Atypical composition of seed proteins in cultivars ofPhaseolus vulgaris L.

In only one cultivar out of 1200 investigated cultivars ofPhaseolus vulgaris L. could we find an extreme change in the pattern of reserve proteins on the cathodic side: one of the proteins, called protein I, is completely absent in the cultivar ‘Krupnaya sakharnaya’ and is replaced on the same site by another protein,i.e. a protein completely different in its immunochemical specificity. The case is of interest from both the phylogenetic and systematic viewpoints and deserves further attention.     

Isozymes of Glutamine Synthetase in Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus lunatus L. Root Nodules

The glutamine synthetase (GS) isozymes in the plant fraction of nodule extracts from 62 cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and one cultivar of Phaseolus lunatus L. were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All P. vulgaris nodule extracts displayed two GS activity bands: a nodule-specific band (GS_n1) and a band (GS_n2) similar to the single band (GS_r) present in root extracts. In nodule extracts of P. lunatus, the GS_n1 band was detected, but the GS_n2 band was barely detectable. In contrast to P. vulgaris, the GS_n2 band and the GS_r band of P. lunatus appeared to be different. The electrophoretic mobility of the GS_n1 band in P. vulgaris was governed by both the plant cultivar and the development stage of the nodule. In nodule extracts of P. vulgaris and P. lunatus, the zone of GS_n1 activity coincided with six to nine distinct protein bands as revealed after treatment of gels, which had previously been stained for GS activity, with Coomassie blue. All these protein bands were shown to consist of polypeptides of identical molecular weight (approximately 47,000 daltons) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Our results indicate that P. vulgaris continuously generates isozymes of GS_n1 of increasing electrophoretic mobility during the course of nodule development.     

Characterization of a membrane-associated apoplastic lipoxygenase in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

An extracytoplasmic 86.7 kDa protein was isolated from intercellular washing fluids (IWF) of Phaseolus vulgaris etiolated hypocotyls. Micro sequencing of tryptic peptides of the 86.7 kDa protein revealed 100% identity with a bean lipoxygenase (LOX) protein fragment. Purified P87-LOX exhibited LOX activity characterized by an optimal pH of 6.0 and linolenic acid as an optimal substrate, and was classified as a 13-LOX with respect to its positional specificity of linoleic acid oxygenation. A protein identical to P87-LOX, as determined by MALDI-TOF analysis and biochemical characterization, was purified from hypocotyl microsomes. Immunoblot analysis showed that P87-LOX is present in plasma membrane-enriched fractions, from which it was solubilized using high ionic strength buffers. These observations suggest that P87-LOX is a peripheral protein associated to the apoplastic face of the plasma membrane.     

In vivo endoproteolytically cleaved phaseolin is stable and accumulates in developing Phaseolus lunatus L. seeds

Phaseolin is the most abundant storage protein of bean seeds. To modify its amino-acidic composition by protein engineering, for the improvement of its nutritional value, regions which could be modified without detrimental effects on structural features of the protein must be identified. Data presented here, on the characterisation of the major storage protein of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) seeds, a phaseolin-like glycoprotein, provide good indications on one of such region. Phaseolus lunatus phaseolin consists of four major oligomers containing two subunit classes. Polypeptides of one class show a molecular mass ranging from 38.5 kDa to 32 kDa, while the molecular mass of polypeptides belonging to the other class ranges from 27 kDa to 21 kDa. The subunits originate from the cleavage of precursor forms, with molecular masses of 58 kDa and 54 kDa, which are still present — in residual amounts — in the mature protein. Comparison of their N-terminal sequences with those of the subunits demonstrate that cleavage occurs in a region of the molecule that instead remains uncleaved in phaseolins of the other species. Since this region can accommodate such a drastic modification, we suggest it could be a good candidate for in vitro manipulation.     

The polymorphism of a seed protein with phytohaemagglutinating activity in the cultivar ofPhaseolus vulgaris L.

In the cultivar ofPhaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Vainica Saavegra B a protein was found in the seeds having a more or less reduced electrophoretic mobility on the cathodic side in comparison with standard cultivars. This protein which has phytohaemagglutinating activity loses this property at a greatly decreased mobility, whereas at partially reduced mobility the phytohaemagglutinating activity is maintained. The protein with a partially decreased mobility is immunochemically identical with the protein having normal mobility, whilst the protein with strongly reduced mobility is immunochemically only partly similar.     

Hybrid Weakness in Phaseolus vulgaris L. II. Disruption of Root-Shoot Integration

We have been examining the importance of the root system on shoot growth and development using a developmentally disabled hybrid of the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. Parental cultivars (P. Vulgaris cv. Redkloud of Mesoamerican origin, and P. vulgaris cv. Batt of Andean origin) grow normally, but crosses produce F1 hybrids exhibiting hybrid weakness associated with reduced root and shoot growth. In this study, applications of benzylaminopurine (BAP) to roots of F1 hybrids increased the number of root tips and leaves. Reciprocal grafting was used to study the effects of the root system on shoots. Grafting of roots of the Mesoamerican cultivar onto shoots of F1 hybrids increased the cytokinin concentrations in leaves of F1 hybrids and removed the characteristics associated with hybrid weakness. To determine whether factors in the xylem sap enhanced leaf growth, leaf discs were incubated on sap collected from Mesoamerican and Andean cultivars. Sap from Mesoamerican plants enhanced the growth of leaf discs excised from F1 hybrids more than sap collected from Andean cultivars. Estimates of the transport of zeatin riboside (ZR)–type cytokinins from roots of F1 hybrids indicated that transport out of hybrid roots was reduced compared with those transported out of Mesoamerican or Andean roots. Results suggest that ZR-type cytokinins are involved in hormonal integration between roots and shoots of P. vulgaris and that one of the barriers to hybridization between Andean and Mesoamerican landraces is related to hormone transport. Received October 15, 1998; accepted May 12, 1999     

Hybrid Weakness in Phaseolus vulgaris L. I. Disruption of Development and Hormonal Allocation

A reduced concentration of cytokinins may cause the abnormal growth and development found in F1 hybrids between Andean and Mesoamerican races of Phaseolus vulgaris L. In this study, concentrations of the transportable cytokinin zeatin riboside (ZR) were measured by ELISA for ZR (cross reactivities dihydrozeatin, 14%, zeatin 7.6%) in roots, stems, and leaves of a Phaseolus Mesoamerican landrace (P. vulgaris L. cv. Redkloud), an Andean landrace (P. vulgaris L. cv. Batt), and their F1 hybrids. Concentrations of ZR in roots and leaves of F1 hybrids were significantly less than that found in roots and leaves of parental cultivars. Approximately 90% of the ZR found in F1 hybrids was found sequestered in the stems, whereas cytokinins of the parental cultivars were distributed throughout the plant (roots: Batt 37%, Redkloud, 44%; stems: Batt 35%, Redkloud 42%; leaves: Batt 28%, Redkloud 14%). These results suggest that abnormal growth and development of F1 hybrids may involve interruption of the regulation of cytokinin allocation, thereby disrupting the root-shoot feedback loop between root-sourced cytokinins and putative shoot-produced factors. Received October 15, 1998; accepted May 12, 1999     

Proteins found during maturation and germination of seeds ofPhaseolus vulgaris L.

Seeds of the beanPhaseolus vulgaris L. (Veltruská Saxa cultivar) were gathered gradually at different stages of development, starting at fertilization up to full maturity. Seeds were freeze-dried and the dry solid used for preparing extracts which were analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis for the presence of proteins resembling those contained in the cotyledons of a mature seed. Proteins from cotyledons of the first stages of development of bean seedlings were analyzed similarly. After a preparatory period, approximately from the second—third seed development stage, there is a period of intense protein synthesis that characterizes cotyledons of a mature seed. These proteins increase in quantity and are differentiated in quality up to maturity when a single antiserum detected a total of 12. After germination both the quantity and number of these proteins decreases. It was found that some proteins are metabolically more active, both during synthesis and cleavage. This holds e.g. for phaseolin during maturation, as well as during germination. In addition, phaseolin changes its electrophoretic mobility, which is apparently due to proteolytic hydrolysis of phaseolin molecules. During the last phase of maturation, viz. dehydration of seeds, some new proteins suddenly appear, apparently synthesized from pre-formed peptide chains. In the discussion the possibility is taken up that the beginning on the synthesis of specific proteins characteristic for mature seeds is the cause underlying the disturbances in the embryonal development of distant hybrids.     

Hydroxyproline Glycosides in Secretory Arabinogalactan-Protein of Phaseolus vulgaris L

The carbohydrate moiety of secretory arabinogalactan protein in bean seedlings (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Prélude) is attached to the peptide backbone through hydroxyproline, serine, and threonine. Hydroxyproline-linked side chains, consisting of arabinose, galactose, glucose, and rhamnose, comprise the major part of the sugar residues. These hydroxyproline glycosides differ from those in non-extractable cell wall protein but show similarities with those in wall protein of the alga Chlamydomonas.     

Microsatellite diversity and genetic structure among common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces in Brazil, a secondary center of diversity

Brazil is the largest producer and consumer of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which is the most important source of human dietary protein in that country. This study assessed the genetic diversity and the structure of a sample of 279 geo-referenced common bean landraces from Brazil, using molecular markers. Sixty-seven microsatellite markers spread over the 11 linkage groups of the common bean genome, as well as Phaseolin, PvTFL1y, APA and four SCAR markers were used. As expected, the sample showed lower genetic diversity compared to the diversity in the primary center of diversification. Andean and Mesoamerican gene pools were both present but the latter gene pool was four times more frequent than the former. The two gene pools could be clearly distinguished; limited admixture was observed between these groups. The Mesoamerican group consisted of two sub-populations, with a high level of admixture between them leading to a large proportion of stabilized hybrids not observed in the centers of domestication. Thus, Brazil can be considered a secondary center of diversification of common bean. A high degree of genome-wide multilocus associations even among unlinked loci was observed, confirming the high level of structure in the sample and suggesting that association mapping should be conducted in separate Andean and Mesoamerican Brazilian samples.     

The influence of aluminium availability on phosphate uptake in Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus lunatus L.

Aluminium toxicity is one of the major limiting factors of crop productivity on acid soils. High levels of available aluminium in soil may induce phosphorus deficiency in plants. This study investigates the influence of Aluminium (Al) on the phosphate (P_i) uptake of two Phaseolus species, Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Red Kidney and Phaseolus lunatus L. The two bean species were treated first with solutions of Al at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 μM, pH 4.50) and second with solutions of P_i (150 μM) at pH 4.50. The higher the Al concentration the higher the Al concentration sorbed but P. vulgaris L var. Red Kidney adsorbed significantly more Al than P. lunatus L. Both species released organic acids: P. vulgaris L var. Red Kidney released fumaric acid and P. lunatus L. fumaric and oxalic acids which could have hindered further Al uptake.The two bean species showed a sigmoid P_i uptake trend but with two different mechanisms. P. vulgaris L var. Red Kidney showed a starting point of 3 h whereas P. lunatus L. adsorbed P_i immediately within the first minutes. In addition, P. vulgaris L var. Red Kidney presented significantly higher P_i uptake (higher uptake rate ‘k’ and higher maximum adsorption ‘a’ of the kinetic uptake model). The Al treatments did not significantly influence P_i uptake. Results suggest that P. lunatus L. might adopt an external Al detoxification mechanism by the release of oxalic acid. P. vulgaris L var. Red Kidney on the other hand seemed to adopt an internal detoxification mechanism even if the Al sorbed is poorly translocated into the shoots. More detailed studies will be necessary to better define Al tolerance and/or resistance of Phaseolus spp.     

Translocation of Indole-3-acetic Acid-1'-C and Tryptophan-1-C in Seedlings of Phaseolus coccineus L. and Zea mays L

Indole-3-acetic acid-1′-¹⁴C (IAA-¹⁴C) and tryptophan-1-¹⁴C injected in small amounts into cotyledons of Phaseolus coccineus L. seedlings were found to be translocated acropetally into the epicotyls and young shoots. Similarly IAA-¹⁴C was translocated acropetally into coleoptiles of Zea mays following injection into the endosperms. Labeled metabolites of the injected compounds were also extractable from shoot tissue. However, evidence that IAA-¹⁴C itself was translocated acropetally was obtained by collection in agar blocks applied to cut surfaces of coleoptiles of injected seedlings. The acropetal translocation in Phaseolus was shown not to occur in the transpiration stream but in living tissue. Cotyledons of Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus vulgaris contain extensive vascular tissue.     

Rapid alterations of DNA sequence and cytosine methylation induced by somatic hybridization between Brassica oleracea L. var. italica and Brassica nigra (L.) Koch

Somatic hybrids were produced between hypocotyl protoplasts of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and mesophyll protoplasts of B. nigra (black mustard) using polyethylene glycol—mediated protoplast fusion. A total of fifteen somatic hybrids derived from six calli (no. 1, 3, 8, 21, 38 and 44) were obtained. Cytological analysis showed that all the hybrids possessed 2n = 34, the sum of the parental chromosomes and the genomic in situ hybridization analysis revealed their BBCC genome constitutes. Moreover, all the hybrids exhibited different type of meiosis abnormalities, which were more usually observed in pollen mother cells at metaphase II/anaphase II (MII/AII, 16.1–39.6 %) than at metaphase I/anaphase I (MI/AI, 7.8–15.2 %). Simple sequence repeat analysis revealed that all the hybrids showed the same cytoplasmic genome as broccoli. Structure and methylation-variation of the nuclear were investigated by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and DNA methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). Our results indicated that all the hybrids mainly had the AFLP and MSAP banding patterns from the addition of two parents plus some alterations. The incidences of the AFLP polymorphic bands in the hybrids showed a range of 9.8–18.7 % while the DNA methylation alteration in the hybrid no. 38 was 4.07 %. This result suggested that somatic hybridization could induce more DNA sequence changes than methylation alterations in the early stage of allotetraploid hybrids.     

Soil preference of populations of genotypes ofAsplenium trichomanes L. andPolypodium vulgare L. in Belgium as related to cation exchange capacity

A number of populations ofPolypodium vulgare L. andAsplenium trichomanes L. were sampled with corresponding soils in Belgium in order to get an idea of their suitability for the investigation of related calcicole and calcifuge taxa. Morphology and cytology enabled us to distinguish the subspecies and the hybrids. Analyses of the soils for pH, CaCO₃, Al and H show that subspecies and hybrids have distinct soil preferences and can be characterised as calcicoles-neutrophile/basiphiles or calcifuge-acidiphiles. Physiological implications of the ecological status of the taxa are discussed in the light of their root cation exchange capacity.     

X and Y chromosomes of Aedes aegypti (L.) distinguished by Giemsa C-banding

There are highly significant differences in nuclear DNA amount between eight species of Phaseolus; Phaseolus dumosus, for example has 60% more DNA than Phaseolus lathyroides. The total nuclear mass and the nucleolar mass also vary significantly between species but the ratios of DNA to the total mass and the nucleolar mass are constant throughout.     

Affinity Chromatography of the Major Seed Protein of the Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The major globulin of the French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) undergoes a reversible pH-dependent polymerization. At pH values above 6.5, the monomeric form of the protein predominates; and at pH values below 6.5, the protein occurs as a polymer, probably a tetramer. At extremes of pH, the protein dissociates further into peptides. The reversible pH-dependent interaction between globulin subunits is used in this report as the basis for an affinity chromatography procedure for isolation of the globulin. The major globulin from several genetic variants can be obtained in gram quantities and does not indicate the presence of any impurities on discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis.     

Characteristics of fertile somatic hybrids of G. hirsutum L. and G. trilobum generated via protoplast fusion

Fertile somatic hybrids between tetraploid upland cotton G. hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312 and wild cotton G. trilobum were generated by symmetric electrofusion. Comparisons of morphology, combined with flow cytometric, RAPD, SRAP and AFLP analyses confirmed the hybrid nature of the regenerated plants. The hybrids differed morphologically from the parent plants. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the hybrids had DNA similar in amount to the total combined DNA content of the two parents, and the use of molecular markers revealed that the hybrids contained genomic fragments from both fusion parents, further indicating the hybrid nature of the regenerated plants. The stability of the morphological features of the hybrids was examined in following generations. The hexaploid fusion plants showed strong photosynthesis and a high expression level of some photosystem-related genes. Our results suggest that novel traits may be incorporated in cotton breeding programs through the production of somatic hybrids and the backcrossing of these plants with elite cultivars.     

Genetic regulation of diploid-like chromosome pairing in the hexaploid species,Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and F. rubra L. (Gramineae)

The basis of diploid-like chromosome pairing in hexaploid (2n=6x=42) Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and hexaploid F. rubra L. has been investigated. On the combined evidence derived from chromosome pairing in some euploid (2n=42) and monosomic (2n=41) hybrids from a diallel set of crosses between ten geographically diverse ecotypes of tall fescue, intergeneric hybrids involving tall fescue as well as red fescue, and euploid (2n=56) and aneuploid (2n=52, 53, 54, 55) amphiploids between Lolium multiflorum and F. arundinacea, it is concluded that diploid-like meiosis in these hexaploid species as well as in other natural polyploid species of Festuca is under genetic control. It is further inferred that this diploidizing gene(s) system must at least be disomic in dosage to be effective in suppressing homoeologous pairing and, therefore, had no influence upon pairing in haploid complements of the hybrids, i.e., it is haplo-insufficient or hemizygous-ineffective. — It has also been shown that sterility in hybrids between some geographically isolated ecotypes of tall fescue results from irregular meiosis due to the breakdown of the regulatory mechanism, rather than from chromosomal differentiation of the parental ecotypes as widely believed so far. The evolutionary significance of such a gene-repressing effect of certain genotypes or genes is indicated. — It is further suggested that the hemizygous ineffectiveness of the genetic control of bivalent pairing is of evolutionary significance and could have major implications on the cytogenetic relationships and the breeding of the entire Lolium-Festuca complex.     

Interspecific Hybridization of Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. with Wild Relatives

To widen the germplasm base for the introgression of economically important traits such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses from related species, crosses of cultivated pearl millet were made with pollen from four related species differing in the basic chromosome number (x=5,7,8 and 9). Embryo rescue technique was used to obtain viable progeny. Pollinations of pearl millet with Pennisetum ramosum (2n=2x=10) did not give any viable progeny. Pearl millet interspecific hybrids with P. schwelnfurthii (2n-2x-14), P. mezianum (2n=4x-32) and P. orientale (2n=2x=18) were obtained. The hybrid between P. glaucum and P. mezianum (2n=23) is the first successful report. Interspecific hybrid plants resembled their corresponding pollen parents. Southern blots of Psfl digested DNAs from interspecific hybrids and the parental species were hybridized to a full length rDNA to further confirm their hybridity. This further revealed differential amplification of two rDNA repeats among the F₁ hybrids from the same cross (P. glaucum X P. orientale).     

Gibberellins in Suspensors of Phaseolus coccineus L. Seeds

Analysis of extracts from 6300 (1.2 grams fresh weight) Phaseolus coccineus suspensors by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has demonstrated the presence of five C₁₉-gibberellins, GA₁, GA₄, GA₅, GA₆, GA₈, and one C₂₀-GA, GA₄₄. The major GAs present were GA₁ and GA₈. Data are discussed in relation to previous results obtained in P. coccineus seed as well as in the embryo-suspensor system.