Mitochondria Are Fundamental for the Emergence of Metazoans: On Metabolism, Genomic Regulation, and the Birth of Complex Organisms

Hadar Medini, Tal Cohen, Dan Mishmar

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Out of many intracellular bacteria, only the mitochondria and chloroplasts abandoned their independence billions of years ago and became endosymbionts within the host eukaryotic cell. Consequently, one cannot grow eukaryotic cells without their mitochondria, and the mitochondria cannot divide outside of the cell, thus reflecting interdependence. Here, we argue that such interdependence underlies the fundamental role of mitochondrial activities in the emergence of metazoans. Several lines of evidence support our hypothesis: (a) Differentiation and embryogenesis rely on mitochondrial function; (b) mitochondrial metabolites are primary precursors for epigenetic modifications (such as methyl and acetyl), which are critical for chromatin remodeling and gene expression, particularly during differentiation and embryogenesis; and (c) mitonuclear coregulation adapted to accommodate both housekeeping and tissue-dependent metabolic needs. We discuss the evolution of the unique mitochondrial genetic system, mitochondrial metabolites, mitonuclear coregulation, and their critical roles in the emergence of metazoans and in human disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-166
Number of pages16
JournalAnnual Review of Genetics
Volume54
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Nov 2020

Keywords

  • chromatin
  • differentiation
  • embryogenesis
  • metazoans
  • mitochondria
  • transcriptional regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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