Mitochondrial DNA mutations in iPS cells: mtDNA 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 ([2016][1]) show that mtDNA 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 ([2016][2]) demonstrated that accumulation of mtDNA mutations of somatic origin in iPSCs is age related. [1]: #ref-6 [2]: #ref-2