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The mitochondrial genome of higher plants

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The mitochondrial genome of higher plants appears to be the largest known of any life form. Plant mitochondrial (mt) DNA displays substantial intermolecular heterogeneity with respect to size and physical organization. Electron microscopic studies reveal both linear and circular DNA molecules of varying size. Mapping data suggest that a circular master chromosome representing the entire sequence complexity of the genome gives rise to a series of discrete DNA molecules which are generated via recombination processes within certain repeats. Additionally to the large mtDNA, mitochondria of higher plants contain small plasmid-like DNAs behaving, at least in certain cases, like transpositional elements.

Plant mtDNA codes for 18S, 26S and 5S rRNAs and mitochondrial tRNAs as well as for at least 18–20 polypeptides, mainly membrane-bound components of the oxidative phosphorylation system.

Substantial evidence has been accumulated that cytoplasmic male sterility CMS, a maternally inherited trait is controlled by mtDNA. Male fertile and CMS cytoplasms differ in their mtDNA restriction patterns, in the polypeptides synthesized by their mitochondria, and in the appearance and distribution of the plasmid-like small mtDNAs.

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  1. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Sektion Biologie, Bereich Genetik, Invalidenstr. 43, 1040, Berlin, German Democratic Republic

    Andreas Weihe & Thomas Börner

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  1. Andreas Weihe
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  2. Thomas Börner
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Weihe, A., Börner, T. The mitochondrial genome of higher plants. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 93, 305–316 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053084

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