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Mitochondrial DNA and genetic disease.

Since the human mitochondrial genome was characterised and sequenced in 1981, it has been viewed as the likely site of genetic diseases showing a maternal inheritance pattern and associated with defects of the respiratory chain, such as the mitochondrial myopathies (MMs). The properties that make it a candidate for the source of such conditions are that it encodes polypeptides involved in electron transport and that it is maternally inherited. However, several of the mtDNA diseases only fulfill one or other of these criteria: the first group of mtDNA diseases showed only sporadic deletions, and the first point mutation in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is not associated with a clear biochemical defect. Furthermore, it is now clear that both autosomal dominant and probably recessive nuclear genes can cause abnormalities of mtDNA. Each of these major groups will be considered in turn.

Adult↗

Cytoplasmic inheritance of antimycin A resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Three antimycin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are characterized genetically. The mutations have been shown to be cytoplasmically inherited by four criteria. The phenotype persists in diploids formed by a cross with a pO strain of yeast of the opposite mating type. Diploids heterozygous for the antimycin marker, however, show segregation of the resistance and sensitivity during mitosis. Tetrad analysis indicates a non-Mendelian segregation (4:0 and 0:4) of the mutations. The antimycin marker can be eliminated by ethidium bromide treatment under conditions that should have deleted all of the mitochondrial DNA.

Antimycin A↗

Dynamics of cytoplasmic incompatibility and mtDNA variation in natural Drosophila simulans populations.

In Drosophila simulans a cytoplasmically transmitted microorganism causes reduced egg hatch when infected males mate with uninfected females. The infection is rapidly spreading northward in California. Data on a specific mtDNA restriction site length polymorphism show that changes in the frequency of mtDNA variants are associated with this spread. All infected flies possess the same mtDNA allele, whereas the uninfected flies are polymorphic. Given that both paternal inheritance of the infection and imperfect maternal transmission have been demonstrated, one might expect instead that both infected and uninfected flies would possess both mtDNA variants. Our data suggest that imperfect female transmission of the infection (and/or the loss of the infection among progeny) is more common in nature than paternal transmission. A simple model of intrapopulation dynamics, with empirically supported parameter values, adequately describes the joint frequencies of the mtDNA variants and incompatibility types.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic inheritance of chloramphenicol resistance in tetrahymena.

Chloramphenicol-resistant mutants of Tetrahymena pyriformis were obtained after mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine at an estimated frequency of 10(-3) mutants per mutagenized cell. The mutants are still partially sensitive to chloramphenicol and have a lowered growth rate, compared to the wild type strain, in rich medium without chloramphenicol. The genetic analysis described here indicates that chloramphenicol resistance is inherited as a cytoplasmic determinant that is not exchanged during conjugation. This represents the first simple cytoplasmic genetic determinant described in this species. A number of arguments favor a mitochondrial localization for this genetic determinant. In addition to the possible utility of such mutants for studies of mitochondrial structure and function in Tetrahymena, analogous mutations might serve as cytoplasmic "tags" in other ciliate species where the results of selfing need to be distinguished from those of outcrossing.

Animals↗

Inherited partial X chromosome duplication in a mentally retarded male.

A mentally retarded male patient with a structurally abnormal X chromosome is reported (karyotype 46, dir dup (X)(p11.2 leads to p21.2)Y). In the normal mother a similar X chromosome duplication was found, which was preferentially inactivated. Xg blood groups were studied in the family. The findings indicated that recombination took place at maternal meiosis, as both karyotypically normal sons and the proband were Xg(a-), the mother being Xg(a+). Functional X chromosome disomy may explain clinical abnormalities in reported patients with X duplication and a normal Y chromosome.

Adult↗

Evolutionary origin and consequences of uniparental mitochondrial inheritance.

In the great majority of sexual organisms, cytoplasmic genomes such as the mitochondrial genome are inherited (almost) exclusively through only one, usually the maternal, parent. This rule probably evolved to minimize the potential spread of selfish cytoplasmic genomic mutations through a species. Maternal inheritance creates an asymmetry between the sexes from which several evolutionary consequences follow. Because natural selection on mitochondria operates only in females, mitochondrial mutations may have more deleterious effects in males than in females. Strictly uniparental inheritance creates asexual mitochondrial lineages that are vulnerable to mutation accumulation (Muller's ratchet). There is evidence that over evolutionary time mitochondrial genomes have indeed accumulated slightly deleterious mutations. Mutation accumulation in animal mitochondrial genomes is probably slowed down mainly by two processes: a severe reduction in germline mitochondrial genome copy number at some point in the life cycle, enabling more effective elimination of mutations by natural selection, and occasional recombination between maternal and paternal mitochondrial genomes following paternal leakage.

DNA Repair↗

Genetics of heat-curability of killer virus of yeast.

The cytoplasmically inherited M double-stranded (ds) RNA genome segment of killer virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is heat-curable in some yeast strains but not in others. Temperature sensitivity is conferred on both M1 and M2 dsRNA satellite virus segments by the L-A-HN allele of the killer helper virus genome, but not by the L-A-H allele. Both diploidy and mating type heterozygosity of the host cell are also correlated with increased virus curability.

Base Sequence↗

Inheritance systems and the evolution of new levels of individuality.

Evolutionary transitions to new levels of individuality have usually been treated as a part of the "units of selection" problem. It has previously been assumed that the unit of transmission and heritable variation at each level is the same--that it is the DNA base sequence and its variations. It is suggested here that considering the nature and the role of hereditary variations produced by non-DNA inheritance systems is essential for understanding some evolutionary transitions. The argument is illustrated by considering the role of epigenetic inheritance systems (EISs), the systems responsible for cellular memory, in the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity. It is argued that EISs played a vital role in the transition to multicellularity and the evolution of complex ontogenies, as well as having an important effect on the evolution of developmental strategies which protect the multicellular individual from disintegrating into its component parts. An analogy between the transition to multicellularity and the transition to a cultural unit integrated by language is also suggested.

Animals↗

A molecular analysis of transductional marker rescue involving P-group plasmids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The molecular properties of the P-group plasmids R26, R527 and R18-18- (a carbenicillin-sensitive derivative of R18) have been compared with those of RP1. R18-18 and RPI have a MW about 38 X 10(6) daltons, and R26 and R527 of 52 X 10(6) daltons (determined from contour lengths). All three plasmids have a bouyant density similar to that of RPI (1.719 g/cm3, 60% GN. From their molecular and phenotypic similarities, these plasmids probably represent two pairs of identical or closely similar elements. Resistant bacteria are not recovered following F116L-mediated transduction of R26 (or R527), and this correlates with the plasmids' larger size (phage genome=40 X 10(6) daltons). Fragments of R26 are, however, transduced and their resistance determinants may be "rescued" by recombination if the recipient harbours R1818. Such events are accompanied by an increase in the size of the recipient plasmid from 38 X 10(6) to 52 X 10(6) daltons following inheritance of the resistance determinants Sm Su Gm Hg, but not Cb. Thus, Sm Su Gm Hg are encoded in a DNA segment of MW about 14 X 10(6) daltons which apparently has no homologous region on R18-18. Since a piece of DNA of this MW also corresponds to the difference in size between R26 and R18-18, it is possible that the former is derived from an RPI-like element which has acquired these additional resistance determinants.

Carbenicillin↗

Specialized transducing phages derived from salmonella phage P22.

Salmonella phage P22 has been used in the construction of three sorts of specialized transducing phage: P22 proAB, P22 proABlac and P22 argF. The bacterial genes carried are derived from E. coli K12. Since E. coli and Salmonella chromosomes recombine very poorly, E. coli genes cannot be transduced into Salmonella recipients by P22's generalized transduction mechanism. Therefore, stable inheritance of E. coli material provides a means of detecting specialized transduction. Formation of these phages was possible because the P22 prophage recognizes an attachment site in the E. coli F' prolac episome. Salmonella strains carrying the F' prolac episome can be lysogenized by P22 so as to leave the prophage inserted into the E. coli material of the F' factor. Improper prophage excision can then lead to formation of P22 specialized phages carrying E. coli genetic material.

Alleles↗

The mitochondrial plasmid of the true slime mold Physarum polycephalum bypasses uniparental inheritance by promoting mitochondrial fusion.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally in most eukaryotes. Linear mitochondrial plasmids in higher plants and fungi are also transmitted from the maternal parent to the progeny. However, mF, which is a mitochondrial linear plasmid of Physarum polycephalum, evades uniparental mitochondrial inheritance. We examined 36 myxamoebal strains of Physarum and isolated three novel mF+ strains (JE8, TU111, NG111) that harbored free mF plasmids. These strains were mated with the mF- strain KM88. Of the three mF- x mF+ crosses, only KM88 x JE8 displayed complete uniparental inheritance. However, in KM88 x TU111 and KM88 x NG111, the mtDNA of KM88 and mF of TU111 and NG111 were inherited by the plasmodia and showed recombination. For example, although the mtDNA of TU111 was eliminated, the mF of TU111 persisted and became inserted into the mtDNA of KM88, such that recombinant mtDNA represented 80% of the total mtDNA. The parental mitochondria fused to yield giant mitochondria with two or more mitochondrial nucleoids. The mF appears to exchange mitochondria from the recipient (paternal) to the donor (maternal) by promoting mitochondrial fusion.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial DNA mutations in the pathogenesis of human disease.

The coding sequence for the human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) was published in 1981. Within a decade, the first pathogenic mtDNA mutations were described in humans with sporadic and maternally inherited disease. The last ten years has seen a profusion of reports describing new pathogenic mutations associated with a diverse range of clinical phenotypes. Although we have seen great advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of mtDNA disease, we are only just beginning to tackle some of the more difficult questions. In this review we describe recent advances in our understanding of mtDNA disease and highlight ways that this knowledge might lead to novel therapies in the future.

Animals↗

Human mtDNA haplogroups associated with high or reduced spermatozoa motility.

A variety of mtDNA mutations responsible for human diseases have been associated with molecular defects in the OXPHOS system. It has been proposed that mtDNA genetic alterations can also be responsible for sperm dysfunction. In addition, it was suggested that if sperm dysfunction is the main phenotypic consequence, these mutations could be fixed as stable mtDNA variants, because mtDNA is maternally inherited. To test this possibility, we have performed an extensive analysis of the distribution of mtDNA haplogroups in white men having fertility problems. We have found that asthenozoospermia, but not oligozoospermia, is associated with mtDNA haplogroups in whites. Thus, haplogroups H and T are significantly more abundant in nonasthenozoospermic and asthenozoospermic populations, respectively, and show significant differences in their OXPHOS performance.

Base Sequence↗

Mitochondrial DNA of Schizophyllum commune: restriction map, genetic map, and mode of inheritance.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) found in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune (strain 4-40) is a circular molecule 49.75 kbp in length. A physical map containing 61 restriction sites revealed no repeat structures. Cloned genes from Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus nidulans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used in Southern hybridizations to locate nine mitochondrial genes, including a possible pseudogene of ATPase 9, on the restriction map. A probe from a functional ATPase 9 gene identified homologous fragments only in the nuclear genome of S. commune. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) between mtDNA isolated from different strains of S. commune were used to show that mitochondria do not migrate with nuclei during dikaryosis.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Maternally inherited deafness associated with a T1095C mutation in the mDNA.

Hearing loss is a relatively frequent defect in children with a genetic or predisposition basis in about 50% of cases. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-associated disorder often present with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) either in isolation or as a part of a multisystem disorder in adults but the frequency in pediatric cases is unknown. We analysed deafness-related mtDNA mutations in 80 deaf children to assess the relative frequency of alterations in childhood-onset SNHL. In 16 patients in whom maternal inheritance was possible, we screened for new mutations likely to affect mitochondrial protein synthesis. In one child we detected a novel mutation (T1095C) in the 12S rRNA gene. This mutation fulfils the suggested criteria for definition of a disease-related nucleotide variant. No mutations were found in other patients. Although we cannot exclude the presence of still undefined new mtDNA mutations, our data suggest that mtDNA defect are not common in childhood-onset SNHL.

Base Sequence↗

Male-dependent doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial DNA and female-dependent sex-ratio in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

We have investigated sex ratio and mitochondrial DNA inheritance in pair-matings involving five female and five male individuals of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The percentage of male progeny varied widely among families and was found to be a characteristic of the female parent and independent of the male to which it was mated. Thus sex-ratio in Mytilus appears to be independent of the nuclear genotype of the sperm. With a few exceptions, doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mtDNA was observed in all families fathered by four of the five males: female and male progeny contained the mother's mtDNA (the F genome), but males contained also the father's paternal mtDNA (the M genome). Two hermaphrodite individuals found among the progeny of these crosses contained the F mitochondrial genome in the female gonad and both the F and M genomes in the male gonad. All four families fathered by the fifth male showed the standard maternal inheritance (SMI) of animal mtDNA: both female and male progeny contained only the maternal mtDNA. These observations illustrate the intimate linkage between sex and mtDNA inheritance in species with DUI and suggest different major roles for each gender. We propose a model according to which development of a male gonad requires the presence in the early germ cells of an agent associated with sperm-derived mitochondria, these mitochondria are endowed with a paternally encoded replicative advantage through which they overcome their original minority in the fertilized egg and this advantage (and, therefore, the chance of an early entrance into the germ line) is countered by a maternally encoded egg factor.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel mitochondrial mutation in Dupuytren's disease using multiplex DHPLC.

Dupuytren's disease is a familial fibroproliferative disorder of late onset affecting the hands. It is extremely common in individuals of Northern European extraction. Genetic studies have yet to identify the genes involved in the formation of the disease. Mitochondria play a critical role in cell metabolism and apoptosis. It is known that defective mitochondria generate abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species by means of electron leak and that antioxidant enzyme activities decrease with age in skin fibroblasts. Respiratory function of mitochondria is also impaired in aging human tissues. Oxidative stress and production of free radicals may be important factors in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. Mitochondrial genes are also included in the regulation of apoptosis. Diseased tissue contains large numbers of myo- fibroblasts, which disappear by apoptosis during normal wound healing. High numbers of mitochondria have been observed in fibroblasts derived from diseased tissue. In the light of this evidence, the mitochondrial genome represents a potential location for candidate susceptibility genes for this late-onset disorder. In this study, the authors investigated the presence of mutations within the mitochondrial genome in 40 subjects; 20 Caucasian Dupuytren's disease patients with a maternally transmitted inheritance pattern and 20 control subjects were matched for age, sex, and race using a multiplex denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography approach. A hitherto unknown heteroplasmic mutation located within the mitochondrial 16s rRNA region was evident in 90 percent of patients and absent from all control subjects (p < 0.001; chi2 = 16.1). This mutation may be important in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease.

Adult↗

In vitro reactions of vacuole inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Vacuole inheritance is temporally coordinated with the cell cycle and is restricted spatially to an axis between the maternal vacuole and the bud. The new bud vacuole is founded by a stream of vacuole-derived membranous vesicles and tubules which are transported from the mother cell into the bud to form the daughter organelle. We now report in vitro formation of vacuole-derived tubules and vesicles. In semi-intact cells, formation of tubulovesicular structures requires ATP and the proteins encoded by VAC1 and VAC2, two genes which are required for vacuole inheritance in vivo. Isolation of vacuoles from cell lysates before in vitro incubation reveals that formation of tubulovesicular structures requires cytosol as well as ATP. After forming tubulovesicular structures, isolated vacuoles subsequently increase in size. Biochemical assays reveal that this increase results from vacuole to vacuole fusion, leading to mixing of organellar contents. Intervacuolar fusion is sensitive to the phosphatase inhibitors microcystin-LR and okadaic acid, suggesting that protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions play a role in this event.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗