A gene coding for an RPS2 protein is present in the mitochondrial genome of several cereals, but not in dicotyledons

A gene coding for a protein that shows homologies to prokaryotic ribosomal protein S2 is present in the mitochondrial (mt) genome of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The wheat gene is transcribed as a single mRNA which is edited by C-to-U conversions at seven positions, all resulting in alteration of the encoded amino acid. Homologous gene sequences are also present in the mt genomes of rice and maize, but we failed to identify the corresponding sequences in the mtDNA of all dicotyledonous species tested; in these species the mitochondrial RPS2 is probably encoded in the nucleus. The protein sequence deduced from the wheat rps2 gene sequence has a long C-terminal extension when compared to other prokaryotic RPS2 sequences. This extension presents no similarity with any known sequence and is not conserved in the maize or rice mitochondrial rps2 gene. Most probably, after translation, this peptide extension is processed by a specific peptidase to give rise to the mature wheat mitochondrial RPS2. Received: 20 November 1997 / Accepted: 29 January 1998