Tissue-specific variation of pea mitochondrial polypeptides detected by computerized image analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels.

A tissue-specific variation of a total of 152 mitochondria-associated polypeptides is detailed for etiolated leaves, epicotyls and roots from the pea, Pisum satisum L., using computerized image analysis. These organ systems possess, respectively, 128, 100, and 96 mitochondria-associated polypeptides with 38, 8, and 10, respectively, being unique to each. Seventy-one polypeptides were observed to be present in all gels, but some of these also underwent a variety of quantifiable changes. Two polypeptides were identified that varied similarly to a polypeptide of interest (W), known to be abundant in pea epicotyls and potato tubers. It is postulated that these latter three polypeptides are therefore probably related functionally.