Plant mitochondrial RNase P

Molecular investigations in mitochondria of higher plants have to take in account the complicated genomic structure of these organelles and their complex mode of gene expression. Recently tRNA processing activities and particularly RNase P-like activities have been described for mitochondria of mono- and dicot plants. The determined biochemical characteristics of these plant mitochondrial tRNA processing enzymes now allow a comparison to the bacterial prototype from which they evolved. The substrate specificity of the plant mitochondrial RNase P in particular has unique selection parameters distinct from the E. coli RNase P.