Random genetic drift determines the level of mutant mtDNA in human primary oocytes.

Brown, D T; Samuels, D C; Michael, E M; Turnbull, D M; Chinnery, P F · Am J Hum Genet · 2001

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We measured the proportion of mutant mtDNA (mutation load) in 82 primary oocytes from a woman who harbored the A3243G mtDNA mutation. The frequency distribution of mutation load indicates that random drift is the principal mechanism that determines the level of mutant mtDNA within individual oocytes.

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