Mitochondria and cytoplasmic male sterility in plants

•We summarize the genes in CMS/Rf, discuss the mechanisms of sterility and fertility.•Sporophytic-CMS and Gametophytic-CMS are classified and discussed.•CMS products are reviewed, and two possible working models are proposed.

Mitochondria are essential organelles in cells not only because they supply over 90% of the cell's energy but also because their dysfunction is associated with disease. Owing to the importance of mitochondria, there are many questions about mitochondria that must be answered. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a mysterious natural phenomenon, and the mechanism of the origin of CMS is unknown. Despite successful utilization of CMS and restoration of fertility (Rf) in practice, the underlying mechanisms of these processes remain elusive. This review summarizes the genes involved in CMS and Rf, with a special focus on recent studies reporting the mechanisms of the CMS and Rf pathways, and concludes with potential working models.