Leukamenin E调节拟南芥幼苗生长发育的模式及其机制

研究对映-贝壳杉烷型二萜化合物Leukamenin E对拟南芥种子萌发、下胚轴伸长以及根生长发育的作用模式,并探讨植物激素生长素和乙烯可能介导Leukamenin E影响拟南芥主根生长、侧根和根毛发育的初步机制。结果表明:Leukamenin E浓度在10~160μmol·L~(-1)范围对拟南芥种子的萌发率无显著影响,但高浓度Leukamenin E(80~160μmol·L-1)显著抑制种子的萌发速率。Leukamenin E对拟南芥幼苗根生长的抑制作用明显高于对下胚轴的抑制效应。进一步研究表明,Leukamenin E通过阻滞根尖细胞有丝分裂和细胞伸长进而抑制主根的生长,并能促进侧根提前发生并影响其形成数量,同时减少根毛密度及降低根毛长度。Leukamenin E联合乙烯利(乙烯释放剂)处理可阻止乙烯利单独使用对拟南芥幼苗根毛生长的促进作用,与Ag+(乙烯竞争抑制剂)联合乙烯利的作用效果相一致,表明Leukamenin E可能通过干扰根细胞乙烯途径而抑制根毛发育。流动注射化学发光分析和酶联免疫检测的结果发现,Leukamenin E显著上调拟南芥幼苗根组织中生长素(IAA)水平,表明生长素可能作为主要因子介导了Leukamenin E对拟南芥幼苗根生长发育的调节作用。     

活性氧对外源IAA诱导的ACC合酶活性的影响

本文试图从活性氧的角度阐明外源IAA诱导ACC合酶活性的机制.绿豆(Phaseolus radiatus L.)幼苗的乙烯产生及ACC合酶活性从萌发的第5天开始上升,到第10天达到高峰,接着下降.10 μmol/L的外源IAA能明显促进绿豆幼苗乙烯的产生及ACC合酶的活性,同时也促进了超氧阴离子自由基(O(-)/(*)2)、过氧化氢(H2O2)的产生.显示外源IAA诱导的ACC合酶的活性与其诱导的活性氧的产生具有某种相关性.外源O(-)/(*)2处理能明显提高绿豆幼苗的乙烯产生速率及ACC合酶的活性,而外源H2O2无论对乙烯产生或ACC合酶的活性均没有明显的作用.外加O(-)/(*)2的清除剂SOD对绿豆幼苗乙烯的产生及ACC合酶活性的提高有一定的抑制作用,而外源过氧化氢酶却没有明显的作用.为此我们可以得出结论:外源IAA诱导的绿豆幼苗ACC合酶活性的提高可能是由于其诱导的O(-)/(*)2产生的升高引起的,这可能也是高等植物中调控乙烯生物合成的机制之一;而IAA诱导的H2O2产率的升高并不是其诱导ACC合酶活性升高的原因.     

活性氧对外源IAA诱导的ACC合酶活性的影响(英)

本文试图从活性氧的角度阐明外源IAA诱导ACC合酶活性的机制。绿豆 (PhaseolusradiatusL .)幼苗的乙烯产生及ACC合酶活性从萌发的第 5天开始上升 ,到第 10天达到高峰 ,接着下降。 10 μmol/L的外源IAA能明显促进绿豆幼苗乙烯的产生及ACC合酶的活性 ,同时也促进了超氧阴离子自由基 (O-·2 )、过氧化氢 (H2 O2 )的产生。显示外源IAA诱导的ACC合酶的活性与其诱导的活性氧的产生具有某种相关性。外源O-·2 处理能明显提高绿豆幼苗的乙烯产生速率及ACC合酶的活性 ,而外源H2 O2 无论对乙烯产生或ACC合酶的活性均没有明显的作用。外加O-·2 的清除剂SOD对绿豆幼苗乙烯的产生及ACC合酶活性的提高有一定的抑制作用 ,而外源过氧化氢酶却没有明显的作用。为此我们可以得出结论 :外源IAA诱导的绿豆幼苗ACC合酶活性的提高可能是由于其诱导的O-·2 产生的升高引起的 ,这可能也是高等植物中调控乙烯生物合成的机制之一 ;而IAA诱导的H2 O2 产率的升高并不是其诱导ACC合酶活性升高的原因。     

PLDα1介导ABA调控的拟南芥主根伸长并参与根毛生长

探讨了磷脂酶Dα1（PLDα1）在ABA抑制拟南芥主根伸长过程中的作用。PLOα1基因突变体pldα1主根伸长受ABA抑制小于野生型（WT）;根系PLDα1活性在ABA处理下升高;拟南芥根细胞原生质体中活性氧（ROS）含量在ABA处理下升高,但是pldα1升高小于WT;根系NADPH氧化酶活性在ABA处理下升高,pldα1升高小于WT,外源加入10μmol/L^-1 PA（磷脂酸,PLD水解产物）后,前者活性显著升高;外源加入H2O2可诱导WT和pldα1主根伸长都受到抑制,且二者差异不明显。结果表明,PLDα1产生的PA通过激活NADPH氧化酶产生ROS介导ABA调控的拟南芥主根伸长过程。此外,初步探讨了PLDα1在拟南芥根毛尖端生长中的作用：pldα1突变体根毛长度小于WT,根毛尖端ROS和Ca^2＋浓度低于WT。     

磷酸肌醇激酶FAB1调控拟南芥根毛伸长

FAB1/PIKfyve是介导PI(3,5)P2 (磷脂酰肌醇3,5-二磷酸)生物合成的磷酸肌醇激酶。在动物和酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)中, PI(3,5)P2参与调控胞内膜运输,但在植物中的研究较少。该文通过分析拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana) FAB1的T-DNA插入突变体的表型解析PI(3,5)P2的生物学功能。拟南芥FAB1基因家族包含FAB1A、FAB1B、FAB1C和FAB1D四个基因。研究发现,fab1a/b呈现雄配子体致死的表型。利用遗传杂交获得fab1b/c/d三突变体,发现FAB1B、FAB1C和FAB1D功能缺失导致根毛相比野生型变短,经FAB1特异性抑制剂YM201636处理后的野生型中也观察到相似的短根毛表型。此外, fab1b/c/d三突变体中DR5转录水平降低。同时,外源施加生长素类似物2,4-D和NAA能部分恢复fab1b/c/d植株短根毛的表型,但fab1b/c/d突变体对生长素转运抑制剂(1-NOA和TIBA)的敏感性与野生型相似。此外,FAB1B/C/D功能缺失使根毛中ROS的含量减少且影响肌动蛋白的表达。上述结果表明, FAB1B/C/D通过调控生长素分布、ROS含量和肌动蛋白的表达影响拟南芥根毛伸长。     

生长素信号转导途径与植物胁迫反应相互作用的证据

生长素影响植物多种生理过程,有报道显示生长素可能影响植物对逆境胁迫的反应.我们利用cDNA阵列技术鉴定拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.)的生长素应答基因,发现多个胁迫应答基因受生长素抑制,包括Arabidopsis homolog of MEK kinase1 (ATMEKK1),RelA/SpoT homolog 3 (At-RSH3),Catalase 1 (Cat1) 和Ferritin 1 (Fer1),说明生长素可调节胁迫应答基因的表达.此外,我们还证明吲哚乙酸(IAA)合成途径中的腈水解酶基因nitrilase 1 (NIT1) 和nitrilase 2 (NIT2) 受盐胁迫诱导,提示在逆境条件下IAA的合成可能随之增加.我们利用生长素不敏感突变体研究生长素与逆境反应相互作用的信号转导,发现胁迫应答基因在野生型和生长素不敏感突变体auxin resistant 2 (axr2) 中可被盐胁迫诱导,而在auxin resistant 1-3 (axr1-3)中则不被诱导,说明生长素与逆境胁迫反应的相互作用可能发生在泛素途径.     

外源乙烯对月季(Rosa hybrida)切花花朵开放的影响与乙烯生物合成相关基因表达的关联

以探讨外源乙烯对月季切花花朵开放的影响及其与花瓣内源乙烯生物合成相关基因表达之间的关联为目的. 试材选用外源乙烯对花朵开放进程影响截然相反的两个品种, 其中, Samantha明显被促进, 而Kardinal则明显被抑制. 经外源乙烯处理, 两品种花瓣乙烯生成量、1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(1-aminocyclopropane -1-carboxylate, ACC)合成酶(ACC synthase, ACS)和ACC氧化酶(ACC oxidase, ACO)活性都被诱导升高. 但是, 以上指标两品种间变化有差异, 其中, Samantha主要表现为峰值提前, 即由未经处理对照的盛开期(开花级数4级)提早到初开期(3级); 而Kardinal主要表现为绝对值剧烈升高, 且远高于Samantha. 从花瓣中克隆到3个ACS (Rh-ACS1, Rh-ACS2和Rh-ACS3)和1个ACO(Rh-ACO1)基因的cDNA, 非放射性Northern检测结果表明, Rh-ACS3和Rh-ACO1基因的表达受到乙烯的诱导, 并且其表达变化在两个品种中都与ACS活性和乙烯生成量相一致. 由此推测, 外源乙烯对切花月季品种间花朵开放影响的差异, 可能与花瓣内乙烯生物合成关键酶转录水平上的诱导差异有关, 并且Kardinal可能对外源乙烯更为敏感. 还明确了月季切花3个ACS基因之间的表达存在发育时间和诱导方式上的特异性.     

拟南芥根系发育的分子机制研究进展

拟南芥初生根和次生根的发育受不同遗传通路所调控,其中内源激素途径尤其是生长素途径在拟南芥主根、侧根以及根毛的发育过程中均发挥着重要作用.同时也存在一些不依赖于激素通路的遗传途径,如UPB1能通过调节根尖分生区和伸长区活性氧种类的平衡来调控根系顶端分生组织活性,进而影响根系的生长.本文对近年来国内外有关模式植物拟南芥根系发育的分子机制研究进展分别从初生根发育、侧根发育和根毛发育3个方面进行综述.     

拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体的筛选与特性分析

采用 EMS化学诱变方法与 H2 O2 氧化胁迫选择 ,以根在重力作用下的弯曲生长为指标 ,筛选得到拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体。对突变体杂交后代遗传分析表明 ,突变株对活性氧不敏感性状为隐性单基因突变所致 ;生理生化分析表明突变体对 H2 O2 有很强的抗性 ,表现为气孔开度对 H2 O2 不敏感和 H2 O2 胁迫时较低的膜脂过氧化水平。运用 L SCM技术并结合 H2 O2 荧光探针 H2 DCFDA检测外源 ABA诱导保卫细胞内产生 H2 O2 的情况 ,结果显示突变体体内荧光强度比对照低 ,暗示了突变体体内消除 H2 O2 的能力可能有所提高 ,增强了植株对氧化胁迫的抗性。拟南芥活性氧不敏感突变体的筛选 ,不仅为人们深入研究活性氧在细胞内的作用提供良好的实验材料 ,而且还将大大加深人们对信号转导途径的再认识     

拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体筛选与特性分析

采用EMS化学诱变方法与H2O2氧化胁迫选择,以根在重力作用下的弯曲生长为指标,筛选得到拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体。对突变体杂交后代遗传分析表明,突变株对活性氧不敏感性状为隐性单基因突变所致;生理生化分析表明突变体对H2O2有很强的抗性,表现为气孔开度对H2O2不敏感和H2O2胁迫时较低的膜脂过氧化水平。运用LSCM技术并结合H2O2荧光探针H2DCFDA检测外源ABA诱导保卫细胞内产生H2O2的情况,结果显示突变体体内荧光强度比对照低,暗示了突变体体内消除H2O2的能力可能有所提高,增强了植株对氧化胁迫的抗性。拟南芥活性氧不敏感突变体的筛选,不仅为人们深入研究活性氧在细胞内的作用提供良好的实验材料,而且还将大大加深人们对信号转导途径的再认识。     

Ammonium-Stimulated Root Hair Branching is Enhanced by Methyl Jasmonate and Suppressed by Ethylene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

Root hair development is orchestrated by nutritional factors and plant hormones. We investigated the action of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and its interactions with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethylene in Arabidopsis root hair growth. The formation of root hair branches was dramatically stimulated in media containing 1.25 to 20 mM NH₄⁺ at pH values of 4.0 to 6.5. The NH₄⁺-treated root hairs showed a very short tip growth stage and swells on the sides that indicated the emergence of branches. MeJA (0.08 to 10 μM) worked in synergism with NH₄⁺ to enhance hair branching. In contrast, ethylene had an antagonistic effect; the stimulation of hair branching by NH₄⁺ was suppressed by the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and was diminished in ethylene-overproducing mutant eto1-1 seedlings. Moreover, the application of Ag⁺, an ethylene inhibitor, reduced the ACC-induced inhibition of NH₄⁺-stimulated hair branching and restored NH₄⁺-stimulated hair branching in eto1-1 seedlings. Thus, the actions of jasmonate and ethylene appear to be dependent on nutritional conditions such as available nitrogen.     

马尾松组培苗对氮素形态的生长响应

马尾松属高氮需求树种,然而在苗木培育中马尾松对氮素,尤其是不同形态氮素的需求尚不明确。该文以马尾松组培苗为试验材料,采用基质培养方法,针对硝态氮、铵态氮两种氮素形态均分别设置了2、4、8、16 mmol·L~(-1)4个处理,以不添加氮素为对照,对苗木的高径生长、根构型参数(总根长、总表面积、总体积、平均直径和根尖数)以及生物量的变化进行了分析。结果表明:(1)在2～8 mmol·L~(-1)硝态氮处理下,除根冠比外,苗高、地径、根构型参数、生物量均不低于对照,其中以2 mmol·L~(-1)水平下苗木生长效果最好,苗高、地径、根构型参数、生物量均高于对照;在16 mmol·L~(-1)硝态氮处理下,苗高、总根长与根尖数低于对照。(2)在2～16 mmol·L~(-1)供试范围内,铵态氮处理下的苗木根冠比小于对照,但其苗高、地径、根构型参数、生物量均不低于对照,整体上以4 mmol·L~(-1)处理下的苗木生长表现最佳。(3)在任一供氮水平,除根冠比和2mmol·L~(-1)处理下的根总表面积与根尖数在两种氮素形态间无明显差异外,铵态氮处理下的苗木生长情况显著优于硝态氮处理,这说明马尾松组培苗偏好于吸收和利用铵态氮。综上结果表明,外施硝态氮、铵态氮均能促进马尾松组培苗生长,但需控制在适宜浓度范围内,其中以2 mmol·L~(-1)硝态氮和4 mmol·L~(-1)铵态氮处理效果较佳。高浓度硝态氮会抑制苗木高度及根系发育,且在相同施肥水平下,对苗木生长的促进效果大多弱于铵态氮。因此,今后为达到培育优质壮苗和提高肥效、减少肥害的目的,可考虑使用铵态氮肥。     

Regulation by fixed nitrogen of host-symbiont recognition in the Rhizobium-clover symbiosis

Either NO₃⁻ (16 millimolar) or NH₄⁺ (1 millimolar) completely inhibited infection and nodulation of white clover seedlings (Trifoliin repens) inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii. The binding of R. trifolii to root hairs and the immunologically detectable levels of the plant lectin, trifoliin, on the root hair surface had parallel declining slopes as the concentration of either NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺ was increased in the rooting medium. This supports the role of trifoliin in binding R. trifolii to clover root hairs. Agglutination of R. trifolii by trifoliin from seeds was not inhibited by these levels of NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺. The results suggest that these fixed N ions may play important roles in regulating an early recognition process in the Rhizobium-clover symbiosis, namely the accumulation of high numbers of infective R. trifolii cells on clover root hairs.     

Growth and Major Nutrient Concentrations in Brassica campestris Supplied with Different NH4^＋/NO3 Ratios

In the present study, we investigated whether growth and main nutrient ion concentrations of cabbage （Brassica campestris L.） could be increased when plants were subjected to different NH4^＋/NO3- ratios. Cabbage seedlings were grown in a greenhouse in nutrient solutions with five NH4^＋/NO3- ratios （1：0; 0.75：0.25; 0.5：0.5; 0.25：0.75; and 0：1）. The results showed that cabbage growth was reduced by 87% when the proportion of NH4^＋-N in the nutrient solution was more than 75% compared with a ratio NH4^＋/NO3- of 0.5：0.5 35 d after transplanting, suggesting a possible toxicity due to the accumulation of a large amount of free ammonia in the leaves. When the NH4＋/NO3- ratio was 0.5：0.5, fresh seedling weight, root length, and H2PO4- （P）, K^＋, Ca^2＋, and Mg^2＋ concentrations were all higher than those in plants grown under other NH4^＋/NO3- ratios. The nitrate concentration in the leaves was the lowest in plants grown at 0.5： 0.5 NH4^＋/NO3-. The present results indicate that an appropriate NH4^＋/NO3- ratio improves the absorption of other nutrients and maintains a suitable proportion of N assimilation and storage that should benefit plant growth and the quality of cabbage as a vegetable.     

Transport and Distribution of 14CO2 Assimilate in Lolium perenne in Response to Varying Nitrogen Supply to Halves of a Divided Root System

The movement of ¹⁴C assimilate from shoots to roots and its subsequent metabolism in the root of Lolium perenne L. was studied using variable N nutrition supplied to halves of a divided root system. Half of the N-deficient root system was supplied with either high NO₃-N or high NH₄-N for 16 hours or 6 days before ¹⁴CO₂ labeling of the shoots. The distribution of ¹⁴C in sugars, ethanol-soluble nitrogen and organic acids in roots appeared to be related to the N content of the tissue. Supply of high NO₃-N for 6 days resulted in significant internal translocation of N into the low N supplied root half. Both root halves also had similar patterns of ¹⁴C distribution among soluble and insoluble metabolites. However, NH₄-N supply for 6 days did not result in a significant increase of N in the low N supplied roots, thus only the high NH₄-N supplied roots displayed stimulated sugar metabolism, similar to that in both root halves in the high NO₃-N supply treatment. Percent transport of ₁₄C assimilates from shoot to root was influenced by form and level of N supplied to root halves. Root halves supplied with either high N source for 6 days accumulated greater amounts of ¹⁴C assimilate than the corresponding low N root half. However NH₄-N supply appeared to make roots stronger sinks since NH₄ supply resulted in significantly greater ¹⁴C accumulation in both the high NH₄ supplied and the low N root halves than did NO₃-N supply in corresponding root halves. The data suggest that factors other than root metabolism, such as N mediated metabolism in the shoot, may also influence the percent transport of assimilates to the root. Internal distribution of the incoming assimilate within the root system could be regulated by the metabolic activity or assimilate demand of the roots.     

Waterlogging‐induced adventitious root formation in cucumber is regulated by ethylene and auxin through reactive oxygen species signalling

Development of adventitious roots (ARs) at the base of the shoot is an important adaptation of plants to waterlogging stress; however, its physiological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the regulation of AR formation under waterlogged conditions by hormones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Cucumis sativus L., an agriculturally and economically important crop in China. We found that ethylene, auxin, and ROS accumulated in the waterlogged cucumber plants. On the other hand, application of the ethylene receptor inhibitor 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), the auxin transport inhibitor 1‐naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), or the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) decreased the number of ARs induced by waterlogging. Auxin enhanced the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes, which led to ethylene entrapment in waterlogged plants. Both ethylene and auxin induced the generation of ROS. Auxin‐induced AR formation was inhibited by 1‐MCP, although ethylene‐induced AR formation was not inhibited by NPA. Both ethylene‐ and auxin‐induced AR formation were counteracted by DPI. These results indicate that auxin‐induced AR formation is dependent on ethylene, whereas ethylene‐induced AR formation is independent of auxin. They also show that ROS signals mediate both ethylene‐ and auxin‐induced AR formation in cucumber plants.     

不同氮处理下速生柳对水体氮的吸收、分配及生理响应

采用水培法,研究了旱柳苗在外源添加不同氮水平(贫氮、中氮、富氮、过氮)的铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO-3-N)的生长、氮吸收、分配和生理响应。结果表明:一定范围氮浓度的增加能够促进旱柳苗的生长,但过量氮会抑制其生长,且NH+4-N的抑制作用大于NO-3-N;两种氮处理下,旱柳表现出对NH+4-N的吸收偏好,在同一氮水平时,旱柳各部位氮原子百分含量Atom%15N(AT%)、15N吸收量和来自氮源的N%(Ndff%)均为NH+4-N处理大于NO-3-N处理,且随着氮浓度的增加,差异增大,且在旱柳各部位的分布为根﹥茎﹥叶;2种氮素过量和不足均会对旱柳根和叶生理指标产生不同的影响,其中在过氮水平时,NH+4-N和NO-3-N处理下根系活力比对照减少了50.61%和增加了19.53%;在过氮水平时,NH+4-N处理柳树苗根总长、根表面积、根平均直径、根体积和侧根数分别对照下降了30.92%、29.48%、19.44%、27.01%和36.41%,NO-3-N处理柳树苗相应的根系形态指标分别对对照下降了1.66%、5.65%、1.49%、5.06%和25.72%。可见,高浓度NH+4-N对旱柳苗的胁迫影响大于NO-3-N,在应用于水体氮污染修复时可通过改变水体无机氮的比例,削弱其对旱柳的影响,从而提高旱柳对水体氮污染的修复效果。     

Growth responses of the perennial legume Sesbania sesban to NH4 and NO3 nutrition and effects on root nodulation

Preference for NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ nutrition by the perennial legume Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. was assessed by supplying plants with NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ alone or mixed at equal concentrations (0.5 mM) in hydroponic culture. In addition, growth responses of S. sesban to NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ nutrition and the effects on root nodulation and nutrient and mineral composition of the plant tissues were evaluated in a hydroponic setup at a range of external concentration of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2 and 5 mM). Seedlings of S. sesban grew equally well when supplied with either NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone or mixed and had high relative growth rates (RGRs) ranging between 0.19 and 0.21 d⁻¹. When larger plants of S. sesban were supplied with NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone, the RGRs and shoot elongation rates were not affected by the external concentration of inorganic N. At external N concentrations up to 0.5 mM nodulation occurred and contributed to the N nutrition through fixation of gaseous N₂ from the atmosphere. For both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻-fed plants the N concentration in the plant tissues, particularly water-extractable NO₃⁻, increased at high supply concentrations, and concentrations of mineral cations generally decreased. It is concluded that S. sesban can grow without an external inorganic N supply by fixing atmospheric N₂ gas via root nodules. Also, S. sesban grows well on both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ as the external N source and the plant can tolerate relatively high concentrations of NH₄⁺. This wide ecological amplitude concerning N nutrition makes S. sesban very useful as a N₂-fixing fallow crop in N deficient areas and also a candidate species for use in constructed wetland systems for the treatment of NH₄⁺ rich waters.     

Induction of adventitious roots and analysis of ginsenoside content and the genes involved in triterpene biosynthesis inPanax ginseng

Adventitious roots were produced directly from root segments ofPanax ginseng seedlings when cultured on an MS solid medium containing 3.0 mg L^-1 IBA. Omitting NH₄NO₃ from this medium greatly enhanced both the frequency of adventitious root formation and the number of roots per expiants. This frequency declined markedly with the age of the root, but could be increased through repeated sub-culturing events. A two-step procedure that included NH₄NO₃ free media for the first two weeks of culture, followed by transfer onto media containing NH₄NO₃ for another four weeks, greatly improved total fresh weights of these adventitious roots compared with a method of continuous culture over six weeks in media that always contained NH₄NO₃. Expression of the genes involved in triterpene biosynthesis was analyzed by RT-PCR. Ginsenoside contents were enhanced by the omission of NH₄NO₃ and were also greatly increased by treatment with methyl jasmonate.     

Oxygen consumption during leaf nitrate assimilation in a C3 and C4 plant: the role of mitochondrial respiration

Measurements of net fluxes of CO₂ and O₂ from leaves and chlorophyll a fluorescence were used to determine the role of mitochondrial respiration during nitrate (NO₃^–) assimilation in both a C₃ (wheat) and a C₄ (maize) plant. Changes in the assimilatory quotient (net CO₂ consumed over net O₂ evolved) when the nitrogen source was shifted from NO₃^– to NH₄⁺ (ΔAQ) provided a measure of shoot NO₃^– assimilation. According to this measure, elevated CO₂ inhibited NO₃^– assimilation in wheat but not maize. Net O₂ exchange under ambient CO₂ concentrations increased in wheat plants receiving NO₃^– instead of NH₄⁺, but gross O₂ evolution from the photosynthetic apparatus (J_O2) was insensitive to nitrogen source. Therefore, O₂ consumption within wheat photosynthetic tissue (ΔΟ₂), the difference between J_O2 and net O₂ exchange, decreased during NO₃^– assimilation. In maize, NO₃^– assimilation was insensitive to changes in intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i); nonetheless, ΔΟ₂ at low C_i values was significantly higher in NO₃^–‐fed than in NH₄⁺‐fed plants. Changes in O₂ consumption during NO₃^– assimilation may involve one or more of the following processes: (a) Mehler ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) reactions; (b) photorespiration; or (c) mitochondrial respiration. The data presented here indicates that in wheat, the last process, mitochondrial respiration, is decreased during NO₃^– assimilation. In maize, NO₃^– assimilation appears to stimulate mitochondrial respiration when photosynthetic rates are limiting.