REGULATION OF GENE-EXPRESSION IN PLANT-MITOCHONDRIA

Many genes in plant mitochondria have been analyzed in the past 15 yea rs and regulatory processes controlling gene expression can now be inv estigated. In vitro systems capable of initiating transcription faithf ully at promoter sites have been developed for both monocot and dicot plants and will allow the identification of the interacting nucleic ac id elements and proteins which specify and guide transcriptional activ ities. Mitochondrial activity, although required in all plant tissues, is capable of adapting to specific requirements by regulated gene exp ression. Investigation of the factors governing the quality and quanti ty of distinct RNAs will define the extent of interorganelle regulator y interference in mitochondrial gene expression.