Elucidating novel mechanisms of plastid gene function and regulation by an in-depth characterization of the Oenothera (evening-primrose) plastome mutant collection

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Reports on mutants of the chloroplast genomes (plastome) coincide with the early rise of genetics. Ever since, they provided a valuable material to study cytoplasmic inheritance. However, due to previous technical limitations, they currently have made only a minor contribution to research in physiology and molecular biology. Here, we present a fully characterized collection of 51 plastome mutants from the genus Oenothera (evening primrose) that provides valuable material for future research on plastid genetics, gene expression and photosynthesis. By characterizing the mutant material of the collection, we could demonstrate the presence of programmed ribosomal frameshifting in the chloroplast genome, a novel mechanism of plastid gene regulation. With the research proposed here, our aim is now to elucidate the functional role of programmed ribosomal frameshifting in chloroplast translation. By investigating the Oenothera plastome mutant collection, transplastomic tobacco lines, as well as suitable wild-type loci we want to clarify what are the genetic consequences of programmed ribosomal frameshifting in the chloroplast and elucidated its role in the regulation of chloroplast translation.