Date of Award
2014
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Richard M Showman
Abstract
Eukaryotes typically inherit mitochondria strictly maternally. There are however a group of bivalve molluscs that inherit different mitochondrial genomes from each parent. The paternally inherited mtDNA (M-type) is localized to, and dominates over the maternally inherited mtDNA (F-type) in the gonads of the male offspring, but is not normally retained in any tissue of the female offspring. This process is termed Double Uniparental Inheritance (DUI). Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), this study examines mtDNA replication compared to total DNA replication through embryonic stages of development and into early adulthood of the DUI species, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Results indicate that up through the early veliger stage of development, there is little replication of mtDNA. Between the early veliger and pediveliger stages, mtDNA replication increases dramatically, and then continues to replicate between pediveliger and 1mm spat. Rate of mtDNA replication slows after the pediveliger stage. This study also shows that mtDNA replication is not coupled to nuclear DNA replication, and that though replication of mtDNA increases between early veliger and pediveliger stages, nuclear DNA is replicating at a faster rate.
Rights
© 2014, Ellen Blenn Richardson
Recommended Citation
Richardson, E. B.(2014). Mitochondrial Replication from Embryogenesis to Early Adulthood, in DUI Species, Mytilus Galloprovincialis. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/2716