Gene expression in mitochondria and bacteria.

Mitochondria and bacteria possess protein synthesizing machineries which are similar in many respects; The regulation of gene expression in mitochondria is unknown. We, therefore, tried to use a well-established prokaryotic regulatory system for the exploration of mitochondrial gene regulation. DNA of the bacterial virus can be used as a template for gene expression in a mitochondrial in vitro system. The gene directed enzyme synthesis in the mitochondrial system is the basis for a study of regulation in mitochondrial protein synthesis.