Effect of the Heavy Metals on Developmental Stages of Ovule,Pollen, and Root Proteins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Reseda lutea</Emphasis> L. (Resedaceae)

Heavy metals are some of the most important environmental pollutants. Excessive amounts of heavy metals adversely affect plant growth and development. Also, the presence of elevated levels of heavy metal ions triggers a wide range of cellular responses including changes in gene expression and synthesis of metal-detoxifying peptides. The overall objective of this research was to elucidate some microscopic effects of heavy metals on the formation, development, and structure of pollen, ovule, and embryo and also root proteins in Reseda lutea L. For this purpose, the vicinity of Ahangaran lead–zinc mine (Hamedan, Iran) was chosen as a polluted area where amount of some heavy metals was several times higher than the natural soils. Flowers and young buds were collected from non-polluted and polluted plants, fixed in FAA₇₀, and studied during developmental stages by light microscopy. The results showed that heavy metals can cause some abnormalities during the pollen and ovule developmental process. The number of pollen grains was decreased, and their shape was changed. Increasing in thickness of the callosic wall and stabilizing of tapetum layer were observed in polluted plants. Asymmetrical formation of ovular integuments, degradation of egg apparatus, irregular formation of embryo sac, considerable vacuolation of embryonic cells, and degeneration of embryo in the late stage of heart-shaped embryo are the results of heavy metal pollution. For protein studies, young roots were harvested from plants exposed to pollution and non-exposed to pollution at the same time. Root proteins were extracted and studied by electrophoresis. The results revealed that some new proteins were synthesized in polluted samples that probably elevate plant tolerance to heavy metals.     

Effect of the Heavy Metals on the Developmental Stages of Ovule and Seed Proteins in Chenopodium botrys L. (Chenopodiaceae)

Excessive amounts of heavy metals adversely affect plant growth and development. Also, the presence of elevated levels of heavy metal ions triggers a wide range of cellular responses including changes in gene expression and synthesis of metal-detoxifying peptides. The overall objective of this research was to elucidate some microscopic effects of heavy metals on the formation, development, and structure of ovule and seed storage proteins in Chenopodium botrys L. To achieve this purpose, the surrounding area of Hame-Kasi iron and copper mine (Hamedan, Iran) was chosen as a polluted area where the amount of some heavy metals was several times higher than the natural soils. Flowers and young pods were removed from nonpolluted and polluted plants, fixed in FAA 70 and subjected to developmental studies. Our results showed that heavy metals can cause some abnormalities during the ovule developmental process. Decreasing the size of embryo sac, quick growth of inner integument, quick degradation of embryonic sac cells, accumulation of dark particles, irregularity, and even blockage of the nuclear envelope formation and increasing of embryonic sac cytoplasm concentration were the effects of heavy metals. Reduction of ovule number was also seen in the plants collected from polluted area. For protein studies, mature seeds were harvested from nonpolluted and polluted plants at the same time. Seed storage proteins (water soluble ones) were extracted and studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after being prepared. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between seed protein bands of polluted and nonpolluted samples, but the quantity of protein bands was different, and there was a slight quantitative increase of bands with molecular mass of 35 and 15 kD and decrease of a band with molecular mass of 17 kD in the plants collected from the mine area.     

解磷微生物修复土壤重金属污染研究进展

土壤重金属污染问题日益严重,具有普遍性、隐蔽性、表聚性、不可逆性等特点,已经成为环境污染治理中的热点、难点问题。解磷微生物能够依靠自身的代谢产物或通过与其他生物的协同作用,将土壤中的难溶性磷转化为可供植物吸收利用的磷,具有多重植物促生长功能和重金属解毒能力,可在重金属毒害水平下,促进植物生长、提高植物抗病能力、克服重金属对植物生长的不利影响,从而增强重金属修复植物的生存竞争力。从解磷微生物的研究现状入手,介绍了解磷微生物对土壤重金属污染的修复能力,综述了解磷微生物对土壤重金属污染修复的作用机制,分析了目前解磷微生物在重金属修复过程中存在的问题,并提出了今后研究的方向,为重金属污染土壤的修复提供了新思路。     

四川甘洛铅锌矿区优势植物的重金属含量

通过野外调查采样,分析了四川凉山州甘洛县铅锌矿区土壤的重金属含量,以及矿区生长的13种优势植物对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Cu的吸收与富集能力及其富集特性.结果表明,矿区土壤受Pb、Zn、Cd 3种重金属污染严重,13种植物体内的Pb含量均高于普通植物10倍以上,具有修复矿区土壤铅污染的潜力,其中植物1的转运系数和富集系数都大于1,满足Pb超富集植物的基本特征.Zn在凤尾蕨、细风轮菜、大火草、蔗茅、小飞蓬和牛茄子中含量较高.小飞蓬和紫茎泽兰的Cd含量较一般植物高出17～61倍,其中,紫茎泽兰的转运系数与富集系数均大于1,其对Cd的吸收特性值得进一步研究.     

雄性不育与可育楸树花发育的细胞学比较研究

楸树（Catalpa bungei C.A.Meyer.）属紫葳科(Bignoniaceae)梓树属(Catalpa),落叶乔木,是我国特有的珍贵优质用材树种。本文用石蜡切片法对可育株和雄性不育株楸树的大、小孢子发生及雌、雄配子体发育过程进行了详细地比较观察。结果表明：可育株和不育株楸树雌蕊的发育基本相同,胚珠倒生,薄珠心,单珠被,胚囊发育为蓼型。可育株雄蕊花药四室,药隔薄壁组织发达;异型绒粘层,由药壁绒粘层和药隔绒粘层组成;花药壁表皮细胞在小孢子母细胞减数分裂前后开始径向伸长加厚,直到花药开裂并不降解,这可能与花药开裂有关;成熟花粉为四合花粉。雄性不育株花药的早期发育到次生造胞细胞时期与可育雄蕊的相同,小孢子母细胞减数分裂前绒毡层发育不充分;四分体时期,绒毡层细胞高度液泡化,细胞质稀薄,已提前降解,小孢子四分体因绒毡层结构和功能异常而不能正常发育,因此楸树雄性不育为结构型雄性不育。     

湖南柿竹园矿区土壤重金属含量及植物吸收特征

矿区重金属污染十分严重,寻找和发现适合当地气候与土壤条件的重金属耐性植物是矿区植被恢复和污染土壤修复的前提。对我国湖南柿竹园有色金属矿区调查发现,该地区选矿厂的重金属污染问题普遍比尾砂库严重。选矿厂土壤砷、镉、铅、锌严重超标,尾砂库周围也受到不同程度的重金属污染。土壤重金属胁迫效应影响着植物物种分布,选矿厂物种分布较少,相比之下尾砂库的植物多样性较为丰富。柿竹园矿区植物对重金属的吸收表现为富集型(如蜈蚣草Pteris Vittata L .和苎麻Boehmerianivea (L .) Gaud.)、根部囤积型(如攀倒甑Patrinia villosa和木贼Equisetum hyemale)和规避型(如蔓出卷柏Selaginelladavidii Franch和芒草Miscanthus sinensis Andlerss)等3种类型。     

The potential of phytoremediation using hyperaccumulator plants: a case study at a lead-zinc mine site

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources, as well as human health. Phytoremediation might potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major advance in the development of phytoremediation for heavy metal affected soils was the discovery of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study applied several established criteria to identify hyperaccumulator plants. A case study was conducted at a mining area in the Hamedan province in the west central region of Iran. The results indicated that plant metal accumulation differed among species and plant parts. Plant species grown in substrata with elevated metal levels contained significantly higher metal levels. Using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada and Centaurea virgata can be classified as hyperaccumulators of specific heavy metals measured in this study and they might potentially be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.     

Red mud (RM)-Induced enhancement of iron plaque formation reduces arsenic and metal accumulation in two wetland plant species

Human activities have resulted in arsenic (As) and heavy metals accumulation in paddy soils in China. Phytoremediation has been suggested as an effective and low-cost method to clean up contaminated soils. A combined soil-sand pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of red mud (RM) supply on iron plaque formation and As and heavy metal accumulation in two wetland plant species (Cyperus alternifolius Rottb., Echinodorus amazonicus Rataj), using As and heavy metals polluted paddy soil combined with three rates of RM application (0, 2%, 5%). The results showed that RM supply significantly decreased As and heavy metals accumulation in shoots of the two plants due to the decrease of As and heavy metal availability and the enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere. Both wetland plants supplied with RM tended to have more Fe plaque, higher As and heavy metals on roots and in their rhizospheres, and were more tolerant of As and heavy metal toxicity. The results suggest that RM-induced enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere of wetland plants may be significant for remediation of soils contaminated with As and heavy metals.     

植物细胞核雄性不育基因研究进展

植物雄性不育既是研究植物生殖生物学重要的植物学性状也是研究作物杂种优势利用重要的农艺性状,在遗传和分子生物学中具有重要地位。以模式植物拟南芥和水稻为主,对植物雄性不育的控制基因和相关分子机理已有众多进展,按照花药发育时期和雄性败育的表现形式可以归纳为减数分裂异常、胼胝质代谢异常、绒毡层发育异常、花粉壁发育异常、花药开裂异常,以及其它类型的雄性不育。在不育相关基因中,导致胼胝质代谢异常、绒毡层发育异常和花粉壁发育异常的基因往往表现一因多效,一个相关基因的突变会产生复合表型。关于植物雄性不育相关基因的研究表明,雄性器官和小孢子形成过程中的任何相关基因的改变,均可导致雄性不育的产生。本文总结了植物核基因雄性不育的研究进展,以期促进不同物种间雄性不育基因的比较分析,使植物雄性不育研究更加深入。     

根际圈在污染土壤修复中的作用与机理分析

根际圈以植物根系为中心聚集了大量的生命物质及其分泌物,构成了极为独特的“生态修复单元”。本文叙述了根在根际圈污染土壤修复中的生理生态作用,富集、固定重金属,吸收、降解有机污染物等功能;菌根真菌对根际圈内重金属的吸收、屏障及螯合作用,对有机污染物的降解作用;根际圈内细菌对重金属的吸附与固定,对有机污染物的降解作用以及根际圈真菌和细菌的联合修复作用等,同时对可能存在的机理进行了分析,认为根际圈对污染土壤的修复作用是植物修复的重要组成部分和主要理论基础之一,并指出利用重金属超富集植物修复重金属污染土壤具有广阔的应用前景;筛选对水溶性有机污染物高吸收富集及其根 发泌能力强的特异植物,同时接种利于有机污染物降解的专性或非专性真菌和细菌可能会成为有机污染土壤植物修复研究的重要方向之一。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance root cadmium and copper accumulation in the roots of the salt marsh plant Aster tripolium L.

It is known that vegetation plays an important role in the retention of heavy metals in salt marshes by taking up and accumulating the metals. In this study, we investigated whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increase Cd and Cu uptake and accumulation in the root system of the salt marsh species Aster tripolium L., and whether indigenous AMF isolated from polluted salt marshes have higher capacity to resist and alleviate metal stress in A. tripolium than isolates of the same species originated from non-polluted sites. Plants inoculated with Glomus geosporum, either isolated from a polluted salt marsh site (PL isolate) or from a non-polluted site (NP isolate), and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants were compared in a pot experiment at four different Cd and Cu concentrations. Cd had no effect in root colonization, whereas high concentrations of Cu decreased colonization level in plants inoculated with the NP isolate. AM colonization did not increase plant dry weight or P concentration but influenced root Cd and Cu concentrations. Inoculation with PL and NP isolates enhanced root Cd and Cu concentrations, especially at highest metal addition levels, as compared to NM plants, without increasing shoot Cd and Cu concentrations. There was no evidence of intraspecific variation in the effects between AMF isolated from polluted and non-polluted sites, since there were no differences between plants inoculated with PL or NP isolate in any of the tested plant variables. The results of this study showed that AMF enhance metal accumulation in the root system of A. tripolium, suggesting a contribution of AMF to the sink of metals within vegetation in the salt marshes.     

Natural Occurrence of Enantiomers of Organic Compounds Versus Phytoremediations: Should Research on Phytoremediations Be Revisited? A Mini‐review

Decontamination of polluted soils using plants is based on the ability of plant species (including transgenic plants) to enhance bioavailability of pollutants in the rhizosphere and support growth of pollutant‐degrading microorganisms via root exudation and plant species‐specific composition of the exudates. In this work, we review current knowledge of enantiomers of low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) organic compounds with emphasis on their use in phytoremediation. Many research studies have been performed to search for plants suitable for decontamination of polluted soils. Nevertheless, the natural occurrence of L‐ versus D‐enantiomers of dominant compounds of plant root exudates which play different roles in the complexation of heavy metals, chemoattraction, and support of pollutant‐degrading microorganisms were not included in these studies. D‐enantiomers of aliphatic organic acids and amino acids or L‐enantiomers of carbohydrates occur in high concentrations in root exudates of some plant species, especially under stress, and are less stimulatory for plants to extract heavy metals or for rhizosphere microflora to degrade pollutants compared with L‐enantiomers (organic acids and amino acids) or D‐carbohydrates. Determining the ratio of L‐ versus D‐enantiomers of organic compounds as a criterion of plant suitability for decontamination of polluted soils and development of other types of bioremediation technologies need to be subjects of future research. Chirality 26:1–20, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Uitrastructure of Anther Tissue and Microsporogenesis in Tai Gu Nuclear Male-Sterile Wheat

This paper deals with the electron microscopic observations of anther tissues and microsporogenesis of Tai Gu male sterile wheat plant, which is a new species initially discovered in Tai Gu nE Shansi province, China. The results are summarized as follows: 1. There was a tendency of early development of tapetum cells in Tai Gu sterile wheat plant, i.e. the tapetum cells seemed to have developed rapidly toward maturation between the period of pollen mother cell formation and prophase I of reduction division, which is followed by degeneration. Its ultrustructure is somewhat similar to the highly developed tapetum cells of fertile plant at the time of development from tetrad to early microspore stage. A significant character of the nltrastructure of the highly developed mature tapetum cells was the appearance of many sharply-defined endoplasmic reticulum, which demonstrated in a parallelly arranged structure in section. Phagocytic vacuoles were often surrounded by the endoplasmic reticulum. 2. At the prophase I of reduction division, the ultrastructure of pollen mother cells in sterile plant began to show some disparities from that of fertile pIant. Among which there were some concentric circle-shaped or bundle-shaped endoplasmic reticula and many ribosome aggregation in the pollen mother ceils of sterile plant. Perhaps, these features might be relevant to the break down of microtrabecular system. In addition, some large or small dark osmiophilic particles were visible in the cells. From all the feature observed, the fact that activities of endoplasmic reticulum in the anther of Tai Gu wheat is relation to protein synthesis warrants our attention.     

上海地区绿化树种重金属污染防护特性的研究

通过测定土壤样品的重金属含量,调查了上海七宝镇污染水系两侧与上海宝钢集团厂区的重金属污染状况。结果表明,在污染水系两侧重金属含量较对照稍高,而上海宝钢厂区各样点土壤重金属含量明显高于对照,存在较严重的污染．同时在这两处重金属污染地带观察记录了绿化树种的生长状况,采集植物样品以ICP仪进行树木样品的重金属含量分析,综合两方面数据对近20种常见绿化树种的重金属污染的防护特性进行了比较研究．结果表明,法国冬青、紫薇、木芙蓉、女贞和龙柏等植物种类富集重金属能力较强,且生长状况较为良好,最适于作为重金属污染厂区的生态防护绿化的主要树种;而蚊母、夹竹桃和石楠等植物种类虽然富集重金属能力较低,但有较强的耐性,能良好生长。也适于作为污染区绿化美化树种。     

Anther ontogeny in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachypodium distachyon</Emphasis>

Brachypodium distachyon has emerged as a model plant for the improvement of grain crops such as wheat, barley and oats and for understanding basic biological processes to facilitate the development of grasses as superior energy crops. Brachypodium is also the first species of the grass subfamily Pooideae with a sequenced genome. For obtaining a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling male gametophyte development in B. distachyon, here we report the cellular changes during the stages of anther development, with special reference to the development of the anther wall. Brachypodium anthers are tetrasporangiate and follow the typical monocotyledonous-type anther wall formation pattern. Anther differentiation starts with the appearance of archesporial cells, which divide to generate primary parietal and primary sporogenous cells. The primary parietal cells form two secondary parietal layers. Later, the outer secondary parietal layer directly develops into the endothecium and the inner secondary parietal layer forms an outer middle layer and inner tapetum by periclinal division. The anther wall comprises an epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and the secretory-type tapetum. Major documented events of anther development include the degradation of a secretory-type tapetum and middle layer during the course of development and the rapid formation of U-shaped endothecial thickenings in the mature pollen grain stage. The tapetum undergoes degeneration at the tetrad stage and disintegrates completely at the bicellular stage of pollen development. The distribution of insoluble polysaccharides in the anther layers and connective tissue through progressive developmental stages suggests their role in the development of male gametophytes. Until sporogenous cell stage, the amount of insoluble polysaccharides in the anther wall was negligible. However, abundant levels of insoluble polysaccharides were observed during microspore mother cell and tetrad stages and gradually declined during the free microspore and vacuolated microspore stages to undetectable level at the mature stage. Thus, the cellular features in the development of anthers in B. distachyon share similarities with anther and pollen development of other members of Poaceae.     

Effect of EDTA and Tannic Acid on the Removal of Cd,Ni, Pb and Cu from Artificially Contaminated Soil by Althaea rosea Cavan

In this study an ornamental plant of Althaea rosea Cavan was investigated for its potential use in the removal of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu from an artificially contaminated soil. Effect of two different chelating agents on the removal has also been studied by using EDTA (ethylenediaminetetracetic acid) and TA (tannic acid). Both EDTA and TA have led to higher heavy metal concentration in shoots and leaves compared to control plants. However EDTA is generally known as an effective agent in metal solubilisation of soil, in this study, TA was found more effective to induce metal accumulation in Althaea rosea Cavan under the studied conditions. In addition to this, EDTA is toxic to some species and restraining the growth of the plants. The higher BCF (Bio Concentration Factor) and TF (Translocation Factor) values obtained from stems and leaves by the effects of the chemical enhancers (EDTA and TA) show that Althaea rosea Cavan is a hyper accumulator for the studied metals and may be cultivated to clean the contaminated soils.     

MYB类转录因子对花药和花粉发育的调控途径

花药发育和花粉形成的各个步骤由众多基因控制,一些转录因子通过调控花药发育相关基因的表达,是功能性花粉形成的关键因子。MYB类转录因子作为植物中最大的转录因子家族,是其中非常重要的一类转录因子。该文结合近年来国内外有关被子植物花粉发育相关MYB转录因子在花药发育和花粉形成的调控途径,包括绒毡层发育、胼胝质的沉积和降解、光合产物的运输、花药的开裂以及雄配子体形成过程中所起的重要作用等方面的研究进展,重点对MYB类转录因子通过形成对绒毡层发育、同化物分配、苯丙烷物质代谢等相关靶位基因的控制网络,转录调控植物花粉发育和花药开裂过程等研究进行综述讨论。     

高等植物叶绿素生物合成的联乙烯还原酶及编码基因研究进展

联乙烯还原酶(DVR)将各种叶绿素中间物质的8-乙烯基转化为乙基,是叶绿素生物合成必不可少的一个关键酶。迄今已在高等植物中检测到5种DVR活性。水稻和玉米的重组DVR蛋白能将联乙烯叶绿素a、叶绿素酸酯a、原叶绿素酸酯a、镁原卟啉Ⅸ单甲酯和镁原卟啉Ⅸ分别转化为相应的单乙烯物质,从而证实了这5种DVR活性。在高等植物中各种DVR活性是由一个基因编码的具有广谱底物专化性的DVR蛋白所催化,但来源于不同物种的DVR蛋白的催化活性可能具有极显著的差异,并且即使是同一个DVR蛋白,对不同的联乙烯底物也可能具有显著不同的催化活性。在此基础上,提出了"源于一个联乙烯还原酶的叶绿素生物合成多分支路径"假说。该文对近年来国内外有关高等植物叶绿素生物合成途径中联乙烯中间物质与联乙烯还原酶活性、联乙烯还原酶基因的克隆及重组酶活性检测、联乙烯还原酶的数目与叶绿素生物合成的多分支路径等方面的研究进展进行综述,并讨论了有待进一步探讨的若干问题。     

拟南芥花药绒毡层细胞中具有基因簇特征的基因进化和功能分析

在植物基因组中, 除了同源基因成簇现象外, 近年来还发现一些具有共表达特性的异源基因也能够以基因簇形式存在, 但这些异源基因簇的进化和生物学功能尚不清楚。花药发育和花粉形成是植物进化出的特有的生殖生物学过程, 同时产生了一些在花药绒毡层中特异表达和特定功能的基因簇基因。该研究通过筛选和分析花药绒毡层中基因簇基因的分子特性、表达调控、基因年龄和基因重复进化等信息, 探讨花药基因簇基因与植物开花功能进化之间的关系。结果表明, 在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中共筛选到84个(13个基因簇)花药绒毡层特异高表达的基因簇基因, 它们主要产生于串联重复事件, 76%的基因出现在开花植物分化后的阶段, 主要参与生殖发育、花粉鞘组成和脂代谢等生物学过程。研究初步解析了拟南芥花药绒毡层中基因簇基因的基本特征、生物学功能和基因进化机制, 为深入揭示植物基因簇基因的遗传学功能奠定了基础。