Summary
Homozygosity for mutant alleles at thechm locus inArabidopsis induces structural alterations in the plastids. The newly arisen plastid alterations are hereditary, autonomous from the inducer gene, and show maternal transmission only. The mutator action is limited to the plastids but several sites within this organelle become mutable with a very high frequency. The mutations reveal that the plastids have a share in the control of their own structure and function as well as in those of the host cells and organs. The individuality of the plastids was ascertained by genetic and electron microscopic techniques. Within single cells numerous different plastids were revealed. The mutations blocked plastid differentiation at various stages and also produced viable, functional chloroplasts of distinct morphology. Since specific structural alterations can be genetically isolated in homoplastidic forms, one may apply the techniques of the classical cytogenetics to chloroplasts and correlate function with the morphology of this hereditary vehicle in somewhat similar manner as structural alterations of the chromosomes have been correlated with genic expression and pattern of inheritance.
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Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series Number 6534. Approved by the Director 10/9/72.
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Rédei, G.P., Plurad, S.B. Hereditary structural alterations of plastids induced by a nuclear mutator gene inArabidopsis . Protoplasma 77, 361–380 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276769
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276769