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By Steph Yin
For a long time, biologists thought our DNA resided only in the control center of our cells, the nucleus.
Then, in 1963, a couple at Stockholm University discovered DNA outside the nucleus. Looking through an electron microscope, Margit and Sylvan Nass noticed DNA fibers in structures called mitochondria, the energy centers of our cells.
Our mitochondrial DNA accounts for a small portion of our total DNA. It contains just 37 of the 20,000 to 25,000 protein-coding genes in our body. But it is notably distinct from DNA in the nucleus. Unlike nuclear DNA, which comes from both parents, mitochondrial DNA comes only from the mother.
Nobody fully understands why or how fathers’ mitochondrial DNA gets wiped from cells. An international team of scientists recently studied mitochondria in the sperm of a roundworm called C. elegans to find answers.
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The article touches upon a fascinating aspect of our biological makeup: the discovery of DNA outside the nucleus, specifically within the mitochondria. This groundbreaking revelation challenges the traditional belief that DNA exclusively resides in the cellular nucleus. The couple at Stockholm University, Margit and Sylvan Nass, made this pivotal observation in 1963, using an electron microscope to identify DNA fibers within the mitochondria.
Mitochondria, often referred to as the energy centers of our cells, play a crucial role in cellular function. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) found within these structures is distinct from nuclear DNA in several key ways. While the nuclear DNA contains the genetic material inherited from both parents, mitochondrial DNA is exclusively maternally inherited. In other words, we only inherit our mitochondrial DNA from our mothers.
The significance of mitochondrial DNA becomes apparent when considering its relatively small portion within our overall DNA composition. Out of the 20,000 to 25,000 protein-coding genes in our body, only 37 are housed in mitochondrial DNA. Yet, these genes are vital for the proper functioning of the mitochondria and, consequently, for cellular energy production.
The article also hints at a mysterious aspect – the absence of fathers' mitochondrial DNA in cells. Despite the nuclear DNA coming from both parents, mitochondrial DNA is exclusively passed down maternally. The reasons behind this unique inheritance pattern remain unclear, prompting an international team of scientists to delve into the study of mitochondria in the sperm of the roundworm C. elegans. Their research aims to unravel the mechanisms responsible for the absence of paternal mitochondrial DNA in offspring.
In conclusion, the article provides a glimpse into the complex interplay between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, challenging established notions and highlighting the need for further exploration to fully understand the intricacies of our genetic inheritance.
