Article
Plant Sciences
Yuqin Zhang, Yuanyuan Hu, Zhiqin Wang, Xiaodi Lin, Zihui Li, Yafang Ren, Jie Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the biological functions of AtTIM22-2 in Arabidopsis. Loss of AtTIM22-2 function leads to defects in embryo and endosperm development, resulting in seed abortion. AtTIM22-2 interacts with AtTIM23-2, AtB14.7, and AT5G27395, participating in mitochondrial biogenesis and maintaining mitochondrial functions and ROS homeostasis.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline E. Dewar, Silke Oeljeklaus, Jan Mani, Wignand W. D. Muehlhaeuser, Corinne von Kaenel, Johannes Zimmermann, Torsten Ochsenreiter, Bettina Warscheid, Andre Schneider
Summary: Mitochondrial quality control mechanism in Trypanosoma brucei is characterized by the ablation of ATOM69, which triggers a unique pathway resulting in the degradation of non-imported mitochondrial proteins. This process involves the recruitment of an unknown protein, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and a ubiquitin-like protein (TbUbL1) and the release of TbUbL1 from the nucleus to the cytosol.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marcel G. Genge, Shalini Roy Chowdhury, Vit Dohnalek, Kaori Yunoki, Takashi Hirashima, Toshiya Endo, Pavel Dolezal, Dejana Mokranjac
Summary: This study reveals the coordination mechanism of translocation of proteins across mitochondrial membranes, and finds that both the core and PBD domains of Tim50 play essential roles in this process.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Victor Miguel Palomar, Alejandro Garciarrubio, Adriana Garay-Arroyo, Coral Martinez-Martinez, Omar Rosas-Bringas, Jose L. Reyes, Alejandra A. Covarrubias
Summary: Plants adjust various processes through highly regulated mechanisms to respond to environmental cues and maintain survival. Developmental programs of plants are closely coordinated with their response, adjustment, and adaptation to the environment. In the presence of salinity stress, mutations in core elements of RNA-directed DNA methylation affect germination and post-germination growth in Arabidopsis seeds, indicating the involvement of this pathway in controlling germination timing and growth under stress.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Corvin Walter, Adinarayana Marada, Tamara Suhm, Ralf Ernsberger, Vera Muders, Cansu Kuecuekkoese, Pablo Sanchez-Martin, Zehan Hu, Abhishek Aich, Stefan Loroch, Fiorella Andrea Solari, Daniel Poveda-Huertes, Alexandra Schwierzok, Henrike Pommerening, Stanka Matic, Jan Brix, Albert Sickmann, Claudine Kraft, Joern Dengjel, Sven Dennerlein, Tilman Brummer, F. -Nora Voegtle, Chris Meisinger
Summary: The study shows that DYRK1A phosphorylates TOM70 to promote import of precursor proteins into mitochondria. Inhibition of DYRK1A impairs mitochondrial structure and function, leading to a decrease in metabolite carrier import capacity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fidel Soto-Gonzalez, Anuj Tripathi, Ayorinde Cooley, Victor Paromov, Tanu Rana, Minu Chaudhuri
Summary: In this study, the interaction and colocalization of TbTIM17 and TbTRAP1 in Trypanosoma brucei mitochondria were identified. TbTRAP1 plays a critical role in the refolding of TbTim17 and the assembly of the TbTIM17 complex. Knockdown of TbTRAP1 leads to reduced cell growth and decreased levels of mitochondrial complexes.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chae Woo Lim, Sung Chul Lee
Summary: Abscisic acid (ABA) negatively regulates seed germination by inducing and maintaining seed dormancy. The three subclass III SnRK2 protein kinases, SnRK2.2, SnRK2.3, and SnRK2.6, as core components of ABA signaling, play crucial roles in the regulation of seed dormancy, germination, and seedling growth. However, their specific role in seed germination under cold stress conditions remains unclear.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Esra Peker, Konstantin Weiss, Jiyao Song, Christine Zarges, Sarah Gerlich, Volker Boehm, Aleksandra Trifunovic, Thomas Langer, Niels H. Gehring, Thomas Becker, Jan Riemer
Summary: Peker et al. discovered a two-step import pathway that allows proteins to be localized to both the matrix and IMS. Weak targeting signals enable proteins to form stabilizing disulfide bonds in the IMS before being imported into the matrix. This pathway enables the monitoring of import activity in both compartments. The study found that NDUFAF8, a factor involved in complex I assembly, follows this two-step import pathway, and its import is regulated by proteases to ensure proper function.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ulfat Mohd Hanif Sayyed, Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi
Summary: The article discusses the unique properties of the human mitochondrial outer membrane and the importance of the TOM complex. It highlights the recent research progress and the potential impact on alleviating human diseases.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katharina Weinhaupl, Yong Wang, Audrey Hessel, Martha Brennich, Kresten Lindorff-Larsen, Paul Schanda
Summary: The formation of TIM9.10 and TIM9.10.12 is related to a dynamic equilibrium among protein subunits and their large conformational dynamics, providing a new understanding of how mitochondria control the level of inter-membrane space chaperones.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea Carrer, Ludovica Tommasin, Justina Sileikyte, Francesco Ciscato, Riccardo Filadi, Andrea Urbani, Michael Forte, Andrea Rasola, Ildiko Szabo, Michela Carraro, Paolo Bernardi
Summary: The nature of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) remains debated, with the possibility that it can be mediated by F-ATP synthase or adenine nucleotide translocator. Through genetic modifications and cell experiments, researchers identified the essential role of certain mitochondrial subunits in turning the F-ATP synthase into the PTP, and showed that the ANT can contribute to channel formation in the absence of an assembled F-ATP synthase.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chetana Tamadaddi, Vinay Sagar, Amit K. Verma, Fathima Afsal, Chandan Sahi
Summary: Our study reveals that selective interactions between JDPs in plant mitochondria may determine their functional specificity and provide resilience to protein import processes in mitochondria.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaomin Liao, Xianxian Ruan, Xianbin Wu, Zhejun Deng, Shanyu Qin, Haixing Jiang
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between Timm13 and liver fibrosis. Gene expression profiling and network analysis revealed that Timm13 is a hub gene in the protein-protein interaction network. The mRNA levels of Timm13 were found to decrease in fibrotic liver tissue. Silencing Timm13 significantly reduced the expression of fibrotic and apoptosis-related genes.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Yang, Yan Zhao, Yingqi Zhang, Lihua Niu, Wanyue Li, Wenqin Lu, Jinfang Li, Patrick Schaefer, Yuling Meng, Weixing Shan
Summary: This study identifies the immune function of the AtRTP7 gene in Arabidopsis and reveals its role in RNA splicing of mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I subunits. The study also finds that rtp7 plants exhibit enhanced resistance to Phytophthora parasitica, which might be due to elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species burst.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachael Ann DeTar, Rouhollah Barahimipour, Nikolay Manavski, Serena Schwenkert, Ricarda Hoehner, Bettina Boelter, Takehito Inaba, Joerg Meurer, Reimo Zoschke, Hans-Henning Kunz
Summary: Simultaneous loss of KEA1 and KEA2 results in maturation defects of plastid ribosomal RNAs, possibly due to secondary structure changes and reduced binding of RNA-processing proteins. This leads to low levels of protein synthesis and plastome-encoded proteins, activating retrograde signaling and suppressing PhANG expression to delay chloroplast development.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abi S. Ghifari, Pedro F. Teixeira, Beata Kmiec, Neha Singh, Elzbieta Glaser, Monika W. Murcha
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified a prolyl aminopeptidase homologue, PAP1, which has two isoforms targeting different subcellular locations. They found that PAP1 may play a role in proline homeostasis and pollen development in plants. The results suggest that PAP1 is involved in the chloroplastic peptide processing pathway and could be important for maintaining cellular stability and activity.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Viet D. Nguyen, Rijad Saric, Timothy Burge, Oliver Berkowitz, Martin Trtilek, James Whelan, Mathew G. Lewsey, Edhem Custovic
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andreas Hartmann, Oliver Berkowitz, James Whelan, Reena Narsai
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptomic responses of Arabidopsis, barley, and rice to different treatments, and compared the similarities and differences between species. The results showed that the number of differentially expressed genes varied between treatments and species, but at least 70% of these genes overlapped within a species, indicating overlapping response networks. Interestingly, some orthologous genes exhibited opposite responses between species, suggesting diversity in their responses. The orthologous genes that showed a common response across the three species were found to be functionally important in stress responses. The study also revealed the high conservation of the mitochondrial dysfunction response in all three species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ying Li, Katharina Belt, Saad F. Alqahtani, Saurabh Saha, Ricarda Fenske, Olivier Van Aken, James Whelan, A. Harvey Millar, Monika W. Murcha, Shaobai Huang
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of SDHAF1 in maintaining glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. SDHAF1 participates in the biogenesis of complex II by interacting with SDH2 and HSCB.
Article
Plant Sciences
Runze Guo, Qi Zhang, Yinghui Ying, Wenying Liao, Yu Liu, James Whelan, Mao Chuanzao, Huixia Shou
Summary: This study found that SPX-MFS genes in rice vacuoles are Pi influx transporters, with OsSPX-MFS3 playing the most important role in growth, vacuolar, and tissue Pi concentrations. Alteration of vacuolar Pi sequestration may improve rice tolerance to low phosphorus.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniela Liebsch, Marta Juvany, Zhonghai Li, Hou-Ling Wang, Agnieszka Ziolkowska, Daria Chrobok, Clement Boussardon, Xing Wen, Simon R. Law, Helena Janeckova, Bastiaan Brouwer, Pernilla Linden, Nicolas Delhomme, Hans Stenlund, Thomas Moritz, Per Gardestrom, Hongwei Guo, Olivier Keech
Summary: Arginine and ornithine can affect the progression of leaf senescence and delay the aging process. They can delay leaf senescence by fueling the Krebs cycle or the production of polyamines. The conversion of putrescine to spermidine is controlled in an age-dependent manner and spermidine represses senescence by interfering with ethylene signaling.
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephanie J. Watts-Williams, Stefanie Wege, Sunita A. Ramesh, Oliver Berkowitz, Bo Xu, Matthew Gilliham, James Whelan, Stephen D. Tyerman
Summary: Soil micronutrient availability, particularly zinc (Zn), is a limiting factor in crop yield. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi facilitate nutrient uptake in host plants through the mycorrhizal pathway. In this study, RNA-seq analysis revealed that the putative Zn transporter gene, MtZIP14, was up-regulated in Medicago truncatula roots during colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis. Loss-of-function mutant plants lacking MtZIP14 showed reduced shoot biomass when grown under low Zn concentration and colonized by AM fungi, implicating a role for MtZIP14 in plant Zn nutrition and AM colonization.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanqiao Zhu, Reena Narsai, Cunman He, Yan Wang, Oliver Berkowitz, James Whelan, Lim Chee Liew
Summary: Mitochondrial retrograde signaling (MRS) regulates photosynthetic function under different conditions by controlling the binding of ANAC017 to promoters and the expression of related transcription factors. The study also found that there is a separate MRS pathway stimulated by antimycin A treatment, which intersects with salicylic acid signaling and chloroplast retrograde signaling. Additionally, the transcriptional responses to antimycin A and myxothiazol in the dark are ANAC017 independent and involve ERF and ZAT transcription factors, resembling biotic challenge and salicylic acid responses.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Peirats-Llobet, Changyu Yi, Lim Chee Liew, Oliver Berkowitz, Reena Narsai, Mathew G. Lewsey, James Whelan
Summary: A spatial transcriptomics workflow was developed for studying gene expression during barley grain germination, revealing specific spatial expression patterns of functional gene categories. Over 14,000 genes were differentially regulated within the first 24 hours after imbibition, with certain genes showing focused expression within subdomains of the embryo over time, suggesting their role in establishing the embryo axis.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abi S. Ghifari, Aneta Ivanova, Oliver Berkowitz, James Whelan, Monika W. Murcha
Summary: This study describes the mechanism by which the abundance of Complex I (CI) is regulated in a CI-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana mutant. The interaction between the CI subunit PSST and FTSH3 facilitates the disassembly of the CI matrix arm domain for turnover, ensuring protein quality control in the face of oxidative damage. The study reveals the molecular process by which FTSH3 recognizes CI for degradation at the amino acid level.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abi S. Ghifari, Saurabh Saha, Monika W. Murcha
Summary: Mitochondria are crucial for plant respiration, and their oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system generates ATP for cellular energy needs. OXPHOS complexes consist of subunits from both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, requiring careful regulation of expression, translation, import, and assembly. OXPHOS subunits are prone to oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species, necessitating coordinated disassembly and degradation. This review highlights recent studies on the composition, assembly, and activity of plant OXPHOS complexes, and discusses the regulation of their biogenesis and turnover, as well as the importance of OXPHOS in plant respiration and growth.
Review
Plant Sciences
Lachlan Dow, Marta Gallart, Margaret Ramarajan, Simon R. Law, Louise F. Thatcher
Summary: In the search for new crop protection microbial biocontrol agents, isolates from the genus Streptomyces are commonly found. Streptomyces are natural soil dwellers and have evolved as plant symbionts producing specialized metabolites with antibiotic and antifungal activities. The investigation of factors stimulating the production and release of Streptomyces bioactive compounds is commonly conducted in vitro, but recent research is starting to shed light on their behavior in planta, under different conditions. This review focuses on the methods by which Streptomyces biocontrol agents employ specialized metabolites as a defense against plant pathogens, the signals shared in the tripartite system, and new approaches for identification and understanding of these metabolites.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pavani P. Nadiminti, Sarah M. Wilson, Allison van de Meene, Alfie Hao, John Humphries, Julian Ratcliffe, Changyu Yi, Marta Peirats-Llobet, Mathew G. Lewsey, James Whelan, Antony Bacic, Monika S. Doblin
Summary: This study analyzed the deposition pattern of MLG during oat endosperm development and revealed the complexity of molecular processes influencing MLG content and deposition.