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Numtogenesis as a mechanism for development of cancer.

Authors :
Singh KK
Choudhury AR
Tiwari HK
Source :
Seminars in cancer biology [Semin Cancer Biol] 2017 Dec; Vol. 47, pp. 101-109. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 May 13.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Transfer of genetic material from cytoplasmic organelles to the nucleus, an ongoing process, has implications in evolution, aging, and human pathologies such as cancer. The transferred mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments in the nuclear genome are called nuclear mtDNA or NUMTs. We have named the process numtogenesis, defining the term as the transfer of mtDNA into the nuclear genome, or, less specifically, the transfer of mitochondria or mitochondrial components into the nucleus. There is increasing evidence of the involvement of NUMTs in human biology and pathology. Although information pertaining to NUMTs and numtogenesis is sparse, the role of this aspect of mitochondrial biology to human cancers is apparent. In this review, we present available knowledge about the origin and mechanisms of numtogenesis, with special emphasis on the role of NUMTs in human malignancies. We describe studies undertaken in our laboratory and in others and discuss the influence of NUMTs in tumor initiation and progression and in survival of cancer patients. We describe suppressors of numtogenesis and evolutionary conserved mechanisms underlying numtogenesis in cancer. An understanding the emerging field of numtogenesis should allow comprehension of this process in various malignancies and other diseases and, more generally, in human health.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1096-3650
Volume :
47
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Seminars in cancer biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28511886
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.05.003