GAP43-dependent mitochondria transfer from astrocytes enhances glioblastoma tumorigenicity

The transfer of intact mitochondria between heterogeneous cell types has been confirmed in various settings, including cancer. However, the functional implications of mitochondria transfer on tumor biology are poorly understood. Here we show that mitochondria transfer is a prevalent phenomenon in glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequent and malignant primary brain tumor. We identified horizontal mitochondria transfer from astrocytes as a mechanism that enhances tumorigenesis in GBM. This transfer is dependent on network-forming intercellular connections between GBM cells and astrocytes, which are facilitated by growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), a protein involved in neuron axon regeneration and astrocyte…

• CC
  Cleveland Clinic
• CC
  Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University
• K
  Kreftforeningen

  Award: 197933
• RG
  Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
• HV
  Helse Vest
• UI
  Universitetet i Bergen
• NF
  Norges Forskningsråd

  Award: 325883
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: F31CA264849, UL1TR002548, 5T32AI007024, K99CA248611, F30CA250254, 1S10OD019972-01, F32CA260735, K00CA253768, 5TL1TR002549, R35 NS127083
• LR
  Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic
• CA
  Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Cleveland, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

  Award: UL1TR002548
• NC
  National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

  Awards: UL1TR002548, 5TL1TR002549