The effects of phenotypic plasticity on photosynthetic performance in winter rye, winter wheat and Brassica napus

The contributions of phenotypic plasticity to photosynthetic performance in winter (cv Musketeer, cv Norstar) and spring (cv SR4A, cv Katepwa) rye (Secale cereale) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars grown at either 20°C [non‐acclimated (NA)] or 5°C [cold acclimated (CA)] were assessed. The 22–40% increase in light‐saturated rates of CO₂ assimilation in CA vs NA winter cereals were accounted for by phenotypic plasticity as indicated by the dwarf phenotype and increased specific leaf weight. However, phenotypic plasticity could not account for (1) the differential temperature sensitivity of CO₂ assimilation and photosynthetic electron transport, (2) the increased efficiency and light‐saturated rates of photosynthetic electron transport or (3) the decreased light sensitivity of excitation pressure and non‐photochemical quenching between NA and NA winter cultivars. Cold acclimation decreased photosynthetic performance of spring relative to winter cultivars. However, the differences in photosynthetic performances between CA winter and spring cultivars were dependent upon the basis on which photosynthetic performance was expressed. Overexpression of BNCBF17 in Brassica napus generally decreased the low temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of CO₂ assimilation and photosynthetic electron transport even though the latter had not been exposed to low temperature. Photosynthetic performance in wild type compared to the BNCBF17‐overexpressing transgenic B. napus indicated that CBFs/DREBs regulate not only freezing tolerance but also govern plant architecture, leaf anatomy and photosynthetic performance. The apparent positive and negative effects of cold acclimation on photosynthetic performance are discussed in terms of the apparent costs and benefits of phenotypic plasticity, winter survival and reproductive fitness.     

金边红苞凤梨叶片的超微观察和AbGLK1的克隆与表达分析

为了解Golden2-like (GLK)转录因子在金边红苞凤梨(Ananas comosus var. bracteatus ‘Chiyan’)绿白嵌合叶片形成中的作用,采用RT-PCR技术克隆得到了AbGLK1基因, 其开放阅读框全长1 371 bp,编码456个氨基酸,含有1个GARP-DNA结合域和1个C末端结构域GCT box (GOLDEN2 C-terminal box),属于GLK转录因子家族,在酵母中具有转录因子的转录激活活性。烟草亚细胞定位表明AbGLK1蛋白定位在细胞核。RT-qPCR分析表明,AbGLK1基因在金边红苞凤梨的根、茎、叶中均有表达,但具有组织器官差异性,在叶片中的表达量显著高于根和茎(P < 0.05)。AbGLK1基因在叶片边缘白化组织中的表达量显著低于绿色组织,约为绿色组织的1/3 (P < 0.05)。叶片白化组织叶绿体内膜系统模糊,无类囊体存在,含有大量囊状小泡,质体小球数量多且体积较大。因此,推测AbGLK1基因可能参与了金边红苞凤梨中的叶绿体发育,其下调表达可能导致叶片白化组织中叶绿体发育不成熟。     

Mutations in the Ca2+/H+ transporter CAX1 increase CBF/DREB1 expression and the cold-acclimation response in Arabidopsis

Transient increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) are essential for plant responses to a variety of environmental stimuli, including low temperature. Subsequent reestablishment of [Ca2+]cyt to resting levels by Ca2+ pumps and antiporters is required for the correct transduction of the signal [corrected]. C-repeat binding factor/dehydration responsive element binding factor 1 (Ca2+/H+) antiporters is required for the correct transduction of the signal. We have isolated a cDNA from Arabidopsis that corresponds to a new cold-inducible gene, rare cold inducible4 (RCI4), which was identical to calcium exchanger 1 (CAX1), a gene that encodes a vacuolar Ca2+/H+ antiporter involved in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels. The expression of CAX1 was induced in response to low temperature through an abscisic acid-independent pathway. To determine the function of CAX1 in Arabidopsis stress tolerance, we identified two T-DNA insertion mutants, cax1-3 and cax1-4, that display reduced tonoplast Ca2+/H+ antiport activity. The mutants showed no significant differences with respect to the wild type when analyzed for dehydration, high-salt, chilling, or constitutive freezing tolerance. However, they exhibited increased freezing tolerance after cold acclimation, demonstrating that CAX1 plays an important role in this adaptive response. This phenotype correlates with the enhanced expression of CBF/DREB1 genes and their corresponding targets in response to low temperature. Our results indicate that CAX1 ensures the accurate development of the cold-acclimation response in Arabidopsis by controlling the induction of CBF/DREB1 and downstream genes.