Secretion of basic and acidic chitinases from salt-adapted and -unadapted winged bean cells

Northern hybridizations were used to study the site of synthesis of three carboxypeptidases (Cpases I-III) which occur in the starchy endosperm of germinating barley grain ( Hordeum vulgare L.). Further evidence was obtained by studying secretion of these enzymes from scutella or aleurone layers separated from germinating grains. Messenger RNA for Cpase II was detected only in developing grain, and the bulk of the mRNA was localized in the starchy endosperm. This suggests that Cpase II is synthesized at the site of its accumulation, the starchy endosperm. In contrast, Cpase I is expressed during germination and the predominant site of synthesis is the scutellum, from which it is secreted into the starchy endosperm. Cpase III is also synthesized during germination, but the bulk of it is synthesized in and secreted from the aleurone layer. Thus, the three carboxypeptidases, all of which seem to play a role in hydrolysis of the reserve proteins in the starchy endosperm during germination, have different sites of synthesis.     

α-Amylase production is induced by sulfuric acid in rice aleurone cells

The hydrolytic enzyme alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) is produced mainly in aleurone cells of germinating cereals, and the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) is essential for its induction. However, in rice (Oryza sativa L.), sulfuric acid (H(2)SO(4)) induces alpha-amylase production in aleurone tissue even in the absence of GA. Here, the pre-treatment of rice aleurone cells with H(2)SO(4) and incubation in water induced alpha-amylase activity, as if the cells had been incubated in GA solution.     

Hormonally regulated programmed cell death in barley aleurone cells

Cell death was studied in barley (cv Himalaya) aleurone cells treated with abscisic acid and gibberellin. Aleurone protoplasts incubated in abscisic acid remained viable in culture for at least 3 weeks, but exposure to gibberellin initiated a series of events that resulted in death. Between 4 and 8 days after incubation in gibberellin, >70% of all protoplasts died. Death, which occurred after cells became highly vacuolated, was manifest by an abrupt loss of plasma membrane integrity followed by rapid shrinkage of the cell corpse. Hydrolysis of DNA began before death and occurred as protoplasts ceased production of alpha-amylase. DNA degradation did not result in the accumulation of discrete low molecular weight fragments. DNA degradation and cell death were prevented by LY83583, an inhibitor of gibberellin signaling in barley aleurone. We conclude that cell death in aleurone cells is hormonally regulated and is the final step of a developmental program that promotes successful seedling establishment.     

The regulation of gene expression in transformed maize aleurone and endosperm protoplasts. Analysis of promoter activity, intron enhancement, and mRNA untranslated regions on expression.

Gene expression in the aleurone and endosperm is highly regulated during both seed development and germination. Studies of alpha-amylase expression in the aleurone of barley (Hordeum vulgare) have generated the current paradigm for hormonal control of gene expression in germinating cereal grain. Gene expression studies in both the aleurone and endosperm tissues of maize (Zea mays) seed have been hampered because of a lack of an efficient transformation system. We report here the rapid isolation of protoplasts from maize aleurone and endosperm tissue, their transformation using polyethylene glycol or electroporation, and the regulation of gene expression in these cells. Adh1 promoter activity was reduced relative to the 35S promoter in aleurone and endosperm protoplasts compared to Black Mexican Sweet suspension cells in which it was nearly as strong as the 35S promoter. Intron-mediated stimulation of expression was substantially higher in transformed aleurone or endosperm protoplasts than in cell-suspension culture protoplasts, and the data suggest that the effect of an intron may be affected by cell type. To examine cytoplasmic regulation, the 5' and 3' untranslated regions from a barley alpha-amylase were fused to the firefly luciferase-coding region, and their effect on translation and mRNA stability was examined following the delivery of in vitro synthesized mRNA to aleurone and endosperm protoplasts. The alpha-amylase untranslated regions regulated translational efficiency in a tissue-specific manner, increasing translation in aleurone or endosperm protoplasts but not in maize or carrot cell-suspension protoplasts, in animal cells, or in in vitro translation lysates.     

Multiple molecular forms of the gibberellin-induced alpha-amylase from the aleurone layers of barley seeds

A class of plant growth regulators, gibberellins, induce the synthesis of alpha-amylase (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) in the aleurone layers of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Himalaya) seeds. The purified alpha-amylase is composed of multiple isozymic forms with indistinguishable molecular weights, but different net charges. These alpha-amylase isozymes separate on isoelectric focusing gels into two groups, each containing multiple species. One group has an apparent isoelectric point (pI) of approximately 5.8 (the high pI group). The other group's pI values are around 4.5 (the low pI group). On some gels a small amount of protein focuses between the high and low pI isozymes. These proteins comigrate with the low pI isozymes upon reelectrophoresis. The synthesis of these two groups is temporally regulated. The high pI group is the dominant set of isozymes secreted from embryoless half seeds during the first two days of gibberellin administration. After four days, however, the major isozymes are those of the low pI group. This shift in isozyme pattern is due to a shift in their relative rates of synthesis. Peptide analysis of these two groups of isozymes with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and cyanogen bromide shows amino acid sequence differences. However, members within the same group have similar peptide patterns. Both groups of isozymes are synthesized in vitro in a wheat germ extract primed with poly(A)+ RNA isolated from gibberellin-treated aleurone layers. This indicates that the synthesis of the two groups of alpha-amylase isozymes is probably directed by two or more different populations of mature mRNA. A model that explains these observations and the available genetic information is that barley aleurone alpha-amylase isozymes are encoded by at least two sets of structural genes.     

Spatial and temporal regulation of DNA fragmentation in the aleurone of germinating barley

During germination of barley grains, the appearance of DNA fragmentation started in aleurone cells near the embryo and extended to the distal end in a time-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation was demonstrated to occur only after the expression of -amylase mRNA in the aleurone layer. In addition, cell wall degradation started in cells near the embryo on the sides facing the endosperm. Subsequently cell wall degradation extended to the lateral cell walls and to cells more to the distal end of the grain. A typical alteration of the nucleus was observed by electron microscopy and an almost complete degradation of DNA was found in the nucleus while the nuclear envelope remained intact. The results indicate that programmed cell death occurred in aleurone cells during germination. A model is proposed for the regulation of programmed cell death in aleurone cells during germination involving ABA levels and cell wall degradation.     

Expression of the 30 kD cysteine endoprotease B in germinating barley seeds

The expression of a 30 kD cysteine endoprotease (EP-B) was studied by in situ hybridization and immunomicroscopy to clarify its role in germinating barley grains. At the beginning of germination, EP-B mRNA was expressed in the scutellar epithelium and aleurone cells next to the embryo. Later, mRNA levels were highest in the aleurone layer proceeding to the distal end of the grain. During the first day of germination, EP-B protein was strongly localized to the germ aleurone and scutellar epithelium from where the secretion into the starchy endosperm began. Secretion was also observed to proceed along the aleurone layer to the distal end. These results show that EP-B is differentially localized during germination, and both scutellum and aleurone layer are able to synthesize and secrete EP-B protein.     

Programmed cell death in cereal aleurone

Progress in understanding programmed cell death (PCD) in the cereal aleurone is described. Cereal aleurone cells are specialized endosperm cells that function to synthesize and secrete hydrolytic enzymes that break down reserves in the starchy endosperm. Unlike the cells of the starchy endosperm, aleurone cells are viable in mature grain but undergo PCD when germination is triggered or when isolated aleurone layers or protoplasts are incubated in gibberellic acid (GA). Abscisic acid (ABA) slows down the process of aleurone cell death and isolated aleurone protoplasts can be kept alive in media containing ABA for up to 6 months. Cell death in barley aleurone occurs only after cells become highly vacuolated and is manifested in an abrupt loss of plasma membrane integrity. Aleurone cell death does not follow the apoptotic pathway found in many animal cells. The hallmarks of apoptosis, including internucleosomal DNA cleavage, plasma membrane and nuclear blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies, are not observed in dying aleurone cells. PCD in barley aleurone cells is accompanied by the accumulation of a spectrum of nuclease and protease activities and the loss of organelles as a result of cellular autolysis.     

Expression and Localization of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase in Developing and Germinating Wheat Grains

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity and corresponding mRNA levels were investigated in developing and germinating wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains. During grain development PEPC activity increased to reach a maximum 15 d postanthesis. Western-blot experiments detected two main PEPC polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 108 and 103 kD. The most abundant 103-kD PEPC subunit remained almost constant throughout the process of grain development and in the scutellum and aleurone layer of germinating grains. The less-abundant 108-kD polypeptide progressively disappeared during the second half of grain development and was newly synthesized in the scutellum and aleurone layer of germinating grains. PEPC mRNA was detected throughout the process of grain development; however, in germinating grains PEPC mRNA accumulated transiently in the scutellum and aleurone layer, showing a sharp maximum 24 h after imbibition. Immunolocalization studies revealed the presence of the enzyme in tissues with a high metabolic activity, as well as in the vascular tissue of the crease area of developing grains. A clear increase in PEPC was observed in the scutellar epithelium of grains 24 h after imbibition. The data suggest that the transiently formed PEPC mRNA in the scutellar epithelium encodes the 108-kD PEPC subunit.     

Relationship of ribonucleic Acid metabolism in embryo and aleurone to alpha-amylase synthesis in barley

RNA metabolism of embryo and aleurone of barley grains (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) was studied to elucidate the role of these tissues in the control of alpha-amylase synthesis and germination. The extent of (3)H-uridine incorporated into various RNA classes of the embryo during the first 12 hours of germination was low but constant. Subsequently, there was a rapid increase in RNA synthesis of all fractions. In the aleurones, after 16 hours, a gradual decrease in (3)H-uridine incorporation was observed, and by the time the synthesis of RNA in the aleurones had stopped, alpha-amylase level was at its highest in the grain.On transfer to accelerated aging conditions (43 C; 85% relative humidity), the grains lost their viability within 4 weeks. That this was due to a rapid deterioration of the embryo and not of the aleurone was apparent in studies on alpha-amylase formation, RNA metabolism, and ATP content in grains in various physiological states reported here. Results presented here also reveal a marked influence of the embryo and GA(3) on the quality of the newly synthesized RNAs. Aleurones which lacked the impulse of embryo or GA(3) were capable of synthesizing RNA but these RNAs were less heterodisperse than RNAs from aleurones which were under the influence of an embryo or GA(3).     

Localization of carboxypeptidase I in germinating barley grain

Activity measurements and Northern blot hybridizations were used to study the temporal and spatial expression of carboxypeptidase I in germinating grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya). In the resting grain no carboxypeptidase I activity was found in the aleurone layer, scutellum, or starchy endosperm. During germination high levels of enzyme activity appeared in the scutellum and in the starchy endosperm but only low activity was found in the aleurone layer. No mRNA for carboxypeptidase I was observed in the resting grain. By day 1 of germination the mRNA appeared in the scutellum where its level remained high for several days. In contrast, little mRNA was observed in the aleurone layer. These results indicate that the scutellum plays an important role in the production of carboxypeptidase I in germinating barley grain.     

Possible involvement of phosphoinositide-Ca2+ signaling in the regulation of alpha-amylase expression and germination of rice seed (Oryza sativa L.)

We have studied the effects of neomycin, a potent inhibitor of inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C (PLC), on the germination of rice seed and the gibberellin-induced expression of alpha-amylase in the aleurone layer and the scutellar tissues. It was shown that, in the absence of exogenous Ca2+, neomycin markedly reduced the germination speed and seedling growth of rice seeds and inhibited the gibberellin-induced expression of alpha-amylase in both secretory tissues. In addition, neomycin decreased the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) in the gibberellin-treated aleurone layer and the scutellar tissues. However, the inhibitory effects on the germination speed and the expression of alpha-amylase activity were overcome by supplementation of Ca2+. In addition, gibberellin elevated the level of IP3, and ABA prevented the gibberellin-induced formation of IP3, although ABA alone did not alter the IP3 level. The expression of a membrane-bound PLC molecule in rice aleurone layer was shown to be induced by gibberellin, and the gibberellin-induced expression of PLC was markedly delayed by treatment with ABA. These results strongly suggest that the phosphoinositide-Ca2+ signal transduction pathway may play an important role in the gibberellin-induced expression of alpha-amylase molecules closely related to the germination processes of rice seed.     

Regulation of alcohol dehydrogenase gene expression in barley aleurone by gibberellin and abscisic acid

The expression of the Adh1 gene (alcohol dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.1) was studied in the aleurone layer of barley ( Hordeum vulgare cv. Himalaya). Expression increased markedly during grain development at the levels of activity, enzyme protein and mRNA. mRNA content, but not enzyme activity, could be increased further by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) when isolated, de-embryonated developing grains were pre-treated with gibberellic acid (GA₃) or fluridone. In isolated mature aleurone layers incubated with exogenous hormones, ADH mRNA was strongly up-regulated by ABA and down-regulated by GA₃ within 6 h. With ABA, this increase in mRNA was followed by an increase in ADH protein and activity, peaking at 18 h. With GA₃, the decrease in mRNA was accompanied by simultaneous decreases in protein and activity. In general, GA₃ counteracted the effect of ABA and vice versa. In the aleurone of germinating grain, ADH activity decayed in a distal direction from the embryo, consistent with down-regulation by gibberellin(s) diffusing from it. It was concluded that ADH gene expression in the aleurone of the intact grain is regulated by an ABA/gibberellin interaction.     

A gibberellin-induced nuclease is localized in the nucleus of wheat aleurone cells undergoing programmed cell death

The aleurone layer of cereal grains undergoes a gibberellin-regulated process of programmed cell death (PCD) following germination. We have applied a combination of ultrastructural and biochemical approaches to analyze aleurone PCD in intact wheat grains. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay revealed that PCD was initiated in aleurone cells proximal to the embryo and then extended to distal cells. DNA fragmentation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling analysis revealed PCD of aleurone cells in maize grains, although the process was delayed as compared with wheat. Aleurone cells undergoing PCD showed a rapid vacuolation with high lytic activity in the cytoplasm, whereas the nucleus, which adopted an irregular shape, appeared essentially intact and showed symptoms of degradation at the end of the process. A nuclease activity was identified localized in the nucleus of aleurone cells undergoing PCD, just prior to the appearance of DNA laddering. This nuclease was induced by gibberellic acid treatment and was not detected when gibberellin synthesis was inhibited or in gibberellic acid-insensitive mutants. This nuclease was activated by Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), strongly inhibited by Zn(2+), and showed optimum activity at neutral pH, resembling nucleases involved in apoptosis of animal cells.     

Endoplasmic Reticulum Formation during Germination of Wheat Seeds : A QUANTITATIVE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY

This study demonstrates germination-induced ultrastructural changes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Arthur) aleurone cells. Seeds imbided for 4 hours in water contained endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or ER-like membranes as vesicles or as short segments of membrane associated with the spherosomes on the periphery of aleurone grains. Aleurone cells incubated between 8 and 10 hours contained abundant ER membranes mainly associated with the nuclear envelope and, to a lesser extent, with the spherosomes surrounding the aleurone grain. The membranes located on the periphery of the nucleus occurred as regions of stacked cisternae. When aleurone cells were analyzed by morphometry, the increase in ER during incubation was found to be greater than 2-fold. During the same incubation period, other organelles did not change significantly. The early increase in ER was not affected by gibberellin incubation. Thus, the rapid proliferation of ER observed during the early stages of germination in aleurone cells of wheat is not likely to be controlled directly by gibberellin.