Wheat aging: the contribution of embryonic and non-embryonic lesions to loss of seed viability

A study has been made to identify the contribution of senescent changes occurring in embryonic and non-embryonic (endosperm and aleurone layer) tissues on germination of wheat ( Triticum durum L. cv. Appulo) seed lots of 97, 93 and 70% viability. Measurements of germination and rates of macromolecular synthesis of embryos excised from dry seeds showed that as seed viability declined from 97 to ca 93%, there was a decrease in the capacity of embryos to grow and synthesise protein, RNA and DNA. However, no significant differences were observed between embryos from 93 and 70% viability seed stocks. Changes in nutrients, fresh and dry weights of embryonic and non-embryonic tissues and electrophoretic patterns of endosperm proteins by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a reduced mobilisation of reserve material in 70%-viable seeds. α-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) production was also decreased. It is suggested that alterations occurring in non-embryonic structures play a significant role in seed viability loss. This role might be mediated by failing nutrient supply, but the involvement of some inhibitor or toxic substance is also possible.     

Cytopathology of Lettuce Mosaic Virus-infected Lettuce Seeds and Seedlings

The ultrastructure of lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV)-infected lettuce seeds and seedlings was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Conventional thin-section electron microscopy and immunogold cytochemistry were both successfully employed to study the location of LMV in embryonic and non-embryonic seed parts. LMV particle aggregates and cytoplasmic “pinwheel” inclusions characteristic of potyviruses were observed throughout the embryonic tissues (radicle, hypocotyl and cotyledon) of infected lettuce seeds and seedlings, and also in the non-embryonic endosperm layer. LMV particles, but not inclusions, were also located in the non-embryonic pericarp layer.     

Involvement of peroxidase activity in developing somatic embryos of Medicago arborea L. Identification of an isozyme peroxidase as biochemical marker of somatic embryogenesis

The legume Medicago arborea L. is very interesting as regards the regeneration of marginal arid soils. The problem is that it does not have a good germinative yield. It was therefore decided to regenerate via somatic embryogenesis and find a marker of embryogenic potential. In this study, peroxidase activity was evaluated in non-embryogenic and embryogenic calli from M. arborea L. A decrease in soluble peroxidase activity is observed in its embryonic calli at the time at which the somatic embryos begin to appear. This activity is always lower in embryonic calli than in non-embryonic ones (unlike what happens in the case of wall-bound peroxidases). These results suggest that peroxidases can be considered to be enzymes involved in somatic embryogenesis in M. arborea. In addition, isozyme analyses were carried out on protein extracts using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The band called P5 was detected only in embryogenic cultures at very early stages of development. This band was digested with trypsin and analyzed using linear ion trap (LTQ) mass spectrometer. In P5 isoform a peroxidase-l-ascorbate peroxidase was identified. It can be used as a marker that allows the identification of embryological potential.     

Characterization of the two maize embryo-lethal defective kernel mutants rgh*-1210 and fl*-1253b: effects on embryo and gametophyte development

We have examined the effects on embryonic and gametophytic development of two nonallelic defective-kernel mutants of maize. Earlier studies indicated that both mutants are abnormal in embryonic morphogenesis as well as in the formation of their endosperm. Mutant rgh*-1210 embryos depart from the normal embryogenic pathway at the proembryo and transition stage, by developing meristematic lobes and losing bilateral symmetry. They continue growth as irregular cell masses that enlarge and become necrotic. Somatic embryos arising in rgh*-1210 callus cultures display the rgh*-1210 mutant phenotype. Mutant fl*-1253B embryos are variably blocked from the coleoptilar stage through stage 2. Following formation of the shoot apex in the mutant embryos the leaf primordia and tissues surrounding the embryonic axis continue growth and cell division, while the scutellum ceases development and becomes hypertrophied. Mutant fl*-1253B embryos are unable to germinate, either in mutant kernels or as immature embryos in culture, and the mutant scutellar tissue does not produce regenerable callus. Expression of the fl*-1253B locus during male gametophytic development is revealed by a marked reduction in pollen transmission as a result of mutant expression during the interval between meiosis and the initiation of pollen tube growth. In both mutants, there is considerable proliferation of the aleurone cells of the endosperm. Mutant expression of rgh*-1210 in the female gametophyte is revealed by the abnormal antipodal cells of the embryo sac. These results show that these two gene loci play unique and crucial roles in normal morphogenesis of the embryo. In addition, it is evident that both mutants are pleiotropic in affecting the development of the endosperm and gametophyte as well as the embryo. These pleiotropisms suggest some commonality in the gene regulation of development in these three tissues.     

The maize gene empty pericarp-2 is required for progression beyond early stages of embryogenesis

The defective kernel mutation empty pericarp2-R (emp2-R) causes retardation and subsequent abortion of maize kernel development. Analyses of genetic aneuploid kernels indicate that the embryo phenotype is not dependent on the endosperm genotype; the mutation conditions embryo defects even in the presence of a normal endosperm. Embryos reach an abnormal coleoptilar stage before aborting and disintegrating. The mutants form primary embryonic organs only; the scutellum and coleoptile develop, but no leaves are formed. Immunohisto-localization studies utilized KNOX homeodomain proteins as markers of meristem formation and identity. These analyses indicate that the shoot meristem forms in emp2-R mutant embryos, but does not mature to a tunica-corpus shape. No evidence of leaf founder cell initialization was revealed in the mutant meristems. These data indicate that the emp2 gene may be required for embryogenic patterning beyond the coleoptilar stage of development.     

Cloning and Molecular Characterization of a SERK Gene Transcriptionally Induced During Somatic Embryogenesis in Ananas comosus cv. Shenwan

A somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase (SERK) gene, designated as AcSERK1, was isolated from pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Shenwan). AcSERK1 shared all the characteristic domains of the SERK family, including five leucine-rich repeats, one proline-rich region motif, transmembrane domain, and kinase domains. Somatic embryogenic cultures of pineapple were established following transfer of callus cultures to Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The role of AcSERK1 during establishment of somatic embryogenesis in culture was investigated. The AcSERK1 was highly expressed during embryogenic competence acquisition and global embryo formation in culture. These findings were obtained along with morphological changes in callus cultures exhibiting embryogenic potential. Overall, levels of expression of AcSERK1 were lower in nonembryogenic tissues and organs than in embryogenic callus. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that AcSERK1 expression was detected in embryogenic tissues, including single competent cells, meristematic centers wherein embryogenic structures are formed, and global embryos. These results suggested that AcSERK1 expression was associated with induction of somatic embryogenesis and that it could be used as a potential marker gene to monitor the transition of pineapple callus tissues into competent and embryogenic cells and tissues.     

Expression and maintenance of embryogenic potential is enhanced through constitutive expression of AGAMOUS-Like 15

The MADS domain protein AGL15 (AGAMOUS-Like 15) has been found to preferentially accumulate in angiosperm tissues derived from double fertilization (i.e. the embryo, suspensor, and endosperm) and in apomictic, somatic, and microspore embryos. Localization to the nuclei supports a role in gene regulation during this phase of the life cycle. To test whether AGL15 is involved in the promotion and maintenance of embryo identity, the embryogenic potential of transgenic plants that constitutively express AGL15 was assessed. Expression of AGL15 was found to enhance production of secondary embryos from cultured zygotic embryos, and constitutive expression led to long-term maintenance of development in this mode. Ectopic accumulation of AGL15 also promoted somatic embryo formation after germination from the shoot apical meristem of seedlings in culture. These results indicate that AGL15 is involved in support of development in an embryonic mode.     

Expression of SERK family receptor-like protein kinase genes in rice

Some SERK-family receptor-like protein kinase genes have been shown to confer embryonic competence to cells. In this study, we isolated two novel rice genes, OsSERK1 and OsSERK2, belonging to the SERK-family. OsSERK2 showed constitutive expression. The OsSERK1 promoter showed reporter gene activities in some specific tissues in a germinating seed, leaf and root, but not in a developing embryo. This promoter activity suggests that OsSERK1 may have roles in non-embryonic tissues rather than in the embryo.     

高粱体胚发生的组织细胞学观察

以Sb33高粱非胚性、胚性愈伤组织和体胚为材料,用传统石蜡切片法对各组织材料进行组织化学染色,对高粱胚性与非胚性愈伤组织以及体胚进行组织细胞学观察。结果表明：高粱非胚性愈伤组织无淀粉粒积累,高粱胚性愈伤组织淀粉粒积累较多,而与胚性愈伤组织相比,高粱体胚淀粉粒积累更多,这说明淀粉粒的积累与高粱体细胞的胚胎发生密切相关。此外,高粱可通过鱼雷胚基部产生球形胚的方式实现体胚的增殖,高粱离体再生途径以体细胞胚发生为主,并同时存在少量器官发生途径。在高粱体细胞胚胎发生中,外起源和内起源同时存在。本研究为高粱体细胞胚胎发生提供细胞学理论基础。     

Epigenetic Resetting of a Gene Imprinted in Plant Embryos

Genomic imprinting resulting in the differential expression of maternal and paternal alleles in the fertilization products has evolved independently in placental mammals and flowering plants. In most cases, silenced alleles carry DNA methylation [1]. Whereas these methylation marks of imprinted genes are generally erased and reestablished in each generation in mammals [2], imprinting marks persist in endosperms [3], the sole tissue of reported imprinted gene expression in plants. Here we show that the maternally expressed in embryo 1 (mee1) gene of maize is imprinted in both the embryo and endosperm and that parent-of-origin-specific expression correlates with differential allelic methylation. This epigenetic asymmetry is maintained in the endosperm, whereas the embryonic maternal allele is demethylated on fertilization and remethylated later in embryogenesis. This report of imprinting in the plant embryo confirms that, as in mammals, epigenetic mechanisms operate to regulate allelic gene expression in both embryonic and extraembryonic structures. The embryonic methylation profile demonstrates that plants evolved a mechanism for resetting parent-specific imprinting marks, a necessary prerequisite for parent-of-origin-dependent gene expression in consecutive generations. The striking difference between the regulation of imprinting in the embryo and endosperm suggests that imprinting mechanisms might have evolved independently in both fertilization products of flowering plants.     

Low external pH replaces 2,4-D in maintaining and multiplying 2,4-D-initiated embryogenic cells of carrot

A mixed culture comprised of both embryonic globules and nonembryogenic callus. was derived from seedling hypocotyls of Daucus carota cv. Scarlet Nantes on 2,4-D-containing medium using well-established methods. Then the mixed cultures were transferred to, and serially subcultured on, a hormone-free medium near pH 4. The medium contained 1 m M NH+ as the sole nitrogen source. When cultured in this way, embryonic globules were able to multiply without development into later embryo stages Nonembryogenic callus did not survive. Continuous culture of embryonic globules on this low pH hormone-free medium yielded cultures consisting entirely of preglobular stage proembryos (PGSPs). PGSP cultures have been maintained as such with continuous multiplication for nearly 2 years without loss of embryogenic potential. These hormone-free-maintained PGSPs continue their development to later embryo stages when cultured on the same hormone-free medium buffered at pH 5.8. We show that hormone-free medium near pH 4 can replace 2.4-D in its ability to sustain multiplication of 2,4-D-initiated embryogenic cells of carrot at an acceptable growth rate without their development into later embryo stages. This procedure provides selective conditions that do not permit the growth of nonembryogenic cells while providing an adequate environment for embryogenic cell proliferation and should prove invaluable in studying habituation.     

Regulation of an embryogenic carrot gene (DC 2.15) and identification of its active promoter sites

According to previous studies the expression of the geneDC 2.15 is induced in cultured carrot cells after a transfer to an auxin-free medium, where somatic embryo development occurs. This embryogenic gene encodes a prolinerich protein, which resembles proteins involved in auxin-controlled developmental processes. To understand the mechanism underlying the regulation ofDC 2.15, an experimental approach has been employed which allows the direct identification of theDC 2.15 promoter structure by applying PCR techniques. We demonstrate the presence of five distinct promoter sequences highly similar in structure, but slightly different in a common region of about 15 nucleotides, which contain the binding site for the GATA factor originally found in the human HOX gene. Activity of each promoter structure was assessed in developing somatic embryos containing the specific sequence fused to the -glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. For two of the five promoter structures a drastic increase in activity was registered during the torpedo stage while the remaining three were inactive throughout the stages of somatic embryogenesis.     

Morphohistological analysis of the origin and development of somatic embryos from leaves of mature Quercus robur

Summary In oak species, there is paucity of information on the anatomical changes underlying differentiation of somatic embryos from explants of mature trees. A histological study was undertaken to ascertain the cellular origin and ontogenesis of somatic embryos in leaf cultures from a 100-yr-old Quercus robur tree. Somatic embryogenesis was induced in expanding leaves excised from shoots forced from branch segments, following culture on three successive media containing different concentrations of α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine. The somatic embryogenesis followed an indirect pathway from a callus tissue formed in the leaf lamina. After 4–6 wk of culture, meristematic cells originated in superficial layers of callus protuberances, but these cells evolved into differentiated vacuolated cells rather than embryos. A subsequent dedifferentiation into embryogenic cells occurred later (9–12 wk of culture) within a dissociating callus. Embryogenic cells exhibited dense protein-rich protoplasm, high nucleoplasmic ratio, and contained small starch grains. Successive divisions of these cells led to the formation of a few-celled proembryos and embryogenic cell clumps within a thick common cell wall, which seemed to have originated unicellularly. However, a multicellular origin of larger embryogenic clumps could not be dismissed; these gave rise to embryonic nodular structures that developed somatic embryos of both uni- and multicellular origin. Somatic embryos at successive stages of development, including cotyledonary-stage embryos with shoot and root meristems, were apparent.