Breaking boundaries: exploring short‐ and long‐distance mitochondrial signalling in plants

Communication of mitochondria with other cell compartments is essential for the coordination of cellular functions. Mitochondria send retrograde signals through metabolites, redox changes, direct organelle contacts and protein trafficking. Accumulating evidence indicates that, in animal systems, changes in mitochondrial function also trigger responses in other, either neighbouring or distantly located, cells. Although not clearly established, there are indications that this type of communication may also be operative in plants. Grafting experiments suggested that the translocation of entire mitochondria or submitochondrial vesicles between neighbouring cells is possible in plants, as already documented in animals. Changes in mitochondrial function also regulate cell-to-cell communication via plasmodesmata and may be transmitted over long distances through plant hormones acting as mitokines to relay mitochondrial signals to distant tissues. Long-distance movement of transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins involved in crucial aspects of metabolism and retrograde signalling was also described. Finally, changes in mitochondrial reactive species (ROS) production may affect the ‘ROS wave’ that triggers systemic acquired acclimation throughout the plant. In this review, we summarise available evidence suggesting that mitochondria establish sophisticated communications not only within the cell but also with neighbouring cells and distant tissues to coordinate plant growth and stress responses in a cell nonautonomous manner.Fil: Welchen, Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Daniel Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; Argentin

A Novel Target (Oxidation Resistant 2) in Arabidopsis thaliana to Reduce Clubroot Disease Symptoms via the Salicylic Acid Pathway without Growth Penalties

The clubroot disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae) is one of the most damaging diseases worldwide among brassica crops. Its control often relies on resistant cultivars, since the manipulation of the disease hormones, such as salicylic acid (SA) alters plant growth negatively. Alternatively, the SA pathway can be increased by the addition of beneficial microorganisms for biocontrol. However, this potential has not been exhaustively used. In this study, a recently characterized protein Oxidation Resistant 2 (OXR2) from Arabidopsis thaliana is shown to increase the constitutive pathway of SA defense without decreasing plant growth. Plants overexpressing AtOXR2 (OXR2-OE) show strongly reduced clubroot symptoms with improved plant growth performance, in comparison to wild type plants during the course of infection. Consequently, oxr2 mutants are more susceptible to clubroot disease. P. brassicae itself was reduced in these galls as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the transcriptional downregulation of the gene encoding a SA-methyltransferase from the pathogen in OXR2-OE plants that could contribute to the phenotype.Fil: Mencia, Regina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Welchen, Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Auer, Susann. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Ludwig Müller, Jutta. Technische Universität Dresden; Alemani

Coordination of plant mitochondrial biogenesis: keeping pace with cellular requirements

Plant mitochondria are complex organelles that carry out numerous metabolic processes related with the generation of energy for cellular functions and the synthesis and degradation of several compounds. Mitochondria are semiautonomous and dynamic organelles changing in shape, number, and composition depending on tissue or developmental stage. The biogenesis of functional mitochondria requires the coordination of genes present both in the nucleus and the organelle. In addition, due to their central role, all processes held inside mitochondria must be finely coordinated with those in other organelles according to cellular demands. Coordination is achieved by transcriptional control of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins by specific transcription factors that recognize conserved elements in their promoter regions. In turn, the expression of most of these transcription factors is linked to developmental and environmental cues, according to the availability of nutrients, light?dark cycles, and warning signals generated in response to stress conditions. Among the signals impacting in the expression of nuclear genes, retrograde signals that originate inside mitochondria help to adjust mitochondrial biogenesis to organelle demands. Adding more complexity, several nuclear encoded proteins are dual localized to mitochondria and either chloroplasts or the nucleus. Dual targeting might establish a crosstalk between the nucleus and cell organelles to ensure a fine coordination of cellular activities. In this article, we discuss how the different levels of coordination of mitochondrial biogenesis interconnect to optimize the function of the organelle according to both internal and external demands.Fil: Welchen, Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas. Catedra de Biologia Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: García, Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas. Catedra de Biologia Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Mansilla, Natanael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas. Catedra de Biologia Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Daniel Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas. Catedra de Biologia Celular y Molecular; Argentin

Knockdown of double-stranded RNases (dsRNases) enhances oral RNA interference (RNAi) in the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis

The leafhopper Dalbulus maidis is a harmful pest that causes severe damage to corn crops. Conventional chemical pesticides have negative environmental impacts, emphasizing the need for alternative solutions. RNA interference (RNAi) is a more specific and environmentally friendly method for controlling pests and reducing the negative impacts of current pest management practices. Previous studies have shown that orally administered double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is less effective than injection protocols in silencing genes. This study focuses on identifying and understanding the role of double-stranded ribonucleases (dsRNases) in limiting the efficiency of oral RNAi in D. maidis. Three dsRNases were identified and characterized, with Dmai-dsRNase-2 being highly expressed in the midgut and salivary glands. An ex vivo degradation assay revealed significant nuclease activity, resulting in high instability of dsRNA when exposed to tissue homogenates. Silencing Dmai-dsRNase-2 improved the insects' response to the dsRNA targeting the gene of interest, providing evidence of dsRNases involvement in oral RNAi efficiency. Therefore, administering both dsRNase-specific and target gene-specific-dsRNAs simultaneously is a promising approach to increase the efficiency of oral RNAi and should be considered in future control strategies.Fil: Dalaisón Fuentes, Lucia Inés. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Pascual, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); ArgentinaFil: Crespo, Mariana. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Andrada, Nicolás Luján. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); ArgentinaFil: Welchen, Elina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Catalano, María Inés. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Cytochrome c Deficiency Differentially Affects the In Vivo Mitochondrial Electron Partitioning and Primary Metabolism Depending on the Photoperiod

Plant respiration provides metabolic flexibility under changing environmental conditions by modulating the activity of the nonphosphorylating alternative pathways from the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which bypass the main energy-producing components of the cytochrome oxidase pathway (COP). While adjustments in leaf primary metabolism induced by changes in day length are well studied, possible differences in the in vivo contribution of the COP and the alternative oxidase pathway (AOP) between different photoperiods remain unknown. In our study, in vivo electron partitioning between AOP and COP and expression analysis of respiratory components, photosynthesis, and the levels of primary metabolites were studied in leaves of wild-type (WT) plants and cytochrome c (CYTc) mutants, with reduced levels of COP components, under shortand long-day photoperiods. Our results clearly show that differences in AOP and COP in vivo activities between WT and cytc mutants depend on the photoperiod likely due to energy and stress signaling constraints. Parallel responses observed between in vivo respiratory activities, TCA cycle intermediates, amino acids, and stress signaling metabolites indicate the coordination of different pathways of primary metabolism to support growth adaptation under different photoperiods.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Overrepresentation of Elements Recognized by TCP-Domain Transcription Factors in the Upstream Regions of Nuclear Genes Encoding Components of the Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Machinery

We have observed that a cis-acting regulatory element, known as site II, is overrepresented in the promoters of nuclear genes encoding components of the oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) machinery from both Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa). Site II elements have been described in promoters of rice and Arabidopsis proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) genes (Kosugi et al., 1995; Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003) and are also present in the majority of Arabidopsis genes encoding ribosomal proteins (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003). Loss-of-function analysis has determined that a pair of site II elements present in the rice PCNA promoter is essential for the expression of a reporter gene in the shoot and root meristems of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum; Kosugi et al., 1991, 1995). In fact, a promoter region containing these elements is enough to confer expression in tobacco protoplasts when fused to a minimal promoter (Kosugi et al., 1995). Similar elements in Arabidopsis PCNA-2 produce expression in root primordia and young leaves (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003). Accordingly, these elements have been implicated in the expression of genes in meristematic tissues and/or proliferating cells. Site II elements are frequently present in more than one copy and found in combination with another motif, known as telo box or internal telomeric repeat due to its similarity to the repeated unit of plant telomeres (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003)Fil: Welchen, Elina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Daniel Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Assembly of the Complexes of the Oxidative Phosphorylation System in Land Plant Mitochondria

Plant mitochondria play a major role during respiration by producing the ATP required for metabolism and growth. ATP is produced during oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), a metabolic pathway coupling electron transfer with ADP phosphorylation via the formation and release of a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The OXPHOS system is composed of large, multiprotein complexes coordinating metal-containing cofactors for the transfer of electrons. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about assembly of the OXPHOS complexes in land plants. We present the different steps involved in the formation of functional complexes and the regulatory mechanisms controlling the assembly pathways. Because several assembly steps have been found to be ancestral in plants-compared with those described in fungal and animal models-we discuss the evolutionary dynamics that lead to the conservation of ancestral pathways in land plant mitochondria.Fil: Meyer, Etienne H.. Max Planck Institute Of Molecular Plant Physiology; AlemaniaFil: Welchen, Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Carrie, Chris. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; Alemani

Plant mitochondria under pathogen attack: A sigh of relief or a last breath?

Plants constitute excellent sources for pathogen nutrition and survival. To fight against pathogen attack, higher plants have developed a sophisticated immune system responsible for pathogen recognition and activation of downstream defense responses. After pathogen perception, mitochondria play an important role in the defense strategy of the plant cell, integrating and amplifying diverse signals such as salicylic acid, nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or pathogen elicitors. Signals perceived by mitochondria usually impact on their normal function, destabilizing the organelle, generating changes in respiration, membrane potential and ROS production. At this stage, mitochondria produce several signals influencing the redox state of the cell and promoting changes in the expression of nuclear genes by mitochondrial retrograde regulation. At more advanced stages, they promote programmed cell death in order to avoid pathogen propagation to the whole plant. Recent evidence indicates that plants and pathogens have evolved mechanisms to modulate the immune response by acting on mitochondrial functions. In this review, we summarize knowledge about the involvement of mitochondria in different aspects of the response of plants to pathogen attack.Fil: Colombatti, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Daniel Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Welchen, Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular; Argentin