Unveiling the Mystery: The Maternal Inheritance of Mitochondrial DNA Explained
New research published in the journal Nature Genetics sheds light on why mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is exclusively inherited from the mother. While it was previously believed that paternal mtDNA was eliminated during fertilization, the study found that mature sperm lack intact mtDNA and a protein essential for mtDNA maintenance. The researchers speculate that this may be due to the high energy usage of sperm during fertilization, which could lead to the accumulation of mtDNA mutations. In contrast, developing eggs primarily draw energy from surrounding cells, maintaining relatively pristine mtDNA. Understanding the role of mtDNA in sperm maturation and fertilization could have implications for treating infertility disorders and improving assisted reproductive technologies.
