Expression of ACBP4 and ACBP5 proteins is modulated by light in Arabidopsis

Silencing of an α-dioxygenase gene, Ca-DOX, retards growth and suppresses basal disease resistance responses in Capsicum annum

Alpha-dioxygenases (α-DOX) catalyzing the primary oxygenation of fatty acids to oxylipins were recently found in plants. Here, the biological roles of the pepper α-DOX (Ca-DOX) gene, which is strongly induced during non-host pathogen infection in chili pepper, were examined. Virus-induced gene silencing demonstrated that down-regulation of Ca-DOX enhanced susceptibility to bacterial pathogens and suppressed the hypersensitive response via the suppression of pathogenesis-related genes such as PR4, proteinase inhibitor II and lipid transfer protein (PR14). Ca-DOX-silenced pepper plants also exhibited more retarded growth with lower epidermal cell numbers and reduced cell wall thickness than control plants. To better understand regulation of Ca-DOX, transgenic Arabidopsis plants harboring the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven from a putative Ca-DOX promoter were generated. GUS expression was significantly induced upon avirulent pathogen infection in transgenic Arabidopsis leaves, whereas GUS induction was relatively weak upon virulent pathogen treatment. After treatment with plant hormones, early and strong GUS expression was seen after treatment of salicylic acid, whereas ethylene and methyl jasmonate treatments produced relatively weak and late GUS signals. These results will enable us to further understand the role of α-DOX, which is important in lipid metabolism, defense responses, and growth development in plants.

Kelch-motif containing acyl-CoA binding proteins AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 are differentially expressed and function in floral lipid metabolism

We herein demonstrated two of the Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs), AtACBP4 and AtACBP5, both function in floral lipid metabolism and they may possibly play complementary roles in Arabidopsis microspore-to-pollen development. Histological analysis on transgenic Arabidopsis expressing β-glucuronidase driven from the AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 promoters, as well as, qRTPCR analysis revealed that AtACBP4 was expressed at stages 11-14 in the mature pollen, while AtACBP5 was expressed at stages 7-10 in the microspores and tapetal cells. Immunoelectron microscopy using AtACBP4- or AtACBP5-specific antibodies further showed that AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 were localized in the cytoplasm. Chemical analysis of bud wax and cutin using gas chromatographyflame ionization detector and GC-mass spectrometry analyses revealed the accumulation of cuticular waxes and cutin monomers in acbp4, acbp5 and acbp4acbp5 buds in comparison to the wild type (Col-0). Fatty acid profiling demonstrated a decline in stearic acid and an increase in linolenic acid in acbp4 and acbp4acbp5 buds, respectively, over Col-0. Analysis of inflorescences from acbp4 and acbp5 revealed that there was an increase of AtACBP5 expression in acbp4, and an increase of AtACBP4 expression in acbp5. Deletion analysis of the AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 5'-flanking regions indicated the minimal promoter activity for AtACBP4 (-145/+103) and AtACBP5 (-181/+81). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified a pollen-specific cis-acting element POLLEN1 (AGAAA) mapped at AtACBP4 (-157/-153) which interacted with nuclear proteins from flower and this was substantiated by DNase I footprinting. In Arabidopsis thaliana, six acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs), designated as AtACBP1 to AtACBP6, have been identified to function in plant stress and development. AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 represent the two largest proteins in the AtACBP family. Despite having kelch-motifs and sharing a common cytosolic subcellular localization, AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 differ in spatial and temporal expression. Histological analysis on transgenic Arabidopsis expressing β-glucuronidase driven from the respective AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 promoters, as well as, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that AtACBP4 was expressed at stages 11-14 in mature pollen, while AtACBP5 was expressed at stages 7-10 in the microspores and tapetal cells. Immunoelectron microscopy using AtACBP4- or AtACBP5-specific antibodies further showed that AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 were localized in the cytoplasm. Chemical analysis of bud wax and cutin using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and GC-mass spectrometry analyses revealed the accumulation of cuticular waxes and cutin monomers in acbp4, acbp5 and acbp4acbp5 buds, in comparison to the wild type. Analysis of inflorescences from acbp4 and acbp5 revealed that there was an increase of AtACBP5 expression in acbp4, and an increase of AtACBP4 expression in acbp5. Deletion analysis of the AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 5'-flanking regions indicated the minimal promoter region for AtACBP4 (-145/+103) and AtACBP5 (-181/+81). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified a pollen-specific cis-acting element POLLEN1 (AGAAA) within AtACBP4 (-157/-153) which interacted with nuclear proteins from flower and this was substantiated by DNase I footprinting. These results suggest that AtACBP4 and AtACBP5 both function in floral lipidic metabolism and they may play complementary roles in Arabidopsis microspore-to-pollen development.

Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding protein ACBP6 localizes in the phloem and affects jasmonate composition

Arabidopsis thaliana ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN6 (AtACBP6) encodes a cytosolic 10-kDa AtACBP. It confers freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis, possibly by its interaction with lipids as indicated by the binding of acyl-CoA esters and phosphatidylcholine to recombinant AtACBP6. Herein, transgenic Arabidopsis transformed with an AtACBP6 promoter-driven β-glucuronidase (GUS) construct exhibited strong GUS activity in the vascular tissues. Immunoelectron microscopy using anti-AtACBP6 antibodies showed AtACBP6 localization in the phloem especially in the companion cells and sieve elements. Also, the presence of gold grains in the plasmodesmata indicated its potential role in systemic trafficking. The AtACBP6 protein, but not its mRNA, was found in phloem exudate of wild-type Arabidopsis. Fatty acid profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed an increase in the jasmonic acid (JA) precursor, 12-oxo-cis,cis-10,15-phytodienoic acid (cis-OPDA), and a reduction in JA and/or its derivatives in acbp6 phloem exudates in comparison to the wild type. Quantitative real-time PCR showed down-regulation of COMATOSE (CTS) in acbp6 rosettes suggesting that AtACBP6 affects CTS function. AtACBP6 appeared to affect the content of JA and/or its derivatives in the sieve tubes, which is consistent with its role in pathogen-defense and in its wound-inducibility of AtACBP6pro::GUS. Taken together, our results suggest the involvement of AtACBP6 in JA-biosynthesis in Arabidopsis phloem tissues.

Acyl-CoA-Binding Proteins (ACBPs) in Plant Development

Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) play a pivotal role in fatty acid metabolism because they can transport medium- and long-chain acyl-CoA esters. In eukaryotic cells, ACBPs are involved in intracellular trafficking of acyl-CoA esters and formation of a cytosolic acyl-CoA pool. In addition to these ubiquitous functions, more specific non-redundant roles of plant ACBP subclasses are implicated by the existence of multigene families with variable molecular masses, ligand specificities, functional domains (e.g. protein-protein interaction domains), subcellular locations and gene expression patterns. In this chapter, recent progress in the characterization of ACBPs from the model dicot plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, and the model monocot, Oryza sativa, and their emerging roles in plant growth and development are discussed. The functional significance of respective members of the plant ACBP families in various developmental and physiological processes such as seed development and germination, stem cuticle formation, pollen development, leaf senescence, peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation and phloem-mediated lipid transport is highlighted.

The binding versatility of plant acyl-CoA-binding proteins and their significance in lipid metabolism

Acyl-CoA esters are the activated form of fatty acids and play important roles in lipid metabolism and the regulation of cell functions. They are bound and transported by nonenzymic proteins such as the acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs). Although plant ACBPs were so named by virtue of amino acid homology to existing yeast and mammalian counterparts, recent studies revealed that ligand specificities of plant ACBPs are not restricted to acyl-CoA esters. Arabidopsis and rice ACBPs also interact with phospholipids, and their affinities to different acyl-CoA species and phospholipid classes vary amongst isoforms. Their ligands also include heavy metals. Interactors of plant ACBPs are further diversified due to the evolution of protein-protein interacting domains. This review summarizes our current understanding of plant ACBPs with a focus on their binding versatility. Their broad ligand range is of paramount significance in serving a multitude of functions during development and stress responses as discussed herein. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Lipid Biology edited by Kent D. Chapman and Ivo Feussner.

Plant Cytosolic Acyl-CoA-Binding Proteins

A gene family encoding six members of acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBP) exists in Arabidopsis and they are designated as AtACBP1-AtACBP6. They have been observed to play pivotal roles in plant lipid metabolism, consistent to the abilities of recombinant AtACBP in binding different medium- and long-chain acyl-CoA esters in vitro. While AtACBP1 and AtACBP2 are membrane-associated proteins with ankyrin repeats and AtACBP3 contains a signaling peptide for targeting to the apoplast, AtACBP4, AtACBP5 and AtACBP6 represent the cytosolic forms in the AtACBP family. They were verified to be subcellularly localized in the cytosol using diverse experimental methods, including cell fractionation followed by western blot analysis, immunoelectron microscopy and confocal laser-scanning microscopy using autofluorescence-tagged fusions. AtACBP4 (73.2 kDa) and AtACBP5 (70.1 kDa) are the largest, while AtACBP6 (10.4 kDa) is the smallest. Their binding affinities to oleoyl-CoA esters suggested that they can potentially transfer oleoyl-CoA esters from the plastids to the endoplasmic reticulum, facilitating the subsequent biosynthesis of non-plastidial membrane lipids in Arabidopsis. Recent studies on ACBP, extended from a dicot (Arabidopsis) to a monocot, revealed that six ACBP are also encoded in rice (Oryza sativa). Interestingly, three small rice ACBP (OsACBP1, OsACBP2 and OsACBP3) are present in the cytosol in comparison to one (AtACBP6) in Arabidopsis. In this review, the combinatory and distinct roles of the cytosolic AtACBP are discussed, including their functions in pollen and seed development, light-dependent regulation and substrate affinities to acyl-CoA esters.

Expression of Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding proteins AtACBP1 and AtACBP4 confers Pb(II) accumulation in Brassica juncea roots

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the expression of two genes encoding acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) AtACBP1 and AtACBP4, were observed to be induced by lead [Pb(II)] in shoots and roots in qRT-PCR analyses. Quantitative GUS (β-glucuronidase) activity assays confirmed induction of AtACBP1pro::GUS by Pb(II). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) revealed that Pas elements in the 5'-flanking region of AtACBP1 were responsive to Pb(II) treatment. AtACBP1 and AtACBP4 were further compared in Pb(II) uptake using Brassica juncea, a potential candidate for phytoremediation given its rapid growth, large roots, high biomass and good capacity to accumulate heavy metals. Results from atomic absorption analyses on transgenic B. juncea expressing AtACBP1 or AtACBP4 indicated Pb(II) accumulation in roots. Subsequent Pb(II)-tracing assays demonstrated Pb(II) accumulation in the cytosol of root tips and vascular tissues of transgenic B. juncea AtACBP1-overexpressors (OXs) and AtACBP4-OXs and transgenic Arabidopsis AtACBP1-OXs. Transgenic Arabidopsis AtACBP1-OXs sequestered Pb(II) in the trichomes and displayed tolerance to hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) treatment. In addition, AtACBP1 and AtACBP4 were H2 O2 -induced in the roots of wild-type Arabidopsis, while lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) measurements of B. juncea AtACBP1-OX and AtACBP4-OX roots suggested that AtACBP1 and AtACBP4 can protect lipids against Pb(II)-induced lipid peroxidation.

Comparative analysis of synthetic DNA promoters for high-level gene expression in plants

MAIN CONCLUSION

We have designed two near- constitutive and stress-inducible promoters (CmYLCV9.11 and CmYLCV4); those are highly efficient in both dicot and monocot plants and have prospective to substitute the CaMV 35S promoter. We performed structural and functional studies of the full-length transcript promoter from Cestrum yellow leaf curling virus (CmYLCV) employing promoter/leader deletion and activating cis-sequence analysis. We designed a 465-bp long CmYLCV9.11 promoter fragment (-329 to +137 from transcription start site) that showed enhanced promoter activity and was highly responsive to both biotic and abiotic stresses. The CmYLCV9.11 promoter was about 28-fold stronger than the CaMV35S promoter in transient and stable transgenic assays using β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. The CmYLCV9.11 promoter also demonstrated stronger activity than the previously reported CmYLCV promoter fragments, CmpC (-341 to +5) and CmpS (-349 to +59) in transient systems like maize protoplasts and onion epidermal cells as well as transgenic systems. A good correlation between CmYLCV9.11 promoter-driven GUS-accumulation/enzymatic activities with corresponding uidA-mRNA level in transgenic tobacco plants was shown. Histochemical (X-Gluc) staining of transgenic seedlings, root and floral parts expressing the GUS under the control of CmYLCV9.11, CaMV35S, CmpC and CmpS promoters also support the above findings. The CmYLCV9.11 promoter is a constitutive promoter and the expression level in tissues of transgenic tobacco plants was in the following order: root > leaf > stem. The tobacco transcription factor TGA1a was found to bind strongly to the CmYLCV9.11 promoter region, as shown by Gel-shift assay and South-Western blot analysis. In addition, the CmYLCV9.11 promoter was regulated by a number of abiotic and biotic stresses as studied in transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants. The newly derived CmYLCV9.11 promoter is an efficient tool for biotechnological applications.

Gene expression in plant lipid metabolism in Arabidopsis seedlings

Events in plant lipid metabolism are important during seedling establishment. As it has not been experimentally verified whether lipid metabolism in 2- and 5-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings is diurnally-controlled, quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to investigate the expression of target genes in acyl-lipid transfer, β-oxidation and triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and hydrolysis in wild-type Arabidopsis WS and Col-0. In both WS and Col-0, ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN3 (ACBP3), DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE1 (DGAT1) and DGAT3 showed diurnal control in 2- and 5-day-old seedlings. Also, COMATOSE (CTS) was diurnally regulated in 2-day-old seedlings and LONG-CHAIN ACYL-COA SYNTHETASE6 (LACS6) in 5-day-old seedlings in both WS and Col-0. Subsequently, the effect of CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) from the core clock system was examined using the cca1lhy mutant and CCA1-overexpressing (CCA1-OX) lines versus wild-type WS and Col-0, respectively. Results revealed differential gene expression in lipid metabolism between 2- and 5-day-old mutant and wild-type WS seedlings, as well as between CCA1-OX and wild-type Col-0. Of the ACBPs, ACBP3 displayed the most significant changes between cca1lhy and WS and between CCA1-OX and Col-0, consistent with previous reports that ACBP3 is greatly affected by light/dark cycling. Evidence of oil body retention in 4- and 5-day-old seedlings of the cca1lhy mutant in comparison to WS indicated the effect of cca1lhy on storage lipid reserve mobilization. Lipid profiling revealed differences in primary lipid metabolism, namely in TAG, fatty acid methyl ester and acyl-CoA contents amongst cca1lhy, CCA1-OX, and wild-type seedlings. Taken together, this study demonstrates that lipid metabolism is subject to diurnal regulation in the early stages of seedling development in Arabidopsis.

The gene encoding Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding protein 3 is pathogen inducible and subject to circadian regulation

In Arabidopsis thaliana, acyl-CoA-binding protein 3 ( ACBP3), one of six ACBPs, is unique in terms of the C-terminal location of its acyl-CoA-binding domain. It promotes autophagy-mediated leaf senescence and confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. To understand the regulation of ACBP3, a 1.7 kb 5'-flanking region of ACBP3 and its deletion derivatives were characterized using β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusions. A 374 bp minimal fragment (-151/+223) could drive GUS expression while a 1698 bp fragment (-1475/+223) conferred maximal activity. Further, histochemical analysis on transgenic Arabidopsis harbouring the largest (1698 bp) ACBP3pro::GUS fusion displayed ubiquitous expression in floral organs and vegetative tissues (vascular bundles of leaves and stems), consistent with previous results showing that extracellularly localized ACBP3 functions in plant defence. A 160 bp region (-434/-274) induced expression in extended darkness and caused down-regulation in extended light. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNase I footprinting assay showed that the DNA-binding with one finger box (Dof-box, -341/-338) interacted specifically with leaf nuclear proteins from dark-treated Arabidopsis, while GT-1 (-406/-401) binds both dark- and light-treated Arabidopsis, suggesting that Dof and GT-1 motifs are required to mediate circadian regulation of ACBP3. Moreover, GUS staining and fluorometric measurements revealed that a 109 bp region (-543/-434) was responsive to phytohormones and pathogens. An S-box of AT-rich sequence (-516/-512) was identified to bind nuclear proteins from pathogen-infected Arabidopsis leaves, providing the basis for pathogen-inducible regulation of ACBP3 expression. Thus, three cis-responsive elements (Dof, GT-1, and the S-box) in the 5'-flanking region of ACBP3 are proven functional in the regulation of ACBP3.