Finally, after 2 billion years, the mitochondrion is part of the general cellular regulation

Abstract

Billions of years have passed since the fusion event that gave rise to current eukaryotes and their energy producing mitochondria. During that time, the mitochondria, a once free living alpha proteo-bacterium, lost most of its genetic material and became dependent on the cell for its biogenesis. Only 37 genes, which are important for energy metabolism and mitochondrial protein translation, were retained in the current small circular mitochondrial genome. Hence, mitochondrial DNA replication, transcription and post transcriptional regulation are controlled by proteins that are currently encoded by the cell nucleus. It was believed that only a handful of mitochondrial dedicated proteins control mitochondrial function. Hence, one could argue that mitochondria are regulated separately from the rest of the cell. In this talk we will present findings supporting the hypothesis that mitochondria are not only regulated by dedicated factors but are also part of the general cellular regulatory system. We will demonstrate that focusing on mitochondrial DNA transcription and RNA editing. Hence, the long co-existence of the ancient prokaryote within our cells was accompanied by regulatory adaptation.

Date
Location
519 Wartik Lab at University Park; with video to room CG623 at Hershey
Event
Seminar