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Mitochondrial DNA selection in human germ cells

Nature Cell Biology volume 20, pages 118–120 (2018)Cite this article

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Mitochondria contain their own circular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which, over time, is subjected to mutations that may eventually result in functional defects. A study now describes genetic and metabolic selection processes during germ cell development that prevent accumulation of harmful mtDNA variants.

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Fig. 1: Mitochondrial DNA selection during development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Di Chen & Amander T. Clark

  2. Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Amander T. Clark

  3. Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Amander T. Clark

  4. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Amander T. Clark

Authors
  1. Di Chen
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  2. Amander T. Clark
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Correspondence to Amander T. Clark.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Chen, D., Clark, A.T. Mitochondrial DNA selection in human germ cells. Nat Cell Biol 20, 118–120 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-017-0029-4

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