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. 1990 Jan;124(1):157–163. doi: 10.1093/genetics/124.1.157

Length Heteroplasmy of Sturgeon Mitochondrial DNA: An Illegitimate Elongation Model

N E Buroker 1, J R Brown 1, T A Gilbert 1, P J O'Hara 1, A T Beckenbach 1, W K Thomas 1, M J Smith 1
PMCID: PMC1203902  PMID: 1968410

Abstract

Extensive length polymorphism and heteroplasmy (multiple forms within an individual) of the D-loop region are observed in mitochondrial DNA of the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). The nucleotide sequence of this region, for both a short and a long form, shows that the differences are due to variable numbers of a perfect 82-bp direct repeat. We propose a model for the replicative origin of length differences, involving a competitive equilibrium between the heavy strand and the D-loop strand. This model suggests that frequent misalignment in the repeat region prior to elongation, facilitated by a stable secondary structure in the displaced strand, can explain both the polymorphism and heteroplasmy in this species.

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Selected References

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