Malformed selenoproteins are removed by the ubiquitin--proteasome pathway in Stanleya pinnata

Despite the widely accepted belief that selenium toxicity in plants is manifested by the misincorporation of selenocysteine into selenoproteins, there is a lack of data suggesting that selenoproteins are malformed or misfolded. Plant mechanisms to prevent the formation of selenoproteins are associated with increased selenium tolerance, yet there is no evidence to suggest that selenoproteins are malformed or potentially misfolded. We reasoned that if selenoproteins are malformed, then they might be degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The data demonstrate that selenate treatment induced the accumulation of both oxidized and ubiquitinated proteins, thus implicating both the 20S and 26S proteasome of Stanleya pinnata, a selenium-hyperaccumulating plant, in a selenate response. Inhibition of the proteasome increases the amount of selenium incorporated into protein, but not other elements. Furthermore, a higher percentage of selenium was found in a ubiquitinated protein fraction compared with other elements, suggesting that malformed selenoproteins are preferentially ubiquitinated and removed by the proteasome. Additionally, levels of the 20S and 26S proteasome and two heat shock proteins increase upon selenate treatment. Arabidopsis mutants with defects in the 26S proteasome have decreased selenium tolerance, which further supports the hypothesis that the 26S proteasome probably prevents selenium toxicity by removing selenoproteins.     

Carbon Metabolism, Nitrogen Assimilation, and Seed Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unquiculata L. Walp.) Grown in an Adverse Temperature Regime

When grown in an environment known not to favour the productionof large seed yields (warm days-cool nights; 33–19 °C),non-nodulated plants of cowpea cv. K 2809 supplied with abundantinorganic nitrogen not only assimilated N more rapidly but alsoproduced larger total dry weights and seed yields than plantsdependent on Rhizobium CB 756. Remobilization of nitrogen fromvegetative organs started sooner in nitrate-dependent than innodulated plants and contributed 69 and 47%, respectively, tothe N content of mature fruits. Plants dependent on nodulesrelied more on current assimilation of nitrogen during the laterstages of fruit growth than those given inorganic N; they alsoutilized a larger proportion of shoot-derived photosynthatesin growth of organs below ground and in the respiratory activitiesof both nodules and supporting roots. Although nitrate-dependentplants developed larger shoot systems than those relying onnodules, the distribution of carbon and nitrogen to leaves decreasedmarkedly as branches extended during early reproductive growth.The respiration of roots on nodulated plants became more efficientduring the later stages of fruit growth whereas the populationof secondary nodules present at this stage of development respiredless efficiently (mg C consumed per mg N assimilated) than theprimary nodules present earlier during development.     

硒肥对马铃薯硒素吸收、转化及产量、品质的影响

通过设对照(CK)、保水缓释硒肥(W)、生物炭基硒肥(C)、硒酸钠硒肥(S)4个处理来研究不同硒肥对马铃薯(品种为早大白)硒素吸收、转化及产量、品质的影响。结果表明:各处理马铃薯各器官硒含量在生育期内总体上呈下降趋势,马铃薯各器官的硒含量呈现:苗期根茎叶片;成熟期叶片茎块茎的特点;随着硒肥用量的增加,W处理下的总硒、无机硒、有机硒含量呈增大趋势,产量、有机硒转化率、粗蛋白、还原糖和Vc呈先升高后降低的趋势;C处理和S处理下,马铃薯以上各指标均呈先升高后降低的趋势,在低施硒量(0.126 kg/hm2)时,3种硒肥显著降低了马铃薯块茎淀粉含量,之后随着施硒量的增加淀粉含量变化不显著;与对照相比,3种硒肥在适宜施硒量(0.379 kg/hm2)时,马铃薯产量提高了4.87%—5.44%,粗蛋白含量增加了12.18%—20.03%,还原糖提高了6.45%—12.90%,Vc含量提高-0.54%—3.11%,有机硒转化率增加13.00%—15.10%,淀粉含量增加了-0.73%—1.12%;综合考虑3种硒肥对马铃薯含硒量、产量、品质的影响,W处理最佳,C处理次之,S处理最差。     

Growth and biochemical alterations in coffee due to selenite toxicity

Two experiments were conducted to investigate selenite toxicity in coffee (Coffea arabica cv. Catuaí). In the first aqueous selenite solution (10 µM Na₂SeO₃) was used to infiltrate leaves of an adult coffee plant. The infiltrated leaves and fruits adjacent to them showed enhanced contents of caffeine and soluble sugars. Amino acid contents were not affected, whereas pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and xanthophylls) exhibited a significant decrease. In the second experiment, coffee seedlings were irrigated with aqueous selenite solutions (10,100 and 1000 µM Na₂SeO₃) and the first and third pairs of leaves were analyzed. Control plants did not receive selenium. The plants were not different in height, but at the highest selenium concentration showed lower dry matter accumulation in roots and leaves, lower leaf area and thicker leaves. Increases in caffeine and soluble sugars were observed in the first pair of leaves at the highest selenium concentration, although selenium content itself increased steadily with increasing solution concentration. Phenols increased in both leaf pairs and pigments decreased in the third pair. Nitrate reductase activity, measured in the second leaf pair, was much lower at all selenium levels. The profile of free amino acid was altered in leaves of plants treated with selenium.     

多功能链霉菌生物肥对老龄梨树长势和根际与内生可培养细菌的影响

2010-2012年连续3年在河北赵县老梨区25年以上树龄梨树上进行以多功能链霉菌TOR3209为核心的生物有机肥的应用试验。结果表明, TOR3209生物有机肥能显著恢复老梨树的长势,表现为再生根和毛细根数量显著增多;叶片厚度和叶片生物量明显提高、颜色由黄转绿,叶绿素含量提高14.6%;果实品质显著改善,可溶固形物含量提高6.3%,硬度提高10.8%;根际土壤和根系内生可培养细菌多样性显著提高。表明多功能生物有机肥通过根际生态的修复改善老龄梨树的长势,在老果园改良方面具有广阔应用前景。     

Pattern of Selenium Distribution in TomatoLycopersicum esculentumMill

We studied the pattern of selenium accumulation inLycopersicum esculentumMill plants under conditions of selenium-enriched root and extraroot nutrition. Against the background of a general trend toward predominant selenium accumulation in the fruit skin, a higher level of accumulation of selenates (Se⁺⁶) than selenites (Se⁺⁴) was observed in the pulp. Application of Epin growth stimulant promoted selenium accumulation in the plants; its concentration in the pulp was comparable to the concentration after selenate application, while the level of the microelement accumulation in the fruit skin, leaves, and roots was 2.2, 2.4, and 1.4 times lower, respectively. Combined application of Epin and sodium selenate had virtually no effect on selenium accumulation in the pulp but increased the microelement content in the fruit skin and roots. Biological significance of the observed boundary effect of selenium as a manifestation of plant antioxidant protection is discussed.     

樱桃番茄对根际外源碘的吸收及生理反应特性

在深液流水培的营养液中添加浓度为1.0—6.0mg.L-1的碘离子栽培樱桃番茄.根系、叶片和果实的碘含量均表现随着I-浓度提高而增加的趋势.根系的碘含量在I-处理后1周迅速增加;第2周降低,此后呈现逐渐增加的趋势,而且中高浓度处理(3.0～6.0 mg·L-1)的变化趋势比低浓度处理（1.0～2.0mg·L-1）明显....     

The nature and distribution of various forms of nitrogen in the potato

The distribution of nitrogen fractions in the organs of King Edward potato plants harvested at intervals during the growing season has been determined. A general picture of the nitrogen distribution is presented and certain problems suggested by the data are discussed.
Each organ of the plant shows a uniformity in its nitrogenous composition during the whole season of active growth. The seed tubers are characterized by their high content of non-protein nitrogen. This fraction yields the greater part of the nitrogen withdrawn from the seed tubers; the amide, amino and 'other nitrogen' fractions all being markedly depleted. The severely depleted tubers retain some 20% of their initial nitrogen content.
The roots are rich in non-protein nitrogen, in which nitrate nitrogen is an important fraction. The roots from ammonium sulphate-treated plots had a higher total nitrogen content than those from untreated plots, due to accumulation of ammonia nitrogen.
The 'tops' have a higher nitrogen content and a higher proportion of protein than the roots. There is an increase in protein content and a decrease in non-protein nitrogen in passing from stems, to petioles, to leaf laminae. The depleted tubers and roots and stems have a uniform low-protein content of the order 0.4-0.6 mg. protein nitrogen per g. fresh weight.
Asparagine and glutamine occur in approximately equal amounts in the seed tubers and roots. Glutamine is more completely withdrawn than asparagine from the tubers, and in the 'tops' it constantly exceeds asparagine in amount.
A study of the concentration gradients, from leaves to petioles, to stems, to stem bases and new tubers, of the fractions of the non-protein nitrogen focuses attention upon the 'other nitrogen' as containing the organic nitrogen most actively involved in translocation.
The concentration and total content of the glycoside solanine in the different organs has been determined at each sampling.     

Transport and redistribution of selenium in the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris)

After incubation for 3 h with (⁷⁵Se) selenate, the selenium distribution in the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) through a 29-day period showed an uneven distribution: roots and trifoliate leaves were richer in ⁷⁵Se than stem and primary leaves. The high selenium concentration of roots resulted from the retention of selenate by the root cells: at the end of the 29-day period about 60° of the radioactivity was always ethanol-soluble, and when analysed by paper chromatography, proved to be selenate. By contrast, much of the radioactivity of the leaves was ethanol-insoluble, ⁷⁵Se being quickly captured in metabolic processes which immobilize it. During plant development, a portion of the total selenium remains mobile and is continually mobilized to the younger organs which display a rapid growth rate. This delivery results from a progressive liberation of selenate retained by mature organs, especially the roots, and from turnover in older leaf tissues, especially the trifoliate leaves.     

Effects of organ removal on trade‐offs between sexual and clonal reproduction in the stoloniferous herb Duchesnea indica

Resource allocation patterns and trade‐off between sexual and clonal reproduction in clonal plants have been extensively studied, but little is known about effects of organ removal on the trade‐offs in clonal plants. To examine the effects, we conducted an experiment with the stoloniferous herb Duchesnea indica in which we removed plant organs like roots, flowers, or fruits. Removing roots significantly increased number of ramets and biomass allocation to stolons, but decreased number of fruits. Removing flowers or fruits greatly increased number of ramets and biomass allocation to stolons and roots, but decreased spacer length, number of fruits, and fruits set. Onset and median date of flowering phenology of D. indica shifted after flowers, fruits, or roots were removed. These results may indicate that removing organs can affect trade‐off between sexual and clonal reproduction of D. indica.     

Seleno-lactobacillus

Lactic acid bacteria are nonpathogenic bacteria commonly used in food processing. An evaluation was made of the capacity to concentrate selenium in species of Lactobacillus. A selenium concentration of 1 μg/mL in the culture medium yielded in a bacterial content of 400 μg/g dry biomass. Dialysis and TCA precipitation experiments of a native intracellular extract proved that at least 80% of the total selenium is associated with organic molecules. Seleno-cysteine was identified as the only seleno-amino acid present in the intracellular selenoproteins. This study shows that species of the lactic acid bacteria are able to concentrate selenium intracellular as seleno-cysteine, which could be applied in supplementation studies.     

Phosphorus sources and availability modify growth and distribution of root clusters and nodules of native Australian legumes

A variety of native Western Australian legumes produced root clusters in sand culture confirming field and published observations. In general, these legumes grew equally well when supplied with organic or inorganic sources of phosphorus. The nitrogen content of shoots and roots varied little among treatments for all species, however, phosphorus content was always greater in plants supplied with inositol‐P. The plasticity of root growth in response to localized placement of organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus was demonstrated using a simple ‘split root’ technique. Total root dry weight was, on average, more than doubled in P‐amended sand when compared with non‐amended sand. Root clusters tended to be produced in areas of relatively high phosphorus concentration and nodules in areas of low phosphorus concentration. Levels of phosphorus in lateral roots grown in P‐amended sand were significantly different from lateral roots grown in the corresponding non‐amended sand. Growth increases averaging 70% for white sand to over 100% for yellow sand indicated a large degree of ‘plasticity’ in roots under conditions of heterogeneous supply of phosphorus. Spatially exclusive development of organs for the acquisition of nutrients is discussed in relation to requirements for carbon in organ production and maintenance.     

A tale of two toxicities: malformed selenoproteins and oxidative stress both contribute to selenium stress in plants

Background

Despite selenium''s toxicity in plants at higher levels, crops supply most of the essential dietary selenium in humans. In plants, inorganic selenium can be assimilated into selenocysteine, which can replace cysteine in proteins. Selenium toxicity in plants has been attributed to the formation of non-specific selenoproteins. However, this paradigm can be challenged now that there is increasingly abundant evidence suggesting that selenium-induced oxidative stress also contributes to toxicity in plants.

Scope

This Botanical Briefing summarizes the evidence indicating that selenium toxicity in plants is attributable to both the accumulation of non-specific selenoproteins and selenium-induced oxidative stress. Evidence is also presented to substantiate the claim that inadvertent selenocysteine replacement probably impairs or misfolds proteins, which supports the malformed selenoprotein hypothesis. The possible physiological ramifications of selenoproteins and selenium-induced oxidative stress are discussed.

Conclusions

Malformed selenoproteins and oxidative stress are two distinct types of stress that drive selenium toxicity in plants and could impact cellular processes in plants that have yet to be thoroughly explored. Although challenging, deciphering whether the extent of selenium toxicity in plants is imparted by selenoproteins or oxidative stress could be helpful in the development of crops with fortified levels of selenium.     

The Development of Tomato Root System in Relation to the Carbohydrate Status of the Whole Plant

The decrease in growth rate of the root system or complete cessationof its growth in developed, fruit-bearing tomato plants areknown phenomena. It has been suggested that a limited supplyof carbohydrates to this organ, due to its relative weaknessin competition with the flowers and developing fruitlets isthe main cause for these disorders. This theory was tested inthe present study with plants grown in an aerohydroponic systemup to the appearance of 12–13 trusses per plant, 172 dafter transplanting. The changes in the contents of carbohydratesin the various organs during this period were monitored. Theconcentrations of soluble sugars and starch in the leaves increasedwith the increase in truss number. The upper stem was foundto contain more carbohydrates than the lower stem, while nosignificant changes in the concentration of these compoundscould be detected in the roots throughout the experiment. Nevertheless,120–130 d after transplanting, the roots of the plants,bearing five to six trusses and two to three inflorescences,ceased growing and remained at the same or a slightly reducedsize for another 40–50 d. Calculations show that at thestage of five to six trusses, 38 g total soluble sugars and35 g starch were stored in the vegetative organs. Therefore,it seems unlikely that carbon deficiency caused by the competitionwith the reproductive organs (mainly developing fruits), affectedthe root growth. Instead, it is suggested that some other factoris responsible. Lycopersicon esculentumMill; carbohydrates; root growth rate; sink-source relationship; soluble sugars; starch     

Absence of selenoprotein P but not selenocysteine lyase results in severe neurological dysfunction

Dietary selenium restriction in mammals causes bodily selenium to be preferentially retained in the brain relative to other organs. Almost all the known selenoproteins are found in brain, where expression is facilitated by selenocysteine (Sec)-laden selenoprotein P. The brain also expresses selenocysteine lyase (Scly), an enzyme that putatively salvages Sec and recycles the selenium for selenoprotein translation. We compared mice with a genetic deletion of Scly to selenoprotein P (Sepp1) knockout mice for similarity of neurological impairments and whether dietary selenium modulates these parameters. We report that Scly knockout mice do not display neurological dysfunction comparable to Sepp1 knockout mice. Feeding a low-selenium diet to Scly knockout mice revealed a mild spatial learning deficit without disrupting motor coordination. Additionally, we report that the neurological phenotype caused by the absence of Sepp1 is exacerbated in male vs. female mice. These findings indicate that Sec recycling via Scly becomes limiting under selenium deficiency and suggest the presence of a complementary mechanism for processing Sec. Our studies illuminate the interaction between Sepp1 and Scly in the distribution and turnover of body and brain selenium and emphasize the consideration of sex differences when studying selenium and selenoproteins in vertebrate biology.     

Reconsidering the evolution of eukaryotic selenoproteins: a novel nonmammalian family with scattered phylogenetic distribution

While the genome sequence and gene content are available for an increasing number of organisms, eukaryotic selenoproteins remain poorly characterized. The dual role of the UGA codon confounds the identification of novel selenoprotein genes. Here, we describe a comparative genomics approach that relies on the genome-wide prediction of genes with in-frame TGA codons, and the subsequent comparison of predictions from different genomes, wherein conservation in regions flanking the TGA codon suggests selenocysteine coding function. Application of this method to human and fugu genomes identified a novel selenoprotein family, named SelU, in the puffer fish. The selenocysteine-containing form also occurred in other fish, chicken, sea urchin, green algae and diatoms. In contrast, mammals, worms and land plants contained cysteine homologues. We demonstrated selenium incorporation into chicken SelU and characterized the SelU expression pattern in zebrafish embryos. Our data indicate a scattered evolutionary distribution of selenoproteins in eukaryotes, and suggest that, contrary to the picture emerging from data available so far, other taxa-specific selenoproteins probably exist.     

Salinity-calcium interactions on growth and ionic concentration of Citrus plants

Two-year-old Navel orange scions (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) budded to either Cleopatra mandarin (C. reticulata) and Troyer citrange (C. sinensis × P. trifoliata) rootstocks were used in this experiment. Cleopatra manda in rootstock was considered more tolerant to salinity than Troyer citrange, and this property was attributed to a greater capacity to exclude chloride ions.Plants were grown under glasshouse conditions and supplied with nutrient solution containing either no or 45 mM NaCl. Calcium concentration was increased from 3 to 30 mM. Sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride concentrations in plant organs were analyzed after 90 days of treatment.Supplemental Ca was found to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on plant growth, defoliation or leaf injury.Chemical analysis indicated that in plants grafted on Troyer citrange Ca restricted uptake and subsequent translocation of Na to the leaves and increased K concentration in both roots and leaves. However, in Cleopatra mandarin-grafted plants increasing Ca levels seemed to reduce transport of Na from roots to leaves, and Na accumulation in roots was associated with reduced concentration of K in this rootstock.Organ chloride analysis showed that Cl accumulation in leaves of plants grafted on both rootstocks was reduced when external Ca concentration increased, whereas Cl concentration in roots remained constant or increased. The data of distribution of Cl in plants showed that a high external Ca level increased Cl accumulation in the basal stem and roots, and reduced the transport of Cl from roots to leaves.     

The Influence of Selenium on Root Growth and Oxidative Stress Induced by Lead in Vicia faba L. minor Plants

The effect of selenium (Se) on Vicia faba L. minor roots subjected to lead (Pb) stress was studied by investigating root growth, root viability, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The experiments were carried out on plants grown for 2 weeks on Hoagland medium supplied with 50 μM Pb in the form of lead nitrate Pb(NO(3))(2) and/or Se concentrations of 1.5 and 6 μM in the form of sodium selenite Na(2)SeO(3). It was shown that Pb reduced the root growth and caused serious damage in the roots, which was accompanied by metal accumulation in these tissues. The exposition of roots to Pb led to significant changes in the biochemical parameters: the MDA and T-SH content and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity increased but the guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activity decreased. Moreover, Pb intensified O(2)(·-) production in the roots. Selenium at a lower concentration alleviated Pb toxicity which was accompanied by a decreased O(2)(·-) production in the apical parts of roots and increased the T-SH content and GPOX activity. However, higher Se concentration intensified MDA and T-SH accumulation and GPOX and GSH-Px activity in Pb-treated plant roots. At low concentration, Se improved cell viability whereas at high concentration it was pro-oxidant and enhanced the lipid peroxidation and cell membrane injury.     

雷竹克隆系统出笋期有机碳分布变化规律

植物光合碳同化物为植物的生长提供所需的物质和能量。目前,对植物有机碳分布虽已展开了大量研究,但对竹类植物出笋期有机碳转移机制的研究还比较缺乏。测定了分株数量为单株、双株和三株的雷竹克隆系统出笋期分株各器官的有机碳含量,以期进一步了解雷竹克隆系统出笋期有机碳转移变化规律。研究发现:雷竹分株不同器官有机碳含量差异显著,且在出笋期发生显著变化,出笋前:枝(52.64%)叶(47.18%)秆(40.98%)鞭(40.13%)根(35.14%),出笋完成后:枝(48.20%)秆(47.84%)叶(45.53%)鞭(45.52%)根(44.29%),枝、叶有机碳含量呈先下降后上升趋势,根、秆、鞭有机碳含量呈"N"型变化规律;单株、多株系统雷竹分株各器官有机碳含量降幅与出笋量成反比,随分株数量增加,出笋量增加,而各器官有机碳含量降幅减小;双株系统中1年生雷竹各器官有机碳含量降幅大于2年生竹,三株系统中3年生雷竹各器官有机碳含量降幅大于1年、2年生竹。这些结果表明:出笋影响雷竹各器官有机碳分配格局,出笋时各器官间有机碳资源发生转移,其中枝、叶有机碳含量降低而根、秆、鞭有机碳含量增加;各器官间源-汇关系发生变化,分株间有机碳资源存在共享,分株数量增加出笋量增加且系统内分株的损耗减小;分株年龄是影响雷竹不同器官出笋期有机碳含量变化的影响因素之一。因此,调整雷竹林年龄结构对提高雷竹林出笋量及经济效益有十分重要的现实意义。     

Eukaryotic selenoproteins and selenoproteomes

Selenium is an essential trace element for which both beneficial and toxic effects in human health have been described. It is now clear that the importance of having adequate amounts of this micronutrient in the diet is primarily due to the fact that selenium is required for biosynthesis of selenocysteine, the twenty first naturally occurring amino acid in protein. In this review, we provide an overview of eukaryotic selenoproteins and selenoproteomes, which are sets of selenoproteins in these organisms. In eukaryotes, selenoproteins show a mosaic occurrence, with some organisms, such as vertebrates and algae, having dozens of these proteins, while other organisms, such as higher plants and fungi, having lost all selenoproteins during evolution. We also discuss selenoprotein functions and evolutionary trends in the use of these proteins in eukaryotes. Functional analysis of selenoproteins is critical for better understanding of the role of selenium in human health and disease.