Comparative mitochondrial genomics of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) with doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA: gender-specific open reading frames and putative origins of replication.

ABSTRACT: Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondrial DNA in marine mussels (Mytiloida), freshwater mussels (Unionoida), and marine clams (Veneroida) is the only known exception to the general rule of strict maternal transmission of mtDNA in animals. DUI is characterized by the presence of gender-associated mitochondrial DNA lineages that are inherited through males (male-transmitted or M types) or females (female-transmitted or F types), respectively. This unusual system constitutes an excellent model for studying basic aspects of mitochondrial DNA inheritance and the evolution of mtDNA genomes in general. Here we compare published mitochondrial genomes of unionoid bivalve species with DUI, with an emphasis on characterizing unassigned regions, to identify regions of the F and M mtDNA gen

SUBMITTER: Breton S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2787441 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature