Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gene expression system of chloroplasts is far more complex than that of their cyanobacterial progenitor. This gain in complexity affects in particular RNA metabolism, specifically the transcription and maturation of RNA. Mature c...

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Main Authors: Schmitz-Linneweber Christian, Rensing Stefan A, Zauner Stefan, Funk Helena T, Bozarth Andrew, Maier Uwe G, Börner Thomas, Tillich Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-08-01
Series:BMC Biology
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/36
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spelling doaj-14c9cb7458df44bba3e102cd462431042020-11-25T00:13:46ZengBMCBMC Biology1741-70072008-08-01613610.1186/1741-7007-6-36Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?Schmitz-Linneweber ChristianRensing Stefan AZauner StefanFunk Helena TBozarth AndrewMaier Uwe GBörner ThomasTillich Michael<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gene expression system of chloroplasts is far more complex than that of their cyanobacterial progenitor. This gain in complexity affects in particular RNA metabolism, specifically the transcription and maturation of RNA. Mature chloroplast RNA is generated by a plethora of nuclear-encoded proteins acquired or recruited during plant evolution, comprising additional RNA polymerases and sigma factors, and sequence-specific RNA maturation factors promoting RNA splicing, editing, end formation and translatability. Despite years of intensive research, we still lack a comprehensive explanation for this complexity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We inspected the available literature and genome databases for information on components of RNA metabolism in land plant chloroplasts. In particular, new inventions of chloroplast-specific mechanisms and the expansion of some gene/protein families detected in land plants lead us to suggest that the primary function of the additional nuclear-encoded components found in chloroplasts is the transgenomic suppression of point mutations, fixation of which occurred due to an enhanced genetic drift exhibited by chloroplast genomes. We further speculate that a fast evolution of transgenomic suppressors occurred after the water-to-land transition of plants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our inspections indicate that several chloroplast-specific mechanisms evolved in land plants to remedy point mutations that occurred after the water-to-land transition. Thus, the complexity of chloroplast gene expression evolved to guarantee the functionality of chloroplast genetic information and may not, with some exceptions, be involved in regulatory functions.</p> http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/36
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Schmitz-Linneweber Christian
Rensing Stefan A
Zauner Stefan
Funk Helena T
Bozarth Andrew
Maier Uwe G
Börner Thomas
Tillich Michael
spellingShingle Schmitz-Linneweber Christian
Rensing Stefan A
Zauner Stefan
Funk Helena T
Bozarth Andrew
Maier Uwe G
Börner Thomas
Tillich Michael
Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
BMC Biology
author_facet Schmitz-Linneweber Christian
Rensing Stefan A
Zauner Stefan
Funk Helena T
Bozarth Andrew
Maier Uwe G
Börner Thomas
Tillich Michael
author_sort Schmitz-Linneweber Christian
title Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
title_short Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
title_full Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
title_fullStr Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
title_full_unstemmed Complex chloroplast RNA metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
title_sort complex chloroplast rna metabolism: just debugging the genetic programme?
publisher BMC
series BMC Biology
issn 1741-7007
publishDate 2008-08-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gene expression system of chloroplasts is far more complex than that of their cyanobacterial progenitor. This gain in complexity affects in particular RNA metabolism, specifically the transcription and maturation of RNA. Mature chloroplast RNA is generated by a plethora of nuclear-encoded proteins acquired or recruited during plant evolution, comprising additional RNA polymerases and sigma factors, and sequence-specific RNA maturation factors promoting RNA splicing, editing, end formation and translatability. Despite years of intensive research, we still lack a comprehensive explanation for this complexity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We inspected the available literature and genome databases for information on components of RNA metabolism in land plant chloroplasts. In particular, new inventions of chloroplast-specific mechanisms and the expansion of some gene/protein families detected in land plants lead us to suggest that the primary function of the additional nuclear-encoded components found in chloroplasts is the transgenomic suppression of point mutations, fixation of which occurred due to an enhanced genetic drift exhibited by chloroplast genomes. We further speculate that a fast evolution of transgenomic suppressors occurred after the water-to-land transition of plants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our inspections indicate that several chloroplast-specific mechanisms evolved in land plants to remedy point mutations that occurred after the water-to-land transition. Thus, the complexity of chloroplast gene expression evolved to guarantee the functionality of chloroplast genetic information and may not, with some exceptions, be involved in regulatory functions.</p>
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/36
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