Mitochondrial DNA Variants Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Over the past 25 years, the Wallace's laboratory discovered that the variation in the maternally-inherited human mtDNA forms a single mtDNA tree in which the branches of the tree are region specific. The mtDNAs in each major branch of the tree are thus a group of related haplotypes, called a haplogroup. These regional branches contain functional mtDNA mutations that permitted ancestral humans to adapt to different environments, and it is Dr. Wallace's belief that these "adaptive" variants are a major factor in individual predisposition to a broad range of diseases today. Technology: We have discovered a number of human mitochondria1 DNA (mtDNA) lineages (haplogroups) that strikingly increase or decrease individual risk for developing the various symptoms of the Metabolic Syndrome (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, etc.). Screening for these mtDNA haplogroups will not only provide a powerful preclinical diagnostics tool, they provide new insight into the complex genetics and pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and suggest many new approaches to therapeutics. Application: Preclinical and clinical diagnosis of common metabolic diseases

Type of Offer: Licensing



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