Duplicated Sequence Elements and Their Function in Plant Mitochondria

Abstract

A considerable portion of the plant mitochondrial DNA is derived from genome internal duplications. Many of these amplified sequences determine functions of transcription and processing. Among these are promoter regions, sequences defining the 3’ ends of stable mRNAs, potential RNA processing sites and intron domains. Simultaneously, some of these repeated sequences can be active sites of recombination in plant mitochondria. Such duplicated control regions may simplify coordinate expression of different genes. © 1991, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.