ARTEMIA MITOCHONDRIAL GENOME - MOLECULAR-BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIVE CONSIDERATIONS

During the last two decades an increasing amount of information has be en accumulated regarding the gene structure and organization-of the mi tochondrial genome from Various organisms. Many studies carried out ma inly in mammals, have contributed to the knowledge of the basic elemen ts involved in the replication and transcription of mitochondrial DNA. However, very little is known about these processes in invertebrates. In this review we discuss our current knowledge of the animal mitocho ndrial genetic system and briefly summarize the structure of the Artem ia mitochondrial genome, the characteristics of its transcriptional ma chinery and how its expression is controlled during early development, in relation with what is known in other organisms. Artemia is the onl y crustacean where the mtDNA has been studied at this level of detail up to date. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.