Changes in growth kinetics of stamen filaments cause inefficient pollination in massugu2, an auxin insensitive, dominant mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

We investigated the physiological and molecular basis of lower fecundity of massugu2 ( msg2 ), which is a dominant mutant of an auxin primary response gene, IAA19 , in Arabidopsis thaliana . By measuring the length of all stamens and pistils in inflorescences and the reference growth rate of pistils, we constructed growth curves of pistils and stamens between stages 12 and 15 of flower development. Pistil growth was found to consist of a single exponential growth, while stamen growth consisted of three exponential phases. During the second exponential phase, the growth rate of stamen filaments was ∼10 times greater than the growth rates in the other two phases. Consequently, stamens whose growth was initially retarded grew longer than the pistil, putting pollen grains on the stigma. msg2-1 stamens, on the other hand, exhibited a less obvious growth increase, resulting in less frequent contact between anthers and stigma. MSG2 was expressed in the stamen filaments and its expression almost coincided with the second growth phase. Stamen filaments appeared to elongate by cell elongation rather than cell division in the epidermal cell file. Considering that MSG2 is likely to be a direct target of the auxin F-box receptors, MSG2 may be one of the master genes that control the transient growth increase of stamen filaments.     

爪哇蒙蒿子(Anaxagorea javanica)内轮退化雄蕊形态结构及功能

利用扫描电子显微镜、光学显微镜对爪哇蒙蒿子（Anaxagorea javanica Blume）可育雄蕊、内轮退化雄蕊和雌蕊的形态、结构进行了观察,并利用组织化学染色法对内轮退化雄蕊和柱头顶端腺毛化学成分进行了检测。结果显示,内轮退化雄蕊顶端为长条状腺毛,柱头顶端有头状和盾状腺毛,两者顶端的腺毛形态和结构明显不同,但分泌物成分类似,都含有蛋白质和脂类物质。内轮退化雄蕊的横切面为一层表皮细胞包围着薄壁组织,中央有一束维管束,与可育雄蕊花丝部位的横切面十分相似,是介于可育雄蕊和雌蕊之间的过渡结构。在雌蕊阶段,退化雄蕊顶端腺体释放的黏液供传粉昆虫觅食;在雄蕊阶段,退化雄蕊顶端覆盖柱头,呈S型,防止自花授粉。爪哇蒙蒿子薄片状可育雄蕊、内轮退化雄蕊以及可育雄蕊和退化雄蕊腹面上存在气孔等原始性状,是连接番荔枝科和其外类群的同源特征。     

厚朴野生种与栽培种花不同部位香气成分分析

以厚朴野生种和栽培种苞片刚裂开的花苞为试材,采用固相微萃取和气相色谱—质谱(GC/MS)分析技术对其进行香气成分和相对含量的测定,比较分析了花朵不同部位香气成分的差异。结果表明：厚朴野生种共有39种香气成分,雌雄蕊中26种,花瓣中22种,栽培种中75种香气成分,雌雄蕊中49种,花瓣中54种。萜烯类是两种厚朴花苞中最重要的香气化合物,莰烯、罗勒烯异构体混合物、石竹烯、芳樟醇是野生种和栽培种中共有的相对含量较高的香气成分。厚朴野生种和栽培种间以及同种厚朴雌雄蕊与花瓣之间的香气成分的种类和相对含量差异显著。     

Auxin controls the division of root endodermal cells

The root endodermis forms a selective barrier that prevents the free diffusion of solutes into the vasculature; to make this barrier, endodermal cells deposit hydrophobic compounds in their cell walls, forming the Casparian strip. Here, we showed that, in contrast to vascular and epidermal root cells, endodermal root cells do not divide alongside the root apical meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana. Auxin treatment induced division of endodermal cells in wild-type plants, but not in the auxin signaling mutant auxin resistant3-1. Endodermis-specific activation of auxin responses by expression of truncated AUXIN-RESPONSIVE FACTOR5 (ΔARF5) in root endodermal cells under the control of the ENDODERMIS7 promoter (EN7::ΔARF5) also induced endodermal cell division. We used an auxin transport inhibitor to cause accumulation of auxin in endodermal cells, which induced endodermal cell division. In addition, knockout of P-GLYCOPROTEIN1 (PGP1) and PGP19, which mediate centripetal auxin flow, promoted the division of endodermal cells. Together, these findings reveal a tight link between the endodermal auxin response and endodermal cell division, suggesting that auxin is a key regulator controlling the division of root endodermal cells, and that PGP1 and PGP19 are involved in regulating endodermal cell division.

The endodermal auxin response, which is regulated by centripetal auxin flow, determines division of the endodermal cells.     

Nature and regulation of pistil-expressed genes in tomato

The specialized reproductive functions of angiosperm pistils are dependent in part upon the regulated activation of numerous genes expressed predominantly in this organ system. To better understand the nature of these pistil-predominant gene products we have analyzed seven cDNA clones isolated from tomato pistils through differential hybridization screening. Six of the seven cDNAs represent sequences previously undescribed in tomato, each having a unique pistil- and/or floral-predominant expression pattern. The putative protein products encoded by six of the cDNAs have been identified by their similarity to sequences in the database of previously sequenced genes, with a seventh sequence having no significant similarity with any previously reported sequence. Three of the putative proteins appear to be targeted to the endomembrane system and include an endo--1,4-glucanase which is expressed exclusively in pistils at early stages of development, and proteins similar in sequence to -thionin and miraculin which are expressed in immature pistils and stamens, and in either sepals or petals, respectively. Two other clones, similar in sequence to each other, were expressed primarily in immature pistils and stamens and encode distinct proteins with similarity to leucine aminopeptidases. An additional clone, which encodes a protein similar in sequence to the enzyme hyoscyamine 6--hydroxylase and to other members of the family of Fe²⁺/ascorbate-dependent oxidases, was expressed at high levels in pistils, stamens and sepals, and at detectable levels in some vegetative organs. Together, these observations provide new insight into the nature and possible functional roles of genes expressed during reproductive development.     

Genetic Analysis of Growth-Regulator-Induced Parthenocarpy in Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis, seedless silique development or parthenocarpy can be induced by the application of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) to unfertilized pistils. Ecotype-specific responses were observed in the Arabidopsis ecotypes Columbia and Landsberg relative to the type of PGR and level applied. The parthenocarpic response was greatest in ecotype Landsberg, and comparisons of fruit growth and morphology were studied primarily in this ecotype. Gibberellic acid application (10 micromol pistil(-1)) caused development similar to that in pollinated pistils, while benzyladenine (1 micromol pistil(-1)) and naphthylacetic acid (10 micromol pistil(-1)) treatment produced shorter siliques. Naphthylacetic acid primarily modified mesocarp cell expansion. Arabidopsis mutants were employed to examine potential dependencies on gibberellin biosynthesis (ga1-3, ga4-1, and ga5-1) and perception (spy-4 and gai) during parthenocarpic silique development. Emasculated spy-4 pistils were neither obviously parthenocarpic nor deficient in PGR perception. By contrast, emasculated gai mutants did not produce parthenocarpic siliques following gibberellic acid application, but silique development occurred following pollination or application of auxin and cytokinin. Pollinated gai siliques had decreased cell numbers and morphologically resembled auxin-induced parthenocarpic siliques. This shows that a number of independent and possibly redundant pathways can direct hormone-induced parthenocarpy, and that endogenous gibberellins play a role in regulating cell expansion and promoting cell division in carpels.     

八种广西特有报春苣苔属植物开花生物学特性研究

广西是报春苣苔属植物的世界分布中心,特有种较多。该研究针对线叶报春苣苔(Primulina linearifolia)、条叶报春苣苔(P. ophiopogoides)、刺齿报春苣苔(P. spinulosa)、大根报春苣苔(P. macrorhiza)、线萼报春苣苔(P. linearicalyx)、癞叶报春苣苔(P. leprosa)、桂中报春苣苔(P. guizhongensis)、百寿报春苣苔(P. baishouensis),八种广西特有种的开花物候期、开花动态、子房发育情况、花粉活性等开花生物学特性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)八种广西特有报春苣苔属植物在野外及人工环境下部分种在花期、单株开花量、单花开放持续时间具有显著性差异。人工栽培植株在单株开花量、单花开放持续时间要优于野生植株。(2)不同物种的单花花期长短不同,为3～14 d。雄蕊在花蕾阶段已经基本完成生长。雌雄蕊成熟期不一致,雄蕊先于雌蕊成熟。(3)花冠半开放至完全打开阶段的花粉活性最高,均在90%以上。(4)花冠完全开放阶段的柱头可授性最强。(5)自花授粉不能结实,异花授粉可正常结实,自交种子发芽率在80%以上。综上结果不仅为解决珍稀物种的繁殖障碍和保存种质资源提供了数据支持,而且对后续提高报春苣苔属的杂交育种成功率具有重要意义。     

FLOWERING BEHAVIOR OF THE NEOTROPICAL GENUS ANTHURIUM (ARACEAE)

The genus Anthurium (Araceae) is one of the most taxonomically complex genera in the neotropics. Studies of living material have shown modes of behavior which probably have a direct influence on pollination biology and evolution. Separation of the sexes is generally accomplished by marked protogyny. Considerable differences also exist in the rate of development of flowers, the presence, source and amount of stigmatic nectar, as well as the method of pollen presentation. The genus exhibits an unusual pattern of staminal emergence. In all species studied, the lateral pair of stamens are first to emerge, usually one at a time, followed by the anterior, then the posterior stamens of the alternate pair. There are also differences in the degree of exsertion, the disposition with respect to the stigma, degree of retraction and changes in pollen color. Some species have stamens which are retracted completely after opening: others have stamens which scarcely emerge but instead force the pollen out in long ribbons. Important differences also exist in flower aromas with both fly and bee pollination syndromes exhibited. All of these aspects of flowering behavior are natural phenomena believed to be important in pollination biology.     

Under-expression of the Auxin Response Factor Sl-ARF4 improves post-harvest behavior of tomato fruits

Auxin is one of the most prominent phytohormones regulating many aspects of fleshy fruit development including fruit set, fruit size through the control of cell division and cell expansion, and fruit ripening. To shed light on the role of auxin fruit ripening, we have previously shown that Sl-ARF4 is a major player in mediating the auxin control of sugar metabolism in tomato fruit (cv MicroTom). Further extending this study, we show here that down-regulation of Sl-ARF4 in tomato alters some ripening-related fruit quality traits including enhanced fruit density at mature stage, increased firmness, prolonged shelf-life and reduced water (weight) loss at red ripe stage. These findings suggest that Sl-ARF4 plays a role in determining fruit cell wall architecture and thus providing a potential genetic marker for improving post-harvest handling and shelf life of tomato fruits.     

Arabidopsis thaliana plants differentially modulate auxin biosynthesis and transport during defense responses to the necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria brassicicola

? Although the role of auxin in biotrophic pathogenesis has been extensively studied, relatively little is known about its role in plant resistance to necrotrophs. ? Arabidopsis thaliana mutants defective in different aspects of the auxin pathway are generally more susceptible than wild-type plants to the necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. We show that A.?brassicicola infection up-regulates auxin biosynthesis and down-regulates the auxin transport capacities of infected plants, these effects being partially dependent on JA signaling. We also show that these effects of A.?brassicicola infection together lead to an enhanced auxin response in host plants. ? Application of IAA and MeJA together synergistically induces the expression of defense marker genes PDF1.2 (PLANT DEFENSIN 1.2) and HEL (HEVEIN-LIKE), suggesting that enhancement of JA-dependent defense signaling may be part of the auxin-mediated defense mechanism involved in resistance to necrotrophic pathogens. ? Our results provide molecular evidence supporting the hypothesis that JA and auxin interact positively in regulating plant resistance to necrotrophic pathogens and that activation of auxin signaling by JA may contribute to plant resistance to necrotrophic pathogens.     

Regulation of sex determination in maize

Maize develops separate male and female flowers in different locations on a single plant. Male flowers develop at the tip of the shoot in the tassel, and female flowers develop on the ears, which terminate short branches. The development of male flowers in tassels and female flowers in ears is the result of selective abortion of pistils or stamens, respectively, in developing florets. Genetic analysis has shown that stamen abortion and pistil abortion are under the control of two different genetic pathways. Local levels of the plant hormone gibberellic acid determine whether or not stamens are suppressed. Pistil abortion is under the regulation of the tassel seed genes, one of which has been shown to encode a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase. The tassel seed genes play a role in regulating the fate of inflorescence meristems as well as pistil primordium fate.     

五种不同类型甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系花蕾及雌雄蕊干物质变化动态的比较研究

以5种不同类型甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系为材料,以保持系作对照,对甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系的花蕾及雌雄蕊干物质变化动态进行了研究。结果表明,干物质重量雄性不育系花蕾和雄蕊显著小于保持系,而雌蕊则明显大于保持系。大多数不育系雌雄蕊的发育曲线存在拐点,它们出现拐点的时期相同,但方向完全相反。暗示可能雄蕊败育后降解的生物大分子物质被部分运到了雌蕊,才引起了雌蕊干物重的异常增加。     

Inositol Metabolism in Plants: VII. Distribution and Utilization of Label from Myoinositol-U-14C and -2-3H by Detached Flowers and Pistils of Lilium longiflorum1

When detached flowers or isolated pistils of Lilium longiflorum are given myoinositol-U-(14)C or -2-(3)H as dilute solution through the severed pedicel, label is quickly distributed by the vascular system. In the case of pistils, a pattern of labeling in ovary, style, and stigma is obtained which indicates that products of myoinositol metabolism are utilized in the biosynthesis of exudate (secretion product) of the stigma and style as well as for components of pistil cell walls. Pollination had no discernible effect on labeling pattern.     

Regulation of ethylene biosynthesis in response to pollination in tomato flowers

Pollination of many flowers leads to an increase in ethylene synthesis and flower senescence. We have investigated the regulation of pollination-induced ethylene synthesis in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) using flowers of the dialytic (dl) mutant, in which pollination can be manipulated experimentally, with the aim of developing a model system to study tomato flower senescence. Ethylene synthesis increased rapidly in dl pistils following pollination, leading to accelerated petal senescence, and was delayed in ethylene-insensitive Never-ripe (Nr) pistils. However, Nr pistils eventually produced more ethylene than dl pistils, suggesting the presence of negative feedback regulation of ethylene synthesis following pollination. LEACS1A expression correlated well with increased ethylene production in pollinated dl pistils, and expression in Nr revealed that regulation is via an ethylene-independent mechanism. In contrast, the induction of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidases, LEACO1 and LEACO3, following pollination is ethylene dependent. In addition, the expression profiles of ACS and ACO genes were determined during petal senescence and a hypothesis proposed that translocated 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid from the pistil may be important for regulating the initial burst of ethylene production during petal senescence. These results are discussed and differences between tomato and the ornamental species previously studied are highlighted.     

Tissue-specific oxylipin signature of tomato flowers: allene oxide cyclase is highly expressed in distinct flower organs and vascular bundles

A crucial step in the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) is the formation of its correct stereoisomeric precursor, cis(+)12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA). This step is catalysed by allene oxide cyclase (AOC), which has been recently cloned from tomato. In stems, young leaves and young flowers, AOC mRNA accumulates to a low level, contrasting with a high accumulation in flower buds, flower stalks and roots. The high levels of AOC mRNA and AOC protein in distinct flower organs correlate with high AOC activity, and with elevated levels of JA, OPDA and JA isoleucine conjugate. These compounds accumulate in flowers to levels of about 20 nmol g-1 fresh weight, which is two orders of magnitude higher than in leaves. In pistils, the level of OPDA is much higher than that of JA, whereas in flower stalks, the level of JA exceeds that of OPDA. In other flower tissues, the ratios among JA, OPDA and JA isoleucine conjugate differ remarkably, suggesting a tissue-specific oxylipin signature. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the specific occurrence of the AOC protein in ovules, the transmission tissue of the style and in vascular bundles of receptacles, flower stalks, stems, petioles and roots. Based on the tissue-specific AOC expression and formation of JA, OPDA and JA amino acid conjugates, a possible role for these compounds in flower development is discussed in terms of their effect on sink-source relationships and plant defence reactions. Furthermore, the AOC expression in vascular bundles might play a role in the systemin-mediated wound response of tomato.     

同域分布柽柳属两种植物的传粉生物学研究

以同域分布于新疆南部的早春开花植物短穗柽柳(Tamarix laxa Willd)和紫杆柽柳(T.androssowii Litw)为材料,对它们的开花式样、花部特征、花报酬特点、传粉特性及交配方式进行比较研究。结果表明,2种植物居群和个体水平的花期及单花寿命间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的居群花期比短穗柽柳短,而短穗柽柳个体花期和单花寿命比紫杆柽柳长。2种柽柳的花瓣、雌雄蕊长度、花粉胚珠数及花粉/胚珠比值(P/O)间也存在显著差异。二者的花瓣、雌雄蕊均能分泌香味,访花频率与花蜜量均存在正相关。主要传粉者在短穗柽柳上的访花频率和沉积花粉效率高于紫杆柽柳,且存在显著差异。2种植物通过自花和异花授粉均可结实,属于混合交配系统;二者的自交不亲和指数及花粉限制程度间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的自交亲和性高于短穗柽柳,而短穗柽柳的花粉限制指数高于紫杆柽柳。因此,2种柽柳的开花式样、花部特征及花报酬的差异,是它们在传粉者受限的早春环境中为吸引更多的访花昆虫、提高雌性繁殖率所形成的繁殖对策。     

THE ROLES OF PLANT HORMONES IN STYLE AND STIGMA GROWTH IN GAILLARDIA GRANDIFLORA (ASTERACEAE)

Style and stigma elongation and stigma unfolding, and the roles of plant hormones in these processes in Gaillardia grandiflora Van Houtte were investigated. Style and stigma elongation in vivo began just after anthesis, and style elongation was accompanied by epidermal cell elongation (greatest near the stigma) and a fresh weight increase, but not by cell division or a dry weight increase. The stigma unfolded after the style and stigma elongated. Style-stigma units excised from young disc flowers of this composite were measured as they responded to plant growth regulators applied singly, as well as in sequential and simultaneous combinations, in vitro. Style elongation was promoted by auxin, was inhibited by gibberellins and ethylene, and was unaffected by other growth regulators. Stigma elongation followed a similar pattern of response. Endogenous auxin levels and ethylene production showed parallel variation and endogenous gibberellin levels showed inverse variation with style and stigma elongation. Stigma unfolding was more sensitive to auxin applications and was promoted by applied ethylene. Ethylene production showed parallel variation and endogenous auxin levels showed inverse variation with stigma unfolding. AVG and Co²⁺ applications decreased auxin-induced style elongation and fusicoccin promoted all of the growth responses of style-stigma units in vitro. A gibberellin-auxin-ethylene-acid growth interaction mode of control is proposed for these three growth processes.     

Comparative morphology of the carpel in the Liliaceae: Hewardieae, Petrosavieae, and Tricyrteae

The young pistils in the melanthioid tribes, Hewardieae, Petrosavieae and Tricyrteae, are uniformly tricarpellate and syncarpous. They lack raphide idioblasts. All are multiovulate, with bitegmic ovules. The Petrosavieae are marked by the presence of septal glands and incomplete syncarpy. Tepals and stamens adhere to the ovary in the Hewardieae and the Petrosavieae but not in the Tricyrteae. Two vascular bundles occur in the stamens of the Hewartlieae and Tricyrtis latifolia. Ventral bundles in the upper part of the ovary of the Hewardieae are continuous with compound septal bundles and placental bundles in the lower part. Putative ventral bundles occur in the alternate position in the Tricyrteae and putative placental bundles in the opposite. position in the Petrosavieae. The dichtomously branched stigma in each carpel of the Tricyrteae is supplied by a bifurcated dorsal bundle.