NUCLEAR-MITOCHONDRIAL INTERRELATION IN ANGIOSPERMS

In this review we wish to draw attention to aspects of nuclear-genome/mitochondrial genome interactions in plants where additional information could improve our understanding of this interrelationship. The core of the review should thus be regarded as a prologue to the 'Open Vistas' (section at the end of this review). Obviously such aspects cannot be appreciated without due background on the structure and function of the mitochondrial genome, on nuclear-coded components and their routing to the mitochondrion and on dysfunctions and malformations attributed to nuclear-mitochondrial incompatibility. In each of these topics we shall summarize the information for angiosperms but also provide relevant information from some other organisms (e.g. fungi, mammals), mostly by referring to reviews. One topic, the dysfunction and malformation of the stamens (i.e. 'male-sterility') unique to angiosperms is treated rather comprehensively; thus, alloplasmic male sterility in Nicotiana, in Petunia and in maize will serve to illustrate the consequences of nuclear/mitochondrial incompatibility. © 1990.