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One of the unique features of mitochondria is that these organelles possess their own DNA (mtDNA). The mitochondrial genome, like any DNA is subject to continuous attack on its integrity from both endogenous and exogenous sources. In order to understand the consequences of such an attack, one must consider key aspects of mtDNA organization and maintenance. Mammalian cells contain one to several thousand copies of mtDNA per cell, which are characterized as being enclosed in multiple mitochondria at 1 to 11 copies per organelle (Cavelier et al. 2000). Human mtDNA is a circular negatively supercoiled double-stranded molecule that is 16,569 bp long (Figure 15.1). It encodes 13 polypeptides, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. |
