Analysis of mtDNA/nDNA Ratio in Mice

Curr Protoc Mouse Biol. 2017 Mar 2;7(1):47-54. doi: 10.1002/cpmo.21.

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lacks the protection provided by the nucleosomes in the nuclear DNA and does not have a DNA repair mechanism, making it highly susceptible to damage, which can lead to mtDNA depletion. mtDNA depletion compromises the efficient function of cells and tissues and thus impacts negatively on health. Here, we describe a brief and easy protocol to quantify mtDNA copy number by determining the mtDNA/nDNA ratio. The procedure has been validated using a cohort of young and aged mice. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Keywords: 16SrRNA; ND1; mtDNA; qPCR.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / isolation & purification
  • Gene Dosage*
  • Genes, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Mice
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA