Mitochondrial transformation?

[christinatu]

If we want to incorporate foreign DNA into a plant, we must first figure out where DNA is stored in the plant. There are 3 locations: the nucleus, the chloroplast, and the mitochondria. Nuclear transformation and plastid transformation have been achieved. My question is: why hasn't mitochondria transformation been achieved?

[MrMistery]

i think you can put DNA inside mitochondria with a gene gun.

[zami'87.]

Can’t you isolate just mtDNA and insert desired gene in lab?Then you put it back in plant cell..it’ll replicate autonomously from nuclear DNA..and you can hope that with time it'll become dominant or that product will be in sufficient quantity.

[zami'87.]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... ool=pubmed

"
In contrast, modification or replacement of Chlamydomonas mitochondrial genes has not been routinely performed to date. So far, the only organism whose mitochondrial genome can be manipulated virtually at will is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (6–8). Mitochondrial transformation of other organisms is a current challenge that stimulates extensive research, especially concerning mammalian mitochondrial genomes (9). "

[twiuisei]

I totally agree that mutant mitochondrial DNA can transform the cells. Because the mitochondrial DNA is easily changed without histone protection, So it is important factor to tumor formation. Quick and Easy Diagnosis for Mitochondrial Disorders (labslink research news) may be helpful.

[zami'87.]

It came to my mind that there could be problems with product of transformation because of :
1) RNA editing(we can’t predict aminoacid sequence based on DNA sequence in some cases nucleotides in mRNA are even *inserted* or rarely deleted..so almost opposite from splicing)

" RNA editing is essential in the completion of some transcripts and insures proper translation of proteins in the mitochondria of animals."

2) mitochondrial genetic code is a bit different..

correct me if I'm wrong..

@MrMistery
Is there a chance that you could discuss with your professor about this ? These are conclusions based on theory.