Gene polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA modulating region in pilots

Objective To investigate the correlation between the gene polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA（mtDNA） modulating region（D loop） and the performance of pilots. Methods Gene polymorphism of the mtDNA D loop was assessed in 86 pilots and 80 healthy control subjects by PCR-RFLP. Results A statistical difference was found in the distribution of gene polymorphism between pilots and control subjects. Conclusion The mtDNA D loop plays an important role in the performance of pilots.