scholarly journals Extensive tissue-related and allele-related mtDNA heteroplasmy suggests positive selection for somatic mutations

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (8) ◽  
pp. 2491-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingkun Li ◽  
Roland Schröder ◽  
Shengyu Ni ◽  
Burkhard Madea ◽  
Mark Stoneking
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Significant Excess ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Mtdna Mutations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Different Tissues ◽  
Complete Mtdna

Heteroplasmy in human mtDNA may play a role in cancer, other diseases, and aging, but patterns of heteroplasmy variation across different tissues have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we analyzed complete mtDNA genome sequences at ∼3,500× average coverage from each of 12 tissues obtained at autopsy from each of 152 individuals. We identified 4,577 heteroplasmies (with an alternative allele frequency of at least 0.5%) at 393 positions across the mtDNA genome. Surprisingly, different nucleotide positions (nps) exhibit high frequencies of heteroplasmy in different tissues, and, moreover, heteroplasmy is strongly dependent on the specific consensus allele at an np. All of these tissue-related and allele-related heteroplasmies show a significant age-related accumulation, suggesting positive selection for specific alleles at specific positions in specific tissues. We also find a highly significant excess of liver-specific heteroplasmies involving nonsynonymous changes, most of which are predicted to have an impact on protein function. This apparent positive selection for reduced mitochondrial function in the liver may reflect selection to decrease damaging byproducts of liver mitochondrial metabolism (i.e., “survival of the slowest”). Overall, our results provide compelling evidence for positive selection acting on some somatic mtDNA mutations.

scholarly journals Positive Selection on Two Mitochondrial Coding Genes and Adaptation Signals in Hares (Genus Lepus) from China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asma Awadi ◽  
Hichem Ben Slimen ◽  
Helmut Schaschl ◽  
Felix Knauer ◽  
Franz Suchentrunk
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Positive Selection ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Proton Translocation ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Vibrational Entropy ◽  
Mutant Type ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Protein Variants

Abstract Background: Animal mitochondria play a central role in energy production in the cells through the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. Recent studies of selection on different mitochondrial OXPHOS genes have revealed the adaptive implications of amino acid changes in these subunits. In hares, climatic variation and/or introgression were suggested to be at the origin of such adaptation. Here we looked for evidence of positive selection in three mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, using tests of selection, protein structure modelling and effects of amino acid substitutions on the protein function and stability. We also used statistical models to test for climate and introgression effects on sites under positive selection. Results: Our results revealed seven sites under positive selection in ND4 and three sites in Cytb. However, no sites under positive selection were observed in the COX1 gene. All three subunits presented a high number of codons under negative selection. Sites under positive selection were mapped on the tridimensional structure of the predicted models for the respective mitochondrial subunit. Of the ten amino acid replacements inferred to have evolved under positive selection for both subunits, six were located in the transmembrane domain. On the other hand, three codons were identified as sites lining proton translocation channels. Furthermore, four codons were identified as destabilizing with a significant variation of Δ vibrational entropy energy between wild and mutant type. Moreover, the PROVEAN analysis suggested that among all positively selected sites two fixed amino acid replacements altered the protein functioning. The statistical model runs indicated significant effects of climate on the presence of ND4 and Cytb protein variants, but no effect by trans-specific mitochondrial DNA introgresson.Conclusions: Positive selection was observed in several codons in two OXPHOS genes. We found that substitutions in the positively selected codons have structural and functional impacts on the encoded proteins. Our results are concordantly suggesting that adaptations have strongly affected the evolution of mtDNA of hare species with potential effects on the protein function. Environmental/climatic changes appear to be a major trigger of this adaptation, whereas trans-specific introgressive hybridization seems to play no major role for the occurrence of protein variants.

scholarly journals What cost mitochondria? The maintenance of functional mitochondrial DNA within and across generations

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1646) ◽  
pp. 20130438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duur K. Aanen ◽  
Johannes N. Spelbrink ◽  
Madeleine Beekman
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Mtdna Mutations ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Mtdna Replication ◽  
Mtdna Evolution ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Mtdna Variants

The peculiar biology of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) potentially has detrimental consequences for organismal health and lifespan. Typically, eukaryotic cells contain multiple mitochondria, each with multiple mtDNA genomes. The high copy number of mtDNA implies that selection on mtDNA functionality is relaxed. Furthermore, because mtDNA replication is not strictly regulated, within-cell selection may favour mtDNA variants with a replication advantage, but a deleterious effect on cell fitness. The opportunities for selfish mtDNA mutations to spread are restricted by various organism-level adaptations, such as uniparental transmission, germline mtDNA bottlenecks, germline selection and, during somatic growth, regular alternation between fusion and fission of mitochondria. These mechanisms are all hypothesized to maintain functional mtDNA. However, the strength of selection for maintenance of functional mtDNA progressively declines with age, resulting in age-related diseases. Furthermore, organismal adaptations that most probably evolved to restrict the opportunities for selfish mtDNA create secondary problems. Owing to predominantly maternal mtDNA transmission, recombination among mtDNA from different individuals is highly restricted or absent, reducing the scope for repair. Moreover, maternal inheritance precludes selection against mtDNA variants with male-specific effects. We finish by discussing the consequences of life-history differences among taxa with respect to mtDNA evolution and make a case for the use of microorganisms to experimentally manipulate levels of selection.

scholarly journals The mitochondrial DNA genetic bottleneck: inheritance and beyond

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haixin Zhang ◽  
Stephen P. Burr ◽  
Patrick F. Chinnery
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Genetic Bottleneck ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Mtdna Mutations ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Different Tissues

mtDNA is a multicopy genome. When mutations exist, they can affect a varying proportion of the mtDNA present within every cell (heteroplasmy). Heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations can be maternally inherited, but the proportion of mutated alleles differs markedly between offspring within one generation. This led to the genetic bottleneck hypothesis, explaining the rapid changes in allele frequency seen during transmission from one generation to the next. Although a physical reduction in mtDNA has been demonstrated in several species, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms is yet to be revealed. Several questions remain, including the role of selection for and against specific alleles, whether all bottlenecks are the same, and precisely how the bottleneck is controlled during development. Although originally thought to be limited to the germline, there is evidence that bottlenecks exist in other cell types during development, perhaps explaining why different tissues in the same organism contain different levels of mutated mtDNA. Moreover, tissue-specific bottlenecks may occur throughout life in response to environmental influences, adding further complexity to the situation. Here we review key recent findings, and suggest ways forward that will hopefully advance our understanding of the role of mtDNA in human disease.

scholarly journals Aberrant mitochondrial function in ageing and cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia C. Whitehall ◽  
Laura C. Greaves
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumour Growth ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Mitochondrial Metabolism ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Mtdna Mutations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Cancer Types

AbstractAlterations in mitochondrial metabolism have been described as one of the major hallmarks of both ageing cells and cancer. Age is the biggest risk factor for the development of a significant number of cancer types and this therefore raises the question of whether there is a link between age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and the advantageous changes in mitochondrial metabolism prevalent in cancer cells. A common underlying feature of both ageing and cancer cells is the presence of somatic mutations of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) which we postulate may drive compensatory alterations in mitochondrial metabolism that are advantageous for tumour growth. In this review, we discuss basic mitochondrial functions, mechanisms of mtDNA mutagenesis and their metabolic consequences, and review the evidence for and against a role for mtDNA mutations in cancer development.

scholarly journals The Complicated Nature of Somatic mtDNA Mutations in Aging

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Sanchez-Contreras ◽  
Scott R. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
De Novo ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Mtdna Mutations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Transport Chain ◽  
Considerable Debate ◽  
Complicated Nature

Mitochondria are the main source of energy used to maintain cellular homeostasis. This aspect of mitochondrial biology underlies their putative role in age-associated tissue dysfunction. Proper functioning of the electron transport chain (ETC), which is partially encoded by the extra-nuclear mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), is key to maintaining this energy production. The acquisition of de novo somatic mutations that interrupt the function of the ETC have long been associated with aging and common diseases of the elderly. Yet, despite over 30 years of study, the exact role(s) mtDNA mutations play in driving aging and its associated pathologies remains under considerable debate. Furthermore, even fundamental aspects of age-related mtDNA mutagenesis, such as when mutations arise during aging, where and how often they occur across tissues, and the specific mechanisms that give rise to them, remain poorly understood. In this review, we address the current understanding of the somatic mtDNA mutations, with an emphasis of when, where, and how these mutations arise during aging. Additionally, we highlight current limitations in our knowledge and critically evaluate the controversies stemming from these limitations. Lastly, we highlight new and emerging technologies that offer potential ways forward in increasing our understanding of somatic mtDNA mutagenesis in the aging process.

scholarly journals Positive Selection and the Evolution of izumo Genes in Mammals

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Grayson ◽  
Alberto Civetta
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Gene Duplications ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
And Control

Most genes linked to male reproductive function have been known to evolve rapidly among species and to show signatures of positive selection. Different male species-specific reproductive strategies have been proposed to underlie positive selection, such as sperm competitive advantage and control over females postmating physiology. However, an underexplored aspect potentially affecting male reproductive gene evolution in mammals is the effect of gene duplications. Here we analyze the molecular evolution of members of the izumo gene family in mammals, a family of four genes mostly expressed in the sperm with known and potential roles in sperm-egg fusion. We confirm a previously reported bout of selection for izumo1 and establish that the bout of selection is restricted to the diversification of species of the superorder Laurasiatheria. None of the izumo genes showed evidence of positive selection in Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha), and in the case of the non-testes-specific izumo4, rapid evolution was driven by relaxed selection. We detected evidence of positive selection for izumo3 among Primates. Interestingly, positively selected sites include several serine residues suggesting modifications in protein function and/or localization among Primates. Our results suggest that positive selection is driven by aspects related to species-specific adaptations to fertilization rather than sexual selection.

scholarly journals A novel positive selection for identifying cold-sensitive myosin II mutants in Dictyostelium.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Patterson ◽  
J A Spudich
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Myosin Heavy Chain ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Chemical Mutagenesis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
Selection For

Abstract We developed a positive selection for myosin heavy chain mutants in Dictyostelium. This selection is based on the fact that brief exposure to azide causes wild-type cells to release from the substrate, whereas myosin null cells remain adherent. This procedure assays myosin function on a time scale of minutes and has therefore allowed us to select rapid-onset cold-sensitive mutants after random chemical mutagenesis of Dictyostelium cells. We developed a rapid technique for determining which mutations lie in sequences of the myosin gene that encode the head (motor) domain and localized 27 of 34 mutants to this domain. We recovered the appropriate sequences from five of the mutants and demonstrated that they retain their cold-sensitive properties when expressed from extrachromosomal plasmids.

scholarly journals Discovering the drivers of clonal hematopoiesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriol Pich ◽  
Iker Reyes-Salazar ◽  
Abel Gonzalez-Perez ◽  
Nuria Lopez-Bigas
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Cancer Genomics ◽  
Variant Calling ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Cancer Genes ◽  
Driver Genes ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Clonal Hematopoiesis

AbstractMutations in genes that confer a selective advantage to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in certain conditions drive clonal hematopoiesis (CH). While some CH drivers have been identified experimentally or through epidemiological studies, the compendium of all genes able to drive CH upon mutations in HSCs is far from complete. We propose that identifying signals of positive selection in blood somatic mutations may be an effective way to identify CH driver genes, similarly as done to identify cancer genes. Using a reverse somatic variant calling approach, we repurposed whole-genome and whole-exome blood/tumor paired samples of more than 12,000 donors from two large cancer genomics cohorts to identify blood somatic mutations. The application of IntOGen, a robust driver discovery pipeline, to blood somatic mutations across both cohorts, and more than 24,000 targeted sequenced samples yielded a list of close to 70 genes with signals of positive selection in CH, available at http://www.intogen.org/ch. This approach recovers all known CH genes, and discovers novel candidates. Generating this compendium is an essential step to understand the molecular mechanisms of CH and to accurately detect individuals with CH to ascertain their risk to develop related diseases.

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