Regional variation in mitochondrial DNA copy number in mouse brain

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1807; no. 3; pp. 270 - 274
• Main Authors: Fuke, Satoshi, Kubota-Sakashita, Mie, Kasahara, Takaoki, Shigeyoshi, Yasufumi, Kato, Tadafumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Animals; brain; Brain - physiology; Cell Nucleus; Cerebellum; Copy number; DNA Copy Number Variations - genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; Dopamine; Gene Dosage; Male; males; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; mitochondria; Mitochondria - genetics; mitochondrial DNA; mtDNA; neuromuscular disorders; neurons; Polymerase Chain Reaction; quantitative analysis; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Substantia nigra; tissues; Ventral tegmental area; Cerebellum; Dopamine; Copy number; mtDNA; Ventral tegmental area; Substantia nigra
• ISSN: 0005-2728; 0006-3002; 1879-2650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.11.016

Mitochondria have their own DNA (mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA]). Although mtDNA copy number is dependent on tissues and its decrease is associated with various neuromuscular diseases, detailed distribution of mtDNA copies in the brain remains uncertain. Using real-time quantitative PCR assay, we examined regional variation in mtDNA copy number in 39 brain regions of male mice. A significant regional difference in mtDNA copy number was observed ( P < 4.8 × 10 − 35 ). High levels of mtDNA copies were found in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra, two major nuclei containing dopaminergic neurons. In contrast, cerebellar vermis and lobes had significantly lower copy numbers than other regions. Hippocampal dentate gyrus also had a relatively low mtDNA copy number. This study is the first quantitative analysis of regional variation in mtDNA copy number in mouse brain. Our findings are important for the physiological and pathophysiological studies of mtDNA in the brain. ► There is a significant difference in mtDNA copy number among brain regions. ► VTA and SN contain highest mtDNA copy number. ► Lowest levels of mtDNA copies are observed in celebellar vermis and lobes.