Uptake of abscisic acid by isolated mesophyll protoplasts from Vicia Faba

Mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from Vicia faba (cv. exhibition longpod) leaf tissue and [³H] abscisic acid ([³H]ABA) uptake was measured as a function of time, concentration, pH and temperature. [³H] ABA uptake with time was linear for 30 s and then reached equilibrium. The uptake rate was a linear function of the external ABA concentration and had a pH optimum of 4–5. Various metabolic inhibitors did not effect the rate of uptake. The Q₁₀ value was less than 1.5. The results suggested that initial uptake was not a metabolically dependent or carrier mediated process but diffusive.     

The guard-cell apoplast as a site of abscisic acid accumulation in Vicia faba L.

Abscisic acid (ABA) integrates the water status of a plant and causes stomatal closure. Physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, however, because guard cells flanking stomata are small and contain only attomol quantities of ABA. Here, pooled extracts of dissected guard cells of Vicia faba L. were immunoassayed for ABA at sub‐fmol sensitivity. A pulse of water stress was imposed by submerging the roots in a solution of PEG. The water potentials of root and leaf declined during 20 min of water stress but recovered after stress relief. During stress, the ABA concentration in the root apoplast increased, but that in the leaf apoplast remained low. The ABA concentration in the guard‐cell apoplast increased during stress, providing evidence for intra‐leaf ABA redistribution and leaf apoplastic heterogeneity. Subsequently, the ABA concentration of the leaf apoplast increased, consistent with ABA import via the xylem. Throughout, the ABA contents of the guard‐cell apoplast, but not the guard‐cell symplast, were convincingly correlated with stomatal aperture size, identifying an external locus for ABA perception under these conditions. Apparently, ABA accumulates in the guard‐cell apoplast by evaporation from the guard‐cell wall, so the ABA signal in the xylem is amplified maximally at high transpiration rates. Thus, stomata will display apparently higher sensitivity to leaf apoplastic ABA if stomata are widely open in a relatively dry atmosphere.     

Effects of exogenous methionine on storage protein composition of soybean cotyledons cultured in vitro

Supplemental methionine in a complete culture medium increased the methionine content of the protein fraction of cultured soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cotyledons (Thompson, Madison, Muenster 1981 Phytochemistry 20: 941-945). To explain the observed increase in protein methionine, we have measured the amounts and subunit compositions of 7S and 11S storage proteins and determined the amino acid compositions of the three major protein fractions (2-5S, 7S, 11S) of seeds developed on plants and of cultured cotyledons grown in the presence or absence of supplemental l-methionine. Development of cultured cotyledons was representative of development of seeds on plants. The ratios of 11S to 7S proteins, the subunit contents, and amino acid compositions of their storage protein fractions were similar, but not identical. Supplemental methionine increased the mole percent methionine in each of the three protein fractions of cultured cotyledons and changed the amounts of several other amino acids. Supplemental methionine inhibited expression of the 7S beta-subunit gene. Concomitant with the absence of the beta-subunit, which contains no methionine, was an increase in the ratio of 11S to 7S proteins, and an increase in the methionine content of the subunits composing these fractions. Inhibition of beta-subunit gene expression by methionine in cultured cotyledons provides a reproducible, easily controlled system for the study of eucaryotic gene expression.     

Stomatal responses of Vicia faba L. to indole acetic acid and abscisic acid

Evidence is presented that stomata in isolated epidermal peelsof Vicia faba L. open in darkness in response to the externalpresence of indole acetic acid (IAA) in the incubation medium.The effect of IAA is found to be overcome completely in thepresence of either TRIS or MES buffers. In the absence of buffer,V. faba stomata are shown to be influenced by IAA in a concentration-dependenttrend which reached a maximum at an [IAA] of 10^–3 molm^–3. Further investigations reveal that stomata in thisspecies can be shown to respond to the presence of IAA and anotherphytohormone, abscisic acid (ABA). IAA and ABA are demonstratedto be antagonistic in their effects provided the incubationconditions are suitable. The data are discussed in relationto stomatal responses of other species in different treatmentconditions. Recommendations are made with respect to standardizationof incubation media during epidermal peel experiments. Key words: Vicia faba, stomata, indole acetic acid, abscisic acid, buffers     

Stress-related levels of abscisic acid in guard cell protoplasts of Vicia faba L.

Levels of abscisis acid (ABA) were determined in isolated guard cell (GCP) and mesophyll cell (MCP) protoplasts of Vicia faba L. in relation to water stress. Incubation of GCP and MCP in 0.4 M or 0.8 M mannitol resulted in an average increase in the level of free abscisic acid (ABA) in the cells of 34% (GCP) and 38% (MCP) within 15–60 min. It is concluded that guard cell protoplasts form ABA in response to osmotic stress.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - BHT butylated hydroxytoluene - GCP guard cell protoplasts - MCP mesophyll cell protoplasts - MES [2-(N-morpholino)-ethanesulfonic acid] - TLC thin layer chromatography Part 20 in the series, Use of Immunoassay in Plant Science     

Modulation of abscisic acid signal transduction and biosynthesis by an Sm-like protein in Arabidopsis.

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates plant growth and development as well as stress tolerance. The Arabidopsis sad1 (supersensitive to ABA and drought) mutation increases plant sensitivity to drought stress and ABA in seed germination, root growth, and the expression of some stress-responsive genes. sad1 plants are also defective in the positive feedback regulation of ABA biosynthesis genes by ABA and are impaired in drought stress induction of ABA biosynthesis. SAD1 encodes a polypeptide similar to multifunctional Sm-like snRNP proteins that are required for mRNA splicing, export, and degradation. These results suggest a critical role for mRNA metabolism in the control of ABA signaling as well as in the regulation of ABA homeostasis.     

青海蚕豆种质资源形态多样性分析

对153份青海蚕豆种质资源的形态多样性进行鉴定, 结果表明, 青海蚕豆种质资源具有丰富的形态多样性,平均多样性指数为0.8033,其中青海地方蚕豆品种多样性最丰富,平均多样性指数为0.8288.通过多变量的主成分分析,前6个主成分代表了蚕豆形态多样性的87.89%.基于形态性状,把153份蚕豆种质聚类并划分为3大组群.第Ⅰ组群,初花天数较长,植株中等,子粒中等,单株荚数和粒数多,单株产量较高;第Ⅱ组群,初花天数较短,株高较矮,子粒小,单株荚数和粒数较多,单株产量低;第Ⅲ组群,初花天数较短,株体较高,单株荚数和粒数少,但子粒较大,单株产量较高.     

Modulation of carrier-mediated uptake of abscisic acid by methyl jasmonate in Phaseolus coccineus L

The effects of methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid on uptake of abscisic acid (ABA) by suspension-cultured runner-bean cells and subapical runner-bean root segments have been investigated. Increasing concentrations of methyl jasmonate inhibit ABA uptake by the cultured cells with a K _i of 22±3 M. This is not due to cytoplasmic acidification or to effects on metabolism of ABA, and is not additive with inhibition of radioactive ABA uptake by nonradioactive ABA. Uptake of indol-3-yl acetic acid (IAA) is unaffected by methyl jasmonate. The maximum effect of nonradioactive ABA in inhibiting uptake of radioactive ABA, previously shown to reflect saturation of an ABA carrier, is generally greater than the effect of maximally inhibitory concentrations of methyl jasmonate. Similar results were obtained with root segments, but longer incubation times were necessary to observe inhibitory effects of methyl jasmonate. Demethylation of methyl jasmonate to jasmonic acid does not appear to be required since similar concentrations of jasmonic acid had no observable direct effect on ABA uptake other than that attributable to cytoplasmic acidification. Histidine reagents, a proton ionophore and acidic external pH all affect in parallel the inhibition by methyl jasmonate and nonradioactive ABA of uptake of radioactive ABA by the cultured cells. There is no effect of ABA or nonradioactive methyl jasmonate on uptake of radioactive methyl jasmonate by the cultured cells. It is proposed that methyl jasmonate interacts with the ABA carrier. Various models for this interaction are discussed.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - DMO 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione - IAA indol-3-yl acetic acid     

Formation of protein storage bodies during embryogenesis in cotyledons of Sinapis alba L.

An electron microscopic investigation of fine structural changes in post-meristematic cotyledon mesophyll cells during the period of storage protein accumulation (16–32 d after pollination) showed that the rough ER, the Golgi apparatus and the developing vacuome are intimately involved in the formation of storage protein bodies (aleurone bodies). At the onset of storage protein accumulation (16–18 d after pollination) storage protein-like material appears within Golgi vesicles and preformed vacuoles. At a later stage (24 d after pollination) similar material can also be detected within vesicles formed directly by the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It is concluded that there are two routes for storage protein transport from its site of synthesis at the ER to its site of accumulation in the vacuome. The first route involves the participation of dictyosomes while the second route bypasses the Golgi apparatus. It appears that the normal pathways of membrane flow in the development of central vacuoles in post-meristematic cells are used to deposit the storage protein within the protein bodies. Thus, the protein body can be regarded as a transient stage in the process of vacuome development of these storage cells.Abbreviation ER endoplasmic reticulum     

Sugar uptake by the dermal transfer cells of developing cotyledons of Vicia faba L.

Two experimental systems were developed to study the uptake of sucrose by the dermal transfer cells of developing cotyledons of Vicia faba L. First, the in-vivo state was approximated by short-term (10 min) incubation of whole cotyledons in [¹⁴C]sucrose solutions. Under these conditions, a minimum of 67% of the ¹⁴C label entered the dermal transfer cell complex. Of this, at least 40% crossed the plasma membranes of the epidermal transfer cells. Second, a protocol was developed to enzymatically isolate and purify dermal transfer cell protoplasts. The yields of the transfer cell protoplasts were relatively low and their preparation incurred a significant loss of plasma membrane. However, the protoplasts remained viable up to 24 h following purification and proved to be a suitable system to verify transport properties observed with whole cotyledons. Using these two experimental systems, it was established that [¹⁴C]sucrose uptake by the dermal transfer cells exhibited features consistent with mediated energy-dependent transport. This included saturation kinetics, competition for uptake between structurally similar molecules, and inhibition of uptake by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid and several other metabolic inhibitors. For comparative purposes, sugar uptake by the storage parenchyma of the Vicia cotyledons was also examined. In contrast to the dermal transfer cell complex, sucrose uptake by the storage parenchyma displayed characteristics consistent with simple diffusion.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - PCMBS p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid The investigation was supported by funds from the Research Management Committee, the University of Newcastle and the Australian Research Council. One of us, R. McDonald, gratefully acknowledges the support of an Australian Postgraduate Research Award. We are indebted to Stella Savory for preparing the ultrathin sections for electron microscopy.     

Sugar uptake by the dermal transfer cells of developing cotyledons of Vicia faba L.

The mechanism of carrier-mediated sucrose uptake by the dermal transfer cells of developing Vicia faba L. cotyledons was studied using excised cotyledons and isolated transfer cell protoplasts. Addition of sucrose resulted in a transitory alkalinization of the bathing solution whereas additions of glucose, fructose or raffinose had no effect. Dissipating the proton motive force by exposing cotyledons and isolated transfer cell protoplasts to an alkaline pH, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, weak acids (propionic acid and 5,5-dimethyl-oxazolidine-2,4-dione) or tetraphenylphos-phonium ion resulted in a significant reduction of sucrose uptake. The ATPase inhibitors, erythrosin B (EB), diethylstilbestrol (DES) and N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) were found to abolish the sucrose-induced medium alkanization as well as reduce sucrose uptake. Cytochemical localization of the ATPase, based on lead precipitation, demonstrated that the highest activity was present in the plasma membranes located in wall ingrowth regions of the dermal transfer cells. The presence of a transplasma-membrane redox system was detected by the extracellular reduction of the electron acceptor, hexacyanoferrate III. The reduction of the ferric ion was coupled to a release of protons. The redox-induced proton extrusion was abolished by the ATPase inhibitors EB, DES and DCCD suggesting that proton extrusion was solely through the H⁺-ATPase. Based on these findings, it is postulated that cotyledonary dermal transfer cells take up sucrose by a proton symport mechanism with the proton motive force being generated by a H ⁺ -ATPase. Sucrose uptake by the storage parenchyma and inner epidermal cells of the cotyledons did not exhibit characteristics consistent with sucrose-proton symport.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - DES diethylstilbestrol - EB erythrosin B - Em membrane potential - FC fusicoccin - HCF II hexacyanoferrate II - HCF III hexacyanoferrate III - Mes 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - pmf proton motive force - TPP⁺ tetraphenylphosphonium ion The investigation was supported by funds from the Research Management Committee, The University of Newcastle and the Australian Research Council. One of us, R. McDonald, gratefully acknowledges the support of an Australian Postgraduate Research Award. We are indebted to Stella Savory for preparing the ultrathin sections for electron microscopy.     

Transport and metabolism of labelled abscisic acid in broad-bean plants (Vicia faba L.)

The movement of 2-¹⁴C-abscisic acid applied to a mature leaf of broad-bean plants ( Vicia faba L. cv. Aguadulce) was investigated by liquid scintillation counting and autoradiography. The radioactivity was readily transported into the whole plant by the phloem after 90 min. Thereafter, radioactivity moved towards the upper part of the plant, where it accumulated in the young growing leaves and in the apical bud. During transport, 2-¹⁴C- ABA was slightly metabolized, and a subsequent rapid metabolism occurred in the young leaves of the apical part of the plant and in the axillary buds released from apical dominance in decapitated plants. Transport of exogenous ABA from the apical bud presented the characteristics of a diffusion transport.     

Inhibition of ion accumulation in maize roots by abscisic acid

Summary An inhibition of root growth, a decrease in the amount of potassium (as ⁸⁶Rb) and phosphate (³²P) accumulation by the root, and a partial depolarization of transmembrane electropotential were observed to develop with a similar time course and to a similar extent when intact maize (Zea mays L.) roots were treated with 10^-5 M abscisic acid (ABA). Potassium uptake was inhibited by ABA when excised, low-salt roots were bathed in KCl, KH₂PO₄, or K₂SO₄. ABA did not affect the ATP content of the tissues, the activity of isolated mitochondria, nor the activity of microsomal K⁺-stimulated ATPases.     

Reversal of the inhibitory action of abscisic acid by benzyladenine in excised watermelon cotyledons

Cotyledons of watermelon ( Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. cv. Fairfax) were excised from the embryo after 24 h of imbibition and cultured for several days on filter paper with water or abscisic acid (ABA) solution. In some experiments the cotyledons were pretreated with benzyladenine (BA) for times ranging from 5 min to 2 h before transfer to ABA.
A treatment with 10⁻⁵ M ABA blocked all developmental parameters examined (growth and increase in appropriate markers for glyoxysome, peroxisome and plastid development). This blocking can be prevented by an initial treatment with 10⁻⁴ M BA for 2 h. This pretreatment with BA overrides the action of ABA: the final developmental responses are not just restored to the level of the water control, but they are almost as high as those obtained by treating the cotyledons with BA only. If BA is administered for three days together with ABA the reversal of inhibition is much less efficient.     

荞麦糊粉层和子叶中贮藏蛋白质积累过程的超微结构

应用透射电镜技术对荞麦（Fagopyrum esculentum)子叶和糊粉层细胞中贮藏蛋白质的积累过程进行了研究。荞麦开花后15天,胚乳最外细胞的液泡中开始积累蛋白质。开花后25天,最外层胚乳细胞中积累较多的糊粉粒（直径1－2μm)形成糊粉层。开花后20天,子叶细胞中蛋白质开始在液泡和细胞质中积累,同时液泡通过膜的向内生长和缢裂两种方式形成体积较小的液泡。开花后25天,成熟的子叶细胞中含有丰富的蛋白质,贮藏蛋白质主要积累在液泡中形成体积较大的蛋白质贮藏液泡（PSVs,protein storage vacuoles,直径1－3μm）。在荞麦子叶积累蛋白质的各个阶段,细胞质中都有一些来源于高尔基体,含蛋白质的电子不透明小泡（直径0.1-0.7μm)存在,观察到有些小泡正进入液泡,推断这种来自高尔基体膜囊的小泡不仅将蛋白质运输到液泡形成PSVs的作用,也可能是荞麦成熟子叶积累贮藏蛋白质的一种结构。     

Origin and development of protein bodies in cotyledons of Vicia faba

Storage proteins of the field bean (Vicia faba L., var. minor, cv. “Fribo”) are synthesized and accumulated in the cotyledons during stage 2 of seed development. Deposition of protein reserves takes place in the protein bodies. The generation of protein bodies was investigated electronmicroscopically using ultra-thin sections as well as the freeze-fracturing technique. During the initial period of storage protein formation, globulins are deposited in large vacuoles which later are transformed to give increasing numbers of small vacuoles with decreasing size. The vacuoles disappear early during the stage of storage protein formation and generate the first protein bodies. During the subsequent period of maximum storage protein formation, which takes place at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), swollen ER strands appear which seem to be entirely filled with protein, and these generate ER-produced protein vacuoles (ERPVAC). The vesicles are transformed in a manner comparable to the vacuoles in the initial period of developmental stage 2 and thus generate the major quantity of protein bodies. Both processes seem to represent only two variants of an uniform mechanism of protein body generation.     

Dry matter accumulation at specific pod positions on field bean (Vicia faba L.) plants and possible relations with indoleacetic acid and abscisic acid levels

Seed weights at specific positions within inflorescences of field bean plants (Vicia faba L.) were varied by removal of flowers. The inflorescences of two regions (nodes 3+4 and nodes 5+6, counted from the bottom of the plant) were used for manipulations and investigations. The two proximal flowers of the manipulated inflorescence were removed in order to vary the development and seed weights of distal pods (see Fig. 1). Dry matter accumulation and IAA- and ABA-concentrations in seeds were investigated during the filling period. Treatment effects in both regions were similar during two seasons. The removal of proximal flowers prevented the usually observed drop of distal pods and favoured the accumulation of dry matter and IAA in seeds, whereas the variation of ABA-concentrations partly depended on interaction with season. Whether these effects contribute to a signal leading to the establishment of processes preceeding dry matter accumulation or are a consequence of such processes is questionable.