Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Summary

This work explains how to transform yeast mitochondria using a biolistic method. We also show how to select and purify the transformants and how to introduce the desired mutation in the target position within the mitochondrial genome.

Abstract

Baker´s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been widely used to understand mitochondrial biology for decades. This model has provided knowledge about essential, conserved mitochondrial pathways among eukaryotes, and fungi or yeast-specific pathways. One of the many abilities of S. cerevisiae is the capacity to manipulate the mitochondrial genome, which so far is only possible in S. cerevisiae and the unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The biolistic transformation of yeast mitochondria allows us to introduce site-directed mutations, make gene rearrangements, and introduce reporters. These approaches are mainly used to understand the mechanisms of two highly coordinated processes in mitochondria: translation by mitoribosomes and assembly of respiratory complexes and ATP synthase. However, mitochondrial transformation can potentially be used to study other pathways. In the present work, we show how to transform yeast mitochondria by high-velocity microprojectile bombardment, select and purify the intended transformant, and introduce the desired mutation in the mitochondrial genome.

Introduction

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widely recognized model used to study mitochondrial biogenesis. Since yeast is an anaerobic, facultative organism, it is possible to extensively study the causes and consequences of introducing mutations that impair respiration. In addition, this organism possesses friendly genetic and biochemical tools to study mitochondrial pathways. However, one of the most powerful resources to explore the mechanisms of respiratory complex assembly and mitochondrial protein synthesis is the ability to transform mitochondria and modify the organelle's genome. Previously, it has been helpful to introduce in the mitochondrial DNA (....

Protocol

NOTE: We recommend making six transformations for each construct since mitochondrial transformation efficiency is usually low. The composition of the different growth media is shown in Table 2.

1. Tungsten particle preparation

1. Weigh 30 mg of 0.7 µm tungsten particles (WPs, microcarriers) in a microtube. Add 1.5 mL of 70% ethanol (EtOH) to sterilize. Vortex the WPs and let them rest for 10 min at room temperature.
2. Centrifuge at 13,200.......

Discussion

The present work described how to transform mitochondria from the yeast S. cerevisiae successfully. The process, from high-velocity microprojectile bombardment until purification of the intended yeast strain, takes ~8-12 weeks, depending on how many rounds of purification of the synthetic rho^- strain are necessary. Some of the critical steps of the method are as follows. First, the larger the flanking regions added around the mutation site in the mitochondrial gene construct, the higher the probabilit.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1 mL pipette tips	Axygen	T-1000-B
1.5 mL Microtube	Axygen	MCT-150-C
10 μL pipette tips	Axygen	T-10-C
15 mL conical bottom tube	Axygen	SCT-25ML-25-S
200 μL pipette tips	Axygen	T-200-Y
50 mL conical bottom  tube	Axygen	SCT-50ML-25-S
AfiII	New England BioLabs	R0520S
Agarose	SeaKem	50004
Analytic balance	OHAUS	ARA520
Autoclave	TOMY	ES-315
Bacto agar	BD	214010
Bacto peptone	BD	211677
Biolisitic Macrocarrier holder	BIO-RAD	1652322
Bunsen burner	VWR	89038-528
Calcium chloride	Fisher Scientific	C79-500
CSM -ADE	Formedium	DCS0049
CSM -ARG	Formedium	DCS0059
CSM -LEU	Formedium	DCS0099
CSM -URA	Formedium	DCS0169
Culture glass flask	KIMAX KIMBLE	25615
Culture glass tube	Pyrex	9820
Dextrose	BD	215520
Ethanol	JT Baker	9000
Forceps	Millipore	620006
Glass beads	Sigma	Z265926
Glass handle	Sigma	S4647
Glycerol	JT BAKER	2136-01
Helium tank grade 5 (99.99 %)	-	-
HSTaq  Kit	PCR BIO
Microcentrifugue	Eppendorf	022620100
NdeI	New England BioLabs	R0111L
Orbital shaker	New Brunswick scientific	NB-G25
PCR tubes	Axygen	PCR-02-C
PDS-1000/He TM Biolistic Particle Delivery System	BIO-RAD	165-2257
Petri dishes (100X10)	BD	252777
QIAprep Spin Miniprep	Qiagen	27106
Raffinose	Formedium	RAF03
Replica plater	Scienceware	Z363391
Rupture discs 1350 Psi	BIO-RAD	1652330
Sorbitol	Sigma	S7547
Spermidine	Sigma	S0266
T4 DNA Ligase	Thermo Scientific	EL0011
Tissue Culture Rotator	Thermo Scientific	88882015
Tungsten microcarriers M10	BIO-RAD	1652266
Vaccum pump of 100L/min capacity	-	-
Velvet pads	Bel-Art	H37848-0002
Vortex	Scientifc Industries	SI-0236
Wood aplicator stick	PROMA	1820060
Yeast extract	BD	212750
Yeast Nitrogen base without aminoacids	BD	291920