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DRP3 and ELM1 are required for mitochondrial fission in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

Nagisa Nagaoka1, Akihiro Yamashita1, Rina Kurisu1

  • 1Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.

Scientific Reports
|July 6, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial fission in liverworts relies on MpDRP3 and MpELM1, but not MpFIS1 or PMD. This study reveals key differences in plant mitochondrial division factors.

Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Cell biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial fission is essential for cell division and organelle distribution.
  • Arabidopsis thaliana utilizes DRP3, FIS1, ELM1, and PMD genes for mitochondrial fission.
  • Understanding conserved and divergent fission mechanisms across land plants is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate mitochondrial fission factors in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.
  • To compare M. polymorpha's fission machinery with that of other land plants, particularly Arabidopsis thaliana.
  • To identify conserved and plant-specific genes involved in mitochondrial division.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of M. polymorpha homologues for known Arabidopsis fission genes (DRP3, FIS1, ELM1, PMD).
  • Localization studies of MpDRP3, MpFIS1, and MpELM1 using citrine-fusion proteins.
  • Generation and analysis of knockout mutants for MpDRP3, MpFIS1, and MpELM1.

Main Results:

  • M. polymorpha possesses homologues for DRP3, FIS1, and ELM1, but lacks a PMD homologue.
  • MpDRP3 and MpELM1 localize to mitochondria.
  • Mutants lacking MpDRP3 or MpELM1 exhibit slow growth and networked mitochondria, indicating impaired fission.
  • MpFIS1 knockout mutants show no defects in growth or mitochondrial morphology.

Conclusions:

  • MpDRP3 and MpELM1 are essential for mitochondrial fission in Marchantia polymorpha.
  • M. polymorpha does not require MpFIS1 or a PMD homologue for mitochondrial fission.
  • These findings highlight diversity in mitochondrial fission mechanisms among land plants.

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