Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid (mtDNA), Maternal Inheritance, and Their Role in the Development of Cancers: A Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA inherited from the mother during fertilization. Evolutionary evidence supported by the endosymbiotic theory identifies mitochondria as an organelle that could have descended from prokaryotes. This may be the reason for the independent function and inheritance pattern shown by mtDNA. The unstable nature of mtDNA due to the lack of protective histones, and effective repair systems make it more vulnerable to mutations. The mtDNA and its mutations could be maternally inherited thereby predisposing the offspring to various cancers like breast and ovarian cancers among others. Although mitochondria are considered heteroplasmic wherein variations among the multiple mtDNA genomes are noticed, mothers can have mitochondrial populat

SUBMITTER: Vadakedath S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10314188 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature