Cooperation of Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genes Specifying the Mitochondrial Genetic Apparatus in Neurospora crassa

Abstract

Enzymes involved in the expression of the mitochondrial genome in Neurospora crassa are induced by chloramphenicol and ethidium bromide, which block transcription and translation of mitochondrial DNA. It is concluded that most, if not all, proteins of the mitochondrial genetic apparatus are coded by nuclear genes, synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes, and controlled by a repressor-like mitochondrial gene product. A model explaining the coordination of nuclear and mitochondrial division cycles by repressor control is discussed.