Potential roles for interactions between the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA throughout the cell cycle of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Over the course of mitochondrial evolution, the majority of genes required for its function have been transferred and integrated into nuclear chromosomes. Ongoing transfer of mitochondrial DNA to the nucleus has been detected, but its functional significance has not been fully elucidated. Here by Genome Conformation Capture, we identify DNA-DNA interactions between the mitochondrial and nuclear chromosomes (mt-nDNA interactions) that vary in strength and number between the G1, G2 and M phases of the fission yeast cell cycle. Mt-nDNA interactions captured in mitotic anaphase were associated with nuclear genes required for the regulation of cell growth and energy availability. Furthermore, mt-nDNA interactions captured in the G1 phase involved high efficiency, early firing origins of DNA replication. Collectively, these results suggest functional roles for the ongoing transfer of regions of the mitochondrial genome to the nucleus.