G-quadruplex DNA aptamers generated for systemin

Ligands specific to bioactive molecules play important roles in biomedical researches and applications, such as biological assay, diagnosis and therapy. Systemin is a peptide hormone firstly identified in plant. In this paper we report the selection of a group of DNA aptamers that can specifically bind to systemin. Through comparing the predicted secondary structures of all the aptamers, a hairpin structure with G-rich loop was determined to be the binding motif of these aptamers. The G-rich loop region of this binding motif was further characterized to fold into an antiparallel G-quadruplex by truncation-mutation assay and CD spectrum. The apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of one strong binding sequence (S-5-1) was measured to be 0.5 μM. The specificity assay shows that S-5-1 strongly bind to whole systemin, weakly bind to truncated or mutated systemin and does not bind to the scrambled peptide with the same amino acid composition as systemin. The high affinity and specificity make S-5-1 hold potentials to serve as a molecular ligand applied in detection, separation and functional investigation of systemin in plants.     

Quantitative Peptidomics Study Reveals That a Wound-Induced Peptide from PR-1 Regulates Immune Signaling in Tomato

Many important cell-to-cell communication events in multicellular organisms are mediated by peptides, but only a few peptides have been identified in plants. In an attempt to address the difficulties in identifying plant signaling peptides, we developed a novel peptidomics approach and used this approach to discover defense signaling peptides in plants. In addition to the canonical peptide systemin, several novel peptides were confidently identified in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and quantified to be induced by both wounding and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). A wounding or wounding plus MeJA-induced peptide derived from the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) family was found to induce significant antipathogen and minor antiherbivore responses in tomato. This study highlights a role for PR-1 in immune signaling and suggests the potential application of plant endogenous peptides in efforts to defeat biological threats in crop production. As PR-1 is highly conserved across many organisms and the putative peptide from At-PR1 was also found to be bioactive in Arabidopsis thaliana, our results suggest that this peptide may be useful for enhancing resistance to stress in other plant species.     

新型植物生长调节物质——激素性多肽的研究进展

多肽是生物体内一种非常重要的物质,它以信号的形式调控着生物的生活周期。在动物、细菌、真菌上作为激素、信息素和生长因子已进行了广泛的研究。然而,在植物上１９９１年才首次报道名叫系统素的伤害信号物质的内生多肽。最近,已从植物中分离出多种肽性植物生长调节因子。本文简要介绍系统素、早期结瘤素、植物硫素、豆胰岛素等四种激素性多肽的发现与分离,以及其结构与生理作用。     

新型植物生长调节物质——激素性多肽的研究进展

多肽是生物体内一种非常重要的物质,它以信号的形式调控着生物的生活周期。在动物、细菌、真菌上作为激素、信息素和生长因子已进行了广泛的研究。然而,在植物上1991年才首次报道名叫系统素的伤害信号物质的内生多肽。最近,已从植物中分离出多种肽性植物生长调节因子。本文简要介绍系统素、早期结瘤素、植物硫素、豆胰岛索等四种激素性多肽的发现与分离,以及其结构与生理作用。     

An insect peptide engineered into the tomato prosystemin gene is released in transgenic tobacco plants and exerts biological activity

Tomato systemin is a signalling peptide produced in response to wounding that locally and systemically activates several defence genes. The peptide is released from the C-terminus of prosystemin, the 200 amino acid precursor, following post-translational modifications involving unknown events and enzymes. In tobacco, two systemin molecules have been recently isolated, neither sharing any sequence homologies with the tomato prosystemin gene/protein, but performing similar functions. We modified the tomato prosystemin gene by replacing the systemin-encoding region with a synthetic sequence encoding TMOF (trypsin-modulating oostatic factor), a 10 amino acid insect peptide hormone toxic to Heliothis virescens larvae, and expressed the chimeric gene in tobacco. The results reported here show that transformed leaves contain the TMOF peptide and exert toxic activity against insect larvae reared on them. In addition, subcellular localization studies showed the cytoplasmic location of the released TMOF, suggesting that in tobacco the enzymes responsible for the post-translational modifications of the tomato precursor protein are present and act in the cytoplasm to recognise the modified prohormone. The molecular engineering of the precursor, beside supplying new clues towards the understanding of prosystemin processing, constitutes an useful tool for plant genetic manipulation, by enabling the delivery of short biological active peptides.     

‘Click’ chemistry synthesis and capillary electrophoresis study of 1,4‐linked 1,2,3‐triazole AZT‐systemin conjugate

The Cu(I) catalyzed Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) was applied for a nucleoside‐peptide bioconjugation. Systemin (Sys), an 18‐aa plant signaling peptide naturally produced in response to wounding or pathogen attack, was chemically synthesized as its N‐propynoic acid functionalized analog (Prp‐Sys) using the SPPS. Next, CuAAC was applied to conjugate Prp‐Sys with 3′‐azido‐2′,3′‐dideoxythymidine (AZT), a model cargo molecule. 1,4‐Linked 1,2,3‐triazole AZT‐Sys conjugate was designed to characterize the spreading properties and ability to translocate of cargo molecules of systemin. CuAAC allowed the synthesis of the conjugate in a chemoselective and regioselective manner, with high purity and yield. The presence of Cu(I) ions generated in situ drove the CuAAC reaction to completion within a few minutes without any by‐products. Under typical separation conditions of phosphate ‘buffer’ at low pH and uncoated fused bare‐silica capillary, an increasing peak intensity assigned to triazole‐linked AZT‐Sys conjugate was observed using capillary electrophoresis (CE) during CuAAC. CE analysis showed that systemin peptides are stable in tomato leaf extract for up to a few hours. CE‐ESI‐MS revealed that the native Sys and its conjugate with AZT are translocated through the tomato stem and can be directly detected in stem exudates. The results show potential application of systemin as a transporter of low molecular weight cargo molecules in tomato plant and of CE method to characterize a behavior of plant peptides and its analogs. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Systemic wound signaling in tomato leaves is cooperatively regulated by systemin and hydroxyproline-rich glycopeptide signals

Hydroxyproline-rich glycopeptides (HypSys peptides) have been isolated recently from tobacco and tomato leaves that are powerful activators of protease inhibitor synthesis. The peptides are processed from polyprotein precursors, two from a single tobacco precursor and three from a single tomato precursor. The precursor genes are expressed in response to wounding and methyl jasmonate, similar to the expression of the systemin precursor prosystemin in tomato leaves. Here we investigate the relationships between systemin and the tomato HypSys peptides in regulating wound signaling in tomato plants. Analysis of transgenic tomato plants over-expressing sense and antisense constructs of the tomato HypSys precursor under the 35S CaMV promoter show that the transgenic plants regulate protease inhibitor gene expression in response to wounding in a manner similar to prosystemin. The evidence indicates that the expression of both the tomato HypSys precursor gene and the prosystemin gene in response to wounding are necessary for strong systemic signaling. The data supports a role for both genes in an amplification loop that up-regulates the octadecanoid pathway and the synthesis of jasmonates to effect strong systemic signaling of defense genes. This report provides the first demonstration of the involvement of two plant peptides derived from two unrelated genes in regulating long distance wound signaling in plants. The author responsible for distribution of materials integral to the findings presented in this article in accordance with the policy described in the Instructions for Authors () is Clarence A. Ryan.     

高等植物中的多肽激素

高等植物的第一个多肽激素（系统素）发现已经有10多年的历史。到目前为止,被普遍认可的植物多肽激素有4种：系统素、PSK、CLV3和SCR,分别参与了植物的防御反应、细胞的分裂、茎端生长点干细胞数目维持和花粉．柱头的识别过程。这些小分子多肽化合物以配基的形式与细胞膜表面的受体激酶相互作用,从而实现细胞之间的信号交流。本文对这4种多肽激素及其相应受体的研究进展做了简要评述,并着重介绍当前研究比较热门的CLV3多肽,最后对相关领域的发展前景进行探讨。     

Peptide signals and their receptors in higher plants

At least four peptides play a vital role in plant cell–cell communication by means of their specific receptors. Two of these receptors have been identified as receptor kinases, which form a large family of receptor molecules in plants. These findings highlight the significance of receptor-mediated peptide signaling in various physiological events in plants, and predict the existence of further peptide-signal-interacting receptor kinases. Some candidates have been found in plant genomes. Here, we outline recent progress and future challenges in the signaling peptide analysis, which began with systemin, phytosulfokine, CLAVATA3 and S-locus cysteine-rich protein (also called S-locus protein 11).     

高等植物中的多肽激素

高等植物的第一个多肽激素(系统素)发现已经有10多年的历史。到目前为止, 被普遍认可的植物多肽激素有4种: 系统素、PSK、CLV3和SCR, 分别参与了植物的防御反应、细胞的分裂、茎端生长点干细胞数目维持和花粉-柱头的识别过程。这些小分子多肽化合物以配基的形式与细胞膜表面的受体激酶相互作用, 从而实现细胞之间的信号交流。本文对这4种多肽激素及其相应受体的研究进展做了简要评述, 并着重介绍当前研究比较热门的CLV3多肽, 最后对相关领域的发展前景进行探讨。     

Micro-electrode flux estimation confirms that the Solanum pimpinellifolium cu3 mutant still responds to systemin

In this study, we introduce the Micro-Electrode Ion Flux Estimation technique as a sensitive and accurate technique to study systemin-induced changes in ion fluxes from isolated nearly intact plant tissues. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness and value of the Micro-Electrode Ion Flux Estimation technique to monitor and characterize those elicitor-induced ion flux changes from intact tissues. We used the method to monitor the systemin-induced changes in ion fluxes from leaf tissue of various plant species, including wild-type and cu3 mutant tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium) plants, and confirm previous observations, but now in intact leaf tissue. Upon exposure of leaf tissue of plant species from the subtribe solaneae to systemin, the H(+) influx and K(+) efflux were transiently strongly increased. Plant species of other clades did not show a response upon systemin exposure. Although it has been reported that the gene containing the cu3 null mutation is identical to the SR160/tBRI1 gene, which encodes the systemin/brassinosteroid receptor and is essential in systemin and brassinosteroid perception, we observed no differences in the response of H(+) and K(+) fluxes from both wild-type and mutant leaf tissue to systemin. Also, the effects of various pharmacological effectors on systemin-induced flux changes were similar. Moreover, a SR160/tBRI1 transgene-containing tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) line was insensitive to systemin, whereas both this line and its wild-type predecessor were responsive to the elicitor flg22. Our results support the conclusion that the Cu3 receptor of tomato is not the systemin receptor, and, hence, another receptor is the principal systemin receptor.     

Brassinosteroid and systemin: two hormones perceived by the same receptor

Brassinosteroids, coordinating developmental events, and systemin, inducing systemic wound responses to attacks by insect pests, are newly recognized plant hormones that are perceived by plasma membrane-localized leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases. The recent characterization of the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 from tomato revealed that this protein is identical to the previously isolated SR160 systemin receptor, strongly suggesting that both brassinosteroid and systemin signalling use the same surface receptor.     

Prosystemin-antimicrobial-peptide fusion reduces tomato late blight lesion expansion

Antimicrobial peptides offer a new method for controlling pathogens, however, many promising peptides are too small for direct production in plants. A protein delivery system was developed based on a proteolytic mechanism used by Solanaceous plants to produce the very small (18 amino acid) signaling peptide systemin from the polypeptide prosystemin. Fusion of the gene encoding the 23 kDa protein prosystemin with the antimicrobial peptide (pep11) sequence, replacing the systemin sequence, allowed for expression in transgenic tomato plants. Six days after inoculation with the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, detached leaflets of transgenic tomato (Rutgers) exhibited a reduction in lesion size of at least 50 percent.     

Plant signalling peptides

Biochemical and genetic studies have identified peptides that play crucial roles in plant growth and development, including defence mechanisms in response to wounding by pests, the control of cell division and expansion, and pollen self-incompatibility. The first two signalling peptides to be described in plants were tomato systemin and phytosulfokine (PSK). There is also biochemical evidence that natriuretic peptide-like molecules, immunologically-related to those found in animals, may exist in plants. Another example of signalling peptide is ENOD40, a product of a gene, which became active early in the root nodulation process following Rhizobium infection of legumes. Other predicted bioactive peptides or oligopeptides have been identified by means of genetic, rather then biochemical methods. The Arabidopsis CLAVATA3 protein is required for the correct organization of the shoot apical meristem and the pollen S determinant S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR) also called S-locus protein 11, SP11). The plant signalling peptides discovered so far are involved in various processes and play an important role in communication between cells or organs, respectively. This review will focus on these peptides and their role in intercellular signalling.     

Systemin transiently depolarizes the tomato mesophyll cell membrane and antagonizes fusicoccin-induced extracellular acidification of mesophyll tissue

The plant polypeptide signal systemin induces proteinase inhibitor synthesis in tomato leaves. We show here that systemin elicits a transient depolarization of the tomato mesophyll cell membrane. Furthermore it triggers a transient decrease in the external pH of the mesophyll tissue which is followed by a sustained pH increase. In the presence of fusicoccin (which has been shown to antagonize the synthesis of proteinase inhibitors) the depolarization and transient H⁺ efflux are attenuated whereas the slower phase of the sustained electroneutral H⁺ influx persists. These results suggest that systemin-induced changes in ion transport play a role in the early phases of systemin signal transduction.     

A Sulfhydryl Reagent Modulates Systemic Signaling for Wound-Induced and Systemin-Induced Proteinase Inhibitor Synthesis

The sulfhydryl group reagent p-chloromecuribenzene sulfonic acid (PCMBS), an established inhibitor of active apoplastic phloem loading of sucrose in several plant species, is shown to be a powerful inhibitor of wound-induced and systemin-induced activation of proteinase inhibitor synthesis and accumulation in leaves of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum cv Castlemart). PCMBS, supplied to young tomato plants through their cut stems, blocks accumulation of proteinase inhibitors in leaves in response to wounding. The application of systemin directly to fresh wounds enhances systemic accumulation of proteinase inhibitors to levels higher than wounding alone. Placed on fresh wounds, PCMBS severely inhibits systemic induction of proteinase inhibitors, in both the presence and absence of exogenous systemin. PCMBS inhibition can be reversed by cysteine, dithiothreitol, and glutathione. Radiolabeled systemin placed on fresh wounds is readily transported from the wounded leaves to upper leaves. However, in the presence of PCMBS, radiolabeled systemin is not transported away from wound sites. Induction of proteinase inhibitor I synthesis by oligouronides (degree of polymerization [almost equal to] 20), linolenic acid, or methyl jasmonate was not inhibited by PCMBS. The cumulative data support a possible role for sulfhydryl groups in mediating the translocation of systemin from wound sites to distal receptor sites in tomato plants and further support a role for systemin as a systemic wound signal.     

Peptide signals for plant defense display a more universal role

Hydroxyproline-rich systemins (HypSys) are small defense signaling glycopeptides found within the Solanaceae family that until recently were thought to only induce defense genes to herbivore attack. The glycopeptides are processed from larger proproteins with up to 3 different glycopeptides being processed out of a single precursor protein. A conserved central hydroxyproline motif within each HypSys is the site of pentose sugar attachment. Recently, it was found that in Petunia hybrida, these defense signaling glycopeptides did not induce protease inhibitor but instead, increased levels of defensin, a gene that is involved in pathogen attack. More recently, a HypSys peptide was isolated from Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) of the Convolvulaceae family and found to induce sporamin. The proprotein precursor contained six putative peptide signals and had a propeptidase processing region with homology to solanaceous proHypSys. Thus, the HypSys defense peptides are no longer confined to defense against herbivory or exclusivity to the Solanaceae family, redefining both function and dispersion.Key words: systemin, hydroxyproline-rich systemin glycopeptides, HypSys, plant defense, proteinase inhibitorsPlants have evolved an arsenal of defense mechanisms for survival against the wide array of predators and pathogens that they encounter. Each species has evolved within its unique environment and the protective defense mechanisms must evolve and refine over time to allow a plant to compete in its niche.¹ Plant peptide signals have recently been discovered that induce defense genes for protection against both herbivores and pathogens.² This raises the issue of how these peptides, their receptors, signaling pathways, and the downstream regulated defense proteins and compounds have evolved to meet the unique and specific needs of each plant. Our recent papers^3,4 reveal that these defense signaling peptides are not confined to a single family of plants and that the end products of the signaling pathway may be more diverse than expected.Systemin was the first peptide signal discovered in plants.⁵ The 18 amino acid peptide is processed from the C-terminal of a 200 amino acid precursor; prosystemin.⁶ Although lacking a signal sequence, prosystemin reaches the apoplast and the mature peptide is processed upon insect attack, signaling downstream events leading to the production of defense proteins, such as polyphenol oxidase and protease inhibitors.⁷ Systemin has only been found in the Solanaceae family and more specifically, only in the subfamily Solanoideae, which contains tomato, potato, nightshade and pepper.The hydroxyproline-rich systemin glycopeptides are similar to systemin in size (18–20 amino acids in length) and, like systemin, are processed from larger precursors.^2,8 Both systemin and HypSys induce the production of methyl jasmonate and function to amplify the defense response. Each HypSys peptide contains a hydroxyproline-rich inner core that is the site of glycosylation and both the peptide backbone and the carbohydrate moieties are important for receptor recognition (9^,10 Although there is no sequence similarity between prosystemin and hydroxyproline-rich systemins, it has been suggested that because of their size, structure and functional similarities, they should be classified together.¹¹

Table 1

Comparisons of the amino acid sequences of isolated and putative Systemin and HypSys peptides

抗昆虫蝎毒素及其转基因技术的研究与应用进展

本文综述了蝎毒中抗昆虫毒素成分的种类、理化性质、分子结构与功能 ,以及利用抗昆虫蝎毒素基因构建重组微生物杀虫剂和培育抗虫植物的研究与应用的进展情况 ,并就该技术对害虫防治的意义、所存在的生态安全性等问题和应对策略进行了探讨。     

Natriuretic Peptides--A New Class of Plant Hormone?

Recent immunological and functional evidence suggests the presenceof a biologically active natriuretic peptide hormone (NP) systemin plants. The evidence includes specific binding of rat atrialNP [rANP (99–126)] to isolated plant membranes and thepromotion of stomatal opening that is concentration and conformationdependent. The native circular molecule is active whereas thelinearized molecule shows no biological activity. Stomatal openingmediated by rANP (99–126) is inhibited by LY 83583, anantagonist of guanylate cyclase, while 8-Br-cGMP, a cell permeantcyclic guanosine-3'-5'-monophosphate (cGMP) analogue, mimicsrANP (99–126) effects. Most importantly, isolation andimmunoaffinity purification of biologically active plant NP(irPNP) fromHedera helixhas been achieved and immunoaffinitypurified peptide has been shown to induce rapid and specificincreases in cGMP levels inZea maysroot stele. Furthermore,rANP (99–126), irPNP and cGMP promote radial water movementsfrom the xylem ofTradescantia multifloraand these NP-inducedand cGMP-dependent increases are prevented by a water channelinhibitor. Taken together, the data are consistent with thepresence of a biologically active NP system that, as in vertebrates,signals via cGMP dependent pathways. The evidence suggests thatthe NP system has a role in maintaining water and salt homeostasisin plants.Copyright 1999 Annals of Botany Company Plant hormones, natriuretic peptides, stomata, cGMP, salt and water homeostasis.