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Complex Mitochondrial DNA in Human Tumors¹

Division of Biology [C. A. S., J. V.] and Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering [J. V.], Norman W. Church Laboratory of Chemical Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109

The frequency with which complex mitochondrial DNA forms occur in DNA extracted from a number of human solid tumors was determined. The catenated forms in all but one sample were within the ranges of frequency reported previously in animal tissue. One sample contained 14% catenated dimers and 10% catenated higher oligomers. Circular dimers were present in 12 of 15 samples, ranging in frequency from 0.2 to 9%. No circular dimers were seen in a sample of human placenta. The results extend previous studies in which circular dimers were found in leukocytes of patients with granulocytic leukemia but not in leukocytes from nonmalignant proliferations.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Research Grants CA-08014 from the National Cancer Institute and GM15327 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. This is contribution no. 4597 from the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

² Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. 94305.

³ To whom reprint requests should be sent.

Received 12/ 8/72. Accepted 2/12/73.