Inheritance Patterns
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Because mitochondrial diseases (diseases due to malfunction of mitochondria) can be inherited both maternally and through chromosomal inheritance, the way in which they are passed on from generation to generation can vary greatly depending on the disease. Mitochondrial genetic mutations that occur in the nuclear DNA can occur in any of the chromosomes (depending on the species). Mutations inherited through the chromosomes can be autosomal dominant or recessive and can also be sex-linked dominant or recessive. Chromosomal inheritance follows normal Mendelian laws, despite the fact that the phenotype of the disease may be masked. Because of the complex ways in which mitochondrial and nuclear DNA "communicate" and interact, even seemingly simple inheritance is hard to diagnose. A mutation in chromosomal DNA may change a protein that regulates (an increase or decrease) the production of another certain protein in the mitochondria or the cytoplasm and may lead to slight, if any, noticeable symptoms. On the other hand, there are some devastating mtDNA mutations that are easy to diagnose because of their widespread damage to muscular, neural, and/or hepatic (among other high energy and metabolism dependent) tissues and because they are present in the mother and all the offspring. Mitochondrial genome mutations are passed on 100% of the time from mother to all her offspring. Because the mitochondria within the fertilized oocyte is what the new life will have to begin with (in terms of mtDNA), and because the number of affected mitochondria varies from cell (in this case, the fertilized oocyte) to cell depending both on the number it inherited from its mother cell and environmental factors which may favor mutant or wildtype mitochondrial DNA, and because the number of mtDNA molecules in the mitochondria varies from around two to ten, the number of affected mtDNA molecules inherited to a specific offspring can vary greatly. It is possible, even in twin births, for one baby to receive more than half mutant mtDNA molecules while the other twin may receive only a tiny fraction of mutant mtDNA molecules with respect to wildtype (depending on how the twins divide from each other and how many mutant mitochondria happen to be on each side of the division). In a few cases, some mitochondria or a mitochondrion from the sperm cell enters the oocyte but paternal mitochondria are actively decomposed.
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Virtual Medical Practice works hard to make your visit with us to be as smooth as possible. We have assembled a list of helpful information that may prove useful to you in preparing for your trip to our clinic location. Please see Directions to Clinical Office for our location. You are under no obligation to utilize any of the listed facilities nor are they recommendations made by us. This information is merely intended to assist you with making arrangements.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact us at (404) 720-0820.
Local Information
Access Atlanta - www.accessatlanta.com
Crreative Loafing - atlanta.creativeloafing.com
Atlanta Destination Portal - www.atlanta.net
Area Accommodations
Ronald McDonald House
5420 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-847-0760
www.armh.com
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Courtyard Atlanta Alpharetta
12655 Deerfield Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(678) 366-3360
www.marriott.com |
Embassy Suites - Alpharetta
5955 North Point Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 566-8800
www.embassysuites.com |
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Northpoint
10975 Georgia Lane
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 566-3900
www.hiltongardeninn.com |
Holiday Inn Express Alpharetta
5455 Windward Pkwy West
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(877) 863-4780
www.hiexpress.com |
La Quinta Inn- Alpharetta
1350 N Point Dr
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(770) 754-7800
www.lq.com |
Studio Plus
3331 Old Milton Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-7871
www.studioplus.com |
Staybridge Suites-Alpharetta
3980 N Point Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 569-7200
www.staybridgesuites.com |
Charitable Flight Information
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