Regulation and Biological Role of Mitochondrial DNA Architecture and Topology

Dear Colleagues,

Nearly 20 years ago, it was discovered^1,2 that vertebrates have genetically-conserved enzymes dedicated to modifying and controlling mtDNA topology, which indicates that DNA topology and architecture must play a crucial role in mitochondrial function. The above finding raised many questions—to name just a few: How is mtDNA-topology regulated, how does mtDNA replication and transcription impact on mtDNA-topology and vice versa; what role plays DNA topology in mitochondrial stability and mtDNA maintenance; to what extent is regulation of mtDNA topology relevant for mitochondria-delimited etiologies and aging? Meanwhile, a great deal of data germane to these issues have been gathered, and it seems that we are finally approaching a point where clarity emerges from chaos. This Special Issue aims at taking stock of the accumulated knowledge and making an effort to draw a coherent picture of our current understanding of the issue.

1 Zhang, H. et al. Human mitochondrial topoisomerase I. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98, 10608-10613 (2001).

2 Wang, Y., Lyu, Y. L. & Wang, J. C. Dual localization of human DNA topoisomerase IIIalpha to mitochondria and nucleus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99, 12114-12119 (2002)

Prof. Dr. Fritz Boege
Guest Editor

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