2个蜡梅nsLTP基因启动子的克隆及其在烟草中的瞬时表达分析

利用hiTAIL-PCR法得到了2个蜡梅(Chimonanthus praecox)非特异性脂转移蛋白(non-specific lipid transfer protein)基因家族成员CpLTP3和CpLTP4翻译起始位点上游启动子序列,长度分别为1298bp和838bp。生物信息学分析表明2个序列均存在启动子的基本元件TATA-box和CAAT-box及多个与植物非生物胁迫相关的响应元件。在烟草叶片中的瞬时表达结果表明这两个启动子序列均具备驱动报告基因GUS表达的功能。     

干旱胁迫对3种不同光合类型荒漠植物叶绿体和线粒体超微结构的影响

以荒漠木本C_3植物天山猪毛菜、C_3-C_4中间型植物松叶猪毛菜、C_4植物木本猪毛菜为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验,设置正常供水和轻度、中度和重度干旱处理(土壤含水量分别为田间持水量的80%、60%、45%和35%),研究不同程度干旱胁迫对3种不同光合类型荒漠植物叶片超微结构的影响。结果表明:(1)正常水分条件下,叶肉细胞中各细胞器结构完整。(2)轻度干旱胁迫下,3种植物叶片超微结构未受损伤,无明显变化。(3)中度干旱胁迫下,天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶肉细胞壁界限不清晰,类囊体片层扩张且排列不紧密,不同之处在于,天山猪毛菜线粒体最先出现降解,内含物流失,而松叶猪毛菜线粒体外膜轮廓变形,嵴减少;木本猪毛菜线粒体无明显变化,叶绿体轻微扩张。(4)重度干旱胁迫下,天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶绿体受损且结构混乱,线粒体出现降解;木本猪毛菜叶绿体出现膨胀,线粒体外膜轮廓模糊,嵴减少且结构模糊不清楚。研究认为,不同程度干旱胁迫下木本猪毛菜叶绿体和线粒体的受损程度都最低;干旱胁迫下天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶绿体的受损程度大致相似;松叶猪毛菜和木本猪毛菜线粒体对干旱胁迫的耐受力要比叶绿体强。     

水稻(Oryza sativa L.)苹果酸酶(OsNADP-ME3)基因在逆境下的表达特性研究

水稻苹果酸酶（NADP-ME）是多基因家族,由3个胞质型NADP-ME和1个质体型NADP-ME构成。本研究针对水稻胞质型成员（命名为NADP-ME3）（NM₀01061367）进行初步的功能解析。克隆获得的NADP-ME3基因的cDNA序列全长为2240bp,其中5’非翻译区为151bp,3’非翻译区为376bp,开放读码框（ORF）长1713bp,编码570个氨基酸。为研究NADP-ME3在逆境胁迫下的表达量变化,Northern blot检测结果显示,在NaCl、NaHCO3和PEG胁迫条件下,NADP-ME3随胁迫处理时间的不同表达量呈现不同程度的变化,推断NADP-ME3可能与非生物胁迫有应答关系,将NADP-ME3转入拟南芥中并通过观察转基因拟南芥在非生物胁迫下表型变化,发现NADP-ME3能够在一定程度上提高植物对非生物胁迫的耐受性。     

白桦BpZFP4基因启动子克隆和逆境响应元件功能分析

前期研究发现白桦锌指蛋白BpZFP4基因响应多种非生物逆境胁迫。为了深入研究其调控机制,本研究利用染色体步移技术克隆了该基因上游1 360 bp的启动子区域,序列分析结果表明该区域含有多个逆境响应顺式作用元件、激素响应元件、光响应以及病原菌和损伤响应元件等。在此基础上,构建了BpZFP4启动子5'-端一系列缺失片段融合GUS报告基因的表达载体。通过对系列缺失突变体在正常条件以及渗透胁迫、盐胁迫和脱落酸（ABA）处理条件下的GUS基因表达分析,鉴定得到BpZFP4启动子对干旱、盐和ABA应答响应的主要调节区域及可能的顺式作用元件。本研究结果为进一步探究BpZFP4基因应答非生物胁迫和信号分子刺激的调控机理提供了重要的理论依据。     

玉米胚胎发生后期丰富蛋白基因的启动子克隆与功能验证

该研究在生物信息学分析的基础上,克隆玉米胚胎发生后期丰富蛋白基因(MGL3)的启动子序列(pMGL3),进行非生物逆境应答元件分析以及实时定量PCR验证其非生物逆境胁迫响应特性,构建了pMGL3启动子驱动报告基因(GUS)表达载体,基因枪法转化玉米愈伤组织,通过GUS染色验证pMGL3启动子在非生物逆境胁迫下的驱动活性。再根据启动子序列分析结果,去除不同的顺式作用元件,构建不同长度pMGL3启动子驱动报告基因GUS表达载体,农杆菌介导法转化烟草叶盘,以确定pMGL3启动子的最短活性序列。结果显示:pMGL3启动子长1 554bp,存在多种与非生物逆境胁迫应答相关的调控元件,在干旱、高盐、低温胁迫及脱落酸、乙烯诱导下驱动MGL3基因增量表达,用以驱动GUS基因转化玉米愈伤组织,在高渗、高盐、低温胁迫及脱落酸诱导下具有驱动活性,且截短至325bp仍可保持驱动活性。研究表明,pMGL3启动子的确有非生物逆境诱导启动活性,进一步验证其作用机理后可运用于玉米抗逆转基因研究。     

中间锦鸡儿CiMYB31基因克隆及表达分析

MYB类转录因子是植物中最大的转录因子家族之一,在植物的初生与次生代谢、细胞命运、生长发育及在生物与非生物胁迫应答中具有重要的作用。本研究以中间锦鸡儿为实验材料利用PCR技术分别以cDNA与gDNA为模板对CiMYB31基因进行了克隆。研究测序表明:CiMYB31基因的开放阅读框(ORF)为969 bp,编码323个氨基酸,其基因组DNA序列长度为1 724 bp,包含3个外显子与2个内含子。生物信息学分析显示:CiMYB31所编码蛋白的N端包含2个MYB结构域(14~64 aa和67~115 aa),属于R2R3-MYB类蛋白。预测该蛋白分子量为36.32 k D,等电点为5.6,蛋白整体上是亲水性的。利用染色体步移技术克隆CiMYB31基因启动子序列,得到902 bp ATG上游序列。分析显示启动子序列中包含一些非生物胁迫相关的顺式作用元件,如干旱响应元件(MBS)与低温响应元件(LTR)。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术对CiMYB31基因的表达进行分析,发现该基因受到低温的诱导。上述研究表明CiMYB31基因可能在中间锦鸡儿对非生物胁迫的响应过程中起作用。     

甘蓝型油菜SAMDC3基因及其启动子的克隆与分析

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶(SAMDC)是植物体内亚精胺和精胺前体物质形成的关键酶。本研究克隆了甘蓝型油菜(Brassica napus)BnSAMDC3基因家族2个成员的全长cDNA和启动子序列,并对其诱导表达特性进行了鉴定。BnSAMDC3-1(GenBank accession No.HM013966)和BnSAMDC3-2(GenBank ac-cession No.HM013967)的全长cDNA分别为1746bp和1754bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度分别为1101bp和1104bp,在大ORF上游132bp处均包含一个171bp的小ORF。BnSAMDC3基因在叶片中表达量较高,受高温和干旱抑制。6-BA、GA3和SA抑制BnSAMDC3-1的表达,而GA3和甘露醇诱导BnSAMDC3-2表达上调。BnSAMDC3基因启动子具有多个与胁迫和激素诱导相关的顺势调控元件,表明BnSAMDC3可能通过ABA、6-BA和SA信号途径介导植物对非生物胁迫的响应。本研究将有助于进一步探讨甘蓝型油菜抗逆的分子机理,为甘蓝型油菜的栽培和品质改良奠定基础。     

甘草GuWOX基因家族的鉴定与表达分析北大核心CSCD

WUSCHEL-related homeobox(WOX)转录因子是植物特有的转录因子,具有调控植物生长发育和非生物胁迫响应的作用。该研究通过生物信息学的方法对GuWOX基因家族进行分析,并利用qRT-PCR方法检测该基因家族在不同组织和非生物胁迫下的表达情况,利用RT-PCR方法克隆得到4个GuWOX基因。结果显示,(1)GuWOX基因家族共有16个成员,均含有保守的HD,为亲水性不稳定蛋白质;系统进化分析表明,GuWOX基因家族分为3个进化支(远古支、中间支和现代支);启动子序列中包括响应多种逆境和激素的顺式作用元件。(2)qRT-PCR结果显示,在侧根中GuWOX1的表达量最高,在茎中GuWOX15的表达量最高;GuWOX在盐、无磷和GA_(3)处理后不同时间段都有表达;干旱和ABA处理GuWOX15的表达模式相近,且在处理12 h时均上调表达。(3)成功克隆得到GuWOX1、GuWOX5、GuWOX6、GuWOX12基因,其长度分别为557 bp、707 bp、716 bp和578 bp,分别编码184、237、237和191个氨基酸。该研究结果表明,GuWOX基因参与甘草发育、对逆境胁迫的响应以及植物激素调节,为进一步分析GuWOX基因功能奠定了基础。     

桑树MaPP2C8基因克隆及其干旱胁迫下的表达

该研究基于桑树转录组测序结果及基因组数据库,采用PCR技术,克隆获得桑树2C型蛋白磷酸酶基因MaPP2C8的cDNA及其启动子序列,运用生物信息学方法对序列进行分析,并采用qRT-PCR方法检测MaPP2C8在干旱胁迫处理下的表达特性,为进一步研究MaPP2C8基因在干旱胁迫响应中的功能奠定基础。结果显示:(1)MaPP2C8基因cDNA全长为1 309 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)全长为1 053 bp,编码350个氨基酸。(2)MaPP2C8蛋白与桑科其他植物亲缘关系较近,归属于PP2Cs家族中的A亚族。(3)MaPP2C8蛋白分布于细胞中的多个位置,包括细胞质、细胞核及细胞膜等。(4)克隆获得MaPP2C8基因编码起始位点上游长度为1 612 bp启动子序列,该启动子含有3类激素相关的顺式作用元件,且与ABA相关的元件多达3个。(5)MaPP2C8基因受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达,复水处理后,其表达量显著下调。研究表明,MaPP2C8基因在桑树响应干旱胁迫过程中可能起重要作用。     

玉米钼辅助因子硫酸化酶基因启动子的克隆与功能验证

为克服组成型启动子启动外源基因过量表达引起的诸多问题,同源克隆(Mo-molybdopterin cofactor sulfurase)基因（ABA3）的启动子(ABA3s)序列,并用PlantCARE软件分析其非生物逆境应答元件, 实时定量PCR检测ABA3基因在非生物逆境诱导下的差异表达后。然后,用该启动子构建启动GUS（β-glucuronidase）基因的表达载体, 基因枪法转化玉米愈伤组织。经组织化学染色法检测其表达后, 在高渗、高盐、低温胁迫处理及ABA诱导下检测GUS酶荧光值与荧光素酶(内参)发光值的比值(GUS/LUC), 以此评价ABA3s启动子在非生物逆境胁迫下的启动活性。结果表明, ABA3基因在模拟干旱、低温、高温、高盐胁迫及ABA、乙稀诱导下差异表达, 说明该基因的启动子(ABA3s)具有非生物逆境诱导活性。序列分析表明, ABA3s启动子全长777 bp, 含有ARE、HSE、MBS、TGA、Circadian等多种非生物逆境胁迫应答元件。用ABA3s启动GUS基因构建的表达载体转化的玉米愈伤组织, 响应干旱、低温、高温、高盐胁迫等多种非生物逆境胁迫, 及ABA和乙稀诱导, GUS检测呈阳性。在8%甘露醇高渗条件下, GUS/LUC比值比空白对照高6倍。上述结果表明, ABA3s启动子具有非生物逆境诱导特性, 经进一步验证其功能后, 可用于玉米抗逆转基因研究。     

干旱胁迫对2种光合类型C4荒漠植物叶片光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响

以荒漠C₄草本植物蔷薇猪毛菜(NADP苹果酸酶型,NADP-ME）和粗枝猪毛菜（NAD苹果酸酶型,NAD-ME）为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验设置正常供水和轻度、中度、重度干旱处理（土壤含水量分别为田间持水量80%、60%、45%和35%）,通过测定不同程度干旱胁迫下叶片含水量、C₄光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性等指标,探讨不同类型C₄荒漠植物光合特征酶和抗氧化系统对干旱逆境的适应机制。结果显示：（1）2种植物叶片含水量均随干旱胁迫的加剧不同程度降低。（2）叶片磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（PEPC）活性在中度干旱胁迫下显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下急剧下降;蔷薇猪毛菜NAD-ME活性和粗枝猪毛菜NADP-ME活性都很低,且它们基本不受干旱胁迫的影响;随干旱胁迫的加剧,蔷薇猪毛菜NADP-ME活性呈下降趋势,而粗枝猪毛菜NAD-ME活性先显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低。（3）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性呈下降趋势,过氧化物酶（POD）活性在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性在中度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度的增加,但在重度干旱胁迫下蔷薇猪毛菜CAT活性降低,而粗枝猪毛菜CAT活性显著增加;丙二醛（MDA）含量随干旱胁迫的加剧均有不同程度的增加。研究认为,一定程度干旱胁迫下,2种荒漠植物的PEPC活性均有增加;不同光合类型C₄植物叶片脱羧酶（NADP-ME和NAD-ME）对干旱胁迫的响应有明显的差异。POD和CAT是这两种C₄植物适应干旱胁迫的主要抗氧化酶,但蔷薇猪毛菜CAT在重度干旱胁迫下没有起到积极保护作用。     

Effects of irradiance and temperature on photosynthesis in C3, C4 and C3/C4 Panicum species

Species in the Laxa and Grandia groups of the genus Panicum are adapted to low, wet areas of tropical and subtropical America. Panicum milioides is a species with C₃ photosynthesis and low apparent photorespiration and has been classified as a C₃/C₄ intermediate. Other species in the Laxa group are C₃ with normal photorespiration. Panicum prionitis is a C₄ species in the Grandia group. Since P. milioides has some leaf characteristics intermediate to C₃ and C₄ species, its photosynthetic response to irradiance and temperature was compared to the closely related C₃ species, P. laxum and P. boliviense and to P. prionitis. The response of apparent photosynthesis to irradiance and temperature was similar to that of P. laxum and P. boliviense, with saturation at a photosynthetic photo flux density of about 1 mmol m^-2 s^-1 at 30°C and temperature optimum near 30°C. In contrast, P. prionitis showed no light saturation up to 2 mmol m^-2 s^-1 and an optimum temperature near 40°C. P. milioides exhibited low CO₂ loss into CO₂-free air in the light and this loss was nearly insensitive to temperature. Loss of CO₂ in the light in the C₃ species, P. laxum and P. boliviense, was several-fold higher than in P. milioides and increased 2- to 5-fold with increases in temperature from 10 to 40°C. The level of dark respiration and its response to temperature were similar in all four Panicum species examined. It is concluded that the low apparent photorespiration in P. milioides does not influence its response of apparent photosynthesis to irradiance and temperature in comparison to closely related C₃ Panicum species.Abbreviations AP apparent photosynthesis - I CO₂ compensation point - gl leaf conductance; gm, mesophyll conductance - PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density - PR apparent photorespiration rate - RuBPC sibulose bisphosphate carboxylase     

油茶DELLA基因的克隆和表达分析

为了解油茶(Camellia oleifera)中DELLA基因功能及其表达特性,采用PCR技术从‘长林4号’油茶中克隆了5个DELLA基因,命名为CoDELLA1~CoDELLA5,对其编码的5个CoDELLA蛋白进行生物信息学分析,并对5个DELLA基因的表达模式以及激素响应活性进行了分析。结果表明,5个CoDELLA基因的编码区长度分别为1 791、1 875、1 848、1 593和1 581 bp,分别编码597、625、616、531和527个氨基酸。5个CoDELLA蛋白的氨基酸序列相似度较高,丝氨酸残基为主要的潜在磷酸化位点,CoDELLA蛋白N端均含有典型的DELLA结构域。不同物种中DELLA蛋白的系统发育存在差异,CoDELLA与茶树的CsDELLA同源性最高。CoDELLA基因在油茶不同组织中的表达也存在差异,且赤霉素和独脚金内酯等多种激素和非生物胁迫对其表达具有调控作用。CoDELLA基因可能在油茶的生长发育和非生物胁迫响应中发挥重要作用。     

毛竹C4H基因的鉴定及其表达模式分析

为了解毛竹（Phyllostachys edulis）中肉桂酸-4-羟化酶基因（C4H）的分子特征及其表达模式,采用生物信息学方法在毛竹基因组数据库中鉴定出6个C4H成员（PeC4H1~PeC4H6）,基因编码区长度为1 506~1 695 bp,推测编码501~564 aa,均具有保守的血红素结合域、苏氨酸结合槽基序和5个特征性底物识别位点,属于细胞色素P450超家族。系统进化分析表明,6个PeC4Hs可分为2类,分别含有2和4个成员。转录组数据分析表明,PeC4Hs在毛竹26个组织中的表达量存在明显差异,不同高度笋中PeC4Hs的表达差异显著。PeC4Hs启动子序列中含有多种响应逆境胁迫和激素信号的顺式调控元件,PeC4Hs表达受干旱和GA₃的影响,干旱时,仅PeC4H3/4在根中显著上调表达,其余成员均呈下调表达;GA₃处理下叶中PeC4H3/6迅速响应,呈先显著上调后逐渐降低的趋势,根中PeC4H2/5在处理前1 h短暂下调后又显著上调,至8 h时恢复到处理前的表达水平。因此,PeC4Hs可能在毛竹笋的木质化过程和应对非生物胁迫中发挥着重要作用。     

资阳香橙砧木CjSPL基因家族鉴定及表达模式分析

鳞片启动子结合类蛋白(squamosa promoter binding protein-like,SPL)家族是一类参与调控植物生长发育以及响应环境胁迫的重要转录因子,但在柑橘等多年生果树中的研究较少。本研究以柑橘一种重要的砧木——资阳香橙(Citrus junos Sieb.ex Tanaka)为材料,基于plantTFDB转录因子数据库和甜橙基因组数据库鉴定并克隆出资阳香橙15个SPL家族基因,命名为CjSPL1–CjSPL15。序列分析表明,CjSPLs的开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)长度为393–2865 bp,编码130–954个氨基酸;系统进化树将15个CjSPLs分为9个亚家族;基因结构和保守结构域分析预测出20个不同的保守motif和SBP基本结构域;启动子顺式作用元件分析预测出20种启动子元件,其中包含植物生长发育、非生物胁迫及次生代谢物相关元件。通过实时荧光定量PCR(real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)分析了CjSPLs在干旱、盐和低温胁迫下的表达模式,较多CjSPLs在胁迫处理后显著上调表达。本研究为后续深入研究柑橘及其他果树SPL家族转录因子功能提供参考。     

Co-function of C3-and C4-photosynthetic pathways in C3, C4 and C3-C4 intermediate Flaveria species

The potential for C₄ photosynthesis was investigated in five C₃-C₄ intermediate species, one C₃ species, and one C₄ species in the genus Flaveria, using ¹⁴CO₂ pulse-¹²CO₂ chase techniques and quantum-yield measurements. All five intermediate species were capable of incorporating ¹⁴CO₂ into the C₄ acids malate and aspartate, following an 8-s pulse. The proportion of ¹⁴C label in these C₄ products ranged from 50–55% to 20–26% in the C₃-C₄ intermediates F. floridana Johnston and F. linearis Lag. respectively. All of the intermediate species incorporated as much, or more, ¹⁴CO₂ into aspartate as into malate. Generally, about 5–15% of the initial label in these species appeared as other organic acids. There was variation in the capacity for C₄ photosynthesis among the intermediate species based on the apparent rate of conversion of ¹⁴C label from the C₄ cycle to the C₃ cycle. In intermediate species such as F. pubescens Rydb., F. ramosissima Klatt., and F. floridana we observed a substantial decrease in label of C₄-cycle products and an increase in percentage label in C₃-cycle products during chase periods with ¹²CO₂, although the rate of change was slower than in the C₄ species, F. palmeri. In these C₃-C₄ intermediates both sucrose and fumarate were predominant products after a 20-min chase period. In the C₃-C₄ intermediates, F. anomala Robinson and f. linearis we observed no significant decrease in the label of C₄-cycle products during a 3-min chase period and a slow turnover during a 20-min chase, indicating a lower level of functional integration between the C₄ and C₃ cycles in these species, relative to the other intermediates. Although F. cronquistii Powell was previously identified as a C₃ species, 7–18% of the initial label was in malate+aspartate. However, only 40–50% of this label was in the C-4 position, indicating C₄-acid formation as secondary products of photosynthesis in F. cronquistii. In 21% O₂, the absorbed quantum yields for CO₂ uptake (in mol CO₂·[mol quanta]^-1) averaged 0.053 in F. cronquistii (C₃), 0.051 in F. trinervia (Spreng.) Mohr (C₄), 0.052 in F. ramosissima (C₃-C₄), 0.051 in F. anomala (C₃-C₄), 0.050 in F. linearis (C₃-C₄), 0.046 in F. floridana (C₃-C₄), and 0.044 in F. pubescens (C₃-C₄). In 2% O₂ an enhancement of the quantum yield was observed in all of the C₃-C₄ intermediate species, ranging from 21% in F. ramosissima to 43% in F. pubescens. In all intermediates the quantum yields in 2% O₂ were intermediate in value to the C₃ and C₄ species, indicating a co-function of the C₃ and C₄ cycles in CO₂ assimilation. The low quantum-yield values for F. pubescens and F. floridana in 21% O₂ presumably reflect an ineffcient transfer of carbon from the C₄ to the C₃ cycle. The response of the quantum yield to four increasing O₂ concentrations (2–35%) showed lower levels of O₂ inhibition in the C₃-C₄ intermediate F. ramosissima, relative to the C₃ species. This indicates that the co-function of the C₃ and C₄ cycles in this intermediate species leads to an increased CO₂ concentration at the site of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and a concomitant decrease in the competitive inhibition by O₂.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PGA 3-phosphoglycerate - RuBP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate     

青花菜谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶基因克隆及其表达分析

为探讨青花菜在模拟酸雨胁迫下谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶的表达变化,克隆了青花菜谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶基因(glutathione-S-transferase,GST)的cDNA序列全长,并进行了生物信息学和表达分析。结果表明:青花菜GST基因cDNA全长为915bp,开放阅读框为642bp,编码213个氨基酸,推测分子式为C1091H1719N289O306S5,分子量为23 940.7,没有跨膜螺旋区域和信号肽。系统进化树分析表明,该青花菜基因GST与芥菜的GST聚类关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,在模拟酸雨胁迫下,GST基因的表达量在胁迫初期显著增大,随时间延长开始下降,表明其参与了青花菜抗酸雨的应答反应。     

Occurrence of C3 and C4 photosynthesis in cotyledons and leaves of Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae)

Most species of the genus Salsola (Chenopodiaceae) that have been examined exhibit C₄ photosynthesis in leaves. Four Salsola species from Central Asia were investigated in this study to determine the structural and functional relationships in photosynthesis of cotyledons compared to leaves, using anatomical (Kranz versus non-Kranz anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure) and biochemical (activities of photosynthetic enzymes of the C₃ and C₄ pathways, ¹⁴C labeling of primary photosynthesis products and ¹³C/¹²C carbon isotope fractionation) criteria. The species included S. paulsenii from section Salsola, S. richteri from section Coccosalsola, S. laricina from section Caroxylon, and S. gemmascens from section Malpigipila. The results show that all four species have a C₄ type of photosynthesis in leaves with a Salsoloid type Kranz anatomy, whereas both C₃ and C₄ types of photosynthesis were found in cotyledons. S. paulsenii and S. richteri have NADP- (NADP-ME) C₄ type biochemistry with Salsoloid Kranz anatomy in both leaves and cotyledons. In S. laricina, both cotyledons and leaves have NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) C₄ type photosynthesis; however, while the leaves have Salsoloid type Kranz anatomy, cotyledons have Atriplicoid type Kranz anatomy. In S. gemmascens, cotyledons exhibit C₃ type photosynthesis, while leaves perform NAD-ME type photosynthesis. Since the four species studied belong to different Salsola sections, this suggests that differences in photosynthetic types of leaves and cotyledons may be used as a basis or studies of the origin and evolution of C₄ photosynthesis in the family Chenopodiaceae.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.