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SUMMARY:Chloroplast DNA - the case of the vanishing genome - Professor Chr
 is Howe\, University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20061116T160000Z
DTEND:20061116T170000Z
UID:TALK5288@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:3901
DESCRIPTION:In most photosynthetic organisms there is a choroplast genome 
 of 120 kbp or more. It encodes many (but not all) of the components of the
  photosynthetic light reactions and a protein synthesis machinery\, as wel
 l as a variable number of other functions. These genes are located on a si
 ngle molecule\, present in multiple copies. In dinoflagellate algae\, the 
 situation is very different. Most of the genes typically found in chloropl
 asts have been relocated to the nucleus. Those left behind encode a subset
  of the light reaction polypeptides\, as well as remarkable 'minimalist' r
 RNAs\, and are located on small plasmids. Most of these plasmids carry a s
 ingle gene. Some carry a few\, and some\, rather surprisingly\, seem to ca
 rry none.\n\nGiven the apparent advantages of moving genes from chloroplas
 t to nucleus\, why should chloroplasts retain a genome at all? It has been
  suggested that some proteins may be difficult to import into the organell
 e\, and that expression in the organelle offers better control. More recen
 t arguments include the difficulty of transferring genes to the nucleus in
  organisms with a single plastid\, and - for organisms with a reduced mito
 chondrial genome - a role in supplying tRNAs to the mitochondrion.\n\nhttp
 ://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/uto/howe.html
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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