人癌细胞线粒体DNA控制区序列特征分析

为了探讨癌细胞mtDNA控制区序列的变化特征, 采用PCR产物限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析与直接测序相结合的方法,对比分析6株人癌细胞系、 6例癌患者及4例健康成人白细胞mtDNA控制区序列。发现第16519位T→C、16 534位A→G、46位T→G和49位A→C突变, 在癌细胞系和癌患者白细胞mtDNA中分别占50%(3/6)和33.3%(2/6), 健康成人白细胞mtDNA中未见此类型突变;第16 278位C→T突变,在癌细胞系mtDNA中占50%(3/6),显著高于正常人群mtDNA中此位点的多态性变异。表明癌细胞和癌患者白细胞mtDNA重链复制起点及其 相邻D环区的特征性突变可能与细胞癌变/或癌的易感性有关。 Abstract：　To explore the sequence feature of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) control region in human carcinoma cells, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and direct sequence techniques were used to analyze the sequence of mtDNA control region of 6 human carcinoma cell lines versus white blood cells which from 6 tumor patients and 4 normal adults. The T to C mutation at np 16 519, A to G mutation at np 16 534, T to G mutation at np 46, and A to C mutation at np 49 was found in 50% (3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines and in 33.3%(2/6 cases) of tumor patients, but it was not found in normal adults. The C to T mutation at np 16 278 was found in 50%(3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines, it was significantly higher than that of the polymorphism of normal population. These findings suggest that the typical mutation in the starting area of heavy-strand replication and the first half of D-loop region might probably be associated with carcinogenesis or susceptibility of carcinoma.     

人癌细胞线粒体DNA控制区序列特征分析

为了探讨癌细胞mtDNA控制区序列的变化特征, 采用PCR产物限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析与直接测序相结合的方法,对比分析6株人癌细胞系、 6例癌患者及4例健康成人白细胞mtDNA控制区序列。发现第16519位T→C、16 534位A→G、46位T→G和49位A→C突变, 在癌细胞系和癌患者白细胞mtDNA中分别占50%(3/6)和33.3%(2/6), 健康成人白细胞mtDNA中未见此类型突变;第16 278位C→T突变,在癌细胞系mtDNA中占50%(3/6),显著高于正常人群mtDNA中此位点的多态性变异。表明癌细胞和癌患者白细胞mtDNA重链复制起点及其 相邻D环区的特征性突变可能与细胞癌变/或癌的易感性有关。 Abstract：　To explore the sequence feature of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) control region in human carcinoma cells, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and direct sequence techniques were used to analyze the sequence of mtDNA control region of 6 human carcinoma cell lines versus white blood cells which from 6 tumor patients and 4 normal adults. The T to C mutation at np 16 519, A to G mutation at np 16 534, T to G mutation at np 46, and A to C mutation at np 49 was found in 50% (3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines and in 33.3%(2/6 cases) of tumor patients, but it was not found in normal adults. The C to T mutation at np 16 278 was found in 50%(3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines, it was significantly higher than that of the polymorphism of normal population. These findings suggest that the typical mutation in the starting area of heavy-strand replication and the first half of D-loop region might probably be associated with carcinogenesis or susceptibility of carcinoma.     

Paternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in the sheep (Ovine aries)

Paternal inheritance of mitochondria DNA in sheep was discovered by examination of 152 sheep from 38 hybrid families for mtDNA D-loop polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP, amplification of repeated sequence somain, and PCR-SSCP of the D-loop 5' end region of a 253 bp fragment. Our findings have provided the first evidence of paternal inheritance of mtDNA in sheep and possible mechanisms of paternal inheritance were discussed.     

一个母系遗传非综合征耳聋大家系mtDNA序列分析

通过分析本家系mtDNA序列,探讨淮阴一非综合征耳聋大家系患病的分子遗传学机制.采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增mtDNA与非综合征耳聋相关位点nt1555、nt7445的区域和人类种群研究的D-loop区、PCR-异源双链分析、PCR-RFLP、PCR产物克隆序列测定等技术对该家系进行了系统的研究.发现该家系中全部母系亲属有mtDNAA1555G突变,而家系中非母系个体、对照组(100例正常个体)的mtDNA1555位点均为A.该家系mtDNA7445位点无突变;该家系属于II型线粒体;发现家系D-loop区存在未见报道的碱基插入.提示mtDNAA1555G位点突变可能是导致该家系患者致聋的主要因素之一.遗传背景可能对家系疾病的表型存在一定程度的影响。 Abstract:We find an extensive nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness family in Huaiyin,and investigate the possible molecular genetic mechanism of matrilineal nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness.We use PCR,combined with PCR-heteroduplex analysis,PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques to examine part of 12S rRNA,tRNAser(UCN),and D-loop region of this pedigree.1)We found an A to G transition at position 1555(A1555G) of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA from all the patients and four matrilineal.2)An new nucleotide insertion was indentified in D-Loop region.3)According to the polymorphism of D-loop,this pedigree belong to mitochondrial type II.The study showed that the A1555G mutation may be one of major factors in progressive inherited deafness of this family and genetic background should be investigated in the future.     

昆明城郊中国树鼩群体线粒体DNA遗传多样性

由于树鼩是灵长类动物的近亲,且具有体型小、繁殖周期短、饲养管理成本低等优点,长期以来被认为有望替代灵长类动物用于人类疾病的动物模型研究.然而,目前对树鼩的群体遗传结构还知之甚少,这极大地限制了其在疾病动物模型研究的应用,也是其品系资源创制的瓶颈.本研究通过分析80只采自于云南省昆明周边地区的野生树鼩(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)线粒体DNA(mtDNA)多态性,结合国外报道的2个树鼩(Tupaia belangeri)序列比较后发现,在604 bp的mtDNA控制区片段中兵检测到29个核苷酸替代变异,这些变异共界定了13种单倍型,表现较高的群体遗传多样度.另外,昆明地区的树鼩与国外报道的2个树鼩间存在较大的遗传分化,mtDNA控制区单倍型之间的核苷酸替换数大于18个,远高于昆明地区树鼢群体内部不同单倍型之间的差异.选择含有代表性的mtDNA控制区单倍型的17个昆明地区树鼩个体进一步测定了细胞色素b基因片段(1134 bp),结合前人报道的数据分析,结果进一步支持mtDNA控制区数据反映的遗传格局及揭示的昆明地区树询与国外报道树鼩之间的明显差异.本研究结果提示,昆明地区树鼩与国外树鼩之间存在较大遗传差异,在将树鼩用于人类疾病动物模型研究中要注意这些遗传差别.昆明城郊的树鼩群体具有较高的遗传多样度,在开展近交系建立等工作时须考虑选取群体内部具有代表性的mtDNA世系.

Abstract：

Due to their special phylogenetic position in the Euarchontoglires and close affinity to primates, tree shrews have been proposed as an alternative experimental animal to primates in biomedical research. However, the population genetic structure of tree shrews has largely remained unknown and this has hindered the development of tree shrew breeding and selection. Here we sampled 80 Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) in Kunming, China, and analyzed partial mtDNA control region sequence variation. Based on our samples and two published sequences from northern tree shrews (T. belangeri), we identified 29 substitutions in the mtDNA control region fragment (～ 604 bp)across 82 individuals and defined 13 hapiotypes. Seventeen samples were selected for sequencing of the cytochrome b (Cyt b; 1134 bp) gene based on control region sequence variation and were analyzed in combination with 34 published sequences to solidify the phylogenetic pattern obtained from control region data. Overall, tree shrews from Kunming have high genetic diversity and present a remarkable long genetic distance to the two reported northern tree shrews outside China. Our results provide some caution when using tree shrews to establish animal models because of this apparent genetic difference. In addition, the high genetic diversity of Chinese tree shrews inhabiting Kunming suggests that systematic genetic investigations should be conducted before establishing an inbred strain for medical and biological research.     

中国蒙古马与国外纯血马mtDNA D-Loop高变区序列比较

比较分析了4匹中国蒙古马和4匹国外纯血马的线立体DNA（mtDNA）D-Loop高变区400bp核苷酸序列的变异情况。结果发现,4匹中国蒙古马mtDNA D-Loop高变区的平均核苷酸变异率为3.69%,而纯血马的为4.00%,其核苷酸变异类型均包括转换、颠换和缺失3种形式,其中以转换最为常见。核苷酸变异基因座多,并且存在长度变异,不同变异在个体之间差异也很大,因此说明中国蒙古马和国外纯血马的mtDNA D-Loop高变区都具有丰富的多态性。Abstract：Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop varied region 400bp sequence variations in 4 Chinese Mongolian horses and 4 External Thoroughbred horses were analyzed in this experiment. The results showed that the average nucleotide mutational rate of mtDNA D-Loop varied region in 4 Chinese Mongolian horses was 3.69%,while External Thoroughbred horses were 4.00%. Three types of mutations including transition,transversion and deletion were all found in the investigated mtDNA D-Loop regions,of which transition was the most frequent. Nucleotide mutational loci were abundant,length mutations were found and great differences were all observed among the 8 horses. It showed there existed much polymorphism in the mitochondrial DNA D-Loop varied region of Chinese Mongolian horses and External Thoroughbred horses.     

Assessing the genetic diversity of the critically endangered Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis using mitochondrial markers and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms from RAD-seq

As a living fossil, the endangered Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis) has been considered a national treasure in China. Here,the famous Gezhouba Dam and Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River were built in 1988 and 2006, for economic purposes.The natural population of Chinese sturgeon has declined since then, as these dams block its migratory route to the original spawning grounds in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. In 2013 and 2014, there was an absence of spawning where it typically happened near the Gezhouba Dam. Nevertheless, from April to June in 2015, over 1,000 larvae with different body lengths(10–35 cm) were detected along the Shanghai Yangtze Estuary; but only little is currently known about the population genetic structure of the Chinese sturgeon. Herein, we inferred population genetic parameters from 462 available Chinese sturgeon specimens based on a 421-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) D-loop region and 1,481,620 SNPs(singlenucleotide polymorphisms) generated by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing(RAD-seq). For the D-loop dataset, 15 haplotypes were determined. Randomly picked 23 individuals, representing the 15 D-loop haplotype groups, were subsequently used for further RAD-seq validation. The average nucleotide diversity calculated from the mtDNA and RAD datasets was 0.0086 and 0.000478, respectively. The overall effective female population size was calculated to be 1,255 to 2,607, and the long-term effective population size was estimated to range from 11,950 to 119,500. We observed that the genetic variability and the effective female population size of the current population in the Yangtze River are severely low, which are similar to the data reported over 10 years ago. The deduced relatively small effective population of female fish, limiting the genetic connectivity among Chinese sturgeon, should be considered a serious threat to this endangered species.     

Altered Redox Status in Erythrocytes From Hypertensive Subjects： Effect of （-）Epicatechin

Hypertension is a major problem worldwide. There is much evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) radical may play a role in the development of organ damage associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. ( － )Epicatechin, a member of tea catechins belonging to flavonoid group, is known to be a potent anti-oxidant. The study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of ( － )epicatechin on markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane sulfhydryl ( — SH) groups in erythrocytes from hypertensive patients. The effect of ( － )epicatechin was also compared with a known anti-oxidant L-ascorbic acid. The erythrocyte intracellular GSH content and membrane — SH group content were significantly (P<0.01) decreased in hypertensive subjects. In vitro incubation with ( － )epicatechin caused an increase in GSH and — SH content, the effect was more pronounced in hypertensive erythrocytes. Similar results were obtained with L-ascorbic acid. The observed decrease in the level of GSH and — SH groups in hypertension is an indicator of oxidative stress condition. Observation of an increase in red cell GSH content and the protection of membrane — SH group oxidation by ( － )epicatechin in hypertensive subjects is a convincing reason to suggest that high dietary intake of foods rich in catechins may help to reduce oxidative stress and concomitant free radical damage in hypertensive patients.     

ACE基因多态性与高血压肾脏损害及PAI-1的关系

为探讨血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因多态性与高血压肾损害和纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1（PAI-1）的关系,应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测96例正常人、67例高血压无肾脏损害患者和70例高血压伴肾损害患者的ACE基因型,采用ELISA法检测血浆PAI-1。ACE基因I/D多态性与高血压病无明显相关,但高血压肾损害患者DD基因型频率及D等位基因频率显著高于对照组和高血压无肾脏损害组,χ2值分别为6.8589、5.6162 和5.9085、5372。血浆PAI-1在DD型、ID型、II型高血压患者之间亦有显著性差异（P＜0.05）。ACE基因DD型可能是高血压肾损害的危险因素;ACE基因多态性与血浆PAI-1水平相关。 Abstract:The work is to explore the relationship between the polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene and hypertensive kidney lesion/PAI-1 in hypertension patients.ACE genotyping with polymorase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in 96 unrelated healthy controls,67 hypertensives without kidney lesion and 70 hypertensives complicated with kidney lesion.The plasma PAI-1 were determined with ELISA.No significant differences could be detected between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and hypertension.However,the frequencies of DD genotype and deletion allele among the hypertensives complicated with kidney lesion were higher than those among the healthy controls and those among the hypertensives without kidney lesion."χ2" values were 6.8589,5.6162 and 5.9085,5.372 respectively.The plasma PAI-1 level showed significant differences among DD genotype,ID genotype and II genotype(P＜0.05).The DD genotype of ACE gene may be a risk for hypertensive kidney lesion.The plasma PAI-1 level is associated with ACE gene polymorphism.     

Phylogeography of mitochondrial haplogroup D1: An early spread of subhaplogroup D1j from Central Argentina

We analyzed the patterns of variation of haplogroup D1 in central Argentina, including new data and published information from other populations of South America. Almost 28% (107/388) of the individuals sampled in the region belong to haplogroup D1, whereas more than 52% of them correspond to the recently described subhaplogroup D1j (Bodner et al.: Genome Res 22 (2012) 811–820), defined by the presence of additional transitions at np T152C–C16242T–T16311C to the nodal D1 motif. This lineage was found at high frequencies across a wide territory with marked geographical–ecological differences. Additionally, 12 individuals present the mutation C16187T that defines the recently named subhaplogroup D1g (Bodner et al.: Genome Res 22 (2012) 811–820), previously described in populations of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Based on our results and additional data already published, we postulate that the most likely origin of subhaplogroup D1j is the region of Sierras Pampeanas, which occupies the center and part of the northwestern portion of Argentina. The extensive yet restricted geographical distribution, the relatively large internal diversity, and the absence or low incidence of D1j in other regions of South America suggest the existence of an ancient metapopulation covering the Sierras Pampeanas, being this lineage its genetic signature. Further support for a scenario of local origin for D1j in the Sierras Pampeanas stems from the fact that early derivatives from a putative ancestral lineage carrying the transitions T16311C–T152C have only been found in this region, supporting the hypothesis that it might represent an ancestral motif previous to the appearance of D1j‐specific change C16242T. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Sequence variations of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region are associated with familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop has been identified as a frequent hot spot of mutations in various tumors. The aim here was to investigate the sequence variations of mitochondrial D-loop region in familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma (FNPC) and their possible associations with cancer risk. 29 subjects from 4 Chinese NPC families and 20 sporadic NPC as well as 122 cases of normal control were recruited. mtDNA extracted from peripheral blood was examined by PCR-based assay for D-loop sequence variations, followed by sequencing analysis. Compared with normal control, four high variations and 6 unrepoted novel polymorphisms were found. Particularly, the np16362 and 16519T to C variants show significantly higher (100%, 81.8%) and lower (0, 22.7%) frequencies in FNPC and unaffected pedigree members, respectively. The occurrence of mitochondrial microsatellite instability (mtMSI) at D310 in experimental groups was statistically significantly higher than in normal control (53.3%). Likewise, in Base Variation Rate consistent with the result, there was a statistically significant difference compared with NC (6.05%). Our results indicated that mtDNA exhibited a high rate of sequence variants in patients with NPC and pedigree members and the mtDNA np16362, np16519 variants and mtMSI at D310 are associated with an increased risk of familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma in pedigree members from families with NPC, which might be involved in the NPC carcinogenesis.     

mtDNA and the origin of Caucasians: identification of ancient Caucasian-specific haplogroups, one of which is prone to a recurrent somatic duplication in the D-loop region.

mtDNA sequence variation was examined in 175 Caucasians from the United States and Canada by PCR amplification and high-resolution restriction-endonuclease analysis. The majority of the Caucasian mtDNAs were subsumed within four mtDNA lineages (haplogroups) defined by mutations that are rarely seen in Africans and Mongoloids. The sequence divergence of these haplogroups indicates that they arose early in Caucasian radiation and gave raise to modern European mtDNAs. Although ancient, none of these haplogroups is old enough to be compatible with a Neanderthal origin, suggesting that Homo sapiens sapiens displaced H. s. neanderthaliensis, rather than mixed with it. The mtDNAs of one of these haplogroups have a unique homoplasmic insertion between nucleotide pair (np) 573 and np 574, within the D-loop control region. This insertion makes these mtDNAs prone to a somatic mutation that duplicates a 270-bp portion of the D-loop region between np 309 and np 572. This finding suggests that certain nonpathogenic mtDNA mutations could predispose individuals to mtDNA rearrangements.     

Mitochondrial haplogroups, control region polymorphisms and malignant melanoma: a study in middle European Caucasians

Background

Because mitochondria play an essential role in energy metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis, sequence variation in the mitochondrial genome has been postulated to be a contributing factor to the etiology of multifactorial age-related diseases, including cancer. The aim of the present study was to compare the frequencies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups as well as control region (CR) polymorphisms of patients with malignant melanoma (n = 351) versus those of healthy controls (n = 1598) in Middle Europe.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Using primer extension analysis and DNA sequencing, we identified all nine major European mitochondrial haplogroups and known CR polymorphisms. The frequencies of the major mitochondrial haplogroups did not differ significantly between patients and control subjects, whereas the frequencies of the one another linked CR polymorphisms A16183C, T16189C, C16192T, C16270T and T195C were significantly higher in patients with melanoma compared to the controls. Regarding clinical characteristics of the patient cohort, none of the nine major European haplogroups was associated with either Breslow thickness or distant metastasis. The CR polymorphisms A302CC-insertion and T310C-insertion were significantly associated with mean Breslow thickness, whereas the CR polymorphism T16519C was associated with metastasis.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results suggest that mtDNA variations could be involved in melanoma etiology and pathogenesis, although the functional consequence of CR polymorphisms remains to be elucidated.     

The mitochondrial T16189C polymorphism is associated with coronary artery disease in Middle European populations

Background

The pivotal role of mitochondria in energy production and free radical generation suggests that the mitochondrial genome could have an important influence on the expression of multifactorial age related diseases. Substitution of T to C at nucleotide position 16189 in the hypervariable D-loop of the control region (CR) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has attracted research interest because of its suspected association with various multifactorial diseases. The aim of the present study was to compare the frequency of this polymorphism in the CR of mtDNA in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD, n = 482) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 505) from two study centers, with healthy individuals (n = 1481) of Middle European descent in Austria.

Methodology and Principal Findings

CR polymorphisms and the nine major European haplogroups were identified by DNA sequencing and primer extension analysis, respectively. Frequencies and Odds Ratios for the association between cases and controls were calculated. Compared to healthy controls, the prevalence of T16189C was significantly higher in patients with CAD (11.8% vs 21.6%), as well as in patients with T2DM (11.8% vs 19.4%). The association of CAD, but not the one of T2DM, with T16189C remained highly significant after correction for age, sex and body mass index (BMI) and was independent of the two study centers.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results show for the first time a significant association of T16189C with CAD in a Middle European population. As reported in other studies, in patients with T2DM an association with T16189C in individuals of European decent remains questionable.     

Multiple maternal origins of native modern and ancient horse populations in China

To obtain more knowledge of the origin and genetic diversity of domestic horses in China, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequence diversity from nine horse breeds in China in conjunction with ancient DNA data and evidence from archaeological and historical records. A 247-bp mitochondrial D-loop sequence from 182 modern samples revealed a total of 70 haplotypes with a high level of genetic diversity. Seven major mtDNA haplogroups (A–G) and 16 clusters were identified for the 182 Chinese modern horses. In the present study, nine 247-bp mitochondrial D-loop sequences of ancient remains of Bronze Age horse from the Chifeng region of Inner Mongolia in China ( c. 4000–2000a bp ) were used to explore the origin and diversity of Chinese modern horses and the phylogenetic relationship between ancient and modern horses. The nine ancient horses carried seven haplotypes with rich genetic diversity, which were clustered together with modern individuals among haplogroups A, E and F. Modern domestic horse and ancient horse data support the multiple origins of domestic horses in China. This study supports the argument that multiple successful events of horse domestication, including separate introductions of wild mares into the domestic herds, may have occurred in antiquity, and that China cannot be excluded from these events. Indeed, the association of Far Eastern mtDNA types to haplogroup F was highly significant using Fisher's exact test of independence ( P  = 0.00002), lending support for Chinese domestication of this haplogroup. High diversity and all seven mtDNA haplogroups (A–G) with 16 clusters also suggest that further work is necessary to shed more light on horse domestication in China.     

Variation of Human Mitochondrial DNA: Distribution of Hot Spots in Hypervariable Segment I of the Major Noncoding Region

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) samples belonging to fifteen phylogenetically related mtDNA types specific to the populations of Europe (H, V, J, T, U, K, I, W, and X) and Northern Asia (A, C, D, G, Y, and Z) were typed for sequence variation in hypervariable segment I (HVSI). The approach used allowed to distinguish several hypervariable sites at nucleotide positions 16093, 16129, 16189, 16311, and 16362. Identical mutations at these sites were found in 10–11 out of 15 mtDNA groups examined. Positions 16126, 16172, 16192, 16256, 16261, 16291, 16293, and 16298 appeared to be less variable, since parallel mutations at these sites were found in 6–8 European and Asian mtDNA groups. The examples of the effects of mutations in hypervariable positions at the major noncoding mtDNA region on the frequency of reverse mutations in other mtDNA regions are presented. It was shown that such effects of nucleotide context on the mutation rate could be observed in phylogenetic mtDNA networks such as cyclic structures like rhombs and cubes. Analogous structures in the networks could be seen also in the case of the appearance of recombinant mtDNA types resulted from homologous recombination between mtDNA molecules in heteroplasmic mixture. The problem of the effect of polynucleotide context on the intensity of mtDNA mutagenesis is discussed. Recombination processes along with site-directed mutagenesis caused by action of genetic factors (of nuclear genome) and/or of the environment are considered as possible mechanisms of mitochondrial genome evolution.     

线粒体基因组D-Loop区基因多态性与2型糖尿病的相关性

随机选取199例浙江地区2型糖尿病患者与102例正常对照, 采用聚合酶链反应(Polymerase chain re-action, PCR)、基因片段直接测序来检测线粒体基因组D-Loop区域基因变异情况, 同时分析其与主要临床指标的关系。结果显示: 线粒体基因组D-Loop区域为一高变异区, np73A-G、np263A-G、np16223C-T、np16519T-C为4个高变异位点; 发现29个未见报道的新变异位点; np193A-G、np234A-G、np16108C-T等变异与糖尿病家族史有关。这表明浙江籍汉族人线粒体基因组D-Loop区存在大量基因多态性现象, 此区域的某些变异可能与糖尿病的发生发展等具有一定相关性。     

Somatic mutations in the D-loop and decrease in the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Somatic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been detected in many human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The D-loop region was found to be a "hot spot" for mutation in mtDNA of the tumors. However, effects of the D-loop mutations on the copy number of mtDNA in tumor tissues are poorly understood. Using direct sequencing, we examined mutations in the D-loop region of mtDNA in 61 HCCs and the corresponding non-tumor liver tissues. The results revealed that 39.3% of the HCCs carried somatic mutation(s) in the D-loop of mtDNA, and most of these mutations were homoplasmic. Moreover, 37.0% (10/27) of these mutations were T-to-C and G-to-A transitions and 40.7% (11/27) of them were located in the polycytidine stretch between nucleotide position (np) 303 and 309 of mtDNA. In addition, we found that mtDNA copy number of HCC was significantly decreased in 60.5% of the patients with hepatoma, especially in those with somatic mutation(s) in the D-loop of mtDNA (17/24). This decrease in mtDNA copy number was highly associated with the occurrence of point mutations near the replication origin of the heavy-strand of mtDNA. Interestingly, we found that 42.9% (6/14) of the HCCs without mutation in the D-loop had a reduced copy number of mtDNA, indicating that other unidentified factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis might be defective in the tumor. The results obtained in this study strongly suggest that somatic mutations in the D-loop together with the decrease in the copy number of mtDNA may be an important event during the early phase of liver carcinogenesis.