Initial sequence and protein modeling results of a mitochondrial genome project on understudied invertebrate phyla. From: The Biological Bulletin | Date: October 1, 2004| Author: Boore, Jeffrey L.; Campbell, Robert K.; Fitch, David H.; Giribet, Gonzalo; Kiontke, Karin; Robbins, Gillian E. | COPYRIGHT 2004 Marine Biological Laboratory. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Mitochondria play an essential role in metabolism. Comprising its own circular DNA, the mitochondrial genome of metazoans typically encodes 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 12 to 13 polypeptides. These polypeptides are responsible for the production of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate the production of ATP. Based upon genomic similarities, eukaryotic mitochondria may have evolved from an alphaproteobacterium-like ancestor.

A mitochondrial genom...