Intra-Mitochondrial Biomineralization for Inducing Apoptosis of Cancer Cells

Abstract

Biomineralization is an essential physiological process, which efficiently utilizes inorganic elements available in body fluids. It involves in homeostasis of bones and skeletal tissues for maintaining mechanical function. Especially, sequestration and secretion of intracellular mineral deposits contributes to regulation of cellular fate. Recently, extracellular biomineralization has been studied in vitro and in vivo level as potential cancer treatment. However, abnormal extracellular mineral deposits can cause damage to normal cells near the mineral nucleation sites, and the loss of cellular susceptibility to environmental changes. To overcome this drawbacks, we proposed intracellular biomineralization targeting mitochondria. Inside cancerous mitochondria, accumulated selectively of inorganic element and basic condition provided effective condition to form biominerals. The resulting biominerals might induce depolarization of mitochondria membrane potential, leading to dysfunction of mitochondria. In turn, the dysfunction resulted in apoptosis. This intra-mitochondrial biomineralization would provide a new tool for regulating cellular functions and potential therapeutic applications.