Molecular cloning and characterization of calreticulin, a calcium-binding protein involved in the regeneration of rice cultured suspension cells

Comprehensive genomic characterization and expression analysis of calreticulin gene family in tomato

Calreticulin (CRT) is a calcium-binding endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that has been identified for multiple cellular processes, including protein folding, regulation of gene expression, calcium (Ca2+) storage and signaling, regeneration, and stress responses. However, the lack of information about this protein family in tomato species highlights the importance of functional characterization. In the current study, 21 CRTs were identified in four tomato species using the most recent genomic data and performed comprehensive bioinformatics and SlCRT expression in various tissues and treatments. In the bioinformatics analysis, we described the physiochemical properties, phylogeny, subcellular positions, chromosomal location, promoter analysis, gene structure, motif distribution, protein structure and protein interaction. The phylogenetic analysis classified the CRTs into three groups, consensus with the gene architecture and conserved motif analyses. Protein structure analysis revealed that the calreticulin domain is highly conserved among different tomato species and phylogenetic groups. The cis-acting elements and protein interaction analysis indicate that CRTs are involved in various developmental and stress response mechanisms. The cultivated and wild tomato species exhibited similar gene mapping on chromosomes, and synteny analysis proposed that segmental duplication plays an important role in the evolution of the CRTs family with negative selection pressure. RNA-seq data analysis showed that SlCRTs were differentially expressed in different tissues, signifying the role of calreticulin genes in tomato growth and development. qRT-PCR expression profiling showed that all SlCRTs except SlCRT5 were upregulated under PEG (polyethylene glycol) induced drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment and SlCRT2 and SlCRT3 were upregulated under salt stress. Overall, the results of the study provide information for further investigation of the functional characterization of the CRT genes in tomato.

TaCRT3 Is a Positive Regulator of Resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici in Wheat

Wheat powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most prevalent diseases of wheat worldwide and can lead to severe yield reductions. Identifying genes involved in powdery mildew resistance will be useful for disease resistance breeding and control. Calreticulin (CRT) is a member of multigene family widely found in higher plants and is associated with a variety of plant physiological functions and defense responses. However, the role of CRT in wheat resistance to powdery mildew remains unclear. TaCRT3 was identified from the proteomic sequence of an incompatible interaction between the wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar Xingmin 318 and the Bgt isolate E09. Following analysis of transient expression of the GFP-TaCRT3 fusion protein in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, TaCRT3 was localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. Transcript expression levels of TaCRT3 were significantly upregulated in the wheat-Bgt incompatible interaction. More critically, knockdown of TaCRT3 using virus-induced gene silencing resulted in attenuated resistance to Bgt in wheat. Histological analysis showed a significant increase in Bgt development in TaCRT3-silenced plants, whereas the pathogen-related gene was significantly downregulated in TaCRT3-silenced leaves. In addition, overexpression of TaCRT3 in wheat enhanced the resistance to powdery mildew, the growth of Bgt was significantly inhibited, and the area of H2O2 near the infection site and the expression of defense-related genes of the salicylic acid pathway significantly increased. These findings imply that TaCRT3 may act as a disease resistance factor that positively regulates resistance to powdery mildew, during which SA signaling is probably activated.

Exogenous brassinosteroid alleviates calcium deficiency induced tip-burn by regulating calcium transport in Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis

Mini Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis) plays an important role in the supply of summer vegetables on the plateau in western China. In recent years, tip-burn has seriously affected the yield, quality and commodity value of mini Chinese cabbage. Calcium (Ca²⁺) deficiency is a key inducer of tip-burn. As a new type plant hormone, brassinolide (BR) is involved in regulating a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. To explore the alleviation role of BR in tip-burn caused by Ca²⁺ deficiency, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the relationship between BR and Ca²⁺ absorption and transport. The results showed that foliar spraying with 0.5 µM BR significantly reduced tip-burn incidence rate and disease index of mini Chinese cabbage caused by Ca²⁺ deficiency. Moreover, the dynamic monitoring results of tip-burn incidence rate showed that the value reached the highest on the ninth day after treatment. BR promoted the Ca²⁺ transport from roots to shoots and from outer leaves to inner leaves by increasing the activities of Ca²⁺-ATPase and H⁺-ATPase as well as the total ATP content, which provided power for Ca²⁺ transport. In addition, exogenous BR upregulated the relative expression levels of BrACA4, BrACA11, BrECA1, BrECA3, BrECA4, BrCAX1, BrCAS and BrCRT2, whereas Ca²⁺ deficiency induced down-regulation. In conclusion, exogenous BR can alleviate the Ca²⁺-deficiency induced tip-burn of mini Chinese cabbage by promoting the transport and distribution of Ca²⁺.

Role of calreticulin in biotic and abiotic stress signalling and tolerance mechanisms in plants

Calreticulin (CRT) is calcium binding protein of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) which performs plethora of functions besides it's role as molecular chaperone. Among the three different isoforms of this protein, CRT3 is most closely related to primitive CRT gene of higher plants. Based on their distinct structural and functional organisation, the plant CRTs have been known to contain three different domains: N, P and the C domain. The domain organisation and various biochemical characterstics of plant and animal CRTs are common with the exception of some differences. In plant calreticulin, the important N-glycosylation site(s) are replaced by the glycan chain(s) and several consensus sequences for in vitro phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase-2), are also present unlike the animal calreticulin. Biotic and abiotic stresses play a significant role in bringing down the crop production. The role of various phytohormones in defense against fungal pathogens is well documented. CRT3 has been reported to play important role in protecting the plants against fungal and bacterial pathogens and in maintaining plant innate immunity. There is remarkable crosstalk between CRT mediated signalling and biotic, abiotic stress, and phytohormone mediated signalling pathways The role of CRT mediated pathway in mitigating biotic and abiotic stress can be further explored in plants so as to strategically modify it for development of stress tolerant plants.

Phylogenetic analysis of plant calreticulin homologs

Calreticulin (CRT) is an multifunctional resident endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal protein implicated in regulating a variety of cellular processes, including Ca²⁺ storage/mobilization and protein folding. These multiple functions may be carried out by different CRT genes and protein isoforms. The plant CRT family consist of three genes: CRT1 and CRT2 classified in the common subclass (CRT1/2), and CRT3. These genes are highly conserved during evolution and encode three different protein products (CRT1, 2 and 3). The aim of the current study was to conduct a comparative analysis and sequence-based classification of the plant CRT genes. We used nucleotide and amino acid sequences to phylogenetically cluster the genes and examine potential glycosylation patterns. Additionally, we analyzed phylogenetic relationships within the CRT subclasses. Finally, we analyzed intraspecific CRT duplication events among mono- and dicotyledon species. Our results confirm that each of the CRT genes exist in multiple copies in plant genomes, and that CRT gene duplication is a widespread process in plants.

Localization of calreticulin and calcium ions in mycorrhizal roots of Medicago truncatula in response to aluminum stress

Aluminum (Al) toxicity limits growth and symbiotic interactions of plants. Calcium plays essential roles in abiotic stresses and legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, but the sites and mechanism of Ca²⁺ mobilization during mycorrhizae have not been analyzed. In this study, the changes of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ and calreticulin (CRT) in Medicago truncatula mycorrhizal (MR) and non-mycorrizal (NM) roots under short Al stress [50 μM AlCl₃ pH 4.3 for 3 h] were analyzed. Free Ca²⁺ ions were detected cytochemically by their reaction with potassium pyroantimonate and anti-CRT antibody was used to locate this protein in Medicago roots by immunocytochemical methods. In MR and NM roots, Al induced accumulation of CRT and free Ca²⁺. Similar calcium and CRT distribution in the MR were found at the surface of fungal structures (arbuscules and intercellular hyphae), cell wall and in plasmodesmata, and in plant and fungal intracellular compartments. Additionally, degenerated arbuscules were associated with intense Ca²⁺ and CRT accumulation. In NM roots, Ca²⁺ and CRT epitopes were observed in the stele, near wall of cortex and endodermis. The present study provides new insight into Ca²⁺ storage and mobilization in mycorrhizae symbiosis. The colocalization of CRT and Ca²⁺ suggests that CRT is essential for calcium mobilization for normal mycorrhiza development and response to Al stress.

Functional Analysis and Marker Development of TaCRT-D Gene in Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Ca2+-binding/buffering protein, is highly conserved and extensively expressed in animal and plant cells. To understand the function of CRTs in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), particularly their roles in stress tolerance, we cloned the full-length genomic sequence of the TaCRT-D isoform from D genome of common hexaploid wheat, and characterized its function by transgenic Arabidopsis system. TaCRT-D exhibited different expression patterns in wheat seedling under different abiotic stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ORF of TaCRT-D displayed more tolerance to drought, cold, salt, mannitol, and other abiotic stresses at both seed germination and seedling stages, compared with the wild-type controls. Furthermore, DNA polymorphism analysis and gene mapping were employed to develop the functional markers of this gene for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding program. One SNP, S440 (T→C) was detected at the TaCRT-D locus by genotyping a wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (114 lines) developed from Opata 85 × W7984. The TaCRT-D was then fine mapped between markers Xgwm645 and Xgwm664 on chromosome 3DL, corresponding to genetic distances of 3.5 and 4.4 cM, respectively, using the RIL population and Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines. Finally, the genome-specific and allele-specific markers were developed for the TaCRT-D gene. These findings indicate that TaCRT-D function importantly in plant stress responses, providing a gene target for genetic engineering to increase plant stress tolerance and the functional markers of TaCRT-D for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding.

Isolation and Characterization of Pepper Genes Interacting with the CMV-P1 Helicase Domain

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a destructive pathogen affecting Capsicum annuum (pepper) production. The pepper Cmr1 gene confers resistance to most CMV strains, but is overcome by CMV-P1 in a process dependent on the CMV-P1 RNA1 helicase domain (P1 helicase). Here, to identify host factors involved in CMV-P1 infection in pepper, a yeast two-hybrid library derived from a C. annuum ‘Bukang’ cDNA library was screened, producing a total of 76 potential clones interacting with the P1 helicase. Beta-galactosidase filter lift assay, PCR screening, and sequencing analysis narrowed the candidates to 10 genes putatively involved in virus infection. The candidate host genes were silenced in Nicotiana benthamiana plants that were then inoculated with CMV-P1 tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Plants silenced for seven of the genes showed development comparable to N. benthamiana wild type, whereas plants silenced for the other three genes showed developmental defects including stunting and severe distortion. Silencing formate dehydrogenase and calreticulin-3 precursor led to reduced virus accumulation. Formate dehydrogenase-silenced plants showed local infection in inoculated leaves, but not in upper (systemic) leaves. In the calreticulin-3 precursor-silenced plants, infection was not observed in either the inoculated or the upper leaves. Our results demonstrate that formate dehydrogenase and calreticulin-3 precursor are required for CMV-P1 infection.

Overexpression of a Triticum aestivum Calreticulin gene (TaCRT1) Improves Salinity Tolerance in Tobacco

Calreticulin (CRT) is a highly conserved and abundant multifunctional protein that is encoded by a small gene family and is often associated with abiotic/biotic stress responses in plants. However, the roles played by this protein in salt stress responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum) remain obscure. In this study, three TaCRT genes were identified in wheat and named TaCRT1, TaCRT2 and TaCRT3-1 based on their sequence characteristics and their high homology to other known CRT genes. Quantitative real-time PCR expression data revealed that these three genes exhibit different expression patterns in different tissues and are strongly induced under salt stress in wheat. The calcium-binding properties of the purified recombinant TaCRT1 protein were determined using a PIPES/Arsenazo III analysis. TaCRT1 gene overexpression in Nicotiana tabacum decreased salt stress damage in transgenic tobacco plants. Physiological measurements indicated that transgenic tobacco plants showed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) than non-transgenic tobacco under normal growth conditions. Interestingly, overexpression of the entire TaCRT1 gene or of partial TaCRT1 segments resulted in significantly higher tolerance to salt stress in transgenic plants compared with their WT counterparts, thus revealing the essential role of the C-domain of TaCRT1 in countering salt stress in plants.

Effects of Endogenous Salicylic Acid During Calcium Deficiency-Induced Tipburn in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)

By cultivating tipburn-susceptible plants in modified Hoagland's medium containing of gradient exogenous calcium (Ca2+), we have shown that Ca2+ deficiency is one of the main causes of tipburn in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis). The effect of endogenous plant Ca2+ concentrations on tipburn was also studied in a doubled haploid (DH) population consisting of 100 individuals, but no correlation was found. We then examined the expression of 12 Ca2+ transporter genes that function in cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis in both tipburn-susceptible and tipburn-resistant plants under normal and tipburn-inducing conditions. Expression patterns for most of these genes differed between the two types of plants. Salicylic acid (SA) accumulated in response to conditions of calcium deficiency in our study, and both total SA and SA β-glucoside (SAG) in tipburn-susceptible plants was ∼3-fold higher than it was in resistant plants following Ca2+ deficiency treatment. Also, the changes observed in SA levels correlated well with cell death patterns revealed by trypan blue staining. Therefore, we speculate that the cytoplasmic Ca2+ fluctuation-induced downstream signaling events, as well as SA signaling or other biological events, are involved in the plant defense response to tipburn in Chinese cabbage.

Calreticulin expression in relation to exchangeable Ca(2+) level that changes dynamically during anthesis, progamic phase, and double fertilization in Petunia

Calcium (Ca(2+)) plays essential roles in plant sexual reproduction, but the sites and the mechanism of Ca(2+) mobile storage during pollen-pistil interactions have not been fully defined. Because the Ca(2+)-buffering protein calreticulin (CRT) is able to bind and sequester Ca(2+), it can serve as a mobile intracellular store of easily releasable Ca(2+) and control its local concentration within the cytoplasm. Our previous studies showed an enhanced expression of Petunia hybrida CRT gene (PhCRT) during pistil transmitting tract maturation, pollen germination and tube outgrowth on the stigma, gamete fusion, and early embryogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that elevated expression of CRT results in the accumulation of this protein in response to anthesis, pollination, sperm cells deposition within the receptive synergid and fertilization, when the level of exchangeable Ca(2+) changes dynamically. CRT localizes mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi compartments in the pistil transmitting tract cells, germinated pollen/tubes, and sporophytic/gametophytic cells of the ovule and corresponds with loosely bound Ca(2+). Additionally, the immunogold research shows, for the first time, highly selective CRT distribution in specific nuclear sub-domains. On the basis of our results, we discuss the possible functions of CRT with respect to the critical role of Ca(2+) homeostasis during key events of the multi-step process of generative reproduction in angiosperms.

Phosphoproteomics in cereals

Cereals are the most important crop plant supplying staple food throughout the world. The economic importance and continued breeding of crop plants such as rice, maize, wheat, or barley require a detailed scientific understanding of adaptive and developmental processes. Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important regulatory posttranslational modifications and its analysis allows deriving functional and regulatory principles in plants. This minireview summarizes the current knowledge of phosphoproteomic studies in cereals.

Comparison of protein acetyltransferase action of CRTAase with the prototypes of HAT

Our laboratory is credited for the discovery of enzymatic acetylation of protein, a phenomenon unknown till we identified an enzyme termed acetoxy drug: protein transacetylase (TAase), catalyzing the transfer of acetyl group from polyphenolic acetates to receptor proteins (RP). Later, TAase was identified as calreticulin (CR), an endoplasmic reticulum luminal protein. CR was termed calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase). Our persistent study revealed that CR like other families of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) such as p300, Rtt109, PCAF, and ESA1, undergoes autoacetylation. The autoacetylated CR was characterized as a stable intermediate in CRTAase catalyzed protein acetylation, and similar was the case with ESA1. The autoacetylation of CR like that of HATs was found to enhance protein-protein interaction. CR like HAT-1, CBP, and p300 mediated the acylation of RP utilizing acetyl CoA and propionyl CoA as the substrates. The similarities between CRTAase and HATs in mediating protein acylation are highlighted in this review.

Molecular cloning and transcriptional activity of a new Petunia calreticulin gene involved in pistil transmitting tract maturation, progamic phase, and double fertilization

Calreticulin (CRT) is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed Ca²⁺-binding protein in multicellular eukaryotes. As an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein, CRT plays a key role in many cellular processes including Ca²⁺ storage and release, protein synthesis, and molecular chaperoning in both animals and plants. CRT has long been suggested to play a role in plant sexual reproduction. To begin to address this possibility, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA of a new CRT gene (PhCRT) from Petunia. The deduced amino acid sequence of PhCRT shares homology with other known plant CRTs, and phylogenetic analysis indicates that the PhCRT cDNA clone belongs to the CRT1/CRT2 subclass. Northern blot analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization were used to assess PhCRT gene expression in different parts of the pistil before pollination, during subsequent stages of the progamic phase, and at fertilization. The highest level of PhCRT mRNA was detected in the stigma-style part of the unpollinated pistil 1 day before anthesis and during the early stage of the progamic phase, when pollen is germinated and tubes outgrow on the stigma. In the ovary, PhCRT mRNA was most abundant after pollination and reached maximum at the late stage of the progamic phase, when pollen tubes grow into the ovules and fertilization occurs. PhCRT mRNA transcripts were seen to accumulate predominantly in transmitting tract cells of maturing and receptive stigma, in germinated pollen/growing tubes, and at the micropylar region of the ovule, where the female gametophyte is located. From these results, we suggest that PhCRT gene expression is up-regulated during secretory activity of the pistil transmitting tract cells, pollen germination and outgrowth of the tubes, and then during gamete fusion and early embryogenesis.

Occurrence of calreticulin during the exchange of nucleohistones into protamine-type proteins in Chara vulgaris spermiogenesis

During spermiogenesis of an alga Chara vulgaris, which resembles that of animals, nucleohistones are replaced by protamine-type proteins. This exchange takes place in a spermatid nucleus during the key V spermiogenesis stage, in which rough endoplasmic reticulum is the site of protamine-type protein synthesis and is also the pathway guiding the proteins to their destination, nucleus. In the present work, it was shown that a chaperon protein, calreticulin (CRT), abundantly present at this significant V stage of spermiogenesis in a few cellular compartments, i.e., a nucleus, lumen of cisternae, and vesicles of significantly swollen ER as well as outside these structures, e.g., in Golgi apparatus, could have taken part in the process of exchange of nuclear proteins. Colocalization of two proteins, protamine-type proteins, crucial for reproduction, and CRT, was especially visible in a nucleus, mainly on its peripheries where condensed chromatin was present. Localization of protamine-type proteins and CRT in nucleus is in agreement with our previous results showing that protamine-type proteins were twofold more labelled in the peripheral area in comparison to the nucleus center occupied by noncondensed chromatin. The role of CRT in the reproduction of both plants and animals is also discussed.

Characterization of StABF1, a stress-responsive bZIP transcription factor from Solanum tuberosum L. that is phosphorylated by StCDPK2 in vitro

ABF/AREB bZIP transcription factors mediate plant abiotic stress responses by regulating the expression of stress-related genes. These proteins bind to the abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE), which is the major cis-acting regulatory sequence in ABA-dependent gene expression. In an effort to understand the molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress resistance in cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), we have cloned and characterized an ABF/AREB-like transcription factor from potato, named StABF1. The predicted protein shares 45-57% identity with A. thaliana ABFs proteins and 96% identity with the S. lycopersicum SlAREB1 and presents all of the distinctive features of ABF/AREB transcription factors. Furthermore, StABF1 is able to bind to the ABRE in vitro. StABF1 gene is induced in response to ABA, drought, salt stress and cold, suggesting that it might be a key regulator of ABA-dependent stress signaling pathways in cultivated potato. StABF1 is phosphorylated in response to ABA and salt stress in a calcium-dependent manner, and we have identified a potato CDPK isoform (StCDPK2) that phosphorylates StABF1 in vitro. Interestingly, StABF1 expression is increased during tuber development and by tuber-inducing conditions (high sucrose/nitrogen ratio) in leaves. We also found that StABF1 calcium-dependent phosphorylation is stimulated by tuber-inducing conditions and inhibited by gibberellic acid, which inhibits tuberization.

An ER-targeted calcium-binding peptide confers salt and drought tolerance mediated by CIPK6 in Arabidopsis

Different plant organelles have high internal stores of Ca(2+) compared to the cytoplasm and could play independent roles in stress responses or signal transduction. We used a GFP fusion with the C-domain of calreticulin, which shows low-affinity, high capacity Ca(2+) binding in the ER, as a calcium-binding peptide (CBP) to specifically increase stores in the ER and nucleus. Despite the presence of a signal sequence and KDEL retention sequence, our work and previous studies (Brandizzi et al. Plant Journal 34:269-281, 2003) demonstrated both ER and nuclear localization of GFP-CBP. Under normal conditions, GFP-CBP-expressing lines had ~25% more total Ca(2+) and higher levels of chlorophyll and seed yield than wild type and GFP controls. CBP-expressing plants also had better survival under intermittent drought or high salt treatments and increased root growth. One member of the CIPK (calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase) gene family, CIPK6, was up-regulated in CBP-expressing plants, even under non-stress conditions. A null mutation in cipk6 abolished the increased stress tolerance of CBP-transgenic plants, as well as the CBP-mediated induction of two stress-associated genes, DREB1A and RD29A, under non-stress conditions. Although this suggested that it was the induction of CIPK6, rather than localized changes in Ca(2+), that resulted in increased survival under adverse conditions, CIPK6 induction still required Ca(2+). This work demonstrates that ER (or nuclear) Ca(2+) can directly participate in signal transduction to alter gene expression. The discovery of a method for increasing Ca(2+) levels without deleterious effects on plant growth may have practical applications.

A dual regulatory role of Arabidopsis calreticulin-2 in plant innate immunity

Calreticulin (CRT) is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding molecular chaperone that is highly conserved in multi-cellular eukaryotes. Higher plants contain two distinct groups of CRTs: CRT1/CRT2 and CRT3 isoforms. Previous studies have shown that bacterial elongation factor Tu receptor (EFR), a pattern-recognition receptor that is responsible for pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity, is a substrate for Arabidopsis CRT3, suggesting a role for CRT3 in regulating plant defense against pathogens. Here we report that Arabidopsis CRT2 is another regulator of plant innate immunity. Despite significantly increased salicylic acid levels and constitutive expression of the systemic acquired resistance-associated marker genes PR1, PR2 and PR5, transgenic plants over-expressing CRT2 displayed reduced resistance to virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000). A (45)Ca(2+) overlay assay and a domain-swapping experiment further demonstrated that the negatively charged C-terminal tail of CRT2 is responsible for its high calcium-binding capacity and function in regulating the endogenous salicylic acid level. In addition, over-expression of the His173 mutant of CRT2 greatly enhanced plant defense against PstDC3000, supporting the existence of a self-inhibition mechanism that can counteract the effects of salicylic acid-dependent immune responses. These results suggest that CRT2 functions through its N-terminal domain(s) as a self-modulator that can possibly prevent the salicylic acid-mediated runaway defense responses triggered by its C-terminal calcium-buffering activity in response to pathogen invasion.

Diverging functions among calreticulin isoforms in higher plants

The ER chaperone calreticulin plays vital roles in numerous cellular processes, including Ca2+-homeostasis, apoptosis, and cell adhesion, in animal cells. Although calreticulin has been systematically characterized in animal cells, the focus has been on one of the isoforms. However, recent advances in the plant calreticulin field have revealed functional divergence of calreticulin isoforms. While two of the plant isoforms appear to work within a general ER chaperone framework, the third isoform is associated with folding of receptors for brassinosteroids and bacterial peptides. Hence, the discovery of functional specialization of plant calreticulins opens up new vistas for calreticulins also in the animal field.

Calcium-regulated transcription in plants

The past two decades revealed a plethora of Ca2+-responsive proteins and downstream targets in plants, of which several are unique to plants. More recent high-throughput 'omics' approaches and bioinformatics are exposing Ca2+-responsive cis-elements and the corresponding Ca2+-responsive genes. Here, we review the current knowledge on Ca2+-signaling pathways that regulate gene expression in plants, and we link these to mechanisms by which plants respond to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Calreticulin expression and localization in plant cells during pollen-pistil interactions

In this report, the distributions of calreticulin (CRT) and its transcripts in Haemanthus pollen, pollen tubes, and somatic cells of the hollow pistil were studied. Immunoblot analysis of protein extracts from mature anthers, dry and germinated pollen, growing pollen tubes, and unpollinated/pollinated pistils revealed a strong expression of CRT. Both in vitro and in situ studies confirmed the presence of CRT mRNA and protein in pollen/pollen tubes and somatic cells of the pistil transmitting tract. The co-localization of these molecules in ER of these cells suggests that the rough ER is a site of CRT translation. In the pistil, accumulation of the protein in pollen tubes, transmitting tract epidermis (tte), and micropylar cells of the ovule (mc) was correlated with the increased level of exchangeable calcium. Therefore, CRT as a Ca(2+)-binding/buffering protein, may be involved in mechanism of regulation calcium homeostasis in these cells. The functional role of the protein in pollen-pistil interactions, apart from its postulated function in cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, is discussed.

A plant-specific calreticulin is a key retention factor for a defective brassinosteroid receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum

Mammalian calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional Ca(2+)-binding protein involved in more than 40 cellular processes in various subcellular compartments, such as Ca(2+) storage and protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). CRT homologues were discovered in plants almost 15 years ago, and recent studies revealed that many plant species contain 2 or more CRTs that are members of 2 distinct families, the CRT1/2 family and the plant-specific CRT3 family. However, little is known about their physiological functions. Here we report ebs2 (EMS-mutagenized bri1 suppressor 2) as an allele-specific suppressor of bri1-9, a dwarf Arabidopsis mutant caused by retention of a defective brassinosteroid receptor in the ER. EBS2 encodes the Arabidopsis CRT3 that interacts with ER-localized bri1-9 in a glycan-dependent manner. Loss-of-function ebs2 mutations compromise ER retention of bri1-9 and suppress its dwarfism, whereas EBS2 over-expression enhances its dwarf phenotype. In contrast, mutations of 2 other CRTs or their membrane-localized homologues calnexins had little effect on bri1-9. A domain-swapping experiment revealed that the positively charged C-terminal tail of CRT3 is crucial for its "bri1-9-retainer" function. Our study revealed not only a functional role for a plant-specific CRT, but also functional diversity among the 3 Arabidopsis CRT paralogues.

Calreticulin: conserved protein and diverse functions in plants

Calreticulin (CRT) is a key Ca2+-binding protein mainly resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is highly conserved and extensively expressed in all eukaryotic organisms investigated. The protein plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes including Ca2+ signaling and protein folding. Although calreticulin has been well characterized in mammalian systems, increased investigations have demonstrated that plant CRTs have a number of specific properties different from their animal counterparts. Recent developments on plant CRTs have highlighted the significance of CRTs in plants growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. There are at least two distinct groups of calreticulin isoforms in higher plants. Glycosylation of CRT was uniquely observed in plants. In this article, we will describe our current understanding of plant calreticulin gene family, protein structure, cellular localization, and diverse functions in plants. We also discuss the prospects of using this information for genetic improvements of crop plants.

Calreticulin: conserved protein and diverse functions in plants

Calreticulin (CRT) is a key Ca2+-binding protein mainly resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is highly conserved and extensively expressed in all eukaryotic organisms investigated. The protein plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes including Ca2+ signaling and protein folding. Although calreticulin has been well characterized in mammalian systems, increased investigations have demonstrated that plant CRTs have a number of specific properties different from their animal counterparts. Recent developments on plant CRTs have highlighted the significance of CRTs in plants growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. There are at least two distinct groups of calreticulin isoforms in higher plants. Glycosylation of CRT was uniquely observed in plants. In this article, we will describe our current understanding of plant calreticulin gene family, protein structure, cellular localization, and diverse functions in plants. We also discuss the prospects of using this information for genetic improvements of crop plants.

Over-expression of calcium-dependent protein kinase 13 and calreticulin interacting protein 1 confers cold tolerance on rice plants

Calcium is a ubiquitous signaling molecule and changes in cytosolic calcium concentration are involved in plant responses to various stimuli. The rice calcium-dependent protein kinase 13 (CDPK13) and calreticulin interacting protein 1 (CRTintP1) have previously been reported to be involved in cold stress response in rice. In this study, rice lines transformed with sense CDPK13 or CRTintP1 constructs were produced and used to investigate the function of these proteins. When the plants were incubated at 5 degrees C for 3 days, leaf blades of both the sense transgenic and vector control rice plants became wilted and curled. When the plants were transferred back to non-stress conditions after cold treatment, the leaf blades died, but the sheaths remained green in the sense transgenic rice plants. Expression of CDPK13 or CRTintP1 was further examined in several rice varieties including cold-tolerant rice varieties. Accumulation of these proteins in the cold-tolerant rice variety was higher than that in rice varieties that are intermediate in their cold tolerance. To examine whether over-expression of CDPK13 and CRTintP1 would have any effect on the proteins or not, sense transgenic rice plants were analyzed using proteomics. The 2D-PAGE profiles of proteins from the vector control were compared with those of the sense transgenic rice plants. Two of the proteins that differed between these lines were calreticulins. The results suggest that CDPK13, calreticulin and CRTintP1 might be important signaling components for response to cold stress in rice.

Characterization of protein transacetylase from human placenta as a signaling molecule calreticulin using polyphenolic peracetates as the acetyl group donors

We have earlier shown that a unique membrane-bound enzyme mediates the transfer of acetyl group(s) from polyphenolic peracetates (PA) to functional proteins, which was termed acetoxy drug: protein transacetylase (TAase) because it acted upon several classes of PA. Here, we report the purification of TAase from human placental microsomes to homogeneity with molecular mass of 60 kDa, exhibiting varying degrees of specificity to several classes of PA confirming the structure-activity relationship for the microsome-bound TAase. The TAase catalyzed protein acetylation by a model acetoxy drug, 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (DAMC) was established by the demonstration of immunoreactivity of the acetylated target protein with anti-acetyl lysine antibody. TAase activity was severely inhibited in calcium-aggregated microsomes as well as when Ca2+ was added to purified TAase, suggesting that TAase could be a calcium binding protein. Furthermore, the N-terminal sequence analysis of purified TAase (EPAVYFKEQFLD) using Swiss Prot Database perfectly matched with calreticulin (CRT), a major microsomal calcium binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The identity of TAase with CRT was substantiated by the observation that the purified TAase avidly reacted with commercially available antibody raised against the C-terminus of human CRT (13 residues peptide, DEEDATGQAKDEL). Purified TAase also showed Ca2+ binding and acted as a substrate for phosphorylation catalyzed by protein kinase C (PKC), which are hallmark characteristics of CRT. Further, purified placental CRT as well as the commercially procured pure CRT yielded significant TAase catalytic activity and were also found effective in mediating the acetylation of the target protein NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase by DAMC as detected by Western blot using anti-acetyl lysine antibody. These observations for the first time convincingly attribute the transacetylase function to CRT. Hence, this transacetylase function of CRT is designated calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase). We envisage that CRTAase plays an important role in protein modification by way of acetylation independent of Acetyl CoA.

Update and challenges on proteomics in rice

Rice is not only an important agricultural resource but also a model plant for biological research. Our previous review highlighted different aspects of the construction of rice proteome database, cataloguing rice proteins of different tissues and organelle, differential proteomics using 2-DE and functional characterization of some of the proteins identified (Komatsu, S., Tanaka, N., Proteomics 2005, 5, 938-949). In this review, the powerfulness and weaknesses of proteomic technologies as a whole and limitations of the currently used techniques in rice proteomics are discussed. The information obtained from these techniques regarding proteins modification, protein-protein interaction and the development of new methods for differential proteomics will aid in deciphering more precisely the functions of known and/or unknown proteins in rice.

Divide and conquer: development and cell cycle genes in plant transformation

Genetic transformation and regeneration of transgenic plants remains unfeasible for the majority of plant species. We propose that inducible expression and/or suppression of the genes that control the cell cycle and development, by altering chromatin structure and exerting epigenetic control of gene expression, might substantially improve competence for transformation and/or regeneration. Transformation efficiency was higher in cells with nuclei at the S and G2 phases, and manipulating the genes whose activation or silencing promote the G1-S transition has increased both transient and stable transformation. Controlling the cell cycle directly, using RBR and VIP1, or indirectly, through hormone regulation using IPT and ESR1, has improved rates of stable transformation. Other target genes that might promote incorporation of DNA and/or pluripotency of cells include HP1, CycD3 and CycD1. The availability of large EST databanks, complete plant-genome sequences and/or inducible gene expression systems create opportunities for testing homologous genes to increase competence of transformation and regeneration.

Over-expression of Chinese cabbage calreticulin 1, BrCRT1, enhances shoot and root regeneration, but retards plant growth in transgenic tobacco

Calreticulin (CRT) is a ubiquitously expressed, high capacity Ca(2+)-binding protein that is involved in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and molecular chaperoning in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A cDNA encoding a calreticulin, BrCRT1 (Brassica rapa Calreticulin 1), has been isolated from Chinese cabbage (B. rapa subsp. pekinensis) flower bud. Constitutive over-expression of the BrCRT1 gene promotes robust shoot production and root formation at sub-optimal concentrations of BA/NAA, which are important factors controlling plant regeneration in tissue culture. In contrast, the suppressed BrCRT1 line exhibited a slight reduction of shoot and root regeneration. In spite of enhanced regeneration in tissue culture, the seedling and plant growth rate was inhibited in soil. The steady state level of BrCRT1 transcripts was sensitive to exogenous auxins and cytokinins, and rapidly accumulated within 30 min, and this induction required de novo protein synthesis. Together with the results of transgenic tobacco plants and mRNA analysis in Chinese cabbage, our data suggest that BrCRT1 genes may up-regulate the competency of vegetative tissue to respond to hormonal signals involved in shoot and root regeneration processes.

Rice proteome database: a step toward functional analysis of the rice genome

The technique of proteome analysis using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) has the power to monitor global changes that occur in the protein complement of tissues and subcellular compartments. In this study, the proteins of rice were cataloged, a rice proteome database was constructed, and a functional characterization of some of the identified proteins was undertaken. Proteins extracted from various tissues and subcellular compartments in rice were separated by 2D-PAGE and an image analyzer was used to construct a display of the proteins. The Rice Proteome Database contains 23 reference maps based on 2D-PAGE of proteins from various rice tissues and subcellular compartments. These reference maps comprise 13129 identified proteins, and the amino acid sequences of 5092 proteins are entered in the database. Major proteins involved in growth or stress responses were identified using the proteome approach. Some of these proteins, including a beta-tubulin, calreticulin, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase in rice, have unexpected functions. The information obtained from the Rice Proteome Database will aid in cloning the genes for and predicting the function of unknown proteins.

Rice proteome analysis: A step toward functional analysis of the rice genome

The technique of proteome analysis using 2-DE has the power to monitor global changes that occur in the protein complement of tissues and subcellular compartments. In this review, we describe construction of the rice proteome database, the cataloging of rice proteins, and the functional characterization of some of the proteins identified. Initially, proteins extracted from various tissues and organelles were separated by 2-DE and an image analyzer was used to construct a display or reference map of the proteins. The rice proteome database currently contains 23 reference maps based on 2-DE of proteins from different rice tissues and subcellular compartments. These reference maps comprise 13 129 rice proteins, and the amino acid sequences of 5092 of these proteins are entered in the database. Major proteins involved in growth or stress responses have been identified by using a proteomics approach and some of these proteins have unique functions. Furthermore, initial work has also begun on analyzing the phosphoproteome and protein-protein interactions in rice. The information obtained from the rice proteome database will aid in the molecular cloning of rice genes and in predicting the function of unknown proteins.

A Novel Interaction between Calreticulin and Ubiquitin-Like Nuclear Protein in Rice

Calreticulin (CRT), a major Ca2+ -sequestering protein, has been implicated in a variety of cellular functions such as Ca2+ storage, signaling and chaperone activity within the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum. To investigate the biological role of CRT in rice, 21 partial cDNAs, encoding proteins that interacted with rice CRT in a yeast two-hybrid interaction-cloning system, were characterized and the nucleotide sequences were found to be identical to each other. A full-length cDNA of 3.5 kb, obtained from rice genomic sequence data and 5' RACE, codes for a novel protein of 966 amino acid residues and was designated as CRTintP (CRT interacting protein). Primary sequence analysis of CRTintP showed no sequence homology with the known functional proteins; however, a potential ubiquitin-like domain at the N-terminal together with a putative leucine zipper, a nuclear localization signal and several sites for serine/threonine kinases were evident. Cellular localization of CRTintP demonstrated its role in directing green fluorescent protein to the nucleus in onion epidermal cells. Northern and immunoblot analysis showed increased expression of CRT and CRTintP in response to cold stress. Co-immunoprecipitation using anti-CRT antibodies confirmed the existence of the CRT-CRTintP complex in vivo in the stressed leaf tissue, suggesting their potential role in regulating stress response.

Molecular cloning and characterization of calreticulin from rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Calreticulin (CRT) is a highly conserved, high-capacity, calcium-binding protein shared among vertebrates, invertebrates and higher plants. Its biological importance, highlighted by its highly conserved nature, is supported by its crucial physiological and immunological functions. Within the endoplasmic reticulum, CRT serves as a calcium modulator and a lectin-like chaperone for glycoproteins, especially class I major histocompatibility receptors. To date, CRT cDNA clones have been isolated from a wide range of phyla, yet little is known about this gene in fish species, the largest and most diverse group of jawed vertebrates. This report describes the cloning of a cDNA from a rainbow trout pronephros library that encodes a deduced 419-amino acid protein, which includes a predicted 20-amino acid signal peptide and has a 69% amino acid identity to both murine and human CRT. Like its mammalian counterparts, this cDNA contains conserved cysteine residues believed to form a disulphide bond, a proline-rich region which includes a potential N-glycosylation site, and a highly acidic C-terminal domain terminating with the endoplasmic reticulum retrieval sequence, KDEL. Reverse transcription tissue-distribution assays indicate it is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues tested with highest expression in liver, while Southern blotting indicates it is a single copy gene.

Phylogenetic analyses and expression studies reveal two distinct groups of calreticulin isoforms in higher plants

Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein mainly localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells. Here, we present the first analysis, to our knowledge, of evolutionary diversity and expression profiling among different plant CRT isoforms. Phylogenetic studies and expression analysis show that higher plants contain two distinct groups of CRTs: a CRT1/CRT2 group and a CRT3 group. To corroborate the existence of these isoform groups, we cloned a putative CRT3 ortholog from Brassica rapa. The CRT3 gene appears to be most closely related to the ancestral CRT gene in higher plants. Distinct tissue-dependent expression patterns and stress-related regulation were observed for the isoform groups. Furthermore, analysis of posttranslational modifications revealed differences in the glycosylation status among members within the CRT1/CRT2 isoform group. Based on evolutionary relationship, a new nomenclature for plant CRTs is suggested. The presence of two distinct CRT isoform groups, with distinct expression patterns and posttranslational modifications, supports functional specificity among plant CRTs and could account for the multiple functional roles assigned to CRTs.

Characterization of proteins responsive to gibberellin in the leaf-sheath of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedling using proteome analysis

In plants gibberellins (GAs) are responsible for triggering stem or internodal elongation. To comprehend the molecular basis of internodal elongation in rice, a proteomics approach using differentially displayed proteins on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) was carried out to identify the proteins expressed during the GA controlled leaf-sheath elongation response. Out of 352 protein spots detected on 2-D PAGE, 32 proteins showed modulation in the expression levels in GA3-treated leaf-sheath for 48 h as compared to control. These proteins were analyzed using protein sequencer and/or mass spectrometry in conjunction with the protein database to assign putative identities. The twin protein spots (LS079 and LS083), identified as calreticulin, showed different isoelectric points and expression level in GA3-treated leaf-sheath. The expression level of LS083 (pI 4.0) was down-regulated as compared to the up-regulation of LS079 (pI 4.3). In the presence of GA3 and growth inhibitor, uniconazole and abscisic acid, respectively, no elongation in leaf-sheath occurred and calreticulin did not shift from LS083 to LS079. Over-expression of calreticulin in rice inhibited the callus regeneration and seedling growth. These results suggest that calreticulin is an important component in the GA signaling pathway that regulates rice seedling leaf-sheath elongation.

Characterization of calreticulin as a phosphoprotein interacting with cold-induced protein kinase in rice

Calreticulin is an abundant endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-binding protein. To investigate whether calreticulin (CRO1) is involved in the cold-stress response in rice, a transgenic plant was constructed. The transcriptional level was decreased within 30 min and recovered within 2 h of a cold treatment. The calreticulin protein was shifted from a soluble fraction to an insoluble fraction by cold stress. Endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) is an important factor in cold response, and the synthesis of ABA was strongly induced in CRO1-sense transgenic rice, the same as in cold-sensitive rice. The phosphorylation of calreticulin increased after cold treatment. Over-expression of calreticulin enhanced the activities of 47 kDa Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) that had been induced by cold treatment. The 47-kDa CDPK activity increases more in the cold sensitive variety IR36 and the sense transgenic rice than it does in other varieties. The synthesis of ABA, phosphorylation of calreticulin and 47-kDa CDPK activity induced in sense transgenic rice were the same as in cold-sensitive rice and the phosphorylation of antisense transgenic rice was similar to that of cold-tolerant rice. These results suggest that the calreticulin is involved in the signaling pathway leading to response to cold stress.

Rice proteomics: a step toward functional analysis of the rice genome

The technique of proteome analysis with two-dimensional PAGE has the power to monitor global changes that occur in the protein expression of tissues and organisms and/or expression that occurs under stresses. In this study, the catalogues of the rice proteome were constructed, and a functional characterization of some of these proteins was examined. Proteins extracted from tissues of rice and proteins extracted from rice under various kinds of stress were separated by two-dimensional PAGE. An image analyzer was used to reveal a total of 10,589 protein spots on 10 kinds of two-dimensional PAGE gels stained by Coomassie Brilliant Blue. The separated proteins were electroblotted onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane, and the N-terminal amino acid sequences of 272 of 905 proteins were determined. The internal amino acid sequences of 633 proteins were determined using a protein sequencer or mass spectrometry after enzyme digestion of the proteins. Finally, a data file of rice proteins that included information on amino acid sequences and sequence homologies was constructed. The major proteins involved in the growth and development of rice can be identified using the proteome approach. Some of these proteins, including a calcium-binding protein that turned out to be calreticulin and a gibberellin-binding protein, which is ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase in rice, have functions in the signal transduction pathway. The information thus obtained from the rice proteome will be helpful in predicting the function of the unknown proteins and will aid in their molecular cloning.

Equilibrium dialysis measurements of the Ca2+-binding properties of recombinant radish vacuolar Ca2+-binding protein expressed in Escherichia coli

Vacuoles of radish (Raphanus sativus) contained a Ca2+-binding protein (RVCaB) of 43 kDa. We investigated the Ca2+-binding properties of the protein. RVCaB was expressed in Escherichia coli and was purified from an extract by ion-exchange chromatography, nitrocellulose membrane filtration, and gel-filtration column chromatography. Ca2+-binding properties of the recombinant protein were examined by equilibrium dialysis with 45Ca2+ and small dialysis buttons. The protein was estimated to bind 19Ca2+ ions per molecule with a Kd for Ca2+ of 3.4 mM. Ca2+ was bound to the protein even in the presence of high concentrations of Mg2+ or K+. The results suggested that the protein bound Ca2+ with high ion selectivity, high capacity, and low affinity.