Tokyo Institute of Technology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Keisuke Yoshida's research lab focuses on redox regulation in plant organelles, particularly mitochondria and chloroplasts, with a central emphasis on the thioredoxin (Trx) system and alternative oxidase (AOX) in cellular redox homeostasis. The lab investigates how redox signaling pathways, including the FTR/Trx cascade and AOX-mediated respiration, modulate photosynthetic efficiency and stress responses under dynamic light conditions. Using biochemical, genetic, and physiological approaches in model plants like *Arabidopsis thaliana*, the lab uncovers molecular mechanisms underlying thiol-based redox control and energy metabolism. Their work bridges subcellular redox regulation with whole-plant physiology, especially in the context of light-dependent metabolic adaptation.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Alternative oxidase (AOX), the unique terminal oxidase in plant mitochondria, catalyzes the energy-wasteful cyanide (CN)-resistant respiration. Although it has been suggested that AOX might prevent chloroplast over-reduction through the efficient dissipation of excess reducing equivalents, direct evidence for this in the physiological context has been lacking. In this study, we examined the mitochondrial respiratory properties, especially AOX, connected to the accumulation of reducing equivalent
The thiol-based redox regulation system is believed to adjust chloroplast functions in response to changes in light environments. A redox cascade via the ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase (FTR)/thioredoxin (Trx) pathway has been traditionally considered to serve as a transmitter of light signals to target enzymes. However, emerging data indicate that chloroplasts have a complex redox network composed of diverse redox-mediator proteins and target enzymes. Despite extensive research addressing this
Thiol-based redox regulation is central to adjusting chloroplast functions under varying light conditions. A redox cascade via the ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase (FTR)/thioredoxin (Trx) pathway has been well recognized to mediate the light-responsive reductive control of target proteins; however, the molecular basis for reoxidizing its targets in the dark remains unidentified. Here, we report a mechanism of oxidative thiol modulation in chloroplasts. We biochemically characterized a chloroplas
The thioredoxin (Trx) system is known to play a pivotal role in cellular redox regulation, but its target proteins in plant mitochondria remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we systemically screened Trx target candidates in plant mitochondria. Mitochondrial protein extracts were prepared from Arabidopsis shoots, spinach leaves and potato tubers, and then subfractionated into soluble matrix and insoluble membrane fractions. Protein extracts were loaded onto an affinity column immobilizi
Redox regulation based on the thioredoxin (Trx) system is believed to ensure light-responsive control of various functions in chloroplasts. Five Trx subtypes have been reported to reside in chloroplasts, but their functional diversity in the redox regulation of Trx target proteins remains poorly clarified. To directly address this issue, we studied the Trx-dependent redox shifts of several chloroplast thiol-modulated enzymes in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays using a series of Arabidopsis rec
In illuminated leaves, mitochondria are thought to play roles in optimizing photosynthesis. However, the roles of the cytochrome pathway (CP) and alternative oxidase (AOX) in photosynthesis, in particular in the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, are not separately characterized. We examined the effects of specific inhibition of two respiratory pathways, CP and AOX, on photosynthetic oxygen evolution and the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in b
ABSTRACT The effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on the tolerance to oxidative stress in a freshwater green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , was investigated. Exogenously added ABA enhanced the growth of this alga, which was observed under continuous illumination but not in the dark. The cells treated with ABA for 24 h showed tolerance to oxidative stress caused by exposure to paraquat or hydrogen peroxide. In the ABA‐treated cells, the activities of two antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and ascorb
Plant mitochondria have multiple energy-dissipating components in the respiratory chain. It is known that these components are induced under several stress conditions. Here we examined whether the gene expression pattern and its regulatory mechanism under high light (HL) conditions are different among the respiratory components in Arabidopsis leaves. Alternative oxidase (AOX) gene expression (AOX1a and AOX1c) and amount of protein were elevated after exposure to HL. In addition to AOX, the expre
The thiol/disulfide redox network mediated by the thioredoxin (Trx) system in chloroplasts ensures light-responsive control of diverse crucial functions. Despite the suggested importance of this system, the working dynamics against changing light environments remains largely unknown. Thus, we directly assessed the in vivo redox behavior of chloroplast Trx-targeted thiol enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana. In a time-course analysis throughout a day period that was artificially mimicked to natural li
In order to ensure the cooperative function with the photosynthetic system, the mitochondrial respiratory chain needs to flexibly acclimate to a fluctuating light environment. The non-phosphorylating alternative oxidase (AOX) is a notable respiratory component that may support a cellular redox homeostasis under high-light (HL) conditions. Here we report the distinct acclimatory manner of the respiratory chain to long- and short-term HL conditions and the crucial function of AOX in Arabidopsis th
Mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX), the unique respiratory terminal oxidase in plants, catalyzes the energy-wasteful cyanide (CN)-resistant respiration. Although it has been demonstrated that leaf AOX is up-regulated under high-light (HL) conditions, the in vivo mechanism of AOX up-regulation by light is still unknown. In the present study, we examined whether the photo-oxidative stress in the chloroplast modulates mitochondrial respiratory properties, especially the AOX capacity, using Ara
Thiol-based redox regulation is considered to support light-responsive control of various chloroplast functions. The redox cascade via ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase (FTR)/thioredoxin (Trx) has been recognized as a key to transmitting reducing power; however, <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> genome sequencing has revealed that as many as five Trx subtypes encoded by a total of 10 nuclear genes are targeted to chloroplasts. Because each Trx isoform seems to have a distinct target selectivity, the el
The mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) has been suggested to have a beneficial role in illuminated leaves, but its function has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of a knockout of the AOX1a gene on photosynthesis and growth under several light conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. The AOX-deficient aox1a mutant showed a lowered operating efficiency of photosystem II and an enhanced activity of cyclic electron transport around photosystem I (CET-PSI) at h
Regulation of mitochondrial metabolism is essential for ensuring cellular growth and maintenance in plants. Based on redox-proteomics analysis, several proteins involved in diverse mitochondrial reactions have been identified as potential redox-regulated proteins. NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is one such candidate. In this study, we investigated the redox regulation mechanisms of IDH by biochemical procedures. In contrast to mammali
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