Premium
Growth and senescence of Medicago truncatula cultured cells are associated with characteristic mitochondrial morphology
Author(s) -
Zottini Michela,
Barizza Elisabetta,
Bastianelli Fiorenza,
Carimi Francesco,
Lo Schiavo Fiorella
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01830.x
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , biology , senescence , mitochondrion , medicago truncatula , organelle , programmed cell death , cytoplasm , cell culture , cell , cell growth , apoptosis , genetics , symbiosis , bacteria
Summary• Here mitochondrial morphology and dynamics were investigated in Medicago truncatula cell‐suspension cultures during growth and senescence. • Cell biology techniques were used to measure cell growth and death in culture. Mitochondrial morphology was investigated in vivo using a membrane potential sensor probe coupled with confocal microscopy. • Expression of a senescence‐associated gene ( MtSAG ) was evaluated in different cell‐growth phases. Mitochondria appeared as numerous, punctuate organelles in cells at the beginning of the subculture cycle, while interconnected networks were observed in actively growing cells. In senescent cells, giant mitochondria were associated with dying cells. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was detected in different growth phases of cultured cells. • Studies on plant cell cultures allowed us to identify physiological and molecular markers of senescence and cell death, and to associate distinct mitochondrial morphology with cells under different physiological conditions.