Alternative oxidase production in Neurospora crassa

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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. In addition, identification of the molecules involved in the signaling process for alternative oxidase expression may provide targets for chemical inhibitors to reduce fungal virulence in plant and animal pathogens.