Mitochondrial DNA mutations in iPS cells: mtDNA integrity as standard iPSC selection criteria?

Somatic cells harbor random heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations, which are considered to contribute to aging. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Perales-Clemente et al (2016) show that mtDNA mutations, present at low levels in the starting fibroblasts, become enriched in iPS cells and lead to functional defects in iPS-derived cells. In another recent study, Kang et al (2016) demonstrated that accumulation of mtDNA mutations of somatic origin in iPSCs is age related.
Source: EMBO Journal - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Stem Cells News [amp ] Views Source Type: research