Unique plasmid-like mitochondrial DNAs from indigenous maize races of Latin America

Mitochondrial DNA from 81 races of Latin American maize were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Twelve South American races each contained two plasmid-like mtDNA molecules similar to those of the cytoplasmic male-sterile S type (cms-S). The plasmid-like elements from all 12 races, designated RU, appear to be identical. Both molecules appear in vitro as double-stranded linear DNAs terminated by repeated sequences arranged in reverse polarity (terminal inverted repeats). The larger molecule of the pair, R-1, contains about 7460 nucleotides. It shares considerable homology with the larger plasmid-like molecule of cms-S, S-1, but is about 1000 nucleotides longer than S-1, has a unique sequence of about 2576 nucleotides, and also contains a BamHI recognition site not present in S-1, R-2, the smaller plasmid-like element, consists of about 5450 nucleotides and appears to share complete homology with S-2, the smaller plasmid-like molecule of cms-S. Neither pollen sterility nor any other trait has been associated with the R-1 and R-2 plasmid-like mtDNAs. The BamHI restriction fragments of total mtDNA from the 12 RU cytoplasms display similar patterns, which differ only slightly but vividly from that of a normal maize standard, B73 x Mo17. BamHI restriction analysis of 22 additional races produced arrays similar to those of the RU cytoplasms, but which lacked plasmid-like mtDNAs. The taxonomic significance of this digestion pattern and of the RU cytoplasms is discussed. One Mexican race, Conico Norteño, has been shown to contain the cms-S cytoplasm.