Do conflicts arise between mitochondria and nuclear DNA?

[Noland]

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally and codes for around 13-14 proteins. However, the majority of proteins associated with the mitochondria are encoded by genes contained within nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents. Excluding aberrant mutations in either genome, do conflicts sometime arise due to this dynamic? Can the maternally-inherited mtDNA sometimes be incompatible with the mutually-inherited nuclear DNA? If so, would the fertilized ovum abort immediately, or could issues arise later on in life?

[Nathan Flinn]

Interesting question.

 

Since all mDNA is maternal one could suppose that there are unlikely to be many paternal alleles (nuclear) that would survive over generations if such conflicts could arise (although at very low frequencies practically any allele can survive because selection does not operate on that level). Although with populations separated for a long time anything is possible. But if this were the reason one could expect incompatibility to hit the nucleus first anyways... leading towards spaciation.

 

Off topic: the conflict between the parasitic nucleus and host mitochondria was most likely resolved by transfer of genes from the latter to the former.

[chadn]

In plants there are examples of male sterility that due to genes in the mitochondria. This is typically referred to as Cytoplasmic Male Sterility and there are nuclear based genes or alleles that can rescue this. The exact genes and mechanisms involved is poorly understood.

[Nathan Flinn]

In plants there are examples of male sterility that due to genes in the mitochondria. This is typically referred to as Cytoplasmic Male Sterility and there are nuclear based genes or alleles that can rescue this. The exact genes and mechanisms involved is poorly understood.

 

 

Nice finding. Any refs?

[Nemoclay]

The males represent dead-ends for the organelles genes. Because of this fact these genes have evolved a number of mechanisms to increase the production of female descendants, male killing, male sterility (like the chadn's example).