Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Bronze Age horses recovered from Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia, China

In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was carried out on 9 Bronze Age horses recovered from Dashanqian and Jinggouzi archaeological sites in Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia. China to explore the origin of Chinese domestic horses. Both mtDNA 16S rRNA gene and control region (D-loop) fragments of ancient horses were amplified and sequenced. The analysis of the highly conservative 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the burial environment of Chifeng region is suitable for the preservation of ancient DNA (aDNA). Combing 465 mtDNA D-loop sequences representing different breeds from East Asia, Central Asia, Near East and Europe, we constructed a phylogenetic network to investigate the relationship between ancient and modern horses. The phylogenetic network showed that the 9 horses were distributed into different modern horse clusters which were closely related to them representing a certain geographical distribution. Our results showed that the maternal genetic line of the ancient horses in Chifeng region was highly diversified, which contributed to the gene pool of modern domestic horses and suggested a complex origin of domestic horses in China.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Bronze Age horses recovered from Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia, China

In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis was carried out on 9 Bronze Age horses recovered from Dashanqian and Jinggouzi archaeological sites in Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia. China to explore the origin of Chinese domestic horses. Both mtDNA 16S rRNA gene and control region (D-loop) fragments of ancient horses were amplified and sequenced. The analysis of the highly conservative 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the burial environment of Chifeng region is suitable for the preservation of ancient DNA (aDNA). Combing 465 mtDNA D-loop sequences representing different breeds from East Asia, Central Asia, Near East and Europe, we constructed a phylogenetic network to investigate the relationship between ancient and modern horses. The phylogenetic network showed that the 9 horses were distributed into different modern horse clusters which were closely related to them representing a certain geographical distribution. Our results showed that the maternal genetic line of the ancient horses in Chifeng region was highly diversified, which contributed to the gene pool of modern domestic horses and suggested a complex origin of domestic horses in China.     

淡水鱼类线粒体DNA D-loop基因的引物设计和应用

 线粒体DNA测序已广泛应用于鉴定和区分种类以及解决系统进化关系问题。本文选取已测定的主要淡水鱼类的线粒体DNA D-loop基因序列进行同源性比较,寻找保守序列,利用简并性原则设计一对通用的简并引物。利用设计的引物对广东省珠江流域主要的淡水鱼类线粒体DNA D-loop控制区基因进行扩增,均能获得单一的目的DNA片断,特异性扩增产物大小为1 kb左右。经测序及与GenBank同源序列的比较,证实为包含线粒体控制区全序列的扩增产物。本研究所设计的引物和应用的方法可以快速地同时对多种鱼类进行大规模的遗传背景分析,鉴定某些难于鉴别的近缘物种,为我国鱼类的种类鉴定、地理种群鉴别及种质资源的评估提供重要的工具。     

An autosomal dominant disorder with multiple deletions of mitochondrial DNA starting at the D-loop region

Deletions of muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have recently been found in patients with mitochondrial myopathy. However, as most of the described cases were sporadic, and individual deletions involved different portions of mtDNA, the mechanism(s) producing the molecular lesions, as well as their mode of transmission, remain unclear. By studying families with mtDNA heteroplasmy, valuable information can be obtained about the role of inheritable factors in the pathogenesis of these disorders. We have studied four members of a family with autosomal dominant mitochondrial myopathy. Multiple deletions, involving the same portion of muscle mtDNA, were identified in all patients. Sequence analysis of the mutant mtDNAs, performed after DNA amplification by the polymerase-chain reaction showed that all the deletions start within a 12-nucleotide stretch at the 5' end of the D-loop region, a site of active communication between the nucleus and the mtDNA. The data indicate that a mutation of a nuclear-coded protein can destroy the integrity of the mitochondrial genome in a specific, heritable way.     

乌金猪mtDNA D-Loop区的遗传多样性

为揭示乌金猪3个地方类群遗传多样性及其分布情况.以乌金猪的3个地方类群凉山猪、大河猪和柯乐猪为对象,研究了线粒体DNA Ｄ环高变区（mtDNA D-loop HVI）的序列多态性.研究表明,在全长290 bp的核苷酸序列中共检测到46个突变位点,其中简约信息位点为5个,单一多态位点为37个,其中以A/G突变为主.凉山猪的3个类群（昭觉、美姑、西昌）首先聚为一类,然后凉山猪与大河猪聚为一类,最后凉山猪与柯乐猪聚类.3个地区的乌金猪有2个母系起源,大河猪与凉山猪为一个母系起源,柯乐猪为另一个母系起源.就总体而言,乌金猪的各地方类群凉山猪与大河猪遗传亲缘关系最近,其次是柯乐猪,有2个母系起源.     

中国部分地方牛种mtDNA D-loop区全序列的遗传多样性与系统进化分析

利用PCR测序及生物信息学分析技术,对我国5个地方黄牛品种、5个地方水牛品种及2个地方牦牛品种的mtDNA D-loop区全序列进行PCR扩增以及核苷酸多样度、单倍型多样度分析,发现中国地方黄牛、水牛与牦牛具有丰富的遗传多样性.对试验牛mtDNA D-loop区全序列与牛亚科代表性物种黄牛、水牛、家牦牛、野牦牛、欧洲普通牛、印度瘤牛以及摩拉水牛相应序列进行系统发育分析.结果显示:黄牛与牦牛的亲缘关系较近,它们与水牛的亲缘关系较远;中国水牛属于沼泽型水牛,也有少量江河型水牛渐渗入中国水牛群体;中国黄牛为普通牛和瘤牛的混合母系起源;进化树显示高原牦牛与野牦牛的亲缘关系较近,环湖牦牛与家牦牛的亲缘关系较近.     

Frequent mtDNA mutations and its role in gastric carcinogenesis

In order to disclose the relationship between mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and gastric carcinogenesis, we screened the entire mtDNA sequence in 30 cases of human gastric cancer and matched normal tissues by using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and DNA sequencing. Our data showed that high frequency (66.7%, 20/30) of mitochondrial genome mutation occurred in gastric cancer. Among these variants, 17 cases (56.7%, 17/30) were identified to be somatic mutation. High level mutant frequency was found in ND4, ND5 coding genes and D-loop control region, which was 36.7%, 26.7% and 30% respectively. Comparing with complexes Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴof the electron transport chain, we found that variants appeared to be more frequent in the subunit genes of complexⅠ. Most of mutations were base substitutions (85.4%, 41/48). Our results suggested that mutations of subunit genes encoding complexⅠ, especially ND3, ND4 and ND5 genes, might contribute to human gastric carcinogenesis.     

黑线姬鼠线粒体DNA控制区的序列测定及分析

以黑线姬鼠肝脏组织为材料提取线粒体DNA，并以此为模版定向扩增D-loop区．克隆后测序得到的全序列大小为852bp．选取其相对保守序列与欧洲大陆同种黑线姬鼠进行序列比较，发现2个同种不同域的黑线姬鼠亲缘关系很近．通过比较突变位点出现的位置可以推断黑线姬鼠线粒体DNA控制区可分ETAS，central，CSB3个区域．由中心区最为保守这一原则，推测出central区大体位置，central区两侧则为ETAS和CSB区．     

Deletions of muscle mitochondrial DNA in patients with mitochondrial myopathies

In vitro studies of muscle mitochondrial metabolism in patients with mitochondrial myopathy have identified a variety of functional defects of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, predominantly affecting complex I (NADH-CoQ reductase) or complex III (ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase) in adult cases. These two enzymes consist of approximately 36 subunits, eight of which are encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The increased incidence of maternal, as opposed to paternal, transmission in familial mitochondrial myopathy suggests that these disorders may be caused by mutations of mtDNA. Multiple restriction endonuclease analysis of leukocyte mtDNA from patients with the disease, and their relatives, showed no differences in cleavage patterns between affected and unaffected individuals in any single maternal line. When muscle mtDNA was studied, nine of 25 patients were found to have two populations of muscle mtDNA, one of which had deletions of up to 7 kilobases in length. These observations demonstrate that mtDNA heteroplasmy can occur in man and that human disease may be associated with defects of the mitochondrial genome.     

线粒体D-Loop区全序列分析A2a基因敲除小鼠生产扩大群的遗传稳定性

目的采用线粒体D-Loop全序列测定法对A2a基因敲除小鼠近交系生产扩大群中的小鼠进行了遗传稳定性分析。方法对5个子代A2a杂合子50只小鼠的线粒体DNA D-Loop区进行了PCR扩增,产物纯化后测序,其结果与小鼠线粒体标准序列比对,分析50只小鼠之间的序列差异。结果发现检测的50只小鼠的D-Loop基因序列完全一致,且与小鼠线粒体标准序列完全一致。结论 A2a基因敲除小鼠扩大繁殖群具有较好的遗传稳定性,同时为进一步研究A2a小鼠提供遗传学资料。     

Antiquity of clonal salamander lineages revealed by mitochondrial DNA.

The existence of clonally reproducing vertebrates has often served as a foil in attempts to explain the near-ubiquity of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes, but the absence of recombination, with its attendant limitation of new genotypes to those produced through mutations, restricts the adaptive ability of clonal organisms. It has been argued, therefore, that clonal vertebrate taxa have short lifespans. Variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within clonal populations is interpreted instead as reflecting multiple, although limited, independent hybridization events. On the basis of an analysis of an average of 373 nucleotide pairs, we report here that the mtDNA of clonal, hybrid, gynogenetic mole salamanders (Ambystoma, Ambystomatidae) differs by 5% or more from mtDNA of their closest possible sexual relatives (A. jeffersonianum, A. laterale and A. texanum). Assuming usual rates of mtDNA divergence, these lineages have persisted for about 5 million years, far longer than estimated for other clonal vertebrate populations. The low mtDNA variability in the clonal lineages suggests that they have undergone population reductions during the Pleistocene.     

东海野生灰鲳mtDNA D-loop序列遗传变异分析

以东海区野生灰鲳背部肌肉的线粒体DNA为模板,采用PCR技术对7个个体的D-loop序列进行了扩增,通过对PCR产物进行双向测序,最终得到了471 bp的核苷酸片断(除去两端部分序列)。用DNAMAN6.0软件进行了排序比较发现,东海野生灰鲳的D-loop序列同源性高达99.48%;用DNASP4.0软件分析得知,7个序列共有6个单倍型(在GenBank登录号:GU970085-GU970087,GU970089-GU970091),在7个个体中,共检测到14个变异位点,包括13个转换和1个颠换位点。运用MEGA4.0软件计算出了不同个体间的遗传距离,并据此构建了MP和NJ系统树。用DNASP4.0软件计算出的多态位点数为14,核苷酸多样性指数和平均核苷酸差异数分别为0.009 71和4.571。研究结果表明,东海野生灰鲳的D-loop序列个体变异程度并不丰富。     

Direct evidence for extensive paternal mitochondrial DNA inheritance in the marine mussel Mytilus.

Inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in animals was thought to be strictly maternal. Recently, evidence for incidental paternal mtDNA leakage was obtained in hybrid crosses of Drosophila and mice. In mice, the frequency of paternal mtDNA contributions was estimated at 10(-4), compared with maternal contributions. The common occurrence in the marine mussel Mytilus of heteroplasmic individuals with two or more types of highly diverged mtDNA molecules was interpreted as strong evidence for biparental mtDNA inheritance by some, but not by others. We report here results from pair-matings involving two species of mussels, Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus. Extensive contribution of paternal mtDNA, amounting to several orders of magnitude higher than that inferred for Drosophila or mice, was observed in both intra- and interspecific crosses.     

西藏马线粒体DNA D-loop区的遗传多样性

对西藏拉萨和泽当两个地区23匹西藏马的线粒体DNA控制区(mtDNA D-loop)部分片段进行序列分析, 检测出16个单倍型, 包括32个核苷酸多态性位点(其中转换位点31个, 缺失位点1个), 占所分析位点总数的9.27%. 单倍型多样性(h)和核苷酸多样性(π)分别为0.93±0.04和2.51%±0.16%, 表明西藏马的遗传多样性较丰富. 基于23匹西藏马序列以及现代欧亚马群的mtDNA序列, 进行了系统发育分析和多维尺度分析. 结果表明, 西藏马在母系遗传关系上与近东、 中亚以及欧洲家马有较近的亲缘关系, 与东亚的蒙古马以及韩国马亲缘关系较远.     

Paternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in mice.

For nearly 20 years it has been assumed on the basis of low-resolution experiments that mitochondrial (mt)DNA, in contrast to the genes in the nucleus, has an exclusively maternal mode of inheritance in animals. Using the polymerase chain reaction, paternally inherited mtDNA molecules have now been detected in mice at a frequency of 10(-4), relative to the maternal contributions. These mice were hybrids between two inbred strains (C57BL/6J and Mus spretus) whose mtDNAs can be distinguished easily. This new mode of inheritance provides a mechanism for generating heteroplasmy and may explain mitochondrial disorders exhibiting biparental transmission.     

Conservation and rearrangement of mitochondrial structural gene sequences

Mitochondria contain the simplest DNA molecules that are present in eukaryotes. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is easily purified, and is an important model system for studying eukaryote gene structure and basic molecular processes. The protein sequences of mitochondrial gene products have been shown to be conserved from yeast to man, and there are definite similarities at the DNA sequence level. In contrast, the overall organization of the mitochondrial genome is drastically different in these organisms. To understand this, we need to extend work on mtDNA to a wider range of species. We have chosen to study the mtDNA of Aspergillus nidulans because a particularly comprehensive analysis of this system can be achieved using genetics as well as biochemistry, and like most eukaryotes it is an obligate aerobe, whereas Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not. We have investigated whether defined pieces of particular yeast mitochondrial genes show enough homology to Aspergillus mtDNA fragments to enable the corresponding Aspergillus genes to be located on the physical map. The results reported here show that this is the case for all five genes tested, and present the first data on the physical organization of the structural genes in the mitochondrial genome of A. nidulans.     

Mitochondrial genome variation and the origin of modern humans

The analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been a potent tool in our understanding of human evolution, owing to characteristics such as high copy number, apparent lack of recombination, high substitution rate and maternal mode of inheritance. However, almost all studies of human evolution based on mtDNA sequencing have been confined to the control region, which constitutes less than 7% of the mitochondrial genome. These studies are complicated by the extreme variation in substitution rate between sites, and the consequence of parallel mutations causing difficulties in the estimation of genetic distance and making phylogenetic inferences questionable. Most comprehensive studies of the human mitochondrial molecule have been carried out through restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis, providing data that are ill suited to estimations of mutation rate and therefore the timing of evolutionary events. Here, to improve the information obtained from the mitochondrial molecule for studies of human evolution, we describe the global mtDNA diversity in humans based on analyses of the complete mtDNA sequence of 53 humans of diverse origins. Our mtDNA data, in comparison with those of a parallel study of the Xq13.3 region in the same individuals, provide a concurrent view on human evolution with respect to the age of modern humans.     

Evidence from mitochondrial DNA that African honey bees spread as continuous maternal lineages

African honey bees have populated much of South and Central America and will soon enter the United States. The mechanism by which they have spread is controversial. Africanization may be largely the result of paternal gene flow into extant European populations or, alternatively, of maternal migration of feral swarms that have maintained an African genetic integrity. We have been using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms to follow the population dynamics between European and African bees. In earlier reports, we suggested that if African honey bees had distinctive mitochondrial (mt) DNA, then it could potentially distinguish the relative contributions of swarming and mating to the Africanization process. Because mtDNA is maternally inherited, it would not be transmitted by mating drones and only transported by queens accompanying swarms. Furthermore, the presence of African mtDNA would reflect unbroken maternal lineages from the original bees introduced from Africa. The value of mtDNA for population studies in general has been reviewed recently. Here we report that 19 feral swarms, randomly caught in Mexico, all carried African mtDNA. Thus, the migrating force of the African honey bee in the American tropics consists of continuous African maternal lineages spreading as swarms. The mating of African drones to European queens seems to contribute little to African bee migration.     

一种四膜虫线粒体DNA提取的新方法

本文根据四膜虫线粒体DNA（mtDNA）对碱稳定这一特性，建立了一种更为简便的，能直接提取四膜虫线粒体DNA的方法。该方法快速简便，重复性好，可用于游离细胞材料mtDNA的提取。