叶绿体功能基因的工程改造

主要介绍叶绿体功能基因工程改造的目的、受体材料、主要方法、转入外源基因细胞的筛选和鉴定等.     

Chloroplast Integrity and ATP-Dependent CO(2) Fixation in Spinacia oleracea

Washed whole chloroplasts of Spinacia oleracea isolated and assayed in a tris (hydroxymethyl aminomethane)-HCl buffered sucrose solution exhibited low dark CO₂ fixing activity, whereas washed whole chloroplasts isolated in the same buffer but assayed in that buffer without sucrose exhibited much greater dark CO₂ fixing activity. The lowered activity could be attributed to the impermeability of the chloroplast membrane to ribose-5-phosphate or adenosine triphosphate. The preservation of the integrity of the chloroplast membrane, as reflected by its impermeability to either or both of the abovementioned compounds, was measured by the fixation of ¹⁴CO₂ into acid-stable products in the presence of ribose-5-phosphate and adenosine triphosphate by the whole chloroplast as compared with fixation by the chloroplast extract. An effect (i.e., apparent resistance to the passage of ribose-5-phosphate or adenosine-5-triphosphate into the chloroplast) similar to, but less pronounced than, that produced by the presence of sucrose in the isolation medium was observed upon the addition of MnCl₂ or CaCl₂ to the buffered sucrose isolation medium. The addition of KCl enhanced slightly the effect produced by addition of sucrose alone to the isolation medium. The presence of MgCl₂ in the isolation medium, however, either caused the chloroplasts to become leaky or more fragile since more of the activity of the carboxylative phase enzymes appeared in the cytoplasm. When a mixture of all of the metal ions was added to the buffered sucrose suspending medium, the chloroplasts exhibited the same response observed with MgCl₂ alone. The addition of ethylene diaminetetraacetate or dithiothreitol appeared to alter the permeability of the chloroplast membrane nonspecifically when the assay was conducted in the absence of sucrose. Specific activities (μmoles CO₂ fixed/mg chlorophyll × hr) as high as 329.6 have been observed for dark fixation by chloroplasts. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity in the chloroplasts was only one-seventh that of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity in the cytoplasm was 5 times that of the chloroplasts.     

Frataxin Is Localized to Both the Chloroplast and Mitochondrion and Is Involved in Chloroplast Fe-S Protein Function in Arabidopsis

Frataxin plays a key role in eukaryotic cellular iron metabolism, particularly in mitochondrial heme and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biosynthesis. However, its precise role has yet to be elucidated. In this work, we studied the subcellular localization of Arabidopsis frataxin, AtFH, using confocal microscopy, and found a novel dual localization for this protein. We demonstrate that plant frataxin is targeted to both the mitochondria and the chloroplast, where it may play a role in Fe-S cluster metabolism as suggested by functional studies on nitrite reductase (NIR) and ferredoxin (Fd), two Fe-S containing chloroplast proteins, in AtFH deficient plants. Our results indicate that frataxin deficiency alters the normal functioning of chloroplasts by affecting the levels of Fe, chlorophyll, and the photosynthetic electron transport chain in this organelle.     

叶绿体分裂相关蛋白CrMinD的保守功能

细胞或质体中部正确分裂位点的选择是MinD蛋白与其他Min蛋白（MinC／E）相互作用的结果,MinD蛋白在原核细胞以及植物叶绿体的分裂过程中发挥着重要的作用。细胞中MinD蛋白浓度的明显升高可影响正常细胞的分裂过程而产生丝状体细胞。为了研究叶绿体分裂蛋白CrMinD的保守功能,构建了衣藻CrMinD-gfp的原核表达重组质粒进行了原核功能验证。试验结果表明,衣藻CrMinD蛋白的过量表达严重影响了大肠杆菌的分裂,其在原核细胞中运动和定位与用GFP标记的原核细胞MinD蛋白具有相似性。更进一步证明了叶绿体分裂同源物CrMinD蛋白与原核细胞MinD蛋白有着相似的功能,是一个进化上功能保守的蛋白。同时,这一结果也为研究植物细胞中质体的分裂机制奠定了一定的基础。     

Ontogenic Changes in Epicuticular Wax and Chloroplast Integrity of a Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Leaf

The progressive decline in cotton leaf photosynthesis with season could be accounted for by gaining an insight into ontogenic changes in chloroplast integrity and epicuticular wax ultrastructure. Therefore, the sequence of ultrastructural changes in chloroplast and epicuticular wax morphology were probed in 10-, 20-, 40-, and 60-d-old cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaves using electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that the epicuticular wax on the periclinal walls of the convex epidermal cells occurred as striations and persisted as such during the course of leaf aging. The degree of wax spread, however, increased as the leaf progressed towards senescence. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a 20-d-old photosynthetically active leaf possessed healthy chloroplasts (6.8 m long and an area of 9.7 m²) with absolute membrane integrity depicted by large appressed grana stacks of thylakoids interconnected by non-appressed stroma lamellae. The thylakoid membrane network was oriented parallel to the long axis of the chloroplast and a few small plastoglobuli (1.85 m²) scattered in the stroma. Conversely, membrane integrity was lost with leaf age after 20 d as evidenced by disruption of the grana and stroma lamellae. Concurrent with the membrane damage, extensive occlusion of chloroplast by several large spherical plastoglobuli (5.68 m²) occurred, the rate of occlusion increased with leafage distending the chloroplast as evidenced by proliferation of its cross-sectional area (12.8 m²). Of particular interest was the finding that the plastoglobuli ensued through the chloroplast envelope into the cytoplasm. The progressive loss of chloroplast membrane integrity coupled with increased leaf waxiness may have limited photosynthetic activities of cotton leaves during senescence.     

Structure and Function of Chloroplast Membrane II. The Effects of Potassium and Magnesium Ions on the Absorption Spectrum and Photosystem II Function of Two Types of Chloroplast Me-mbranes

After exposing etiolated wheat seedlings to intermittent light (cycle of 2 min. light, 118 min. dark) for 24 hr., we obtained an incompletely developed chloroplast membrane. It was then compared with a completely developed chloroplast membrane obtaining from wheat seedlings grown under normal light-dark regime. We investgated the effect of various cations and their concentrations on the absorption spectrum and the photosystem Ⅱ function of the above two types of chloroplast membranes. A similar effect of potassium and magnesium ions on the absorption spectra of completely developed chloroplast membrane was observed. They decreased the absorption peak values at both the red and blue regions of the chloroplast membrane in the same manner. The degree of decrease in the peak value is proportional to ion concentration. But in the incompletely developed chloroplast membranes similar phenomenon was not observed. In the presence of K+ and Mg2+ of various concentrations, the absorptionn peaks at the red region overlapped almost completely, and these at the blue region only changed slightly with ion concentrations. DCIP photoreduction rate of the two types of chloroplast membranes was stimulated by the addition of K+ and Mg2+ in various concentrations. But the degree of stimulation in the two types of membranes was quite different. In the presence of l00 mM KCl or 5.0 mM MgCl2, DCIP photoreduction rate of completely developed chloroplast membranes was enhanced by 76.8% and 68.9% respectively, whereas in incompletely developed chloroplast membranes it was only increased by 56.3% and 36.4% respectively. The causes of the effects of cations on the absorption spectrum and the photosystem Ⅱ function of two types of chloroplast membranes were discussed.     

Amylases in Pea Tissues with Reduced Chloroplast Density and/or Function

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) tissues with reduced chloroplast density (e.g. petals and stems) or function (i.e. senescent leaves and leaves darkened for prolonged periods) were surveyed to determine whether tissues with genetically or environmentally reduced chloroplast density and/or function also have significantly different amylolytic enzyme activities and/or isoform patterns than leaf tissues with totally competent chloroplasts. Native PAGE followed by electrophoretically blotting through a starch or β-limit dextrin containing gel and KI/I₂ staining revealed that the primary amylases in leaves, stems, petals, and roots were the primarily vacuolar β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) and the primarily apoplastic α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). Among tissues of light grown pea plants, petals contained the highest levels of total amylolytic (primarily β-amylase) activity and considerably higher ratios of β- to α-amylase. In aerial tissues there was an inverse relationship between chlorophyll and starch concentration, and β-amylase activity. In sections of petals and stems there was a pronounced inverse relationship between chlorophyll concentration and the activity of α-amylase. Senescing leaves of pea, as determined by age, and protein and chlorophyll content, contained 3.8-fold (fresh weight basis) and 32-fold (protein basis) higher α-amylase activity than fully mature leaves. Leaves maintained in darkness for 12 days displayed a 14-fold (fresh weight basis) increase in α-amylase activity over those grown under continuous light. In senescence and prolonged darkness studies, the α-amylase that was greatly increased in activity was the primarily apoplastic α-amylase. These studies indicate that there is a pronounced inverse relationship between chloroplast function and levels of apoplastic α-amylase activity and in some cases an inverse relationship between chloroplast density and/or function and vacuolar β-amylase activity.     

Chloroplast Structure and Function Is Altered in the NCS2 Maize Mitochondrial Mutant

The nonchromosomal stripe 2 (NCS2) mutant of maize (Zea mays L.) has a DNA rearrangement in the mitochondrial genome that segregates with the abnormal growth phenotype. Yet, the NCS2 characteristic phenotype includes striped sectors of pale-green tissue on the leaves. This suggests a chloroplast abnormality. To characterize the chloroplasts present in the mutant sectors, we examined the chloroplast structure by electron microscopy, chloroplast function by radiolabeled carbon dioxide fixation and fluorescence induction kinetics, and thylakoid protein composition by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The data from these analyses suggest abnormal or prematurely arrested chloroplast development. Deleterious effects of the NCS2 mutant mitochondria upon the cells of the leaf include structural and functional alterations in the both the bundle sheath and mesophyll chloroplasts.     

菠菜和蚕豆叶绿体CF_1结构与功能的比较

比较了菠菜和蚕豆叶绿体的光合磷酸化活力以及由不同活化方法活化的叶绿体及可溶CF1的Mg2＋－ATPase和Ca2＋－ATPase的活力,观测到两种叶绿体ATPase的合成和水解ATP的功能有明显差异。从两种叶绿体CF1的SDS－PAGE图谱上可见蚕豆CF1的ε亚基分子量明显小于菠菜的,蚕豆CF1的α和β亚基间分子量的差别也比菠菜的小。     

Composition and Function of Thylakoid Membranes from Grana-rich and Grana-deficient Chloroplast Mutants of Barley

Chlorophyll-deficient barley (Hordeum vulgare) mutants were studied that had chlorophyll a/b ratios either higher or lower than the wild type. Mutants with high ratios (>5.2) had a reduced proportion of their photosynthetic lamellae appressed into grana (“grana-deficient” mutants) compared with wild type (chlorophyll a/b = 3.2), while the majority of lamellae in the chloroplasts with low chlorophyll a/b ratios (2.0-2.4) were organized into grana (“grana-rich” mutants).     

在体分离小鼠小肠隐窝、绒毛上皮细胞的生化完整性研究

目的:检测低温条件下用螯合剂沉淀法分离的小鼠小肠上皮隐窝和绒毛细胞是否具有生化完整性.方法:使用螯合剂在低温(冰浴)条件下分离和富集小肠上皮绒毛和隐窝细胞;抽提DNA、RNA和总蛋白,用电泳的方法检测完整性;用Real-time PCR检测溶菌酶Lysozyme的表达以判断隐窝、绒毛细胞富集程度.结果:低温条件下分离的肠上皮隐窝、绒毛细胞形态完整;基因组DNA完整,未出现明显的DNA ladder现象;富集细胞的RNA完整;富集隐窝、绒毛细胞的蛋白未降解,两组总蛋白具有表达谱差异性;隐窝细胞富集物溶菌酶mRNA表达水平较绒毛细胞富集物高30倍以上.结论:小肠隐窝绒毛的生物学性状可在低温螯合剂沉底法分离过程中得到保存,提示此方法可以用来分析生理和创伤痛理条件下小肠上皮基因和蛋白表达改变.     

Integration of Biochemical and Biomechanical Signals Regulating Endothelial Barrier Function

Endothelial barrier function is critical for tissue homeostasis throughout the body. Disruption of the endothelial monolayer leads to edema, vascular diseases and even cancer metastasis among other pathological conditions. Breakdown of the endothelial barrier integrity triggered by cytokines (e.g.IL-8,IL-1β) and growth factors (e.g.VEGF) is well documented. However, endothelial cells are subject to major biomechanical forces that affect their behavior. Due to their unique location at the interface between circulating blood and surrounding tissues, endothelial cells experience shear stress, strain and contraction forces. More than three decades ago, it was already appreciated that shear flow caused endothelial cells alignment in the direction of the flow. After that observation, it took around 20 years to begin to uncover some of the mechanisms used by the cells for mechanotransduction. In this review, we describe mechanosensors on the endothelium identified to date and the associated signaling pathways that integrate biochemical and biomechanical inputs into biological responses and how they modulate the integrity of the endothelial barrier.     

UV-B对设施桃叶片光合功能及叶绿体超微结构的影响

对温室栽培的油桃中油5号(Prunus persica var. nectarina cv.‘Zhongyou5’)适量补充UV-B,分析其对桃叶片光合功能及叶绿体超微结构的影响。结果表明,UV-B处理下各色素含量均有不同程度的增加,其中叶绿素b的含量和净光合速率(P_n)提升幅度较大。相较于未补充UV-B的桃树(对照), UV-B处理的F_v/F_m无显著变化, F_v’/F_m’比值、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、非光化学猝灭系数(qN)以及PSII实际光化学量子效率(Φ_PSII)均有显著或极显著升高。透射电镜结果显示,UV-B处理下叶绿体基质片层空隙小,堆叠紧密,叶绿体外膜边缘清晰。可见,温室内适量补充UV-B可快速改善叶片叶绿体的超微结构,提升叶绿素分子捕获光能及向PSII传递的能力,增大PSII反应中心的开放程度,提高实际光能转化效率和PSII电子传递量子效率,提高叶片的光合功能。该研究为设施果树光合性能改善和UV-B合理利用提供了理论依据。