title: Autonomous replication activity of a human mitochondrial-DNA sequence inserted into genomic DNA.
abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments can be found inserted into nuclear DNA and may contribute to cancer and aging. A HeLaTG-cell nuclear transcript was shown to include human cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (coxIII) mtDNA fused to c-myc sequences. Independently, a coxIII-containing cDNA was discovered to replicate autonomously in HeLa cells. We show that the HeLaTG mtDNA insertion has autonomous replication activity when transfected into HeLa cells and in a mammalian in vitro replication system. Replication in vitro starts within the fusion cDNA sequence. Insertion of an element which could function as a replication origin may affect cellular DNA replication and proliferation.
authors.affiliation: MCGILL UNIV,CTR CANC,MONTREAL H3G 1Y6,PQ,CANADA. UNIV TEXAS,SW MED CTR,DEPT CELL BIOL & NEUROSCI,DALLAS,TX 75235.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piatyszek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shay
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zannishadjopoulos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Price