Micro and capillary liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: a new dimension in phytohormone research

Alkaline thermal hydrolysis of sewage sludge to produce high-quality liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen-containing plant-growth-promoting nutrients and biostimulants

To produce liquid fertilizer containing nitrogen-containing plant-growth-promoting nutrients (N-PGPN) and plant-growth-promoting biostimulants (N-PGPB) from sewage sludge is attracting increasing interest recently, due to its superb fertilizing effect and the ease of application. Thus, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of producing high-quality liquid fertilizer with N-PGPN and N-PGPB recovery through alkaline thermal hydrolysis (ATH) using Ca(OH)₂. Results suggested that ATH treatment was superior in N solubilization (TSN/TN > 54%) and organic N maintenance in sludge liquor (> 80%) when compared to single thermal hydrolysis (TH). More surprisingly, ATH also promoted the production of N-PGPN and N-PGPB. As for N-PGPN, the maximum free amino acids (FAAs) accumulation in ATH liquor was 56.82 g/L at 120 °C while soluble protein (SPN) and soluble humic acid (SHA) reached 8.30-8.88 g/L and 1.88-2.05 g/L at 140-160 °C. The greatest N-PGPB produced by ATH treatment was achieved at 160 °C, with the detection of 1.156 mg/L phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid and hydroxyphenyl acetic acids) and 4.95 mg/L allelochemicals (indolic derivatives and aromatic carboxylic acids). The 2D correlation FTIR maps analyses suggested, compared with TH, ATH could achieve protein hydrolysis before polysaccharides solubilization and denaturation with the temperature increased, thus avoiding Maillard reaction and benefiting N-PGPB production. Moreover, the laboratory investigation and field study indicated the usage of ATH liquor improved the growth of plants without inducing heavy metal contamination and soil salinization. Hence, ATH is a promising technology to produce high-quality liquid fertilizer rich with N-PGPN and N-PGPB from sewage sludge, especially suitable for such sludge with a low VS/TS ratio where biological treatment is inapplicable.

Study of cytokinin transport from shoots to roots of wheat plants is informed by a novel method of differential localization of free cytokinin bases or their ribosylated forms by means of their specific fixation

The aim of the present report was to demonstrate how a novel approach for immunohistochemical localization of cytokinins in the leaf and particularly in the phloem may complement to the study of their long-distance transport. Different procedures of fixation were used to conjugate either cytokinin bases or their ribosides to proteins of cytoplasm to enable visualization and differential localization of these cytokinins in the leaf cells of wheat plants. In parallel to immunolocalization of cytokinins in the leaf cells, we immunoassayed distribution of free bases of cytokinins, their nucleotides and ribosides between roots and shoots of wheat plants as well as their presence in phloem sap after incubation of leaves in a solution supplemented with either trans-zeatin or isopentenyladenine. The obtained data show ribosylation of the zeatin applied to the leaves and its elevated level in the phloem sap supported by in vivo localization showing the presence of ribosylated forms of zeatin in leaf vessels. This suggests that conversion of zeatin to its riboside is important for the shoot-to-root transport of zeatin-type cytokinins in wheat. Exogenous isopentenyladenine was not modified, but diffused from the leaves as free base. These metabolic differences may not be universal and may depend on the plant species and age. Although the measurements of cytokinins in the phloem sap and root tissue is the most defining for determining cytokinin transport, study of immunolocalization of either free cytokinin bases or their ribosylated forms may be a valuable source of information for predicting their transport in the phloem and to the roots.

InSourcerer: a high-throughput method to search for unknown metabolite modifications by mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Using mass spectrometry, the analysis of known metabolite structures has become feasible in a systematic high-throughput fashion. Nevertheless, the identification of previously unknown structures remains challenging, partially because many unidentified variants originate from known molecules that underwent unexpected modifications. Here, we present a method for the discovery of unknown metabolite modifications and conjugate metabolite isoforms in a high-throughput fashion.

METHODS

The method is based on user-controlled in-source fragmentation which is used to induce loss of weakly bound modifications. This is followed by the comparison of product ions from in-source fragmentation and collision-induced dissociation (CID). Diagonal MS² -MS³ matching allows the detection of unknown metabolite modifications, as well as substructure similarities. As the method relies heavily on the advantages of in-source fragmentation and its ability to 'magically' elucidate unknown modification, we have named it inSourcerer as a portmanteau of in-source and sorcerer.

RESULTS

The method was evaluated using a set of 15 different cytokinin standards. Product ions from in-source fragmentation and CID were compared. Hierarchical clustering revealed that good matches are due to the presence of common substructures. Plant leaf extract, spiked with a mix of all 15 standards, was used to demonstrate the method's ability to detect these standards in a complex mixture, as well as confidently identify compounds already present in the plant material.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we present a method that incorporates a classic liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) workflow with fragmentation models and computational algorithms. The assumptions upon which the concept of the method was built were shown to be valid and the method showed that in-source fragmentation can be used to pinpoint structural similarities and indicate the occurrence of a modification.

The Maize Leaf: Another Perspective on Growth Regulation

The Arabidopsis thaliana root tip has been a key experimental system to study organ growth regulation. It has clear advantages for genetic, transcriptomic, and cell biological studies that focus on the control of cell division and expansion along its longitudinal axis. However, the system shows some limitations for methods that currently require too much tissue to perform them at subzonal resolution, including quantification of proteins, enzyme activity, hormone, and metabolite levels and cell wall extensibility. By contrast, the larger size of the maize leaf does allow such analyses. Here we highlight exciting new possibilities to advance mechanistic understanding of plant growth regulation by using the maize leaf as a complimentary system to the Arabidopsis root tip.

Evolution in miniaturized column liquid chromatography instrumentation and applications: An overview

The purpose of this article is to underline the miniaturized LC instrumental system and describe the evolution of commercially available systems by discussing their advantages and drawbacks. Nowadays, there are already many miniaturized LC systems available with a great variety of pump design, interface and detectors as well as efficient columns technologies and reduced connections devices. The solvent delivery systems are able to drive the mobile phase without flow splitters and promote gradient elution using either dual piston reciprocating or syringe-type pumps. The mass spectrometry as detection system is the most widely used detection system; among many alternative ionization sources direct-EI LC-MS is a promising alternative to APCI. In addition, capillary columns are now available showing many possibilities of stationary phases, inner diameters and hardware materials. This review provides a discussion about miniaturized LC demonstrating fundamentals and instrumentals' aspects of the commercially available miniaturized LC instrumental system mainly nano and micro LC formats. This review also covers the recent developments and trends in instrumentation, capillary and nano columns, and several applications of this very important and promising field.

Accumulation of cytokinins in roots and their export to the shoots of durum wheat plants treated with the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)

Cytokinin flow from roots to shoots can serve as a long-distance signal important for root-to-shoot communication. In the past, changes in cytokinin flow from roots to shoots have been mainly attributed to changes in the rate of synthesis or breakdown in the roots. The present research tested the possibility that active uptake of cytokinin by root cells may also influence its export to shoots. To this end, we collapsed the proton gradient across root membranes using the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) to inhibit secondary active uptake of exogenous and endogenous cytokinins. We report the impact of CCCP on cytokinin concentrations and delivery in xylem sap and on accumulation in shoots of 7-day-old wheat plants in the presence and absence of exogenous cytokinin applied as zeatin. Zeatin treatment increased the total accumulation of cytokinin in roots and shoots but the effect was smaller for the shoots. Immunohistochemical localization of cytokinins using zeatin-specific antibodies showed an increase in immunostaining of the cells adjacent to xylem in the roots of zeatin-treated plants. Inhibition of secondary active cytokinin uptake by CCCP application decreased cytokinin accumulation in root cells but increased both flow from the roots and accumulation in the shoots. The possible importance of secondary active uptake of cytokinins by root cells for the control of their export to the shoot is discussed.

A new approach for cytokinin isolation from Arabidopsis tissues using miniaturized purification: pipette tip solid-phase extraction

BACKGROUND

We have developed a new analytical approach for isolation and quantification of cytokinins (CK) in minute amounts of fresh plant material, which combines a simple one-step purification with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-fast scanning tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Plant tissue samples (1-5 mg FW) were purified by stop-and-go-microextraction (StageTip purification), which previously has only been applied for clean-up and pre-concentration of peptides. We found that a combination of two reverse phases and one cation-exchange phase, was the best tool, giving a total extraction recovery higher than 80%. The process was completed by a single chromatographic analysis of a wide range of naturally occurring cytokinins (bases, ribosides, O- and N-glucosides, and nucleotides) in 24.5 minutes using an analytical column packed with sub-2-microne particles. In multiple reaction monitoring mode, the detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 5 fmol and the linear ranges for most cytokinins were at least five orders of magnitude. The StageTip purification was validated and optimized using samples of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, roots and shoots where eighteen cytokinins were successfully determined.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of microextraction with one-step high-throughput purification provides fast, effective and cheap sample preparation prior to qualitative and quantitative measurements. Our procedure can be used after modification also for other phytohormones, depending on selectivity, affinity and capacity of the selected sorbents.

Perturbation of cytokinin and ethylene-signalling pathways explain the strong rooting phenotype exhibited by Arabidopsis expressing the Schizosaccharomyces pombe mitotic inducer, cdc25

BACKGROUND

Entry into mitosis is regulated by cyclin dependent kinases that in turn are phosphoregulated. In most eukaryotes, phosphoregulation is through WEE1 kinase and CDC25 phosphatase. In higher plants a homologous CDC25 gene is unconfirmed and hence the mitotic inducer Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp) cdc25 has been used as a tool in transgenic plants to probe cell cycle function. Expression of Spcdc25 in tobacco BY-2 cells accelerates entry into mitosis and depletes cytokinins; in whole plants it stimulates lateral root production. Here we show, for the first time, that alterations to cytokinin and ethylene signaling explain the rooting phenotype elicited by Spcdc25 expression in Arabidopsis.

RESULTS

Expressing Spcdc25 in Arabidopsis results in increased formation of lateral and adventitious roots, a reduction of primary root width and more isodiametric cells in the root apical meristem (RAM) compared with wild type. Furthermore it stimulates root morphogenesis from hypocotyls when cultured on two way grids of increasing auxin and cytokinin concentrations. Microarray analysis of seedling roots expressing Spcdc25 reveals that expression of 167 genes is changed by > 2-fold. As well as genes related to stress responses and defence, these include 19 genes related to transcriptional regulation and signaling. Amongst these was the up-regulation of genes associated with ethylene synthesis and signaling. Seedlings expressing Spcdc25 produced 2-fold more ethylene than WT and exhibited a significant reduction in hypocotyl length both in darkness or when exposed to 10 ppm ethylene. Furthermore in Spcdc25 expressing plants, the cytokinin receptor AHK3 was down-regulated, and endogenous levels of iPA were reduced whereas endogeous IAA concentrations in the roots increased.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the reduction in root width and change to a more isodiametric cell phenotype in the RAM in Spcdc25 expressing plants is a response to ethylene over-production. The increased rooting phenotype in Spcdc25 expressing plants is due to an increase in the ratio of endogenous auxin to cytokinin that is known to stimulate an increased rate of lateral root production. Overall, our data reveal important cross talk between cell division and plant growth regulators leading to developmental changes.

Auxin carriers localization drives auxin accumulation in plant cells infected by Frankia in Casuarina glauca actinorhizal nodules

Actinorhizal symbioses are mutualistic interactions between plants and the soil bacteria Frankia that lead to the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Little is known about the signaling mechanisms controlling the different steps of the establishment of the symbiosis. The plant hormone auxin has been suggested to play a role. Here we report that auxin accumulates within Frankia-infected cells in actinorhizal nodules of Casuarina glauca. Using a combination of computational modeling and experimental approaches, we establish that this localized auxin accumulation is driven by the cell-specific expression of auxin transporters and by Frankia auxin biosynthesis in planta. Our results indicate that the plant actively restricts auxin accumulation to Frankia-infected cells during the symbiotic interaction.

Comparative determination of some phytohormones in wild-type and genetically modified plants by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The analytical performances of two optimized analytical methodologies used for the determination of auxins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid in plant samples were critically compared. Phytohormones were extracted from Nicotiana glauca samples using a modified Bieleski solvent and determined both by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), after derivatization with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), and by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) on the Bieleski extract without any further treatment. HPLC-MS/MS gave better results in terms of higher coefficients of determination of the calibration curves, higher and more reproducible recoveries, lower limits of detection, faster sample preparation, and higher sample throughput. Thus, two sets of N. glauca and N. langsdorffii samples, both wild-type and genetically modified by inserting the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene encoding for the rat glucocorticoid receptor, were first characterized by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and then analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. Significant differences in the phytohormone content between the two sample sets were found and are very important in terms of understanding the mechanisms and effects on growth processes and the development of transgenic plants.

Development of a method for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of plant hormones by highly sensitive nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry

In recent plant hormone research, there is an increased demand for a highly sensitive and comprehensive analytical approach to elucidate the hormonal signaling networks, functions, and dynamics. We have demonstrated the high sensitivity of a comprehensive and quantitative analytical method developed with nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS) under multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) in plant hormone profiling. Unlabeled and deuterium-labeled isotopomers of four classes of plant hormones and their derivatives, auxins, cytokinins (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellins (GA), were analyzed by this method. The optimized nanoflow-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS method showed ca. 5-10-fold greater sensitivity than capillary-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS, and the detection limits (S/N=3) of several plant hormones were in the sub-fmol range. The results showed excellent linearity (R(2) values of 0.9937-1.0000) and reproducibility of elution times (relative standard deviations, RSDs, <1.1%) and peak areas (RSDs, <10.7%) for all target compounds. Further, sample purification using Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges significantly decreased the ion-suppressing effects of biological matrix as compared to the purification using only Oasis HLB cartridge. The optimized nanoflow-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS method was successfully used to analyze endogenous plant hormones in Arabidopsis and tobacco samples. The samples used in this analysis were extracted from only 17 tobacco dry seeds (1mg DW), indicating that the efficiency of analysis of endogenous plant hormones strongly depends on the detection sensitivity of the method. Our analytical approach will be useful for in-depth studies on complex plant hormonal metabolism.

Redundant roles of photoreceptors and cytokinins in regulating photosynthetic acclimation to canopy density

The regulation of photosynthetic acclimation to canopy density was investigated in tobacco canopies and in tobacco and Arabidopsis plants with part of their foliage experimentally shaded. Both species acclimated to canopy light gradients and partial shading by allocating photosynthetic capacity to leaves in high light and adjusting chloroplast organization to the local light conditions. An investigation was carried out to determine whether signalling mediated by photoreceptors, sugars, cytokinin, and nitrate is involved in and necessary for proper photosynthetic acclimation. No evidence was found for a role for sugars, or for nitrate. The distribution of cytokinins in tobacco stands of contrasting density could be explained in part by irradiance-dependent delivery of cytokinins through the transpiration stream. Functional studies using a comprehensive selection of Arabidopsis mutants and transgenics showed that normal wild-type responses to partial shading were retained when signalling mediated by photoreceptors or cytokinins was disrupted. This indicates that these pathways probably operate in a redundant manner. However, the reduction of the chlorophyll a/b ratio in response to local shade was completely absent in the Arabidopsis Ws-2 accession mutated in PHYTOCHROME D and in the triple phyAphyCphyD mutant. Moreover, cytokinin receptor mutants also showed a reduced response, suggesting a previously unrecognized function of phyD and cytokinins.

Cytokinin profiling in plant tissues using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

We have developed a simple, high-throughput batch immunoextraction (IAE) micropurification procedure for extracting a wide range of naturally occurring cytokinins (bases, ribosides, O- and N-glucosides, and nucleotides) from plant tissues in solutions that are compatible with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), thereby facilitating sensitive subsequent analysis. The UPLC system was coupled to a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer (MS/MS) equipped with an electrospray interface (ESI). Small (mg) amounts of tissues were purified by solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by an immunoaffinity clean-up step and two fast chromatographic separations of most cytokinin metabolites (bases, ribosides, and 9-glucosides in the first, O-glucosides and nucleotides in the second). Using UPLC, the runs were up to 4-fold faster than in standard cytokinin analyses, and both retention times and injection volumes were less variable (RSDs, 0.15-0.3% and 1.0-5.5%, respectively). In multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, the detection limit for most of the cytokinins analyzed was close to 1 fmol (5-25 fmol for O-glucosides and nucleotides) and the linear range spanned at least five orders of magnitude. The extraction and purification method was optimized using poplar (Populusxcanadensis Moench, cv Robusta) leaf samples, and the analytical accuracy was further validated using IAE-purified 10-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana plants spiked with 1 and 10 pmol of cytokinin derivatives. This approach can be used for rapid, sensitive qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of more than 50 natural cytokinins in minute amounts of plant tissues with high performance, robustness, and accuracy.

Identification and quantitation of auxins in plants by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

Auxin is an important phylohormone, which regulates specific physiological responses such as division, elongation and differentiation of cells. A new method using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-ITMS) has been developed for identification and quantitation of four auxins. Under the optimum conditions, four auxins (indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-propionic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and 1-naphthylacetic acid) were completely separated and quantitated within 7 min with a minimum detection limit of 8.0 ng mL(-1) with relative standard deviations lower than 5.0%. This method also has been applied to analysis of auxins in Chinese cabbage where, even with a complicated serious background perturbation due to the natural biological matrix, the mean recoveries ranged from 77.5% to 99.8%. Finally, we discuss the MS-relevant properties of the identified auxins in detail.

Cytokinin import rate as a signal for photosynthetic acclimation to canopy light gradients

Plants growing in dense canopies are exposed to vertical light gradients and show photosynthetic acclimation at the whole-plant level, resulting in efficient photosynthetic carbon gain. We studied the role of cytokinins transported through the transpiration stream as one of probably multiple signals for photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients using both tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We show that substantial variation in leaf transpiration parallels the light gradient in tobacco canopies and experimental reduction of the transpiration rate of a leaf, independent of light, is sufficient to reduce photosynthetic capacity in both species, as well as transcript levels of the small subunit of Rubisco (rbcS) gene in Arabidopsis. Mass spectrometric analysis of xylem sap collected from intact, transpiring tobacco plants revealed that shaded leaves import less cytokinin than leaves exposed to high light. In Arabidopsis, reduced transpiration rate of a leaf in the light is associated with lower cytokinin concentrations, including the bioactive trans-zeatin and trans-zeatin riboside, as well as reduced expression of the cytokinin-responsive genes ARR7 and ARR16. External application of cytokinin to shaded leaves rescued multiple shade effects, including rbcS transcript levels in both species, as did locally induced cytokinin overproduction in transgenic tobacco plants. From these data, we conclude that light gradients over the foliage of a plant result in reduced cytokinin activity in shaded leaves as a consequence of reduced import through the xylem and that cytokinin is involved in the regulation of whole-plant photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients in canopies.

A comparative analysis of the Arabidopsis mutant amp1-1 and a novel weak amp1 allele reveals new functions of the AMP1 protein

Ethylene and gibberellins have a synergistic stimulatory effect on hypocotyl elongation of light-grown Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seedlings. A screen for mutants with decreased response to these hormones led to the isolation of a novel allele (ampl-7) of the ALTERED MERISTEM PROGRAM (AMP) 1 locus. The amp1-7 allele contains a missense mutation causing a phenotype, which is weaker than that of the amp1-1 mutant that carries a nonsense mutation. The mutant phenotype prompted the hypothesis that AMP1 is involved in ethylene and GA signalling pathways or in a parallel pathway-controlling cell and hypocotyl elongation and cellular organization. Amp1 mutants contain higher zeatin concentrations causing enlargement of the apical meristem, which was confirmed by cytokinin application to wild type seedlings. Light grown amp1 seedlings have shorter hypocotyls than wild type; however, application of cytokinins promotes hypocotyl elongation of both Col-0 and amp1. We suggest that in amp1 mutants either zeatin overproduction or its action is strictly localized.

Immunoaffinity chromatography of abscisic acid combined with electrospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Polyclonal antibodies with high specificity for C1-immobilised (+)-cis,trans-abscisic acid (ABA) were raised, characterised by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and used for preparation of an immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) gel. The detection limit of the ELISA was approximately 4.6x10(-10)mol/L. Sensitive electrospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) methods were also developed with detection limits below 0.1x10(-12)mol. The IAC allowed quick, single-step processing of samples prior to the analyses. The LC-ESI-MS and LC-ELISA techniques were used for comparative estimation of endogenous ABA levels in immunoaffinity purified extracts of normal and water-stressed Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves. The analytical approaches were validated using deuterium- and tritium-labelled internal standards, respectively. The IAC method was found to be highly effective, sensitive and convenient for isolating the target analyte from plant material.

Analysis of low molecular weight acids by negative mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Free 9-aminoacridine base is demonstrated to be a suitable matrix for negative mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric (MALDI-TOFMS) analysis of a wide range of low molecular weight organic acids including aliphatic (from acetic to palmitic acid), aromatic acids, phytohormones (e.g. jasmonic and salicylic acids), and amino acids. Low limits of quantitation in the femtomolar range (jasmonic - 250 fmol; caffeic - 160 fmol and salicylic - 12.5 fmol) and linear detector response over two concentration orders in the pico- and femtomolar range are extremely encouraging for the direct study of such acids in complex biological matrices.

A hormone and proteome approach to picturing the initial metabolic events during Plasmodiophora brassicae infection on Arabidopsis

We report on the early response of Arabidopsis thaliana to the obligate biotrophic pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae at the hormone and proteome level. Using a CYCB1;1::GUS construct, the re-initiation of infection-related cell division is shown from 4 days after inoculation on. Sensitivity to cytokinins and auxins as well as the endogenous hormone levels are evaluated. Both an enhanced cytokinin gene response and an accumulation of isopentenyl adenine and adenosine precede this re-initiation of cell division, whereas an enhanced auxin gene response is observed from 6 days after inoculation on. The alhl mutant, impaired in the cross talk between ethylene and auxins, is resistant to P. brassicae. A differential protein analysis of infected versus noninfected roots and hypocotyls was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and quantitative image analysis, coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight-time of flight mass spectrometry-based protein identification. Of the visualized proteins, 12% show altered abundance compared with the noninfected plants, including proteins involved in metabolism, cell defense, cell differentiation, and detoxification. Combining the hormone and proteome data, we postulate that, at the very first stages of Plasmodiophora infection, plasmodial-produced cytokinins trigger a local re-initiation of cell division in the root cortex. Consequently, a de novo meristematic area is established that acts as a sink for host-derived indole-3-acetic acid, carbohydrates, nitrogen, and energy to maintain the pathogen and to trigger gall development.

The TORNADO1 and TORNADO2 genes function in several patterning processes during early leaf development in Arabidopsis thaliana

In multicellular organisms, patterning is a process that generates axes in the primary body plan, creates domains upon organ formation, and finally leads to differentiation into tissues and cell types. We identified the Arabidopsis thaliana TORNADO1 (TRN1) and TRN2 genes and their role in leaf patterning processes such as lamina venation, symmetry, and lateral growth. In trn mutants, the leaf venation network had a severely reduced complexity: incomplete loops, no tertiary or quaternary veins, and vascular islands. The leaf laminas were asymmetric and narrow because of a severely reduced cell number. We postulate that the imbalance between cell proliferation and cell differentiation and the altered auxin distribution in both trn mutants cause asymmetric leaf growth and aberrant venation patterning. TRN1 and TRN2 were epistatic to ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 with respect to leaf asymmetry, consistent with their expression in the shoot apical meristem and leaf primordia. TRN1 codes for a large plant-specific protein with conserved domains also found in a variety of signaling proteins, whereas TRN2 encodes a transmembrane protein of the tetraspanin family whose phylogenetic tree is presented. Double mutant analysis showed that TRN1 and TRN2 act in the same pathway.

Identification of kinetin and kinetin riboside in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water using a combined approach of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Kinetin (free base and riboside), which was assumed by many scientists to be a synthetic cytokinin plant growth hormone, has been detected for the first time in the endosperm liquid of fresh young coconut fruits ("coconut water"). To facilitate the study, we developed a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the identification and quantification of kinetin and kinetin riboside in purified coconut water extract sample. Following a solid-phase extraction of cytokinins in coconut water using C18 columns, the samples were further purified by Oasis MCX columns and analyzed by LC-MS/MS for kinetin and kinetin riboside. Detection by mass spectrometry was carried out using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, by identifying the putative kinetin and kinetin riboside based on their characteristic fragments. Based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the limits of detection in SRM mode were 0.02 microM and 0.005 microM for kinetin and kinetin riboside, respectively. Furthermore, optimal conditions for a baseline chromatographic separation of 18 cytokinin standards by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were developed. The HPLC method had been employed for the confirmation and further fractionation of kinetin in coconut water extracts. The confirmation and fractionation of kinetin riboside was carried out using a further modified HPLC program due to the presence of other interfering material(s) in the sample matrix. Finally, fractions of putative kinetin and kinetin riboside collected from HPLC eluate of coconut water sample were further authenticated by independent capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) experiment.

Simultaneous determination of multiple phytohormones in plant extracts by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid multiresidue method to quantify three different classes of plant hormones has been developed. The reduced concentrations of these metabolites in real samples with complex matrixes require sensitive techniques for their quantification in small amounts of plant tissue. The method described combines high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Deuterium-labeled standards were added prior to sample extraction to achieve an accurate quantification of abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, and jasmonic acid in a single run. A simple method of extraction and purification involving only centrifugation, a partition against diethyl ether, and filtration was developed and the analytical method validated in four different plant tissues, citrus leaves, papaya roots, barley seedlings, and barley immature embryos. This method represents a clear advantage because it extensively reduces sample preparation and total time for routine analysis of phytohormones in real plant samples.

Purification and determination of plant hormones auxin and abscisic acid using solid phase extraction and two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography

A method for separation and purification of plant hormones auxin and abscisic acid based on mixed mode reversed-phase anion-exchange solid phase extraction and two-dimensional HPLC was developed. Two-dimensional HPLC in "heart cutting" mode was very efficient in the purification of these two hormones. Its purification power is high enough to allow reliable on-line quantification of both hormones even with non-selective detectors.

Evaluation of the sensitivity of miniaturized liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for pharmaceutical analysis

LC-ESI-MS is applied frequently in pharmaceutical analysis. The sample amount is generally not restricted, however with LC-ESI-MS, a lack of sensitivity may still be observed with standard-bore LC columns in isocratic mode. Therefore, it was investigated whether increased sensitivity could be achieved by using miniaturized LC-ESI-MS. Seven columns ranging from 0.1 to 4.6 mm ID were tested using several instrument setups. For proper comparison, a sensitivity gain factor (SGF) was introduced. The SGF expresses the extra sensitivity that may be obtained on top of the normal increase of peak concentration, which can be expected when the column ID is reduced. Desogestrel, mirtazapine, and sugammadex sodium were used as test compounds. For desogestrel and sugammadex sodium, the SGF increased up to a factor of 5-13 when the column ID was reduced, indicating enhanced ionization efficiencies at lower flow rates. Optimum sensitivity was found for the 0.3 mm column coupled in combination with a microinjection valve and a dedicated low flow rate interface. For mirtazapine, no increase of SGF was observed when the column ID was decreased. Apparently, the ionization efficiency of this compound is not affected by the flow rate and the spray quality.

Mass spectrometry in metabolome analysis

In the post-genomic era, increasing efforts have been made to describe the relationship between the genome and the phenotype in cells and organisms. It has become clear that even a complete understanding of the state of the genes, messages, and proteins in a living system does not reveal its phenotype. Therefore, researchers have started to study the metabolome (or the metabolic complement of functional genomics). Within this context, mass spectrometry (MS) has increasingly occupied a central position in the methodologies developed for determination of the metabolic state. This review is mainly focused on the status of MS in the metabolome field, trying to direct the reader to the main approaches for analysis of metabolites, reviewing basic methodologies in sample preparation, and the most recent MS techniques introduced. Apart from the description of the different methods, this review will try to state a general comparison between the several different techniques that involve MS and metabolite analysis, and will highlight their limitations and preferred applicability.

Purification of 3-indolylacetic acid by solid phase extraction

This paper deals with the use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) for the extraction and purification of 3-indolylacetic acid (IAA), the main and most important representative of the plant growth regulators auxins. The procedure is based on the use of C18-SPE columns in two steps. In the first one, raw extract in methanol:water (4:1) is applied on the column in order to remove neutral ballast. In the second step the eluate is diluted with water to a final methanol concentration of 20% (to decrease the elution strength of the solvent) and acidified with formic acid to a final concentration of 1% (to convert the IAA from the anionic to the neutral form). Neutral IAA is then retained on the second SPE column, eluted by (acidified) methanol, and subjected to final analysis. Scintillation counting of tritium labeled IAA standard was used for the investigation and optimization of the SPE procedure. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection was suggested as a convenient method for routine determination of IAA after its methylation with diazomethane. Overall recovery of the procedure was estimated as 89-94% and a physiological level of IAA equal to 0.48 nmol/g (84 ng/g) fresh weight was found using an optimized SPE-GC-MS method.

A role for auxin redistribution in the responses of the root system architecture to phosphate starvation in Arabidopsis

The changes in root system architecture (RSA) triggered by phosphate (P) deprivation were studied in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants grown for 14 d on 1 mM or 3 microM P. Two different temporal phases were observed in the response of RSA to low P. First, lateral root (LR) development was promoted between days 7 and 11 after germination, but, after day 11, all root growth parameters were negatively affected, leading to a general reduction of primary root (PR) and LR lengths and of LR density. Low P availability had contrasting effects on various stages of LR development, with a marked inhibition of primordia initiation but a strong stimulation of activation of the initiated primordia. The involvement of auxin signaling in these morphological changes was investigated in wild-type plants treated with indole-3-acetic acid or 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and in axr4-1, aux1-7, and eir1-1 mutants. Most effects of low P on RSA were dramatically modified in the mutants or hormone-treated wild-type plants. This shows that auxin plays a major role in the P starvation-induced changes of root development. From these data, we hypothesize that several aspects of the RSA response to low P are triggered by local modifications of auxin concentration. A model is proposed that postulates that P starvation results in (1) an overaccumulation of auxin in the apex of the PR and in young LRs, (2) an overaccumulation of auxin or a change in sensitivity to auxin in the lateral primordia, and (3) a decrease in auxin concentration in the lateral primordia initiation zone of the PR and in old laterals. Measurements of local changes in auxin concentrations induced by low P, either by direct quantification or by biosensor expression pattern (DR5::beta-glucuronidase reporter gene), are in line with these hypotheses. Furthermore, the observation that low P availability mimicked the action of auxin in promoting LR development in the alf3 mutant confirmed that P starvation stimulates primordia emergence through increased accumulation of auxin or change in sensitivity to auxin in the primordia. Both the strong effect of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and the phenotype of the auxin-transport mutants (aux1, eir1) suggest that low P availability modifies local auxin concentrations within the root system through changes in auxin transport rather than auxin synthesis.

Cytokinin-induced hypocotyl elongation in light-grown Arabidopsis plants with inhibited ethylene action or indole-3-acetic acid transport

Cytokinins inhibit hypocotyl elongation in darkness but have no obvious effect on hypocotyl length in the light. However, we found that cytokinins do promote hypocotyl elongation in the light when ethylene action is blocked. A 50% increase in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. hypocotyl length was observed in response to N6-benzyladenine (BA) treatment in the presence of Ag+. The level of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid was strongly increased, indicating that ethylene biosynthesis was up-regulated by treatment with cytokinin. Furthermore, the effects of cytokinins on hypocotyl elongation were also tested using a series of mutants in the cascade of the ethylene-signal pathway. In the ethylene-insensitive mutants etr1-3 and ein2-1, cytokinin treatment resulted in hypocotyl lengths comparable to those of wild-type seedlings treated with both Ag+ and BA. A similar phenotypical response to cytokinin was observed when auxin transport was blocked by alpha-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). Applied cytokinin largely restored cell elongation in the basal and middle parts of the hypocotyls of NPA-treated seedlings and at the same time abolished the NPA-induced decrease in indole-3-acetic acid levels. Our data support the hypothesis that, in the light, cytokinins interact with the ethylene-signalling pathway and conditionally up-regulate ethylene and auxin synthesis.

Infection of Chinese cabbage by Plasmodiophora brassicae leads to a stimulation of plant growth: impacts on cell wall metabolism and hormone balance

The importance of plant hormones in clubroot infection has long been recognized. The morphological changes, such as cell division and cell elongation leading to gall formation are triggered in the early stages of infection. We analysed cell expansion by localizing Xyloglucan endoTransglucosylase/Hydrolase (XTH)-action and screened the endogenous concentrations of several classes of phytohormones by mass spectrometry in the early stages of Plasmodiophora brassicae infection in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa spp. pekinensis). Infected plants showed a general transient growth promotion early in infection. Furthermore a clear XTH action was visible in the epidermal layer of infected roots. Complex changes in the endogenous phytohormone profile were observed. Initially infection resulted in an increased total auxin pool. The auxin increase, together with an increased XTH action, results in wall loosening and consequently cell expansion. When the first secondary plasmodia are formed, thirteen days after infection (DAI), can be considered a switch point in phytohormone metabolism. Twenty-one DAI the plasmodia might act as a plant hormone sink resulting in a reduction in the active cytokinin pool and a lower indole-3-acetic acid content in the infected plants.

Biosynthesis of auxin by the gram-positive phytopathogen Rhodococcus fascians is controlled by compounds specific to infected plant tissues

The role and metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid in gram-negative bacteria is well documented, but little is known about indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis and regulation in gram-positive bacteria. The phytopathogen Rhodococcus fascians, a gram-positive organism, incites diverse developmental alterations, such as leafy galls, on a wide range of plants. Phenotypic analysis of a leafy gall suggests that auxin may play an important role in the development of the symptoms. We show here for the first time that R. fascians produces and secretes the auxin indole-3-acetic acid. Interestingly, whereas noninfected-tobacco extracts have no effect, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis is highly induced in the presence of infected-tobacco extracts when tryptophan is not limiting. Indole-3-acetic acid production by a plasmid-free strain shows that the biosynthetic genes are located on the bacterial chromosome, although plasmid-encoded genes contribute to the kinetics and regulation of indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis. The indole-3-acetic acid intermediates present in bacterial cells and secreted into the growth media show that the main biosynthetic route used by R. fascians is the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway with a possible rate-limiting role for indole-3-ethanol. The relationship between indole-3-acetic acid production and the symptoms induced by R. fascians is discussed.

Determination of endogenous and supplied deuterated abscisic acid in plant tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring

A specific, sensitive, and accurate method for determination of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant tissues is described. The method employs reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry for multiple reaction monitoring of underivatized ABA and deuterated ABA analogs. Specific analogs were used to study the mechanism of ABA fragmentation, to select appropriate standards, and to identify compounds suitable for metabolic studies involving the supply of differentially labeled ABA. Limits of detection and quantification of 1.9 and 4.7 pg, respectively, were obtained over a linear calibration range of 0-1.5 ng ABA (on-column injected) using 5.8', 8', 8'-d(4) ABA as the internal standard. Accuracy and precision were within 15% for routine quality control samples. The method of standard additions, as applied to Arabidopsis thaliana seed extracts, was also used to validate the method for analysis of plant tissue samples. The utility of the method was further demonstrated by determining levels of ABA in western white pine seeds and of ABA and supplied 8', 8', 8', 9', 9', 9'-d(6) ABA in Brassica napus tissues, using 5.8', 8', 8'-d(4) ABA or 8', 8', 8'-d(3) ABA as the internal standard. Limits of quantification as low as 0.89 ng/g were achieved by optimizing the extraction procedure for each type of plant tissue.

Flavonoids, NodD1, NodD2, and nod-box NB15 modulate expression of the y4wEFG locus that is required for indole-3-acetic acid synthesis in Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234

Flavonoids secreted by host plants activate, in conjunction with the transcriptional activator NodD, nod gene expression of rhizobia resulting in the synthesis of Nod factors, which trigger nodule organogenesis. Interestingly, addition of inducing flavonoids also stimulates the production of the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in several rhizobia. Here, the molecular basis of IAA synthesis in Rhizobium sp. NGR234 was investigated. Mass spectrometric analysis of culture supernatants indicated that NGR234 is capable of synthesizing IAA via three different pathways. The production of IAA is increased strongly by exposure of NGR234 to daidzein in a NodD1-, NodD2-, and SyrM2-dependent manner. This suggests that the y4wEFG locus that is downstream of nod-box NB15 encodes proteins involved in IAA synthesis. Knockout mutations in y4wE and y4wF abolished flavonoid-inducible IAA synthesis and a functional y4wF was required for constitutive IAA production. The promoter activity of NB15 and IAA production both were enhanced by introduction of a multicopy plasmid carrying nodD2 into NGR234. Surprisingly, the y4wE mutant still nodulated Vigna unguiculata and Tephrosia vogelii, although the nodules contained less IAA and IAA conjugates than those formed by the wild-type bacterium.

Determination of abscisic acid by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A novel method based on capillary electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) was developed for the determination of abscisic acid (ABA), which is an essential phytohormone during plant growth and development. ABA was labeled with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate via reductive amination in presence of acetic acid and sodium cyanoborohydride. The derivatization yield was maximized by optimizing several derivatization parameters including derivatization reagent concentration, reaction temperature and time. The conjugate was separated and quantitated by CE-LIF. The linearity of ABA was determined in the range from 0.1 to 10 micromol l(-1) with a correlation of 0.9979. The derivatization limit of detection for ABA was found to be 56 fmol (corresponding to the concentration of 2.8 x 10(-8) mol l(-1)). The detection limit for ABA was 5.5 amol for an injection volume of 5 nl. As a preliminary application, the proposed method was successfully applied to determining trace amount of ABA in the crude extracts of tobacco without extra purification and enrichment procedure and showed a better selectivity and sensitivity than those conventional methods used in determination of ABA.

The Rg-1 encoded regeneration capacity of tomato is not related to an altered cytokinin homeostasis

•  Cytokinin (CK) metabolism was analyzed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Rg-1 hybrids during in vitro shoot organogenesis from root explants. •  Data were obtained by combining physicochemical analysis with quantification and in situ detection methods. •  Although exogenous zeatin is added in all classical regeneration protocols, we show here that regenerating (Rg⁺ ) tomato explants did not require an exogenous CK source for regeneration. Irrespective of the presence or absence of exogenous zeatin, the endogenous CK levels were not affected by Rg-1 in the initial explants or in the early callus phase. In a later stage, and related to the presence of numerous shoots, the Rg⁺ explants showed much lower endogenous CK concentrations than the nonregenerating (rg^- ) explants. Cells of rg^- explants were not able to differentiate, despite their high endogenous CK content, and did not respond to exogenously applied CKs. •  We show that the insensitivity of rg^- explants to a hormonal signal, normally initiating regeneration, is not related to an altered endogenous CK metabolism. We therefore postulate that Rg-1 action involves a regeneration-specific CK receptor or a regeneration-specific CK signal transduction pathway.

Comprehensive chemical derivatization for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based multi-targeted profiling of the major phytohormones

In the present investigation we report selection of the N-methyl-N-(tert.-butydimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) reagent as the most comprehensive derivatization protocol among 17 tested reactions covering trifluoroacetylation, pentafluorobenzylation, methylations, and trimethylsilylations. MTBSTFA allowed easy and robust tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatization of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, (+/-)-jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, (+/-)-abscisic acid, meta-topolin, and trans-zeatin. Detection limits as analysed by selected ion monitoring quadrupole GC-MS were 0.2, 0.01, 1.0, 0.02, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.9 pmol of injected substance, respectively. Analysis of gibberellic acid A3, trans-zeatin riboside and (+/-)-abscisic acid-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester was best when coupled by splitting extracts and trimethysilylation. The MTBSTFA derivatization protocol was optimised, and validated. The preparation was insensitive to 2% residual water and to < or = 1 day storage at room temperature. The final scheme was highly reproducible and successfully applied to extracts from approximately 300 mg (fresh mass) of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) root and Arabidopsis thaliana seedling.

Extraction and quantitative analysis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in plant tissue by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

We developed a new method for the determination of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) using quantitative GC-negative chemical ionisation MS as a detection and quantification system, in combination with isotope dilution using [2H4]ACC and an off-line solid-phase extraction. By derivatisation with pentafluorobenzyl bromide, ACC could easily be detected with m/z 280 being the most abundant ion. Determination of this component resulted in a detection limit of 10 fmol and a linear fit in the 100 fmol-100 pmol range. The combination of a rapid, high yield purification method with a stable derivatisation procedure and a sensitive detection method allowed the detection of ACC in samples as low as 100 mg fresh mass.

The Arabidopsis mutant alh1 illustrates a cross talk between ethylene and auxin

Ethylene or its precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) can stimulate hypocotyl elongation in light-grown Arabidopsis seedlings. A mutant, designated ACC-related long hypocotyl 1 (alh1), that displayed a long hypocotyl in the light in the absence of the hormone was characterized. Etiolated alh1 seedlings overproduced ethylene and had an exaggerated apical hook and a thicker hypocotyl, although no difference in hypocotyl length was observed when compared with wild type. Alh1 plants were less sensitive to ethylene, as reflected by reduction of ACC-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl growth in the dark and delay in flowering and leaf senescence. Alh1 also had an altered response to auxin, whereas auxin levels in whole alh1 seedlings remained unaffected. In contrast to wild type, alh1 seedlings showed a limited hypocotyl elongation when treated with indole-3-acetic acid. Alh1 roots had a faster response to gravity. Furthermore, the hypocotyl elongation of alh1 and of ACC-treated wild type was reverted by auxin transport inhibitors. In addition, auxin up-regulated genes were ectopically expressed in hypocotyls upon ACC treatment, suggesting that the ethylene response is mediated by auxins. Together, these data indicate that alh1 is altered in the cross talk between ethylene and auxins, probably at the level of auxin transport.

Capillary liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry for analysis of steroid sulfates in biological samples

A new procedure for capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray (CLC-ES) mass spectrometry is described. Using this procedure, coupling of a CLC column to a low-flow-rate ES interface is made simple. A 5-cm precolumn and a 35-cm analytical column, both fused-silica capillaries with an i.d. of 100 microm and packed with 3-microm octadecylsilane-bonded material, are coupled in series to a sheathless ES emitter. One solvent splitter is positioned between the loop injector and the precolumn, and a second, between the precolumn and the analytical column. By opening and closing the splitters in the appropriate order, this arrangement permits the injection of 1-20 microL of sample solution with analyte focusing onto the top of the precolumn, followed by isocratic or gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2-0.3 microL/min through the analytical column. The relative standard deviation of the retention times of reference compounds was <3.5% (n = 5). The potential of the system in metabolome analysis, in which numerous isomeric compounds will require identification, is illustrated by the application of the system to the analysis of steroid sulfates in plasma.

The Role of auxin, pH, and stress in the activation of embryogenic cell division in leaf protoplast-derived cells of alfalfa

Culturing leaf protoplast-derived cells of the embryogenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. varia A2) genotype in the presence of low (1 microM) or high (10 microM) 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) concentrations results in different cell types. Cells exposed to high 2,4-D concentration remain small with dense cytoplasm and can develop into proembryogenic cell clusters, whereas protoplasts cultured at low auxin concentration elongate and subsequently die or form undifferentiated cell colonies. Fe stress applied at nonlethal concentrations (1 mM) in the presence of 1 microM 2,4-D also resulted in the development of the embryogenic cell type. Although cytoplasmic alkalinization was detected during cell activation of both types, embryogenic cells could be characterized by earlier cell division, a more alkalic vacuolar pH, and nonfunctional chloroplasts as compared with the elongated, nonembryogenic cells. Buffering of the 10 microM 2,4-D-containing culture medium by 10 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid delayed cell division and resulted in nonembryogenic cell-type formation. The level of endogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) increased transiently in all protoplast cultures during the first 4 to 5 d, but an earlier peak of IAA accumulation correlated with the earlier activation of the division cycle in embryogenic-type cells. However, this IAA peak could also be delayed by buffering of the medium pH by 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid. Based on the above data, we propose the involvement of stress responses, endogenous auxin synthesis, and the establishment of cellular pH gradients in the formation of the embryogenic cell type.