Photosynthetic demands on translational machinery drive retention of redundant tRNA metabolism in plant organelles.

Eukaryotic nuclear genomes often encode distinct sets of translation machinery for function in the cytosol vs. organelles (mitochondria and plastids). This raises questions about why multiple translation systems are maintained even though they are capable of comparable functions and whether they evolve differently depending on the compartment where they operate.

Dynamic motion of mitochondria, plastids, and NAD(P)H zoning in Arabidopsis pollen tubes.

Pollen tubes consume a tremendous amount of energy and are the fastest-growing cells known in plants. Mitochondria are key organelles that supply energy and play important roles in modulating cellular redox homeostasis. Here, we found that endogenous NAD(P)H in Arabidopsis pollen tubes was spatially highly correlated with the distribution of mitochondria, both peaking in the subapex region.

Exchange on dynamic encounter networks allows plant mitochondria to collect complete sets of mitochondrial DNA products despite their incomplete genomes.

Mitochondria in plant cells usually contain less than a full copy of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome. Here, we asked whether mitochondrial dynamics may allow individual mitochondria to 'collect' a full set of mtDNA-encoded gene products over time, by facilitating exchange between individuals akin to trade on a social network. We characterise the collective dynamics of mitochondria in hypocotyl cells using a recent approach combining single-cell time-lapse microscopy, video analysis and network science.

Evolutionary inference across eukaryotes identifies universal features shaping organelle gene retention.

Mitochondria and plastids power complex life. Why some genes and not others are retained in their organelle DNA (oDNA) genomes remains a debated question. Here, we attempt to identify the properties of genes and associated underlying mechanisms that determine oDNA retention.

Avoiding organelle mutational meltdown across eukaryotes with or without a germline bottleneck.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and plastid DNA (ptDNA) encode vital bioenergetic apparatus, and mutations in these organelle DNA (oDNA) molecules can be devastating. In the germline of several animals, a genetic "bottleneck" increases cell-to-cell variance in mtDNA heteroplasmy, allowing purifying selection to act to maintain low proportions of mutant mtDNA. However, most eukaryotes do not sequester a germline early in development, and even the animal bottleneck remains poorly understood.