Regulation of Glyoxysomal Enzymes during Germination of Cucumber: I. Developmental Changes in Cotyledonary Protein, RNA, and Enzyme Activities during Germination

Developmental patterns of glyoxylate cycle and photosynthetic activities have been correlated with electrophoretic profiles of cotyledonary RNA and protein in both light- and dark-grown cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) Cytoplasmic rRNA increases 10-fold between days 0 and 5, and the steepest increase coincides with the most rapid rise in activities of the glyoxysomal enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase. Chloroplast rRNA and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase begin rising at day 3, followed about a day later by increases in glyoxylate reductase activity and chlorophyll content. Of these phototrophic indicators, only chlorophyll requires light for its initial appearance. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of total and soluble cotyledonary protein showed several developmental patterns, including: (a) progressive disappearance of storage protein present initially in particulate form; (b appearance and subsequent disappearance of a family of polypeptides identified by molecular weight, developmental profile, and density gradient centrifugation as subunits of glyoxysomal enzymes; and (c) appearance and progressive increase (in both light- and dark-grown cotyledons) of the large and small subunits of RuBP carboxylase, as well as other polypeptides presumably of chloroplast and peroxisomal origin.     

Glyoxysomal Malate Dehydrogenase in Pumpkin: Cloning of a cDNA and Functional Analysis of Its Presequence

Glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase (gMDH) is an enzyme of theglyoxylate cycle that participates in degradation of storageoil. We have cloned a cDNA for gMDH from etiolated pumpkin cotyledonsthat encodes a polypep-tide consisting of 356 amino acid residues.The nucleotide and N-terminal amino acid sequences revealedthat gMDH is synthesized as a precursor with an N-terminal extrapeptide.The N-terminal presequence of 36 amino acid residues containstwo regions homologous to those of other micro-body proteins,which are also synthesized as large precursors. To investigatethe functions of the N-terminal presequence of gMDH, we generatedtransgenic Arabidopsis that expressed a chimeric protein consistingof rß-glucuroni-dase and the N-terminal region ofgMDH. Immunologi-cal and immunocytochemical studies revealedthat the chimeric protein was imported into microbodies suchas gly-oxysomes and leaf peroxisomes and was then subsequentlyprocessed. Site-directed mutagenesis studies showed that theconserved amino acids in the N-terminal presequence, Arg-10and His-17, function as recognition sites for the targetingto plant microbodies, and Cys-36 in the presequence is responsiblefor its processing. These results correspond to those from theanalyses of glyoxysomal citrate synthase (gCS), which was alsosynthesized as a large precursor, suggesting that common mechanismsthat can recognize the targeting or the processing of gMDH andgCS function in higher plant cells. (Received July 10, 1997; Accepted November 22, 1997)     

Regulation of Glyoxysomal Enzymes during Germination of Cucumber: 3. IN VITRO TRANSLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FOUR GLYOXYSOMAL ENZYMES

Monospecific antibodies raised against four glyoxysomal enzymes (isocitrate lyase, catalase, malate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase) have been used to detect these proteins among the products of in vitro translation in a wheat germ system programmed with cotyledonary RNA from cucumber seedlings. In vitro immunoprecipitates were compared electrophoretically with the same enzymes labeled in vivo and also with the purified proteins. Isocitrate lyase yields two bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, as synthesized both in vitro (61.5K and 60K products) and in vivo (63K and 61.5K polypeptides). Both the 63K and 61.5K subunits can also be demonstrated for the isolated enzyme. The two subunits are antigenically cross-reactive and yield similar electrophoretic profiles upon partial proteolytic digestion. A larger subunit is seen in vitro than in vivo for both malate dehydrogenase (38K versus 33K) and catalase (55K versus 54K); this suggests a need for processing which is often a characteristic of proteins that must be transported across or into membranes. Malate synthase has a molecular weight of 57K both in vitro and in vivo, but the isolated enzyme is a glycoprotein, containing N-acetyl glucosamine, mannose, and possibly also fucose and xylose. This indicates that the polypeptide portion of the isolated enzyme is smaller than the in vitro product and suggests processing of malate synthase also. None of the other three enzymes appears to be glycosylated. The implications of these size differences for the compartmentalization of matrix and membrane-bound glyoxysomal enzymes are discussed.     

Regulation of Glyoxysomal Enzyme Expression in Maize

The activity levels of three glyoxysomal enzymes (catalase, isocitric lyase, and malate synthase) were measured in the scutellum following germination of the inbred lines W64A, R6-67, and A16. In W64A, as in most maize lines examined, germination was accompanied by a rapid and synchronous increase in the activities of all three enzymes, and reached a peak at about day 4 and declined thereafter. In R6-67, catalase activity continues to increase past day 4 and reaches its highest activity level on later days. In A16, catalase activity is very low due to the lack of expression of the Cat2 gene. Despite these significant differences in catalase expression, the levels of the other two glyoxysomal enzymes did not differ in these inbred lines. Artificial inhibition of catalase in W64A by exogenous application of 10^–4 M aminotriazole did not inhibit germination, nor did it alter the levels of the other two glyoxysomal enzymes. Similarly, application of 10^–4 M itaconate to W64A seeds inhibited the appearance of isocitric lyase, but did not inhibit germination or alter the levels of malate synthase or catalase. Comparative cell fractionation and immunological studies were conducted with W64A and A16 and their microbodies were observed under the electron microscope. Cell fractionation studies were also conducted with W64A seeds germinated in the presence of aminotriazole or itaconate. Thus, our results suggest that the expression of these three glyoxysomal enzymes is not regulated coordinately in the maize scutellum.     

Malate Utilization by a Group D Streptococcus: Regulation of Malic Enzyme Synthesis by an Inducible Malate Permease

Induction of an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-specific malic enzyme and a malate entry system permits Streptococcus faecalis to grow at the expense of malate. Evidence is presented which shows that biosynthesis of the permease, but not of the malic enzyme, is subject to catabolite repression by glucose. In contrast to the malic enzyme, the catalytic function of the entry system does not appear to be inhibited by intermediate products of glycolysis. Although the induction of the entry system does not appear to be coordinated with the induction of the malic enzyme, the latter process is dependent upon the permease for the transport and accumulation of inducer.     

Control of Enzyme Activities in Cotton Cotyledons during Maturation and Germination: II. Glyoxysomal Enzyme Development in Embryos

The sequence of glyoxysomal enzyme development was investigated in cotyledons of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Deltapine 16) embryos from 16 to 70 days after anthesis (DAA). Catalase, malate dehydrogenase, and citrate condensing enzyme activities were barely detectable prior to 22 DAA, but showed dramatic increases from 22 to 50 DAA. Development of malate synthase activity, however, was delayed during this period, rising to peak activity from 45 to 50 DAA (just prior to desiccation) in the absence of any detectable isocitrate lyase activity. Substantial activities of all of these enzymes (except isocitrate lyase) persisted in the dry seeds. Isopycnic centrifugations on sucrose gradients demonstrated that the enzymes were compartmentalized within particles increasing in buoyant density with time of development (1.226 to 1.245 grams per cubic centimeter from 22 to 50 DAA). Of particular significance were the observations in 22-day embryos of smooth surfaced membrane dilations of rough endoplasmic reticulum having cytochemical catalase reactivity, and the demonstrations of catalase activities in microsomal fractions isolated throughout the 16- to 50-DAA period. Our data do not allow determination of the mechanism(s) for enzyme activation and/or addition to previously existing or newly formed microbodies, but do show that development and acquisition of enzyme activities within glyoxysomes occur sequentially and thus are not regulated in concert as previously thought.     

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase during Maturation and Germination Sorghum Seeds: Enzyme Activity and Regulation

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a species of great socio-economic and ecological importance for countries in arid and semi-arid climate. In C₄ plants like sorghum, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31) plays a key role in seed development and germination. In this work, the PEPC activity shows an increase followed by a decrease at the early and later stages of maturation, respectively. In germinating seeds, the PEPC activity quickly increases after soaking. The L-malate test and the ratio of PEPC activity determined at pH 8.0 and 7.1, indicates, that PEPC is phosphorylated at the early stages of maturation then becomes dephosphorylated at the later stages and during seed germination, PEPC takes back its phosphorylated form. The determination of the affinity constant showed different K_M depending on the seed developmental stage. As there is no PEPC-C4 isoform in developing sorghum seeds, this result indicates that the different K_M observed during seed maturation could be a result of a post-translational regulation such as phosphorylation or ubiquitination of a pre-existing isoform. This regulation enhances the PEPC activity at early stages of seed development.     

Synthesis of Chloroplast Proteins during Germination and Early Development of Cucumber

Cell-free protein synthesizing systems have been used to study the developmental changes in the synthesis of chloroplast proteins in the cotyledons of cucumber seedlings grown in the light or in the dark. Escherichia coli and wheat germ in vitro protein synthesizing systems have been used to assay the changes in the levels of the mRNA's coding for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase). The large subunit of cucumber RuBPCase has been identified among the translation products of the E. coli system. The wheat germ system translates the cucumber mRNA coding for the small subunit of RuBPCase to produce a 25,000 molecular weight precursor polypeptide. Plastids isolated from light-grown cotyledons were used to study developmental changes in their capacity to synthesize protein. The data obtained indicate that in the light there is an initial 48-hour period of accumulation of the mRNA's coding for the large and small subunits of RuBPCase, coupled with an increase in the capacity of the isolated plastids to synthesize protein. This is followed by a decline. This decline is not reflected in the accumulation of RuBPCase in the cotyledons which remains constant over the period of study.     

Expression of a Brassica napus Malate Synthase Gene in Transgenic Tomato Plants during the Transition from Late Embryogeny to Germination

To study gene regulation during the transition from late embryogeny to germination, we have analyzed the expression of a gene encoding the glyoxylate cycle enzyme malate synthase in transgenic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. We have shown that although there are at least four classes of malate synthase genes in Brassica napus L., one gene is expressed at a high level during both late embryogeny and postgermination. Analyses of transgenic tomato plants containing the expressed B. napus gene along with 4.7 and 1.0 kilobase pairs of 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences, respectively, confirmed that a single gene is expressed at both stages of development. Furthermore, localization studies have shown that mRNA encoded by the B. napus gene is distributed throughout the tissues of a mature embryo but is not detected in the vascular cylinder of a seedling. We conclude that the sequences required to qualitatively regulate the gene correctly over the plant life cycle are present within the transferred gene and/or flanking regions. Moreover, the malate synthase gene is regulated differently during late embryogeny and postgermination in the developing vascular cylinder.     

Intercellular Localization of Acid Invertase in Tomato Fruit and Molecular Cloning of a cDNA for the Enzyme

The localization of acid invertase (AI, EC 3.2.1.26 [EC] ) in tomatofruits was studied. AI was localized in the intercellular fraction(cell wall fraction). A cDNA encoding a wall-bound form of AIfrom tomato fruits was cloned and its nucleotide sequence wasdetermined. The cloned cDNA was 2363 base pairs long and containedan open reading frame of 1908 base pairs which encoded a polypeptideof 636 amino acids. RNA blot analysis indicated that the mRNAfor the acid invertase was about 2.5 kb in length. The levelsof the mRNA were low at the mature green stage but increasedduring ripening of fruit. (Received July 13, 1992; Accepted December 3, 1992)     

Mitochondrial Nitric-Oxide Synthase: Enzyme Expression, Characterization, and Regulation

Nitric oxide is generated in vivo by nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) during the conversion of L-Arg to citrulline. Using a variety of biological systems and approaches emerging evidence has been accumulated for the occurrence of a mitochondrial NOS (mtNOS), identified as the alpha isoform of neuronal or NOS-1. Under physiological conditions, the production of nitric oxide by mitochondria has an important implication for the maintenance of the cellular metabolism, i.e. modulates the oxygen consumption of the organelles through the competitive (with oxygen) and reversible inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase. The transient inhibition suits the continuously changing energy and oxygen requirements of the tissue; it is a short-term regulation with profound pathophysiological consequences. This review describes the identification of mtNOS and the role of posttranslational modifications on mtNOS' activity and regulation.     

Noninvolvement of Acyl Carrier Protein with Citrate Synthase and Malate Synthase

Acyl carrier protein (ACP coli) was isolated from commercially grown Escherichia coli B and was acetylated by chemical methods. Biological activity of the synthesized acetyl-ACP coli was checked in an in vitro fatty acid-synthesizing system isolated from E. coli B. Since acetyl-ACP is preferred over acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) as a substrate in these reactions, the possibility that it may substitute for acetyl-CoA in biosynthetically and oxidatively important cellular pathways (glyoxylate and Krebs cycles, respectively) was examined. Acetyl-ACP was tested for substrate activity with the enzyme of each cycle which has been found to utilize acetyl-CoA. Crystalline citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) of porcine origin (Calbiochem) was found to be inactive with acetyl-ACP coli, which acted neither as a substrate nor as an inhibitor in the presence of acetyl-CoA. Malate synthase (EC 4.1.3.2) of the acetate type was isolated from acetate-grown cells of a mutant of E. coli K-12 (VGD(3)H(5)) and was also found to be inactive with acetyl-ACP coli. The significance of these results and of the recent discovery of another phospho-pantetheine-containing protein are discussed.     

苦荞中查尔酮合成酶全长基因的克隆及其序列分析

选用乌克兰伊琳娜苦荞为试验材料,以从叶片中提取的RNA为模板,应用RACE技术结合CODEHOP引物设计方法成功克隆出苦荞中查尔酮合成酶cDNA序列后,将其序列电子合并其全长后设计基因全长特异性引物.以DNA为模板进行PCR扩增出基因序列.通过生物信息学分析表明,该基因金长为1 906 bp,具有一个463 bp的内含子序列,编码区长度为1188 bp,编码395个氨基酸.Blastn序列比对发现本试验所获得的CHS基因序列与相近物种Rheum palmatum(登录号:DQ205352.1)的CHS基因同源性达86％.将得到的序列命名为RaCHS并提交GenBank,登录号为HQ434624.应用Clustalxl.81和MEGA4软件构建系统进化树,并进行了同源性分析.     

Functional Analysis of the N-Terminal Prepeptides of Watermelon Mitochondrial and Glyoxysomal Malate Dehydrogenases*

Mitochondrial and glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase (mMDH; gMDH; L-malate: NAD⁺ oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.37) of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) cotyledons are synthesized with N-terminal cleavable presequences which are shown to specify sorting of the two proteins. The two presequences differ in length (27 or 37 amino acids) and primary structure. Precursor proteins of the two isoenzymes with site-directed mutations in their presequences and hybrid precursor proteins with reciprocally exchanged presequences were analyzed for proper import using two approaches, namely in vitro using isolated watermelon organelles or in vivo after synthesis in the heterologous host, Hansenula polymorpha. The mitochondrial presequence is essential and sufficient to target the mature glyoxysomal isoenzyme into mitochondria (Gietl et al., 1994). As to the function of the mitochondrial presequence a substitution of ^?3R (considered important for one step precursor cleavage in yeast and mammals) with ^?3L permitted import into mitochondria but cleavage of the transit peptide and conversion into active mature enzyme was impeded. Substitution of ^?13R^?12S (in a sequence reminiscent of the octapeptide motif serving as a substrate for the mammalian and yeast intermediate peptidase) into ^?13L¹²F permitted mitochondrial import and processing like the wild type transit peptide. Purified rat mitochondrial processing protease, which can effect single step cleavage of mitochondrial protein precursors, cleaves in vitro translated watermelon mMDH precursor into its mature form. The glyoxysomal presequence is essential and sufficient to target the mature mitochondrial isoenzyme into peroxisomes of Hansenula polymorpha, but these peroxisomes lack a processing enzyme to cleave the presequence (Gietl et al., 1994). We here show that isolated watermelon organelles also import the hybrid proteins in vitro and process the glyoxysomal presequence. Site directed mutations within the conserved RI-X₅-HL-motif impede efficiency of import and cleavage by watermelon organelles.     

猪肥胖基因cDNA的克隆与分析

肥胖基因（ａｂ）是近年刚被克隆的新基因,该基因产物Ｌｅｐｔｉｎ是反映体内脂肪含量和调节体重的重信号因子,首次报道猪ｏｂ基因全长序列,并对不同种物ｏｂ基因的同源性进行了比较,以λＵｎｉ－ＺＡＰ＾ＴＭ为载体构建了猪脂肪ｃＤＮＡ文库,根据已知的人和鼠ｏｂ基因序列设计ＰＣＲ引物,利用ＰＣＲ法筛选猪脂肪ｃＤＮＡ文库,并用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ从脂肪ＲＮＡ中扩增的３６６ｂｐ猪ｏｂ基因片段作探针,获得了全长３２７７ｂｐ的     

花生白藜芦醇合酶基因cDNA的克隆及植物表达载体的构建

为得到含有白藜芦醇合酶cDNA(RS cDNA)并能表达白藜芦醇(Res)的转基因植物,以花生为材料,从其根部提取基因组DNA,并以其为模板,利用引物悬挂延伸PCR法扩增得到大小约1200bp的片段,将这个片段连接到克隆载体PBS-T上进行测序,测序结果证明,此片段就是花生的RS cDNA。将此片段再正向插入到植物表达载体PBI121的CaMV35s启动子和NOS终止子之间,对重组子进行筛选与鉴定,证明花生的RS cDNA已经正确插入PBI121中,成功的构建了植物表达载体PBI121L。     

金花茶查尔酮合成酶基因全长克隆与序列分析

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,从我国珍稀植物金花茶(Camellia nitidissima)花瓣中获得了查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)基因的cDNA全长,命名为Cn-CHS,GenBank登录号HQ269804.碱基序列分析表明,Cn-CHS全长1 454bp,包含77 bp的5'非翻译区、207 bp的3'非翻译区和一个长为1 170 bp编码389个氨基酸的开放阅读框.氨基酸序列分析显示该基因编码的蛋白具有CHS家族保守存在的所有功能活性位点和特征性多肽序列.氨基酸序列比对分析表明,CnCHS与蔷薇科、杜鹃花科、茄科等植物的CHS相似性都在92%以上;与山茶科山茶属物种山茶(C.japonica)CHS完全一致;与茶(C.sinensis)CHS相似性达99%,有5个氨基酸位点存在差异,其中包括一个功能性位点.     

中国红豆杉紫杉烯合酶cDNA的分离、表达和鉴定

紫杉烯合酶是一种二萜环化酶,催化牛儿基牛儿基焦磷酸形成紫杉醇生物合成过程中的中间体紫杉烯.利用PCR扩增同源探针筛选cDNA文库,克隆了一个编码中国红豆杉(Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehd.)紫杉烯合酶3′端的2 151 bp的cDNA片段,也通过PCR扩增得到了该基因5′端的611 bp的cDNA片段,将这两个cDNA片段拼接在一起,得到长2 712 bp的cDNA片段,具有一个2 586个碱基的开放阅读框架(ORF),编码包括质体转移肽在内的共862个氨基酸残基;该酶与太平洋红豆杉紫杉烯合酶有97%的同源性(identity),与其他植物萜类环化酶也有较高的同源性.利用融合表达载体pET-32a在大肠杆菌BL21trxB中表达,所表达的融合蛋白以包含体形式存在.包含体经过变性、复性和再折叠,利用His残基亲和凝胶柱层析得到融合的紫杉烯合酶.用毛细管气相色谱-质谱联用对酶促反应产物进行分析,结果表明,融合的紫杉烯合酶能催化产生4(5),11(12)-紫杉烯.