Purification and characterization of two glutamate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from Brassica napus

Glutamate dehydrogenase (L-glutamate: NAD⁺ oxidoreductase, EC 1.4.1.2) was purified from Brassica napus leaves. Isoenzyme 1 (GDH1), with the lowest, and isoenzyme 7 (GDH7) with the highest electrophoretic mobility were characterized. The native GDH was estimated to have a molecular mass of about 239 kDa and consisted of six identical 41.4-kDa subunits for GDH1 and 42.4-kDa subunits for GDH7. The pH optima of both isoenzymes in amination and deamination reactions were 9.0 and 9.5, respectively. At optimum pH, the K_m values for ammonium, 2-oxoglutarate, NADH, NAD and glutamate did not differ between the two isoenzymes. Addition of 10 mM EGTA inhibited the amination activity of GDH1, but that of GDH7 remained at about 30 %. Cellular fractionation experiments showed that both GDH1 and GDH7 localized in mitochondria with a loose association with the mitochondrial membrane.     

Induction of a specific isoenzyme of glutamate dehydrogenase during isolation and the first 48 h of culture of Brassica napus leaf protoplasts

The specific activity of NADH‐glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) in leaf protoplasts ( Brassica napus L. cv. Bronowski) was initially low and progressively increased during culture in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and MS (−NH₄) (ammonium nitrate‐free MS) medium in the dark. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and tetrazolium staining revealed that the high specific activity of NAD‐GDH (deamination) in leaves correlated with the cathodal isoenzymes, and the high specific activity of NADH‐GDH (amination) in leaf protoplasts to the anodal ones. Changes in isoenzyme pattern were correlated with an increase in the specific activity of NADH‐GDH but not with the NADH‐GDH/NAD‐GDH ratio. The increase in NADH‐GDH (amination) activity of leaf protoplasts was correlated with the occurrence of the isoenzyme GDH7, which was not detected in leaves.     

Glutamate dehydrogenase from pumpkin cotyledons: characterization and isoenzymes

Glutamate dehydrogenase from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Pior. cultivar Dickinson Field) cotyledons was found in both soluble and particulate fractions with the bulk of the activity in the soluble fraction. Both enzymes used NAD(H) and NADP(H) but NAD(H) was favored. The enzymes were classified as glutamate-NAD oxidoreductase, deaminating (EC 1.4.1.3). Both enzymes were heat stable, had a pH optimum for reductive amination of 8.0, and were inhibited by high concentrations of NH₄⁺ or α-ketoglutarate. The soluble enzyme was more sensitive to NH₄⁺ inhibition and was activated by metal ions after ammonium sulfate fractionation while the solubilized particulate enzyme was not. Inhibition by ethylenediaminetetraacetate was restored by several divalent ions and inhibition by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate was reversed by glutathione. Particulate glutamate dehydrogenase showed a greater activity with NADP. The molecular weights of the enzymes are 250,000. Separation of the enzymes by disc gel electrophoresis showed that during germination the soluble isoenzymes increased from 1 to 7 in number, while only one particulate isoenzyme was found at any time. This particulate isoenzyme was identical with one of the soluble isoenzymes. A number of methods indicated that the soluble isoenzymes were not simply removed from the particulate fraction and that true isoenzymes were found.     

Studies of cotyledon protoplast cultures from B napus,B. campestris and B. oleracea. II: Callus formation and plant regeneration

Cotyledons from twelve cultivars of Brassica; B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global, Pivot and Narc 82); B. campestris: (Arlo, Sonja, Bunyip and Wonk Bok) and B. oleracea (Phenomenal Early, Sugar Loaf and Earliball) were used for protoplast isolation and culture in a comparative study of cell colony and callus formation, and plant regeneration. The formation of cell colonies and callus from protoplast cultures were significantly influenced by the light conditions of seed germination. All twelve cultivars showed callus formation from protoplast cultures derived from cotyledons of seedlings grown in dark for 3 days followed by 1 day dim light (dark/dim light-grown). Callus was obtained in all five liquid media used: modified K8P(1), modified K8P(2), modified MS, modified B and modified NN. In contrast, only six cultivars exhibited callus formation from the protoplasts isolated from cotyledons of seedlings germinated under light conditions for 7 days (light-grown) and in only three media: modified K8P(1), modified MS, modified B.Callus, derived from protoplast cultures isolated from dark/dim light-grown cotyledons and grown on K3 or MS series solid media for about 1 month, could develop shoots when further transferred onto MS series regeneration media. All five cultivars of B. napus, three of the four cultivars of B. campestris (Arlo, Sonja and Bunyip) and one of the three cultivars of B. oleracea (Sugar Loaf) exhibited shoot regeneration from protoplast cultures within 2–3 months after protoplast isolation. The frequency of shoot regeneration ranged among 1–22.5%. A high degree of reproducibility was observed in cultivars Westar, Eureka, Global, Arlo, Bunyip and Sugar Loaf. In contrast, among the six cultivars that formed callus in protoplast culture derived from light-grown cotyledons, only three cultivars from B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global) exhibited shoot regeneration 5.5 months after protoplast isolation. Regenerated shoots from cultivars Westar, Eureka and Bunyip and Sugar Loaf, which derived from protoplasts of dark/dim light germinated seedling and were induced to root on rooting media, survived in soil and grew to produce silique and set seeds.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzylaminopurine - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - KT kinetin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PAR photosynthetically active radiation     

Biomass Enhancement in Maize and Soybean in Response to Glutamate Dehydrogenase Isomerization

The relationship between nutrient composition, crop biomass, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) isoenzyme pattern was investigated in soybean (Glycine max) and maize (Zea mays) by monitoring the nutrient induced isomerization of the enzyme from the seedling stage to the mature crop. GDH was extracted from the leaves of the plants, and the isoenzymes were fractionated by isoelectric focusing followed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isomerization V_max values for soybean GDH, similar to maize GDH increased curvilinearly from 200 – 400 μmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹ as the inorganic phosphate nutrient applied to the soil decreased from 50 − 0 mM. In soybean, combinations of N and K, P, or S nutrients induced the acidic and neutral isoenzymes, and gave biomass increases 25 – 50 % higher than the control plant. GDH isoenzymes were suppressed in soybean that received nutrients without N, K, or P and accordingly the biomass was about 30 % lower than the control. Treatment of maize with NPK nutrients increased the GDH V_max values from 138.9 at the vegetative to 256.4 μmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹ at the reproductive phase, and suppressed the basic isoenzymes, but induced both the acidic and neutral isoenzymes thereby inducing seed production (27.0 ± 1.4 g per plant); whereas both the acidic and basic isoenzymes were suppressed in the control maize, and seeds did not develop. Simultaneous induction of the acidic, neutral, and basic isoenzymes of GDH indicated the occurrence of senescence. Therefore in maize and soybean, the induction of the acidic and basic isoenzymes of GDH led to the enhancement of biomass. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Studies of cotyledon protoplast cultures from Brassica napus,B. campestris and B. oleracea. I: Cell wall regeneration and cell division

Protoplasts isolated from cotyledons of a number of cultivars of Brassica napus, B. campestris and B. oleracea were cultured in different media to study the characteristics of cell wall regeneration and cell division at early stages of culture. Time course analysis using Calcolfluor White staining indicated that cell wall regeneration began in some protoplasts 2–4 h following isolation in all cultivars. 30–70% of cultured cotyledon protoplasts exhibited cell wall regeneration at 24 h and about 60–90% at 72 h after the initiation of culture. Results also indicated that a low percentage (0.4–5.4%) of cultured cotyledon protoplasts entered their first cell division one day after initial culture in all twelve cultivars. The percentage of dividing cells increased linearly up to 40% from 1 to 7 day, indicating that cotyledon protoplasts of Brassica had a high capacity for cell division. Factors that influence the level of cell wall regeneration and cell division during cotyledon protoplast culture have been investigated in this study. Cotyledons from seedlings germinated in a dark/dim light regime provided a satisfactory tissue source for protoplast isolation and culture for all Brassica cultivars used. The percentages of protoplasts exhibiting cell wall regeneration and division were significantly influenced by cultivar and species examined, with protoplasts from all five cultivars of B. campestris showing much lower rates of cell wall regeneration than those of B. napus and B. oleracea over 24–120 h, and with the levels of cell division in B. napus cultivars being much higher than those in B. campestris and B. oleracea over 1–9 days. The capacity of cell wall regeneration and cell division in cotyledon protoplast culture of the Brassica species appears under strong genetic control. Cell wall regeneration in protoplast culture was not affected by the culture medium used. In contrast, the composition of the culture medium played an important role in determining the level of cell division, and the interaction between medium type and cultivars was very significant.Abbreviations BA benzylaminopurine - CPW Composition of Protoplast Washing-solution - CW Calcolfluor White - EDTA ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid - KT Kinetin - Md MS modified Murashige and Skoog medium - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - PAR photosynthetically active radiation - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

An Efficient Protocol for Ulmus minor Mill. Protoplast Isolation and Culture in Agarose Droplets

We describe here an efficient and reproducible protocol for isolation and culture of protoplasts from Ulmus minor. Different sources of donor tissues were tested for protoplast isolation: callus and juvenile leaves from in vitro and greenhouse plants. Several combinations and concentrations of hydrolytic enzymes were used. Comparative tests between Cellulase Onozuka R10 and Cellulase Onozuka RS were made and the last one proved to be more efficient. Both the pectinases used, Macerozyme Onozuka R10 and Pectinase (Sigma^®), were efficient in protoplast isolation and there was no need for a more active pectinase. In vitro leaves proved to be the best source for protoplast isolation and produced an average of 3.96 × 10⁷ protoplasts per gram of fresh weigh. Elm mesophyll protoplasts were cultured using the advantageous method of agarose droplets and a modification of the Kao and Michayluk culture medium, using two plating densities (1 × 10⁵ and 2 × 10⁵ protoplasts ml^?1). Protoplast division and evolution into colonies and microcalli was promoted in the agarose droplets plated at 2 × 10⁵ protoplasts ml^?1. Ten weeks after protoplast culture initiation a plating efficiency of 2.7% was attained and the bigger microcalli, with at least 0.5 mm diameter, were transferred to a solid medium previously used for the production of embryogenic callus.     

Chloroplastic NADPH oxidase-like activity-mediated perpetual hydrogen peroxide generation in the chloroplast induces apoptotic-like death of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> leaf protoplasts

Despite extensive research over the past years, regeneration from protoplasts has been observed in only a limited number of plant species. Protoplasts undergo complex metabolic modification during their isolation. The isolation of protoplasts induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in Brassica napus leaf protoplasts. The present study was conducted to provide new insight into the mechanism of ROS generation in B. napus leaf protoplasts. In vivo localization of H₂O₂ and enzymes involved in H₂O₂ generation and detoxification, molecular antioxidant-ascorbate and its redox state and lipid peroxidation were investigated in the leaf and isolated protoplasts. Incubating leaf strips in the macerating enzyme (ME) for different duration (3, 6, and 12 h) induced accumulation of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation, an index of membrane damage) in protoplasts. The level of H₂O₂ was highest just after protoplast isolation and subsequently decreased during culture. Superoxide generating NADPH oxidase (NOX)-like activity was enhanced, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) decreased in the protoplasts compared to leaves. Diaminobenzidine peroxidase (DAB-POD) activity was also lower in the protoplasts compared to leaves. Total ascorbate content, ascorbate to dehydroascorbate ratio (redox state), were enhanced in the protoplasts compared to leaves. Higher activity of NOX-like enzyme and weakening in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, and DAB-POD) in protoplasts resulted in excessive accumulation of H₂O₂ in chloroplasts of protoplasts. Chloroplastic NADPH oxidase-like activity mediated perpetual H₂O₂ generation probably induced apoptotic-like cell death of B. napus leaf protoplasts as indicated by parallel DNA laddering and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Isolation of cells and protoplasts from leaves of in vitro propagated peach (Prunus persica) plants

Yields of 10⁶–10⁸ peach mesophyll cells and protoplasts · gfw^-1 were obtained depending on factors such as digesting enzymes, and leaf size. Onozuka R-10 (2%) in combination with Macerase (0.5%) was found best for protoplast isolation and mediocre for cell isolation among several enzyme combinations tested. Viability was 90% for protoplasts and 60% for cells. Pectolyase Y23 was found to be ineffective in our investigation. Small leaves, 4–10 mm in length, were a superior source for protoplast isolation than medium or big expanded leaves, 22–30 mm in length. The high yields of protoplasts could be obtained only when keeping the ratio of leaf biomass to volume of digesting enzyme solution under 20 mg ml^-1. Purification of protoplasts on a sucrose gradient yielded about 10⁷ protoplasts · gfw^-1, however, the preparation was still contaminated by intact cells. Protoplasts were cultured under different growth regulators and physical conditions. Limited growth and division of protoplasts embedded in agarose drops were observed.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IBA indolebutyric acid - FDA fluorescein diacetate - MES 2-M-morpholinoethane sulphonic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Tobacco isoenzyme 1 of NAD(H)-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase catabolizes glutamate in vivo

Glutamate (Glu) dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2-1.4.1.4) catalyzes in vitro the reversible amination of 2-oxoglutarate to Glu. The in vivo direction(s) of the GDH reaction in higher plants and hence the role(s) of this enzyme is unclear, a situation confounded by the existence of isoenzymes comprised totally of either GDH beta- (isoenzyme 1) or alpha- (isoenzyme 7) subunits, as well as another five alpha-beta isoenzyme permutations. To clarify the in vivo direction of the reaction catalyzed by GDH isoenzyme 1, [(15)N]Glu was supplied to roots of two independent transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines with increased isoenzyme 1 levels (S4-H and S49-H). The [(15)N]ammonium (NH(4)(+)) accumulation rate in these lines was elevated approximately 65% compared with a null segregant control line, indicating that isoenzyme 1 catabolizes Glu in roots. Leaf glutamine synthetase (GS) was inhibited with a GS-specific herbicide to quantify any contribution by GDH toward photorespiratory NH(4)(+) reassimilation. Transgenic line S49-H did not show enhanced resistance to the herbicide, indicating that the large pool of isoenzyme 1 in S49-H leaves was unable to compensate for GS and suggesting that isoenzyme 1 does not assimilate NH(4)(+) in vivo.     

Identification and characterization of improved nitrogen efficiency in interspecific hybridized new-type Brassica napus

Background and Aims

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is an important oil crop worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the variation in nitrogen (N) efficiency of new-type B. napus (genome A^rA^rC^cC^c) genotypes, and to characterize some critical physiological and molecular mechanisms in response to N limitation.

Methods

Two genotypes with contrasting N efficiency (D4-15 and D1-1) were identified from 150 new-type B. napus lines, and hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted. Root morphology, plant biomass, N uptake parameters and seed yield of D4-15 and D1-1 were investigated. Two traditional B. napus (genome AⁿAⁿCⁿCⁿ) genotypes, QY10 and NY7, were also cultivated. Introgression of exotic genomic components in D4-15 and D1-1 was evaluated with molecular markers.

Key Results

Large genetic variation existed among traits contributing to the N efficiency of new-type B. napus. Under low N levels at the seedling stage, the N-efficient new-type D4-15 showed higher values than the N-inefficient D1-1 line and the traditional B. napus QY10 and NY7 genotypes with respect to several traits, including root and shoot biomass, root morphology, N accumulation, N utilization efficiency (NutE), N uptake efficiency (NupE), activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS), and expression levels of N transporter genes and genes that are involved in N assimilation. Higher yield was produced by the N-efficient D4-15 line compared with the N-inefficient D1-1 at maturity. More exotic genome components were introgressed into the genome of D4-15 (64·97 %) compared with D1-1 (32·23 %).

Conclusions

The N-efficient new-type B. napus identified in this research had higher N efficiency (and tolerance to low-N stress) than traditional B. napus cultivars, and thus could have important potential for use in breeding N-efficient B. napus cultivars in the field.     

A study of the role of glutamate dehydrogenase in the nitrogen metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana

Glutamate-dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) activity and isoenzyme patterns were investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana plantlets, and parallel studies were carried out on glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2). Both NADH-GDH and NAD-GDH activities increased during plant development whereas GS activity declined. Leaves deprived of light showed a considerable enhancement of NADH-GDH activity. In roots, both GDH activities were induced by ammonia whereas in leaves nitrogen assimilation was less important. It was demonstrated that the increase in GDH activity was the result of de-novo protein synthesis. High nitrogen levels were first assimilated by NADH-GDH, while GS was actively involved in nitrogen metabolism only when the enzyme was stimulated by a supply of energy, generated by NAD-GDH or by feeding sucrose. When methionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of GS, was added to the feeding solution, NADH-GDH activity remained unaffected in leaves whereas NAD-GDH was induced. In roots, however, there was a marked activation of GDH and no inactivation of GS. It was concluded that NADH-GDH was involved in the detoxification of high nitrogen levels while NAD-GDH was mainly responsible for the supply of energy to the cell during active assimilation. Glutamine synthetase, on the other hand was involved in the assimilation of physiological amounts of nitrogen. A study of the isoenzyme pattern of GDH indicated that a good correlation existed between the relative activity of the isoenzymes and the ratio of aminating to deaminating enzyme activities. The NADH-GDH activity corresponded to the more anodal isoenzymes while the NAD-GDH activity corresponded to the cathodal ones. The results indicate that the two genes involved in the formation of GDH control the expression of enzymes with different metabolic functions.Abbreviations GDH glutamate dehydrogenase - GS glutamine synthetase - MSO methionine sulfoximine     

三倍体‘银中杨’叶肉原生质体制备的优化

以三倍体杨树品种‘银中杨’（Populus alba×P.berolinensis Yinzhong）无菌苗叶片为材料,对其原生质体分离及纯化条件进行研究,为进一步通过细胞融合、基因工程等进行品种改良探索新的途径。结果表明：酶的种类及浓度、渗透压、酶解时间对‘银中杨’叶肉原生质体分离效果有显著影响,适宜的分离条件为CPW+3% Cellulase RS+0.5% Macerozyme R-10+0.3% Pectinse Y-23+0.6 mol/L甘露醇+0.6 g/L MES+1 g/L BAS,酶解时间为8 h,原生质体产量和活力分别为2.13×10⁷个/g和80.18%;‘银中杨’叶肉原生质体纯化最佳方法为上浮法蔗糖等密度离心,且蔗糖浓度为40%时原生质体产量最高（1.06×10⁷个/g）,可满足进一步的原生质体培养等技术的要求。     

Oritavancin Binds to Isolated Protoplast Membranes but not Intact Protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus

Solid-state NMR has been used to examine the binding of N′-4-[(4-fluorophenyl)benzyl)]chloroeremomycin, a fluorinated analogue of oritavancin, to isolated protoplast membranes and whole-cell sucrose-stabilized protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus, grown in media containing [1-¹³C]glycine and l-[?-¹⁵N]lysine. Rotational-echo double-resonance NMR was used to characterize the binding by estimating internuclear distances from ¹⁹F of oritavancin to ¹³C and ¹⁵N labels of the membrane-associated peptidoglycan and to the ³¹P of the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane. In isolated protoplast membranes, both with and without 1 M sucrose added to the buffer, the nascent peptidoglycan was extended away from the membrane surface and the oritavancin hydrophobic side chain was buried deep in the exposed lipid bilayer. However, there was no N′-4-[(4-fluorophenyl)benzyl)]chloroeremomycin binding to intact sucrose-stabilized protoplasts, even though the drug bound normally to the cell walls of whole cells of S. aureus in the presence of 1 M sucrose. As shown by the proximity of peptidoglycan-bridge ¹³C labels to phosphate ³¹P, the nascent peptidoglycan of the intact protoplasts was confined to the membrane surface.     

Further insights into the isoenzyme composition and activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana

Following the discovery that in Arabidopsis, a third isoenzyme of NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is expressed in the mitochondria of the root companion cells, we have re-examined the GDH isoenzyme composition. By analyzing the NADH-GDH isoenzyme composition of single, double and triple mutants deficient in the expression of the three genes encoding the enzyme, we have found that the α, β and γ polypeptides that comprise the enzyme can be assembled into a complex combination of heterohexamers in roots. Moreover, we observed that when one or two of the three root isoenzymes were missing from the mutants, the remaining isoenzymes compensated for this deficiency. The significance of such complexity is discussed in relation to the metabolic and signaling function of the NADH-GDH enzyme. Although it has been shown that a fourth gene encoding a NADPH-dependent enzyme is present in Arabidopsis, we were not able to detect corresponding enzyme activity, even in the triple mutant totally lacking NADH-GDH activity.     

Development of a quantitative method for determination of the optimal conditions for protoplast isolation from cultured plant cells

An index [kv: average isolation rate of viable protoplast (number/ml min)] was established to evaluate the optimal conditions for protoplast isolation from cultured plant cells. The optimal conditions for protoplasts isolation from Nicotiana tabacum BY2 cultured cells could be determined on the basis of the kv [31.7 × 10³ (number/ml min)]. The colony-forming efficiency of the protoplasts was about 46%. The optimal conditions for protoplasts isolation from Catharanthus roseus [kv = 38.1 × 10³ (number/ml min)] and Wasabia japonica [kv = 14.2 × 10³ (number/ml min)] cultured cells could also be determined. Furthermore, a method for rapid regenerating cell wall of protoplast in liquid culture using alginate gel containing locust bean gum was developed.     

Isozymes of glutamate dehydrogenase from oat leaves: Properties and light effect on synthesis

Ammonium-dependent induction of a GDH isozyme in oat leaveswas proportional to light intensity and inhibited by DCMU. Thestimulation of GDH synthesis in response to ammonia was partiallyrepressed by benzimidazole. The inducible (no. 1) and noninducible(no. 2) GDH isozymes wereseparated and purified by approximately54 and 24 fold respectively. The two isozymes were highly specificfor NAD and the rate of NADH oxidation was 7 to 9 times higherthan NAD reduction. Both isozymes showed similar Km values forsubstrates of the reductive amination reaction and pH optimafor NADH oxidation. The pH optima for NAD reduction were 9 and8.2 for isozymes1 and 2 respectively. The two isozymes had asimilar molecular weight, 2.2–2.4 x 10⁵ but differed intheir isoelectric point and temperature sensitivity. Resultssuggest that the GDH isozymes in oat leaves are two differententities but might possess a similar metabolic function. (Received January 6, 1976; )