Plant mitochondrial genome: “A sweet and safe home’’ for transgene

Abstract

Transfer of transgene through pollens to related plant species is a big environmental concern. Mitochondrion is also a superb and putative aspirant for transgene containment like plastids. Having its own transcription and translation machinery, and maternal inheritance gives assurance of transgene containment with high expression level. Regulation of mtDNA is under nuclear control, mediated by nuclear encoded proteins and protein complexes. These features offer a novel way, to engineer plant mtDNA and reduce the risk of transgene escape.

Keywords: mtDNA, genome, transgene, organism