The Biogenesis Of Cellular Organelles

The Biogenesis of Cellular Organelles represents a comprehensive summary of recent advances in the study of the biogenesis and functional dynamics of the major organelles operating in the eukaryotic cell. This book begins by placing the study of organelle biogenesis in a historical perspective by describing past scientific strategies, theories, and findings and relating these foundations to current investigations. Reviews of protein and lipid mediators important for organelle biogenesis are then presented, and are followed by summaries focused on the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, lysosome, nucleus, mitochondria, and peroxisome.

The compartmentation of genetic information is a fundamental feature of the eukaryotic cell. The metabolic capacity of a eukaryotic (plant) cell and the steps leading to it are overwhelmingly an endeavour of a joint genetic cooperation between nucleus/cytosol, plastids, and mitochondria. Alter ation of the genetic material in anyone of these compartments or exchange of organelles between species can seriously affect harmoniously balanced growth of an organism. Although the biological significance of this genetic design has been vividly evident since the discovery of non-Mendelian inheritance by Baur and Correns at the beginning of this century, and became indisputable in principle after Renner's work on interspecific nuclear/plastid hybrids (summarized in his classical article in 1934), studies on the genetics of organelles have long suffered from the lack of respectabil ity. Non-Mendelian inheritance was considered a research sideline~ifnot a freak~by most geneticists, which becomes evident when one consults common textbooks. For instance, these have usually impeccable accounts of photosynthetic and respiratory energy conversion in chloroplasts and mitochondria, of metabolism and global circulation of the biological key elements C, N, and S, as well as of the organization, maintenance, and function of nuclear genetic information. In contrast, the heredity and molecular biology of organelles are generally treated as an adjunct, and neither goes as far as to describe the impact of the integrated genetic system.

The first volume of the series, on "The Stability of the Differentiated State" received many favorable reviews from the scientific community. Many readers seem to agree with us that publication of topical volumes is a worthwhile alternative to periodic compilations of rather unrelated, though up-to-date reviews. Production of topical volumes is however, plagued with one great difficulty, that of "author synchronization". This difficulty explains the lag between volumes 1 and 2 of the series. Nevertheless we hope that the present volume will be appreciated as a valuable source of information on its central topic: How do cell organelles originate, and what mechanisms assure their continuity? Tübingen, Berlin, Zürich, \V. BEERMANN, J. REINERT, H. URSPRUNG, Heidelberg H. -W. HA GENS Contents Assembly, Continuity, and Exchanges in Certain Cytoplasmic Membrane Systems by W. GORDON WHALEY, MARIANNE DAUWALDER, aüd ]OYCE E. KEPHART 1 I. The Nature of the Membrane. . . . . . H. The Assembly of Membranes . . . . . . 5 III. The Growth and Transfer of Membranes. 6 A. The Nuclear Envelopc . . . 6 B. The Endoplasmic Reticulum 13 C. The Golgi Apparatus . 17 D. The Plasma Membrane 28 E. Vacuoles and Vesicles 31 IV. Concluding Remarks 37 References . . . . . 38 Origin and Continuity of Mitochondria by ROBERT BAXTER 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 H. Mitochondrial Biogenesis : thc Machincry 46 III. Limitations of Mitochondrial Autonomy 50 IV. The Replication of Mitochondria 53 V. Discussion and Conclusion 58 Referenccs . . . . . . . . . 59 Origin and Continuity of Plastids by \VILFRIED STUBBE 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 II. Arguments for the Continuity of Plastids .

The first volume of the series, on "The Stability of the Differentiated State" received many favorable reviews from the scientific community. Many readers seem to agree with us that publication of topical volumes is a worthwhile alternative to periodic compilations of rather unrelated, though up-to-date reviews. Production of topical volumes is however, plagued with one great difficulty, that of "author synchronization". This difficulty explains the lag between volumes 1 and 2 of the series. Nevertheless we hope that the present volume will be appreciated as a valuable source of information on its central topic: How do cell organelles originate, and what mechanisms assure their continuity? Tübingen, Berlin, Zürich, \V. BEERMANN, J. REINERT, H. URSPRUNG, Heidelberg H. -W. HA GENS Contents Assembly, Continuity, and Exchanges in Certain Cytoplasmic Membrane Systems by W. GORDON WHALEY, MARIANNE DAUWALDER, aüd ]OYCE E. KEPHART 1 I. The Nature of the Membrane. . . . . . H. The Assembly of Membranes . . . . . . 5 III. The Growth and Transfer of Membranes. 6 A. The Nuclear Envelopc . . . 6 B. The Endoplasmic Reticulum 13 C. The Golgi Apparatus . 17 D. The Plasma Membrane 28 E. Vacuoles and Vesicles 31 IV. Concluding Remarks 37 References . . . . . 38 Origin and Continuity of Mitochondria by ROBERT BAXTER 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 H. Mitochondrial Biogenesis : thc Machincry 46 III. Limitations of Mitochondrial Autonomy 50 IV. The Replication of Mitochondria 53 V. Discussion and Conclusion 58 Referenccs . . . . . . . . . 59 Origin and Continuity of Plastids by \VILFRIED STUBBE 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 II. Arguments for the Continuity of Plastids .

This volume is in two parts. The first contains the remaining chapters on cellular organelles and several chapters relating to organelle disorders. An account of mitochondriopathis is given in the chapter on the mitochondrion rather than in a separate one. The subject matter of this part of the volume shows quite clearly that the interdisciplinary approach to the study of organelles has shed considerable light on the nature of the mechanisms underlying the etiology and pathobiology of many of these disorders. As an example, mutations in the genes encoding integral membrane proteins are found to lead to disturbances in peroxisome assembly. It is also interesting and significant that mistargeting of protein is now thought to be another cause. It will be revealing to see whether mistargeting is the result of mutations in the genes encoding chaperones. The second part of the volume is concerned with the extracellular matrix. It sets out to show that a vast body of new knowledge of the extracellular matrix is available to us. Take for example the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors. It turns out that integrins play a key role not only in adhesion but also in coupling signals to the nucleus via the cytoskeleton. As for fibronectins, they seem to link the matrix with the cytoskeleton by interacting with integrins. Collagen molecules are dealt with in the last two chapters. The boundaries of collagen in disease are defined by drawing a clear line of demarcation between systemic connective tissue disorders (e.g., scleroderma), better known as autoimmune diseases, and the heritable, and the heritable diseases such as osteogenesis imperfect and the Marfan syndrome. This classification takes into account a second group of acquired disorders of collagen forming tissues in which regional fibrosis is the hallmark. Liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis are prime examples. The decision to place Volumes 2 and 3 before those dealing with cell chemistry was not easily made. It was based on the view that most students will have had an undergraduate course in biochemistry of cell biology or both courses, and that they could go to Volumes 4-7 in which the subject of cell chemistry is covered, and then return to Volumes 2 and 3.

There are currently a growing number of laboratories actively studying the mechanism by which various biological membranes are assembled. This area of research is still relatively new to biochemists and molecular biologists, but in view of the rapid progress being made, a review of the field at this time is justified. The present volume focuses on the biogenesis of three related membranes. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are semiautonomous organelles whose biogenesis is carried out partly in the external cytoplasm and partly by the organelles themselves. Both membranes are principally concerned with the energy metabolism of the cell, and this commonality of function is reflected in a considerable degree of similarity in their ul trastructure and enzymatic composition. Although the bacterial cell membrane is a much more diversified structure, it also fulfills the basic energy requirements of the cell, and depending on the organism, this can take the form of photosynthesis or oxidative phosphorylation. The addi tional consideration that prokaryotic organisms may, in fact, be the evolu tionary ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts, makes it all the more compelling that those interested in biogenesis be aware of new develop ments in each of these three areas. In organizing this book, I felt that the contributors should summarize and bring up to date their own research and review the literature only in sofar as would be necessary to provide the proper perspective for their work.

Plant Cells and Their Organelles provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and function of plant organelles. The text focuses on subcellular organelles while also providing relevant background on plant cells, tissues and organs. Coverage of the latest methods of light and electron microscopy and modern biochemical procedures for the isolation and identification of organelles help to provide a thorough and up-to-date companion text to the field of plant cell and subcellular biology. The book is designed as an advanced text for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students with student-friendly diagrams and clear explanations.