Alternative oxidase in Neurospora crassa

粗糙脉孢菌中的替代氧化酶

• 批准号: 3041-2008
• 负责人: Nargang, Frank
• 金额: $ 4.15万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=513114
• 关键词: Alternative; oxidase; Neurospora; crassa

Mitochondria are small organelles that exist within all cells of higher organisms. They perform many vital functions but are best known as sites of energy production. For this reason they are sometimes called "the powerhouse of the cell". Mitochondria contain many proteins and a few of these are coded by DNA that is housed within mitochondria. However, the vast majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded by genes that exist in the nucleus of the cell. Thus, communication must occur from mitochondria to the nucleus to insure the proper expression of those genes necessary for mitochondrial formation and function. My lab is attempting to identify the molecules that are used to enable this communication. As a model system we use a fungal protein called "alternative oxidase" which is encoded by a nuclear gene that is normally not expressed. However, when normal mitochondrial function is perturbed, the protein becomes highly expressed in response to signals emanating from the malfunctioning mitochondria which are sent to the nucleus. We study mutants that are unable to perform the signaling and attempt to identify the molecules or mechanisms that are disrupted in the mutants. We also hope to determine the nature of the molecule(s) that initiate the signaling process. Elucidation of the mechanism of alternative oxidase expression should serve as a general model for signaling from mitochondria to the nucleus.

线粒体是存在于高等生物所有细胞内的小细胞器。它们执行许多重要功能，但最为人所知的是能源生产场所。因此，它们有时被称为“细胞的发电站”。线粒体含有许多蛋白质，其中一些由线粒体内的DNA编码。然而，绝大多数线粒体蛋白质是由细胞核中存在的基因编码的。因此，通讯必须发生从线粒体到细胞核，以确保线粒体形成和功能所必需的那些基因的正确表达。我的实验室正在尝试识别用于实现这种通信的分子。作为一个模型系统，我们使用一种称为“替代氧化酶”的真菌蛋白质，它由一个通常不表达的核基因编码。然而，当正常的线粒体功能受到干扰时，该蛋白质响应于从故障线粒体发出的发送到细胞核的信号而高度表达。我们研究不能执行信号传导的突变体，并试图识别突变体中被破坏的分子或机制。我们还希望确定启动信号传导过程的分子的性质。阐明替代氧化酶表达的机制，应作为一个一般的模型，从线粒体到细胞核的信号。