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Related Concept Videos

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...
Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes02:16

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...

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Updated: May 7, 2026

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
07:24

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing

Published on: February 10, 2023

Mitochondrial genome function and maternal inheritance.

John F Allen1, Wilson B M de Paula

  • 1*School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|September 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) persists to code proteins, but its location causes mutations linked to aging. Oocyte mitochondria avoid aging by remaining repressed, explaining maternal inheritance and separate sexes.

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Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Genetics
  • Aging research

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes essential proteins for cellular respiration.
  • Co-location of mtDNA genes and their products offers a selective advantage but exposes mtDNA to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • This exposure creates a 'vicious circle' of mitochondrial mutation, implicated in aging and degenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the hypothesis that oocyte mitochondria evade aging through quiescence.
  • To investigate the role of repressed mtDNA in female germ cells.
  • To understand how maternal inheritance of quiescent mtDNA contributes to the existence of separate sexes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent evidence on mitochondrial function in oocytes.
  • Analysis of the proposed mechanisms of mitochondrial quiescence.
  • Theoretical modeling of mtDNA transmission and its evolutionary implications.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests oocyte mitochondria are transcriptionally and bioenergetically repressed, escaping age-related damage.
  • This quiescent state protects mtDNA from accumulating mutations.
  • Unexpressed mtDNA in the female germline supports the theory of separate sexes and maternal inheritance.

Conclusions:

  • Oocyte mitochondrial quiescence is a key mechanism for preventing age-related mtDNA damage.
  • Maternal inheritance of quiescent mtDNA ensures transmission of healthy mitochondria to offspring.
  • This process circumvents the incremental accumulation of age-related diseases across generations.