A battle for transmission: the cooperative and selfish animal mitochondrial genomes.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondrial genome is an evolutionarily persistent and cooperative component of metazoan cells that contributes to energy production and many other cellular processes. Despite sharing the same host as the nuclear genome, the multi-copy mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) follows very different rules of replication and transmission, which translate into differences in the patterns of selection. On one hand, mtDNA is dependent on the host for its transmission, so selections would favour genomes that boost organismal fitness. On the other hand, genetic heterogeneity within an individual allows different mitochondrial genomes to compete for transmission. This intra-organismal competition could select for the best replicator, which does not necessarily give the fittest organisms, resulting in mito-

SUBMITTER: Klucnika A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6451365 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature