三裂叶野葛毛状根的培养及其葛根素的产生

发根农杆菌ATCC15834感染三裂叶野葛叶片外植体20天后,从其切口叶脉处产生的愈伤组织上产生毛状根。感染35天后约85％的叶片外植体产生毛状根。毛状根能在无外源生长调节剂的MS固体和液体培养基上自主生长,但在液体培养基中培养的毛状根生长更迅速,也不会形成愈伤组织。毛状根线粒体膜电势的荧光染色结果表明,液体培养的毛状根细胞线粒体的膜电势比固体培养的毛状根高11．8倍。PCR结果证实,发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rolB和rolC基因已在三裂叶野葛毛状根基因组中整合并得到表达。HPLC测定结果表明,三裂叶野葛毛状根中的葛根素含量约为对照根(种子萌发产生的幼苗根)的2．5倍,达1．190mg/g．dry．wt;并比多年生葛根生药片的葛根素含量高6．7％。     

三裂叶野葛毛状根的培养及其葛根素的产生

发根农杆菌ATCC15834感染三裂叶野葛叶片外植体20天后,从其切口叶脉处产生的愈伤组织上产生毛状根。感染35天后约85%的叶片外植体产生毛状根。毛状根能在无外源生长调节剂的MS固体和液体培养基上自主生长,但在液体培养基中培养的毛状根生长更迅速,也不会形成愈伤组织。毛状根线粒体膜电势的荧光染色结果表明,液体培养的毛状根细胞线粒体的膜电势比固体培养的毛状根高11.8倍。PCR结果证实,发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rolB和rolC基因已在三裂叶野葛毛状根基因组中整合并得到表达。HPLC测定结果表明,三裂叶野葛毛状根中的葛根素含量约为对照根(种子萌发产生的幼苗根)的2.5倍,达1.190 mg/g.dry.wt;并比多年生葛根生药片的葛根素含量高6.7%。     

A Podospora anserina longevity mutant with a temperature-sensitive phenotype for senescence.

A Podospora anserina longevity mutant was identified with a temperature-sensitive phenotype for senescence. This mutant, termed TS1, grew for over 3 m at 27 degrees C, but when shifted to 34 degrees C, it underwent senescence between 10 and 18 cm. A previously described senescence-associated plasmid, alpha senDNA, derived from the mitochondrial genome, was not detected in TS1 at 27 degrees C but was present in senescent cultures at 34 degrees C. A similar result was observed in progeny strains obtained by crossing the TS1 mutant with a wild-type strain. Other mitochondrial excision-amplification DNAs in addition to alpha senDNA were also observed in the senescent cultures. Most were derived from a specific region of the mitochondrial genome. These results provide evidence that alpha senDNA is involved in TS1 senescence and suggest that this plasmid may play a role in the formation of other mitochondrial excision-amplification plasmids.     

What triggers senescence in Podospora anserina?

Senescence of Podospora anserina is triggered by a cytoplasmic and infectious factor (the determinant of senescence) and is always correlated with mitochondrial DNA modifications, especially with the accumulation of small circular subgenomic DNA molecules, the senDNAs. Several observations have suggested that the senDNAs could be the cytoplasmic and infectious determinant. However, we show here (1) that senDNA molecules can be transferred to a young culture without the cotransmission of the determinant of senescence and (2) that the determinant of senescence does not segregate as a mitochondrial DNA mutation. Overall, our data strongly argue that amplification of senDNA molecules in the mitochondria is not an intrinsic property of these small DNA molecules. They question the nature of the actual determinant of senescence.     

三裂叶野葛毛状根的诱导及其固体培养和液体培养

发根农杆菌（Agrobacterium rhizogenes）ATCC15834感染三裂叶野葛(Pueraria phaseoloides)叶片外植体20 d后产生毛状根,毛状根可直接从叶片外植体叶脉处或从叶脉处产生的愈伤组织上产生。感染35d后,约85%的叶片外植体产生毛状根。毛状根能在无外源生长调节剂的 MS固体和液体培养基上自主生长。PCR扩增结果表明,发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rolB和rolC基因已在三裂叶野葛毛状根基因组中整合并得到表达。与固体培养的毛状根相比,在液体培养基中培养的毛状根不仅生长迅速,也不会形成愈伤组织。在无外源生长调节剂的液体MS培养基中培养15d的三裂叶野葛毛状根的鲜重、干重、可溶性总糖含量及细胞内活性氧(ROS)含量分别为固体培养毛状根的1.59倍、1.18倍、5.25倍和1.16倍。     

Purification and characterization of an endo-exonuclease from Podospora anserina mitochondria

The senescence phenotype of Podospora anserina wild-type strains depends on mitochondrial (mt) genome stability. Characterization of activities implicated in the maintenance of the mt DNA is therefore essential for a better understanding of these degenerative processes. To address this question we looked for a nuclease activity in this fungal mitochondria. Here we describe the purification of an endo-exonuclease active on single-stranded, double-stranded and flap DNA. The Podospora nuclease also possesses an RNase H activity. Gel filtration chromatography showed a native molecular mass of 90 kDa for the P. anserina enzyme. The highly purified fraction shows a single polypeptide chain of 49 kDa on SDS-PAGE, indicating that the Podospora enzyme is probably active as a dimer. Purification and sequencing of the endolysine digestion peptides of the Podospora mt nuclease suggested that this enzyme could belong to the 5' structure-specific endo-exonuclease family. The possible involvement of this nuclease in mt DNA recombination during the senescence process is evoked.     

Mitochondrial Group II Introns, Cytochrome c Oxidase, and Senescence in Podospora anserina

Podospora anserina is a filamentous fungus with a limited life span. It expresses a degenerative syndrome called senescence, which is always associated with the accumulation of circular molecules (senDNAs) containing specific regions of the mitochondrial chromosome. A mobile group II intron (alpha) has been thought to play a prominent role in this syndrome. Intron alpha is the first intron of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1). Mitochondrial mutants that escape the senescence process are missing this intron, as well as the first exon of the COX1 gene. We describe here the first mutant of P. anserina that has the alpha sequence precisely deleted and whose cytochrome c oxidase activity is identical to that of wild-type cells. The integration site of the intron is slightly modified, and this change prevents efficient homing of intron alpha. We show here that this mutant displays a senescence syndrome similar to that of the wild type and that its life span is increased about twofold. The introduction of a related group II intron into the mitochondrial genome of the mutant does not restore the wild-type life span. These data clearly demonstrate that intron alpha is not the specific senescence factor but rather an accelerator or amplifier of the senescence process. They emphasize the role that intron alpha plays in the instability of the mitochondrial chromosome and the link between this instability and longevity. Our results strongly support the idea that in Podospora, "immortality" can be acquired not by the absence of intron alpha but rather by the lack of active cytochrome c oxidase.     

Nutritional requirements of Pochonia chlamydospora and ARF18, fungal parasites of nematode eggs

Twenty carbohydrates (C), 18 nitrogen compounds (N), and 9 vitamins were examined for their effects on the growth and conidiation of the nematode-egg-parasitic fungi Arkansas Fungus 18 (ARF18, isolate 908) and Pochonia chlamydospora var. chlamydospora in solid and liquid cultures. Glycogen was the best, and inulin, D-(+)-galactose, and soluble starch were good C sources for the growth of ARF18 in both solid and liquid cultures. ARF18 could not utilize alpha-cellulose in liquid; alpha-lactose and D-mannitol in solid; and D-(+)-xylose, L-(-)-sorbose, and D-(-)-ribose in both solid and liquid cultures. Casein was the best N source for ARF18 growth in both solid and liquid cultures and L-aspartic acid, DL-glutamic acid, peptone, and L-histidine were good in solid culture. ARF18 could not utilize L-cystine and L-tyrosine in solid culture, and L-cystine, DL-methionine, peptone, L-proline, and ammonium nitrate in liquid culture. Supplement of vitamins appeared to be unnecessary for ARF18 to grow. For P. chlamydospora var. chlamydospora growth, all test C sources, except L-(-)-sorbose, alpha-cellulose, citric acid, and D-(+)-glucose, were good in both solid and liquid cultures. Most N compounds were good for P. chlamydospora var. chlamydospora growth with casein and peptone the best. Vitamins had limited effect on P. chlamydospora var. chlamydospora growth. P. chlamydospora var. chlamydospora conidiation was well supported by D-(-)-ribose, D-(-)-fructose, melibiose, and D-(+)-galactose as C sources and by L-aspartic acid, DL-glutamic acid, and L-arginine as N sources. Excluding myo-inositol from the medium containing all other test vitamins increased P. chlamydospora var. chlamydospora conidiation, while excluding pyridoxine appeared to reduce its conidiation.     

A comparison of raw starch-digesting glucoamylase production in liquid and solid cultures of Rhizopus strains

Maximum growth for Rhizopus sp. A-11 was obtained at a zinc ion concentration of 0.7 ppm in a liquid medium. Glucoamylase (GA, EC 3.2.1.3) production in Rhizopus sp. A-11 was maximized at 710 U/ml, at the presence of 75 ppm for calcium and 0.7 ppm of zinc ions in liquid medium. Zinc ion is known as an essential biometal for Rhizopus growth; however, growth was inhibited by the zinc ion concentration, not maximized. Although calcium ion was not necessary to Rhizopus growth, GA production using Rhizopus sp. A-11 was markedly stimulated by calcium ion concentration over 75 ppm in the liquid medium. The GA productivity of the present liquid culture was about 4.4 times higher than that of the solid state culture, based on the unit starch amount in the liquid and solid media carbon source. The characteristics of the GA produced by the Rhizopus sp. A-11 liquid culture were interesting; that is, almost all the GA produced was classified as raw starch-digesting GA (GA-I). Secreted protein in the culture liquid after 30 h was nearly GA, and had a limited amount of impure protein. As a result, it was found that using a Rhizopus culture in a specified metal-ion regulated medium was an effective method for producing GA. Thus the present culture method was renamed the "metal-ion-regulated liquid culture method".     

Inhibitors of mitochondrial function prevent senescence in the ascomycetePodospora anserina

Summary The onset of senescence, i.e. decrease of growth rate followed by cellular death, is prevented when inhibitors of mitochondrial function (ethidiumbromide, streptomycin, tiamulin) are present in the culture medium. If mycelia are transferred to a medium not containing one of these substances, senescence occurs after the usual time interval (30 d at 26° C). Inhibitors of cytoplasmic protein synthesis such as emetine and cycloheximide have no effect in preventing senescence.     

Screening of yeast strains for phytase activity

A screening method was developed to elucidate the ability of different yeast strains to utilize phytic acid as sole phosphorus source. The growth test in liquid culture in a microtiter plate with phytic acid as sole phosphorus source was shown to be a reliable, fast and easy-to-use screening method. We tested 122 strains from 61 species with our method and observed growth differences among species and strains that were not detectable on solid medium. Specific phytase activities were measured for 10 yeasts strains, selected due to their strong growth in the liquid medium. Strains of Arxula adeninivorans and Pichia anomala reached the highest volumetric phytase activities. Arxula adeninivorans also displayed the highest intra- and extracellular specific activities. There were large differences in both extra- and intracellular phytase activities among species. Strain-specific extracellular phytase activities were detected in P. anomala . The presence of free phosphate in the media completely suppressed the extracellular phytase activity and also reduced intracellular phytase activity for all tested yeast strains.     

Growth and senescence of Medicago truncatula cultured cells are associated with characteristic mitochondrial morphology

Here mitochondrial morphology and dynamics were investigated in Medicago truncatula cell-suspension cultures during growth and senescence. Cell biology techniques were used to measure cell growth and death in culture. Mitochondrial morphology was investigated in vivo using a membrane potential sensor probe coupled with confocal microscopy. Expression of a senescence-associated gene (MtSAG) was evaluated in different cell-growth phases. Mitochondria appeared as numerous, punctuate organelles in cells at the beginning of the subculture cycle, while interconnected networks were observed in actively growing cells. In senescent cells, giant mitochondria were associated with dying cells. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was detected in different growth phases of cultured cells. Studies on plant cell cultures allowed us to identify physiological and molecular markers of senescence and cell death, and to associate distinct mitochondrial morphology with cells under different physiological conditions.     

文心兰原球茎液体增殖培养研究

以茎尖诱导形成的原球茎(protocorm-like bodies,PLBs)为外殖体,采用液体培养方式比较了不同浓度的激素配比、蔗糖浓度和添加不同量的新鲜椰汁对文心兰PLBs增殖的影响,并比较了相同培养基成分时液体培养PLBs增殖、分化成苗和固体培养PLBs增殖和分化成苗的差异。试验结果表明:不同浓度的外源激素及其配比对文心兰PLBs增殖生长影响较大,6-BA0.5 mg/L Ad 0.05 mg/L NAA0.05 mg/L的激素组合比较适合文心兰PLBs增殖;蔗糖浓度对文心兰PLBs增殖的影响也较大,适合文心兰PLB在液体培养条件下增殖的蔗糖浓度为7.5 g/L;添加5%新鲜椰汁不仅对文心兰PLBs增殖有促进作用,而且能改善PLBs的质量;适合文心兰PLBs增殖的培养基为MS 6-BA0.5 mg/L Ad 0.05 mg/L NAA0.05 mg/L 5%椰汁 蔗糖7.5 g/L。文心兰PLBs在5周内的增殖生长曲线呈倒"V"字形,第3周的增殖速度达最高峰,而固体培养基PLBs增殖速度较慢,生长曲线几乎成直线。液体增殖的PLBs分化成苗较固体培养增殖的PLBs差。     

Regulation of conidiation and adenylyl cyclase levels by the Galpha protein GNA-3 in Neurospora crassa

We have identified a new gene encoding the G protein alpha subunit, gna-3, from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. The predicted amino acid sequence of GNA-3 is most similar to the Galpha proteins MOD-D, MAGA, and CPG-2 from the saprophytic fungus Podospora anserina and the pathogenic fungi Magnaporthe grisea and Cryphonectria parasitica, respectively. Deletion of gna-3 leads to shorter aerial hyphae and premature, dense conidiation during growth on solid medium or in standing liquid cultures and to inappropriate conidiation in submerged culture. The conidiation and aerial hypha defects of the Deltagna-3 strain are similar to those of a previously characterized adenylyl cyclase mutant, cr-1. Supplementation with cyclic AMP (cAMP) restores wild-type morphology to Deltagna-3 strains in standing liquid cultures. Solid medium augmented with exogenous cAMP suppresses the premature conidiation defect, but aerial hypha formation is still reduced. Submerged-culture conidiation is refractory to cAMP but is suppressed by peptone. In addition, Deltagna-3 submerged cultures express the glucose-repressible gene, qa-2, to levels greatly exceeding those observed in the wild type under carbon-starved conditions. Deltagna-3 strains exhibit reduced fertility in homozygous crosses during the sexual cycle; exogenous cAMP has no effect on this phenotype. Intracellular steady-state cAMP levels of Deltagna-3 strains are decreased 90% relative to the wild type under a variety of growth conditions. Reduced intracellular cAMP levels in the Deltagna-3 strain correlate with lower adenylyl cyclase activity and protein levels. These results demonstrate that GNA-3 modulates conidiation and adenylyl cyclase levels in N. crassa.     

Lippia dulcis shoot cultures as a source of the sweet sesquiterpene hernandulcin

The axenic shoot culture of Lippia dulcis Trev., Verbenaceae, was established on hormone-free Murashige-Skoog solid medium containing 3% sucrose. Shoots were cultured in various liquid or solid media. Woody Plant liquid medium was best for shoot multiplication, but the production of hernandulcin was relatively low. The highest hernandulcin content (2.9% dry wt) was obtained after 28 days of culture on Murashige-Skoog solid medium containing 2% sucrose. The addition of chitosan to the culture media enhanced the growth of shoots as well as the production of hernandulcin, especially with the liquid medium.Abbreviations MS(2%) Murashige-Skoog medium containing 2 % sucrose - MS(3%) Murashige-Skoog medium containing 3 % sucrose - 1/2MS half strength Murashige-Skoog medium containing 2% sucrose - B5 Gamborg B5 medium containing 2% sucrose - WP Woody Plant medium containing 2% sucrose     

Micropropagation of the Thai orchid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grammatophyllum speciosum</Emphasis> blume

Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) were induced from shoot tips of Grammatophyllum speciosum, a Thai orchid. The highest frequency of PLBs (93%) were observed on explants incubated on 1/2-Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium containing 2% (w/v) sucrose without any plant growth regulators (PGRs). Tests with different carbon sources compared to sucrose revealed that maltose promoted the highest relative growth of G. speciosum PLBs (7-fold increase), while trehalose and sucrose yielded 5-fold and 4-fold increases, respectively. In 1/2 MS liquid medium, addition of 15 mg/l of chitosan promoted a 7-fold increase in PLB growth while 25 mg/l promoted a 4-fold increase. However, the relative growth rate in solid culture was significantly lower than that in liquid culture. In addition, chitosan supplementation in solid medium promoted shoot formation but not rooting. Plantlet regeneration was induced using a combination of NAA and BA supplementation in 1/2 MS solid medium with optimum induction shoot and root formation at 2.0 mg/l NAA and 1.0 mg/l BA. Using this protocol, approximately 8 months was required to obtain a hundred plantlets from one shoot tip. The plantlets showed no changes in ploidy when tested by flow cytometry.     

Escape from Premature Death Due to Nuclear Mutations in Podospora anserina: Repeal versus Respite

Premature death has been defined as a growth stoppage linked to the accumulation of specific deletions of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) in Podospora anserina. This occurs only in strains carrying the AS1-4 mutation which lies in a gene encoding a cytosolic ribosomal protein. Here we describe the isolation and genetic characterization of 10 nuclear mutations which either delay the appearance of this syndrome (respite from premature death) or cause a switch to the classical senescence process (repeal of premature death). These mutations lie in at least six genes. Some cause defects at the levels of ascospore germination, growth rates, and/or sensitivity toward inhibitors of protein syntheses. All modify the onset of senescence in wild-type (AS1+) strains. The role played by these genes is discussed with respect to the control of diseases due to mtDNA rearrangements in filamentous fungi. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.