Epigenome-Wide Association Study Of Nuclear DNA Methylation In Relation To Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy
Our cells contain two types of DNA: the well-known nuclear DNA, which dictates most of our traits, and mitochondrial DNA, found in the “powerhouses” of our cells. While often studied separately, new research highlights a fascinating interplay between them. This study explored how variations in mitochondrial DNA, specifically the presence of different versions within the same cell (a phenomenon called heteroplasmy), are linked to changes in nuclear DNA.
The researchers discovered that when there are more variations in mitochondrial DNA, it leads to widespread alterations in the chemical tags on nuclear DNA, known as methylation. DNA methylation is like a dimmer switch for genes, controlling whether they are turned on or off. These changes were particularly noticeable in genes involved in how mitochondria are made, how cells produce energy, and how they respond to stress. Interestingly, higher levels of mitochondrial DNA variation were generally associated with lower levels of methylation on nuclear DNA.
These findings suggest that our cells might be using these methylation changes to adjust how nuclear genes are expressed in response to what’s happening in the mitochondria. This intricate communication could have major implications for understanding and potentially treating diseases linked to mitochondrial problems, such as neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic conditions, and heart disease. The identified DNA methylation markers could even serve as early indicators for predicting health outcomes like overall mortality and cardiovascular disease.
Source: link to paper