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mt-mRNA stability regulates the expression of the mitochondrial genome during liver development
L K Ostronoff1, J M Izquierdo, J M Cuezva
1Departamento de Biología Molecular, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (C.S.I.C.-U.A.M.), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
We have recently reported that regulation of the expression of the nuclear-encoded beta-F1-ATPase gene during development of rat liver is exerted also by the control of beta-F1-ATPase mRNA decay (Izquierdo, J.M., Ricart, J., Ostronoff, L.K., Egea, G. and Cuezva, J.M. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 10342-10350). In this paper, we report that high steady-state levels of the mitochondrial encoded mRNAs for subunits of the ATP synthase (ATP 6-8) in developing liver result from profound changes in the stability of the mitochondrial transcripts. The results strongly suggest that developmental regulation of nuclear and mitochondrial genes during biogenesis of mammalian mitochondria is concertedly controlled by a posttranscriptional mechanism that involves the regulation of mRNA degradation of both genomes.
Insights
Regulation of mitochondrial gene expression in developing rat liver involves mRNA stability control. This posttranscriptional mechanism coordinates nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression during mitochondrial biogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Nuclear-encoded beta-F1-ATPase gene expression in rat liver development is regulated by mRNA decay.
- Mitochondrial biogenesis involves coordinated expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of mitochondrial-encoded ATP synthase (ATP 6-8) mRNA levels during rat liver development.
- To determine if mRNA stability plays a role in regulating mitochondrial gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of steady-state levels of mitochondrial-encoded mRNAs (ATP 6-8) in developing rat liver.
- Assessment of the stability of mitochondrial transcripts.
Main Results:
- High steady-state levels of mitochondrial-encoded ATP synthase (ATP 6-8) mRNAs in developing liver are due to altered transcript stability.
- Developmental regulation of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes during mitochondrial biogenesis is controlled by mRNA degradation.
Conclusions:
- Posttranscriptional regulation via mRNA degradation is a key mechanism controlling gene expression during mammalian mitochondrial biogenesis.
- Nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression are concertedly regulated at the posttranscriptional level during liver development.