Regulation of Gene Expression in Developing Zea mays Embryos: Protein Synthesis during Embryogenesis and Early Germination of Maize

Polypeptides synthesized in dissected embryos of Zea mays at different stages of embryogenesis and early germination have been characterized by their migration in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. This analysis has been carried out with in vivo labeled polypeptides from excised embryos and with proteins synthesized in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte system directed by poly(A⁺) RNA isolated from the different developmental stages. We have identified three main sets of expressed polypeptides: (a) embryonic set: this group of polypeptides is synthesized in young and mature embryos but not in early germination; (b) maturation set: this group of polypeptides is not present in young embryos and appears during the maturation period. Some of these polypeptides are still present in early germination while others disappear from stored mRNAs in dry embryos. One particular group from this set can be induced prematurely in young embryos by incubation with abscisic acid; and (c) germination set: this group of polypeptides is not expressed in the maturation period and appears after brief imbibition of the dry embryos.     

Gene Expression in Developing Zea mays Embryos: Regulation by Abscisic Acid of a Highly Phosphorylated 23- to 25-kD Group of Proteins

We have earlier identified a set of proteins of 23 to 25 kilodaltons (kD), covering an isoelectric point (pI) range of 6.2 to 8.2, which accumulate gradually during normal embryogenesis of Zea mays and disappear in early germination. These polypeptides can be induced prematurely in immature embryos by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. We report here that the more acidic protein forms are due to post-translational phosphorylation of at least two polypeptides of 23 kD, pI 8.2 and 25 kD, pI 8.0. A polyclonal antiserum was obtained which recognizes all forms of both the 23-kD and 25-kD polypeptides. Recovery of cDNA clones corresponding to these proteins was accomplished by hybridization with cDNA made from size-selected mRNA enriched for these sequences. Hybrid selection experiments demonstrate that clone MA12 specifically hybridizes with mRNAs encoding the 23-kD and 25-kD protein set which are recognized by the antiserum. By Northern hybridization analysis, the RNA encoded by clone MA12 is shown to accumulate in mature embryos and to be induced in young embryos upon ABA incubation.     

Competence of Immature Maize Embryos for Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene Transfer

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of viral sequences to plant cells (agroinfection) was applied to study the susceptibility of immature maize embryos to the pathogen. The shoot apical meristem of immature embryos 10 to 20 days after pollination from four different maize genotypes was investigated for competence for agroinfection. There was a direct correlation between different morphological stages of the unwounded immature embryos and their competence for agroinfection. Agroinfection frequency was highest in the embryogenic line A188. All developmental stages tested showed Agrobacterium virulence gene-inducing activity, whereas bacteriocidal substances were produced at stages of the immature embryos competent for agroinfection. The results suggested that Agrobacterium may require differentiated tissue in the maize shoot apical meristem before wounding for successful T-DNA transfer. This requirement for the young maize embryo has implications for the possible use of Agrobacterium for maize transformation.     

Regulation of Osteoblast Gene Expression and Phenotype by Polylactide-fatty Acid Surfaces

Cell function is influenced by surface structure and molecules. Molecules that enhance cellular differentiation can be applied to tissue scaffold surfaces to stimulate endogenous tissue regeneration. The application of this approach to bone implants yields surfaces coated with factors (proteins, peptides, etc...) that promote the differentiation of osteoblasts, the cells that make bone. Increased bone formation leads to increased healing and union of the implant with endogenous bone. To obtain better control over surface coating we developed PLLA copolymers with allyl (PLLA-co-DAG) and 3-hydroxypropyl (PLLA-co-HP) side chains to which we can attach functional groups. Given the potential of fatty acids being able to incorporate into lipid bilayers and/or influence gene expression, we grafted different fatty acid side chains to PLLA-co-HP by esterifying the corresponding fatty acids with the PLLA-co-HP 3-hydroxypropyl side chains. The effects of the polymer modifications on osteoblasts were then evaluated. While cellular morphology differed between surface coatings, they did not reflect changes in cellular phenotype. Changes in gene expression were most evident with arachidonate and 3-hydroxypropyl side-chains which exhibited osteoblast differentiating capabilities. Linoleate, myristate, oleate, and stearate ester side-chains did not have a significant influence on osteoblast phenotype. Growth characteristics of osteoblasts did not differ between the fatty acid copolymer films, although cells grown on PLLA-co-HP exhibited a trend toward increased growth. Taken together our findings demonstrate that surface fatty acid composition can impact osteoblast phenotype.     

脱落酸与Em基因的表达调控

Em基因的表达受ABA诱导,干旱和盐胁通过增加ABA含量或改变植物细胞对ABA的敏感性而诱导Em基因的表达。植物Em基因启动子存在3个功能区:5′远端AT富集区通过影响转录调节表达量,作用类似于非专一性增强子;ABA应答元件ABRE在ABA存在的情况下与转录因子EmBP1相互作用能显著增强Em基因的表达;5′UTR可能通过转录后调控而影响最终表达水平 。     

Evidence for an Important Role of WRKY DNA Binding Proteins in the Regulation of NPR1 Gene Expression

The Arabidopsis NPR1 gene is a positive regulator of inducible plant disease resistance. Expression of NPR1 is induced by pathogen infection or treatment with defense-inducing compounds such as salicylic acid (SA). Transgenic plants overexpressing NPR1 exhibit enhanced resistance to a broad spectrum of microbial pathogens, whereas plants underexpressing the gene are more susceptible to pathogen infection. These results suggest that regulation of NPR1 gene expression is important for the activation of plant defense responses. In the present study, we report the identification of W-box sequences in the promoter region of the NPR1 gene that are recognized specifically by SA-induced WRKY DNA binding proteins from Arabidopsis. Mutations in these W-box sequences abolished their recognition by WRKY DNA binding proteins, rendered the promoter unable to activate a downstream reporter gene, and compromised the ability of NPR1 to complement npr1 mutants for SA-induced defense gene expression and disease resistance. These results provide strong evidence that certain WRKY genes act upstream of NPR1 and positively regulate its expression during the activation of plant defense responses. Consistent with this model, we found that SA-induced expression of a number of WRKY genes was independent of NPR1.     

脉冲电泳不同参数对介导GFP基因转化玉米种胚效果的研究

利用脉冲电泳介导绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因导入玉米种胚;以GFP基因在种胚中瞬时表达作为外源基因导人种胚细胞的标记,分析了外源．DNA浓度、电泳时间、电压、电流转换时间等脉冲电泳转化参数对种胚发芽率和外源基因导入率的影响。结果表明：脉冲电泳时间对种胚发芽率和外源GFP基因导入率影响最大;通过脉冲电泳可将外源基因导入胚芽细胞,其GFP基因导人种子的频率与各电泳参数均呈二次曲线关系,300μg／ml外源DNA浓度、120min电泳时间、5V电压、2s电流转换时间可作为脉冲电泳介导玉米种胚转化较适宜的参数。     

植物酸性转化酶基因及其表达调控

酸性转化酶是蔗糖代谢的关键酶,在植物体中具有重要的生理作用.近十几年来,许多植物酸性转化酶基因已经克隆,其基因表达调控的研究也取得了很大的进展.本文综述了植物酸性转化酶基因及其蛋白结构、基因表达的器官和发育特异性以及糖、受伤、病原、胁迫和激素对基因表达的调节和蛋白抑制因子对酶活性的影响,并讨论了当前在该研究领域存在的问题.     

植物酸性转化酶基因及其表达调控

酸性转化酶是蔗糖代谢的关键酶,在植物体中具有重要的生理作用。近十几年来,许多植物酸性转化酶基因已经克隆,其基因表达调控的研究也取得了很大的进展。本文综述了植物酸性转化酶﹑ 基因及其蛋白结构、基因表达的器官和发育特异性以及糖、受伤、病原胁迫和激素对基因表达的调节和蛋白抑制因子对酶活性的影响,并讨论了当前在该研究领域存在的问题。     

HIV-1基因表达的转录调控

高效抗逆转录病毒治疗（HAART）可以有效地抑制人类免疫缺陷病毒Ⅰ型（HIV-1）的复制及血浆病毒载量,延缓发病进程,改善、提高患者的生活质量和存活时间。但是,一旦停止治疗就会导致血浆病毒血症迅速反弹,HIV-1以原病毒的形式在静息记忆CD4⁺T等细胞中的持续存在是清除HIV-1的一个障碍。HIV-1基因转录的激活与阻抑决定了受感染细胞进入产毒性感染或潜伏感染。本文从原病毒整合位置与转录干扰、细胞转录因子与HIV-1启动子相互作用招募RNA聚合酶起始转录、转录的表观遗传调控和反式激活因子Tat及其相关蛋白促进转录延伸等方面探讨了HIV-1原病毒转录调控机制。     

光对拟南芥微管蛋白基因表达的负调节作用

白光处理后拟南芥白化苗中的微管蛋白基因mRNA都有不同程度降低。白化苗中TUBI的mRNA量很高,连续用白光处理由化苗2－6h,TUB1mRNA降低。分析拟南芥幼苗根、下胚轴中的RNA发现根中TUBI基因转录水平不受白光影响。具子叶的下胚轴中TUB1基因转录水平受白光抑制。白先对TUB1基因表达的负调节具有组织特异性。