How are sperm mitochondria eliminated after fertilisation

线粒体完全通过母系生殖细胞遗传的事实是除了少数生物外所有生物有性生殖的基本特征。这种单亲遗传被认为可以防止不同线粒体基因组之间的遗传冲突。控制单亲遗传的机制包括在受精后不久消除精子线粒体。我们将研究两种可能的机制，（1）主动破坏和（2）被动稀释。这些结果将有助于解释异质性是如何避免的，以保持包括动物和人类在内的生物体的适应性。这些结果将对改善农业育种和预防线粒体遗传疾病有长期的见解。

The fact that mitochondria are inherited exclusively through the maternal germ-line is fundamental feature of sexual reproduction in all but a few organisms. This uni-parental inheritance is thought to prevent genetic conflict between different mitochondrial genomes. The mechanisms controlling uniparental inheritance involve eliminating the sperm mitochondria soon after fertilisation. We will investigate 2 possible mechanisms, (1) active destruction and (2) passive dilution. The results will help explain how heteroplasmy is avoided in order to maintain the fitness of organisms including animals and humans. The results will have long term insights into improving breeding in agriculture and in the prevention of mitochondrial genetic disease.