Targeted down-regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes for forage quality improvement in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Improving the digestibility of forages provides a means to enhance animal performance and protect the environment against excessive animal waste. Increased lignin content during maturity, and corresponding changes in lignin composition, correlate with decreased digestibility of forages. These relationships have yet to be investigated in isogenic systems. By targeting three specific cytochrome P450 enzymes of the lignin pathway for antisense down-regulation, we generated transgenic alfalfa lines with a range of differences in lignin content and composition. There was a strong negative relationship between lignin content and rumen digestibility, but no relationship between lignin composition and digestibility, in these transgenic lines. Models for genetic manipulation of forage digestibility based on the changes in lignin composition that increase paper-pulping efficiency in trees are therefore invalid. Down-regulation of 4-coumarate 3-hydroxylase provided the largest improvements in digestibility yet seen in a forage crop.

Responsive modes of Medicago sativa proline dehydrogenase genes during salt stress and recovery dictate free proline accumulation

Free proline accumulation is an innate response of many plants to osmotic stress. To characterize transcriptional regulation of the key proline cycle enzymes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), two proline dehydrogenase (MsPDH) genes and a partial sequence of Delta (1) -pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (MsP5CDH) gene were identified and cloned. The two MsPDH genes share a high nucleotide sequence homology and a similar exon/intron structure. Estimation of transcript levels during salt stress and recovery revealed that proline accumulation during stress was linearly correlated with a strong decline in MsPDH transcript levels, while Delta (1) -pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (MsP5CS) and MsP5CDH steady-state transcript levels remained essentially unchanged. MsPDH transcript levels dramatically decreased in a fast, salt concentration-dependent manner. The extent of salt-induced proline accumulation also correlated with salt concentrations. Salt-induced repression of MsPDH1 promoter linked to the GUS reporter gene confirmed that the decline in MsPDH transcript levels was due to less transcription initiation. Contrary to the salt-dependent repression, a rapid induction of MsPDH transcription occurred at a very early stage of the recovery process, independently of earlier salt treatments. Hence our results suggest the existence of two different regulatory modes of MsPDH expression; the repressing mode that quantifies salt concentration in an as yet unknown mechanism and the "rehydration"-enhancing mode that responds to stress relief in a maximal induction of MsPDH transcription. As yet the components of salt sensing as well as those that might interact with MsPDH promoter to reduce transcription are still unknown.

Responsive modes of Medicago sativa proline dehydrogenase genes during salt stress and recovery dictate free proline accumulation

Free proline accumulation is an innate response of many plants to osmotic stress. To characterize transcriptional regulation of the key proline cycle enzymes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), two proline dehydrogenase (MsPDH) genes and a partial sequence of Delta (1) -pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (MsP5CDH) gene were identified and cloned. The two MsPDH genes share a high nucleotide sequence homology and a similar exon/intron structure. Estimation of transcript levels during salt stress and recovery revealed that proline accumulation during stress was linearly correlated with a strong decline in MsPDH transcript levels, while Delta (1) -pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (MsP5CS) and MsP5CDH steady-state transcript levels remained essentially unchanged. MsPDH transcript levels dramatically decreased in a fast, salt concentration-dependent manner. The extent of salt-induced proline accumulation also correlated with salt concentrations. Salt-induced repression of MsPDH1 promoter linked to the GUS reporter gene confirmed that the decline in MsPDH transcript levels was due to less transcription initiation. Contrary to the salt-dependent repression, a rapid induction of MsPDH transcription occurred at a very early stage of the recovery process, independently of earlier salt treatments. Hence our results suggest the existence of two different regulatory modes of MsPDH expression; the repressing mode that quantifies salt concentration in an as yet unknown mechanism and the "rehydration"-enhancing mode that responds to stress relief in a maximal induction of MsPDH transcription. As yet the components of salt sensing as well as those that might interact with MsPDH promoter to reduce transcription are still unknown.

Structural elucidation of chalcone reductase and implications for deoxychalcone biosynthesis

4,2',4',6'-Tetrahydroxychalcone (chalcone) and 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone (deoxychalcone) serve as precursors of ecologically important flavonoids and isoflavonoids. Deoxychalcone formation depends on chalcone synthase and chalcone reductase; however, the identity of the chalcone reductase substrate out of the possible substrates formed during the multistep reaction catalyzed by chalcone synthase remains experimentally elusive. We report here the three-dimensional structure of alfalfa chalcone reductase bound to the NADP+ cofactor and propose the identity and binding mode of its substrate, namely the non-aromatized coumaryl-trione intermediate of the chalcone synthase-catalyzed cyclization of the fully extended coumaryl-tetraketide thioester intermediate. In the absence of a ternary complex, the quality of the refined NADP+-bound chalcone reductase structure serves as a template for computer-assisted docking to evaluate the likelihood of possible substrates. Interestingly, chalcone reductase adopts the three-dimensional structure of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily. The aldo/keto reductase fold is structurally distinct from all known ketoreductases of fatty acid biosynthesis, which instead belong to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily. The results presented here provide structural support for convergent functional evolution of these two ketoreductases that share similar roles in the biosynthesis of fatty acids/polyketides. In addition, the chalcone reductase structure represents the first protein structure of a member of the aldo/ketoreductase 4 family. Therefore, the chalcone reductase structure serves as a template for the homology modeling of other aldo/keto-reductase 4 family members, including the reductase involved in morphine biosynthesis, namely codeinone reductase.

Crystal structures of alfalfa caffeoyl coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase

Caffeoyl coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferases (CCoAOMTs) are S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferases (OMTs) involved in lignin biosynthesis. Plant CCoAOMTs belong to a distinct family of OMTs, more closely related to the mammalian catechol OMTs than to other plant OMTs. The crystal structure of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) CCoAOMT in complex with the reaction products S-adenosine-l-homocysteine and feruloyl/sinapoyl CoAs presented here belong to a structurally and mechanistically distinct family of plant small molecule OMTs. These structures provide a new understanding of the substrate preferences and the catalytic mechanism accompanying CCoAOMT-mediated O-methylation of CoA-linked phenylpropanoid substrates.

A comparison of constitutive promoters for expression of transgenes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

The activity of constitutive promoters was compared in transgenic alfalfa plants using two marker genes. Three promoters, the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), the cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV) promoter, and the sugarcane bacilliform badnavirus (ScBV) promoter were each fused to the beta-glucuronidase (gusA) gene. The highest GUS enzyme activity was obtained using the CsVMV promoter and all alfalfa cells assayed by in situ staining had high levels of enzyme activity. The 35S promoter was expressed in leaves, roots, and stems at moderate levels, but the promoter was not active in stem pith cells, root cortical cells, or in the symbiotic zones of nodules. The ScBV promoter was active primarily in vascular tissues throughout the plant. In leaves, GUS activity driven by the CsVMV promoter was approximately 24-fold greater than the activity from the 35S promoter and 38-fold greater than the activity from the ScBV promoter. Five promoters, the double 35S promoter, figwort mosaic virus (FMV) promoter, CsVMV promoter, ScBV promoter, and alfalfa small subunit Rubisco (RbcS) promoter were used to control expression of a cDNA from Trichoderma atroviride encoding an endochitinase (ech42). Highest chitinase activity in leaves, roots, and root nodules was obtained in plants containing the CsVMV:ech42 transgene. Plants expressing the endochitinase were challenged with Phoma medicaginis var. medicaginis, the causal agent of spring black stem and leaf spot of alfalfa. Although endochitinase activity in leaves of transgenic plants was 50- to 2650-fold greater than activity in control plants, none of the transgenic plants showed a consistent increase in disease resistance compared to controls. The high constitutive levels of both GUS and endochitinase activity obtained demonstrate that the CsVMV promoter is useful for high-level transgene expression in alfalfa.

Heavy metal stress. Activation of distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by copper and cadmium

Excessive amounts of heavy metals adversely affect plant growth and development. Whereas some regions naturally contain high levels of heavy metals, anthropogenic release of heavy metals into the environment continuously increases soil contamination. The presence of elevated levels of heavy metal ions triggers a wide range of cellular responses including changes in gene expression and synthesis of metal-detoxifying peptides. To elucidate signal transduction events leading to the cellular response to heavy metal stress we analyzed protein phosphorylation induced by elevated levels of copper and cadmium ions as examples for heavy metals with different physiochemical properties and functions. Exposure of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seedlings to excess copper or cadmium ions activated four distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): SIMK, MMK2, MMK3, and SAMK. Comparison of the kinetics of MAPK activation revealed that SIMK, MMK2, MMK3, and SAMK are very rapidly activated by copper ions, while cadmium ions induced delayed MAPK activation. In protoplasts, the MAPK kinase SIMKK specifically mediated activation of SIMK and SAMK but not of MMK2 and MMK3. Moreover, SIMKK only conveyed MAPK activation by CuCl(2) but not by CdCl(2). These results suggest that plants respond to heavy metal stress by induction of several distinct MAPK pathways and that excess amounts of copper and cadmium ions induce different cellular signaling mechanisms in roots.

Endogenous protein kinase-C activity and phosphorylated proteins in messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes of developing embryos of alfalfa

Developing somatic and zygotic embryos of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) exhibited endogenous protein kinase activity and protein acceptors of phosphate groups using both cell-free translational extracts and oligo(dT)-cellulose-column-purified mRNPs. The cell-free-translation extracts from pre-cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos had approximately 50- and 100-fold more protein kinase activity than cotyledonary-stage somatic and zygotic embryos. Several polypeptides were phosphorylated; some of them were unique to the early stage and some to the late-stage developing embryos. A 65 kDa protein was phosphorylated heavily in pre-cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos. This phosphorylated protein was comprised of three main components, two of which were phosphorylated heavily. Heat-shock treated-embryos lost their exitant kinase activity and at the same time another form of protein kinase activity was activated which phosphorylated a novel 28 kDa protein. Endogenous protein kinase activity was also observed within the mRNPs of polysomal and non-polysomal fractions of developing embryos, and this phosphorylated only 65, 43 and 30 kDa proteins within these fractions. A 30 kDa protein from the pre-cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos showed a higher affinity for accepting phosphate groups than the proteins from cotyledonary-stage somatic or zygotic embryos. The activity of protein kinase was largely c-AMP-independent, but was dependent on Ca2+, phospholipid and phorbol ester. The enzyme belongs to the protein kinase-C family; the 65 kDa protein cross-reacts with antibodies made against protein kinase-C (alpha- and beta-isoforms) and it may be an autophosphorylated protein.

Characterization of a multifunctional methyltransferase from the orchid Vanilla planifolia

The final enzymatic step in the synthesis of the flavor compound vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is believed to be methylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. We have isolated and functionally characterized a cDNA that encodes a multifunctional methyltransferase from Vanilla planifolia tissue cultures that can catalyze the conversion of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde to vanillin, although 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde is not the preferred substrate. The higher catalytic efficiency of the purified recombinant enzyme with the substrates caffeoyl aldehyde and 5-OH-coniferaldehyde, and its tissue distribution, suggest this methyltransferase may primarily function in lignin biosynthesis. However, since the enzyme characterized here does have 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde-O-methyltransferase activity, it may be useful in engineering strategies for the synthesis of natural vanillin from alternate sources.

OMTK1, a Novel MAPKKK, Channels Oxidative Stress Signaling through Direct MAPK Interaction

In common with other eukaryotes, plants utilize mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades to mediate responses to a wide variety of stimuli. In contrast to other eukaryotes, plants have an unusually large number of MAPK components, such as more than 20 MAPKs, 10 MAPK kinases (MAPKKs), and 60 MAPKK kinases (MAPKKKs) in Arabidopsis (MAPK Group (2002) Trends Plant Sci. 7, 301-308). Presently it is mostly unknown how MAPK signaling specificity is generated in plants. Here we have isolated OMTK1 (oxidative stress-activated MAP triple-kinase 1), a novel MAPKKK from alfalfa (Medicago sativa). In plant protoplasts, OMTK1 showed basal kinase activity and was found to induce cell death. Among a panel of hormones and stresses tested, only H(2)O(2) was found to activate OMTK1. Out of four MAPKs, OMTK1 specifically activated MMK3 resulting in an increased cell death rate. Pull-down analysis between recombinant proteins indicated that OMTK1 directly interacts with MMK3 and that OMTK1 and MMK3 are part of a protein complex in vivo. These results indicate that OMTK1 plays a MAPK scaffolding role and functions in activation of H(2)O(2) -induced cell death in plants.

O-Methylation of benzaldehyde derivatives by "lignin specific" caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase

Although S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) dependent caffeic acid/5-hydroxyferulic acid 3/5-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is one of the key enzymes in lignin biosynthesis, the present work demonstrates that alfalfa COMT methylates benzaldehyde derivatives more efficiently than lignin pathway intermediates. 3,4-Dihydroxy, 5-methoxybenzaldehyde and protocatechuic aldehyde were the best in vitro substrates for OMT activity in extracts from developing alfalfa stems, and these compounds were preferred over lignin pathway intermediates for 3-O-methylation by recombinant alfalfa COMT expressed in Escherichia coli. OMT activity with benzaldehydes was strongly reduced in extracts from stems of transgenic alfalfa down-regulated in COMT. However, although COMT down-regulation drastically affects lignin composition, it does not appear to significantly impact metabolism of benzaldehyde derivatives in alfalfa. Structurally designed site-directed mutants of COMT showed altered relative substrate preferences for lignin precursors and benzaldehyde derivatives. Taken together, these results indicate that COMT may have more than one role in phenylpropanoid metabolism (but probably not in alfalfa), and that engineered COMT enzymes could be useful for metabolic engineering of both lignin and benzaldehyde-derived flavors and fragrances.

Immunolocalization of carbonic anhydrase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in developing seeds of Medicago sativa

To investigate the role of carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) during Medicago sativa seed development, the distribution of both proteins was examined using an immunohistological approach. Both enzymes are co-localized in most ovular and embryonic tissues. In early stages of seed development, both proteins were abundant in embryo and integuments, while at subsequent stages both proteins are accumulated in endosperm, nucellus and integuments. At late stages of seed development when both endosperm and nucellus are degraded, significant accumulation of both proteins was observed in the embryo proper. Chlorophyll was found to accumulate in embryos after the heart stage and reached a maximum at mature stage. It is suggested that CA and PEPC play a role in respiratory carbon dioxide refixation while generating malate to support amino acid and/or fatty acids biosynthesis.

Transition state stabilization by general acid catalysis, water expulsion, and enzyme reorganization in Medicago savita chalcone isomerase

In aqueous solution, Medicago savita chalcone isomerase (CHI) enhances the reaction rate for the unimolecular rearrangement of chalcone (CHN) into flavanone by seven orders of magnitude. Conformations of CHN and their relative free energies in water and CHI were investigated by the thermodynamic perturbation method. In water, CHN adopts two conformations (I and II) with conformation I being higher in energy than conformation II by 3 kcal/mol. Only I can give rise to a near attack conformer (NAC) where the nucleophile O2' and the electrophile C9 are placed in proximity. In CHI, I binds less tightly than II by approximately 2 kcal/mol, resulting in the free energy for NAC formation being approximately 2 kcal/mol higher in the enzyme than in water. This unfavorable feature in the ground state of the CHI reaction requires the predominant catalytic advantage to be taken in the step of NAC --> transition state (TS). From the molecular dynamics simulations of apo-CHI, CHI complexed with CHN (CHI.CHN) and CHI.TS, we found: (i) Lys-97-general-acid catalysis of the O2'(-) nucleophilic addition; (ii) expulsion of three water molecules in the process of TS formation; (iii) release of enzyme structural distortion on TS formation. In the conclusion, CHI's remarkable efficiency of stabilizing the TS and its relatively poor ability in organizing the ground state is compared with chorismate mutase whose catalytic prowess, when compared with water, originates predominantly from the enhanced NAC population at the active site.

A Medicago sativa haem oxygenase gene is preferentially expressed in root nodules

Haem oxygenases (HO) are ubiquitous enzymes catalysing the oxidative degradation of haem into biliverdin, iron and carbon monoxide. Whereas animal HOs participate in multiple cellular functions including haemoglobin catabolism, antioxidant defence and iron homeostasis, to date, plant HOs have so far only been involved in phytochrome metabolism. The expression of the HO1 gene was studied in Medicago sativa, especially during the interaction with its symbiotic partner, Sinorhizobium meliloti. Transcript accumulation was higher in mature root nodules than in roots and leaves and was correlated to HO1 protein immunodetection. The analysis of HO1 expression following alfalfa root inoculation with S. meliloti indicates that transcripts do not accumulate during the early steps of symbiosis, but rather in the mature nodules. These results correlate with the expression of the leghaemoglobin gene, which encodes the major haem-containing protein present in the nodule. Contrary to its animal counterpart, alfalfa HO1 was not induced by pro- oxidant compounds including H(2)O(2), paraquat and sodium nitroprusside, suggesting that it is not involved in the antioxidant defence. The results suggest that HO1 could play a role in the alfalfa mature nodule and its involvement in leghaemoglobin metabolism is hypothesized.

Purification of ENOD8 proteins from Medicago sativa root nodules and their characterization as esterases

ENOD8 proteins were purified from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) root nodules. After extraction of ENOD8 proteins into an aqueous buffer, they were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, concanavalin A Sepharose chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. Purification was assessed by comparing silver stained SDS-PAGE gels to Western blots developed with a highly specific ENOD8 antibody. Multiple ENOD8 proteins that co-purified were found. ENOD8 proteins were found to have esterase activity, active on acetyl and butyrl esters but not longer chain aliphatic esters. Thus, ENOD8 proteins are unlikely to be lipases. Kinetic analysis showed that ENOD8 proteins esterase activity exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Considering ENOD8 protein sequence similarity to an exopolygalacturonase/EP4/iEP4 and lanatoside 15'-O-acetylesterase with the results presented here predicts that ENOD8 substrates could be acetylated oligo- or polysaccharides.

Stress-induced protein phosphatase 2C is a negative regulator of a mitogen-activated protein kinase

Protein phosphatases of type 2C (PP2Cs) play important roles in eukaryotic signal transduction. In contrast to other eukaryotes, plants such as Arabidopsis have an unusually large group of 69 different PP2C genes. At present, little is known about the functions and substrates of plant PP2Cs. We have previously shown that MP2C, a wound-induced alfalfa PP2C, is a negative regulator of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in yeast and plants. In this report, we provide evidence that alfalfa salt stress-inducible MAPK (SIMK) and stress-activated MAPK (SAMK) are activated by wounding and that MP2C is a MAPK phosphatase that directly inactivates SIMK but not the wound-activated MAPK, SAMK. SIMK is inactivated through threonine dephosphorylation of the pTEpY motif, which is essential for MAPK activity. Mutant analysis indicated that inactivation of SIMK depends on the catalytic activity of MP2C. A comparison of MP2C with two other PP2Cs, ABI2 and AtP2CHA, revealed that although all three phosphatases have similar activities toward casein as a substrate, only MP2C is able to dephosphorylate and inactivate SIMK. In agreement with the notion that MP2C interacts directly with SIMK, the MAPK was identified as an interacting partner of MP2C in a yeast two-hybrid screen. MP2C can be immunoprecipitated with SIMK in a complex in vivo and shows direct binding to SIMK in vitro in protein interaction assays. Wound-induced MP2C expression correlates with the time window when SIMK is inactivated, corroborating the notion that MP2C is involved in resetting the SIMK signaling pathway.

Ankyrin protein kinases: a novel type of plant kinase gene whose expression is induced by osmotic stress in alfalfa

Interaction between Medicago spp. and Sinorhizobium meliloti leads to the development of a novel organ, the root nodule. A gene, Msapk1, encoding a novel type of plant protein kinase containing a N-terminal region with an ankyrin domain, was identified and shown to be expressed both in S. meliloti-infected and spontaneous nodules in alfalfa. This gene is not exclusively associated to nodulation since its expression was detected in other plant organs. Several genes coding for ankyrin protein kinases (APKs) were detected in various plants and animals. Three closest A. thaliana homologues of Msapk1 were identified in databases and two of them were shown to express differentially in various organs using gene-specific RT-PCR. In contrast, Southern analysis suggests that a single-copy gene exists in diploid M. truncatula. By screening a M. truncatula BAC library the Mtapk1 genomic region was isolated and sequenced. Two neighbouring genes showing homologies to previously identified sequences in data banks were detected in the vicinity of the Mtapk1 gene and compared to similar regions of the three Atapk genes. The distribution of exons/introns was the same for all expressed genes of both species although Mtapk1 contained larger introns. Upon osmotic stress Msapk1 expression was induced in roots of alfalfa starting from three hours up to two days of treatment. These data suggest that Msapk1, involved in alfalfa osmotic stress responses, belongs to a novel class of plant protein kinases.

Antisense inhibition of NADH glutamate synthase impairs carbon/nitrogen assimilation in nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Legumes acquire significant amounts of nitrogen for growth from symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The glutamine synthetase (GS)/NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT) cycle catalyzes initial nitrogen assimilation. This report describes the impact of specifically reducing nodule NADH-GOGAT activity on symbiotic performance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Four independent transgenic alfalfa lines, designated GA89, GA87, GA88, and GA82 (for GOGATantisense), containing an antisense NADH-GOGAT cDNA fragment under the control of the soybean leghemoglobin (lbc3) promoter were evaluated. The GA plants were fertile and showed normal growth in non-symbiotic conditions. The NADH-GOGAT antisense transgene was heritable and the T1 plants showed phenotypic alterations - similar to primary transformants. Clonally propagated plants were inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti after rooting and the symbiotic phenotype was analyzed 21 days post-inoculation. Nodules of each GA line had reduced NADH-GOGAT activity, ranging from 33 to 87% of control plants, that was accompanied by comparable decreases in RNA and protein. Plants from the GA89 line, with the lowest NADH-GOGAT activity (c. 30%), presented a strikingly altered symbiotic phenotype: concomitantly activities of key enzyme for carbon and nitrogen assimilation decreased; nodule amino acids and amides were reduced while sucrose accumulated. Antisense GOGAT plants were chlorotic, reduced in fresh weight, and had a lower N content than control plants. Photosynthesis was also impaired in antisense plants. Specifically, reducing NADH-GOGAT in nodules resulted in plants having impaired nitrogen assimilation and altered carbon/nitrogen metabolic flux.

Enzymes do what is expected (chalcone isomerase versus chorismate mutase)

Madicago sativa chalcone isomerase (CI) catalyzes the isomerization of chalcone to flavanone, whereas E. coli chorismate mutase (CM) catalyzes the pericyclic rearrangement of chorismate to prephenate. Covalent intermediates are not formed in either of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions, K(M) and k(cat) are virtually the same for both enzymes, and the rate constants (k(o)) for the noncatalyzed reactions in water are also the same. This kinetic identity of both the enzymatic and the nonenzymatic reactions is not shared by a similarity in driving forces. The efficiency (DeltaG(o)() - DeltaG(cat)()) for the CI mechanism involves transition-state stabilization through general-acid catalysis and freeing of three water molecules trapped in the E.S species. The contribution to lowering DeltaG(cat)() by an increase in near attack conformer (NAC) formation in E.S as compared to S in water is not so important. In the CM reaction, the standard free energy for NAC formation in water is 8.4 kcal/mol as compared to 0.6 kcal/mol in E.S. Because the value of (DeltaG(o)() - DeltaG(cat)()) is 9 kcal/mol, the greater percentage of NACs accounts for approximately 90% of the kinetic advantage of the CM reaction. There is no discernible transition-state stabilization in the CM reaction. These results are discussed. In anthropomorphic terms, each enzyme has had to do what it must to have a biologically relevant rate of reaction.

Structural and compositional modifications in lignin of transgenic alfalfa down-regulated in caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase and caffeoyl coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase

Isolated lignins from alfalfa deficient in caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase contained benzodioxanes resulting from the incorporation of the novel monomer, 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol. Due to the high level incorporated into the soluble lignin fraction and the use of sensitive NMR instrumentation, unique structural features were revealed. A new type of end-unit, the 5-hydroxyguaiacyl glycerol unit, was identified. It was possible to establish that coniferyl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol, and the novel 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol can cross-couple with the 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units that are formed in the lignin, the latter giving rise to extended chains of benzodioxane units. There is also evidence that 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol couples with normal (guaiacyl or syringyl) lignin units. Lignin in the alfalfa deficient in caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase was structurally similar to the control lignin but the transgenic exhibited a dramatic decrease in lignin content (approximately 20%) and modest increase in cellulose (approximately 10%) reflecting a 30% increase in cellulose:lignin ratio. The compositional changes in both transgenics potentially allow enhanced utilization of alfalfa as a major forage crop by increasing the digestibility of its stem fraction.

Bottlenecks for metabolic engineering of isoflavone glycoconjugates in Arabidopsis

In view of their perceived chemopreventive activities against hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular disease, and postmenopausal ailments, there is considerable interest in engineering plants to contain isoflavone phytoestrogens. However, attempts to date have only resulted in low levels of isoflavone accumulation in non-legumes. Introducing soybean isoflavone synthase (IFS) into Arabidopsis thaliana leads to accumulation of low levels of genistein glycosides. Leaves of wild-type A. thaliana contain high levels of similar conjugates of the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol, which could be increased by threefold on introduction of an alfalfa chalcone isomerase transgene. Levels of genistein were not increased by expressing both IFS and alfalfa chalcone isomerase, but levels of flavonol conjugates were reduced to a greater extent than could be accounted for by flux into isoflavone. Introduction of IFS into the tt6/tt3 double mutant blocked in flavonol, and anthocyanin synthesis resulted in high levels of genistein. The bottleneck for constitutive isoflavone production in Arabidopsis is, therefore, competition for flavanone between IFS and endogenous flavonol synthesis, and the flavonol pathway is reciprocally but disproportionately affected by IFS.

Opposite changes in membrane fluidity mimic cold and heat stress activation of distinct plant MAP kinase pathways

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) appear to be ubiquitously involved in signal transduction during eukaryotic responses to extracellular stimuli. In plants, no heat shock-activated MAPK has so far been reported. Also, whereas cold activates specific plant MAPKs such as alfalfa SAMK, mechanisms of such activation are unknown. Here, we report a heat shock-activated MAPK (HAMK) immunologically related to ERK (Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase) superfamily of protein kinases. Molecular mechanisms of heat-activation of HAMK and cold-activation of SAMK were investigated. We show that cold-activation of SAMK requires membrane rigidification, whereas heat-activation of HAMK occurs through membrane fluidization. The temperature stress- and membrane structure-dependent activation of both SAMK and HAMK is mimicked at 25 degrees C by destabilizers of microfilaments and microtubules, latrunculin B and oryzalin, respectively; but is blocked by jasplakinolide, a stabilizer of actin microfilaments. Activation of SAMK or HAMK by temperature, chemically modulated membrane fluidity, or by cytoskeleton destabilizers is inhibited by blocking the influx of extracellular calcium. Activation of SAMK or HAMK is also prevented by an antagonist of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs). In summary, our data indicate that cold and heat are sensed by structural changes in the plasma membrane that translates the signal via cytoskeleton, Ca2+ fluxes and CDPKs into the activation of distinct MAPK cascades.

Involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase SIMK in regulation of root hair tip growth

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in stress signaling to the actin cytoskeleton in yeast and animals. We have analyzed the function of the stress-activated alfalfa MAP kinase SIMK in root hairs. In epidermal cells, SIMK is predominantly nuclear. During root hair formation, SIMK was activated and redistributed from the nucleus into growing tips of root hairs possessing dense F-actin meshworks. Actin depolymerization by latrunculin B resulted in SIMK relocation to the nucleus. Conversely, upon actin stabilization with jasplakinolide, SIMK co-localized with thick actin cables in the cytoplasm. Importantly, latrunculin B and jasplakinolide were both found to activate SIMK in a root-derived cell culture. Loss of tip-focused SIMK and actin was induced by the MAPK kinase inhibitor UO 126 and resulted in aberrant root hairs. UO 126 inhibited targeted vesicle trafficking and polarized growth of root hairs. In contrast, overexpression of gain-of-function SIMK induced rapid tip growth of root hairs and could bypass growth inhibition by UO 126. These data indicate that SIMK plays a crucial role in root hair tip growth.

A receptor kinase gene regulating symbiotic nodule development

Leguminous plants are able to establish a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with soil bacteria generally known as rhizobia. Metabolites exuded by the plant root activate the production of a rhizobial signal molecule, the Nod factor, which is essential for symbiotic nodule development. This lipo-chitooligosaccharide signal is active at femtomolar concentrations, and its structure is correlated with host specificity of symbiosis, suggesting the involvement of a cognate perception system in the plant host. Here we describe the cloning of a gene from Medicago sativa that is essential for Nod-factor perception in alfalfa, and by genetic analogy, in the related legumes Medicago truncatula and Pisum sativum. The identified 'nodulation receptor kinase', NORK, is predicted to function in the Nod-factor perception/transduction system (the NORK system) that initiates a signal cascade leading to nodulation. The family of 'NORK extracellular-sequence-like' (NSL) genes is broadly distributed in the plant kingdom, although their biological function has not been previously ascribed. We suggest that during the evolution of symbiosis an ancestral NSL system was co-opted for transduction of an external ligand, the rhizobial Nod factor, leading to development of the symbiotic root nodule.