Minireview: DNA replication in plant mitochondria

Mitochondrion. 2014 Nov:19 Pt B:231-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2014.03.008. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

Abstract

Higher plant mitochondrial genomes exhibit much greater structural complexity compared to most other organisms. Unlike well-characterized metazoan mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, an understanding of the mechanism(s) and proteins involved in plant mtDNA replication remains unclear. Several plant mtDNA replication proteins, including DNA polymerases, DNA primase/helicase, and accessory proteins have been identified. Mitochondrial dynamics, genome structure, and the complexity of dual-targeted and dual-function proteins that provide at least partial redundancy suggest that plants have a unique model for maintaining and replicating mtDNA when compared to the replication mechanism utilized by most metazoan organisms.

Keywords: MtDNA polymerase; MtDNA replication; Plant mitochondrial genome; Plant mtDNA recombination; Twinkle primase/helicase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA Replication*
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plants / genetics*
  • Plants / metabolism

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Plant Proteins