Mitochondrial dysfunction affects chloroplast functions.

BUSI, M. V.; GOMEZ LOBATO, M.E.; ARAYA, A.; DIEGO FABIAN GOMEZ CASATI

Plant Signaling and Behavior

Landes Bioscience

Año: 2011 vol. 6 p. 1904 - 1907

1559-2316

The transcriptomic response of A9:u-ATP9 and apetala3:u-ATP9 lines carrying a mitochondrial dysfunction in flower tissueshas been characterized. Both lines showed an alteration in the transcription of several genes involved in carbon andnitrogen metabolism, stress responses, transcription factors and DNA binding proteins. Interestingly, several transcriptsof photosynthetic-related genes were also affected in their expression such as the mRNAs encoding for chlorophyllase,chlorophyll binding proteins and a PSII. Moreover, chlorophyll levels were reduced and the Mg-dechelatase activity wasincreased, indicating an alteration in chlorophyll metabolism. Our results suggest that the mitochondrial dysfunctionmay also affect chloroplastic functions, and that our model could be useful to uncover retrograde signaling mechanismsoperating between the three different plant genomes.