Maternal Inheritance and Maternal Effects

RFLP Proof That Mitochondrial DNA Is Maternally Inherited

If mitochondrial (mt) DNA is inherited from the female, then backcross progeny should exhibit the female mt DNA pattern.

• Crosses between the mice species M. spretus and M. domesticus were made.

• F₁s were backcrossed to M. spretus (lanes 2, 3 and 4), and the M. spretus mt DNA pattern is seen.
• F₁s were backcrossed to M. domesticus (lanes 6 and 7), and the M. domesticus mt DNA pattern is seen.

Conclusion - Mitochondrial DNA is inherited fromt the female.