The Chloroplast Genome

Publisher Summary The chloroplast genomes from Chlamydomonas species have provided important insights into the function and evolution of this essential organelle. This chapter focuses on Chlamydomonas cpDNA structure, sequence, gene content, replication, and evolution, and it is not intended to be comprehensive for all Chlamydomonas species. The chloroplast genomes from Chlamydomonas species have provided important insights into the function and evolution of this essential organelle. It shows the pronounced number of predicted rearrangements for C. reinhardtii and Chlorella vulgaris . The complete Chlamydomonas chloroplast genome sequence is a resource that complements the many available genetic techniques. It discusses the weakness of using only complete genome sequence from a few taxa versus the more traditional method of using more taxa but with fewer select gene/protein sequences. In this chapter, the complete sequence of C. reinhardtii cpDNA is the reference genome. The cumulative data have and will continue to contribute to our understanding of chloroplast evolution and gene function through comparative genomics and gene manipulation. Examples of genes where analysis is incomplete are the unusual split genes rpoB, rpoC1, rpoC2 , rps2, and clpP, whose structures in some cases are apparently unique to Chlamydomonas . Other areas ripe for investigation are the chloroplast transcriptional, translational, and DNA replication machinery.