Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is circular multicopy genome DNA. The cellular organelle plays a key role in energy production of the cell. Recent studies suggest that alterations in mtDNA copy number have been correlated with aging and various age-related disorders, such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Relative Human Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Quantification qPCR Assay Kit (RHMQ) is designed to directly compare the average mtDNA copy number of the samples. The mtDNA primer set recognizes and amplifies one of the most conserved regions on human mtDNA and will not amplify any off-target sequence on nuclear genomic DNA.
The single copy reference (SCR) primer set recognizes and amplifies a 100 bp-long region on human chromosome 17 and serves as reference for data normalization.
The carefully designed primers ensure: (i) high efficiency for trustworthy quantification; and (ii) no non-specific amplification.
Each primer set has been validated by qPCR with melt curve analysis and gel electrophoresis for amplification specificity and by template serial dilution for amplification efficiency.