根缘细胞的发生和生物学作用

植物根尖每天都要代谢大量的根缘细胞 ,这些根缘细胞能改变土壤的生化特性 ,平衡根际环境 ,保护植物的根尖免受外界胁迫如铝毒、线虫和病菌的侵染等伤害。通过对根缘细胞数量和特性的调节可协调植物与外界环境的互作。本文对根缘细胞的发生、根尖的防御机制及发生的内在原因等作了综述。     

机械振荡对猕猴桃试管苗根系发育的影响

目的:研究外界环境应力刺激对木本植物幼苗根系发育的生物学效应。方法:通过模拟机械振荡刺激中华猕猴桃的试管苗。结果:适度的机械振荡(频率2～3 Hz)可促进猕猴桃试管苗根系的生长发育,根系质膜的通透性降低,根尖活力以及根系总长、分根数等指标明显增加;但当振动强度超过一定值(4Hz)后,根系活力的增强效应就受到明显的抑制。结论:植物根系发育对外界应力刺激有较显著的双向效应;从细胞和分子生物学水平探讨了环境应力影响试管苗根系发育可能的内在机制。     

植物细胞的生物力学研究现状与进展

植物细胞的生物力学, 是探索生物生长奥妙的基础。本文阐述了国内外关于植物细胞生物力学的研究现状与进展; 讨论了植物细胞力学分析的几个基本理论; 重点讨论了植物细胞的力学模型及组织模型, 其中包括植物细胞的流变特性、黏附特性、应激效应(植物对外界应力刺激的响应)以及植物器官之茎杆的研究; 提出了植物细胞生物力学应在以下几个方面做进一步深入研究: 细胞间接触和细胞间相互渗透, 应力刺激对植物根、茎和叶等方面的影响以及外力在细胞中传递与分布规律。     

植物细胞的生物力学研究现状与进展

植物细胞的生物力学,是探索生物生长奥妙的基础.本文阐述了国内外关于植物细胞生物力学的研究现状与进展;讨论了植物细胞力学分析的几个基本理论;重点讨论了植物细胞的力学模型及组织模型,其中包括植物细胞的流变特性、黏附特性、应激效应(植物对外界应力刺激的响应)以及植物器官之茎杆的研究;提出了植物细胞生物力学应在以下几个方面做进一步深入研究:细胞间接触和细胞间相互渗透,应力刺激对植物根、茎和叶等方面的影响以及外力在细胞中传递与分布规律.     

土荆芥挥发油对蚕豆根尖细胞的化感潜力

化感作用是外来植物成功入侵的机制之一。本研究以蚕豆根尖为材料,采用DNA Ladder分析技术和蚕豆根尖微核技术,分析了入侵植物土荆芥挥发油经土壤载体诱导的细胞凋亡以及对细胞的遗传损伤。结果表明：（1）经挥发油处理24 h和48 h,低剂量（＜5 μL）挥发油对蚕豆根的生长与根尖细胞有丝分裂具有显著的促进作用,但随着处理剂量增大（＞5 μL）和处理时间延长,根的生长与细胞有丝分裂过程明显受到抑制。（2）挥发油具有诱导染色体畸变的效应,根尖细胞微核率随处理剂量增加和时间延长而增大,但当挥发油剂量大于15 μL,这种诱导效应降低。（3）通过DNA Ladder分析,经挥发油处理后根尖细胞发生了凋亡,其中24 h处理组DNA未发生特异性降解,当剂量大于15 μL处理48 h和剂量大于10 μL处理72 h后,DNA开始发生特异性降解,形成DNA Ladder,表明随着挥发油剂量增大和作用时间延长,细胞凋亡过程加剧。本研究结果表明土荆芥释放的挥发性化感物质能以土壤为载体对根细胞产生影响。     

慈姑（Sagittaria sagittifolia L.）对环境镉胁迫因子的应答

主要研究了水环境中Cd2+污染对慈姑(Sagittaria sagittifolia L.)根的毒害影响.结果表明:在Cd2+胁迫下,慈姑根出现不同程度的褐变、发黑,生长受到限制;叶和根尖细胞超微结构受损,叶绿体膨大、类囊体排列紊乱、线粒体嵴减少、空泡化、染色质凝集等;根尖细胞在扫描电镜下呈细胞壁增厚、细胞形状扭曲和排列不规则现象.能谱分析结果表明随外界Cd2+浓度增大,单个慈姑根尖中的Cd2+含量升高,其他营养元素的吸收受到不同程度的影响.Cd2+对慈姑的毒害有明显的剂量效应和时间效应.     

紫茎泽兰提取物对3种杂草的化感胁迫作用

为探讨紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)提取物对植物种子萌发和早期幼苗生长的影响及其生理机理,以稗草(Echinochloa crusgalli)、灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum)和反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexus)3种常见的田间杂草为材料,采用根悬空培养等方法,研究了不同浓度紫茎泽兰提取物对3种杂草种子萌发和幼苗生长、根尖组织结构、根系边缘细胞(root border cell,RBC)生理特性和根冠果胶甲基酯酶(pectin methyl esterase,PME)活性的影响。结果发现:紫茎泽兰提取物对3种植物种子萌发均具有明显的抑制作用;1000 mg/L紫茎泽兰提取物处理后,3种杂草幼苗的根尖均有不同程度的伤害,如根尖肿胀、抽缩或变形;根尖表层细胞脱落、内层细胞排列混乱。紫茎泽兰提取物处理能显著抑制3种杂草幼苗根尖RBC的数量(分别比对照降低了44.5%、48.3%和64.0%);诱导RBC凋亡(凋亡率分别达到81.7%、91.3%和97.1%)并显著增加RBC的黏胶层厚度(分别比对照增加了99.0%、65.5%和61.1%)及诱导PME活性升高。这些结果表明:紫茎泽兰提取物抑制了3种杂草根边缘细胞的产生,并诱导了根尖边缘细胞凋亡,因而破坏了根边缘细胞对根尖的保护系统,最终抑制了根系的生长发育。研究为将紫茎泽兰提取物用于植物源除草剂的开发提供了理论依据。     

慈姑(Sagittaria sagittifolia L.)对环境镉胁迫因子的应答

主要研究了水环境中Cd²⁺污染对慈姑(Sagittaria sagittifolia L.)根的毒害影响。结果表明:在Cd²⁺胁迫下,慈姑根出现不同程度的褐变、发黑,生长受到限制;叶和根尖细胞超微结构受损,叶绿体膨大、类囊体排列紊乱、线粒体嵴减少、空泡化、染色质凝集等;根尖细胞在扫描电镜下呈细胞壁增厚、细胞形状扭曲和排列不规则现象。能谱分析结果表明随外界Cd²⁺浓度增大,单个慈姑根尖中的Cd²⁺含量升高,其他营养元素的吸收受到不同程度的影响。Cd²⁺对慈姑的毒害有明显的剂量效应和时间效应。     

植物根边缘细胞的抗逆性研究进展

综述了近几年来国内外有关植物根边缘细胞抗逆性方面的研究,重点概述植物根边缘细胞对生物与非生物胁迫的响应及其相应的抗性机理。在生物胁迫下,边缘细胞能吸引和固定病原根结线虫,排斥或约束致病性细菌,可作为真菌感染的假目标,减少或避免各种病原菌对根尖的伤害。在非生物胁迫下,边缘细胞通过分泌粘液、诱导ROS产生刺激细胞死亡以抵抗铝毒,并通过其数量的改变来调节高温、高浓度CO2等多种生理反应。最后在当前植物根边缘细胞研究的基础上,提出了今后的研究方向。     

反枝苋水浸提液与挥发油对黄瓜根尖的影响

采用悬空气法研究了在入侵植物反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexus L.)水浸提液和挥发油作用下,黄瓜根缘细胞活性、根冠果胶甲基酯酶(PME)、根尖过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化规律.结果表明:反枝苋水浸提液对黄瓜根的生长无显著性影响而挥发油显著抑制黄瓜根的生长,且随浓度增大抑制作用显著增强.PME活性随着水浸提液浓度的增大呈先上升后下降趋势,而随着挥发油浓度的升高呈现逐渐上升的趋势;水浸提液和挥发油均降低了对根缘细胞的存活率,这种抑制作用随浓度的增加而增大;随着处理液浓度增大,黄瓜根尖中MDA含量、CAT活性整体表现为增加,SOD活性先升高后降低,POD活性与对照差异不显著.反枝苋挥发油的化感效应大于水浸提液的化感效应.     

The role of root border cells in plant defense

The survival of a plant depends upon the capacity of root tips to sense and move towards water and other nutrients in the soil. Perhaps because of the root tip's vital role in plant health, it is ensheathed by large populations of detached somatic cells - root 'border' cells - which have the ability to engineer the chemical and physical properties of the external environment. Of particular significance, is the production by border cells of specific chemicals that can dramatically alter the behavior of populations of soilborne microflora. Molecular approaches are being used to identify and manipulate the expression of plant genes that control the production and the specialized properties of border cells in transgenic plants. Such plants can be used to test the hypothesis that these unusual cells act as a phalanx of biological 'goalies', which neutralize dangers to newly generated root tissue as the root tip makes its way through soil.     

Differential Expression of Proteins and mRNAs from Border Cells and Root Tips of Pea

Many plants release large numbers of metabolically active root border cells into the rhizosphere. We have proposed that border cells, cells produced by the root cap meristem that separate from the rest of the root upon reaching the periphery of the cap, are a singularly differentiated part of the root system that modulates the environment of the plant root by producing specific substances to be released into the rhizosphere. Proteins synthesized in border cells exhibit profiles that are very distinct from those of the root tip (root cap, root meristem, and adjacent cells). In vivo-labeling experiments demonstrate that 13% of the proteins that are abundant in preparations from border cells are undetectable in root tip preparations. Twenty-five percent of the proteins synthesized by border cells in a 1-h period are rapidly excreted into the incubation medium. Quantitative variation in levels of specific marker proteins, including glutamine synthetase, heat-shock protein 70, and isoflavone reductase, also occurs between border cells and cells in the root tip. mRNA differential-display assays demonstrate that these large qualitative and quantitative differences in protein expression are correlated with similarly distinct patterns of gene expression. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that a major switch in gene expression accompanies differentiation into root border cells, as expected for cells with specialized functions in plant development.     

Control of root cap formation by MicroRNA-targeted auxin response factors in Arabidopsis

The plant root cap mediates the direction of root tip growth and protects internal cells. Root cap cells are continuously produced from distal stem cells, and the phytohormone auxin provides position information for root distal organization. Here, we identify the Arabidopsis thaliana auxin response factors ARF10 and ARF16, targeted by microRNA160 (miR160), as the controller of root cap cell formation. The Pro(35S):MIR160 plants, in which the expression of ARF10 and ARF16 is repressed, and the arf10-2 arf16-2 double mutants display the same root tip defect, with uncontrolled cell division and blocked cell differentiation in the root distal region and show a tumor-like root apex and loss of gravity-sensing. ARF10 and ARF16 play a role in restricting stem cell niche and promoting columella cell differentiation; although functionally redundant, the two ARFs are indispensable for root cap development, and the auxin signal cannot bypass them to initiate columella cell production. In root, auxin and miR160 regulate the expression of ARF10 and ARF16 genes independently, generating a pattern consistent with root cap development. We further demonstrate that miR160-uncoupled production of ARF16 exerts pleiotropic effects on plant phenotypes, and miR160 plays an essential role in regulating Arabidopsis development and growth.     

Trapping of lead (Pb) by corn and pea root border cells

Aims

Most plants produce a root tip extracellular matrix that includes viable border cell populations programmed to disperse into soil. Like neutrophils, border cells export structures that trap pathogens and prevent root tip infection. Border cells also trap metals. The goal of this study was to determine if border cells trap Pb.

Methods

Border cell responses to Pb were observed microscopically. Border cell impact on Pb-induced injury to roots was assessed using root growth assays. Pb removal from solution was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Speciation of Pb associated with border cells was evaluated by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

Results

Increased border cell trap size and number occurred within minutes in response to Pb but not silicon (Si). Transient immersion of root tips into Pb after border cells were removed resulted in growth inhibition. Immersion of root tips and border cells into Pb solution resulted in significant removal of Pb. Si levels in the presence of root tips remained unchanged. The Pb speciation, measured with Pb L_III XAS, altered when reacted with border cells, indicating that direct binding by extracellular traps occurred.

Conclusions

Border cells can trap Pb and prevent damage to the root tip.

     

Meristem-Specific Suppression of Mitosis and a Global Switch in Gene Expression in the Root Cap of Pea by Endogenous Signals

Two functionally distinct sets of meristematic cells exist within root tips of pea (Pisum sativum): the root apical meristem, which gives rise to the body of the root; and the root cap meristem, which gives rise to cells that differentiate progressively through the cap and separate ultimately from its periphery as border cells. When a specific number of border cells has accumulated on the root cap periphery, mitosis within the root cap meristem, but not the apical meristem, is suppressed. When border cells are removed by immersion of the root tip in water, a transient induction of mitosis in the root cap meristem can be detected starting within 5 min. A corresponding switch in gene expression throughout the root cap occurs in parallel with the increase in mitosis, and new border cells begin to separate from the root cap periphery within 1 h. The induction of renewed border cell production is inhibited by incubating root tips in extracellular material released from border cells. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that operation of the root cap meristem and consequent turnover of the root cap is self-regulated by a signal from border cells.     

Stimulation of border cell production in response to increased carbon dioxide levels

Field soil atmospheres have higher CO(2) and lower O(2) concentrations compared with ambient atmosphere, but little is known about the impact of such conditions on root exudation patterns. We used altered levels of CO(2) and O(2) relative to ambient conditions to examine the influence of the atmosphere on the production of root border cells by pea (Pisum sativum) root tips. During germination, atmospheres with high CO(2) and low O(2) inhibited root development and border cell separation in pea seedlings. Later in development, the same atmospheric composition stimulated border cell separation without significantly influencing root growth. Increased CO(2), not low O(2), was responsible for the observed stimulation of border cell number. High CO(2) apparently can override endogenous signals that regulate the number of border cells released from pea roots into the rhizosphere. The same conditions that stimulated border cell production in pea had no such effect in alfalfa (Medicago sativa).     

Effect of pectin methylesterase gene expression on pea root development.

Expression of an inducible gene with sequences common to genes encoding pectin methylesterase (PME) was found to be tightly correlated, both spatially and temporally, with border cell separation in pea root caps. Partial inhibition of the gene's expression by antisense mRNA in transgenic pea hairy roots prevented the normal separation of root border cells from the root tip into the external environment. This phenotype was correlated with an increase in extracellular pH, reduced root elongation, and altered cellular morphology. The translation product of the gene exhibited PME activity in vitro. These results are consistent with the long-standing hypothesis that the demethylation of pectin by PME plays a key role in cell wall metabolism.