Characterization of a Tomato Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase Gene That Is Down-Regulated by Auxin in Etiolated Hypocotyls

The reorganization of the cellulose-xyloglucan matrix is proposed to serve as an important mechanism in the control of strength and extensibility of the plant primary cell wall. One of the key enzymes associated with xyloglucan metabolism is xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET), which catalyzes the endocleavage and religation of xyloglucan molecules. As with other plant species, XETs are encoded by a gene family in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv T5). In a previous study, we demonstrated that the tomato XET gene LeEXT was abundantly expressed in the rapidly expanding region of the etiolated hypocotyl and was induced to higher levels by auxin. Here, we report the identification of a new tomato XET gene, LeXET2, that shows a different spatial expression and diametrically opposite pattern of auxin regulation from LeEXT. LeXET2 was expressed more abundantly in the mature nonelongating regions of the hypocotyl, and its mRNA abundance decreased dramatically following auxin treatment of etiolated hypocotyl segments. Analysis of the effect of several plant hormones on LeXET2 expression revealed that the inhibition of LeXET2 mRNA accumulation also occurred with cytokinin treatment. LeXET2 mRNA levels increased significantly in hypocotyl segments treated with gibberellin, but this increase could be prevented by adding auxin or cytokinin to the incubation media. Recombinant LeXET2 protein obtained by heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris exhibited greater XET activity against xyloglucan from tomato than that from three other species. The opposite patterns of expression and differential auxin regulation of LeXET2 and LeEXT suggest that they encode XETs with distinct roles during plant growth and development.     

Isolation and Characterization of a Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene, FvCDPK1, Responsive to Abiotic Stress in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Plant calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play vital roles in calcium signal transduction during various developmental processes and during responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we isolated and characterized a CDPK gene designated FvCDPK1 from a wild diploid strawberry accession Heilongjiang-3 (Fragaria vesca L.). The FvCDPK1 gene contains 12 exons and 11 introns, and the sequences of most exons are highly conserved in higher plants. The full-length cDNA of FvCDPK1 contains 1,825 nucleotides with an open reading frame of 1,653 bp encoding a polypeptide of 550 amino acids. The deduced FvCDPK1 protein contains the basic features of typical plant CDPKs: a catalytic kinase domain and a regulatory calmodulin-like domain containing four EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that FvCDPK1 belongs to the plant CDPK family. When transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells, the FvCDPK1-GFP fusion protein was found to be localized in the nucleus. Expression analysis indicated that FvCDPK1 was expressed in fruits at different developmental and ripening stages, as well as in several tissues such as roots, runners, flowers, leaves, and meristems. Moreover, expression levels of FvCDPK1 were higher in meristems than in other vegetative tissues. Under abiotic stress conditions, however, FvCDPK1 was found to be upregulated upon abscisic acid, NaCl, cold-, or high-temperature treatments. Taken together, our data suggest that FvCDPK1 might play a role in various responses to abiotic stresses in strawberry.     

小麦CBL结合蛋白激酶基因TaCIPK16的克隆及特征分析

类钙调磷酸酶亚基B蛋白(calcineurin B-1ike protein,CBL)作为一类钙离子结合蛋白,通过与一类蛋白激酶(CBL-interacting protein kinase,ClPK)结合,从而在钙信号依赖的生理生化过程中发挥作用。该研究在条锈菌诱导的小麦叶片中克隆获得CIPK家族中1个基因TaCIPK16,并利用qRT-PCR技术、酵母双杂交技术及亚细胞定位技术分析了其功能特性。序列分析表明,TaCIPK16编码447个氨基酸,包含保守的激酶催化结构域及调控结构域,与水稻、拟南芥CIPK蛋白具有高度相似性。酵母双杂交分析验证显示,TaCIPK16与TaCBL4和TaCBL9存在强烈互作。定量分析表明,TaCIPK16受到条锈菌的诱导表达,在小麦与条锈菌互作过程中呈显著差异表达趋势。综上结果,TaCIPK16可能作为正调控因子参与了小麦对条锈菌的抗病防卫反应。     

一个小麦丝氨酸—苏氨酸蛋白激酶基因的克隆和分析

用mRNA差异显示技术在含有抗白粉病基因Pm2 1的小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)_簇毛麦 (Haynaldiavillosa)6VS/ 6AL易位系 92R137中分离与抗白粉病相关的基因 ,获得一个命名为TaPK1的全长cDNA克隆。序列分析表明 ,它与大豆 (Glycinemax (L .)Merr.)蛋白激酶基因GmPK6高度同源。经推测 ,TaPK1编码 416个氨基酸的多肽 ,属丝氨酸_苏氨酸蛋白激酶家族 ,并具酪氨酸激酶特性。TaPK1是从小麦中分离的新基因。     

一个小麦丝氨酸-苏氨酸蛋白激酶基因的克隆和分析

用mRNA差异显示技术在含有抗白粉病基因Pm21的小麦(Tri ticum aestivum L.) -簇毛麦(Haynaldia villosa) 6VS /6AL易位系92R137中分离与抗白粉病相关的基因,获得一个命名为TaPK1的全长cDNA克隆.序列分析表明,它与大豆(Glycine max (L.) Merr.)蛋白激酶基因GmPK6高度同源.经推测,TaPK1 编码416个氨基酸的多肽,属丝氨酸-苏氨酸蛋白激酶家族,并具酪氨酸激酶特性.TaPK1是从小麦中分离的新基因.     

Influence of Auxin and Gibberellin on in Vivo Protein Synthesis during Early Pea Fruit Growth

Developing pea fruits (Pisum sativum L.) offer a unique opportunity to study growth and development in a tissue that is responsive to both gibberellins (GAs) and auxin (4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid[4-CI-IAA]). To begin a molecular analysis of the interaction of GAs and auxins in pea fruit development, in vivo labeling with [35S]methionine coupled with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were used to characterize de novo synthesis of proteins during gibberellic acid (GA3)-, 4-CI-indoleacetic acid-, and seed-induced pea pericarp growth. The most significant and reproducible polypeptide changes were observed between molecular weights of 20 and 60. Comparing about 250 de novo synthesized proteins revealed that seed removal changed the pattern substantially. We identified one class of polypeptides that was uniquely seed induced and five classes that were affected by hormone treatment. The latter included 4-CI-IAA-induced, GA3-induced, GA3- and 4-CI-IAA-induced, 4-CI-IAA-repressed, and GA3- and 4-CI-IAA-repressed polypeptides. Similar patterns of protein expression were associated with both hormone treatments; however, changes unique to GA3 or 4-CI-IAA treatment also indicate that the effects of GA3 and 4-CI-IAA on this process are not equivalent. In general, application of 4-CI-IAA plus GA3 replaced the seed effects on pericarp protein synthesis, supporting our hypothesis that both hormones are involved in pea pericarp development.     

cDNA Cloning and Characterization of a Gibberellin-Responsive Gene in Hypocotyls of Cucumis sativus L.

A cDNA clone corresponding to a gibberellin-responsive gene(CRG16) was isolated from cucumber hypocotyls. CRG16 was deducedto encode an extremely hydrophobic protein of 65 amino acids.The deduced sequence exhibited no significant homology to otherproteins. Levels of CRG16 mRNA reflected the gibberellin-inducedelongation of cucumber hypocotyls. (Received December 16, 1995; Accepted April 22, 1996)     

蛋白激酶C的分离纯化及其性质研究

 本文由兔脑细胞质可溶部分分离纯化了蛋白激酶C,测得该酶分子量为79.2kD,最适pH为6.5,最适反应温度为20℃,热不稳定,即使在4℃下,24h就丧失活力50％,同时观察了蛋白激酶C的抑制剂H_7对酶活力的影响。     

Effect of Auxin and Gibberellin on Sporulation in Yeast

Effect of auxin and gibberellic acid on sporulation of a yeast, Saccharomyces ellipsoideus, was studied. When added to the sporulation media, gibberellic acid promoted sporulation. The sporulation rate was higher in the medium SGV with vitamins than in the vitamin-free SG, but the effect of gibberellic acid was more pronounced in the latter. Auxin (IAA, 2,4-D, and NAA) inhibited sporulation in SGV, but promoted it in SG. This sporulation-promoting effect of IAA was reversed by an antiauxin, 2,4,6-T. Preculturing in the presence of added IAA increased sporulation. Added to the preculture medium, gibberellic acid alone showed little effect on sporulation, but in combination with IAA it enhanced sporulation conspicuously. IAA and gibberellic acid were effective in sporulation promotion only when added before the nuclear enlargement occurred in sporulation culture.     

Isolation and Characterization of the Gibberellin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Sphaceloma manihoticola

Gibberellins (GAs) are tetracyclic diterpenoid phytohormones that were first identified as secondary metabolites of the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (teleomorph, Gibberella fujikuroi). GAs were also found in the cassava pathogen Sphaceloma manihoticola, but the spectrum of GAs differed from that in F. fujikuroi. In contrast to F. fujikuroi, the GA biosynthetic pathway has not been studied in detail in S. manihoticola, and none of the GA biosynthetic genes have been cloned from the species. Here, we present the identification of the GA biosynthetic gene cluster from S. manihoticola consisting of five genes encoding a bifunctional ent-copalyl/ent-kaurene synthase (CPS/KS), a pathway-specific geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGS2), and three cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. The functions of all of the genes were analyzed either by a gene replacement approach or by complementing the corresponding F. fujikuroi mutants. The cluster organization and gene functions are similar to those in F. fujikuroi. However, the two border genes in the Fusarium cluster encoding the GA₄ desaturase (DES) and the 13-hydroxylase (P450-3) are absent in the S. manihoticola GA gene cluster, consistent with the spectrum of GAs produced by this fungus. The close similarity between the two GA gene clusters, the identical gene functions, and the conserved intron positions suggest a common evolutionary origin despite the distant relatedness of the two fungi.     

心肌特异表达的肌小节相关激酶基因p93的克隆与鉴定

心肌收缩受到由蛋白质因子构成的信号转导通路的调控 ,但确切机制尚未完全明了。从人心脏cDNA文库中克隆到心肌特异表达的可能参与信号转导调控的新基因 ,命名为p93基因。该基因定位于 1p31.1,属于MAP KKKs家族的相近亚家族。Northern印迹及含 76种组织的点杂交显示了p93仅在心肌组织中表达 ;免疫组化表明它主要定位于成人与胎儿的心肌细胞核 ,胞液次之 ;体外激酶活性实验证明野生型p93是一个可以进行自我磷酸化的功能性激酶分子 ;以该基因C端为诱饵质粒的酵母双杂交筛选表明 ,p93主要与心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)等与收缩有关的肌小节蛋白发生相互作用 ,并以免疫共沉淀实验得到了验证。推测p93可能通过激酶信号转导通路的方式参与对肌小节收缩蛋白的调节。     

The Expression Pattern of the Gene for NPK1 Protein Kinase Related to Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase (MAPKKK) in a Tobacco Plant: Correlation with Cell Proliferation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades consist ofmembers of three families of protein kinases: the MAPK family,the MAPK kinase family, and the MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK)family. Some of these cascades have been shown to play centralroles in the transmission of signals that control various cellularprocesses including cell proliferation. Protein kinase NPK1is a structural and functional tobacco homologue of MAPKKK,but its physiological function is yet unknown. In the presentstudy, we have investigated sites of expression of the NPK1gene in a tobacco plant and developmental and physiologicalcontrols of this expression. After germination, expression ofNPK1 was first detected in tips of a radicle and cotyledons,then in shoot and root apical meristems, surrounding tissuesof the apical meristems, primordia of lateral roots, and youngdeveloping organs. No expression was, however, observed in matureorgans. Incubation of discs from mature leaves of tobacco withboth auxin and cytokinin induced NPK1 expression before thedivision of cells. It was also induced at early stages of thedevelopment of primordia of lateral roots and adventitious roots.Thus, NPK1 expression appears to be tightly correlated withcell division or division competence. Even when an inhibitorof DNA synthesis was added during the germination or the inductionof lateral roots by auxin, NPK1 expression was detected. Theseresults showed that the NPK1 expression precedes DNA replication.We propose that NPK1 participates in a process involving thedivision of plant cells. (Received January 26, 1998; Accepted April 9, 1998)     

Purification and Characterization of a Chloroplast Outer-Envelope-Bound, ATP-Dependent Protein Kinase

An ATP-dependent protein kinase was partially purified from isolated outer envelope membranes of pea (Pisum sativum L., Progress No. 9) chloroplasts. The purified kinase had a molecular weight of 70 kilodaltons, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was of the cyclic nucleotide and Ca²⁺, calmodulin-independent type. The purification involved the detergent solubilization of purified outer envelopes by 0.5% cholate and 1% octylglycoside, followed by centrifugation on a linear 6 to 25% sucrose gradient. Active enzyme fractions were further purified by affinity chromatography on histone III-S Sepharose 4B and ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The protein kinase eluted at 100 millimolar and 50 millimolar NaCl, respectively. The protein kinase was essentially pure as judged by Western blot analysis. The enzyme has a K_M of 450 micromolar for ATP and a V_max of 25 picomoles of ³²P incorporated into histone III-S per minute per microgram. Inhibition by ADP is competitive (K_i 150 micromolar).     

Synergism between Gibberellin and Auxin in the Growth of Intact Tomato

Gibberellin A_4&7 was more effective than gibberellic acid in increasing shoot elongation when applied to the apex of intact Lycopersicum esculentum seedlings of Tiny Tim, a dwarf cultivar, and Winsall, a tall cultivar. After 14 days, gibberellic acid and gibberellin A_4&7 stimulated growth of the dwarf more than the tall tomato. In tall tomato the application of indole-3-acetic acid alone (6.1 μg/plant) showed an inhibitory growth effect, but when applied with 17.5 μg per plant of gibberellic acid, it had a synergistic effect at 7 days but not at 14 days. When the auxin concentration was reduced to 0.61 μg per plant a synergistic effect was observed on tall plants at 7 and 14 days between indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid. Application of gibberellin A_4&7 with auxin did not give a synergistic response in tall or dwarf tomato.