Mitochondrial DNA variation in human radiation and disease.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Wallace, Douglas C
Year of Publication: 2015
Journal: Cell
Volume: 163
Issue: 1
Pagination: 33-8
Date Published: 2015 Sep 24
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1097-4172
Keywords: Animals, Disease, DNA, Mitochondrial, Female, Genetic Speciation, Genetic Variation, Genetics, Medical, Human Migration, Humans, Oxidative Phosphorylation
Abstract:

Environmental adaptation, predisposition to common diseases, and, potentially, speciation may all be linked through the adaptive potential of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations of bioenergetics. This Perspective synthesizes evidence that human mtDNA variants may be adaptive or deleterious depending on environmental context and proposes that the accrual of mtDNA variation could contribute to animal speciation via adaptation to marginal environments.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.08.067
Alternate Journal: Cell