粳稻胚乳细胞增殖与蔗糖代谢的关系

蔗糖代谢为水稻胚乳发育提供物质和能量。为明确二者的量化关系,本研究通过调节源库关系获得不同源供应水平下的代表性粒位籽粒,进而分析了蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖及可溶性总糖的含量与胚乳细胞增殖的关系。结果表明,改变品种的源库比例（源大库小）,下部粒位籽粒胚乳细胞数目明显增加,总体上,可溶性总糖含量与细胞数目呈极显著负相关,与细胞增殖速率呈极显著正相关,高的蔗糖/葡萄糖、蔗糖/果糖有利于胚乳细胞数目增多。在细胞增殖前期（花后5d）,高葡萄糖、己糖含量有利于提高胚乳细胞数目,高葡萄糖含量还可提高细胞增殖速率。细胞增殖中后期（花后7d）,蔗糖、果糖和葡萄糖含量与胚乳细胞数目、增殖速率呈显著负相关。     

小麦花后水分亏缺和复水对同化物转运和籽粒灌浆的影响

为了阐明水分亏缺对小麦花后同化物转运和籽粒灌浆的影响及其生理机制的相关变化,以盆栽小麦旱作品种‘长旱58’为材料,自花后9 d起,设置正常供水(WW)、中度干旱胁迫后复水(MD)和重度干旱胁迫后复水 (SD)3个水分处理,比较干旱胁迫后复水处理对小麦籽粒产量、产量构成因素及水分利用效率、强弱势粒灌浆动态、旗叶光合性能、茎鞘非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)转运、籽粒形成关键酶活性变化等的影响。结果表明：(1)与WW相比,MD处理显著增加了小麦穗粒数和千粒重,进而提高籽粒产量、水分利用效率和小麦弱势粒的最大灌浆速率和平均灌浆速率,对强势粒则无显著影响,而SD处理则显著降低了穗粒数、千粒重、强弱势粒的最大灌浆速率和平均灌浆速率,但水分利用效率显著高于WW处理。(2)MD处理植株旗叶在小麦灌浆过程中维持了与WW基本相同的净光合速率,同时在小麦花后9~20 d时MD处理下气孔导度和蒸腾速率变化不明显,而在SD处理下气孔导度和蒸腾速率则急剧下降;另外,与WW相比,在整个灌浆期MD处理下旗叶叶绿素含量变化不显著,而SD处理下叶绿素含量呈大幅下降趋势。(3)MD处理提高了小麦弱势粒蔗糖合成酶和腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶活性;同时使灌浆中后期有较高的果聚糖水解酶(FEH)活性和较低果聚糖含量,显著增强了茎鞘同化物质转运,提高茎鞘储藏物质对粒重的贡献率。研究发现,中度水分胁迫后复水处理小麦植株具有较好的叶片性能、花后较多的茎鞘同化物向籽粒转运以及较高的弱势粒库活性,从而提高旱作小麦弱势粒灌浆速率,增加穗粒数和粒重, 进而提高籽粒产量。     

薏苡胚乳发育及营养物质积累的研究

薏苡 ( Coix lacryma- jobi)授粉后 2 d,游离核胚乳已转变为细胞胚乳。授粉后 3d,中央细胞被胚乳细胞充满。起初 ,全部胚乳细胞均进行分裂 ,一定时期后 ,细胞分裂主要发生在胚乳周边区。授粉后 1 0 d,表皮停止平周分裂变为糊粉层 ,内方的数层形成层状细胞行平周分裂直到颖果接近成熟。胚乳内部生长则依赖于细胞体积扩大。胚乳基部 (颖果基部的胚乳 )形成了数层传递细胞。授粉后 9d,淀粉积累。授粉后 1 0 d,糊粉层及其内方数层细胞产生了脂体 ,后者的脂体以后又消失。授粉后 1 3、1 5 d,糊粉层细胞的液泡积累蛋白质。授粉后 2 0 d,液泡变为糊粉粒。授粉后 1 5 d淀粉胚乳细胞产生蛋白质体 ,营养物质积累持续到颖果成熟。还观察了胚和胚乳发育的对应关系。     

玉米籽粒胚乳细胞增殖及其与淀粉充实的关系

用纤维素酶解离胚乳、滤膜法统计玉米胚乳细胞的数目,进一步借助Logistic方程模拟胚乳细胞增殖动态的结果表明,整个灌浆期间胚乳细胞增殖呈现“慢-快-慢”的变化趋势。授粉15d后,不同类型胚乳的细胞数目依序为普通玉米〉糯玉米〉甜玉米〉爆裂玉米;胚乳细胞数目主要取决于细胞的增殖速率,并与淀粉充实和粒重关系密切。胚乳发育前期以胚乳细胞增殖为主,后期以淀粉积累为主。     

粒重差异显著的两种水稻颖果发育比较

为了探讨控制水稻(Oryza sativa L.)颖果发育的因素,选择了颖果干重有显著差异的Ootikara (大粒,36mg/粒)和Habataki (小粒,18 mg/粒)两个水稻品种,比较颖果重量、胚乳细胞数、果皮和胚乳的结构以及某些生理活性等变化。结果指出:与Habataki相比, Ootikara子房壁细胞和颖果的持续生长期长,最终颖果的胚乳细胞数目和每个细胞的平均干重大; Ootikara颖果的脱氢酶和H2O2酶活性、穗的呼吸速率、剑叶的绿色程度和光合速率等维持高水平的时间长;Ootikara子房背部维管束失去功能的时间也较迟。结果表明,大粒品种的库容大和生理活性期长是其颖果能显著增大的生理原因。     

粒重差异显著的两种水稻颖果发育比较

为了探讨控制水稻(Oryza sativa L.)颖果发育的因素,选择了颖果干重有显著差异的Ootikara(大粒,36mg/粒)和Habataki(小粒,18 mg/粒)两个水稻品种,比较颖果重量、胚乳细胞数、果皮和胚乳的结构以及某些生理活性等变化.结果指出:与Habataki相比,Ootikara子房壁细胞和颖果的持续生长期长,最终颖果的胚乳细胞数目和每个细胞的平均干重大;Ootikara颖果的脱氢酶和H2O2酶活性、穗的呼吸速率、剑叶的绿色程度和光合速率等维持高水平的时间长;Ootikara子房背部维管束失去功能的时间也较迟.结果表明,大粒品种的库容大和生理活性期长是其颖果能显著增大的生理原因.     

刺五加胚和胚乳发育的研究

刺五加Eleutherococcus senticosus(Rupr .et Maxim．)Maxim的胚胎发生类型为茄型。其卵细胞受精后,合子经历15天左右的休眠期才进行第一次分裂。合子分裂通常发生在胚乳细胞化之后,经棒形胚、球形胚、至果实成熟时发育到心形胚。棒形胚后期至心形胚初期,胚柄最为发达。刺五加的胚乳发育类型为核型。其初生胚乳核的休眠期为1天左右。当胚乳游离核数目增加到200至300时,胚乳以自由生长细胞壁的方式细胞化,胚乳细胞以典型的有丝分裂方式进一步增殖,增加细胞数目。球形胚时期,胚乳细胞内开始贮藏营养物质。少数种子的胚乳里存在巨大细胞核的异型胚乳细胞。在胚乳游离核为32至64个时,分化出珠被绒毡层;球形胚时期,珠被绒毡层解体。珠被绒毡层解体后,胚乳表层细胞分化为分泌层。球形胚至心形胚阶段,约有5％的种子里,胚与胚乳组织发生弥散样降解。成熟果实中,含有大量的瘪粒种子和虫咬种子;饱满种子率为40％左右。饱满种子中,胚乳组织占据种子体积的绝大部分,胚所占比率很小。讨论了不同发育时期胚和胚乳的营养供应。     

水稻淀粉胚乳程序性细胞死亡中的去核化

对水稻品种中籼8836淀粉胚乳细胞的去核化发育阶段的细胞超微结构变化和同期籽粒灌浆速率及相关酶活性的动态进行了观察和分析。开花受精后约在第3天胚乳完成细胞化,花后第5天少数淀粉胚乳细胞启动去核发育过程。核消亡是淀粉胚乳细胞程序性细胞死亡(PCD)的第一步。同一籽粒淀粉胚乳细胞的去核进程是不同步的。花后第13天所有淀粉胚乳细胞都已完成去核过程。在去核过程中,胚乳核的形态变化特征既有动植物PCD的共性又有其特殊性。伴随核降解过程,一部分线粒体解体,表明去核化与线粒体解体有一定联系。在去核化发育阶段,与PCD有关的酶类,如超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性非常高;与淀粉合成有关的酶类,如ADPG焦磷酸化酶、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS酶)、淀粉分支酶(或Q酶)也表现出很高的活性。去核化发育阶段籽粒灌浆速率最高,籽粒增重亦最快。淀粉胚乳细胞去核之后,细胞并未立即死亡,这些无核的细胞仍维持正常有序的代谢活动,继续进行淀粉和贮藏蛋白的合成与积累,但上述酶类的活性明显降低,灌浆速率也明显趋缓。淀粉胚乳细胞最终被贮藏物质充满时成为死细胞,完成其程序性死亡过程。Evan‘s blue染色鉴定表明淀粉胚乳细胞死亡不同步,细胞死亡在淀粉胚乳组织中是随机发生的。     

水稻淀粉胚乳程序性细胞死亡中的去核化

对水稻品种中籼8836淀粉胚乳细胞的去核化发育阶段的细胞超微结构变化和同期籽粒灌浆速率及相关酶活性的动态进行了观察和分析。开花受精后约在第3天胚乳完成细胞化,花后第5天少数淀粉胚乳细胞启动去核发育过程。核消亡是淀粉胚乳细胞程序性细胞死亡(PCD)的第一步。同一籽粒淀粉胚乳细胞的去核进程是不同步的。花后第13天所有淀粉胚乳细胞都已完成去核过程。在去核过程中,胚乳核的形态变化特征既有动植物PCD的共性又有其特殊性。伴随核降解过程,一部分线粒体解体,表明去核化与线粒体解体有一定联系。在去核化发育阶段,与PCD有关的酶类,如超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性非常高;与淀粉合成有关的酶类,如ADPG焦磷酸化酶、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS酶)、淀粉分支酶(或Q酶)也表现出很高的活性。去核化发育阶段籽粒灌浆速率最高,籽粒增重亦最快。淀粉胚乳细胞去核之后,细胞并未立即死亡,这些无核的细胞仍维持正常有序的代谢活动,继续进行淀粉和贮藏蛋白的合成与积累,但上述酶类的活性明显降低,灌浆速率也明显趋缓。淀粉胚乳细胞最终被贮藏物质充满时成为死细胞,完成其程序性死亡过程。Evan’s blue染色鉴定表明淀粉胚乳细胞死亡不同步,细胞死亡在淀粉胚乳组织中是随机发生的。     

胞外Ca~(2 )促进粟酒裂殖酵母细胞增殖作用的研究

研究了胞外Ca~(2 )对粟酒裂殖酵母（Schizosaccharomycespombe）细胞增殖的影响。实验结果首次证明胞外Ca~(2 )能明显促进粟酒裂殖酵母的增殖,其作用方式主要是缩短了粟酒裂殖酵母的生长延滞期。当起始的接种细胞密度升高至使粟酒裂殖酵母的生长延滞期消失时,外加Ca~(2 )的作用也消失。EGTA可抑制粟酒裂殖酵母的细胞增殖,而外加Ca~(2 )能够有效消除EGTA的抑制作用,进一步说明胞外Ca~(2 )是粟酒裂殖酵母增殖所必需的。此外,外加EGTA除了可延长细胞增殖的延滞期外,还能显著降低指数期细胞分裂的速率以及达到稳定期时培养液中的细胞总数,提示缺Ca~(2 )还影响粟酒裂殖酵母细胞的分裂。     

Grain sink strength may be related to the poor grain filling of indica-japonica rice (Oryza sativa) hybrids

The physiological and biochemical factors contributing to poor grain filling of indica-japonica rice ( Oryza sativa L.) hybrids were studied by analyzing the role of grain sink strength in dry matter accumulation of grains of two types of rice cultivars, Yayou 2 (an indica-japonica hybrid) and Yanjing 2 (a japonica cultivar). Carbon dioxide enrichment and plant hormone application were imposed at anthesis and the number of endosperm cells, dry matter accumulation and the activities of some sugar-metabolizing enzymes of grains were measured during grain filling. In Yayou 2, strong-potential grains (SPGs) accumulated dry weight much earlier than weak-potential grains (WPGs), but this difference was not obvious for Yanjing 2. Carbon dioxide enrichment imposed after heading significantly stimulated dry matter accumulation of WPGs of Yayou 2, but had little influence on WPGs of Yanjing 2 and SPGs of both cultivars. Leaf sheath dry matter decreased steadily in both cultivars during early stages of grain filling and accumulated during the later stages. Carbon dioxide enrichment increased leaf sheath dry matter. Dry matter accumulated by grains was linearly related to the increases in endosperm cell numbers and the activities of sucrose synthase (SS) and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) in SPGs and WPGs of both cultivars. Application of either 6-benzyladenine or abscisic acid had no significant influences on both endosperm cell number and grain dry matter accumulation. These results suggest that grain sink strength, determined by both cell numbers, SS and AGPase activities in the endosperm control the dry matter accumulation of grains.     

Apoplasmic assimilates and grain growth of contrasting rice cultivars differing in grain dry mass and size

Apical dominance in assimilate filling impacts grain growth in basal spikelets of rice panicle. In this study, organic materials of the pericarp, apoplasmic space and endosperm of the apical and basal caryopses, and photosynthesis of the flag leaf were measured during early part of grain development in three types of rice cultivars with similar phenology, but difference in grain weight and size in the dry and wet seasons of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Photosynthetic activity of the flag leaf was consistently low in small-seeded cultivars. Rates of grain filling and cell division of endosperm and concentration of assimilates, starch, proteins and chlorophylls of the caryopsis were lower, but spikelet ethylene production and peroxidase activity were higher in a small-seeded cultivar compared to a big-seeded cultivar. Similar disparities in grain filling and other attributes were noticed for the inferior basal spikelets of the panicle compared to the superior apical spikelets, except the assimilate concentration of the pericarp and endosperm. Temporal fluctuation in assimilate concentration of the organs were similar between the cultivars. Concentration of apoplasmic assimilates mostly exhibited negative correlation with that of pericarp and endosperm. Compared to the apical spikelets, correlation was more negative for the basal spikelets. Conversely, correlation was positive between the concentration of apoplasmic assimilates and endosperm cell number and grain weight of the cultivars. Ethylene released from the spikelets at anthesis affected growth and cell division rates of endosperm and enhanced protein and chlorophyll degradation and peroxidase activity of the caryopsis. It was concluded that variation in spikelet ethylene production may be responsible for differences in size or weight of grains among rice cultivars and spikelets at different locations of the panicle. The concentration of apoplasmic assimilates could be an indicator for grain filling capacity, and ethylene regulated the concentration by affecting pericarp activity for assimilate unloading.     

Relationship between structural and biochemical characteristics and texture of corn grains

The texture of corn grains is a fundamental characteristic for the industry as well as for grain producers and processors. To further understand the mechanisms involved in grain hardness, contrasting corn cultivars for grain hardness and protein quality were evaluated. The cultivars were Cateto L237/67 (hard endosperm and low protein value), QPM BR 451 (semi-hard endosperm and high protein value); Bolivia-2 (floury endosperm and low protein value), and Opaque-2 (floury endosperm and high protein value). Evaluations were carried out at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days after pollination in developing corn grains and in the mature grain. In developing grains, evaluation consisted in the determination of the area, percentage of starch granules, distribution of starch granules, and protein bodies in the endosperm. In mature corn grains, the parameters evaluated were: density, percentage of total proteins, levels of lysine and tryptophan, and banding pattern of zeins. The results indicate that the higher physical resistance of corn grains from the cultivars analyzed is influenced by the high percentage of total proteins, high synthesis of 27-kDa zeins, presence of protein bodies, and perfect organization of starch granules in the endosperm, independent of their sizes.     

Scanning Electron Microscope Observation on Endosperm Starch Grain Cnaracters in Orvza sativa subsp. Hsien

Scanning electron microscope observation on the characters of endosperm starch grains of wild rice anti seventeen hsien rice varieties belonging to first and second season cropping indicated that endosperm starch grains of hsien rice generally were polyhedron in sharp and edgy angle indistinct of polyhedron, individual starch grain nearly subrounded in the parts called white belly and white centre. General diameters are in an extent of 3.3–9.3 mm. The shapes of the endosperm starch grains between wild rice and cultivars are similar and sizes leas than hsien rice varieties, but the sizes of the endosperm starch grains of the first eropp4ng axe large than those of the second cropping. The shapes of endosperm starch grains of the varieties to have good exterior quality are polyhedron and structures are arranged closely, Hance, it can be primarily distinguished the good quality of grains from the poor by observation on the endosperm starch grains of varieties.     

Endosperm enzyme activity is responsible for texture and eating quality of cooked rice grains in Japanese cultivars

Eating quality of cooked rice grains is an important determinant of its market price and consumer acceptance. To comprehensively assess the variation of eating-quality traits in 152 Japanese rice cultivars, we evaluated activities of eight endosperm enzymes related to degradation of starch and cell-wall polysaccharides. Endosperm enzyme activities showed a wide range of variations and were lower in recently developed cultivars than in landraces and old improved cultivars. Activities of most endosperm enzymes correlated significantly with the eating-quality score and surface texture of cooked rice grains. Principal component analysis revealed that rice cultivars with high eating-quality scores had high stickiness of the grain surface and low levels of endosperm enzyme activities. These results suggest that endosperm enzyme activities control texture and eating quality of cooked rice grains in Japanese rice cultivars.     

Genotype-dependent efficiency of endosperm development in culture of selected cereals: histological and ultrastructural studies

The paper reports studies, including histological and ultrastructural analyses, of in vitro cell proliferation and development of immature endosperm tissue isolated from caryopses of Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, and Triticosecale plants. Endosperm isolated at 7–10 days post-anthesis developed well on MS medium supplemented with auxins and/or cytokinins. The efficiency of endosperm response was highly genotype-dependent and best in two winter cultivars of hexaploid species. The pathways of development and proliferation were very similar among the selected species and cultivars. Histological and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that only the part of the endosperm not touching the medium surface continued growth and development, resulting in swelling. The central part of swollen regions was composed mainly of cells containing many large starch grains. The peripheric parts of developed endosperm consisted of highly vacuolated cells and small cells with dense cytoplasm. SEM showed that cells from the swollen region were covered partially with a membraneous structure. Transmission electron microscope studies of cells from the outer part of the developing region showed features typical for cell activity connected with lipid metabolism.     

FTIR imaging of wheat endosperm cell walls in situ reveals compositional and architectural heterogeneity related to grain hardness.

Endosperm cell walls of cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) selected for their endosperm texture (two soft and two hard) were analysed in situ by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. FTIR imaging coupled with statistical analysis was used to map the compositional and structural heterogeneity within transverse sections from which cell contents had been removed by sonication. In the majority of grains analysed, two distinct populations of endosperm cells could be identified by spectral features that were related to cell morphology and age, regardless of cultivar. The main cell-wall component responsible for these differences was the polysaccharide arabinoxylan. In a few samples, this heterogeneity was absent, for reasons that are not understood, but this was not correlated to endosperm texture or growth conditions. Within the same population of endosperm cells, cell walls of hard endosperm could be distinguished from those of soft endosperm by their spectral features. Compared to hard cultivars, the peripheral endosperm of soft cultivars was characterised by a higher amount of polymer, whose spectral feature was similar to water-extractable arabinoxylan. In contrast, no specific compound has been identified in the central endosperm: structural differences within the polysaccharides probably contribute to the distinction between hard and soft cultivars. In developing grain, a clear difference in the composition of the endosperm cell walls of hard and soft wheat cultivars was observed as early as 15 days after anthesis.     

Abscisic acid in developing grains of wheat and barley genotypes differing in grain weight

Two genetically related wheat lines growing in cabinets were given different temperatures during grain filling, and abscisic acid (ABA) was measured in whole grains by gas chromatography with an electron-capture detector. Three genetically related barley lines grown in the field were assayed for ABA content in endosperm and embryo fractions separately by radiommunoassay.Maximum grain growth rate and final weight per grain of the two wheat lines differed by 50–60% at low temperature and 30–40% at high temperature. During grain development two peaks in ABA level were observed at low temperature but only one at high temperature. At times when differences in grain growth rate between genotypes and between temperature treatments were large, the corresponding differences in ABA concentration were small. In barley, one line (Iabo 14) had 30% heavier grains than the other two (Onice and Opale). Endosperm ABA concentrations showed no clear differences between genotypes until grain filling was nearly complete. Embryo ABA levels were up to 10-times greater than those in the endosperm, with Opale having significantly less ABA in the embryo than the other two cultivars.Our experiments did not provide evidence for a causal relationship between ABA levels during grain filling and grain growth rate or final weight.Abbreviations ABA Abscisic acid - DAA days after anthesis - DW dry weight - FW fresh weight     

The altered pattern of amylose accumulation in the endosperm of low-amylose barley cultivars is attributable to a single mutant allele of granule-bound starch synthase I with a deletion in the 5'-non-coding region

Reasons for the variable amylose content of endosperm starch from waxy cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare) were investigated. The mature grains of most such cultivars contain some amylose, although amounts are much lower than in wild-type cultivars. In these low-amylose cultivars, amylose synthesis starts relatively late in grain development. Starch granules in the outer cell layers of the endosperm contain more amylose than those in the center. This distribution corresponds to that of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), which is more severely reduced in amount in the center of the endosperm than in the outer cell layers, relative to wild-type cultivars. A second GBSSI in the barley plant, GBSSIb, is not detectable in the endosperm and cannot account for amylose synthesis in the low-amylose cultivars. The change in the expression of GBSSI in the endosperm of the low-amylose cultivars appears to be due to a 413-bp deletion of part of the promoter and 5'-untranslated region of the gene. Although these cultivars are of diverse geographical origin, all carry this same deletion, suggesting that the low-amylose cultivars have a common waxy ancestor. Records suggest a probable source in China, first recorded in the 16th century. Two further families of waxy cultivars have no detectable amylose in the endosperm starch. These amylose-free cultivars were selected in the 20th century from chemically mutagenized populations of wild-type barley. In both cases, 1-bp alterations in the GBSSI gene completely eliminate GBSSI activity.     

Effects of irradiance and water supply on grain development in wheat

The effects of two levels of irradiance and of water supply on grain development in two cultivars of winter wheat were studied by imposing treatments during the phases of cell production and cell expansion in the endosperm. The storage capacity of the grain was determined by cell number in the endosperm, which was reduced by both treatments during the cell production phase. Changes in cell number caused by the treatments were due to changes in the rate of production of cells; the duration of the cell production phase was constant. Weight per grain at maturity was proportional, both within and between cultivars, to the number of endosperm cells, except when treatments altered the supply of assimilate to the grain during the cell expansion phase. Reducing irradiance and water during the cell expansion phase decreased the rate of accumulation of dry matter in the grain and reduced weight per grain at maturity, with no effect on the duration of grain filling. Shrivelled grain resulted from a failure of the endosperm cells to fill completely, and was characterised by a reduction in the number of ‘B’-type starch granules.