Stimulation ofDaucus carota somatic embryogenesis by inhibitors of ethylene synthesis: cobalt and nickel

Comparative transcriptome analysis of high- and low-embryogenic Hevea brasiliensis genotypes reveals involvement of phytohormones in somatic embryogenesis

BACKGROUND

Rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) is one of the major sources of latex. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising alterative to its propagation by grafting and seed. Phytohormones have been shown to influence SE in different plant species. However, limited knowledge is available on the role of phytohormones in SE in Hevea. The anther cultures of two Hevea genotypes (Yunyan 73477-YT and Reken 628-RT) with contrasting SE rate were established and four stages i.e., anthers (h), anther induced callus (y), callus differentiation state (f), and somatic embryos (p) were studied. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and transcriptome analyses were used to study phytohormone accumulation and related expression changes in biosynthesis and signaling genes.

RESULTS

YT showed higher callus induction rate than RT. Of the two genotypes, only YT exhibited successful SE. Auxins, cytokinins (CKs), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellins (GAs), and ethylene (ETH) were detected in the two genotypes. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), CKs, ABA, and ETH had notable differences in the studied stages of the two genotypes. The differentially expressed genes identified in treatment comparisons were majorly enriched in MAPK and phytohormone signaling, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. The expression changes in IAA, CK, ABA, and ETH biosynthesis and signaling genes confirmed the differential accumulation of respective phytohormones in the two genotypes.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest potential roles of phytohormones in SE in Hevea.

Modulation of Organogenesis and Somatic Embryogenesis by Ethylene: An Overview

Ethylene is a plant hormone controlling physiological and developmental processes such as fruit maturation, hairy root formation, and leaf abscission. Its effect on regeneration systems, such as organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (SE), has been studied, and progress in molecular biology techniques have contributed to unveiling the mechanisms behind its effects. The influence of ethylene on regeneration should not be overlooked. This compound affects regeneration differently, depending on the species, genotype, and explant. In some species, ethylene seems to revert recalcitrance in genotypes with low regeneration capacity. However, its effect is not additive, since in genotypes with high regeneration capacity this ability decreases in the presence of ethylene precursors, suggesting that regeneration is modulated by ethylene. Several lines of evidence have shown that the role of ethylene in regeneration is markedly connected to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as to hormonal-crosstalk, in particular with key regeneration hormones and growth regulators of the auxin and cytokinin families. Transcriptional factors of the ethylene response factor (ERF) family are regulated by ethylene and strongly connected to SE induction. Thus, an evident connection between ethylene, stress responses, and regeneration capacity is markedly established. In this review the effect of ethylene and the way it interacts with other players during organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis is discussed. Further studies on the regulation of ERF gene expression induced by ethylene during regeneration can contribute to new insights on the exact role of ethylene in these processes. A possible role in epigenetic modifications should be considered, since some ethylene signaling components are directly related to histone acetylation.

Analysis of nutrient deficiencies affecting in vitro growth and development of Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden

Although basal medium optimization is a key factor in the success of tissue culture, its mineral composition is frequently disregarded when optimizing in vitro propagation protocols. A previous work on Eucalyptus dunnii micropropagation suggests that excessive callus formation and leaf chlorosis are related to specific nutritional conditions of the basal media. Recently, a novel basal medium based on the mineral nutrient analysis of E. dunnii young stump shoots was developed and successfully tested in plant regeneration and micropropagation of E. dunnii, avoiding all these issues. Considering this basal medium as an ideal growth condition, a mild deprivation of each macro and micronutrient and of the total organic fraction was imposed to E. dunnii in vitro cultures for 30 d. As a result, K, Mg, Mn, Cl, Zn, Mo, Ni or Co deprivation quantitatively affected growth and development of axillary shoots. Moreover, leaf chlorosis and the development of organogenic callus under Fe deficiency, and leaf drop along with shoot tip necrosis under N deficiency were observed. These symptoms suggest that nutrient content in E. dunnii tissues needs to be above 420.3 mg kg^-1 for Fe and 27.7 g kg^-1 for N to avoid the symptoms of leaf chlorosis and shoot tip necrosis. Additionally, the main role of Mn in quantitative responses and the antagonism between ions, especially for Mg/K and Mg/Zn, were denoted by the multivariate analysis. Overall, these results make a relevant contribution to the optimization of in vitro propagation of E. dunnii and other hard-to-propagate related species.

Bioreactors for Plant Embryogenesis and Beyond

A variety of different bioreactors have been developed for use in initiating and cultivating somatic embryos. The various designs for embryogenesis and culture are critically evaluated here. Bioreactor optimization and operation methods are also described along with recommendations for use based on desired outcome.

Ethylene synthesis inhibition effects on oxidative stress and in vitro conservation of Lippia filifolia (Verbenaceae)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors on oxidative metabolisms and the in vitro conservation of Lippia filifolia, using the lipid peroxidation index (TBARS), antioxidative enzymes and pigments as biomarkers. We found that EDTA, sodium thiosulfate (STS) and especially Co had protective effects on oxidative stress in tissues cultured in vitro, resulting in a delay of the senescence and the reduction of subcultures frequency, contributing to the germplasm conservation of this species.

Foliar nickel application alleviates detrimental effects of glyphosate drift on yield and seed quality of wheat

Glyphosate drift to nontarget crops causes growth aberrations and yield losses. This herbicide can also interact with divalent nutrients and form poorly soluble complexes. The possibility of using nickel (Ni), an essential divalent metal, for alleviating glyphosate drift damage to wheat was investigated in this study. Effects of Ni applications on various growth parameters, seed yield, and quality of durum wheat ( Triticum durum ) treated with sublethal glyphosate at different developmental stages were investigated in greenhouse experiments. Nickel concentrations of various plant parts and glyphosate-induced shikimate accumulation were measured. Foliar but not soil Ni applications significantly reduced glyphosate injuries including yield losses, stunting, and excessive tillering. Both shoot and grain Ni concentrations were enhanced by foliar Ni treatment. Seed germination and seedling vigor were impaired by glyphosate and improved by foliar Ni application to parental plants. Foliar Ni application appears to have a great potential to ameliorate glyphosate drift injury to wheat.

Cloning and expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase cDNA induced by thidiazuron during somatic embryogenesis of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Embryogenic callus (EC) induced from petioles of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Jinnan) on B5h medium turned green, compact and non-embryogenic when the kinetin (KN) in the medium was replaced partially or completely by thidiazuron (TDZ). The application of CoCl₂, which is an inhibitor of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO), counteracted the effect of TDZ. Ethylene has been shown to be involved in the modulation of TDZ-induced morphogenesis responses. However, very little is known about the genes involved in ethylene formation during somatic embryogenesis (SE). To investigate whether ethylene mediated by ACO is involved in the effect of TDZ on inhibition of embryogenic competence of the alfalfa callus. In this study we cloned full-length ACO cDNA from the alfalfa callus, named MsACO, and observed changes in this gene expression during callus formation and induction of SE under treatment with TDZ or TDZ plus CoCl₂. RNA blot analysis showed that during the EC subcultural period, the expression level of MsACO in EC was significantly increased on the 2nd day, rose to the highest level on the 8th day and remained at this high level until the 21st day. However, the ACO expression in the TDZ (0.93 μM)-treated callus was higher than in the EC especially on the 8th day. Moreover the ACO expression level increased with increasing TDZ concentration during the subcultural/maintenance period of the callus. It is worth noting that comparing the treatment with TDZ alone, the treatment with 0.93 μM TDZ plus 50 μM CoCl₂ reduced both of the ACO gene expressions and ACO activity in the treated callus. These results indicate that the effect of TDZ could be counteracted by CoCl₂ either on the ACO gene expression level or ACO activity. Thus, a TDZ inhibitory effect on embryogenic competence of alfalfa callus could be mediated by ACO gene expression.

Expression of glutathione-S-transferase and its role in plant growth and development in vivo and shoot morphogenesis in vitro

The enzymes glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs, E.C.2.5.1.18) have been associated with detoxification of xenobiotics, limiting oxidative damage and other stress responses in plants. In this study, we report the isolation of a mustard gene, BjGSTF2, homologous to the phi class GSTs and changes in plant growth in vivo and shoot regeneration in vitro were related to GST expression. GST transcripts accumulated differentially in mustard organs, where transcript was most abundant in root. Tissues incubated at high temperature or in the presence of exogenous H2O2, HgCl2, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate, salicylic acid and paraquat upregulated GST expression, whereas spermidine was inhibitory. To investigate the in vivo function of GST, transgenic Arabidopsis thalianaplants expressing sense (GST-S6), antisense (GST-A4) and double-stranded BjGSTF2 (GST-DS1) RNAs were generated. GST-S6 was shown to flower two days earlier and was relatively more tolerant to HgCl2 and paraquat, whereas GST-DS1 with least stress tolerance flowered one week later compared to WT and GST-A4. In shoot regeneration response, tissues originated from GST-S6 were highly regenerative, whereas no shoot regeneration was observed in GST-DS1 tissues after 30 days of culture. Results of this study provide the evidence showing that GST plays a role in plant growth and development in vivo and shoot regeneration in vitro.

Involvement of ethylene in the maturation of black spruce embryogenic cell lines with different maturation capacities

To examine the possible relationship between ethylene and the capacity of embryogenic cell lines to produce mature somatic embryos of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), two embryogenic cell lines which exhibit different maturation capacities were used to analyse ethylene biosynthesis and that of its immediate precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylic acid (ACC). Several compounds known to alter ethylene metabolism were also evaluated for their effect on the number of mature somatic embryos produced. The results showed that in the high capacity cell line, ethylene production and endogenous ACC pools were less than in the low capacity cell line. It was also demonstrated that limiting ethylene biosynthesis by adding inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or its physiological action to the maturation medium promoted somatic embryo production for the low capacity cell line. Conversely, lowering ethylene biosynthesis reduced the number of somatic embryos in the high capacity cell line. These results were further substantiated by the finding that the effects of amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA), an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis, were partially reversed by adding ethylene to both embryogenic cell lines. It is concluded that ethylene is implicated in somatic embryogenesis of black spruce and that the low capacity cell line had excess, i.e. supraoptimal, ethylene production, whereas the high capacity cell line had nearly optimal ethylene production. The relationship between ethylene and other phytohormones, and the possible effects of the interaction between ethylene and polyamines on the maturation of the somatic embryos are discussed.

Promotion ofin vitro shoot formation from excised roots of silktree (Albizzia julibrissin) by an oxime ether derivative and other ethylene inhibitors

This report describes the regeneration response of excised seedling roots of silktree (Albizzia julibrissin) to added ethylene precursors/generators (1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid [ACC], 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid [CEPA]), biosynthesis inhibitors (aminoethoxyvinylglycine [AVG], an oxime ether derivative [OED={[(ispropylidene)-amino]oxy}-acetic acid-2-(methoxy)-2-oxoethyl ester], CoCl(2) [Co(++)]), and an ethylene action inhibitor (AgNO3 [Ag(+)]). When placed on B5 medium, about 50% of the control explants formed shoot buds within 15 days. Addition of ACC or CEPA (1-10 µM) to the culture medium decreased both the percentage of cultures forming shoots and the number of shoots formed per culture. In contrast, AVG and OED (1-10 µM) increased shoot formation to almost 100% and increased the number of shoots formed per culture. Likewise, both Co(++) and Ag(+) (1-10 µM) increased shoot regeneration, but the number of shoots produced after 30 days was less than with AVG or OED. The inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis were partially effective in counteracting the inhibitory effect of ACC on shoot formation. These results suggest that modulation of ethylene biosynthesis and/or action can strongly influence the formation of adventitious shoots from excised roots of silktree.