Cysteine oxidation as a regulatory mechanism of Arabidopsis plastidial NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase

Malate dehydrogenases (MDHs) catalyze a reversible NAD(P)-dependent-oxidoreductase reaction that plays an important role in central metabolism and redox homeostasis of plant cells. Recent studies suggest a moonlighting function of plastidial NAD-dependent MDH (plNAD-MDH; EC 1.1.1.37) in plastid biogenesis, independent of its enzyme activity. In this study, redox effects on activity and conformation of recombinant plNAD-MDH from Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated. We show that reduced plNAD-MDH is active while it is inhibited upon oxidation. Interestingly, the presence of its cofactors NAD+ and NADH could prevent oxidative inhibition of plNAD-MDH. In addition, a conformational change upon oxidation could be observed via non-reducing SDS-PAGE. Both effects, its inhibition and conformational change, were reversible by re-reduction. Further investigation of single cysteine substitutions and mass spectrometry revealed that oxidation of plNAD-MDH leads to oxidation of all four cysteine residues. However, cysteine oxidation of C129 leads to inhibition of plNAD-MDH activity and oxidation of C147 induces its conformational change. In contrast, oxidation of C190 and C333 does not affect plNAD-MDH activity or structure. Our results demonstrate that plNAD-MDH activity can be reversibly inhibited, but not inactivated, by cysteine oxidation and might be co-regulated by the availability of its cofactors in vivo.

Thioredoxins o1 and h2 jointly adjust mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase-dependent pathways towards changing environments

Thioredoxins (TRXs) are central to redox regulation, modulating enzyme activities to adapt metabolism to environmental changes. Previous research emphasized mitochondrial and microsomal TRX o1 and h2 influence on mitochondrial metabolism, including photorespiration and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Our study aimed to compare TRX-based regulation circuits towards environmental cues mainly affecting photorespiration. Metabolite snapshots, phenotypes and CO2 assimilation were compared among single and multiple TRX mutants in the wild-type and the glycine decarboxylase T-protein knockdown (gldt1) background. Our analyses provided evidence for additive negative effects of combined TRX o1 and h2 deficiency on growth and photosynthesis. Especially metabolite accumulation patterns suggest a shared regulation mechanism mainly on mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (mtLPD1)-dependent pathways. Quantification of pyridine nucleotides, in conjunction with 13C-labelling approaches, and biochemical analysis of recombinant mtLPD1 supported this. It also revealed mtLPD1 inhibition by NADH, pointing at an additional measure to fine-tune it's activity. Collectively, we propose that lack of TRX o1 and h2 perturbs the mitochondrial redox state, which impacts on other pathways through shifts in the NADH/NAD+ ratio via mtLPD1. This regulation module might represent a node for simultaneous adjustments of photorespiration, the TCA cycle and branched chain amino acid degradation under fluctuating environmental conditions.

How do barley plants with impaired photosynthetic light acclimation survive under high-light stress?

MAIN CONCLUSION

WHIRLY1 deficient barley plants surviving growth at high irradiance displayed increased non-radiative energy dissipation, enhanced contents of zeaxanthin and the flavonoid lutonarin, but no changes in α-tocopherol nor glutathione. Plants are able to acclimate to environmental conditions to optimize their functions. With the exception of obligate shade plants, they can adjust their photosynthetic apparatus and the morphology and anatomy of their leaves to irradiance. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Golden Promise) plants with reduced abundance of the protein WHIRLY1 were recently shown to be unable to acclimatise important components of the photosynthetic apparatus to high light. Nevertheless, these plants did not show symptoms of photoinhibition. High-light (HL) grown WHIRLY1 knockdown plants showed clear signs of exposure to excessive irradiance such as a low epoxidation state of the violaxanthin cycle pigments and an early light saturation of electron transport. These responses were underlined by a very large xanthophyll cycle pool size and by an increased number of plastoglobules. Whereas zeaxanthin increased with HL stress, α-tocopherol, which is another lipophilic antioxidant, showed no response to excessive light. Also the content of the hydrophilic antioxidant glutathione showed no increase in W1 plants as compared to the wild type, whereas the flavone lutonarin was induced in W1 plants. HPLC analysis of removed epidermal tissue indicated that the largest part of lutonarin was presumably located in the mesophyll. Since lutonarin is a better antioxidant than saponarin, the major flavone present in barley leaves, it is concluded that lutonarin accumulated as a response to oxidative stress. It is also concluded that zeaxanthin and lutonarin may have served as antioxidants in the WHIRLY1 knockdown plants, contributing to their survival in HL despite their restricted HL acclimation.

Legume Alternative Oxidase Isoforms Show Differential Sensitivity to Pyruvate Activation

Alternative oxidase (AOX) is an important component of the plant respiratory pathway, enabling a route for electrons that bypasses the energy-conserving, ROS-producing complexes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Plants contain numerous isoforms of AOX, classified as either AOX1 or AOX2. AOX1 isoforms have received the most attention due to their importance in stress responses across a wide range of species. However, the propensity for at least one isoform of AOX2 to accumulate to very high levels in photosynthetic tissues of all legumes studied to date, suggests that this isoform has specialized roles, but we know little of its properties. Previous studies with sub-mitochondrial particles of soybean cotyledons and roots indicated that differential expression of GmAOX1, GmAOX2A, and GmAOX2D across tissues might confer different activation kinetics with pyruvate. We have investigated this using recombinantly expressed isoforms of soybean AOX in a previously described bacterial system (Selinski et al., 2016, Physiologia Plantarum 157, 264-279). Pyruvate activation kinetics were similar between the two GmAOX2 isoforms but differed substantially from those of GmAOX1, suggesting that selective expression of AOX1 and 2 could determine the level of AOX activity. However, this alone cannot completely explain the differences seen in sub-mitochondrial particles isolated from different legume tissues and possible reasons for this are discussed.

Try or Die: Dynamics of Plant Respiration and How to Survive Low Oxygen Conditions

Fluctuations in oxygen (O₂) availability occur as a result of flooding, which is periodically encountered by terrestrial plants. Plant respiration and mitochondrial energy generation rely on O₂ availability. Therefore, decreased O₂ concentrations severely affect mitochondrial function. Low O₂ concentrations (hypoxia) induce cellular stress due to decreased ATP production, depletion of energy reserves and accumulation of metabolic intermediates. In addition, the transition from low to high O₂ in combination with light changes-as experienced during re-oxygenation-leads to the excess formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, we will update our current knowledge about the mechanisms enabling plants to adapt to low-O₂ environments, and how to survive re-oxygenation. New insights into the role of mitochondrial retrograde signaling, chromatin modification, as well as moonlighting proteins and mitochondrial alternative electron transport pathways (and their contribution to low O₂ tolerance and survival of re-oxygenation), are presented.

Central Metabolism in Mammals and Plants as a Hub for Controlling Cell Fate

Significance: The importance of oxidoreductases in energy metabolism together with the occurrence of enzymes of central metabolism in the nucleus gave rise to the active research field aiming to understand moonlighting enzymes that undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs) before carrying out new tasks. Recent Advances: Cytosolic enzymes were shown to induce gene transcription after PTM and concomitant translocation to the nucleus. Changed properties of the oxidized forms of cytosolic glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and also malate dehydrogenases and others, are the basis for a hypothesis suggesting moonlighting functions that directly link energy metabolism to adaptive responses required for maintenance of redox-homeostasis in all eukaryotes. Critical Issues: Small molecules, such as metabolic intermediates, coenzymes, or reduced glutathione, were shown to fine-tune the redox switches, interlinking redox state, metabolism, and induction of new functions via nuclear gene expression. The cytosol with its metabolic enzymes connecting energy fluxes between the various cell compartments can be seen as a hub for redox signaling, integrating the different signals for graded and directed responses in stressful situations. Future Directions: Enzymes of central metabolism were shown to interact with p53 or the assumed plant homologue suppressor of gamma response 1 (SOG1), an NAM, ATAF, and CUC transcription factor involved in the stress response upon ultraviolet exposure. Metabolic enzymes serve as sensors for imbalances, their inhibition leading to changed energy metabolism, and the adoption of transcriptional coactivator activities. Depending on the intensity of the impact, rerouting of energy metabolism, proliferation, DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, immune responses, or cell death will be induced. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 1025-1047.

Physiological and anatomical differentiation of two sympatric weed populations

In the vineyards of Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany), two different types of Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) coexist: (1) the common type called ‘wild type’, and (2) the decandric type called Capsella apetala or ‘Spe’ with four stamens in place of the four petals. In this study, we compare the anatomical and physiological characters of rosette leaves of the respective types. Progeny of individual plants was cultivated in growth chambers under low- and high-light conditions. Under low-light conditions, the stomata densities of the adaxial and abaxial epidermis did not differ between the two types. When grown under high-light conditions, wild type and Spe, both exhibited increased stomata densities compared to low-light conditions, but Spe to a lesser extent than the wild type. The maximal photosynthetic capacity of Spe was lower in both, low-light and high-light conditions compared to wild-type plants. Under all CO2 concentrations, Spe seemed to be less productive. The less effective CO2 assimilation of the Spe mutant C. apetala was accompanied by later flowering. This fact prolonged the vegetative phase of Spe by about two weeks and was sufficient for the maintenance of both populations stably over years.

Linking mitochondrial and chloroplast retrograde signalling in plants

Retrograde signalling refers to the regulation of nuclear gene expression in response to functional changes in organelles. In plants, the two energy-converting organelles, mitochondria and chloroplasts, are tightly coordinated to balance their activities. Although our understanding of components involved in retrograde signalling has greatly increased in the last decade, studies on the regulation of the two organelle signalling pathways have been largely independent. Thus, the mechanism of how mitochondrial and chloroplastic retrograde signals are integrated is largely unknown. Here, we summarize recent findings on the function of mitochondrial signalling components and their links to chloroplast retrograde responses. From this, a picture emerges showing that the major regulators are integrators of both organellar retrograde signalling pathways. This article is part of the theme issue 'Retrograde signalling from endosymbiotic organelles'.

Arabidopsis DGD1 SUPPRESSOR1 Is a Subunit of the Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System and Affects Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Mitochondrial and plastid biogenesis requires the biosynthesis and assembly of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the mitochondrial outer membrane protein DGD1 SUPPRESSOR1 (DGS1) is part of a large multi-subunit protein complex that contains the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system 60-kD subunit, the translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40-kD subunit (TOM40), the TOM20s, and the Rieske FeS protein. A point mutation in DGS1, dgs1-1, altered the stability and protease accessibility of this complex. This altered mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial size, lipid content and composition, protein import, and respiratory capacity. Whole plant physiology was affected in the dgs1-1 mutant as evidenced by tolerance to imposed drought stress and altered transcriptional responses of markers of mitochondrial retrograde signaling. Putative orthologs of Arabidopsis DGS1 are conserved in eukaryotes, including the Nuclear Control of ATP Synthase2 (NCA2) protein in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), but lost in Metazoa. The genes encoding DGS1 and NCA2 are part of a similar coexpression network including genes encoding proteins involved in mitochondrial fission, morphology, and lipid homeostasis. Thus, DGS1 links mitochondrial protein and lipid import with cellular lipid homeostasis and whole plant stress responses.

Malate valves: old shuttles with new perspectives

Malate valves act as powerful systems for balancing the ATP/NAD(P)H ratio required in various subcellular compartments in plant cells. As components of malate valves, isoforms of malate dehydrogenases (MDHs) and dicarboxylate translocators catalyse the reversible interconversion of malate and oxaloacetate and their transport. Depending on the co-enzyme specificity of the MDH isoforms, either NADH or NADPH can be transported indirectly. Arabidopsis thaliana possesses nine genes encoding MDH isoenzymes. Activities of NAD-dependent MDHs have been detected in mitochondria, peroxisomes, cytosol and plastids. In addition, chloroplasts possess a NADP-dependent MDH isoform. The NADP-MDH as part of the 'light malate valve' plays an important role as a poising mechanism to adjust the ATP/NADPH ratio in the stroma. Its activity is strictly regulated by post-translational redox-modification mediated via the ferredoxin-thioredoxin system and fine control via the NADP⁺ /NADP(H) ratio, thereby maintaining redox homeostasis under changing conditions. In contrast, the plastid NAD-MDH ('dark malate valve') is constitutively active and its lack leads to failure in early embryo development. While redox regulation of the main cytosolic MDH isoform has been shown, knowledge about regulation of the other two cytosolic MDHs as well as NAD-MDH isoforms from peroxisomes and mitochondria is still lacking. Knockout mutants lacking the isoforms from chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes have been characterised, but not much is known about cytosolic NAD-MDH isoforms and their role in planta. This review updates the current knowledge on MDH isoforms and the shuttle systems for intercompartmental dicarboxylate exchange, focusing on the various metabolic functions of these valves.

Alternative Oxidase Is Positive for Plant Performance

The alternative pathway of mitochondrial electron transport, which terminates in the alternative oxidase (AOX), uncouples oxidation of substrate from mitochondrial ATP production, yet plant performance is improved under adverse growth conditions. AOX is regulated at different levels. Identification of regulatory transcription factors shows that Arabidopsis thaliana AOX1a is under strong transcriptional suppression. At the protein level, the primary structure is not optimised for activity. Maximal activity requires the presence of various metabolites, such as tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates that act in an isoform-specific manner. In this opinion article we propose that the regulatory mechanisms that keep AOX activity suppressed, at both the gene and protein level, are positive for plant performance due to the flexible short- and long-term fine-tuning.

Stress responsive mitochondrial proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

In the last decade plant mitochondria have emerged as a target, sensor and initiator of signalling cascades to a variety of stress and adverse growth conditions. A combination of various 'omic profiling approaches combined with forward and reverse genetic studies have defined how mitochondria respond to stress and the signalling pathways and regulators of these responses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent and -independent pathways, specific metabolites, complex I dysfunction, and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway have been proposed to date. These pathways are regulated by kinases (sucrose non-fermenting response like kinase; cyclin dependent protein kinase E 1) and transcription factors from the abscisic acid-related, WRKY and NAC families. A number of independent studies have revealed that these mitochondrial signalling pathways interact with a variety of phytohormone signalling pathways. While this represents significant progress in the last decade there are more pathways to be uncovered. Post-transcriptional/translational regulation is also a likely determinant of the mitochondrial stress response. Unbiased analyses of the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins in a variety of stress conditions reveal a modular network exerting a high degree of anterograde control. As abiotic and biotic stresses have significant impact on the yield of important crops such as rice, wheat and barley we will give an outlook of how knowledge gained in Arabidopsis may help to increase crop production and how emerging technologies may contribute.

Alternative Oxidase Isoforms Are Differentially Activated by Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Intermediates

The cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) is a non-proton-pumping ubiquinol oxidase that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water and is posttranslationally regulated by redox mechanisms and 2-oxo acids. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) possesses five AOX isoforms (AOX1A-AOX1D and AOX2). AOX1D expression is increased in aox1a knockout mutants from Arabidopsis (especially after restriction of the cytochrome c pathway) but cannot compensate for the lack of AOX1A, suggesting a difference in the regulation of these isoforms. Therefore, we analyzed the different AOX isoenzymes with the aim to identify differences in their posttranslational regulation. Seven tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (citrate, isocitrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, and oxaloacetate) were tested for their influence on AOX1A, AOX1C, and AOX1D wild-type protein activity using a refined in vitro system. AOX1C is insensitive to all seven organic acids, AOX1A and AOX1D are both activated by 2-oxoglutarate, but only AOX1A is additionally activated by oxaloacetate. Furthermore, AOX isoforms cannot be transformed to mimic one another by substituting the variable cysteine residues at position III in the protein. In summary, we show that AOX isoforms from Arabidopsis are differentially fine-regulated by tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites (most likely depending on the amino-terminal region around the highly conserved cysteine residues known to be involved in regulation by the 2-oxo acids pyruvate and glyoxylate) and propose that this is the main reason why they cannot functionally compensate for each other.

Isolation and Respiratory Measurements of Mitochondria from Arabidopsis thaliana

Mitochondria are essential organelles involved in numerous metabolic pathways in plants, most notably the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from the oxidation of reduced compounds such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2). The complete annotation of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome has established it as the most widely used plant model system, and thus the need to purify mitochondria from a variety of organs (leaf, root, or flower) is necessary to fully utilize the tools that are now available for Arabidopsis to study mitochondrial biology. Mitochondria are isolated by homogenization of the tissue using a variety of approaches, followed by a series of differential centrifugation steps producing a crude mitochondrial pellet that is further purified using continuous colloidal density gradient centrifugation. The colloidal density material is subsequently removed by multiple centrifugation steps. Starting from 100 g of fresh leaf tissue, 2 - 3 mg of mitochondria can be routinely obtained. Respiratory experiments on these mitochondria display typical rates of 100 - 250 nmol O2 min^-1 mg total mitochondrial protein^-1 (NADH-dependent rate) with the ability to use various substrates and inhibitors to determine which substrates are being oxidized and the capacity of the alternative and cytochrome terminal oxidases. This protocol describes an isolation method of mitochondria from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves using continuous colloidal density gradients and an efficient respiratory measurements of purified plant mitochondria.

Analysis of Posttranslational Activation of Alternative Oxidase Isoforms

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) in plants is a non-proton-motive ubiquinol oxidase that is activated by redox mechanisms and 2-oxo acids. A comparative analysis of the AOX isoenzymes AOX1A, AOX1C, and AOX1D from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) revealed that cysteine residues, CysI and CysII, are both involved in 2-oxo acid activation, with AOX1A activity being more increased by 2-oxo acids than that of AOX1C and AOX1D. Substitution of cysteine in AOX1A by glutamate mimicked its activation by pyruvate or glyoxylate, but not in AOX1C and AOX1D. CysIII, only present in AOX1A, is not involved in activation by reduction or metabolites, but substitutions at this position affected activity. AOX1A carrying a serine residue at position CysI was activated by succinate, while correspondingly substituted variants of AOX1C and AOX1D were insensitive. Activation by glutamate at CysI and CysII is consistent with the formation of the thiohemiacetal, while succinate activation after changing CysI to serine suggests hemiacetal formation. Surprisingly, in AOX1A, replacement of CysI by alanine, which cannot form a (thio)hemiacetal, led to even higher activities, pointing to an alternative mechanism of activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AOX isoforms are differentially activated and that activation at CysI and CysII is additive.

Contribution of the Alternative Respiratory Pathway to PSII Photoprotection in C3 and C4 Plants

The mechanism by which the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway contributes to photosystem II (PSII) photoprotection is in dispute. It was generally thought that the AOX pathway protects photosystems by dissipating excess reducing equivalents exported from chloroplasts through the malate/oxaloacetate (Mal/OAA) shuttle and thus preventing the over-reduction of chloroplasts. In this study, using the aox1a Arabidopsis mutant and nine other C3 and C4 plant species, we revealed an additional action model of the AOX pathway in PSII photoprotection. Although the AOX pathway contributes to PSII photoprotection in C3 leaves treated with high light, this contribution was observed to disappear when photorespiration was suppressed. Disruption or inhibition of the AOX pathway significantly decreased the photorespiration in C3 leaves. Moreover, the AOX pathway did not respond to high light and contributed little to PSII photoprotection in C4 leaves possessing a highly active Mal/OAA shuttle but with little photorespiration. These results demonstrate that the AOX pathway contributes to PSII photoprotection in C3 plants by maintaining photorespiration to detoxify glycolate and via the indirect export of excess reducing equivalents from chloroplasts by the Mal/OAA shuttle. This new action model explains why the AOX pathway does not contribute to PSII photoprotection in C4 plants.

Ferredoxin:NADP(H) Oxidoreductase Abundance and Location Influences Redox Poise and Stress Tolerance

In linear photosynthetic electron transport, ferredoxin:NADP(H) oxidoreductase (FNR) transfers electrons from ferredoxin (Fd) to NADP⁺ Both NADPH and reduced Fd (Fd^red) are required for reductive assimilation and light/dark activation/deactivation of enzymes. FNR is therefore a hub, connecting photosynthetic electron transport to chloroplast redox metabolism. A correlation between FNR content and tolerance to oxidative stress is well established, although the precise mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the impact of altered FNR content and localization on electron transport and superoxide radical evolution in isolated thylakoids, and probed resulting changes in redox homeostasis, expression of oxidative stress markers, and tolerance to high light in planta. Our data indicate that the ratio of Fd^red to FNR is critical, with either too much or too little FNR potentially leading to increased superoxide production, and perception of oxidative stress at the level of gene transcription. In FNR overexpressing plants, which show more NADP(H) and glutathione pools, improved tolerance to high-light stress indicates that disturbance of chloroplast redox poise and increased free radical generation may help "prime" the plant and induce protective mechanisms. In fnr1 knock-outs, the NADP(H) and glutathione pools are more oxidized relative to the wild type, and the photoprotective effect is absent despite perception of oxidative stress at the level of gene transcription.

Refined method to study the posttranslational regulation of alternative oxidases from Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro

In isolated membranes, posttranslational regulation of quinol oxidase activities can only be determined simultaneously for all oxidases - quinol oxidases as well as cytochrome c oxidases - because of their identical localization. In this study, a refined method to determine the specific activity of a single quinol oxidase is exemplarily described for the alternative oxidase (AOX) isoform AOX1A from Arabidopsis thaliana and its corresponding mutants, using the respiratory chain of an Escherichia coli cytochrome bo and bd-I oxidase double mutant as a source to provide electrons necessary for O2 reduction via quinol oxidases. A highly sensitive and reproducible experimental set-up with prolonged linear time intervals of up to 60 s is presented, which enables the determination of constant activity rates in E. coli membrane vesicles enriched in the quinol oxidase of interest by heterologous expression, using a Clark-type oxygen electrode to continuously follow O2 consumption. For the calculation of specific quinol oxidase activity, activity rates were correlated with quantitative signal intensity determinations of AOX1A present in a membrane-bound state by immunoblot analyses, simultaneously enabling normalization of specific activities between different AOX proteins. In summary, the method presented is a powerful tool to study specific activities of individual quinol oxidases, like the different AOX isoforms, and their corresponding mutants upon modification by addition of effectors/inhibitors, and thus to characterize their individual mode of posttranslational regulation in a membranous environment.

Importance of the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway in regulating cellular redox and ROS homeostasis to optimize photosynthesis during restriction of the cytochrome oxidase pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The importance of the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway, particularly AOX1A, in optimizing photosynthesis during de-etiolation, under elevated CO2, low temperature, high light or combined light and drought stress is well documented. In the present study, the role of AOX1A in optimizing photosynthesis was investigated when electron transport through the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) pathway was restricted at complex III.

METHODS

Leaf discs of wild-type (WT) and aox1a knock-out mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were treated with antimycin A (AA) under growth-light conditions. To identify the impact of AOX1A deficiency in optimizing photosynthesis, respiratory O2 uptake and photosynthesis-related parameters were measured along with changes in redox couples, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and expression levels of genes related to respiration, the malate valve and the antioxidative system.

KEY RESULTS

In the absence of AA, aox1a knock-out mutants did not show any difference in physiological, biochemical or molecular parameters compared with WT. However, after AA treatment, aox1a plants showed a significant reduction in both respiratory O2 uptake and NaHCO3-dependent O2 evolution. Chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 studies revealed that in contrast to WT, aox1a knock-out plants were incapable of maintaining electron flow in the chloroplastic electron transport chain, and thereby inefficient heat dissipation (low non-photochemical quenching) was observed. Furthermore, aox1a mutants exhibited significant disturbances in cellular redox couples of NAD(P)H and ascorbate (Asc) and consequently accumulation of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. By contrast, WT plants showed a significant increase in transcript levels of CSD1, CAT1, sAPX, COX15 and AOX1A in contrast to aox1a mutants.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that AOX1A plays a significant role in sustaining the chloroplastic redox state and energization to optimize photosynthesis by regulating cellular redox homeostasis and ROS generation when electron transport through the COX pathway is disturbed at complex III.

The plastid-localized NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase is crucial for energy homeostasis in developing Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

In the absence of photosynthesis, ATP is imported into chloroplasts and non-green plastids by ATP/ADP transporters or formed during glycolysis, the latter requiring continuous regeneration of NAD(+), supplied by the plastidial isoform of NAD-MDH. During screening for T-DNA insertion mutants in the plNAD-MDH gene of Arabidopsis, only heterozygous plants could be isolated and homozygous knockout mutants grew only after complementation. These heterozygous plants show higher transcript levels of an alternative NAD(+)-regenerating enzyme, NADH-GOGAT, and, remarkably, improved growth when ammonium is the sole N-source. In situ hybridization and GUS-histochemical staining revealed that plNAD-MDH was particularly abundant in male and female gametophytes. Knockout plNAD-MDH pollen exhibit impaired tube growth in vitro, which can be overcome by adding the substrates of NADH-GOGAT. In vivo, knockout pollen is able to fertilize the egg cell. Young siliques of selfed heterozygous plants contain both green and white seeds corresponding to wild-type/heterozygous (green) and homozygous knockout mutants (white) in a (1:2):1 ratio. Embryos of the homozygous knockout seeds only reached the globular stage, did not green, and developed to tiny wrinkled seeds. Complementation with the gene under the native promoter rescued this defect, and all seeds developed as wild-type. This suggests that a blocked major physiological process in plNAD-MDH mutants stops both embryo and endosperm development, thus avoiding assimilate investment in compromised offspring.

Pollen tube growth: where does the energy come from?

This review focuses on the energy metabolism during pollen maturation and tube growth and updates current knowledge. Pollen tube growth is essential for male reproductive success and extremely fast. Therefore, pollen development and tube growth are high energy-demanding processes. During the last years, various publications (including research papers and reviews) emphasize the importance of mitochondrial respiration and fermentation during male gametogenesis and pollen tube elongation. These pathways obviously contribute to satisfy the high energy demand, and there are many studies which suggest that respiration and fermentation are the only pathways to generate the needed energy. Here, we review data which show for the first time that in addition plastidial glycolysis and the balancing of the ATP/NAD(P)H ratio (by malate valves and NAD(+) biosynthesis) contribute to satisfy the energy demand during pollen development. Although the importance of energy generation by plastids was discounted during the last years (possibly due to the controversial opinion about their existence in pollen grains and pollen tubes), the available data underline their prime role during pollen maturation and tube growth.

Lack of malate valve capacities lead to improved N-assimilation and growth in transgenic A. thaliana plants

In this study we analyzed the relationship between malate valve capacities, N-assimilation, and energy metabolism. We used transgenic plants either lacking the chloroplast NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase or mutants with a decreased transcript level of the plastid-localized NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase. Plants were grown on nitrate or ammonium, respectively, as the sole N-source and transcripts were analyzed by qRT-PCR. We could show that the lack of malate valve capacities enhances N-assimilation and plastidial glycolysis by increasing transcript levels of Fd-GOGATs or NADH-GOGAT and plastidic NAD-GAPDHs (GapCps), respectively. Based on our results, we conclude that the lack of malate valve capacities is balanced by an increase of the activity of plastid-localized glycolysis in order to cover the high demand for plastidial ATP, stressing the importance of the plastids for energy metabolism in plant cells.

Multiple strategies to prevent oxidative stress in Arabidopsis plants lacking the malate valve enzyme NADP-malate dehydrogenase

The nuclear-encoded chloroplast NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) is a key enzyme controlling the malate valve, to allow the indirect export of reducing equivalents. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. T-DNA insertion mutants of NADP-MDH were used to assess the role of the light-activated NADP-MDH in a typical C(3) plant. Surprisingly, even when exposed to high-light conditions in short days, nadp-mdh knockout mutants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild type. The photosynthetic performance and typical antioxidative systems, such as the Beck-Halliwell-Asada pathway, were barely affected in the mutants in response to high-light treatment. The reactive oxygen species levels remained low, indicating the apparent absence of oxidative stress, in the mutants. Further analysis revealed a novel combination of compensatory mechanisms in order to maintain redox homeostasis in the nadp-mdh plants under high-light conditions, particularly an increase in the NTRC/2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) system in chloroplasts. There were indications of adjustments in extra-chloroplastic components of photorespiration and proline levels, which all could dissipate excess reducing equivalents, sustain photosynthesis, and prevent photoinhibition in nadp-mdh knockout plants. Such metabolic flexibility suggests that the malate valve acts in concert with other NADPH-consuming reactions to maintain a balanced redox state during photosynthesis under high-light stress in wild-type plants.