The absence of introns in yeast mitochondria does not abolish mitochondrial recombination.
The respiratory competency of a yeast strain devoid of mitochondrial introns is quite normal. However, it may be asked whether intron-encoded proteins participate in metabolisms other than those of mitochondrial introns. Using strains without mitochondrial introns we have answered two questions. The first was: does the absence of intron-encoded proteins abolish mitochondrial recombination? The second was: do mitochondrial introns and intron-encoded proteins play a part in mitochondrial DNA rearrangements induced by ethidium bromide (rho- production)? We have shown that the introns and intron-encoded proteins are not essential components of either phenomenon.
Boulet
A
A
Institut Curie-Biologie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.
Levra-Juillet
E
E
Perea
J
J
Faye
G
G
D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007438:Introns; D009154:Mutation; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012234:Rho Factor / Q000235:genetics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012234:Rho Factor