The Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA in the Failing and Normal Hearts

Choi, Hyun Seok; Kim, Hyo Soo; Oh, Byung Hee; Lee, Myoung Mook; Choe, Seong Choon; Hong, Suk Keun; Sohn, Dae Won; Park, Young Bae; Choi, Yun Shik; Seo, Jung Don; Lee, Young Woo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to analyze the mitochondrial DNA in failing and normal hearts.
METHODS
Genomic DNA was extracted from 18 failing and 4 normal hearts. The DNA was digested with each 50 units of BamH I, Pvu II, Pst I, and hybridized using DNA fragments encoding CO II (cytochrome oxidase II) and CO IU. They were detected using 'Fluorescein Gene Images' system.
RESULTS
The light microscopic feature of failing myocardium was compatible with that of primary cardiomyopathy. In southern blot analysis, there was no significant difference in mitochondrial DNA amounts between normal and failing hearts. The amount of mitochondrial DNA in hearts, whether normal or failing, was greater than that in lymphocytes. There were no abnormal bands except 16.6kb-normal band using the enzyme BamH I, Pvu II from failing and normal hearts. After digesting with Pst I, 2.1kb band was found using probe CO II and 14.5kb band using probe CO III.
CONCLUSION
The amount of mitochondrial DNA in hearts, whether normal or failing, was greater than that in lymphocytes, which suggests that the heart is an active organ in the energy metabolism. Abnormal band was not found in southern blot analysis of the mitochondrial DNA from failing and normal hearts. The more sensitive method such as PCR is required to detect the presence of sma11 amount of mutated DNA.