Potent CTL induction by a whole cell pertussis vaccine in anti-tumor peptide immunotherapy

Promising yet limited clinical responses have been reported for peptide based immunotherapy against tumors. In order to induce more potent cytolytic CD8 T cell responses, we investigated the use of Bordetella pertussis vaccine as an adjuvant for peptide immunization. A whole cell (Wc) vaccine has been known to induce a Th1 biased immune response while an acellular (Ac) vaccine tends to induce that of the Th2 type. Natural infection by B. pertussis helps to maintain a robust Th1 memory in the host population. To examine the adjuvant activity of the pertussis vaccine, we immunized mice with an ovalbumin peptide as a model tumor antigen, and monitored the development of anti-tumor activities. The addition of either the Ac or the Wc vaccine helped expand the specific CD8 T cells. However, there was a marked difference in the induced cytolytic activity where the Wc vaccine was superior to the Ac. The Wc vaccine was also more effective in inducing in vivo tumor rejection. The adjuvant activity was not only effective against ovalbumin, but was also evident when an endogenous tumor antigen, Wilms' tumor 1 gene product, was targeted. These results indicate that, although the Wc vaccine does not share the same antigen specificity with tumor cells, it can aid in the development of highly cytolytic CD8 T cells as an adjuvant at the site of peptide immunization.     

柠条（Caragana korshinskii）的水分生理生态学特性

 柠条的水分生理生态学研究表明,蒸腾速率为395.1±234.4mg·g-1·h-1(平均值±标准差);小枝水势为-1.588Mpa;叶含水率为60.12±3.29%;蒸腾系数为72.82±19.88gH2O·gDW-1。林地土壤水分含量与蒸腾速率、小枝水势和叶含水率的关系十分密切。响应于年生长发育节律和水分条件的变化,柠条的抗旱性在年生长期初(5月)和旺盛生长阶段(8～9月）较弱,在高温干旱阶段(6～7月)和入冬之前(10月)较强。在年生长期中间(6～9月),柠条的抗旱性与蒸腾速率、小枝水势和叶含水率之间均具有负相关性。     

Overexpressed phytochrome C has similar photosensory specificity to phytochrome B but a distinctive capacity to enhance primary leaf expansion

Phytochrome C (phyC) is a low-abundance member of the five-membered phytochrome family of photoreceptors in Arabidopsis. Towards developing an understanding of the photosensory and physiological functions of phyC, transgenic Arabidopsis plants were generated that overexpress cDNA-encoded phyC and seedling responses to continuous white, red, or far-red light (Wc, Rc or FRc, respectively) were examined. Transgenic seedlings overexpressing phyC displayed enhanced inhibition of hypocotyl elongation in Rc, but were unchanged in responsiveness to FRc relative to wild-type. These data indicate that phyC has photosensory specificity that is similar to that of phyB and thus distinct from that of phyA. phyC overexpressors with levels only 3 to 4 times the level of endogenous phyC exhibited enhanced primary leaf expansion in Wc. This is in contrast to phyA or phyB overexpressors which respectively have levels that are 500-and 100-fold that of overexpressed phyC but showed no enhancement of primary leaf expansion. Therefore, phyC may have some physiological roles that are different to those of phyA and phyB in the control of seedling responses to light signals.     

Long-term drought stress induces structural and functional reorganization of photosystem II

Long-term drought stress on photosystem II (PSII) was studied in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. Drought stress (reduction of water content by 35–80%) led to a considerable depletion of the PSII core, and the remaining PSII complex appeared to be functional and reorganized, with a unit size (LHCP/PSII core) twofold greater than that of well-irrigated plants. By immunoblotting analysis of the PSII proteins from grana and stroma lamellae, the enhanced degradation of CP43 and D1 proteins was observed in water-stressed plants. Also, water stress caused increased phosphorylation of the PSII core and increased D1 protein synthesis. Water-stress-mediated increase in D1 synthesis did not occur when plants were exposed to photoinhibitory light. The depletion of the PSII core was essentially reversed when water-stressed plants grown at low visible irradiance were watered. We suggest that the syndrome caused by the effect of long-term water stress on photosynthesis is a combination of at least two events: a reduction in the number of active PSII centres caused by a physical destabilization of the PSII core and a PSII reorganization with enhanced D1 turnover to counteract the core depletion.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - CP43 and CP47 -carotene-Chla-proteins of PSII core - DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol - DPC diphenylcarbazide - Fv/Fm the ratio of yield of variable fluorescence to yield of maximal fluorescence when all reaction centres are closed - LHC(P) light-harvesting complex (proteins) - Wc water content This work was supported by the Italian National Council of Research special grant RAISA, subproject 2 (paper No. 2179) on water stress B. Geiken was supported by the European program Human Capital and Mobility. We thank Dr. Roberto Barbato (Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy) for generous gifts of various PSII antibodies.     

Culture phenotype affects on regeneration capacity in the monocotHaworthia comptoniana

Summary Haworthia comptoniana specimens were cultured to determine how benzyladenine (BA) level and in vitro selection for shoot and callus production affected regeneration capacity and plant phenotype. Leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0 to 10 mg·liter⁻¹ of BA. The highest number of shoots was obtained with 0.5 mg·liter⁻¹ of BA.H. comptoniana stock cultures (hc) maintained with 0.5 mg·liter⁻¹ of BA produced clumps of small shoots interspersed with friable, white, tan, and green callus. A clump of very large shoots was isolated and designated cell line Rhc; it differed from the original hc culture in shoot size, the lack of callus growth, and higher water content. A line of green callus (designated Gc), a line of white callus (Wc), and a line of soft tan callus (Tc) were also isolated from hc. Optimal BA levels for shoot regeneration from lines Gc and Wc were 2 and 5 mg·liter⁻¹, respectively. No normal shoots could be regenerated from Tc. The phenotypes of these cell lines remained stable for 24 subculture generations. The hc line that initially required BA for growth became hormone autotrophic whereas the other lines did not. Culturing using Gelrite and sealing vessels with parafilm promoted vitrification of the hc line. Culturing using GIBCO agar and unsealed vessels reduced vitrification. The ex-vitro greenhouse survival rates for hc and Rhc plantlets were 10 and 80%, respectively. The large size of the Rhc shoots apparently resulted in significantly higher survival rates under greenhouse conditions, but did not result in any phenotypic whole plant changes.     

Ethnobotanical studies of plants of Charkotli Hills, Batkhela District, Malakand, Pakistan

A survey was conducted with the aim to document the indigenous information of Charkotli Hills, Batkhela District, Malakand, Pakistan. The area has rich vegetation and a high potential for ethnobotanical utilization. Information was collected on various traditional uses of 100 plants distributed over 49 families, of which 43 families were of dicot, 2 of monocot, 2 of pteridophyta, and 1 of gymnosperms. Most plants have more than one local use. Sixty-six plants were found to be medicinal species, 21 fruit and edible seed species, 11 furniture species, 18 fodder or forage species, 12 vegetable species, 12 fuel species, 11 thatching and building species, 5 hedge or fencing species, 5 timber wood species, 5 poisonous plants, 3 species used in ketchup, 2 fixed oil yielding species, 2 miswak species, 2 species for making sticks for cattle and defense purposes, 2 species cultivated for ornamental purposes, 2 species used as mehindi by girls, 1 irritant species, 1 species for the making of Salai (a little stick for applying ‘surma’ to the eyes), 1 species for tanning, 1 species used as refresher in milk pots, 1 species giving gum used as chewing gum, and 1 species used as insect repellent. The area is under heavy pressure of deforestation and overgrazing, which have reduced the regeneration of woody plants. Proper ecological management is required to protect the wildlife and ethnobotanical resources for the coming generations.     

Cloning and Characterization of a Weissella confusa Dextransucrase and Its Application in High Fibre Baking

Wheat bran offers health benefits as a baking ingredient, but is detrimental to bread textural quality. Dextran production by microbial fermentation improves sourdough bread volume and freshness, but extensive acid production during fermentation may negate this effect. Enzymatic production of dextran in wheat bran was tested to determine if dextran-containing bran could be used in baking without disrupting bread texture. The Weissella confusa VTT E-90392 dextransucrase gene was sequenced and His-tagged dextransucrase Wc392-rDSR was produced in Lactococcus lactis. Purified enzyme was characterized using ¹⁴C-sucrose radioisotope and reducing value-based assays, the former yielding K _m and V _max values of 14.7 mM and 8.2 μmol/(mg∙min), respectively, at the pH optimum of 5.4. The structure and size of in vitro dextran product was similar to dextran produced in vivo. Dextran (8.1% dry weight) was produced in wheat bran in 6 h using Wc392-rDSR. Bran with and without dextran was used in wheat baking at 20% supplementation level. Dextran presence improved bread softness and neutralized bran-induced volume loss, clearly demonstrating the potential of using dextransucrases in bran bioprocessing for use in baking.     

Ethnobotanical studies of plants of Charkotli Hills, Batkhela District, Malakand, Pakistan

A survey was conducted with the aim to document the indigenous information of Charkotli Hills, Batkhela District, Malakand, Pakistan. The area has rich vegetation and a high potential for ethnobotanical utiliza-tion. Information was collected on various traditional uses of 100 plants distributed over 49 families, of which 43 families were of dicot, 2 of monocot, 2 of pteridophyta, and 1 of gymnosperms. Most plants have more than one local use. Sixty-six plants were found to be medicinal species, 21 fruit and edible seed species, 11 furniture species, 18 fodder or forage species, 12 vegetable species, 12 fuel species, 11 thatching and building species, 5 hedge or fencing species, 5 timber wood species, 5 poisonous plants, 3 species used in ketchup, 2 fixed oil yielding species, 2 miswak species, 2 species for making sticks for cattle and defense purposes, 2 species cultivated for ornamental purposes, 2 species used as mehindi by girls, 1 irritant species, 1 species for the making of Salai (a little stick for applying 'surma' to the eyes), 1 species for tanning, 1 species used as refresher in milk pots, 1 species giving gum used as chewing gum, and 1 species used as insect repellent. The area is under heavy pressure of deforestation and overgrazing, which have reduced the regeneration of woody plants. Proper ecological manage-ment is required to protect the wildlife and ethnobotanical resources for the coming generations.     

sas1, an Arabidopsis mutant overaccumulating sodium in the shoot, shows deficiency in the control of the root radial transport of sodium

A recessive mutation of Arabidopsis designated sas1 (for sodium overaccumulation in shoot) that was mapped to the bottom of chromosome III resulted in a two- to sevenfold overaccumulation of Na(+) in shoots compared with wild-type plants. sas1 is a pleiotropic mutation that also caused severe growth reduction. The impact of NaCl stress on growth was similar for sas1 and wild-type plants; however, with regard to survival, sas1 plants displayed increased sensitivity to NaCl and LiCl treatments compared with wild-type plants. sas1 mutants overaccumulated Na(+) and its toxic structural analog Li(+), but not K(+), Mg(2)+, or Ca(2)+. Sodium accumulated preferentially over K(+) in a similar manner for sas1 and wild-type plants. Sodium overaccumulation occurred in all of the aerial organs of intact sas1 plants but not in roots. Sodium-treated leaf fragments or calli displayed similar Na(+) accumulation levels for sas1 and wild-type tissues. This suggested that the sas1 mutation impaired Na(+) long-distance transport from roots to shoots. The transpiration stream was similar in sas1 and wild-type plants, whereas the Na(+) concentration in the xylem sap of sas1 plants was 5.5-fold higher than that of wild-type plants. These results suggest that the sas1 mutation disrupts control of the radial transport of Na(+) from the soil solution to the xylem vessels.     

DEX1, a Novel Plant Protein, Is Required for Exine Pattern Formation during Pollen Development in Arabidopsis

To identify factors that are required for proper pollen wall formation, we have characterized the T-DNA-tagged, dex1 mutation of Arabidopsis, which results in defective pollen wall pattern formation. This study reports the isolation and molecular characterization of DEX1 and morphological and ultrastructural analyses of dex1 plants. DEX1 encodes a novel plant protein that is predicted to be membrane associated and contains several potential calcium-binding domains. Pollen wall development in dex1 plants parallels that of wild-type plants until the early tetrad stage. In dex1 plants, primexine deposition is delayed and significantly reduced. The normal rippling of the plasma membrane and production of spacers observed in wild-type plants is also absent in the mutant. Sporopollenin is produced and randomly deposited on the plasma membrane in dex1 plants. However, it does not appear to be anchored to the microspore and forms large aggregates on the developing microspore and the locule walls. Based on the structure of DEX1 and the phenotype of dex1 plants, several potential roles for the protein are proposed.     

Cytogenetic characterization of radiosensitive mouse mutants.

In order to develop mouse models for human mutagen-sensitive syndromes, we carried out cytogenetic characterization of several mouse mutants and MS/Ae mice showing enhanced radiosensitivities. The applied cytogenetic techniques include chromosomal analysis of in vitro cell cultures and lymphocyte cultures as well as in vivo UDS in hepatocytes, induction of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes and translocation induction in spermatogonial stem cells. Among the mutations studied, namely the contrasted allele of steel (Slcon), viable dominant spotting (Wc), wasted (wst), varitint-waddler (Va) and dystonia musculorum (dt) as well as MS/Ae mice, various iso-, hyper- or hypo-sensitive conditions were recorded. Only Va and dt appear to be associated with some deficiency in DNA repair.     

Effects of prey availability, facultative plant feeding, and plant defenses on a generalist insect predator

This study examined the effects of feeding interval, access to host plants (thus, a source of sap), and plant defenses on the predatory insect, Podisus maculiventris Say (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 design with two feeding intervals (1 day or 5 days) and predators living on either tomato plants or plastic plants. Females fed every day had greater body weights and egg hatch rates than females fed every five days. Females on tomato plants lived longer than females on plastic plants. However, access to plants did not alleviate the effects of low prey level on predator weight or reproductive output. In a second experiment, third instar nymphs were placed on either tomato plants or plastic plants for four days to examine the effects of tomato trichome defenses on these predators. Nymphs on tomato plants experienced 50% mortality compared to 15% mortality for nymphs on plastic plants. Some nymphs living on tomato plants were trapped by the hairy trichomes of the plant; others had gummed up legs from the exudates of the plants’ glandular trichomes, which inhibited their movement and ability to feed on prey. Although predators appeared to benefit from feeding on tomato plants, their ability to live on the plants was negatively affected by the defensive features of the plants. The potential effects of trichome defenses on predator survival and population dynamics must be considered when evaluating the benefits of plants on insect predator life histories and efficacy as biological control agents.     

Functional characterization of PaLAX1, a putative auxin permease, in heterologous plant systems

We have isolated the cDNA of the gene PaLAX1 from a wild cherry tree (Prunus avium). The gene and its product are highly similar in sequences to both the cDNAs and the corresponding protein products of AUX/LAX-type genes, coding for putative auxin influx carriers. We have prepared and characterized transformed Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying the gene PaLAX1. We have proved that constitutive overexpression of PaLAX1 is accompanied by changes in the content and distribution of free indole-3-acetic acid, the major endogenous auxin. The increase in free indole-3-acetic acid content in transgenic plants resulted in various phenotype changes, typical for the auxin-overproducing plants. The uptake of synthetic auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, was 3 times higher in transgenic lines compared to the wild-type lines and the treatment with the auxin uptake inhibitor 1-naphthoxyacetic acid reverted the changes caused by the expression of PaLAX1. Moreover, the agravitropic response could be restored by expression of PaLAX1 in the mutant aux1 plants, which are deficient in auxin influx carrier activity. Based on our data, we have concluded that the product of the gene PaLAX1 promotes the uptake of auxin into cells, and, as a putative auxin influx carrier, it affects the content and distribution of free endogenous auxin in transgenic plants.     

Overexpression of cytosolic glutamine synthetase. Relation to nitrogen,light, and photorespiration

In plants, ammonium released during photorespiration exceeds primary nitrogen assimilation by as much as 10-fold. Analysis of photorespiratory mutants indicates that photorespiratory ammonium released in mitochondria is reassimilated in the chloroplast by a chloroplastic isoenzyme of glutamine synthetase (GS2), the predominant GS isoform in leaves of Solanaceous species including tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). By contrast, cytosolic GS1 is expressed in the vasculature of several species including tobacco. Here, we report the effects on growth and photorespiration of overexpressing a cytosolic GS1 isoenzyme in leaf mesophyll cells of tobacco. The plants, which ectopically overexpress cytosolic GS1 in leaves, display a light-dependent improved growth phenotype under nitrogen-limiting and nitrogen-non-limiting conditions. Improved growth was evidenced by increases in fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf soluble protein. Because the improved growth phenotype was dependent on light, this suggested that the ectopic expression of cytosolic GS1 in leaves may act via photosynthetic/photorespiratory process. The ectopic overexpression of cytosolic GS1 in tobacco leaves resulted in a 6- to 7-fold decrease in levels of free ammonium in leaves. Thus, the overexpression of cytosolic GS1 in leaf mesophyll cells seems to provide an alternate route to chloroplastic GS2 for the assimilation of photorespiratory ammonium. The cytosolic GS1 transgenic plants also exhibit an increase in the CO(2) photorespiratory burst and an increase in levels of photorespiratory intermediates, suggesting changes in photorespiration. Because the GS1 transgenic plants have an unaltered CO(2) compensation point, this may reflect an accompanying increase in photosynthetic capacity. Together, these results provide new insights into the possible mechanisms responsible for the improved growth phenotype of cytosolic GS1 overexpressing plants. Our studies provide further support for the notion that the ectopic overexpression of genes for cytosolic GS1 can potentially be used to affect increases in nitrogen use efficiency in transgenic crop plants.     

Evaluation of Tip Culture, Thermotherapy and Chemotherapy for Elimination of Peanut Mottle Virus from Arachis hypogaea

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants (cvs Florunner and Pronto) were inoculated at the two-leaf stage with peanut mottle virus (PMV) to obtain PMV-infected plants. Shoot-tips from plants grown in the glasshouse (27°C) or from plants maintained at 35°C were used for tip culture. In some experiments ribavirin was added to the culture medium at 5 mg/1, 10 mg/1, 15 mg/1 or 20 mg/1. Plants regenerated from meristems or shoot-tips taken from virus-infected plants were not virus-free. After 45 days at 35°C, foliar tissue of 93 % of Florunner and 95 % of Pronto plants tested negative for PMV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When shoot-tips from the plant that tested negative by ELISA were used for tip culture, no virus-free plants were obtained. No virus-free plants were obtained from tips cultured on medium supplemnted with ribavirin. However, when tip culture, thermotherapy and chemotherapy were combined; 80 % of Florunner and 100 % of Pronto plants were found negative for PMV.     

Overexpression of dehydroascorbate reductase, but not monodehydroascorbate reductase, confers tolerance to aluminum stress in transgenic tobacco

Aluminum (Al) inhibits plant growth partly by causing oxidative damage that is promoted by reactive oxygen species and can be prevented by improving antioxidant capacity. Ascorbic acid (AsA), the most abundant antioxidant in plants, is regenerated by the action of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). We investigated the role of MDAR and DHAR in AsA regeneration during Al stress using transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants overexpressing Arabidopsis cytosolic MDAR (MDAR-OX) or DHAR (DHAR-OX). DHAR-OX plants showed better root growth than wild-type (SR-1) plants after exposure to Al for 2 weeks, but MDAR-OX plants did not. There was no difference in Al distribution and accumulation in the root tips among SR-1, DHAR-OX, and MDAR-OX plants after Al treatment for 24 h. However, DHAR-OX plants showed lower hydrogen peroxide content, less lipid peroxidation and lower level of oxidative DNA damage than SR-1 plants, whereas MDAR-OX plants showed the same extent of damage as SR-1 plants. Compared with SR-1 plants, DHAR-OX plants consistently maintained a higher AsA level both with and without Al exposure, while MDAR-OX plants maintained a higher AsA level only without Al exposure. Also, DHAR-OX plants maintained higher APX activity under Al stress. The higher AsA level and APX activity in DHAR-OX plants contributed to their higher antioxidant capacity and higher tolerance to Al stress. These findings show that the overexpression of DHAR, but not of MDAR, confers Al tolerance, and that maintenance of a high AsA level is important to Al tolerance.     

Density dependent population growth of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on the host plant Leonurus cardiaca

We observed Tetranychus urticae (Koch), a polyphagous spider mite herbivore, on Leonurus cardiaca (L.) at several sites in eastern North America at variable density, ranging from extremely dense to sparse. To understand the nature of T. urticae 's population dynamics we experimentally manipulated population densities on L. cardiaca and assessed per capita growth after 1 to 2 generations in laboratory and field experiments. In particular, we took a 'bottom-up' approach, manipulating both plant size and quality to examine effects on mite dynamics. Per capita growth was strongly dependent on the initial density of the mite population. Spider mite populations grew (1) in a negatively density dependent manner on small plants and (2) unhindered by density dependence on large plants. Mean per capita growth was 59% higher on small plants compared to large plants, irrespective of mite density. We also found evidence for density dependent induced susceptibility to spider mites in small plants and density dependent induced resistance in large plants. Hence, spider mite populations grew at a relatively fast rate on small plants, and this was associated with negative density dependence due to factors that depress population growth, such as food deterioration or limitation. On large plants, spider mite populations grew at a relatively slow rate, apparently resulting in herbivore densities that may not have been high enough to cause intraspecific competition or other forms of negative density dependence.     

山西关帝山森林群落物种、谱系和功能多样性海拔格局

探索和揭示生物多样性的空间格局和维持机制是生态学和生物地理学研究的热点内容, 但综合物种、系统进化和功能属性等方面的多样性海拔格局研究很少。该文以关帝山森林群落为研究对象, 综合物种、谱系和功能α和β多样性指数, 旨在初步探讨关帝山森林群落多样性海拔格局及其维持机制。研究结果表明: 随着海拔的升高(1 409-2 150 m), 关帝山森林群落物种丰富度指数(S)、谱系多样性指数(PD)和功能丰富度指数(FRic)整体上表现出上升的趋势, 特别是海拔1 800 m以上区域。随着海拔的升高, 总β多样性(β_total)和更替(β_repl)上升趋势明显, 而丰富度差异(β_rich)则逐渐下降。不同生活型植物的物种、谱系和功能多样性海拔格局差异较大。随着海拔的升高, 草本植物S和物种多样性指数(H′)上升趋势高于木本植物。影响草本植物S分布的主要因素是地形因子, 而影响木本植物S分布的主要因素是历史过程。随着海拔的升高, 木本植物β_total上升趋势要比草本植物明显。随着海拔的升高, 木本植物β_repl和β_rich分别表现出单峰格局和“U”形格局, 而草本植物β_repl和β_rich则分别表现出单调递增和单调递减的格局。随着环境差异和地理距离的增加, 群落间物种、谱系和功能β多样性显著增加。环境差异(环境过滤)对木本植物的β多样性具有相对较强的作用; 而环境差异(环境过滤)和地理距离(扩散限制)共同作用于草本植物的β多样性。     

Stress-induced expression of choline oxidase in potato plant chloroplasts confers enhanced tolerance to oxidative, salt, and drought stresses

Transgenic potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Superior) with the ability to synthesize glycinebetaine (GB) in chloroplasts (referred to as SC plants) were developed via the introduction of the bacterial choline oxidase (codA) gene under the control of an oxidative stress-inducible SWPA2 promoter. SC1 and SC2 plants were selected via the evaluation of methyl viologen (MV)-mediated oxidative stress tolerance, using leaf discs for further characterization. The GB contents in the leaves of SC1 and SC2 plants following MV treatment were found to be 0.9 and 1.43 μmol/g fresh weight by HPLC analysis, respectively. In addition to reduced membrane damage after oxidative stress, the SC plants evidenced enhanced tolerance to NaCl and drought stress on the whole plant level. When the SC plants were subjected to two weeks of 150 mM NaCl stress, the photosynthetic activity of the SC1 and SC2 plants was attenuated by 38 and 27%, respectively, whereas that of non-transgenic (NT) plants was decreased by 58%. Under drought stress conditions, the SC plants maintained higher water contents and accumulated higher levels of vegetative biomass than was observed in the NT plants. These results indicate that stress-induced GB production in the chloroplasts of GB non-accumulating plants may prove useful in the development of industrial transgenic plants with increased tolerance to a variety of environmental stresses for sustainable agriculture applications.