Organization and expression of organellar genomes

Abstract

Protist mitochondrial genomes show a very wide range of gene content, ranging from three genes for respiratory chain components in Apicomplexa and dinoflagellates to nearly 100 genes in Reclinomonas americana. In many organisms the rRNA genes are fragmented, although still functional. Some protist mitochondria encode a full set of tRNAs, while others rely on imported molecules. There is similarly a wide variation in mitochondrial genome organization, even among closely related groups. Mitochondrial gene expression and control are generally poorly characterized. Transcription probably relies on a 'viral-type' RNA polymerase, although a 'bacterial-type' enzyme may be involved in some cases. Transcripts are heavily edited in many lineages. The chloroplast genome generally shows less variation in gene content and organization, although greatly reduced genomes are found in dinoflagellate algae and non-photosynthetic organisms. Genes in the former are located on small plasmids in contrast to the larger molecules found elsewhere. Control of gene expression in chloroplasts involves transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Redox poise and the ATP/ADP ratio are likely to be important determinants. Some protists have an additional extranuclear genome, the nucleomorph, which is a remnant nucleus. Nucleomorphs of two separate lineages have a number of features in common.

Figure 1.

Light-dependent regulation of psbA mRNA translation in Chlamydomonas. Increased illumination leads to disulphide reduction on RB47 and decreased phosphorylation of RB60, resulting in increased mRNA-binding activity of the complex and stimulation of translation.