yukyung Karne

“…Since, mitochondria plays a key role in energy metabolism, and proving to be the novel target in killing cancerous cells [ 19 ], we sought to determine the effect of YK on mitochondrial function with the help of cationic JC1 dye. Exposure of cells to YK led to the disappearance of red fluorescence and increase in the green fluorescence in most cells combined with a significant reduction (p <0.001) in mitochondrial membrane potential.…”

Proteome and metabolome profiling of wild-type and YCA1 -knock-out yeast cells during acetic acid-induced programmed cell death

“…The results of this study expand the use of yeast as a model to study PCD pathways in normal and cancer-related conditions [81,82]. …”

Antitumor activity of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides with different molecular weights: an in vitro and in vivo study

“…Since the mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell [22], disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) is one of the crucial factors in cell apoptosis [23] and has become a pharmacological target in cancer therapy for alterations in mitochondrial structure and functions that have long been observed in cancer cells [24]. Rhodamine-123 as a cationic fluorescent probe has been used for the measurement of MMP [25].…”