Is selection required for the accumulation of somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in post-mitotic cells?
SE Durham, DC Samuels, PF Chinnery - Neuromuscular Disorders, 2006 - Elsevier
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations accumulate in the skeletal muscle of patients with
mtDNA disease, and also as part of healthy ageing. Simulations of human muscle fibres
suggest that, over many decades, the continuous destruction and copying of mtDNA
(relaxed replication) can lead to dramatic changes in the percentage level of mutant mtDNA
in non-dividing cells through random genetic drift. This process should apply to both
pathogenic and neutral mutations. To test this hypothesis we sequenced the entire …
mtDNA disease, and also as part of healthy ageing. Simulations of human muscle fibres
suggest that, over many decades, the continuous destruction and copying of mtDNA
(relaxed replication) can lead to dramatic changes in the percentage level of mutant mtDNA
in non-dividing cells through random genetic drift. This process should apply to both
pathogenic and neutral mutations. To test this hypothesis we sequenced the entire …