褪黑素参与植物抗逆功能研究进展

褪黑素(N-乙酰基-5-甲氧基色胺)是一种生命必需的小分子吲哚胺类物质, 广泛存在于动植物体内, 对动植物的生长发育起至关重要的作用。随着植物褪黑素研究的逐渐深入, 褪黑素在植物体内的合成途径及作用也更加明确。研究表明, 褪黑素在提高植物抵抗非生物和生物胁迫能力等方面具有调控作用。该文对近年来有关植物褪黑素参与非生物和生物胁迫的研究进展进行总结, 旨在为阐明褪黑素影响植物抵御逆境胁迫的调控机理提供参考。     

植物褪黑素生物合成研究进展

褪黑素是生物进化过程中一种保守的小分子物质,在动物体内主要参与昼夜节律调节。国内外学者致力于植物褪黑素的合成途径、生理功能及作用机制研究,发现其参与了植物生长发育(根系发育、果实发育)及细胞氧化还原平衡的调节等。在植物褪黑素合成途径研究方面,已发现褪黑素存在于多种植物中并克隆出其合成相关基因。在不同植物中,褪黑素合成相关蛋白的亚细胞定位存在较大差异,合成部位也因植物种类不同存在差异。本文综述了植物褪黑素的合成途径、亚细胞定位合成调控的研究现状,重点论述了亚细胞定位、酶动力学对合成上游的调控,并对其研究前景进行了展望。     

褪黑素与植物抗逆性研究进展

褪黑素广泛存在于植物体内,对植物生长和发育方面有着重要的作用。其中,最为人们关注的是褪黑素在植物抵御干旱、高盐、极端温度和氧化胁迫等不良影响中所发挥的重要功能。随着人们对褪黑素研究的深入,褪黑素在植物体中发挥的作用和功能也更加明确,国内外在褪黑素与植物抗逆性关系的研究也取得了丰硕的成果。主要从植物体中褪黑素的合成途径、褪黑素在植物抗性反应中的作用以及内源褪黑素含量与逆境等方面进行了综述,并提出今后的研究方向。可以归纳为:植物体内褪黑素的合成机制与动物体内相似,但是确切的生物合成途径和具体的合成位点尚未明确;外源褪黑素处理能够增强植物抵御逆境的能力;逆境胁迫能够促进植物自身合成褪黑素,过表达褪黑素合成相关基因能够增加植物体内褪黑素的含量。     

氢气调节植物生长发育和提高植物抗逆性的研究进展

氢气作为新发现的活性气体被广泛研究。在植物生长发育方面,氢气具有促进种子发芽、幼苗发育、不定根生长等作用;在植物遭受逆境胁迫过程中,氢气通过调控抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化物质的生成及其相应的转录本来应对胁迫带来的氧化损伤,提高植物对干旱、盐胁迫、重金属胁迫、除草剂、紫外照射等胁迫的抗性,同时氢气还可以调控与抗病虫害等胁迫相关基因的表达。该文对国内外有关氢气在促进植物生长发育和提高植物抗性方面的作用,以及逆境胁迫下氢气作为信号分子通过调控抗氧化防御系统提高植物抗逆性的机制进行综述,以期更好地了解和促进氢气在农业科学上的研究与应用。     

褪黑素UPLC-MS/MS检测方法优化及其对干旱和盐胁迫下葡萄幼苗褪黑素含量的分析

褪黑素是一种吲哚类激素,对植物的生理活动和抗逆性起到显著的调节作用。该研究建立了褪黑素超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)检测方法,并分别对干旱胁迫和盐胁迫条件下‘赤霞珠’葡萄幼苗根系和叶片中褪黑素含量的变化进行分析,以探讨葡萄中褪黑素的生理功能及其响应逆境胁迫的调控机制。结果显示:(1)褪黑素UPLC-MS/MS检测方法的优化条件为:采用超声波破碎法提取葡萄组织中的褪黑素;色谱条件为:色谱柱为Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18(1.8μm,3.0×50mm),流动相A为0.1%(v/v)的甲酸水溶液,流动相B为纯甲醇,梯度洗脱,柱温42℃,进样量1μL,流速0.2mL/min;质谱条件为:电喷雾正离子模式(ESI+)电离,多反应监测模式(MRM)检测,检测离子对为m/z 233→174。该方法测量结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)低于7%,最低检测限(LOD)和最低定量限(LOQ)分别为0.04ng/mL和0.12ng/mL。(2)干旱胁迫和盐胁迫下葡萄幼苗根系和叶片中褪黑素含量较对照组均显著增加,且胁迫程度越强增幅越大;用120mmol/L的NaCl溶液处理幼苗以后,幼苗根系和叶片中褪黑素含量分别达到627.25和3 220.42pg/g,大约都是相应对照组幼苗根系和叶片中褪黑素含量的7倍;10%PEG6000处理植株后其根系和叶片中褪黑素含量也远远高于对照组。研究表明,超高效液相色谱串联质谱法可作为一种准确、高效、简便易操作且具有较高的灵敏度和精确度的植物内源褪黑素含量检测方法;葡萄中褪黑素的合成是其对逆境胁迫的一种应激响应,暗示着褪黑素在缓解逆境胁迫方面具有重要作用。     

植物褪黑素：植物应答非生物胁迫的新兴信号分子

褪黑素（melatonin, MT）与其他传统五大类激素相比,其鉴定仅有20多年的历史,是一种新兴植物激素,是有机体中具有多种生理功能的多效信号分子。在植物中,MT被称为植物褪黑素（phytomelatonin）,它不仅调节种子萌发、根系构型、气孔运动、生物节律和开花与衰老,还通过激活抗氧化系统的活力,清除活性氧（reactive oxygen species, ROS）,从而减轻胁迫造成的氧化胁迫、渗透胁迫、蛋白变性和细胞损伤,最终使植物应答生物和非生物胁迫。本文基于MT代谢及其在植物应答非生物胁迫中的最新研究进展,总结MT在植物中的合成与分解代谢,归纳逆境胁迫下MT通过直接清除ROS和/或触发信号转导途径,上调抗逆相关基因表达,继而激活渗透调节系统和抗氧化系统的活力,促进逆境蛋白和次生代谢物质的合成,稳定光合作用和碳代谢,减少ROS的积累和细胞氧化损伤,最终提高植物对高温、低温、干旱、盐渍、重金属、紫外辐射和水涝等非生物胁迫的抵抗能力。本文为理解MT的代谢、生理功能及细胞信号转导途径奠定了理论基础,并指出未来的研究方向。     

茉莉酸调控植物生长发育和胁迫的研究进展

植物作为不可移动的生物，感知外界刺激通过改变自身信号转导对其做出反应。植物激素作为重要的信号分子，在植物应对不同生物和非生物胁迫反应中发挥作用，以调节植物生长发育并适应不断变化的环境。茉莉酸是植物体内的重要激素之一，目前它的合成途径、生理作用等已有大量研究，但对其感知环境变化并做出反应的信号转导途径以及与其他植物激素的相互作用方面的研究还有空白之处。本文主要阐述茉莉酸在调控植物生长发育、胁迫应答及其与其他植物激素的相互作用方面的研究进展。     

植物MYB转录因子与非生物胁迫响应研究

MYB转录因子家族是植物中最大的转录因子家族之一,在植物体内的多种生理生化反应中起着关键性作用,其中一项重要功能就是对非生物逆境的应答。这类转录因子通过调控生长发育,影响代谢产物的合成和影响激素信号等多方面参与非生物逆境的应答。介绍了MYB转录因子的结构特点和分类上的新发现,并综述了近几年MYB转录因子家族在植物响应干旱、高温、低温和高盐等非生物胁迫方面的研究进展。     

植物microRNA及其抗胁迫作用机制研究进展

植物中广泛存在的microRNA是一类长度约20~24 nt的非编码RNA,它作为负调控因子,通过降解目的基因或抑制目的基因的翻译作用,在转录后水平调控基因的表达.植物microRNA参与生长发育等功能的调控,并在抗生物或非生物胁迫中发挥着重要的作用,如调控植物体内磷、硫的代谢平衡及应对氧化胁迫等生理过程.本文对植物microRNA的特点、形成、作用机制、功能及研究技术方法进行了综述.     

MicroRNA在植物营养胁迫中的作用

microRNA是具有重要功能的一类非编码小RNA,不仅在植物生长发育过程中具有重要的调控作用,而且在植物营养胁迫中发挥作用。本文综述了microRNA在3种大量元素——氮、磷、硫胁迫中的作用。     

Melatonin: A master regulator of plant development and stress responses

Melatonin is a pleiotropic molecule with multiple functions in plants. Since the discovery of melatonin in plants, numerous studies have provided insight into the biosynthesis, catabolism, and physiological and biochemical functions of this important molecule. Here, we describe the biosynthesis of melatonin from tryptophan, as well as its various degradation pathways in plants. The identification of a putative melatonin receptor in plants has led to the hypothesis that melatonin is a hormone involved in regulating plant growth,aerial organ development, root morphology, and the floral transition. The universal antioxidant activity of melatonin and its role in preserving chlorophyll might explain its anti-senescence capacity in aging leaves. An impressive amount of research has focused on the role of melatonin in modulating postharvest fruit ripening by regulating the expression of ethylene-related genes.Recent evidence also indicated that melatonin functions in the plant's response to biotic stress,cooperating with other phytohormones and wellknown molecules such as reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. Finally, great progress has been made towards understanding how melatonin alleviates the effects of various abiotic stresses, including salt, drought, extreme temperature, and heavy metal stress. Given its diverse roles, we propose that melatonin is a master regulator in plants.     

A new balancing act: The many roles of melatonin and serotonin in plant growth and development

Melatonin and serotonin are indoleamines first identified as neurotransmitters in vertebrates; they have now been found to be ubiquitously present across all forms of life. Both melatonin and serotonin were discovered in plants several years after their discovery in mammals, but their presence has now been confirmed in almost all plant families. The mechanisms of action of melatonin and serotonin are still poorly defined. Melatonin and serotonin possess important roles in plant growth and development, including functions in chronoregulation and modulation of reproductive development, control of root and shoot organogenesis, maintenance of plant tissues, delay of senescence, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review focuses on the roles of melatonin and serotonin as a novel class of plant growth regulators. Their roles in reproductive and vegetative plant growth will be examined including an overview of current hypotheses and knowledge regarding their mechanisms of action in specific responses.     

Crosstalk between melatonin and nitric oxide in plant development and stress responses

Melatonin is widely involved in plant growth and stress responses as a master regulator. Melatonin treatment alters the levels of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and NO affects endogenous melatonin content. Melatonin and NO may induce various plant physiological behavior through interaction mechanism. However, the interactions between melatonin and NO in plants are largely unknown. The review presented the metabolism of endogenous melatonin and NO and their relationship in plants. The interactions between melatonin and NO in plant growth and development and responses to environmental stress were summarized. The molecular mechanisms of interaction between melatonin and NO in plants were also proposed.     

植物中褪黑素的研究进展

植物褪黑素自20世纪90年代被发现以来,初期的研究多为测定方法,而后褪黑素生理功能的研究成为热点。植物中褪黑素含量的测定方法有放射免疫测定(RIA)、高效液相色谱(HPLC)、气相色谱(GC)、高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)和气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)等,而高效液相色谱与荧光检测器(HPLC-FD)和电化学检测器(HPLC-EC)联用是植物中褪黑素定量研究的较常用方法。褪黑素含量因植物种类、器官不同而异,并以繁殖器官种子和花中较高。褪黑素在植物中具有调节光周期、促进植物种子萌发及生根、提高植物抵御外界环境压力如重金属、紫外辐射、温度变化等功能,而这些生理功能的作用机制、合成位点等尚待进一步研究。该文对国内外近年来有关褪黑素在植物中的检测方法、生物合成途径及生理功能等几个方面的研究进展进行综述,并提出今后的研究方向。     

Supporting Partners of the IAPB 14th Quadrennial Congress Dublin as of July 12th 2018

Melatonin is a ubiquitously present indoleamine with a vast capacity for modulating the growth and behavior of plants, animals, and microbes. Though melatonin was discovered in plants decades after its discovery in mammals, its presence has now been confirmed in almost all plant families. Despite this, the in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of action of melatonin are still poorly defined. Although there are an increasingly large number of investigations into the roles of melatonin in plants, few take advantage of in vitro culture systems. Melatonin has been found to possess several important roles in plant growth and development, including functions in rhythmic and cyclic processes, such as chronoregulation, seasonal and senescence processes, as well as modulation of reproductive development, control of root and shoot organogenesis, maintenance of plant tissues, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review highlights the potential for use of melatonin in several in vitro systems, the roles it plays in plant morphogenesis, and the importance of melatonin in communication within and between plants, and how in vitro systems can be exploited to better understand these understudied functions of melatonin.     

Melatonin-related mitochondrial respiration responses are associated with growth promotion and cold tolerance in plants

Melatonin has the ability to improve plant growth and strengthened plant tolerance to environmental stresses; however, the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial respiration in plants and the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The objective of the study is to determine possible effects of melatonin on mitochondrial respiration and energy efficiency in maize leaves grown under optimum temperature and cold stress and to reveal the relationship between melatonin-induced possible alterations in mitochondrial respiration and cold tolerance. Melatonin and cold stress, alone and in combination, caused significant increases in activities and gene expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase, indicating an acceleration in the rate of tricarboxylic acid cycle. Total mitochondrial respiration rate, cytochrome pathway rate, and alternative respiration rate were increased by the application of melatonin and/or cold stress. Similarly, gene expression and protein levels of cytochrome oxidase and alternative oxidase were also enhanced by melatonin and/or cold stress. The highest values for all these parameters were obtained from the seedlings treated with the combined application of melatonin and cold stress. The activity and gene expression of ATP synthase and ATP concentration were augmented by melatonin under control and cold stress. On the other hand, cold stress reduced markedly plant growth parameters, including root length, plant height, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content and increased the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide and oxidative damage, including malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage level; however, melatonin significantly promoted the plant growth parameters and reduced ROS content and oxidative damage under control and cold stress. These data revealed that melatonin-induced growth promotion and cold tolerance in maize is associated with its modulating effect on mitochondrial respiration.     

Exogenously applied melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) affects flowering of the short-day plant Chenopodium rubrum

Melatonin ( N -acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an animal hormone synthesized predominantly at night. It often serves as a signal of darkness that regulates circadian rhythmicity and photoperiodism. Melatonin has also been found in algae and higher plants, including the short-day flowering plant Chenopodium rubrum . To test its involvement in plant photoperiodism, melatonin solutions were applied to the cotyledons and plumules of 5-day-old-seedlings of Chenopodium rubrum L., ecotype 374. ³H-labelled melatonin was readily taken up by the plants and was very stable for a period of 37 h from application. Treatment with 100 and 500 µ M melatonin significantly reduced flowering of plants exposed to a single inductive 12-h darkness. Melatonin was efficient only when applied before lights off or during the first half of the dark period. This indicates that melatonin affects some early steps of the transition to flowering. However, it had no effect on the period or phase of a circadian rhythm in photoperiodic time measurement. Melatonin agonists (2-I-melatonin, 6-Cl-melatonin, CGP 52608) and 5-hydroxytryptamine also reduced flowering, whereas 5-methoxytryptamine did not. The results demonstrate that exogenous melatonin is able to influence the early stages of photoperiodic flower induction and/or flower development in a higher plant. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.     

The Physiological Function of Melatonin in Plants

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a well-known animal hormone, was discovered in plants in 1995 but very little research into it has been carried out since. It is present in different parts of all the plant species studied, including leaves, stems, roots, fruits and seeds. This brief review will attempt to provide an overview of melatonin (its discovery, presence and functions in different organisms, biosynthetic route, etc.) and to compile a practically complete bibliography on this compound in plants. The common biosynthetic pathways shared by the auxin, indole-3-acetic, and melatonin suggest a possible coordinated regulation in plants. More specifically, our knowledge to date of the role of melatonin in the vegetative and reproductive physiology of plants is presented in detail. The most interesting aspects for future physiological studies are presented.Key Words: antioxidant, auxin, flowering, growth, IAA, melatonin, plant hormone, reproductive development, rooting, vegetative developmentMelatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), an “old friend” and well known as an animal hormone but “new” to plant biology is arousing great interest due to its broad distribution in the biological kingdom and the recent data on its possible physiological role in plants. Many studies on melatonin, as a phytochemical compound with potentially interesting health-related properties, have recently appeared, but no more than 15–20 papers with a plant physiological focus have been published since 1995. Besides mentioning the most interesting data on melatonin related with plants, this review will hopefully trigger more studies into this molecule to deepen our understanding of the different physiological roles that it might play in plants. We shall briefly look at the well-known function of melatonin in vertebrates, its discovery in plants and other organisms, and its presence in plants as a possible medicinal phytochemical. The joint biosynthetic pathways of melatonin and the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) will be described. Thus, we reveal the new and emerging field of melatonin studies in plants, the limited physiological data available and its possible role in plants.