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Plant Chloroplasts and Mitochondria: Key Organelles for Sustainable Agriculture

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2024 | Viewed by 1118

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CNR-IBBR, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
Interests: organelle genome analyses; genetic diversity; gene expression; retrograde signaling; cytoplasmic male sterility; plant biotechnology; molecular farming; model and crop species
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate changes strongly affect crop yield and quality. Although plants have evolved many physiological and biochemical responses at both cellular and organism levels to cope with multiple stresses, an in-depth knowledge of these defense mechanisms can help plant scientists to improve their adaptation strategies according to sustainable agriculture challenges. Chloroplasts and mitochondria carry out pivotal processes such as photosynthesis, primary and secondary metabolisms, energy production, cell homeostasis, etc. Their functioning relies on intricate crosstalk between nuclear and organelle genetic systems. These semi-autonomous organelles are highly sensitive to environmental cues, acting as stress sensors. Any alteration in their activity, caused by either biotic or abiotic factors, leads to a global defense response of the plant involving hormone, ROS, and other metabolic pathways activation. Despite the significant strides made to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying fundamental processes in genetic, genomic, and biotechnological studies over the past decades, there are still many unexplored points, especially in crops.

This Special Issue focuses on new advances in the fields of the genetics, genomics, metabolomics, and biotechnology of plant cytoplasmic organelles and their applicability for enhancing crop resilience under climate changes. This Special Issue is leading by Dr. Nunzia Scotti and assisting by our Topical Advisory Panel Member Dr. Rachele Tamburino (National Research Council of Italy).

Dr. Nunzia Scotti
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ‘omics’
  • photosynthesis
  • energy production
  • crops
  • climate change
  • sustainable agriculture
  • stress response
  • inter-organelle crosstalk
  • signaling networks
  • genetic engineering

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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27 pages, 11222 KiB  
Article
Mitochondrial ATP Synthase beta-Subunit Affects Plastid Retrograde Signaling in Arabidopsis
by Hao Liu, Zhixin Liu, Aizhi Qin, Yaping Zhou, Susu Sun, Yumeng Liu, Mengke Hu, Jincheng Yang and Xuwu Sun
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147829 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Plastid retrograde signaling plays a key role in coordinating the expression of plastid genes and photosynthesis-associated nuclear genes (PhANGs). Although plastid retrograde signaling can be substantially compromised by mitochondrial dysfunction, it is not yet clear whether specific mitochondrial factors are required to regulate [...] Read more.
Plastid retrograde signaling plays a key role in coordinating the expression of plastid genes and photosynthesis-associated nuclear genes (PhANGs). Although plastid retrograde signaling can be substantially compromised by mitochondrial dysfunction, it is not yet clear whether specific mitochondrial factors are required to regulate plastid retrograde signaling. Here, we show that mitochondrial ATP synthase beta-subunit mutants with decreased ATP synthase activity are impaired in plastid retrograde signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression levels of PhANGs were significantly higher in the mutants affected in the AT5G08670 gene encoding the mitochondrial ATP synthase beta-subunit, compared to wild-type (WT) seedlings when treated with lincomycin (LIN) or norflurazon (NF). Further studies indicated that the expression of nuclear genes involved in chloroplast and mitochondrial retrograde signaling was affected in the AT5G08670 mutant seedlings treated with LIN. These changes might be linked to the modulation of some transcription factors (TFs), such as LHY (Late Elongated Hypocotyl), PIF (Phytochrome-Interacting Factors), MYB, WRKY, and AP2/ERF (Ethylene Responsive Factors). These findings suggest that the activity of mitochondrial ATP synthase significantly influences plastid retrograde signaling. Full article
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16 pages, 5578 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Role of SlRNC1 in Chloroplast Development and Global Gene Regulation in Tomato Plants
by Yuxin Nie, Yuhong Zhang, Luyou Wang and Jian Wu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 6898; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136898 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 479
Abstract
RNC1, a plant-specific gene, is known for its involvement in splicing group II introns within maize chloroplast. However, its role in chloroplast development and global gene expression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of RNC1 in chloroplast development [...] Read more.
RNC1, a plant-specific gene, is known for its involvement in splicing group II introns within maize chloroplast. However, its role in chloroplast development and global gene expression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of RNC1 in chloroplast development and identify the genes that mediate its function in the development of entire tomato plants. Consistent with findings in maize, RNC1 silencing induced dwarfism and leaf whitening in tomato plants. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the RNC1 protein is localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the stress granule and chloroplasts. Electron microscopic examination of tomato leaf transverse sections exposed significant disruptions in the spatial arrangement of the thylakoid network upon RNC1 silencing, crucial for efficient light energy capture and conversion into chemical energy. Transcriptome analysis suggested that RNC1 silencing potentially impacts tomato plant development through genes associated with all three categories (biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions). Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the critical role of RNC1 in chloroplast development and its significance in plant physiology. Full article
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