Is Recombination in Human Mitochondrial DNA really possible?

[Guest UCHE Q]

There has been considerable debate as to whether there is recombination in Human Mitochondrial DNA over the past few years. Are there evidences supporting this fact? How does it occur? What are the causes?

[Guest UCHE Q]

There has been considerable debate as to whether there is recombination in Human Mitochondrial DNA over the past few years. Are there evidences supporting this fact? How does it occur? What are the causes?

[rakuenso]

mtDNA has been isolated, a test was done years ago to determine the lineages of a certain primate (think it was chimps but I can't be sure). Because mtDNA is passed from mother to daughter, and it undergoes very few recombinations, it is a very good measure of evolution.

 

As for humans, since our DNA is 98(+-1)% the same as that of the primates, the procedure should be doable. As for mtDNA gene expression and differentiation, I've got no bloody clue as to if it even undergoes it.