Mitochondrial genetic transformation via biotechnological approaches or natural competence mechanism: Do we have a choice?

Abstract

Regardless quite assertive proofs of horizontal gene transfer into plant mitochondria, the phenomenon existent in many organisms, this field of research still lacks comprehensive information about the mechanism of gene transfer into mitochondria. Up to now, such questions as how nucleic acids traverse mitochondrial membranes and maintain stability in the mitochondrial genome remain the focus of such researches. Circular and especially linear plasmids present in mitochondria of many plant species could be a convinient tool to investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial membrane DNA transfer and serve as mitochondrial integrative vectors.