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Shinohara H, Muramoto M, Tamaoki D, Kamachi H, Inoue H, Kume A, Karahara I. Prolonged exposure to hypergravity increases number and size of cells and enhances lignin deposition in the stem of Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2024; 137:927-937. [PMID: 38954119 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01556-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We have performed a lab-based hypergravity cultivation experiment using a centrifuge equipped with a lighting system and examined long-term effects of hypergravity on the development of the main axis of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.) primary inflorescence, which comprises the rachis and peduncle, collectively referred to as the main stem for simplicity. Plants grown under 1 × g (gravitational acceleration on Earth) conditions for 20-23 days and having the first visible flower bud were exposed to hypergravity at 8 × g for 10 days. We analyzed the effect of prolonged hypergravity conditions on growth, lignin deposition, and tissue anatomy of the main stem. As a result, the length of the main stem decreased and cross-sectional area, dry mass per unit length, cell number, and lignin content of the main stem significantly increased under hypergravity. Lignin content in the rosette leaves also increased when they were exposed to hypergravity during their development. Except for interfascicular fibers, cross-sectional areas of the tissues composing the internode significantly increased under hypergravity in most types of the tissues in the basal part than the apical part of the main stem, indicating that the effect of hypergravity is more pronounced in the basal part than the apical part. The number of cells in the fascicular cambium and xylem significantly increased under hypergravity both in the apical and basal internodes of the main stem, indicating a possibility that hypergravity stimulates procambium activity to produce xylem element more than phloem element. The main stem was suggested to be strengthened through changes in its morphological characteristics as well as lignin deposition under prolonged hypergravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Shinohara
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Muramoto
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tamaoki
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamachi
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inoue
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kume
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ichirou Karahara
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
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Watanabe Y, Yamamoto H, Shimizu I, Hongo H, Noguchi A, Fujii N, Hoson T, Wakabayashi K, Soga K. Suppression of essential oil biosynthesis in sweet basil cotyledons under hypergravity conditions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 42:1-7. [PMID: 39067981 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The mechanism through which gravity influences the biosynthesis of essential oils in herbs is an important issue for plant and space biology. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings were cultivated under centrifugal hypergravity conditions at 100 g in the light, and the growth of cotyledons, development of glandular hairs, and biosynthesis of essential oils were analyzed. The area and fresh weight of the cotyledons increased by similar amounts irrespective of the gravitational conditions. On the abaxial surface of the cotyledons, glandular hairs, where essential oils are synthesized and stored, developed from those with single-cell heads to those with four-cell heads; however, hypergravity did not affect this development. The main components, methyl eugenol and 1,8-cineole, in the essential oils of cotyledons were lower in cotyledons grown under hypergravity conditions. The gene expression of enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway involved in the synthesis of methyl eugenol, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and eugenol O-methyltransferase (EOMT), was downregulated by hypergravity. Hypergravity also decreased the gene expression of enzymes in the 2C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway involved in the synthesis of 1,8-cineole, such as 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) and 1,8-cineole synthase (CINS). These results indicate that hypergravity without affecting the development of glandular hairs, decreases the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of methyl eugenol and 1,8-cineole, which may cause a decrease in the amounts of both essential oils in sweet basil cotyledons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Watanabe
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Hana Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Ikumi Shimizu
- Faculty of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hongo
- Faculty of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Arisa Noguchi
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Nobuharu Fujii
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takayuki Hoson
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Wakabayashi
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Kouichi Soga
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.
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Romano LE, van Loon JJWA, Izzo LG, Iovane M, Aronne G. Effects of altered gravity on growth and morphology in Wolffia globosa implications for bioregenerative life support systems and space-based agriculture. Sci Rep 2024; 14:410. [PMID: 38172193 PMCID: PMC10764921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49680-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the response of plants to varied gravitational conditions is vital for developing effective food production in space bioregenerative life support systems. This study examines the impact of altered gravity conditions on the growth and morphological responses of Wolffia globosa (commonly known as "water lentils" or "duckweed"), assessing its potential as a space crop. Although an experiment testing the effect of simulated microgravity on Wolffia globosa has been previously conducted, for the first time, we investigated the effect of multiple gravity levels on the growth and morphological traits of Wolffia globosa plants. The plant responses to simulated microgravity, simulated partial gravity (Moon), and hypergravity environments were evaluated using random positioning machines and the large-diameter centrifuge. As hypothesized, we observed a slight reaction to different gravitational levels in the growth and morphological traits of Wolffia globosa. The relative growth rates (RGR) of plants subjected to simulated microgravity and partial gravity were reduced when compared to those in other gravity levels. The morphological analysis revealed differences in plant dimensions and frond length-to-width ratios under diverse gravity conditions. Our findings showed that Wolffia globosa is responsive to gravitational changes, with its growth and morphological adaptations being slightly influenced by varying gravitational environments. As for other crop species, growth was reduced by the microgravity conditions; however, RGR remained substantial at 0.33 a day. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of Wolffia globosa as a space crop and its adaptability to diverse gravitational conditions, contributing to the development of sustainable food production and bioregenerative life support systems for future space exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leone Ermes Romano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy.
| | - Jack J W A van Loon
- Department Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences and Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam University Medical Center Location VUmc and Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- TEC-MMG-LIS Lab, European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
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The Course of Mechanical Stress: Types, Perception, and Plant Response. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020217. [PMID: 36829495 PMCID: PMC9953051 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli, together with the corresponding plant perception mechanisms and the finely tuned thigmomorphogenetic response, has been of scientific and practical interest since the mid-17th century. As an emerging field, there are many challenges in the research of mechanical stress. Indeed, studies on different plant species (annual/perennial) and plant organs (stem/root) using different approaches (field, wet lab, and in silico/computational) have delivered insufficient findings that frequently impede the practical application of the acquired knowledge. Accordingly, the current work distils existing mechanical stress knowledge by bringing in side-by-side the research conducted on both stem and roots. First, the various types of mechanical stress encountered by plants are defined. Second, plant perception mechanisms are outlined. Finally, the different strategies employed by the plant stem and roots to counteract the perceived mechanical stresses are summarized, depicting the corresponding morphological, phytohormonal, and molecular characteristics. The comprehensive literature on both perennial (woody) and annual plants was reviewed, considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of the two plant types, which allowed us to highlight current gaps in knowledge as areas of interest for future research.
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