Mitochondria are classically known as the essential energy producers in cells. As such, the activation of mitochondrial metabolism upon cellular differentiation was deemed a necessity to fuel the high metabolic needs of differentiated cells. However, recent studies have revealed a direct role for mitochondrial activity in the regulation of stem cell fate and differentiation. Several components of mitochondrial metabolism and respiration have now been shown to regulate different aspects of stem cell differentiation through signaling, transcriptional, proteomic and epigenetic modulations. In light of these findings mitochondrial metabolism is no longer considered a consequence of cellular differentiation, but rather a key regulatory mechanism of this process. This review will focus on recent progress that defines mitochondria as the epicenters for the regulation of stem cell fate decisions.

线粒体传统上被称为细胞中的必需能量产生者。因此，细胞分化后激活线粒体代谢被认为是促进分化细胞高代谢需求的必要条件。但是，最近的研究表明线粒体活性在干细胞命运和分化调控中具有直接作用。线粒体代谢和呼吸的几个组成部分现已显示出通过信号传导，转录，蛋白质组学和表观遗传学调控来调节干细胞分化的不同方面。根据这些发现，线粒体代谢不再被认为是细胞分化的结果，而是这一过程的关键调控机制。