SlCBL1基因在番茄抗灰霉病中的作用

以番茄(Solanum lycopersicum L.)品种‘Micro Tom’为试材,分析番茄叶片和果实的灰霉病发病规律,及番茄类钙调磷酸酶B基因(tomato calcineurin B-like gene,SlCBL1)在叶片和果实中的表达变化;比较转SlCBL1基因番茄与对照的叶片和果实的灰霉病发病过程,分析转基因番茄抗病相关转录因子表达变化。结果表明:(1)非转基因番茄中,不同叶龄的叶片均在接种灰霉病4d开始发病;不同发育阶段的果实接种灰霉病后发病时间也不同,其中绿果(花后16~18d)接种5d还未发病,白果(花后34~36d)接种11d开始发病,红果(花后40~42d)接种5d开始发病;SlCBL1基因表达量在番茄叶片中较低,在绿果期和白果期的果实中表达量最高,红果期果实中表达量最低。(2)转SlCBL1基因后,SlCBL1基因的过量表达能够抑制番茄叶片和果实灰霉病发生;同时番茄叶片和果实中几乎所有的抗病转录因子的表达量都上调,其中WRKY转录因子家族基因SlWRKY33和SlWRKY70受到强烈调控。研究说明,SlCBL1基因过量表达能够提高番茄的抗灰霉能力,其主要机理是通过影响抗病相关转录因子进而调控番茄抗灰霉病的能力。     

SlCBL1基因调控番茄果实成熟发育的分子机理

以番茄(Solanum lycopersicum L.)品种‘Micro Tom’为试材,从其果实中克隆得到番茄类钙调磷酸酶B基因(Tomato Calcineurin B-Like gene,SlCBL1),构建其带有报告基因的e-GFP植物表达载体,分析番茄果实中SlCBL1基因超表达与成熟发育进程的相互关系。结果显示:(1)与对照非转基因植株以及转空载植株相比,转SlCBL1基因番茄中SlCBL1基因过量表达,而且能够使番茄果实成熟期提前3~5d,表明SlCBL1基因可促进番茄果实成熟。(2)番茄果实成熟相关基因的表达量也受到不同程度调控,其中番茄成熟过程中的色素合成基因、乙烯路径基因以及果实成熟相关转录因子都受到强烈的调控,与对照相比表达量分别上调5~10倍。研究表明,SlCBL1基因能够促进番茄果实成熟,而且通过影响色素合成基因以及果实成熟相关转录因子来调控番茄果实成熟。     

植物GLKs生物学功能及分子作用机理研究进展

GLKs (GOLDEN 2-LIKEs)是一类植物特有的转录因子,靶向调控光合作用相关基因的表达,调控叶绿体的发育、分化并维持其机能,并参与调节果实的营养积累、叶片衰老、免疫反应及逆境胁迫应答等。GLKs受多种激素或环境因子的影响,是植物细胞调控网络的关键节点,也是改造作物光合能力的重要基因。基于国内外在植物GLKs研究中取得的众多进展,文中全面阐述了GLKs基因的生物学功能、分子机制及其育种实践,并构建GLKs介导的信号网络模型,为后期GLKs的理论与应用研究提供借鉴。     

VIGS介导的番茄转录因子SIDREB2基因的耐旱特征

SlDREB2基因是利用rd29A基因启动子的DRE元件通过酵母单杂交技术从番茄幼苗(丽春)cDNA文库中筛选得到的属于EREBP家族的一个转录因子基因.利用构建病毒VIGS载体,分别用含pBINTRB6、pTV00::SlDREB2-1和pTV00::SlDREB2-2重组载体的农杆菌GV3101菌液灌根与叶片注射法侵染番茄植株,转化7d后进行病毒DNA检测与验证.测定了干旱胁迫下侵染成功的番茄植株与野生型株系的生理指标,并通过Real-time qPCR分析了VIGS介导的SlDREB2转录因子基因的表达特征.番茄植株干旱3周胁迫处理后测定结果表明,野生番茄中脯氨酸和可溶性糖水平要高于被VIGS病毒侵染的番茄植株,而丙二醛水平要低于被侵染植株,并且指标显示被pTV00::SlDREB2-2重组载体的农杆菌GV3101菌液侵染的番茄植株抗旱性明显降低;复水1周后,受VIGS浸染株系丙二醛含量明显高于野生型,而可溶性糖与脯氨酸累积却低于野生型.Real-time qPCR结果表明,经VIGS病毒侵染过的番茄植株在胁迫处理时期SlDREB2基因的相对表达量都明显低于野生型株系,表明番茄SlDREB2基因保守域末端459 bp的特异片段具有较显著的沉默效果,说明VIGS介导的SlDREB2基因的表达受干旱诱导,该基因可以作为抗旱型作物品种改良的有价值基因.     

24-表油菜素内酯对樱桃番茄光合特性和果实品质的影响

以樱桃番茄品种‘千禧’为试验材料,采用醋糟基质桶式栽培的方法,研究喷施不同浓度(0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40mg·L-1)的表油菜素内酯(EBR)对樱桃番茄植株叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数、产量及果实品质的影响。结果显示:(1)与对照相比,喷施0.05、0.10、0.20mg·L-1 EBR显著提高了番茄叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr);0.10mg·L-1 EBR处理的番茄叶片实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)、非光化学淬灭系数(qP)和电子传递速率(ETR)显著升高,碳酸酐酶和Rubisco酶活性也显著增强。(2)0.10mg·L-1 EBR处理番茄单果重和总产量分别比对照显著提高17.5%、33.6%,并且果实番茄红素和β-胡萝卜素含量、可溶性固形物、可溶性糖、维生素C含量也显著增加。研究表明,油菜素内酯可以调节光合酶的活性,提高番茄叶片的光合作用能力,促进番茄植株的生长发育,从而提高番茄的产量和品质,并以0.10mg·L-1 EBR处理的效果最好。     

番茄SlGRAS4基因特征分析和耐热功能鉴定

GRAS转录因子是调控植物生长发育和非生物胁迫响应的重要转录因子之一,而目前还没有GRAS调控高温胁迫的研究。为了深入研究番茄SlGRAS4生物功能,以耐热番茄LA2093为试验材料,分析番茄SlGRAS4基因结构、启动子序列及进化关系,利用qRT-PCR检测SlGRAS4在不同胁迫和不同激素处理下的表达水平,利用VIGS验证SlGRAS4基因耐热功能。结果表明:(1)生物信息学分析显示,SlGRAS4蛋白长度为666 aa,分子量为75 737.72 Da,理论等电点为6.31,含有GRAS转录因子家族典型的结构域,主要集中在C末端的277～657 aa之间;在SlGRAS4启动子区域发现脱落酸(ABA)和水杨酸(SA)响应元件;SlGRAS4与烟草NtGRAS1蛋白亲缘关系最近,推测SlGRAS4可能与其同源基因具有相似的生物功能。(2)在高温、低温、盐和干旱胁迫处理12 h时番茄SlGRAS4基因表达量升至最高,分别增加到对照的8.86、4.86、55.38和7.63倍;在ABA和SA激素处理8 h时SlGRAS4基因的表达量达到峰值,分别达到对照的120.72和3.55倍,说明SlGRAS4可能参与了多种非生物胁迫响应和激素信号传导。(3)沉默SlGRAS4基因番茄植株(VSlGRAS4)在高温胁迫下较对照植株(Ve)更容易萎蔫,且F_v/F_m与SOD、POD活性显著降低,REL和H_2O_2含量显著升高,说明在高温胁迫下沉默SlGRAS4使番茄植株细胞膜氧化损伤加重,光合能力降低,活性氧(ROS)清除酶活性减弱。(4)qRT-PCR分析显示,VSlGRAS4植株中高温信号应答关键基因HsfA1b、ROS信号应答基因ZAT10和ZAT12以及ROS清除酶编码基因CuZnSOD、FeSOD、APX1、APX2、CAT的表达水平均显著低于Ve植株,表明SlGRAS4转录因子可以通过调控高温和ROS信号转导来影响番茄的耐热性。研究认为,高温、低温、干旱、盐、ABA和SA均可显著诱导番茄SlGRAS4基因的表达,沉默SlGRAS4基因番茄植株的耐热性显著降低,证明番茄SlGRAS4基因具有耐热功能,为进一步解析SlGRAS4参与番茄耐热调控的分子机制奠定基础。     

蒙古冰草MwMYB4基因功能鉴定

MwMYB4基因是从蒙古冰草中克隆得到的MYB类转录因子家族成员之一。该研究以转MwMYB4基因的拟南芥后代为材料,通过在干旱和低温胁迫下对转基因植株进行表型分析、理化指标测试和分子鉴定,分析并验证MwMYB4基因的功能。结果显示:(1)蒙古冰草MwMYB4基因已成功整合到转基因拟南芥T_1代的基因组中并实现转录水平的表达。(2)转基因拟南芥T_2代植株在干旱胁迫条件下,转基因植株叶片枯黄程度较轻,相对电导率较野生型变化幅度低,脯氨酸含量明显高于野生型对照,且MwMYB4基因的表达量随干旱胁迫时间延长而增加。(3)在低温胁迫条件下,转基因拟南芥叶片的枯白程度明显低于野生型,且MwMYB4基因的表达量随低温胁迫时间增加而增加。研究表明,过量表达蒙古冰草MwMYB4基因能够提高转基因拟南芥对干旱和低温的耐受性,该基因可能在干旱胁迫和低温胁迫调控机制中发挥调控作用,可作为改良农作物和其他牧草抗旱、抗寒性的重要候选基因。     

番茄"白化"突变体果实的几个生理生化特性检测

在番茄“白化”突变体果实发育过程中,总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b的含量均小于正常植株的果实;果肉细胞内含有白色体;果实在贮藏期间的硬度较大。而果实品质,如糖酸比、维生素C和可溶性固形物的含量与正常果实差异不大。     

转录组学对转基因杨树表型变化的代谢调控机制解析北大核心CSCD

D型细胞周期蛋白(D-type cyclin)调控着细胞周期G1/S的转变,在植物生长发育过程中发挥重要作用。转基因杨树PtoCYCD2;1(OE-PtoCYCD2;1)植株出现明显的表型变化,株高降低,茎粗变细且叶片发生卷曲。该研究以转基因杨树OE-PtoCYCD2;1为研究材料,通过转录组学测序和生理指标变化并结合植株表型特征分析PtoCYCD2;1在植物生长发育中的功能,为研究木本植物D型细胞周期蛋白功能提供理论基础。结果表明:(1)在OE-PtoCYCD2;1中共鉴定得到1269个差异表达基因,其中有700个上调表达,569个下调表达。分析发现,有26个属于AP2/ERF转录因子的基因上调表达;有8个下调的差异表达基因富集在木质部合成通路中;在碳代谢通路中共富集27个下调差异表达基因,其中有8个基因富集到卡尔文循环通路中。(2)qRT-PCR实验结果显示,9个差异表达基因的qRT-PCR结果与RNA-seq测定的表达水平变化趋势一致,表明所用RNA-seq结果可靠。(3)生理指标分析发现,与野生型(WT)相比,转基因杨树OE-PtoCYCD2;1的幼叶和成熟叶的总叶绿素含量分别增加57.36%和78.22%;成熟叶的可溶性糖含量下降了12.72%;幼叶和成熟叶中的木质素含量分别下降了4.48%和8.03%;幼茎和成熟茎中的木质素含量分别下降了20.03%和31.63%。研究认为,转基因杨树OE-PtoCYCD2;1通过影响杨树碳代谢和木质素合成过程中相关基因的表达,从而造成转基因植株相应代谢物含量减少,最终导致植株表型改变,总体生物量降低。     

AM真菌对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生理特征及AVP1表达的影响

采用温室盆栽试验研究不同NaCl浓度（0、50 和85 mmol/L）持续胁迫接种摩西球囊霉和地表球囊霉 2种AM真菌对加工番茄耐盐性的影响。结果显示:（1）在0 mmol/L NaCl处理条件下,2种菌的番茄菌根化苗的根系活力、叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、根系脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均高于非菌根植株,且丙二醛含量低于非菌根植株,但差异不显著。（2）在50、85 mmol/L NaCl浓度胁迫下,接种2种菌根真菌可显著提高番茄植株根系活力,促进叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及根系脯氨酸含量的积累,显著提高叶片中与抗逆相关的超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,减少丙二醛在根系中的积累;随着NaCl浓度的增加,效果更为明显。（3）RT-PCR分析显示,AM真菌和盐胁迫共同调控H⁺转运无机焦磷酸酶H⁺- PPase的表达,随NaCl浓度的增加,AVP1基因表达量下降,但菌根化番茄植株的AVP1基因表达量显著高于非菌根植株。研究表明,接种AM真菌后,菌根化植株可通过显著促进幼苗体内渗透调节物质积累和抗氧化酶活性的提高,有效降低体内膜脂过氧化水平,同时过量表达AVP1基因增加了番茄植株中离子向液泡膜的转运,从而缓解盐胁迫对植株的伤害,增强番茄幼苗对盐胁迫的耐性。     

Photosynthetic Activity of Ripening Tomato Fruit

Gas exchanges, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and carboxylation activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) were determined in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits picked at different developmental stages (immature, red-turning, mature, and over-ripe). The fruits did not show signs of CO₂ fixation. However, photochemical activity was detectable and an effective electron transport was observed, the values of Chl fluorescence parameters in green fruits being similar to those determined in the leaves. The RuBPCO activity, which was similar to those recorded in the leaves at the immature stage of the fruit, decreased as the fruit ripened. PEPC activity was always higher than RuBPCO activity.     

基于Tail-PCR分析AN2基因上游启动子活性

黑果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum)富含花青素,AN2基因是调控黑果枸杞花青素合成代谢的主效基因。为解析AN2基因启动子的活性差异,采用Tail-PCR方法分别克隆了黑果枸杞和红果枸杞(L. barbarum) AN2基因起始密码子上游约1 686 bp (LrAN2p)和1 495 bp (LbAN2p)的序列。Plant CARE预测表明,LbAN2p和LrAN2p中分别有133和137个的顺式作用元件, 其中,参与光调控的顺式元件分别有11和15个;参与激素响应相关的顺式元件分别有13和16个。构建AN2启动子植物表达载体pKGWFS7:LbAN2p和pKGWFS7:LrAN2p,利用农杆菌介导的烟草遗传转化体系获得转基因烟草。GUS染色结果表明,LrAN2p能够驱动GUS在烟草中的表达,叶片呈现蓝色,具有较LbAN2p更强的启动活性,qRT-PCR结果表明,LrAN2p转基因烟草中GUS基因具有更高的转录水平,这可能会使AN2基因在黑果枸杞中具有更高的表达,激活黑果枸杞花青素合成代谢通路。这为解析枸杞果色形成及AN2基因的表达调控机制奠定了理论基础。     

The Production of Marker-Free Genetically Engineered Broccoli with Sense and Antisense ACC synthase 1 and ACC oxidases 1 and 2 to Extend Shelf-Life

The production of transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea) with increased shelf-life using an Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated co-transformation protocol is reported. An Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri vector, pRi1855:GFP was constructed to allow expression of the green fluorescent protein to identify insertion of Ri T_L-DNA into plant cells. The Brassica oleracea ACC synthase 1 and ACC oxidase 1 and 2 cDNAs in sense and antisense orientations were co-transformed into GDDH33, a doubled haploid calabrese-broccoli cultivar. Transformation efficiency was 3.26%, producing 150 transgenic root lines, of which 18 were regenerated into mature plants. The floral buds from T₀ broccoli heads were assayed for post-harvest production of ethylene and chlorophyll levels. Buds from T₀ lines transformed with ACC oxidase 1 and 2 constructs produced significantly less post-harvest ethylene at 20 °C than the untransformed plants and chlorophyll loss was significantly reduced over a 96 h post-harvest period. The T₀ plants transformed with sense and antisense ACC synthase 1 had a significantly reduced 24 h post-harvest ethylene peak and delayed chlorophyll loss. A positive correlation between post-harvest bud ethylene production and chlorophyll loss was described by a regression. This demonstrates that the shelf-life of a very perishable vegetable may be increased up to 2 days at 20 °C by reducing post-harvest ethylene production.     

栀子八氢番茄红素合成酶基因的分离及表达分析

为探讨栀子(Gardenia jasminoides)果实中藏花素的合成机理,克隆了栀子类胡萝卜素生物合成的关键酶八氢番茄红素合成酶(GjPSY)基因的全长cDNA。结果表明,推导的GjPSY氨基酸序列与双子叶植物来源的GjPSY亲缘关系较近。采用HPLC检测栀子果实中的藏花素-1含量为(3.96±1.48) mg g-1,在叶片中未检出。通过RT-PCR分析表明,GjPSY在栀子叶片和果实中均有表达,且表达水平一致。因此推测,GjPSY的转录水平与果实中藏花素-1的合成无关。     

苹果中磷酸蔗糖合酶家族基因的表达特性及其与蔗糖含量的关系

磷酸蔗糖合酶(sucrose phosphate synthase,SPS)是植物中蔗糖合成的主要限速酶,影响植物的生长发育和果实中蔗糖的含量。为探明苹果中SPS基因家族特性及其在蔗糖合成中的作用,该研究从苹果基因组中分离了MdSPS家族基因,分析了它们的进化关系以及mRNA表达特性与酶活性和蔗糖含量的关系。结果显示:(1)在苹果基因组中有8个SPS家族基因表达,它们分别属于双子叶植物的3个SPS亚家族。(2)荧光定量PCR分析显示,苹果C类的MdSPS6基因和A类的MdSPS1a/b基因是苹果中表达丰度最高的SPS基因成员,其中MdSPS6在苹果成熟果中表达丰度最高,其次是成熟叶片,而MdSPS1a/b在不积累蔗糖的幼果中表达丰度最高。(3)在果实发育过程中,除MdSPS1a/b之外,其它5个苹果MdSPS家族基因均随果实的生长表达丰度增加,与SPS活性和蔗糖含量明显呈正相关关系。研究表明,C类家族MdSPS6是苹果果实发育后期和叶片中蔗糖合成的主要SPS基因。     

A <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</Emphasis>-induced esterase gene of nonclimacteric pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis>) fruit during ripening plays a role in resistance against fungal infection

Ripe fruits of pepper (Capsicum annuum) are resistant to the anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, whereas unripe-mature fruits are susceptible. A pepper esterase gene (PepEST) that is highly expressed during an incompatible interaction between the ripe fruit of pepper and C. gloeosporioides was previously cloned. Deduced amino acid sequence of PepEST cDNA showed homology to both esterases and lipases, and contained -HGGGF- and -GXSXG- motifs and a catalytic triad. Inhibition of PepEST activity by a specific inhibitor of serine hydrolase demonstrated that a serine residue is critical for the enzyme activity. Expression of PepEST gene was fruit-specific in response to C. gloeosporioides inoculation, and up-regulated by wounding or jasmonic acid treatment during ripening. PepEST mRNA and protein was differentially accumulated in ripe vs. unripe fruit from 24 h after inoculation when C. gloeosporioides isinvading into fruits. Immunochemical examination revealed that PepEST accumulation was localized inepidermal and cortical cell layers in infected ripe fruit, but rarely even in epidermal cells in infected unripe one. Over-expression of PepEST in transgenic Arabidopsis plants caused restriction of Alternaria brassicicola colonization by inhibition of spore production, resulting in enhanced resistance against A.brassicicola. These results suggest that PepEST is involved in the resistance of ripe fruit against C.gloeosporioides infection.^†These authors contributed equally to the work     

Transgenic cucumber fruits that produce elevated level of an anti-aging superoxide dismutase

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress in aerobic organisms. To generate cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruits producing high yields of SOD for an anti-aging cosmetic material as a plant bioreactor, the CuZnSOD cDNA (mSOD1) from cassava was introduced into cucumber fruits by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the ascorbate oxidase promoter with high expression in fruits. The bialaphos-resistant shoots were selected on medium containing MS basal salts, 2 mg l^–1 BA, 0.1 mg l^–1 IAA, 300 mg l^–1 claforan, and 2 mg l^–1 bialaphos. After 6 weeks of culture on the selection medium, the shoots were transferred to MS medium containing 1 mg l^–1 IAA, 300 mg l^–1 claforan, 2 mg l^–1 bialaphos to induce roots. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the mSOD1 gene was properly integrated into the nuclear genomes of three cucumber plants tested. The mSOD1 gene was highly expressed in the transgenic cucumber fruits, whereas it was expressed at a low level in the transgenic leaves. The SOD specific activity (units/mg protein) in transgenic fruits was approximately 3 times higher than in those of non-transgenic plants.     

The Bt gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry2Aa2</Emphasis> driven by a tissue specific ST-LS1 promoter from potato effectively controls <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heliothis virescens</Emphasis>

Expression of the Cry2Aa2 protein was targeted specifically to the green tissues of transgenic tobacco Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi plants. This deployment was achieved by using the promoter region of the gene encoding the Solanum tuberosum leaf and stem specific (ST-LS1) protein. The accumulated levels of toxin in the leaves were found to be effective in achieving 100 mortality of Heliothis virescens larvae. The levels of Cry2Aa2 expression in the leaves of these transgenic plants were up to 0.21 of the total soluble proteins. Bioassays with R₁ transgenic plants indicated the inheritance of cry2Aa2 in the progeny plants. Tissue-specific expression of the Bt toxin in transgenic plants may help in controlling the potential occurrence of insect resistance by limiting the amount of toxin to only predated tissues. The results reported here validate the use of the ST-LS1 gene promoter for a targeted expression of Bt toxins in green tissues of plants.     

互花米草NHX2基因的克隆与功能鉴定

NHX2属于CPA1基因家族,编码Na~+/H~+逆向转运蛋白,控制液泡膜中活性K~+的摄取,同时调节气孔的关闭。该研究以耐盐植物互花米草为材料,采用PCR技术克隆NHX2基因,并将其转入拟南芥进行相关功能鉴定。结果显示:(1)成功克隆获得互花米草NHX2基因CDS序列(1 602 bp),命名为SaNHX2,该基因编码533个氨基酸,SaNHX2蛋白的分子量约为58.65 kD,定位于细胞核和细胞膜,表明SaNHX2基因可能发挥转录调控的功能。(2) qRT-PCR结果显示,在ABA、NaCl和干旱胁迫处理下,互花米草叶和根中SaNHX2基因的表达量均上调。(3)为进一步鉴定其功能,成功构建植物表达载体,将SaNHX2基因转入拟南芥;经RT-PCR检测结果显示,SaNHX2基因在转基因植株中过表达;高盐胁迫处理后,转SaNHX2基因拟南芥的主根长度、叶绿素总量和相关胁迫应答基因表达量均高于转空载拟南芥,表明转SaNHX2基因拟南芥的耐盐能力显著增强。研究表明,SaNHX2基因可能在盐胁迫调节机制中发挥调控作用,可作为改良农作物耐盐的重要候选基因。     

Fruit phenology of Prunus jamasakura and the feeding habit of the Asiatic black bear as a seed disperser

We investigated the relationship between the fruit phenology of Prunus jamasakura and the fruit-feeding period of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus). The purposes of this study were to determine (1) when bears feed on the fruit of P. jamasakura in relation to phenology; (2) whether ingestion damages seeds; and (3) how ingestion influences seed germination. We assessed the relationship between the phenology of fruit maturation (size, sugar concentration, color, persistence, and germination percentage) and the feeding period of bears in the field, as judged from bear shelves and claw marks. We also compared the germination percentage of seeds ingested by captive bears with that of uningested. Bears fed on the fruit from days 50 to 66 after flowering, when most of the fruits were on the tree and became large, the germination percentage of seeds increased, and the sugar concentration became high. Bears fed only on mature fruits and so obtained high-quality nutrients. Germination tests showed that ingestion of fruits by the bears caused no physical damage to the seeds. Ingested seeds did not show a significant difference in germination percentage from seeds, whose pulp was artificially removed. These results indicate that bears are potentially effective dispersers from a qualitative perspective and, to some extent, from a quantitative perspective.