RNA Metabolism in Mitochondria (Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology Book 34)

This volume focuses on mitochondrial RNA metabolism, emphasizing recent discoveries and technological advances in this fast moving area that increase our understanding of mitochondrial gene function. Topics addressed include the interplay of mitochondria with the nucleus and cytosol, structure-function connections, and relevance to human disease. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, and a great deal is known about mitochondrial energy metabolism. Less well known is the plethora of amazing mechanisms that have evolved to control expression of mitochondrial genomes. Several RNA processes and machineries in protozoa, plants, flies and humans are discussed, including: transcription and RNA polymerase mechanism; tRNA processing of 5′ and 3′ ends; mRNA maturation by nucleotide insertion/deletion editing and by RNA splicing; mRNA stability; and RNA import. Specialized factors and ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) examined include pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, RNase P, polymerases, helicases, nucleases, editing and repair enzymes. Remarkable features of these processes and factors are either not found outside mitochondria, differ substantially among eukaryotic lineages, or are unique in biology. Front Matter ....Pages i-ix The Mitochondrial Transcription Machinery (Srdja Drakulic, Jorge Cuellar, Rui Sousa)....Pages 1-15 Mitochondrial RNA Turnover in Metazoa (Christoph Freyer, Paula Clemente, Anna Wredenberg)....Pages 17-46 Mitochondrial RNase P Complex in Animals: Mitochondrial tRNA Processing and Links to Disease (Maithili Saoji, Rachel T. Cox)....Pages 47-71 Intercompartment RNA Trafficking in Mitochondrial Function and Communication (Frédérique Weber-Lotfi, André Dietrich)....Pages 73-123 Control Mechanisms of the Holo-Editosome in Trypanosomes (Jorge Cruz-Reyes, Blaine H. M. Mooers, Vikas Kumar, Pawan K. Doharey, Joshua Meehan, Luenn Chaparro)....Pages 125-144 Mitochondrial RNA Editing and Processing in Diplonemid Protists (Drahomíra Faktorová, Matus Valach, Binnypreet Kaur, Gertraud Burger, Julius Lukeš)....Pages 145-176 Mechanisms and Evolution of tRNA 5′-Editing in Mitochondria (Samantha Dodbele, Jane E. Jackman, Michael W. Gray)....Pages 177-198 Editing of Mitochondrial RNAs in Physarum polycephalum (Jillian Houtz, Nicole Cremona, Jonatha M. Gott)....Pages 199-222 Requirement of Various Protein Combinations for Each C-to-U RNA Editosome in Plant Organelles (Mizuki Takenaka, Anja Jörg, Matthias Burger, Sascha Haag)....Pages 223-249 This volume focuses on mitochondrial RNA metabolism, emphasizing recent discoveries and technological advances in this fast moving area that increase our understanding of mitochondrial gene function. Topics addressed include the interplay of mitochondria with the nucleus and cytosol, structure-function connections, and relevance to human disease. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, and a great deal is known about mitochondrial energy metabolism. Less well known is the plethora of amazing mechanisms that have evolved to control expression of mitochondrial genomes. Several RNA processes and machineries in protozoa, plants, flies and humans are discussed, including: transcription and RNA polymerase mechanism; tRNA processing of 52 and 32 ends; mRNA maturation by nucleotide insertion/deletion editing and by RNA splicing; mRNA stability; and RNA import. Specialized factors and ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) examined include pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, RNase P, polymerases, helicases, nucleases, editing and repair enzymes. Remarkable features of these processes and factors are either not found outside mitochondria, differ substantially among eukaryotic lineages, or are unique in biology