Root aquaporins contribute to whole plant water fluxes under drought stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Aquaporin activity and root anatomy may affect root hydraulic properties under drought stress. To better understand the function of aquaporins in rice root water fluxes under drought, we studied the root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) and root sap exudation rate (Sr) in the presence or absence of an aquaporin inhibitor (azide) under well‐watered conditions and following drought stress in six diverse rice varieties. Varieties varied in Lpr and Sr under both conditions. The contribution of aquaporins to Lpr was generally high (up to 79% under well‐watered conditions and 85% under drought stress) and differentially regulated under drought. Aquaporin contribution to Sr increased in most varieties after drought, suggesting a crucial role for aquaporins in osmotic water fluxes during drought and recovery. Furthermore, root plasma membrane aquaporin (PIP) expression and root anatomical properties were correlated with hydraulic traits. Three chromosome regions highly correlated with hydraulic traits of the OryzaSNP panel were identified, but did not co‐locate with known aquaporins. These results therefore highlight the importance of aquaporins in the rice root radial water pathway, but emphasize the complex range of additional mechanisms related to root water fluxes and drought response.     

丛枝菌根真菌通过上调根系及自身水孔蛋白基因表达提高玉米抗旱性

在模拟干旱条件下, 研究了接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌Glomus intraradices对玉米(Zea mays)根部13种质膜水孔蛋白基因表达的影响, 同时观测了AM真菌自身水孔蛋白基因的表达情况。结果表明, 干旱条件下, 除Zm PIP1;3、Zm PIP1;4、Zm PIP1;5和Zm PIP2;2之外的接种处理能显著提高根部其他8种质膜水孔蛋白基因的表达(Zm PIP2;7表达量未检测出), 并且AM真菌菌丝中水孔蛋白基因GintAQP1表达也显著增强。与此同时, 接种处理明显改善了植物水分状况, 提高了叶片水势。AM真菌增强宿主植物根部及自身的水孔蛋白基因的表达对于提高植物抗旱性具有潜在的重要贡献。     

Drought, abscisic acid and transpiration rate effects on the regulation of PIP aquaporin gene expression and abundance in Phaseolus vulgaris plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Drought causes a decline of root hydraulic conductance, which aside from embolisms, is governed ultimately by aquaporins. Multiple factors probably regulate aquaporin expression, abundance and activity in leaf and root tissues during drought; among these are the leaf transpiration rate, leaf water status, abscisic acid (ABA) and soil water content. Here a study is made of how these factors could influence the response of aquaporin to drought. METHODS: Three plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) or aquaporins were cloned from Phaseolus vulgaris plants and their expression was analysed after 4 d of water deprivation and also 1 d after re-watering. The effects of ABA and of methotrexate (MTX), an inhibitor of stomatal opening, on gene expression and protein abundance were also analysed. Protein abundance was examined using antibodies against PIP1 and PIP2 aquaporins. At the same time, root hydraulic conductance (L), transpiration rate, leaf water status and ABA tissue concentration were measured. KEY RESULTS: None of the treatments (drought, ABA or MTX) changed the leaf water status or tissue ABA concentration. The three treatments caused a decline in the transpiration rate and raised PVPIP2;1 gene expression and PIP1 protein abundance in the leaves. In the roots, only the drought treatment raised the expression of the three PIP genes examined, while at the same time diminishing PIP2 protein abundance and L. On the other hand, ABA raised both root PIP1 protein abundance and L. CONCLUSIONS: The rise of PvPIP2;1 gene expression and PIP1 protein abundance in the leaves of P. vulgaris plants subjected to drought was correlated with a decline in the transpiration rate. At the same time, the increase in the expression of the three PIP genes examined caused by drought and the decline of PIP2 protein abundance in the root tissues were not correlated with any of the parameters measured.     

Impact of long-term drought on xylem embolism and growth in Pinus halepensis Mill.

 The present study was carried out to elucidate the response mechanisms of 50-year-old Pinus halepensis Mill. trees to a long-term and severe drought. The amount of water available to trees was artificially restricted for 12 months by covering the soil with a plastic roof. Over the short term a direct and rapid impact of drought was evident on the water relations and gas exchanges of trees: as the soil dried out in the Spring, there was a concurrent decrease of predawn water potential; transpiration was strongly reduced by stomatal closure. Seasonal changes in the water volume fractions of twig and stem xylem were observed and interpreted as the result of cavitation and refilling in the xylem. When droughted trees recovered to a more favourable water status, refilling of embolized xylem was observed; twig predawn water potentials were still negative in the period when the embolism was reversed in the twig xylem. A few months after the removal of the covering, no differences in whole plant hydraulic resistance were observed between droughted and control trees. Needle and shoot elongation and stem radial growth were considerably reduced in droughted trees; no strategy of trees to allocate carbon preferentially to the stem conducting tissues was apparent throughout the experiment. An after-effect of the drought on growth was observed. Received: 4 August 1997 / Accepted: 1 October 1997     

干旱胁迫对转PtPIP2;8基因84K杨苗木光合、生长和根系结构的影响

为研究水通道蛋白PtPIP2;8基因功能, 了解其不同表达水平的转基因84K杨(Populus alba × P. glandulossa)应对干旱胁迫的响应, 该文以转PtPIP2;8 84K杨抑制表达株系(抑制表达)、野生型(WT)和转PtPIP2;8 84K杨超表达株系(超表达)为试验材料, 测定PtPIP2;8表达水平、根系导度、光响应曲线、气体交换参数、生长及根系形态指标。结果显示: (1) WT植株PtPIP2;8仅在根系表达; 超表达植株PtPIP2;8除在根部显著表达外, 在茎和叶片中也显著表达; 抑制表达植株PtPIP2;8仅在根部有微量表达, 表达量分别是WT和超表达植株的1/20和1/80。(2)根系结构分析发现, 超表达植株总根长、总根表面积、总根体积、总根尖数显著低于WT和抑制表达植株, 根系导水率显著高于WT和抑制表达植株, 表明PtPIP2;8参与了植物根系水分运输, 提高了水分运输效率。(3)正常水分条件下, 抑制表达植株苗高、叶面积显著低于WT和超表达植株, 根冠比显著高于WT和超表达植株。干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)下降幅度小, 仍能维持较高的P_n。气体交换参数显示抑制表达植株P_n、G_s日变化为“单峰”型, 属气孔因素引起的净光合速率下降;WT和超表达植株P_n、G_s日变化为“双峰”型, 干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株P_n略微下降, WT和超表达植株P_n均下降, 尤其是13:00、15:00下降显著, 表明WT和超表达植株对干旱胁迫更加敏感, 干旱对其影响更大。(4)干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株相对生长速率、总生物量降低的最少, 根冠比最高; 总根表面积、总根体积、总根尖数显著高于WT植株。表明PtPIP2;8直接参与水分运输并提高水分运输效率, 其转化影响了植株根系发育和生长。超表达植株根系发育的下降和叶面积的增大减弱了它的抗旱性, 而抑制表达植株矮小, 降低的叶面积, 增加的根系生长和根冠比提高了它的抗旱能力。从研究结果来看, 水通道蛋白提高了水分跨膜运输效率, 而非水通道蛋白导水机制对干旱有较强的耐受性。     

Effects of drought stress on photosynthesis,growth and root structure of transgenic PtPIP2;8 poplar 84K (Populus alba × P. glandulosa)

为研究水通道蛋白PtPIP2;8基因功能, 了解其不同表达水平的转基因84K杨(Populus alba × P. glandulossa)应对干旱胁迫的响应, 该文以转PtPIP2;8 84K杨抑制表达株系(抑制表达)、野生型(WT)和转PtPIP2;8 84K杨超表达株系(超表达)为试验材料, 测定PtPIP2;8表达水平、根系导度、光响应曲线、气体交换参数、生长及根系形态指标。结果显示: (1) WT植株PtPIP2;8仅在根系表达; 超表达植株PtPIP2;8除在根部显著表达外, 在茎和叶片中也显著表达; 抑制表达植株PtPIP2;8仅在根部有微量表达, 表达量分别是WT和超表达植株的1/20和1/80。(2)根系结构分析发现, 超表达植株总根长、总根表面积、总根体积、总根尖数显著低于WT和抑制表达植株, 根系导水率显著高于WT和抑制表达植株, 表明PtPIP2;8参与了植物根系水分运输, 提高了水分运输效率。(3)正常水分条件下, 抑制表达植株苗高、叶面积显著低于WT和超表达植株, 根冠比显著高于WT和超表达植株。干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)下降幅度小, 仍能维持较高的P_n。气体交换参数显示抑制表达植株P_n、G_s日变化为“单峰”型, 属气孔因素引起的净光合速率下降;WT和超表达植株P_n、G_s日变化为“双峰”型, 干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株P_n略微下降, WT和超表达植株P_n均下降, 尤其是13:00、15:00下降显著, 表明WT和超表达植株对干旱胁迫更加敏感, 干旱对其影响更大。(4)干旱胁迫后, 抑制表达植株相对生长速率、总生物量降低的最少, 根冠比最高; 总根表面积、总根体积、总根尖数显著高于WT植株。表明PtPIP2;8直接参与水分运输并提高水分运输效率, 其转化影响了植株根系发育和生长。超表达植株根系发育的下降和叶面积的增大减弱了它的抗旱性, 而抑制表达植株矮小, 降低的叶面积, 增加的根系生长和根冠比提高了它的抗旱能力。从研究结果来看, 水通道蛋白提高了水分跨膜运输效率, 而非水通道蛋白导水机制对干旱有较强的耐受性。     

Plant potassium content modifies the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on root hydraulic properties in maize plants

It is well known that the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis helps the host plant to overcome several abiotic stresses including drought. One of the mechanisms for this drought tolerance enhancement is the higher water uptake capacity of the mycorrhizal plants. However, the effects of the AM symbiosis on processes regulating root hydraulic properties of the host plant, such as root hydraulic conductivity and plasma membrane aquaporin gene expression, and protein abundance, are not well defined. Since it is known that K(+) status is modified by AM and that it regulates root hydraulic properties, it has been tested how plant K(+) status could modify the effects of the symbiosis on root hydraulic conductivity and plasma membrane aquaporin gene expression and protein abundance, using maize (Zea mays L.) plants and Glomus intraradices as a model. It was observed that the supply of extra K(+) increased root hydraulic conductivity only in AM plants. Also, the different pattern of plasma membrane aquaporin gene expression and protein abundance between AM and non-AM plants changed with the application of extra K(+). Thus, plant K(+) status could be one of the causes of the different observed effects of the AM symbiosis on root hydraulic properties. The present study also highlights the critical importance of AM fungal aquaporins in regulating root hydraulic properties of the host plant.     

Aquaporin genes GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2 from Glomus intraradices contribute to plant drought tolerance

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, established between AM fungi (AMF) and roots of higher plants, occurs in most terrestrial ecosystems. It has been well demonstrated that AM symbiosis can improve plant performance under various environmental stresses, including drought stress. However, the molecular basis for the direct involvement of AMF in plant drought tolerance has not yet been established. Most recently, we cloned two functional aquaporin genes, GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2, from AM fungus Glomus intraradices. By heterologous gene expression in yeast, aquaporin localization, activities and water permeability were examined. Gene expressions during symbiosis in expose to drought stress were also analyzed. Our data strongly supported potential water transport via AMF to host plants. As a complement, here we adopted the monoxenic culture system for AMF, in which carrot roots transformed by Ri-T DNA were cultured with Glomus intraradices in two-compartment Petri dishes, to verify the aquaporin gene functions in assisting AMF survival under polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. Our results showed that 25% PEG significantly upregulated the expression of two aquaporin genes, which was in line with the gene functions examined in yeast. We therefore concluded that the aquaporins function similarly in AMF as in yeast subjected to osmotic stress. The study provided further evidence to the direct involvement of AMF in improving plant water relations under drought stresses.     

Drought and Abscisic Acid Effects on Aquaporin Content Translate into Changes in Hydraulic Conductivity and Leaf Growth Rate: A Trans-Scale Approach

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on aquaporin content, root hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r), whole plant hydraulic conductance, and leaf growth are controversial. We addressed these effects via a combination of experiments at different scales of plant organization and tested their consistency via a model. We analyzed under moderate water deficit a series of transformed maize (Zea mays) lines, one sense and three antisense, affected in NCED (for 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase) gene expression and that differed in the concentration of ABA in the xylem sap. In roots, the mRNA expression of most aquaporin PIP (for plasma membrane intrinsic protein) genes was increased in sense plants and decreased in antisense plants. The same pattern was observed for the protein contents of four PIPs. This resulted in more than 6-fold differences between lines in Lp_r under both hydrostatic and osmotic gradients of water potential. This effect was probably due to differences in aquaporin activity, because it was nearly abolished by a hydrogen peroxide treatment, which blocks the water channel activity of aquaporins. The hydraulic conductance of intact whole plants was affected in the same way when measured either in steady-state conditions or via the rate of recovery of leaf water potential after rewatering. The recoveries of leaf water potential and elongation upon rehydration differed between lines and were accounted for by the experimentally measured Lp_r in a model of water transfer. Overall, these results suggest that ABA has long-lasting effects on plant hydraulic properties via aquaporin activity, which contributes to the maintenance of a favorable plant water status.     

元宝枫苗木的水力结构特征

在温室条件下,控制不同干旱梯度,用改良的冲洗法测定了4年生元宝枫苗木的水力结构参数．研究表明,随着小枝水势的降低,水力结构各参数随茎段功能木质部直径的变化可以用不同的方程来模拟;导水率的大小受茎段所在区域的影响,限速区的导水率明显低于非限速区,限速区的存在对苗木个体的生存竞争有利．导水率、比导率和叶比导率都和功能木质部直径和小枝水势呈明显的正相关．较粗茎段的叶比导率远高于多次分枝的未端细小分枝,有利于苗木在干旱时保存那些光合积累较大的器官．在落叶之前,相同直径枝条的胡伯尔值随小枝水势的变化很小,说明苗木水分胁迫主要源于木质部空穴和栓塞．     

Interpretation of seasonal changes of xylem embolism and plant hydraulic resistance in Fagus sylvatica

The annual course of xylem embolism in twigs of adult beech trees was monitored, and compared to concurrent changes of tree water status and hydraulic resistances. Xylem embolism was quantified in 1-year-old apical twigs by the hydraulic conductivity as a percentage of the maximum measured after removal of air emboli. Tree and root hydraulic resistances were estimated from water potential differences and sap flux measurements. The considerable degree of twig embolism found in winter (up to 90% loss of hydraulic conductivity) may be attributed to the effect of freeze-thaw cycles in the xylem. A partial recovery from winter embolism occurred in spring, probably because of the production of new functional xylem. Xylem embolism fluctuated around 50% throughout the summer, without significant changes. Almost complete refilling of apical twigs was observed early in autumn. A significant negative correlation was found between xylem embolism and precipitation; thus, an active role of rainfall in embolism reversion is hypothesized. Tree and root hydraulic resistances were found to change throughout the growing period. A marked decrease of hydraulic resistance preceded the refilling of apical twigs in the autumn. Most of the decrease in total tree resistance was estimated to be located in the root compartment.     

Apoplastic barriers,aquaporin gene expression and root and cell hydraulic conductivity in phosphate-limited sheepgrass plants

Mineral nutrient supply can affect the hydraulic property of roots. The aim of the present work on sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis L.) plants was to test whether any changes in root hydraulic conductivity (Lp; exudation analyses) in response to a growth-limiting supply of phosphate (P) are accompanied by changes in (1) cell Lp via measuring the cell pressure, (2) the aquaporin (AQP) gene expression by performing qPCR and (3) the formation of apoplastic barriers, by analyzing suberin lamella and Casparian bands via cross-sectional analyses in roots. Plants were grown hydroponically on complete nutrient solution, containing 250 µM P, until they were 31–36 days old, and then kept for 2–3 weeks on either complete solution, or transferred on solution containing 2.5 µM (low-P) or no added P (no-P). Phosphate treatments caused significant decreases in root and cell-Lp and AQP gene expression, while the formation of apoplastic barriers increased, particularly in lateral roots. Experiments using the AQP inhibitor mercury (Hg) suggested that a significant portion of radial root water uptake in sheepgrass occurs along a path involving AQPs, and that the Lp of this path is reduced under low- and no-P. It is concluded that a growth-limiting supply of phosphate causes parallel changes in (1) cell Lp and aquaporin gene expression (decrease) and (2) apoplastic barrier formation (increase), and that the two may combine to reduce root Lp. The reduction in root Lp, in turn, facilitates an increased root-to-shoot surface area ratio, which allocates resources to the root, sourcing the limiting nutrient.     

Could rapid diameter changes be facilitated by a variable hydraulic conductance?

Adequate radial water transport between elastic bark tissue and xylem is crucial in trees, because it smoothens abrupt changes in xylem water potential, greatly reducing the likelihood of suffering dangerous levels of embolism. The radial hydraulic conductance involved is generally thought to be constant. Evidence collected about variable root and leaf hydraulic conductance led us to speculate that radial hydraulic conductance in stem/branches might also be variable and possibly modulated by putative aquaporins. We therefore correlated diameter changes in walnut (Juglans regia L.) with changes in water potential, altered by perfusion of twig samples with D-mannitol solutions having different osmotic potentials. Temperature and cycloheximide (CHX; a protein synthesis inhibitor) treatments were performed. The temperature response and diameter change inhibition found in CHX-treated twigs underpinned our hypothesis that radial hydraulic conductance is variable and likely mediated by a putative aquaporin abundance and/or activity. Our data demonstrate that radial water transport in stem/branches can take two routes in parallel: an apoplastic and a cell-to-cell route. The contribution of either route depends on the hydraulic demand and is closely linked to a boost of putative aquaporins, causing radial conductance to be variable. This variability should be considered when interpreting and modelling diameter changes.     

转天山雪莲sikPIP3基因烟草的获得及抗逆性鉴定

利用PCR技术从实验室建立的天山雪莲DNA文库中克隆了天山雪莲质膜水孔蛋白基因sikPIP3,构建了植物表达载体pBI121-sikPIP3,通过农杆菌介导法转化烟草品种NC89,经PCR和RT-PCR检测证明目的基因成功导入并得到了表达,采用水分胁迫进行抗旱分析和采用冷冻胁迫进行抗寒性分析。结果显示:(1)克隆出具有水孔蛋白基因特性的sikPIP3基因。(2)经断水干旱处理,转基因烟草的生长表型优于野生型烟草,特别是在断水9d的情况下,野生型烟草已经完全萎蔫,转基因烟草萎蔫症状较轻;生理指标测量结果显示,转基因烟草的相对电导率和MDA的含量低于野生型烟草,相对含水量和CAT活性高于野生型烟草。试验表明转sikPIP3烟草的抗旱性高于野生型烟草。(3)经不同温度胁迫处理,转基因烟草的生长表型优于野生型烟草,特别是在-4℃冷处理6h情况下,野生型烟草已经完全萎蔫,转基因烟草只出现少量伤斑;生理指标分析结果表明,转基因烟草的相对电导率和MDA的含量低于野生型烟草,CAT活性高于野生型烟草。试验表明转sikPIP3烟草的抗寒性高于野生型烟草。综合结果表明:sikPIP3基因在抗逆基因工程方面具有较高的应用前景。     

Exogenous ABA accentuates the differences in root hydraulic properties between mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal maize plants through regulation of PIP aquaporins

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has been shown to modulate the same physiological processes as the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and to improve plant tolerance to water deficit. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the combined influence of AM symbiosis and exogenous ABA application on plant root hydraulic properties and on plasma-membrane intrinsic proteins (PIP) aquaporin gene expression and protein accumulation after both a drought and a recovery period. Results obtained showed that the application of exogenous ABA enhanced osmotic root hydraulic conductivity (L) in all plants, regardless of water conditions, and that AM plants showed lower L values than nonAM plants, a difference that was especially accentuated when plants were supplied with exogenous ABA. This effect was clearly correlated with the accumulation pattern of the different PIPs analyzed, since most showed reduced expression and protein levels in AM plants fed with ABA as compared to their nonAM counterparts. The possible involvement of plant PIP aquaporins in the differential regulation of L by ABA in AM and nonAM plants is further discussed.