Glutaredoxins: roles in iron homeostasis

Glutaredoxins, proteins traditionally involved in redox reactions, are also required for iron-sulfur cluster assembly and haem biosynthesis. These new roles are probably related to the ability of some glutaredoxins to bind labile [2Fe-2S] clusters and to transfer them rapidly and efficiently to acceptor proteins. Recent results point to putative roles for glutaredoxins in the sensing of cellular iron and in iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, either as scaffold proteins for the de novo synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters or as carrier proteins for the transfer of preformed iron-sulfur clusters. Based on prokaryote genome analysis and in vivo studies of iron regulation in yeast, we propose putative new roles and binding partners for glutaredoxins in the assembly of metalloproteins.

A non-hydrolyzable ATP derivative generates a stable complex in a light-inducible two-component system

Isothermal calorimetry (ITC) measurements yielded the binding constants during complex formation of light-inducible histidine kinases (HK) and their cognate CheY-type response regulators (RR). HK-RR interactions represent the core function of the bacterial two-component system, which is also present in many bacterial phytochromes. Here, we have studied the recombinant forms of phytochromes CphA and CphB from the cyanobacterium Tolypothrix PCC7601 and their cognate RRs RcpA and RcpB. The interaction between the two reaction partners (HK and RR) was studied in the presence and absence of ATP. A complex formation was observable in the presence of ATP, but specific interactions were only found when a non-hydrolyzable ATP derivative was added to the mixture. Also, the incubation of the HK domain alone (expressed as a recombinant protein) with the RR did not yield specific interactions, indicating that the HK domain is only active as a component of the full-length phytochrome. Considering also previous studies on the same proteins (Hübschmann, T., Jorissen, H. J. M. M., Börner, T., Gärtner, W., and de Marsac, N. (2001) Eur. J. Biochem. 268, 3383-3389) we now conclude that the HK domains of these phytochromes are active only when the chromophore domain is in its Pr form. The formerly documented phosphate transfer between the HK domain and the RR takes place via a transiently formed protein-protein complex, which becomes detectable by ITC in the presence of a non-hydrolyzable ATP derivative. This finding is of interest also in relation to the function of some (blue light-sensitive) photoreceptors that carry the HK domain and the RR fused together in one single protein.

Small RNAs serve as a genetic buffer against genomic shock in Arabidopsis interspecific hybrids and allopolyploids

Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and trans-acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs), control gene expression and epigenetic regulation. Although the roles of miRNAs and siRNAs have been extensively studied, their expression diversity and evolution in closely related species and interspecific hybrids are poorly understood. Here, we show comprehensive analyses of miRNA expression and siRNA distributions in two closely related species Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis arenosa, a natural allotetraploid Arabidopsis suecica, and two resynthesized allotetraploid lines (F(1) and F(7)) derived from A. thaliana and A. arenosa. We found that repeat- and transposon-associated siRNAs were highly divergent between A. thaliana and A. arenosa. A. thaliana siRNA populations underwent rapid changes in F(1) but were stably maintained in F(7) and A. suecica. The correlation between siRNAs and nonadditive gene expression in allopolyploids is insignificant. In contrast, miRNA and tasiRNA sequences were conserved between species, but their expression patterns were highly variable between the allotetraploids and their progenitors. Many miRNAs tested were nonadditively expressed (deviating from the mid-parent value, MPV) in the allotetraploids and triggered unequal degradation of A. thaliana or A. arenosa targets. The data suggest that small RNAs produced during interspecific hybridization or polyploidization serve as a buffer against the genomic shock in interspecific hybrids and allopolyploids: Stable inheritance of repeat-associated siRNAs maintains chromatin and genome stability, whereas expression variation of miRNAs leads to changes in gene expression, growth vigor, and adaptation.

Getting a better picture of microbial evolution en route to a network of genomes

Most current thinking about evolution is couched in the concept of trees. The notion of a tree with recursively bifurcating branches representing recurrent divergence events is a plausible metaphor to describe the evolution of multicellular organisms like vertebrates or land plants. But if we try to force the tree metaphor onto the whole of the evolutionary process, things go badly awry, because the more closely we inspect microbial genomes through the looking glass of gene and genome sequence comparisons, the smaller the amount of the data that fits the concept of a bifurcating tree becomes. That is mainly because among microbes, endosymbiosis and lateral gene transfer are important, two mechanisms of natural variation that differ from the kind of natural variation that Darwin had in mind. For such reasons, when it comes to discussing the relationships among all living things, that is, including the microbes and all of their genes rather than just one or a select few, many biologists are now beginning to talk about networks rather than trees in the context of evolutionary relationships among microbial chromosomes. But talk is not enough. If we were to actually construct networks instead of trees to describe the evolutionary process, what would they look like? Here we consider endosymbiosis and an example of a network of genomes involving 181 sequenced prokaryotes and how that squares off with some ideas about early cell evolution.

Paleopolyploidy in the Brassicales: analyses of the Cleome transcriptome elucidate the history of genome duplications in Arabidopsis and other Brassicales

The analysis of the Arabidopsis genome revealed evidence of three ancient polyploidy events in the evolution of the Brassicaceae, but the exact phylogenetic placement of these events is still not resolved. The most recent event is called the At-alpha (alpha) or 3R, the intermediate event is referred to as the At-beta (beta) or 2R, and the oldest is the At-gamma (gamma) or 1R. It has recently been established that At-gamma is shared with other Rosids, including papaya (Carica), poplar (Populus), and grape (Vitis), whereas data to date suggest that At-alpha is Brassicaceae specific. To address more precisely when the At-alpha and At-beta events occurred and which plant lineages share these paleopolyploidizations, we sequenced and analyzed over 4,700 normalized expressed sequence tag sequences from the Cleomaceae, the sister family to the Brassicaceae. Analysis of these Cleome data with homologous sequences from other Rosid genomes (Arabidopsis, Carica, Gossypium, Populus, and Vitis) yielded three major findings: 1) confirmation of a Cleome-specific paleopolyploidization (Cs-alpha) that is independent of the Brassicaceae At-alpha paleopolyploidization; 2) Cleome and Arabidopsis share the At-beta duplication, which is lacking from papaya within the Brassicales; and 3) rates of molecular evolution are faster for the herbaceous annual taxa Arabidopsis and Cleome than the other predominantly woody perennial Rosid lineages. These findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of genome duplication and evolution within one of the most comprehensively surveyed clades of plants, the Rosids, and clarify the complex history of the At-alpha, At-beta, and At-gamma duplications of Arabidopsis.

Effects of diverse dietary phytoestrogens on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells

Phytoestrogens have attracted attention as being safer alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and as chemopreventive reagents for breast cancer because dietary soy isoflavone intake has been correlated with reduction in risk. To identify safe and effective phytoestrogen candidates for HRT and breast cancer prevention, we investigated the effects of daidzein, genistein, coumestrol, resveratrol and glycitein on cell growth, cell cycle, cyclin D1 expression, apoptosis, Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio and p53-dependent or NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Phytoestrogens, except for glycitein, significantly enhanced estrogen-response-element-dependent transcriptional activity up to a level similar to that of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)). E(2) increased cell growth significantly, coumestrol increased cell growth moderately, and resveratrol and glycitein reduced cell growth. Phytoestrogens, except for glycitein, stimulated the promotion of cells to G(1)/S transition in cell cycle analysis, similar to E(2). This stimulation was accompanied by transient up-regulation of cyclin D1. While genistein, resveratrol and glycitein all increased apoptosis and reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, resveratrol reduced this ratio more than either genistein or glycitein. Moreover, resveratrol significantly enhanced p53-dependent transcriptional activity, but slightly reduced NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity. On knockdown analysis, genistein, resveratrol and glycitein all reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the presence of apoptosis-inducing stimuli, and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha silencing had no effect on these reductions. In contrast, in the absence of apoptosis-inducing stimuli, only resveratrol reduced the ratio, and ERalpha silencing abolished this reduction. Thus, resveratrol might be the most promising candidate for HRT and chemoprevention of breast cancer due to its estrogenic activity and high antitumor activity.

BchY-based degenerate primers target all types of anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria in a single PCR

To detect anoxygenic bacteria containing either type 1 or type 2 photosynthetic reaction centers in a single PCR, we designed a degenerate primer set based on the bchY gene. The new primers were validated in silico using the GenBank nucleotide database as well as by PCR on pure strains and environmental DNA.

Multidisciplinary approach to unravelling the relative contribution of different oxylipins in indirect defense of Arabidopsis thaliana

The oxylipin pathway is commonly involved in induced plant defenses, and is the main signal-transduction pathway induced by insect folivory. Herbivory induces the production of several oxylipins, and consequently alters the so-called 'oxylipin signature' in the plant. Jasmonic acid (JA), as well as pathway intermediates are known to induce plant defenses. Indirect defense against herbivorous insects comprises the production of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). To unravel the precise oxylipin signal-transduction underlying the production of HIPVs in Arabidopsis thaliana and the resulting attraction of parasitoid wasps, we used a multidisciplinary approach that includes molecular genetics, metabolite analysis, and behavioral analysis. Mutant plants affected in the jasmonate pathway (18:0 and/or 16:0 -oxylipin routes; mutants dde2-2, fad5, opr3) were studied to assess the effects of JA and its oxylipin intermediates 12-oxo-phytodienoate (OPDA) and dinor-OPDA (dnOPDA) on HIPV emission and parasitoid (Diadegma semiclausum) attraction. Interference with the production of the oxylipins JA and OPDA altered the emission of HIPVs, in particular terpenoids and the phenylpropanoid methyl salicylate, which affected parasitoid attraction. Our data show that the herbivore-induced attraction of parasitoid wasps to Arabidopsis plants depends on HIPVs that are induced through the 18:0 oxylipin-derivative JA. Furthermore, our study shows that the 16:0-oxylipin route towards dnOPDA does not play a role in HIPV induction, and that the role of 18:0 derived oxylipin-intermediates, such as OPDA, is either absent or limited.

Silencing of glycolysis in muscle: experimental observation and numerical analysis

The longstanding problem of rapid inactivation of the glycolytic pathway in skeletal muscle after contraction was investigated using (31)P NMR spectroscopy and computational modelling. Accumulation of phosphorylated glycolytic intermediates (hexose monophosphates) during cyclic contraction and subsequent turnover during metabolic recovery was measured in vivo in human quadriceps muscle using dynamic (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The concentration of hexose monophosphates in muscle peaked 40 s into metabolic recovery from maximal contractile work at 6.9 +/- 1.3 mm (mean +/- s.d.; n = 8) and subsequently declined at a rate of 0.009 +/- 0.001 mm s(1). It was next tested whether the current knowledge of the kinetic controls in the glycolytic pathway in muscle integrated in the Lambeth and Kushmerick computational model of skeletal muscle glycolysis explained the experimental data. It was found that the model underestimated the magnitude of deactivation of the glycolytic pathway in resting muscle, resulting in depletion of glycolytic intermediates and substrate for oxidative ATP synthesis. Numerical analysis of the model identified phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase as the kinetic control sites involved in deactivation of the glycolytic pathway. Ancillary 100-fold inhibition of both phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase was found necessary to predict glycolytic intermediate and ADP concentrations correctly in resting human muscle. Incorporation of this information into the model resulted in highly improved agreement between predicted and measured in vivo dynamics of hexose monophosphates in muscle following contraction. We concluded that silencing of the glycolytic pathway in muscle following contraction is most likely to be mediated by phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase inactivation on a time scale of seconds and minutes, respectively, and is necessary to prevent depletion of vital cellular substrates.

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger SOS1 controls extrusion and distribution of Na(+) in tomato plants under salinity conditions

Maintaining a high K(+)/Na(+) ratio in the cell cytosol, along with the transport processes implicated in the xylem and phloem loading/unloading of Na(+) in plants (long-distance transport) are key aspects in plant salt tolerance. The Ca(2+)-dependent SOS pathway regulating Na(+) and K(+) homeostasis and long-distance Na(+) transport has been reported in Arabidopsis. However, Arabidopsis might not be the best model to analyze the involvement of the SOS pathway in long-distance Na(+) transport due to the very short stem of these plants which do not allow a precise dissection of the relative content of Na(+) in stem versus leaf. This separation would be critical to assess the role of SOS1 in xylem loading/unloading, Na(+) export by roots, retention in stems and the differential distribution/accumulation in old leaves. Towards this goal, tomato might represent a superior model due to its anatomical structure and agricultural significance. We recently demonstrated the key role played by the plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporter SlSOS1 in salt tolerance in tomato by maintaining ion homeostasis under salinity stress and in the partitioning of Na(+) in plant organs.

DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF FOUR MARINE SYNECHOCOCCUS STRAINS (CYANOPHYCEAE) TO NICKEL STARVATION UNDER IRON-REPLETE AND IRON-DEPLETE CONDITIONS(1)

Synechococcus species are important primary producers in coastal and open-ocean ecosystems. When nitrate was provided as the sole nitrogen source, nickel starvation inhibited the growth of strains WH8102 and WH7803, while it had little effect on two euryhaline strains, WH5701 and PCC 7002. Nickel was required for the acclimation of Synechococcus WH7803 to low iron and high light. In WH8102 and WH7803, nickel starvation decreased the linear electron transport activity, slowed down QA reoxidation, but increased the connectivity factor between individual photosynthetic units. Under such conditions, the reduction of their intersystem electron transport chains was expected to increase, and their cyclic electron transport around PSI would be favored. Nickel starvation decreased the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of WH8102 and WH7803 by 30% and 15% of the control, respectively. The protein-bound (63) Ni of the oceanic strain WH8102 comigrated with SOD activity on nondenaturing gels and thus provided additional evidence for the existence of active NiSOD in Synechococcus WH8102. In WH7803, it seems likely that nickel starvation affected other metabolic pathways and thus indirectly affected the total SOD activity.

Beneficial role of plant growth promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant responses to heavy metal stress

Heavy metal pollution is a major worldwide environmental concern that has recently motivated researchers to develop a variety of novel approaches towards its cleanup. As an alternative to traditional physical and chemical methods of environmental cleanup, scientists have developed phytoremediation approaches that include the use of plants to remove or render harmless a range of compounds. Both plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used to facilitate the process of phytoremediation and the growth of plants in metal-contaminated soils. This review focuses on the recent literature dealing with the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria and AM fungi on the response of plants to heavy metal stress and points the way to strategies that may facilitate the practical realization of this technology.

Cytokinin-auxin crosstalk

Post-embryonic plant growth and development are sustained by meristems, a source of undifferentiated cells that give rise to the adult plant structures. Two hormones, cytokinin and auxin, are known to act antagonistically in controlling meristem activities. Here, we review recent significant progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which these hormones interact to control specific aspects of plant development. For example, in the root meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana, cytokinin promotes cell differentiation by repressing both auxin signalling and transport, whereas auxin sustains root meristem activity by promoting cell division. The coordinated action of these two hormones is essential for maintaining root meristem size and for ensuring root growth.

Heat stress activates phospholipase D and triggers PIP accumulation at the plasma membrane and nucleus

Heat stress induces an array of physiological adjustments that facilitate continued homeostasis and survival during periods of elevated temperatures. Here, we report that within minutes of a sudden temperature increase, plants deploy specific phospholipids to specific intracellular locations: phospholipase D (PLD) and a phosphatidylinositolphosphate kinase (PIPK) are activated, and phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) rapidly accumulate, with the heat-induced PIP(2) localized to the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, nucleolus and punctate cytoplasmic structures. Increases in the steady-state levels of PA and PIP(2) occur within several minutes of temperature increases from ambient levels of 20-25 degrees C to 35 degrees C and above. Similar patterns were observed in heat-stressed Arabidopsis seedlings and rice leaves. The PA that accumulates in response to temperature increases results in large part from the activation of PLD rather than the sequential action of phospholipase C and diacylglycerol kinase, the alternative pathway used to produce this lipid. Pulse-labelling analysis revealed that the PIP(2) response is due to the activation of a PIPK rather than inhibition of a lipase or a PIP(2) phosphatase. Inhibitor experiments suggest that the PIP(2) response requires signalling through a G-protein, as aluminium fluoride blocks heat-induced PIP(2) increases. These results are discussed in the context of the diverse cellular roles played by PIP(2) and PA, including regulation of ion channels and the cytoskeleton.

Proteasome regulation, plant growth and stress tolerance

Plant cells contain a mixture of 26S and 20S proteasomes that mediate ubiquitin-dependent and ubiquitin-independent proteolysis, respectively. The 26S proteasome contains the 20S proteasome and one or two regulatory particles that are required for ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Comparative analyses of Arabidopsis proteasome mutants revealed that a decrease in 26S proteasome biogenesis causes heat shock hypersensitivity and reduced cell division rates that are compensated by increased cell expansion. Loss of 26S proteasome function also leads to an increased 20S proteasome biogenesis, which in turn enhances the cellular capacity to degrade oxidized proteins and thus increases oxidative stress tolerance. These findings suggest the intriguing possibility that 26S and 20S proteasome activities are regulated to control plant development and stress responses. This mini-review highlights some of the recent studies on proteasome regulation in plants.

The Arabidopsis TSPO-related protein is a stress and abscisic acid-regulated, endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi-localized membrane protein

The Arabidopsis gene At2g47770 encodes a membrane-bound protein designated AtTSPO (Arabidopsis thaliana TSPO-related). AtTSPO is related to the bacterial outer membrane tryptophan-rich sensory protein (TspO) and the mammalian mitochondrial 18-kDa translocator protein (18 kDa TSPO), members of the group of TspO/MBR domain-containing membrane proteins. In this study we show that AtTSPO is mainly detected in dry seeds, but can be induced in vegetative tissues by osmotic or salt stress or abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, corroborating available transcriptome data. Using subcellular fractionation, immunocytochemistry and fluorescent protein tagging approaches we present evidence that AtTSPO is targeted to the secretory pathway in plants. Induced or constitutively expressed AtTSPO can be detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi stacks of plant cells. AtTSPO tagged with fluorescent protein in transgenic plants (Arabidopsis and tobacco) was mainly detected in the Golgi stacks of leaf epidermal cells. Constitutive expression of AtTSPO resulted in increased sensitivity to NaCl, but not to osmotic stress, and in reduced greening of cultured Arabidopsis cells under light growing conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AtTSPO were more sensitive to ABA-induced growth inhibition, indicating that constitutive expression of AtTSPO may enhance ABA sensitivity. AtTSPO is rapidly downregulated during seed imbibition, and the ABA-dependent induction in plant is transient. Downregulation of AtTSPO seems to be boosted by treatment with aminolevulinic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that AtTSPO is a highly regulated protein, induced by abiotic stress to modulate, at least in part, transient intracellular ABA-dependent stress perception and/or signalling.

One, two, three...models for trichome patterning in Arabidopsis?

Trichome patterning in Arabidopsis rosette leaves serves as a model system to study how individual cells are determined in a regular spacing pattern from initially equivalent cells. A conserved gene cassette regulates this spacing pattern. bHLH, MYB, and WD40 factors are positive regulators of trichome development that are inhibited by R3 single-repeat MYB proteins. One positive regulator, the WD40-protein, and the negative regulators are mobile and are transported in opposite directions: the WD40 factor moves to the negative regulators away from trichome initials. This movement behavior and the genetic and molecular interactions between the contributing genes and proteins make it very difficult to derive the mechanistic core behind pattern formation. Attempts to develop mathematical models toward this end are critically discussed.

DIE NEUTRALIS and LATE BLOOMER 1 contribute to regulation of the pea circadian clock

The DIE NEUTRALIS (DNE) locus in garden pea (Pisum sativum) was previously shown to inhibit flowering under noninductive short-day conditions and to affect a graft-transmissible flowering signal. In this study, we establish that DNE has a role in diurnal and/or circadian regulation of several clock genes, including the pea GIGANTEA (GI) ortholog LATE BLOOMER 1 (LATE1) and orthologs of the Arabidopsis thaliana genes LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL and TIMING OF CHLOROPHYLL A/B BINDING PROTEIN EXPRESSION 1. We also confirm that LATE1 participates in the clock and provide evidence that DNE is the ortholog of Arabidopsis EARLY FLOWERING4 (ELF4). Circadian rhythms of clock gene expression in wild-type plants under constant light were weaker in pea than in Arabidopsis, and a number of differences were also seen in the effects of both DNE/ELF4 and LATE1/GI on clock gene expression. Grafting studies suggest that DNE controls flowering at least in part through a LATE1-dependent mobile stimulus, and dne mutants show elevated expression of a FLOWERING LOCUS T homolog under short-day conditions. However, the early flowering of the dne mutant is not associated with altered expression of a previously described CONSTANS-like gene. Collectively, our results characterize the clock system and reveal its importance for photoperiod responsiveness in a model legume.

A cellular study of teosinte Zea mays subsp. parviglumis (Poaceae) caryopsis development showing several processes conserved in maize

The evolutionary history of maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) is of general interest because of its economic and scientific importance. Here we show that many cellular traits described previously in developing caryopses of maize are also seen in its wild progenitor teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis). These features, each with a possible role in development, include (1) an early programmed cell death in the maternal placento-chalazal (P-C) layer that may lead to increased hydrolytic conductance to the developing seed; (2) accumulation of phenolics and flavonoids in the P-C layer that may be related to antimicrobial activity; (3) formation of wall ingrowths in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL); (4) localization of cell wall invertase in the BETL, which is attributed to the increased transport capacity of photosynthates to the sink; and (5) endoreduplication in endosperm nuclei suggested to contribute to increased gene expression and greater sink capacity of the developing seed. In maize caryopsis, these cellular traits have been previously attributed to domestication and selection for larger seed size and vigor. Given the conservation of the entire cellular program in developing teosinte caryopses described here, we suggest that these traits evolved independently of domestication and predate human selection pressure.

LYRATE is a key regulator of leaflet initiation and lamina outgrowth in tomato

Development of the flattened laminar structure in plant leaves requires highly regulated cell division and expansion patterns. Although tight regulation of these processes is essential during leaf development, leaf shape is highly diverse across the plant kingdom, implying that patterning of growth must be amenable to evolutionary change. Here, we describe the molecular identification of the classical tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant lyrate, which is impaired in outgrowth of leaflet primodia and laminar tissues during compound leaf development. We found that the lyrate phenotype results from a loss-of-function mutation of the tomato JAGGED homolog, a well-described positive regulator of cell division in lateral organs. We demonstrate that LYRATE coordinates lateral outgrowth in the compound leaves of tomato by interacting with both the KNOX and auxin transcriptional networks and suggest that evolutionary changes in LYRATE expression may contribute to the fundamental difference between compound and simple leaves.

One for all: the receptor-associated kinase BAK1

The plant receptor kinase BAK1/SERK3 has been identified as a partner of ligand-binding leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases, in particular the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 and the immune receptor FLS2. BAK1 positively regulates BRI1 receptor function via physical interaction and transphosphorylation. Since its first description in 2001, several independent groups have discovered BAK1/SERK3 as a component of diverse processes, including brassinosteroid signaling, light responses, cell death, and plant innate immunity. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the functional repertoire of BAK1 and discuss how its multiple functions could be integrated, how receptor complexes are potentially formed and how specificity might be determined.

Transplastomic expression of bacterial L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase enhances photosynthesis and biomass production in response to high temperature stress

Metabolic engineering for beta-alanine over-production in plants is expected to enhance environmental stress tolerance. The Escherichia coli L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase (AspDC) encoded by the panD gene, catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-aspartate to generate beta-alanine and carbon dioxide. The constitutive E. coli panD expression cassette was co-introduced with the constitutive, selectable aadA expression cassette into the chloroplast genome of tobacco via biolistic gene transfer and homologous recombination. Site specific integration of the E. coli panD expression cassette into the chloroplast genome and generation of homotransplastomic plants were confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis, respectively, following plant regeneration and germination of seedlings on selective media. PanD expression was verified by assays based on transcript detection and in vitro enzyme activity. The AspDC activities in transplastomic plants expressing panD were drastically increased by high-temperature stress. beta-Alanine accumulated in transplastomic plants at levels four times higher than in wildtype plants. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence on plants subjected to severe heat stress at 45 degrees C under light verified that photosystem II (PSII) in transgenic plants had higher thermotolerance than in wildtype plants. The CO(2) assimilation of transplastomic plants expressing panD was more tolerant to high temperature stress than that of wildtype plants, resulting in the production of 30-40% more above ground biomass than wildtype control. The results presented indicate that chloroplast engineering of the beta-alanine pathway by over-expression of the E. coli panD enhances thermotolerance of photosynthesis and biomass production following high temperature stress.

Ectopic expression of Arabidopsis ABC transporter MRP7 modifies cadmium root-to-shoot transport and accumulation

Arabidopsis MRPs/ABCCs have been shown to remove various organic and inorganic substrates from the cytosol to other subcellular compartments. Here we first demonstrate that heterologous expression of AtMRP7 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi) modifies cadmium accumulation, distribution and tolerance. Arabidopsis MRP7 was localized both in the tonoplast and in the plasma membrane when expressed in tobacco. Its overexpression increased tobacco Cd-tolerance and resulted in enhanced cadmium concentration in leaf vacuoles, indicating more efficient detoxification by means of vacuolar storage. Heterologous AtMRP7 expression also led to more efficient retention of Cd in roots, suggesting a contribution to the control of cadmium root-to-shoot translocation. The results underscore the use of AtMRP7 in plant genetic engineering to modify the heavy-metal accumulation pattern for a broad range of applications.

Expression of Pyrococcus furiosus superoxide reductase in Arabidopsis enhances heat tolerance

Plants produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to environmental stresses sending signaling cues, which, if uncontrolled, result in cell death. Like other aerobic organisms, plants have ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which removes superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-)) and prevents the production and buildup of toxic free radicals. However, increasing the expression of cytosolic SODs is complex, and increasing their production in vivo has proven to be challenging. To avoid problems with endogenous regulation of gene expression, we expressed a gene from the archaeal hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus that reduces O(2)(-). P. furiosus uses superoxide reductase (SOR) rather than SOD to remove superoxide. SOR is a thermostable enzyme that reduces O(2)(-) in a one-electron reduction without producing oxygen. We show that P. furiosus SOR can be produced as a functional enzyme in planta and that plants producing SOR have enhanced tolerance to heat, light, and chemically induced ROS. Stress tolerance in the SOR-producing plants correlates positively with a delayed increase in ROS-sensitive transcripts and a decrease in ascorbate peroxidase activity. The SOR plants provide a good model system to study the impact of cytosolic ROS on downstream signaling in plant growth and development. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that this synthetic approach for reducing cytosolic ROS holds promise as a means for improving stress tolerance in crop plants.

Flowering time control and applications in plant breeding

Shifting the seasonal timing of reproduction is a major goal of plant breeding efforts to produce novel varieties that are better adapted to local environments and changing climatic conditions. The key regulators of floral transition have been studied extensively in model species, and in recent years a growing number of related genes have been identified in crop species, with some notable exceptions. These sequences and variants thereof, as well as several major genes which were only identified in crop species, can now be used by breeders as molecular markers and for targeted genetic modification of flowering time. This article reviews the major floral regulatory pathways and discusses current and novel strategies for altering bolting and flowering behavior in crop plants.

Disruption of the pollen-expressed FERONIA homologs ANXUR1 and ANXUR2 triggers pollen tube discharge

The precise delivery of male to female gametes during reproduction in eukaryotes requires complex signal exchanges and a flawless communication between male and female tissues. In angiosperms, molecular mechanisms have recently been revealed that are crucial for the dialog between male (pollen tube) and female gametophytes required for successful sperm delivery. When pollen tubes reach the female gametophyte, they arrest growth, burst and discharge their sperm cells. These processes are under the control of the female gametophyte via the receptor-like serine-threonine kinase (RLK) FERONIA (FER). However, the male signaling components that control the sperm delivery remain elusive. Here, we show that ANXUR1 and ANXUR2 (ANX1, ANX2), which encode the closest homologs of the FER-RLK in Arabidopsis, are preferentially expressed in pollen. Moreover, ANX1-YFP and ANX2-YFP fusion proteins display polar localization to the plasma membrane at the tip of the pollen tube. Finally, genetic analyses demonstrate that ANX1 and ANX2 function redundantly to control the timing of pollen tube discharge as anx1 anx2 double-mutant pollen tubes cease their growth and burst in vitro and fail to reach the female gametophytes in vivo. We propose that ANX-RLKs constitutively inhibit pollen tube rupture and sperm discharge at the tip of growing pollen tubes to sustain their growth within maternal tissues until they reach the female gametophytes. Upon arrival, the female FER-dependent signaling cascade is activated to mediate pollen tube reception and fertilization, while male ANX-dependent signaling is deactivated, enabling the pollen tube to rupture and deliver its sperm cells to effect fertilization.

Temporal expression patterns of hormone metabolism genes during imbibition of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds: a comparative study on dormant and non-dormant accessions

Seed imbibition is a prerequisite for subsequent dormancy and germination control. Here, we investigated imbibition responses of Arabidopsis seeds by transcriptomic and hormone profile analyses using dormant [Cape Verde Islands (Cvi)] and non-dormant [Columbia (Col)] accessions. Once imbibed, seeds of both accessions swelled most up to 3 h, reflecting water uptake. Microarray analysis showed that in both accessions, seeds imbibed for 15 min, 30 min and 1 h were less active in gene expression than at 3 h. More than 2,000 genes were either up-regulated or down-regulated in seeds imbibed for 3 h. Some genes up-regulated at 3 h were already induced in seeds imbibed for 1 h, suggestive of genome reprogramming early after the onset of imbibition. Imbibition-induced genes in seeds imbibed for 3 h included those up-regulated in both Col and Cvi (common) or unique to either accession (accession specific). Up-regulated genes that were both common and Cvi-specific were over-represented for sugar metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway, whereas Col-specific genes were over-represented for ribosomal protein genes. Quantification of plant hormones showed that ABA and salicylic acid (SA) contents were higher, but gibberellin A(4) (GA(4)), N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenine (iP), jasmonic acid (JA), JA-isoleucine (JA-Ile) and IAA were lower in imbibed seeds of Cvi compared with Col. In addition, changes in IAA and JA were initiated before 1 h, whereas ABA and JA-Ile declined 3 h after the onset of imbibition. An increase in GA(4) and iP appeared to be correlated temporally with the initiation of secondary water uptake, which marks the completion of germination.

Functional characterization of a novel benzylisoquinoline O-methyltransferase suggests its involvement in papaverine biosynthesis in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L)

The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids are a highly diverse group of about 2500 compounds which accumulate in a species-specific manner. Despite the numerous compounds which could be identified, the biosynthetic pathways and the participating enzymes or cDNAs could be characterized only for a few selected members, whereas the biosynthesis of the majority of the compounds is still largely unknown. In an attempt to characterize additional biosynthetic steps at the molecular level, integration of alkaloid and transcript profiling across Papaver species was performed. This analysis showed high expression of an expressed sequence tag (EST) of unknown function only in Papaver somniferum varieties. After full-length cloning of the open reading frame and sequence analysis, this EST could be classified as a member of the class II type O-methyltransferase protein family. It was related to O-methyltransferases from benzylisoquinoline biosynthesis, and the amino acid sequence showed 68% identical residues to norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase. However, rather than methylating norcoclaurine, the recombinant protein methylated norreticuline at position seven with a K(m) of 44 mum using S-adenosyl-l-methionine as a cofactor. Of all substrates tested, only norreticuline was converted. Even minor changes in the benzylisoquinoline backbone were not tolerated by the enzyme. Accordingly, the enzyme was named norreticuline 7-O-methyltransferase (N7OMT). This enzyme represents a novel O-methyltransferase in benzylisoquinoline metabolism. Expression analysis showed slightly increased expression of N7OMT in P. somniferum varieties containing papaverine, suggesting its involvement in the partially unknown biosynthesis of this pharmaceutically important compound.

The O-mannosyltransferase PMT4 is essential for normal appressorium formation and penetration in Ustilago maydis

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the PMT, KRE2/MNT1, and MNN1 mannosyltransferase protein families catalyze the steps of the O-mannosylation pathway, sequentially adding mannoses to target proteins. We have identified members of all three families and analyzed their roles in pathogenesis of the maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis. Furthermore, we have shown that PMT4, one of the three PMT family members in U. maydis, is essential for tumor formation in Zea mays. Significantly, PMT4 seems to be required only for pathogenesis and is dispensable for other aspects of the U. maydis life cycle. We subsequently show that the deletion of pmt4 results in a strong reduction in the frequency of appressorium formation, with the few appressoria that do form lacking the capacity to penetrate the plant cuticle. Our findings suggest that the O-mannosylation pathway plays a key role in the posttranslational modification of proteins involved in the pathogenic development of U. maydis. The fact that PMT homologs are not found in plants may open new avenues for the development of fungal control strategies. Moreover, the discovery of a highly specific requirement for a single O-mannosyltransferase should aid in the identification of the proteins directly involved in fungal plant penetration, thus leading to a better understanding of plant-fungi interactions.

Protein tyrosine nitration: a new challenge in plants

Nitric oxide metabolism in plant cells has a relative short history. Nitration is a chemical process which consists of introducing a nitro group (-NO(2)) into a chemical compound. In biological systems, this process has been found in different molecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that can affect its function. This mini-review offers an overview of this process with special emphasis on protein tyrosine nitration in plants and its involvement in the process of nitrosative stress.

Is chloroplast import of photosynthesis proteins facilitated by an actin-TOC-TIC-VIPP1 complex?

Actin filaments are major components of the cytoskeleton that interact with chloroplast envelope membranes to allow chloroplast positioning and movement, stromule mobility and gravitropism perception. We recently reported that Toc159, a component of the TOC complex of the chloroplast protein import apparatus, interacts directly with actin. The interaction of Toc159 and actin was identified by co-immunoprecipitation and co-sedimentation experiments with detergent-solubilised pea chloroplast envelope membranes. In addition, many of the components of the TOC-TIC protein import apparatus and VIPP1 (vesicle-inducing protein in plastids 1) were identified by mass spectroscopy in the material co-immunoprecipitated with antibodies to actin. Toc159 is the receptor for the import of photosynthesis proteins and VIPP1 is involved in thylakoid membrane formation by inducing vesicle formation from the chloroplast inner envelope membrane, suggesting we may have identified an actin-TOC-TIC-VIPP1 complex that may provide a means of channeling cytosolic preproteins to the thylakoid membrane. The interaction of Toc159 with actin may facilitate exchange between the putative soluble and membrane forms of Toc159 and promote the interaction of cytosolic preproteins with the TOC complex.

Modulation of O-mediated retrograde signaling by the PLEIOTROPIC RESPONSE LOCUS 1 (PRL1) protein, a central integrator of stress and energy signaling

Shortly after the release of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in chloroplasts, changes in nuclear gene expression occur in the conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis that reveal a rapid transfer of signals from the plastid to the nucleus. Extensive genetic screens aimed at identifying constituents involved in (1)O(2)-mediated plastid-to-nucleus signaling have failed to identify extraplastidic signaling components. This finding suggests that (1)O(2)-mediated signals are not translocated to the nucleus via a single linear pathway, but rather through a signaling network that is difficult to block by single mutations. The complexity of this signaling network has been tackled by mutagenizing a transgenic flu line expressing the luciferase reporter gene under the control of the promoter of a (1)O(2)-responsive AAA-ATPase gene (At3g28580) and isolating second site mutants that constitutively express the reporter gene at a high level. One of the mutants was shown by map-based cloning and sequencing to contain a single amino acid change in the PLEIOTROPIC RESPONSE LOCUS 1 (PRL1) protein. PRL1 suppresses the expression of AAA-ATPase and other (1)O(2)-responsive genes. PRL1 seems to play a major role in modulating responses of plants to environmental changes by interconnecting (1)O(2)-mediated retrograde signaling with other signaling pathways.

Domain swapping to assess the mechanistic basis of Arabidopsis phototropin 1 receptor kinase activation and endocytosis by blue light

Phototropins (phot1 and phot2) are plasma membrane-associated receptor kinases that respond specifically to blue and UV wavelengths. In addition to a C-terminal Ser/Thr kinase domain, phototropins contain two N-terminal chromophore binding LOV domains that function as photoswitches to regulate a wide range of enzymatic activities in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Through domain swapping, we show that the photochemical properties of Arabidopsis thaliana phot1 rely on interactions between LOV1 and LOV2, which are facilitated by their intervening linker sequence. Functional analysis of domain-swap proteins supports a mechanism whereby LOV2 acts as a dark-state repressor of phot1 activity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we find a photoactive role for LOV1 in arresting chloroplast accumulation at high light intensities. Unlike LOV2, LOV1 cannot operate as a dark-state repressor, resulting in constitutive receptor autophosphorylation and accelerated internalization from the plasma membrane. Coexpression of active and inactive forms of phot1 demonstrates that autophosphorylation can occur intermolecularly, independent of LOV1, via light-dependent receptor dimerization in vivo. Indeed, transphosphorylation is sufficient to promote phot1 internalization through a clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway triggered primarily by phosphorylation of Ser-851 within the kinase activation loop. The mechanistic implications of these findings in regard to light-driven receptor activation and trafficking are discussed.

Complexation and toxicity of copper in higher plants. I. Characterization of copper accumulation, speciation, and toxicity in Crassula helmsii as a new copper accumulator

The amphibious water plant Crassula helmsii is an invasive copper (Cu)-tolerant neophyte in Europe. It now turned out to accumulate Cu up to more than 9,000 ppm in its shoots at 10 microm (=0.6 ppm) Cu(2+) in the nutrient solution, indicating that it is a Cu hyperaccumulator. We investigated uptake, binding environment, and toxicity of Cu in this plant under emerged and submerged conditions. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements on frozen-hydrated samples revealed that Cu was bound almost exclusively by oxygen ligands, likely organic acids, and not any sulfur ligands. Despite significant differences in photosynthesis biochemistry and biophysics between emerged and submerged plants, no differences in Cu ligands were found. While measurements of tissue pH confirmed the diurnal acid cycle typical for Crassulacean acid metabolism, Delta(13)C measurements showed values typical for regular C3 photosynthesis. Cu-induced inhibition of photosynthesis mainly affected the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center, but with some unusual features. Most obviously, the degree of light saturation of electron transport increased during Cu stress, while maximal dark-adapted PSII quantum yield did not change and light-adapted quantum yield of PSII photochemistry decreased particularly in the first 50 s after onset of actinic irradiance. This combination of changes, which were strongest in submerged cultures, shows a decreasing number of functional reaction centers relative to the antenna in a system with high antenna connectivity. Nonphotochemical quenching, in contrast, was modified by Cu mainly in emerged cultures. Pigment concentrations in stressed plants strongly decreased, but no changes in their ratios occurred, indicating that cells either survived intact or died and bleached quickly.

Abnormal physiological and molecular mutant phenotypes link chloroplast polynucleotide phosphorylase to the phosphorus deprivation response in Arabidopsis

A prominent enzyme in organellar RNA metabolism is the exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), whose reversible activity is governed by the nucleotide diphosphate-inorganic phosphate ratio. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, PNPase regulates chloroplast transcript accumulation in response to phosphorus (P) starvation, and PNPase expression is repressed by the response regulator PSR1 (for PHOSPHORUS STARVATION RESPONSE1) under these conditions. Here, we investigated the role of PNPase in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) P deprivation response by comparing wild-type and pnp mutant plants with respect to their morphology, metabolite profiles, and transcriptomes. We found that P-deprived pnp mutants develop aborted clusters of lateral roots, which are characterized by decreased auxin responsiveness and cell division, and exhibit cell death at the root tips. Electron microscopy revealed that the collapse of root organelles is enhanced in the pnp mutant under P deprivation and occurred with low frequency under P-replete conditions. Global analyses of metabolites and transcripts were carried out to understand the molecular bases of these altered P deprivation responses. We found that the pnp mutant expresses some elements of the deprivation response even when grown on a full nutrient medium, including altered transcript accumulation, although its total and inorganic P contents are not reduced. The pnp mutation also confers P status-independent responses, including but not limited to stress responses. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that the activity of the chloroplast PNPase is involved in plant acclimation to P availability and that it may help maintain an appropriate balance of P metabolites even under normal growth conditions.

Elongator mediates ABA responses, oxidative stress resistance and anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Elongator is a histone acetyl-transferase complex consisting of six subunits, and is highly conserved in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we isolated two novel mutants, elp2 and elp6, during a genetic screening for ABA-hypersensitive Arabidopsis mutants. Map-based cloning identified ELP2 and ELP6, which encode the orthologs of the yeast Elongator subunits, ELP2 and ELP6, respectively. Another Elongator subunit mutant, elp4/elo1, was obtained from the SALK T-DNA collection. The elp1/abo1/elo2 mutant was isolated in a previous study. All four of the Elongator mutants had narrow leaves, reduced root growth, ABA hypersensitivity and an increased accumulation of anthocyanins. Mutations in the core subcomplex subunits ELP1/ABO1 and ELP2, but not in the accessory subcomplex subunits ELP4/ELO1 and ELP6, caused stomatal closing to be supersensitive to ABA. In addition, the four mutants were all more resistant than the wild type to oxidative stress produced by methyl viologen, and to CsCl. Gene expression analysis indicated that the four mutants had increased transcript levels of CAT3 under normal conditions, increased transcript levels of ZAT10 when treated with ABA and reduced transcript levels of MYBL2, which encodes a single-repeat MYB protein, acting as a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our results suggest that Elongator plays crucial roles in regulating plant responses to ABA, oxidative stress resistance and anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.

Quantitative proteomics of seed filling in castor: comparison with soybean and rapeseed reveals differences between photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic seed metabolism

Seed maturation or seed filling is a phase of development that plays a major role in the storage reserve composition of a seed. In many plant seeds photosynthesis plays a major role in this process, although oilseeds, such as castor (Ricinus communis), are capable of accumulating oil without the benefit of photophosphorylation to augment energy demands. To characterize seed filling in castor, a systematic quantitative proteomics study was performed. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to resolve and quantify Cy-dye-labeled proteins expressed at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after flowering in biological triplicate. Expression profiles for 660 protein spot groups were established, and of these, 522 proteins were confidently identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry by mining against the castor genome. Identified proteins were classified according to function, and the most abundant groups of proteins were involved in protein destination and storage (34%), energy (19%), and metabolism (15%). Carbon assimilatory pathways in castor were compared with previous studies of photosynthetic oilseeds, soybean (Glycine max) and rapeseed (Brassica napus). These comparisons revealed differences in abundance and number of protein isoforms at numerous steps in glycolysis. One such difference was the number of enolase isoforms and their sum abundance; castor had approximately six times as many isoforms as soy and rapeseed. Furthermore, Rubisco was 11-fold less prominent in castor compared to rapeseed. These and other differences suggest some aspects of carbon flow, carbon recapture, as well as ATP and NADPH production in castor differs from photosynthetic oilseeds.

INORGANIC CARBON ACQUISITION BY CHRYSOPHYTES(1)

Twelve species, representing 12 families of the chrysophytes sensu lato, were tested for their ability to take up inorganic carbon. Using the pH-drift technique, CO2 compensation points generally varied between 1 and 20 μmol · L(-1) with a mean concentration of 5 μmol · L(-1) . Neither pH nor alkalinity affected the CO2 compensation point. The concentration of oxygen had a relatively minor effect on CO2 -uptake kinetics, and the mean CO2 compensation point calculated from the kinetic curves was 3.6 μmol · L(-1) at 10-15 kPa starting oxygen partial pressure and 3.8 μmol · L(-1) at atmospheric starting oxygen partial pressure (21 kPa). Similarly, uptake kinetics were not affected by alkalinity, and hence concentration of bicarbonate. Membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) in the presence and absence of acetazolamide suggested that external carbonic anhydrase in Dinobryon sertularia Ehrenb. and Synura petersenii Korschikov was either very low or absent. Rates of net HCO3 (-) uptake were very low (∼5% of oxygen evolution) using MIMS and decreased rather than increased with increasing HCO3 (-) concentration, suggesting that it was not a real uptake. The CO2 compensation points determined by MIMS for CO2 uptake and oxygen evolution were similar to those determined in pH-drift and were >1 μmol · L(-1) . Overall, the results suggest that chrysophytes as a group lack a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM), or an ability to make use of bicarbonate as an alternative source of inorganic carbon. The possible evolutionary and ecological consequences of this are briefly discussed.

Cytokinin action in plant development

Cytokinin regulates many important aspects of plant development in aerial and subterranean organs. The hormone is part of an intrinsic genetic network controlling organ development and growth in these two distinct environments that plants have to cope with. Cytokinin also mediates the responses to variable extrinsic factors, such as light conditions in the shoot and availability of nutrients and water in the root, and has a role in the response to biotic and abiotic stress. Together, these activities contribute to the fine-tuning of quantitative growth regulation in plants. We review recent progress in understanding the cytokinin system and its links to the regulatory pathways that respond to internal and external signals.

PRIMARY CARBON AND NITROGEN METABOLIC GENE EXPRESSION IN THE DIATOM THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE): DIEL PERIODICITY AND EFFECTS OF INORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN(1)

Diel periodicity and effects of inorganic carbon (Ci ) and NO3 (-) on the expression of 11 key genes for primary carbon and nitrogen metabolism, including potential C4 photosynthesis, in the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle et Heimdal were investigated. Target gene transcripts were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR, and some of the gene-encoded proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. The diatom was grown with a 12 h photoperiod at two different Ci concentrations maintained by air-equilibration with either 380 μL · L(-1) (near-ambient) or 100 μL · L(-1) (low) CO2 . Transcripts of the principal Ci and NO3 (-) assimilatory genes RUBISCO LSU (rbcL) and nitrate reductase displayed very strong diel oscillations with peaks at the end of the scotophase. Considerable diel periodicities were also exhibited by the β-carboxylase genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC1 and PEPC2) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and the Benson-Calvin cycle gene sedoheptulose-bisphosphatase (SBPase), with peaks during mid- to late scotophase. In accordance with the transcripts, there were substantial diel periodicities in PEPC1, PEPC2, PEPCK, and especially rbcL proteins, although they peaked during early to mid-photophase. Inorganic carbon had some transient effects on the β-carboxylase transcripts, and glycine decarboxylase P subunit was highly up-regulated by low Ci concentration, indicating increased capacity for photorespiration. Nitrogen-starved cells had reduced amounts of carbon metabolic gene transcripts, but the PEPC1, PEPC2, PEPCK, and rbcL transcripts increased rapidly when NO3 (-) was replenished. The results suggest that the β-carboxylases in T. pseudonana play key anaplerotic roles but show no clear support for C4 photosynthesis.

Light-regulated Arabidopsis ACBP4 and ACBP5 encode cytosolic acyl-CoA-binding proteins that bind phosphatidylcholine and oleoyl-CoA ester

In Arabidopsis thaliana, six genes encode acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) that show conservation of an acyl-CoA-binding domain. These ACBPs display varying affinities for acyl-CoA esters, suggesting of different cellular roles. We have recently reported that three members (ACBP4, ACBP5 and ACBP6) are subcellularly localized to the cytosol by biochemical fractionation, confocal microscopy of transgenic Arabidopsis expressing autofluorescence-tagged fusions and immuno-electron microscopy using ACBP-specific antibodies. In this study, we observed by Northern blot analysis that ACBP4 and ACBP5 mRNAs in rosettes were up-regulated by light and dampened-off in darkness, mimicking FAD7 which encodes omega-3-fatty acid desaturase, an enzyme involved in plastidial lipid metabolism. Results from in vitro binding assays indicate that recombinant ACBP4 and ACBP5 proteins bind [(14)C]oleoyl-CoA esters better than recombinant ACBP6, suggesting that light-regulated ACBP4 and ACBP5 encode cytosolic ACBPs that are potential candidates for the intracellular transport of oleoyl-CoA ester exported from the chloroplast to the endoplasmic reticulum for the biosynthesis of non-plastidial membrane lipids. Nonetheless, His-tagged ACBP4 and ACBP5 resemble ACBP6 in their ability to bind phosphatidylcholine suggesting that all three ACBPs are available for the intracellular transfer of phosphatidylcholine.

Identification and characterization of bZIP-type transcription factors involved in carrot (Daucus carota L.) somatic embryogenesis

Seed dormancy is an important adaptive trait that enables seeds of many species to remain quiescent until conditions become favorable for germination. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in these developmental processes. Like dormancy and germination, the elongation of carrot somatic embryo radicles is retarded by sucrose concentrations at or above 6%, and normal growth resumes at sucrose concentrations below 3%. Using a yeast one-hybrid screening system, we isolated two bZIP-type transcription factors, CAREB1 and CAREB2, from a cDNA library prepared from carrot somatic embryos cultured in a high-sucrose medium. Both CAREB1 and CAREB2 were localized to the nucleus, and specifically bound to the ABA response element (ABRE) in the Dc3 promoter. Expression of CAREB2 was induced in seedlings by drought and exogenous ABA application; whereas expression of CAREB1 increased during late embryogenesis, and reduced dramatically when somatic embryos were treated with fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA synthesis. Overexpression of CAREB1 caused somatic embryos to develop slowly when cultured in low-sucrose medium, and retarded the elongation of the radicles. These results indicate that CAREB1 and CAREB2 have similar DNA-binding activities, but play different roles during carrot development. Our results indicate that CAREB1 functions as an important trans-acting factor in the ABA signal transduction pathway during carrot somatic embryogenesis.

Gene expression in the dimorphic sperm cells of Plumbago zeylanica: transcript profiling, diversity, and relationship to cell type

Plumbago zeylanica produces cytoplasmically dimorphic sperm cells that target the egg and central cell during fertilization. In mature pollen, the larger sperm cell contains numerous mitochondria, is associated with the vegetative nucleus (S(vn)), and fuses preferentially with the central cell, forming endosperm. The other, plastid-enriched sperm cell (S(ua)) fuses with the egg cell, forming the zygote and embryo. Sperm expressed genes were investigated using ESTs produced from each sperm type; differential expression was validated through suppression subtractive hybridization, custom microarrays, real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The expression profiles of dimorphic sperm cells reflect a diverse and broad complement of genes, including high proportions of conserved and unknown genes, as well as distinct patterns of expression. A number of genes were highly up-regulated in the male germ line, including some genes that were differentially expressed in either the S(ua) or the S(vn). Differentially up-regulated genes in the egg-targeted S(ua) showed increased expression in transcription and translation categories, whereas the central cell-targeted S(vn) displayed expanded expression in the hormone biosynthesis category. Interestingly, the up-regulated genes expressed in the sperm cells appeared to reflect the expected post-fusion profiles of the future embryo and endosperm. As sperm cytoplasm is known to be transmitted during fertilization in this plant, sperm-contributed mRNAs are probably transported during fertilization, which could influence early embryo and endosperm development.

Transcript-based cloning of RRP46, a regulator of rRNA processing and R gene-independent cell death in barley-powdery mildew interactions

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a pivotal role in plant development and defense. To investigate the interaction between PCD and R gene-mediated defense, we used the 22K Barley1 GeneChip to compare and contrast time-course expression profiles of Blumeria graminis f. sp hordei (Bgh) challenged barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivar C.I. 16151 (harboring the Mla6 powdery mildew resistance allele) and its fast neutron-derived Bgh-induced tip cell death1 mutant, bcd1. Mixed linear model analysis identified genes associated with the cell death phenotype as opposed to R gene-mediated resistance. One-hundred fifty genes were found at the threshold P value < 0.0001 and a false discovery rate <0.6%. Of these, 124 were constitutively overexpressed in the bcd1 mutant. Gene Ontology and rice (Oryza sativa) alignment-based annotation indicated that 68 of the 124 overexpressed genes encode ribosomal proteins. A deletion harboring six genes on chromosome 5H cosegregates with bcd1-specified cell death and is associated with misprocessing of rRNAs but segregates independent of R gene-mediated resistance. Barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing of one of the six deleted genes, RRP46 (rRNA-processing protein 46), phenocopied bcd1-mediated tip cell death. These findings suggest that RRP46, a critical component of the exosome core, mediates RNA processing and degradation involved in cell death initiation as a result of attempted penetration by Bgh during the barley-powdery mildew interaction but is independent of gene-for-gene resistance.