Mitochondrial DNA content and expression of genes involved in mtDNA transcription, regulation and maintenance during human fetal development
Abstract
The mitochondrial biogenesis and adequate energy production are important for fetal growth and early postnatal adaptation. The aim of the study was to characterize mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and expression patterns of POLG, TFAM, NRF1,NRF2 and PGC1 family of regulated coactivators (PGC1A, PGC1B and PRC), COX4 and MTCO2 in human fetal tissues during gestation.
Moreover enzyme activities of COX and CS and protein levels of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunits were analysed. DNA, RNA and proteins were isolated from 26 pairs of fetal liver and muscle samples between 13th and 28th week of gestation.
This work offers a broad view on the differences in expression of POLG, TFAM, NRF2 genes and family PGC1 coactivators found between the fetal tissues. The significant tissue-specific changes in expression of selected COX subunits on mRNA level were observed.
The considerable differences in enzyme activities of COX and CS are demonstrated between fetal and postnatal phase. In conclusion our study indicates