Abstract

Mitochondria play a fundamental role in biology as energy-producing organelles with their own DNA (mtDNA), which must closely interact and coevolve with the nuclear genome. This talk explores how these mitonuclear interactions drive evolutionary processes, influencing organismal fitness, adaptation, and survival. Focusing on evidence from Drosophila, we reveal how mtDNA accumulates mutations beneficial to females but detrimental to males, demonstrating critical evolutionary trade-offs and sex-specific selective pressures. Additionally, we examine how mitonuclear genetic interactions shape nutritional preferences and metabolic adaptations, influencing key life-history traits. These insights extend to understanding organismal responses to environmental challenges, such as dietary shifts and temperature fluctuations, highlighting how mitonuclear compatibility can buffer or exacerbate physiological stress. Ultimately, exploring these complex genetic interactions sheds light on broader evolutionary patterns, ecological resilience, and the dynamic interplay between organisms and their changing environments.