Germin isoforms are discrete temporal markers of wheat development. Pseudogermin is a uniquely thermostable water-soluble oligomeric protein in ungerminated embryos and like germin in germinated embryos, it is incorporated into cell walls

Decipher the molecular evolution and expression patterns of Cupin family genes in oilseed rape

Cupin proteins are involved in plant growth and development as well as in response to various stresses. Here, a total of 173 Cupin genes were identified in Brassica napus, and their molecular evolution and expression patterns were analyzed. These genes were classified into ten groups. Motif and exon-intron structure indicated a high degree of conservation within each group during evolution. BnaCupins were distributed on 19 chromosomes and their expansion is mainly contributed by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication events. BnaCupins have undergone severe purifying selection during a long evolutionary process. Meanwhile, some positive selection sites were identified. Expression patterns and cis-element analysis indicated that BnaCupins play significant roles in plant growth and stress responses. In addition, the expression levels of some BnCupins were significantly altered when treated with different conditions (cold, salt, drought, IAA, ABA, and 6-BA). Some BnaCupin interacting proteins, such as glycosyl hydrolase5 (GHs5), carbohydrate kinase (CHKs), ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK), S-adenosylmethionine synthase (S-MAT), and aldolase class II (ALD II), were identified by the protein-protein interaction network. It will contribute to enriching our knowledge of the Cupin gene family in B. napus and provide a basis for further studies of their functions.

Defense mechanisms promoting tolerance to aggressive Phytophthora species in hybrid poplar

Poplars are among the fastest-growing trees and significant resources in agriculture and forestry. However, rapid growth requires a large water consumption, and irrigation water provides a natural means for pathogen spread. That includes members of Phytophthora spp. that have proven to be a global enemy to forests. With the known adaptability to new hosts, it is only a matter of time for more aggressive Phytophthora species to become a threat to poplar forests and plantations. Here, the effects of artificial inoculation with two different representatives of aggressive species (P. cactorum and P. plurivora) were analyzed in the proteome of the Phytophthora-tolerant hybrid poplar clone T-14 [Populus tremula L. 70 × (Populus × canescens (Ait.) Sm. 23)]. Wood microcore samples were collected at the active necrosis borders to provide insight into the molecular processes underlying the observed tolerance to Phytophthora. The analysis revealed the impact of Phytophthora on poplar primary and secondary metabolism, including carbohydrate-active enzymes, amino acid biosynthesis, phenolic metabolism, and lipid metabolism, all of which were confirmed by consecutive metabolome and lipidome profiling. Modulations of enzymes indicating systemic response were confirmed by the analysis of leaf proteome, and sampling of wood microcores in distal locations revealed proteins with abundance correlating with proximity to the infection, including germin-like proteins, components of proteosynthesis, glutamate carboxypeptidase, and an enzyme that likely promotes anthocyanin stability. Finally, the identified Phytophthora-responsive proteins were compared to those previously found in trees with compromised defense against Phytophthora, namely, Quercus spp. and Castanea sativa. That provided a subset of candidate markers of Phytophthora tolerance, including certain ribosomal proteins, auxin metabolism enzymes, dioxygenases, polyphenol oxidases, trehalose-phosphate synthase, mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase, and rhamnose biosynthetic enzymes. In summary, this analysis provided the first insight into the molecular mechanisms of hybrid poplar defense against Phytophthora and identified prospective targets for improving Phytophthora tolerance in trees.

Characterization of Germin-like Proteins (GLPs) and Their Expression in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in Cucumber

Germins and germin-like proteins (GLPs) are glycoproteins closely associated with plant development and stress response in the plant kingdom. Here, we carried out genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the GLP gene family in cucumber to study their possible functions. A total of 38 GLP genes were identified in cucumber, which could be mapped to six out of the seven cucumber chromosomes. A phylogenetic analysis of the GLP members from cucumber, Arabidopsis and rice showed that these GLPs could be divided into six groups, and cucumber GLPs in the same group had highly similar conserved motif distribution and gene structure. Gene duplication analysis revealed that six cucumber GLP genes were located in the segmental duplication regions of cucumber chromosomes, while 14 genes were associated with tandem duplications. Tissue expression profiles of cucumber GLP genes showed that many genes were preferentially expressed in specific tissues. In addition, some cucumber GLP genes were differentially expressed under salt, drought and ABA treatments, as well as under DM inoculation. Our results provide important information for the functional identification of GLP genes in the growth, development and stress response of cucumber.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Germin-Like Proteins Reveal Their Role in Regulating Abiotic Stress Response in Potato

Germin and germin-like proteins (GLPs) perform a significant role in plants against biotic and abiotic stress. To understand the role of GLPs in potato, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis was performed in the potato genome. This study identified a total of 70 StGLPs genes in the potato genome, distributed among 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis exhibited that StGLPs were categorized into six groups with high bootstrap values. StGLPs gene structure and motifs analysis showed a relatively well-maintained intron-exon and motif formation within the cognate group. Additionally, several cis-elements in the promoter regions of GLPs were hormones, and stress-responsive and different families of miRNAs target StGLPs. Gene duplication under selection pressure also exhibited positive and purifying selections in StGLPs. In our results, the StGLP5 gene showed the highest expression in response to salt stress among all expressed StGLPs. Totally 19 StGLPs genes were expressed in response to heat stress. Moreover, three genes, StGLP30, StGLP17, and StGLP14, exhibited a relatively higher expression level in the potato after heat treatment. In total, 22 genes expressed in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment indicated that ABA performed an essential role in the plant defense or tolerance mechanism to environmental stress. RNA-Seq data validated by RT-qPCR also confirm that the StGLP5 gene showed maximum expression among selected genes under salt stress. Concisely, our results provide a platform for further functional exploration of the StGLPs against salt and heat stress conditions.

Changes in low-molecular-weight thiol-disulphide redox couples are part of bread wheat seed germination and early seedling growth

The tripeptide antioxidant glutathione (γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) essentially contributes to thiol-disulphide conversions, which are involved in the control of seed development, germination, and seedling establishment. However, the relative contribution of GSH metabolism in different seed structures is not fully understood. We studied the GSH/glutathione disulphide (GSSG) redox couple and associated low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols and disulphides related to GSH metabolism in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds, focussing on redox changes in the embryo and endosperm during germination. In dry seeds, GSH was the predominant LMW thiol and, 15 h after the onset of imbibition, embryos of non-germinated seeds contained 12 times more LMW thiols than the endosperm. In germinated seeds, the embryo contained 17 and 11 times more LMW thiols than the endosperm after 15 and 48 h, respectively. This resulted in the embryo having significantly more reducing half-cell reduction potentials of GSH/GSSG and cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) redox couples (E_GSSG/2GSH and E_CySS/2Cys, respectively). Upon seed germination and early seedling growth, Cys and CySS concentrations significantly increased in both embryo and endosperm, progressively contributing to the cellular LMW thiol-disulphide redox environment (E_{thiol-disulphide}). The changes in E_CySS/2Cys could be related to the mobilisation of storage proteins in the endosperm during early seedling growth. We suggest that E_GSSG/2GSH and E_CySS/2Cys can be used as markers of the physiological and developmental stage of embryo and endosperm. We also present a model of interaction between LMW thiols and disulphides with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in redox regulation of bread wheat germination and early seedling growth.

Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) β1- and β6-Conglutin Proteins Exhibit Antifungal Activity, Protecting Plants against Necrotrophic Pathogen Induced Damage from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Phytophthora nicotianae

Vicilins (7S globulins) are seed storage proteins and constitute the main protein family in legume seeds, particularly in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.; NLL), where seven vicilin genes, called β1- to β7-conglutin have been identified. Vicilins are involved in germination processes supplying amino acids for seedling growth and plant development, as well as in some cases roles in plant defense and protection against pathogens. The roles of NLL β-conglutins in plant defense are unknown. Here the potential role of five NLL β-conglutin family members in protection against necrotrophic fungal pathogens was investigated and it was demonstrated that recombinant purified 6xHis-tagged β1- and β6-conglutin proteins exhibited the strongest in vitro growth inhibitory activity against a range of necrotrophic fungal pathogens compared to β2, β3, and β4 conglutins. To examine activity in vivo, two representative necrotrophic pathogens, the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and oomycete Phytophthora nicotianae were used. Transient expression of β1- and β6-conglutin proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves demonstrated in vivo growth suppression of both of these pathogens, resulting in low percentages of hyphal growth and elongation in comparison to control treated leaves. Cellular studies using β1- and β6-GFP fusion proteins showed these conglutins localized to the cell surface including plasmodesmata. Analysis of cellular death following S. sclerotiorum or P. nicotianae revealed both β1- and β6-conglutins suppressed pathogen induced cell death in planta and prevented pathogen induced suppression of the plant oxidative burst as determined by protein oxidation in infected compared to mock-inoculated leaves.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis of the Germin-Like Protein Family in Rice and Arabidopsis

Previous studies have shown that germin-like proteins (GLPs) are present ubiquitously in rice and Arabidopsis. However, the understanding regarding their role in development and abiotic/biotic stress resistance remains limited. In the present study, we report genome-wide identification, characterisation, subcellular localization, enzyme activity, and expression analysis of the GLP gene family in rice and Arabidopsis to study their functions. In total, 43 and 32 GLPs in the rice and Arabidopsis genome were identified based on a systematic analysis, respectively. The GLP genes were clustered into six clades based on phylogenetic analysis, and many stress and developmental-related cis-elements were detected in promoters of GLP genes. In addition, subcellular location and superoxide dismutase (SOD) analysis demonstrated that the random selected OsGLP genes on chromosomes 8 and 4 of rice were expressed in the cell wall with SOD activity. Overall, our results showed that tandem duplication events, especially the clusters of tandem duplication genes on chromosome 8 in rice, play a major role in expansion of the GLP family and thus increase our understanding of the role of the GLP family in abiotic/biotic stress and development.

Monoclonal antibody-based analysis of cell wall remodeling during xylogenesis

Xylogenesis, a process by which woody tissues are formed, entails qualitative and quantitative changes in the cell wall. However, the molecular events that underlie these changes are not completely understood. Previously, we have isolated two monoclonal antibodies, referred to as XD3 and XD27, by subtractive screening of a phage-display library of antibodies raised against a wall fraction of Zinnia elegans xylogenic culture cells. Here we report the biochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of those antibodies. The antibody XD3 recognized (1→4)-β-D-galactan in pectin fraction. During xylogenesis, the XD3 epitope was localized to the primary wall of tracheary-element precursor cells, which undergo substantial cell elongation, and was absent from mature tracheary elements. XD27 recognized an arabinogalactan protein that was bound strongly to a germin-like protein. The XD27 epitope was localized to pre-lignified secondary walls of tracheary elements. Thus these cell-wall-directed monoclonal antibodies revealed two molecular events during xylogenesis. The biological significance of these events is discussed in relation to current views of the plant cell wall.

Divergent biochemical and enzymatic properties of oxalate oxidase isoforms encoded by four similar genes in rice

The biochemical and enzymatic properties of four highly similar rice oxalate oxidase proteins (OsOxO1-4) were compared after their purification from the leaves of transgenic plants each overexpressing the respective OsOxO1-4 genes. Although alignment of their amino acid sequences has revealed divergence mainly in the signal peptides and they catalyze the same enzymic (oxalate oxidase) reaction, divergence in apparent molecular mass, Km, optimum pH, stability and responses to inhibitors and activators was uncovered by biochemical characterization of the purified OsOxO1-4 proteins. The apparent molecular mass of oligomer OsOxO1 was found to be similar to that of OsOxO3 but lower than the other two. The molecular mass of the subunit of OsOxO1 was lower than that of OsOxO3. The Km value of OsOxO3 was higher than the other three which had similar Km. OsOxO1 and OsOxO4 possessed peak activity at pH 8.5 which was close to that at the optimum pH 4.0. The activity of OsOxO2 at pH 8.5 was only 65% of that at its optimum pH 3.5, while the activity of OsOxO3 did not vary much at pH 6-9 and was also much lower than that at its optimum pH 3. OsOxO2 and OsOxO3 still maintained all their activities after being heated at 70°C for 1h while OsOxO1 and OsOxO4 lost about 30% of their activities. Pyruvate and oxaloacetic acid inhibited the activity of OsOxO3 more strongly than the other three. Interestingly, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-biphosphate related to photosynthetic assimilation of triose phosphate greatly increased the activities of OsOxO3 and OsOxO4. In addition to the differences in the biochemical properties of the four OsOxO proteins, an intriguing finding is that the purified OsOxO1-4 exhibited substrate inhibition, which is a typical of the classical Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics exhibited by a majority of other enzymes.

In vitro and in vivo evidence for oxalate oxidase activity of a germin-like protein from azalea

Germins and germin-like proteins (GLPs) comprise large families of extracellular plant glycoproteins that are structurally similar, yet they have been reported to have distinct biochemical activities: oxalate oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. We expressed an azalea GLP (RmGLP2) in cultured cells of tobacco, and determined that the extracellular protein fraction and the recombinant RmGLP2 protein purified from these cells catalyzed the oxidation of oxalate. Notably, this activity is purportedly restricted to germin and has not been demonstrated for a GLP. Although the specific activity of the purified RmGLP2 protein was low compared with that of a previously characterized barley germin/oxalate oxidase, tobacco cells expressing RmGLP2 exhibited significantly reduced oxalate levels. Thus, RmGLP2 represents the first reported GLP with oxalate oxidase activity.

Characterization of peanut germin-like proteins, AhGLPs in plant development and defense

Background

Germin-like superfamily members are ubiquitously expressed in various plant species and play important roles in plant development and defense. Although several GLPs have been identified in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), their roles in development and defense remain unknown. In this research, we study the spatiotemporal expression of AhGLPs in peanut and their functions in plant defense.

Results

We have identified three new AhGLP members (AhGLP3b, AhGLP5b and AhGLP7b) that have distinct but very closely related DNA sequences. The spatial and temporal expression profiles revealed that each peanut GLP gene has its distinct expression pattern in various tissues and developmental stages. This suggests that these genes all have their distinct roles in peanut development. Subcellular location analysis demonstrated that AhGLP2 and 5 undergo a protein transport process after synthesis. The expression of all AhGLPs increased in responding to Aspergillus flavus infection, suggesting AhGLPs' ubiquitous roles in defense to A. flavus. Each AhGLP gene had its unique response to various abiotic stresses (including salt, H₂O₂ stress and wound), biotic stresses (including leaf spot, mosaic and rust) and plant hormone stimulations (including SA and ABA treatments). These results indicate that AhGLPs have their distinct roles in plant defense. Moreover, in vivo study of AhGLP transgenic Arabidopsis showed that both AhGLP2 and 3 had salt tolerance, which made transgenic Arabidopsis grow well under 100 mM NaCl stress.

Conclusions

For the first time, our study analyzes the AhGLP gene expression profiles in peanut and reveals their roles under various stresses. These results provide an insight into the developmental and defensive roles of GLP gene family in peanut.

Members of the germin-like protein family in Brassica napus are candidates for the initiation of an oxidative burst that impedes pathogenesis of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Germin-like proteins (GLPs) are defined by their sequence homology to germins from barley and are present ubiquitously in plants. Analyses of corresponding genes have revealed diverse functions of GLPs in plant development and biotic and abiotic stresses. This study describes the identification of a family of 14 germin-like genes from Brassica napus (BnGLP) designated BnGLP1-BnGLP14 and investigated potential functions of BnGLPs in plant defense against the necrotrophic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses classify the 14 BnGLPs into four groups, which were clearly distinguished from known germin oxalic acid oxidases. Transcriptional responses of the BnGLP genes to S. sclerotiorum infection was determined by comparing cultivars of susceptible B. napus 'Falcon' and partially resistant B. napus 'Zhongshuang 9'. Of the 14 BnGLP genes tested, BnGLP3 was transcriptionally upregulated in both B. napus cultivars at 6h after S. sclerotiorum infection, while upregulation of BnGLP12 was restricted to resistant B. napus 'Zhongshuang 9'. Biochemical analysis of five representative BnGLP members identified a H(2)O(2)-generating superoxide dismutase activity only for higher molecular weight complexes of BnGLP3 and BnGLP12. By analogy, H(2)O(2) formation at infected leaf sites increased after 6h, with even higher H(2)O(2) production in B. napus 'Zhongshuang 9' compared with B. napus 'Falcon'. Conversely, exogenous application of H(2)O(2) significantly reduced the susceptibility of B. napus 'Falcon'. These data suggest that early induction of BnGLP3 and BnGLP12 participates in an oxidative burst that may play a pivotal role in defence of B. napus against S. sclerotiorum.

Cell wall oxalate oxidase modifies the ferulate metabolism in cell walls of wheat shoots

Oxalate oxidase (OXO) utilizes oxalate to generate hydrogen peroxide, and thereby acts as a source of hydrogen peroxide. The present study was carried out to investigate whether apoplastic OXO modifies the metabolism of cell wall-bound ferulates in wheat seedlings. Histochemical staining of OXO showed that cell walls were strongly stained, indicating the presence of OXO activity in shoot walls. When native cell walls prepared from shoots were incubated with oxalate or hydrogen peroxide, the levels of ester-linked diferulic acid (DFA) isomers were significantly increased. On the other hand, the level of ester-linked ferulic acid (FA) was substantially decreased. The decrease in FA level was accounted neither by the increases in DFA levels nor by the release of FA from cell walls during the incubation. After the extraction of ester-linked ferulates, considerable ultraviolet absorption remained in the hemicellulosic and cellulose fractions, which was increased by the treatment with oxalate or hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, a part of FA esters may form tight linkages within cell wall architecture. These results suggest that cell wall OXO is capable of modifying the metabolism of ester-linked ferulates in cell walls of wheat shoots by promoting the peroxidase action via supply of hydrogen peroxide.

Germin-like proteins (GLPs) in cereal genomes: gene clustering and dynamic roles in plant defence

The recent release of the genome sequences of a number of crop and model plant species has made it possible to define the genome organisation and functional characteristics of specific genes and gene families of agronomic importance. For instance, Sorghum bicolor, maize (Zea mays) and Brachypodium distachyon genome sequences along with the model grass species rice (Oryza sativa) enable the comparative analysis of genes involved in plant defence. Germin-like proteins (GLPs) are a small, functionally and taxonomically diverse class of cupin-domain containing proteins that have recently been shown to cluster in an area of rice chromosome 8. The genomic location of this gene cluster overlaps with a disease resistance QTL that provides defence against two rice fungal pathogens (Magnaporthe oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani). Studies showing the involvement of GLPs in basal host resistance against powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis ssp.) have also been reported in barley and wheat. In this mini-review, we compare the close proximity of GLPs in publicly available cereal crop genomes and discuss the contribution that these proteins, and their genome sequence organisation, play in plant defence.

Spatial and temporal divergence of expression in duplicated barley germin-like protein-encoding genes

Subfunctionalization is the process by which a pair of duplicated genes, or paralogs, experiences a reduction of individual expression patterns or function while still reproducing the complete expression pattern and function of the ancestral gene. Two germin-like protein (GLP)-encoding genes, GerB and GerF, are paralogs that belong to a small gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Both genes share high nucleotide sequence similarity in coding and noncoding regions and encode identical apoplastic proteins. The use of RNA gel blots, coupled with single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of RT-PCR products, elucidated the developmental and tissue-specific expression patterns of each gene. Individual expression patterns provided evidence of both overlapping redundancy and early subfunctionalization. GerB is predominantly expressed in developing shoots, while GerF is predominantly expressed in seedling roots, developing spikes, and pericarp/testa. GerF promoter deletion studies located a region (-356/-97) responsible for high promoter activity and showed the ability of GerB and GerF upstream regions to drive gfp expression in coleoptiles, epicarps, and lemma/palea of developing spikes. The observed expression patterns are consistent with proposed roles in plant development and defense mechanisms for this gene family. These roles may explain why redundancy has been selectively maintained in this duplicate gene pair.

The enzymes of oxalate metabolism: unexpected structures and mechanisms

Oxalate degrading enzymes have a number of potential applications, including medical diagnosis and treatments for hyperoxaluria and other oxalate-related diseases, the production of transgenic plants for human consumption, and bioremediation of the environment. This review seeks to provide a brief overview of current knowledge regarding the major classes of enzymes and related proteins that are employed in plants, fungi, and bacteria to convert oxalate into CO(2) and/or formate. Not only do these enzymes employ intriguing chemical strategies for cleaving the chemically unreactive C-C bond in oxalate, but they also offer the prospect of providing new insights into the molecular processes that underpin the evolution of biological catalysts.

Oxidative burst and expression of germin/oxo genes during wounding of ryegrass leaf blades: comparison with senescence of leaf sheaths

Two bursts of H(2)O(2) production have been detected by in situ 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining after cutting of Lolium perenne L. leaf blades. The first burst, which occurred immediately after wounding was inhibited by Na-diethydithiocarbamate (DIECA), a Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitor. The second burst, which was initiated several hours later, coincided with the induction of oxalate oxidase (G-OXO) activity detected in vitro or visualized in situ by the alpha-chloronaphtol assay. Four genes encoding G-OXO have been identified from cDNA obtained from wounded L. perenne L. leaf blades. Comparison of protein sequences revealed more than 91% homology in the coding region between G-OXOs of the true cereals and G-OXOs of ryegrass, which is a Gramineae belonging to the tribe of Festucaceae. The wound-dependent increase of G-OXO activity in floated cut leaf blades was the result of differential induction of the four g-oxo genes. The involvement of G-OXOs in wound-induced H(2)O(2) production coincided with the presence in leaf tissues of oxalate throughout the period of increase of G-OXO synthesis. Moreover, expression of g-oxo genes was enhanced by an exogenous supply of H(2)O(2) or methyljasmonate (MeJa). Expression of the four g-oxo genes was also induced after in planta stinging of leaf blades. The pattern of their expression in planta was identical to that occuring in senescing leaf sheaths. These results emphasize the importance of G-OXOs in H(2)O(2) production in oxalate-producing plant species such as ryegrass. G-OXOs might be crucial during critical events in the life of plants such as cutting and senescence by initiating H(2)O(2)-mediated defences against pathogens and foraging animals.

Salt stress-induced dissociation from cells of a germin-like protein with Mn-SOD activity and an increase in its mRNA in a moss, Barbula unguiculata

To estimate the physiological roles of a germin-like protein (BuGLP) with Mn-SOD activity isolated newly from a moss, Barbula unguiculata, BuGLP mRNA levels during cell growth and the effects of methyl viologen and salt stress were studied. BuGLP mRNA levels were at their peak during the exponential phase of growth and decreased thereafter, but SOD activity was held at the same level as that during the exponential phase. When methyl viologen was present as a generator of superoxide the amount of BuGLP transcripts decreased, but that of SOD activity of BuGLP bound to the cell wall was not affected. The addition of NaCl to the cells during the logarithmic phase increased both the BuGLP mRNA levels and total SOD activity of BuGLP, but decreased the SOD activity bound to the cell wall due to release of most of the SOD activity into the medium. On the other hand, the addition of NaCl to the cells during the stationary phase hardly affected BuGLP mRNA levels or SOD activity levels bound to the cell wall. These results suggest that the induction of BuGLP gene by salt stress is caused by dissociation of BuGLP protein from the cell wall into the medium in the cells during the logarithmic phase.

Allergologic exploration of germins and germin-like proteins, a new class of plant allergens

BACKGROUND

Germins and the related germin-like proteins (GLPs) are glycoproteins expressed in many plants in response to biotic and abiotic stress. To test the potential impact of germins and GLPs, recombinant germin from Triticum aestivum (tGermin) and GLPs from Arabidopsis thaliana (tGLP), both produced in transformed tobacco plants, were used.

METHODS

Sera from 82 patients with type I allergy to birch, grass or mugwort pollen and/or wheat were tested in immunoblot for IgE binding to tGermin and tGLP, and the IgE reactivity after chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation was analysed. The biological activity of tGermin and tGLP was determined in a histamine release assay and in skin prick testing (SPT).

RESULTS

In an immunoblotting assay, 24 out of 82 tested sera (29.26%) from allergic patients showed IgE-binding to tGermin, and 18 of these sera (21.95%) displayed also IgE-binding to tGLP. The deglycosylation experiments indicated that glycan moieties contribute significantly to the IgE-binding of tGermin and tGLP. Both tGermins and tGLP induced specifically histamine release in an in vitro assay as well as in SPT.

CONCLUSION

Our in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate that germin and GLPs are capable to bind IgE most likely via carbohydrate determinants, and represent allergenic molecules.

RNA-binding proteins and circadian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana

An Arabidopsis transcript preferentially expressed at the end of the daily light period codes for the RNA-binding protein AtGRP7. A reverse genetic approach in Arabidopsis thaliana has revealed its role in the generation of circadian rhythmicity: AtGRP7 is part of a negative feedback loop through which it influences the oscillations of its own transcript. Biochemical and genetic experiments indicate a mechanism for this autoregulatory circuit: Atgrp7 gene transcription is rhythmically activated by the circadian clock during the day. The AtGPR7 protein accumulates with a certain delay and represses further accumulation of its transcript, presumably at the post-transcriptional level. In this respect, the AtGRP7 feedback loop differs from known circadian oscillators in the fruitfly Drosophila and mammals based on oscillating clock proteins that repress transcription of their own genes with a 24 h rhythm. It is proposed that the AtGRP7 feedback loop may act within an output pathway from the Arabidopsis clock.

Characterization of oxalate oxidase and cell death in Al-sensitive and tolerant wheat roots

Several genes including oxalate oxidase (Oxo) are up-regulated in Triticum aestivum L. root tips exposed to Al. To better understand the function of Oxo during Al exposure, the protein level and enzyme activity were measured. The data indicate that both Oxo protein and activity are increased proportionally to the level of root growth inhibition (RGI). A high level of Oxo expression may result in excess H(2)O(2) production which could become toxic and induce cell death. However, the timing of H(2)O(2) production (observed after 24 h) indicates that it cannot be the primary cause of cell death first observed after 8 h. Moreover, at Al concentrations resulting in 50% RGI, we did not observe any cell death in the sensitive cultivar while a punctated pattern of death involving small groups of cells was found in the tolerant cultivar. This pattern was maintained for several days in the tolerant cultivar, suggesting the involvement of a cell death mechanism aimed at replacing epidermal cells intoxicated with Al while root growth is maintained. The accelerated epidermal cell turnover may represent a new detoxification mechanism helping to protect deeper cell layers of the meristematic and elongation zone essential for root growth.

Pathogenic infection and the oxidative defences in plant apoplast

The structural and functional continuum of the plant apoplast is the first site of contact with a pathogen and plays a crucial role in initiation and coordination of many defence responses. In this paper, we present an overview of the involvement of the plant apoplast in plant-pathogen interactions. The process of infection of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is analysed. The ultrastructural features of plant defence responses to fungal infection are then compared with those observed in plants or cell suspensions treated with various elicitors. Changes in cell walls and in whole plant cells responding to infection seem to be highly similar in all systems used. Model systems of French bean and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) are then utilised to provide some biochemical characteristics of oxidative reactions in the apoplast evoked by elicitor treatment. The species specificity of various mechanisms generating reactive oxygen species is discussed, and some details of pH-dependent H2O2-generating activity of peroxidases are demonstrated. As its exocellular nature is an important feature of the oxidative burst, the major consequence of this event, i.e., the oxidative cross-linking of wall components during the papilla formation and strengthening of the walls, is analysed. Finally, the possible involvement of other wall-associated and developmentally regulated H2O2-generating mechanisms, like amine and oxalate oxidases, in plant defence is demonstrated. It is concluded that under stress conditions, such apoplastic mechanisms might be employed to increase plants' chances of survival.

Tobacco nectarin I. Purification and characterization as a germin-like, manganese superoxide dismutase implicated in the defensE of floral reproductive tissues

Nectarin I, a protein that accumulates in the nectar of Nicotiana sp. , was determined to contain superoxide dismutase activity by colorimetric and in-gel assays. This activity was found to be remarkably thermostable. Extended incubations at temperatures up to 90 degrees C did not diminish the superoxide dismutase activity of nectarin I. This attribute allowed nectarin I to be purified to homogeneity by heat denaturation of the other nectar proteins. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, nectarin I appeared as a 29-kDa monomer. If the protein sample was not boiled prior to loading the gel, then nectarin I migrated as 165-kDa oligomeric protein. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, the protomer subunit was found to be a 22.5-kDa protein. Purified nectarin I contained 0.5 atoms of manganese/monomer, and the superoxide dismutase activity of nectarin I was not inhibited by either H(2)O(2) or NaCN. Following denaturation, the superoxide dismutase activity was restored after Mn(2+) addition. Addition of Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) did not restore superoxide dismutase activity. The quaternary structure of the reconstituted enzyme was examined, and only tetrameric and pentameric aggregates were enzymatically active. The reconstituted enzyme was also shown to generate H(2)O(2). Putative nectarin I homologues were found in the nectars of several other plant species.

Characterization of cell wall oxalate oxidase from maize roots

Oxalate oxidase activity was detected in the cell wall fraction isolated from maize roots (Zea mays L.). The enzyme was active at acidic pH with optimal activity at pH 3.2. It was thermally extremely stable and resistant to high salt concentration, SDS and pepsin. The enzyme activity was inhibited by sulphydryl reagents 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), N-ethyl maleimide (NEM) and dithiotreitol (DTT), but was insensitive to EDTA, KCN and metal ions. Measurements of enzyme activity were performed using colorimetric assay of H(2)O(2), as well as polarographic detection of O(2) consumption. Maximal activity was obtained with 5 mM oxalic acid for the colorimetric method, and 10 mM oxalic acid for the polarographic method. Both methods were applicable in oxalate oxidase characterization, the polarographic method being more suitable under conditions of H(2)O(2) interaction with some of the analyzed substances.

Oxalate oxidases and differentiating surface structure in wheat: germins

Oxalate oxidases (OXOs) have been found to be concentrated in the surface tissues of wheat embryos and grains: germin is concentrated in root and leaf sheaths that surround germinated embryos; pseudogermin (OXO-psi) is concentrated in the epidermis and bracts that 'encircle' mature grains. Most strikingly, the epidermal accumulation of OXO-psi was found to presage the transition of a delicate 'skin', similar to the fragile epidermis of human skin, into the tough shell (the miller's 'beeswing') that is typical of mature wheat grains. A narrow range of oxalate concentration (1--2 mM) in the hydrated tissues of major crop cereals (barley, maize, oat, rice, rye and wheat) contrasted with wide variations in their OXO expression, e.g. cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive varieties of maize have similar oxalate contents but the former was found to contain approx. 20-fold more germin than did the latter. Well-known OXOs in sorghum, a minor cereal, and beet, a dicotyledon, were found to have little antigenic relatedness to the germins, but the beet enzyme did share some of the unique stability properties that are peculiar to the germin-like OXOs that are found only in the major crop cereals. Their concentration in surface structures of domesticated wheat suggests a biochemical role for germin-like OXOs: programmed cell death in surface tissues might be a constitutive as well as an adaptive form of differentiation that helps to produce refractory barriers against tissue invasion by predators. Incidental to the principal investigation, and using an OXO assay (oxalate-dependent release of CO(2)) that did not rely on detecting H(2)O(2), which is often fully degraded in cell extracts, it was found that OXO activity in soluble extracts of wheat was manifested only in standard solution assays if the extract was pretreated in a variety of ways, which included preincubation with pepsin or highly substituted glucuronogalactoarabinoxylans (cell-wall polysaccharides).

Microbial relatives of the seed storage proteins of higher plants: conservation of structure and diversification of function during evolution of the cupin superfamily

This review summarizes the recent discovery of the cupin superfamily (from the Latin term "cupa," a small barrel) of functionally diverse proteins that initially were limited to several higher plant proteins such as seed storage proteins, germin (an oxalate oxidase), germin-like proteins, and auxin-binding protein. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of two vicilins, seed proteins with a characteristic beta-barrel core, led to the identification of a small number of conserved residues and thence to the discovery of several microbial proteins which share these key amino acids. In particular, there is a highly conserved pattern of two histidine-containing motifs with a varied intermotif spacing. This cupin signature is found as a central component of many microbial proteins including certain types of phosphomannose isomerase, polyketide synthase, epimerase, and dioxygenase. In addition, the signature has been identified within the N-terminal effector domain in a subgroup of bacterial AraC transcription factors. As well as these single-domain cupins, this survey has identified other classes of two-domain bicupins including bacterial gentisate 1, 2-dioxygenases and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate dioxygenases, fungal oxalate decarboxylases, and legume sucrose-binding proteins. Cupin evolution is discussed from the perspective of the structure-function relationships, using data from the genomes of several prokaryotes, especially Bacillus subtilis. Many of these functions involve aspects of sugar metabolism and cell wall synthesis and are concerned with responses to abiotic stress such as heat, desiccation, or starvation. Particular emphasis is also given to the oxalate-degrading enzymes from microbes, their biological significance, and their value in a range of medical and other applications.

Transient expression of members of the germin-like gene family in epidermal cells of wheat confers disease resistance

The wheat genome encodes a family of germin-like proteins that differ with respect to regulation and tissue specificity of expression of the corresponding genes. While germin exhibits oxalate oxidase (E.C. 1.2.3.4.) activity, the germin-like proteins (GLPs) have no known enzymatic activity. A role of oxalate oxidase in plant defence has been proposed, based on the capacity of the enzyme to produce H2O2, a reactive oxygen species. The role in defence of germin and other members of the germin-like gene family was functionally assessed in a transient assay system based on particle bombardment of wheat leaves. Transient expression of the pathogen-induced germin gf-2.8 gene, but not of the constitutively expressed HvGLP1 gene, reduced the penetration efficiency of Blumeria (syn. Erysiphe) graminis f.sp. tritici, the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew, on transformed cells. Two engineered germin-gf-2.8 genes and the TaGLP2a gene, which all encoded proteins without oxalate oxidase activity, also reduced the penetration efficiency of the fungus, demonstrating that oxalate oxidase activity is not required for conferring enhanced resistance. Instead, activity tagging experiments showed that in cells transiently expressing the germin gf-2.8 gene, the transgene product became insolubilized at sites of attempted fungal penetration where localised production of H2O2 was observed. Thus, germin and GLPs may play a structural role in cell-wall re-enforcement during pathogen attack.

Isolation of a germin-like protein with manganese superoxide dismutase activity from cells of a moss, Barbula unguiculata

A novel extracellular Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was isolated from a moss, Barbula unguiculata. The SOD was a glycoprotein; the apparent molecular mass of its native form was 120 kDa, as estimated by gel filtration chromatography, and that of its monomer was 22,072 Da, as estimated by time of flight mass spectroscopy. The protein had manganese with a stoichiometry of 0.80 Mn/monomer. The cDNA clone for a gene encoding the extracellular Mn-SOD was isolated. Sequence analysis showed that it has a strong similarity to germin (oxalate oxidase) and germin-like proteins (GLPs) of several plant species and possesses all the characteristic features of members of the germin family. The clone encoding this extracellular Mn-SOD was therefore designated B. unguiculata GLP (BuGLP). BuGLP had no oxalate oxidase activity. In addition, the cDNA for a gene encoding the moss mitochondrial Mn-SOD was isolated. Its amino acid sequence had little similarity to that of BuGLP, even though a close similarity was observed among the mitochondrial Mn-SODs of various organisms. BuGLP was the first germin-like protein that was really demonstrated to be a metalloprotein with Mn-SOD activity but no oxalate oxidase activity.

Chemical modification of barley root oxalate oxidase shows the presence of a lysine, a carboxylate, and disulfides, essential for enzyme activity

Oxalate oxidase (OXO) was chemically modified using amino acid-specific reagents. The modification reactions were monitored spectrophotometrically, to follow the progress of labeling, and catalytically, to assess the effect of labeling on the enzyme function. The enzyme does not bear arginines essential for activity, since 2,3-butanedione and cyclohexanodione, although they modify the enzyme (after chromatographic analysis), have no effect on its activity. Incubation of urea-pretreated OXO with N-acetylimidazole leads to labeling all 10 tyrosines without affecting the enzyme activity, thus suggesting that OXO does not have tyrosines essential for activity. However, OXO modification with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide followed by kinetic analysis, leads to the conclusion that the enzyme possesses one carboxylate essential for activity. When using the modifier 2,4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), while 28 of the total 45 lysines are labeled within 3 h (the first 5 reacting lysines of the homopentametic enzyme are modified at a faster rate than the others), the enzyme rapidly loses 90% of its activity in the first 2 min, a period during which only one lysine is being labeled. Complete enzyme inactivation with TNBS is observed after approximately 8 min, when 5 lysines are being labeled. The modification of the first lysine also triggers the dissociation of native OXO to its subunits (after SDS-PAGE analysis), a phenomenon not observed with the other modifiers. These findings indicate that OXO bears a lysine per monomer, essential for enzyme activity. When using 5, 5-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic)acid to determine the number of disulfide bonds, in the presence of NaBH4, 10 sulfhydryls are determined, but in the absence of reducing agent, none are determined. Further, chloro-mercuribenzoate does not inactivate OXO but beta-mercaptoethanol does. Therefore, the sulfhydryls in OXO are not free but form disulfide bonds essential for activity. Furthermore, the metallo-chelating agents HgCl2 and 8-hydroxychinolin inactivate the enzyme, suggesting that barley root oxalate oxidase is a metalloenzyme. It is possible that the metal(s) are involved in the oxidative mechanism since the enzyme does not bear prosthetic groups such as FAD and FMN.

Spatial specificity of H2O2-generating oxalate oxidase gene expression during wheat embryo germination

Germin, a molecular marker of wheat embryo germination, is a protease-resistant, apoplastic, homopentameric glycoprotein with peroxide-generating oxalate oxidase activity. The spatial specificity of germin-like oxalate oxidase (gl-OXO) gene expression has been determined in tissues of germinating wheat embryos by a combination of histochemical, immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. The synthesis and accumulation of gl-OXO mRNA and protein is localised within the enveloping tissues of the embryonic axis (particularly the coleorhiza) during the first 24 h of imbibition. By 48 h germination, gl-OXO accumulation is detected throughout the root, with the exception of the postmitotic zone of cell elongation, where accumulation of its transcript is restricted to outer cell layers. At this time in the elongating shoot, gl-OXO is restricted to the coleoptile where it is detected only in the epidermal cell layer, the vascular bundles and bundle sheath cells. In older seedlings (approximately 9 days post-imbibition) gl-OXO activity is detected in leaves, but only within the vascular bundles. These patterns of expression are consistent with the hypothesis that the biological function of gl-OXO is to restrict cell growth by participating in cell-wall restructuring through the local provision of hydrogen peroxide for cross-linking of wall components.

Modeling based on the structure of vicilins predicts a histidine cluster in the active site of oxalate oxidase

It is known that germin, which is a marker of the onset of growth in germinating wheat, is an oxalate oxidase, and also that germins possess sequence similarity with legumin and vicilin seed storage proteins. These two pieces of information have been combined in order to generate a 3D model of germin based on the structure of vicilin and to examine the model with regard to a potential oxalate oxidase active site. A cluster of three histidine residues has been located within the conserved beta-barrel structure. While there is a relatively low level of overall sequence similarity between the model and the vicilin structures, the conservation of amino acids important in maintaining the scaffold of the beta-barrel lends confidence to the juxtaposition of the histidine residues. The cluster is similar structurally to those found in copper amine oxidase and other proteins, leading to the suggestion that it defines a metal-binding location within the oxalate oxidase active site. It is also proposed that the structural elements involved in intermolecular interactions in vicilins may play a role in oligomer formation in germin/oxalate oxidase.

Oxalate oxidase from barley roots: purification to homogeneity and study of some molecular, catalytic, and binding properties

Oxalate oxidase (OXO) was purified to homogeneity in three steps from roots of barley seedlings. The purification method comprised: (i) thermal treatment (60 degrees C, 10 min), (ii) affinity chromatography on immobilized either Procion turquoise MX-G dye or biomimetic aminoethyl oxamic blue dye, and (iii) affinity chromatography on immobilized lectin concanavalin A (overall performance: 1096-fold purification, 42% recovery). The purified enzyme has a specific activity of 34 U mg-1 (25 degrees C), and is a homopentamer of M(r) approximately 125,000 (HPLC analysis) showing a single band on SDS-polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis (M(r) approximately 26,000) after staining with silver nitrate. The kinetic constants of the purified enzyme for oxalate are K(m) 0.27 mM and kcat 22 s-1 (37 degrees C), whereas at [oxalate] > or = 4 mM the enzyme exhibited substrate inhibition. Barley root OXO contains no prosthetic group absorbing at 370 or 450 nm, and riboflavin and FAD have no effect on its activity. The enzyme is activated by 1 mM each of Ca2+ (1.7-fold) and Pb2+ (2.6-fold). Irreversible inactivation studies with denatured (70 degrees C) and native (37 degrees C) enzyme using the sulfhydryl-attacking reagent 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic) acid (1.4 mM), in the presence and absence of SDS, respectively, have shown that denatured OXO (4% SDS, 10 min, 100 degrees C) exhibited 10 HS groups per molecule, whereas native OXO displayed one accessible HS group per molecule after approximately 15 min incubation and, over the same period, maintained its catalytic activity to 90%. Furthermore, native OXO treated with beta-mercaptoethanol (1 mM) lost 83% of its catalytic activity within 5 min. These findings indicate that some cysteines may preserve the catalytic activity of OXO by maintaining the integrity of its tertiary structure via disulfide bond formation.

Linkage relationships among stress-induced genes in wheat

Linkage relationships among genes responding to water-deficit, salt stress, and heat shock were investigated in diploid wheat, Triticum monococcum L. The position of these gene loci relative to closely linked markers and the centromeres is reported. It is proposed to continue to use the present T. monococcum mapping population and the genetic maps based thereon as a framework for future determination of relationships among other genes related to environmental stress in the tribe Triticeae.