Mitochondrial transfer between cells can rescue aerobic respiration

TLDR

Mitochondria, acquired from an ancient prokaryote, enable aerobic respiration and are essential for eukaryotic complexity, aging, and many diseases. We demonstrate that mitochondria and mtDNA can move between cells, and that active transfer from adult stem and somatic cells restores aerobic respiration in mammalian cells lacking functional mitochondria.

Abstract

Current theory indicates that mitochondria were obtained 1.5 billion years ago from an ancient prokaryote. The mitochondria provided the capacity for aerobic respiration, the creation of the eukaryotic cell, and eventually complex multicellular organisms. Recent reports have found that mitochondria play essential roles in aging and determining lifespan. A variety of heritable and acquired diseases are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. We report here that mitochondria are more dynamic than previously considered: mitochondria or mtDNA can move between cells. The active transfer from adult stem cells and somatic cells can rescue aerobic respiration in mammalian cells with nonfunctional mitochondria.