The role of mitochondria in leaf nitrogen metabolism.
For optimal plant growth and development, cellular nitrogen (N) metabolism must be closely coordinated with other metabolic pathways, and mitochondria are thought to play a central role in this process. Recent studies using genetically modified plants have provided insight into the role of mitochondria in N metabolism. Mitochondrial metabolism is linked with N assimilation by amino acid, carbon (C) and redox metabolism. Mitochondria are not only an important source of C skeletons for N incorporation, they also produce other necessary metabolites and energy used in N remobilization processes. Nitric oxide of mitochondrial origin regulates respiration and influences primary N metabolism. Here, we discuss the changes in mitochondrial metabolism during ammonium or nitrate nutrition and under low N conditions. We also describe the involvement of mitochondria in the redistribution of N during senescence. The aim of this review was to demonstrate the role of mitochondria as an integration point of N cellular metabolism.
Institute of Experimental Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. szal@biol.uw.edu.pl
Bożena
B
Szal
Anna
A
Podgórska
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001692:Biological Transport; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D019069:Cell Respiration; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D063245:Plant Development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D009566:Nitrates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen