果树中糖类代谢和调控研究

糖是生物体内主要的碳源,是光合作用的主要产物,可为生物体提供能量,在植物的生长发育过程中起重要作用。本文综述了近年来关于糖类与果树生长发育及品质形成方面的相关研究进展,重点介绍了糖类运输、积累与基因表达、糖信号传导和糖类调控网络等方面的研究进展,并对今后利用分子生物学手段进行果实品质改良等方面的研究方向进行了展望。     

植物体内硒和硫的相互作用

植物体内硒,硫和同化途径类似,硒和硫的相互作用表现在植物中硒和硫的吸收,运输和积累过程以及植物硒甲基化过程中,可影响植物生长发育及品质成分,这种相互作用随植物种类,硒和硫形态,浓度,植物的生育期,以及生长部位的不同而呈现出不同的特点。     

蔷薇科植物果实花青苷积累研究进展

蔷薇科植物是植物界重要组成成员,除了观赏类植物月季、玫瑰等,还包含苹果、梨和桃等食用类果树。蔷薇科果实因为富含花青苷而具有丰富多彩的颜色,深受消费者喜爱。近年来,果树学家们围绕果实花青苷积累进行了较为深入的研究,主要探究环境因素或激素信号参与花青苷积累的分子机制。综述了蔷薇科果实着色的分子调控机制,对如何提高果实花青苷积累进行了思考总结,旨为提高蔷薇科果实的商品性和内在品质作出理论支持。     

甜椒始花期吸收的氮素在体内的动态分配规律

 通过水培试验,利用15N示踪技术研究了甜椒(Capsicum annuum L.)始花期吸收的氮素在体内的动态分配规律。结果表明：甜椒营养器官干物质积累动态呈快速直线增长趋势,而果实则从盛采前期开始 超过其它器官。根与果实含氮量从始采期开始一直维持在同一水平;叶片中氮的含量则随生长发育而不断下降。在果实盛采期,叶片、果实和根中的氮素含量差异不明显,但是均比茎和侧枝高两倍。甜椒植株各器官的氮素积累动态与干物质积累动态相似。在始花期通过根吸收的大部分标记态氮首先分配、贮存在叶片中,吸收后第二周发现有１/2的标记态氮运转到了植物的新生部分,至吸收后的第四周标记态氮运转显著下降,但是,在吸收后的第六周仍然发现有小部分标记态氮运转到了新生部分。说明新近吸收的氮素在甜椒体内的再运转相对容易,其再利用率也高,随着在植物体内某器官存在时间的延长其再利用率逐渐降低。在整个果实收获期间,甜椒不同器官之间以果实对氮素的竞争力最强。在整株水平上,始花期吸收的标记态氮从营养器官向生殖器官的运转,既受到氮素竞争库（果实）强度和容量的影响,也受到时间因素的制约。     

茉莉酸信号及其在木本植物中的研究进展

茉莉酸作为一种重要的植物内源激素,广泛参与植物生长发育调控、防御反应、开花时间调节及花发育进程等生物学过程.此外,茉莉酸可以介导果实品质和调节植物体内代谢物含量,在农林经济生产中具有重要作用.针对近年来茉莉酸信号领域取得的研究进展,本文总结了茉莉酸信号在植物胁迫响应、防御反应、开花时间调控、花器官发育、色泽品质和代谢成分变化中的作用及信号转导机制,并阐述了茉莉酸信号在木本植物生长发育中的功能及机制.提出在木本植物中研究茉莉酸信号途径,应扩大茉莉酸通路中关键因子的互作蛋白筛选,同时兼顾茉莉酸与其他激素信号转导途径间的交叉关系,考虑不同品种、不同基因型之间的差异,以充分揭示茉莉酸信号调控途径的多样性和转导机制的复杂性,挖掘其在林木中的潜在功能.     

植物硒吸收转化机制及生理作用研究进展

硒是大多微生物、动物及人类的必要微量元素,但其在植物生长发育中的生理作用至今存在争议.较低浓度硒具有促进植物生长、提高植物耐受能力的功能,而大部分植物在高浓度下表现出中毒现象.随着人类对摄入硒及环境硒污染问题的认识加深,作物硒生物强化与硒污染植物修复问题引起重视,推动了对硒在植物中的吸收积累及代谢调控的研究.近年来对植物硒吸收及转化的研究表明,不同硒水平下植物对硒吸收积累及生理响应存在差异,土壤环境因素对植物硒吸收及转化具有重要影响,对高聚硒植物硒代谢研究逐渐揭示出硒在植物体内的转化过程和调控机理等.本文总结了目前硒生物强化与植物修复方面的研究进展,对环境中硒分布特点、植物硒吸收及其影响因素、植物体内硒转化及其过程调控关键酶,以及硒在植物中的生理作用等进行了综述,并对植物硒生理及分子机制未来研究方向进行展望.     

药用植物生长发育与有效成分积累关系研究进展

药用植物有效成分是其发挥临床疗效的物质基础, 也是评价药材质量的重要指标, 而这些有效成分的产生和分布通常有种属、器官、组织以及生长发育时期的特异性。明确药用植物主要药用成分在植物不同生长发育阶段的积累变化规律和形成机制, 对中药品质与临床疗效有重要的指导意义。该文主要概述了不同发育阶段对药用植物不同药用部位(根、茎、叶、花、果实和种子)中有效成分积累的影响, 并对药用植物次生代谢产物合成和积累机制的相关研究技术进行了展望, 为生产实践上调控药用植物次生物质合成、药用植物的合理利用以及提高中药材品质奠定了理论基础。     

超积累植物的金属配位体及其在植物修复中的应用

综述了超积累植物体内金属配位体（包括植物螯合肽、植物金属硫蛋白、有机酸和氨基酸）的生物合成,参与的植物体内金属的吸收、运输、积累的解毒过程的生理及分子机制,并对金属配位体在植物修复中的应用作了评述。     

植物蔗糖磷酸合成酶研究进展

蔗糖磷酸合成酶(Sucrose Phosphate Synthase,以下简称SPS)是植物体内控制蔗糖合成的关键酶。植物体内蔗糖的积累与SPS活性正相关,SPS还参与植物的生长和产量形成,并在植物的抗逆过程中起重要作用。高等植物中至少存在A、B、C三个家族的SPS,而禾本科植物至少存在A、B、C、DIII和DIV五个家族的SPS。不同植物体内不同家族的SPS基因的表达特性不同,它们所发挥的功能也存在差异。SPS的活性在基因表达调控和SPS蛋白磷酸化共价修饰作用两个层面受到植物生长发育、光照、代谢产物、外源物质如激素和糖类等多种因素的复杂调控。转基因研究表明,转SPS基因是提高作物产量和品质、增强作物抗逆性的有效途径,值得深入研究。全面总结了国内外在植物蔗糖磷酸合成酶方面的研究进展,并提出问题与研究展望,期望为进一步研究并利用植物SPS基因改良作物品种提供参考。     

辣椒果实类胡萝卜素生物合成研究进展

辣椒是全世界广泛栽培的蔬菜作物之一,成熟的辣椒果实中含有α-胡萝卜素、β-胡萝卜素、玉米黄质、叶黄素、隐黄质、辣椒红素及辣椒玉红素等多种不同的类胡萝卜素;由于类胡萝卜素生物合成途径存在差异调控方式,最终在辣椒果实中积累不同成分和含量的类胡萝卜素,从而导致不同辣椒果实颜色的形成。同时,辣椒果实含有的各种类胡萝卜素因具有重要保健及经济价值,也越来越受到育种家重视。本文系统概述了辣椒果实颜色与类胡萝卜素组分、类胡萝卜素生物合成途径、关键酶基因的功能及相关转录调控机制等方面的研究进展,总结了当前研究中存在的问题,并提出相应的研究展望,对今后高类胡萝卜素辣椒新品种选育、人为调控类胡萝卜素生物合成、改善辣椒果实品质具有重要的意义。     

Dissecting the superoxide dismutase-ascorbate-glutathione-pathway in chloroplasts by metabolic modeling. Computer simulations as a step towards flux analysis

The present study introduces metabolic modeling as a new tool to analyze the network of redox reactions composing the superoxide dismutase-ascorbate (Asc)-glutathione (GSH) cycle. Based on previously determined concentrations of antioxidants and defense enzymes in chloroplasts, kinetic properties of antioxidative enzymes, and nonenzymatic rate constants of antioxidants with reactive oxygen, models were constructed to simulate oxidative stress and calculate changes in concentrations and fluxes of oxidants and antioxidants. Simulated oxidative stress in chloroplasts did not result in a significant accumulation of O2*- and H2O2 when the supply with reductant was sufficient. Model results suggest that the coupling between Asc- and GSH-related redox systems was weak because monodehydroascorbate radical reductase prevented dehydroascorbate (DHA) formation efficiently. DHA reductase activity was dispensable. Glutathione reductase was mainly required for the recycling of GSH oxidized in nonenzymatic reactions. In the absence of monodehydroascorbate radical reductase and DHA reductase, glutathione reductase and GSH were capable to maintain the Asc pool more than 99% reduced. This suggests that measured DHA/Asc ratios do not reflect a redox balance related to the Asc-GSH-cycle. Decreases in Asc peroxidase resulted in marked H2O2 accumulation without significant effects on the redox balance of Asc/DHA or GSH/GSSG. Simulated loss of SOD resulted in higher H2O2 production rates, thereby affecting all subsequent steps of the Asc-GSH-cycle. In conclusion, modeling approaches contribute to the theoretical understanding of the functioning of antioxidant systems by pointing out questions that need to be validated and provide additional information that is useful to develop breeding strategies for higher stress resistance in plants.     

Ascorbate metabolism and the developmental demand for tartaric and oxalic acids in ripening grape berries

Background  

Fresh fruits are well accepted as a good source of the dietary antioxidant ascorbic acid (Asc, Vitamin C). However, fruits such as grapes do not accumulate exceptionally high quantities of Asc. Grapes, unlike most other cultivated fruits do however use Asc as a precursor for the synthesis of both oxalic (OA) and tartaric acids (TA). TA is a commercially important product in the wine industry and due to its acidifying effect on crushed juice it can influence the organoleptic properties of the wine. Despite the interest in Asc accumulation in fruits, little is known about the mechanisms whereby Asc concentration is regulated. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into Asc metabolism in wine grapes (Vitis vinifera c.v. Shiraz.) and thus ascertain whether the developmental demand for TA and OA synthesis influences Asc accumulation in the berry.     

Increasing tolerance to ozone by elevating foliar ascorbic acid confers greater protection against ozone than increasing avoidance

Ascorbic acid (Asc) is the most abundant antioxidant in plants and serves as a major contributor to the cell redox state. Exposure to environmental ozone can cause significant damage to plants by imposing conditions of oxidative stress. We examined whether increasing the level of Asc through enhanced Asc recycling would limit the deleterious effects of environmental oxidative stress. Plants overexpressing dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), which results in an increase in the endogenous level of Asc, were exposed to acute or chronic levels of ozone. DHAR-overexpressing plants had a lower oxidative load, a lower level of oxidative-related enzyme activities, a higher level of chlorophyll, and a higher level of photosynthetic activity 24 h following an acute exposure (2 h) to 200 ppb ozone than control plants, despite exhibiting a larger stomatal area. Reducing the size of the Asc pool size through suppression of DHAR expression had the opposite effect. Following a chronic exposure (30 d) to 100 ppb ozone, plants with a larger Asc pool size maintained a larger stomatal area and a higher oxidative load, but retained a higher level of photosynthetic activity than control plants, whereas plants suppressed for DHAR had a substantially reduced stomatal area, but also a substantially lower level of photosynthetic activity. Together, these data indicate that, despite a reduced ability to respond to ozone through stomatal closure, increasing the level of Asc through enhanced Asc recycling provided greater protection against oxidative damage than reducing stomatal area.     

Cultivar specific variations in morphological and biochemical characteristics of mung bean due to foliar spray of ascorbic acid under elevated ozone

Effect of exogenous application of ascorbic acid (Asc) solution was examined on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical and yield characteristics of mung bean cultivars against ozone (O₃). Experiment was performed on six mung bean cultivars in open top chambers under field conditions and Asc was applied as foliar spray prior to the exposure of ambient (AO+) and elevated (EO+) levels of O₃. Application of Asc showed increment in growth attributes as compared to plants not provided Asc (AO). However, O₃ induced the production of reactive oxygen species led to membrane damage. Reductions were depicted in lipid peroxidation, solute leakage and foliar injury % in AO+ and EO+ as compared to plants not provided with Asc. Photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid content along with activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (APX, CAT, GR and SOD) showed increments in AO+ and EO+ with cultivar-specific variations. Cultivars HUM-1 and HUM-2 restored yield with Asc application while less response was observed in other test cultivars. Quality of the seeds was also affected by Asc treatment in the plants exposed to ambient and elevated levels of O₃. Therefore, exogenous application of Asc promotes plant’s performance by providing protection against O₃ induced oxidative stress and may be used in screening of the mung bean cultivars against O₃ phytotoxicity.     

Tiller number is altered in the ascorbic acid-deficient rice suppressed for l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase

The tiller of rice (Oryza sativa L.), which determines the panicle number per plant, is an important agronomic trait for grain production. Ascorbic acid (Asc) is a major plant antioxidant that serves many functions in plants. l-Galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH, EC 1.3.2.3) is an enzyme that catalyzes the last step of Asc biosynthesis in plants. Here we show that the GLDH-suppressed transgenic rices, GI-1 and GI-2, which have constitutively low (between 30% and 50%) leaf Asc content compared with the wild-type plants, exhibit a significantly reduced tiller number. Moreover, lower growth rate and plant height were observed in the Asc-deficient plants relative to the trait values of the wild-type plants at different tillering stages. Further examination showed that the deficiency of Asc resulted in a higher lipid peroxidation, a loss of chlorophyll, a loss of carotenoids, and a lower rate of CO₂ assimilation. In addition, the level of abscisic acid was higher in GI-1 plants, while the level of jasmonic acid was higher in GI-1 and GI-2 plants at different tillering stages. The results we presented here indicated that Asc deficiency was likely responsible for the promotion of premature senescence, which was accompanied by a marked decrease in photosynthesis. These observations support the conclusion that the deficiency of Asc alters the tiller number in the GLDH-suppressed transgenics through promoting premature senescence and changing phytohormones related to senescence.     

Transgenic salt-tolerant tomato plants accumulate salt in foliage but not in fruit

Transgenic tomato plants overexpressing a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiport were able to grow, flower, and produce fruit in the presence of 200 mM sodium chloride. Although the leaves accumulated high sodium concentrations, the tomato fruit displayed very low sodium content. Contrary to the notion that multiple traits introduced by breeding into crop plants are needed to obtain salt-tolerant plants, the modification of a single trait significantly improved the salinity tolerance of this crop plant. These results demonstrate that with a combination of breeding and transgenic plants it could be possible to produce salt-tolerant crops with far fewer target traits than had been anticipated. The accumulation of sodium in the leaves and not in the fruit demonstrates the utility of such a modification in preserving the quality of the fruit.     

Effect of Down-Regulation of Ethylene Biosynthesis on Fruit Flavor Complex in Apple Fruit

The role of ethylene in regulating sugar, acid, texture and volatile components of fruit quality was investigated in transgenic apple fruit modified in their capacity to synthesize endogenous ethylene. Fruit obtained from plants silenced for either ACS (ACC synthase; ACC-1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) or ACO (ACC oxidase), key enzymes responsible for ethylene biosynthesis, expectedly showed reduced autocatalytic ethylene production. Ethylene suppressed fruits were significantly firmer than controls and displayed an increased shelf-life. No significant difference was observed in sugar or acid accumulation suggesting that sugar and acid composition and accumulation is not directly under ethylene control. Interestingly, a significant and dramatic suppression of the synthesis of volatile esters was observed in fruit silenced for ethylene. However, no significant suppression was observed for the aldehyde and alcohol precursors of these esters. Our results indicate that ethylene differentially regulates fruit quality components and the availability of these transgenic apple trees provides a unique resource to define the role of ethylene and other factors that regulate fruit development.     

Induction of monozygotic twinning by ascorbic acid in tobacco

Embryo development in plants initiates following the transverse division of a zygote into an apical, proembryo cell and a basal cell that gives rise to the suspensor. Although mutants affected in embryo development through changes in cell division have been described, little is known about the control of the first zygotic division that gives rise to the proembryo. Ascorbic acid (Asc) promotes cell division by inducing G(1) to S progression but its role in embryo development has not been examined. In this study, we show that the level of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) expression, which recycles Asc and regulates Asc pool size, affects the rate of monozygotic twinning and polycotyly. DHAR-induced twinning resulted from altered cell polarity and longitudinal instead of transverse cell division that generated embryos of equal size. Direct injection of Asc into ovaries phenocopied DHAR-induced twinning. Twinning induced by Asc was developmentally limited to the first two days after pollination whereas polycotyly was induced when the level of Asc was elevated just prior to cotyledon initiation. This work describes the first example of gene-directed monozygotic twinning and shows that Asc regulates cell polarity during embryo development.