Transcription signals of mitochondrial and nuclear genes for mitochondrial proteins in dicot plants

Abstract

Mitochondria contain several large multisubunit enzyme complexes that are composed of proteins encoded in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Particularly for correct assembly of these enzyme complexes, expression of the respective mitochondrial and nuclear genes has to be coordinated to ensure correct stoichiometries of the protein subunits. Part of this control and the response to specific demands is exercised at the level of transcription. To determine the respective transcription signals we have analyzed the mitochondrial promoters in dicot plants and the promoter structure for nuclear-encoded genes of the respiratory chain complex I. We summarize the results of these investigations and extend the mitochondrial promoter survey to the mitochondrial genome in Arabidopsis thaliana.