Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because of their important function in producing energy. During cell division (also known as mitosis), a cell has to duplicate everything from its DNA to proteins to organelles - including mitochondria - and distribute them equally between two cells. However, no one really knows how exactly these mitochondria get distributed. In this episode, Dan and Derek discuss a new paper from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Janelia Research Campus where they find that a network of actin rotates around the cell like a ferris wheel during mitosis in order to distribute mitochondria equally. This discovery of how cells distribute mitochondria may have important implications for understanding and treating mitochondrial diseases.

See video of an actin wave distributing mitochondria here.

Moore et al. Actin cables and comet tails organize mitochondrial networks in mitosis. Nature, March 2021. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03309-5. PMID: 33658713

The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician on any questions regarding your personal health.