PeFtsH5 negatively regulates the biological stress response in Phalaenopsis equestris mitochondria

Mitochondrial homeostasis plays a crucial role in determining cell fate by direct influence on cell apoptosis and autophagy. The ATP and Zn²⁺-dependent protease FtsH are of paramount importance in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. In Phalaenopsis equestris, three mitochondrial FtsH proteases were identified, one of which was encoded by the PeFtsH5 gene. This gene encoded a distinctive mitochondrial protein featuring a unique domain within the FtsH family. Down-regulating the expression of the PeFtsH5 homolog in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in elevated expression levels of SA synthesis-related genes, leading to enhanced disease resistance. However, this down-regulation also caused cellular damage. Similarly, in P. equestris, the down-regulation of PeFtsH5 expression promoted the expression of defense response genes, leading to accelerated apoptosis and increased ROS levels. Nonetheless, this down-regulation also positively influenced plant resistance to biotic stress. Notably, the PeFtsH5 (i-AAA) protein, as revealed by dual membrane experiments, could form homopolymers exclusively, as it did not interact with the other two mitochondrial FtsH proteases. Consequently, this mitochondrial FtsH protease functioned as a homopolymer within P. equestris cells. The findings of this study elucidated the role of PeFtsH5 in responding to biological stress and provided new insights into its potential molecular mechanism. The result presented in this study hold promise for future research endeavors examining the regulatory effects of mitochondrial proteases on mitochondrial homeostasis and the development of stress-resistant P. equestris varieties through breeding programs.