Lower mitochondrial DNA content relates to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial to mitochondria in energy production and other physiological functions. When lowlanders arrive at high altitude, the mitochondrial content tends to decrease. However, the mtDNA content of native highlanders share the same feature as lowlanders remains unknown. It is also interesting to dissect the other changes in blood plasma that might accompany the change of mtDNA content. To address these issues, we recruited 241 Tibetan subjects in Tibet and 220 Han subjects in Shaanxi province. Relative mtDNA copy number and blood biochemical indexes were measured. Results show that relative mtDNA copy number in Tibetans is significantly lower as compared to Han subjects; sex, age, blood glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol show no influence on mtDNA content, but carbon dioxide combining power is negatively correlated with mtDNA content. These results indicate that an increase in CO2 combining power along with lower mtDNA content may provide adaptive potential.
a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution , Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming , China .|b KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases , Kunming , China .|c Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China , and.
Yue
Y
Li
d Department of Geriatrics , the Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province , Kunming , China.
Wei
W
Huang
a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution , Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming , China .|b KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases , Kunming , China .|c Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China , and.
Qin
Q
Yu
a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution , Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming , China .|b KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases , Kunming , China .|c Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China , and.
Yao-Ting
YT
Cheng
a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution , Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming , China .|b KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases , Kunming , China .
Qing-Peng
QP
Kong
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D000531:Altitude; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018609:Tibet; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D014280:Triglycerides; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002784:Cholesterol
Adaptation; carbon dioxide combining power; copy number; high altitude; mitochondrial DNA