Chilling-Induced Ethylene Production in Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.)

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) level, ACC synthase activity, and ethylene production in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) remain low while the fruit are held at a temperature which causes chilling injury (2.5°C) and increase rapidly only upon transfer to warmer temperatures. The increase in ACC synthase activity during the warming period is inhibited by cycloheximide but not cordycepin or α-amanitin. Our data indicate that the synthesis of ACC synthase, which results in increased ACC levels and accelerated ethylene production, occurs only upon warming, possibly from a message produced or unmasked during the chilling period. Ethylene production by chilled (2.5°C) cucumbers increased very little upon transfer to 25°C if the fruit were chilled for more than 4 days. The fruit held for 4 days or longer showed a large increase in ACC levels but little ethylene production even in the presence of exogenous ACC. This suggests that the system which converts ACC to ethylene is damaged by prolonged exposure to the chilling temperature. Cucumbers stored at a low but nonchilling temperature (13°C) showed very little change in ACC level, ethylene production, or ACC synthase activity even after transfer to 25°C.     

Acid and Neutral Invertases in the Mesocarp of Developing Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv Prince) Fruit

Acid and neutral invertases were found in the mesocarp of developing muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv Prince) fruit and the activities of these enzymes declined with maturation of the fruit, concomitantly with the accumulation of sucrose. Neutral invertase was only present in the soluble fraction and acid invertase was present in both the soluble and cell-wall fractions. The cell-wall fraction contained three types of acid invertase: a NaCl-released invertase; an EDTA-released invertase, and a tightly bound invertase that still remained on the cell wall after treatment with NaCl and EDTA. The soluble acid and neutral invertases could be separated from one another by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and they exhibited clear differences in their properties, namely, in their pH optima, substrate specificity, K_m values for sucrose, and inhibition by metal ions. The EDTA-released invertase and the soluble acid invertase were similar with regard to their chromatographic behavior on DEAE-cellulose, but the NaCl-released invertase was different because it was adsorbed to a column of CM-cellulose. The soluble acid invertase and two cell-wall bound invertases had very similar characteristics with regard to optimal pH and temperature, K_m value for sucrose, and substrate specificity.     

黄瓜霜霉病抗性遗传分析

通过2个抗感杂交组合,采用多世代联合的分离分析方法研究了黄瓜霜霉病抗性的遗传机制.结果显示,2个组合的最适遗传模型分别是2对加性-显性-上位性主基因 加性-显性-上位性多基因模型和2对等加性主基因 加性-显性多基因模型.组合I最优模型的主基因遗传率是56.84%~87.16%,多基因遗传率是0~34.93%;2个主基因的加性效应均为-15.191,加性效应较强,显性效应较弱,它们之间的加性与加性和加性与显性上位性效应较强.组合Ⅱ最优模型的主基因和多基因遗传率分别为48.92%和42.11%;2个主基因的加性效应皆为-13.505,显性效性均为0,它们之间不存在互作效应.结果表明,黄瓜霜霉病抗性,以加性效应为主,主基因遗传力较高,但是微效多基因效应也占相当的比重,所以,在霜霉病抗性育种中,要重视主基因,同时兼顾多基因效应.     

Induction by Electric Currents of Ethylene Biosynthesis in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Fruit

The effects of an electric current on ethylene biosynthesis were investigated in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit that were producing almost no ethylene. Direct currents at 0.5 to 3.0 milliamperes induced much ethylene synthesis, with a rapid continuous increase in the rate, which reached a peak within 5 to 6 hours and then decreased. The rate of production was greater with a stronger current. Ethylene production was not observed after the use of a sine-wave alternating current (60 hertz) at 3 milliamperes, the magnitude at which a direct current had the greatest effect. The activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase and ethylene forming enzyme (EFE) increased before the rise in ethylene production. ACC synthase and EFE were activated sixfold and fourfold, respectively, by 2 hours. The concentration of ACC increased linearly up to 6 hours and then decreased. Ethylene induction by an electric current was suppressed almost completely by the infiltration of the cucumbers with 5 millimolar aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of ACC synthase, and was also suppressed 70% by 5 millimolar salicylic acid, an inhibitor of EFE. The results indicate that the ethylene induced by the direct current was synthesized via the ACC-ethylene pathway as a result of electrical stress, a new kind of stress to be identified.     

黄瓜白色果皮基因遗传规律及定位研究

以黄瓜嫩果深绿色果皮自交系1507(P1)和白色果皮自交系1508(P2)为亲本,构建6世代遗传群体(P1、P2、F1、F2、BC1P1、BC1P2),对黄瓜嫩果白色果皮基因(w)进行遗传规律分析和基因定位研究。结果表明,黄瓜白色果皮性状由隐性单基因(w)控制,深绿色对白色为显性。利用F2群体,结合分离群体分组分析法筛选得到了14个与w基因相关的SSR标记,构建了该基因的SSR连锁群,将其定位到黄瓜3号染色体上,两侧的标记为SSR23517和SSR23141,遗传距离分别为4.9cM和1.9cM。侧翼标记之间的物理距离为1 150kb,在该区域中共预测了500个候选基因。该研究对w基因的初步定位,为该基因精细定位及分子标记辅助选择育种奠定了良好的基础。     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of commercial melon (Cucumis melo L., cv. Amarillo Oro)

Cotyledon explants of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L., cv. Amarillo Oro) seedlings were co-cultivated with disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 that contained the binary vector plasmid pBI121.1. The T-DNA region of this binary vector contains the Nopaline synthase/neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) chimeric gene for kanamycin resistance and the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S/-glucuronidase (GUS) chimeric gene. After infection, the cotyledon pieces were placed in induction medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin. Putative transformed shoots were obtained, followed by the development of morphologically normal plantlets. The transgenic nature of regenerants was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction, Southern blot analysis, plant growth on medium selective for the transgene (NPTII) and expression of the co-transformed GUS gene. Factors affecting the transformation procedure are discussed.Abbreviations CaMV Cauliflower Mosaic Virus - Cf Cefotaxime - GUS -glucuronidase - Km Kanamycin - MS Murashige and Skoog - NOS nopaline synthase - NPTII neomycin phosphotransferase II - PCR polymerase chain reaction     

Degradation of the endosperm cell walls of Lactuca sativa L., cv. Grand Rapids

The timing of mobilisation of lipid, sucrose, raffinose and phytate in lettuce seeds (achenes) (cv. Grand Rapids) has been examined. These reserves (33%, 1.5%, 0.7%, 1.4% of achene dry weight, respectively) are stored mostly in the cotyledons. Except for a slight degradation of raffinose and increase in sucrose, there is no detectable reserve mobilisation during germination. The endosperm (8% of seed dry weight), which has thick, mannan-containing cell walls (carbohydrate, 3,4% of seed dry weight), is completely degraded within about 15h following germination. Mannanase activity increases about 100-fold during the same period and arises in all regions of the endosperm. Also during this period sucrose and raffinose are degraded and fructose and glucose accumulate in the embryo. The endosperm hydrolysis products are taken up by the embryo, and are probably used as an additional reserve to support early seedling growth. However, endosperm cell-wall carbohydrates, such as mannose, are not found as free sugars. Lipid and phytate are degraded in a later, second phase of mobilisation. Low levels of sucrose are present in the embryo, mostly in the cotyledons, and large amounts of fractose and glucose (14% of seedling dry weight at 3 days after sowing) accumulate in the hypocotyl and radicle. It is suggested that sucrose, produced in the cotyledons by gluco-neogenesis, is translocated to the axis and converted there to fructose and glucose.     

‘弥河银瓜’高效植株再生体系的建立

建立了以薄皮甜瓜品种‘弥河银瓜’子叶为外植体的高效再生体系。取生长5d的甜瓜子叶为外植体,置于MS+2.0mg·L-16-BA+0.5mg·L-1IBA+3.5%蔗糖+0.7%琼脂(pH5.8)的诱导培养基上培养,可获得100%芽分化频率。在不定芽伸长过程中,生长调节剂最佳浓度为0.5mg·L-16-BA+0.1mg·L-1IAA。潮霉素是较合适的筛选抗生素。     

Photochlorophyll Biosynthesis in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) Cotyledons

The formation of protochlorophyllide and protochlorophyllide phytyl ester was investigated during etioplast biogenesis in order to study the biosynthetic relation of these two compounds. Protochlorophyllide accumulates slowly during the first 2 days of germination, its rate of formation increases sharply during the 3rd day, and then it decreases. Protochlorophyllide phytyl ester starts accumulating a day later; its formation coincides with the initiation of xanthophyll biosynthesis. Kinetic analysis of specific radioactivities after ¹⁴C labeling of the protochlorophyll pools does not support the currently accepted conversion of protochlorophyllide into protochlorophyllide phytyl ester, but suggests that both compounds originate simultaneously from a common precursor pool.     

Totipotency of coleoptile tissue in indica rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. ch 1039)

Embryogenic and non-embryogenic calluses were induced from 3,4,5 and 7d old coleoptile segments of indica rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. CH 1039). Compact, globular, yellow and creamy embryogenic and white friable non-embryogenic callus arose from the cut end and entire length of the coleoptile segments. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5mg/1 2,4-D was used as callus induction medium. Plant regeneration from coleoptile segments occurred with the transfer of embryogenic callus to MS basal medium supplemented with 2.0mg/1 BAP and 0.5mg/1 NAA in combination. Average number of regenerated plants from one coleoptile ranged from9.1 to 14.0.Four day old coleoptiles showed the highest frequency of plant regeneration.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA 1-naphthalene acetic acid     

Identification and Expression Analysis of D-type Cyclin Genes in Early Developing Fruit of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Plant D-type cyclin genes (CYCDs) are important regulators of cell division. However, little is known on their participation during the early developmental stage of cucumber fruit. In this study, cucumber CYCD genes were identified and characterized. The expression levels of these genes during early fruit development were assessed from 0 to 8 days after anthesis (DAA). The results revealed the presence of 13 different CYCD genes, which were named according to identity percentages of the corresponding orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar. The genomic organization of each subgroup CYCD was similar to their orthologs in A. thaliana and poplar. The expression levels of CsCYCD genes were analyzed in cucumber fruits under different treatments including natural parthenocarpic fruit, pollinated fruit, and N-(2-chloro-4-pyidyl)-N′-phenyurea (CPPU)-induced parthenocarpic fruit. The highest expression levels of most CsCYCDs genes were at four DAA in natural parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits. Interestingly, the expression patterns of 8 of 13 CsCYCD genes in natural parthenocarpic fruit were similar to those in pollinated fruit, but different from those in CPPU-induced parthenocarpic fruit. Collectively, the results of this study provide insights on the CYCDs involved in cucumber parthenocarpic fruit development.     

Efficient and Stable Transformation of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Cisco (lettuce) Plastids

Transgenic plastids offer unique advantages in plant biotechnology, including high-level foreign protein expression. However, broad application of plastid genome engineering in biotechnology has been largely hampered by the lack of plastid transformation systems for major crops. Here we describe the development of a plastid transformation system for lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. cv. Cisco. The transforming DNA carries a spectinomycin-resistance gene (aadA) under the control of lettuce chloroplast regulatory expression elements, flanked by two adjacent lettuce plastid genome sequences allowing its targeted insertion between the rbcL and accD genes. On average, we obtained 1 transplastomic lettuce plant per bombardment. We show that lettuce leaf chloroplasts can express transgene-encoded GFP to ~36% of the total soluble protein. All transplastomic T0 plants were fertile and the T1 progeny uniformly showed stability of the transgene in the chloroplast genome. This system will open up new possibilities for the efficient production of edible vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and antibodies in plants.     

Complete sequence and organization of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome

The nucleotide sequence of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome was completed (DQ119058). The circular double-stranded DNA, consisting of 155,527 bp, contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 25,187 bp each, which were separated by small and large single copy regions of 86,879 and 18,274 bp, respectively. The presence and relative positions of 113 genes (76 peptide-encoding genes, 30 tRNA genes, four rRNA genes, and three conserved open reading frames) were identified. The major portion (55.76%) of the C. sativus chloroplast genome consisted of gene-coding regions (49.13% protein coding and 6.63% RNA regions; 27.81% LSC, 9.46% SSC and 18.49% IR regions), while intergenic spacers (including 20 introns) made up 44.24%. The overall G-C content of C. sativus chloroplast genome was 36.95%. Sixteen genes contained one intron, while two genes had two introns. The expansion/contraction manner of IR at IRb/LSC and IR/SSC border in Cucumis was similar to that of Lotus and Arabidopsis, and the manner at IRa/LSC was similar to Lotus and Nicotiana. In total, 56 simple sequence repeats (more than 10 bases) were identified in the C. sativus chloroplast genome.     

黄瓜果肉色的遗传分析

以1份西双版纳黄瓜和2份普通黄瓜自交系为试验材料配制2个杂交组合,并构建4世代群体(P1、P2、F1、F2).分别采用目测分级、色差仪测定a值和b值以及HPLC方法测定β-胡萝卜素含量等4个指标,研究黄瓜果肉色性状的遗传规律.结果表明:2个杂交组合F2群体的果肉色相关指标呈单峰偏态或双峰分布,表现为主基因+多基因的数量遗传特征.多世代联合分析表明,黄瓜果肉色遗传基本符合两对主基因+多基因模型.两组合8个果肉色相关指标最优模型的F2群体主基因遗传率较高,为76.0%～99.3%,多基因遗传率较低,为0～23.7%.对黄瓜橙黄果肉色的选择应在分离早期世代进行.     

一个获得与缺失变异(PAV)调控甜瓜果实苦味

甜瓜苦味物质严重影响其口感和品质。本研究利用不苦的薄皮甜瓜品系C69和苦的薄皮甜瓜品系C14构建了一个包含100个单株的F2群体。首先利用2b-RAD测序构建一个遗传连锁图谱。其次,结合群体的苦味性状进行全基因组的QTL定位和关联分析。然后,利用2b-RAD测序特有的技术优势进行群体的获得与缺失变异(PAV)的挖掘。最后,利用亲本的重测序信息确定控制苦味性状的关键基因。结果发现,F1的果实表现出强烈的苦味,F2群体中苦与不苦的单株分别为81个和19个,符合3∶1的分离比(χ^2=1.92,P=0.1659),表型表明所用甜瓜材料的苦味主要是由一个显性的基因位点控制。利用477个SNP标记构建一张包含10个连锁群的连锁图谱,总长为337.79 cM,标记间平均间隔0.71 cM。全基因组QTL定位在8号连锁群(对应9号染色体),检测到一个解释表型变异为20%的甜瓜苦味QTL。全基因组关联分析检测到7个SNPs与苦味性状相关,全部位于9号染色体苦味QTL的基因组区域。通过PAV分型分析仅发现一个特有的大片段缺失(21707702~21743072 bp),位于QTL区域,且在所有的不苦株系中存在,而苦的株系中不存在。基于两个亲本材料的深度重测序信息,发现这个PAV的区域更大,约为62 Kb,共涉及到9个连续的基因(MELO3C005601、MELO3C005602、MELO3C005603、MELO3C005604、MELO3C005605、MELO3C005606、MELO3C005607、MELO3C005608和MELO3C005609),其中5个是细胞色素P450基因。构建的系统发育树表明,这5个细胞色素P450基因与参与葫芦素C/B/E合成的细胞色素P450基因簇CYP81Q58、CYP81Q59和CYP712D8在一个进化枝,可能行使类似的功能,为潜在的类似于黄瓜葫芦素C合成的基因簇的一部分。前人通过比较基因组学研究获得的2个控制葫芦素B合成的bHLH转录因子CmBr(MELO3C005610)和CmBt(MELO3C005611)同在9号染色体,与本研究检测到的PAV紧密挨在一起。我们的研究结果为后续不苦甜瓜的育种提供了新的理论支撑和分子辅助育种目标。     

Antagonistic and Synergistic Interactions between Ancymidol and Gibberellins in Shoot Growth of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. )

Effects of the plant growth retardant, ancymidol, on the growthand morphology of the shoot system of cucumber (Cucumis sativusL. ) were investigated. Ancymidol inhibited stem elongation,reducing both number and length of internodes. Reduction inleaf area, attributable to a reduction in both cell size andnumber, was accompanied by an increase in chlorophyll per unitarea. The retardant decreased apical dominance and delayed anthesis.Gibberellic acid fully reversed ancymidol-induced inhibitionof stem elongation, internode length and production, and leafexpansion. GA_4/7 and ancymidol gave a synergistic promotionof stem elongation by increasing elongation of younger internodesand increasing internode production. Synergistic promotion ofpetiole elongation by this combination was also observed. Ancymidol,applied 7 d previously either to the shoot or root, severelyreduced the level of gibberellin-like activity in bleeding sapcollected from decapitated plants.     

Electrical Impedance Analysis of Tissue Properties Associated with Ethylene Induction by Electric Currents in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Fruit

A study based on electrical impedance analysis of tissue properties was conducted in order to understand the relationship between impedance components and ethylene biosynthesis induced by direct current in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit. Impedances were measured at a range of alternating current frequencies from 500 Hz to 1 MHz. We calculated capacitances representing the plasma membranes, C1, and organelle membranes, C2, and resistances representing extracellular space, R1, cytoplasm, R2, and organelle interior, R3. Direct current of 1 to 3 mA induced ethylene synthesis with a sharp peak at 1 h. The rate of production was greater with a stronger current. This abrupt induction of ethylene synthesis was accompanied by an equally abrupt activation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase within 1 h, but not that of ACC oxidase, which was activated only at the later stages of the treatment at a time when ethylene production and ACC synthase activity were declining. Using direct current of 0 to 3 mA, C2, R1, and R2 increased abruptly, and C1 increased gradually after 3 h. The rates of increases were greater with currents of larger magnitude, R3 was not affected during passage of the current. Diazocyclopentadiene, an inhibitor of ethylene action, eliminated the direct current induction of R1 but had no effect on the increases in C2 and R2. Diazocyclopentadiene counteracted the stimulative effects of exogenously applied ethylene with respect to respiration and activities of ACC oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. These results indicate that an externally applied current may generate signal(s) by altering the functions of organelle membranes and/or cytoplasmic pH to induce ACC synthase.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Knowing the extent and structure of genetic variation in germplasm collections is essential for the conservation and utilization of biodiversity in cultivated plants. Cucumber is the fourth most important vegetable crop worldwide and is a model system for other Cucurbitaceae, a family that also includes melon, watermelon, pumpkin and squash. Previous isozyme studies revealed a low genetic diversity in cucumber, but detailed insights into the crop''s genetic structure and diversity are largely missing. We have fingerprinted 3,342 accessions from the Chinese, Dutch and U.S. cucumber collections with 23 highly polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers evenly distributed in the genome. The data reveal three distinct populations, largely corresponding to three geographic regions. Population 1 corresponds to germplasm from China, except for the unique semi-wild landraces found in Xishuangbanna in Southwest China and East Asia; population 2 to Europe, America, and Central and West Asia; and population 3 to India and Xishuangbanna. Admixtures were also detected, reflecting hybridization and migration events between the populations. The genetic background of the Indian germplasm is heterogeneous, indicating that the Indian cucumbers maintain a large proportion of the genetic diversity and that only a small fraction was introduced to other parts of the world. Subsequently, we defined a core collection consisting of 115 accessions and capturing over 77% of the SSR alleles. Insight into the genetic structure of cucumber will help developing appropriate conservation strategies and provides a basis for population-level genome sequencing in cucumber.