PLANT THIOREDOXIN SYSTEMS REVISITED

Redox regulation in chloroplast thylakoid lumen: The pmf changes everything, again

Photosynthesis is the foundation of life on Earth. However, if not well regulated, it can also generate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause photodamage. Regulation of photosynthesis is highly dynamic, responding to both environmental and metabolic cues, and occurs at many levels, from light capture to energy storage and metabolic processes. One general mechanism of regulation involves the reversible oxidation and reduction of protein thiol groups, which can affect the activity of enzymes and the stability of proteins. Such redox regulation has been well studied in stromal enzymes, but more recently, evidence has emerged of redox control of thylakoid lumenal enzymes. This review/hypothesis paper summarizes the latest research and discusses several open questions and challenges to achieving effective redox control in the lumen, focusing on the distinct environments and regulatory components of the thylakoid lumen, including the need to transport electrons across the thylakoid membrane, the effects of pH changes by the proton motive force (pmf) in the stromal and lumenal compartments, and the observed differences in redox states. These constraints suggest that activated oxygen species are likely to be major regulatory contributors to lumenal thiol redox regulation, with key components and processes yet to be discovered.

Structure, Regulation, and Significance of Cyanobacterial and Chloroplast Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase in the Adaptability of Oxygenic Photosynthetic Organisms

In cyanobacteria and chloroplasts (in algae and plants), ATP synthase plays a pivotal role as a photosynthetic membrane complex responsible for producing ATP from adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate, utilizing a proton motive force gradient induced by photosynthesis. These two ATP synthases exhibit similarities in gene organization, amino acid sequences of subunits, structure, and functional mechanisms, suggesting that cyanobacterial ATP synthase is probably the evolutionary precursor to chloroplast ATP synthase. In this review, we explore the precise synthesis and assembly of ATP synthase subunits to address the uneven stoichiometry within the complex during transcription, translation, and assembly processes. We also compare the regulatory strategies governing ATP synthase activity to meet varying energy demands in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts amid fluctuating natural environments. Furthermore, we delve into the role of ATP synthase in stress tolerance and photosynthetic carbon fixation efficiency in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms (OPsOs), along with the current researches on modifying ATP synthase to enhance carbon fixation efficiency under stress conditions. This review aims to offer theoretical insights and serve as a reference for understanding the functional mechanisms of ATP synthase, sparking innovative ideas for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation efficiency by utilizing ATP synthase as an effective module in OPsOs.

The integration of TRX/GRX systems and phytohormonal signalling pathways in plant stress and development

Plant acclimation to changing environmental conditions involves the interaction of different signalling molecules, including reactive oxygen species and hormones. Redox regulation exerted by thioredoxin (TRX) and glutaredoxin (GRX), two oxidoreductases, is emerging as a specific point of control mediating signal transduction pathways associated with plant growth and stress response. Phytohormones are messengers that coordinate plant cell activities to regulate growth, defence, and productivity, although their cross-talk with components of the redox system is less known. The present review focuses on our current knowledge of the interplay that occurs between TRX and GRX systems and phytohormonal signalling pathways in connection with the control of plant development and stress responses. Here, we consider the regulation that phytohormones exert on TRX and GRX systems, as well as the involvement of these redox proteins in the control of phytohormone-mediated signalling pathways.

Magnetic iron-based nanoparticles biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant system: A critical review

Increasing attention is being given to magnetic iron-based nanoparticles (MINPs) because of their potential environmental benefits. Owing to the earth abundance and high utilization of MINPs, as well as the significant functions of Fe in sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation, an understanding of the environmental fate of MINPs is indispensable. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding the largely unknown environmental behaviors and fate of MINPs in soil-plant system. Thus, this review summarizes recent literature on the biogeochemical behavior (uptake, transportation, and transformation) of MINPs in soil and plants. The different possible uptake (e.g., foliar and root adsorption) and translocation (e.g., xylem, phloem, symplastic/apoplastic pathway, and endocytosis) pathways are discussed. Furthermore, drivers of MINPs uptake and transportation (e.g., soil characteristics, fertilizer treatments, copresence of inorganic and organic anions, meteorological conditions, and cell wall pores) in both soil and plant environments are summarized. This review also details the physical, chemical, and biological transformations of MINPs in soil-plant system. More importantly, a metadata analysis from the existing literature was employed to investigate the distinction between MINPs and other engineering nanoparticles biogeochemical behavior. In the future, more attention should be given to understanding the behavior of MINPs in soil-plant system and improving the capabilities of predictive models. This review thus highlights the main knowledge gaps regarding MINPs behavior and fate to provide guidance for their safe application in agrochemicals, crop production, and soil health.

Environmental concentrations of anionic surfactants in lake surface microlayers enhance the toxicity of Microcystis blooms: Insight from photosynthesis, interspecies competition, and MC production

Anionic surfactants represented by linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) exhibit vertical heterogeneity of concentrations in aquatic environments owing to their amphiphilic structure. Field investigations showed that the concentration of anionic surfactants (mainly LAS) in the water surface microlayer (SML) of Lake Taihu reached 580 μg/L, higher than that in the lower layer. Floating Microcystis blooms overlap in space with the high concentration of anionic surfactants in SML. However, few studies have focused on the effects of anionic surfactants (e.g., LAS) on the interspecies competition between toxic and nontoxic Microcystis. In this study, coculture and monoculture experiments were conducted with both toxic and nontoxic Microcystis species to explore how the environmental concentration of LAS regulates the dominance of toxic Microcystis and toxicity from the perspective of photosynthesis, species dominance, and MC production. The results showed that LAS concentrations above 0.267 or 0.431 mg/L (depending on light conditions) selectively promoted the photosynthetic competitive advantage of toxic Microcystis, leading to its higher population proportion in the community. Additionally, LAS concentrations above 0.5 mg/L induced the synthesis and release of microcystins (MCs). The results of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, electron microscopy and transcriptome sequencing suggested that compared with nontoxic Microcystis, toxic Microcystis can better resist LAS stress by dissipating excess light, maintaining an intact membrane structure and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that the photosynthetic damage of nontoxic Microcystis might be attributed to the impacts of LAS on the absorption and assimilation of nitrogen, which finally resulted in the degradation of phycobilisomes. This study can provide novel insight for establishing standards and safety management of wastewater discharge.

Glutathione improves low temperature stress tolerance in pusa sheetal cultivar of Solanum lycopersicum

To investigate the impact of Glutathione (GSH) in mitigating low-temperature stress in Pusa Sheetal cv. of Solanum lycopersicum and imparting low-temperature tolerance by evaluating the different physiological responses. The plant under research was also being studied for its growth and stress tolerance. Low temperatures (LT) stress was applied to seedlings with or without GSH application 12 h before LT stress (prophylactic dose), after 12 h-LT (preemptive dose), and post 12-h recovery (curative dose). Different concentrations of GSH [0, G1 (0.5 mM), G2 (1 mM) and G3 (2 mM)] against LT stress were used. Antioxidant activities, photosynthesis, growth, and stress tolerance indices were quantified. LT stress caused an oxidative burst in S. lycopersicum seedlings of the Pusa Sheetal cv. as indicated by increased peroxidation of lipids and H₂O₂ concentration. Glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were enhanced. The best concentration was G2 (1 mM), which resulted in a rise in antioxidant activity. Moreover, a decline in lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ levels was also seen. The purpose of this study is to identify the role of GSH in reducing LT stress and to find the best dose concentration. This is the first report to assess the GSH-mediated LT stress tolerance in S. lycopersicum (Pusa Sheetal cv.). Therefore, exogenous GSH application of optimal concentration of GSH to LT stressed S. lycopersicum can be an effective approach for augmenting the plant detoxification system and promoting its growth and development.

Topology of the redox network during induction of photosynthesis as revealed by time-resolved proteomics in tobacco

Photosynthetically produced electrons provide energy for various metabolic pathways, including carbon reduction. Four Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes and several other plastid proteins are activated in the light by reduction of specific cysteines via thioredoxins, a family of electron transporters operating in redox regulation networks. How does this network link the photosynthetic chain with cellular metabolism? Using a time-resolved redox proteomic method, we have investigated the redox network in vivo during the dark–to–low light transition. We show that redox states of some thioredoxins follow the photosynthetic linear electron transport rate. While some redox targets have kinetics compatible with an equilibrium with one thioredoxin (TRXf), reduction of other proteins shows specific kinetic limitations, allowing fine-tuning of each redox-regulated step of chloroplast metabolism. We identified five new redox-regulated proteins, including proteins involved in Mg²⁺ transport and ¹O₂ signaling. Our results provide a system-level functional view of the photosynthetic redox regulation network.

Genome-wide analysis and transcriptional regulation of the typical and atypical thioredoxins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Thioredoxins (TRXs), a large subclass of ubiquitous oxidoreductases, are involved in thiol redox regulation. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of TRXs in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, revealing 41 genes encoding 18 typical and 23 atypical TRXs, and 6 genes encoding thioredoxin reductases (TRs). The high number of atypical TRXs indicates special functions in plants that mostly await elucidation. We identified an atypical class of thioredoxins called TRX-c in the genomes of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Localized to the chloroplast, TRX-c displays atypical CPLC, CHLC and CNLC motifs in the active sites. In silico analysis of the transcriptional regulations of TRXs revealed high expression of TRX-c in leaves and strong regulation under cold, osmotic, salinity and metal ion stresses.

Rampant Nuclear Transfer and Substitutions of Plastid Genes in Passiflora

Gene losses in plastid genomes (plastomes) are often accompanied by functional transfer to the nucleus or substitution of an alternative nuclear-encoded gene. Despite the highly conserved gene content in plastomes of photosynthetic land plants, recent gene loss events have been documented in several disparate angiosperm clades. Among these lineages, Passiflora lacks several essential ribosomal genes, rps7, rps16, rpl20, rpl22, and rpl32, the two largest plastid genes, ycf1 and ycf2, and has a highly divergent rpoA. Comparative transcriptome analyses were performed to determine the fate of the missing genes in Passiflora. Putative functional transfers of rps7, rpl22, and rpl32 to nucleus were detected, with the nuclear transfer of rps7, representing a novel event in angiosperms. Plastid-encoded rps7 was transferred into the intron of a nuclear-encoded plastid-targeted thioredoxin m-type gene, acquiring its plastid transit peptide (TP). Plastid rpl20 likely experienced a novel substitution by a duplicated, nuclear-encoded mitochondrial-targeted rpl20 that has a similar gene structure. Additionally, among rosids, evidence for a third independent transfer of rpl22 in Passiflora was detected that gained a TP from a nuclear gene containing an organelle RNA recognition motif. Nuclear transcripts representing rpoA, ycf1, and ycf2 were not detected. Further analyses suggest that the divergent rpoA remains functional and that the gene is under positive or purifying selection in different clades. Comparative analyses indicate that alternative translocon and motor protein complexes may have substituted for the loss of ycf1 and ycf2 in Passiflora.

Identification of the PmWEEP locus controlling weeping traits in Prunus mume through an integrated genome-wide association study and quantitative trait locus mapping

Weeping Prunus mume (mei) has long been cultivated in East Asia for its specific ornamental value. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of the weeping trait in mei, which limits molecular breeding for the improvement of weeping-type cultivars. Here, we quantified the weeping trait in mei using nested phenotyping of 214 accessions and 342 F₁ hybrids. Two major associated loci were identified from the genome-wide association study (GWAS), which was conducted using 3,014,409 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from resequencing, and 8 QTLs and 55 epistatic loci were identified from QTL mapping using 7,545 specific lengths amplified fragment (SLAF) markers. Notably, an overlapping PmWEEP major QTL was fine mapped within a 0.29 Mb region on chromosome 7 (Pa7), and a core SNP locus closely associated with the weeping trait was screened and validated. Furthermore, a total of 22 genes in the PmWEEP QTL region were expressed in weeping or upright mei based on RNA-seq analysis. Among them, only a novel gene (Pm024213) containing a thioredoxin (Trx) domain was found to be close to the core SNP and specifically expressed in buds and branches of weeping mei. Co-expression analysis of Pm024213 showed that most of the related genes were involved in auxin and lignin biosynthesis. These findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanism of the weeping trait and effective molecular markers for molecular-assisted breeding in Prunus mume.

Boosting Biomass Quantity and Quality by Improved Mixotrophic Culture of the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Diatoms are photoautotrophic unicellular algae and are among the most abundant, adaptable, and diverse marine phytoplankton. They are extremely interesting not only for their ecological role but also as potential feedstocks for sustainable biofuels and high-value commodities such as omega fatty acids, because of their capacity to accumulate lipids. However, the cultivation of microalgae on an industrial scale requires higher cell densities and lipid accumulation than those found in nature to make the process economically viable. One of the known ways to induce lipid accumulation in Phaeodactylum tricornutum is nitrogen deprivation, which comes at the expense of growth inhibition and lower cell density. Thus, alternative ways need to be explored to enhance the lipid production as well as biomass density to make them sustainable at industrial scale. In this study, we have used experimental and metabolic modeling approaches to optimize the media composition, in terms of elemental composition, organic and inorganic carbon sources, and light intensity, that boost both biomass quality and quantity of P. tricornutum. Eventually, the optimized conditions were scaled-up to 2 L photobioreactors, where a better system control (temperature, pH, light, aeration/mixing) allowed a further improvement of the biomass capacity of P. tricornutum to 12 g/L.

Crosstalk between Brassinosteroid and Redox Signaling Contributes to the Activation of CBF Expression during Cold Responses in Tomato

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play a critical role in plant responses to stress. However, the interplay of BRs and reactive oxygen species signaling in cold stress responses remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a partial loss of function in the BR biosynthesis gene DWARF resulted in lower whilst overexpression of DWARF led to increased levels of C-REPEAT BINDING FACTOR (CBF) transcripts. Exposure to cold stress increased BR synthesis and led to an accumulation of brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1), a central component of BR signaling. Mutation of BZR1 compromised the cold- and BR-dependent increases in CBFs and RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG 1(RBOH1) transcripts, as well as preventing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation in the apoplast. Cold- and BR-induced BZR1 bound to the promoters of CBF1, CBF3 and RBOH1 and promoted their expression. Significantly, suppression of RBOH1 expression compromised cold- and BR-induced accumulation of BZR1 and related increases in CBF transcripts. Moreover, RBOH1-dependent H₂O₂ production regulated BZR1 accumulation and the levels of CBF transcripts by influencing glutathione homeostasis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that crosstalk between BZR1 and reactive oxygen species mediates cold- and BR-activated CBF expression, leading to cold tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Salt induced programmed cell death in rice: evidence from chloroplast proteome signature

Soil salinity, depending on its intensity, drives a challenged plant either to death, or survival with compromised productivity. On exposure to moderate salinity, plants can often survive by sacrificing some of their cells 'in target' following a route called programmed cell death (PCD). In animals, PCD has been well characterised, and involvement of mitochondria in the execution of PCD events has been unequivocally proven. In plants, mechanistic details of the process are still in grey area. Previously, we have shown that in green tissues of rice, for salt induced PCD to occur, the presence of active chloroplasts and light are equally important. In the present work, we have characterised the chloroplast proteome in rice seedlings at 12 and 24 h after salt exposure and before the time point where the signature of PCD was observed. We identified almost 100 proteins from chloroplasts, which were divided in to 11 categories based on the biological functions in which they were involved. Our results concerning the differential expression of chloroplastic proteins revealed involvement of some novel candidates. Moreover, we observed maximum phosphorylation pattern of chloroplastic proteins at an early time point (12 h) of salt exposure.

Regulation of Carbon Metabolism by Environmental Conditions: A Perspective From Diatoms and Other Chromalveolates

Diatoms belong to a major, diverse and species-rich eukaryotic clade, the Heterokonta, within the polyphyletic chromalveolates. They evolved as a result of secondary endosymbiosis with one or more Plantae ancestors, but their precise evolutionary history is enigmatic. Nevertheless, this has conferred them with unique structural and biochemical properties that have allowed them to flourish in a wide range of different environments and cope with highly variable conditions. We review the effect of pH, light and dark, and CO2 concentration on the regulation of carbon uptake and assimilation. We discuss the regulation of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, glycolysis, lipid synthesis, and carbohydrate synthesis at the level of gene transcripts (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics) and enzyme activity. In contrast to Viridiplantae where redox regulation of metabolic enzymes is important, it appears to be less common in diatoms, based on the current evidence, but regulation at the transcriptional level seems to be widespread. The role of post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, glutathionylation, etc., and of protein-protein interactions, has been overlooked and should be investigated further. Diatoms and other chromalveolates are understudied compared to the Viridiplantae, especially given their ecological importance, but we believe that the ever-growing number of sequenced genomes combined with proteomics, metabolomics, enzyme measurements, and the application of novel techniques will provide a better understanding of how this important group of algae maintain their productivity under changing conditions.

Copper(I) Promotes Silver Sulfide Dissolution and Increases Silver Phytoavailability

Metal sulfides, including acanthite (Ag₂S), are persistent in the environment. In colloidal form, however, they can serve as a "Trojan horse", facilitating the mobility of trace metal contaminants. The natural processes that lead to the in situ dissolution of colloidal metal sulfides in soil are largely unknown. In this study, the dissolution of colloidal Ag₂S in topsoil and Ag phytoavailability to wheat were examined in Ag₂S-Cu(II)-thiosulfate systems. Cu(II) and thiosulfate strongly increased silver release (up to 83% of total Ag) from Ag₂S in the dark. Electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy identified Cu(I) as the driving force of Ag₂S dissolution. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrated the ability of Cu(I) to substitute for surface Ag on Ag₂S in an energetically favorable manner. However, excess Cu(II) could enhance the formation of precipitates containing Cu(I), Ag, and S. Our results indicate that at ambient temperature and in the dark, Cu(I) can promote the dissolution of Ag₂S and act as a precipitating agent. These findings reveal previously unrecognized biogeochemical processes of colloidal Ag₂S and their importance in determining the fate of metal sulfides in the environment and probably also in vivo.

Identification and Characterization of an OSH1 Thiol Reductase from Populus Trichocarpa

Interferon gamma-induced lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is abundantly expressed in antigen-presenting cells and participates in the treatment and presentation of antigens by major histocompatibility complex II. Also, GILT catalyzes the reduction of disulfide bonds, which plays an important role in cellular immunity. (1) Background: At present, the studies of GILT have mainly focused on animals. In plants, GILT homologous gene (Arabidopsis thalianaOSH1: AtOSH1) was discovered in the forward screen of mutants with compromised responses to sulphur nutrition. However, the complete properties and functions of poplar OSH1 are unclear. In addition, CdCl2 stress is swiftly engulfing the limited land resources on which humans depend, restricting agricultural production. (2) Methods: A prokaryotic expression system was used to produce recombinant PtOSH1 protein, and Western blotting was performed to identify its activity. In addition, a simplified version of the floral-dip method was used to transform A. thaliana. (3) Results: Here, we describe the identification and characterization of OSH1 from Populus trichocarpa. The deduced PtOSH1 sequence contained CQHGX2ECX2NX4C and CXXC motifs. The transcript level of PtOSH1 was increased by cadmium (Cd) treatment. In addition, recombinant PtOSH1 reduced disulfide bonds. A stress assay showed that PtOSH1-overexpressing (OE) A. thaliana lines had greater resistance to Cd than wild-type (WT) plants. Also, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in PtOSH1-OE plants were significantly higher than those in WT A. thaliana. These results indicate that PtOSH1 likely plays an important role in the response to Cd by regulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging system. (4) Conclusions: PtOSH1 catalyzes the reduction of disulfide bonds and behaves as a sulfhydryl reductase under acidic conditions. The overexpression of PtOSH1 in A. thaliana promoted root development, fresh weight, and dry weight; upregulated the expression levels of ROS scavenging-related genes; and improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes, enhancing plant tolerance to cadmium (Cd) stress. This study aimed to provide guidance that will facilitate future studies of the function of PtOSH1 in the response of plants to Cd stress.

The Role of Redox in Signal Transduction

It is the functioning of efficient cell signaling which is vital for the survival of cells, whether it is a simple prokaryote or a complex eukaryote, including both animals and plants. Over many years various components have been identified and recognized as crucial for the transduction of signals in cells, including small organic molecules and ions. Many of the mechanisms allow for a relatively rapid switching of signals, on or off, with common examples being the G proteins and protein phosphorylation. However, it has become apparent that other amino acid modifications are also vitally important. This includes reactions with nitric oxide, for example S-nitrosation (S-nitrosylation), and, of particular relevance here, oxidation of cysteine residues. Such oxidation will be dependent on the redox status of the intracellular environment in which that protein resides, and this will in turn be dictated by the presence of pro-oxidants and antioxidants, either produced by the cell itself or from the cell's environment. Here, the chemistry of redox modification of amino acids is introduced, and a general overview of the role of redox in mediating signal transduction is given.

Feeding the world: improving photosynthetic efficiency for sustainable crop production

A number of recent studies have provided strong support demonstrating that improving the photosynthetic processes through genetic engineering can provide an avenue to improve yield potential. The major focus of this review is on improvement of the Calvin-Benson cycle and electron transport. Consideration is also given to how altering regulatory process may provide an additional route to increase photosynthetic efficiency. Here we summarize some of the recent successes that have been observed through genetic manipulation of photosynthesis, showing that, in both the glasshouse and the field, yield can be increased by >40%. These results provide a clear demonstration of the potential for increasing yield through improvements in photosynthesis. In the final section, we consider the need to stack improvement in photosynthetic traits with traits that target the yield gap in order to provide robust germplasm for different crops across the globe.

Thioredoxin o-mediated reduction of mitochondrial alternative oxidase in the thermogenic skunk cabbage Symplocarpus renifolius

Thermogenesis in plants involves significant increases in their cyanide-resistant mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) capacity. Because AOX is a non-proton-motive ubiquinol oxidase, the dramatic drop in free energy between ubiquinol and oxygen is dissipated as heat. In the thermogenic skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus renifolius), SrAOX is specifically expressed in the florets. Although SrAOX harbours conserved cysteine residues, the details of the mechanisms underlying its redox regulation are poorly understood. In our present study, the two mitochondrial thioredoxin o cDNAs SrTrxo1 and SrTrxo2, were isolated from the thermogenic florets of S. renifolius. The deduced amino acid sequences of the protein products revealed that SrTrxo2 specifically lacks the region corresponding to the α3-helix in SrTrxo1. Expression analysis of thermogenic and non-thermogenic S. renifolius tissues indicated that the SrTrxo1 and SrAOX transcripts are predominantly expressed together in thermogenic florets, whereas SrTrxo2 transcripts are almost undetectable in any tissue. Finally, functional in vitro analysis of recombinant SrTrxo1 and mitochondrial membrane fractions of thermogenic florets indicated its reducing activity on SrAOX proteins. Taken together, these results indicate that SrTrxo1 is likely to play a role in the redox regulation of SrAOX in S. renifolius thermogenic florets.

Ferredoxin-linked flavoenzyme defines a family of pyridine nucleotide-independent thioredoxin reductases

Ferredoxin-dependent thioredoxin reductase was identified 35 y ago in the fermentative bacterium Clostridium pasteurianum [Hammel KE, Cornwell KL, Buchanan BB (1983) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:3681-3685]. The enzyme, a flavoprotein, was strictly dependent on ferredoxin as reductant and was inactive with either NADPH or NADH. This early work has not been further pursued. We have recently reinvestigated the problem and confirmed that the enzyme, here designated ferredoxin-dependent flavin thioredoxin reductase (FFTR), is a flavoprotein. The enzyme differs from ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase (FTR), which has a signature [4Fe-4S] cluster, but shows structural similarities to NADP-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR). Comparative amino acid sequence analysis showed that FFTR is present in a number of clostridial species, some of which lack both FTR and an archetypal NTR. We have isolated, crystallized, and determined the structural properties of FFTR from a member of this group, Clostridium acetobutylicum, both alone and in complex with Trx. The structures showed an elongated FFTR homodimer, each monomer comprising two Rossmann domains and a noncovalently bound FAD cofactor that exposes the isoalloxazine ring to the solvent. The FFTR structures revealed an alternative domain organization compared with NTR that enables the enzyme to accommodate Fdx rather than NADPH. The results suggest that FFTR exists in a range of conformations with varying degrees of domain separation in solution and that the stacking between the two redox-active groups for the transfer of reducing equivalents results in a profound structural reorganization. A mechanism in accord with the findings is proposed.

Ferredoxin/thioredoxin system plays an important role in the chloroplastic NADP status of Arabidopsis

NADP is a key electron carrier for a broad spectrum of redox reactions, including photosynthesis. Hence, chloroplastic NADP status, as represented by redox status (ratio of NADPH to NADP⁺ ) and pool size (sum of NADPH and NADP⁺ ), is critical for homeostasis in photosynthetic cells. However, the mechanisms and molecules that regulate NADP status in chloroplasts remain largely unknown. We have now characterized an Arabidopsis mutant with imbalanced NADP status (inap1), which exhibits a high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio and large NADP pool size. inap1 is a point mutation in At2g04700, which encodes the catalytic subunit of ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase. Upon illumination, inap1 demonstrated earlier increases in NADP pool size than the wild type did. The mutated enzyme was also found in vitro to inefficiently reduce m-type thioredoxin, which activates Calvin cycle enzymes, and NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase to export reducing power to the cytosol. Accordingly, Calvin cycle metabolites and amino acids diminished in inap1 plants. In addition, inap1 plants barely activate NADP-malate dehydrogenase, and have an altered redox balance between the chloroplast and cytosol, resulting in inefficient nitrate reduction. Finally, mutants deficient in m-type thioredoxin exhibited similar light-dependent NADP dynamics as inap1. Collectively, the data suggest that defects in ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase and m-type thioredoxin decrease the consumption of NADPH, leading to a high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio and large NADP pool size. The data also suggest that the fate of NADPH is an important influence on NADP pool size.

Structural snapshots along the reaction mechanism of the atypical poplar thioredoxin-like2.1

Plastidial thioredoxin (TRX)-like2.1 proteins are atypical thioredoxins possessing a WCRKC active site signature and using glutathione for recycling. To obtain structural information supporting the peculiar catalytic mechanisms and target proteins of these TRXs, we solved the crystal structures of poplar TRX-like2.1 in oxidized and reduced states and of mutated variants. These structures share similar folding with TRXs exhibiting the canonical WCGPC signature. Moreover, the overall conformation is not altered by reduction of the catalytic disulfide bond or in a C45S/C67S variant that formed a disulfide-bridged dimer possibly mimicking reaction intermediates with target proteins. Modeling of the interaction of TRX-like2.1 with both NADPH- and ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductases (FTR) indicates that the presence of Arg43 and Lys44 residues likely precludes reduction by the plastidial FTR.

Biochemistry and Physiology of Reactive Oxygen Species in Euglena

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are by-products of various metabolic processes in aerobic organisms including Euglena. Chloroplasts and mitochondria are the main sites of ROS generation by photosynthesis and respiration, respectively, through the active electron transport chain. An efficient antioxidant network is required to maintain intracellular ROS pools at optimal conditions for redox homeostasis. A comparison with the networks of plants and animals revealed that Euglena has acquired some aspects of ROS metabolic process. Euglena lacks catalase and a typical selenocysteine containing animal-type glutathione peroxidase for hydrogen peroxide scavenging, but contains enzymes involved in ascorbate-glutathione cycle solely in the cytosol. Ascorbate peroxidase in Euglena, which plays a central role in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, forms a unique intra-molecular dimer structure that is related to the recognition of peroxides. We recently identified peroxiredoxin and NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase isoforms in cellular compartments including chloroplasts and mitochondria, indicating the physiological significance of the thioredoxin system in metabolism of ROS. Besides glutathione, Euglena contains the unusual thiol compound trypanothione, an unusual form of glutathione involving two molecules of glutathione joined by a spermidine linker, which has been identified in pathogenic protists such as Trypanosomatida and Schizopyrenida. Furthermore, in contrast to plants, photosynthesis by Euglena is not susceptible to hydrogen peroxide because of resistance of the Calvin cycle enzymes fructose-1,6-bisphosphatse, NADP⁺-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatase, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase, and phosphoribulokinase to hydrogen peroxide. Consequently, these characteristics of Euglena appear to exemplify a strategy for survival and adaptation to various environmental conditions during the evolutionary process of euglenoids.

Regulation of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle in the enigmatic diatoms: biochemical and evolutionary variations on an original theme

In Plantae, the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle is highly regulated and most of its enzymes have been thoroughly studied. Since diatoms arose as a result of secondary endosymbiosis with one or more Plantae ancestors, their precise evolutionary history is enigmatic and complex resulting in biochemical variations on the original CBB cycle theme. The Rubisco Michaelis constant for CO2 is higher in diatoms than land plants and the nuclear-encoded Rubisco activase in Plantae is replaced by an analogous chloroplast-encoded CbbX (Calvin-Benson-Bassham protein X) in diatoms. In the CBB cycle reduction phase, phosphoglycerate kinase in diatoms is redox-regulated and similar to that in red algae; however, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is not redox-regulated, unlike in Plantae. The phosphoribulokinase (PRK)-GAPDH-CP12 complex found in many photosynthetic organisms has not yet been found in diatoms, but a ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR)-GAPDH-CP12 complex has been found in one species. In the CBB cycle regeneration phase, sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase and PRK are not redox-regulated in diatoms, unlike in Plantae. Regulation at the transcriptional level seems to be important in diatoms. CBB cycle enzyme properties appear to be variable among diatoms, but this view relies on results from a few model species: a greater range of diatoms need to be studied to test this.This article is part of the themed issue 'The peculiar carbon metabolism in diatoms'.

Expression of some Genes in Response to Cadmium Stress in <i>Triticum aestivum</i>

Heavy metal toxicity has become a universal threat to all life forms, including plants. The main purpose of this study was to identify the gene expression profiling of MAPK, Thioredoxin, and MnSOD genes in wheat seedlings as affected by cadmium treatment. For this experiment, the quantitative Real-Time PCR on RNA isolated from shoots of wheat exposed to CdCl2 at a concentration of 100 mg/L was used. Results showed that in wheat seedling that exposed to cadmium stress for six days of beginning constant cadmium stress, Thioredoxin gene expression showed a large rise compared with the control sample, MnSOD gene expression increased compared with non-treated wheat seedling at the same times, but unlike the Thioredoxin and MnSOD genes, MAPK gene expression has no significant changes. Of course, it is possible that other times of beginning treatments (instead of six days) cause a change in this gene expression.

Expression of some Genes in Response to Cadmium Stress in Triticum aestivum

Heavy metal toxicity has become a universal threat to all life forms, including plants. The main purpose of this study was to identify the gene expression profiling of MAPK, Thioredoxin, and MnSOD genes in wheat seedlings as affected by cadmium treatment. For this experiment, the quantitative Real-Time PCR on RNA isolated from shoots of wheat exposed to CdCl2 at a concentration of 100 mg/L was used. Results showed that in wheat seedling that exposed to cadmium stress for six days of beginning constant cadmium stress, Thioredoxin gene expression showed a large rise compared with the control sample, MnSOD gene expression increased compared with non-treated wheat seedling at the same times, but unlike the Thioredoxin and MnSOD genes, MAPK gene expression has no significant changes. Of course, it is possible that other times of beginning treatments (instead of six days) cause a change in this gene expression.

Arabidopsis CP12 mutants have reduced levels of phosphoribulokinase and impaired function of the Calvin-Benson cycle

CP12 is a small, redox-sensitive protein, the most detailed understanding of which is the thioredoxin-mediated regulation of the Calvin-Benson cycle, where it facilitates the formation of a complex between glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK) in response to changes in light intensity. In most organisms, CP12 proteins are encoded by small multigene families, where the importance of each individual CP12 gene in vivo has not yet been reported. We used Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA mutants and RNAi transgenic lines with reduced levels of CP12 transcript to determine the relative importance of each of the CP12 genes. We found that single cp12-1, cp12-2, and cp12-3 mutants do not develop a severe photosynthetic or growth phenotype. In contrast, reductions of both CP12-1 and CP12-2 transcripts lead to reductions in photosynthetic capacity and to slower growth and reduced seed yield. No clear phenotype for CP12-3 was evident. Additionally, the levels of PRK protein are reduced in the cp12-1, cp12-1/2, and multiple mutants. Our results suggest that there is functional redundancy between CP12-1 and CP12-2 in Arabidopsis where these proteins have a role in determining the level of PRK in mature leaves and hence photosynthetic capacity.

The Unprecedented Versatility of the Plant‎ Thioredoxin System

Thioredoxins are ubiquitous enzymes catalyzing reversible disulfide-bond formation to regulate structure and function of many proteins in diverse organisms. In recent years, reverse genetics and biochemical approaches were used to resolve the functions, specificities, and interactions of the different thioredoxin isoforms and reduction systems in planta and revealed the most versatile thioredoxin system of all organisms. Here we review the emerging roles of the thioredoxin system, namely the integration of thylakoid energy transduction, metabolism, gene expression, growth, and development under fluctuating environmental conditions. We argue that these new developments help us to understand why plants organize such a divergent composition of thiol redox networks and provide insights into the regulatory hierarchy that operates between them.

Dithiol disulphide exchange in redox regulation of chloroplast enzymes in response to evolutionary and structural constraints

Redox regulation of chloroplast enzymes via disulphide reduction is believed to control the rates of CO₂ fixation. The study of the thioredoxin reduction pathways and of various target enzymes lead to the following guidelines.

Multi-level regulation of the chloroplast ATP synthase: the chloroplast NADPH thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC) is required for redox modulation specifically under low irradiance

The chloroplast ATP synthase is known to be regulated by redox modulation of a disulfide bridge on the γ-subunit through the ferredoxin-thioredoxin regulatory system. We show that a second enzyme, the recently identified chloroplast NADPH thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC), plays a role specifically at low irradiance. Arabidopsis mutants lacking NTRC (ntrc) displayed a striking photosynthetic phenotype in which feedback regulation of the light reactions was strongly activated at low light, but returned to wild-type levels as irradiance was increased. This effect was caused by an altered redox state of the γ-subunit under low, but not high, light. The low light-specific decrease in ATP synthase activity in ntrc resulted in a buildup of the thylakoid proton motive force with subsequent activation of non-photochemical quenching and downregulation of linear electron flow. We conclude that NTRC provides redox modulation at low light using the relatively oxidizing substrate NADPH, whereas the canonical ferredoxin-thioredoxin system can take over at higher light, when reduced ferredoxin can accumulate. Based on these results, we reassess previous models for ATP synthase regulation and propose that NTRC is most likely regulated by light. We also find that ntrc is highly sensitive to rapidly changing light intensities that probably do not involve the chloroplast ATP synthase, implicating this system in multiple photosynthetic processes, particularly under fluctuating environmental conditions.

Chloroplast FBPase and SBPase are thioredoxin-linked enzymes with similar architecture but different evolutionary histories

The Calvin-Benson cycle of carbon dioxide fixation in chloroplasts is controlled by light-dependent redox reactions that target specific enzymes. Of the regulatory members of the cycle, our knowledge of sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) is particularly scanty, despite growing evidence for its importance and link to plant productivity. To help fill this gap, we have purified, crystallized, and characterized the recombinant form of the enzyme together with the better studied fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), in both cases from the moss Physcomitrella patens (Pp). Overall, the moss enzymes resembled their counterparts from seed plants, including oligomeric organization-PpSBPase is a dimer, and PpFBPase is a tetramer. The two phosphatases showed striking structural homology to each other, differing primarily in their solvent-exposed surface areas in a manner accounting for their specificity for seven-carbon (sedoheptulose) and six-carbon (fructose) sugar bisphosphate substrates. The two enzymes had a similar redox potential for their regulatory redox-active disulfides (-310 mV for PpSBPase vs. -290 mV for PpFBPase), requirement for Mg(2+) and thioredoxin (TRX) specificity (TRX f > TRX m). Previously known to differ in the position and sequence of their regulatory cysteines, the enzymes unexpectedly showed unique evolutionary histories. The FBPase gene originated in bacteria in conjunction with the endosymbiotic event giving rise to mitochondria, whereas SBPase arose from an archaeal gene resident in the eukaryotic host. These findings raise the question of how enzymes with such different evolutionary origins achieved structural similarity and adapted to control by the same light-dependent photosynthetic mechanism-namely ferredoxin, ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase, and thioredoxin.

The Path to Thioredoxin and Redox Regulation in Chloroplasts

After a brief discussion of my graduate work at Duke University, I describe a series of investigations on redox proteins at the University of California, Berkeley. Starting with ferredoxin from fermentative bacteria, the Berkeley research fostered experiments that uncovered a pathway for fixing CO2 in bacterial photosynthesis. The carbon work, in turn, opened new vistas, including the discovery that thioredoxin functions universally in regulating the Calvin-Benson cycle in oxygenic photosynthesis. These experiments, which took place over a 50-year period, led to the formulation of a set of biological principles and set the stage for research demonstrating a role for redox in the regulation of previously unrecognized processes extending far beyond photosynthesis.

A novel nematode effector suppresses plant immunity by activating host reactive oxygen species-scavenging system

Evidence is emerging that plant-parasitic nematodes can secrete effectors to interfere with the host immune response, but it remains unknown how these effectors can conquer host immune responses. Here, we depict a novel effector, MjTTL5, that could suppress plant immune response. Immunolocalization and transcriptional analyses showed that MjTTL5 is expressed specifically within the subventral gland of Meloidogyne javanica and up-regulated in the early parasitic stage of the nematode. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing MjTTL5 were significantly more susceptible to M. javanica infection than wild-type plants, and vice versa, in planta silencing of MjTTL5 substantially increased plant resistance to M. javanica. Yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescent complementation assays showed that MjTTL5 interacts specifically with Arabidopsis ferredoxin : thioredoxin reductase catalytic subunit (AtFTRc), a key component of host antioxidant system. The expression of AtFTRc is induced by the infection of M. javanica. Interaction between AtFTRc and MjTTL could drastically increase host reactive oxygen species-scavenging activity, and result in suppression of plant basal defenses and attenuation of host resistance to the nematode infection. Our results demonstrate that the host ferredoxin : thioredoxin system can be exploited cunningly by M. javanica, revealing a novel mechanism utilized by plant-parasitic nematodes to subjugate plant innate immunity and thereby promoting parasitism.

Regulation of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Photosynthetic Organs

A substantial proportion of the dazzling diversity of colors displayed by living organisms throughout the tree of life is determined by the presence of carotenoids, which most often provide distinctive yellow, orange and red hues. These metabolites play fundamental roles in nature that extend far beyond their importance as pigments. In photosynthetic lineages, carotenoids are essential to sustain life, since they have been exploited to maximize light harvesting and protect the photosynthetic machinery from photooxidative stress. Consequently, photosynthetic organisms have evolved several mechanisms that adjust the carotenoid metabolism to efficiently cope with constantly fluctuating light environments. This chapter will focus on the current knowledge concerning the regulation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in leaves, which are the primary photosynthetic organs of most land plants.

Chloroplastic thioredoxin m functions as a major regulator of Calvin cycle enzymes during photosynthesis in vivo

Thioredoxins (Trxs) regulate the activity of various chloroplastic proteins in a light-dependent manner. Five types of Trxs function in different physiological processes in the chloroplast of Arabidopsis thaliana. Previous in vitro experiments have suggested that the f-type Trx (Trx f) is the main redox regulator of chloroplast enzymes, including Calvin cycle enzymes. To investigate the in vivo contribution of each Trx isoform to the redox regulatory system, we first quantified the protein concentration of each Trx isoform in the chloroplast stroma. The m-type Trx (Trx m), which consists of four isoforms, was the most abundant type. Next, we analyzed several Arabidopsis Trx-m-deficient mutants to elucidate the physiological role of Trx m in vivo. Deficiency of Trx m impaired plant growth and decreased the CO2 assimilation rate. We also determined the redox state of Trx target enzymes to examine their photo-reduction, which is essential for enzyme activation. In the Trx-m-deficient mutants, the reduction level of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase was lower than that in the wild type. Inconsistently with the historical view, our in vivo study suggested that Trx m plays a more important role than Trx f in the activation of Calvin cycle enzymes.

Expression of genes involved in the salicylic acid pathway in type h1 thioredoxin transiently silenced pepper plants during a begomovirus compatible interaction

The type-h thioredoxins (TRXs) play a fundamental role in oxidative stress tolerance and defense responses against pathogens. In pepper plants, type-h TRXs participate in the defense mechanism against Cucumber mosaic virus. The goal of this study was to analyze the role of the CaTRXh1-cicy gene in pepper plants during compatible interaction with a DNA virus, the Euphorbia mosaic virus-Yucatan Peninsula (EuMV-YP). The effects of a transient silencing of the CaTRXh1-cicy gene in pepper plants wëre evaluated by observing the accumulation of viral DNA and the visible symptoms of pepper plants under different treatments. The accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and the relative expression of the defense genes NPR1 and PR10 were also evaluated. Results showed that viral DNA accumulation was higher in transiently CaTRXh1-cicy silenced plants that were also infected with EuMV-YP. Symptoms in these plants were more severe compared to the non-silenced plants infected with EuMV-YP. The SA levels in the EuMV-YP-infected plants were rapidly induced at 1 h post infection (hpi) in comparison to the non-silenced plants inoculated with EuMV-YP. Additionally, in pepper plants infected with EuMV-YP, the expression of NPR1 decreased by up to 41 and 58 % at 28 days post infection (dpi) compared to the non-silenced pepper plants infected with only EuMV-YP and healthy non-inoculated pepper plants, respectively. PR10 gene expression decreased by up to 70 % at 28 dpi. Overall, the results indicate that the CaTRXh1-cicy gene participates in defense mechanisms during the compatible interaction of pepper plants with the EuMV-YP DNA virus.

Sequence analysis, expression profiles and function of thioredoxin 2 and thioredoxin reductase 1 in resistance to nucleopolyhedrovirus in Helicoverpa armigera

The thioredoxin system, including NADPH, thioredoxin (Trx), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), plays significant roles in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis and protecting organisms against oxidative damage. In this study, the characteristics and functions of H. armigera HaTrx2 and HaTrxR1 were identified. Sequence analysis showed that HaTrx2 and HaTrxR1 were both highly conserved and shared high sequence identity with other insect counterparts. The mRNA of HaTrx2 was expressed the highest in 5th instar 96 h and was mainly detected in heads and epidermis. The expression of HaTrxR1 was highly concentrated in 5th instar 72 h and 96 h, and higher in malpighian tube, midgut and hemocyte than other examined tissues. HaTrx2 and HaTrxR1 were markedly induced by various types of stress. HaTrx2- or HaTrxR1-knockdown increased ROS production in hemocytes and also increased the lipid damage in NPV infected H. armigera larvae. Furthermore, interference with expression of HaTrx2 or HaTrxR1 transcripts in H. armigera larvae resulted in increased sensitivity to NPV infection and shortened LT₅₀ values. Our findings indicated that HaTrx2 and HaTrxR1 contribute to the susceptibility of H. armigera to NPV and also provided the theoretical basis for the in-depth study of insect thioredoxin system.

New Insight into the Role of the Calvin Cycle: Reutilization of CO2 Emitted through Sugar Degradation

Ralstonia eutropha is a facultative chemolithoautotrophic bacterium that uses the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle for CO₂ fixation. This study showed that R. eutropha strain H16G incorporated ¹³CO₂, emitted by the oxidative decarboxylation of [1-¹³C₁]-glucose, into key metabolites of the CBB cycle and finally into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] with up to 5.6% ¹³C abundance. The carbon yield of P(3HB) produced from glucose by the strain H16G was 1.2 times higher than that by the CBB cycle-inactivated mutants, in agreement with the possible fixation of CO₂ estimated from the balance of energy and reducing equivalents through sugar degradation integrated with the CBB cycle. The results proved that the ‘gratuitously’ functional CBB cycle in R. eutropha under aerobic heterotrophic conditions participated in the reutilization of CO₂ emitted during sugar degradation, leading to an advantage expressed as increased carbon yield of the storage compound. This is a new insight into the role of the CBB cycle, and may be applicable for more efficient utilization of biomass resources.

Changes in Protein Expression in Peanut Leaves in the Response to Progressive Water Stress

This investigation was carried out at the Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Khon Kaen University in the rainy season of 2011. The objective of this study was to identify proteins in leaves of drought-susceptible peanut plants when regulated by progressive water stresses. The drought-susceptible peanut plants of Khon Kaen 4 cultivar were grown in pots under controlled environment. At day 30 after seed emergence, the plants were subjected to stress conditions for 5 and 6 days. The results showed that withheld water supply for 5 and 6 days gave moderately and severely water stresses, respectively. Under moderate water stress conditions, two up-regulated and eight down-regulated proteins were attained. The up-regulated proteins were striated fibre assembling and flap endonuclease 1. The down-regulated proteins were peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase FKBP4, tRNA(Ile)-lysidine synthase, chloroplastic, chloroplastic thioredoxin F-type, cytidinedeaminase 7, ALF domain class transcription factor, nudix hydrolase 8, pentatricopeptide repeat super-family protein, putative and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, a large sub-unit. Under severe water stress conditions, two proteins, i.e., tRNA(Ile) lysidine synthase, chloroplastic and ALF domain class transcription factor did not change their relative abundance significantly where it indicated drought acclimation. The remaining proteins displayed significant changes and the changes were the same as those found in the peanut leaves when deprived water for 5 days. Up-regulated proteins are responsible for alleviating oxidative damages to plant genome and mediating plants responsive to the environmental factors in providing mechanical support, barriers and a rapid transport route. Down-regulated proteins were associated with drought susceptibility of the Khon Kaen 4 peanut plants.

Phosphoribulokinase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: a Benson–Calvin cycle enzyme enslaved to its cysteine residues

In this study, focused on C. reinhardtii phosphoribulokinase, we showed that CP12 catalyses a disulfide bridge between Cys243 and Cys249 on PRK. This disulfide bridge is essential for the GAPDH–CP12–PRK complex formation.

The role of ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase/thioredoxin m in seed germination and the connection between this system and copper ion toxicity

Seed germination is highly sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment. This work examined the impact of imbibition with copper solution on the germination rate and behavior of some enzyme capacities involved in stress response. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds were germinated at 25°C in the dark for 7 days of imbibition with distilled water or an aqueous solution of chloride salt of 100 or 500μM CuCl2. The exposure of seeds to copper (Cu(2+)) induced changes in the antioxidant status. In Cu-treated seeds, the non-protein thiols (—SHNP) pool and ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) expression and activity increased. Cysteinyl sulfurs in the thioredoxin (Trx) function as ligands for metal ions. The accumulation of Cu(2+) inhibited seed germination and embryo growth. It appears that the FTR system mediates a novel form of redox signaling in plants under copper excess.

Translational fusion and redirection to thylakoid lumen as strategies to enhance accumulation of human papillomavirus E7 antigen in tobacco chloroplasts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causal agent of cervical cancer, one of the most common causes of death in women worldwide, and its E7 antigen is the major candidate for a therapeutic vaccine. The large scale production of E7 by molecular farming that would lead to the development of a safe and inexpensive vaccine is impaired by its low accumulation level in the plant cell. To enhance antigen production in the plastids, two alternative strategies were carried out: the expression of E7 as a translational fusion to β-glucuronidase enzyme and redirection of E7 into the thylakoid lumen. The use of the β-glucuronidase as a partner protein turned out to be a successful strategy, antigen expression levels were enhanced between 30 and 40 times relative to unfused E7. Moreover, best accumulation, albeit at a high metabolic cost that compromised biomass production, was obtained redirecting E7 into the thylakoid lumen by the incorporation of the N-terminal transit peptide, Str. Following this approach lumenal E7 production exceeded the stromal by two orders of magnitude. Our results highlight the relevance of exploring different strategies to improve recombinant protein stability for certain transgenes in order to exploit potential advantages of recombinant protein accumulation in chloroplasts.

The role of the large subunit in redox regulation of the rice endosperm ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

The starch regulatory enzyme ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is activated by 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA) and inhibited by inorganic phosphate (Pi ). The activity of the plastid-localized enzyme is also subject to fine regulation by redox control in response to changing light and sugar levels. The less active oxidized form of the enzyme contains an inter-subunit disulfide bond formed between the pair of small subunit's Cys12 residues of the heterotetrameric enzyme. Although this cysteine residue is not conserved in the small subunits of cereal endosperm cytosolic AGPases, biochemical studies of the major rice endosperm enzyme indicate that the cytosolic isoform, like the plastidial enzymes, is subject to redox control. Kinetic analysis revealed that the reduced forms of the partially purified native and purified recombinant AGPases have 6- and 3.4-fold, respectively, more affinity to 3-PGA, rendering the enzymes more active at lower 3-PGA concentration than the non-reduced enzyme. Truncation of the large subunit by removal of N-terminal peptide resulted in a decrease in 3-PGA affinity and loss of redox response of the enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved cysteine residues at the N-terminal of the large subunit showed that C47 and C58, but not C12, are essential for proper redox response of the enzyme. Overall, our results show that the major rice endosperm AGPase activity is controlled by a combination of allosteric regulation and redox control, the latter through modification of the large subunit instead of the small subunit as evident in the plastid-localized enzyme.

Comparison of good- and bad-quality cork: application of high-throughput sequencing of phellogenic tissue

Cork is one of the most valuable non-wood forest products and plays an important role in Mediterranean economies. The production of high-quality cork is dependent on both genome and environment, posing constraints on the industry because an ever-growing amount of bad-quality cork (BQC) development has been observed. In order to identify genes responsible for production of cork of superior quality we performed a comparative analysis using the 454 pyrosequencing approach on phellogenic tissue of good- and bad-quality samples. The transcriptional profiling showed a high number of genes differentially expressed (8.48%) from which 78.8% displayed annotation. Genes more highly represented in BQC are involved in DNA synthesis, RNA processing, proteolysis, and transcription factors related to the abiotic stress response. Putative stomatal/lenticular-associated genes which may be responsible for the disadvantageous higher number of lenticular channels in BQC are also more highly represented. BQC also showed an elevated content of free phenolics. On the other hand, good-quality cork (GQC) can be distinguished by highly expressed genes encoding heat-shock proteins. Together the results provide valuable new information about the molecular events leading to cork formation and provide putative biomarkers associated with cork quality that can be useful in breeding programmes.