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Related Concept Videos

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...
Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes02:16

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...
Non-nuclear Inheritance01:29

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

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Optimization and Comparative Analysis of Plant Organellar DNA Enrichment Methods Suitable for Next-generation Sequencing
12:33

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Reconstructing evolution: gene transfer from plastids to the nucleus.

Ralph Bock1, Jeremy N Timmis

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany. rbock@mpimp-golm.mpg.de

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|May 15, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Eukaryotic genome evolution involves gene transfer from plastids to the nucleus. Laboratory experiments now allow real-time observation of this endosymbiotic gene transfer process and its molecular mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Eukaryotic genome evolution is shaped by nuclear and organelle compartmentalization.
  • Gene loss and massive gene translocation from organelles to the nucleus are key restructuring events.
  • Ongoing DNA transfer from organelles to the nucleus fuels nuclear genome evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on plastid-to-nuclear gene transfer.
  • To discuss insights from laboratory experiments recapitulating endosymbiotic gene transfer.
  • To understand the molecular mechanisms of functional nuclear gene conversion from plastid genes.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic and bioinformatic data analysis.
  • Laboratory reconstruction of endosymbiotic gene transfer events.
  • Real-time observation of genome evolution.

Main Results:

  • Genomic restructuring in eukaryotes involves gene loss and organelle-to-nucleus translocation.
  • Evidence suggests continuous DNA transfer from organelles to the nucleus.
  • Laboratory experiments provide real-time insights into plastid gene transfer and conversion.

Conclusions:

  • Plastid-to-nuclear gene transfer is a significant factor in eukaryotic genome evolution.
  • Experimental recapitulation of endosymbiotic gene transfer offers a powerful tool to study evolutionary mechanisms.
  • Understanding these transfers sheds light on the dynamic nature of eukaryotic genomes.