Ecophysiology of phloem loading in source leaves

The nature of phloem loading of photosynthesis products – either symplastic or apoplastic – has been a matter of debate over the last two decades. This controversy was reconciled by proposing a multiprogrammed loading mechanism. Different modes of phloem loading were distinguished on the basis of the variety of plasmodesmatal connectivity between the minor vein elements. Physiological evidence for at least two phloem loading mechanisms as well as recent support for coincidence between plasmodesmatal connectivity and the loading mechanism is shortly reviewed. The present paper attempts to correlate the plasmodesmatal connectivity between sieve element/companion cell complex and the adjacent cells (the minor vein configuration) – and implicitly the associate phloem loading mechanisms – with different types of climate. The minor vein configuration is a family characteristic. This enables one to relate vein configuration with ecosystem using the family distribution over the globe. The uneven distribution of vein types between terrestrial ecosystems indicates that apoplastic phloem loading predominates in cold and dry climate zones. Projection of the minor vein configuration on the Takhtajan system of flowering plants suggests evolution from apoplastic to symplastic phloem loading. Accordingly, the distribution of minor vein configurations suggests that drought and temperature stress have led to the transformation of the ancient symplastic mode into the more advanced apoplastic mode of loading.     

Soluble acid invertase activity in leaves is independent of species differences in leaf carbohydrates, diurnal sugar profiles and paths of phloem loading

Leaf sucrose, starch, hexose and maximum extractable soluble acid invertase activity were compared throughout the day in source leaves of 13 plant species chosen for their putative phloem-loading type (apoplastic or symplastic). Four species which represent the different phloem-loading types (tomato, barley, maize and Fuchsia ) were studied in detail. Using this information we wished to determine whether a positive correlation between foliar carbohydrates and acid invertase activity exists in leaves from different species and, furthermore, whether this relationship is determined by phloem-loading type. Acid invertase activity was relatively constant throughout the day in all species. The extent of sucrose, hexose and starch accumulation and the sucrose: starch ratio measured at a given time were species-dependent. No correlations were found between foliar soluble acid invertase activity and the hexose, sucrose or starch content of the leaves in any of the species, regardless of phloem-loading type. The species examined could be divided into three distinct groups: (1) high sucrose, low invertase; (2) low sucrose, low invertase; and (3) low sucrose, high invertase. The absence of an inverse relationship between leaf sucrose, hexose or starch contents and endogenous soluble acid invertase suggests that this enzyme is not directly involved in carbon partitioning in leaves but serves an auxiliary function.     

杂草稻落粒粳的抗逆境特性研究

杂草稻落粒粳（Oryza sativa）发生在我国辽宁丹东.落粒粳植株明显高于当地大多数栽培品种,颖果呈中长型,成熟后容易掉粒;果壳稻草色或黄间黑灰色,小穗无芒或有芒,芒长4～12 cm;颖果千粒重235 g,种皮桔红色.落粒粳种子在13～38 ℃条件下的发芽率均大于88%,水层2.5～10 cm处理,落粒粳植株干重减少50%～69%.在幼苗期,落粒粳对无芒稗的各项影响因子均明显大于化感潜力品种I-kung-pao,表明落粒粳无化感作用.落粒粳可以忍耐0.5%的盐碱.     

Protein profile of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds

Seeds are the most important plant storage organ and play a central role in the life cycle of plants. Since little is known about the protein composition of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds, in this work we used proteomic methods to obtain a reference map of rice seed proteins and identify important molecules. Overall, 480 reproducible protein spots were detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis on pH 4–7 gels and 302 proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and database searches. Together, these proteins represented 252 gene products and were classified into 12 functional categories, most of which were involved in metabolic pathways. Database searches combined with hydropathy plots and gene ontology analysis showed that most rice seed proteins were hydrophilic and were related to binding, catalytic, cellular or metabolic processes. These results expand our knowledge of the rice proteome and improve our understanding of the cellular biology of rice seeds.     

Phloem loading in cucumber: combined symplastic and apoplastic strategies

Phloem loading, as the first step of transporting photoassimilates from mesophyll cells to sieve element‐companion cell complex, creates a driving force for long‐distance nutrient transport. Three loading strategies have been proposed: passive symplastic loading, apoplastic loading and symplastic transfer followed by polymer‐trapping of stachyose and raffinose. Although individual species are generally referred to as using a single phloem loading mechanism, it has been suggested that some plants may use more than one, i.e. ‘mixed loading’. Here, by using a combination of electron microscopy, reverse genetics and ¹⁴C labeling, loading strategies were studied in cucumber, a polymer‐trapping loading species. The results indicate that intermediary cells (ICs), which mediate polymer‐trapping, and ordinary companion cells, which mediate apoplastic loading, were mainly found in the fifth and third order veins, respectively. Accordingly, a cucumber galactinol synthase gene (CsGolS1) and a sucrose transporter gene (CsSUT2) were expressed mainly in the fifth/third and the third order veins, respectively. Immunolocalization analysis indicated that CsGolS1 was localized in companion cells (CCs) while CsSUT2 was in CCs and sieve elements (SEs). Suppressing CsGolS1 significantly decreased the stachyose level and increased sucrose content, while suppressing CsSUT2 decreased the sucrose level and increased the stachyose content in leaves. After ¹⁴CO₂ labeling, [¹⁴C]sucrose export increased and [¹⁴C]stachyose export reduced from petioles in CsGolS1i plants, but [¹⁴C]sucrose export decreased and [¹⁴C]stachyose export increased into petioles in CsSUT2i plants. Similar results were also observed after pre‐treating the CsGolS1i leaves with PCMBS (transporter inhibitor). These results demonstrate that cucumber phloem loading depends on both polymer‐trapping and apoplastic loading strategies.     

Ultrastructural effects in potato leaves due to antisense-inhibition of the sucrose transporter indicate an apoplasmic mode of phloem loading

To study the export of sugars from leaves and their long-distance transport, sucrose-proton/co-transporter activity of potato was inhibited by antisense repression of StSUT1 under control of either a ubiquitously active (CaMV 35S ) or a companion-cell-specific (rolC) promotor in transgenic plants. Transformants exhibiting reduced levels of the sucrose-transporter mRNA and showing a dramatic reduction in root and tuber growth, were chosen to investigate the ultrastructure of their source leaves. The transformants had a regular leaf anatomy with a single-layered palisade parenchyma, and bicollateral minor veins within the spongy parenchyma. Regardless of the promoter used, source leaves from transformants showed an altered leaf phenotype and a permanent accumulation of assimilates as indicated by the number and size of starch grains, and by the occurrence of lipid-storing oleosomes. Starch accumulated throughout the leaf: in epidermis, mesophyll and, to a smaller degree, in phloem parenchyma cells of minor veins. Oleosomes were observed equally in mesophyll and phloem parenchyma cells. Companion cells were not involved in lipid accmulation and their chloroplasts developed only small starch grains. The similarity of ultrastructural symptoms under both promotors corresponds to, rather than contradicts, the hypothesis that assimilates can move symplasmically from mesophyll, via the bundle sheath, up to the phloem. The microscopical symptoms of a constitutively high sugar level in the transformant leaves were compared with those in wild-type plants after cold-girdling of the petiole. Inhibition of sugar export, both by a reduction of sucrose carriers in the sieve element/companion cell complex (se/cc complex), or further downstream by cold-girdling, equally evokes the accumulation of assimilates in all leaf tissues up to the se/cc complex border. However, microscopy revealed that antisense inhibition of loading produces a persistently high sugar level throughout the leaf, while cold-girdling leads only to local patches containing high levels of sugar. Received: 4 March 1998 / Accepted: 7 April 1998     

Physiological implications of the Münch-Horwitz theory of phloem transport: effects of loading rates*

Abstract Predicted effects of phloem loading rates on the five profiles of unloading rate, osmotic water flux, pressure, transport speed and concentration, in hypothetical sieve tubes with different sink properties, were calculated using the steady-state mathematical expression of the Münch hypothesis of phloem transport. The prediction that increased loading rates always increases the concentration, and generally increase the speed of translocates through the sieve tube, is emphasized since these parameters are accessible for experimental testing. This particular prediction contrasts with a previous prediction (Tyree, Christy, & Ferrier, 1974), that where concentration was held constant at the loading end, concentration along the rest of the sieve tube would decrease, while speed would increase greatly. Where the unloading mechanism was assigned saturable (enzyme-like) kinetics, increased loading rates (in the range well below the V_max of the sink) caused both transport speed and concentration to increase. However, as loading rates approached the V_max of the sinks, speed reached a maximum and then declined, and concentration increased substantially. This was particularly true at very high values of Km, e.g. > 0.1 mol cm^?3.     

The role of mesophyll cell tonoplast in determining the route of phloem loading. Thirty years of the studies of phloem loading

The evidence of light, electronic, and confocal microscopy collected within the 30-year period is reviewed to revise the concept of assimilate loading in phloem. It is the starting point located in mesophyll cells, which determines the route of assimilate export from mesophyll to phloem, rather than its final segment located in the terminal phloem. Plastids, photosynthesis, and the primary pool of photosynthates are localized in the vacuome of mesophyll cells. All chemicals applied to leaf surface are loaded to phloem via apoplast, even in the symplastic plants. It follows that photoassimilates are not loaded via apoplast because they cannot leave mesophyll and not due to the lack of pumps and transporters in the terminal phloem cells. Of two membranes separating vacuome and apoplast, the tonoplast confers the barrier function. The impossibility to overcome this barrier raises the hydrostatic pressure in the vacuome to the level that induces plasmodesma development between the cells. With the loss of tonoplast barrier function for assimilates, the latter leave for apoplast, this process is incompatible with building the vacuolar loading route. Two alternative mechanisms of phloem loading diverge initially because of different barrier functions of tonoplast. The radical change in these functions makes up the crucial advantage of the young group of apoplastic dicot plants (about 20 000 species), whose evolution is associated with expansion of meadow-steppe vegetation 5–7 million years ago. Such change would evolve due to the climate differentiation in the late myocene period, when heat and moisture were lacking at vast territories. A large group of temperate herbs evolved and expanded because of these changes in the assimilate compartmentalization.     

水稻蔗糖转运基因家族研究进展

蔗糖是韧皮部同化碳运输的主要形式,植物蔗糖转运体(SUT,Sucrose transporters)在参与植物碳素分配中起着重要的作用.编码SUT蛋白的基因在许多双子叶和单子叶植物中都已被分离.目前已经在水稻中鉴定出了5个蔗糖共运体(Sucrose symporter)基因家族成员.对这5个成员在水稻中的鉴定、克隆和表达分析,以及其蛋白结构、分类与进化进行了综述.这些信息可用于探索杂交稻高产的同化物分配和运输的分子原因.     

Heterosis breeding in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Studies conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) during 1980 and 1981 have shown up to 73% heterosis, 59% heterobeltiosis and 34% standard heterosis for yield in rice. The latter was estimated in comparison to commercial varieties: IR36 and IR42 (yield 4–5 t/ha in wet season trials and 7–8 t/ha in dry season trials). Generally speaking, absolute yield was lower and extent of standard heterosis was higher in wet season than in dry season with some exception. Yields up to 5.9 t/ha (22% standard heterosis) in the wet season and 10.4 t/ha (34% standard heterosis) in the dry season were obtained. Most of the hybrids performed better in some season while some performed better in both seasons. Hybrids showed better lodging resistance although they were 5–10 cm taller. F₁ hybrids had significant positive correlations with the parental traits viz., yield (r = 0.446), tillering (r = 0.746), height (r = 0.810) and flowering (r = 0.843). Selection of parents among elite breeding lines on the basis of their per se yield performance, diverse origin and resistance to insects and diseases should give heterotic combination. Yield advantage of hybrids was due primarily to increase in number of spikelets per unit area even though tiller number was reduced. Grain weight was either the same or slightly higher. High yielding hybrids also showed significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis for total dry matter and harvest index. For commercial utilization of heterosis in rice, effective male sterility and fertility restoration systems are available and up to 45% natural outcrossing on male sterile lines has been observed. Consequently, F₁ rice hybrid have been successfully developed and used in China. Prospects of developing hybrid rice varieties elsewhere appear bright especially in countries that have organized seed production, certification and distribution programs and where hybrid seed can be produced at a reasonable cost.     

水稻水溶性环氧化合物水解酶的生物信息学分析

水溶性环氧化合物水解酶（Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase,SEH）是一组催化环氧化合物水解为相应邻位二醇的酶类,在哺乳动物、植物、昆虫和微生物体内广泛存在。通过BLAST对水稻基因组的蛋白质数据库进行搜索,获得10个水溶性环氧化物水解酶（Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase SEH）sEH蛋白的同源序列。经分析发现这些基因在水稻不同胁迫处理下各个部位都有所表达,而且不同成员之间的表达模式存在较大的差异。水稻sEH蛋白主要参与角质层形成,应激反应,以及病原防御等生理过程,特别在脱毒过程中扮演着重要的角色。对蛋白质多序列联配和三级结构预测结果表明：水溶性环氧化合物水解酶的核心结构域由3个催化残基Asp、His和Asp形成三位一体的催化活性构象。这类基因的表达受抗逆环境诱导,其功能与抗逆性有关,为基因工程抗逆育种提供了参考。     

Genome-wide association mapping of salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa)

Salinity tolerance in rice is highly desirable to sustain production in areas rendered saline due to various reasons. It is a complex quantitative trait having different components, which can be dissected effectively by genome-wide association study (GWAS). Here, we implemented GWAS to identify loci controlling salinity tolerance in rice. A custom-designed array based on 6,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in as many stress-responsive genes, distributed at an average physical interval of <100 kb on 12 rice chromosomes, was used to genotype 220 rice accessions using Infinium high-throughput assay. Genetic association was analysed with 12 different traits recorded on these accessions under field conditions at reproductive stage. We identified 20 SNPs (loci) significantly associated with Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, and 44 SNPs with other traits observed under stress condition. The loci identified for various salinity indices through GWAS explained 5–18% of the phenotypic variance. The region harbouring Saltol, a major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosome 1 in rice, which is known to control salinity tolerance at seedling stage, was detected as a major association with Na⁺/K⁺ ratio measured at reproductive stage in our study. In addition to Saltol, we also found GWAS peaks representing new QTLs on chromosomes 4, 6 and 7. The current association mapping panel contained mostly indica accessions that can serve as source of novel salt tolerance genes and alleles. The gene-based SNP array used in this study was found cost-effective and efficient in unveiling genomic regions/candidate genes regulating salinity stress tolerance in rice.     

Sink anatomy in relation to solute movement in rice (Oryza sativa L.): A summary of findings

The results of studies on assimilate and water transport in the developing caryopsis of rice are summarised. Evidence is presented for a symplastic movement of solutes as far as the aleurone layer. However, transport into the apoplast at the nucellus/aleurone interface appears to be a necessary step due to the absence of plasmodesmata at this site. It is suggested that water leaves the caryopsis during grain filling by the isolated cell walls of the pigment strand, the suberised walls of these cells functioning to isolate the apoplast from the symplast and thereby allowing opposing fluxes of water and assimilates to occur in the dorsal region of the grain.     

Molecular evolution and functional divergence of HAK potassium transporter gene family in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

The high-affinity K＋ （HAK） transporter gene family is the largest family in plant that functions as potassium transporter and is important for various aspects of plant life. In the present study, we identified 27 members of this family in rice genome. The phylogenetic tree divided the land plant HAK transporter proteins into 6 distinct groups. Although the main characteristic of this family was established before the origin of seed plants, they also showed some differences between the members of non-seed and seed plants. The HAK genes in rice were found to have expanded in lineage-specific manner after the split of monocots and dicots, and both segmental duplication events and tandem duplication events contributed to the expansion of this family. Functional divergence analysis for this family provided statistical evidence for shifted evolutionary rate after gene duplication. Further analysis indicated that both point mutant with positive selection and gene conversion events contributed to the evolution of this family in rice.     

Characterization and mapping of a spotted leaf mutant in rice (Oryza sativa)

Spotted leaf mutant belongs to a class of mutants that can produce necrotic lesions spontaneously in plants without any attack by pathogens. These mutants have no beneficial effect on plant productivity but provide a unique opportunity to study programmed cell death in plant defense responses. A novel rice spotted leaf mutant (spl30) was isolated through low-energy heavy ion irradiation. Lesion expression was sensitive to light and humidity. The spl30 mutant caused a decrease in chlorophyll and soluble protein content, with marked accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) around the lesions. In addition, the spl30 mutant significantly enhanced resistance to rice bacterial blight (X. oryzae pv. oryzae) from China (C1–C7). The use of SSR markers showed that the spl30 gene was located between markers XSN2 and XSN4. The genetic distance between the spl30 gene and XSN2 and between spl30 and XSN4 was 1.7 cM and 0.2 cM, respectively. The spl30 gene is a new gene involved in lesion production and may be related to programmed cell death in rice. The ability of this mutant to confer broad resistance to bacterial blight provides a model for studying the interaction between plants and pathogenic bacteria.