Physiological and Biochemical Changes Associated with Cotton Fibre Development. IV. Glycosidases and {beta}-1,3-Glucanase Activities

Developing cotton fibre was analysed from 12 days post anthesis(DPA) till maturity for the activity of wall degrading enzymes,ß-galactosidase, ß-glucosidase, -mannosidaseand ß-1,3-glucanase. Each enzyme was estimated inthree different fractions namely cytoplasmic, ionically wall-boundand covalently wall-bound. There was a significant correlationbetween ß-galactosidase and ß-glucosidaseactivities in the covalently bound fraction, and the rate offibre elongation. Similarly, covalently bound ß-1,3-glucanaseactivity showed an increasing trend up to 18 DPA, i.e. aboutthe time when maximum rate of fibre elongation was achieved. The results presented here suggest that covalently wall-boundglycosidases may have an importafit role in cell wall loosening.Earlier reports providing evidence against the involvement ofthese enzymes in elongation growth in intact system, may perhapsbe due to scant attention paid to the subcellular distributionof these enzymes. Gossypium hirsutum, cotton fibre, glucanase, glycosidase, wall-loosening     

Role of Polysaccharide Synthesis in Elongation Growth and Cell Wall Loosening in Intact Rice Coleoptiles

2,6-Dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB) inhibited only increases in levelsof the cellulosic polysac-charides while monensin and galactoseinhibited increases in levels of both the cellulosic and thematrix polysaccharides in intact rice coleoptiles that weresubmerged in water. Elongation growth of rice coleoptiles wassuppressed by DCB at 10^–6 M, by monensin at 10^–7M, and by galactose at 3 ? 10^–3 M and above. Thus, thesynthesis of both the cellulosic and the matrix polysaccharidesis essential for the elongation of intact rice coleoptiles.These inhibitors increased the minimum stress-relaxation timeand the relaxation rate and they decreased the mechanical extensibilityof the cell wall, indicating that they inhibited cell wall loosening.The concentrations of the inhibitors required for inhibitionof cell wall loosening were higher than those for suppressionof elongation. The data suggest that polysaccharides synthesisplays two roles in elongation. It keeps the cell wall in a "loosened"condition by producing new extensible cell walls, while itsother role is probably related to the fixation or extensionof polymers already present in the cell wall. (Received November 15, 1990; Accepted May 23, 1991)     

Modulation of Elicitor-Induced Chitinase and {beta}-1,3-Glucanase Activity by Hormones in Phaseolus vulgaris

Chitinase and ß-1 ,3-glucanase induction in Phaseolusvulgaris by cell wall elicitor from Col-letotrichum lindemuthianumhas been studied together with the effects of the hormones IAAand ethylene. Chitinase and ß-1, 3-glucanase increasedin response to the elicitor in the resistant cultivar, Kievit,but not in the susceptible cultivar, Pinto. However, both activitiesincreased in both cultivars in response to hormones in the absenceof elicitor; elicitor did not augment this response in cv. Kievit.Aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) abolished all responses exceptthose obtained by the application of ethylene. Of other hydrolasestested, only ß -galactosidase was induced by elicitor;this was similar for both cultivars but hormones were withouteffect. Evidence suggests that both chitinase and ß-l,3-glucanase are located within the cell rather than in theintercellular space. It is concluded that chitinase and ß;-l,3-glucanaseare coordinately synthesized as a defence response since theyhydrolyse complementary linkages in pathogen derived polysac-charides.Regulation of the induction of the two enzymes is primarilydue to ethylene and the lack of response in the compatible reactionappears to arise from an inability to synthesize ‘ stress’ ethylene. ¹Present address: School of Chemistry, Molecular and Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K. (Received March 15, 1991; Accepted June 13, 1991)     

Requirement of sodium chloride for the action of gibberellic acid in stimulating hypocotyl elongation of a halophyte, Salicornia herbacea L.

NaCl stimulated hypocotyl elongation of the halophyte Salicorniaherbacea L. grown either in light or dark. Its optimal concentrationwas around 0.1–0.2 M and its promoting effect was muchmore prominent in the dark. Gibberellic acid at 10^–5 Mstimulated hypocotyl elongation in light but not in the dark.Indole-3-acetic acid and kinetin were ineffective in promotinghypocotyl elongation. In light, gibberellic acid and NaCl synergisticallyenhanced hypocotyl elongation when both were given simultaneously.The action of NaCl could be replaced by KCl, but not by mannitol.Osmotic pressure of the epidermis of the Salicornia hypocotylincreased in response to gibberellic acid and/or NaCl treatment.Na⁺ content in the hypocotyl increased with NaCl application.Gibberellic acid and NaCl when given alone increased the extensibilityof the hypocotyl cell wall. Synergistic interaction in increasingthe extensibility was observed between gibberellic acid andNaCl. Stress-relaxation analysis of mechanical properties ofthe hypocotyl wall revealed that gibberellic acid and NaCl actedsynergistically in decreasing minimum relaxation time. Basedon these results, a possible mechanism by which gibberellicacid and NaCl regulate hypocotyl elongation of Salicornia herbaceaL., a typical halophilic plant, is discussed. ¹ Present address: Laboratory of Biology, Tezukayama College,Gakuen Minami, Nara 631, Japan. (Received June 13, 1978; )     

Effect of cycloheximide and cordycepin on auxin-induced elongation and {beta}-glucan degradation of noncellulosic polysaccharides of Avena coleoptile cell wall

The effect of cycloheximide (10^–5 M) and cordycepin (10^–4M) used as protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors, respectively,on auxin action in noncellulosic ß-glucan degradationof Avena coleoptile cell wall was investigated. Both depressedauxin-induced ßglucan degradation of the cell wallas well as auxin-induced elongation and cell wall loosening,suggesting that the process of ß-glucan degradationof the cell wall is closely associated with cell wall looseningand that auxin enhances the activity of an enzyme for ß-glucandegradation through de novo synthesis of RNA and protein butnot through activation of the enzyme in situ. Kinetic studywith the inhibitors showed that RNA metabolism involved in ß-glucandegradation was stimulated by auxin treatment of only 15 minwhile a longer lag phase (about 1 hr) existed for the synthesisof the enzyme. (Received December 16, 1978; )     

Distribution of Glycosidases and Acid Invertase Activities in Relation to Elongation Growth in Pearl Millet Internode

The mean cell length along a differentiating internode and alliedchanges in the activities of ß-glucosidase, - andß-galactosidase. -mannosidase and acid invertase,together with the contents of reducing and non-reducing sugars,were examined in pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leekecv. BJ-104). The specific activities of cytoplasmic -mannosidase,wall ß-glucosidase, and cytoplasmic and wall acidinvertase showed close relationships with the rate of cell elongation.The linear regressions of the rate of cell elongation, and thespecific activities of wall ß-glucosidase and cytoplasmicand wall invertase showed significant positive correlations(P<0·05), whereas cytoplasmic -mannosidase was negativelycorrelated (P<0·01). The results are discussed in the light of cell wall looseningand the provision of carbon substrates for cell elongation. Key words: Glycosidases, acid invertase, sugars, cell elongation, Pennisetum americanum L., Leeke     

Endo-1,4-{beta}-Glucanase in the Cell Wall of Stems of Auxin-Treated Pea Seedlings

Endo-1,4-ß-glucanase induced by treatment of pea seedlingswith 2,4-D was extracted from a preparation of the walls ofepicotyl cells. The ß-glucanase was purified by chromatographyon DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharoseand SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The activityof ß-glucanase was retained after removal of SDS andextraction from polyacrylamide gels. The band of a protein (46kDa), that corresponded to the activity of endo-1,4-ß-glucanase,was injected directly into mice for preparation of antiserumand the protein was also subjected to amino acid sequencingafter blotting onto a membrane. Western blot analysis showedthat the antiserum obtained bound to a 46-kDa polypeptide andrecognized endo-1,4-ß-glucanase. The N-terminal sequenceof the 46-kDa polypeptide revealed some homology to abscissionendo-1,4-ß-glucanases of bean and avocado fruit. (Received September 29, 1993; Accepted January 20, 1994)     

Changes in the Pattern of Enzyme Development in Gibberellin-treated Pea Internodes

A study was made on the effect of gibberellic acid on amylase,cellulase, ß-fructofuranosidase, pectinesterase, andstarch phosphorylase activities in elongating dwarf-pea internodes. Hormonal stimulation of amylase and ß-fructofuranosidaseactivities correlated closely with internode growth, the activityof starch phosphorylase less so, and gibberellic acid had noimmediate effect on cellulase and pectinesterase activities. Injection of glucose (or glucose derivatives) into pea internodesmimicked the effect of gibberellic acid on fresh- and dry-weightaccumulation, cell elongation, cell division, and cell-wallsynthesis. It is proposed that the over-all effect of gibberellic acidon enzyme development is to provide more substrate (particularlyglucose) for general cell metabolism and wall synthesis withinelongating internodes.     

Auxin-indnced changes in barley coleoptile cell wall composition

Auxin induces extension growth of barley coleoptile segments,causing cell extension and cell wall loosening represented bya change in mechanical properties of the cell wall. This responsedecreased after the segments were starved for more than 12 hrin buffer solution. Auxin decreased the noncellulosic glucosecontent of the cell wall of the segments starved for 0 and 6hr, but very little that of segments starved for 12 and 18 hr.The contents of arabinose, xylose and galactose, among noncellulosicpolysaccharides, and -cellulose of the cell wall increased duringthe starvation, but auxin did not affect them. The auxin-induceddecrease in glucose content was inhibited by nojirimycin, apotent inhibitor of ß-glucanase, which inhibited auxin-inducedextension and changes in mechanical properties of the cell wall,suggesting that cell wall loosening, and thus cell extension,resulted from partial degradation of ß-glucan of thecell wall. (Received April 20, 1978; )     

The in vitro simulation of IAA-induced modification of Avena cell wall polysaccharides by an exo-glucanase

Treatment of Avena coloeptile segments with auxin promotes adecrease in the noncellulosic glucose component of the cellwalls. The decrease in glucan may be simulated in these cellwalls in vitro by an exo-glucanase which produces glucose directlyas the sole reaction product. These results also reveal thatglucans of Avena cell wall polysaccharides are readily susceptibleto exo-enzyme attack. Nojirimycin, a potent inhibitor of ß-glucosidasesand exo-glucanases, inhibits the enzymatic release of glucosefrom Avena cell walls in vitro. Since nojirimycin inhibits IAA-inducedgrowth of Avena coleoptiles, the evidence presented supportsthe hypothesis that IAA-induced growth may be mediated by anexo-glucanase. (Received February 14, 1975; )     

Changes in the Activities and Polypeptide Levels of Exo- and Endoglucanases in Cell Walls during Developmental Growth of Zea mays Coleoptiles

Exo- and endoglucanases present in cereal coleoptile cell wallsare capable of mediating hydrolysis of non-cellulosic rß-(l,3)(l,4)-glucanin situ. To assess the relationship with cell elongation, glucanaseactivities and the respective polypeptide abundance were determinedas a function of Zea mays coleoptile development. Both exo-and endoglucanase activities were quite low initially, but increasedto achieve maximum levels by days 5 or 6. Western blots revealedthat the density of the protein bands increased with coleoptiledevelopment generally in correspondence to activity levels.However, in bioassays with 3 d old coleoptile segments we foundthat auxin stimulation of glucanase activities did not resultfrom increased glucanase polypeptide levels. Hence, there wasno evidence for de novo protein synthesis in excised coleoptilesin response to added auxin. While glucanase antibodies stronglyinhibited IAA-induced elongation of coleoptile segments on days2–4, these same antibodies had little effect on day 1.We conclude that glucanases contribute to auxin mediated coleoptilegrowth only during a limited developmental interval. We proposethat when elongation is dominate, the physical properties ofthe cell wall adjust in response to metabolism of cell wallrß-(l,3)(l,4)-glucans but the enhancement of suchactivity is governed by factors other than glucanase proteinlevels. (Received December 24, 1997; Accepted April 30, 1998)     

Levels of {beta}-Glucan and Lignin in Elongating Internodes of Deepwater Rice

Partial submergence or treatment with either ethylene or gibberellicacid (GA₃ induces rapid growth in deepwater rice (Oryza sativaL.). We correlated the synthesis of two cell wall componentswith two phases of internodal elongation, namely (13,14)-ß-glucanformation with cell elongation and lignification with differentiationof the secondary cell wall and cessation of growth. The contentof ß-glucan was highest in the zone of cell elongationin internodes of air-grown plants and plants that were inducedto grow rapidly by submergence. In the intercalary meristemand in the differentiation zone of the internode, ß-glucanlevels were ca. 70% lower than in the zone of cell elongation.The outer cell layers, enriched in epidermis, contained moreß-glucan in submerged, rapidly growing internodesthan in air-grown, control internodes. The ß-glucancontent of the inner, parenchymal tissue was unaffected or slightlylowered by submergence. The epidermis appears to be the growth-limitingstructure of rapidly growing rice internodes. We hypothesizethat elevated levels of ß-glucan contribute to elongationgrowth by increasing the extensibility of the cell wall. Lignificationwas monitored by measuring the content of lignin and the activitiesof two enzymes of the lignin biosynthetic pathway, coniferylalcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase(PAL), in growing and non-growing regions of the internode.Using submerged whole plants and GA₃-treated excised stem segments,we showed that lignin content and CAD activity were up to sixfoldlower in newly formed internodal tissue of rapidly growing ricethan in slowly growing tissue. No differences were observedin parts of the internode that had been formed prior to inductionof growth. PAL activity was reduced throughout the internodeof submerged plants. We conclude that lignification is one ofthe processes that is suppressed to permit rapid growth. ¹ This work was supported by the National Science Foundationthrough grants No. DCB-8718873 and DCB-9103747 and by the Departmentof Energy through grant No. DE-FGO2-90ER20021. M.S. was therecipient of a fellowship from the Max Kade Foundation.     

Strain Dependence of the Cell-expanding Effect of β-1,3-Glucanase in Yeast

The effect of β-1, 3-glucanase on the cell expansion was studied with diploid strains of Saccharomyces ellipsoideus and S. cerevisiae, and their mutants differing in the response to auxin. The following results were obtained. Cell expansion was induced by β-1, 3-glucanase only in auxin-responsive or potentially auxin-responsive strains. β-1, 3-Glucanase induced cell expansion more rapidly than auxin. The cell wall of the auxin-responsive strain was more susceptible to digestion by β-l, 3-glucanase than that of the auxin-unresponsive one. The sensitivity of yeast cells to auxin action is discussed in relation to the nature of cell wall.     

The role of auxin in cell separation in the dehiscence zone of oilseed rape pods

Concentrations of both free and conjugated indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) were studied during development of pod wall, dehiscencezone and seeds of Brassica napus pods. A decrease in auxin contentprior to moisture loss in the pods was observed specificallyin the dehiscence zone, which was correlated with a tissue specificincrease in ß-1,4-glucanase activity. Furthermore,treatment of the pods with the auxin mimic 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyaceticacid resulted in a delay of 10 d of ß-1,4-glucanaseactivity and con-comitant cell separation in the dehiscencezone. This indicates that the activity of hydrolytic enzymesinvolved in cell separation in the dehiscence zone is regulatedby auxin activity. Comparison of parthenocarpic pods with seeded pods pointed tothe seeds as the source of IAA. Levels in the dehiscence zoneof these pods were low over the entire sampling period, whilecell separation in the dehiscence zone was delayed by about4 d. These results indicate that a low level of auxins in thedehiscence zone is necessary for dehiscence to take place, butother factors may also be important. Key words: Brassica napus, pod dehiscence, auxin, cellulase     

Control of Auxin-induced Stem Elongathn by the Epidermis

Segments of the 4th and 5th internodes of light-grown pea seedlings were used for the study of control of stem elongation. With 5th internodes, at low turgor as well as at water saturation auxin primarily appeared to cause a change in cell wall properties of the epidermis but it showed little effect on expansion af the inner tissue. This was confirmed by comparison of expansion between peeled and unpeeled segments, split tests and by measurements of stress-relaxation properties of the epidermal cell wall. Segments with the central part re-moved elongated well in response to auxin, but the isolated epidermis showed neither auxin-induced elongation nor cell wall loosening. A fungal β-1,3-glucanase appeared, at least partly, to have a similar effect as that of auxin on elongation, by changing cell wall properties of the epidermal cell wall. Peeled segments of 4th internodes expanded very little and auxin had little effect on their epidermal cell wall properties.     

Purification and Properties of an Extracellular Endo-1,4-r{beta}-Glucanase from Suspension-Cultured Poplar Cells

An endo-1,4-rß-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4 [EC] ) was purifiedto apparent homogeneity from the culture medium of poplar (Populusalba L.) cells by sequential anion-exchange, hydrophobic, andgel-filtration chromatography. The preparation of extracellularrß-glucanase was homogeneous on SDS-polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis (PAGE) and native PAGE. The molecular weight,as determined by SDS-PAGE was 50,000, whereas that determinedby gel filtration was 40,000. The isoelectric point (pI) was5.5. The purified enzyme catalyzed the endohydrolysis of carboxy-methylcellulosewith a pH optimum of 6.0 and a k_m of 1.0 mg ml^–1. Theenzyme specifically cleaved the 1,4-rß-glucosyl linkagesof carboxymethylcellulose, swollen cellulose, lichenan and xyloglucan,although the last was hydrolyzed more slowly than the othertested substrates. The activity of the endo-1,4-rß-glucanaseincreased up to the early stage of the mid-logarithmic phaseof growth and then decreased rapidly, suggesting that the rß-glucanaseis induced before cell development. (Received April 28, 1993; Accepted July 19, 1993)     

Cascade transduction and production of the light-nitric oxide signal from shoots to roots in maize seedlings exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation

The biomasses, rate of apparent nitric oxide (NO)-release, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity as well as β-d-endo and exo-glucanase activity of the cell wall were analyzed and determined in the roots of maize seedlings. It was found that rhizospheric treatments of 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethlimida-zoline-l-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), a NO scavenger, and radiation of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) to aerial parts of the seedling markedly inhibited the rate of NO release in roots, raised the activity of β-d-endo and exo-glucanase, and increased the biomasses of roots. The patent inhibitor, N-nitro-l-arginine (LNNA), of NOS was unable to inhibit NOS activity and NO generation. Inversely, reactive oxygen species (ROS) eliminator, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), stimulated the rate of NO release. There is no relationship between NOS activity and the rate of NO release. The latter showed a positive correlation with nitrate reductase (NR) activity, whereas it showed a negative correlation with the bio-masses and the activity of β-d-endo and exo-glucanase. All results implicated that NO was a by-product generated by NR catalysis, whereas NR activity was sensitively repressed by the systemic signal network (involved in ROS) induced by enhanced UV-B. It indicated that the downstream signal molecule of enhanced UV-B light is probably ROS which decreased NO generation through inhibiting NR activity. The endogenous NO generated by NR catalysis is perhaps such a messenger for restraining β-d-endo and exo-glucanase activity that the root growth was retarded.     

Induction of chitinase and {beta}-1,3-glucanase activity in sunflower suspension cells in response to an elicitor from Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea (Pmg). Evidence for regulation by ethylene and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)

In heterotrophic cell suspensions of sunflower (Helianthus annuusL. cv. Spanners Allzweck) the effect of Pmg elicitor, a fungalelicitor preparation from Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea,on the induction of chitinase and ß-1,3-glucanaseactivity was studied in relation to changes in ethylene biosynthesis.Dose-response experiments with Pmg elicitor showed that theonset of the induction of intracellular chitinase and ß-1,3-glucanaseactivity coincided or followed a transient rise in ethyleneand particularly endogenous 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylicacid (ACC) levels within 5 h of application. Treatment with5 µg ml^–1 elicitor stimulated ethylene and ACC levels1.6-fold and 4-fold, relative to control, respectively. Themolar ratio of ACC to ethylene changed from approximately 3:1in controls to 9:1 in treated cells. During further incubation,ethylene formation and, to a lesser degree, ACC levels declinedand the ACC/ethylene ratio increased to 56:1 in elicitor-treatedcells. On a protein basis, the activities of ß-1,3-glucanaseand chitinase increased approximately 5-fold and 8-fold, respectively,48 h after elicitor application. Additional treatment with theACC synthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinyiglycine (AVG) decreasedelicitor-induced enzyme activities and the levels of both ethyleneand ACC. Elicitor effects on chitinase and ß-1,3-glucanaseactivities could be fully restored when ACC was additionallyapplied. Concomitantly, the ACC/ ethylene ratio increased. Neithertreatments with ACC alone, which simultaneously increased internalACC and ethylene levels, nor treatments with AVG alone, whichsimultaneously reduced ACC and ethylene levels, could generallystimulate chitinase or ß-1,3-glucanase activitiesin the cells. It is suggested that ACC functions as a promotingfactor in the induction of chitinase and ß-1,3-glucanaseactivity triggered by Pmg elicitor and appears to reverse aninhibiting influence of ethylene. Key words: 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, chitinase, ß-1,3-glucanase, ethylene, Helianthus cellsuspension cultures, Phytophthora megasperma-elicitor