Promoters of Rice Seed Storage Protein Genes Direct Endosperm-Specific Gene Expression in Transgenic Rice

The promoters of genes encoding rice seed storage proteins (glutelin,prolamin, globulin and albumin) were analyzed for their abilityto direct rß-gIucuronidase (GUS) gene expression intransgenic rice plants. All promoters tested could direct endosperm-specificexpression of the GUS reporter gene irrespective of variableactivities and patterns in the endosperm. (Received February 27, 1998; Accepted May 16, 1998)     

Effects of Fluorogibberellins on Plant Growth and Gibberellin 3r{beta}-Hydroxylases

3rß-Fluorogibberellin A₉ (3rß-fluoro-GA₉),3rßfluoro-GA₂₀, 3rß-fluorodeoxygibberellinC (3rß-fluoro-DGC) and 13-fluoro-GA₉ were prepared,and their effects on plant growth and gibberellin (GA) 3rß-hydroxyIaseswere examined. 3rß-Fluoro-GA₉ and 3rß-fluoro-GA₂₀promoted the growth of dwarf rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Tan-ginbozu)seedlings to three times higher than the control seedlings ata dosage of 3 µ plant^–1, and 3rßfluoro-DGCto twice higher at the same dosage. 3rßg-Fluoro-GA₉was active in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) hypocotyl assay,its activity being about one-thirtieth as much as that of GA₄.3rß-Fluoro-GAs were active per se in promoting theshoot elongation of rice. 3rß-Fluoro-DGC inhibitedthe 3rß-hydroxylation of [³H₂]GA₉ to [³H]GA₄ by GArß-hydroxylase from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.),but 3rß-fluoro-GA₉ and 3rß-fluoro-GA₂₀ didnot show any effects on the enzyme activity. These 3rß-fluoro-GAsalso showed no or only a weak inhibitory effect on the rß-hydroxylasefrom pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.). 13-Fluoro-GA₉ promoted growthof rice and cucumber seedlings, and inhibited the 3rß-hydroxylasesfrom both bean and cucumber. 13-Fluoro-GA₉was converted into13-fluoro-GA₄ and 2,3-didehydro-13-fluoro-GA₉, in a cell-freesystem from bean, and conversion of 13-fluoro-GA₉ into 13-fluoro-GA₄was also observed in a cell-free system from pumpkin. Theseresults suggest that 13-fluoro-GA₉ is one of the substratesof GA 3rß-hydroxy-lases, and that 13-fluoro-GA₉ isactive as a result of the conversion to 13-fluoro-GA₄ in riceand cucumber seedlings. (Received October 27, 1997; Accepted March 13, 1998)     

cDNA Sequences of Three Kinds of {beta}-tubulins from Rice

Complete nucleotide sequences of three kinds of rice ß-tubulincDNA clones (pTUB22, R1623 and R2242) were determined. Southernhybridization indicated that these ß-tubulins consistof one gene family. Using RFLP mapping, these three ß-tubulincDNAs were mapped to different chromosomes indicating at leastthree loci for the ß-tubulin gene. The deduced aminoacid sequences of these cDNAs showed a high similarity to otherplant ß-tubulins. The asparagine residue located atthe 100th amino acid from the Nterminus of plant ß-tubulinswas also conserved with these three ß-tubulins. Thisasparagine is thought to be responsible for the sensitivityagainst rhizoxin, the toxin of the pathogen of rice seedlingblight, Rhizopus sp. a soil-borne microorganism. Expressionof the three ß-tubulin genes was analyzed by Northernblotting and all three clones were expressed in root, the possibletarget tissue of rhizoxin. These results suggest that theseclones are candidates of ß-tubulins targeted by rhizoxin.     

Changes in the Molecular Weight Distribution of the Hemicellulosic Polysaccharides from Rice Coleoptiles Growing Under Different Conditions

The changes in the molecular weight distribution of water-solubleand water-insoluble hemicelluloses from the cell walls of ricecoleoptiles growing in air and under water were studied. Thegrowth of rice coleoptiles was remarkably enhanced by growingunder water. Water-insoluble hemicellulose, mainly constitutedby xyloglucan, suffered an important depolymerization duringcoleoptile growth. On the other hand, ß-glucan andarabinoxylan, the two main polysaccharides of the water-solublehemicelluloses showed different changes during coleoptile growth.ß-glucan showed an increase in its degree of polymerizationduring the coleoptile fast growth phase and it decreased beforecoleoptile growth ceased. Arabinoxylan did not show importantdifferences in its mass-average molecular weight. Thus, xyloglucanand ß-glucan are the two hemicellulosic polysaccharidesinvolved in the cell wall loosening mechanism during coleoptilegrowth under both culture conditions. Key words: Arabinoxylan, cell wall, ß-glucan, xyloglucan     

r{beta}Carotene Hydroxylase Gene from the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

The ORF sll1468 of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was identifiedas a gene for rß-carotene hydroxylase by functionalcomplementation in a rß-carotene-producing Escherichiacoll. The gene product of ORF sll11468 added hydroxyl groupsto the rß-ionone rings of rß-carotene (rß,rß-carotene)to form zeaxanthin (rß,rß-carotene-3,3'-diol).This newly identified rß-carotene hydroxylase doesnot show overall amino acid sequence similarity to the knownrß-carotene hydroxylases. However, it showed significantsequence similarity to rß-carotene ketolases of marinebacteria and a green alga. (Received November 29, 1997; Accepted March 6, 1998)     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a cDNA for the r{beta} Subunit of a G Protein from Rice

We isolated a cDNA for the rß subunit of a heterotrimericG protein from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare). The aminoacid sequence deduced from the cDNA was 76% and 94% homologusto the sequences of the rß subunits from Arabidopsisand maize (AGrß1 and ZGrß1), respectively. (Received July 28, 1995; Accepted December 25, 1995)     

Gas Exchange Characteristics in Rice Leaves Grown under the Conditions of Physiologically Low Temperature and Irradiance

The photosynthetic rate measured at 20°C was higher in ricegrown under 20/18°C day/night temperature and 350 µmoIquanta m^–2s^–1 than in rice grown under 25/20°Cand 1,000 µmol quanta m^–2s^–1, whereas therewas no difference in the photosynthetic rate measured at 25°Cbetween rice grown in these two ways. This difference was suggestedto be caused by an enhanced ribulose-l,5-bis-phosphate-regenerationcapacity in the low-temperature/ir-radiance-grown rice. (Received July 14, 1998; Accepted September 25, 1998)     

Towards rice genome scanning by map-based AFLP fingerprinting

Map-based DNA fingerprinting with AFLP markers provides a fast method for scanning the rice genome. Three hundred AFLP markers identified with ten primer combinations were mapped in two rice populations. The genetic maps were aligned and almost full coverage of the rice genome was obtained. The transferability of AFLP markers between indica × japonica and indica × indica crosses was tested. The chromosomes were divided into DNA Fingerprint Linkage Blocks (DFLBs) defined by specific AFLP markers. Using these blocks, the degree of similarity or divergence within specific chromosome regions was calculated for nine varieties. Applications of map-based fingerprinting for biodiversity studies and maker-assisted selection are discussed. Received: 6 June 1998 / Accepted: 11 November 1998     

Purification and Properties of a Basic Endo-1,3-r{beta}-Glucanase from Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A 1,3-rß-glucanase purified from rice grain is a 33kDa monomer with a pI of     

Levels of {beta}-Glucan and Lignin in Elongating Internodes of Deepwater Rice

Partial submergence or treatment with either ethylene or gibberellicacid (GA₃ induces rapid growth in deepwater rice (Oryza sativaL.). We correlated the synthesis of two cell wall componentswith two phases of internodal elongation, namely (13,14)-ß-glucanformation with cell elongation and lignification with differentiationof the secondary cell wall and cessation of growth. The contentof ß-glucan was highest in the zone of cell elongationin internodes of air-grown plants and plants that were inducedto grow rapidly by submergence. In the intercalary meristemand in the differentiation zone of the internode, ß-glucanlevels were ca. 70% lower than in the zone of cell elongation.The outer cell layers, enriched in epidermis, contained moreß-glucan in submerged, rapidly growing internodesthan in air-grown, control internodes. The ß-glucancontent of the inner, parenchymal tissue was unaffected or slightlylowered by submergence. The epidermis appears to be the growth-limitingstructure of rapidly growing rice internodes. We hypothesizethat elevated levels of ß-glucan contribute to elongationgrowth by increasing the extensibility of the cell wall. Lignificationwas monitored by measuring the content of lignin and the activitiesof two enzymes of the lignin biosynthetic pathway, coniferylalcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase(PAL), in growing and non-growing regions of the internode.Using submerged whole plants and GA₃-treated excised stem segments,we showed that lignin content and CAD activity were up to sixfoldlower in newly formed internodal tissue of rapidly growing ricethan in slowly growing tissue. No differences were observedin parts of the internode that had been formed prior to inductionof growth. PAL activity was reduced throughout the internodeof submerged plants. We conclude that lignification is one ofthe processes that is suppressed to permit rapid growth. ¹ This work was supported by the National Science Foundationthrough grants No. DCB-8718873 and DCB-9103747 and by the Departmentof Energy through grant No. DE-FGO2-90ER20021. M.S. was therecipient of a fellowship from the Max Kade Foundation.     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of cDNA for a Rice Protein that Contains Seven Repetitive Segments of the Trp-Asp Forty-Amino-Acid Repeat (WD-40 Repeat)

A cDNA clone for a polypeptide that contained seven repetitivesegments of the Trp-Asp forty-amino-acid repeat (WD-40 repeat)was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from the greeningleaves of rice. The cDNA was 1,285 bp long and contained anopen reading frame that encoded a protein of 334 amino acidresidues, which was designated it RWD (rice protein containingthe WD-40 repeat). RWD exhibited greater homology to a groupof receptor for activated C-kinase (RACK), a product of auxin-regulatedgene from cultured cells (arcA) and a Chlamydomonas ßsubunit-like polypeptide (Cblp) rather than to the ßsubunits of heterotrimeric G protein complexes. The mRNA forRWD (1.3 kb) was found in all organs of rice plants, in particular,in roots. Therefore, RWD is suggested to be a protein that isexpressed constitutively. (Received September 27, 1994; Accepted February 8, 1995)     

Characterization of β-amylase and its deficiency in various rice cultivars

 β-Amylase deficiency in various cultivars of rice was examined at the molecular level. Using an antibody against β-amylase purified from germinating seeds of rice, we were able to demonstrate the expression and organization of the β-amylase gene in normal and deficient cultivars. Although β-amylase is a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme, as is α-amylase, the β-amylase protein/gene is expressed differently from the α-amylase protein/gene; i.e. (1) β-amylase is synthesized only in aleurone cells, (2) the enzyme production in the embryo-less half-seeds is not under hormonal control. We identified some cultivars of rice that are deficient for β-amylase activity. We present new evidence that synthesis is blocked at the level of mRNA synthesis in the deficient cultivars. The usefulness of β-amylase as a crop trait is also discussed. Received: 8 May 1998 / Accepted: 5 June 1998     

Purification and Characterization of Wall-bound Exo-l,3-{beta}-D-Glucanase from Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seedlings

A ß-D-glucanase activity hydrolyzing 1,3:1,4-ß-D-glucanwas released from the cell walls of barley by 3M LiCl treatment.It was purified by sequential cation-exchange, gel-filtrationand hydrophobic chromatography. The molecular mass of the glucanasewas 66 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Sequence determination of the first thirty amino acids of theN-terminus revealed a high homology of this enzyme to the Pseudomonasl,4-ß-D-glucosidase (56.5%). The purified ß-D-glucanasehas a pH optimum at 5.0, and hydrolyzes oligosaccharides containingß-D-1,3 or ß-D-1,4 linkage. The glucanaseshowed maximum hydrolytic activity toward laminaritetraose,the rate being about two times that of cellotetraose and aboutfour times that of gentiobiose. Polysaccharides such as lichenan,l,3:l,4-ß-D-glucan (from barley), laminarin and pustulanare also hydrolyzed, but not carboxylmethyl-curdlan, carboxymethyl-cellulose,xyloglucan and maltose. The purified ß-D-glucanaseyielded monomeric glucose from laminarihexaose, and exhibitedcharacteristics of an exo-l,3-ß-D-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.58 [EC] ).The activity and biochemical characteristics of this enzymesuggest that it is an exo-l,3-ß-D-glucanase involvedin the rapid turnover of l,3:l,4-ß-D-glucan in barleycell walls during seedling growth. (Received September 24, 1996; Accepted December 9, 1996)     

Effects of Deoxygibberellin C (DGC) and 16-Deoxo-DGC on Gibberellin 3{beta}-Hydroxylase and Plant Growth

Deoxygibberellin C (DGC), a C/D ring-rearranged isomer of GA₂₀,was shown to inhibit the conversion of [2,3-³H₂]GA₉ to [2-³H]GA₄by gibberellin 3ß-hydroxylase from immature seedsof Phaseolus vulgahs. Deoxygibberellin C inhibited the promotionof growth by exogenously applied GA₂₀ of rice (Oryza sativaL.) seedlings. Evidence is also presented that DGC is a competitiveinhibitor of the 3ß-hydroxylase from P. vulgaris.However, DGC only weakly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the 3ß-hydroxylase from Cucurbita maxima at highconcentrations, and it did not inhibit the promotion of growthby exogenously applied GA₉ of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings.These results suggest that the 3ß-hydroxylases fromP. vulgaris and C. maxima have different structural requirementswith respect to their substrates. 16-Deoxo-DGC also inhibitedcatalysis of the same conversion by 3ß-hydroxylasefrom P. vulgaris, and it slightly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the enzyme from C. maxima. Application of 16-deoxo-DGC causedthe promotion of the growth of seedlings of both rice and cucumber. ³ Present address: Genetic Engineering Center, Korea Instituteof Science and Technology, Daejeon 305–606, Korea ⁴ Present address: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, UtsunomiyaUniversity, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 321 Japan (Received September 25, 1990; Accepted December 17, 1990)     

Studies on the {beta}-glucosidase System of Trifolium repens L.

Using DEAE-cellulose two distinct ß-glucosidase enzymeshave been identified in white clover; one form is primarilyassociated with the seed, the other with young leaves. Evidenceis presented for the separate nature of ß-glucosidaseand ß-galactosidase activity in dry seed flour andin young leaf tissue. These results are considered in relationto the function of the Li locus in white clover, which is shownto control both ß-glucosidase and ß-galactosidaseactivity in expanding leaves.     

Xyloglucan in the Cell Walls of Suspension-Cultured Rice Cells

The xyloglucan present in the 24% KOH extract of the cell wallsof suspension-cultured rice cells was characterized by fragmentationanalysis with Trichoderma viride cellulase and Aspergillus oryzaeß-D-glucosidase. The xyloglucan is composed mainlyof the following oligosaccharide units: Results showed that the xyloglucan of suspension-cultured ricecells is more extensively branched than is that of rice seedlings.Another structural characteristic of the former xyloglucan isthe presence of D-galactosyl-D-xylosyl side chains that arenot found in the latter. (Received June 15, 1984; Accepted January 11, 1985)     

Development of {beta}-amylase activity and polymorphism in wheat seedling shoot tissues8

Increasing ß-amylase activity in wheat (Triticum aestlvum,var. Star) seedling shoot tissues was consistently accompaniedby the development of a characteristic polymorphism of the enzyme,as shown by electrophoresis employing amylopectin-containingpolyacrylamide gels. Very young shoot tissue contained one principalform of the enzyme (ß1), whereas two other major forms(ß2, ß3) appeared complementary to thisupon further growth. In vitro incubation experiments indicatedthat the polymorphism arose via a probably proteolytic conversionof ß1 into ß2 and ß3. The conversioninvolved neither an activation of ß-amylase nor asignificant modification of ß-amylase component plvalues. The electrophoretic ß-amylase patterns ofsubcellular leaf compartments suggested that ß1 issynthesized in the cytoplasm of leaf mesophyfi cells and thatthe other forms arise upon transfer of this ‘primary’form into the vacuole. The development of shoot ß-amylaseactivity did not require light, but appeared to be under thenegative control of the chloroplast and was stimulated by mineralnutrients. No clear relationship between ß-amylaseactivity and starch metabolism was evident, since the leaf activitywas largely absent from mesophyll protoplasts, could not beunequivocally demonstrated in the mesophyll chioroplasts, anddeveloped regardless of whether the tissues contained significantamounts of starch or not. Key words: Wheat, leaves, ß-amylase, polymorphism, compartmentation     

Cytosolic r{beta}-Cyanoalanine Synthase Activity Attributed to Cysteine Synthases in Cocklebur Seeds. Purification and Characterization of Cytosolic Cysteine Synthases

The activity of rß-cyanoalanine synthase (CAS, EC4.4.1.9 [EC] ) in cotyledons of cocklebur seeds (Xanthium penn-sylvanicumWallr.) was detected both in the soluble and particulate fractions.The CAS activity of the soluble fraction (cytosolic CAS activity)was 10 times higher than that of the particulate fraction. TheCAS activity of the particulate fraction was confirmed to belocalized in the mitochondria. Both enzymatic activities wereclearly separated by non-denaturing PAGE. The enzyme with cytosolicCAS activity has been extensively purified and separated intothree different forms designated as cyt-1, cyt-2, and cyt-3.According to the SDS-PAGE analysis, the three enzymes are estimatedto be a homodimer composed of 35-kDa sub-units. The purifiedenzymes showed CS activity. Partial amino acid sequences ofcyt-1 were determined and had a high homology with cysteinesynthases (CS, EC 4.2.99.8 [EC] ) from other plant sources. The catalyticaction of the purified CSs in converting cyanide and cysteineinto H₂S and rß-cyanoalanine was confirmed by thedetection of significant ¹⁴CN incorporation into rß-cyanoalanine.These results indicated that cytosolic CAS activity is due tocytosolic CS and suggested that the CAS activity of CS is likelyto be involved in cyanide metabolism in plant tissues. (Received January 7, 1998; Accepted March 16, 1998)     

RFLP- and physical mapping of resistance gene homologues in rice (O. sativa) and Barley (H. vulgare)

 The deduced peptide sequences of 25 gene fragments of NBS-LRR resistance (R) gene homologues from rice and barley and of characterized R genes were compared, revealing a string of six conserved motifs. Mapping of the R-gene candidates in rice showed linkage to genes conferring race-specific resistance to rice blast (Pi-k, Pi-f and Pi-1) and bacterial blight disease (Xa-1, Xa-3 and Xa-4), in barley to powdery mildew (Mla) and the rust fungus (Rpg1). In rice four mixed clusters were detected, each harboring at least two highly dissimilar NBS-LRR genes. A YAC-contig was established for one of these mixed clusters. YAC fragmentation experiments revealed the presence of at least five NBS-LRR genes within 200 kb in head-to-tail orientation. Received: 24 July 1998 / Accepted: 14 August 1998     

The effects of beta-bungarotoxin on the morphogenesis of taste papillae and taste buds in the mouse

Although it has been long accepted that innervation by a tastenerve is essential for maintenance of taste buds, it is notclear what role, if any, innervation plays in the morphogenesis oftaste papillae and taste bud development. The following studywas undertaken to determine what effects lack of sensory innervationhave on the development of taste papillae and the formationof taste buds in the mouse. Timed-pregnant female mice (n =3) at gestational day 12 (gd12) were anesthetized and a 1 µlsolution (1 µg/µl) of ß-bungarotoxin (ß-BTX),a neurotoxin that disrupts sensory and motor neuron development,was injected into the amniotic cavity of two embryos per dam.Two shams were injected with PBS. Fetuses were harvested atgd18, 1 day before birth, and four ß-BTX-injected embryos,two shams and two controls were fixed in buffered paraformaldehyde.Serial sections were examined for the presence and morphologyof taste papillae and taste buds. No nerve profiles were observedin ß-BTX-injected tongues. Although circumvallate papillaewere present on ß-BTX tongues, only five fungiform papillaecould be identified. Taste buds were present on a large percentageof fungiform papillae profiles (24% and on circumvallate papillaein sham and control fetuses; in contrast, no taste buds wereassociated with taste papillae in ß-BTX fetuses. Theseresults implicate a significant role for innervation in tastepapillae and taste bud morphogenesis.