Phenotypic effects of overexpression of Agrobacterium rhizogenes T-DNA ORF13 in transgenic tobacco plants are mediated by diffusible factor(s)

Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi transgenic plants expressing ORF13 of Agrobacterium rhizogenes 8196 T-DNA under the 35S RNA promoter from the cauliflower mosaic virus displayed developmental abnormalities. They were small, with short and variable internodal lengths, their root systems were poorly developed; leaves were small, asymmetric, rounded, wrinkled and dark green; flowers were short, and irregularly shaped. They exhibited reduced apical dominance and regularly produced offshoots at the base of the plant. This phenotype was also exhibited by offshoots of normal N. tabacum cv. Xanthi stock grafted with a transgenic scion indicating that expression of ORF13 influences plant development via diffusible factor(s).     

Nicotine-free and salt-tolerant tobacco plants obtained by grafting to salinity-resistant rootstocks of tomato

In this work we present the first study of the behaviour of tobacco plants, under saline conditions, grafted to salinity-resistant rootstocks of tomato cultivars. To test the viability and efficiency of this grafting technique in tobacco plants subjected to salinity, we analyse the production of foliar biomass and different quality parameters in this crop. With this aim, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Sevilla (scion) was grafted to two cultivars of Lycopersicum esculentum (rootstocks): cv. Jaguar (Sevilla/Jaguar) and cv. Brillante (Sevilla/Brillante). Furthermore, as controls, tobacco plants of cv. Sevilla were used grafted to themselves (Sevilla/Sevilla) and non-grafted plants of cv. Sevilla. Plants were grafted by needle graft following the procedure described by Rivero RM, Ruiz JM, Romero L (2002) Role of grafting in horticultural plants, pp 229–254. In the present work, we demonstrate that the graft of tobacco scions with tomato rootstocks is an effective agricultural approach to improve production and quality in tobacco leaves under conditions of saline stress. Our results show that the rootstock of the cv. Brillante best induced salt resistance in tobacco cv. Sevilla, registering the lowest foliar concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^–, the lowest lipid peroxidation and the highest proline and sugar concentrations. Overall, this is reflected in better biomass production of the aerial part of the plant. Finally, it is noteworthy that grafting in tobacco plants to tomato rootstocks essentially eliminates foliar nicotine levels (reduced to 1%). These results are of great importance, as this technique implies a rapid, efficient and natural alternative in increasing tobacco-leaf quality and thus reducing harmful effects of this alkaloid on the health of smokers.     

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto Bombyx mori initiated by semiconductor-based photocatalyst

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was graft copolymerized onto Bombyx mori fibre (natural silk). The graft copolymerization was carried out by photopolymerization of MMA using semiconductor particles (CdS) as photocatalyst in the presence of visible light. The effect of additives like triethylamine (Et(3)N) and ethylene glycol on graft copolymerization was studied. We have achieved 2-10% graft conversion with 10-20% homopolymer formation. After removal of the homopolymer, the graft copolymer (grafted fibre) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The chemical resistance of grafted fibre was compared with virgin one.     

Expression of Pokeweed Antiviral Protein in Transgenic Plants Induces Virus Resistance in Grafted Wild-Type Plants Independently of Salicylic Acid Accumulation and Pathogenesis-Related Protein Synthesis

Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), a 29-kD protein isolated from Phytolacca americana, inhibits translation by catalytically removing a specific adenine residue from the large rRNA of the 60S subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes. Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants expressing PAP or a variant (PAP-v) were shown to be resistant to a broad spectrum of plant viruses. Expression of PAP-v in transgenic plants induces synthesis of pathogenesis-related proteins and a very weak (<2-fold) increase in salicylic acid levels. Using reciprocal grafting experiments, we demonstrate here that transgenic tobacco rootstocks expressing PAP-v induce resistance to tobacco mosaic virus infection in both N. tabacum NN and nn scions. Increased resistance to potato virus X was also observed in N. tabacum nn scions grafted on transgenic rootstocks. PAP expression was not detected in the wild-type scions or rootstocks that showed virus resistance, nor was there any increase in salicylic acid levels or pathogenesis-related protein synthesis. Grafting experiments with transgenic plants expressing an inactive PAP mutant demonstrated that an intact active site of PAP is necessary for induction of virus resistance in wild-type scions. These results indicate that enzymatic activity of PAP is responsible for generating a signal that renders wild-type scions resistant to virus infection in the absence of increased salicylic acid levels and pathogenesis-related protein synthesis.     

云南大理烟区烟叶内生真菌多样性及分布特征

【目的】研究大理烟区烟叶内生真菌的多样性及分布特征。【方法】通过形态特征和ITS-rDNA序列分析对获得的菌株进行分类。【结果】从烟草叶片中共分离得到内生真菌1 568株,分别归于31个属,在属水平上的优势菌群为链格孢属(Alternaria)和镰孢属(Fusarium),分别占真菌总数的40.79%和18.73%。【结论】烟草内生真菌的数量、种类、多样性和分布分别在不同部位叶片间和不同地区间存在差异,在下部叶数量较多,而上部叶的种类较多,多样性更丰富。随着烟草的发育成熟,内生真菌数量、种类和多样性增加,在现蕾期和成熟期最大。     

Next generation sequencing reveals genome downsizing in allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum, predominantly through the elimination of paternally derived repetitive DNAs

We used next generation sequencing to characterize and compare the genomes of the recently derived allotetraploid, Nicotiana tabacum (<200,000 years old), with its diploid progenitors, Nicotiana sylvestris (maternal, S-genome donor), and Nicotiana tomentosiformis (paternal, T-genome donor). Analysis of 14,634 repetitive DNA sequences in the genomes of the progenitor species and N. tabacum reveal all major types of retroelements found in angiosperms (genome proportions range between 17-22.5% and 2.3-3.5% for Ty3-gypsy elements and Ty1-copia elements, respectively). The diploid N. sylvestris genome exhibits evidence of recent bursts of sequence amplification and/or homogenization, whereas the genome of N. tomentosiformis lacks this signature and has considerably fewer homogenous repeats. In the derived allotetraploid N. tabacum, there is evidence of genome downsizing and sequences loss across most repeat types. This is particularly evident amongst the Ty3-gypsy retroelements in which all families identified are underrepresented in N. tabacum, as is 35S ribosomal DNA. Analysis of all repetitive DNA sequences indicates the T-genome of N. tabacum has experienced greater sequence loss than the S-genome, revealing preferential loss of paternally derived repetitive DNAs at a genome-wide level. Thus, the three genomes of N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, and N. tabacum have experienced different evolutionary trajectories, with genomes that are dynamic, stable, and downsized, respectively.     

常规灌溉条件下嫁接和增施氮肥对温室黄瓜耗水量及水分利用效率的影响

在日光温室内研究了常规灌溉条件下,嫁接和3种施氮水平（0、110和331 kg·hm^-2）对日光温室黄瓜耗水量和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明：在嫁接和追施氮肥331 kg·hm^-时,黄瓜耗水量最高,冬春茬和秋冬茬分别为3 350和2 181 m³·hm^-2,水分利用效率也最高,两茬口分别为27.2和36.9 kg·m^-3.在施氮量相同的情况下,嫁接黄瓜的耗水量比自根黄瓜提高3%～6%,经济产量和水分利用效率则分别提高28%和209%;随着施氮量的增加,嫁接黄瓜耗水量和水分利用效率均显著增加,自根黄瓜耗水量也随施氮量的增加而增加,但水分利用效率却在施氮110 kg·hm^-2时最高.因此,嫁接栽培可显著提高黄瓜耗水量及水分利用效率,且随着施氮量的增加而显著增加;增施氮肥也可显著提高自根黄瓜的耗水量,但氮肥增施过多则将降低自根黄瓜的水分利用效率.     

Origin of Nicotiana tabacum detected by primary structure of fraction I protein.

Nicotiana tabacum is believed to have arisen after hybridization of Nicotiana sylvestris with a species in the Tomentosae section of the genus Nicotiana. Recent biochemical experiments have confirmed the conclusions from previous cytogenetic studies that N. sylvestris was the maternal parent and have indicated that Nicotiana tomentosiformis was the paternal parent. However, these studies did not take into account the possibility that a new species of Nicotiana, called K-12, discovered in South America in 1968, could also have been one of the parents. Fraction I proteins were purified from N. tabacum and its putative progenitors, and separated into large and small subunits. Chymotryptic peptides of each subunit were analyzed by ion exchange column chromatography with a gradient elution system. Among 38 resolved peaks of the large subunits, 2 peaks were found to be different among the putative species. Since only N. sylvestris showed an identical chromatogram with N. tabacum, N. sylvestris was concluded to be the maternal progenitor, as the genetic information for the large subunit of Fraction I protein was known to be inherited by the cytoplasmic mode. On the other hand, the small subunit of Fraction I protein is inherited by the Mendelian mode and therefore N. tabacum, an allopolyploid, could be expected to contain two types of small subunits, one derived from N. sylvestris and the other from a paternal progenitor. N. sylvestris lacks two of the 25 chymotryptic peptides of the small subunit of N. tabacum. Among 3 putative paternal progenitors, these two peaks appeared only in N. tomentosiformis, but not in Nicotiana otophora or K-12. Thus, N. tomentosiformis was concluded to be a paternal progenitor of N. tabacum. The conclusion was verified by comparing chymotryptic peptides of small subunits from three amphidiploids of N. sylvestris crossed with N. tomentosiformis, N. sylvestris crossed with N. otophora snd N. sylvestris crossed with K-12. The analytical results showed that only the progeny of N. sylvestris crossed with N. tomentosiformis contained the same small subunits as N. tabacium.     

Investigation of Nicotiana tabacum (+) N. suaveolens cybrids with carpelloid stamens

To investigate cytoplasmic effects on homeotic floral morphology, Nicotiana tabacum and N. suaveolens protoplasts were fused and cybrids obtained to contrast with the sexual alloplasmic line Nta(sua)S. Nta(sua)S contains the nucleus of N. tabacum and cytoplasm of N. suaveolens while cybrids derive from fused cells where the cytoplasms can interact. The three male-sterile somatic cybrid plants analyzed contained mitochondria with N. tabacum and N. suaveolens mtDNA sequences, but not all the N. tabacum or all the N. suaveolens mtDNA sequences were present. The flowers were N. tabacum-like but with a split corolla (not observed in Nta(sua)S) and the whorl of stamens replaced by a whorl of carpel-like structures. Based on scanning electron microscopy the carpelloid stamens had a characteristic N. tabacum stigma, a style of variable length and a pseudo-ovary with ovule-like structures. The Southern blot data were consistent with mtDNA recombination. These genomic changes were maternally inherited. Chloroplasts were either of the N. tabacum or N. suaveolens type. AFLP analysis showed transfer of variable amounts of N. suaveolens nuclear DNA. However, it is the presence of the N. suaveolens sequences and/or absence of N. tabacum sequences in the mitochondria that correlates with the homeotic floral morphology. These cybrids will facilitate the analysis of the role of mitochondrial DNA sequences in floral organ identity; which has received limited attention in genetic flowering models based primarily on Arabidopsis research.     

AFLP analysis of genetic polymorphism and evolutionary relationships among cultivated and wild Nicotiana species.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to determine the degree of intra- and inter-specific genetic variation in the genus Nicotiana. Forty-six lines of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and seven wild Nicotiana species, including N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, N. otophora, N. glutinosa, N. suaveolens, N. rustica, and N. longiflora, were analyzed, using at least eight different oligonucleotide primer combinations capable of detecting a minimum of 50 polymorphic bands per primer pair. The amount of genetic polymorphism present among cultivated tobacco lines (N. tabacum) was limited, as evidenced by the high degree of similarity in the AFLP profiles of cultivars collected worldwide. Six major clusters were found within cultivated tobacco that were primarily based upon geographic origin and manufacturing quality traits. A greater amount of genetic polymorphism exists among wild species of Nicotiana than among cultivated forms. Pairwise comparisons of the AFLP profiles of wild and cultivated Nicotiana species show that polymorphic bands present in N. tabacum can be found in at least one of three proposed wild progenitor species (i.e., N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, and N. otophora). This observation provides additional support for these species contributing to the origin of N. tabacum.     

Antibacterial surfaces based on polymer brushes: investigation on the influence of brush properties on antimicrobial peptide immobilization and antimicrobial activity

Primary amine containing copolymer, poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride) (poly(DMA-co-APMA)), brushes were synthesized on Ti surface by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) in aqueous conditions. A series of poly(DMA-co-APMA) copolymer brushes on titanium (Ti) surface with different molecular weights, thicknesses, compositions, and graft densities were synthesized by changing the SI-ATRP reaction conditions. Cysteine-functionalized cationic antimicrobial peptide Tet213 (KRWWKWWRRC) was conjugated to the copolymers brushes using a maleimide-thiol addition reaction after initial modification of the grafted chains using 3-maleimidopropionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The modified surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle measurements, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ellipsometry analysis. The conjugation of the Tet213 onto brushes strongly depended on graft density of the brushes at different copolymer brush compositions. The peptide density (peptides/nm(2)) on the surface varied with the initial composition of the copolymer brushes. Higher graft density of the brushes generated high peptide density (pepetide/nm(2)) and lower number of peptides/polymer chain and vice versa. The peptide density and graft density of the chains on surface greatly influenced the antimicrobial activity of peptide grafted polymer brushes against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Effects of amylose/amylopectin ratio on starch-based superabsorbent polymers

Biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were prepared by grafting acrylamide onto starches then crosslinking with N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide. This work focused on the effects of the amylose/amylopectin ratio of starches from the same source (corn) on the grafting reactions and performance of the resultant starch-based SAPs. To characterise each SAP, the acrylamide groups grafted onto the starch were detected by FTIR; grafting ratio and grafting efficiency were evaluated by a gravimetric method; and graft position and the length of the grafted segment were investigated by NMR. The relationships between the microstructures of the starches, and the graft reactions and performance of the SAPs were studied based on the amylose content in the starches. It was found that under the same reaction conditions, the grafting ratio and efficiency increased with increasing amylose content, which corresponds with water absorption ratio. NMR results indicated that the acrylamide group mainly grafted onto C6, and that the length of the grafted segment decreased with increasing amylopectin content in general, and in particular for waxy starch. The high molecular weight and branched structure of amylopectin reduced the mobility of the polymer chains and increased viscosity, which could explain the graft reactions and performance of the starch-based SAPs.     

Polypeptide composition of fraction I protein from Nicotiana glauca and from cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum,including a male sterile line

The polypeptide compositions of fraction I protein isolated from six collections of Nicotiana glauca and from ten cultivars of N. tabacum, as well as a polyploid series and a male sterile line, have been analyzed by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel slabs containing 8 M urea. Apart from the male sterile line, none of the plants showed any variation from the species pattern of polypeptides. Fraction I protein from the male sterile Burley 21 cultivar of N. tabacum contained the two small subunit polypeptides of N. tabacum and the three large subunit polypeptides of an Australian species, probably N. megalosiphon. This indicates a changed chloroplast genome in the male sterile line in comparison to the normal fertile N. tabacum.     

Origin of sequence heterogeneity of the small subunit of fraction 1 protein from Nicotiana tabacum

The partial amino acid sequences of the small subunit of Fraction 1 protein from N. sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis and N. tabacum were determined. The sequence of N. sylvestris is NH2. Gln-Val-Trp-Pro-Pro-Ile-Asn-----Tyr COOH. In the sequence up to the 7th amino acid and C-terminus, differences were only found at the 6th position in the three species, where N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis show Ile and Tyr, respectively. N. tabacum show both Ile and Tyr in almost equal amount at this position. These results confirmed a previous hypothesis that N. tabacum had been evolved through the hybridization of N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis.     

烟草挥发物对2近缘种夜蛾产卵行为的影响及其成分分析

寡食性烟夜蛾Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée)和广食性棉铃虫H.armigera (Hübner)是铃夜蛾属2近缘种,烟草是其共同寄主.室内实验测定了1个普通烟草品种和4个黄花烟草品种叶片挥发物对二者电生理和行为反应的影响.结果表明,烟夜蛾处女雌蛾和交配雌蛾对4个黄花烟草品种叶片挥发物的EAG反应均显著高于普通烟草,而棉铃虫对普通烟草叶片挥发物的反应显著高于黄花烟草;二者的行为反应与EAG测试结果相似,黄花烟草叶片挥发物对烟夜蛾有较强的引诱作用,棉铃虫对普通烟草叶片挥发物有较强趋性;两种夜蛾雄蛾对这些挥发物的EAG和行为反应均没有雌蛾强烈,性别差异显著;GC-MS分析表明,与K326相比,马合烟叶片挥发物中尼古丁的相对含量高(76.91%),绿叶气味种类多但芳香族化合物种类少,挥发物种类和含量的不同是否与两种夜蛾产卵趋性差异相关,有待进一步研究.     

Synthesis of partly debranched starch-g-poly(2-acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase and the effect on adhesion to polyester/cotton yarn

We performed a dual-modification of starch via debranching and graft copolymerization to improve its adhesion to fibers. We synthesized the partly debranched starch-g-poly(2-acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDS-g-PATAC) using horseradish peroxidase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and acetylacetone. PDSs of different molecular structures were prepared by debranching waxy cornstarch for different periods of time. With increasing debranching time, the degree of hydrolysis of PDS increased from 0.85 % (10 min) to 1.13 % (30 min), while the degree of branching decreased from 8.37 % to 7.99 %. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed that ATAC units had been successfully grafted onto the starch (debranched or not debranched). The degree of substitution (DS) and grafting ratio (GR) of the PDS-g-PATACs were characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance. The DS and GR of grafted starches positively related with debranching time. Thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry analysis showed that grafted starch had lower thermal stability than ungrafted starch. The adhesion of PDS-g-PATAC to polyester/cotton yarns was evaluated. The PATAC chains grafted onto the starch enhanced the adhesion of starch to polyester/cotton yarn. The grafted starch produced from the copolymerization of PDS (after debranching for 10 min), exhibited the strongest adhesion to polyester/cotton yarn with a resulting tensile strength of 98.20 N.     

Immobilization of DNA onto a polymer support and its potentiality as immunoadsorbent

Immobilization of DNA to the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) microfibers with a high specific surface area of 0.83 m(2)/g was carried out to give the fiber surface an affinity for anti-DNA antibody. Following ozone oxidation, the microfibers were subjected to graft polymerization of monomers including acrylic acid, methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N-vinylformamide, and glycidyl methacrylate. Calf thymus DNA was immobilized to the grafted fiber surface through either covalent binding or polyion complexation with the grafted polymer chains. The highest surface density of DNA immobilized (0.6 mug/cm(2)) was obtained when DNA was immobilized through formation of phosphodiester linkage between the hydroxyl group of DNA and the phosphate group in grafted poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) using 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole, or through polyion complexation between the anionic DNA and the cationic grafted poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) chains. Batch adsorption of anti-DNA antibody to the grafted PET fibers with and without DNA immobilized on their surface was conducted with serum obtained from systemic lupus erythematosus model mice. The DNA-immobilized PET fibers exhibited a higher adsorption capacity and specificity than the others. In addition, the DNA-immobilized fibers effectively adsorbed human anti-DNA antibody.