Mitochondrial movement during its association with chloroplasts in Arabidopsis thaliana

Commun Biol. 2021 Mar 5;4(1):292. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01833-8.

Abstract

Plant mitochondria move dynamically inside cells and this movement is classified into two types: directional movement, in which mitochondria travel long distances, and wiggling, in which mitochondria travel short distances. However, the underlying mechanisms and roles of both types of mitochondrial movement, especially wiggling, remain to be determined. Here, we used confocal laser-scanning microscopy to quantitatively characterize mitochondrial movement (rate and trajectory) in Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll cells. Directional movement leading to long-distance migration occurred at high speed with a low angle-change rate, whereas wiggling leading to short-distance migration occurred at low speed with a high angle-change rate. The mean square displacement (MSD) analysis could separate these two movements. Directional movement was dependent on filamentous actin (F-actin), whereas mitochondrial wiggling was not, but slightly influenced by F-actin. In mesophyll cells, mitochondria could migrate by wiggling, and most of these mitochondria associated with chloroplasts. Thus, mitochondria migrate via F-actin-independent wiggling under the influence of F-actin during their association with chloroplasts in Arabidopsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Chloroplast Proton-Translocating ATPases / genetics
  • Chloroplast Proton-Translocating ATPases / metabolism
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism
  • Chloroplasts / physiology*
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mesophyll Cells / metabolism
  • Mesophyll Cells / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / physiology*
  • Movement*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / physiology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Time-Lapse Imaging

Substances

  • Actins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Chloroplast Proton-Translocating ATPases