Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus

Abstract

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome for the Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus was determined. The entire genome was purified by gene amplification using the long polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and length was determined to be 16 526 base pairs (bp). The overall gene content, order and nucleotide composition correspond to those of other teleosts. Sequence features for protein coding genes, ribosomal RNAs and transfer RNAs are discussed. Origin of L-strand replication (OL) forms a stable stem-loop structure. Moreover, typical conservative blocks in the non-coding region D-loop have been observed.