Expression and In Situ Localization of Two Major PR Proteins of Grapevine Berries during Development and after UV-C Exposition

In grapevine Vitis vinifera L. cv Pinot noir, the Pathogenesis-Related (PR) proteins CHI4D and TL3 are among the most abundant extractable PR proteins of ripe berries and accumulate during berry ripening from véraison until full maturation. Evidence was supplied in favor of the involvement of these two protein families in plant defense mechanisms and plant development. In order to better understand CHI4D and TL3 function in grapevine, we analyzed their temporal and spatial pattern of expression during maturation and after an abiotic stress (UV-C) by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistolocalization. In ripening berries, CHI4D and TL3 genes were mainly expressed in the exocarp and around vascular bundles of the mesocarp. In UV-C exposed berries, CHI4D and TL3 gene expression was strongly induced before véraison. Corresponding proteins localized in the exocarp and, to a lesser extent, around vascular bundles of the mesocarp. The spatial and temporal accumulation of the two PR proteins during berry maturation and after an abiotic stress is discussed in relation to their putative roles in plant defense.     

山茱萸核果的解剖结构和组织化学定位

用解剖学和组织化学的方法研究了山茱萸 (MacrocarpiumofficinacleSieb .etZucc .)核果的解剖结构和皂甙、多糖的组织化学定位。结果表明 :山茱萸核果的外果皮革质 ,由一层被覆较厚角质膜的表皮细胞构成 ;中果皮肉质 ,由多列薄壁细胞构成 ,含色素细胞不均匀分布 ,靠近外果皮的薄壁细胞大多为含色素细胞 ,使果实呈现红色 ,向内的薄壁细胞体积渐渐增大 ,在较大的薄壁细胞以及维管束周围的薄壁细胞内常含有色素块。组织化学定位显示 :外中果皮的含色素细胞的色素块中含有丰富的皂甙和多糖 ,果实的中果皮的薄壁细胞在未成熟时就已经形成皂甙 ,并随着果实的成熟逐渐增加积累     

Effect of UV-C irradiation on stilbene synthase localization in young grape plants

Stilbene synthase (STS) is a pivotal enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of resveratrol and could be induced by UV-C irradiation. However, at present the effect of UV-C irradiation on tissue and subcellular localization of STS is not studied. In this work, subcellular localization of STS in young grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) plants exposed to UV-C was examined immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody raised against grape berry STS. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that the UV-induced STS occurred in palisade tissues of grape leaves and phloem tissues of grape leaf veins, stems, and roots. At the subcellular level, the enhanced STS stimulated by UV-C light was visualized in the cell walls, chloroplasts (plastids), cytoplasm, and nucleus of the phloem (stems and roots), while only in chloroplasts in mesophyll cells. This distribution pattern of STS arising in response to UV-C irradiation may be closely involved in its defense function, which needs much more in-depth evidence to confirm.     

Chalcone isomerase in grape vine: gene expression and localization in the developing fruit

Chalcone isomerase (CHI, EC 5.5.1.6) is an entrance enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthesis, which catalyzes the conversion of chalcones to flavanones. In this study, the full-length CHI cDNA from grape vine (Vitis vinifera L.) was cloned, the recombinant protein was purified and the polyclonal antibody was prepared. Using these tools, the expression and tissue localization of CHI in developing grape berry was analyzed by RT-PCR, gel blot hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. The expression of CHI was dependent on developmental stage, and CHI protein was mainly distributed in vascular bundles throughout all the stages of berry development, which suggested that flavonoids in the berry might have been partially synthesized in situ.     

北柴胡营养器官中主要化学成分的组织化学定位及其含量比较

应用植物解剖学、组织化学定位和植物化学方法,研究了北柴胡各营养器官中柴胡皂苷和黄酮类化合物的积累分布状态及其含量变化。结果表明,柴胡皂苷在根中分布在中柱鞘和次生韧皮部中;在茎中主要分布在表皮、棱角处的厚角组织以及位于皮层和髓中的分泌道的上皮细胞中;在叶中,则分布在表皮细胞和整个叶肉组织中。而黄酮类化合物在茎中分布在表皮、棱角处的厚角组织、皮层、髓射线和髓鞘细胞中;在叶中,则主要分布在表皮和位于上下表皮内的厚角组织中。同时,北柴胡中柴胡总皂苷在根、茎、叶中的含量的变化规律为根>叶>茎;而总黄酮在根、茎、叶中的含量的变化规律为叶>茎>根;且在叶中含量相当高,从而为北柴胡的综合利用提供依据,对合理利用药材和保护北柴胡资源也有一定意义。     

Specific Changes of Exocarp and Mesocarp Occurring during Softening Differently Affect Firmness in Melting (MF) and Non Melting Flesh (NMF) Fruits

Melting (MF) and non melting flesh (NMF) peaches differ in their final texture and firmness. Their specific characteristics are achieved by softening process and directly dictate fruit shelf life and quality. Softening is influenced by various mechanisms including cell wall reorganization and water loss. In this work, the biomechanical properties of MF Spring Crest’s and NMF Oro A’s exocarp and mesocarp along with the amount and localization of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids were investigated during fruit ripening and post-harvest. The objective was to better understand the role played by water loss and cell wall reorganization in peach softening. Results showed that in ripe Spring Crest, where both cell turgor loss and cell wall dismantling occurred, mesocarp had a little role in the fruit reaction to compression and probe penetration response was almost exclusively ascribed to the epidermis which functioned as a mechanical support to the pulp. In ripe Oro A’s fruit, where cell wall disassembly did not occur and the loss of cell turgor was observed only in mesocarp, the contribution of exocarp to fruit firmness was consistent but relatively lower than that of mesocarp, suggesting that in addition to cell turgor, the integrity of cell wall played a key role in maintaining NMF fruit firmness. The analysis of phenols suggested that permeability and firmness of epidermis were associated with the presence of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids.     

Differential incorporation of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose into (3S)-linalool and geraniol in grape berry exocarp and mesocarp

In vivo feeding experiments with [5,5-(2)H(2)]mevalonic acid lactone (MVL) and [5,5-(2)H(2)]-1-deoxy-D-xylulose (DOX) indicate that the novel mevalonate-independent 1-deoxy- D-xylulose 5-phosphate/2C-methyl- D-erythritol 4-phosphate (DOXP/MEP) pathway is the dominant metabolic route for monoterpene biosynthesis in grape berry exocarp and mesocarp and in grape leaves. The highly uneven distribution of the monoterpene alcohols (3S)-linalool and geraniol between leaves, berry exocarp and berry mesocarp can be attributed to a compartmentation of monoterpene metabolism. In grape berries incorporation of [5,5-(2)H(2)]-DOX into geraniol is mainly restricted to the exocarp, whereas (3S)-linalool biosynthesis can be detected in exocarp as well as in mesocarp tissue. The results demonstrate that grape berries exhibit an autonomic monoterpene biosynthesis via the novel DOXP/MEP route throughout the ripening process.     

核桃果皮的发育解剖学研究

核桃果皮的发育过程可分为３个阶段,发育时期：中、内三层果皮的界线不清,维管束处于发育初期;发育中期：随着中果皮最外侧两层石细胞的出现和薄壁组织细胞体积的迅速扩大以及维管束轮数的增加,使三层果皮具较明显的界面,发育后期：中果皮的维管束递增到４－５轮,     

龙眼果皮形态结构比较观察及其与果实耐贮运的关系

比较了福建省 1 0个主栽龙眼品种果实的果皮形态和结构 ,结果表明 :不同品种在果皮厚度、外果皮表面颜色、龟状纹、放射线、瘤状突、刺毛、外果皮皮孔、周皮层厚度、栓质层厚度和连续性、中果皮薄壁组织细胞排列、石细胞大小、含量、排列和分布 ,维管束发达状况、排列和分布 ,内果皮表皮细胞排列和角蜡质层厚度等方面均存在着明显差异。风梨味、东壁、油潭本、乌龙岭、红核子、蕉眼龙眼果皮厚 ,外果皮表面瘤状突和剌毛多 ,外果皮周皮层、栓质层厚且连续性好 ,中果皮石细胞 (团 )含量多且排列紧密 ,分布在中果皮外侧且在中果皮中所占比例大 ,维管束发达且排列有序 ,内果皮角蜡质层厚 ;这些品种果实耐贮运、抗病性强。而水涨、赤壳、福眼、普明庵龙眼果皮薄 ,外果皮周皮层薄、栓质层不发达 ,中果皮石细胞 (团 )含量少、分布分散 ,维管束不发达 ,薄壁组织细胞胞间隙大 ,皮孔间隙大、皮孔通道与中果皮组织细胞间隙相通 ;这些品种的果实不耐贮运、抗病性弱。讨论了龙眼外果皮表面主色为褐色和内果皮比外果皮更容易褐变的解剖学原因及龙眼果皮形态结构与果实耐贮运的关系。     

Immunocharacterization of Vitis vinifera L. ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase,and its spatial and temporal changes during leaf development

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) partial fragment of cDNA clone pGOGAT1 [Loulakakis and Roubelakis-Angelakis (1997) Physiol Plant 101:220-228], encoding the ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT; EC 1.4.7.1), was overexpressed in Escherichia coli cells. A hybrid between the Fd-GOGAT fragment and maltose-binding protein was purified and used to raise a polyclonal antibody in a rabbit. The prepared antibody appeared to be specific towards Fd-GOGAT; it recognized a protein band of approximately 160 kDa on nitrocellulose blots after SDS-PAGE of total proteins from leaves, internodes, roots and calluses, and precipitated most of the enzyme activity present in grapevine protein extracts. The quantity of Fd-GOGAT protein was substantially higher in leaves than in other grapevine tissues tested, coincident with a similar distribution of the enzyme specific activity. Intracellular localization studies revealed that both the enzyme activity and the 160-kDa immunoreactive protein were associated with the chloroplastic fraction. Furthermore, the accumulation of Fd-GOGAT, glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), at the activity and protein levels, was monitored during leaf development of field-grown plants, from the stage of the newly expanding leaf to the senescing old leaf. Both the specific activity and quantity of the 160-kDa polypeptide of Fd-GOGAT were higher in the mature, full sized leaves and substantially lower in young and senescing leaves. GS specific activity and immunoreactive protein followed the same trend as Fd-GOGAT, while GDH showed opposite developmental patterns of accumulation. The biological significance of the presence of Fd-GOGAT in the various grapevine tissues and its physiological role during early development and natural senescence of the leaves are discussed.     

植物查尔酮异构酶研究进展

黄酮类化合物属于多酚类次生代谢物,具有广泛的药用价值。查尔酮异构酶（CHI）是黄酮类代谢途径中的一个关键酶,催化分子内环化反应,使双环的查尔酮转化为有生物学活性的三环（2S）-黄烷酮。植物体内的CHI活性与类黄酮物质的合成有着密切联系,CHI转基因研究对于提高植物类黄酮含量有重要意义。简要概述了查尔酮异构酶的结构特点、催化反应机理以及CHI转基因的研究进展。     

Localization of stilbene synthase in Vitis vinifera L. during berry development

The localization of stilbene synthase (STS) (EC 2.3.1.95) in grape berry (Vitis vinifera L.) was investigated during fruit development. The berries were collected at 2, 4, 7, 11, and 15 weeks postflowering from the cultivar Nebbiolo during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that berries accumulated cis- and trans-isomers of resveratrol mainly in the exocarp throughout fruit development. Immunodetection of STS protein was performed on berry extracts and sections with an antibody specifically developed against recombinant grape STS1. In agreement with resveratrol presence, STS was found in berry exocarp tissues during all stages of fruit development. The labeled epidermal cells were few and were randomly distributed, whereas nearly all the outer hypodermis cells were STS-positive. The STS signal decreased gradually from exocarp to mesocarp, where the protein was detected only occasionally. At the subcellular level, STS was found predominantly within vesicles (of varying size), along the plasma membrane and in the cell wall, suggesting protein secretion in the apoplast compartment. Despite the differences in fruit size and structure, the STS localization was the same before and after veraison, the relatively short developmental period during which the firm green berries begin to soften and change color. Nevertheless, the amount of protein detected in both exocarp and mesocarp decreased significantly in ripe berries, in agreement with the lower resveratrol content measured in the same tissues. The location of STS in exocarp cell wall is consistent with its role in synthesizing defense compounds and supports the hypothesis that a differential localization of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic machinery regulates the deposition of specific secondary products at different action sites within cells.     

Tissue-specific localization of an abscisic acid biosynthetic enzyme, AAO3, in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase 3 (AAO3) is an enzyme involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis in response to drought stress. Since the enzyme catalyzes the last step of the pathway, ABA production sites may be determined by the presence of AAO3. Here, AAO3 localization was investigated using AAO3 promoter:AAO3-GFP transgenic plants and by an immunohistochemical technique. AAO3-GFP protein exhibited an activity to produce ABA from abscisic aldehyde, and the transgene restored the wilty phenotype of the aao3 mutant. GFP-fluorescence was detected in the root tips, vascular bundles of roots, hypocotyls and inflorescence stems, and along the leaf veins. Intense immunofluorescence signals were localized in phloem companion cells and xylem parenchyma cells. Faint but significant GFP- and immuno-fluorescence signals were observed in the leaf guard cells. In situ hybridization with antisense AAO3 mRNA showed AAO3 mRNA expression in the guard cells of dehydrated leaves. These results indicate that the ABA synthesized in vascular systems is transported to various target tissues and cells, and also that the guard cells themselves are able to synthesize ABA.     

Subcellular localization of endogenous IAA during poplar leaf rhizogenesis revealed by in situ immunocytochemistry

Poplar 741 [Populus alba × (P. davidiana + P. simonii) × P. tomentosa] leaves were rooted within 8 days when cultured on 1/2 MS medium. The subcellular localization of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the rhizogenesis was investigated, using an immunocytochemical approach. The results of IAA subcellular localization revealed organelle-specific distribution. Three days after root induction, IAA in vascular cambium cells of the basal region of the petiole was distributed mainly in the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and nucleus, with a lesser amount in the cytoplasm. In phloem of the basal region of the petiole, IAA was detected in the plasma membrane and ER of the companion cell and in the plasma membrane of the sieve element. In xylem of the basal region of the petiole, no IAA gold particles were labeled. In mesophyll cells IAA was distributed in the chloroplast starch grains before root induction, and the amount in the chloroplast starch grains increased after 3 days after root induction. This suggests that the plasma membrane and nucleus of cambium cells may be the target sites where IAA performs its physiological activities during poplar leaf rhizogenesis. IAA polar transport from lamina mesophyll to the basal region of the petiole during rhizogenesis is mediated by phloem. The starch grains of mesophyll chloroplasts appeared to accumulate IAA and may be a source of IAA during poplar leaf rhizogenesis. Novel and direct evidence regarding the function of IAA during rhizogenesis is provided in this study.     

Chalcone synthase activity and polyphenolic compounds of shoot tissues from adult and rejuvenated walnut trees

Changes in the metabolism of naphthoquinone and flavonoids during the growth of half-sib adult and rejuvenated walnut shoots (Juglans nigra × Juglans regia L.) were studied at the tissue level for two years after pruning. Moreover, the role of chalcone synthase (CHS; EC 2.3.1.74) in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis was investigated at the level of enzyme activity. The end products of walnut flavonoid biosynthesis, myricitrin and quercitrin, which accumulated in the bark and phloem at the end of growth, did not inhibit the biosynthetic process at concentrations of up to 100 μM each. There was no evidence of CHS regulation by feedback or similar mechanisms which might modulate enzyme activity. Mathematical correlation of CHS activity and flavonoid accumulation during shoot growth, however, indicated that CHS is the rate-limiting enzyme of the pathway in bark and phloem and that flavonoids seem to be transported from phloem to bark where they accumulated mainly during growth. In defoliated shoots, naphthoquinone metabolism appeared to be a marker of the walnut rejuvenation stage in the medulla, phloem and buds immediately after cutting and thereafter mainly in buds one year after cutting. Chalcone synthase and flavonoid contents appeared to be markers of the adult stage in the phloem. Received: 30 September 1996 / Accepted: 17 March 1997     

Localization of flavonoid enzymes in Arabidopsis roots

Immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy have been used to test the hypothesis that flavonoid metabolism is organized as a membrane-associated enzyme complex. The cellular and subcellular locations of chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI), the first two enzymes of this pathway, were examined in Arabidopsis roots. High levels of both enzymes were found in the epidermal and cortex cells of the elongation zone and the root tip, consistent with the accumulation of flavonoid endproducts at these sites. Co-localization of CHS and CHI was observed at the endoplasmic reticulum and tonoplast in these cells, and also in electron-dense regions that are, as yet, unidentified. In addition, a striking asymmetric distribution was observed for these enzymes in cortex cells of the elongation zone, which may provide clues about the physiological function of flavonoids in roots. The accumulation of CHS and CHI was also examined in tt7(88), a mutant in the gene for flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), which has been postulated to serve as a membrane anchor for the flavonoid enzyme complex. CHS and CHI accumulated to lower levels in cortex cells and higher levels in epidermal cells in the roots of this mutant as compared with wild-type plants. Moreover, the electron-dense regions containing these two enzymes were not observed. However, localization of CHS and CHI to the ER and tonoplast did not appear to be affected, suggesting that other proteins may function in recruiting the "soluble" flavonoid enzymes to membranes. Staining of flavonoid endproducts with DPBA was consistent with expression of CHS and CHI in these seedlings.     

葡萄果实发育过程中果肉细胞超微结构的观察

用透射电镜观察了“巨峰”葡萄(Vitis vinifera×V.labrusca)果实3个发育时期中果肉细胞超微结构的变化。果实第一次快速生长期的果肉细胞超微结构表现出物质和能量代谢旺盛的特点。缓慢生长期的果实虽外部形态平静少变,但果肉细胞超微结构表现出深刻的变化:细胞核形状特化为裂瓣状是最显著的特点;线粒体数目丰富;粗面内质网槽库膨大形成的囊泡富集,出现向液泡汇融和向质膜靠近的现象;质膜内陷;液泡膜完整。另外,原生质也出现一些降解的现象。但总体结构特点表明果肉细胞在此期处于十分活跃的物质周转代谢和信息交换过程中。果实第二次快速生长期果肉细胞超微结构表现出衰老降解的特点,但线粒体结构依然完整,数量仍然丰富,原生质膜也保持了很好的完整性,这似乎与维持第二次快速生长或成熟有关。     

Cloning of a cDNA encoding the Saussurea medusa chalcone isomerase and its expression in transgenic tobacco.

Chalcone isomerase (CHI; EC 5.5.1.6) is a key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. We isolated a CHI gene (SmCHI) from a cDNA library derived from Saussurea medusa (Asteraceae) cell cultures. The cDNA and genomic sequences of SmCHI are the same; in other words, this gene is intronless. The coding region of the gene is 699 bp long, and its deduced protein consists of 232 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 24 kDa and a pI of 4.7. The deduced amino acid sequence of SmCHI shares 79.3% identity with CHI from Callistephus chinensis, a familial relative to S. medusa; this homology is higher than those with CHI's from any other plant species. A functional bioassay for SmCHI was performed by transforming Nicotiana tabacum plants in the sense or antisense orientation under the regulation of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing sense SmCHI produced up to fivefold total flavonoids over wild-type tobacco plants, mainly due to an enhanced accumulation of rutin. Transgenic tobacco plants with antisense SmCHI accumulated smaller amounts of flavonoids; this is apparently brought about by suppressed expression of the endogenous CHI gene. CHI activities also positively correlated with the amounts of total flavonoids accumulated in the transgenic plants. It is concluded that overexpression of SmCHI can be used as a useful approach to increase flavonoid production in transgenic plants.