Paternal mtDNA and maleness are co-inherited but not causally linked in mytilid mussels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In marine mussels of the genus Mytilus there are two mitochondrial genomes. One is transmitted through the female parent, which is the normal transmission route in animals, and the other is transmitted through the male parent which is an unusual phenomenon. In males the germ cell line is dominated by the paternal mitochondrial genome and the somatic cell line by the maternal. Research to date has not allowed a clear answer to the question of whether inheritance of the paternal genome is causally related to maleness.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we present results from hybrid crosses, from triploid mussels and from observations of sperm mitochondria in fertilized eggs which clearly show that maleness and presence of the paternal mitochondrial genome can be d

SUBMITTER: Kenchington EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2736565 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature