Molecular Biology Of The Plant Mitochondrion

The comparison of the mitochondrial genomes in plants shows that the gene complement can slightly vary between individual species. The differentially evolving DNA arrangements and sequences offer unique time windows upon the phylogeny of embryophytes. Genes in plant mitochondria are most often transcribed from their own promoters, many of which conform to a conserved type, probably the point of entry for a nuclear-encoded phage-type RNA polymerase. Primary transcripts undergo various RNA processing steps during maturation, including RNA editing, cis- and trans-intron splicing and 5'- and 3'-trimming. RNA half-life regulation via 3'-mediated access for nucleases is an important factor in determining RNA availiability. This includes mRNA destabilization by the addition of non-encoded polyA tails. Present research interests focus on elucidating the regulatory and the metabolic networks integrating the organelle into the plant cell and we outline our visions of the future directions of research in plant mitochondria.