Mitochondrial DNA Mutations and Approaches for Their Correction (review)
Apart from the nucleus, the mitochondrion is the only organelle of an animal cell that contains its own genome. Mitochondrial DNA is much less in size that the nuclear DNA and codes for only several dozens of biological macromolecules. Nevertheless, mutations in mitochondrial genes often result in the occurrence of serious hereditary neuromuscular diseases. New mitochondrial DNA mutations and their relations to clinical symptoms are continuously reported in the scientific literature. In the present review, we summarize all existing data about such mutations, and also about gene therapy approaches for their suppression.