Genetics, Vol. 162, 1147-1156, November 2002, Copyright © 2002

Maintenance of Mitochondrial Morphology Is Linked to Maintenance of the Mitochondrial Genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Theodor Hanekampa, Mary K. Thorsnessa, Indrani Rebbapragadaa, Elizabeth M. Fishera, Corrine Seebarta, Monica R. Darlanda, Jennifer A. Coxbilla, Dustin L. Updikea, and Peter E. Thorsnessa
a Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3944

Corresponding author: Peter E. Thorsness, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3944., thorsnes{at}uwyo.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: M. JOHNSTON

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, certain mutant alleles of YME4, YME6, and MDM10 cause an increased rate of mitochondrial DNA migration to the nucleus, carbon-source-dependent alterations in mitochondrial morphology, and increased rates of mitochondrial DNA loss. While single mutants grow on media requiring mitochondrial respiration, any pairwise combination of these mutations causes a respiratory-deficient phenotype. This double-mutant phenotype allowed cloning of YME6, which is identical to MMM1 and encodes an outer mitochondrial membrane protein essential for maintaining normal mitochondrial morphology. Yeast strains bearing null mutations of MMM1 have altered mitochondrial morphology and a slow growth rate on all carbon sources and quantitatively lack mitochondrial DNA. Extragenic suppressors of MMM1 deletion mutants partially restore mitochondrial morphology to the wild-type state and have a corresponding increase in growth rate and mitochondrial DNA stability. A dominant suppressor also suppresses the phenotypes caused by a point mutation in MMM1, as well as by specific mutations in YME4 and MDM10.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GeneticsHome page
R. L. Frederick, K. Okamoto, and J. M. Shaw
Multiple Pathways Influence Mitochondrial Inheritance in Budding Yeast
Genetics, February 1, 2008; 178(2): 825 - 837.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Cell Biol.Home page
D. K. Hwang, S. M. Claypool, D. Leuenberger, H. L. Tienson, and C. M. Koehler
Tim54p connects inner membrane assembly and proteolytic pathways in the mitochondrion
J. Cell Biol., September 24, 2007; 178(7): 1161 - 1175.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Cell Biol.Home page
K. S. Dimmer, S. Jakobs, F. Vogel, K. Altmann, and B. Westermann
Mdm31 and Mdm32 are inner membrane proteins required for maintenance of mitochondrial shape and stability of mitochondrial DNA nucleoids in yeast
J. Cell Biol., January 3, 2005; 168(1): 103 - 115.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol. Biol. CellHome page
S. W. Gorsich and J. M. Shaw
Importance of Mitochondrial Dynamics During Meiosis and Sporulation
Mol. Biol. Cell, October 1, 2004; 15(10): 4369 - 4381.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Cell Sci.Home page
P. D. Gavin, M. Prescott, S. E. Luff, and R. J. Devenish
Cross-linking ATP synthase complexes in vivo eliminates mitochondrial cristae
J. Cell Sci., May 1, 2004; 117(11): 2333 - 2343.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol. Biol. CellHome page
I. R. Boldogh, D. W. Nowakowski, H.-C. Yang, H. Chung, S. Karmon, P. Royes, and L. A. Pon
A Protein Complex Containing Mdm10p, Mdm12p, and Mmm1p Links Mitochondrial Membranes and DNA to the Cytoskeleton-based Segregation Machinery
Mol. Biol. Cell, November 1, 2003; 14(11): 4618 - 4627.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]