Heterotrimeric G-protein participation in Arabidopsis pollen germination through modulation of a plasmamembrane hyperpolarization-activated Ca2+-permeable channel

The role of heterotrimeric G proteins in pollen germination and tube growth was investigated using Arabidopsis thaliana plants in which the gene (GPA) encoding the G-protein a subunit (Galpha) was null or overexpressed. Pollen germination, free cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) and Ca(2+) channel activity in the plasma membrane (PM) of pollen cells were investigated. Results showed that, compared with pollen grains of the wild type (ecotype Wassilewskija, ws), in vitro germinated pollen of Galpha null mutants (gpa1-1 and gpa1-2) had lower germination percentages and shorter pollen tubes, while pollen from Galpha overexpression lines (wGalpha and cGalpha) had higher germination percentages and longer pollen tubes. Compared with ws pollen cells, [Ca(2+)](cyt) was lower in gpa1-1 and gpa1-2 and higher in wGalpha and cGalpha. In whole-cell patch clamp recordings, a hyperpolarization-activated Ca(2+)-permeable conductance was identified in the PM of pollen protoplasts. The conductance was suppressed by trivalent cations but insensitive to organic blockers; its permeability to divalent cations was Ba(2+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+) > Sr(2+) > Mn(2+). The activity of the Ca(2+)-permeable channel conductance was down-regulated in pollen protoplasts of gpa1-1 and gpa1-2, and up-regulated in wGalpha and cGalpha. The results suggest that Galpha may participate in pollen germination through modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated Ca(2+) channel in the PM of pollen cells.     

Physical map-based sizes of the centromeric regions of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosomes 1, 2, and 3.

The sizes of the centromeric regions of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosomes 1, 2, and 3 were determined by construction of their physical maps on the basis of restriction analysis. As the reported centromeric regions contain large gaps in the middle due to highly repetitive sequences, appropriate probes for Southern hybridization were prepared from the sequences reported for the flanking regions and from the sequences of BAC and YAC clones newly isolated in this work, and restriction analysis was performed using DNA of a hypomethylated strain (ddm1). The sizes of the genetically defined centromeric regions were deduced to be 9 megabases (Mb), 4.2 Mb and 4.1 Mb, respectively (chromosome 1, from markers T22C23-t7 to T3P8-sp6; chromosome 2, from F5J15-sp6 to T15D9; chromosome 3, from T9G9-sp6 to T15M14; G. P. Copenhaver et al. Science, 286, 2468-2479, 1999). By combining the sizes of the centromeric regions previously estimated for chromosomes 4 and 5 and the sequence data reported for the A. thaliana genome, the total genome size of A. thaliana was estimated to be approximately 146.0 Mb.     

拟南芥钾离子吸收、转运及低钾胁迫的分子机理研究进展

钾(K)作为植物所需的3种大量元素之一,参与体内诸多的生理和生化过程,对于植物的生长和发育极其重要。目前,国内外学者对植物吸收、运输和利用K⁺的研究已有一定深度,尤其以模式植物拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana(L.) Heynh.)为研究对象。其中,与K⁺吸收、转运相关的离子通道和转运蛋白一直都是研究热点。本文综合近年来国内外相关研究进展,主要阐述K⁺通道和转运蛋白,K⁺的吸收和运输,类钙调磷酸酶(Calcineurin B-Like, CBL)-CBL相互作用蛋白激酶(CBL-Interacting protein kinase, CIPK)信号途径,参与该信号转导的一些小信号分子,对K⁺研究方面存在的问题进行了总结,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

Myosin XI-B is involved in the transport of vesicles and organelles in pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana

The movement of organelles and vesicles in pollen tubes depends on F-actin. However, the molecular mechanism through which plant myosin XI drives the movement of organelles is still controversial, and the relationship between myosin XI and vesicle movement in pollen tubes is also unclear. In this study, we found that the siliques of the myosin xi-b/e mutant were obviously shorter than those of the wild-type (WT) and that the seed set of the mutant was severely deficient. The pollen tube growth of myosin xi-b/e was significantly inhibited both in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that the velocity of vesicle movement in the pollen tube tip of the myosin xi-b/e mutant was lower than that of the WT. It was also found that peroxisome movement was significantly inhibited in the pollen tubes of the myosin xi-b/e mutant, while the velocities of the Golgi stack and mitochondrial movement decreased relatively less in the pollen tubes of the mutant. The endoplasmic reticulum streaming in the pollen tube shanks was not significantly different between the WT and the myosin xi-b/e mutant. In addition, we found that myosin XI-B-GFP colocalized obviously with vesicles and peroxisomes in the pollen tubes of Arabidopsis. Taken together, these results indicate that myosin XI-B may bind mainly to vesicles and peroxisomes, and drive their movement in pollen tubes. These results also suggest that the mechanism by which myosin XI drives organelle movement in plant cells may be evolutionarily conserved compared with other eukaryotic cells.     

Arabidopsis AtBECLIN 1/AtAtg6/AtVps30 is essential for pollen germination and plant development

Pollen germination on the surface of compatible stigmatic tissues is an essential step for plant fertilization. Here we report that the Arabidopsis mutant bcll is male sterile as a result of the failure ofpollen germination. We show that the bcll mutant allele cannot be transmitted by male gametophytes and no homozygous bcll mutants were obtained. Analysis of pollen developmental stages indicates that the bcll mutation affects pollen germination but not pollen maturation. Molecular analysis demonstrates that the failure of pollen germination was caused by the disruption of AtBECLIN 1. AtBECLIN 1 is expressed predominantly in mature pollen and encodes a protein with significant homology to Beclin1/Atg6/Vps30 required for the processes of autophagy and vacuolar protein sorting （VPS） in yeast. We also show that AtBECLIN 1 is required for normal plant development, and that genes related to autophagy, VPS and the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor system, were affected by the deficiency of AtBECLIN 1.     

The Arabidopsis CrRLK1L protein kinases BUPS1 and BUPS2 are required for normal growth of pollen tubes in the pistil

In flowering plants, the interaction of pollen tubes with female tissues is important for the accomplishment of double fertilization. Little information is known about the mechanisms that underlie signalling between pollen tubes and female tissues. In this study, two Arabidopsis pollen tube‐expressed CrRLK1L protein kinases, Buddha's Paper Seal 1 (BUPS1) and BUPS2, were identified as being required for normal tip growth of pollen tubes in the pistil. They are expressed prolifically in pollen and pollen tubes and are localized on the plasma membrane of the pollen tube tip region. Mutations in BUPS1 drastically reduced seed set. Most of the bups1 mutant pollen tubes growing in the pistil exhibited a swollen pollen tube tip, leading to failure of fertilization. The bups2 pollen tubes had a slightly abnormal morphology but could still accomplish double fertilization. The bups1 bups2 double mutant exhibited a slightly enhanced phenotype compared to the single bups1 mutants. The BUPS1 proteins could form homomers and heteromers with BUPS2, whereas BUPS2 could only form heteromers with BUPS1. The BUPS proteins could interact with the Arabidopsis pollen‐expressed RopGEFs in the yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. The results indicated that the BUPSs may mediate normal polar growth of pollen tubes in the pistil.     

The heterotrimeric G‐protein β subunit,AGB1, plays multiple roles in the Arabidopsis salinity response

Salinity stress includes both osmotic and ionic toxicity. Sodium homeostasis is influenced by Na⁺ uptake and extrusion, vacuolar Na⁺ compartmentation and root to shoot Na⁺ translocation via transpiration. The knockout mutant of the Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G‐protein Gβ subunit, agb1, is hypersensitive to salt, exhibiting a leaf bleaching phenotype. We show that AGB1 is mainly involved in the ionic toxicity component of salinity stress and plays roles in multiple processes of Na⁺ homeostasis. agb1 mutants accumulate more Na⁺ and less K⁺ in both shoots and roots of hydroponically grown plants, as measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. agb1 plants have higher root to shoot translocation rates of radiolabelled ²⁴Na⁺ under transpiring conditions, as a result of larger stomatal apertures and increased stomatal conductance. ²⁴Na⁺ tracer experiments also show that ²⁴Na⁺ uptake rates by excised roots of agb1 and wild type are initially equal, but that agb1 has higher net Na⁺ uptake at 90 min, implicating possible involvement of AGB1 in the regulation of Na⁺ efflux. Calcium alleviates the salt hypersensitivity of agb1 by reducing Na⁺ accumulation to below the toxicity threshold. Our results provide new insights into the regulatory pathways underlying plant responses to salinity stress, an important agricultural problem.     

SNARE proteins VAMP721 and VAMP722 mediate the post-Golgi trafficking required for auxin-mediated development in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone auxin controls many aspects of plant development. Membrane trafficking processes, such as secretion, endocytosis and recycling, regulate the polar localization of auxin transporters in order to establish an auxin concentration gradient. Here, we investigate the function of the Arabidopsis thaliana R-SNAREs VESICLE-ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE PROTEIN 721 (VAMP721) and VAMP722 in the post-Golgi trafficking required for proper auxin distribution and seedling growth. We show that multiple growth phenotypes, such as cotyledon development, vein patterning and lateral root growth, were defective in the double homozygous vamp721 vamp722 mutant. Abnormal auxin distribution and root patterning were also observed in the mutant seedlings. Fluorescence imaging revealed that three auxin transporters, PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), PIN2 and AUXIN RESISTANT 1 (AUX1), aberrantly accumulate within the cytoplasm of the double mutant, impairing the polar localization at the plasma membrane (PM). Analysis of intracellular trafficking demonstrated the involvement of VAMP721 and VAMP722 in the endocytosis of FM4-64 and the secretion and recycling of the PIN2 transporter protein to the PM, but not its trafficking to the vacuole. Furthermore, vamp721 vamp722 mutant roots display enlarged trans-Golgi network (TGN) structures, as indicated by the subcellular localization of a variety of marker proteins and the ultrastructure observed using transmission electron microscopy. Thus, our results suggest that the R-SNAREs VAMP721 and VAMP722 mediate the post-Golgi trafficking of auxin transporters to the PM from the TGN subdomains, substantially contributing to plant growth.     

The ER-localized aquaporin SIP2;1 is involved in pollen germination and pollen tube elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant Molecular Biology - The ER membrane localized aquaporin SIP2;1 is involved in adaptation to ER stresses during pollen tube elongation. Aquaporins play multifaceted roles through selective...     

拟南芥中光信号系统中关键基因CRY1、CRY2和COP1启动子的表达模式分析

通过构建表达光信号系统关键基因CRY1、CRY2和COP1启动子与GUS融合基因的拟南芥转基因植株,并对转基因植株进行GUS组织化学染色的结果表明,CRY1、CRY2和COP1的表达模式不受光条件的调控,并且在各器官有广泛的表达。分别分析CRY1基因启动子在cop1突变体以及COP1基因启动子在cry1突变体遗传背景中表达模式的结果表明,CRY1和COP1在转录水平上不存在明显的相互调控关系。     

A Physical Map of Arabidopsis thaliana Chromosome 3 Represented by Two Contigs of CIC YAC, P1, TAC and BAC Clones

We have constructed a physical map of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome3 by ordering the clones from CIC YAC, P1, TAC and BAC librariesusing the sequences of a variety of genetic and EST markersand terminal sequences of clones. The markers used were 112DNA markers, 145 YAC end sequences, and 156 end sequences ofP1, TAC and BAC clones. The entire genome of chromosome 3, exceptfor the centromeric and telomeric regions, was covered by twolarge contigs, 13.6 Mb and 9.2 Mb long. This physical map willfacilitate map-based cloning experiments as well as genome sequencingof chromosome 3. The map and end sequence information are availableon the KAOS (Kazusa Arabidopsis data Opening Site) web siteat http://www.kazusa.or.jp/arabi/.     

Differential IAA dose response relations of the axr1 and axr2 mutants of Arabidopsis

In comparison to wild type Arabidopsis thaliana, the auxin resistant mutants axr1 and axr2 exhibit reduced inhibition of root elongation in response to auxins. Several auxin-regulated physiological processes are also altered in the mutant plants. When wild-type, axr1 and axr2 seedlings were grown in darkness on media containing indoleacetic acid (IAA), promotion of root growth was observed at low concentrations of IAA (10^?11 to 10^?7M) in 5-day-old axr2 seedlings, but not in axr1 or wild-type seedlings. In axr1 there was little or no measurable root growth response over the same concentration range. In wild type, root growth was inhibited at concentrations greater than 10^?10M and no detectable root growth response was observed at lower concentrations. In addition, production of lateral roots in response to IAA increased in axr2 seedlings and decreased in axr1 seedlings relative to wild type. Promotion of root elongation and initiation of lateral roots in axr2 seedlings in response to auxin indicate that axr2 seedlings are able to perceive and respond to IAA.     

拟南芥双油体蛋白融合表达KGF-2及其生物学活性研究

目的:构建p1301-YO-K2-YO双油体KGF-2融合蛋白表达载体并转化拟南芥,与p1301-YO-K2单油体KGF-2融合蛋白表达载体对比,观察是否能够提高外源蛋白KGF-2的表达量,并对融合蛋白生物学活性进行鉴定。方法:PCR获得拟南芥油体蛋白oleosin和KGF-2核心区基因片段,融合PCR获得KGF-2-oleosin融合基因,与包含有一个oleosin的p1301-oleosin载体连接,构建p1301-YO-K2-YO(oleosin-KGF-2-oleosin)表达载体,利用农杆菌介导法将其转入拟南芥中进行表达,除草剂筛选获得转基因植株,通过PCR鉴定、SDS-PAGE、Western blot对KGF-2蛋白表达进行分析,提取油体蛋白涂抹法观察对C57BL/6小鼠的毛囊促生长作用。结果:双油体载体成功转入拟南芥基因组中;Western blot灰度分析可知,与单油体表达载体p1301-YO-K2相比,双油体融合表达策略可使KGF-2蛋白表达量提高2.5倍左右;动物实验结果表明油体融合蛋白具有良好的促毛囊增殖活性。