Mitochondrial genomes and Doubly Uniparental Inheritance: new insights from Musculista senhousia sex-linked mitochondrial DNAs (Bivalvia Mytilidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Doubly Uniparental Inheritance (DUI) is a fascinating exception to matrilinear inheritance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Species with DUI are characterized by two distinct mtDNAs that are inherited either through females (F-mtDNA) or through males (M-mtDNA). DUI sex-linked mitochondrial genomes share several unusual features, such as additional protein coding genes and unusual gene duplications/structures, which have been related to the functionality of DUI. Recently, new evidence for DUI was found in the mytilid bivalve Musculista senhousia. This paper describes the complete sex-linked mitochondrial genomes of this species.

Results

Our analysis highlights that both M and F mtDNAs share roughly the same gene content and order, but with some remarkable differences.

SUBMITTER: Passamonti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3176263 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature