LeSBT1, a subtilase from tomato plants. Overexpression in insect cells, purification, and characterization

Identification of Cognate Protease/Substrate Pairs by Use of Class-Specific Inhibitors

Many proteins are regulated post-translationally by proteolytic processing. This includes plant signaling peptides that are proteolytically released from larger precursor proteins. The proteases involved in the biogenesis of signaling peptides and in regulation of other proteins by limited proteolysis are largely unknown. Here we describe how protease inhibitors that are specific for a certain class of proteases can be employed for the identification of proteases that are responsible for the processing of a given target protein. After having identified the protease family to which the processing enzyme belongs, candidate proteases and the GFP-tagged target protein are agro-infiltrated for transient expression in N. benthamiana leaves. Cleavage products are analyzed on immuno-blots and specificity of cleavage is confirmed by co-expression of class-specific inhibitors. For the identification of processing sites within the target protein, cleavage product(s) are purified by immunoprecipitation followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analyzed by mass spectrometry.

The biogenesis of CLEL peptides involves several processing events in consecutive compartments of the secretory pathway

Post-translationally modified peptides are involved in many aspects of plant growth and development. The maturation of these peptides from their larger precursors is still poorly understood. We show here that the biogenesis of CLEL6 and CLEL9 peptides in Arabidopsis thaliana requires a series of processing events in consecutive compartments of the secretory pathway. Following cleavage of the signal peptide upon entry into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the peptide precursors are processed in the cis-Golgi by the subtilase SBT6.1. SBT6.1-mediated cleavage within the variable domain allows for continued passage of the partially processed precursors through the secretory pathway, and for subsequent post-translational modifications including tyrosine sulfation and proline hydroxylation within, and proteolytic maturation after exit from the Golgi. Activation by subtilases including SBT3.8 in post-Golgi compartments depends on the N-terminal aspartate of the mature peptides. Our work highlights the complexity of post-translational precursor maturation allowing for stringent control of peptide biogenesis.

Regulation of plant peptide hormones and growth factors by post-translational modification

The number, diversity and significance of peptides as regulators of cellular differentiation, growth, development and defence of plants has long been underestimated. Peptides have now emerged as an important class of signals for cell-to-cell communication over short distances, and also for long-range signalling. We refer to these signalling molecules as peptide growth factors and peptide hormones, respectively. As compared to remarkable progress with respect to the mechanisms of peptide perception and signal transduction, the biogenesis of signalling peptides is still in its infancy. This review focuses on the biogenesis and activity of small post-translationally modified peptides. These peptides are derived from inactive pre-pro-peptides of approximately 70-120 amino acids. Multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs) may be required for peptide maturation and activation, including proteolytic processing, tyrosine sulfation, proline hydroxylation and hydroxyproline glycosylation. While many of the enzymes responsible for these modifications have been identified, their impact on peptide activity and signalling is not fully understood. These PTMs may or may not be required for bioactivity, they may inactivate the peptide or modify its signalling specificity, they may affect peptide stability or targeting, or its binding affinity with the receptor. In the present review, we will first introduce the peptides that undergo PTMs and for which these PTMs were shown to be functionally relevant. We will then discuss the different types of PTMs and the impact they have on peptide activity and plant growth and development. We conclude with an outlook on the open questions that need to be addressed in future research.

From structure to function - a family portrait of plant subtilases

Contents Summary 901 I. Introduction 901 II. Biochemistry and structure of plant SBTs 902 III. Phylogeny of plant SBTs and family organization 903 IV. Physiological roles of plant SBTs 905 V. Conclusions and outlook 911 Acknowledgements 912 References 912 SUMMARY: Subtilases (SBTs) are serine peptidases that are found in all three domains of life. As compared with homologs in other Eucarya, plant SBTs are more closely related to archaeal and bacterial SBTs, with which they share many biochemical and structural features. However, in the course of evolution, functional diversification led to the acquisition of novel, plant-specific functions, resulting in the present-day complexity of the plant SBT family. SBTs are much more numerous in plants than in any other organism, and include enzymes involved in general proteolysis as well as highly specific processing proteases. Most SBTs are targeted to the cell wall, where they contribute to the control of growth and development by regulating the properties of the cell wall and the activity of extracellular signaling molecules. Plant SBTs affect all stages of the life cycle as they contribute to embryogenesis, seed development and germination, cuticle formation and epidermal patterning, vascular development, programmed cell death, organ abscission, senescence, and plant responses to their biotic and abiotic environments. In this article we provide a comprehensive picture of SBT structure and function in plants.

Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis: bacterial canker of tomato, molecular interactions and disease management

Bacterial canker disease is considered to be one of the most destructive diseases of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and is caused by the seed-borne Gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis (Cmm). This vascular pathogen generally invades and proliferates in the xylem through natural openings or wounds, causing wilt and canker symptoms. The incidence of symptomless latent infections and the invasion of tomato seeds by Cmm are widespread. Pathogenicity is mediated by virulence factors and transcriptional regulators encoded by the chromosome and two natural plasmids. The virulence factors include serine proteases, cell wall-degrading enzymes (cellulases, xylanases, pectinases) and others. Mutational analyses of these genes and gene expression profiling (via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, transcriptomics and proteomics) have begun to shed light on their roles in colonization and virulence, whereas the expression of tomato genes in response to Cmm infection suggests plant factors involved in the defence response. These findings may aid in the generation of target-specific bactericides or new resistant varieties of tomato. Meanwhile, various chemical and biological controls have been researched to control Cmm. This review presents a detailed investigation regarding the pathogen Cmm, bacterial canker infection, molecular interactions between Cmm and tomato, and current perspectives on improved disease management.

Self-processing of a barley subtilase expressed in E. coli

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The barley subtilase BAJ93208 has been expressed in the cytoplasm of E. coli C3030.

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Self processing occurred at the N and C-terminus.

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The Ser⁵⁵⁶Ala mutant was inactive and showed no self processing.

The barley protease BAJ93208 belongs to the subtilase family of serine proteases. We have expressed BAJ93208 in the cytoplasm of the Escherichiacoli strain SHuffle C3030 using a rhamnose-inducible promoter. The expression construct included a (His)₆-tag at the N-terminus and a strep-tag at the C-terminus. Western blot analysis revealed that the protein was processed at the N- and C-terminus. To exclude that this processing was due to contaminating E. coli proteases, a mutated BAJ93208 protease was constructed. This inactive mutant was not processed, demonstrating that the processing was an autocatalytic process. To define the exact cleavage sites mass spectrometry was used which detected four differently processed versions of the protease. At the N-terminus, the self-processing removed the internal inhibitor and an additional 19 amino acids. At the C-terminus there was a cleavage site after Ala⁷⁶⁵ which also removed the strep-tag. This explained the inability to detect the purified (His)₆-BAJ93208-strep protease with an anti-strep-tag antibody. Finally, an additional alanine was removed either at the N-terminus (Ala¹¹⁹) or at the C-terminus (Ala⁷⁶⁴).

Novel antifungal α-hairpinin peptide from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution

Plant defense against disease is a complex multistage system involving initial recognition of the invading pathogen, signal transduction and activation of specialized genes. An important role in pathogen deterrence belongs to so-called plant defense peptides, small polypeptide molecules that present antimicrobial properties. Using multidimensional liquid chromatography, we isolated a novel antifungal peptide named Sm-AMP-X (33 residues) from the common chickweed (Stellaria media) seeds. The peptide sequence shows no homology to any previously described proteins. The peculiar cysteine arrangement (C(1)X3C(2)XnC(3)X3C(4)), however, allocates Sm-AMP-X to the recently acknowledged α-hairpinin family of plant defense peptides that share the helix-loop-helix fold stabilized by two disulfide bridges C(1)-C(4) and C(2)-C(3). Sm-AMP-X exhibits high broad-spectrum activity against fungal phytopathogens. We further showed that the N- and C-terminal "tail" regions of the peptide are important for both its structure and activity. The truncated variants Sm-AMP-X1 with both disulfide bonds preserved and Sm-AMP-X2 with only the internal S-S-bond left were progressively less active against fungi and presented largely disordered structure as opposed to the predominantly helical conformation of the full-length antifungal peptide. cDNA and gene cloning revealed that Sm-AMP-X is processed from a unique multimodular precursor protein that contains as many as 12 tandem repeats of α-hairpinin-like peptides. Structure of the sm-amp-x gene and two related pseudogenes sm-amp-x-ψ1 and sm-amp-x-ψ2 allows tracing the evolutionary scenario that led to generation of such a sophisticated precursor protein. Sm-AMP-X is a new promising candidate for engineering disease resistance in plants.

A role for an endosperm-localized subtilase in the control of seed size in legumes

Here, we report a subtilase gene (SBT1.1) specifically expressed in the endosperm of Medicago truncatula and Pisum sativum seeds during development, which is located at a chromosomal position coinciding with a seed weight quantitative trait locus (QTL). Association studies between SBT1.1 polymorphisms and seed weights in ecotype collections provided further evidence for linkage disequilibrium between the SBT1.1 locus and a seed weight locus. To investigate the possible contribution of SBT1.1 to the control of seed weight, a search for TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) mutants was performed. An inspection of seed phenotype revealed a decreased weight and area of the sbt1.1 mutant seeds, thus inferring a role of SBT1.1 in the control of seed size in the forage and grain legume species. Microscopic analyses of the embryo, representing the major part of the seed, revealed a reduced number of cells in the MtP330S mutant, but no significant variation in cell size. SBT1.1 is therefore most likely to be involved in the control of cotyledon cell number, rather than cell expansion, during seed development. This raises the hypothesis of a role of SBT1.1 in the regulation of seed size by providing molecules that can act as signals to control cell division within the embryo.

Subtilases - versatile tools for protein turnover, plant development, and interactions with the environment

Subtilases (SBTs) constitute a large family of serine peptidases. They are commonly found in Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya, with many more SBTs in plants as compared to other organisms. The expansion of the SBT family in plants was accompanied by functional diversification, and novel, plant-specific physiological roles were acquired in the course of evolution. In addition to their contribution to general protein turnover, plant SBTs are involved in the development of seeds and fruits, the manipulation of the cell wall, the processing of peptide growth factors, epidermal development and pattern formation, plant responses to their biotic and abiotic environment, and in programmed cell death. Plant SBTs share many properties with their bacterial and mammalian homologs, but the adoption of specific roles in plant physiology is also reflected in the acquisition of unique biochemical and structural features that distinguish SBTs in plants from those in other organisms. In this article we provide an overview of the earlier literature on the discovery of the first SBTs in plants, and highlight recent findings with respect to their physiological relevance, structure and function.

Coordinate expression of multiple proteins in plant cells by exploiting endogenous kex2p-like protease activity

Simultaneous expression of multiple proteins in plants finds ample applications. Here, we examined the biotechnological application of native kex2p-like protease activity in plants for coordinate expression of multiple secretory proteins from a single transgene encoding a cleavable polyprotein precursor. We expressed a secretory red fluorescent protein (DsRed) or human cytokine (GMCSF), fused to a downstream green fluorescent protein (GFP) by a linker containing putative recognition sites of the kex2p-like protease in tobacco cells and referred to them as RKG and GKG cells, respectively. Our analyses showed that GFP is cleaved off the fusion proteins and secreted into the media by both RKG and GKG cells. The cleaved GFP product displayed the expected fluorescence characteristics. Using GFP immunoprecipitation and fluorescence analysis, the cleaved DsRed product in the RKG cells was found to be functional as well. However, DsRed was not detected in the RKG culture medium, possibly due to its tetramer formation. Cleaved and biologically active GMCSF could also be detected in GKG cell extracts, but secreted GMCSF was found to be only at a low level, likely because of instability of GMCSF protein in the medium. Processing of polyprotein precursors was observed to be similarly effective in tobacco leaf, stem and root tissues. Importantly, we also demonstrated that, via agroinfiltration, polyprotein precursors can be efficiently processed in plant species other than tobacco. Collectively, our results demonstrate the utility of native kex2p-like protease activity for the expression of multiple secretory proteins in plant cells using cleavable polyprotein precursors containing kex2p linker(s).

Structural features of plant subtilases

Serine proteases of the subtilase family are present in Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. Many more subtilases are found in plants as compared to other organisms, implying adaptive significance for the expansion of the subtilase gene family in plants. Structural data, however, were hitherto available only for non-plant subtilases. We recently solved the first structure of a plant subtilase, SlSBT3 from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ). SlSBT3 is a multidomain enzyme displaying a subtilisin, a Protease-Associated (PA) and a fibronectin (Fn) III-like domain. Two prominent features set SlSBT3 apart from other structurally elucidated subtilases: (i) activation by PA domain-mediated homo-dimerization and (ii) calcium-independent activity and thermostability. To address the question whether these characteristics are unique features of SlSBT3, or else, general properties of plant subtilases, homology models were calculated for representative proteases from tomato and Arabidopsis using the SlSBT3 structure as template. We found the major structural elements required for the stabilization of the subtilisin domain to be conserved among all enzymes analyzed. PA domain-mediated dimerization as an auto-regulatory mechanism of enzyme activation, on the other hand, appears to be operating in only a subset of the analyzed subtilases

The protease-associated domain and C-terminal extension are required for zymogen processing, sorting within the secretory pathway, and activity of tomato subtilase 3 (SlSBT3)

A transgenic plant cell suspension culture was established as a versatile and efficient expression system for the subtilase SlSBT3 from tomato. The recombinant protease was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatants by fractionated ammonium sulfate precipitation, batch adsorption to cation exchange material, and anion exchange chromatography. Purified SlSBT3 was identified as a 79-kDa glycoprotein with both complex and paucimannosidic type glycan chains at Asn(177), Asn(203), Asn(376), Asn(697), and Asn(745). SlSBT3 was found to be a very stable enzyme, being fully active at 60 degrees C and showing highest activity at alkaline conditions with a maximum between pH 7.5 and 8.0. Substrate specificity of SlSBT3 was analyzed in detail, revealing a preference for Gln and Lys in the P(1) and P(2) positions of oligopeptide substrates, respectively. Similar to bacterial, yeast, and mammalian subtilases, SlSBT3 is synthesized as a preproenzyme, and processing of the prodomain in the endoplasmic reticulum is a prerequisite for passage through the secretory pathway. SlSBT3 S538A and S538C active site mutants accumulated intracellularly as unprocessed zymogens, indicating that prodomain cleavage occurs autocatalytically. The wild-type SlSBT3 protein failed to cleave the prodomain of the S538A mutant in trans, demonstrating that zymogen maturation is an intramolecular process. Distinguishing features of plant as compared with mammalian subtilases include the insertion of a large protease-associated domain between the His and Ser residues of the catalytic triad and the C-terminal extension to the catalytic domain. Both features were found to be required for SlSBT3 activity and, consequently, for prodomain processing and secretion.

The genome sequence of the tomato-pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 reveals a large island involved in pathogenicity

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a plant-pathogenic actinomycete that causes bacterial wilt and canker of tomato. The nucleotide sequence of the genome of strain NCPPB382 was determined. The chromosome is circular, consists of 3.298 Mb, and has a high G+C content (72.6%). Annotation revealed 3,080 putative protein-encoding sequences; only 26 pseudogenes were detected. Two rrn operons, 45 tRNAs, and three small stable RNA genes were found. The two circular plasmids, pCM1 (27.4 kbp) and pCM2 (70.0 kbp), which carry pathogenicity genes and thus are essential for virulence, have lower G+C contents (66.5 and 67.6%, respectively). In contrast to the genome of the closely related organism Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the genome of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis lacks complete insertion elements and transposons. The 129-kb chp/tomA region with a low G+C content near the chromosomal origin of replication was shown to be necessary for pathogenicity. This region contains numerous genes encoding proteins involved in uptake and metabolism of sugars and several serine proteases. There is evidence that single genes located in this region, especially genes encoding serine proteases, are required for efficient colonization of the host. Although C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis grows mainly in the xylem of tomato plants, no evidence for pronounced genome reduction was found. C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis seems to have as many transporters and regulators as typical soil-inhabiting bacteria. However, the apparent lack of a sulfate reduction pathway, which makes C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis dependent on reduced sulfur compounds for growth, is probably the reason for the poor survival of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in soil.

The two main endoproteases present in dark-induced senescent wheat leaves are distinct subtilisin-like proteases

We have previously reported the occurrence of two serine endoproteases (referred to as P1 and P2) in dark-induced senescent wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. P1 enzyme was already purified and identified as a subtilisin-like serine endoprotease (Roberts et al. in Physiol Plant 118:483-490, 2003). In this paper, we demonstrate by Western blot analysis of extracts obtained from dark-induced senescent leaves that an antiserum raised against P1 was able to recognise a second protein band of 78 kDa which corresponded to P2 activity. This result suggested that both enzymes must be structurally related. Therefore, we purified and characterised P2 activity. According to its biochemical and physical properties (inhibition by chymostatin and PMSF, broad pH range of activity, thermostability and ability to hydrolyse Suc-AAPF-pNA) P2 was classified as a serine protease with chymotrypsin-like activity. In addition, P2 was identified by mass spectrometry as a subtilisin-like protease distinct from P1. Western blot analysis demonstrated that P1 appeared in extracts from non-detached dark-induced senescent leaves but was undetectable in leaves senescing after nitrogen (N) deprivation. In contrast, P2 was already present in non-senescent leaves and showed increased levels in leaves senescing after N starvation or incubation in darkness. P1 signal was detected at late stages of ethephon or methyl jasmonate-induced senescence but was undetectable in senescent leaves from plants treated with abscisic acid. None of the three hormones have any effect on P2 protein levels. These results indicate that despite their biochemical and structural similarities, both enzymes are probably involved in different physiological roles.

Protein modifications in the plant secretory pathway: current status and practical implications in molecular pharming

Plants have become, over the last ten years, a suitable alternative to microbial and animal cell factories for the production of clinically-useful, therapeutic proteins. Besides the well known advantage of low-cost and large-scale production of safe and biologically active mammalian proteins, plants also are able to perform most post-translational maturations required for biological activity and suitable pharmacokinetics of recombinant therapeutic proteins. In this short review we focus on glycosylation and proteolytic processing of plant-made pharmaceuticals during their transport through the plant cell's secretory pathway. We also address the practical implications of these important processes on the effectiveness of plant molecular pharming systems.

A cut above the rest: the regulatory function of plant proteases

Proteolytic enzymes are intricately involved in many aspects of plant physiology and development. On the one hand, they are necessary for protein turnover. Degradation of damaged, misfolded and potentially harmful proteins provides free amino acids required for the synthesis of new proteins. Furthermore, the selective breakdown of regulatory proteins by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway controls key aspects of plant growth, development, and defense. Proteases are, on the other hand, also responsible for the post-translational modification of proteins by limited proteolysis at highly specific sites. Limited proteolysis results in the maturation of enzymes, is necessary for protein assembly and subcellular targeting, and controls the activity of enzymes, regulatory proteins and peptides. Proteases are thus involved in all aspects of the plant life cycle ranging from the mobilization of storage proteins during seed germination to the initiation of cell death and senescence programs. This article reviews recent findings for the major catalytic classes, i.e. the serine, cysteine, aspartic, and metalloproteases, emphasizing the regulatory function of representative enzymes.

A subclass of myosin XI is associated with mitochondria, plastids, and the molecular chaperone subunit TCP-1? in maize

The role and regulation of specific plant myosins in cyclosis is not well understood. In the present report, an affinity-purified antibody generated against a conserved tail region of some class XI plant myosin isoforms was used for biochemical and immunofluorescence studies of Zea mays. Myosin XI co-localized with plastids and mitochondria but not with nuclei, the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, or peroxisomes. This suggests that myosin XI is involved in the motility of specific organelles. Myosin XI was more than 50% co-localized with tailless complex polypeptide-1alpha (TCP-1alpha) in tissue sections of mature tissues located more than 1.0 mm from the apex, and the two proteins co-eluted from gel filtration and ion exchange columns. On Western blots, TCP-1alpha isoforms showed a developmental shift from the youngest 5.0 mm of the root to more mature regions that were more than 10.0 mm from the apex. This developmental shift coincided with a higher percentage of myosin XI /TCP-1alpha co-localization, and faster degradation of myosin XI by serine protease. Our results suggest that class XI plant myosin requires TCP-1alpha for regulating folding or providing protection against denaturation.

Expression of subtilisin-like serine proteases in Arabidopsis thaliana is cell-specific and responds to jasmonic acid and heavy metals with developmental differences

The expression of two novel subtilisin-like serine proteases At-SLP2 and At-SLP3 from Arabidopsis thaliana and the recently identified Arabidopsis subtilase ARA12 was analysed with respect to plant development, stress response and cell specificity. In juvenile plants the mRNAs of the subtilisin-like proteases At-SLP2, At-SLP3 and ARA12 were detected with varying transcript levels in leaves but not in roots. In mature Arabidopsis plants transcripts were abundant in leaves, roots and flowers revealing developmental regulation of synthesis of subtilases. By in situ hybridization it was shown that the subtilisin-like proteases were predominantly present in epidermal cells and in the vascular bundles, in the phloem and in developing xylem elements. In flowers additional signals were localized, for example, in pistils, ovules and anthers. In flowers and juvenile developing leaves, expression of the subtilisin-like proteases increased following treatment with jasmonate and cadmium, respectively, suggesting that these proteases are responsive to stress and pathogen stimuli. The physiological relevance of these data in relation to plant morphogenesis and development is discussed.

Ara12 subtilisin-like protease from Arabidopsis thaliana: purification, substrate specificity and tissue localization

A C-terminal portion of Ara12 subtilisin-like protease (residues 542-757) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells as a fusion protein bound to maltose binding protein. Polyclonal antisera raised against the expressed protein were used to examine the tissue specificity and subcellular localization of Ara12. The protease was found predominantly in the silique and stem of plants, but was hardly detectable in leaf and not seen in root tissue. The distribution observed using immunological techniques is different from that seen by an RNA analysis study, which demonstrated similar mRNA abundance in the stem and leaves. Using immunogold labelling, Ara12 was shown to have an extracellular localization and was found in the intercellular spaces in stem tissue. Ara12 protease was purified to homogeneity from Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension cultures by anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Proteolytic activity of Ara12 was inhibited by a number of serine protease inhibitors, but was almost unaffected by inhibitors of other catalytic classes of proteases. Optimal proteolytic activity was displayed under acidic conditions (pH 5.0). Ara12 activity was relatively thermostable and was stimulated in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Substrate specificity studies were conducted using a series of internally quenched fluorogenic peptide substrates. At the P1 position of substrates, hydrophobic residues, such as Phe and Ala, were preferred to Arg, whilst at the P1' position, Asp, Leu and Ala were most favoured. Possible functions of Ara12 are discussed in the light of the involvement of a number of plant subtilisin-like proteases in morphogenesis.

A novel subtilase from common bean leaves

We describe the isolation of a protease from common bean leaves grown in the field. On the basis of its biochemical properties it was classified as serine proteinase belonging to the subtilisin clan. Isoelectric focusing resulted in a single band at pH 4.6, and SDS-PAGE in a single band corresponding to M(r) 72 kDa. The proteinase activity is maximal at pH 9.9 and shows high stability in the alkaline region. The relative activities of the proteinase for eight different synthetic substrates were determined. The requirement for Arg in the P1 position appeared obligatory. k(cat)/K(m) values indicate that, for highest catalytic efficiency, a basic amino acid is also required in the P2 position, presenting a motif typical of the cleavage site for the kexin family of subtilases. The sequence of the 17 N-terminal amino acids of this proteinase shows similarity to those of other plant subtilases, sharing the highest number of identical amino acids with proteinase C1 from soybean seedling cotyledons and a cucumisin-like proteinase from white gourd (Benincasa hispida).

Antisense inhibition of a tomato meiotic proteinase suggests functional redundancy of proteinases during microsporogenesis

Anther development in angiosperms culminates in the programmed cell death of specific tissues to facilitate the release of pollen. Despite a wealth of morphological descriptions of this process, there have been few reports on the regulation of dehiscence or the coordination of events between tissues. We have cloned an anther-specific tomato gene encoding a serine proteinase that is expressed during meiosis and late microsporogenesis. The conceptualized tomato meiotic proteinase (TMP) is a member of a family of genes that exhibit characteristics of mammalian proprotein convertases. To examine the role of TMP in microsporogenesis, we generated transgenic plants harboring an antisense construct of the gene. Some of these plants produced little or no detectable TMP, yet no phenotypic abnormalities were observed. Zymogram analyses revealed that multiple proteinases are present in mature anthers and that proteinase activity increases as development proceeds. Taken together, these data indicate that the role of TMP during microsporogenesis, if any, may be compensated for by other proteinases.Key words: anther, development, pollen, proteinase, subtilase, tapetum.