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Comment
. 2016 Jul 28;535(7613):498-500.
doi: 10.1038/nature18902. Epub 2016 Jul 6.

Genetics: Mitochondrial DNA in evolution and disease

Douglas C Wallace
Comment

Genetics: Mitochondrial DNA in evolution and disease

Douglas C Wallace. Nature. .
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1 |
Figure 1 |. Mitochondria as the central environmental sensor.
Latorre-Pellicer et al. report that the transfer of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from one mouse strain to another has pronounced effects on biology, demonstrating that mitochondrial genetic variation is not neutral and that mitochondrial–nuclear interactions are of central importance to mammalian physiology. Mitochondrial function is directly influenced by environmental changes such as diet, activity and inflammation caused by infection, so the mitochondrion must have a central role in mediating between environmental perturbations and genomic responses. High-energy molecules produced by the mitochondria modify the cytoplasmic signaling proteins and proteins that regulate nuclear DNA (nDNA) expression. These changes reprogram gene expression, including the expression of nDNA and mtDNA protein genes that act in and on the mitochondrion, which feeds back on mitochondrial function. If energetic homeostasis can be re-established health and longevity are preserved. However, if genetic or environmental changes are too extreme, then energetics production declines leading to disease and even death.
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Comment on

  • Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA matching shapes metabolism and healthy ageing.
    Latorre-Pellicer A, Moreno-Loshuertos R, Lechuga-Vieco AV, Sánchez-Cabo F, Torroja C, Acín-Pérez R, Calvo E, Aix E, González-Guerra A, Logan A, Bernad-Miana ML, Romanos E, Cruz R, Cogliati S, Sobrino B, Carracedo Á, Pérez-Martos A, Fernández-Silva P, Ruíz-Cabello J, Murphy MP, Flores I, Vázquez J, Enríquez JA. Latorre-Pellicer A, et al. Nature. 2016 Jul 28;535(7613):561-5. doi: 10.1038/nature18618. Epub 2016 Jul 6. Nature. 2016. PMID: 27383793

References

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