Ebook: Homologous Recombination and Gene Silencing in Plants

Higher eukaryotes are characterized by the allocation of distinct functions to numerous types of differentiated cells. Whereas in animals the well-defined, protected cells of the germ line separate early, germ cells in plants differentiate from somatic cells only after many cycles of mitotic division. Therefore somatic mutations in plants can be transmitted via the germ cells to the progeny. There is thus a clear need for somatic tissues to maintain their genetic integrity in the face of environmental challenges, and two types of interactions have been shown to play important roles in the conservation as well as flexibility of plant genomes: homologous recombination of repeated sequences and silencing of multiplied genes. Sensitive methods have been developed that allow greater insights into the dynamics of the genome. This book summarizes current knowledge and working hypotheses about the frequencies and mechanisms of mitochondrial, plastid, nuclear and viral recombination and the inactivation of repeated genes in plants. Despite rapid developments in the field, it is often not possible to provide final answers. Thus, it is an additional task of this book to define the open questions and future challenges.
The book is addressed to scientists working on plant biology and recombination, to newcomers in the field and to advanced biology students.

---

Higher eukaryotes are characterized by the allocation of distinct functions to numerous types of differentiated cells. Whereas in animals the well-defined, protected cells of the germ line separate early, germ cells in plants differentiate from somatic cells only after many cycles of mitotic division. Therefore somatic mutations in plants can be transmitted via the germ cells to the progeny. There is thus a clear need for somatic tissues to maintain their genetic integrity in the face of environmental challenges, and two types of interactions have been shown to play important roles in the conservation as well as flexibility of plant genomes: homologous recombination of repeated sequences and silencing of multiplied genes. Sensitive methods have been developed that allow greater insights into the dynamics of the genome. This book summarizes current knowledge and working hypotheses about the frequencies and mechanisms of mitochondrial, plastid, nuclear and viral recombination and the inactivation of repeated genes in plants. Despite rapid developments in the field, it is often not possible to provide final answers. Thus, it is an additional task of this book to define the open questions and future challenges.
The book is addressed to scientists working on plant biology and recombination, to newcomers in the field and to advanced biology students.

---

Higher eukaryotes are characterized by the allocation of distinct functions to numerous types of differentiated cells. Whereas in animals the well-defined, protected cells of the germ line separate early, germ cells in plants differentiate from somatic cells only after many cycles of mitotic division. Therefore somatic mutations in plants can be transmitted via the germ cells to the progeny. There is thus a clear need for somatic tissues to maintain their genetic integrity in the face of environmental challenges, and two types of interactions have been shown to play important roles in the conservation as well as flexibility of plant genomes: homologous recombination of repeated sequences and silencing of multiplied genes. Sensitive methods have been developed that allow greater insights into the dynamics of the genome. This book summarizes current knowledge and working hypotheses about the frequencies and mechanisms of mitochondrial, plastid, nuclear and viral recombination and the inactivation of repeated genes in plants. Despite rapid developments in the field, it is often not possible to provide final answers. Thus, it is an additional task of this book to define the open questions and future challenges.
The book is addressed to scientists working on plant biology and recombination, to newcomers in the field and to advanced biology students.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Genetic RNA-RNA Recombination in Positive-Stranded RNA Viruses of Plants....Pages 1-24
Recombination of a Plant Pararetrovirus: Cauliflower Mosaic Virus....Pages 25-38
Recombination in the Geminiviruses: Mechanisms for Maintaining Genome Size and Generating Genomic Diversity....Pages 39-60
Recombination of Plant Mitochondrial Genomes....Pages 61-81
Homologous Recombination and Integration of Foreign DNA in Plastids of Higher Plants....Pages 83-93
Intrachromosomal Recombination Between Genomic Repeats....Pages 95-122
Substrate Specificity of Plant Recombinases Determined in Extrachromosomal Recombination Systems....Pages 123-155
Plant Genes and Proteins Involved in Homologous Recombination....Pages 157-166
Homology Recognition During T-DNA Integration into the Plant Genome....Pages 167-189
Gene Replacement in Plants....Pages 191-217
Use of Site-Specific Recombination Systems in Plants....Pages 219-270
Inactivation of Repeated Genes — DNA-DNA Interaction?....Pages 271-307
Post-transcriptional Inhibition of Gene Expression: Sense and Antisense Genes....Pages 309-334
Silencing of Chitinase Expression in Transgenic Plants: An Autoregulatory Model....Pages 335-348
Inactivation of Maize Transposable Elements....Pages 349-385

---

Higher eukaryotes are characterized by the allocation of distinct functions to numerous types of differentiated cells. Whereas in animals the well-defined, protected cells of the germ line separate early, germ cells in plants differentiate from somatic cells only after many cycles of mitotic division. Therefore somatic mutations in plants can be transmitted via the germ cells to the progeny. There is thus a clear need for somatic tissues to maintain their genetic integrity in the face of environmental challenges, and two types of interactions have been shown to play important roles in the conservation as well as flexibility of plant genomes: homologous recombination of repeated sequences and silencing of multiplied genes. Sensitive methods have been developed that allow greater insights into the dynamics of the genome. This book summarizes current knowledge and working hypotheses about the frequencies and mechanisms of mitochondrial, plastid, nuclear and viral recombination and the inactivation of repeated genes in plants. Despite rapid developments in the field, it is often not possible to provide final answers. Thus, it is an additional task of this book to define the open questions and future challenges.
The book is addressed to scientists working on plant biology and recombination, to newcomers in the field and to advanced biology students.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Genetic RNA-RNA Recombination in Positive-Stranded RNA Viruses of Plants....Pages 1-24
Recombination of a Plant Pararetrovirus: Cauliflower Mosaic Virus....Pages 25-38
Recombination in the Geminiviruses: Mechanisms for Maintaining Genome Size and Generating Genomic Diversity....Pages 39-60
Recombination of Plant Mitochondrial Genomes....Pages 61-81
Homologous Recombination and Integration of Foreign DNA in Plastids of Higher Plants....Pages 83-93
Intrachromosomal Recombination Between Genomic Repeats....Pages 95-122
Substrate Specificity of Plant Recombinases Determined in Extrachromosomal Recombination Systems....Pages 123-155
Plant Genes and Proteins Involved in Homologous Recombination....Pages 157-166
Homology Recognition During T-DNA Integration into the Plant Genome....Pages 167-189
Gene Replacement in Plants....Pages 191-217
Use of Site-Specific Recombination Systems in Plants....Pages 219-270
Inactivation of Repeated Genes — DNA-DNA Interaction?....Pages 271-307
Post-transcriptional Inhibition of Gene Expression: Sense and Antisense Genes....Pages 309-334
Silencing of Chitinase Expression in Transgenic Plants: An Autoregulatory Model....Pages 335-348
Inactivation of Maize Transposable Elements....Pages 349-385
....