How do mitochondrial genes get into the nucleus?
It is well known that genes from chloroplasts and mitochondria were transferred to the nucleus many times during plant evolution. But in what form do the transferred genes physically make that intracellular journey--as RNA, as cDNA, as pieces of organelle DNA, or as whole organelle chromosomes? Current views focus upon cDNA as the vehicle, based upon some examples from plants. But other mechanisms, involving direct transfer of DNA from organelle chromosomes, could also account for the available data. Direct DNA transfer, rather than cDNA-mediated transfer, does occur today, and it probably prevailed during the early phases of organelle evolution.
Henze
K
K
Institute of Botany III, Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Martin
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W
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D059828:Plant Cells; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics; D017393:RNA Editing / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial