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The life cycle of mitochondria in the true slime mould,Physarum polycephalum

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Abstract

The cytoplasmic aspects of mitochondrial biogenesis have been the focus of much recent attention and a review is presented here of studies on the life cycle of mitochom dria inPhysarum polycephalum. Such studies have focused predominantly on behavior of the mitochondrial genome throughout the mitochondrial life cycle and have been designed to reveal details about (1) the role of the DNA-membrane complex in the segregation of the mitoehondrial genome; (2) the regulation of mitochondrial activity associated with changes in ptoidy of the mitoehondrial nucleus; (3) the hierarchical pattern of transmission of the mitochondrial genome as it relates to the mating-type locus (matA) during the sexual development; and (4) the fusion of mitoehondria that is promoted by a mitochondrial plasmid. The results of such studies contribute significantly to efforts towards a better understanding not only of the mitochondrial life cycle inP. potycephalum but also of the biogenesis of mitoehondria and plastids in many other organisms.

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  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, 113, Tokyo, Japan

    Shigeyuki Kawano

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  1. Shigeyuki Kawano
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Recipient of the Botanical Society Award for Young Scientists, 1988.

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Kawano, S. The life cycle of mitochondria in the true slime mould,Physarum polycephalum . Bot Mag Tokyo 104, 97–113 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02493406

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