细胞壁在植物胚胎发生中的作用

在植物的生长与发育过程中,细胞壁不仅在决定和维持细胞形态方面发挥了重要作用,而且还参与了对细胞生长与分化的调控,这种调控涉及一些细胞壁信号分子,尤其是一些细胞壁水解产物在细胞内和细胞间的转导。现对细胞壁在植物胚胎发生中的作用进行综述。     

植物体细胞胚发生中ATP酶活性时空分布动态与内源激素的变化

本文以我们的研究结果为基础,并结合国内外近几年有关研究报道,对植物体细胞胚发生中的超微结构和ATP酶活性时空分布动态及内源激素的变化和作用进行专题评述。⑴ 超微结构的变化：当植物体细胞一旦转化为胚性细胞后,各种细胞器相继增加,不仅丰富而且活跃,特别是线粒体内嵴发达,有的正处于分裂状态;核糖体聚集成多聚核糖体;质体中含大量淀粉粒,接着出现高尔基体等。早期胚性细胞与周围细胞还存在胞间连丝,随着胚性细胞壁的加厚,胞间连丝也随之消失。⑵ ATP酶时空分布动态：早期的胚性细胞中ATP酶反应产物主要沉积于质膜和液泡膜上,后期ATP酶活性转入细胞内,液泡和细胞核中,而且在胚性细胞壁加厚处有活跃的ATP酶活性反应,并证明ATP酶活性是在胚性细胞发生过程中形成的。⑶ 内源激素的变化与作用：在体细胞胚诱导过程中内源激素起着关键性作用,内源生长素含量的提高为胚性细胞的诱导奠定了基础,细胞分裂素含量的增加可促进胚性细胞的分裂和增殖,ABA不仅提高了体细胞胚的诱导频率,而且促进了体细胞胚的正常发育。     

植物体细胞胚发生中ATP酶活性时空分布动态与内源激素的变化

本文以我们的研究结果为基础,并结合国内外近几年有关研究报道,对植物体细胞胚发生中的超策结构和ATP酶活性时空分布动脉及内源激素的变化和作用进行专题评述。（1）超微结构的变化：当植物体细胞一量转化为胚性细胞后,各种细胞器相继增加,不仅丰富而且活跃,特别是线粒体内发达,有的正处于分裂状态;核糖体聚集成多聚核糖体;质体中含大量淀粉粒,接着出现高尔基体等。早期胚性细胞与周围细胞还存在胞间连丝,随着胚性细胞壁的加厚,胞间连丝也随之消失。（2）ATP酶时空分布动态：早期的胚性细胞中ATP酶反应产物主要沉积于质和液泡上,后期ATP酶活性转入细胞内,液泡和细胞核中,而且在胚性细胞壁加厚处有活跃的A5P酶活性反应,并证明ATP酶活性是在胚性细胞发生过程中形成的。（3）内源激素的变化与作用：在体细胞胚诱导过程中内源激素起着关键性作用,内源生长素含量的提高为胚性细胞的诱导奠定了基础,细胞分裂素含量的增加可促进胚性细胞的分裂和增殖,ABA不仅提高了体细胞胚的诱导频率,而且促进了体细胞胚的正常发育。     

Involvement of Plant Hormones and Plant Growth Regulators on in vitro Somatic Embryogenesis

In spite of the importance attained by somatic embryogenesis and of the many studies that have been conducted on this developmental process, there are still many aspects that are not fully understood. Among those features, the involvement of plant hormones and plant growth regulators on deTermining the conversion of somatic onto embryogenic tissues, and on allowing progression and maturation of somatic embryos, are far away from being completely comprehended. Part of these difficulties relies on the frequent appearance of contradictory results when studying the effect of a particular stimulus over a specific stage in somatic embryogenesis. Recent progress achieved on understanding the interaction between exogenously added plant growth regulators over the concentration of endogenous hormones, together with the involvement of sensitivity of the tissues to particular hormone groups, might help clarifying the occurrence of divergent patterns in somatic embryogenesis, and in tissue culture in general. The aspects described above, emphasizing on the effect of the concentration of plant hormones and of the addition of plant growth regulators during the different phases of somatic embryogenesis, will be reviewed in this paper. Citations will be limited to review articles as much as possible and to individual articles only in those cases in which very specific or recent information is presented.     

Natural products targeting the synthesis of β(1,3)-D-glucan and chitin of the fungal cell wall. Existing drugs and recent findings

Background: During the last three decades systemic fungal infections associated to immunosuppressive therapies have become a serious healthcare problem. Clinical development of new antifungals is an urgent requirement. Since fungal but not mammalian cells are encased in a carbohydrate-containing cell wall, which is required for the growth and viability of fungi, the inhibition of cell wall synthesizing machinery, such as β(1,3)-D-glucan synthases (GS) and chitin synthases (CS) that catalyze the synthesis of β(1-3)-D-glucan and chitin, respectively, represent an ideal mode of action of antifungal agents. Although the echinocandins anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin are clinically well-established GS inhibitors for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, much effort must still be made to identify inhibitors of other enzymes and processes involved in the synthesis of the fungal cell wall.Purpose: Since natural products (NPs) have been the source of several antifungals in clinical use and also have provided important scaffolds for the development of semisynthetic analogues, this review was devoted to investigate the advances made to date in the discovery of NPs from plants that showed capacity of inhibiting cell wall synthesis targets. The chemical characterization, specific target, discovery process, along with the stage of development are provided here.Methods: An extensive systematic search for NPs against the cell wall was performed considering all the articles published until the end of 2020 through the following scientific databases: NCBI PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar and using the combination of the terms “natural antifungals” and “plant extracts” with “fungal cell wall”.Results: The first part of this review introduces the state of the art of the structure and biosynthesis of the fungal cell wall and considers exclusively those naturally produced GS antifungals that have given rise to both existing semisynthetic approved drugs and those derivatives currently in clinical trials. According to their chemical structure, natural GS inhibitors can be classified as 1) cyclic lipopeptides, 2) glycolipids and 3) acidic terpenoids. We also included nikkomycins and polyoxins, NPs that inhibit the CS, which have traditionally been considered good candidates for antifungal drug development but have finally been discarded after enduring unsuccessful clinical trials. Finally, the review focuses in the most recent findings about the growing field of plant-derived molecules and extracts that exhibit activity against the fungal cell wall. Thus, this search yielded sixteen articles, nine of which deal with pure compounds and seven with plant extracts or fractions with proven activity against the fungal cell wall. Regarding the mechanism of action, seven (44%) produced GS inhibition while five (31%) inhibited CS. Some of them (56%) interfered with other components of the cell wall. Most of the analyzed articles refer to tests carried out in vitro and therefore are in early stages of development.Conclusion: This report delivers an overview about both existing natural antifungals targeting GS and CS activities and their mechanisms of action. It also presents recent discoveries on natural products that may be used as starting points for the development of potential selective and non-toxic antifungal drugs.     

Auxin Control of Embryo Patterning

Plants start their life as a single cell, which, during the process of embryogenesis, is transformed into a mature embryo with all organs necessary to support further growth and development. Therefore, each basic cell type is first specified in the early embryo, making this stage of development excellently suited to study mechanisms of coordinated cell specification—pattern formation. In recent years, it has emerged that the plant hormone auxin plays a prominent role in embryo development. Most pattern formation steps in the early Arabidopsis embryo depend on auxin biosynthesis, transport, and response. In this article, we describe those embryo patterning steps that involve auxin activity, and we review recent data that shed light on the molecular mechanisms of auxin action during this phase of plant development.     

植物体细胞胚发生的细胞生物学研究进展

体细胞胚发生是植物界的一个普遍现象,本文从组织细胞学、超微结构、电镜细胞化学、分子生物学等方面对体细胞胚发生发育过程中的形态建成和细胞结构,Ca2 和ATPase的动态变化,淀粉和蛋白质代谢,核糖体、线粒体等对极性变化的影响,畸形胚的发生和体胚同步化的诱导调控,基因调控等方面进行了综述,为进一步深入了解体细胞胚的发生发育规律及基因调控机制以及植物高效再生体系的建立提供参考。     

Genes and plant cell walls: a difficult relationship

Chemical information, carried by genes, is one of several types of information important for the functioning of cells and organisms. While genes govern the two-dimensional flow of information, the cell walls are at the basis of a structural, three-dimensional framework of plant form and growth. Recent data show the walls to be a cellular 'organelle' undergoing dynamic changes in response to a plethora of stimuli. In this review, an integrated approach, rooted in the organismal perspective, is taken to consider the role of cell walls in the biology of plants. First, the complexity of molecular and biochemical events leading to the biosynthesis of wall components is described within the framework of its spatial cellular organisation, and the major regulatory check-points are characterised. Second, cell walls form a structural and functional continuum within the whole plant and thus could be defined in relation to the protoplasts that produce them and in relation to the plant itself. Model systems of suspension-cultured cells are used to reveal the existence of a bidirectional exchange of information between the protoplast and its walls. The 'plasticity' of plant cell reactions, seen in defence responses or in changes in wall composition, to e.g. stress, plant growth regulators or chemical agents as well as the role of cell walls and/or wall components in somatic embryogenesis are also discussed. Third, being a continuum within the plant body, the walls fulfil vital functions in plant growth and development. The examples characterised include the determination of cellular polarity and the plane of cell division, cytokinesis, and the role of plasmodesmata in cell-to-cell communication and the formation of functional symplastic domains. Fourth, the exocellular control of morphogenetic processes is described and the potential of cell walls as determinants or reservoirs of positional information is indicated. Particular emphasis is put on the (bio)chemical signals coming through or derived from cell walls as well as the mechanical properties of the walls. Based on those data, the 'plant body' concept is formulated. The plant is thus treated as a unit filled with intertwining networks: (1) symplastic, (2) the endomembrane system and (3) cytoskeletal, with cell walls providing an architectural scaffolding and communication ports formed within (4) the cytoskeleton-plasma membrane-cell wall continuum.     

Embryogenesis in flowering plants: Recent approaches and prospects

The overall architectural pattern of the mature plant is established during embryogenesis. Very little is known about the molecular processes that underlie embryo morphogenesis. Last decade has, nevertheless, seen a burst of information on the subject. The synchronous somatic embryogenesis system of carrot is largely being used as the experimental system. Information on the molecular regulation of embryogenesis obtained with carrot somatic embryos as well as observations on sandalwood embryogenic system developed in our laboratory are summarized in this review. The basic experimental strategy of molecular analysis mostly relied on a comparison between genes and proteins being expressed in embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells as well as in the different stages of embryogenesis. Events such as expression of totipotency of cells and establishment of polarity which are so critical for embryo development have been characterized using the strategy. Several genes have been identified and cloned from the carrot system. These include sequences that encode certain extracellular proteins (EPs) that influence cell proliferation and embryogenesis in specific ways and sequences of the abscisic acid (ABA) inducible late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins which are most abundant and differentially expressed mRNAs in somatic embryos. That LEAs are expressed in the somatic embryos of a tree flora also is evidenced from studies on sandalwood. Several undescribed or novel sequences that are enhanced in embryos were identified. A sequence of this nature exists in sandalwood embryos was demonstrated using aCuscuta haustorial (organ-specific) cDNA probe. Somatic embryogenesis systems have been used to assess the expression of genes isolated from non-embryogenic tissues. Particular attention has been focused on both cell cycle and histone genes     

VEIDase is a principal caspase-like activity involved in plant programmed cell death and essential for embryonic pattern formation

Plant embryogenesis is intimately associated with programmed cell death. The mechanisms of initiation and control of programmed cell death during plant embryo development are not known. Proteolytic activity associated with caspase-like proteins is paramount for control of programmed cell death in animals and yeasts. Caspase family of proteases has unique strong preference for cleavage of the target proteins next to asparagine residue. In this work, we have used synthetic peptide substrates containing caspase recognition sites and corresponding specific inhibitors to analyse the role of caspase-like activity in the regulation of programmed cell death during plant embryogenesis. We demonstrate that VEIDase is a principal caspase-like activity implicated in plant embryogenesis. This activity increases at the early stages of embryo development that coincide with massive cell death during shape remodeling. The VEIDase activity exhibits high sensitivity to pH, ionic strength and Zn(2+) concentration. Altogether, biochemical assays show that VEIDase plant caspase-like activity resembles that of both mammalian caspase-6 and yeast metacaspase, YCA1. In vivo, VEIDase activity is localised specifically in the embryonic cells during both the commitment and in the beginning of the execution phase of programmed cell death. Inhibition of VEIDase prevents normal embryo development via blocking the embryo-suspensor differentiation. Our data indicate that the VEIDase activity is an integral part in the control of plant developmental cell death programme, and that this activity is essential for the embryo pattern formation.     

Mechanism of Xenopus cranial neural crest cell migration

This review focuses on recent advances in the field of cranial neural crest cell migration in Xenopus laevis with specific emphasis on cell adhesion and the regulation of cell migration. Our goal is to combine the understanding of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix with the regulation of cell-cell adhesion and the involvement of the planar cell polarity signaling-pathway in guiding the migration of cranial neural crest cells during embryogenesis.     

The controls of late dicot embryogenesis and early germination

During seed formation, the embryo appears to be germinable as soon as cell division is completed; however, it continues development on the plant. This review describes the stages of development after cell division and provides a summary of important observations and recent use of molecular markers as they apply to the regulation of dicot seed formation. Genetic evidence suggests that abscisic acid may help initiate late embryogenesis, although no evidence firmly establishes that abscisic acid controls any other aspect of late dicot development. Previous studies utilizing cultured embryos have implicated abscisic acid and water potential as endogenous promoters of late embryogenesis and inhibitors of germination. However, these embryo culture experiments have been misinterpreted. The experiments show that both immature and mature embryos respond to environmental water stress by expressing a developmental program that is normally induced in late embryogenesis by abscission of the vascular connection. This postabscission program probably prepares the embryo for its forthcoming desiccation during normal development and is predicted to be important in protecting the embryo from water stress during germination.     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca^2＋和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca^2 含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca^2 和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明：2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca^2 沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca^2 在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca^2 呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca^2 的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca^2 出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca^2 和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca^2 含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca^2 和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca^2 和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。     

Phospholipases A2 and neural membrane dynamics: implications for Alzheimer's disease

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s) are essential enzymes in cells. They are not only responsible for maintaining the structural organization of cell membranes, but also play a pivotal role in the regulation of cell functions. Activation of PLA(2) s results in the release of fatty acids and lysophospholipids, products that are lipid mediators and compounds capable of altering membrane microdomains and physical properties. Although not fully understood, recent studies have linked aberrant PLA(2) activity to oxidative signaling pathways involving NADPH oxidase that underlie the pathophysiology of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. In this paper, we review studies describing the involvement of cytosolic PLA(2) in oxidative signaling pathways leading to neuronal impairment and activation of glial cell inflammatory responses. In addition, this review also includes information on the role of cytosolic PLA(2) and exogenous secretory PLA(2) on membrane physical properties, dynamics, and membrane proteins. Unraveling the mechanisms that regulate specific types of PLA(2)s and their effects on membrane dynamics are important prerequisites towards understanding their roles in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, and in the development of novel therapeutics to retard progression of the disease.     

Cellular and molecular changes associated with somatic embryogenesis induction in Agave tequilana

In spite of the importance of somatic embryogenesis for basic research in plant embryology as well as for crop improvement and plant propagation, it is still unclear which mechanisms and cell signals are involved in acquiring embryogenic competence by a somatic cell. The aim of this work was to study cellular and molecular changes involved in the induction stage in calli of Agave tequilana Weber cultivar azul in order to gain more information on the initial stages of somatic embryogenesis in this species. Cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques were used to identify differences between embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells from several genotypes. Presence of granular structures was detected after somatic embryogenesis induction in embryogenic cells; composition of these structures as well as changes in protein and polysaccharide distribution was studied using Coomassie brilliant blue and Periodic Acid-Schiff stains. Distribution of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and pectins was investigated in embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells by immunolabelling using anti-AGP monoclonal antibodies (JIM4, JIM8 and JIM13) as well as an anti-methyl-esterified pectin-antibody (JIM7), in order to evaluate major modifications in cell wall composition in the initial stages of somatic embryogenesis. Our observations pointed out that induction of somatic embryogenesis produced accumulation of proteins and polysaccharides in embryogenic cells. Presence of JIM8, JIM13 and JIM7 epitopes were detected exclusively in embryogenic cells, which supports the idea that specific changes in cell wall are involved in the acquisition of embryogenic competence of A. tequilana.     

Cell–cell communication in Arabidopsis early embryogenesis

The basic body plan of the adult plant is established during embryogenesis, resulting in the juvenile form of the seedling. Arabidopsis embryogenesis is distinguished by a highly regular pattern of cell divisions. Some of these divisions are asymmetric, generating daughter cells with different fates. However, their subsequent differentiation might still depend on cell–cell communication to be fully accomplished or maintained. In some cases, cell fate specification solely depends on cell–cell communication that in general plays an important role in the generation of positional information within the embryo. Although auxin-dependent signalling has received much attention, other ways of cell–cell communication have also been demonstrated or suggested. This review focuses on aspects of pattern formation and cell–cell communication during Arabidopsis embryogenesis up to the mid-globular stage of development.     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca2+和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca~(2+)含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明:2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca~(2+)沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca~(2+)在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca~(2+)呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca~(2+)的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca~(2+)出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca~(2+)含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca~(2+)和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。