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[Understanding mitochondrial genome fragmentation in parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera)].

Authors :
Dong WG
Guo XG
Jin DC
Xue SP
Qin F
Simon S
Stephen CB
Renfu S
Source :
Yi chuan = Hereditas [Yi Chuan] 2013 Jul; Vol. 35 (7), pp. 847-55.
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Lice are obligate ectoparasites of mammals and birds. Extensive fragmentation of mitochondrial genomes has been found in some louse species in the families Pediculidae, Pthiridae, Philopteridae and Trichodectidae. For example, the mt genomes of human body louse (Pediculus humanus), head louse (Pediculus capitis), and public louse (Pthirus pubis) have 20, 20 and 14 mini-chromosomes, respectively. These mini-chromosomes might be the results of deletion and recombination of mt genes. The factors and mechanisms of mitochondrial genome fragmentation are currently unknown. The fragmentation might be the results of evolutionary selection or random genetic drift or it is probably related to the lack of mtSSB (mitochondrial single-strand DNA binding protein). Understanding the fragmentation of mitochondrial genomes is of significance for understanding the origin and evolution of mitochondria. This paper reviews the recent advances in the studies of mito-chondrial genome fragmentation in lice, including the phenomena of mitochondrial genome fragmentation, characteristics of fragmented mitochondrial genomes, and some factors and mechanisms possibly leading to the mitochondrial genome fragmentation of lice. Perspectives for future studies on fragmented mt genomes are also discussed.

Details

Language :
Chinese
ISSN :
0253-9772
Volume :
35
Issue :
7
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Yi chuan = Hereditas
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
23853355
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3724/sp.j.1005.2013.00847