Plastid, nuclear and reverse transcriptase sequences in the mitochondrial genome of Oenothera: is genetic information transferred between organelles via RNA?

AUTOR(ES)

Schuster, W

RESUMO

We describe an open reading frame (ORF) with high homology to reverse transcriptase in the mitochondrial genome of Oenothera. This ORF displays all the characteristics of an active plant mitochondrial gene with a possible ribosome binding site and 39% T in the third codon position. It is located between a sequence fragment from the plastid genome and one of nuclear origin downstream from the gene encoding subunit 5 of the NADH dehydrogenase. The nuclear derived sequence consists of 528 nucleotides from the small ribosomal RNA and contains an expansion segment unique to nuclear rRNAs. The plastid sequence contains part of the ribosomal protein S4 and the complete tRNA(Ser). The observation that only transcribed sequences have been found i more than one subcellular compartment in higher plants suggests that interorganellar transfer of genetic information may occur via RNA and subsequent local reverse transcription and genomic integration.

Documentos Relacionados

• A plastid fragment from the psbE-psbF coding region in the mitochondrial genome of Oenothera berteriana.
• Plastome-Genome Interactions Affect Plastid Transmission in Oenothera
• Comparison of tRNA(Trp) and tRNA(Pro) gene sequences in the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of oenothera.
• The mitochondrial gene encoding ribosomal protein S12 has been translocated to the nuclear genome in Oenothera.
• Reverse transcriptase mediated binding of primer tRNA to the viral genome.