Mitochondrial genome and human mitochondrial diseases

Today there are described more than 400 point mutations and more than hundred of structural rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA associated with characteristic neuromuscular and other mitochondrial syndromes, from lethal in the neonatal period of life to the disease with late onset. The defects of oxidative phosphorylation are the main reasons of mitochondrial disease development. Phenotypic diversity and phenomenon of heteroplasmy are the hallmark of mitochondrial human diseases. It is necessary to assess the amount of mutant mtDNA accurately, since the level of heteroplasmy largely determines the phenotypic manifestation. In spite of better understanding of the processes of phenotypic expression, currently there are no adequate treatments for mitochondrial diseases.