Linear and ‘lasso-like’ structures of mitochondrial DNA from Pennisetum typhoides

AbstractPreviously unidentified structures of plant mitochondrial DNA, namely intact linear molecules and ‘lasso-like’ structures, are described. The genomic-size circular DNA is concluded to be an end product of the progression of the ‘lasso’ structure. These findings give insight into the heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA unique to higher plants