Characterization of PHB1 and its role in mitochondrial maturation and yolk platelet degradation during development of Artemia embryos

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 13;9(10):e109152. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109152. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Background: To cope with harsh environments, crustaceans such as Artemia produce diapause gastrula embryos (cysts) with suppressed metabolism. Metabolism and development resume during post-diapause development, but the mechanism behind these cellular events remains largely unknown.

Principal finding: Our study investigated the role of prohibitin 1 (PHB1) in metabolic reinitiation during post-diapause development. We found that PHB1 was developmentally regulated via changes in phosphorylation status and localization. Results from RNA interference experiments demonstrated PHB1 to be critical for mitochondrial maturation and yolk degradation during development. In addition, PHB1 was present in yolk platelets, and it underwent ubiquitin-mediated degradation during the proteolysis of yolk protein.

Conclusions/significance: PHB1 has an indispensable role in coordinating mitochondrial maturation and yolk platelet degradation during development in Artemia. This novel function of PHB1 provides new clues to comprehend the roles of PHB1 in metabolism and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artemia
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Prohibitins
  • RNA Interference
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Prohibitins
  • Repressor Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270424), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2012CB944903), and 863 programs of China (2012AA10A401). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.