Abstract
The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), a major outer mitochondrial membrane protein, is thought to play an important role in energy production and apoptotic cell death in mammalian systems. However, the function of plant VDACs is largely unknown. We reported that VDACs are involved in non-host pathogen resistance and also in Bax-mediated cell death using Nicotiana benthamiana as host plant. These data suggest that plant mitochondria are important for plant defense and cell death regulation. In this study, we performed the molecular and genetic characterization of all VDAC genes present in A. thaliana through sub-cellular localization of their genes products, histochemical monitoring of promoter-GUS activity, and functional analysis of T-DNA knockout mutants. Moreover, we examined the defense potential of mitochondrial vdac1 knockout plants against bacterial pathogens. Based on these results, we discuss the possible functions of individual Arabidopsis VDAC members in vegetative and reproductive growth, and in pathogen defense.
