Evolution and disease converge in the mitochondrion

D. Mishmar, I. Zhidkov

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are long known to cause diseases but also underlie tremendous population divergence in humans. It was assumed that the two types of mutations differ in one major trait: functionality. However, evidence from disease association studies, cell culture and animal models support the functionality of common mtDNA genetic variants, leading to the hypothesis that disease-causing mutations and mtDNA genetic variants share considerable common features. Here we provide evidence showing that the two types of mutations obey the rules of evolution, including random genetic drift and natural selection. This similarity does not only converge at the principle level; rather, disease-causing mutations could recapitulate the ancestral DNA sequence state. Thus, the very same mutations could either mark ancient evolutionary changes or cause disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1099-1104
Number of pages6
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics
Volume1797
Issue number6-7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Disease
  • Evolution
  • Haplogroup
  • Mitochondria
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
  • Mutation rate
  • Variant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evolution and disease converge in the mitochondrion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this