Why do we still have a maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA? Insights from evolutionary medicine

The human cell is a symbiosis of two life forms, the nucleus-cytosol and the mitochondrion. The nucleus-cytosol emphasizes structure and its genes are Mendelian, whereas the mitochondrion specializes in energy and its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes are maternal. Mitochondria oxidize calories via ox...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of biochemistry 2007-01, Vol.76 (1), p.781-821
Main Author: Wallace, Douglas C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochemistry
Biological Evolution
Cells
DNA, Mitochondrial
Genes
Genes, Mitochondrial
Genomics
Humans
Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial Proteins - genetics
Mitochondrial Proteins - metabolism
Oxidative Phosphorylation
Phylogeny
Potential energy
Protein Subunits - genetics
Protein Subunits - metabolism
Symbiosis
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Summary:The human cell is a symbiosis of two life forms, the nucleus-cytosol and the mitochondrion. The nucleus-cytosol emphasizes structure and its genes are Mendelian, whereas the mitochondrion specializes in energy and its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes are maternal. Mitochondria oxidize calories via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to generate a mitochondrial inner membrane proton gradient (DeltaP). DeltaP then acts as a source of potential energy to produce ATP, generate heat, regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and control apoptosis, etc. Interspecific comparisons of mtDNAs have revealed that the mtDNA retains a core set of electron and proton carrier genes for the proton-translocating OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V. Human mtDNA analysis has revealed these genes frequently contain region-specific adaptive polymorphisms. Therefore, the mtDNA with its energy controlling genes may have been retained to permit rapid adaptation to new environments.
ISSN:0066-4154
1545-4509
DOI:10.1146/annurev.biochem.76.081205.150955