Rearrangements in maize mitochondrial genes

Abstract

Recombination is a significant cause of maize mitochondrial gene mutations. Chimeric genes are often found in the mitochondria of cytoplasmic male-sterile maize. They are created by rearrangements involving intramolecular and intermolecular recombination. Herein we describe the effect of rearrangements on the chromosomal location, flanking and coding regions of several maize mitochondrial genes.Key words: recombination, organelle, chimeric genes.