Can mitochondrial DNA cause disorders in humans?

Answer 1

For many patients, mitochondrial disease is an inherited condition that runs in families (genetic). An uncertain percentage of patients acquire symptoms due to other factors, including mitochondrial toxins.

It is important to determine which type of mitochondrial disease inheritance is present, in order to predict the risk of recurrence for future children. The types of mitochondrial disease inheritance include:

• DNA (DNA contained in the nucleus of the cell) inheritance. Also called autosomal inheritance.
  • If this gene trait is recessive (one gene from each parent), often no other family members appear to be affected. There is a 25 percent chance of the trait occurring in other siblings.
  • If this gene trait is dominant (a gene from either parent), the disease often occurs in other family members. There is a 50 percent chance of the trait occurring in other siblings.

MtDNA (DNA contained in the mitochondria) inheritance.

• There is a 100 percent chance of the trait occurring in other siblings, since all mitochondria are inherited from the mother, although symptoms might be either more or less severe.

Combination of mtDNA and nDNA defects:

• Relationship between nDNA and mtDNA and their correlation in mitochondrial formation is unknown