Origin and development of protein bodies in cotyledons of Vicia faba : Proposal for an uniform mechanism

Successful transport to the vacuole of heterologously expressed mung bean 8S globulin occurs in seed but not in vegetative tissues

This study investigated the subcellular location of mung bean (Vigna radiata) 8S globulin in transient expression systems as well as in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) BY-2 cells and different tissues from a transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) line stably expressing this storage globulin. When transiently expressed in protoplasts from both BY-2 cells and Arabidopsis suspension cultured cells, the 8S globulin located to structures that were neither Golgi nor pre-vacuolar compartments (PVCs). Immunogold electron microscopy of the transgenics reveals the 8S globulin-positive structures to be small, spherical, ribosome-covered endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived bodies. In BY-2 cells and all vegetative cells, the 8S globulin was present as a pro-form. However, in Arabidopsis embryos, with the onset of endogenous storage protein synthesis, the 8S globulin exited the ER and passed through the PVC to the protein storage vacuole where it was processed to its smaller mature form. These results clearly demonstrated that, when taken out of context and expressed in vegetative cells, the mung bean 8S storage globulin cannot exit the ER, and indicate that natural targeting of storage proteins to the vacuole should be better studied in the maturing seed.

Coordinated changes in storage proteins during development and germination of elite seeds of Pongamia pinnata, a versatile biodiesel legume

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The oleaginous legume Pongamia pinnata is a rapidly growing and economically important tree. The seeds are used increasingly as feedstock for biodiesel production, with the protein-rich residue providing valuable supplement to farm animal diets. However, little is known about seed development and the characteristics of germination. We therefore studied morphological, protein and ultrastructural changes during seed maturation and germination using seeds from a tree selected for superior morphological and reproductive characters (candidate plus tree).

METHODOLOGY

Phenology, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate seed development from 90 to 350 days after flowering (DAF), and germination and seedling development from 0 to 45 days after the start of imbibition (DAI) (Stages 0-VII).

PRINCIPAL RESULTS

Seven distinct developmental stages were identified during seed development. Fresh weight, length, breadth and thickness increased from Stage I (90 DAF) to V (270 DAF) and decreased at Stages VI (315 DAF) and VII (350 DAF), when the seeds were fully ripe. Marked changes in total soluble protein content and SDS-PAGE profile were observed in vegetative and reproductive tissues and in the cotyledons of germinating seedlings. Polypeptide fragments of 150-14 kDa were observed during seed maturation and germination. In SDS-PAGE the expression of three main polypeptide bands (50, 18 and 14 kDa) increased from Stage I to Stage V and then almost became the same until Stage VII during seed maturation. During germination the expression of 50 kDa polypeptide decreased and that of 18 and 14 kDa increased from Stage 0 (ungerminated seed) to Stage VI (30 DAI), respectively; however, all three polypeptides (50, 18 and 14 kDa) completely disappeared at Stage VII (45 DAI). Ultrastructural changes during four stages of seed maturation (early immature, 90-135 DAF; late immature, 180-225 DAF; early mature, 225-270 DAF; and late mature, 315-350 DAF) and three stages of germination and seedling development (early 10 DAI to late 45 DAI) localized marked gradients in protein storage reserves.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing the knowledge base for P. pinnata, especially for its seeds, is an essential prerequisite for rapid and successful exploitation of this promising energy and animal feed crop. Our findings contribute to this by establishing key developmental features of the seeds as they form and germinate.

Deposition of storage proteins

Plants store amino acids for longer periods in the form of specific storage proteins. These are deposited in seeds, in root and shoot tubers, in the wood and bark parenchyma of trees and in other vegetative organs. Storage proteins are protected against uncontrolled premature degradation by several mechanisms. The major one is to deposit the storage proteins into specialized membrane-bounded storage organelles, called protein bodies (PB). In the endosperm cells of maize and rice prolamins are sequestered into PBs which are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Globulins, the typical storage proteins of dicotyledonous plants, and prolamins of some cereals are transported from the ER through the Golgi apparatus and then into protein storage vacuoles (PSV) which later become transformed into PBs. Sorting and targeting of storage proteins begins during their biosynthesis on membrane-bound polysomes where an N-terminal signal peptide mediates their segregation into the lumen of the ER. After cleavage of the signal peptide, the polypeptides are glycosylated and folded with the aid of chaperones. While still in the ER, disulfide bridges are formed which stabilize the structure and several polypeptides are joined to form an oligomer which has the proper conformation to be either deposited in ER-derived PB or to be further transferred to the PSV. At the trans-Golgi cisternae transport vesicles are sequestered which carry the storage proteins to the PSV. Several storage proteins are also processed after arriving in the PSVs in order to generate a conformation that is capable of final deposition. Some storage protein precursors have short N- or C-terminal targeting sequences which are detached after arrival in the PSV. Others have been shown to have internal sequence regions which could act as targeting information. In some cases positive targeting information is known to mediate sorting into the PSV whereas in other cases aggregation and membrane association seem to be major sorting mechanisms.

Protein storage vacuoles form de novo during pea cotyledon development

We have investigated the formation of protein storage vacuoles in peas (Pisum sativum L.) in order to determine whether this organelle arises de novo during cotyledon development. A comparison of different stages in cotyledon development indicates that soluble protease activities decline and the amounts of storage proteins and the integral membrane protein of the protein body, alpha-TIP, increase during seed maturation. On linear sucrose density gradients we have been able to distinguish between two separate vesicle populations: one enriched in alpha-TIP, and one in TIP-Ma 27, a membrane protein characteristic of vegetative vacuoles. Both vesicle populations possess, however, PPase and V-ATPase activities. Conventionally fixed cotyledonary tissue at an intermediate stage in cotyledon development reveals the presence of a complex tubular-cisternal membrane system that seems to surround the pre-existing vacuoles. The latter gradually become compressed as a result of dilation of the former membrane system. This was confirmed immunocytochemically with the TIP-Ma 27 antiserum. Deposits of the storage proteins vicilin and legumin in the lumen, and the presence of alpha-TIP in the membranes of the expanding membrane system provide evidence of its identity as a precursor to the protein storage vacuole.

Protein bodies in ray cells of Populus x canadensis Moench 'robusta'

Light- and electron-microscopical investigations revealed distinct intravacuolar protein aggregates of 0.3-0.8 μm in diameter in ray cells of poplar during the dormant season. In semi-thin sections, these bodies showed positive protein staining and enzymatic digestibility with pepsin, indicating their proteinaceous nature. Morphometric measurements showed such protein bodies in 7-13% of the area of the ray-cell lumen. This amount corresponded with the protein content of the wood determined biochemically, e.g. 2.0-5.0 μg·mg(-1) dry weight. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the total protein fraction extracted from wood showed prominent polypeptide species with an apparent molecular weight of 30-32 kilodaltons. The results indicate considerable protein storage in ray cells, especially in the form of protein-storage vacuoles.

Immunocytochemical localization of concanavalin A in developing jack-bean cotyledons

The lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), was localized in the cotyledon of developing jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) by electron-microscope immunocytochemistry. In mature seeds, Con A was present in protein-storage vacuoles (protein bodies) of storage-parenchyma cells. Although protein bodies could be seen in other cell types, only protein bodies in storage-parenchyma cells contained Con A. During seed development, Con A was also localized on the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, presumably en route toward deposition within the protein bodies. The intensity of labeling of the endoplasmic reticulum was much greater during the developmental stage of protein-body filling (66% final seed weight) than in mature seeds.