Ecotype variant analysis of RNA editing trans-factors in plant mitochondria

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RNA Editing in mitochondria and plastids of plants alters specific C nucleotides to U in mRNAs and tRNAs. In mitochondrial RNA editing, we have recently identified the first of the specific factors, a PPR-protein, which is involved in RNA editing at three sites. This nuclear gene was characterized by utilizing the natural variation in RNA editing between ecotypes in Arabidopsis thaliana. We have identified further such RNA editing variants which we now want to exploit by locating the responsible ecotype-specific mutations and the genes with genetic tools. Biochemical assays will be used to investigate RNA binding of these factors and to find other interacting proteins. The project aims to identify and characterize further specificity factors of RNA editing in order to better understand the RNA editing process.