Sequence Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA D-loop Region in Xinjiang Goose

[Objective] The sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of Xinjiang Goose with three different colors of plumage were analyzed in order to study the genetic diversity of Xinjiang Goose, as well as the phylogeny and evolution. [Method] Ten geese were selected randomly from the core populations of grey-, mosaic- and white-plumaged Xinjiang Goose respectively with a total number of thirty as experi- mental materials, of which the blood samples were collected from the largest vein under the wing （brachial vein） for DNA extraction. Sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop regions were determined using DNA sequencing technology to analyze the polymorphism. In addition, the genetic distances among different populations were estimated through the comparison with the reference sequences. [Resull] The con- tents of A, G, C and T nucleotides in the D-loop region of Xinjiang Goose were 28.85%, 17.05%, 25.38% and 28.72%, respectively. The average haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of Xinjiang Goose were 0.583 and 0.056. Xinjiang Goose and Greylag Goose were clustered into the same group. [Conclusion] The results showed that Xinjiang Geese with three different colors of plumage all descend from Greylag Goose （Anser anser）.

Peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for major depressive disorder

In the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder, chronic stress-related neuroinflammation hinders favorable prognosis and antidepressant response. Mitochondrial DNA may be an inflammatory trigger, after its release from stress-induced dysfunctional central nervous system mitochondria into peripheral circulation. This evidence supports the potential use of peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein, we critically review the neuroinflammation theory in major depressive disorder, providing compelling evidence that mitochondrial DNA release acts as a critical biological substrate, and that it constitutes the neuroinflammatory disease pathway. After its release, mitochondrial DNA can be carried in the exosomes and transported to extracellular spaces in the central nervous system and peripheral circulation. Detectable exosomes render encaged mitochondrial DNA relatively stable. This mitochondrial DNA in peripheral circulation can thus be directly detected in clinical practice. These characteristics illustrate the potential for mitochondrial DNA to serve as an innovative clinical biomarker and molecular treatment target for major depressive disorder. This review also highlights the future potential value of clinical applications combining mitochondrial DNA with a panel of other biomarkers, to improve diagnostic precision in major depressive disorder.

Molecular Phylogeny of Slow Lorises (Nycticebus) Revealed by D-loop Sequences and Complete Cytochrome b Gene Sequences of Mitochondrial DNA

Partial sequences of the D-loop and the complete sequences of cytochrome b gene (1 140 bp) of the slow lorises (genus Nycticebus) were undertaken to investigate evolutionary relationships among species of Nycticebus.Sequence analysis results consistently provide new taxonomy evidence at the DNA level for supporting Ratajszczak and Groves’ viewpoint that N.intermedus is merely the adult of N.pygmaeus (Ratajszczak,1998;Groves,1971).Phylogenetic analysis was performed by means of the combined data and these two separate sequences data,respectively,by using various methods,supporting the same topology,in which genus Nycticebus was formed of two clusters.The first cluster was composed of N.pygmaeus,and the second cluster of N.coucang.It also could provide a new molecular genetic evidence to support the view that the genus comprises two species:N.coucang and N.pygmaeus.

Mutation in D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA in gastric cancer and its significance

AIM:To investigate the mutation in D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA in gastric cancer and its influence on the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle. METHODS: The D-loop region was amplified by PCR and sequenced.Reactive oxygen species and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry in 20 specimens from gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues.According to the sequence results,gastric cancer tissue was divided into mutation group and control group.Reactive oxygen species,apoptosis and proliferation in the two groups were compared. RESULTS:Among the 20 gastric cancer specimens, 18 mutations were identified in 7 patients,the mutation rate being 35%.There were four microsatellite instabilities in the mutations. No mutation was found in the adjacent tissues. Reactive oxygen species,apoptosis,and proliferation in the mutation group were all significantly higher than those in control group. CONCLUSION: Mutation in D-loop region plays a role in the genesis and development of gastric cancer.

A Study on the D-loop Region of Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Mutation in Cervical Carcinomas

Objective Background-study on genesis and development of tumor is mainly concentrated on gene mutation in nucleus.In recent years,however,the role of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) mutation in tumor genesis has been given more and more attention,which is the only extra-nucleus DNA in cells of higher animals.Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a common tumor in gynecology,but there are few reports of mtDNA mutation in this area.The focus of this study was to investigate the mtDNA mutation in tumor tissues of cervical carcinomas and their relationship to tumorigenesis and tumor development.Methods The D-loop region of 24 cervical carcinomas together with the adjacent normal tissues were amplified by PCR and sequenced.Results Among the 24 cervical carcinomas,30 mutations in 9 patients′ specimen were identified with the mutations rate of 37.5%(9/24).There were 8 microsatellite instabilities among the mutations and 13 new polymorphisms which were not reported previously in the Genbank.Conclusions The D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA is a highly polymorphoric and mutable region and the mutation rate is relatively high in patients with cervical carcinomas.

Mutations in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA in gastric cancer

Objective: To investigate the mutati ons in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in gastric cancer. Methods: The mtDNA of D-loop region was amplified by PCR and sequence d in 20 samples from gastric cancer tissue and adjacent normal membrane. Results: There were 7/20(35%) mutations in the mtDNA of D-loop regio n in gastric cancer patients. There were four microsatellite instabilities among the 18 mutations. Nine new polymorphisms were identified in 20 patients. Conclusion: The mtDNA of D-loop region might be highly polymorphoric and the mutation rate is high in patients with gastric cancer.

Genetic Variation of Mitochondrial D-loop Region and Evolution Analysis in Some Chinese Cattle Breeds

The complete mitochondrial D-loop region from 123 individuals in 12 Chinese cattle breeds and two individuals in Germany Yellow cattle breed was sequenced and analyzed. The results were shown as follows： 93 variations and 57 haplotypes were detected, and the average number of nucleotide difference was 22.708, nucleotide diversity （π） was 0.0251 ± 0.00479, and haplotype diversity （Hd） was 0.888 ± 0.026, indicating very high genetic diversity in Chinese cattle breeds. In the Neighbor-Joining tree, 13 cattle breeds were divided into two main clades, Bos taurus and Bos indicus; new Clade Ill had only one sequence from Apeijiaza cattle breed in Tibet, which was similar to that of yak at a higher level than other cattle breeds, proving the introgression of genes from the yak. The proportions of Bos taurus and Bos indicus were 64.3 % and 35.7 % respectively in Xigaze Humped cattle breed, and 50.0% and 50.0% respectively in Apeijiaza cattle breed, which revealed that Tibet cattle included Bos indicus haplotypes. The importance of Yunnan cattle in the origin of Chinese cattle was also confirmed based on their abundant haplotypes. Then, a very special haplotype il discovered in 27 Chinese cattle breeds, including 11 breeds in this study and 16 breeds in the GenBank, played the role of a nucleus in Chinese zebu and was further discussed. At the same time, the construction of Chinese zebu core group based on haplotype il validated the distinct origin of Bos indicus in Tibet, which was different from that of the other cattle breeds with zebu haplotypes in China.

Inheritance of Chloroplast and Mitochondrial DNA in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)

The inheritance of mitochondrial (mt) DNA and chloroplast (cp) DNA was investigated in intergeneric hybrids from crossing between Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. and Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk. The chloroplast trnL trnF region and one intra genic segment of the mitochondrial gene, Cox Ⅲ, were amplified from those of the parents and hybrids by PCR using gene specific primers. Cp and mtDNA polymorphisms of the amplified regions were detected between the parents after restriction digestions. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis revealed that all the F 1 individuals possessed Cox Ⅲ restriction fragment patterns (characteristic of the paternal parent Cryptomeria fortunei ) and the trnL trnF region (identical to the maternal parent Cunninghamia lanceolata ) showing that a different mode of inheritance for organelle DNA has occurred in the hybrids. Furthermore, the maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA is reported here for the first time in coniferophyta.

安徽新安江水牛mtDNA D-Loop区遗传多样性与系统进化研究

试验旨在分析安徽省黄山市新安江流域上游地区新安江水牛群体的分子遗传特性,探究其母系起源与遗传多样性。利用PCR扩增和测序技术测定28头新安江水牛的mtDNA D-Loop序列,下载GenBank数据库中24个中国水牛群体的693条D-Loop序列,利用生物信息学分析其遗传多样性,构建Neighbor-joining系统发生树和Media-joining网络,探索不同水牛群体的遗传距离。结果显示,28头新安江水牛的mtDNA D-Loop序列共有117个变异位点,构成25种单倍型,其核苷酸多样性为0.02602±0.00303,单倍型多样性为0.989±0.014。新安江水牛群体的变异性水平与中国其他水牛群体接近。N-J系统进化树显示,新安江水牛25个单倍型分为A、B两个支系,具有A支系和B支系2个母系来源,其中A支系占据主导地位。Media-joining进化网络显示,中国水牛主要为沼泽型水牛,分为沼泽型水牛A支系和B支系,B支系又分为b1亚支系和b2亚支系。综上,新安江水牛群体变异水平与中国其他地方水牛群体接近,群体遗传多样性丰富;且新安江水牛属于沼泽型水牛,具有2个线粒体母系来源,与我国其他地方水牛群体具有一定的遗传距离。

Genetic Polymorphism of Mitochondrial DNA in Dong,Gelao,Tujia,and Yi Ethnic Populations from Guizhou,China

To reveal the genetic structures and relationships of the four ethnic populations from the maternal inheritance and explore the origins and migrations of nationalities, the genetic polymorphism of mtDNA in Dong, Gelao, Tujia, and Yi populations from Guizhou was studied by direct sequencing of hypervariable segment Ⅰ （HVS Ⅰ ） and PCR-RFLP of coding region. Thirty-seven （sub-） haplogroups were identified in the classification tree of mtDNA haplogroups. Haplogroup distributions and principal component （PC） analysis showed that the Dong has high frequencies of south-prevalent haplogroups, which indicates that it is a typically southern population. The Yi harbors high frequencies of the south-prevalent and northern-prevalent haplogroups, which demonstrates that it inherits the maternal characteristics from both southern and northern populations. The Yi and Gelao cluster together, the reason for which might be that their ancestries frequently underwent gene exchanges and mixtures.

Origin and phylogenetic analysis of Tibetan Mastiff based on the mitochondrial DNA sequence

At present, the Tibetan Mastiff is the oldest and most ferocious dog in the world. However, the origin of the Tibetan Mastiff and its phylogenetic relationship with other large breed dogs such as Saint Bernard are unclear. In this study, the primers were designed accord- ing to the mitochondrial genome sequence of the domestic dog, and the 2,525 bp mitochondrial sequence, containing the whole sequence of Cytochrome b, tRNA-Thr, tRNA-Pro, and control region of the Tibetan Mastiff, was obtained. Using grey wolves and coyotes as out- groups, the Tibetan Mastiff and 12 breeds of domestic dogs were analyzed in phylogenesis. Tibetan Mastiff, domestic dog breeds, and grey wolves were clustered into a group and coyotes were clustered in a group separately. This indicated that the Tibetan Mastiff and the other domestic dogs originated from the grey wolf, and the Tibetan Mastiff belonged to Carnivora, Canidae, Canis, Canis lupus, Canis lupus familiaris on the animal taxonomy. In domestic dogs, the middle and small breed dogs were clustered at first; German Sheepdog, Swedish Elkhound, and Black Russian Terrier were clustered into one group, and the Tibetan Mastiff, Old English Sheepdog, Leonberger, and Saint Bernard were clustered in another group. This confirmed the viewpoint that many of the famous large breed dogs worldwide such as Saint Bernard possibly had the blood lineage of the Tibetan Mastiff, based on the molecular data. According to the substitution rate, we concluded that the approximate divergence time between Tibetan Mastiff and grey wolf was 58,000 years before the present （YBP）, and the approximate divergence time between other domestic dogs and grey wolf was 42,000 YBP, demonstrating that the time of origin of the Tibetan Mastiff was earlier than that of the other domestic dogs.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial DNA mutations in atherosclerotic complications in diabetes

Mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) is particularly prone to oxidation due to the lack of histones and a deficient mismatch repair system.This explains an increased mutation rate of mtDNA that results in heteroplasmy,e.g.,the coexistence of the mutant and wild-type mtDNA molecules within the same mitochondrion.In diabetes mellitus,glycotoxicity,advanced oxidative stress,collagen cross-linking,and accumulation of lipid peroxides in foam macrophage cells and arterial wall cells may significantly decrease the mutation threshold required for mitochondrial dysfunction,which in turn further contributes to the oxidative damage of the diabetic vascular wall,endothelial dysfunc-tion,and atherosclerosis.

Mitochondrial DNA alterations and mitochondrial dysfunction in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common malignancies and is ranked third in mortality among cancer-related diseases.Mitochondria are intracellular organelles that are responsible for energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis,and mitochondrial dysfunction has been regarded as a hallmark of cancer.Over the past decades,several types of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)alterations have been identified in human cancers,including HCC.However,the role of these mtDNA alterations in cancer progression is unclear.In this review,we summarize the recent findings on the somatic mtDNA alterations identified in HCC and their relationships with the clinicopathological features of HCC.Recent advances in understanding the potential roles of somatic mtDNA alterations in the progression of HCC are also discussed.We suggest that somatic mtDNA mutations and a decrease in the mtDNA copy number are common events in HCC and that a mitochondrial dysfunction-activated signaling cascade may play an important role in the progression of HCC.Elucidation of the retrograde signaling pathways in HCC and the quest for strategies to block some of these pathways will be instrumental for the development of novel treatments for this and other malignancies.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations associated with aminoglycoside induced ototoxicity

Aminoglycosides(Am An) are widely used for their great efficiency against gram-negative bacterial infections. However, they can also induce ototoxic hearing loss, which has affected millions of people around the world. As previously reported, individuals bearing mitochondrial DNA mutations in the 12 S rRNA gene, such as m.1555A>G and m.1494C>T, are more prone to Am An-induced ototoxicity. These mutations cause human mitochondrial ribosomes to more closely resemble bacterial ribosomes and enable a stronger aminoglycoside interaction. Consequently,exposure to Am An can induce or worsen hearing loss in these individuals. Furthermore, a wide range of severity and penetrance of hearing loss was observed among families carrying these mutations. Studies have revealed that these mitochondria mutations are the primary molecular mechanism of genetic susceptibility to Am An ototoxicity, though nuclear modifier genes and mitochondrial haplotypes are known to modulate the phenotypic manifestation.

青海骆驼线粒体DNA D-loop区遗传多样性研究

旨在研究青海骆驼遗传多样性,揭示青海骆驼的母系起源进化。采集柴达木地区3个青海骆驼类群耳组织样品88份并提取基因组DNA,利用PCR扩增和基因测序分析线粒体DNA D-loop序列,并与蒙古、内蒙古双峰驼进行比较。结果表明:D-loop序列中共检测到96个多态位点,定义了27种单倍型。3个青海骆驼类群占有16个单倍型,而蒙古双峰驼独有7个单倍型,内蒙古双峰驼独有4个单倍型。系统发育分析显示出两个独立的分支:第一支为青海骆驼3个类群与蒙古双峰驼,且德令哈双峰驼与其他两个类群间存在明显界限;第二支为内蒙古双峰驼。青海骆驼与内蒙古双峰驼的遗传距离均较远,但与蒙古双峰驼的遗传距离较近。因此,青海骆驼母系起源更倾向于蒙古双峰驼而非内蒙古双峰驼。

Somatic alterations in mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial dysfunction in gastric cancer progression

Energy metabolism reprogramming was recently identified as one of the cancer hallmarks.One of the underlying mechanisms of energy metabolism reprogramming is mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mutations in nuclear genes or mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA).In the past decades,several types of somatic mtDNA alterations have been identified in gastric cancer.However,the role of these mtDNA alterations in gastric cancer progression remains unclear.In this review,we summarize recently identified somatic mtDNA alterations in gastric cancers as well as the relationship between these alterations and the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer.The causative factors and potential roles of the somatic mtDNA alterations in cancer progression are also discussed.We suggest that point mutations and mtDNA copy number decreases are the two most common mtDNA alterations that result in mitochondrial dysfunction in gastric cancers.The two primary mutation types(transition mutations and mononucleotide or dinucleotide repeat instability)imply potential causative factors.Mitochondrial dysfunction-generated reactive oxygen species may be involved in the malignant changes of gastric cancer.The search for strategies to prevent mtDNA alterations and inhibit the mitochondrial retrograde signaling will benefit the development of novel treatments for gastric cancer and other malignancies.

Implications of mitochondrial DNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction in tumorigenesis

Alterations in oxidative phosphorylation resulting from mitochondriai dysfunction have long been hypothesized to be involved in tumorigenesis. Mitochondria have recently been shown to play an important role in regulating both programmed cell death and cell proliferation. Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） mutations have been found in various cancer cells. However, the role of these mtDNA mutations in tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. This review focuses on basic mitochondrial genetics, mtDNA mutations and consequential mitochondrial dysfunction associated with cancer. The potential molecular mechanisms, mediating the pathogenesis from mtDNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction to tumorigenesis are also discussed.

Molecular Taxonomy of Conogethes punctiferalis and Conogethes pinicolalis(Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Conogethes punctiferalis（Guenée）（Lepidoptera： Crambidae） was originally considered as one species with fruit-feeding type（FFT） and pinaceae-feeding type（PFT）, but it has subsequently been divided into two different species of Conogethes punctiferalis and Conogethes pinicolalis. The relationship between the two species was investigated by phylogenetic reconstruction using maximum-likelihood（ML） parameter estimations. The phylogenetic tree and network were constructed based upon sequence data from concatenation of three genes of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunits I, II and cytochrome b which were derived from 118 samples of C. punctiferalis and 24 samples of C. pinicolalis. The phylogenetic tree and network showed that conspecific sequences were clustering together despite intraspecific variability. Here we report the results of a combined analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences from three genes and morphological data representing powerful evidence that C. pinicolalisand C. punctiferalis are significantly different.

Aging:A mitochondrial DNA perspective,critical analysis and an update

The mitochondrial theory of aging, a mainstream theory of aging which once included accumulation of mitochondrial DNA(mt DNA) damage by reactive oxygen species(ROS) as its cornerstone, has been increasingly losing ground and is undergoing extensive revision due to its inability to explain a growing body of emerging data. Concurrently, the notion of the central role for mtDNA in the aging process is being met with increased skepticism. Our progress in understanding the processes of mtDNA maintenance, repair, damage, and degradation in response to damage has largely refuted the view of mt DNA as being particularly susceptible to ROS-mediated mutagenesis due to its lack of "protective" histones and reduced complement of available DNA repair pathways. Recent research on mitochondrial ROS production has led to the appreciation that mitochondria, even in vitro, produce much less ROS than previously thought, automatically leading to a decreased expectation of physiologically achievable levels of mtDNA damage. New evidence suggests that both experimentally induced oxidative stress and radiation therapy result in very low levels of mtDNA mutagenesis. Recent advances provide evidence against the existence of the "vicious" cycle of mtDNA damage and ROS production. Meta-studies reveal no longevity benefit of increased antioxidant defenses. Simultaneously, exciting new observations from both comparative biology and experimental systems indicate that increased ROS production and oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules, including mtDNA, can be associated with extended longevity. A novel paradigm suggests that increased ROS production in aging may be the result of adaptive signaling rather than a detrimental byproduct of normal respiration that drives aging. Here, we review issues pertaining to the role of mtDNA in aging.

Differentiation of coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) based on an analysis of morphology and complete mitochondrial DNA: Are cryptic species present?

Two morphotypes of Plectropomus leopardus have been identified; morphometric and meristic analyses show that there is no diagnostic difference between them. A difference in color pattern was the most ap- propriate phenotypic character with which to distinguish between the two morphotypes. Complete mito- chondrial DNA sequencing, however, indicated a clear difference between the two morphotypes. Barcoding analysis revealed no significant difference （P〉0.05） in CO1 or ND2 divergence among intramorphotypic individuals, even between geographically separated populations, whereas the intermorphotypic CO1 and ND2 divergences were large enough （averaging 0.95% for CO1 and 1.37% for ND2） to clearly discriminate between the two morphotypes. The color pattern difference, geographical distribution, together with the mtDNA and barcode sequencing data, suggest that the two morphotypes should be of two subspecies or even two species.