Three different genes encode the iron-sulfur subunit of succinate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana

Pablo Figueroa, Gabriel León, Alvaro Elorza, Loreto Holuigue, Xavier Jordana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The iron-sulfur protein is an essential component of mitochondrial complex II (succinate dehydrogenase, SDH), which is a functional enzyme of both the citric acid cycle and the respiratory, electron transport chain. This protein is encoded by a single-copy nuclear gene in mammals and fungi and by a mitochondrial gene in Rhodophyta and the protist Reclinomonas americana. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the homologous protein is now found to be encoded by three nuclear genes. Two genes (sdh2-1 and sdh2-2) likely arose from a relatively recent duplication event since they have similar structures, encode nearly identical proteins and show similar expression patterns. Both genes are interrupted by a single intron located at a conserved position. Expression was detected in all tissues analysed, with the highest steady-state mRNA levels found in flowers and inflorescences. In contrast, the third gene (sdh2-3) is interrupted by 4 introns, is expressed at a low level, and encodes a SDH2-3 protein which is only 67% similar to SDH2-1 and SDH2-2 and has a different N-terminal presequence. Interestingly, the proteins encoded by these three genes are probably functional because they are highly conserved compared with their homologues in other organisms. These proteins contain the cysteine motifs involved binding the three iron-sulfur clusters essential for electron transport. Furthermore, the three polypeptides are found to be imported into isolated plant mitochondria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-250
Number of pages10
JournalPlant Molecular Biology
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Arabidopsis thaliana
  • Iron-sulfur subunit
  • Mitochondrial targeting
  • Plant mitochondria
  • Respiratory complex II
  • Succinate dehydrogenase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Genetics
  • Plant Science

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