Paternally derived mitochondrial DNA was discovered and the possibility that 'mitochondria · Eve' could be covered is shown

It was announced in the 2011 study that mitochondria that breathe in the cell and produce energy is maternally inherited. In the fertilized ovum, father-derived mitochondria is decomposed by the action called "self-feeding", so it was the content of the research results that the gene will not be transmitted to the next generation, but the father-derived mitochondrial DNA There was a report that he was inherited. Since the hypothesis of the female " mitochondria · Eve " that is the origin of human beings is assumed to be maternal inheritance of mitochondria, the possibility that the theory is overturned has come about.

Biparental Inheritance of Mitochondrial DNA in Humans | PNAS
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/11/21/1810946115

Study shows mitochondrial DNA can be passed through fathers - what does this mean for genetics?
https://theconversation.com/study-shows-mitochondrial-dna-can-be-passed-through-fathers-what-does-this-mean-for-genetics-107641

The latest research results published at the National Academy of Sciences Bulletin showed that mitochondria originated from both fathers and mothers. This study investigated three distinct families and said that it was confirmed that mitochondria derived from father's sperm was inherited for several generations in each family.

by Pexels

As mitochondria transform sugars, fats and proteins ingested by humans into energy, mitochondrial disorders often lead to life-threatening. In MELAS which is one of mitochondrial diseases , intellectual impairment, hearing loss, headache, vomiting, disturbance of consciousness, muscle weakness of the whole body and deterioration of cardiac function are seen, and many people die in the coming years after onset.

Originally derived from aerobic bacteria, mitochondria are thought to coexist within cells as living things evolve. For this reason, mitochondria have unique DNA and it is thought that mitochondrial DNA will be handed down to the next generation by bringing DNA into eggs.

When fertilization occurs, sperm brings father's DNA into eggs, but it has been thought that mitochondrial DNA does not enter the ovum or there is a mechanism by which DNA is destroyed even if it enters. However, the new research found that mitochondrial DNA from fathers that were not destroyed in eggs, although targeted to a few families. However, I do not know the reason why maternal DNA from fathers existed. There was a report that mitochondrial DNA derived from the father was found in the past, but at this time it was thought that "the sample was contaminated."

Even merely a slight mutation in the DNA of mitochondria leads to death, gene mutation is not inherited, so the mitochondrial DNA of the modern-day living ancestor is considered very close. For this reason, there is the idea that by studying the mitochondrial DNA of people all over the world, we can reach the closest common female ancestor " Mitochondria · Eve " of the present human beings, but this hypothesis is "mitochondria inherit maternally" It is based on the premise. If it proves that mitochondria is inherited from both mothers and fathers, it will lead to the covering of theories that have been thought up to now.

by jill 111

On the other hand, if the understanding of mitochondrial DNA is deepened by research results like this time, there is the possibility that new developments will be introduced in the future treatment of mitochondrial disease. In addition, the method called " mitochondrial replacement " that creates babies from the genes of three parents, which is being experimented in 2018, has been pointed out in ethics, but the way to change parents' mitochondria is It seems to be adopted more easily than mitochondrial replacement.

In any case, it is predicted that further reports will be raised for mitochondrial DNA in modern times when genetic analysis is becoming easier and less expensive.