Oligonucleotide sequences similar to transcription factor consensi of nuclear genes are present in the human mitochondrial genome.

Screening the mitochondrial genome for binding sites for known nuclear transcription factors revealed oligonucleotide sequences identical or with over 85% similarity to consensi sequences for twenty-one transcription factors, modulating nuclear genes involved, among others, in cell proliferation, inflammation and synthesis of ribosomal and mitochondrial proteins. Two of these sequences were found in the D-loop, the others dispersed among structural genes for respiratory enzyme subunits, for t-RNAs and for rRNAs. We hypothesize that the transcription factors corresponding to the detected mitochondrial binding sites and the agents controlling the availability of these factors could play a regulatory role in the diverse functions of mitochondria, such as energy production, differentiation and apoptosis.