水稻淀粉胚乳程序性细胞死亡中的去核化

对水稻品种中籼8836淀粉胚乳细胞的去核化发育阶段的细胞超微结构变化和同期籽粒灌浆速率及相关酶活性的动态进行了观察和分析。开花受精后约在第3天胚乳完成细胞化,花后第5天少数淀粉胚乳细胞启动去核发育过程。核消亡是淀粉胚乳细胞程序性细胞死亡(PCD)的第一步。同一籽粒淀粉胚乳细胞的去核进程是不同步的。花后第13天所有淀粉胚乳细胞都已完成去核过程。在去核过程中,胚乳核的形态变化特征既有动植物PCD的共性又有其特殊性。伴随核降解过程,一部分线粒体解体,表明去核化与线粒体解体有一定联系。在去核化发育阶段,与PCD有关的酶类,如超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性非常高;与淀粉合成有关的酶类,如ADPG焦磷酸化酶、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS酶)、淀粉分支酶(或Q酶)也表现出很高的活性。去核化发育阶段籽粒灌浆速率最高,籽粒增重亦最快。淀粉胚乳细胞去核之后,细胞并未立即死亡,这些无核的细胞仍维持正常有序的代谢活动,继续进行淀粉和贮藏蛋白的合成与积累,但上述酶类的活性明显降低,灌浆速率也明显趋缓。淀粉胚乳细胞最终被贮藏物质充满时成为死细胞,完成其程序性死亡过程。Evan’s blue染色鉴定表明淀粉胚乳细胞死亡不同步,细胞死亡在淀粉胚乳组织中是随机发生的。     

小麦淀粉胚乳发育期间的程序性细胞死亡

小麦淀粉胚乳在发育过程中经历程序性细胞死亡(PCD).小麦淀粉胚乳的DNA在发育的特定阶段呈现梯状电泳条带,用乙烯处理使DNA片段化发生的时间提前,而且ABA处理虽然不能推迟DNA片段化的发生时间,但能减弱DNA片段化的程度.小麦淀粉胚乳细胞在PCD过程中出现某些动植物细胞凋亡的共同的结构变化特征,但也有一些独特的结构变化.如染色质凝聚后仅少数染色质块发生趋边化;细胞核在PCD过程中最先开始衰退,细胞核解体时胞质中有丰富的细胞器,细胞核解体后细胞并未死亡,在胞质中仍在合成和积累淀粉和储藏蛋白,直到细胞被淀粉充满,细胞才死亡;不形成凋亡小体,死亡的淀粉胚乳细胞成为营养物质的储藏库.因此小麦淀粉胚乳细胞的PCD是一种特殊形式的PCD.     

结实期土壤水分亏缺影响水稻籽粒灌浆的生理原因

通过分析结实期土壤水分亏缺对水稻(Oryza sativa)籽粒中蔗糖向淀粉合成的生理代谢中关键酶活性及籽粒灌浆的调节作用, 探讨土壤水分亏缺影响水稻籽粒灌浆的生理机制。结果表明, 适度土壤水分亏缺诱导了灌浆高峰期(花后15-20天)水稻籽粒中蔗糖合成酶、腺苷二磷酶葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶、可溶性淀粉合成酶及淀粉分支酶活性的增加, 提高了籽粒灌浆中前期(花后10-20天)籽粒中淀粉积累速率和籽粒灌浆速率。但在灌浆后期(花后20-30天)籽粒中, 上述关键酶活性下降较快, 籽粒活跃灌浆期明显缩短, 灌浆前中期灌浆速率的增加不能完全补偿灌浆期缩短带来的同化物积累损失, 导致水分亏缺处理水稻籽粒充实不良, 结实率、籽粒重和产量显著降低。研究认为, 灌浆期土壤水分亏缺引起的灌浆后期籽粒中蔗糖向淀粉合成代谢中一些关键酶活性快速下降和籽粒内容物的供应不足是籽粒淀粉积累总量减少、粒重降低的主要生理原因。     

两种穗型冬小麦籽粒淀粉积累动态及其有关酶活性变化

花后25d内,大穗型品种豫麦66籽粒中淀粉积累比多穗型品种豫麦49慢,但花后25d后情况则相反。2个品种籽粒中淀粉积累速率的变化均呈单峰曲线,豫麦49峰值出现在花后15～20d,而豫麦66峰值则出现在花后20～25d。灌浆期豫麦66和豫麦49籽粒中蔗糖合成酶(SS)活性变化呈单峰曲线,峰值分别出现在花后20d和15d,整个灌浆期内豫麦66籽粒中SS活性高于豫麦49;2个品种籽粒中腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPP)和淀粉分支酶(SBE)活性变化均呈单峰曲线,峰值出现在花后20d,而可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性变化则呈双峰曲线,峰值分别出现在花后10d和20d,且第二个峰值显著高于第一个。相关分析表明,SS、AGPP、SSS和SBE是影响小麦籽粒淀粉积累的关键酶。     

花后低温条件下小麦颖果发育的显微结构观察北大核心CSCD

该研究以春性小麦品种‘扬麦15’和半冬性小麦品种‘烟农19’为实验材料,在小麦花后6~8 d进行低温处理,对花后不同发育阶段的小麦颖果进行取样,利用树脂切片技术观察了果皮、胚乳和养分运输组织的显微结构,以探明花后低温条件下小麦颖果发育的显微结构特征。结果表明:(1)花后低温延缓了两个小麦品种颖果早期和中期发育过程,推迟了‘扬麦15’灌浆期,缩短了‘烟农19’的灌浆期,最终降低了两小麦品种的粒重。(2)花后低温减缓了小麦颖果发育早期果皮细胞的凋亡以及中果皮细胞中淀粉体的降解速率。(3)花后低温明显降低了小麦胚乳发育早期和中期淀粉体和蛋白体的积累量,缩短了灌浆时期,降低了胚乳充实度。(4)花后低温条件下小麦颖果韧皮部发育缓慢,筛管分布范围缩小;同时胚乳传递细胞的发育变慢,细胞壁上壁内突数量明显减少。研究发现,花后低温使得两小麦品种颖果早期发育过程延缓,具体表现在果皮的凋亡推迟,贮藏物质积累量减少,养分运输组织变得不发达,胚乳充实度降低,单粒颖果干重下降;同时两小麦品种对低温的响应又存在差异,花后低温下春性小麦颖果灌浆期被延长,半冬性小麦灌浆期被缩短。     

糯性和非糯性小麦灌浆期胚乳直/支链淀粉积累及其相关酶活性研究

选用3份糯性和2份非糯性小麦材料,通过田间试验在灌浆过程中分别检测了各材料的籽粒直链和支链淀粉积累量、淀粉积累速率及淀粉合成关键酶活性的动态变化过程,探讨籽粒淀粉累积与相关酶活性的关系.结果表明:(1)非糯小麦在花后7 d前均未检测到直链淀粉存在,而此时已经检测到支链淀粉含量,并且糯小麦仅含有支链淀粉,支链淀粉早于直链淀粉合成.(2)糯性和非糯性小麦灌浆期籽粒的直、支链淀粉积累速率均呈先增加后降低的趋势,且直、支链淀粉最终积累量取决于最大积累速率和平均积累速率的大小,而积累活跃期的调节作用较小;糯性和非糯性小麦在淀粉合成过程中的腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPP)、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)、颗粒结合型淀粉合成酶(GBSS)和淀粉分支酶(SEB)活性均呈单峰曲线变化,活性峰值基本上都出现在花后20～25 d左右.(3)直链淀粉积累速率与AGPP、SSS、GBSS和SBE活性变化显著或极显著正相关,而支链淀粉积累速率仅与SSS活性变化极显著正相关,总淀粉积累速率与AGPP和SSS活性变化显著或极显著正相关.     

种子发育与萌发过程中的程序性细胞死亡

禾谷类种子胚乳发育过程中的程序性细胞死亡(PCD)主要发生在种子成熟期的后期,并伴随着生物合成的停止和自然脱水;乙烯和活性氧促进胚乳发育中的PCD,而ABA起负调节作用。种子萌发过程中糊粉层降解的PCD被GA、Ca^2 和活性氧促进,被ABA和抗氧化剂抑制。种子人工老化和劣变种子萌发过程中可能存在PCD事件,其研究对延长种子的贮藏寿命和提高播种品质具有重要的意义。     

杜仲胚乳衰退过程中程序性细胞死亡的研究

杜仲胚乳在衰退过程中显示出了程序性细胞死亡的特征：细胞质出现原位自溶,细胞器呈现不同程度的解体;环状片层吞噬并分隔细胞组分;细胞核形态异常,并出现环状核仁和致密型核仁;DNA解体,电泳显示出拖尾状的条带。胚根端和非胚根端胚乳细胞在进入程序性死亡的时间上有先后。     

不同穗型冬小麦品种蔗糖和淀粉合成中关键性酶的活性变化

灌浆期间的豫麦66和豫麦49旗叶中蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)和籽粒中蔗糖合成酶(SS)活性均呈单峰曲线变化,峰值分别出现在花后20和15 d,整个灌浆期内豫麦66 SPS与SS活性均高于豫麦49;豫麦66籽粒中腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPP)和淀粉分支酶(SBE)活性均呈单峰曲线变化,峰值出现在花后20 d,而可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性则呈双峰曲线变化,峰值分别出现在花后10和20 d,且第二个峰值显著高于第一个.     

水稻淀粉胚乳细胞编程性死亡中细胞核变化特征

应用透射电子显微镜技术 ,观察了水稻 (OryzasativaL .)淀粉胚乳细胞编程性死亡过程中核的变化特征。伴随胚乳的发育进程 ,淀粉胚乳细胞核表现出衰退特征 :核变形、染色质凝缩、核膜多处被降解破坏、核基质外泄等。DNALadder显示核内大片段DNA呈严重的弥散状拖尾现象 ,而核内和胞质中在 14 0～ 180bp处有明显的条带。在核衰退的同时 ,其胞质中的粗面内质网、淀粉质体和线粒体等细胞器具有正常的代谢功能 ,细胞仍在合成并积累营养物质 ,淀粉胚乳细胞一边衰退一边行使其功能 ,直至死亡。这些结果表明 ,水稻淀粉胚乳在核衰退的同时 ,细胞仍在积极合成与积累贮藏产物 ,表现为一种特殊形式的植物细胞编程性死亡现象。此外 ,对淀粉胚乳细胞特有的核质关系、植物细胞编程性死亡过程中细胞核的变化等问题进行了讨论。     

Starch Synthesis and Programmed Cell Death during Endosperm Development in Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack)

Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) grains synthesize and accumulate starch as their main energy source.Starch accumulation rate and synthesis activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthases, granule-bound starch synthase and starch-branching enzyme showed similar pattern of unimodal curves during endosperm development. There was no significant difference in activity of the starch granule-bound protein isolated from total and separated starch granules at different developmental stages after anthesis in triticale. Evans Blue staining and analysis of DNA fragmentation indicated that cells of triticale endosperm undergo programmed cell death during its development. Dead cells within the endosperm were detected at 6 d post anthesis (DPA), and evidence of DNA fragmentation was first observed at 21 DPA. The period between initial detection of PCD to its rapid increase overlapped with the key stages of rapid starch accumulation during endosperm development. Cell death occurred stochastically throughout the whole endosperm, meanwhile, the activities of starch biosynthetic enzymes and the starch accumulation rate decreased in the late stages of grain filling. These results suggested that the timing and progression of PCD in triticale endosperm may interfere with starch synthesis and accumulation.     

Programmed cell death in cereal aleurone

Progress in understanding programmed cell death (PCD) in the cereal aleurone is described. Cereal aleurone cells are specialized endosperm cells that function to synthesize and secrete hydrolytic enzymes that break down reserves in the starchy endosperm. Unlike the cells of the starchy endosperm, aleurone cells are viable in mature grain but undergo PCD when germination is triggered or when isolated aleurone layers or protoplasts are incubated in gibberellic acid (GA). Abscisic acid (ABA) slows down the process of aleurone cell death and isolated aleurone protoplasts can be kept alive in media containing ABA for up to 6 months. Cell death in barley aleurone occurs only after cells become highly vacuolated and is manifested in an abrupt loss of plasma membrane integrity. Aleurone cell death does not follow the apoptotic pathway found in many animal cells. The hallmarks of apoptosis, including internucleosomal DNA cleavage, plasma membrane and nuclear blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies, are not observed in dying aleurone cells. PCD in barley aleurone cells is accompanied by the accumulation of a spectrum of nuclease and protease activities and the loss of organelles as a result of cellular autolysis.     

Spatial and temporal progress of programmed cell death in the developing starchy endosperm of rice

Programmed cell death (PCD) is the genetically regulated disassembly of cells, and occurs in the endosperm of cereals during seed maturation. Since PCD determines the lifetime of cells, it can affect endosperm growth and, therefore, cereal yield. However, the features and mechanisms of PCD in the developing starchy endosperm in the Poaceae remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the characteristics of PCD in developing starchy endosperm of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by fluorescence microscopy, focusing on the spatial and temporal progress of PCD-associated responses. Cell death commenced in the central region of starchy endosperm, and then spread to the peripheral region. PCD-associated responses, such as mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and activation of the protease that cleaves the amino acid sequence VEID, showed similar spatial patterns to that of cell death, but preceded cell death. Degradation of nuclear DNA could not be detected in developing starchy endosperm by the TUNEL assay. These results indicated that PCD in developing starchy endosperm of rice proceeds via a highly organized pattern. In addition, these results suggested that PCD in developing starchy endosperm of rice is characterized by the involvement of mitochondrial signaling and the activity of a caspase-like protease that cleaves the VEID sequence.     

Starch Synthesis and Programmed Cell Death during Endosperm Development in Triticale(× Triticosecale Wittmack)

Triticale(× Triticosecale Wittmack) grains synthesize and accumulate starch as their main energy source.Starch accumulation rate and synthesis activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase,soluble starch synthases,granule-bound starch synthase and starch-branching enzyme showed similar pattern of unimodal curves during endosperm development.There was no significant difference in activity of the starch granule-bound protein isolated from total and separated starch granules at different developmental stages after anthesis in triticale.Evans Blue staining and analysis of DNA fragmentation indicated that cells of triticale endosperm undergo programmed cell death during its development.Dead cells within the endosperm were detected at 6 d post anthesis(DPA),and evidence of DNA fragmentation was first observed at 21 DPA.The period between initial detection of PCD to its rapid increase overlapped with the key stages of rapid starch accumulation during endosperm development.Cell death occurred stochastically throughout the whole endosperm,meanwhile,the activities of starch biosynthetic enzymes and the starch accumulation rate decreased in the late stages of grain filling.These results suggested that the timing and progression of PCD in triticale endosperm may interfere with starch synthesis and accumulation.     

Study on programmed cell death and dynamic changes of starch accumulation in pericarp cells of Triticum aestivum L.*

Features of programmed cell death (PCD) and dynamic changes of starch accumulation in developing pericarp cells of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were observed and analyzed by periodic acid–Schiff/toluidine blue O double staining, fluorescence staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that cellular organelles were orderly disintegrated. TUNEL-positive nuclei were detected at 0 day after flowering (DAF), whereas nuclei showed significant features of degradation at 2 DAF, such as chromatin condensation, nuclei condensation, and nuclei deformation. Then, heterochromatin gradually disappeared and the cellular nucleus was completely degraded. The mitochondria degradation and vacuolation also were detected at 15 DAF. These results indicated that the development of pericarp cells was a typical process of PCD. However, the PCD in pericarp cells had their own characteristics: PCD started early and lasted for a considerable time. In the delayed process of PCD, starch granules were synthesized, deposited, and degraded temporarily in amyloplasts or chloroplasts. The delay of PCD in pericarp cells may be due to sufficient photosynthetic assimilates and energy supply. Besides, normal mitochondria were required for pericarp cells to survive. Pericarp cells contained only compound starch granules. Starch was massively synthesized from 0 to 11 DAF, but it was rapidly degraded after 11 DAF. Therefore, apart from protection, pericarp cells played essential roles in starch synthesis, storage, and degradation, as well as nutrient transportation.     

Programmed cell death during endosperm development

The endosperm of cereals functions as a storage tissue in which the majority of starch and seed storage proteins are synthesized. During its development, cereal endosperm initiates a cell death program that eventually affects the entire tissue with the exception of the outermost cells, which differentiate into the aleurone layer and remain living in the mature seed. To date, the cell death program has been described for maize and wheat endosperm, which exhibits common and unique elements for each species. The progression of endosperm programmed cell death (PCD) in both species is accompanied by an increase in nuclease activity and the internucleosomal degradation of nuclear DNA, hallmarks of apoptosis in animals. Moreover, ethylene and abscisic acid are key to mediating PCD in cereal endosperm. The progression of the cell death program in developing maize endosperm follows a highly organized pattern whereas in wheat endosperm, PCD initiates stochastically. Although the essential characteristics of cereal endosperm PCD are now known, the molecular mechanisms responsible for its execution remain to be identified.