Emb15 encodes a plastid ribosomal assembly factor essential for embryogenesis in maize

Ribosome assembly factors guide the complex process by which ribosomal proteins and the ribosomal RNAs form a functional ribosome. However, the assembly of plant plastid ribosomes is poorly understood. In the present study, we discovered a maize (Zea mays) plastid ribosome assembly factor based on our characterization of the embryo defective 15 (emb15) mutant. Loss of function of Emb15 retards embryo development at an early stage, but does not substantially affect the endosperm, and causes an albino phenotype in other genetic backgrounds. EMB15 localizes to plastids and possesses a ribosome maturation factor M (RimM) domain in the N-terminus and a predicted UDP-GlcNAc pyrophosphorylase domain in the C-terminus. The EMB15 RimM domain originated in bacteria and the UDP-GlcNAc pyrophosphorylase domain originated in fungi; these two domains came together in the ancestor of land plants during evolution. The N-terminus of EMB15 complemented the growth defect of an Escherichia coli strain with a RimM deletion and rescued the albino phenotype of emb15 homozygous mutants. The RimM domain mediates the interaction between EMB15 and the plastid ribosomal protein PRPS19. Plastid 16S rRNA maturation is also significantly impaired in emb15. These observations suggest that EMB15 functions in maize seed development as a plastid ribosome assembly factor, and the C-terminal domain is not important under normal conditions.     

A mutation in the nuclear-encoded plastid ribosomal protein S9 leads to early embryo lethality in maize

Seeds of the lethal embryo 1 (lem1) mutant in maize (Zea mays) display a non-concordant lethal phenotype: whereas the embryo aborts very early, before the transition stage, the endosperm develops almost normally. The mutant was identified in a collection of maize lines that carried the transposon Activation (Ac) at different locations in the genome. Co-segregation and reversion analysis showed that lem1 was tagged by Ac. The lem1 gene encodes a protein that is highly similar to the rice plastid 30S ribosomal protein S9 (PRPS9). lem1 maps to chromosome 1L and appears to be the only copy of prps9 in the maize genome. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion constructs containing only the putative transit peptide (TP) of LEM1 localize exclusively to the plastids, confirming that the LEM1 protein is a PRP. In contrast, GFP fusion constructs containing the entire LEM1 protein co-localize to the plastids and to the nucleus, suggesting a possible dual function for this protein. Two alternative, although not mutually exclusive, explanations are considered for the lem phenotype of the lem1 mutant: (i) functional plastids are required for normal embryo development; and (ii) the PRPS9 has an extra-ribosomal function required for embryogenesis.     

Deletion of core components of the plastid protein import machinery causes differential arrest of embryo development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Among the genes that have recently been pinpointed to be essential for plant embryo development a large number encodes plastid proteins suggesting that embryogenesis is linked to plastid localized processes. However, nuclear encoded plastid proteins are synthesized as precursors in the cytosol and subsequently have to be transported across the plastid envelopes by a complex import machinery. We supposed that deletion of components of this machinery should allow a more general assessment of the role of plastids in embryogenesis since it will not only affect single proteins but instead inhibit the accumulation of most plastid proteins. Here we have characterized three Arabidopsis thaliana mutants lacking core components of the Toc complex, the protein translocase in the outer plastid envelope membrane, which indeed show embryo lethal phenotypes. Remarkably, embryo development in the atToc75-III mutant, lacking the pore forming component of the translocase, was arrested extremely early at the two-cell stage. In contrast, despite the complete or almost complete lack of the import receptors Toc34 and Toc159, embryo development in the a tToc33/34 and atToc132/159 mutants proceeded slowly and was arrested later at the transition to the globular and the heart stage, respectively. These data demonstrate a strict dependence of cell division and embryo development on functional plastids as well as specific functions of plastids at different stages of embryogenesis. In addition, our analysis suggest that not all components of the translocase are equally essential for plastid protein import in vivo.     

Ribosomal protein L27a is required for growth and patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana

Ribosomal proteins are integral to ribosome biogenesis, and function in protein synthesis. In higher eukaryotes, loss of cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins results in a reduced growth rate as well as developmental defects. To what extent and how ribosomal proteins affect development is currently not known. Here we describe a semi-dominant mutation in the cytoplasmic ribosomal protein gene RPL27aC that affects multiple aspects of plant shoot development, including leaf patterning, inflorescence and floral meristem function, and seed set. In the embryo, RPL27aC is required to maintain the growth rate and for the transition from radial to bilateral symmetry associated with initiation of cotyledons. rpl27ac-1d embryos undergo stereotypical patterning to establish a globular embryo. However, a temporal delay in initiation and outgrowth of cotyledon primordia leads to development of an enlarged globular embryo prior to apical domain patterning. Defects in embryo development are coincident with tissue-specific ectopic expression of the shoot meristem genes SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON2 (CUC2), in addition to delayed expression of the abaxial gene FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL) and mis-regulation of the auxin efflux effector PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1). Genetic interactions with other ribosomal protein mutants indicate that RPL27aC is a component of the ribosome. We propose that RPL27aC regulates discrete developmental events by controlling spatial and temporal expression of developmental patterning genes via an as yet undefined process involving the ribosome.     

Indispensable Roles of Plastids in Arabidopsis thaliana Embryogenesis

The plastid is an organelle vital to all photosynthetic and some non-photosynthetic eukaryotes. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, a number of nuclear genes encoding plastid proteins have been found to be necessary for embryo development. However, the exact roles of plastids in this process remain largely unknown. Here we use publicly available datasets to obtain insights into the relevance of plastid activities to A. thaliana embryogenesis. By searching the SeedGenes database (http://www.seedgenes.org) and recent literature, we found that, of the 339 non-redundant genes required for proper embryo formation, 108 genes likely encode plastid-targeted proteins. Nineteen of these genes are necessary for development of preglobular embryos and/or their conversion to globular embryos, of which 13 genes encode proteins involved in non-photosynthetic metabolism. By contrast, among 38 genes which are dispensable for globular embryo formation but necessary for further development, only one codes for a protein involved in metabolism. Products of 21 of the 38 genes play roles in plastid gene expression and maintenance. Examination of RNA profiles of embryos at distinct growth stages obtained in laser-capture microdissection coupled with DNA microarray experiments revealed that most of the identified genes are expressed throughout embryo morphogenesis and maturation. These findings suggest that metabolic activities are required at preglobular and throughout all stages of embryo development, whereas plastid gene expression becomes necessary during and/or after the globular stage to sustain various activities of the organelle including photosynthetic electron transport.     

Embryo defective12 encodes the plastid initiation factor 3 and is essential for embryogenesis in maize

Embryo‐specific mutants in maize define a unique class of genetic loci that affect embryogenesis without a significant deleterious impact on endosperm development. Here we report the characterization of an embryo specific12 (emb12) mutant in maize. Embryogenesis in the emb12 mutants is arrested at or before transition stage. The mutant embryo at an early stage exhibits abnormal cell structure with increased vacuoles and dramatically reduced internal membrane organelles. In contrast, the mutant endosperm appears normal in morphology, cell structure, starch, lipid and protein accumulation. The Emb12 locus was cloned by transposon tagging and predicts a protein with a high similarity to prokaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (IF3). EMB12–GFP fusion analysis indicates that EMB12 is localized in plastids. The RNA in situ hybridization and protein immunohistochemical analyses indicate that a high level of Emb12 expression localizes in the embryo proper at early developmental stages and in the embryo axis at later stages. Western analysis indicates that plastid protein synthesis is impaired. These results indicate that Emb12 encodes the plastid IF3 which is essential for embryogenesis but not for endosperm development in maize.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF THE ZYGOTE AND EARLY EMBRYO IN QUERCUS GAMBELII

This investigation begins with the late zygote and traces ultrastructural development to the late globular stage of the embryo. Two nucleoli and satellite nucleoli sometimes occur in the zygote nucleus. Mitochondria, dictyosomes, cytoplasmic ribosomes, rough ER, and lipid bodies are numerous in the zygote. Microbodies are occasionally seen. The cell wall becomes well developed before the first division. No plasmodesmata occur in the zygote wall. The basal cell of the proembryo and the suspensor cells of the later embryo have very dense cytoplasm with a high concentration of cytoplasmic ribosomes. The nuclei are very electron opaque. The terminal cell and the cells of the embryo proper have a fine structure similar to that of the zygote. Plastids increase in number, size, starch content, and amount of thylakoid lamellae as the embryo develops. Mitochondria are numerous and appear active at all stages. Dictyosome activity, ribosomal aggregation, and the amount of ER are highest during the late globular stage. Lipid bodies are present up to the early globular stage, then disappear. The inner cell walls of the embryo are thin and have many plasmodesmata. These walls begin to thicken at the late globular stage, and at this time the size of the embryo begins to show an increase over that of the zygote. The results show a corresponding increase in the amount and activity of the metabolic machinery as the development of the embryo progresses. Lipids are probably more important as a nutrient source in the zygote and early embryo; starch becomes more important in the late stages. Absorption of nutrient material into the embryo sac and developing embryo appears to be from the chalazal end.     

Plastidic protein Cdf1 is essential in Arabidopsis embryogenesis

Arabidopsis cell growth defect factor-1 (Cdf1 in yeast, At5g23040) was originally isolated as a cell growth suppressor of yeast from genetic screening. To investigate the in vivo role of Cdf1 in plants, a T-DNA insertion line was analyzed. A homozygous T-DNA insertion mutant (cdf1/cdf1) was embryo lethal and showed arrested embryogenesis at the globular stage. The Cdf1 protein, when fused with green fluorescent protein, was localized to the plastid in stomatal guard cells and mesophyll cells. A promoter-β-glucuronidase assay found expression of Cdf1 in the early heart stage of embryogenesis, suggesting that Cdf1 was essential for Arabidopsis embryogenesis during the transition of the embryo from the globular to heart stage.     

Spatial and temporal expression patterns directed by theAgrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA gene 5 promoter during somatic embryogenesis in carrot

We have analysed the patterns of expression of a gene encoding -glucuronidase (GUS) fused to the promoter of theAgrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA gene 5 during embryogenesis in carrot,Daucus carota L. Gene expression was monitored by a histochemical assay of -glucuronidase activity. The gene 5 promoter, although of bacterial origin, conferred expression upon the marker gene in all stages of embryo development. The patterns of expression however, differed between embryos in different stages of development. In the globular stage expression was confined to the basal part of the embryo, suggesting that the promoter is sensitive to regulatory functions active in the primary establishment of polarity in the radially symmetric globular embryo. In the heart and torpedo stages of development GUS expression was high in the entire embryonic axis, but not in the cotyledons. During germination expression was reduced in the elongating hypocotyl and radicle, and high levels of expression were detected only in the shoot and root apices. Among the transformed cell lines analysed, one was found that showed an aberrant pattern of GUS expression during embryogenesis, in that expression in the upper part of the embryo was undetectable, and expression was restricted to the root apex in later stages of development. This difference in organ specificity of expression is likely due to a large deletion of the promoter.     

Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence reveals stage specific patterns of chloroplast-containing cells during Arabidopsis embryogenesis

The basic body plan of a plant is established early in embryogenesis when cells differentiate, giving rise to the apical and basal regions of the embryo. Using chlorophyll fluorescence as a marker for chloroplasts, we have detected specific patterns of chloroplast-containing cells at specific stages of embryogenesis. Non-randomly distributed chloroplast-containing cells are seen as early as the globular stage of embryogenesis in Arabidopsis. In the heart stage of embryogenesis, chloroplast containing cells are detected in epidermal cells as well as a central region of the heart stage embryo, forming a triangular septum of chloroplast-containing cells that divides the embryo into three equal sectors. Torpedo stage embryos have chloroplast-containing epidermal cells and a central band of chloroplast-containing cells in the cortex layer, just below the shoot apical meristem. In the walking-stick stage of embryogenesis, chloroplasts are present in the epidermal, cortex and endodermal cells. The chloroplasts appear reduced or absent from the provascular and columella cells of walking-stick stage embryos. These results suggest that there is a tight regulation of plastid differentiation during embryogenesis that generates specific patterns of chloroplast-containing cells in specific cell layers at specific stages of embryogenesis.     

Similarity of expression patterns of knotted1 and ZmLEC1 during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis in maize ( Zea mays L.)

Expression of knotted1 ( kn1) and ZmLEC1, a maize homologue of the Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON1 ( LEC1) was studied using in situ hybridization during in vitro somatic embryogenesis of maize ( Zea mays L.) genotype Hi-II. Expression of kn1 was initially detected in a small group of cells (5-10) in the somatic embryo proper at the globular stage, in a specific region where the shoot meristem is initiating at the scutellar stage, and specifically in the shoot meristem at the coleoptilar stage. Expression of ZmLEC1 was strongly detected in the entire somatic embryo proper at the globular stage, gradually less in the differentiating scutellum at the scutellar and coleoptilar stages. The results of analyses show that the expression pattern of kn1 during in vitro somatic embryogenesis of maize is similar to that of kn1 observed during zygotic embryo development in maize. The expression pattern of ZmLEC1 in maize during in vitro development is similar to that of LEC1 in Arabidopsis during zygotic embryo development. These observations indicate that in vitro somatic embryogenesis likely proceeds through similar developmental pathways as zygotic embryo development, after somatic cells acquire competence to form embryos. In addition, based on the ZmLEC1 expression pattern, we suggest that expression of ZmLEC1 can be used as a reliable molecular marker for detecting early-stage in vitro somatic embryogenesis in maize.     

The plastid ribosomal proteins. Identification of all the proteins in the 50 S subunit of an organelle ribosome (chloroplast)

We have completed identification of all the ribosomal proteins (RPs) in spinach plastid (chloroplast) ribosomal 50 S subunit via a proteomic approach using two-dimensional electrophoresis, electroblotting/protein sequencing, high performance liquid chromatography purification, polymerase chain reaction-based screening of cDNA library/nucleotide sequencing, and mass spectrometry (reversed-phase HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry). Spinach plastid 50 S subunit comprises 33 proteins, of which 31 are orthologues of Escherichia coli RPs and two are plastid-specific RPs (PSRP-5 and PSRP-6) having no homologues in other types of ribosomes. Orthologues of E. coli L25 and L30 are absent in spinach plastid ribosome. 25 of the plastid 50 S RPs are encoded in the nuclear genome and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes, whereas eight of the plastid RPs are encoded in the plastid organelle genome and synthesized on plastid ribosomes. Sites for transit peptide cleavages in the cytosolic RP precursors and formyl Met processing in the plastid-synthesized RPs were established. Post-translational modifications were observed in several mature plastid RPs, including multiple forms of L10, L18, L31, and PSRP-5 and N-terminal/internal modifications in L2, L11 and L16. Comparison of the RPs in gradient-purified 70 S ribosome with those in the 30 and 50 S subunits revealed an additional protein, in approximately stoichiometric amount, specific to the 70 S ribosome. It was identified to be plastid ribosome recycling factor. Combining with our recent study of the proteins in plastid 30 S subunit (Yamaguchi, K., von Knoblauch, K., and Subramanian, A. R. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28455-28465), we show that spinach plastid ribosome comprises 59 proteins (33 in 50 S subunit and 25 in 30 S subunit and ribosome recycling factor in 70 S), of which 53 are E. coli orthologues and 6 are plastid-specific proteins (PSRP-1 to PSRP-6). We propose the hypothesis that PSRPs were evolved to perform functions unique to plastid translation and its regulation, including protein targeting/translocation to thylakoid membrane via plastid 50 S subunit.     

Development of Embryo and Endosperm and Nutrient Accumulation in Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) Fruwirth

The structure of embryo sac, fertilization and development of embryo and endosperm in Vigina sesquipedalis (L.) Fruwirth were investigated. Pollization occures 7–10h before anthesis, and fertilization is completed 10 h after anthesis. After fertilization, wall ingrowths are formed at the micropylar and chalazal ends of the embryo sac. Embryo development conforms to the Onagrad type, and passes through 2 or more celled proembryo, long stick-shaped, globular, heart shaped, torpedo, young embryo, growing and enlarging embryo and mature embryo. Wall ingrowths are formed on the walls of basal cells and outer walls of the cells at basal region of suspenser. The suspensor remains as the seed reaches maturity. The starch grains accumulate in the cells of cotyledons by 9–16 days after anthesis, and proteins accumulate by 12–18 days after. The endosperm development follows the nuclear type. The endosperm ceils form at the micropylar end, and remain free nuclear phase at chalazal end. The outer cells are transfer cells. Those cells at the micropylar end form folded cells with wall ingrowths. At heartembryo stage, the endosperm begins to degenerate and disintegrates before the embryo matures.     

柽柳胚和胚乳发育的观察

利用常规石蜡制片技术,对柽柳（Tamarix chinensis Lour.）胚和胚乳的发育过程进行了观察。结果表明,胚发育属茄型,其基细胞先行纵裂。胚柄基部发育迅速,具吸器作用,球形胚期胚柄最为发达,其细胞质丰富,贮藏淀粉类物质,至晚心形胚期胚柄依然存在。助细胞被受精产生多胚现象。胚乳发育属核型,初生胚乳核常常晚于合子分裂,胚乳核的分裂速度慢于胚体细胞的分裂速度。当胚乳游离核为 32个时,以自由生长细胞壁的方式进行胚乳细胞化。胚乳细胞进一步增殖极少。珠心细胞只有两层,细胞核大,胞质丰富,内含贮藏物质,至心形胚期逐渐解体。     

北柴胡胚和胚乳的发育及对其种子萌发的影响

利用常规石蜡制片技术对北柴胡胚和胚乳的发育及对其种子萌发的影响进行了观察。结果表明北柴胡胚的发育属于茄型,基细胞进行一次横分裂后不再分裂,因而胚柄不发达,且很早解体。胚乳的发育属于核型,初生胚孔核的分裂远远早于受精卵的分裂。对果实采收时期胚发育状况进行统计发现,在被测采收期果实中有20％的果实的胚处于球形胚阶段,70％处于心形胚,只有10％处于鱼雷胚,说明北柴胡种子采收时胚处于不同的发育阶段,存在形态后熟现象,这是北柴胡种子萌发难、萌发率低且出苗不整齐的主要因素。     

枣合子胚和体细胞胚发育过程的观察与比较

本实验对临猗梨枣、壶瓶枣、晋矮1号等13个品种的枣胚的发育过程进行了观察,并诱导晋矮1号成熟胚的愈伤组织通过体细胞胚发生途径形成再生植株。结果表明:体细胞胚产生于愈伤组织的表层细胞或内部细胞。在鱼雷胚期已有导管的分化,子叶期的维管组织呈“Y”形。枣合子胚及体细胞胚的发育均经历了原胚、球形胚、心形胚、鱼雷胚和子叶胚五个时期。大多数品种的枣胚从球形胚期或心形胚期即开始败育,只有极少数品种可发育到成熟胚,而且合子胚形成的能力、胚败育时发育的程度等均存在着大的品种间差异,同一品种甚至同一子房内胚的发育进程也不同步。