Molecular analysis of the myosin gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

Actomyosin-driven motility and coalescence of phase-separated viral inclusion bodies are required for efficient replication of a plant rhabdovirus

Phase separation has emerged as a fundamental principle for organizing viral and cellular membraneless organelles. Although these subcellular compartments have been recognized for decades, their biogenesis and mechanisms of regulation are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the formation of membraneless inclusion bodies (IBs) induced during the infection of a plant rhabdovirus, tomato yellow mottle-associated virus (TYMaV). We generated recombinant TYMaV encoding a fluorescently labeled IB constituent protein and employed live-cell imaging to characterize the intracellular dynamics and maturation of viral IBs in infected Nicotiana benthamiana cells. We show that TYMaV IBs are phase-separated biomolecular condensates and that viral nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein are minimally required for IB formation in vivo and in vitro. TYMaV IBs move along the microfilaments, likely through the anchoring of viral phosphoprotein to myosin XIs. Furthermore, pharmacological disruption of microfilaments or inhibition of myosin XI functions suppresses IB motility, resulting in arrested IB growth and inefficient virus replication. Our study establishes phase separation as a process driving the formation of liquid viral factories and emphasizes the role of the cytoskeletal system in regulating the dynamics of condensate maturation.

MYO, a Candidate Gene for Haploid Induction in Maize Causes Male Sterility

Doubled haploid technology is highly successful in maize breeding programs and is contingent on the ability of maize inducers to efficiently produce haploids. Knowledge of the genes involved in haploid induction is important for not only developing better maize inducers, but also to create inducers in other crops. The main quantitative trait loci involved in maize haploid induction are qhir1 and qhir8. The gene underlying qhir1 has been discovered and validated by independent research groups. Prior to initiation of this study, the gene associated with qhir8 had yet to be recognized. Therefore, this research focused on characterizing positional candidate genes underlying qhir8. Pursuing this goal, a strong candidate for qhir8, GRMZM2G435294 (MYO), was silenced by RNAi. Analysis of crosses with these heterozygous RNAi-transgenic lines for haploid induction rate revealed that the silencing of MYO significantly enhanced haploid induction rate by an average of 0.6% in the presence of qhir1. Recently, GRMZM2G465053 (ZmDMP) was identified by map-based gene isolation and shown to be responsible for qhir8. While our results suggest that MYO may contribute to haploid induction rate, results were inconsistent and only showing minor increases in haploid induction rate compared to ZmDMP. Instead, reciprocal crosses clearly revealed that the silencing of MYO causes male sterility.

Kinesins and Myosins: Molecular Motors that Coordinate Cellular Functions in Plants

Kinesins and myosins are motor proteins that can move actively along microtubules and actin filaments, respectively. Plants have evolved a unique set of motors that function as regulators and organizers of the cytoskeleton and as drivers of long-distance transport of various cellular components. Recent progress has established the full complement of motors encoded in plant genomes and has revealed valuable insights into the cellular functions of many kinesin and myosin isoforms. Interestingly, several of the motors were found to functionally connect the two cytoskeletal systems and thereby to coordinate their activities. In this review, we discuss the available genetic, cell biological, and biochemical data for each of the plant kinesin and myosin families from the context of their subcellular mechanism of action as well as their physiological function in the whole plant. We particularly emphasize work that illustrates mechanisms by which kinesins and myosins coordinate the activities of the cytoskeletal system.

Insights into the Ecology and Evolution of Polyploid Plants through Network Analysis

Polyploidy is a widespread phenomenon throughout eukaryotes, with important ecological and evolutionary consequences. Although genes operate as components of complex pathways and networks, polyploid changes in genes and gene expression have typically been evaluated as either individual genes or as a part of broad-scale analyses. Network analysis has been fruitful in associating genomic and other 'omic'-based changes with phenotype for many systems. In polyploid species, network analysis has the potential not only to facilitate a better understanding of the complex 'omic' underpinnings of phenotypic and ecological traits common to polyploidy, but also to provide novel insight into the interaction among duplicated genes and genomes. This adds perspective to the global patterns of expression (and other 'omic') change that accompany polyploidy and to the patterns of recruitment and/or loss of genes following polyploidization. While network analysis in polyploid species faces challenges common to other analyses of duplicated genomes, present technologies combined with thoughtful experimental design provide a powerful system to explore polyploid evolution. Here, we demonstrate the utility and potential of network analysis to questions pertaining to polyploidy with an example involving evolution of the transgressively superior cotton fibres found in polyploid Gossypium hirsutum. By combining network analysis with prior knowledge, we provide further insights into the role of profilins in fibre domestication and exemplify the potential for network analysis in polyploid species.

The molecular mechanism and physiological role of cytoplasmic streaming

Cytoplasmic streaming occurs widely in plants ranging from algae to angiosperms. However, the molecular mechanism and physiological role of cytoplasmic streaming have long remained unelucidated. Recent molecular genetic approaches have identified specific myosin members (XI-2 and XI-K as major and XI-1, XI-B, and XI-I as minor motive forces) for the generation of cytoplasmic streaming among 13 myosin XIs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Simultaneous knockout of these myosin XI members led to a reduced velocity of cytoplasmic streaming and marked defects of plant development. Furthermore, the artificial modifications of myosin XI-2 velocity changed plant and cell sizes along with the velocity of cytoplasmic streaming. Therefore, we assume that cytoplasmic streaming is one of the key regulators in determining plant size.

Sharka: how do plants respond to Plum pox virus infection?

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causal agent of sharka disease, is one of the most studied plant viruses, and major advances in detection techniques, genome characterization and organization, gene expression, transmission, and the description of candidate genes involved in PPV resistance have been described. However, information concerning the plant response to PPV infection is very scarce. In this review, we provide an updated summary of the research carried out to date in order to elucidate how plants cope with PPV infection and their response at different levels, including the physiological, biochemical, proteomic, and genetic levels. Knowledge about how plants respond to PPV infection can contribute to the development of new strategies to cope with this disease. Due to the fact that PPV induces an oxidative stress in plants, the bio-fortification of the antioxidative defences, by classical or biotechnological approaches, would be a useful tool to cope with PPV infection. Nevertheless, there are still some gaps in knowledge related to PPV-plant interaction that remain to be filled, such as the effect of PPV on the hormonal profile of the plant or on the plant metabolome.

Processing-body movement in Arabidopsis depends on an interaction between myosins and DECAPPING PROTEIN1

Processing (P)-bodies are cytoplasmic RNA protein aggregates responsible for the storage, degradation, and quality control of translationally repressed messenger RNAs in eukaryotic cells. In mammals, P-body-related RNA and protein exchanges are actomyosin dependent, whereas P-body movement requires intact microtubules. In contrast, in plants, P-body motility is actin based. In this study, we show the direct interaction of the P-body core component DECAPPING PROTEIN1 (DCP1) with the tails of different unconventional myosins in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). By performing coexpression studies with AtDCP1, dominant-negative myosin fragments, as well as functional full-length myosin XI-K, the association of P-bodies and myosins was analyzed in detail. Finally, the combination of mutant analyses and characterization of P-body movement patterns showed that myosin XI-K is essential for fast and directed P-body transport. Together, our data indicate that P-body movement in plants is governed by myosin XI members through direct binding to AtDCP1 rather than through an adapter protein, as known for membrane-coated organelles. Interspecies and intraspecies interaction approaches with mammalian and yeast protein homologs suggest that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotes.

The circular F-actin bundles provide a track for turnaround and bidirectional movement of mitochondria in Arabidopsis root hair

Background

The movement of organelles in root hairs primarily occurs along the actin cytoskeleton. Circulation and “reverse fountain” cytoplasmic streaming constitute the typical forms by which most organelles (such as mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus) in plant root hair cells engage in bidirectional movement. However, there remains a lack of in-depth research regarding the relationship between the distribution of the actin cytoskeleton and turnaround organelle movement in plant root hair cells.

Results

In this paper, Arabidopsis seedlings that had been stably transformed with a GFP-ABD2-GFP (green fluorescent protein-actin-binding domain 2-green fluorescent protein) construct were utilized to study the distribution of bundles of filamentous (F)-actin and the directed motion of mitochondria along these bundles in root hairs. Observations with a confocal laser scanning microscope revealed that there were widespread circular F-actin bundles in the epidermal cells and root hairs of Arabidopsis roots. In root hairs, these circular bundles primarily start at the sub-apical region, which is the location where the turnaround movement of organelles occurs. MitoTracker probes were used to label mitochondria, and the dynamic observation of root hair cells with a confocal laser scanning microscope indicated that turnaround mitochondrial movement occurred along circular F-actin bundles.

Conclusions

Relevant experimental results demonstrated that the circular F-actin bundles provide a track for the turnaround and bidirectional movement of mitochondria.

Whole genome duplication events in plant evolution reconstructed and predicted using myosin motor proteins

Background

The evolution of land plants is characterized by whole genome duplications (WGD), which drove species diversification and evolutionary novelties. Detecting these events is especially difficult if they date back to the origin of the plant kingdom. Established methods for reconstructing WGDs include intra- and inter-genome comparisons, K_S age distribution analyses, and phylogenetic tree constructions.

Results

By analysing 67 completely sequenced plant genomes 775 myosins were identified and manually assembled. Phylogenetic trees of the myosin motor domains revealed orthologous and paralogous relationships and were consistent with recent species trees. Based on the myosin inventories and the phylogenetic trees, we have identified duplications of the entire myosin motor protein family at timings consistent with 23 WGDs, that had been reported before. We also predict 6 WGDs based on further protein family duplications. Notably, the myosin data support the two recently reported WGDs in the common ancestor of all extant angiosperms. We predict single WGDs in the Manihot esculenta and Nicotiana benthamiana lineages, two WGDs for Linum usitatissimum and Phoenix dactylifera, and a triplication or two WGDs for Gossypium raimondii. Our data show another myosin duplication in the ancestor of the angiosperms that could be either the result of a single gene duplication or a remnant of a WGD.

Conclusions

We have shown that the myosin inventories in angiosperms retain evidence of numerous WGDs that happened throughout plant evolution. In contrast to other protein families, many myosins are still present in extant species. They are closely related and have similar domain architectures, and their phylogenetic grouping follows the genome duplications. Because of its broad taxonomic sampling the dataset provides the basis for reliable future identification of further whole genome duplications.

Insights into fruit function from the proteome of the hypanthium

Apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) was used as a model to studying essential biological processes occurring in mature fruit hypanthium, commonly referred to as the fruit flesh or pulp, a highly active tissue where numerous metabolic processes such as carbohydrate metabolism and signal transduction occur. To understand the complex biological processes occurring in the hypanthium, a proteomics approach was used to analyze the proteome from freshly harvested ripe apple fruits. A total of 290 well-resolved spots were detected using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Out of these, 216 proteins were identified representing 116 non-redundant proteins using matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and either the MASCOT or ProteinProspector engine for peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) database searching. Identified proteins were classified into 13 major functional categories. Among these, the energy metabolism class was the most represented and included 50% of proteins homologous to Arabidopsis proteins that are involved in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses, suggesting a dual role for these proteins in addition to energy metabolism. We also identified dynein heavy chain in the hypanthium although this protein has been proposed as absent from angiosperms and thus suggest that the lack of dyneins in higher plants studied to date may not be a general characteristic to angiosperm genomic organisation. We therefore conclude that the detection and elucidation of the apple hypanthium proteome is an indispensable step towards the comprehension of fruit metabolism, the integration of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic data to agronomic trait information and thus fruit quality improvements.

Expression, splicing, and evolution of the myosin gene family in plants

Plants possess two myosin classes, VIII and XI. The myosins XI are implicated in organelle transport, filamentous actin organization, and cell and plant growth. Due to the large size of myosin gene families, knowledge of these molecular motors remains patchy. Using deep transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics, we systematically investigated myosin genes in two model plants, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon). We improved myosin gene models and found that myosin genes undergo alternative splicing. We experimentally validated the gene models for Arabidopsis myosin XI-K, which plays the principal role in cell interior dynamics, as well as for its Brachypodium ortholog. We showed that the Arabidopsis gene dubbed HDK (for headless derivative of myosin XI-K), which emerged through a partial duplication of the XI-K gene, is developmentally regulated. A gene with similar architecture was also found in Brachypodium. Our analyses revealed two predominant patterns of myosin gene expression, namely pollen/stamen-specific and ubiquitous expression throughout the plant. We also found that several myosins XI can be rhythmically expressed. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the last common ancestor of the angiosperms possessed two myosins VIII and five myosins XI, many of which underwent additional lineage-specific duplications.

Identification of gene disruptions for increased poly-3-hydroxybutyrate accumulation in Synechocystis PCC 6803

Inverse metabolic engineering (IME) is a combinatorial approach for identifying genotypes associated with a particular phenotype of interest. In this study, gene disruptions that increase the biosynthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in the photosynthetic bacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 were identified. A Synechocystis mutant library was constructed by homologous recombination between the Synechocystis genome and a mutagenized genomic plasmid library generated through transposon insertion. Using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based high throughput screen, high PHB accumulating mutants from the library grown in different nutrient conditions were isolated and characterized. While several mutants isolated from the screen had increased PHB accumulation, transposon insertions in only two ORFs could be linked to increased PHB production. Disruptions of sll0461, coding for gamma-glutamyl phosphate reductase (proA), and sll0565, a hypothetical protein, resulted in increased accumulation in standard growth media and acetate supplemented media. These genetic perturbations have increased PHB accumulation in Synechocystis and serve as markers for engineering increased polymer production in higher photosynthetic organisms.

An isoform of myosin XI is responsible for the translocation of endoplasmic reticulum in tobacco cultured BY-2 cells

The involvement of myosin XI in generating the motive force for cytoplasmic streaming in plant cells is becoming evident. For a comprehensive understanding of the physiological roles of myosin XI isoforms, it is necessary to elucidate the properties and functions of each isoform individually. In tobacco cultured BY-2 cells, two types of myosins, one composed of 175 kDa heavy chain (175 kDa myosin) and the other of 170 kDa heavy chain (170 kDa myosin), have been identified biochemically and immunocytochemically. From sequence analyses of cDNA clones encoding heavy chains of 175 kDa and 170 kDa myosin, both myosins have been classified as myosin XI. Immunocytochemical studies using a polyclonal antibody against purified 175 kDa myosin heavy chain showed that the 175 kDa myosin is distributed throughout the cytoplasm as fine dots in interphase BY-2 cells. During mitosis, some parts of 175 kDa myosin were found to accumulate in the pre-prophase band (PPB), spindle, the equatorial plane of a phragmoplast and on the circumference of daughter nuclei. In transgenic BY-2 cells, in which an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-specific retention signal, HDEL, tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) was stably expressed, ER showed a similar behaviour to that of 175 kDa myosin. Furthermore, this myosin was co-fractionated with GFP-ER by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. From these findings, it was suggested that the 175 kDa myosin is a molecular motor responsible for translocating ER in BY-2 cells.

Differential organelle movement on the actin cytoskeleton in lily pollen tubes

We have examined the arrangement and movement of three major compartments, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, and the vacuole during oscillatory, polarized growth in lily pollen tubes. These movements are dependent on the actin cytoskeleton, because they are strongly perturbed by the anti-microfilament drug, latrunculin-B, and unaffected by the anti-microtubule agent, oryzalin. The ER, which has been labeled with mGFP5-HDEL or cytochalasin D tetramethylrhodamine, displays an oscillatory motion in the pollen tube apex. First it moves apically in the cortical region, presumably along the cortical actin fringe, and then periodically folds inward creating a platform that transects the apical domain in a plate-like structure. Finally, the ER reverses its direction and moves basipetally through the central core of the pollen tube. When subjected to cross-correlation analysis, the formation of the platform precedes maximal growth rates by an average of 3 s (35-40 degrees ). Mitochondria, labeled with Mitotracker Green, are enriched in the subapical region, and their movement closely resembles that of the ER. The vacuole, labeled with carboxy-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, consists of thin tubules arranged longitudinally in a reticulate network, which undergoes active motion. In contrast to the mitochondria and ER, the vacuole is located back from the apex, and never extends into the apical clear zone. We have not been able to decipher an oscillatory pattern in vacuole motion. Because this motion is dependent on actin and not tubulin, we think this is due to a different myosin from that which drives the ER and mitochondria.

Association of six YFP-myosin XI-tail fusions with mobile plant cell organelles

BACKGROUND

Myosins are molecular motors that carry cargo on actin filaments in eukaryotic cells. Seventeen myosin genes have been identified in the nuclear genome of Arabidopsis. The myosin genes can be divided into two plant-specific subfamilies, class VIII with four members and class XI with 13 members. Class XI myosins are related to animal and fungal myosin class V that are responsible for movement of particular vesicles and organelles. Organelle localization of only one of the 13 Arabidopsis myosin XI (myosin XI-6; At MYA2), which is found on peroxisomes, has so far been reported. Little information is available concerning the remaining 12 class XI myosins.

RESULTS

We investigated 6 of the 13 class XI Arabidopsis myosins. cDNAs corresponding to the tail region of 6 myosin genes were generated and incorporated into a vector to encode YFP-myosin tail fusion proteins lacking the motor domain. Chimeric genes incorporating tail regions of myosin XI-5 (At MYA1), myosin XI-6 (At MYA2), myosin XI-8 (At XI-B), myosin XI-15 (At XI-I), myosin XI-16 (At XI-J) and myosin XI-17 (At XI-K) were expressed transiently. All YFP-myosin-tail fusion proteins were targeted to small organelles ranging in size from 0.5 to 3.0 mum. Despite the absence of a motor domain, the fluorescently-labeled organelles were motile in most cells. Tail cropping experiments demonstrated that the coiled-coil region was required for specific localization and shorter tail regions were inadequate for targeting. Myosin XI-6 (At MYA2), previously reported to localize to peroxisomes by immunofluorescence, labeled both peroxisomes and vesicles when expressed as a YFP-tail fusion. None of the 6 YFP-myosin tail fusions interacted with chloroplasts, and only one YFP-tail fusion appeared to sometimes co-localize with fluorescent proteins targeted to Golgi and mitochondria.

CONCLUSION

6 myosin XI tails, extending from the coiled-coil region to the C-terminus, label specific vesicles and/or organelles when transiently expressed as YFP fusions in plant cells. Although comparable constructs lacking the motor domain result in a dominant negative effect on organelle motility in animal systems, the plant organelles remained motile. YFP-myosin tail fusions provide specific labeling for vesicles of unknown composition, whose identity can be investigated in future studies.

Plum pox virus induces differential gene expression in the partially resistant stone fruit tree Prunus armeniaca cv. Goldrich

We investigated the changes in the expression profiles of the partially resistant apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivar Goldrich following inoculation with Plum pox virus (PPV) using cDNA-amplification fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Altered expression patterns were detected and twenty-one differentially expressed cDNA had homologies with genes in databases coding for proteins involved in metabolism, signal transduction, defense, stress and intra/intercellular connections. Seven of the modified expressed patterns were further investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR or Northern blotting. The expression patterns of five of these genes were confirmed in the partially resistant P. armeniaca cv. 'Goldrich' and assessed in a susceptible genotype. One of these cDNAs, coding for a putative class III chitinase, appeared to be repressed in infected plants of the partially resistant genotype and expressed in the susceptible one which could be related to the partially resistant phenotype. On the contrary, the expression patterns of the genes coding for a transketolase, a kinesin-like and an ankyrin-like protein, were clearly linked to the susceptible interaction. These candidate genes could play a role either in the compatible interaction leading to virus invasion or to the quantitative resistance of apricot to PPV.

Isolation of myosin XI genes from the Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale complex and analysis of their expression during sexual reproduction

Myosins comprise a large superfamily of molecular motors that generate mechanical force in ATP-dependent interactions with actin filaments. On the basis of their conserved motor domain sequences, myosins can be divided into at least 17 classes, 3 of which (VIII, XI, XIII) are found in plants. Although full sequences of myosins are available from several species of green plants, little is known about the functions of these proteins. Additionally, sequence information for algal myosin is incomplete, and little attention has been given to the molecular evolution of myosin from green plants. In the present study, the Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale complex was used as a model system for investigating a unicellular basal charophycean alga. This organism has been well studied with respect to sexual reproduction between its two mating types. Three types of partial sequences belonging to class XI myosins were obtained using degenerate primers designed to amplify motor domain sequences. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the respective myosin genes during various stages of the algal life cycle showed that one of the genes was more highly expressed during sexual reproduction, and that expression was cell-cycle-dependent in vegetatively grown cells.

Peroxisomal localization of a myosin XI isoform in Arabidopsis thaliana

The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana contains 13 myosin XI isoforms. Here we prepared a specific antibody against a peptide that mimics a unique C-terminal region from the myosin XI isoform, MYA2. The resulting antibody was used to demonstrate that MYA2 in Arabidopsis protein extracts co-sedimented with actin filaments and dissociated from the filaments with ATP treatment. Immunolocalization studies showed that MYA2 co-localized predominantly with actin filaments in clustered punctuate dots in leaf epidermal cells, root hair cells and suspension-cultured cells. In a transgenic plant in which peroxisomes are labeled with green fluorescent protein, some MYA2 signals were localized on peroxisomes in an actin-dependent manner. We propose that the peroxisome is one of the cargos translocated by MYA2 on actin filaments.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of Myosin Gene Family in Oryza sativa Genome

Myosins play an important role in various developmental processes in plants. We have identified 14 myosin genes in rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare) genome using sequence information available in public databases. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences with other plant and non-plant myosins revealed that two of the predicted sequences belonged to class VIII and the others to class XI. All of these genes were distributed on seven chromosomes in the rice genome. Domain searches on these sequences indicated that a typical rice myosin consisted of Myosin_N, head domain, neck (IQ motifs), tail, and dilute (DIL) domain. Based on the sequence information obtained from predicted myosins, we isolated and sequenced two full-length cDNAs, OsMyoVIIIA and OsMyoXIE, representing each of the two classes of myosins. These two cDNAs isolated from different organs existed in isoforms due to differential splicing and showed minor differences from the predicted myosin in exon organization. Out of 14 myosin genes 11 were expressed in three major organs: leaves, panicles, and roots, among which three myosins exhibited different expression levels. On the other hand, three of the total myosin sequences showed organ-specific expression. The existence of different myosin genes and their isoforms in different organs or tissues indicates the diversity of myosin functions in rice.

A subclass of myosin XI is associated with mitochondria, plastids, and the molecular chaperone subunit TCP-1? in maize

The role and regulation of specific plant myosins in cyclosis is not well understood. In the present report, an affinity-purified antibody generated against a conserved tail region of some class XI plant myosin isoforms was used for biochemical and immunofluorescence studies of Zea mays. Myosin XI co-localized with plastids and mitochondria but not with nuclei, the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, or peroxisomes. This suggests that myosin XI is involved in the motility of specific organelles. Myosin XI was more than 50% co-localized with tailless complex polypeptide-1alpha (TCP-1alpha) in tissue sections of mature tissues located more than 1.0 mm from the apex, and the two proteins co-eluted from gel filtration and ion exchange columns. On Western blots, TCP-1alpha isoforms showed a developmental shift from the youngest 5.0 mm of the root to more mature regions that were more than 10.0 mm from the apex. This developmental shift coincided with a higher percentage of myosin XI /TCP-1alpha co-localization, and faster degradation of myosin XI by serine protease. Our results suggest that class XI plant myosin requires TCP-1alpha for regulating folding or providing protection against denaturation.

Transcriptional profiling of Arabidopsis tissues reveals the unique characteristics of the pollen transcriptome

Pollen tubes are a good model for the study of cell growth and morphogenesis because of their extreme elongation without cell division. Yet, knowledge about the genetic basis of pollen germination and tube growth is still lagging behind advances in pollen physiology and biochemistry. In an effort to reduce this gap, we have developed a new method to obtain highly purified, hydrated pollen grains of Arabidopsis through flowcytometric sorting, and we used GeneChips (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA; representing approximately 8,200 genes) to compare the transcriptional profile of sorted pollen with those of four vegetative tissues (seedlings, leaves, roots, and siliques). We present a new graphical tool allowing genomic scale visualization of the unique transcriptional profile of pollen. The 1,584 genes expressed in pollen showed a 90% overlap with genes expressed in these vegetative tissues, whereas one-third of the genes constitutively expressed in the vegetative tissues were not expressed in pollen. Among the 469 genes enriched in pollen, 162 were selectively expressed, and most of these had not been associated previously with pollen. Their functional classification reveals several new candidate genes, mainly in the categories of signal transduction and cell wall biosynthesis and regulation. Thus, the results presented improve our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying pollen germination and tube growth and provide new directions for deciphering their genetic basis. Because pollen expresses about one-third of the number of genes expressed on average in other organs, it may constitute an ideal system to study fundamental mechanisms of cell biology and, by omission, of cell division.

The Arabidopsis cytoskeletal genome

In the past decade the first Arabidopsis genes encoding cytoskeletal proteins were identified. A few dozen genes in the actin and tubulin cytoskeletal systems have been characterized thoroughly, including gene families encoding actins, profilins, actin depolymerizing factors, α-tubulins, and β-tubulins. Conventional molecular genetics have shown these family members to be differentially expressed at the temporal and spatial levels with an ancient split separating those genes expressed in vegetative tissues from those expressed in reproductive tissues. A few members of other cytoskeletal gene families have also been partially characterized, including an actin-related protein, annexins, fimbrins, kinesins, myosins, and villins. In the year 2001 the Arabidopsis genome sequence was completed. Based on sequence homology with well-characterized animal, fungal, and protist sequences, we find candidate cytoskeletal genes in the Arabidopsis database: more than 150 actin-binding proteins (ABPs), including monomer binding, capping, cross-linking, attachment, and motor proteins; more than 200 microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs); and, surprisingly, 10 to 40 potential intermediate filament (IF) proteins. Most of these sequences are uncharacterized and were not identified as related to cytoskeletal proteins. Several Arabidopsis ABPs, MAPs, and IF proteins are represented by individual genes and most were represented as as small gene families. However, several classes of cytoskeletal genes including myosin, eEF1α, CLIP, tea1, and kinesin are part of large gene families with 20 to 70 potential gene members each. This treasure trove of data provides an unprecedented opportunity to make rapid advances in understanding the complex plant cytoskeletal proteome. However, the functional analysis of these proposed cytoskeletal proteins and their mutants will require detailed analysis at the cell biological, molecular genetic, and biochemical levels. New approaches will be needed to move more efficiently and rapidly from this mass of DNA sequence to functional studies on cytoskeletal proteins.

Higher plant myosin XI moves processively on actin with 35 nm steps at high velocity

High velocity cytoplasmic streaming is found in various plant cells from algae to angiosperms. We characterized mechanical and enzymatic properties of a higher plant myosin purified from tobacco bright yellow-2 cells, responsible for cytoplasmic streaming, having a 175 kDa heavy chain and calmodulin light chains. Sequence analysis shows it to be a class XI myosin and a dimer with six IQ motifs in the light chain-binding domains of each heavy chain. Electron microscopy confirmed these predictions. We measured its ATPase characteristics, in vitro motility and, using optical trap nanometry, forces and movement developed by individual myosin XI molecules. Single myosin XI molecules move processively along actin with 35 nm steps at 7 micro m/s, the fastest known processive motion. Processivity was confirmed by actin landing rate assays. Mean maximal force was approximately 0.5 pN, smaller than for myosin IIs. Dwell time analysis of beads carrying single myosin XI molecules fitted the ATPase kinetics, with ADP release being rate limiting. These results indicate that myosin XI is highly specialized for generation of fast processive movement with concomitantly low forces.

Visualization of peroxisomes in living plant cells reveals acto-myosin-dependent cytoplasmic streaming and peroxisome budding

Here we examine peroxisomes in living plant cells using transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to the peroxisome targeting signal 1 (PTS1). Using time-lapse laser scanning confocal microscopy we find that plant peroxisomes exhibit fast directional movement with peak velocities approaching 10 microm s(-1). Unlike mammalian peroxisomes which move on microtubules, plant peroxisome movement is dependent on actin microfilaments and myosin motors, since it is blocked by treatment with latrunculin B and butanedione monoxime, respectively. In contrast, microtubule-disrupting drugs have no effect on peroxisome streaming. Peroxisomes were further shown to associate with the actin cytoskeleton by the simultaneous visualization of actin filaments and peroxisomes in living cells using GFP-talin and GFP-PTS1 fusion proteins, respectively. In addition, peroxisome budding was observed, suggesting a possible mechanism of plant peroxisome proliferation. The strong signal associated with the GFP-PTS1 marker also allowed us to survey cytoplasmic streaming in different cell types. Peroxisome movement is most intense in elongated cells and those involved in long distance transport, suggesting that higher plants use cytoplasmic streaming to help transport vesicles and organelles over long distances.

Isolation and characterization of kinase interacting protein 1, a pollen protein that interacts with the kinase domain of PRK1, a receptor-like kinase of petunia

Many receptor-like kinases have been identified in plants and have been shown by genetic or transgenic knockouts to play diverse physiological roles; however, to date, the cytosolic interacting proteins of relatively few of these kinases have been identified. We have previously identified a predominantly pollen-expressed receptor-like kinase of petunia (Petunia inflata), named PRK1, and we have shown by the antisense RNA approach that it is required for microspores to progress from the unicellular to bicellular stage. To investigate the PRK1-mediated signal transduction pathway, PRK1-K cDNA, encoding most of the cytoplasmic domain of PRK1, was used as bait in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid screens of pollen/pollen tube cDNA libraries of petunia. A protein named kinase interacting protein 1 (KIP1) was found to interact very strongly with PRK1-K. This interaction was greatly reduced when lysine-462 of PRK1-K, believed to be essential for kinase activity, was replaced with arginine (the resulting protein is named PRK1-K462R). The amino acid sequence of KIP1 deduced from full-length cDNA contains an EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding motif and nine predicted coiled-coil regions. The yeast two-hybrid assay and affinity chromatography showed that KIP1 interacts with itself to form a dimer or higher multimer. KIP1 is present in a single copy in the genome, and is expressed predominantly in pollen with a similar temporal pattern to PRK1. In situ hybridization showed that PRK1 and KIP1 transcripts were localized in the cytoplasm of pollen. PRK1-K phosphorylated KIP1-NT (amino acids 1--716), whereas PRK1-K462R only weakly phosphorylated KIP1-NT in vitro.

Analysis of the myosins encoded in the recently completed Arabidopsis thaliana genome sequence

BACKGROUND

Three types of molecular motors play an important role in the organization, dynamics and transport processes associated with the cytoskeleton. The myosin family of molecular motors move cargo on actin filaments, whereas kinesin and dynein motors move cargo along microtubules. These motors have been highly characterized in non-plant systems and information is becoming available about plant motors. The actin cytoskeleton in plants has been shown to be involved in processes such as transportation, signaling, cell division, cytoplasmic streaming and morphogenesis. The role of myosin in these processes has been established in a few cases but many questions remain to be answered about the number, types and roles of myosins in plants.

RESULTS

Using the motor domain of an Arabidopsis myosin we identified 17 myosin sequences in the Arabidopsis genome. Phylogenetic analysis of the Arabidopsis myosins with non-plant and plant myosins revealed that all the Arabidopsis myosins and other plant myosins fall into two groups - class VIII and class XI. These groups contain exclusively plant or algal myosins with no animal or fungal myosins. Exon/intron data suggest that the myosins are highly conserved and that some may be a result of gene duplication.

CONCLUSIONS

Plant myosins are unlike myosins from any other organisms except algae. As a percentage of the total gene number, the number of myosins is small overall in Arabidopsis compared with the other sequenced eukaryotic genomes. There are, however, a large number of class XI myosins. The function of each myosin has yet to be determined.

Molecular motors and their functions in plants

Molecular motors that hydrolyze ATP and use the derived energy to generate force are involved in a variety of diverse cellular functions. Genetic, biochemical, and cellular localization data have implicated motors in a variety of functions such as vesicle and organelle transport, cytoskeleton dynamics, morphogenesis, polarized growth, cell movements, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear fusion, and signal transduction. In non-plant systems three families of molecular motors (kinesins, dyneins, and myosins) have been well characterized. These motors use microtubules (in the case of kinesines and dyneins) or actin filaments (in the case of myosins) as tracks to transport cargo materials intracellularly. During the last decade tremendous progress has been made in understanding the structure and function of various motors in animals. These studies are yielding interesting insights into the functions of molecular motors and the origin of different families of motors. Furthermore, the paradigm that motors bind cargo and move along cytoskeletal tracks does not explain the functions of some of the motors. Relatively little is known about the molecular motors and their roles in plants. In recent years, by using biochemical, cell biological, molecular, and genetic approaches a few molecular motors have been isolated and characterized from plants. These studies indicate that some of the motors in plants have novel features and regulatory mechanisms. The role of molecular motors in plant cell division, cell expansion, cytoplasmic streaming, cell-to-cell communication, membrane trafficking, and morphogenesis is beginning to be understood. Analyses of the Arabidopsis genome sequence database (51% of genome) with conserved motor domains of kinesin and myosin families indicates the presence of a large number (about 40) of molecular motors and the functions of many of these motors remain to be discovered. It is likely that many more motors with novel regulatory mechanisms that perform plant-specific functions are yet to be discovered. Although the identification of motors in plants, especially in Arabidopsis, is progressing at a rapid pace because of the ongoing plant genome sequencing projects, only a few plant motors have been characterized in any detail. Elucidation of function and regulation of this multitude of motors in a given species is going to be a challenging and exciting area of research in plant cell biology. Structural features of some plant motors suggest calcium, through calmodulin, is likely to play a key role in regulating the function of both microtubule- and actin-based motors in plants.

A millennial myosin census

The past decade has seen a remarkable explosion in our knowledge of the size and diversity of the myosin superfamily. Since these actin-based motors are candidates to provide the molecular basis for many cellular movements, it is essential that motility researchers be aware of the complete set of myosins in a given organism. The availability of cDNA and/or draft genomic sequences from humans, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Dictyostelium discoideum has allowed us to tentatively define and compare the sets of myosin genes in these organisms. This analysis has also led to the identification of several putative myosin genes that may be of general interest. In humans, for example, we find a total of 40 known or predicted myosin genes including two new myosins-I, three new class II (conventional) myosins, a second member of the class III/ninaC myosins, a gene similar to the class XV deafness myosin, and a novel myosin sharing at most 33% identity with other members of the superfamily. These myosins are in addition to the recently discovered class XVI myosin with N-terminal ankyrin repeats and two human genes with similarity to the class XVIII PDZ-myosin from mouse. We briefly describe these newly recognized myosins and extend our previous phylogenetic analysis of the myosin superfamily to include a comparison of the complete or nearly complete inventories of myosin genes from several experimentally important organisms.

Calcium: silver bullet in signaling

Accumulating evidence suggests that Ca(2+) serves as a messenger in many normal growth and developmental process and in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Numerous signals have been shown to induce transient elevation of [Ca(2+)](cyt) in plants. Genetic, biochemical, molecular and cell biological approaches in recent years have resulted in significant progress in identifying several Ca(2+)-sensing proteins in plants and in understanding the function of some of these Ca(2+)-regulated proteins at the cellular and whole plant level. As more and more Ca(2+)-sensing proteins are identified it is becoming apparent that plants have several unique Ca(2+)-sensing proteins and that the downstream components of Ca(2+) signaling in plants have novel features and regulatory mechanisms. Although the mechanisms by which Ca(2+) regulates diverse biochemical and molecular processes and eventually physiological processes in response to diverse signals are beginning to be understood, recent studies have raised many interesting questions. Despite the fact that Ca(2+) sensing proteins are being identified at a rapid pace, progress on the function(s) of many of them is limited. Studies on plant 'signalome' - the identification of all signaling components in all messengers mediated transduction pathways, analysis of their function and regulation, and cross talk among these components - should help in understanding the inner workings of plant cell responses to diverse signals. New functional genomics approaches such as reverse genetics, microarray analyses coupled with in vivo protein-protein interaction studies and proteomics should not only permit functional analysis of various components in Ca(2+) signaling but also enable identification of a complex network of interactions.

Maize myosins: diversity, localization, and function

This first analysis of monocotyledon myosin genes showed that at least five genes, one of which was probably spliced to yield two isoforms, were expressed in maize (Zea mays L.). The complete coding sequence of ZMM1 was determined, as were most of the sequences of two other myosin cDNAs (ZMM2 and ZMM3). ZMM1 and ZMM2 belonged to myosin class XI while ZMM3 was in class VIII. ZMM1 was abundantly expressed in leaves, roots, coleoptiles, and stems. ZMM3 showed a similar distribution but was expressed poorly in pollen. ZMM2 was predominantly expressed in seeds and may be part of a suite of cytoskeletal proteins in reproductive tissues. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the origin of myosin classes VIII and XI predated that of angiosperms. Immunofluorescence studies using M11L1, a myosin XI antibody specific for the exposed loop 1 head region of myosin, indicated that myosin XI occurred in the cytoplasm of all root tip cells. The highest concentration of myosin XI was in the differentiating epidermal cells. In dividing cells, myosin XI was present near the cytokinetic apparatus at approximately the same concentration seen in other portions of the cytoplasm. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions indicated that myosin XI was concentrated in mitochondria and low-density membranes.

Myosins: a diverse superfamily

Myosins constitute a large superfamily of actin-dependent molecular motors. Phylogenetic analysis currently places myosins into 15 classes. The conventional myosins which form filaments in muscle and non-muscle cells form class II. There has been extensive characterization of these myosins and much is known about their function. With the exception of class I and class V myosins, little is known about the structure, enzymatic properties, intracellular localization and physiology of most unconventional myosin classes. This review will focus on myosins from class IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV. In addition, the function of myosin II in non-muscle cells will also be discussed.

Actin cytoskeleton in plants: from transport networks to signaling networks

The plant actin cytoskeleton is characterized by a high diversity in regard to gene families, isoforms, and degree of polymerization. In addition to the most abundant F-actin assemblies like filaments and their bundles, G-actin obviously assembles in the form of actin oligomers composed of a few actin molecules which can be extensively cross-linked into complex dynamic meshworks. The role of the actomyosin complex as a force generating system - based on principles operating as in muscle cells - is clearly established for long-range mass transport in large algal cells and specialized cell types of higher plants. Extended F-actin networks, mainly composed of F-actin bundles, are the structural basis for this cytoplasmic streaming of high velocities On the other hand, evidence is accumulating that delicate meshworks built of short F-actin oligomers are critical for events occurring at the plasma membrane, e.g., actin interventions into activities of ion channels and hormone carriers, signaling pathways based on phospholipids, and exo- and endocytotic processes. These unique F-actin arrays, constructed by polymerization-depolymerization processes propelled via synergistic actions of actin-binding proteins such as profilin and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin are supposed to be engaged in diverse aspects of plant morphogenesis. Finally, rapid rearrangements of F-actin meshworks interconnecting endocellular membranes turn out to be especially important for perception-signaling purposes of plant cells, e.g., in association with guard cell movements, mechano- and gravity-sensing, plant host-pathogen interactions, and wound-healing.

Biochemical and immunocytochemical characterization of two types of myosins in cultured tobacco bright yellow-2 cells

We have isolated a myosin (referred to as 170-kD myosin) from lily pollen tubes, which consists of 170-kD heavy chain and calmodulin (CaM) light chain and is responsible for cytoplasmic streaming. A 170-kD polypeptide that has similar antigenicity to the 170-kD myosin heavy chain of lily pollen tubes was also present in cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells, and possessed the ability to interact with F-actin in an ATP-dependent manner. In addition to this myosin, we identified biochemically another kind of myosin in BY-2 cells. This myosin consisted of a CaM light chain and a 175-kD heavy chain with antigenicity different from the 170-kD myosin heavy chain. In the present study, we referred to this myosin as 175-kD myosin. This myosin was able to translocate rhodamine-phalloidin (RP)-labeled F-actin at an average velocity of about 9 &mgr;m/s in the motility assay in vitro. In contrast, the sliding velocity of RP-labeled F-actin translocated by fractions containing the 170-kD myosin was 3 to 4 &mgr;m/s. The velocity of cytoplasmic streaming in living BY-2 cells ranged from 2 to 9 &mgr;m/s. The motile activity of 175-kD myosin in vitro was inhibited by Ca(2+) at concentrations higher than 10(-6) M. Immunoblot analyses using an antiserum against the heavy chain of 170- or 175-kD myosin revealed that in tobacco plants, the 175-kD myosin was expressed in leaf, stem, and root, but not in germinating pollen, while 170-kD myosin was present in all of these plant parts and in germinating pollen. These results suggest that the two types of myosins, 170 and 175 kD, presumably participate in cytoplasmic streaming in BY-2 cells and other somatic cells of tobacco plants.

Characterization of the unconventional myosin VIII in plant cells and its localization at the post-cytokinetic cell wall

Myosins are a large superfamily of motor proteins which, in association with actin, are involved in intra- cellular motile processes. In addition to the conventional myosins involved in muscle contractility, there is, in animal cells, a wide range of unconventional myosins implicated in membrane-associated processes, such as vesicle transport and membrane dynamics. In plant cells, however, very little is known about myosins. We have raised an antibody to the recombinant tail region of Arabidopsis thaliana myosin 1 (a class VIII myosin) and used it in immunofluorescence and EM studies on root cells from cress and maize. The plant myosin VIII is found to be concentrated at newly formed cross walls at the stage in which the phragmoplast cytoskeleton has depolymerized and the new cell plate is beginning to mature. These walls are rich in plasmodesmata and we show that they are the regions where the longitudinal actin cables appear to attach. Myosin VIII appears to be localized in these plasmodesmata and we suggest that this protein is involved in maturation of the cell plate and the re-establishment of cytoplasmic actin cables at sites of intercellular communication.

Inhibitory regulation of higher-plant myosin by Ca2+ ions

Myosin isolated from the pollen tubes of lily (Lilium longiflorum) is composed of a 170-kD heavy chain (E. Yokota and T. Shimmen [1994] Protoplasma 177: 153-162). Both the motile activity in vitro and the F-actin-stimulated ATPase activity of this myosin were inhibited by Ca2+ at concentrations higher than 10(-6) M. In the Ca2+ range between 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, inhibition of the motile activity was reversible. In contrast, inhibition by more than 10(-5) M Ca2+ was not reversible upon Ca2+ removal. An 18-kD polypeptide that showed the same mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as that of spinach calmodulin (CaM) was present in this myosin fraction. This polypeptide showed a mobility shift in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Furthermore, this polypeptide was recognized by antiserum against spinach CaM. By immunoprecipitation using antiserum against the 170-kD heavy chain, the 18-kD polypeptide was coprecipitated with the 170-kD heavy chain, provided that the Ca2+ concentration was low, indicating that this 18-kD polypeptide is bound to the 170-kD myosin heavy chain. However, the 18-kD polypeptide was dissociated from the 170-kD heavy chain at high Ca2+ concentrations, which irreversibly inhibited the motile activity of this myosin. From these results, it is suggested that the 18-kD polypeptide, which is likely to be CaM, is associated with the 170-kD heavy chain as a light chain. It is also suggested that this polypeptide is involved in the regulation of this myosin by Ca2+. This is the first biochemical basis, to our knowledge, for Ca2+ regulation of cytoplasmic streaming in higher plants.

Is 2,3-butanedione monoxime an effective inhibitor of myosin-based activities in plant cells?

The effectiveness of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) as an inhibitor of plant myosins has been investigated. Three myosin-dependent motility phenomena in plants, namely cytoplasmic streaming in Chara corallina, light-dependent chloroplast repositioning in Elodea sp., and brefeldin A(BFA)-induced Golgi membrane dynamics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kite) root-tip cells were investigated. All three processes were inhibited by the sulfhydryl-modifying agent N-ethylmalemide (NEM), indicating the probable involvement of myosin as the motor protein in each case. However, none of these myosin-dependent processes were inhibited by BDM at concentrations as high as 20 mM in some instances. These results therefore question the general usefulness of BDM as an inhibitor of myosin-based activities in plant cells.

Profilin is associated with the plasma membrane in microspores and pollen

In higher plants, a large number of isoforms for the actin monomer-binding protein profilin have been identified, whereas other organisms express only few profilins. Furthermore, plant profilin isoforms are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. These observations raise questions concerning functional and locational differences between isoforms of plant profilins. In this paper, we introduce three polyclonal antisera and one monoclonal antibody developed against purified pollen profilins from Zea mays and against recombinant maize profilin. Immunoblot analyses of native profilins and four recombinant maize pollen profilin isoforms show that three of the antibodies display a preference for certain isoforms. In situ immunofluorescence of pollen of Zea mays and two developmental stages of microspores of Betula pumila indicates that all antibodies label plasma membrane-associated domains. Thus, we show that at least some profilin isoforms are located at a distinct subcellular domain within developing microspores and, less distinctly, in mature pollen. This contrasts previously reported uniform distributions throughout the cytoplasm of mature pollen and pollen tubes. The results are discussed in light of the large number of profilins co-expressed in plants and with reference to accumulating evidence for functional differences between profilin isoforms.

Localization of a myosin-like protein to plasmodesmata

Myosin has been localized to plasmodesmata in root tissues of Allium cepa, Zea mays and Hordeum vulgare using a polyclonal antibody to animal myosin in both fluorescence and electron microscopy. Labelling was also observed throughout the cytoplasm, mainly associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. On Western blots, bands of 180 and 110 kDa were consistently labelled in all three species. These bands were also labelled when the blot was incubated in actin prior to staining with antibodies to actin, raising the possibility that either of these proteins (180 kDa or 110 kDa) may be present in plasmodesmata. Pre-treatment of the tissue with 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), an inhibitor of actin-myosin motility, resulted in a strong constriction of the neck region of plasmodesmata. These results indicate that a myosin-like protein may be present in plasmodesmata and may also play a role in the regulation of transport at the neck region.

CALMODULIN AND CALMODULIN-BINDING PROTEINS IN PLANTS

Calmodulin is a small Ca2+-binding protein that acts to transduce second messenger signals into a wide array of cellular responses. Plant calmodulins share many structural and functional features with their homologs from animals and yeast, but the expression of multiple protein isoforms appears to be a distinctive feature of higher plants. Calmodulin acts by binding to short peptide sequences within target proteins, thereby inducing structural changes, which alters their activities in response to changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The spectrum of plant calmodulin-binding proteins shares some overlap with that found in animals, but a growing number of calmodulin-regulated proteins in plants appear to be unique. Ca2+-binding and enzymatic activation properties of calmodulin are discussed emphasizing the functional linkages between these processes and the diverse pathways that are dependent on Ca2+ signaling.

Cloning, yeast expression, and characterization of the coupling of two distantly related Arabidopsis thaliana NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases with P450 CYP73A5

Two NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase-encoding cDNAs were isolated from an Arabidopsis cDNA library by metabolic interference in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant disrupted for its endogenous cpr1 gene. ATR1 encodes a protein of 692 amino acids, while ATR2 encodes either a 712-residue protein (ATR2-1), or a 702-residue protein (ATR2-2) depending on the choice of the initiation codon. Comparative analysis of ATR1 and ATR2-1 indicates 64% amino acid sequence identity and the absence of conservation in the third base of conserved amino acid codons. The two Arabidopsis reductases are encoded by distinct genes whose divergence is expected an early event in angiosperms evolution. A poly(Ser/Thr) stretch reminiscent of a plant chloroplastic targeting signal is present at the ATR2-1 N-terminal end but absent in ATR1. The cDNA open reading frames were expressed in yeast. The recombinant polypeptides were found present in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum membrane and exhibited a high specific NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. To gain more insight into the respective functions of the two reductases, the Arabidopsis cDNA encoding cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (CYP73A5) was cloned and co-expressed with ATR1 or ATR2 in yeast. Biochemical characterization of the Arabidopsis ATR1/CYP73A5 and ATR2-1/CYP73A5 systems demonstrates that the two distantly related Arabidopsis reductases similarly support the first oxidative step of the phenylpropanoid general pathway.

The ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE3 gene encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein with GTP-binding motifs and is required for regulated cell enlargement in Arabidopsis

In plants, morphogenesis is largely determined by the orientation and extent of cell enlargement. To define the molecular mechanisms regulating plant cell enlargement, we have conducted a molecular genetic analysis of the ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE3 (RHD3) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutations affecting the RHD3 gene were found to alter cell size, but not cell number, in tissues throughout the plant. Genetic and physiological analyses suggest that the RHD3 gene is not required for proper cell type specification, and it is likely to act downstream of the hormones auxin and ethylene. The RHD3 gene was cloned by a T-DNA tagging method and confirmed by the molecular complementation of the rhd3 mutant phenotype and by the analyses of six rhd3 mutant alleles. Consistent with the global effects of the rhd3 mutations, the RHD3 gene is expressed in all major plant organs. The deduced RHD3 product is a novel 89-kD polypeptide with putative GTP-binding motifs near the amino terminus. RHD3-like genes were identified from a protozoan (Entamoeba histolytica), a fungus (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and another plant species (Oryza sativa), with the sequence identity including the putative GTP-binding motifs. These results imply that the RHD3 protein is a member of a new class of GTP-binding proteins that is widespread in eukaryotes and required for regulated cell enlargement.

Conservation within the myosin motor domain: implications for structure and function

BACKGROUND

Myosins are motors that use energy supplied by ATP to travel along actin filaments. The structure of myosin is known, but the actin-binding site is not well defined, and the mechanisms by which actin activates ATP hydrolysis by myosin, and myosin moves relative to the actin filament, developing force, are not fully understood. Previous phylogenetic analyses of the motor domain of myosins have identified up to twelve classes. We set out to analyse the positions of conserved residues within this domain in detail, and relate the conserved residues to the myosin structure.

RESULTS

Our analysis indicates that there are at least thirteen myosin classes. Conserved residues in the motor domain have been positioned within the framework provided by the recent crystal structures, thus helping to define those residues involved in actin and ATP binding, in hydrolysis and in conformational change. This has revealed remarkably poor overall conservation at the site thought to be involved in actin binding, but several highly conserved residues have been identified that may be functionally important.

CONCLUSIONS

Information from such a sequence analysis is a useful tool in the further interpretation of X-ray structures. It allows the position of crucial residues from other members of a superfamily to be determined within the framework provided by the known structures and the functional significance of conserved or mutated residues to be assessed.

Dictyostelium discoideum myoJ: a member of a broadly defined myosin V class or a class XI unconventional myosin?

The simple eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum contains at least 12 unconventional myosin genes. Here we report the characterization of one of these, myoJ, a gene initially identified through a physical mapping screen. The myoJ gene encodes a high molecular weight myosin, and analysis of the available deduced amino acid sequence reveals that it possesses six IQ motifs and sequences typical of alpha helical coiled coils in the tail region. Therefore, myoJ is predicted to exist as a dimer with up to 12 associated light chains (six per heavy chain). The 7.8 kb myoJ mRNA is expressed all throughout the life cycle of D. discoideum. The myoJ gene has been disrupted and a phenotypic analysis of the mutant cells initiated. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the head region reveals that myoJ is most similar to two plant myosin genes, Arabidopsis MYA1 and MYA2, that have been alternatively suggested to be either members of the myosin V class or founding members of the myosin XI class.

Molecular motors, membrane movements and physiology: emerging roles for myosins

Myosins are a large family of structurally diverse mechanoenzymes which, upon interaction with actin filaments, convert energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical force. Consistent with the ubiquitous association of actin with membranes, many of these novel myosins are membrane-associated. In the past two years, evidence has emerged that suggests roles for actin-based molecular motors in a wide range of membrane phenomena such as cell locomotion, phagocytosis, secretion, organelle transport, signal transduction and mechanoregulation of membrane protein function.

Identification and localization of three classes of myosins in pollen tubes of Lilium longiflorum and Nicotiana alata

The presence and localization of actin and myosin have been examined in pollen tubes of Lilium longiflorum and Nicotiana alata. Immunoblot analysis of pollen tube extracts with antibodies to actin, myosins IA and IB, myosin II, and myosin V reveals the presence of these contractile proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy using various methods to preserve the pollen tubes; chemical fixation, rapid freeze fixation and freeze substitution (RF-FS) followed by rehydration or by embeddment in a methacrylate mixture, was performed to optimize preservation. Immunocytochemistry reaffirmed that actin is localized longitudinally in the active streaming lanes and near the cortical surface of the pollen tube. Myosin I was localized to the plasma membrane, larger organelles, the surface of the generative cell and the vegetative nucleus, whereas, myosin V was found in the vegetative cytoplasm in a punctate fashion representing smaller organelles. Myosin II subfragment 1 and light meromyosin were localized in a punctate fashion on the larger organelles throughout the vegetative cytoplasm. In addition, isolated generative cells and vegetative nuclei labeled only with the myosin I antibody. Competition studies indicated the specificity of the heterologous antibodies utilized in this study suggesting the presence of three classes of myosins in pollen. These results lead to the following hypothesis: Myosin I may move the generative cell and vegetative nucleus unidirectionally through the pollen tube to the tip, while myosin V moves the smaller organelles and myosins I and II move the larger organelles (bidirectionally) that are involved in growth.