Mitochondrial DNA, aconitase 'wraps' it up

Trends Biochem Sci. 2005 Jun;30(6):294-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2005.04.007.

Abstract

Mitochondria are the sites of many essential biochemical reactions, an important subset of which require proteins encoded in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). How mtDNA is regulated in response to changing cellular demands is largely unknown. A recent study documents that the mitochondrial TCA-cycle enzyme aconitase is associated with protein-mtDNA complexes called nucleoids. In this novel context, aconitase functions to stabilize mtDNA, perhaps by reversibly remodeling nucleoids to directly influence mitochondrial gene expression in response to changing cellular metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aconitate Hydratase / metabolism*
  • Citric Acid Cycle / physiology
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Enzymes / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • ABF2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enzymes
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Aconitate Hydratase