Springer Book Archives

1 Organization of Nuclear DNA.- 1.1 The nucleus and chromatin organization.- 1.2 DNA replication.- 1.3 Nuclear DNA amounts and the C-value paradox.- 1.4 Organization of DNA sequences.- 1.5 Satellite DNAs.- 1.6 Nucleolar genes for rRNA.- 1.7 Function of repeated DNA sequences.- 1.8 Genes coding for proteins.- 1.9 Genome variation.- 1.10 Transposable elements.- 2 Structure and Expression of Nuclear Genes.- 2.1 RNA polymerases.- 2.2 Transcription and processing of rRNA and tRNA.- 2.3 Synthesis and properties of mRNA.- 2.4 Regulatory signals in plant genes.- 2.5 RNA splicing.- 2.6 Post-translational modifications and the direction of proteins to different cellular compartments.- 2.7 Gene expression and plant development.- 3 The Plastome and Chloroplast Biogenesis.- 3.1 Plastid interrelationships.- 3.2 Chloroplast organization and function.- 3.3 Chloroplast genetics and the extent of plastid autonomy.- 3.4 Structure and function of the plastome.- 3.5 Chloroplast ribosomes and protein synthesis.- 3.6 Transcription and processing of chloroplast RNA.- 3.7 Transit peptides and the genetic specification of protein transport into chloroplasts.- 4 Mitochondrial DNA Organization and Function.- 4.1 Evolution and function of mitochondria.- 4.2 Plant mitochondrial DNA.- 4.3 Mitochondria] protein synthesis in vitro.- 4.4 Senescence in Podospora anserina.- 4.5 Mitochondrial DNA and cytoplasmic male sterility.- 4.6 Import of proteins into mitochondria.- 4.7 Conclusions.- 5 Regulation of Differential Gene Expression During Plant Development.- 5.1 Differential regulation of gene expression.- 5.2 Seed development and germination.- 5.3 Effect of light on the synthesis of chloroplast proteins.- 5.4 Ethylene, senescence, and fruit ripening.- 5.5 Responses to stress.- 5.6 Conclusions.- 6 Gene Expression During Development of Nitrogen-Fixing Root Nodules.- 6.1 Rhizobium recognition of legume roots and elicitation of nodule development.- 6.2 Nitrogen fixation in root nodules.- 6.3 Genetic determinants of nodule formation.- 6.4 Functions of Rhizobium genes in nodule development.- 6.5 Plant nodulin genes.- 6.6 Time-course of nodule gene expression.- 6.7 Prospects.- 7 Genetic Transformation of Plants by Agrobacterium.- 7.1 Characteristics of tumour induction and growth.- 7.2 Tumour-inducing (Ti) plasmids.- 7.3 Genetic organization of the Ti plasmid.- 7.4 Activation of Ti plasmid genes controlling T-DNA mobilization.- 7.5 Functions encoded by integrated T-DNA.- 7.6 Agrobacterium rhizoyenes.- 7.7 Summary of the transformation process.- 7.8 Regeneration of Agrobacterium-transformed plants.- 7.9 Agrobacterium and Rhizobium.- 8 Plant Viruses.- 8.1 Biology of plant virus infections.- 8.2 Distribution of genome types among the plant viruses.- 8.3 Studying plant viruses.- 8.4 Expression strategies of RNA virus genomes.- 8.5 DNA viruses.- 8.6 Viroids and virusoids.- 8.7 Conclusions.- 9 Genetic Engineering of Plants.- 9.1 Plant breeding.- 9.2 Gene vectors.- 9.3 Agrobacterium Ti plasmid vectors.- 9.4 Plant virus vectors.- 9.5 Direct transformation.- 9.6 Chimaeric gene vectors.- 9.7 Genetically-engineered plants.- 9.8 Prospects.- References.

In the preface to the first edition ofthis book, we expressed a conviction that there was a need for a short book that highlighted important advances in the new discipline of plant molecular biology. The rapid development of this topic has been brought about by the recognition of the unique properties of plants in the study of growth and development together with the application of recombinant DNA techniques to tackle these problems. Plant cells contain DNA in nuclei, plastids and mitochondria, and so ofTer the unique challenge of studying the interaction of three separate genetic systems in a single organism. The molecular approach has provided, in recent years, a wealth of important information about how plants function, and how they interact with bacteria, fungi and viruses. Furthermore, plant development involves the regulation of gene expression in response to internal and external signals, and plant molecular biology has provided a fundamental insight into how this development is regulated. This is not only of considerable scientific interest, but also has important implications for the production of plants and plant products in agriculture, horticulture and the food industries.