植物次生细胞壁生物合成的转录调控网络

植物次生细胞壁包含纤维素、半纤维素和木质素, 赋予细胞壁机械强度及疏水性, 这种特性对植物直立生长、水分和营养物质运输以及抵御生物和非生物胁迫十分重要。该文总结了调控次生细胞壁生物合成的转录因子及其调控机制, 包括NAC转录因子调控次生壁合成的一级开关作用, AtMYB46/AtMYB83及其下游调控因子的二级开关作用, 以及其它转录因子对次生壁生物合成的调控作用, 并对未来研究内容和方法进行了展望, 以期为深入系统理解次生细胞壁生物合成的转录调控网络提供参考。     

水稻镉积累特性的生理和分子机制研究概述

我国的稻米镉超标对国民身体健康造成严重威胁, 而选育低镉积累的水稻(Oryza sativa)品种是降低稻米镉含量行之有效的策略, 因此有必要了解水稻对镉的积累特性及其生理过程和相关功能基因。该文概述了镉在水稻根部的吸收、木质部中的装载与运输、茎节中的分配、叶片中再分配以及籽粒镉积累等过程的生理和分子机制研究进展, 以期为低镉水稻的选育和安全生产提供理论参考。     

Cell Wall,Cytoskeleton, and Cell Expansion in Higher Plants

To accommodate two seemingly contradictory biological roles in plant physiology, providing both the rigid structural support of plant cells and the adjustable elasticity needed for cell expansion, the composition of the plant cell wall has evolved to become an intricate network of cellulosic, hemicellulosic, and pectic polysaccharides and protein. Due to its complexity, many aspects of the cell wall influence plant cell expansion, and many new and insightful observations and technologies are forthcoming. The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers and the roles of the variety of proteins involved in polysaccharide synthesis continue to be characterized. The interactions within the cell wall polymer network and the modification of these interactions provide insight into how the plant cell wall provides its dual function. The complex cell wall architecture is controlled and organized in part by the dynamic intracellular cytoskeleton and by diverse trafficking pathways of the cell wall polymers and cell wall-related machinery. Meanwhile, the cell wall is continually influenced by hormonal and integrity sensing stimuli that are perceived by the cell. These many processes cooperate to construct, maintain, and manipulate the intricate plant cell wall--an essential structure for the sustaining of the plant stature, growth, and life.     

Alteration in Secondary Wall Deposition by Overexpression of the Fragile Fiber1 Kinesin-Like Protein in Arabidopsis

Secondary walls in fibers and vessels are typically deposited in three distinct layers, which are formed by the successive re-orientation of cellulose microfibrils. Although cortical microtubules have been implicated in this process, the underlying mechanisms for the formation of three distinct wall layers are not known. The Fragile Fiber1 （FRA1） kinesin-like protein has been previously shown to be involved in the oriented deposition of cellulose microfibrils and important for cell wall strength in Arabidopsis thaliana. In the present report, we investigated the expression pattern of the FRA 1 gene and studied the effects of FRA1 overexpression on secondary wall deposition. The FRAI gene was found to be expressed not only in cells undergoing secondary wall deposition including developing interfascicular fibers and xylem cells, but also in dividing cells and expanding/elongating parenchyma cells. Overexpression of FRA1 caused a severe reduction in the thickness of secondary walls in interfascicular fibers and deformation of vessels, which are accompanied with a marked decrease in stem strength. Close examination of secondary walls revealed that unlike the wild-type walls having three typical layers with the middle layer being the thickest, the secondary walls in FRA1 overexpressors exhibited an increased number of layers, all of which had a similar width. Together, these results provide further evidence implicating an important role of the FRA1 kinesin-like protein in the ordered deposition of secondary walls, which determines the strength of fibers and vessels.     

植物萜类次生代谢及其调控

植物次生代谢在植物生长发育、环境适应、抵御病虫害等方面发挥着重要作用,这些天然产物组成地球上最丰富的有机化合物的宝库．萜类是植物代谢产物中种类最多的一类,具有重要的生理和生态功能,一些成分还有应用价值．近十几年来,人们在萜类化合物的分离、鉴定、应用、生物合成、相关基因与基因族、酶蛋白结构和功能、代谢调控以及代谢工程等各方面取得了重大进展．本文概述了植物萜类化合物代谢及其调控领域的研究进展与发展趋势．     

Disruption of Cortical Microtubules by Overexpression of Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged α-Tubulin 6 Causes a Marked Reduction in Cell Wall Synthesis

It has been known that the transverse orientation of cortical microtubules （MTs） along the elongation axis is essential for normal cell morphogenesis, but whether cortical MTs are essential for normal cell wall synthesis is still not clear. In the present study, we have investigated whether cortical MTs affect cell wall synthesis by direct alteration of the cortical MT organization in Arabidopsis thaliana. Disruption of the cortical MT organization by expression of an excess amount of green fluorescent protein-tagged a-tubulin 6 （GFP-TUA6） in transgenic Arabidopsis plants was found to cause a marked reduction in cell wall thickness and a de- crease in the cell wall sugars glucose and xylose. Concomitantly, the stem strength of the GFP-TUA6 overexpressors was markedly reduced compared with the wild type. In addition, expression of excess GFP- TUA6 results in an alteration in cell morphogenesis and a severe effect on plant growth and development. Together, these results suggest that the proper organization of cortical MTs is essential for the normal synthesis of plant cell walls.     

砧用南瓜幼苗对镉的耐性和积累能力研究

采用营养液栽培的方法,研究了不同浓度（0、5和10 mg·L^-1）镉（Cd）对10种砧用南瓜幼苗生长状况、丙二醛（MDA）、地上部Cd含量及转移系数（TF）的影响,利用隶属函数法综合评价其耐Cd能力与Cd吸收积累能力,以期筛选到优良的砧用南瓜。结果表明：（1）‘多美109’、‘鑫力3号’、‘强力1号’、‘黑籽南瓜’和‘云南黑籽南瓜’在2种浓度Cd处理下全株生物量均显著低于对照,并以‘黑籽南瓜’和‘云南黑籽南瓜’下降幅度最大、耐性最差,而‘野木一雄’、‘青佳砧甲’、‘津油108’和‘抗线1号’在 Cd处理下均与对照差异不显著,生长势良好,耐性强。（2）在2种浓度Cd处理下,‘津油108’幼苗体内各抗氧化酶活性较高,根系和叶片的 MDA含量与对照无显著差异,未受到膜脂过氧化伤害;‘野木一雄’ 幼苗各抗氧化酶活性较高,MDA含量升高幅度较小,为对照的1.01~1.56倍,受到膜脂过氧化伤害相对较小;而‘多美109’、‘强力1号’和‘云南黑籽南瓜’ 幼苗在2种浓度Cd处理下,各抗氧化酶活性显著下降,体内MDA含量升高幅度大,分别为对照的1.30~2.46、1.33~3.11、1.45~3.24倍,受伤害程度最大。（3）‘津油108’与‘青佳砧甲’在2种浓度Cd处理下地上部Cd含量和TF均较小,Cd吸收能力最弱,其次是‘野木一雄’,而‘亮丽佳’、‘黑籽南瓜’和‘云南黑籽南瓜’地上部Cd含量和TF最大,Cd吸收能力最强。（4）隶属函数值综合评价结果显示,10种砧用南瓜幼苗对Cd的耐性大小依次为：‘津油108’＞‘野木一雄’＞‘鑫力3号’＞‘青佳砧甲’＞‘抗线1号’＞‘多美109’＞‘黑籽南瓜’＞‘亮丽佳’＞‘强力1号’＞‘云南黑籽南瓜’。研究认为,砧用南瓜品种对镉胁迫的耐受性存在明显差异,并以‘津油108’最佳,其在镉胁迫下生长势良好,耐性强,且镉吸收和转运能力最弱。     

Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Growth of the Root System Occurs via Auxin Signaling Modification and Variations in the Expression of Cell-Cycle Genes in Rice Seedlings Exposed to Cadmium Stress

The link between root growth, H₂O₂, auxin signaling, and the cell cycle in cadmium (Cd)‐stressed rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghua No. 11) was analyzed in this study. Exposure to Cd induced a significant accumulation of Cd, but caused a decrease in zinc (Zn) content which resulted from the decreased expression of OsHMA9 and OsZIP. Analysis using a Cd‐specific probe showed that Cd was mainly localized in the meristematic zone and vascular tissues. Formation and elongation of the root system were significantly promoted by 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (AT), but were markedly inhibited by N,N’‐dimethylthiourea (DMTU) under Cd stress. The effect of H₂O₂ on Cd‐stressed root growth was further confirmed by examining a gain‐of‐function rice mutant (carrying catalase1 and glutathione‐S‐transferase) in the presence or absence of diphenylene iodonium. DR5‐GUS staining revealed close associations between H₂O₂ and the concentration and distribution of auxin. H₂O₂ affected the expression of key genes, including OsYUCCA, OsPIN, OsARF, and OsIAA, in the auxin signaling pathway in Cd‐treated plants. These results suggest that H₂O₂ functions upstream of the auxin signaling pathway. Furthermore, H₂O₂ modified the expression of cell‐cycle genes in Cd‐treated roots. The effects of H₂O₂ on root system growth are therefore linked to auxin signal modification and to variations in the expression of cell‐cycle genes in Cd‐stressed rice. A working model for the effects of H₂O₂ on Cd‐stressed root system growth is thus proposed and discussed in this paper.     

Physiological and Molecular Basis of Susceptibility and Tolerance of Rice Plants to Complete Submergence

Rice plants are much damaged by several days of total submergence.The effect can be a serious problem for rice farmers in therainfed lowlands of Asia, and runs contrary to a widespreadbelief amongst plant biologists that rice is highly tolerantof submergence. This article assesses the characteristics ofthe underwater environment that may damage rice plants, examinesvarious physiological mechanisms of injury, and reviews recentprogress achieved using linkage mapping to locate quantitativetraits loci (QTL) for tolerance inherited from a submergence-tolerantcultivar FR13A. Progress towards identifying the gene(s) involvedthrough physical mapping of a dominant tolerance locus on chromosome9 is also summarized. Available physiological evidence pointsaway from responses to oxygen shortage as being inextricablyinvolved in submergence injury. An imbalance between productionand consumption of assimilates is seen as being especially harmful,and is exacerbated by strongly accelerated leaf extension andleaf senescence that are ethylene-mediated and largely absentfrom FR13A and related cultivars. DNA markers for a major QTLfor tolerance are shown to be potentially useful in breedingprogrammes designed to improve submergence tolerance.     

镉胁迫下水稻OsPT1的表达及功能分析

OsPT1编码的水稻磷酸盐（Pi）转运蛋白在水稻生长发育、非生物胁迫应答等方面发挥重要的调控作用。前期研究表明OsPT1为镉（Cd）响应基因,但其在Cd胁迫下的功能及作用机制仍然未知。阐明OsPT1在Cd胁迫下的作用,并为低Cd水稻品种的选育奠定基础。通过生物信息学方法对该基因的序列特征、结构和功能进行分析和预测,利用实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）方法检测Cd胁迫下水稻不同组织、不同时间点OsPT1的相对表达量。此外,利用PCR的方法克隆OsPT1的编码序列,构建pGADT7-OsPT1重组质粒载体,并将其转入Δycf1 BY4741酵母菌株（Cd敏感酵母菌株）用以验证OsPT1对酵母Cd耐受性的影响。结果表明,OsPT1编码序列全长为1 584 bp,编码分子量为57.46 kD,由527个氨基酸构成的蛋白。在水稻基因组中该基因上游启动子区含有与光、厌氧、茉莉酸甲酯等环境和激素响应相关的调控元件。系统进化分析表明,水稻OsPT1与高粱SbPT1亲缘关系最近。基因的镉响应表达分析结果表明,与对照相比,经100 μmol/L Cd处理的水稻在1、6和12 h后,地上部分OsPT1的转录水平分别上调1.31、1.34和2.46倍;水稻根部OsPT1在处理1和6 h后分别上调1.28和1.14倍,但在Cd处理12 h后,其表达水平下调至处理前的0.62倍。转基因酵母Cd耐受性结果表明,与对照（0 μmol/L Cd）相比,经25 μmol/L Cd处理后,转OsPT1的酵母对Cd的耐受性有一定的下降。OsPT1可能在水稻应对Cd胁迫过程中发挥一定的作用。     

Members of a New Group of Chitinase-Like Genes are Expressed Preferentially in Cotton Cells with Secondary Walls

Two homologous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genes, GhCTL1 and GhCTL2, encode members of a new group of chitinase-like proteins (called the GhCTL group) that includes other proteins from two cotton species, Arabidopsis, rice, and pea. Members of the GhCTL group are assigned to family GH19 glycoside hydrolases along with numerous authentic chitinases (http://afmb.cnrs-mrs.fr/CAZY/index.html), but the proteins have novel consensus sequences in two regions that are essential for chitinase activity and that were previously thought to be conserved. Maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses, as well as Neighbor-Joining distance analyses, of numerous chitinases confirmed that the GhCTL group is distinct. A molecular model of GhCTL2 (based on the three-dimensional structure of a barley chitinase) had changes in the catalytic site that are likely to abolish catalytic activity while retaining potential to bind chitin oligosaccharides. RNA blot analysis showed that members of the GhCTL group had preferential expression during secondary wall deposition in cotton lint fiber. Cotton transformed with a fusion of the GhCTL2 promoter to the beta -d-glucuronidase gene showed preferential reporter gene activity in numerous cells during secondary wall deposition. Together with evidence from other researchers that mutants in an Arabidopsis gene within the GhCTL group are cellulose-deficient with phenotypes indicative of altered primary cell walls, these data suggest that members of the GhCTL group of chitinase-like proteins are essential for cellulose synthesis in primary and secondary cell walls. However, the mechanism by which they act is more likely to involve binding of chitin oligosaccharides than catalysis.     

Functional Diversity of Xyloglucan-Related Proteins and its Implications in the Cell Wall Dynamics in Plants

Abstract: The plant cell wall is a dynamic apparatus responsible for both morphogenesis and responsiveness to environmental conditions. In the cell wall of most seed plants, cellulose microfibrils are cross-linked by xyloglucans to form a cellulose/xyloglucan framework, which functions as the mechanical underpinning of the cell wall. Endoxyloglucan transferases are a class of enzymes that play a central role in construction and modification of the plant cell wall. These enzymes are encoded by a large multi-gene family termed xyloglucan-related proteins (XRPs). More than 24 members of the XRP family have so far been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. Each member of this family functions as either a hydrolase or a transferase acting on xyloglucans. The primary structures of proteins and gene-expression profiles have strongly suggested their potentially divergent roles in plant morphogenesis: different members of this family are expressed in different types of tissues at distinct developmental stages and respond differentially to individual hormones as well as environmental stimuli. These facts imply that each member of this gene family is individually committed to a specific process that proceeds in a specific tissue at a specific stage of development. Probably the generation and maintenance of the cell walls in a whole organ, and thus in the whole plant, is achieved by the ensemble of individual members of the XRP family.     

Genome-wide Expression Profiling in Seedlings of the Arabidopsis Mutant uro that is Defective in the Secondary Cell Wall Formation

Plant secondary growth is of tremendous importance, not only for plant growth and development but also for economic usefulness. Secondary tissues such as xylem and phloem are the conducting tissues in plant vascular systems, essentially for water and nutrient transport, respectively. On the other hand, products of plant secondary growth are important raw materials and renewable sources of energy. Although advances have been recently made towards describing molecular mechanisms that regulate secondary growth, the genetic control for this process is not yet fully understood. Secondary cell wall formation in plants shares some common mechanisms with other plant secondary growth processes. Thus, studies on the secondary cell wall formation using Arabidopsis may help to understand the regulatory mechanisms for plant secondary growth. We previously reported phenotypic characterizations of an Arabidopsis semi-dominant mutant, upright rosette （uro）, which is defective in secondary cell wall growth and has an unusually soft stem. Here, we show that lignification in the secondary cell wall in uro is aberrant by analyzing hypocotyl and stem. We also show genome-wide expression profiles of uro seedlings, using the Affymetrix GeneChip that contains approximately 24 000 Arabidopsis genes. Genes identified with altered expression levels include those that function in plant hormone biosynthesis and signaling, cell division and plant secondary tissue growth. These results provide useful information for further characterizations of the regulatory network in plant secondary cell wall formation.     

Disruption of ATCSLD5 results in reduced growth, reduced xylan and homogalacturonan synthase activity and altered xylan occurrence in Arabidopsis

Members of a large family of cellulose synthase-like genes (CSLs) are predicted to encode glycosyl transferases (GTs) involved in the biosynthesis of plant cell walls. The CSLA and CSLF families are known to contain mannan and glucan synthases, respectively, but the products of other CSLs are unknown. Here we report the effects of disrupting ATCSLD5 expression in Arabidopsis. Both stem and root growth were significantly reduced in ATCSLD5 knock-out plants, and these plants also had increased susceptibility to the cellulose synthase inhibitor isoxaben. Antibody and carbohydrate-binding module labelling indicated a reduction in the level of xylan in stems, and in vitro GT assays using microsomes from stems revealed that ATCSLD5 knock-out plants also had reduced xylan and homogalacturonan synthase activity. Expression in Nicotiana benthamiana of ATCSLD5 and ATCSLD3, fluorescently tagged at either the C- or the N-terminal, indicated that these GTs are likely to be localized in the Golgi apparatus. However, the position of the fluorescent tag affected the subcellular localization of both proteins. The work presented provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of disrupting ATCSLD5 in planta, and the possible role(s) of this gene and other ATCSLDs in cell wall biosynthesis are discussed.     

羽衣甘蓝对镉的耐性和富集特征研究

以观赏绿化植物羽衣甘蓝(Brassica oleracea L.var.acephala DC.)为试验材料,采用盆栽试验,研究其对镉的耐性和富集特征,探讨羽衣甘蓝对镉污染土壤生物修复的可行性。结果显示:(1)随着镉处理浓度的增加,羽衣甘蓝干重呈先升高后降低的趋势,20~80mg·kg-1镉处理能促进植株的生长,100~120mg·kg-1镉处理虽然显著抑制了根系的生长,但是促进了地上部的生长,整体而言对全株生长无明显影响,表明羽衣甘蓝对镉有较强的耐性,且地上部的耐性高于根系。(2)所有镉处理下,羽衣甘蓝叶片的SOD、POD和APX活性较高,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率与对照无差异;而镉处理浓度高于80mg·kg-1时,根系的SOD、CAT和APX活性显著降低,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率显著升高,引起严重的膜脂过氧化伤害,这可能是羽衣甘蓝地上部的镉耐性高于根系的原因之一。(3)羽衣甘蓝地上部的镉含量高于根系,且随着镉处理浓度的增加均逐渐增加,在镉处理浓度为120mg·kg-1时达到最大值,分别为50.15mg·kg-1(根系)和52.01mg·kg-1(地上部);植株对镉的转运系数大于1,地上部镉富集量高于根系,地上部最大富集量为每株343.19μg。研究表明,羽衣甘蓝对镉有很强的耐性和富集、转运能力,是一种良好的修复镉污染土壤的观赏绿化植物资源。     

Different Responses of Plant Growth and Antioxidant System to the Combination of Cadmium and Heat Stress in Transgenic and Non-transgenic Rice

A comparative study of just cadmium （Cd） or heat and their combination treatments on some physiological parameters and the antioxidant systems in transgenic rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghua No.11） carrying glutathione-S-transferase （GST, EC. 2.5.1.18） and catalasel （CAT1, EC. 1.11.1.6） and non-transgenics was conducted. The results revealed improved resistance in the transgenics to Cd and the combined Cd and heat stress than non-transgenics. Data showed that the activities of CAT, GST, superoxide dismutase （EC.1.15.1.1） and all components of the ascorbate-glutatbione cycle measured in the stressed transgenics shoots are significantly different from those of non-transgenics. Results indicated that co-expression of GST and CAT1 had an important effect on the antioxidant system, in particular, the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle. The less oxidative damage induced by Cd and the stress combination in the transgenics resulted not only from the GST and CAT1 transgene but also from the coordination of the whole ascorbate-glutathione cycle.     

Concentrations of Lead,Cadmium, and Mercury in Halfbeaks (Hyporhampus affinis) from the East Java Coast,Indonesia and Human Health Hazard

The objectives of this study were to measure the levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in the muscle tissues of halfbeaks (Hyporhampus affinis) captured at five stations along the East Java coast, Indonesia. This fish is one of the important species and consumed by local people as a cheap source of protein. We evaluated the hazard level posed by the metals in relation to the maximum residual limit for human consumption and to estimate the weekly intake and compare it with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations in fish at all stations ranged from 0.006 to 0.023 mg/kg, 0.007 to 0.024 mg/kg, and 0.047 to 0.055 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. All samples of halfbeaks collected from this area appear to be safe for human consumption because their metals’ levels are below the permissible limit for human consumption and the maximum weekly intakes are below the recommended values of PTWI.