Were inefficient mitochondrial haplogroups selected during migrations of modern humans? A test using modular kinetic analysis of coupling in mitochondria from cybrid cell lines

Taku Amo , Martin D Brand (1)

1 Dunn Human Nutrition Unit

We introduce a general test of the bioenergetic importance of mitochondrial DNA variants: modular kinetic analysis of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria from cybrid cells with constant nuclear DNA but different mitochondrial DNA. We apply this test to the hypothesis [Ruiz-Pesini, Mishmar, Brandon, Procaccio and Wallace (2004) Science 303, 223-226] that particular mitochondrial DNA haplogroups (specific combinations of polymorphisms) that cause lowered coupling efficiency, leading to generation of less ATP and more heat, were positively selected during radiations of modern humans into colder climates. Contrary to the predictions of this hypothesis, mitochondria from Arctic haplogroups had similar or even greater coupling efficiency than mitochondria from tropical haplogroups.

Mots clés: Life Sciences

Taku Amo, Martin D Brand. Were inefficient mitochondrial haplogroups selected during migrations of modern humans? A test using modular kinetic analysis of coupling in mitochondria from cybrid cell lines. Biochemical Journal, 2007, 404 (2), pp.345-351. ⟨10.1042/BJ20061609⟩. ⟨hal-00478688⟩