高原（2260m）女子公路自行车运动员的通气无氧阈、乳酸阈和最大氧耗量的研究

采用实验室递增负荷运动试验和运动现场血乳酸的测定,研究了高原（２２６０ｍ）女子公路自行车运动员的通气无氧阈、乳酸阈及最大氧耗量。结果发现,通气无氧阈时的氧耗量为２．０３ｌ／ｍｉｎ,功率为１３１．４Ｗ;乳酸阈（以运动速度表示）为３３．０ｋｍ／ｈ。通气无氧阈时对应的心率（１３７次／ｍｉｎ）低于乳酸阈的心率（１５３次／ｍｉｎ）。最大氧耗量的绝对值（２．８ｌ／ｍｉｎ）和相对值（４７．４ｍｌ／ｋｇ．ｍｉｎ）分别比平原运动员低２２．２％和２２．９％,但与平原运动员高原训练期间的测试值（２．８ｌ／ｍｉｎ）比较,高原与平原运动员最大氧耗量的差异消失。在相同氧耗量（２．８ｌ／ｍｉｎ）条件下运动时,高原运动员完成的功率（２５１Ｗ）低于平原运动员（２７４Ｗ）。     

高原（2260m）女子公路自行车运动员的通气无氧阈,乳酸阈和最大氧…

采用实验室递增负荷运动试验和运动现场血乳酸的测定,研究了高原（２２６０ｍ）女子公路自行车运动员的通气无氧阈,乳酸阈及最大氧耗量,结果发现,通气无氧阈时的氧耗量为２．０３１／ｍｉｎ,功率为１３１．４Ｗ乳酸阈（以运动速度表示）为３３．０ｋｍ／ｈ。通气无氧时对应的心率（１３７次／ｍｉｎ）低于乳酸阈的心率（１５３次／ｍｉｎ）。最大氧耗量的绝对值（２．８１／ｍｉｎ）和相对值（４７．４ｍｌ／ｋｇ．ｍｉｎ）分别     

uHIIT显著改善男性减脂效果

本研究旨在探讨以心率控制方式进行12周的上坡高强度间歇训练(uphill high-intensityinterval training,uHIIT)和中等水平强度持续训练(moderate-intensity continuous training, MCT)对于中年过重肥胖男性的身体组成(体脂肪百分比和净体重)、代谢症候指标(安静血压,血糖,高低密度脂蛋白胆固醇,总胆固醇和甘油三脂)及心肺耐力指标(最大摄氧量,无氧阈值和力竭时间)的影响。本研究通过对25位中年过重肥胖男性(BMI>24)训练前后的身体组成与代谢症候指标进行检测,并进行渐增强度测验,以评估心肺耐力指标。前测后,受试者随机分配至uHIIT组(心率控制强度为90%HRmax,运动2 min休息1 min共7次进行约20 min)、MCT组(心率控制强度为65%～70%HR_max,运动约40 min)与控制组。进行每周3次为期12周的训练后,再接受相同的测试1次。研究显示,相较于控制组,uHIIT组与MCT组的最大摄氧量(V4O_2max)、无氧阈值、力竭时间、臀部脂肪皆显著改善,且uHIIT组在V4O_2max增加量上显著高于MCT组,仅有uHIIT组的血压、体脂肪百分比和腿部脂肪显著改善。本研究表明,uHIIT与MCT皆可改善中年肥胖男性心肺耐力,同时uHIIT对于减脂与血压的改善较为显著,但其余代谢指标受到运动的影响较小,减脂效果上uHIIT的运动效益优于MCT,建议运动时应重视运动强度。     

训练专一性对无氧阈测定的影响

本文对以上肢训练为主的15名优秀皮划艇运动员和以下肢训练为主的14名优秀中长跑运动员在两种常规负荷方式下的无氧阈及最大吸氧量进行了测定分析,以探讨训练专一性对无氧阈测定的影响。采用踏车式功量计和活动平板方式逐级递增负荷,通过与Apple Ⅱ_E辅助联机的Jaeger EOS自动分析系统,以通气和气体交换指标的变化,无创性地测定无氧阈和最大吸氧量。结果表明,训练专一性会影响无氧阈测定结果。欲测得最高的无氧阈值,实验室测试手段就应当尽量模拟训练时的运动形式。此外,能敏感地反映出运动训练专一性适应的是无氧阈时的吸氧量绝对值(1/min),而不是无氧阈的相对值(％Vo_2max)。     

青风藤水煎液对蟾蜍坐骨神经干电生理的影响

目的：探索青风藤对蟾蜍离体坐骨神经干电生理特性的影响。方法：40只蟾蜍随机分成4组：任氏液对照组和青风藤低、中、高剂量组（0.2、0.10、0.05 g/ml）（n=10）,通过RM6240C多道生理信号采集处理系统记录其在不同浓度青风藤水煎分别浸泡15 min和30 min时,动作电位的传导速度、幅度和动作电位阈强度。结果：与对照组相比,高剂量组的神经干动作电位的传导速度显著减慢（P<0.01）,中、高剂量组的幅度显著降低（P<0.01）,高剂量组的动作电位阈强度显著增大（P<0.01）。结论：动作电位传导速度、幅度与青风藤剂量呈负相关,动作电位阈强度与青风藤剂量呈正相关。青风藤水煎液降低坐骨神经的兴奋性,阻滞动作电位的传导,可能发挥抑制坐骨神经痛的作用。     

负重深蹲中施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对大腿肌肉激活特征的影响

目的: 通过探讨负重深蹲练习中施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对大腿肌群激活特征的影响,找出引起最大激活的个人适宜动脉加压相对值范围,为运动员科学进行加压训练提供一定的理论依据和实践参考。方法: 募集10名男子运动员,进行负重30%1RM(最大抗阻百分比)的深蹲练习,以间歇加压和持续加压两种模式,分别完成无加压、40%动脉闭塞压(AOP)、50%AOP和60%AOP四种加压形式。运用Wave plus无线表面肌电测试仪采集大腿肌群的表面肌电信号,计算出大腿前、后肌群的肌电振幅值。采用双因素方差分析考察通过施加不同动脉闭塞压和不同间歇休息模式对大腿肌肉群的激活效应及其差异。结果: ① 经过双因素方差分析,通过施加不同AOP对所测肌肉标准化均方根振幅值具有显著性影响(P＜0.05),而间歇方式则对所测大腿肌群%MVC值无显著性影响(P＞0.05),施加不同动脉闭塞压和间歇方式对所测肌肉肌电活动的交互作用均无显著性(P＞0.05);② 30%1RM负重深蹲练习时,在50%AOP压力条件下,间歇和持续加压都可以显著提高股直肌、股内侧肌、股外侧肌、股二头肌和半腱肌的%MVC值(P＜0.05);③ 40%AOP压力条件下,仅间歇深蹲练习可显著提高股直肌的%MVC值(P＜0.05);60%AOP压力条件下,也仅间歇练习可以显著提高股内侧肌和半腱肌%MVC值(P＜0.05)。结论: 本研究进一步验证了50%AOP施压对高水平手球运动员在轻负重蹲起练习可以同时显著提高股四头肌和股后肌群的最佳激活程度,产生最佳训练效果,间歇模式推荐采用除压间歇模式。     

递增负荷运动对不同海拔高原人群通气量与心率变化的影响*

目的: 分析不同海拔高原人群在递增负荷运动情况下的通气量与心率的变化特征,探讨其作为高原体力劳动强度分级评价指标的可行性。方法: 选取高原习服男性青年军人88名,平均年龄21.7±1.6。其中3 000 m 30人,3 700 m 30人,4 300 m 28人,进行递增负荷踏车运动,运动负荷从30 W开始,每5 min增加30 W,直到不能坚持则停止运动。采用COSMED K5运动肺功能仪测量每一运动负荷的肺通气量,POLAR V800心率表测量每一运动负荷的运动心率。结果: 不同海拔递增负荷运动中完成最大负荷的人数具有显著差异(P＜0.05),海拔越高,完成人数越少。同一海拔,不同负荷之间,随着负荷的增加,通气量与心率明显增大(P＜0.05),且无上限值;同一负荷,随海拔增加,通气量与心率也明显增大(P＜0.05)。结论: 通气量与心率具有作为高原体力劳动强度分级评价指标的可行性。     

强化间歇训练对慢性心衰患者心肺耐力及自主神经功能的影响

目的：探讨强化间歇训练对慢性心衰患者心肺耐力及自主神经功能的影响。方法：34名稳定期慢性心衰患者随机分成试验组和对照组,每组各17名,两组均采用常规药物治疗,其中试验组同时结合间歇运动训练治疗,训练周期12周,前2周为适应性训练,采用功率自行车和30%~50% HRmax强度进行训练,每周训练3次,每次运动20~30 min;后10周采用强化间歇训练,采用功率自行车和运动靶心率=80%~90% HRmax强度训练,训练时间30~40 min,每周训练3次;采用6 min步行距离和心率变异性指标进行效果评价。结果：与试验前比较,12周治疗后,对照组和试验组6 min步行距离均增加,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）,反映自主神经功能的时域指标和频域指标均出现增高,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）;试验后,试验组6 min步行距离、时域指标和频域指标改变幅度大于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。结论：强化间歇训练可以作为慢性心衰患者心肺耐力提高和自主神经功能改善的康复手段,比单一的药物治疗效果更好。     

赛艇运动员重大比赛前不同训练阶段无创微循环相关指标变化初步研究

目的:探讨不同训练负荷结构下赛艇运动员无创微循环指标变化特点,为进一步完善无创微循环指标在运动员机能状态监控中的应用提供参考与借鉴。方法:2013年7月国家青年赛艇队作了世界青年锦标赛的最后备战训练,整个备战训练分为强度训练期及接下来的调整期,强度训练期主要以500 m、1000 m专项速度练习为主,其训练强度较大,而调整期主要以有氧长划为主,训练强度较小;以8名女性赛艇运动员为研究对象,应用Peri Flux System5000系列激光多普勒血流仪对8名运动员早晨空腹安静、坐位状态下右臂肱二头肌隆起最高处微循环相关指标进行测试,其中强度训练期结束时及接下来的调整期结束时各测试一次,通过对两个阶段无创微循环相关指标变化特点分析,进而对运动员竞技状态作出判断。结果:除运动血细胞浓度(Concentration of moving blood cells,CMBC),调整期微循环血流灌注量(Microcirculatory blood perfusion,MBP)、血细胞平均运行速度(Average velocity of blood cells,AVBC)、经皮氧分压(Transcutaneous oxygen pressure,Tcp O2)均明显高于强度训练期(P<0.05)。结论:不同训练负荷下无创微循环相关指标呈现出不同的变化特点,低强度负荷下无创微循环相关指标呈现出上升趋势,而高强度负荷下则呈现下降趋势。     

上肢精准电磁功率计（臂力计）用于心肺代谢等整体功能评估的临床观察研究*

目的: 受试者分别用上肢（臂力计）和下肢精准电磁功率计（自行车）进行症状限制性极限心肺运动试验（CPET）,分析探讨上肢CPET的临床价值。方法: 15例受试者（正常人6例和慢病患者9例）签署知情同意书后在不同的2 d里分别完成上肢和下肢精准电磁功率计CPET,分析CPET数据、计算相关核心指标,探究上肢和下肢CPET的异同及其相关性。结果: ①全体15例受试者男8女7,其中6例正常人和9例慢病患者亚组相比仅年龄（（33.2±12.7）比（53.6±8.5）岁）和无诊断疾病有显著差异（P<0.05）。②全体受试者上肢CPET峰值心率（（131.0±19.0）比（153.0±22.0） bpm,P<0.05）和血压均低于下肢CPET,但血压差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;上肢CPET的峰值潮气量（（1.3±0.4）比（1.8±0.4） L）和分钟通气量（（51.4±21.1）比（67.9±22.1） L/min）均显著低于下肢（P均<0.05）,而峰值呼吸频率无显著差异;采用上肢CPET时,运动时间（（6.4±0.6）比（8.5±1.2） min）要短于下肢CPET;峰值负荷功率（（73.2±19.6）比（158.5±40.3）W/min）、峰值摄氧量（（1.1±0.4）比（1.7±0.4）L/min）、无氧阈（（0.6±0.2）比（0.9±0.2） L/min）、峰值氧脉搏（（8.6±2.3）比（10.9±2.6） ml/beat）、摄氧通气效率峰值平台（34.7±4.3比39.8±5.3）均较低,而二氧化碳排出通气效率最小值（32.6±3.8比28.7±4.9）及斜率（33.9±4.3比28.3±6.2）高于下肢CPET（P均<0.05）。正常人和慢病两亚组各自的比较结果与整体比较结果无显著差异。③上肢CPET的运动时间,峰值心率,峰值呼吸频率、潮气量、分钟通气量,峰值负荷功率实测值及百分预计值,峰值摄氧量实测值、公斤体重值和百分预计值,无氧阈实测值、公斤体重值,峰值氧脉搏的实测值,摄氧通气效率峰值平台、二氧化碳排出通气效率最小值和斜率的实测值及百分预计值与下肢CPET的结果相关性较好,其余指标无显著相关性。结论: 作为下肢CPET的补充,上肢CPET用于整体功能状态评估具有极高的可行性和更高的安全性,对于指导安全有效个体化精准运动整体方案的实施提供了重要补充,值得进一步深入探究。     

Dissecting the Heat Stress Response in Chlamydomonas by Pharmaceutical and RNAi Approaches Reveals Conserved and Novel Aspects

To study how conserved fundamental concepts of the heat stress response （HSR） are in photosynthetic eukaryotes, we applied pharmaceutical and antisense/amiRNA approaches to the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The Chlamydomonas HSR appears to be triggered by the accumulation of unfolded proteins, as it was induced at ambient temperatures by feeding cells with the arginine analog canavanine. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine strongly retarded the HSR, demonstrating the importance of phosphorylation during activation of the HSR also in Chlamydomonas. While the removal of extracellular calcium by the application of EGTA and BAPTA inhibited the HSR in moss and higher plants, only the addition of BAPTA, but not of EGTA, retarded the HSR and impaired thermotoler- ance in Chlamydomonas. The addition of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of cytosolic protein synthesis, abolished the attenu- ation of the HSR, indicating that protein synthesis is necessary to restore proteostasis. HSP90 inhibitors induced a stress response when added at ambient conditions and retarded attenuation of the HSR at elevated temperatures. In addition, we detected a direct physical interaction between cytosolic HSP90A/HSP70A and heat shock factor 1, but surprisingly this interaction persisted after the onset of stress. Finally, the expression of antisense constructs targeting chloroplast HSP70B resulted in a delay of the cell＇s entire HSR, thus suggesting the existence of a retrograde stress signaling cascade that is desensitized in HSP7OB-antisense strains.     

Redox Regulation of Arabidopsis Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase

Citrate synthase has a key role in the tricarboxylic （TCA） cycle of mitochondria of all organisms, as it cata- lyzes the first committed step which is the fusion of a carbon-carbon bond between oxaloacetate and acetyl CoA. The regulation of TCA cycle function is especially important in plants, since mitochondrial activities have to be coordinated with photosynthesis. The posttranslational regulation of TCA cycle activity in plants is thus far almost entirely unexplored. Although several TCA cycle enzymes have been identified as thioredoxin targets in vitro, the existence of any thioredoxin-dependent regulation as known for the Calvin cycle, yet remains to be demonstrated. Here we have investigated the redox regulation of the Arabidopsis citrate synthase enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis of its six cysteine residues. Our results indicate that oxidation inhibits the enzyme activity by the formation of mixed disulfides, as the partially oxidized citrate synthase enzyme forms large redox-dependent aggregates. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that thioredoxin can cleave diverse intraas well as intermolecular disulfide bridges, which strongly enhances the activity of the enzyme. Activity measurements with the cysteine variants of the enzyme revealed important cysteine residues affecting total enzyme activity as well as the redox sensitivity of the enzyme.     

Organelle pH in the Arabidopsis Endomembrane System

The pH of intracellular compartments is essential for the viability of cells. Despite its relevance, little is known about the pH of these compartments. To measure pH in vivo, we have first generated two pH sensors by combining the improved-solubility feature of solubility-modified green fluorescent protein （GFP） （smGFP） with the pH-sensing capabil- ity of the pHluorins and codon optimized for expression in Arabidopsis. PEpHluorin （plant-solubility-modified ecliptic pHluorin） gradually loses fluorescence as pH is lowered with fluorescence vanishing at pH 6.2 and PRpHluorin （plant- solubility-modified ratiomatric pHluorin）, a dual-excitation sensor, allowing for precise measurements. Compartment- specific sensors were generated by further fusing specific sorting signals to PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin. Our results show that the pH of cytosol and nucleus is similar （pH 7.3 and 7.2）, while peroxisomes, mitochondrial matrix, and plastidial stroma have alkaline pH. Compartments of the secretory pathway reveal a gradual acidification, spanning from pH 7.1 in the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） to pH 5.2 in the vacuole. Surprisingly, pH in the trans-Golgi network （TGN） and mul- tivesicular body （MVB） is, with pH 6.3 and 6.2, quite similar. The inhibition of vacuolar-type H＋-ATPase （V-ATPase） with concanamycin A （ConcA） caused drastic increase in pH in TGN and vacuole. Overall, the PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin are excellent pH sensors for visualization and quantification of pH in vivo, respectively.     

How does the host-specialized aphid deal with food deficiency？

Aphis gossypii Glover shows obvious host specialization, with cucurbit- and cotton-specialized biotypes or host races in many regions. Because its annual natal hostcrops senesce earlier the cucurbit-specialized biotype may suffer food deficiency. The method this biotype uses to overcome this challenge is still poorly understood. In orderto understand the potential of the cucurbit-specialized biotype aphids in host shift and usage, the performance of this biotype on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, a common butpoor quality host plant, was explored in this study. The cucurbit-specialized aphids could establish populations on cotton only when these plants had at least nine leaves, and subsequent populations developed rather slowly. The presence of whitefly populations on cotton improved the success rate of cucurbit-specialized aphids. The cucurbit-specialized aphidswere mainly distributed on the older leaves of cotton, with only a few settling on the upper leaves. The cucurbit-specialized aphids reared on cotton for 40, 54 and 61 days stillmaintained strong preference for their natal host plant, cucumber （Cucumis sativus）, rather than cotton, and their net reproductive rates and intrinsic rates of natural increase weredramatically lower when they were transferred onto new six-leaf cotton plants or detached leaves. Therefore, we concluded that the cucurbit-specialized aphids have the potentialto utilize mature or whitefly-stressed cotton plants, but that this feeding experience on cotton did not alter their specialization for cucurbits. Some cotton plants could act as atemporary host for the cucurbit-specialized aphids to overcome food deficiency arising from senescing cucurbits.     

Plastid Signals and the Bundle Sheath： Mesophyll Development in Reticulate Mutants

The development of a plant leaf is a meticulously orchestrated sequence of events producing a complex organ comprising diverse cell types. The reticulate class of leaf variegation mutants displays contrasting pigmentation between veins and interveinal regions due to specific aberrations in the development of mesophyll cells. Thus, the reticulate mutants offer a potent tool to investigate cell-type-specific developmental processes. The discovery that most mutants are affected in plastid-localized, metabolic pathways that are strongly expressed in vasculature-associated tis- sues implicates a crucial role for the bundle sheath and their chloroplasts in proper development of the mesophyll cells. Here, we review the reticulate mutants and their phenotypic characteristics, with a focus on those in Arabidopsis thali- ana. Two alternative models have been put forward to explain the relationship between plastid metabolism and meso- phyll cell development, which we call here the supply and the signaling hypotheses. We critically assess these proposed models and discuss their implications for leaf development and bundle sheath function in C3 species. The characteriza- tion of the reticulate mutants supports the significance of plastid retrograde signaling in cell development and highlights the significance of the bundle sheath in C3 photosynthesis.     

Cell Wall,Cytoskeleton, and Cell Expansion in Higher Plants

To accommodate two seemingly contradictory biological roles in plant physiology, providing both the rigid structural support of plant cells and the adjustable elasticity needed for cell expansion, the composition of the plant cell wall has evolved to become an intricate network of cellulosic, hemicellulosic, and pectic polysaccharides and protein. Due to its complexity, many aspects of the cell wall influence plant cell expansion, and many new and insightful observations and technologies are forthcoming. The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers and the roles of the variety of proteins involved in polysaccharide synthesis continue to be characterized. The interactions within the cell wall polymer network and the modification of these interactions provide insight into how the plant cell wall provides its dual function. The complex cell wall architecture is controlled and organized in part by the dynamic intracellular cytoskeleton and by diverse trafficking pathways of the cell wall polymers and cell wall-related machinery. Meanwhile, the cell wall is continually influenced by hormonal and integrity sensing stimuli that are perceived by the cell. These many processes cooperate to construct, maintain, and manipulate the intricate plant cell wall--an essential structure for the sustaining of the plant stature, growth, and life.     

Aphis （Hemiptera： Aphididae） species groups found in the Midwestern United States and their contribution to the phylogenetic knowledge of the genus

A phylogeny of the genus Aphis Linnaeus, 1 758 was built primarily from specimens collected in the Midwest of the United States. A data matrix was constructedwith 68 species and 41 morphological characters with respective character states of alate and apterous viviparous females. Dendrogram topologies of analyses performed usingUPGMA （Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean）, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analysis of Cytochrome Oxidase I, Elongation Factor 1-α and primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola 16S sequences were not congruent. Bayesian analysis strongly supported most terminal nodes of the phylogenetic trees. The phylogeny wasstrongly supported by EFI-α, and analysis of COl and EFI-α molecular data combined with morphological characters. It was not supported by single analysis of COI or Buch-hera aphidicola 16S. Results from the Bayesian phylogeny show 4 main species groups： asclepiadis,fabae, gossypii, and middletonii. Results place Aphis and species of the generaProtaphis Bōrner, 1952, Toxoptera Koch, 1856 and Xerobion Nevsky, 1928 in a monophyletic clade. Morphological characters support this monophyly as well. The phylogenyshows that the monophyletic clade of the North American middletonii species group belong to the genus Protaphis： P. debilicornis （Gillette ＆ Palmer, 1929）, comb. nov., P. echinaceae（Lagos and Voegtlin, 2009）, comb. nov., and P. middletonii （Thomas, 1879）. The genus Toxoptera should be considered a subgenus of Aphis （stat. nov.）. The analysis also indicatesthat the current genus Iowana Frison, 1954 should be considered a subgenus of Aphis （stat. nov.）.     

Regulation of Cytokinesis by Exocyst Subunit SEC6 and KEULE in Arabidopsis thaliana

Proper vesicle tethering and membrane fusion at the cell plate are essential for cytokinesis. Both the vesicle tethering complex exocyst and membrane fusion regulator KEULE were shown to function in cell plate formation, but the exact mechanisms still remain to be explored. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid （Y-2-H） assay, we found that SEC6 interacted with KEULE, and that a small portion of C-terminal region of KEULE was required for the interaction. The direct SEC6-KEULE interaction was supported by further studies using in vitro pull-down assay, immunoprecipitation, and in vivo bimolecular florescence complementation （BIFC） microscopy, sec6 mutants were male gametophytic lethal as reported; however, pollen-rescued sec6 mutants （PRsec6） displayed cytokinesis defects in the embryonic cells and later in the leaf pavement cells and the guard cells. SEC6 and KEULE proteins were co-localized to the cell plate during cytokine- sis in transgenic Arabidopsis. Furthermore, only SEC6 but not other exocyst subunits located in the cell plate interacted with KEULE in vitro. These results demonstrated that, like KEULE, SEC6 plays a physiological role in cytokinesis, and the SEC6-KEULE interaction may serve as a novel molecular linkage between arriving vesicles and membrane fusion machin- ery or directly regulate membrane fusion during cell plate formation in plants.     

Perturbation of Auxin Homeostasis Caused by Mitochondrial FtSH4 Gene-Mediated Peroxidase Accumulation Regulates Arabiclopsis Architecture

Reactive oxygen species and auxin play important roles in the networks that regulate plant development and morphogenetic changes, However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between them are poorly understood. This study isolated a mas （More Axillary Shoots） mutant, which was identified as an allele of the mitochondrial AAA-protease AtFtSH4, and characterized the function of the FtSH4 gene in regulating plant development by medi- ating the peroxidase-dependent interplay between hydrogen peroxide （H2Oz） and auxin homeostasis. The phenotypes of dwarfism and increased axillary branches observed in the mas （renamed as ftsh4-4） mutant result from a decrease in the IAA concentration. The expression levels of several auxin signaling genes, including IAA1, IAA2, and IAA3, as well as several auxin binding and transport genes, decreased significantly in ftsh4-4 plants. However, the H202 and peroxidases levels, which also have IAA oxidase activity, were significantly elevated in ftsh4-4 plants. The ftsh4-4 phenotypes could be reversed by expressing the iaaM gene or by knocking down the peroxidase genes PRX34 and PRX33. Both approaches can increase auxin levels in the ftsh4-4 mutant. Taken together, these results provided direct molecular and genetic evidence for the interaction between mitochondrial ATP-dependent protease, H2O2, and auxin homeostasis to regulate plant growth and development.     

Heteromeric and Homomeric Geranyl Diphosphate Synthases from Catharanthus roseus and Their Role in Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Catharanthus roseus is the sole source of two most important monoterpene indole alkaloid （MIA） anti- cancer agents： vinblastine and vincristine. MIAs possess a terpene and an indole moiety derived from terpenoid and shikimate pathways, respectively. Geranyl diphosphate （GPP）, the entry point to the formation of terpene moiety, is a product of the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate （IPP） and dimethylallyl diphosphate （DMAPP） by GPP synthase （GPPS）. Here, we report three genes encoding proteins with sequence similarity to large subunit （CrGPPS.LSU） and small subunit （CrGPPS.SSU） of heteromeric GPPSs, and a homomeric GPPSs. CrGPPS.LSU is a bifunctional enzyme producing both GPP and geranyl geranyl diphosphate （GGPP）, CrGPPS.SSU is inactive, whereas CrGPPS is a homomeric enzyme forming GPP. Co-expression of both subunits in Escherichia coil resulted in heteromeric enzyme with enhanced activity producing only GPR While CrGPPS.LSU and CrGPPS showed higher expression in older and younger leaves, respectively, CrGPPS.SSU showed an increasing trend and decreased gradually. Methyl jasmonate （MelA） treatment of leaves sig- nificantly induced the expression of only CrGPPS.SSU. GFP localization indicated that CrGPPS.SSU is plastidial whereas CrGPPS is mitochondrial. Transient overexpression of AmGPPS.SSU in C. roseus leaves resulted in increased vindoline, immediate monomeric precursor of vinblastine and vincristine. Although C. roseus has both heteromeric and homomeric GPPS enzymes, our results implicate the involvement of only heteromeric GPPS with CrGPPS.SSU regulating the GPP flux for MIA biosynthesis.