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Mitochondrial numbers increase during glucose deprivation in the slime mold Physarum polycephalum

Christina Oettmeier1, Hans-Günther Döbereiner2

  • 1Institut für Biophysik, Universität Bremen, NW1 Raum N4260, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany. coettmeier@biophysik.uni-bremen.de.

Protoplasma
|July 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Glucose deprivation triggers a transformation in Physarum polycephalum slime mold, increasing mitochondria numbers. This suggests mitochondria are key to metabolic adaptation when glucose is unavailable.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Slime molds exhibit remarkable adaptability to environmental changes.
  • Glucose availability significantly impacts cellular metabolism and morphology.
  • Physarum polycephalum serves as a model organism for studying cellular responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ultrastructural changes in Physarum polycephalum under glucose deprivation.
  • To determine the role of mitochondria in the adaptation of slime mold to nutrient scarcity.
  • To explore the correlation between mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic state.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative ultrastructural analysis of starved and non-starved Physarum polycephalum plasmodia.
  • Mitochondrial counting and volume determination using electron microscopy.
  • Analysis of metabolic pathways and potential regulatory cues.

Main Results:

  • Glucose-deprived mesoplasmodia showed a significant increase in the number of mitochondria compared to non-starved plasmodia.
  • The volume of individual mitochondria remained consistent across both conditions.
  • This suggests mitochondrial proliferation, not enlargement, is the adaptive response.

Conclusions:

  • Increased mitochondrial numbers in glucose-deprived Physarum polycephalum indicate a shift towards mitochondrial respiration.
  • Mitochondrial biogenesis may be stimulated by catabolic cues like AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in response to glucose absence.
  • This adaptation allows the slime mold to utilize alternative metabolic pathways for survival.
Keywords:
AMPKGlucose deprivationMitochondriaPhysarum polycephalumStereology

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