Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
05:29
Imaging and Quantifying Mitochondrial Morphology in C. elegans During Aging
Published on: January 17, 2025
2.0K
Selection for Mitochondrial Quality Drives Evolution of the Germline
Arunas L Radzvilavicius1,2, Zena Hadjivasiliou1,2, Andrew Pomiankowski1,2
1Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Plos Biology
|December 21, 2016
Summary
Mitochondrial quality selection drives germline evolution. Low mutation rates favor somatic gametogenesis, while high rates promote early germline sequestration, explaining diverse reproductive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The distinction between germline and somatic cells is fundamental but poorly understood.
- Plants and basal animals exhibit somatic gametogenesis, while most bilaterians sequester a germline early in development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an evolutionary model explaining the origin of the germline-soma distinction.
- To investigate the role of mitochondrial quality control in germline evolution.
Main Methods:
- Development of a theoretical evolutionary model.
- Analysis of selection pressures on mitochondrial DNA replication and segregation.
- Consideration of the impact of oogamy on germline evolution.
Main Results:
- Selection for mitochondrial quality is a primary driver of germline evolution.
- Low mitochondrial mutation rates favor somatic gametogenesis, while high rates favor early germline sequestration.
- Oogamy influences germline dynamics, with compensatory mechanisms like germ cell proliferation and atresia observed in bilaterians.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial quality selection explains somatic gametogenesis stability, oogamy evolution, and germline sequestration in bilaterians.
- Increased predation and tissue turnover during the Cambrian explosion may have accelerated germline evolution and complex development.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
9.8K
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...
9.8K
02:19Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes
4.4K
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...
4.4K
01:37Mitochondria
21.1K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
21.1K
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
17.6K
A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
17.6K
01:39Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
3.9K
Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70 chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial...
Most of the mitochondrial...
3.9K
01:39Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
5.9K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death. Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
5.9K