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Scientists find clue to why mitochondrial DNA comes only from mom

Protein destroys contribution from dad’s sperm, study in worms shows

cell and fertilized egg with mitochondria

BREAK DOWN  Like most cells, sperm contain energy-producing mitochondria (one organelle and its membrane (red circle) shown, left). Once a sperm fertilizes an egg, the sperm’s mitochondria break down inside that membrane (right).

Q. Zhou et al/Science 2016

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

Scientists have found a clue to why one type of DNA is passed down to children by their mothers — but not their fathers.