Genes outside the Nucleus “Punch above their Weight”

While DNA is found mostly in the nucleus, there are organelles in human and plant cells that also contain genetic material. These organelles include mitochondria for human cells and chloroplast for plant cells. It has recently been discovered that the DNA contained in these organelles is important as well. When scientists looked at genes found in chloroplast in 300 species of Arabidopsis plants, they found that they influenced concentrations of sugars, metabolites and amino acids. The fact that this powerful DNA lays outside the nucleus is groundbreaking discovery. It was known that these genes existed outside the nucleus however the degree which they affected metabolism has recently been discovered.  They believe this research can open new pathways for treatment for diseases such as obesity. In terms of vitro fertilization therapies it is believed that damaged mitochondria is being passed from mother to child. A treatment option that is being looked into is removing the nucleus from the mitochondria of the faulty egg and replacing it with healthy mitochondria. The new egg can then be fertilized. This method has been tested on animals however the interactions between mitochondria DNA and nucleus DNA is not fully understood so more research needs to be done. By shifting attention away from nucleus DNA and looking at organelle DNA we may be able to better understand certain diseases.    

Link:

http://www.insidescience.org/content/genes-outside-nucleus-punch-above-their-weight/1456

Related Links:

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10743

http://mda.org/publications/facts-about-genetics-and-NMDs/genes-outside-cells-nucleus