Abolition of magnesium chelatase activity by the gun5 mutation and reversal by Gun4

The chlorophyll-deficient gun5-1 and cch Arabidopsis mutants carry single point mutations in the CHLH subunit of the magnesium chelatase enzyme, which catalyses the first committed step of chlorophyll biosynthesis. Recombinant Synechocystis ChlH subunits carrying the gun5-1 or cch mutations are inactive in Mg-chelatase assays, despite being able to bind both substrate and product, and retaining a capacity to form a ChlH–ChlI–ChlD Mg-chelatase complex. These mutant subunits act as inhibitors of ChlH, showing that the ChlH-porphyrin complex associates reversibly with the ChlI and D subunits during the catalytic cycle. This inhibition is reversed upon addition of Gun4.     

Allelic characterization of the leaf-variegated mutation <Emphasis Type="Italic">var2</Emphasis> identifies the conserved amino acid residues of FtsH that are important for ATP hydrolysis and proteolysis

Arabidopsis var1 and var2 mutants exhibit leaf variegation. VAR1 and VAR2 encode similar FtsH metalloproteases (FtsH5 and FtsH2, respectively). We have previously found many variegated mutants to be allelic to var2. Each mutant was shown to express a different degree of variegation, and the formation of white sectors was enhanced in severely variegated alleles when these alleles were grown at low temperature. VAR1/FtsH5 and VAR2/FtsH2 levels were mutually affected even in the weak alleles, confirming our previous observation that the two proteins form a hetero complex. In this study, the sites of the mutations in these var2 alleles were determined. We isolated eight point mutations. Five alleles resulted in an amino acid substitution. Three of the five amino acid substitutions occurred in Walker A and B motifs of the ATP-binding site, and one occurred in the central pore motif. These mutations were considered to profoundly suppress the ATPase and protease activities. In contrast, one mutation was found in a region that contained no obvious signature motifs, but a neighboring sequence, Gly–Ala–Asp, was highly conserved among the members of the AAA protein family. Site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding residue in E. coli FtsH indeed showed that this residue is necessary for proper ATP hydrolysis and proteolysis. Based on these results, we propose that the conserved Gly–Ala–Asp motif plays an important role in FtsH activity. Thus, characterization of the var2 alleles could help to identify the physiologically important domain of FtsH.     

Purification and properties of an endospermic protein of maize associated with the Opaque-2 and Opaque-6 genes

Maize endosperms accumulate during development a large amount of storage proteins (zeins). The rate of zein accumulation is under the control of several regulatory genes. Two of these, the opaque-2 and opaque-6 mutants, lower the zein level, thus improving the nutritional quality of maize meals. An endosperm protein of Mr 32 000 (b-32) appears to be correlated with the zein level. The b-32 protein is encoded by the opaque-6 gene which, in turn, is activated by opaque-2. We report the purification, amino-acid composition and peptide map of b-32 protein. Furthermore we demonstrate that the protein exists as a monomer likely located in the soluble cytoplasm. As a step towards the isolation of a complementary-DNA clone for b-32 protein, the purification of its corresponding mRNA is described.Abbreviations b-32 endosperm protein of M_r 32000 - cDNA complementary DNA - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - O2, O6 opaque 2, opaque-6 genes - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - RSP reduced soluble proteins - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

GFP-FABD2 fusion construct allows in vivo visualization of the dynamic actin cytoskeleton in all cells of Arabidopsis seedlings

In vivo visualization of filamentous actin in all cells of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings is essential for understanding the numerous roles of the actin cytoskeleton in diverse processes of cell differentiation. A previously introduced reporter construct based on the actin-binding domain of mouse talin proved to be useful for unravelling some of these aspects in cell layers close to the organ surface. However, cells more deeply embedded, especially stelar cells active in polar transport of auxin, show either diffuse or no fluorescence at all due to the lack of expression of the fusion protein. The same problem is encountered in the root meristem. Recently introduced actin reporters based on fusions between A. thaliana fimbrin 1 and GFP gave brilliant results in organs from the root differentiation zone upwards to the leaves, however failed to depict the filamentous actin cytoskeleton in the transition zone of the root, in the apical meristem and the root cap. To overcome these problems, we have prepared new transgenic lines for the visualization of F-actin in vivo. We report here that a construct consisting of GFP fused to the C-terminal half of A. thaliana fimbrin 1 reveals dynamic arrays of F-actin in all cells of stably transformed A. thaliana seedlings.     

镉胁迫下植物促生菌密歇根克雷伯氏菌TS8和Lelliottia jeotgali MR2对拟南芥生长及镉富集的影响北大核心CSCD

为了研究镉胁迫下植物促生菌密歇根克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella michiganensis)TS8和Lelliottia jeotgaliMR2对拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)生长及镉富集的影响,文中以野生型拟南芥为试验材料,将其种植在不同镉浓度的土壤基质中,并施入MR2和TS8菌悬液。低浓度镉处理组(LC)为购买的基质营养土,初始镉浓度为14.17 mg/kg,高浓度处理组(HC)为在购买的基质营养土上额外喷洒200 mg/kg Cd^(2+)。结果表明,相比对照组,不同浓度镉胁迫下喷施MR2菌悬液均可显著促进拟南芥的生长,而TS8和MR2_TS8混合菌液仅在高浓度镉胁迫下表现出一定的促生效果。但值得关注的是,不同浓度镉胁迫下TS8菌悬液可显著降低拟南芥的地下部对重金属镉的富集(60%和59%),并有效提高地上部对重金属镉的富集(234%和35%)。此外,单菌和混合菌均能显著提高土壤中可还原态镉向酸可提取态镉转化,促进植物吸收,降低土壤总镉含量。因此,针对不同环境下,合理配施植物促生细菌在提高作物产量或修复土壤镉污染中具有一定的应用价值。     

Growth, cell walls, and UDP-Glc dehydrogenase activity of Arabidopsis thaliana grown in elevated carbon dioxide

The impact of elevated CO₂ (1000 μmol/mol) was assessed on the common weed,Arabidopsis thaliana (Landsberg erecta), which is used as a model plant system. Elevated CO₂ stimulated relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf area gain ofArabidopsis beginning from the cotyledon stage and continuing through the juvenile stage. This early advantage in growth enabled the plants grown in elevated CO₂ to gain more DW despite similar RGRs throughout the latter stages of development. The greater accumulation of DW in leaves grown in elevated CO₂ resulted in a lower specific leaf area (SLA). However, the amount of cell wall investment per unit of leaf area, specific “wall” area (SWA), was similar indicating that elevated CO₂ did not affect the distribution of cell carbon to the cell wall of leaves beyond that needed for cell and leaf expansion. Furthermore, cell wall composition changed with time due to developmental changes and was not affected by elevated CO₂. Associated with the increase in RGR by elevated CO₂ was a concomitant increase in the activity of UDP-Glc dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.22), a key enzyme in the nucleotide-sugar interconversion pathway necessary for biosynthesis of many cell-wall polysaccharides.     

Factors affecting the excision frequency of the maize transposable element Ds in Arabidopsis thaliana

A two-element transposon system based on the maize elements Ac and Ds is currently being used for insertional mutagenesis in Arabidopsis. With the aim of making this system as efficient as possible we have continued to analyse several parameters which affect Ds activity in Arabidopsis. The influence of genomic position on Ds excision has been analysed in five lines carrying Ds integrated in different genomic locations. Differences in both somatic and germinal excision were observed between the different lines. The relationship between somatic and germinal excision, the timing of excision events and environmental influences on transposition frequency have been investigated. The effect of varying dosage of the different elements was also analysed. A strong positive dosage effect was observed for the transposase source, but not for the Ds element. Analysis of germinal excision events showed that the majority of them occurred very late in the development of the plant, resulting in the majority of Ds transpositions being independent events.     

Overexpression of Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase in Arabidopsis Mitochondria Triggers Light-dependent Lesion Formation and Alters Cytokinin Homeostasis

To investigate the role of mitochondrial farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) in plant isoprenoid biosynthesis we characterized transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing FPS1L isoform. This overexpressed protein was properly targeted to mitochondria yielding a mature and active form of the enzyme of 40 kDa. Leaves from transgenic plants grown under continuous light exhibited symptoms of chlorosis and cell death correlating to H₂O₂ accumulation, and leaves detached from the same plants displayed accelerated senescence. Overexpression of FPS in mitochondria also led to altered leaf cytokinin profile, with a reduction in the contents of physiologically active trans-zeatin- and isopentenyladenine-type cytokinins and their corresponding riboside monophosphates as well as enhanced levels of cis-zeatin 7-glucoside and storage cytokinin O-glucosides. Overexpression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase did not prevent chlorosis in plants overexpressing FPS1L, but did rescue accelerated senescence of detached leaves and restored wild-type levels of cytokinins. We propose that the overexpression of FPS1L leads to an enhanced uptake and metabolism of mevalonic acid-derived isopentenyl diphosphate and/or dimethylallyl diphosphate by mitochondria, thereby altering cytokinin homeostasis and causing a mitochondrial dysfunction that renders plants more sensitive to the oxidative stress induced by continuous light.     

Processed Pseudogenes, Processed Genes, and Spontaneous Mutations in the Arabidopsis Genome

We identified 411 processed sequences in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome based on the fact that they have lost their intron(s) and have a length that is at least 95% of the length of the gene that gave rise to them. These sequences were generated by 230 different genes and clearly originated from retrotranspositons events because most of them (91%) have a poly(A)-tail. They are composed of 376 sequences with frame shifts and/or premature stop codons (processed pseudogenes) and 35 sequences without disablements (processed genes). Eleven of these processed genes are likely functional retrotransposed genes because they have low Ka/Ks ratios and high Ks values, and their sequences match numerous Arabidopsis ESTs. Processed sequences are mostly randomly distributed in the Arabidopsis genome and their rate of accumulation has steadily been decreasing since it peaked some 50 MYA. In contrast with the situation observed in mammals, the processed sequences found in the Arabidopsis genome originate from genes with high copy numbers and not from highly expressed genes. The patterns of spontaneous mutations in Arabidopsis are slightly different than those of mammals but are similar to those observed in Drosophila. This suggests that methylated cytosine deamination is less frequent in Arabidopsis than in mammals. Electronic Supplementary Material Electronic Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users. [Reviewing Editor: Dr. Juergen Brosius]     

The HKM gene, which is identical to the MS1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana, is essential for primexine formation and exine pattern formation

A male-sterile mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana was isolated by T-DNA tagging screening. Using transmission electron microscopy analysis, we revealed that the microspores of this mutant did not have normal thick primexine on the microspore at the tetrad stage. Instead, a moderately electron-dense layer formed around the microspores. Although microspores without normal primexine failed to form a proper reticulate exine pattern at later stages, sporopollenin was deposited and an exine-like hackly structure was observed on the microspores during the microspore stage. Thus, this mutant was named hackly microspore (hkm). It is speculated that the moderately electron-dense layer was primexine, which partially played its role in sporopollenin deposition onto the microspore. Cytological analysis revealed that the tapetum of the hkm mutant was significantly vacuolated, and that vacuolated tapetal cells crushed the microspores, resulting in the absence of pollen grains within the anther at anthesis. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis demonstrated that the hkm mutation exists within the MS1 gene, which has been reportedly expressed within the tapetum. Our results suggest that the critical process of primexine formation is under sporophytic control .     

GFP基因在新疆小拟南芥和拟南芥中的表达分析

以质粒pMCB30为模板,扩增GFP基因,连接到载体pCMBIA2300-35S-OCS上,构建过量表达载体p35S:GFP,将其转入农杆菌GV3101.通过农杆菌介导法将p35S:GFP载体分别转入新疆特色植物小拟南芥和拟南芥中.T0代经含有卡那霉素的1/2MS培养基筛选,获得了T1代转基因小拟南芥2株,T1代转基因拟南芥9株.通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察,在转基因小拟南芥和拟南芥的根尖细胞中均可检测到GFP绿色荧光蛋白;对转基因植株进行PCR扩增,均可检测到GFP基因,表明GFP基因已成功转入小拟南芥和拟南芥中.该研究建立了小拟南芥的遗传转化体系,为进一步利用GFP基因和进一步研究小拟南芥的功能基因奠定基础.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gemini pollen 2</Emphasis>, a male and female gametophytic cytokinesis defective mutation

Gametophytic cytokinesis is essential for the development and function of the male and female gametophytes. We have previously described the isolation and characterisation of gemini pollen 1 (gem1) that acts gametophytically to disturb asymmetric division and cytokinesis at pollen mitosis I (PMI) in Arabidopsis. Here we describe the genetic and cytological analysis of an independent gametophytic mutant, gem2, with similar characteristics to gem1, but which maps to a different genetic locus. gem2 shows reduced genetic transmission through both male and female gametes and leads to the production of divided or twin-celled pollen. Developmental analysis revealed that gem2 does not affect karyokinesis at PMI, but leads to repositioning of the cell plate, and partial or complete failure of cytokinesis, resulting in symmetrical divisions or binucleate pollen grains, respectively. Symmetrical divisions lead to altered pollen cell fate with both sister cells displaying vegetative cell fate. Moreover, we demonstrate that the predominant female defect in gem2 is a lack of cellularisation of the embryo sac during megagametogenesis. GEM2 therefore defines an independent genetic locus that is involved in the correct specification of both male and female gametophytic cytokinesis.     

Identification of a novel gene family,paralogs of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins present in plants,fungi, and animals

Only few orthologs of animal apoptosis regulators have been found in plants. Recently, the ectopic expression of mammalian inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) has been shown to affect plant programmed cell death. Here, we identified two novel proteins homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana IAP-like protein (AtILP) 1 and 2 by applying an improved motif searching method. Furthermore, homologs of AtILP1 were found to occur as a novel gene family in other organisms such as fungi and animals including Homo sapiens (HsILP1). Like baculovirus IAP repeats (BIRs) in IAPs, ILPs contain two highly conserved BIR-like domains (BLDs) with a putative C2HC-type zinc finger. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that ILPs are putative paralogs of IAPs. Homology modeling revealed that the three-dimensional structure of BLD in HsILP1 is similar to that of BIR. Transient expression of HsILP1 resulted in inhibition of etoposide-induced apoptosis in HEK293 and HeLaS3 cells. These findings suggest that ILPs are conserved in a wide range of eukaryotes including plants, and that their functions are closely related to those of IAPs.     

Developmental anatomy of cotyledons and leaves in has mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary. In this work, we analyzed the developmental anatomy of cotyledons and leaves in the has mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. It is a recessive T-DNA insertion mutation that causes changes in the size, shape, and tissue organization of the cotyledons and leaves of has plants. Analysis of has cotyledons revealed a prominent decrease in the cell number and an increase in the area of cotyledon cells and intercellular spaces of has plants. At early stages of development, has leaves are fingerlike structures, but later they develop small, lobed blades with rare trichomes. An important characteristic of the mutant leaf anatomy is the absence of mesophyll tissue differentiation. In addition, both cotyledons and leaves display a disrupted pattern of vascular bundles. Furthermore, mutant plants are defective in root and shoot morphology, indicating that the has mutation affects a number of aspects in plant development. Correspondence and reprints: Institute of Botany and “Jevremovac” Botanical Garden, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade University, Takovska 43, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia.     

铝胁迫对拟南芥根尖ＡｔＰＩＮ２ 蛋白表达活性的影响

铝胁迫能影响根尖生长素的运输,这与生长素运输载体密切相关,PIN2作为根尖生长素的运输蛋白,其独特的组织定位可能诱导PIN2蛋白参与了铝调节生长素的运输过程。该研究以拟南芥PIN2缺失突变体( pin2)、PIN2□∷□GFP融合体及其野生型( WT)为材料,应用激光扫描共聚焦显微技术,研究铝处理对拟南芥根尖生长素运输蛋白PIN2的表达活性、蛋白在组织及亚细胞水平分布及其对铝内置化作用的影响。结果表明：短期铝处理或低铝浓度能明显增加拟南芥根尖细胞PIN2蛋白表达活性,而长期铝处理或高铝浓度抑制其表达活性;以100μmol?L-1 AlCl3处理4 h的蛋白表达活性最高。蛋白印迹反应发现,铝处理促进PIN2蛋白在细胞膜上累积,减少胞内囊泡中PIN2蛋白的含量;囊泡运输抑制剂( BFA)能抑制铝诱导PIN2蛋白的分配。铝胁迫增加拟南芥根尖细胞H2 O2累积,pin2的H2 O2累积量大于WT,而相对根长小于WT。 Morin染色结果显示,pin2的铝内置化显著小于WT。上述研究表明,PIN2蛋白在100μmol?L-1 AlCl3处理条件下活性最高,细胞膜累积程度加强,铝内置化能力增强,从而调节根系的生长发育。该研究结果进一步为铝抑制生长素的运输机制提供了理论基础。