Random genetic drift determines the level of mutant mtDNA in human primary oocytes.
We measured the proportion of mutant mtDNA (mutation load) in 82 primary oocytes from a woman who harbored the A3243G mtDNA mutation. The frequency distribution of mutation load indicates that random drift is the principal mechanism that determines the level of mutant mtDNA within individual oocytes.
Brown
D T
DT
Department of Neurology, The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
Samuels
D C
DC
Michael
E M
EM
Turnbull
D M
DM
Chinnery
P F
PF
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010375:Pedigree; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial