Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Analysis of the Ambient Particulate Matter-induced Chromosomal Aberrations Using an In Vitro System
08:48

Analysis of the Ambient Particulate Matter-induced Chromosomal Aberrations Using an In Vitro System

Published on: December 21, 2016

9.0K

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure, miRNA genetic variations, and associated leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy

Xiaoran Duan1, Yongli Yang2, Hui Zhang3

  • 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China; Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China.

Chemosphere
|January 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure significantly reduces mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in coke oven workers. Specific microRNA (miRNA) genetic variations, alongside PAH exposure, influence this decrease, highlighting combined environmental and genetic factors.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is susceptible to damage from exogenous carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
  • Variability in mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) may be influenced by nuclear gene variants.
  • The association between microRNA (miRNA) genetic variations and mtDNA damage in PAH-exposed populations is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between miRNA genetic variations and mitochondrial DNA damage in workers exposed to PAHs.
  • To assess the impact of environmental PAH exposure on leukocyte mtDNA copy number (mtDNAcn).

Main Methods:

  • Measured leukocyte mtDNAcn, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR) as a biomarker of PAH exposure, and environmental PAH levels.
  • Genotyped miRNA polymorphisms in 544 coke oven workers and 238 healthy controls.
  • Utilized Spearman correlation and covariance analysis to examine associations.

Main Results:

  • Leukocyte mtDNAcn was significantly lower in the PAH-exposed group compared to controls (0.60 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.31).
  • mtDNAcn showed significant negative correlations with urinary 1-OHPYR and environmental PAH exposure.
  • Specific miRNA polymorphisms (miR-210 rs11246190 AA, miR-210 rs7395206 CC, miR-126 rs2297538 GG) were associated with decreased mtDNAcn, while miR-210 rs11246190 GG appeared protective.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased leukocyte mtDNAcn in coke oven workers results from a combination of environmental PAH exposure and specific genetic factors related to miRNA.
  • Environmental PAH exposure is a risk factor for reduced mtDNAcn, while certain miRNA genotypes may offer protection.
Keywords:
Mitochondrial DNA copy numberPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsmiRNArs11246190

More Related Videos

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters05:18

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters

Published on: July 12, 2024

655
Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines07:49

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: March 17, 2023

3.0K

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...
8.9K
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
17.8K