Organization and expression of organellar genomes.

ABSTRACT: Protist mitochondrial genomes show a very wide range of gene content, ranging from three genes for respiratory chain components in Apicomplexa and dinoflagellates to nearly 100 genes in Reclinomonas americana. In many organisms the rRNA genes are fragmented, although still functional. Some protist mitochondria encode a full set of tRNAs, while others rely on imported molecules. There is similarly a wide variation in mitochondrial genome organization, even among closely related groups. Mitochondrial gene expression and control are generally poorly characterized. Transcription probably relies on a 'viral-type' RNA polymerase, although a 'bacterial-type' enzyme may be involved in some cases. Transcripts are heavily edited in many lineages. The chloroplast genome generally shows less variation

SUBMITTER: Barbrook AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2817230 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature