Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Isolation and Respiratory Measurements of Mitochondria from Arabidopsis thaliana
09:54

Isolation and Respiratory Measurements of Mitochondria from Arabidopsis thaliana

Published on: January 5, 2018

16.1K

Arabidopsis mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel 3 (AtVDAC3) protein interacts with thioredoxin m2

Min Zhang1, Tetsuo Takano2, Shenkui Liu1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration in Oil Field (SAVER), Ministry of Education, Alkali Soil Natural Environmental Science Center (ASNESC), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.

FEBS Letters
|April 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Arabidopsis voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) and thioredoxin m2 (AtTrx m2) interact in mitochondria and influence plant stress responses. AtVDAC3 exacerbates NaCl stress, while AtTrx m2 confers resistance by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Area of Science:

  • Plant molecular biology
  • Mitochondrial and chloroplast function
  • Abiotic stress physiology

Background:

  • Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) are crucial for mitochondrial outer membrane transport.
  • Thioredoxins are key regulators of cellular redox homeostasis.
  • The interaction and specific roles of Arabidopsis VDAC3 (AtVDAC3) and thioredoxin m2 (AtTrx m2) in stress response remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between Arabidopsis AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2.
  • To elucidate their individual and combined roles in response to abiotic stress, particularly NaCl.
  • To determine their involvement in reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast two-hybrid screening to identify protein-protein interactions.
  • Pull-down assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) to confirm and localize interactions.
  • Analysis of gene expression under abiotic stress conditions.
  • Overexpression studies in Arabidopsis to assess physiological responses to NaCl stress, including growth and H2O2 levels.

Main Results:

  • A direct interaction between AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2 was identified and localized to mitochondria.
  • Both AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2 transcripts are expressed in various tissues and induced by abiotic stress.
  • AtVDAC3 overexpression inhibited growth and increased H2O2 accumulation under NaCl stress.
  • AtTrx m2 overexpression enhanced NaCl tolerance and reduced H2O2 levels.

Conclusions:

  • AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2 are mitochondrially localized proteins involved in ROS signaling.
  • They play opposing roles in the plant's response to NaCl-induced abiotic stress.
  • AtTrx m2 may act as a protective factor against oxidative stress during salinity challenges.
Keywords:
Chloroplast thioredoxinMitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channelNaCl stressProtein interaction

More Related Videos

Protein-protein Interactions Visualized by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation in Tobacco Protoplasts and Leaves11:10

Protein-protein Interactions Visualized by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation in Tobacco Protoplasts and Leaves

Published on: March 9, 2014

22.0K
Assessment of Open Probability of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in the Setting of Coenzyme Q Excess07:35

Assessment of Open Probability of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in the Setting of Coenzyme Q Excess

Published on: June 1, 2022

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
13.8K
Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane01:18

Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane

Proteins targeted to the inner chloroplast membrane, or plastid proteins, are transported by two general pathways: the stop-transfer and the re-insertion or post-import pathways. Most plastid proteins carry N-terminal transit sequences and internal import sequences targeting it to the specific chloroplast subcompartment. Proteins targeted by the stop-transfer pathway have internal hydrophobic sequences that inhibit their translocation into the stroma. As a result, these precursors are arrested...
2.6K
Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

Energy to Drive Translocation

Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
3.0K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV01:43

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...
9.9K
ATP Synthase: Structure01:18

ATP Synthase: Structure

ATP synthase or ATPase is among the most conserved proteins found in bacteria, mammals, and plants. This enzyme can catalyze a forward reaction in response to the electrochemical gradient, producing ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP synthase can also work in a reverse direction by hydrolyzing ATP and generating an electrochemical gradient. Different forms of ATP synthases have evolved special features to meet the specific demands of the cell. Based on their specific feature, ATP...
18.0K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
19.7K