The mitochondrial proteome of the model legume Medicago truncatula

authored by: Juri Dubinin, Hans Peter Braun, Udo Schmitz, Frank Colditz
Abstract: Legumes carry out special biochemical functions, e.g. the fixation of molecular nitrogen based on a symbiosis with proteobacteria. At the cellular level, this symbiosis has to be implemented into the energy metabolism of the host cell. To provide a basis for future analyses, we have characterized the protein complement of mitochondria of the model legume Medicago truncatula using two-dimensional isoelectric focussing (IEF) and blue-native (BN)-SDS-PAGE. While the IEF reference map resulted mainly in resolution of those proteins associated with the mitochondrial matrix, the BN proteomic map allowed separation of protein subunits from the respiratory chain protein complexes, which are located in the organelle's inner membrane. The M. truncatula mitochondrial BN reference map revealed some striking similarities to the one from Arabidopsis thaliana but at the same time exhibited also some special features: complex II is of increased abundance and additionally represented by a low molecular mass form not reported for Arabidopsis. Furthermore three highly abundant forms of prohibitin complexes are present in the mitochondrial proteome of M. truncatula. Special features with respect to mitochondrial protein complexes might reflect adaptations of legumes to elevated cellular energy requirements enabling them to develop symbiotic interactions with rhizobial bacteria.
Organisation(s): Section Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Proteomics
Type: Article
Journal: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Proteins and Proteomics
Volume: 1814
Pages: 1658-1668
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 1570-9639
Publication date: 22.08.2011
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.08.008 (Access: Unknown)