Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Mauritania and Mali and their Genetic Relationship to Other Western Africa Populations

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation was analyzed in Mauritania and Mali, and compared to other West African samples covering the considerable geographic, ethnic and linguistic diversity of this region. The Mauritanian mtDNA profile shows that 55% of their lineages have a west Eurasian provenance, with the U6 cluster (17%) being the best represented. Only 6% of the sub‐Saharan sequences belong to the L3A haplogroup a frequency similar to other Berber speaking groups but significantly different to the Arabic speaking North Africans. The historic Arab slave trade may be the main cause of this difference. Only one HV west Eurasian lineage has been detected in Mali but 40% of the sub‐Saharan sequences belong to cluster L3A. The presence of L0a representatives demonstrates gene flow from eastern regions. Although both groups speak related dialects of the Mande branch, significant genetic differences exist between the Bambara and Malinke groups. The West African genetic variation is well structured by geography and language, but more detailed ethnolinguistic clustering suggest that geography is the main factor responsible for this differentiation.     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of mitochondria in routinely processed tissue using a monoclonal antibody

We report results obtained using the monoclonal antibody M-II 68, which recognizes inner mitochondrial membrane in routinely processed (formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded) tissue by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. In ten normal brains, the range of immunoreactivity in various cell types and locations was defined. The most intense staining was observed in Purkinje cells, in neurons of cranial nerve nuclei, pons and substantia nigra, as well as in choroid plexus epithelial cells. By comparison with this control group, one case of primary mitochondrial encephalomyopathy exhibited increased staining of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, and neurons of various locations. Scattered ragged-red fibres were heavily labelled in one case of mitochondrial myopathy, while ten muscles without mitochondriopathy were left unstained. Our method is able to detect accumulations of mitochondria and increases in mitochondrial cristae density. It could prove useful for differential diagnosis of routine biopsy material and for clarification of cell types involved in mitochondrial cytopathies.     

中国Leber遗传性视神经病变G11696A突变两个家系分析

目的对两个中国Leber遗传性视神经病变(Leber’shereditary optic neuropathy,LHON)家系的临床和分子遗传学特征进行分析。方法眼科临床检查发现在这两个家系中只有先证者1人出现视力障碍,发病年龄分别为10岁和17岁。对这两个家系先证者使用24对有部分重叠的引物进行线粒体DNA(mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA)全序列扩增分析。结果没有发现mtDNAG11778A、G3460A和T14484C3个常见的突变位点,而发现了与LHON相关的ND4G11196A同质性突变位点的存在,在167名正常对照只发现1例G11696A突变。结论线粒体DNA全序列分析发现两个家系呈现独特的mtDNA多态性,都属于东亚单体型D4。不完全外显率和正常对照频率(1/167)表明G11696A突变本身不足以导致LHON的发生,说明其它因素在这两个LHON家系的表型表达中也起一定的作用。在这些家系mtDNA中缺乏影响重要功能突变位点的存在,排除了线粒体背景对LHON临床表型的影响。因此,核修饰基因、环境因素可能对两个中国G11696A突变家系的外显率和发病严重程度起促进作用。     

Mitochondrial DNA content and 4977 bp deletion in unfertilized oocytes

Previous studies analysing the incidences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions and mtDNA content in unfertilized oocytes in relation to donors' age have been controversial. The objective of the study was to compare these two parameters in unfertilized oocytes and relate them to the donors' age. Fifty-two women donated 155 unfertilized metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The incidence of 4977 bp deletion was 34.6%, and the mtDNA copy number was 598 350 +/- 265 862. Women >or=35 years of age had a significantly higher incidence of 4977 bp deletion, lower mtDNA copy number, higher FSH level and poorer ovarian response when compared with younger women. The mtDNA copy number was negatively correlated with the donor's age. The higher incidence of mtDNA deletion and lower mtDNA copy number in older women suggested that these two parameters may reflect ovarian ageing.     

DNA sequence analysis of the apocytochrome b gene of Podospora anserina: a new family of intronic open reading frame

Summary The 5,969 by (base pair) DNA sequence of the apocytochrome b mitochondrial (mt) gene of race A Podospora anserina was located in a 8.5 Kbp region. This gene contained a 2,499 by subgroup IB and a 1,306 by subgroup ID intron as well as a 990 bp subgroup IB intron which is present in race A but not race s. The large subgroup IB intron and the race A specific IB intron both contained potential alternate splice sites which brought their open reading frames into phase with their upstream exon sequences. All three introns were compared with regard to their secondary structures and open reading frames to the other 30 group I introns in Podospora anserina, as well as to other fungal introns. We detected a new family of intronic ORFs comprising seven P. anserina introns, several N. crassa introns, as well as the T4td bacteriophage intron. Sequence similarities to intron-encoded endonucleases were noteworthy. The DNA sequences reported here and in the accompanying paper complete the analysis of race s and race A mitochondrial DNA.     

Prevalence of mitochondrial DNA mutations in childhood/congenital onset non-syndromal sensorineural hearing impairment

Genetic factors are the major causes of childhood hearing impairment. Whereas autosomal recessive mutations account for the majority of prelingual non-syndromic sensorineural hearing impairment (NSSHI), the relative contribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations to childhood onset NSSHI has not been established.
We screened 202 subjects with congenital/childhood onset NSSHI, consisting of 110 sporadic cases, 75 sib pairs, and 17 families with affected subjects in more than one generation, in order to determine the prevalence of mtDNA mutations associated with NSSHI.
mtDNA mutations were found in three of 10 families (30%) in whom the affected members were related through the maternal lineage. One sporadic case (0.9%) was also found to have a known mtDNA mutation but none was found in the sib pairs.
Although the prevalence of mtDNA mutations was low in the group as a whole (2%), we suggest that screening should be considered in cases of childhood hearing impairment when it is progressive and particularly in families where transmission is compatible with maternal inheritance.


Keywords: mitochondrial DNA; point mutation; hearing impairment     

二氧化锗诱导L6成肌细胞株的MyoD基因表达

目的：探讨成肌细胞的MyoD基因在线粒体肌病发生发展中的作用。方法：采用二氧化锗(GeO2)处理大鼠的成肌细胞系L6，观察细胞形态的变化，利用MTT分析GeO2对成肌细胞的影响，用RT-PCR检测MyoD基因表达。结果：发现GeO2在损伤成肌细胞的同时，能够诱导MyoD基因的表达，表明MyoD基因在线粒体肌病的发生发展中起着重要作用。结论：MyoD基因表达的增强是线粒体肌病中骨骼肌萎缩的一个信号分子，MyoD基因表达有可能成为线粒体肌病检测的参考指标。     

一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变分析

目的分析一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变，并探讨缝隙连接蛋白beta2(gap junction protein beta 2，GJB2)基因235delC突变是否会加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋症状。方法对一个母系遗传性非综合征型耳聋核心家系72个成员取外周血提取DNA，经聚合酶链反应扩增后，利用Alw26Ⅰ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，对其线粒体DNA突变进行研究；利用ApaⅠ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，筛查核心家系中GJB2基因235delC突变情况，并对GJB2基因235delC和线粒体A1555G突变的关系进行研究。结果在27名母系成员中均发现具有线粒体A1555G突变，呈母系遗传；具有耳聋表型的为21人(77．8％)，家族外显率高；所筛查的包括配偶在内的72名个体中，仅3例具有GJB2基因235delC杂合子突变，且均出现在母系成员中，但3例的耳聋表型却不同。结论线粒体A1555G突变是本家系耳聋遗传易感性的基础，在该家系中GJB2基因的235delC杂合子突变未加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋。     

Mutation analysis in 16 patients with mtDNA depletion

Sixteen unrelated Southern European patients with the mitochondrial depletion syndrome (MDS) were analyzed for mutations in the TK2 and DGUOK genes. Three novel mutations were identified in TK2 (R183G, R254X, and 142insG). When we analyzed additional genes involved in the dNTPs pool, such as SLC25A19 (DNC) and NT5M (d-NT2), we did not detect mutations. The current study suggest that scanning the TK2, DGUOK, SLC25A19, and NT5M genes is likely to help about 10% of MDS families in terms of genetic counseling. Also, our findings indicate that genotype-phenotype correlations are not straightforward in MDS.     

Localization,structure and polymorphism of two paralogous <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus laevis</Emphasis> mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase genes

Two paralogous mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 2 (Mdh2) genes of Xenopus laevis have been cloned and sequenced, revealing 95% identity. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) combined with tyramide amplification discriminates both genes; Mdh2a was localized into chromosome q3 and Mdh2b into chromosome q8. One kb cDNA probes detect both genes with 85% accuracy. The remaining signals were on the paralogous counterpart. Introns interrupt coding sequences at the same nucleotide as defined for mouse. Restriction polymorphism has been detected in the first intron of Mdh2a, while the individual variability in intron 6 of Mdh2b gene is represented by an insertion of incomplete retrotransposon L1Xl. Rates of nucleotide substitutions indicate that both genes are under similar evolutionary constraints. X. laevis Mdh2 genes can be used as markers for physical mapping and linkage analysis.