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In vitro processing of transcripts containing novel tRNA-like sequences ('t-elements') encoded by wheat mitochondrial
P J Hanic-Joyce1, D F Spencer, M W Gray
1Department of Biochemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Plant Molecular Biology
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Wheat mitochondrial extracts process unusual t-element transcripts similarly to transfer RNAs (tRNAs). This suggests these t-elements may play a role in gene expression within wheat mitochondria.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Mitochondrial genetics
- RNA processing
Background:
- Wheat mitochondrial extracts can process artificial transcripts containing wheat mitochondrial transfer RNA (tRNA) sequences into mature tRNAs.
- This processing involves specific endonucleolytic and nucleotidyltransferase activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the wheat mitochondrial processing system also acts on transcripts derived from unusual short repeats in wheat mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
- To compare the processing efficiency and specificity of these repeat sequences with authentic tRNA sequences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a wheat mitochondrial extract system.
- Tested the processing of artificial transcripts containing sequences of short repeats ('t-elements') from wheat mtDNA.
- Assessed the processing efficiency and specificity compared to tRNA transcripts.
Main Results:
- The wheat mitochondrial extract system efficiently processes transcripts containing t-element sequences.
- Processing of t-element sequences occurs with similar specificity and efficiency as authentic tRNA sequences.
- t-elements are located near active genes in wheat mtDNA and are in the same transcriptional orientation.
Conclusions:
- Wheat mitochondrial processing machinery recognizes and processes t-element transcripts.
- The findings raise the possibility that t-elements may be involved in gene expression regulation in wheat mitochondria.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the functional role of t-elements in wheat mitochondrial gene expression.