RNA editing in plants and its evolution.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Plant Science
• Genetics

Background:

• RNA editing is a post-transcriptional process altering nucleotide identity in RNA molecules.
• In plants, organellar RNA editing primarily involves C-to-U and U-to-C conversions in chloroplasts and mitochondria.
• This process diversifies the proteome encoded by organellar genomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protein machinery involved in plant organellar RNA editing.
• To understand the mechanism of site recognition and the interaction of editing factors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of gene amplification in plant species with extensive RNA editing.
• Identification and characterization of proteins binding to RNA sequence motifs near editing sites.
• Investigating protein-protein interactions within the RNA editing complex.

Main Results:

• Specific proteins with repeat elements recognize RNA sequence motifs upstream of editing sites.
• In flowering plants, site-specific editing proteins interact with a distinct family of smaller proteins.
• These interactions suggest a complex molecular mechanism for targeting editing activities.

Conclusions:

• Plant organellar RNA editing is mediated by specific protein factors that bind to RNA.
• A multi-protein complex, potentially involving connectors, is involved in targeting the deaminating enzymatic activity.
• Understanding these factors is key to comprehending the evolution and regulation of RNA editing.