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Published on: July 10, 2019
A mitochondrial long noncoding RNA in atlantic cod harbors complex heteroplasmic tandem repeat motifs
Tor Erik Jørgensen1, Bård Ove Karlsen2, Åse Emblem3
1a Genomics group, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture , Nord University , Bodø , Norway.
Atlantic cod mitochondrial DNA exhibits common heteroplasmy in the control region due to heteroplasmic tandem repeats (HTRs). These HTRs influence the length of the long noncoding RNA, lncCR-H, and are maternally inherited.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions are crucial for replication and transcription.
- Heteroplasmic tandem repeats (HTRs) have been observed in the mtDNA control region of Atlantic cod.
- Previous work suggested HTR integration into a polyadenylated mitochondrial long noncoding RNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a detailed analysis of mitochondrial HTRs in the Atlantic cod mitochondrial genome.
- To characterize the diversity and inheritance patterns of HTRs.
- To investigate the relationship between HTRs and mitochondrial heteroplasmy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mitochondrial HTRs in 134 Atlantic cod specimens.
- Sequencing and characterization of repeat motifs and array structures.
- Assessment of HTR conservation across tissue types.
- Maternal inheritance study using a controlled mating experiment.
Main Results:
- All 134 Atlantic cod specimens harbored mitochondrial HTRs in the control region.
- 26 distinct HTR variants were identified among 402 assessed repeat motifs.
- Most specimens had 2-5 copies of a single 40-bp motif; 22 showed compound arrays with multiple motif types.
- HTR profiles were conserved across tissues and strictly maternally inherited.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the control region is prevalent in Atlantic cod.
- HTRs are a significant source of length heterogeneity in the long noncoding RNA lncCR-H.
- HTR patterns are stable within individuals and passed down maternally.
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