The research team led by Professor Jeongtae Do (Dr. Bongjong Seo in the attached photo as the first author, Department of Stem Cell Biology) from Konkuk University’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology established embryonic stem cells using Gene Knockout technology with CRISPR/Cas9 for three genes (Dnm1l, Mff, Fis1) related to mitochondrial fission, and identified differences in mitochondrial form and energy metabolism. The results of the research were published in the September issue of Redox Biology, a renowned international journal in the field of biology. (Thesis title: Role of mitochondrial fission-related genes in mitochondrial morphology and energy metabolism in mouse embryonic stem cell)
*Gene Knockout: Variation of a certain gene to prevent it from functioning
A mitochondrion is an intracellular organ which is mandatory for maintaining cell cycles, differentiation and stem cell characteristics in addition to its role in producing energy. It manages its own form by using fusion and fission. Early embryonic and embryonic stem cells have an immature mitochondria in a form of sphere while differentiated cells show a long form of mature mitochondria. The research found out that embryonic stem cells with Gene Knockout maintain the characteristics of stem cells without any change in the capability of self-regeneration and differentiation despite relatively long forms of mitochondria.
The energy needed for cells is obtained through oxidative oxidation reactions electron transport chain, ETC) which use oxygen as well as corresponding actions that do not use oxygen. Embryonic stem cells are more dependent on corresponding actions in energy production while differentiated cells are more relying on oxidative oxidation actions. However, the research also revealed that embryonic stem cells with Gene Knockout in mitochondria differentiated cells show a tendency of active oxdiative reactions with reduced corresponding actions and producing high ATP compared to normal embryonic stem cells. The finding indicates that mitochondria differentiated genes play an essential role not only in the form of mitochondria in embryonic stem cells but in energy metabolism. Moreover, the research team discovered that the gene expression level related to energy metabolism and ATP prodcution has increased after comparing the gene expression patterns of embryonic stem cells with Gene Knockout in mitochondria differentiated cells.
The research was presentedd as the poster of Korea Society for Stem Cell Research, which was held from August 13rd to 14th, 2020, and was awarded the Best Poster Award.