Mechanisms of maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA: an active digestion hypothesis.
An active digestion model for maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA is discussed. In the model, specific mRNAs are synthesized in a cell nucleus of female origin in young zygotes. Proteins coded by the mRNAs activate Nuclease C which preferentially digests chloroplast DNA of male origin, leading to the maternal inheritance.
D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; C066413:deoxyribonuclease C