RECENT MOLECULAR AND CYTOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PLASTID GENETICS - A REVIEW

A review is given on recent advances in studying molecular, genetic an d cytological aspects of plastid inheritance. The first chapter deals with the molecular characteristics of structure, replication and gene expression of plastid DNA with special emphasis on physical maps, codi ng capacity of plastid DNA as well as transcription and RNA-processing including cis- and trans-splicing and RNA editing. In the second chap ter the patterns of plastid inheritance in Chlamydomonas and recombina tion of plastid genes are dealt with. Special attention is given to ge ne transfer (transformation) using the particle gun and the following recombination processes in this alga (and recently in angiosperms). Th e third chapter deals with the modes of plastid inheritance in higher plants and the underlying cytological mechanisms. Hints are given at s everal other phenomena of plastid inheritance in higher plants.