Abstract
The endosymbiotic theory1 of the origin of mitochondria is widely accepted, and implies that loss of genes from the mitochondria to the nucleus of eukaryotic cells has occurred over evolutionary time2,3. However, evidence at the DNA sequence level for gene transfer between these organelles has so far been limited to a single example, the demonstration that a mitochondrial ATPase subunit gene of Neurospora crassa has an homologous partner in the nuclear genome4. From a gene library of the insect, Locusta migratoria, we have now isolated two clones, representing separate fragments of nuclear DNA, which contain sequences homologous to the mitochondrial genes for ribosomal RNA, as well as regions of homology with highly repeated nuclear sequences. The results suggest the transfer of sequences between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, followed by evolutionary divergence.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Margulis, L. Origin of Eukaryotic Cells (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1970).
Wallace, D. C. Microbiol. Rev. 46, 208–240 (1982).
Gray, M. W. Can. J. Biochem. 60, 157–171 (1982).
van den Boogaart, P., Samallo, J. & Agsteribbe, E. Nature 298, 187–189 (1982).
Wyatt, G. R., Locke, J., Bradfield, J. Y., White, B. N. & Deeley, R. G. in Juvenile Hormone Biochemistry (eds Pratt, G. E. & Brooks, G. T.) 299–307 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1981).
Kleinow, W. in The Biogenesis of Mitochondria (eds Kroon, C. M. & Saccone, C.) 377–381 (Academic, New York, 1974).
Spradling, A., Pardue, M. L. & Penman, S. J. molec. Biol. 109, 559–587 (1977).
Shapiro, J. A. & Cordell, B. Biol. Cell 43, 31–54 (1982).
Lewin, R. Science 217, 42–43 (1982).
Stern, D. B. & Lonsdale, D. M. Nature 299, 698–702 (1982).
Ellis, J. Nature 299, 678–679 (1982).
Buell, G. N., Wickens, M. P., Payour, F. & Schimke, R. T. J. biol. Chem. 253, 2471–2482 (1978).
Kleinow, W. Hoppe-Seyler's Z. physiol. Chem. 355, 1027–1034 (1974).
Clewell, D. B. & Helinsky, D. T. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 62, 1159–1166 (1969).
Chinzei, Y., White, B. N. & Wyatt, G. R. Can. J. Biochem. 60, 243–251 (1982).
Bailey, J. M. & Davidson, N. Analyt. Biochem. 70, 75–85 (1976).
Southern, E. M. J. molec. Biol. 98, 503–517 (1975).
Rigby, R. W. S., Dieckman, M., Rhodes, C. & Berg, P. J. molec. Biol. 113, 237–251 (1977).
Blin, N. & Stafford, D. W. Nucleic Acids Res. 3, 2303–2308 (1976).
Alwine, J. C., Kemp, D. J. & Stark, G. R. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 5350–5354 (1977).
Irvine, D. J. & Brasch, K. Gen. comp. Endocr. 45, 91–99 (1981).
Davis, R. W., Simon, M. & Davidson, N. Meth. Enzym. 21, 413–428 (1971).
Kidd, S. J. & Gover, D. M. Cell 19, 103–119 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gellissen, G., Bradfield, J., White, B. et al. Mitochondrial DNA sequences in the nuclear genome of a locust. Nature 301, 631–634 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301631a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/301631a0
This article is cited by
-
In silico discovery of a nearly complete mitochondrial genome Numt in the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) nuclear genome
Genetica (2015)
-
Improvement of fluorescent chromosome in situ PCR and its application in the phylogeny of the genus Fagopyrum Mill. using nuclear genes of chloroplast origin (cpDNA)
Plant Systematics and Evolution (2013)
-
The RHNumtS compilation: Features and bioinformatics approaches to locate and quantify Human NumtS
BMC Genomics (2008)
-
Nuclear pseudogenes of mitochondrial DNA as a variable part of the human genome
Cell Research (1999)
-
Pervasive migration of organellar DNA to the nucleus in plants
Journal of Molecular Evolution (1995)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.