Poster: Organelle Biogenesis
Abs #
1150: Transcript profiling of the alternative oxidase gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana
In addition to the main components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain common to most eukaryotes, plants possess additional components including several external NAD(P)H dehydrogenase and an alternative oxidase (Aox). The alternative oxidase is derived from a single gene product, yet in most plants Aox is encoded by a multi-gene family. Despite intense interest, the functional significance of the alternative oxidase and why multiple Aox genes exist in most plant genomes remains inconclusive.
In this study we focused on the alternative oxidase of Arabidopsis thaliana. The nuclear Arabidopsis genome contains five alternative oxidase genes (AtAox’s). Previous studies have suggested the expression profiles of these genes may differ. In this study we extend this proposal using real-time PCR to examine the expression of each of the Aox gene-family members in Arabidopsis in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between them.
Using real-time PCR to look at transcript abundance we create a map of the transcript profile of each of the Aox genes over the development of a range of Arabidopsis tissues and an Arabidopsis suspension cell culture. By extending this transcript profile to include the response the Aox genes in an Arabidopsis cell culture to a range of abiotic treatments we can begin to discuss how the regulation of each of the Aox genes may differ and the roles of each of the Aox genes in Arabidopsis.
Thus this study creates a background for further understanding of the regulation of nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins and facilitates the discussion of the functional significance of the different members of the Aox gene family in Arabidopsis.
