花色素苷对拟南芥耐盐性的影响

为探讨花色素苷在盐胁迫中的防御作用及其机制,以模式植物拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)花色素苷合成途径相关基因缺失突变体(DFR基因缺失突变体tt3,CHS基因缺失突变体tt4,CHS、DFR基因双缺失突变体tt3tt4)及其野生型(WT)为材料,采用叶绿素荧光和超氧阴离子(O_2·~–)组织定位等方法,分析了tt3,tt4,tt3tt4和WT对盐胁迫处理的生理响应。结果表明,盐胁迫下3种缺失突变体叶片花色素苷含量的增加显著低于野生型,与WT相比,叶绿素荧光参数Fv/Fm、Yield、ETR、q P和NPQ下降较快,膜渗漏率升高显著,叶片O_2·~–积累程度为tt3tt4tt3/tt4WT。这表明花色素苷在植物抵御盐胁迫过程中起着重要作用,它可能是作为渗透调节剂及抗氧化剂来增强植物的耐盐性。因此,花色素苷含量可以作为筛选耐盐作物的指标。     

植物叶绿素缺失突变体分子机制研究进展

植物叶绿素缺失突变体在自然界中广泛存在,是研究叶绿素形成和叶绿体发育等代谢途径的良好材料.该文主要从分子层面上阐述了叶绿素缺失突变体产生的原因,如叶绿素合成受阻、叶绿体光合蛋白合成或输入受阻、叶绿体RNA转录物未被编辑、过量光损伤和卟啉循环各物质之间的相互抑制,并归纳了近年来鉴定出来的一些叶绿素缺失突变基因,简要介绍了叶绿素和叶绿体之间的关系以及叶绿素缺失突变体的应用.     

DELLA蛋白缺失对拟南芥干旱胁迫耐受性的影响

为探索DELLA蛋白缺失对拟南芥耐旱能力的影响,对拟南芥野生型Ler和DELLA蛋白缺失突变体della进行干旱处理,测定存活率、萌发率、离体叶片的失水率、脯氨酸、可溶性糖和丙二醛含量,并对发挥植物细胞脱水保护功能的胚胎晚期丰富蛋白编码基因LEA和ABA应答基因LOX3、COR15b、COR413的表达量进行了检测。结果表明:(1)干旱21d后复水,della突变体的存活率明显高于野生型Ler;(2)della突变体在含甘露醇的固体培养基上的萌发率显著高于Ler;(3)della突变体离体叶片的失水速率明显低于Ler;(4)干旱胁迫后,della突变体脯氨酸、可溶性糖和丙二醛含量的积累低于Ler;(5)干旱胁迫后,della突变体的LEA基因上调表达程度高于Ler,而ABA应答基因上调表达程度低于Ler。研究表明,DELLA蛋白的缺失有助于提高植物抗旱能力。     

拟南芥AMP1负调控植物对高盐胁迫的反应

高盐胁迫严重影响植物的生长发育及农作物产量,因此鉴定盐胁迫响应相关基因至关重要。拟南芥的AMP1编码一个推测的谷氨酸羧肽酶,参与植物的生长发育、光形态建成与种子休眠。研究证明了AMP1的一个新功能,它的缺失提高了缺失突变体amp1的抗高盐胁迫的能力,研究证明amp1突变体的强抗高盐胁迫表型一方面是由于在高盐胁迫下amp1突变体比野生型中积累了更多的甜菜碱和脯氨酸降低了突变体细胞的水势,另一方面高盐胁迫条件下amp1突变体中高盐胁迫响应的下游基因RD29A,以及AHA3的表达量也高于野生型,后者可促进Na+的外排;高盐条件能够对植物造成氧化胁迫,研究发现AMP1的缺失还上调了抗氧化相关基因ZAT10/12的表达量,进而降低了在高盐胁迫条件下amp1突变体内过氧化物的积累水平,减轻对细胞的损伤和生长的抑制,这些都提高了amp1突变体的抗高盐胁迫的能力。以上结果证明在拟南芥中AMP1负调控植物对高盐胁迫的反应过程。     

TMV 54K基因的3个突变体介导抗病性的研究

利用PCR方法分别构建了烟草花叶病毒（TMV）中一个推测为复制酶的54－kD蛋白基因（54K）缺失N端、C端和仅余基因中部261bp的3个缺失突变体,与野生型54K一起克隆入植物中间载体p208,并通过根癌土壤杆菌（Agrobacterium tumefaciens (SDmith et Townsend)Conn）介导的方法转化烟草（Nicotiana tabacum L.）。用TMV侵染转基因植物的R0代和R1代,结果显示这3个缺失突变体均能介导对TMV的抗病性。     

通过基因组相减从悬铃木突变体中分离缺失DNA

悬铃木（Ｐｌａｔａｎｕｓ ｏｃｃｉｄｅｎｔａｌｉｓ Ｌ．）突变体是其种子经γ射线辐射培育出的一种营养生长正常而开花发育过程受阻的不育植株。经过１０多年的观察研究证明：突变体的花芽不能形成是因为突变体细胞染色体有部分缺失。应用基因组相减技术分离这些在突变体中缺失但在野生型中存在的ＤＮＡ,经过４次循环富集缺失片段后克隆了１个２．０ ｋｂ 的ＤＮＡ 片段,ＤＮＡ 杂交证明此片段只存在于野生型基因组中而不存在于突变体中。将基因组相减方法应用在复杂植物基因组中获得成功的研究还未见报道     

灰葡萄孢侵染垫缺失突变体的筛选及其相关生物学特性的研究

【目的】从农杆菌介导获得的灰葡萄孢RoseBC-3的突变体库中筛选侵染垫缺失突变体菌株,并明确其相关生物学特性。【方法】将菌株接种于洋葱表皮,利用棉兰染色观察侵染垫形成情况,筛选得到一个侵染垫缺失突变体(AT19)。采用形态学方法、离体叶片接种法、钌红染色法、小麦种子幼芽生长抑制法分别对该菌株的菌落培养性状、侵染垫产生情况、致病力、产果胶酶能力以及产植物毒性代谢产物能力进行测定。【结果】筛选灰葡萄孢突变体168株,根据侵染垫形成可分为三类：快速形成侵染垫型(158株)、缓慢形成侵染垫型(9株)和侵染垫形成缺陷型(1株,AT19)。AT19在接种洋葱120 h后依然无法形成成熟侵染垫。该菌株生长较为缓慢,菌落扩展均匀,可以产生分生孢子,对烟草、草莓、蚕豆和豌豆叶片均不能致病,可以产生果胶酶和植物代谢毒性物质。【结论】突变体菌株AT19可以产生果胶酶和植物代谢毒性物质,其致病力缺失与侵染垫产生缺陷相关。研究结果为了解灰葡萄孢侵染垫形成分子机制提供基础材料。     

TBK1相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域突变体的构建、表达及生物活性鉴定

目的:构建TANK结合激酶1(TBK1)相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域突变体真核表达载体,检测该基因相关突变体在293细胞中的表达,并利用萤光素酶报告基因实验检测其生物活性。方法:根据文献报道的突变序列及QuickChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis实验设计手册,设计合成2条针对TBK1相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域突变体的引物,以实验室之前构建的TBK1野生型真核表达载体为模板,构建TBK1激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域突变体真核表达载体,分别命名为pcDNA3-Flag-TBK1(KD)、pcDNA3-Flag-TBK1(ΔULD)。以LipofactAMINE2000转染试剂转染至293细胞中进行瞬时表达,利用萤光素酶实验检测2种TBK1突变体诱导β干扰素(IFN-β)转录的情况。结果:测序结果表明,TBK1相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域缺失突变体真核表达载体构建成功,Western印迹检测表明其在293细胞中获得有效表达;用萤光素酶报告基因实验检测,与野生型TBK1相比,其相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域缺失突变体诱导IFN-β转录激活的作用明显降低。结论:真核表达的TBK1相关激酶活性缺失突变体和泛素样结构域突变体具有相应的生物学活性,为研究其功能奠定了基础。     

甘蓝型油菜EXA1的克隆及其对植物抗病的调控作用

拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana) EXA1缺失会导致exa1-2突变体植株PR基因表达上调,对病原菌的抗性提高。该研究通过克隆甘蓝型油菜(Brassica napus)中的BnaEXA1,并将其在拟南芥exa1-2突变体中异源超表达,发现Bna EXA1超表达不仅可恢复突变体的表型,而且显著降低突变体中PR1和PR2基因的表达量,导致其对核盘菌(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)和卵菌H.a. Noco2易感,表明BnaEXA1调控植物的基础抗性。     

拟南芥RPP1A参与幼苗生长的蛋白质组学分析

核糖体蛋白不仅参与蛋白质合成,而且参与植物生长发育的调控.利用拟南芥核糖体磷酸蛋白P1(ribosomal phosphoprotein P1,RPP1)家族基因RPP1A缺失突变体rpp1a研究RPP1A缺失对幼苗蛋白质表达水平的影响,揭示其参与调控幼苗生长的作用机制.表型分析发现,与野生型WT相比,RPP1A缺失导...     

Recent advances in the role and biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in plants

The past few years have provided many advances in the role and biosynthesis of L -ascorbic acid (AsA) in plants. There is an increasing body of evidence confirming that AsA plays an important role in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The role of AsA in photoprotection has been confirmed in vivo with the use of Arabidopsis mutants. A player in the defence against reactive oxygen species, AsA peroxidase, has been extensively studied at the molecular level, and regulation of this key enzymatic activity appears to occur at several levels. As a cofactor in the hydroxylation of prolyl and lysl-residues by peptidyl-prolyl and -lysyl hydroxylases, AsA plays a part in cell wall synthesis, defence, and possibly cell division. The maintenance of reduced levels of AsA appears to be highly regulated, involving the interplay of both monodehydroascorbate and dehydroascorbate reductases and possibly auxin. A major breakthrough in plant AsA biosynthesis has been made recently, and strong biochemical and genetic evidence suggest that GDP-mannose and L -galactose are key substrates. In addition, evidence for an alternative AsA biosynthetic pathway(s) exists and awaits additional scrutiny. Finally, newly described Arabidopsis mutants deficient in AsA will further increase our understanding of AsA biosynthesis     

Biosynthesis and Catabolism of L-Ascorbic Acid in Plants

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a vital antioxidant compound that plays a critical role in the cellular metabolism of plants and animals. Research on plant AsA metabolism experienced a significant resurgence after 1998 following the identification of AsA-deficient Arabidopsis mutants and the elucidation of a biosynthetic pathway accepted by the overwhelming majority of the plant science community. The identification and cloning of novel biosynthetic genes and the ensuing metabolic engineering of plant AsA content has however revealed a more complex picture. Additional biosynthetic routes have been identified and unexpected biochemical phenotypes were observed upon expression of animal AsA biosynthetic genes. The isolation of novel AsA conjugates from plant tissues and the evidence for long distance transport of AsA in plants have provided additional facets to its functionality. Although some progress has been made regarding the impact of AsA recycling on pool size, we still do not have a clear picture of the biochemistry of AsA degradation. This communication comprehensively reviews new developments in the AsA metabolic system and prompts directions for future research.     

An Arabidopsis purple acid phosphatase with phytase activity increases foliar ascorbate

Ascorbate (AsA) is the most abundant antioxidant in plant cells and a cofactor for a large number of key enzymes. However, the mechanism of how AsA levels are regulated in plant cells remains unknown. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) activation-tagged mutant AT23040 showed a pleiotropic phenotype, including ozone resistance, rapid growth, and leaves containing higher AsA than wild-type plants. The phenotype was caused by activation of a purple acid phosphatase (PAP) gene, AtPAP15, which contains a dinuclear metal center in the active site. AtPAP15 was universally expressed in all tested organs in wild-type plants. Overexpression of AtPAP15 with the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter produced mutants with up to 2-fold increased foliar AsA, 20% to 30% decrease in foliar phytate, enhanced salt tolerance, and decreased abscisic acid sensitivity. Two independent SALK T-DNA insertion mutants in AtPAP15 had 30% less foliar AsA and 15% to 20% more phytate than wild-type plants and decreased tolerance to abiotic stresses. Enzyme activity of partially purified AtPAP15 from plant crude extract and recombinant AtPAP15 expressed in bacteria and yeast was highest when phytate was used as substrate, indicating that AtPAP15 is a phytase. Recombinant AtPAP15 also showed enzyme activity on the substrate myoinositol-1-phosphate, indicating that the AtPAP15 is a phytase that hydrolyzes myoinositol hexakisphosphate to yield myoinositol and free phosphate. Myoinositol is a known precursor for AsA biosynthesis in plants. Thus, AtPAP15 may modulate AsA levels by controlling the input of myoinositol into this branch of AsA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.     

Quantitation of ascorbic acid in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> reveals distinct differences between organs and growth phases

Optimal plant growth is the result of the interaction of a complex network of plant hormones and environmental signals. Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a crucial antioxidant in plants and is involved in the regulation of cell division, cell expansion, photosynthesis and hormone biosynthesis. Quantitative analysis of AsA in Arabidopsis thaliana organs was conducted using HPLC with d-isoascorbic acid (Iso-AsA) as an internal standard. Analysis revealed fluctuations in the levels of AsA in different organs and growth phases when plants were grown under standard conditions. AsA concentrations increased in leaves in direct proportion to leaf size and age. Young siliques (seed set stage) and flowering buds (open and unopened) showed the highest levels of AsA. A relationship was found between the level of AsA and indole acetic acid (IAA) in leaves, stems, flowers, and siliques and the highest level of IAA and AsA were found in the flowers. In contrast, the lowest level of the plant hormone, salicylic acid, was found in the flowers, and the highest quantity measured in the leaves. Consequently, AsA has been found to be a multifunctional molecule that is involved as a key regulator of plant growth and development.     

Metal/metalloid stress tolerance in plants: role of ascorbate,its redox couple,and associated enzymes

The enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under metal/metalloid stress is most common in plants, and the elevated ROS must be successfully metabolized in order to maintain plant growth, development, and productivity. Ascorbate (AsA) is a highly abundant metabolite and a water-soluble antioxidant, which besides positively influencing various aspects in plants acts also as an enigmatic component of plant defense armory. As a significant component of the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) pathway, it performs multiple vital functions in plants including growth and development by either directly or indirectly metabolizing ROS and its products. Enzymes such as monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) maintain the reduced form of AsA pool besides metabolically controlling the ratio of AsA with its oxidized form (dehydroascorbate, DHA). Ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) utilizes the reduced AsA pool as the specific electron donor during ROS metabolism. Thus, AsA, its redox couple (AsA/DHA), and related enzymes (MDHAR, DHAR, and APX) cumulatively form an AsA redox system to efficiently protect plants particularly against potential anomalies caused by ROS and its products. Here we present a critical assessment of the recent research reports available on metal/metalloid-accrued modulation of reduced AsA pool, AsA/DHA redox couple and AsA-related major enzymes, and the cumulative significance of these antioxidant system components in plant metal/metalloid stress tolerance.     

Exogenously applied ascorbic acid alleviates salt-induced oxidative stress in wheat

Although ascorbic acid (AsA) is one of the most important and abundantly occurring water soluble antioxidants in plants, relatively little is known about its role in counteracting the adverse effects of salt stress on plant growth. To address this issue that whether exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA) through rooting medium could alleviate the adverse effects of salt stress on wheat plants, a hydroponic experiment was conducted under glasshouse conditions using two wheat cultivars, S-24 (salt tolerant) and MH-97 (moderately salt sensitive). Plants of both cultivars were subjected to 0 or 150 mM NaCl solution supplemented with 0, 50, or 150 mg L⁻¹ AsA for 58 days. Imposition of salt stress reduced the growth of both wheat cultivars by causing reduction in photosynthesis, and endogenous AsA level, and enhancing accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ coupled with a decrease in K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the leaves and roots of both cultivars thereby decreasing tissue K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. However, root applied AsA counteracted the adverse effects of salt stress on the growth of cv. S-24 only, particularly at 100 mg L⁻¹ AsA level. AsA-induced enhancement in growth of salt-stressed plants of S-24 was associated with enhanced endogenous AsA level and CAT activity, and higher photosynthetic capacity, and accumulation of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the leaves. Although root applied AsA did not improve the growth of salt-stressed plants of MH-97, it enhanced endogenous level of AsA, CAT activity, photosynthetic capacity, and leaf K⁺ and Ca²⁺. These findings led us to conclude that root applied AsA counteracts the adverse effects of salt stress on growth of wheat by improving photosynthetic capacity of wheat plants against salt-induced oxidative stress and maintaining ion homeostasis, however, these effects were cultivar specific.     

Metabolic engineering of plant L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis: recent trends and applications

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid; AsA) is the major soluble antioxidant found in plants and is also an essential component of human nutrition. Although numerous biotechnological methods have been exploited to increase its yield, pressures such as commercial competition and environmental concerns make it urgent to find a new way for industrial production of plant-derived AsA. Engineering plant AsA has now become feasible because of our increased understanding of its biosynthetic pathway. Several possible strategies could be followed to increase AsA production, such as overcoming the rate limiting steps in the biosynthetic pathway, promoting recycling, and reducing catabolism. For these purposes, genes of plant, microbial and animal origins have been successfully used. Several examples will be given to illustrate these various approaches. The existing and potential achievements in increasing AsA production would provide the opportunity for enhancing nutritional quality and stress tolerance of crop plants.     

Analysis of GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase gene promoter from acerola (Malpighia glabra) and increase in ascorbate content of transgenic tobacco expressing the acerola gene

GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP) is an important enzyme in the Smirnoff-Wheeler's pathway for the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) in plants. We have reported recently that the expression of the acerola (Malpighia glabra) GMP gene, designated MgGMP, correlates with the AsA content of the plant. The acerola plant has very high levels of AsA relative to better studied model plants such as Arabidopsis. Here we found that the GMP mRNA levels in acerola are higher than those from Arabidopsis and tomato. Also, the transient expression of the uidA reporter gene in the protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum cultures showed the MgGMP gene promoter to have higher activity than the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and Arabidopsis GMP promoters. The AsA content of transgenic tobacco plants expressing the MgGMP gene including its promoter was about 2-fold higher than that of the wild type.     

Metabolic Engineering of Plant L-Ascorbic Acid Biosynthesis: Recent Trends and Applications

ABSTRACT

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid; AsA) is the major soluble antioxidant found in plants and is also an essential component of human nutrition. Although numerous biotechnological methods have been exploited to increase its yield, pressures such as commercial competition and environmental concerns make it urgent to find a new way for industrial production of plant-derived AsA. Engineering plant AsA has now become feasible because of our increased understanding of its biosynthetic pathway. Several possible strategies could be followed to increase AsA production, such as overcoming the rate limiting steps in the biosynthetic pathway, promoting recycling, and reducing catabolism. For these purposes, genes of plant, microbial and animal origins have been successfully used. Several examples will be given to illustrate these various approaches. The existing and potential achievements in increasing AsA production would provide the opportunity for enhancing nutritional quality and stress tolerance of crop plants.