日本菟丝子（Cuscuta japonica）寄生对加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)生理生态特性的影响

调查发现,野外有日本菟丝子(Cuscutajaponica)寄生于加拿大一枝黄花(Sotidago canadensis)植株的现象,被寄生的加拿大一枝黄花植株矮小,叶片枯黄,生长严重受阻.在实验控制条件下,观测了日本菟丝子寄生后加拿大一枝黄花生理生态特性的相关指标,并对寄主进行了解剖观察,探讨了应用日本菟丝子防除加拿大一枝黄花的可行性.结果表明:(1)日本菟丝子可以寄生于加拿大一枝黄花的茎及叶片,寄生根能够穿过加拿大一枝黄花表皮、皮层直至髓部,从寄主植株吸收水分和养分,使自身生物量得到增加,并严重影响了寄主的生长;(2)寄生50-60d后,被寄生植株最大光合速率只有对照的58.81%,而光合补偿点则为对照的153.39%;脯氨酸和丙二醛含量分别为对照的2.88和1.29倍,可溶性蛋白、可溶性总糖含量则分别下降了43.45%、44.47%;(3)金华地区,自然条件下生长的加拿大一枝黄花一般在9月中旬现蕾,10月中旬进入盛花期,而被寄生植株直到10月下旬才开始现蕾,花序长度不到正常植株的10%,当菟丝子生物量(干重)超过加拿大一枝黄花植株的13.14%时该植株不能开花结实.从实验结果看,日本菟丝子寄生可以严重影响加拿大一枝黄花的营养生长和开花结实.因此,利用日本菟丝子有望成为防治加拿大一枝黄花危害的一种辅助手段.     

日本菟丝子的生物防治研究初报危害性及寄生真菌的筛选

危害林木的菟丝子在广西主要是日本菟丝子(Cuscuta aponica Choisy),其危不仅表现在它寄生的普遍性和严重性。还表现在它寄生的持久性。其中以龙眼、柚子、桂花、台湾相思等被害严重。 在菟丝子寄生真菌的筛选中发现(1)对日本菟丝子有较强致病力的菌株是刺盘孢菌(Colletotrichum spp)。(2)这些菌株中的绝大多数对同种寄主上含不同色素的同种菟丝子有不同的致病力,仅有少数表现相近似的,但它们的致病力相对较弱。(3)对大多数菌株来说,同一菌株对来源于不同寄主上的同种色泽的同种菟丝子有不同的致病力。     

日本菟丝子及其寄生前后寄主的光合特征

对日本菟丝子与寄主的光合生理特征研究结果表明:日本菟丝子光合色素含量与寄主光合色素含量呈负相关.被日本菟丝子寄生后,易寄寄主寄生叶和相邻叶的光合色素含量增加,而非易寄寄主寄生叶和相邻叶的光合色素含量下降;非易寄寄主和易寄寄主的寄生叶和相邻叶净光合速率下降的幅度大小与寄主受日本菟丝子易寄程度的强弱顺序一致,前者净光合速率下降主要是由气孔调节引起的,而后者则是多因素共同调节的结果.在光照条件下,与非易寄寄主相比,日本菟丝子从易寄寄主上脱离后的光合色素含量随光照时间的延长而增加,其干质量则下降减缓;黑暗条件下,日本菟丝子从不同寄主脱离后的光合色素含量与干质量下降速率的差异不显著.     

Characterization of an Arabidopsis mutant deficient in γ-tocopherol methyltransferase

Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) is synthesized from gamma-tocopherol in chloroplasts by gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase (gamma-TMT; VTE4). Leaves of many plant species including Arabidopsis contain high levels of alpha-tocopherol, but are low in gamma-tocopherol. To unravel the function of different forms of tocopherol in plants, an Arabidopsis plant (vte4-1) carrying a functional null mutation in the gene gamma-TMT was isolated by screening a mutant population via thin-layer chromatography. A second mutant allele (vte4-2) carrying a T-DNA insertion in the coding sequence of gamma-TMT was identified in a T-DNA tagged mutant population. In vte4-1 and vte4-2 leaves, high levels of gamma-tocopherol accumulated, whereas alpha-tocopherol was absent indicating that, presumably, these two mutants represents null alleles. Over-expression of the gamma-TMT cDNA in vte4-1 restored wild-type tocopherol composition. Mutant plants were very similar to wild type. During oxidative stress (high light, high temperature, cold treatment) the amounts of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol increased in wild type, and gamma-tocopherol in vte4-1. However, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic quantum yield were very similar in wild type and vte4-1, suggesting that alpha-tocopherol can be replaced by gamma-tocopherol in vte4-1 to protect the photosynthetic apparatus against oxidative stress. Fatty acid and lipid composition were very similar in WT, vte4-1 and vte1, an Arabidopsis mutant previously isolated which is completely devoid of tocopherol. Therefore, a shift in tocopherol composition or the absence of tocopherol has no major impact on the amounts of specific fatty acids or on lipid hydrolysis.     

Biochemical Aspects of Parasitism by the Angiosperm Parasites: Starch Accumulation

The investigation dealt with starch accumulation in four species of Cuscuta (Cuscuta campestris, C. indecora, C. planiflora and C. reflexa), a leafy mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata) and a chlorophyll-lacking root parasite (Orobanche aegyptiaca). The highest content of starch occurred In O. aegyptiaca, with a maximum of 45 per cent of dry weight Starch in Cuscuta filaments and mistletoe leaves showed a maximum of about 10 per cent of dry weight. The starch content varied along the length of the Cuscuta vine, with a maximum in the apical region. Orobanche had a higher starch content when it was still submerged than it was fully developed. Cuscuta vines did not show any marked diurnal alteration in the starch content. The content of ethanol-soluble carbohydrate was only a tenth of the starch in Orobanche, but was relatively higher in the other parasites. the neutral sugars in Cuscuta filaments were sucrose and glucose, whereas fructose was also present in mistletoe and Orobanche. Raffinose and stachyose were absent or present only ill traces in parasite tissue. Starch granules from Cuscuta and Orobanche bad ADPG/UDPG-starch synthetase activity and homogenates starch phosphorylase activity. The former enzyme appeared to be responsible for synthesis of starch and the latter for utilization. The four different species of Cuscnta, growing on alfalfa, had more or less the same activity of starch synthetase and also of phosphorylase activity. Hosts infected by Cuscuta had significantly less starch per plant than the controls. A characteristic feature of invasion by Cuscuta and Orobanche was increased phosphorylase activity in the host tissues. The protein content of the tissues of Cuscuta and Orobanche was of a lower level than that of the host shoot system or foliage, indicating that the parasite differed from the host in having a higher carbon (of starch) to nitrogen (of protein) ratio.     

Tocopherol quinone content of green algae and higher plants revised by a new high-sensitive fluorescence detection method using HPLC--effects of high light stress and senescence

A rapid, sensitive fluorescence method was applied here for detection of oxidized tocopherol quinones in total plant tissue extracts using HPLC, employing a post-column reduction of these compounds by a Zn column. Using this method, we were able to detect both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol quinones in Chamydomonas reinhardii with a very high degree of sensitivity. The levels of both compounds increased under high light stress in the presence of pyrazolate in parallel to a decrease in the content of the corresponding tocopherols. The formation of tocopherol quinones from tocopherols was apparently due to their oxidation by singlet oxygen, which is formed in photosystem II under high light stress. alpha-Tocopherol quinone was also detected in a variety of higher plants of different age, and its level was found to increase during senescence in leaves grown under natural conditions. In contrast to alpha-tocopherol quinone, gamma-tocopherol quinone was not found in the higher plant species investigated with the exception of young runner bean leaves, where the levels of both compounds increased dramatically during cold and light stress. Taking advantage of native fluorescence of the reduced alpha-tocopherol quinone (alpha-tocopherol quinol), it can be detected in plant tissue extracts with a high sensitivity. In young runner bean leaves, alpha-tocopherol quinol was found at a level similar to alpha-tocopherol.     

Grasses of different C4 subtypes reveal leaf traits related to drought tolerance in their natural habitats: Changes in structure, water potential, and amino acid content

Three grasses (Poaceae) of different C(4) subtypes, Paspalum dilatatum (NADP-malic enzyme [ME]), Cynodon dactylon (NAD-ME) and Zoysia japonica (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), occur in natural habitats that differ in annual rainfall. Their leaf characteristics were studied to identify traits related to drought tolerance. Plants were grown in pots, and water deficit was gradually induced by withholding water. Leaves of Z. japonica had the greatest and P. dilatatum the lowest relative dry matter content. Transverse sections of leaves that developed during the water deficit showed little change compared to control leaves, consistent with low phenotypic plasticity. Anatomical features distinguished the three species, with xeromorphic characteristics most strongly represented in Z. japonica. The leaf relative water content (RWC) decreased with the soil water content similarly for the three grasses. However, at 80% RWC, the leaf water potential was -3.1 MPa for Z. japonica and only -1.3 MPa for P. dilatatum and C. dactylon. Soluble amino acids, especially proline, increased as RWC decreased in leaves of C. dactylon and Z. japonica. Phenylalanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine increased more in Z. japonica than in the other two species. The results provide evidence that C. dactylon and, especially, Z. japonica have evolved leaf traits better suited to arid habitats.     

旋花科植物雄性细胞的细胞质DNA存在状况及其系统学意义

用DAPI荧光染色方法检测了旋花科4属4种植物——空心菜Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. 、茑萝 Qua- moclit pennata (Desr．)Boj．、月光花 Calonyction aculeatum(L．)House和日本菟丝子Cuscuta japonica Choisy 中生殖细胞和精细胞中细胞质DNA存在的状况。证明除日本菟丝子外,其余3种植物的雄性细胞中都 存在细胞质DNA。此外,在我们曾研究过的5种旋花科种植物的生殖细胞和精细胞中亦显示含有细胞质 DNA,因而可认为这是旋花科较普遍的特性,日本菟丝子精细胞中缺少细胞质DNA,可作为—个新的胚胎学证据,支持此属从旋花科分出独立为菟丝子科。     

Screening for new hydroxynitrilases from plants

We established a simple HPLC method to determine the activity and stereochemistry of the chiral mandelonitrile synthesized from benzaldehyde and cyanide, and applied it to screen for hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity of plant origin. A total of 163 species of plants among 74 families were examined for (R)- and (S)-HNL activities using the method. We discovered that homogenate of leaves of Baliospermum montanum shows (S)-HNL activity, while leaves and seeds from Passiflora edulis, and seeds from Eriobotrya japonica, Chaenomles sinensis, Sorbus aucuparia, Prunus mume, and Prunus persica show (R)-HNL activity. Partially purified (R)-HNLs from Passiflora edulis and Eriobotrya japonica acted not only on benzaldehyde but also on aliphatic ketone. The enantiomeric excess of (R)-methylpropylketone cyanohydrin synthesized from 2-pentanone using homogenate from leaves of Passiflora edulis was 87.0%, and that of (R)-mandelonitrile synthesized by homogenate from seeds of Eriobotrya japonica was 85.0%.     

Occurrence of neoxanthin and lutein epoxide cycle in parasitic Cuscuta species

In the present study, xanthophyll composition of eight parasitic Cuscuta species under different light conditions was investigated. Neoxanthin was not detected in four of the eight species examined, while in others it occurred at the level of several percent of total xanthophylls. In C. gronovii and C. lupuliformis it was additionally found that the neoxanthin content was considerably stimulated by strong light. In dark-adapted plants, lutein epoxide level amounted to 10-22% of total xanthophylls in only three species, the highest being for C. lupuliformis, while in others it was below 3%, indicating that the lutein epoxide cycle is limited to only certain Cuscuta species. The obtained data also indicate that the presence of the lutein epoxide cycle and of neoxanthin is independent and variable among the Cuscuta species. The xanthophyll cycle carotenoids violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin were identified in all the examined species and occurred at the level found in other higher plants. The xanthophyll and lutein epoxide cycle pigments showed typical response to high light stress. The obtained results also suggest that the ability of higher plants to synthesize lutein epoxide probably does not depend on the substrate specificity of zeaxanthin epoxidase but on the availability of lutein for the enzyme.     

Comparison of leaf life span, photosynthesis and defensive traits across seven species of deciduous broad-leaf tree seedlings

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Leaf life span, photosynthetic parameters and defensive traits were compared across seven species of deciduous broad-leaved tree seedlings native to northern Japan to test the "cost-benefit hypothesis" that more productive leaves are more susceptible to herbivore attack than less productive leaves. METHODS: Studies were made on three early successional species, Alnus hirsuta, Betula maximowicziana and Betula platyphylla "japonica"; one mid-successional species, Ostrya japonica, and three late-successional species, Carpinus cordata, Quercus mongolica 'grosseserrata' and Acer mono. Photosynthetic parameters and defensive traits (total phenolics, condensed tannin and toughness) of leaves were measured for each species, and a bioassay test with Eri silkmoth larvae (Samia cynthia ricini) was undertaken to evaluate differences between species in susceptibility to herbivore attack. KEY RESULTS: Early successional species have a shorter leaf life span (62-88 d) than late successional species (155-187 d). Leaf nitrogen content and light-saturated photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area (P(sat)-area) and per unit leaf mass (P(sat)-mass) were negatively correlated with leaf life span. The nitrogen content of early successional species was about 30 mg g(-1) and that of late successional species was about 16 mg g(-1). Leaf toughness and the C/N ratio were positively correlated with leaf life span, although condensed tannin was not correlated with leaf life span. The bioassay test showed that the number of days the larvae survived was negatively correlated with leaf life span. Average survival of larvae feeding on leaves of A. hirsuta, which has the shortest leaf life span, was 14.4 d and that of Q. mongolica, which has the longest leaf life span, was 6.6 d. The number of days of larval survival was positively correlated with leaf nitrogen content. There was no correlation between days of larval survival and defensive traits. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that species with a shorter leaf life span have higher photosynthetic productivity and are more susceptible to herbivore attack than species with a longer leaf life span. This supports the "cost-benefit hypothesis".     

Plastid genome structure and loss of photosynthetic ability in the parasitic genus Cuscuta

The genus Cuscuta (dodder) is composed of parasitic plants, some species of which appear to be losing the ability to photosynthesize. A molecular phylogeny was constructed using 15 species of Cuscuta in order to assess whether changes in photosynthetic ability and alterations in structure of the plastid genome relate to phylogenetic position within the genus. The molecular phylogeny provides evidence for four major clades within Cuscuta. Although DNA blot analysis showed that Cuscuta species have smaller plastid genomes than tobacco, and that plastome size varied significantly even within one Cuscuta clade, dot blot analysis indicated that the dodders possess homologous sequence to 101 genes from the tobacco plastome. Evidence is provided for significant rates of DNA transfer from plastid to nucleus in Cuscuta. Size and structure of Cuscuta plastid genomes, as well as photosynthetic ability, appear to vary independently of position within the phylogeny, thus supporting the hypothesis that within Cuscuta photosynthetic ability and organization of the plastid genome are changing in an unco-ordinated manner.     

The role of homogentisate phytyltransferase and other tocopherol pathway enzymes in the regulation of tocopherol synthesis during abiotic stress

Tocopherols are amphipathic antioxidants synthesized exclusively by photosynthetic organisms. Tocopherol levels change significantly during plant growth and development and in response to stress, likely as a consequence of the altered expression of pathway-related genes. Homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT) is a key enzyme limiting tocopherol biosynthesis in unstressed Arabidopsis leaves (E. Collakova, D. DellaPenna [2003] Plant Physiol 131: 632-642). Wild-type and transgenic Arabidopsis plants constitutively overexpressing HPT (35S::HPT1) were subjected to a combination of abiotic stresses for up to 15 d and tocopherol levels, composition, and expression of several tocopherol pathway-related genes were determined. Abiotic stress resulted in an 18- and 8-fold increase in total tocopherol content in wild-type and 35S::HPT1 leaves, respectively, with tocopherol levels in 35S::HPT1 being 2- to 4-fold higher than wild type at all experimental time points. Increased total tocopherol levels correlated with elevated HPT mRNA levels and HPT specific activity in 35S::HPT1 and wild-type leaves, suggesting that HPT activity limits total tocopherol synthesis during abiotic stress. In addition, substrate availability and expression of pathway enzymes before HPT also contribute to increased tocopherol synthesis during stress. The accumulation of high levels of beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols in stressed tissues suggested that the methylation of phytylquinol and tocopherol intermediates limit alpha-tocopherol synthesis. Overexpression of gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase in the 35S::HPT1 background resulted in nearly complete conversion of gamma- and delta-tocopherols to alpha- and beta-tocopherols, respectively, indicating that gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase activity limits alpha-tocopherol synthesis in stressed leaves.     

日本菟丝子寄生菌致病力的专化性研究

日本菟丝子(Cuscuta japonica)吸取不同寄主植物的营养,经过营养代谢其机体内的过氧化物酶同工酶的活性或酶带数发生变化,从而改变了它对胶孢炭疽菌菟丝子专化型[Col-letotrichum gloeosporioides(Penz.)Sacc.f.sp.Cuscutael]同一菌株的抗性,以此为依据,采用寄生在不同植物上的日本菟丝子做为鉴定寄主,可以鉴别出胶孢炭疽菌菟丝子专化型中不同菌株的致病力差异。 初步认为:龙眼、桂花、柚子和冬青上的紫色菟丝子及泡桐、桂花和冬青上的黄色菟丝子可以作为鉴定寄主。     

Changes in chemical composition of hydrophyte leaves during adaptation to aquatic environment

Leaf chemical composition of 19 hydrophytes was studied. The content of carbon, nitrogen, nonstructural carbohydrates, organic acids, minerals, and water was determined. Hydrophytes were shown to contain less carbon (below 410 mg/g dry wt in 60% species) than terrestrial plants. Hydrophytes and terrestrial plants did not differ in the nitrogen concentration in the leaves (33 and 29 mg/g dry wt, respectively). Hydrophytes were characterized by a low content of organic acids (40–90 mg/g dry wt in 60% species) and high content of mineral compounds (90–170 mg/g dry wt in 50% species). Total amount of nonstructural carbohydrates was similar in the leaves of hydrophytes and terrestrial plants (from 120 to 190 mg/g dry wt), but the proportions of various carbohydrate fractions differed substantially. In the hydrophyte leaves, the content of soluble carbohydrates was 2.4-fold lower, whereas the content of nonstructural polysaccharides 1.2-fold higher than in terrestrial plant leaves. Two groups of correlations between parameters of leaf chemical composition were distinguished: the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and soluble sugars were positively correlated, and the negative correlation was observed between these parameters and the amounts of mineral compounds, organic acids, water, and nonstructural polysaccharides. We concluded that hydrophyte leaf chemical composition reflects a specificity of plant adaptation to aquatic environment.     

The response of leaf resin to artificial herbivory in Eriodictyon californicum

Herbivore damage induces the production of defensive chemicals in many plant species. However, defensive chemicals sometimes have functions other than protection from herbivores, and these chemicals may respond to hervibory differentialy than those which are primarily defensive. A well-studied group of leaf constituents with multiple functions is the phenolic leaf resins, which protect leaves from herbivores, UV radiation, and possibly excess water loss. The effects of herbivory on phenolic leaf resins were investigated in the chapparral shrub Eriodictyon californicum by artificially damaging leaves during the growing season and subsequently measuring resin content and composition. We found that (i) resin content declined in leaves damaged by artificial herbivory; (ii) resin declined (at the P < 0.1 level) in undamaged leaves present on the same plant as those heavily damaged; and (iii) resin composition, as measured by the ratio of the major components, was unaffected by artificial herbivory.     

刺槐,国槐根际土壤生化成分及其对伴生杨树营养的影响

分析了杨树、刺槐和国槐的根面与根际土壤中的游离氨基酸及植物生长素ＩＡＡ,测定了不同处理小区中杨树叶片的营养状况（Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ和叶绿素含量）以及净光合速率和气孔阻力．结果表明,刺槐、国愧和杨树根面氨基酸组成和数量有很大差别;３个树种根际土壤中氨基酸含量显著低于根面．３个树种根面和根际土壤中ＩＡＡ含量为刺槐＞国槐＞杨树．混交豆科树种后,杨树叶片营养状况有所改善,净光合速率明显提高,气孔阻力有所降低．     

Tocopherol content and activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and cystine lyase in Arabidopsis under stress conditions

Tocopherols are presumed to be important antioxidants and scavengers of lipid radicals and reactive oxygen species in plants. Age is known to be a condition under which oxidative stress increases. In leaves of aging Arabidopsis thaliana plants, the content of alpha-tocopherol as well as of gamma-tocopherol increased significantly. The activity of tyrosine aminotransferase, which supplies the biosynthetic pathway with 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, was increased as well. On the other hand, coronatine, a phytotoxin mimicking octadecanoids and leading to symptoms of senescence, caused a moderate increase in alpha-tocopherol as well as some enhancement of gamma-tocopherol.