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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...
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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...
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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.
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Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
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DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
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Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
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Mitochondrial DNA: A disposable genome?

Inna N Shokolenko1, Mikhail F Alexeyev2

  • 1University of South Alabama, Patt Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, Biomedical Sciences Department, 5721 USA Drive N, HAHN 4021, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, USA.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|June 14, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian cells can discard mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with few consequences, suggesting a disposable nature for this genome. Research explores the disposability and necessity of mitochondrial DNA in cellular functions.

Keywords:
Extramitohondrial mtDNAMitochondrial DNAmtDNA copy numbermtDNA degradationmtDNA maintenance

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondria, alongside the nucleus, contain genomic DNA in mammalian cells.
  • The mammalian mitochondrial genome consists of compact, circular DNA molecules.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biology is less understood compared to nuclear DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in mitochondrial DNA biology.
  • To discuss emerging questions regarding the disposability and indispensability of mtDNA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent developments in mtDNA biology.
  • Analysis of studies investigating mtDNA shedding and its physiological impact.

Main Results:

  • Cells exhibit a 'disposable' mitochondrial genome, shedding mtDNA under certain stimuli.
  • This shedding often occurs with minimal or no apparent physiological consequence.

Conclusions:

  • The disposable nature of mtDNA is a significant characteristic requiring further investigation.
  • Understanding the balance between mtDNA disposability and indispensability is crucial for cellular biology.