Downregulation of the δ-subunit reduces mitochondrial ATP synthase levels, alters respiration, and restricts growth and gametophyte development in Arabidopsis.
The mitochondrial ATP synthase (F(1)F(o) complex) is an evolutionary conserved multimeric protein complex that synthesizes the main bulk of cytosolic ATP, but the regulatory mechanisms of the subunits are only poorly understood in plants. In yeast, the δ-subunit links the membrane-embedded F(o) part to the matrix-facing central stalk of F(1). We used genetic interference and an inhibitor to investigate the molecular function and physiological impact of the δ-subunit in Arabidopsis thaliana. Delta mutants displayed both male and female gametophyte defects. RNA interference of delta resulted in growth retardation, reduced ATP synthase amounts, and increased alternative oxidase capacity and led to specific long-term increases in Ala and Gly levels. By contrast, inhibition of the complex using oligomycin triggered broad metabolic changes, affecting glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and led to a successive induction of transcripts for alternative respiratory pathways and for redox and biotic stress-related transcription factors. We conclude that (1) the δ-subunit is essential for male gametophyte development in Arabidopsis, (2) a disturbance of the ATP synthase appears to lead to an early transition phase and a long-term metabolic steady state, and (3) the observed long-term adjustments in mitochondrial metabolism are linked to reduced growth and deficiencies in gametophyte development.
Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
Daniela A
DA
Geisler
Carola
C
Päpke
Toshihiro
T
Obata
Adriano
A
Nunes-Nesi
Annemarie
A
Matthes
Kay
K
Schneitz
Eugenia
E
Maximova
Wagner L
WL
Araújo
Alisdair R
AR
Fernie
Staffan
S
Persson
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D019069:Cell Respiration; D018548:Cotyledon / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D035264:Flowers / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D055993:Germ Cells, Plant / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D018519:Meristem / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D055442:Metabolome; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009840:Oligomycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010641:Phenotype; D051479:Plant Infertility; D036226:Seedlings / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D059467:Transcriptome
D009840:Oligomycins; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases