人类线粒体DNA的分子遗传特性

人类线粒体DNA(mitochodrialDNA,mtDNA)是存在于细胞核外唯一的遗传物质,具有独特的分子遗传特性,mtDNA突变可导致人类各种退行性疾病和与衰老相关的疾病发生。     

人类线粒体DNA突变与癌症

细胞中的线粒体在细胞的能量代谢等功能中发挥了重要的作用。 人类的肿瘤形成与线粒体DNA (mtDNA)存在着复杂的关联, 在多种癌细胞中均检测到mtDNA的突变。文章综述了癌细胞中的mtDNA突变与癌症发 生的相关性, 并讨论了部分突变产生的原因及在癌症中进行mtDNA突变检测的应用前景。     

线粒体疾病与核基因-线粒体基因的表达调控

线粒体与疾病是当前生物医学领域最前沿之一。本文简单介绍线粒体生物医学的基础知识、线粒体疾病的遗传模式,综述了近年来在线粒体DNA（mtDNA）突变和疾病、核基因突变和疾病等领域的研究进展,着重阐明核基因（特别是核修饰基因）调控mtDNA突变致病表达的分子机制。     

线粒体基因突变与糖尿病的相关性研究进展

线粒体DNA(mtDNA)突变可引起多种遗传性疾病,其中包括糖尿病.与mtDNA突变相关的糖尿病中最常见的变异是tRNALeu(UUR)] 3243 A→G.文章描述了mtDNA线粒体突变与糖尿病的相关性,介绍了线粒体糖尿病的临床特点和发病机制,概括了线粒体糖尿病相关变异基因位点,重点介绍了m.3243A→G、3310C→T、16189T→C基因突变与线粒体糖尿病病理生理的联系.文章认为mtDNA突变位点的研究为糖尿病的发生机制提供新的视角,也为糖尿病的治疗提供了新方向.     

基于新一代测序技术的mtDNA突变检测方法学的建立

目的:大量研究证实线粒体DNA(mtDNA)突变与肿瘤发生及进展密切相关,但使用传统测序方法难以高通量、高精确度的检测mtDNA突变,为此本研究建立了基于新一代测序技术的mtDNA突变检测方法.方法:提取肝癌患者癌、癌旁组织以及外周血细胞总DNA,利用PCR技术对线粒体基因组进行富集并对PCR产物进行平末端、粘性末端连接或对PCR引物进行氨基修饰,构建mtDNA测序文库.经Illumina HiSeq 2000平台测序后利用生物信息学方法与人类mtDNA参考序列进行比对,并进行测序数据分析.结果:通过对不同质量基因组DNA进行评估后,发现三对引物法适用于大部分DNA样本的mtDNA富集.进一步我们发现PCR引物的氨基修饰可显著提高测序数据覆盖均一性,降低测序成本.结论:本研究利用新一代测序技术通过对线粒体DNA富集方法以及测序覆盖度均一性进行优化,建立了一套灵敏、特异、高通量的mtDNA突变检测策略,为mtDNA突变与疾病研究提供了新方法.     

线粒体遗传病

线粒体(mitochondrion)是一个敏感而多变的细胞器,是细胞中能量储存和供给的场所。除细菌、蓝绿藻和哺乳类动物成熟红细胞外,所有的真核细胞都有线粒体。1963年Nass在对鸡卵母细胞的研究中首次发现线粒体拥有自己特异的遗传物质——线粒体DNA(mtDNA)。近年来,人们发现线粒体DNA突变与许多人类疾病有关,因而,mtDNA已成为分子遗传学和临床医学所关注的一个热点。1　mtDNA的结构特征mtDNA与核DNA不同,其形状类似于原核细胞的DNA,呈裸露环状。人mtDNA为全长16569bp的双链闭环分子,外环为重链(H链),内环为轻链(L链)。H链与L链的碱基…     

转线粒体细胞模型

转线粒体细胞模型是由无线粒体DNA(mtDNA)细胞与mtDNA供体通过融合的方法而形成的融合细胞。随着转线粒体技术的发展,制备该细胞模型的方法也多种多样。现今,转线粒体模型的应用十分广泛,不仅可应用于线粒体相关疾病的基础研究,而且在线粒体相关疾病的临床研究中也发挥了重要的作用。融合细胞具有一致的核背景,可以消除核基因的作用,因而有助于判断mtDNA突变的致病作用及机制和线粒体缺陷的致病作用及机制。此外,利用该模型还可作为探讨线粒体相关疾病基因治疗和筛选疾病治疗药物的有效模型。     

高血压相关的线粒体DNA突变

线粒体DNA(mtDNA)突变是高血压发病的分子机制之一。已经报道的与原发性高血压相关的mtDNA突变包括:tRNAMet A4435G,tRNAMet/tRNAGln A4401G,tRNAIle A4263G,T4291C和A4295G突变。这些高血压相关的mtDNA突变改变了相应的线粒体tRNA的结构,导致线粒体tRNA的代谢障碍。而线粒体tRNAs的代谢缺陷则影响蛋白质合成,造成氧化磷酸化缺陷,降低ATP的合成,增加活性氧的产生。因此,线粒体的功能缺陷可能在高血压的发生发展中起一定的作用。mtDNA突变发病的组织特异性则可能与线粒体tRNAs的代谢以及核修饰基因相关。目前发现的这些高血压相关的mtDNA突变则应该作为今后高血压诊断的遗传风险因子。高血压相关的线粒体功能缺陷的深入研究也将进一步诠释母系遗传高血压的分子致病机制,为高血压的预防、控制和治疗提供依据。文章对高血压相关的mtDNA突变进行了综述。     

线粒体拟核结构及相关疾病研究进展

线粒体DNA(mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA)与一系列蛋白质相互作用形成核蛋白复合体,并包装折叠成类似原核生物拟核的结构,称为线粒体拟核(mitochondrial nucleoid)。参与线粒体拟核组成的相关蛋白包括线粒体转录因子、线粒体单链DNA结合蛋白以及多种参与线粒体中代谢途径的多功能蛋白。线粒体拟核结构的阐明对于进一步研究线粒体形态与功能以及mtDNA的遗传模式、基因表达调控具有重要意义。本文综述了线粒体拟核结构的最新研究进展,着重介绍组成拟核结构的重要蛋白,以及这些蛋白如何将mtDNA与柠檬酸循环等线粒体重要代谢途径相联系。同时,拟核相关蛋白(nucleoid-associated protein)的异常涉及多种人类疾病,这为研究线粒体相关疾病提供了新的思路。     

线粒体病的基因治疗

线粒体病是一组因线粒体DNA缺失或突变而致氧化磷酸化及能量供应异常的疾病,目前该类疾病的治疗主要是支持治疗。然而由于线粒体结构和功能的特殊性,该疗效并不确切。因此,线粒体病的基因治疗显得越来越迫切和重要。目前,基因治疗的策略包括降低突变型mtDNA／野生型mtDNA的比例、错位表达、输入其他同源性基因以及利用限制性内切酶修复突变型mtDNA等。     

Development of Mitochondrial Gene Replacement Therapy

Many "classic" mitochondrial diseases have been described that arise from single homoplasmic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These diseases typically affect nonmitotic tissues (brain, retina, muscle), present with variable phenotypes, can appear sporadically, and are untreatable. Evolving evidence implicates mtDNA abnormalities in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type II diabetes, but specific causal mutations for these conditions remain to be defined. Understanding the mtDNA genotype-phenotype relationships and developing specific treatment for mtDNA-based diseases is hampered by inability to manipulate the mitochondrial genome. We present a novel protein transduction technology ("protofection") that allows insertion and expression of the human mitochondrial genome into mitochondria of living cells. With protofection, the mitochondrial genotype can be altered, or exogenous genes can be introduced to be expressed and either retained in mitochondria or be directed to other organelles. Protofection also delivers mtDNA in vivo, opening the way to rational development of mitochondrial gene replacement therapy of mtDNA-based diseases.     

Nanopore sequencing identifies a higher frequency and expanded spectrum of mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations in human aging

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion mutations cause many human diseases and are linked to age-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Mapping the mutation spectrum and quantifying mtDNA deletion mutation frequency is challenging with next-generation sequencing methods. We hypothesized that long-read sequencing of human mtDNA across the lifespan would detect a broader spectrum of mtDNA rearrangements and provide a more accurate measurement of their frequency. We employed nanopore Cas9-targeted sequencing (nCATS) to map and quantitate mtDNA deletion mutations and develop analyses that are fit-for-purpose. We analyzed total DNA from vastus lateralis muscle in 15 males ranging from 20 to 81 years of age and substantia nigra from three 20-year-old and three 79-year-old men. We found that mtDNA deletion mutations detected by nCATS increased exponentially with age and mapped to a wider region of the mitochondrial genome than previously reported. Using simulated data, we observed that large deletions are often reported as chimeric alignments. To address this, we developed two algorithms for deletion identification which yield consistent deletion mapping and identify both previously reported and novel mtDNA deletion breakpoints. The identified mtDNA deletion frequency measured by nCATS correlates strongly with chronological age and predicts the deletion frequency as measured by digital PCR approaches. In substantia nigra, we observed a similar frequency of age-related mtDNA deletions to those observed in muscle samples, but noted a distinct spectrum of deletion breakpoints. NCATS-mtDNA sequencing allows the identification of mtDNA deletions on a single-molecule level, characterizing the strong relationship between mtDNA deletion frequency and chronological aging.     

Mouse models of mitochondrial DNA defects and their relevance for human disease

Qualitative and quantitative changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been shown to be common causes of inherited neurodegenerative and muscular diseases, and have also been implicated in ageing. These diseases can be caused by primary mtDNA mutations, or by defects in nuclear‐encoded mtDNA maintenance proteins that cause secondary mtDNA mutagenesis or instability. Furthermore, it has been proposed that mtDNA copy number affects cellular tolerance to environmental stress. However, the mechanisms that regulate mtDNA copy number and the tissue‐specific consequences of mtDNA mutations are largely unknown. As post‐mitotic tissues differ greatly from proliferating cultured cells in their need for mtDNA maintenance, and as most mitochondrial diseases affect post‐mitotic cell types, the mouse is an important model in which to study mtDNA defects. Here, we review recently developed mouse models, and their contribution to our knowledge of mtDNA maintenance and its role in disease.     

线粒体DNA和疾病

人线粒体DNA是含有16569 bp的闭环双链分子.它为13种氧化磷酸作用酶的亚单位、结构rRNAs和tRNAs编码.近年来很多引起人类疾病的线粒体DNA突变已被确定,如眼盲、耳聋、心力衰竭和人类退行性疾病等.线粒体DNA疾病可能比先前想象的多.     

Mitochondrial DNA mutations and human disease

Mitochondrial disorders are a group of clinically heterogeneous diseases, commonly defined by a lack of cellular energy due to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) defects. Since the identification of the first human pathological mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in 1988, significant efforts have been spent in cataloguing the vast array of causative genetic defects of these disorders. Currently, more than 250 pathogenic mtDNA mutations have been identified. An ever-increasing number of nuclear DNA mutations are also being reported as the majority of proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism and maintenance are nuclear-encoded. Understanding the phenotypic diversity and elucidating the molecular mechanisms at the basis of these diseases has however proved challenging. Progress has been hampered by the peculiar features of mitochondrial genetics, an inability to manipulate the mitochondrial genome, and difficulties in obtaining suitable models of disease. In this review, we will first outline the unique features of mitochondrial genetics before detailing the diseases and their genetic causes, focusing specifically on primary mtDNA genetic defects. The functional consequences of mtDNA mutations that have been characterised to date will also be discussed, along with current and potential future diagnostic and therapeutic advances.     

The mitochondrial genome and human mitochondrial diseases

To date, more than 100 point mutations and several hundreds of structural rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are known too be connected with characteristic neuromuscular and other mitochondrial syndromes varying form those causing death at the neonatal stage to diseases with late ages of onset. The immediate cause of mitochondrial disorders is a defective oxidative phosphorylation. Wide phenotypic variation and the heteroplasmy phenomenon, which some authors include in mutation load, are characteristic of human mitochondrial diseases. As the numbers of cases identified and pedigrees described increase, data on the genotype--phenotype interaction and the structure and frequency of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic mtDNA mutations in human populations are rapidly accumulated. The data on the genetics and epidemiology of mitochondrial diseases are not only important for differential diagnosis and genetic counseling. Since both neutral and mildly pathogenic mutations of mtDNA are progressively accumulated in maternal phyletic lines, molecular analysis of these mutations permits not only reconstruction of the genealogical tree of modern humans, but also estimation of the role that these mutations play in natural selection.     

The Mitochondrial Genome and Human Mitochondrial Diseases

To date, more than 100 point mutations and several hundreds of structural rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are known too be connected with characteristic neuromuscular and other mitochondrial syndromes varying form those causing death at the neonatal stage to diseases with late ages of onset. The immediate cause of mitochondrial disorders is a defective oxidative phosphorylation. Wide phenotypic variation and the heteroplasmy phenomenon, which some authors include in mutation load, are characteristic of human mitochondrial diseases. As the numbers of cases identified and pedigrees described increase, data on the genotype–phenotype interaction and the structure and frequency of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic mtDNA mutations in human populations are rapidly accumulated. The data on the genetics and epidemiology of mitochondrial diseases are not only important for differential diagnosis and genetic counseling. Since both neutral and mildly pathogenic mutations of mtDNA are progressively accumulated in maternal phyletic lines, molecular analysis of these mutations permits not only reconstruction of the genealogical tree of modern humans, but also estimation of the role that these mutations play in natural selection.     

Defects in mitochondrial DNA replication and human disease

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is replicated by the DNA polymerase g in concert with accessory proteins such as the mtDNA helicase, single stranded DNA binding protein, topoisomerase, and initiating factors. Nucleotide precursors for mtDNA replication arise from the mitochondrial salvage pathway originating from transport of nucleosides, or alternatively from cytoplasmic reduction of ribonucleotides. Defects in mtDNA replication or nucleotide metabolism can cause mitochondrial genetic diseases due to mtDNA deletions, point mutations, or depletion which ultimately cause loss of oxidative phosphorylation. These genetic diseases include mtDNA depletion syndromes such as Alpers or early infantile hepatocerebral syndromes, and mtDNA deletion disorders, such as progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), ataxia-neuropathy, or mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE). This review focuses on our current knowledge of genetic defects of mtDNA replication (POLG, POLG2, C10orf2) and nucleotide metabolism (TYMP, TK2, DGOUK, and RRM2B) that cause instability of mtDNA and mitochondrial disease.