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

Abstract

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 ( ) show that mt DNA 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 ( ) demonstrated that accumulation of mt DNA mutations of somatic origin in iPSC s is age related.