RNA editing in the cox3 mRNA of Magnolia is more extensive than in other dicot or monocot plants.

The Magnoliaceae are discussed as one of the key species at the root of the flowering plants. To obtain molecular information for one of these phylogenetically interesting plant species, we determined genomic and cDNA sequences of the mitochondrial cox3 gene in Magnolia grandiflora. Twenty-two RNA editing events are identified to alter cytidines in the mRNA to uridines, all but one of which change the encoded amino acid identity. RNA editing in the cox3 coding region is thus more frequent in Magnolia than in other dicot or monocot plants investigated and almost as predominant as in some gymnosperms. The cox3 RNA editing frequency in Magnolia thus occupies an intermediate position between angiosperms and gymnosperms consistent with the phylogenetic position of the Magnoliales.