More than a Powerhouse: Mitochondria, DNA and Dad

[CReyes-Ton (Ciara Reyes-Ton)]

Mitochondria are so much more than powerhouses. While we inherit Mitochondrial DNA primarily from Mom, that doesn’t mean Dad’s contribution is any less important.

More than a Powerhouse: Mitochondria, DNA and Dad - Post - BioLogos

[T_aquaticus]

Dad’s still contribute to the function of mitochondria since most human mitochondrial proteins are found in nuclear DNA, such as cytochrome c.

We can also inherit bits of former mitochondrial DNA from our dads. These are bits of mitochondrial DNA that have inserted themselves into nuclear DNA and are called numts (nuclear mitochondrial DNA). Numts can also be important genetic markers for determining relationships between species.

Added in edit:

A key, early insight from the mtDNA sequence was that its limited coding capacity could account for only a small fraction of the organelle’s proteome. The 13 proteins encoded by mammalian mtDNA are all components of the respiratory chain, which generates the majority of cellular ATP via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, the remaining ~77 respiratory chain subunits are encoded by nuclear genes, as are all proteins required for the transcription, translation, modification, and assembly of the 13 mtDNA proteins (28). All the components of numerous other mitochondrial pathways are also nuclear encoded, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, protein import, fatty acid and amino acid oxidation, apoptosis, and biosynthesis of ketone bodies, pyrimidines, heme, and urea.
The Mitochondrial Proteome and Human Disease - PMC