Mitochondrial transcription in mammalian cells.
As a consequence of recent discoveries of intimate involvement of mitochondria with key cellular processes, there has been a resurgence of interest in all aspects of mitochondrial biology, including the intricate mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA maintenance and expression. Despite four decades of research, there remains a lot to be learned about the processes that enable transcription of genetic information from mitochondrial DNA to RNA, as well as their regulation. These processes are vitally important, as evidenced by the lethality of inactivating the central components of mitochondrial transcription machinery. Here, we review the current understanding of mitochondrial transcription and its regulation in mammalian cells. We also discuss key theories in the field and highlight controversial subjects and future directions as we see them.
University of South Alabama, Patt Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, Biomedical Sciences Department, 5721 USA Drive N, HAHN 4021, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, USA.
Inna N
IN
Shokolenko
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, 5851 USA Dr. North, MSB3074, Mobile, AL 36688, USA, malexeye@southalabama.edu.
Mikhail F
MF
Alexeyev
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D059467:Transcriptome
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012313:RNA; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases