Changes in growth kinetics of stamen filaments cause inefficient pollination in massugu2, an auxin insensitive, dominant mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

We investigated the physiological and molecular basis of lower fecundity of massugu2 ( msg2 ), which is a dominant mutant of an auxin primary response gene, IAA19 , in Arabidopsis thaliana . By measuring the length of all stamens and pistils in inflorescences and the reference growth rate of pistils, we constructed growth curves of pistils and stamens between stages 12 and 15 of flower development. Pistil growth was found to consist of a single exponential growth, while stamen growth consisted of three exponential phases. During the second exponential phase, the growth rate of stamen filaments was ∼10 times greater than the growth rates in the other two phases. Consequently, stamens whose growth was initially retarded grew longer than the pistil, putting pollen grains on the stigma. msg2-1 stamens, on the other hand, exhibited a less obvious growth increase, resulting in less frequent contact between anthers and stigma. MSG2 was expressed in the stamen filaments and its expression almost coincided with the second growth phase. Stamen filaments appeared to elongate by cell elongation rather than cell division in the epidermal cell file. Considering that MSG2 is likely to be a direct target of the auxin F-box receptors, MSG2 may be one of the master genes that control the transient growth increase of stamen filaments.     

Expression of rolB in tobacco flowers affects the coordinated processes of anther dehiscence and style elongation

The effect of auxin on stamen and pistil development in tobacco flowers was investigated by means of the localized expression of rolB (root loci B), an Agrobacterium oncogene that increases auxin sensitivity in a cell-autonomous fashion. When rolB is driven by the promoter of the meiosis-specific Arabidopsis gene DMC1 (disrupted meiotic cDNA 1), expression occurs earlier in male than in female developing organs, resulting in a delay in anther dehiscence with respect to normal timing of pistil development. As a consequence of this developmental uncoupling, self-pollination is prevented in pDMC1:rolB plants. Histological analysis of pDMC1:GFP plants indicates that in tobacco, this promoter is active not only in meiocytes but also in somatic tissues of the anther. In contrast, simultaneous expression of rolB in anther and pistil somatic tissues, achieved by expressing a construct containing rolB under the control of the promoter of the petunia gene FBP7 (floral binding protein 7), results in a concomitant delay of both anther dehiscence and pistil development without affecting self-pollination of the plants. Analysis of plants harboring the pFBP7:GUS construct shows that in tobacco, this promoter is active not only in the ovules, as described for petunia, but also in pistil and anther somatic tissues involved in the dehiscence program. The delay in anther dehiscence and pistil development could be phenocopied by exogenous application of auxin. Jasmonic acid (JA) could not rescue the delay in anther dehiscence. These results suggest that auxin plays a key role in the timing of anther dehiscence, the dehiscence program is controlled by the somatic tissues of the anther, and auxin also regulates pistil development.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Multiple impairments in male reproduction 1 (mimr1)</Emphasis>, a novel male-sterile mutant of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>, shows several defects in male reproductive development

We have characterized a new male-sterile mutant in Arabidopsis that exhibits conditional sterility but has restored fertility when drought-stressed. This mutant, multiple impairments in male reproduction 1 (mimr1), shows pleiotropic defects in both vegetative and reproductive development. Examination with dissecting and scanning electron microscopes revealed that its pollen grains are not effectively released from the anther locule after dehiscence, and anther differentiation is defective. Growth of the style and stamen filaments are also abnormal. Histological analysis demonstrated that these phenomena are due not only to a noticeably reduced extension of the stamen but also greater elongation of the pistil. Genetic analysis indicated that mimr1 is a single locus recessive nuclear mutant. The mutation can be mapped to a locus strongly linked to a 1200-kb region on Chromosome 3. Meta-analysis of expression patterning presented several candidate genes in that region. No mutants with similar phenotypes have previously been reported, suggesting that mimr1 is a novel male-sterile locus. Characterization of MIMR1 will provide further insights into the molecular basis for the development of plant reproductive organs.     

Functional expression and characterization of the human ABCG1 and ABCG4 proteins: indications for heterodimerization

The closely related human ABC half-transporters, ABCG1 and ABCG4, have been suggested to play an important role in cellular lipid/sterol regulation but no experimental data for their expression or function are available. We expressed ABCG1 and ABCG4 and their catalytic site mutant variants in insect cells, generated specific antibodies, and analyzed their function in isolated membrane preparations. ABCG1 had a high basal ATPase activity, further stimulated by lipophilic cations and significantly inhibited by cyclosporin A, thyroxine or benzamil. ABCG4 had a lower basal ATPase activity which was not modulated by any of the tested compounds. The catalytic site (K-M) mutants had no ATPase activity. Since dimerization is a requirement for half-transporters, we suggest that both ABCG1 and ABCG4 function as homodimers. Importantly, we also found that co-expression of the ABCG4-KM mutant selectively abolished the ATPase activity of the ABCG1 and therefore they most probably also heterodimerize. The heterologous expression, specific recognition, and functional characterization of these transporters should help to delineate their physiological role and mechanism of action.     

Pollination adaptations of group-by-group stamen movement in a meadow plant with temporal floral closure

Floral sexual organ (stamen and pistil) movements are selective adaptations that have different functions in male-female reproduction and the evolution of flowering plants. However, the significance of stamen movements in the spatial–temporal function and separation of male and female organs has not been experimentally determined in species exhibiting floral temporal closure. The current study investigated the role of slow stamen (group-by-group) movement in male-female sexual function, and the effect of stamen movement on pollen removal, male-male and male-female interference, and mating patterns of Geranium pratense, a plant with temporal floral closure. This species uses stamen group-by-group movement and therefore anther-stigma spatial–temporal separation. Spatial separation (two whorls of stamen and pistil length) was shown to be stronger than temporal separation. We found that stamen movements to the center of the flower increase pollen removal, and the most common pollinators visited more frequently and for longer durations during the male floral stage than during the female floral stage. Petal movements increased both self-pollen deposition rate and sexual interference in G. pratense. The fruit and seed set of naturally and outcrossed pollinated flowers were more prolific than those of self-pollinated flowers. Group-by-group stamen movement, dehiscence of stamens, pistil movement, and male-female spatial–temporal functional separation of G. pratense before floral temporal closure may prevent male-female and stamen-stamen interference and pollen discounting, and may increase pollen removal and cross-pollination.     

毛翠雀花花序内的性分配和繁殖成功

两性花植物花序内不同位置的性分配和繁殖成功一般存在差异,通常认为资源竞争、结构效应和交配环境是形成这种差异的主要原因。为了研究雄性和雌性繁殖资源在花序内不同位置间的最优分配问题,该文以青藏高原高寒草甸典型高山植物毛翠雀花为材料,通过比较花序内不同位置的花部特征和种子性状,对其花序内的性分配模式和雌性繁殖成功进行研究,并通过观察传粉者运动特点以及人工去花和补授花粉实验,探讨花序内资源竞争和交配环境对繁殖资源分配的影响。结果表明:(1)不同位置间的雄蕊数、雄蕊鲜重/雌蕊鲜重、花粉数及花粉胚珠比从花序基部到上部显著增加,而雌蕊鲜重和胚珠数逐渐减少,表现出上部花偏雄的性分配;上部花的结籽率显著低于基部花和中部花,不同位置间的发育种子数/果实和发育种子重/果实随着花位置的升高而显著降低,说明基部花具有更佳的雌性繁殖成效。(2)去花处理后,剩余果实的单个种子重/果实显著增加,但发育种子数/果实没有显著增加;而给上部花人工补授异花花粉后,位置间结籽率的差异消失,说明传粉限制而非资源竞争导致了花序内位置依赖的种子生产模式。(3)毛翠雀花雄性先熟的开花特征,以及传粉者苏氏熊蜂从花序基部到上部的定向访花行为,导致了花序内交配环境的变化。综上结果表明,毛翠雀花花序内的性分配和繁殖成功差异是对交配环境适应的结果,对其在高山环境中实现雌雄适合度最优化具有重要意义。     

湖北黄精大小孢子发生及雌雄配子体发育

【目的】研究湖北黄精花部形态结构特征和大小孢子发生及雌雄配子体发育过程,以丰富黄精属植物的生殖生物学理论,为进一步开展湖北黄精的品种选育提供依据。【方法】以不同发育时期的湖北黄精花芽为试验材料,用显微观察法观察花部形态结构特征,石蜡切片技术对单花雌雄蕊进行切片观察。【结果】湖北黄精的花被为白色或淡黄绿色,花被筒近喉部稍缢缩;具6枚雄蕊,花丝下端与花被合生,花药开裂方式为纵裂;雌蕊子房上位,3心皮,花柱与子房等长。湖北黄精花药壁由4层细胞组成,成熟的绒毡层具多核,绒毡层发育类型为分泌型;小孢子母细胞减数分裂为连续型,四分体呈左右对称型排列,成熟花粉粒为2-细胞型;存在小孢子发育不同步的现象。雌蕊胚珠具双珠被、厚珠心;四分体呈直线型排列,胚囊发育类型为蓼型;存在双胚囊胚珠现象。在雄蕊的花药壁和雌蕊的子房壁都观察到有束状草酸钙针晶。【结论】湖北黄精雌雄蕊具有较原始的发育特征,虽然在发育过程中都存在异常现象,但雄蕊最终能形成正常的雄配子体,雌蕊低频率的双胚囊现象对总体受精结果影响很小。湖北黄精杂交育种可以选择花药开裂前一时期的花粉,花药壁和子房壁观察到的束状草酸钙针晶无法作为湖北黄精物种鉴定的...     

Development of Sexual Organs in Taihangia rupestris--Different Temperature Requirments for Both Sexual Organ Development in a Bisexual Flower

Optimal environmental temperature for differentiation and development of stamen and pistil have been tested cultured in vitro flowers of Taihangia rupestris. The optimal temperatures for stamen development was quite different from that for pistil development. The most suitable temperature scope for stamen development was on the low verge of 1 ～ 6 'C. Temperature over 18 ℃ led to abortion of all stamens. The temperature scope appropriate for pistil development was near to 6～26 ℃. That below 3 ℃ brought about cessation of most pistil development at early stage. The course of stamen abortion induced by high temperature started from the primordium stage in the stamen development and once this occurred it became irreversible despite of lowering the temperature. It is concluded that the temperature for unisexual male flower, unisexual female flowers and bisexual flowers development should be contralled at 1～3 ℃, 6～26 ℃ and 6～12 ℃ respectively. The results of the present experiment may open up a new train of thoughts for studies on the control of sexual organ development and male sterility.     

GENETIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE INDEPENDENT EVOLUTION OF MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERS IN THE TRISTYLOUS PLANT LYTHRUM SALICARIA

Here we test whether the potential exists for the independent evolution of allocation to male, female, and attractive functions within a flower. We employed half-sib and parent-offspring regression methods in the tristylous plant Lythrum salicaria to determine whether there is additive genetic variation for characters important to male and female reproductive success and whether genetic correlations could constrain the independent evolution of male and female function. Although significance levels were not consistent among morph types or between populations, there were significant narrow-sense heritabilities for several traits including stamen mass, pistil mass, perianth mass, petal length, and calyx length. Traits that might be under strong stabilizing selection to promote specific pollen transfer, such as stamen and style lengths, had little heritable variation. In the majority of cases in which heritable variation was present, there were positive genetic correlations among floral traits. A strong positive genetic correlation appeared between stamen and pistil mass in the short-styled morph from one of the populations studied. This suggests that selection might not be able to act independently on biomass allocation to male and female flower parts. No evidence of negative genetic correlations appeared that would suggest trade-offs and that could augment a selection response towards sexual specialization. The observed positive correlations could be explained if we consider the “functional architecture” that underlies the covariance structure. If there is more covariance generated by pleiotropic loci controlling overall flower size than at loci controlling male versus female allocation, it could result in the observed positive covariance. At the phenotypic level, we did find significant negative partial correlations between male and female traits when flower size was controlled, but these trade-offs were among rather than within morphs.     

半分子转运蛋白ABCG2的肿瘤多药耐药性研究及其应用

肿瘤常对临床上传统使用的多种化学治疗显示其内源性或获得性的药物耐受性即多药耐药性(multidrug resistance,MDR)．这种多药耐药性主要是由一类称为ABC(ATP-binding cassette)转运体蛋白超家族的跨膜蛋白引起的,它们结合并利用水解ATP提供的能量来转运药物,导致肿瘤细胞呈现抗药性．半分子转运蛋白ABCG2是近年来才发现的可归于ABC转运体大家族中的一个新成员,在肠、肝、胎盘和血脑屏障等部位大量表达,与全分子转运蛋白如P-gp (P-glycoprotein)和多药耐药蛋白(multi-drug resistance protein,MRP)相似,可以主动地把具有不同化学结构和作用于细胞内不同靶位点的化疗药物泵出胞外,从而引起肿瘤对多种抗癌药物(包括最新开发的药物)产生抗性．最近的一些十分有趣的研究还表明,ABCG2可能与干细胞分化状态和保护干细胞发育过程中免受周围环境的影响有关,而且还发现,它在侧群骨髓和神经干细胞内大量存在,因此,ABCG2可能在基因治疗中作为选择性的蛋白质标记正受到研究者们的极大关注．同时,ABCG2的单核苷酸多态性影响其结合并转运不同的底物/药物．鉴于ABCG2在肿瘤抗药性研究中的重要性以及它的一些新功能的初步研究表明,对ABCG2的生物学功能和作用机理以及在医学实践中的应用研究必将受到更大的关注．主要阐述了半分子ABC转运蛋白ABCG2的发现、重要的生化特性和生理功能及其相关的新研究进展和问题．     

云烟85胞质雄性不育烟草雄蕊发生的细胞学观察

雄性不育烟草MS云烟85的雄性败育发生在雄蕊原基分化后至孢原细胞形成前,在开放花朵中常能见到败育的雄蕊,其特征是花丝缩短,花药畸形、内无花粉或花粉空瘪。与正常烟草(保持系)子房由2心皮组成不同,雄性不育烟草MS云烟85子房都由3心皮组成。     

楸树大小孢子发生与雌雄配子体发育的研究

运用石蜡切片法和整体透明法对楸树(Catalpa bungei C.A.Meyer)大、小孢子发生及雌、雄配子体发育过程进行了研究.结果表明:楸树可育雄蕊2枚,花药4室,药壁发育属双子叶型,腺质异型绒毡层.小孢子母细胞减数分裂为同时型,四分体后小孢子不分离形成正四面体型四合花粉,偶有左右对称型和十字交叉型.成熟花粉为二细胞型,无萌发孔.子房上位,2室,中轴胎座,胚珠多数,倒生,单珠被,薄珠心,具珠被绒毡层.单孢原直接发育为大孢子母细胞,四分体线形排列,合点端大孢子发育为功能大孢子,胚囊发育为蓼型.雄蕊发育早于雌蕊,花开后雌、雄蕊趋于同熟.研究认为:虽然楸树雌、雄蕊发育过程中均存在一定比例的败育,但其花而不实"并非雄性或雌性不育所致.推测与其授粉受精和胚后发育有关.     

甜荞pin型花与thrum型花雌雄蕊发育的比较研究

为从形态上研究甜荞(Fagopyrum esculentum)二型花发育的差异性,该文运用石蜡切片技术对甜荞pin型花和thrum型花大、小孢子发生和雌、雄配子体的发育过程进行观察比较.结果表明:(1)甜荞2种花的雌蕊、雄蕊发育的细胞学特征有很高的相似性,具直生胚珠、双珠被、厚珠心;大孢子四分体直线型排列,合点端为功能...     

山鸡椒雄花花芽发育形态解剖特征观察

采用体视显微镜、扫描电镜和石蜡切片技术对山鸡椒（Litsea cubeba（Lour.） Pers.）雄花花芽分化发育的外部形态和内部解剖结构进行了观察研究。结果显示:（1）山鸡椒雄花花芽分化发生可分为5个时期,即未分化期、花序原基分化期、苞片原基分化期、花原基分化期和花器官分化期,其中花器官分化期又可细分为花被原基分化期、雄蕊原基分化期和雌蕊原基分化期;各相邻分化时期存在一定重叠现象;花期从翌年1月上旬至3月下旬。（2）雄花成熟结构中具有独特的雄蕊蜜腺,蜜腺绿色且形态不规则,着生于内轮雄蕊基部,分布于花丝两侧,夹在内外轮雄蕊的花丝之间,与内轮花丝紧密相连。（3）雄蕊花药四室,花药壁发育属于基本型;腺质绒毡层;小孢子母细胞减数分裂过程中胞质分裂属于连续型;成熟花粉为2-细胞花粉粒;成熟花粉粒外壁刺突较多,刺突基部膨大,外壁露出部分粗糙,无薄壁区,有少数小穿孔。（4）山鸡椒雄花中绝大多数雌蕊发育至腹缝线卷合形成子房室时停止,柱头发育不良或者败育,花柱缩短或缺失,不能受精,直到开花结束,即发生退化。本研究明确了山鸡椒雄花花芽发育发生各个阶段时间、形态变化特点及外部形态变化特征,山鸡椒小孢子发生、雄配子体发育至散粉期变化特点和规律以及雄花中退化雌蕊发育的进程,可为山鸡椒优良品种选育、调控花期和提高结实率提供一定的参考。     

两性花的雄蕊运动:多样性和适应意义

雄蕊运动指雄蕊在自身能量支持下发生的主动运动,不包括雄蕊在访花者触碰下造成的被动位移。该文总结了雄蕊的应激运动、快速猛烈弹射、缓慢运动以及级联运动等4种主要类型,分析了这些运动类型的系统分布及繁殖适应意义等方面的研究进展。雄蕊的应激运动由访花者或其他外力诱发,可能起到促进散粉和实现繁殖保障的作用;雄蕊快速猛烈的弹射运动可将花粉猛然撒向空中或访花者身上,促进了花粉的风媒或虫媒散布;缓慢运动的雄蕊可能通过在不同花期改变雄蕊的空间位置和雌雄异位程度来调节繁殖策略,或主动将雄蕊花药移至特定部位(如柱头表面)实现自交;雄蕊逐一、依次发生的级联运动较为复杂,主要分布在刺莲花科、梅花草科、旱金莲科和芸香科中,目前还缺乏实验研究;但根据"花粉呈现理论"以及其他类型的雄蕊运动研究结果,雄蕊的级联运动可以将花粉分批呈现给不同的传粉者,通过不同传粉者的分别传粉来提高花粉的输出;而且可避免已散粉雄蕊对即将散粉雄蕊的干扰,同时可能也降低了雌雄功能干扰和(或)花内自交。在芸香(Ruta graveolens)中,级联运动之后的雄蕊还会在花末期再同时向花中央运动;这种多向、多次运动方式是目前发现的最复杂的雄蕊运动类型。雄蕊运动领域值得今后开展进一步实验研究的方向主要有:1)雄蕊运动尤其是级联运动对雌雄功能干扰(性别间干扰)、雄蕊与雄蕊的"性别内干扰"等植物繁殖格局的影响;2)雄蕊运动与雌雄异熟、雌雄异位等花部特征的相互作用;3)雄蕊运动复杂类型的生理与发育机制。     

Generation of an ABCG2 transgenic line - A tool to study ABCG2 expression in mice

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter 2 (ABCG2) is expressed by stem cells in many organs and in stem cells of solid tumors. These cells are isolated based on the side population (SP) phenotype, a Hoechst 3342 dye efflux property believed to be conferred by ABCG2. Because of the limitations of this approach we generated transgenic mice that express Nuclear GFP (GFPn) coupled to the Puromycin-resistance gene, under the control of ABCG2 promoter/enhancer sequences. We show that ABCG2 is expressed in neural progenitors of the developing forebrain and spinal cord and in embryonic and adult endothelial cells of the brain. Using the neurosphere assay, we isolated tripotent ABCG2-expressing neural stem cells from embryonic mouse brain. This transgenic line is a powerful tool for studying the expression of ABCG2 in many tissues and for performing functional studies in different experimental settings.     

ABCG2基因rs2231142位点多态性与汉族女性痛风的相关性

目的：ABCG2基因第5外显子区单核苷酸多态性位点rs2231142与中国汉族男性痛风密切相关,基于痛风易感基因存在性别差异的考虑,本研究旨在探讨该单核苷酸多态性位点与中国汉族女性人群痛风易感性之间的相关性。方法：选取185例女性痛风患者和311例女性正常对照者,提取外周血基因组DNA,采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR技术）,特异性扩增ABCG2基因所需要的目的片段并测序,比较痛风组和正常对照组的基因型频率及等位基因频率分布情况。结果：rs2231142位点的CC、CA、AA基因型频率在两组间存在显著差异（x2=16.519,P〈0.001）,且痛风组中A等位基因频率显著高于正常对照组（分别为42.2%和29.3%,P〈0.001,OR 1.76[95%CI：1.35-2.31]）。结论：ABCG2基因第五外显子区rs2231142（C/A）位点的单核苷酸多态性与中国汉族女性人群痛风易感性密切相关,携带A等位基因的汉族女性人群有更高的痛风患病率。ABCG2基因首次被证实为中国汉族女性人群的痛风致病易感基因。