Search results for " mitochondrial"
showing 10 items of 492 documents
Diagnostic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene allow discrimination between cattle, sheep, goat, roe buck and deer by PCR-RFLP
2004
Abstract Background As an alternative to direct DNA sequencing of PCR products, random PCR-RFLP is an efficient technique to discriminate between species. The PCR-RFLP-method is an inexpensive tool in forensic science, even if the template is degraded or contains only traces of DNA from various species. Results Interspecies-specific DNA sequence polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analyzed using PCR-RFLP technology to determine the source (i.e., species) of blood traces obtained from a leaf. Conclusions The method presented can be used for the discrimination of cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), roe buck (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Ce…
The Mitochondrial tRNASer(UCN) Gene: A Novel m.7484A>G Mutation Associated with Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy and Literature Review
2023
Mitochondrial tRNASer(UCN) is considered a hot-spot for non-syndromic and aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. However, many patients have been described with more extensive neurological diseases, mainly including epilepsy, myoclonus, ataxia, and myopathy. We describe a novel homoplasmic m.7484A>G mutation in the tRNASer(UCN) gene affecting the third base of the anticodon triplet in a girl with profound intellectual disability, spastic tetraplegia, sensorineural hearing loss, a clinical history of epilepsia partialis continua and vomiting, typical of MELAS syndrome, leading to a myoclonic epilepticus status, and myopathy with severe COX deficiency at muscle biopsy. The mutation was also …
Molecular phylogenetics and historical biogeography of the west-palearctic common toads (Bufo bufo species complex)
2012
In most pan-Eurasiatic species complexes, two phenomena have been traditionally considered key processes of their cladogenesis and biogeography. First, it is hypothesized that the origin and development of the Central Asian Deserts generated a biogeographic barrier that fragmented past continuous distributions in Eastern and Western domains. Second, Pleistocene glaciations have been proposed as the main process driving the regional diversification within each of these domains. The European common toad and its closest relatives provide an interesting opportunity to examine the relative contributions of these paleogeographic and paleoclimatic events to the phylogeny and biogeography of a wide…
Characterizing a hybrid zone between a cryptic species pair of freshwater snails.
2015
Characterizing hybrid zones and their dynamics is a central goal in evolutionary biology, but this is particularly challenging for morphologically cryptic species. The lack of conspicuous divergence between parental types means intermediate hybrid forms often go undetected. We aimed to detect and characterize a suspected hybrid zone between a pair of morphologically cryptic lineages of the freshwater snail, Radix. We sampled Radix from across a contact zone between two mitochondrial lineages (Radix balthica and an undescribed lineage termed 'MOTU3') and detected admixture between two nuclear genotype clusters, which were significantly but not categorically associated with the mitochondrial …
Mitochondrial DNA variation and the evolutionary history of cryptic Gammarus fossarum types.
2000
The evolutionary history of the cryptic Gammarus fossarum species complex (Crustacea, Amphipoda) in Central Europe was approached by investigating the genetic variation in populations of a natural contact zone. Nucleotide sequence variation of a 395-bp segment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was compared to that of six nuclear allozyme loci. Three major mtDNA lineages were found, the eastern clade being consistent with the former allozyme type A. The two western clades (types B and C) were not distinguished previously. Strong sequence divergence and correlation with nuclear genetic isolation in syntopic populations, however, justifies the specific status of the three G. fossarum types. T…
Prokaryotic symbiotic consortia and the origin of nucleated cells: A critical review of Lynn Margulis hypothesis.
2021
The publication in the late 1960s of Lynn Margulis endosymbiotic proposal is a scientific milestone that brought to the fore of evolutionary discussions the issue of the origin of nucleated cells. Although it is true that the times were ripe, the timely publication of Lynn Margulis' original paper was the product of an intellectually bold 29-years old scientist, who based on the critical analysis of the available scientific information produced an all-encompassing, sophisticated narrative scheme on the origin of eukaryotic cells as a result of the evolution of prokaryotic consortia and, in bold intellectual stroke, put it all in the context of planetary evolution. A critical historical reas…
CB(1) signaling in forebrain and sympathetic neurons is a key determinant of endocannabinoid actions on energy balance
2010
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a critical role in obesity development. The pharmacological blockade of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB(1)) has been shown to reduce body weight and to alleviate obesity-related metabolic disorders. An unsolved question is at which anatomical level CB(1) modulates energy balance and the mechanisms involved in its action. Here, we demonstrate that CB(1) receptors expressed in forebrain and sympathetic neurons play a key role in the pathophysiological development of diet-induced obesity. Conditional mutant mice lacking CB(1) expression in neurons known to control energy balance, but not in nonneuronal peripheral organs, displayed a lean phenotype and res…
Evolutionary transitions in broad tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) revealed by mitogenome and nuclear ribosomal operon phylogenetics
2021
Abstract Broad tapeworms (Diphyllobothriidea) are parasites whose adults are capable of infecting a wide range of freshwater, marine and terrestrial tetrapods including humans. Previous works examining the evolution of habitat and host use in this group have been hampered by the lack of a well-resolved phylogeny. In order to produce a robust phylogenetic framework for diphyllobothriideans, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of 13 representatives, carefully chosen to cover the major clades, and two outgroup species representing the Spathebothriidea and Haplobothriidea. In addition, complementary data from the nuclear ribosomal operon was sequenced for 10 representative taxa. Mito…
Cytotoxic phytochemicals from the crude extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells.
2020
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Tetrapleura tetraptera is an African medicinal spice used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments including cancer. Aim of the study The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of the fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTF) and its constituents: (3R, 4S)-3,4-dimethyloxetan-2-one (1), luteolin (2), stigmasterol (4), 3-O-[6′-O-undecanoyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl]stigmasterol (6), olean-12-en-3-β-O-D-glucopyranoside (7), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-27-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (9), methyl…
Regulation of Human Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) Activity by Electrophiles in Vitro
2011
Recently, mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) was reported to reduce ischemic damage in an experimental myocardial infarction model. ALDH-2 activity is redox-sensitive. Therefore, we here compared effects of various electrophiles (organic nitrates, reactive fatty acid metabolites, or oxidants) on the activity of ALDH-2 with special emphasis on organic nitrate-induced inactivation of the enzyme, the biochemical correlate of nitrate tolerance. Recombinant human ALDH-2 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli; activity was determined with an HPLC-based assay, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation was determined by chemiluminescence, fluorescence, protein tyrosine nitration,…