1
|
Maffei ME, Balestrini R, Costantino P, Lanfranco L, Morgante M, Battistelli A, Del Bianco M. The physiology of plants in the context of space exploration. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1311. [PMID: 39394270 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The stress that the space environment can induce on plant physiology is of both abiotic and biotic nature. The abiotic space environment is characterized by ionizing radiation and altered gravity, geomagnetic field (GMF), pressure, and light conditions. Biotic interactions include both pathogenic and beneficial interactions. Here, we provide an overall picture of the effects of abiotic and biotic space-related factors on plant physiology. The knowledge required for the success of future space missions will lead to a better understanding of fundamental aspects of plant physiological responses, thus providing useful tools for plant breeding and agricultural practices on Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo E Maffei
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Plant Physiology Unit, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/a, 10135, Turin, Italy
| | - Raffaella Balestrini
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Costantino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", University of Rome "Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Lanfranco
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Michele Morgante
- Institute of Applied Genomics, University of Udine, Via Jacopo Linussio 51, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 2, 05010, Porano, Italy
| | - Marta Del Bianco
- Italian Space Agency, Viale del Politecnico s.n.c., 00133, Rome, Italy.
- Centre for Space Life Sciences, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Roma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stutte GW, Yorio NC, Edney SL, Richards JT, Hummerick MP, Stasiak M, Dixon M, Wheeler RM. Effect of reduced atmospheric pressure on growth and quality of two lettuce cultivars. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 34:37-44. [PMID: 35940688 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Future space missions will likely include plants to provide fresh foods and bioregenerative life support capabilities. Current spacecraft such as the International Space Station (ISS) operate at 1 atm (101 kPa) pressure, but future missions will likely use reduced pressures to minimize gas leakage and facilitate rapid egress (space walks). Plants for these missions must be able to tolerate and grow reliably at these reduced pressures. We grew two lettuce cultivars, 'Flandria' a green bibb-type and 'Outredgeous,' a red, loose-leaf type, under three pressures: 96 kPa (ambient control), 67 kPa (2/3 atm), and 33 kPa (1/3 atm) for 21 days in rockwool using recirculating nutrient film technique hydroponics. Each treatment was repeated three times using a different hypobaric chamber each time. A daily light integral of 17.2 Moles Photosynthetically Active Radiation per day was provided with metal halide lamps set to deliver 300 µmol m-2s -1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) for a 16 h photoperiod at 22 °C. Oxygen was maintained at 21 kPa (equal to 21% at 1 atm) and CO2 at 0.12 kPa (equal to 1200 ppm at 1 atm). Leaf area for 'Outredgeous' was reduced 20% and 38% at 67 kPa and 33 kPa respectively; shoot fresh mass was reduced 22% and 41% at 67 kPa and 33 kPa respectively when compared to control plants at 96 kPa. These trends were not statistically significant at P ≥ 0.05. Leaf area for 'Flandria' showed no difference between 96 and 67 kPa but was reduced 31% at 33 kPa; shoot fresh mass was reduced 6% and 27% at 66 kPa and 33 kPa respectively compared to 96 kPa. There were 10% and 25% increases in anthocyanin concentration at 66 kPa and 33 kPa compared to 96 kPa, potentially increasing the bioprotective capacity of the plant. Previous studies with other cultivars of lettuce showed slight change in growth across this range of pressures, suggesting responses may vary among genotypes, hypobaric exposure treatments, and / or environmental conditions. Collectively, the findings suggest further testing is needed to understand the effects of atmospheric pressure on plant growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary W Stutte
- Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, United States.
| | - N C Yorio
- Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, United States
| | - S L Edney
- Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, United States
| | - J T Richards
- Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, United States
| | - M P Hummerick
- Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, United States
| | - M Stasiak
- Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
| | - M Dixon
- Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
| | - R M Wheeler
- NASA, NASA Exploration Research and Technology, Kennedy Space Center, Amentum, FL 32899, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kordyum E, Hasenstein KH. Plant biology for space exploration - Building on the past, preparing for the future. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:1-7. [PMID: 33888282 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A review of past insights of space experiments with plants outlines basic space and gravity effects as well as gene expression. Efforts to grow plants in space gradually incorporated basic question on plant productivity, stress response and cultivation. The prospect of extended space missions as well as colonization of the Moon and Mars require better understanding and therefore research efforts on biomass productivity, substrate and water relations, atmospheric composition, pressure and temperature and substrate and volume (growth space) requirements. The essential combination of using plants not only for food production but also for regeneration of waste, and recycling of carbon and oxygen production requires integration of complex biological and engineering aspects. We combine a historical account of plant space research with considerations for future research on plant cultivation, selection, and productivity based on space-related environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kordyum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany NASU, Tereschenkivska Str. 2, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine, United States
| | - Karl H Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70504-3602, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
MacDonald JG, Rodriguez K, Quirk S. An Oxygen Delivery Polymer Enhances Seed Germination in a Martian-like Environment. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:846-863. [PMID: 32196355 PMCID: PMC7368388 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Critical to the success of establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars is the ability to economically grow crop plants. Several environmental factors make it difficult to fully rely on local resources for agriculture. These include nutrient sparse regolith, low and fluctuating temperatures, a high amount of ultraviolet radiation, and water trapped locally in the form of ice or metal oxides. While the 96% CO2 martian atmosphere is ideal to support photosynthesis, high CO2 concentrations inhibit germination. An added difficulty is the fact that a vast majority of crop plants require oxygen for germination. Here, we report the production of a polymer-based oxygen delivery system that supports the germination and growth of cress seeds (Lepidium sativum) in a martian regolith simulant under a martian atmosphere at 101 kPa. The oxygen-donating system is based on a low-density lightly cross-linked polyacrylate that is foamed and converted into a dry powder. It is lightweight, added in low amounts to regolith simulant, and efficiently donates enough oxygen throughout the volume of hydrated regolith simulant to fully support seed germination and plant growth. Germination rates, plant development, and plant mass are nearly identical for L. sativum grown in 100% CO2 in the presence of the oxygen-donating lightly cross-linked polyacrylate compared with plants grown in air. The polymer system also serves to protect root structures and better anchors plants in the regolith simulant.
Collapse
|
5
|
Kelemen Z, Zhang R, Gissot L, Chouket R, Bellec Y, Croquette V, Jullien L, Faure JD, Le Saux T. Dynamic Contrast for Plant Phenotyping. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:15105-15114. [PMID: 32637783 PMCID: PMC7331089 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasiveness, minimal handling, and immediate response are favorable features of fluorescence readout for high-throughput phenotyping of labeled plants.Yet, remote fluorescence imaging may suffer from an autofluorescent background and artificial or natural ambient light. In this work, the latter limitations are overcome by adopting reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins (RSFPs) as labels and Speed OPIOM (out-of-phase imaging after optical modulation), a fluorescence imaging protocol exploiting dynamic contrast. Speed OPIOM can efficiently distinguish the RSFP signal from autofluorescence and other spectrally interfering fluorescent reporters like GFP. It can quantitatively assess gene expressions, even when they are weak. It is as quantitative, sensitive, and robust in dark and bright light conditions. Eventually, it can be used to nondestructively record abiotic stress responses like water or iron limitations in real time at the level of individual plants and even of specific organs. Such Speed OPIOM validation could find numerous applications to identify plant lines in selection programs, design plants as environmental sensors, or ecologically monitor transgenic plants in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Kelemen
- Université
Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, F-78000 Versailles, France
| | - Ruikang Zhang
- PASTEUR,
Département de chimie, École
normale supérieure, PSL University, SorbonneUniversité,
CNRS, 24, rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Lionel Gissot
- Université
Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, F-78000 Versailles, France
| | - Raja Chouket
- PASTEUR,
Département de chimie, École
normale supérieure, PSL University, SorbonneUniversité,
CNRS, 24, rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Yannick Bellec
- Université
Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, F-78000 Versailles, France
| | - Vincent Croquette
- Laboratoire
de Physique Statistique, École normale
supérieure, PSL Research University, Université de Paris,
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
- Institut
de biologie de l’École normale supérieure (IBENS), École normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM,
PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Jullien
- PASTEUR,
Département de chimie, École
normale supérieure, PSL University, SorbonneUniversité,
CNRS, 24, rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Denis Faure
- Université
Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, F-78000 Versailles, France
| | - Thomas Le Saux
- PASTEUR,
Département de chimie, École
normale supérieure, PSL University, SorbonneUniversité,
CNRS, 24, rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou M, Callaham JB, Reyes M, Stasiak M, Riva A, Zupanska AK, Dixon MA, Paul AL, Ferl RJ. Dissecting Low Atmospheric Pressure Stress: Transcriptome Responses to the Components of Hypobaria in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:528. [PMID: 28443120 PMCID: PMC5385376 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Controlled hypobaria presents biology with an environment that is never encountered in terrestrial ecology, yet the apparent components of hypobaria are stresses typical of terrestrial ecosystems. High altitude, for example, presents terrestrial hypobaria always with hypoxia as a component stress, since the relative partial pressure of O2 is constant in the atmosphere. Laboratory-controlled hypobaria, however, allows the dissection of pressure effects away from the effects typically associated with altitude, in particular hypoxia, as the partial pressure of O2 can be varied. In this study, whole transcriptomes of plants grown in ambient (97 kPa/pO2 = 21 kPa) atmospheric conditions were compared to those of plants transferred to five different atmospheres of varying pressure and oxygen composition for 24 h: 50 kPa/pO2 = 10 kPa, 25 kPa/pO2 = 5 kPa, 50 kPa/pO2 = 21 kPa, 25 kPa/pO2 = 21 kPa, or 97 kPa/pO2 = 5 kPa. The plants exposed to these environments were 10 day old Arabidopsis seedlings grown vertically on hydrated nutrient plates. In addition, 5 day old plants were also exposed for 24 h to the 50 kPa and ambient environments to evaluate age-dependent responses. The gene expression profiles from roots and shoots showed that the hypobaric response contained more complex gene regulation than simple hypoxia, and that adding back oxygen to normoxic conditions did not completely alleviate gene expression changes in hypobaric responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Zhou
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jordan B. Callaham
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Michael Stasiak
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of GuelphGuelph, ON, Canada
| | - Alberto Riva
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Agata K. Zupanska
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mike A. Dixon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of GuelphGuelph, ON, Canada
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- *Correspondence: Anna-Lisa Paul
| | - Robert J. Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Robert J. Ferl
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chung JS, Ahn IS, Yu OH, Kim DS. Crustacean hyperglycemic hormones of two cold water crab species, Chionoecetes opilio and C. japonicus: isolation of cDNA sequences and localization of CHH neuropeptide in eyestalk ganglia. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 214:177-85. [PMID: 25224573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is primarily known for its prototypical function in hyperglycemia which is induced by the release of CHH. The CHH release takes place as an adaptive response to the energy demands of the animals experiencing stressful environmental, physiological or behavioral conditions. Although >63 decapod CHH nucleotide sequences are known (GenBank), the majority of them is garnered from the species inhabiting shallow and warm water. In order to understand the adaptive role of CHH in Chionoecetes opilio and Chionoecetes japonicus inhabiting deep water environments, we first aimed for the isolation of the full-length cDNA sequence of CHH from the eyestalk ganglia of C. opilio (ChoCHH) and C. japonicus (ChjCHH) using degenerate PCR and 5' and 3' RACE. Cho- and ChjCHH cDNA sequences are identical in 5' UTR and ORF with 100% sequence identity of the putative 138aa of preproCHHs. The length of 3' UTR ChjCHH cDNA sequence is 39 nucleotides shorter than that of ChoCHH. This is the first report in decapod crustaceans that two different species have the identical sequence of CHH. ChoCHH expression increases during embryogenesis of C. opilio and is significantly higher in adult males and females. C. japonicus males have slightly higher ChjCHH expression than C. opilio males, but no statistical difference. In both species, the immunostaining intensity of CHH is stronger in the sinus gland than that of X-organ cells. Future studies will enable us to gain better understanding of the comparative metabolic physiology and endocrinology of cold, deep water species of Chionoecetes spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Sook Chung
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA.
| | - I S Ahn
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - O H Yu
- Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787 Haean-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 426-744, South Korea
| | - D S Kim
- Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787 Haean-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 426-744, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ferl RJ, Koh J, Denison F, Paul AL. Spaceflight induces specific alterations in the proteomes of Arabidopsis. ASTROBIOLOGY 2015; 15:32-56. [PMID: 25517942 PMCID: PMC4290804 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Life in spaceflight demonstrates remarkable acclimation processes within the specialized habitats of vehicles subjected to the myriad of unique environmental issues associated with orbital trajectories. To examine the response processes that occur in plants in space, leaves and roots from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings from three GFP reporter lines that were grown from seed for 12 days on the International Space Station and preserved on orbit in RNAlater were returned to Earth and analyzed by using iTRAQ broad-scale proteomics procedures. Using stringent criteria, we identified over 1500 proteins, which included 1167 leaf proteins and 1150 root proteins we were able to accurately quantify. Quantification revealed 256 leaf proteins and 358 root proteins that showed statistically significant differential abundance in the spaceflight samples compared to ground controls, with few proteins differentially regulated in common between leaves and roots. This indicates that there are measurable proteomics responses to spaceflight and that the responses are organ-specific. These proteomics data were compared with transcriptome data from similar spaceflight samples, showing that there is a positive but limited relationship between transcriptome and proteome regulation of the overall spaceflight responses of plants. These results are discussed in terms of emergence understanding of plant responses to spaceflight particularly with regard to cell wall remodeling, as well as in the context of deriving multiple omics data sets from a single on-orbit preservation and operations approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jin Koh
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Fiona Denison
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Arican GO, Khalilia W, Serbes U, Akman G, Cetin I, Arican E. Effects of hypobaric conditions on apoptosis signalling pathways in HeLa cells. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2014; 15:5043-7. [PMID: 24998584 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.12.5043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays increasing effectiveness in cancer therapy and investigation of formation of new strategies that enhance antiproliferative activity against target organs has become a subject of interest. Although the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis can not be fully explained, it is known that cell suicide program existing in their memory genetically is activated by pathophysiological conditions and events such as oxidative stress. Low pressure (hypobaric) conditions that create hypoxia promote apoptosis by inhibiting cell cycling. In this study, determination of the effects of fractional hypobaric applications at different times on HeLa cells at cellular and molecular levels were targeted. Experiments were carried out under hypobaric conditions (35.2 kPa) in a specially designed hypobaric cabin including 2% O2 and 98% N. Application of fractional hypobaric conditions was repeated two times for 3 hours with an interval of 24 hours. At the end of the implementation period cells were allowed to incubate for 24 hours for activation of repair mechanisms. Cell kinetic parameters such as growth rate (MTT) and apoptotic index were used in determination of the effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells. Also in our study expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene family that have regulatory roles in apoptosis were determined by the RT-PCR technique to evaluate molecular mechanisms. The results showed that antiproliferative effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells started three hours from the time of application and increased depending on the period of exposure. While there was a significant decrease in growth rate values, there was a significant increase in apoptotic index values (p<0.01). Also molecular studies showed that hypobaric conditions caused a significant increase in expression level of proapoptotic gene Bax and significant decrease in antiapoptotic Bfl-1. Consequently fractional application of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cell cultures increased both antiproliferative and apoptotic effects and these effects were triggered by the Bax gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gul Ozcan Arican
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey E-mail :
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Paul AL, Zupanska AK, Schultz ER, Ferl RJ. Organ-specific remodeling of the Arabidopsis transcriptome in response to spaceflight. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 13:112. [PMID: 23919896 PMCID: PMC3750915 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-13-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spaceflight presents a novel environment that is outside the evolutionary experience of terrestrial organisms. Full activation of the International Space Station as a science platform complete with sophisticated plant growth chambers, laboratory benches, and procedures for effective sample return, has enabled a new level of research capability and hypothesis testing in this unique environment. The opportunity to examine the strategies of environmental sensing in spaceflight, which includes the absence of unit gravity, provides a unique insight into the balance of influence among abiotic cues directing plant growth and development: including gravity, light, and touch. The data presented here correlate morphological and transcriptome data from replicated spaceflight experiments. RESULTS The transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated organ-specific changes in response to spaceflight, with 480 genes showing significant changes in expression in spaceflight plants compared with ground controls by at least 1.9-fold, and 58 by more than 7-fold. Leaves, hypocotyls, and roots each displayed unique patterns of response, yet many gene functions within the responses are related. Particularly represented across the dataset were genes associated with cell architecture and growth hormone signaling; processes that would not be anticipated to be altered in microgravity yet may correlate with morphological changes observed in spaceflight plants. As examples, differential expression of genes involved with touch, cell wall remodeling, root hairs, and cell expansion may correlate with spaceflight-associated root skewing, while differential expression of auxin-related and other gravity-signaling genes seemingly correlates with the microgravity of spaceflight. Although functionally related genes were differentially represented in leaves, hypocotyls, and roots, the expression of individual genes varied substantially across organ types, indicating that there is no single response to spaceflight. Rather, each organ employed its own response tactics within a shared strategy, largely involving cell wall architecture. CONCLUSIONS Spaceflight appears to initiate cellular remodeling throughout the plant, yet specific strategies of the response are distinct among specific organs of the plant. Further, these data illustrate that in the absence of gravity plants rely on other environmental cues to initiate the morphological responses essential to successful growth and development, and that the basis for that engagement lies in the differential expression of genes in an organ-specific manner that maximizes the utilization of these signals--such as the up-regulation of genes associated with light-sensing in roots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Agata K Zupanska
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Eric R Schultz
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Robert J Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Voesenek LACJ, Sasidharan R. Ethylene--and oxygen signalling--drive plant survival during flooding. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2013; 15:426-35. [PMID: 23574304 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/12/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Flooding is a widely occurring environmental stress both for natural and cultivated plant species. The primary problems associated with flooding arise due to restricted gas diffusion underwater. This hampers gas exchange needed for the critical processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Plant acclimation to flooding includes the adaptation of a suite of traits that helps alleviate or avoid these stressful conditions and improves or restores exchange of O2 and CO2 . The manifestation of these traits is, however, reliant on the timely perception of signals that convey the underwater status. Flooding-associated reduced gas diffusion imposes a drastic change in the internal gas composition within submerged plant organs. One of the earliest changes is an increase in the levels of the gaseous plant hormone ethylene. Depending on the species, organ, flooding conditions and time of the day, plants will also subsequently experience a reduction in oxygen levels. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the roles of ethylene and oxygen as critical signals of flooding stress. It includes a discussion of the dynamics of these gases in plants when underwater, their interaction, current knowledge of their perception mechanisms and the resulting downstream changes that mediate important acclimative processes that allow endurance and survival under flooded conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L A C J Voesenek
- Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Deployment of a fully-automated green fluorescent protein imaging system in a high arctic autonomous greenhouse. SENSORS 2013; 13:3530-48. [PMID: 23486220 PMCID: PMC3658760 DOI: 10.3390/s130303530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Higher plants are an integral part of strategies for sustained human presence in space. Space-based greenhouses have the potential to provide closed-loop recycling of oxygen, water and food. Plant monitoring systems with the capacity to remotely observe the condition of crops in real-time within these systems would permit operators to take immediate action to ensure optimum system yield and reliability. One such plant health monitoring technique involves the use of reporter genes driving fluorescent proteins as biological sensors of plant stress. In 2006 an initial prototype green fluorescent protein imager system was deployed at the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse located in the Canadian High Arctic. This prototype demonstrated the advantageous of this biosensor technology and underscored the challenges in collecting and managing telemetric data from exigent environments. We present here the design and deployment of a second prototype imaging system deployed within and connected to the infrastructure of the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse. This is the first imager to run autonomously for one year in the un-crewed greenhouse with command and control conducted through the greenhouse satellite control system. Images were saved locally in high resolution and sent telemetrically in low resolution. Imager hardware is described, including the custom designed LED growth light and fluorescent excitation light boards, filters, data acquisition and control system, and basic sensing and environmental control. Several critical lessons learned related to the hardware of small plant growth payloads are also elaborated.
Collapse
|
13
|
Paul AL, Amalfitano CE, Ferl RJ. Plant growth strategies are remodeled by spaceflight. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 12:232. [PMID: 23217113 PMCID: PMC3556330 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-12-232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arabidopsis plants were grown on the International Space Station within specialized hardware that combined a plant growth habitat with a camera system that can capture images at regular intervals of growth. The Imaging hardware delivers telemetric data from the ISS, specifically images received in real-time from experiments on orbit, providing science without sample return. Comparable Ground Controls were grown in a sister unit that is maintained in the Orbital Environment Simulator at Kennedy Space Center. One of many types of biological data that can be analyzed in this fashion is root morphology. Arabidopsis seeds were geminated on orbit on nutrient gel Petri plates in a configuration that encouraged growth along the surface of the gel. Photos were taken every six hours for the 15 days of the experiment. RESULTS In the absence of gravity, but the presence of directional light, spaceflight roots remained strongly negatively phototropic and grew in the opposite direction of the shoot growth; however, cultivars WS and Col-0 displayed two distinct, marked differences in their growth patterns. First, cultivar WS skewed strongly to the right on orbit, while cultivar Col-0 grew with little deviation away from the light source. Second, the Spaceflight environment also impacted the rate of growth in Arabidopsis. The size of the Flight plants (as measured by primary root and hypocotyl length) was uniformly smaller than comparably aged Ground Control plants in both cultivars. CONCLUSIONS Skewing and waving, thought to be gravity dependent phenomena, occur in spaceflight plants. In the presence of an orienting light source, phenotypic trends in skewing are gravity independent, and the general patterns of directional root growth typified by a given genotype in unit gravity are recapitulated on orbit, although overall growth patterns on orbit are less uniform. Skewing appears independent of axial orientation on the ISS - suggesting that other tropisms (such as for oxygen and temperature) do not influence skewing. An aspect of the spaceflight environment also retards the rate of early Arabidopsis growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Claire E Amalfitano
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Robert J Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mohanty B, Herath V, Wijaya E, Yeo HC, de Los Reyes BG, Lee DY. Patterns of cis-element enrichment reveal potential regulatory modules involved in the transcriptional regulation of anoxia response of japonica rice. Gene 2012; 511:235-42. [PMID: 23010196 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Unlike other cereal species, rice is able to germinate and elongate under anoxia. The regulatory mechanism that configures the transcriptome of rice during anaerobic germination is yet to be established. In this study, the major regulatory modules among anoxia-responsive genes in rice identified from published microarray data were predicted by ab initio analysis of cis-regulatory information content. Statistically overrepresented sequence motifs were detected from bona fide promoter sequences [-1000 to +200], revealing various patterns of cis-element enrichment that are highly correlated with bZIP, ERF and MYB types of transcription factors. As implied by the cis-element enrichment patterns, combinatorial mechanisms configure the overall changes in gene expression during anoxic germination and coleoptile elongation. High enrichment of cis-elements associated with ARF, bZIP, ERF, MYB and WRKY (SUSIBA2) transcription factors was also detected among the glycolytic and fermentative associated genes that were upregulated during anoxia. The patterns established from the global analysis of cis-element distribution for upregulated and downregulated genes and their associations with potential cognate regulatory transcription factors indicate the significant roles of ethylene and abscisic acid mediated signaling during coleoptile elongation under anoxia. In addition, the regulation of genes encoding enzymes in the glycolytic and fermentative metabolism could be associated with abscisic acid and auxin in rice coleoptiles to maintain sugar and ATP levels for longer survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bijayalaxmi Mohanty
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Girard O, Koehle MS, MacInnis MJ, Guenette JA, Koehle MS, Verges S, Rupp T, Jubeau M, Perrey S, Millet GY, Chapman RF, Levine BD, Conkin J, Wessel JH, Nespoulet H, Wuyam B, Tamisier R, Verges S, Levy P, Casey DP, Taylor BJ, Snyder EM, Johnson BD, Laymon AS, Stickford JL, Weavil JC, Loeppky JA, Pun M, Schommer K, Bartsch P, Vagula MC, Nelatury CF. Comments on Point:Counterpoint: Hypobaric hypoxia induces/does not induce different responses from normobaric hypoxia. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012; 112:1788-94. [PMID: 22589492 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00356.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
16
|
Fajardo-Cavazos P, Waters SM, Schuerger AC, George S, Marois JJ, Nicholson WL. Evolution of Bacillus subtilis to enhanced growth at low pressure: up-regulated transcription of des-desKR, encoding the fatty acid desaturase system. ASTROBIOLOGY 2012; 12:258-270. [PMID: 22416764 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The atmospheric pressure on Mars ranges from 1-10 mbar, about 1% of Earth pressure (∼1013 mbar). Low pressure is a growth-inhibitory factor for terrestrial microorganisms on Mars, and a putative low-pressure barrier for growth of Earth bacteria of ∼25 mbar has been postulated. In a previous communication, we described the isolation of a strain of Bacillus subtilis that had evolved enhanced growth ability at the near-inhibitory low pressure of 50 mbar. To explore mechanisms that enabled growth of the low-pressure-adapted strain, numerous genes differentially transcribed between the ancestor strain WN624 and low-pressure-evolved strain WN1106 at 50 mbar were identified by microarray analysis. Among these was a cluster of three candidate genes (des, desK, and desR), whose mRNA levels in WN1106 were higher than the ancestor on the microarrays. Up-regulation of these genes was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The des, desK, and desR genes encode the Des membrane fatty acid (FA) desaturase, the DesK sensor kinase, and the DesR response regulator, respectively, which function to maintain membrane fluidity in acute response to temperature downshift. Pressure downshift caused an up-regulation of des mRNA levels only in WN1106, but expression of a des-lacZ transcriptional fusion was unaffected, which suggests that des regulation was different in response to temperature versus pressure downshift. Competition experiments showed that inactivation of the des gene caused a slight, but statistically significant, loss of fitness of strain WN1106 at 50 mbar. Further, analysis of membrane FA composition of cells grown at 1013 versus 50 mbar revealed a decrease in the ratio of unsaturated to saturated FAs but an increase in the ratio of anteiso- to iso-FAs. The present study represents a first step toward identification of molecular mechanisms by which B. subtilis could sense and respond to the novel environmental stress of low pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Fajardo-Cavazos
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Kennedy Space Center, 32899, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
He C, Davies FT. Ethylene reduces plant gas exchange and growth of lettuce grown from seed to harvest under hypobaric and ambient total pressure. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 169:369-78. [PMID: 22118875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 11/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring high levels of ethylene can be a problem in spaceflight and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) leading to sterility and irregular plant growth. There are engineering and safety advantages of growing plants under hypobaria (low pressure) for space habitation. The goals of this research were to successfully grow lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Buttercrunch) in a long-term study from seed to harvest under hypobaric conditions, and to investigate how endogenously produced ethylene affects gas exchange and plant growth from seed germination to harvest under hypobaric and ambient total pressure conditions. Lettuce was grown under two levels of total gas pressure [hypobaric or ambient (25 or 101 kPa)] in a long-term, 32-day study. Significant levels of endogenous ethylene occurred by day-15 causing reductions in photosynthesis, dark-period respiration, and a subsequent decrease in plant growth. Hypobaria did not mitigate the adverse ethylene effects on plant growth. Seed germination was not adversely affected by hypobaria, but was reduced by hypoxia (6 kPa pO(2)). Under hypoxia, seed germination was higher under hypobaria than ambient total pressure. This research shows that lettuce can be grown from seed to harvest under hypobaria (≅25% of normal earth ambient total pressure).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjiu He
- Department of Horticultural Sciences and Interdisciplinary Program of Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2133, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Paul AL, Manak MS, Mayfield JD, Reyes MF, Gurley WB, Ferl RJ. Parabolic flight induces changes in gene expression patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana. ASTROBIOLOGY 2011; 11:743-58. [PMID: 21970703 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Our primary objective was to evaluate gene expression changes in Arabidopsis thaliana in response to parabolic flight as part of a comprehensive approach to the molecular biology of spaceflight-related adaptations. In addition, we wished to establish parabolic flight as a tractable operations platform for molecular biology studies. In a succession of experiments on NASA's KC-135 and C-9 parabolic aircraft, Arabidopsis plants were presented with replicated exposure to parabolic flight. Transcriptome profiling revealed that parabolic flight caused changes in gene expression patterns that stood the statistical tests of replication on three different flight days. The earliest response, after 20 parabolas, was characterized by a prominence of genes associated with signal transduction. After 40 parabolas, this prominence was largely replaced by genes associated with biotic and abiotic stimuli and stress. Among these responses, three metabolic processes stand out in particular: the induction of auxin metabolism and signaling, the differential expression of genes associated with calcium-mediated signaling, and the repression of genes associated with disease resistance and cell wall biochemistry. Many, but not all, of these responses are known to be involved in gravity sensing in plants. Changes in auxin-related gene expression were also recorded by reporter genes tuned to auxin signal pathways. These data demonstrate that the parabolic flight environment is appropriate for molecular biology research involving the transition to microgravity, in that with replication, proper controls, and analyses, gene expression changes can be observed in the time frames of typical parabolic flight experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Horticultural Sciences and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kratasyuk V, Esimbekova E, Correll M, Bucklin R. Bioluminescent enzyme assay for the indication of plant stress in enclosed life support systems. LUMINESCENCE 2011; 26:543-6. [PMID: 22162458 DOI: 10.1002/bio.1267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The application of bioluminescent sensors for monitoring key metabolites and enzymes that are indicators of stress in plants is demonstrated. The sensitivity of bioluminescent assay for NAD(P)H and NAD(P)(+) was about 0.5 and 1 nmol, respectively. The levels of NAD(P)H and NAD(P)(+) in radish (Raphanus sativus) root extracts from controls and from stress-induced conditions were compared. To induce environmental stress, the plants were grown in enclosed environmental chambers with low pressure (9 or 32 kPa), high humidity (>80%) and low oxygen partial pressure (down to 3.3-6.5 kPa). The concentrations of NAD(P)(+) and NAD(P)H in plants varied under stress conditions. Decreasing both total pressure from 101.5 to 32 or 9 kPa and partial pressure of oxygen increased the ratio of NAD(P)(+) /NAD(P)H from 0.2 to 4 or 6, respectively. The increase in this ratio suggests that plants are undergoing stress in these hypobaric environments. The developed bioluminescent assay for quantification of pyridine nucleotides in plant tissues is rapid, low-cost and easily performed.
Collapse
|
20
|
Zou X, Jiang Y, Liu L, Zhang Z, Zheng Y. Identification of transcriptome induced in roots of maize seedlings at the late stage of waterlogging. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2010; 10:189. [PMID: 20738849 PMCID: PMC2956539 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-10-189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants respond to low oxygen stress, particularly that caused by waterlogging, by altering transcription and translation. Previous studies have mostly focused on revealing the mechanism of the response at the early stage, and there is limited information about the transcriptional profile of genes in maize roots at the late stage of waterlogging. The genetic basis of waterlogging tolerance is largely unknown. In this study, the transcriptome at the late stage of waterlogging was assayed in root cells of the tolerant inbred line HZ32, using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). A forward SSH library using RNA populations from four time points (12 h, 16 h, 20 h and 24 h) after waterlogging treatment was constructed to reveal up-regulated genes, and transcriptional and linkage data was integrated to identify candidate genes for waterlogging tolerance. RESULTS Reverse Northern analysis of a set of 768 cDNA clones from the SSH library revealed a large number of genes were up-regulated by waterlogging. A total of 465 ESTs were assembled into 296 unigenes. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genes were involved in complex pathways, such as signal transduction, protein degradation, ion transport, carbon and amino acid metabolism, and transcriptional and translational regulation, and might play important roles at the late stage of the response to waterlogging. A significant number of unigenes were of unknown function. Approximately 67% of the unigenes could be aligned on the maize genome and 63 of them were co-located within reported QTLs. CONCLUSION The late response to waterlogging in maize roots involves a broad spectrum of genes, which are mainly associated with two response processes: defense at the early stage and adaption at the late stage. Signal transduction plays a key role in activating genes related to the tolerance mechanism for survival during prolonged waterlogging. The crosstalk between carbon and amino acid metabolism reveals that amino acid metabolism performs two main roles at the late stage: the regulation of cytoplasmic pH and energy supply through breakdown of the carbon skeleton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiling Zou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lei Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zuxin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yonglian Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Blokhina O, Fagerstedt KV. Oxidative metabolism, ROS and NO under oxygen deprivation. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2010; 48:359-73. [PMID: 20303775 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2010.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2009] [Revised: 01/07/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2010] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen deprivation, in line with other stress conditions, is accompanied by reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) formation and is characterised by a set of metabolic changes collectively named as the 'oxidative stress response'. The controversial induction of oxidative metabolism under the lack of oxygen is necessitated by ROS and RNS signaling in the induction of adaptive responses, and inevitably results in oxidative damage. To prevent detrimental effects of oxidative stress, the levels of ROS and NO are tightly controlled on transcriptional, translational and metabolic levels. Hypoxia triggers the induction of genes responsible for ROS and NO handling and utilization (respiratory burst oxidase, non-symbiotic hemoglobins, several cytochromes P450, mitochondrial dehydrogenases, and antioxidant-related transcripts). The level of oxygen in the tissue is also under metabolic control via multiple mechanisms: Regulation of glycolytic and fermentation pathways to manage pyruvate availability for respiration, and adjustment of mitochondrial electron flow through NO and ROS balance. Both adaptive strategies are controlled by energy status and aim to decrease the respiratory capacity and to postpone complete anoxia. Besides local oxygen concentration, ROS and RNS formation is controlled by an array of antioxidants. Hypoxic treatment leads to the upregulation of multiple transcripts associated with ascorbate, glutathione and thioredoxin metabolism. The production of ROS and NO is an integral part of the response to oxygen deprivation which encompasses several levels of metabolic regulation to sustain redox signaling and to prevent oxidative damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Blokhina
- Department of Biosciences, Plant Biology, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014 Helsinki University, Finland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
He C, Davies FT, Lacey RE. Ethylene reduces gas exchange and growth of lettuce plants under hypobaric and normal atmospheric conditions. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2009; 135:258-71. [PMID: 19175518 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01190.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of ethylene occur in controlled environment agriculture and in spaceflight environments, leading to adverse plant growth and sterility. The objectives of this research were to characterize the influence of ethylene on carbon dioxide (CO(2)) assimilation (C(A)), dark period respiration (DPR) and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Buttercrunch) under ambient and low total pressure conditions. Lettuce plants were grown under variable total gas pressures of 25 kPa (hypobaric) and 101 kPa (ambient) pressure. Endogenously produced ethylene accumulated and reduced C(A), DPR and plant growth of ambient and hypobaric plants. There was a negative linear correlation between increasing ethylene concentrations [from 0 to around 1000 nmol mol(-1) (ppb)] on C(A), DPR and growth of ambient and hypobaric plants. Declines in C(A) and DPR occurred with both exogenous and endogenous ethylene treatments. C(A) was more sensitive to increasing ethylene concentration than DPR. There was a direct, negative effect of increasing ethylene concentration reducing gas exchange as well as an indirect ethylene effect on leaf epinasty, which reduced light capture and C(A). While the C(A) was comparable, there was a lower DPR in hypobaric than ambient pressure plants - independent of ethylene and under non-limiting CO(2) levels (100 Pa pCO(2), nearly three-fold that in normal air). This research shows that lettuce can be grown under hypobaria ( congruent with25% of normal earth ambient total pressure); however, hypobaria caused no significant reduction of endogenous ethylene production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjiu He
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2133, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
van Dongen JT, Fröhlich A, Ramírez-Aguilar SJ, Schauer N, Fernie AR, Erban A, Kopka J, Clark J, Langer A, Geigenberger P. Transcript and metabolite profiling of the adaptive response to mild decreases in oxygen concentration in the roots of arabidopsis plants. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2009; 103:269-80. [PMID: 18660497 PMCID: PMC2707303 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcn126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2008] [Revised: 05/20/2008] [Accepted: 06/09/2008] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Oxygen can fall to low concentrations within plant tissues, either because of environmental factors that decrease the external oxygen concentration or because the movement of oxygen through the plant tissues cannot keep pace with the rate of oxygen consumption. Recent studies document that plants can decrease their oxygen consumption in response to relatively small changes in oxygen concentrations to avoid internal anoxia. The molecular mechanisms underlying this response have not been identified yet. The aim of this study was to use transcript and metabolite profiling to investigate the genomic response of arabidopsis roots to a mild decrease in oxygen concentrations. METHODS Arabidopsis seedlings were grown on vertical agar plates at 21, 8, 4 and 1 % (v/v) external oxygen for 0.5, 2 and 48 h. Roots were analysed for changes in transcript levels using Affymetrix whole genome DNA microarrays, and for changes in metabolite levels using routine GC-MS based metabolite profiling. Root extension rates were monitored in parallel to investigate adaptive changes in growth. KEY RESULTS The results show that root growth was inhibited and transcript and metabolite profiles were significantly altered in response to a moderate decrease in oxygen concentrations. Low oxygen leads to a preferential up-regulation of genes that might be important to trigger adaptive responses in the plant. A small but highly specific set of genes is induced very early in response to a moderate decrease in oxygen concentrations. Genes that were down-regulated mainly encoded proteins involved in energy-consuming processes. In line with this, root extension growth was significantly decreased which will ultimately save ATP and decrease oxygen consumption. This was accompanied by a differential regulation of metabolite levels at short- and long-term incubation at low oxygen. CONCLUSIONS The results show that there are adaptive changes in root extension involving large-scale reprogramming of gene expression and metabolism when oxygen concentration is decreased in a very narrow range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joost T. van Dongen
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Anja Fröhlich
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | - Nicolas Schauer
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Alisdair R. Fernie
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Alexander Erban
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Joachim Kopka
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jeremy Clark
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Anke Langer
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979 Grossbeeren, Germany
| | - Peter Geigenberger
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979 Grossbeeren, Germany
- For correspondence. E-mail
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Deployment of a Prototype Plant GFP Imager at the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse of the Haughton Mars Project. SENSORS 2008; 8:2762-2773. [PMID: 27879848 PMCID: PMC3673444 DOI: 10.3390/s8042762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2008] [Accepted: 04/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of engineered plants as biosensors has made elegant strides in the past decades, providing keen insights into the health of plants in general and particularly in the nature and cellular location of stress responses. However, most of the analytical procedures involve laboratory examination of the biosensor plants. With the advent of the green fluorescence protein (GFP) as a biosensor molecule, it became at least theoretically possible for analyses of gene expression to occur telemetrically, with the gene expression information of the plant delivered to the investigator over large distances simply as properly processed fluorescence images. Spaceflight and other extraterrestrial environments provide unique challenges to plant life, challenges that often require changes at the gene expression level to accommodate adaptation and survival. Having previously deployed transgenic plant biosensors to evaluate responses to orbital spaceflight, we wished to develop the plants and especially the imaging devices required to conduct such experiments robotically, without operator intervention, within extraterrestrial environments. This requires the development of an autonomous and remotely operated plant GFP imaging system and concomitant development of the communications infrastructure to manage dataflow from the imaging device. Here we report the results of deploying a prototype GFP imaging system within the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse (ACMG) an autonomously operated greenhouse located within the Haughton Mars Project in the Canadian High Arctic. Results both demonstrate the applicability of the fundamental GFP biosensor technology and highlight the difficulties in collecting and managing telemetric data from challenging deployment environments.
Collapse
|
25
|
He C, Davies FT, Lacey RE. Separating the effects of hypobaria and hypoxia on lettuce: growth and gas exchange. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2007; 131:226-40. [PMID: 18251894 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.00946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this research were to determine the influence of hypobaria (reduced atmospheric pressure) and reduced partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) [hypoxia] on carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation (C(A)), dark-period respiration (DPR) and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Buttercrunch). Lettuce plants were grown under variable total gas pressures [25 and 101 kPa (ambient)] at 6, 12 or 21 kPa pO2)(approximately the partial pressure in air at normal pressure). Growth of lettuce was comparable between ambient and low total pressure but lower at 6 kPa pO2 (hypoxic) than at 12 or 21 kPa pO2. The specific leaf area of 6 kPa pO2 plants was lower, indicating thicker leaves associated with hypoxia. Roots were most sensitive to hypoxia, with a 50-70% growth reduction. Leaf chlorophyll levels were greater at low than at ambient pressure. Hypobaria and hypoxia did not affect plant water relations. While hypobaria did not adversely affect plant growth or C(A), hypoxia did. There was comparable C(A) and a lower DPR in low than in ambient total pressure plants under non-limiting CO2 levels (100 Pa pCO2, nearly three-fold that in normal air). The C(A)/DPR ratio was higher at low than at ambient total pressure, particularly at 6 kPa pO2- indicating a greater efficiency of C(A)/DPR in low-pressure plants. There was generally no significant interaction between hypoxia and hypobaria. We conclude that lettuce can be grown under subambient pressure ( congruent with25% of normal earth ambient total pressure) without adverse effects on plant growth or gas exchange. Furthermore, hypobaric plants were more resistant to hypoxic conditions that reduced gas exchange and plant growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjiu He
- Department of Horticultural Sciences and Interdisciplinary Program of Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2133, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hendrickx L, Mergeay M. From the deep sea to the stars: human life support through minimal communities. Curr Opin Microbiol 2007; 10:231-7. [PMID: 17553734 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2007.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 05/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Support of human life during long-distance exploratory space travel or in the creation of human habitats in extreme environments can be accomplished using the action of microbial consortia inhabiting interconnected bioreactors, designed for the purpose of reconversion of solid, liquid and gaseous wastes produced by the human crew or by one of the compartments of the bioregenerative loop, into nutritional biomass, oxygen and potable water. The microorganisms responsible for bioregenerative life support are part of Earth's own geomicrobial reconversion cycle. Depending on the resources and conditions available, minimal life support systems can be assembled using appropriately selected microorganisms that possess metabolic routes for each specific purpose in the transformation cycle. Under control of an engineered system, a reliable life-support system can hence be provided for.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Hendrickx
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK.CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Paul AL, Ferl RJ, Meisel MW. High magnetic field induced changes of gene expression in arabidopsis. BIOMAGNETIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 2006; 4:7. [PMID: 17187667 PMCID: PMC1764872 DOI: 10.1186/1477-044x-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2006] [Accepted: 12/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High magnetic fields are becoming increasingly prevalent components of non-invasive, biomedical imaging tools (such as MRI), thus, an understanding of the molecular impacts associated with these field strengths in biological systems is of central importance. The biological impact of magnetic field strengths up to 30 Tesla were investigated in this study through the use of transgenic Arabidopsis plants engineered with a stress response gene consisting of the alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) gene promoter driving the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene reporter. METHODS Magnetic field induced Adh/GUS activity was evaluated with histochemical staining to assess tissue specific expression and distribution, and with quantitative, spectrofluometric assays to measure degree of activation. The evaluation of global changes in the Arabidopsis genome in response to exposure to high magnetic fields was facilitated with Affymetrix Gene Chip microarrays. Quantitative analyses of gene expression were performed with quantitative real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS Field strengths in excess of about 15 Tesla induce expression of the Adh/GUS transgene in the roots and leaves. From the microarray analyses that surveyed 8000 genes, 114 genes were differentially expressed to a degree greater than 2.5 fold over the control. These results were quantitatively corroborated by qRT-PCR examination of 4 of the 114 genes. CONCLUSION The data suggest that magnetic fields in excess of 15 Tesla have far-reaching effect on the genome. The wide-spread induction of stress-related genes and transcription factors, and a depression of genes associated with cell wall metabolism, are prominent examples. The roles of magnetic field orientation of macromolecules and magnetophoretic effects are discussed as possible factors that contribute to the mounting of this response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences and The Biotechnology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690, USA
| | - Robert J Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences and The Biotechnology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690, USA
| | - Mark W Meisel
- Department of Physics and National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8440, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Richards JT, Corey KA, Paul AL, Ferl RJ, Wheeler RM, Schuerger AC. Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana to hypobaric environments: implications for low-pressure bioregenerative life support systems for human exploration missions and terraforming on Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2006; 6:851-66. [PMID: 17155885 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2006.6.851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how hypobaria can affect net photosynthetic (P (net)) and net evapotranspiration rates of plants is important for the Mars Exploration Program because low-pressured environments may be used to reduce the equivalent system mass of near-term plant biology experiments on landers or future bioregenerative advanced life support systems. Furthermore, introductions of plants to the surface of a partially terraformed Mars will be constrained by the limits of sustainable growth and reproduction of plants to hypobaric conditions. To explore the effects of hypobaria on plant physiology, a low-pressure growth chamber (LPGC) was constructed that maintained hypobaric environments capable of supporting short-term plant physiological studies. Experiments were conducted on Arabidopsis thaliana maintained in the LPGC with total atmospheric pressures set at 101 (Earth sea-level control), 75, 50, 25 or 10 kPa. Plants were grown in a separate incubator at 101 kPa for 6 weeks, transferred to the LPGC, and acclimated to low-pressure atmospheres for either 1 or 16 h. After 1 or 16 h of acclimation, CO(2) levels were allowed to drawdown from 0.1 kPa to CO(2) compensation points to assess P (net) rates under different hypobaric conditions. Results showed that P (net) increased as the pressures decreased from 101 to 10 kPa when CO(2) partial pressure (pp) values were below 0.04 kPa (i.e., when ppCO2 was considered limiting). In contrast, when ppCO(2) was in the nonlimiting range from 0.10 to 0.07 kPa, the P (net) rates were insensitive to decreasing pressures. Thus, if CO(2 )concentrations can be kept elevated in hypobaric plant growth modules or on the surface of a partially terraformed Mars, P (net) rates may be relatively unaffected by hypobaria. Results support the conclusions that (i) hypobaric plant growth modules might be operated around 10 kPa without undue inhibition of photosynthesis and (ii) terraforming efforts on Mars might require a surface pressure of at least 10 kPa (100 mb) for normal growth of deployed plant species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T Richards
- Dynamac Corporation, University of Florida, Space Life Sciences Laboratory, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Stutte GW, Monje O, Hatfield RD, Paul AL, Ferl RJ, Simone CG. Microgravity effects on leaf morphology, cell structure, carbon metabolism and mRNA expression of dwarf wheat. PLANTA 2006; 224:1038-49. [PMID: 16708225 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-006-0290-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2006] [Accepted: 04/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of higher plants as the basis for a biological life support system that regenerates the atmosphere, purifies water, and produces food has been proposed for long duration space missions. The objective of these experiments was to determine what effects microgravity (microg) had on chloroplast development, carbohydrate metabolism and gene expression in developing leaves of Triticum aestivum L. cv. USU Apogee. Gravity naive wheat plants were sampled from a series of seven 21-day experiments conducted during Increment IV of the International Space Station. These samples were fixed in either 3% glutaraldehyde or RNAlater or frozen at -25 degrees C for subsequent analysis. In addition, leaf samples were collected from 24- and 14-day-old plants during the mission that were returned to Earth for analysis. Plants grown under identical light, temperature, relative humidity, photoperiod, CO(2), and planting density were used as ground controls. At the morphological level, there was little difference in the development of cells of wheat under microg conditions. Leaves developed in mug have thinner cross-sectional area than the 1g grown plants. Ultrastructurally, the chloroplasts of microg grown plants were more ovoid than those developed at 1g, and the thylakoid membranes had a trend to greater packing density. No differences were observed in the starch, soluble sugar, or lignin content of the leaves grown in microg or 1g conditions. Furthermore, no differences in gene expression were detected leaf samples collected at microg from 24-day-old leaves, suggesting that the spaceflight environment had minimal impact on wheat metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G W Stutte
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory, Dynamac Corporation, Mail Code Dyn-3, Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy, FL 32899, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Stewart CN. Go with the glow: fluorescent proteins to light transgenic organisms. Trends Biotechnol 2006; 24:155-62. [PMID: 16488034 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2005] [Revised: 11/11/2005] [Accepted: 02/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Once a biological novelty known for their role in bioluminescence, fluorescent proteins (FPs) from marine invertebrates have revolutionized the life sciences. Organisms from all kingdoms have been transformed with the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP), and biotechnology has been advanced by the use of FPs. This article reviews the current uses of FPs in whole transgenic organisms and genomics and looks beyond GFP to the complete color palette and spectral properties afforded by FPs from other marine organisms. Coupled with electronic devices for visualizing and quantifying FPs, recently cloned FP genes might be useful for the ecological monitoring of transgenic organisms in the environment. Therefore, this review also addresses the in vivo labeling of organisms with an emphasis on plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Neal Stewart
- University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Voesenek LACJ, Colmer TD, Pierik R, Millenaar FF, Peeters AJM. How plants cope with complete submergence. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2006; 170:213-26. [PMID: 16608449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01692.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Flooding is a widespread phenomenon that drastically reduces the growth and survival of terrestrial plants. The dramatic decrease of gas diffusion in water compared with in air is a major problem for terrestrial plants and limits the entry of CO(2) for photosynthesis and of O(2) for respiration. Responses to avoid the adverse effects of submergence are the central theme in this review. These include underwater photosynthesis, aerenchyma formation and enhanced shoot elongation. Aerenchyma facilitates gas diffusion inside plants so that shoot-derived O(2) can diffuse to O(2)-deprived plant parts, such as the roots. The underwater gas-exchange capacity of leaves can be greatly enhanced by a thinner cuticle, reorientation of the chloroplasts towards the epidermis and increased specific leaf area (i.e. thinner leaves). At the same time, plants can outgrow the water through increased shoot elongation, which in some species is preceded by an adjustment of leaf angle to a more vertical position. The molecular regulatory networks involved in these responses, including the putative signals to sense submergence, are discussed and suggestions made on how to unravel the mechanistic basis of the induced expression of various adaptations that alleviate O(2) shortage underwater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L A C J Voesenek
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lehto KM, Lehto HJ, Kanervo EA. Suitability of different photosynthetic organisms for an extraterrestrial biological life support system. Res Microbiol 2005; 157:69-76. [PMID: 16439102 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2005.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Revised: 07/13/2005] [Accepted: 07/20/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the present era of intensive space and planetary research, efficient life support systems (LSSs) are needed to maintain suitable living conditions when humans move into space, i.e. away from the Earth's atmosphere. Thus far, such suitable conditions on various space flights and on the space stations (Mir and the International Space Station) have been maintained solely via physical and chemical means (transport of O2, H2O and food from the Earth, cleaning and recycling of air and water). However, for long-duration missions to distant destinations, such as exploratory missions to Mars, biological life support systems (BLSSs) may be needed to convert local CO2 and H2O to O2, and to food. As on earth, this conversion process would need to be based on photosynthesis. Use of higher plants and microalgae as BLSS organisms has been intensively studied. Here we review the growth requirements of these two types of photosynthetic organisms, with particular attention to their suitability for use in harsh Martian conditions, i.e. low temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, high CO2 concentration, high UV radiation and dryness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi M Lehto
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, 20014 University of Turku, Finland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hammes UZ, Schachtman DP, Berg RH, Nielsen E, Koch W, McIntyre LM, Taylor CG. Nematode-induced changes of transporter gene expression in Arabidopsis roots. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2005; 18:1247-57. [PMID: 16478044 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-18-1247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Root-knot plant-parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) account for much of the damage inflicted to plants by nematodes. The feeding sites of these nematodes consist of "giant" cells, which have characteristics of transfer cells found in other parts of plants. Increased transport activity across the plasma membrane is a hallmark of transfer cells, and giant cells provide nutrition for nematodes; therefore, we initiated a study to identify the transport processes that contribute to the development and function of nematode-induced feeding sites. The study was conducted over a 4-week period, during which time the large changes in the development of giant cells were documented. The Arabidopsis ATH1 GeneChip was used to identify the many transporter genes that were regulated by nematode infestation. Expression of 50 transporter genes from 18 different gene families was significantly changed upon nematode infestation. Sixteen transporter genes were studied in more detail using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to determine transcript abundance in nematode-induced galls that contain giant cells and uninfested regions of the root. Certain genes were expressed primarily in galls whereas others were expressed primarily in the uninfested regions of the root, and a third group was expressed evenly throughout the root. Multiple transport processes are regulated and these may play important roles in nematode feeding-site establishment and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Z Hammes
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N. Warson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wojtaszek P, Anielska-Mazur A, Gabryś H, Baluška F, Volkmann D. Recruitment of myosin VIII towards plastid surfaces is root-cap specific and provides the evidence for actomyosin involvement in root osmosensing. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2005; 32:721-736. [PMID: 32689170 DOI: 10.1071/fp05004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2004] [Accepted: 04/22/2005] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The existence of a cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton (WMC) continuum in plants has long been postulated. However, the individual molecules building such a continuum are still largely unknown. We test here the hypothesis that the integrin-based multiprotein complexes of animal cells have been replaced in plants with more dynamic entities. Using an experimental approach based on protoplast digestion mixtures, and utilising specific antibodies against Arabidopsis ATM1 myosin, we reveal possible roles played by plant-specific unconventional myosin VIII in the functioning of WMC continuum. We demonstrate rapid relocation (less than 5 min) of myosin VIII to statolith surfaces in maize root-cap cells, which is accompanied by the reorganisation of actin cytoskeleton. Upon prolonged stimulation, myosin VIII is also recruited to plasmodesmata and pit-fields of plasmolysing root cap statocytes. The osmotic stimulus is the major factor inducing relocation, but the cell wall-cytoskeleton interactions also play an important role. In addition, we demonstrate the tight association of myosin VIII with the surfaces of chloroplasts, and provide an indication for the differences in the mechanisms of plastid movement in roots and leaves of plants. Overall, our data provide evidence for the active involvement of actomyosin complexes, rooted in the WMC continuum, in the cellular volume control and maintenance of spatial relationships between cellular compartments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Wojtaszek
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Anielska-Mazur
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Halina Gabryś
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - František Baluška
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dieter Volkmann
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
BRANCO-PRICE CRISTINA, KAWAGUCHI RIKI, FERREIRA RICARDOB, BAILEY-SERRES JULIA. Genome-wide analysis of transcript abundance and translation in Arabidopsis seedlings subjected to oxygen deprivation. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2005; 96:647-60. [PMID: 16081496 PMCID: PMC4247032 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mci217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS DNA microarrays allow comprehensive estimation of total cellular mRNA levels but are also amenable to studies of other mRNA populations, such as mRNAs in translation complexes (polysomes). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of translational regulation in response to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). METHODS Alterations in total cellular and large polysome (>or=five ribosomes per mRNA) mRNA levels were monitored in response to 12 h of hypoxia stress in seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana with a full-genome oligonucleotide microarray. KEY RESULTS Comparison of two mRNA populations revealed considerable modulation of mRNA accumulation and diversity in translation in response to hypoxia. Consistent with the global decrease in protein synthesis, hypoxia reduced the average proportion of individual mRNA species in large polysome complexes from 56.1% to 32.1%. A significant decrease in the association with translational complexes was observed for 77% of the mRNAs, including a subset of known hypoxia-induced gene transcripts. The examination of mRNA levels of nine genes in polysomes fractionated through sucrose density gradients corroborated the microarray data. Gene cluster analysis was used to identify mRNAs that displayed co-ordinated regulation. Fewer than half of the highly induced mRNAs circumvented the global depression of translation. Moreover, a large number of mRNAs displayed a significant decrease in polysome association without a concomitant decrease in steady-state accumulation. The abundant mRNAs that encode the ribosomal proteins behaved in this manner. By contrast, a small group of abiotic and biotic stress-induced mRNAs showed a significant increase in polysome association, without a change in abundance. Evaluation of quantitative features of mRNA sequences demonstrated that a low GC nucleotide content of the 5'-untranslated region provides a selective advantage for translation under hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in transcript abundance and translation contribute to the differential regulation of gene expression in response to oxygen deprivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- CRISTINA BRANCO-PRICE
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - RIKI KAWAGUCHI
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - RICARDO B. FERREIRA
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - JULIA BAILEY-SERRES
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- For correspondence. E-mail
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bailey-Serres J, Chang R. Sensing and signalling in response to oxygen deprivation in plants and other organisms. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2005; 96:507-18. [PMID: 16051633 PMCID: PMC4247021 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mci206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2005] [Revised: 03/11/2005] [Accepted: 04/19/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS AND SCOPE All aerobic organisms require molecular di-oxygen (O2) for efficient production of ATP though oxidative phosphorylation. Cellular depletion of oxygen results in rapid molecular and physiological acclimation. The purpose of this review is to consider the processes of low oxygen sensing and response in diverse organisms, with special consideration of plant cells. CONCLUSIONS The sensing of oxygen deprivation in bacteria, fungi, metazoa and plants involves multiple sensors and signal transduction pathways. Cellular responses result in a reprogramming of gene expression and metabolic processes that enhance transient survival and can enable long-term tolerance to sub-optimal oxygen levels. The mechanism of sensing can involve molecules that directly bind or react with oxygen (direct sensing), or recognition of altered cellular homeostasis (indirect sensing). The growing knowledge of the activation of genes in response to oxygen deprivation has provided additional information on the response and acclimation processes. Conservation of calcium fluxes and reactive oxygen species as second messengers in signal transduction pathways in metazoa and plants may reflect the elemental importance of rapid sensing of cellular restriction in oxygen by aerobic organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bailey-Serres
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0124, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Liu F, Vantoai T, Moy LP, Bock G, Linford LD, Quackenbush J. Global transcription profiling reveals comprehensive insights into hypoxic response in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2005; 137:1115-29. [PMID: 15734912 PMCID: PMC1065411 DOI: 10.1104/pp.104.055475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2004] [Revised: 12/20/2004] [Accepted: 12/30/2004] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved adaptation mechanisms to sense oxygen deficiency in their environments and make coordinated physiological and structural adjustments to enhance their hypoxic tolerance. To gain insight into how plants respond to low-oxygen stress, gene expression profiling using whole-genome DNA amplicon microarrays was carried out at seven time points over 24 h, in wild-type and transgenic P(SAG12):ipt Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Transcript levels of genes involved in glycolysis and fermentation pathways, ethylene synthesis and perception, calcium signaling, nitrogen utilization, trehalose metabolism, and alkaloid synthesis were significantly altered in response to oxygen limitation. Analysis based on gene ontology assignments suggested a significant down-regulation of genes whose functions are associated with cell walls, nucleosome structures, water channels, and ion transporters and a significant up-regulation of genes involved in transcriptional regulation, protein kinase activity, and auxin responses under conditions of oxygen shortage. Promoter analysis on a cluster of up-regulated genes revealed a significant overrepresentation of the AtMYB2-binding motif (GT motif), a sugar response element-like motif, and a G-box-related sequence, and also identified several putative anaerobic response elements. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions using 29 selected genes independently verified the microarray results. This study represents one of the most comprehensive analyses conducted to date investigating hypoxia-responsive transcriptional networks in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fenglong Liu
- The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Paul AL, Popp MP, Gurley WB, Guy C, Norwood KL, Ferl RJ. Arabidopsis gene expression patterns are altered during spaceflight. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2005; 36:1175-1181. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2005.03.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
|
39
|
Alba R, Fei Z, Payton P, Liu Y, Moore SL, Debbie P, Cohn J, D'Ascenzo M, Gordon JS, Rose JKC, Martin G, Tanksley SD, Bouzayen M, Jahn MM, Giovannoni J. ESTs, cDNA microarrays, and gene expression profiling: tools for dissecting plant physiology and development. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 39:697-714. [PMID: 15315633 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2004.02178.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression profiling holds tremendous promise for dissecting the regulatory mechanisms and transcriptional networks that underlie biological processes. Here we provide details of approaches used by others and ourselves for gene expression profiling in plants with emphasis on cDNA microarrays and discussion of both experimental design and downstream analysis. We focus on methods and techniques emphasizing fabrication of cDNA microarrays, fluorescent labeling, cDNA hybridization, experimental design, and data processing. We include specific examples that demonstrate how this technology can be used to further our understanding of plant physiology and development (specifically fruit development and ripening) and for comparative genomics by comparing transcriptome activity in tomato and pepper fruit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rob Alba
- Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Cornell University Campus, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kimbrough JM, Salinas-Mondragon R, Boss WF, Brown CS, Sederoff HW. The fast and transient transcriptional network of gravity and mechanical stimulation in the Arabidopsis root apex. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2004; 136:2790-805. [PMID: 15347791 PMCID: PMC523342 DOI: 10.1104/pp.104.044594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2004] [Revised: 05/28/2004] [Accepted: 05/30/2004] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Plant root growth is affected by both gravity and mechanical stimulation (Massa GD, Gilroy S [2003] Plant J 33: 435-445). A coordinated response to both stimuli requires specific and common elements. To delineate the transcriptional response mechanisms, we carried out whole-genome microarray analysis of Arabidopsis root apices after gravity stimulation (reorientation) and mechanical stimulation and monitored transcript levels of 22,744 genes in a time course during the first hour after either stimulus. Rapid, transient changes in the relative abundance of specific transcripts occurred in response to gravity or mechanical stimulation, and these transcript level changes reveal clusters of coordinated events. Transcriptional regulation occurs in the root apices within less than 2 min after either stimulus. We identified genes responding specifically to each stimulus as well as transcripts regulated in both signal transduction pathways. Several unknown genes were specifically induced only during gravitropic stimulation (gravity induced genes). We also analyzed the network of transcriptional regulation during the early stages of gravitropism and mechanical stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery M Kimbrough
- Department of Botany, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|