The PET1-CMS mitochondrial mutation in sunflower is associated with premature programmed cell death and cytochrome c release

Modulation of a plant mitochondrial K+ATP channel and its involvement in cytochrome c release

Pea stem mitochondria, resuspended in a KCl medium (de-energized mitochondria), underwent a swelling, as a consequence of K+ entry, that was inhibited by ATP. This inhibition was partially restored by GTP and diazoxide (K+ATP channel openers). In addition, glyburide and 5-hydroxydecanate (K+ATP channel blockers) induced an inhibition of the GTP-stimulated swelling. Mitochondrial swelling was inhibited by H2O2, but stimulated by NO. The same type of responses was also obtained in succinate-energized mitochondria. When the succinate-dependent transmembrane electrical potential (deltapsi) had reached a steady state, the addition of KCl induced a dissipation that was inhibited by H2O2 and stimulated by NO. The latter stimulation was prevented by carboxy-PTIO, a NO scavenger. Phenylarsine oxide (a thiol oxidant) and NEM (a thiol blocker) stimulated the KCl-induced dissipation of deltapsi, while DTE prevented this effect in both cases. In addition, DTE transiently inhibited the NO-induced dissipation of deltapsi, but then it caused a more rapid collapse. These results, therefore, show that the plant mitochondrial K+ATP channel resembles that present in mammalian mitochondria and that it appears to be modulated by dithiol-disulfide interconversion, NO and H2O2. The aperture of this channel was linked to the partial rupture of the outer membrane. The latter effect led to a release of cytochrome c, thus suggesting that this release may be involved in the manifestation of programmed cell death.

Occurrence and characteristics of the mitochondrial permeability transition in plants

The behavior of purified potato mitochondria toward the main effectors of the animal mitochondrial permeability transition has been studied by light scattering, fluorescence, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting techniques. The addition of Ca(2+) induces a phosphate-dependent swelling that is fully inhibited by cyclosporin A if dithioerythritol is present. Mg(2+) cannot be substituted for Ca(2+) but competes with it. Disruption of the outer membrane and release of several proteins, including cytochrome c, occur upon completion of swelling. Ca(2+)-induced swelling is delayed and its rate is decreased when pH is shifted from 7.4 to 6.6. It is accelerated by diamide, phenylarsine oxide, and linolenic acid. In the absence of Ca(2+), however, linolenic acid (< or =20 microm) rapidly dissipates the succinate-driven membrane potential while having no effect on mitochondrial volume. Anoxic conditions favor in vitro swelling and the concomitant release of cytochrome c and of other proteins in a pH-dependent way. These data indicate that the classical mitochondrial permeability transition occurs also in plants. This may have important implications for our understanding of cell stress and death processes.