Purification and Characterization of an Iminopeptidase from the Primary Leaf of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Iminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.5) was substantially purified from the primary leaves of 7-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.). The purification procedure consisted of five steps: acid precipitation, molecular exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, Ultrogel AcA 44, Sepharose 2B and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Iminopeptidase isolated in this manner was only active against the β-naphthylamides of proline and hydroxyproline. For each substrate, the pH optimum was 7.4 and activity was sensitive to sulfhydryl group inhibitors. The iminopeptidase hydrolyzed the dipeptides Pro-Leu, Pro-Gly, Hyp-Gly, and Pro-Tyr. Iminopeptidase activity against the dipeptide Pro-Gly was higher than against Hyp-Gly. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 400,000. Evidence was obtained for the existence of endogenous inhibitors of iminopeptidase activity.     

Nitrogen and Photosynthesis in the Flag Leaf of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Yecora 70) plants were grown with various concentrations of nitrate nitrogen available to the roots. Sampling of flag leaves began after they had reached full expansion and continued throughout senescence. Rates of gas exchange, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuP₂) carboxylase activity, and the amounts of chlorophyll, soluble protein, nitrogen, and phosphorus were determined for each flag leaf. Rate of CO₂ assimilation was uniquely related to total leaf nitrogen irrespective of nutrient treatment, season, and leaf age. Assimilation rate increased with leaf nitrogen, but the slope of the relationship declined markedly when leaf nitrogen exceeded 125 millimoles nitrogen per square meter. Chlorophyll content and RuP₂ carboxylase activity were approximately proportional to leaf nitrogen content. As leaves aged, RuP₂ carboxylase activity and calculated Hill activity declined in parallel. With normal ambient partial pressure of CO₂, the intercellular partial pressure of CO₂ was always such that rate of assimilation appeared colimited by RuP₂ carboxylation and RuP₂ regeneration capacity.

The initial slope of rate of CO₂ assimilation against intercellular partial pressure of CO₂ varied nonlinearly with carboxylase activity. It is suggested that this was due to a finite conductance to CO₂ diffusion in the wall and liquid phase which causes a drop in CO₂ partial pressure between the intercellular spaces and the site of carboxylation. A double reciprocal plot was used to obtain an estimate of the transfer conductance.

     

High Frequency Divisions in Leaf Base Protoplasts of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Protoplasts were isolated from the basal meristematic region of leaves from 6-day-old seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Protoplasts divided when cultured on MS medium (as agarose beads) in presence of nurse tissue. Donor seedlings when grown on BAP-supplemented MS medium were found to be considerably superior for protoplast isolation and culture than when grown on MS basal medium, in terms of protoplast viability, cell wall formation and cell division frequency. In addition, reduction of ammonium content of the culture medium, together with a dark Incubation, led to a high protoplast division frequency of about 70%. Microcolonies of 10-to 12-celled stages were obtained in Triticum aestivum, varieties HD 2329, HD 2285, Kalyan Sona, Arjun and CPAN 1676.     

Properties of ATP-dependent Phosphofructokinase from Endosperm of Developing Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grains

ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (ATP:D-fructose S-phosphate, 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11, PFK) from endosperm of developing wheat grains was purified to apparent homogeneity with about 45% recovery using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration through Sepharose CL-SB and Sephadex G-200. The purified enzyme with a molecular weight of about 182 kD, was a heterotetramer with subunit molecular weights ranging between 20 and 80 kD. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.9 and was highly specific for its substrates. The enzyme had absolute requirement for Mg2+. At pH 7.9, the Km values as determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots were 1.43 and 0.70 mM, respectively for fru-S-P and ATP. Fru-2, S-P2 had no effect on the activity of the enzyme. The enzyme was inhibited strongly by citrate, ADP, 3-PGA and PEP with Ki values of 2.40, 1.75, 2.10 and 0.80 mM, respectively. Citrate and PEP inhibited the enzyme competitively with respect to both fru-S-P and ATP. ADP and 3-PGA inhibited the enzyme non-competitively and competitively, respectively with respect to fru-S-P and in a mixed manner with respect to ATP. Hill plot values indicated co-operative interaction of citrate, 3-PGA and PEP with the enzyme.     

小麦TaPSG719基因启动子的分离及序列分析

TaPSG719基因是从小麦中分离的花粉特异性表达基因,其功能未知.克隆和分析该基因的启动子有助于研究该基因的功能,解析小麦花器官的发育调控机制.本研究根据已报道的TaPSG719基因cDNA序列为基础设计引物,经过两次反向PCR获得了该基因起始密码子上游1776 bp的调控序列.应用PLACE和PlantCARE数据库系统对该序列进行分析研究,发现其具有启动子的基本元件TATA-box和CAAT-box、两种花粉特异性调控元件AGAAA和GTGA及光反应和激素响应元件.     

Purification and Properties of Cystathionine [gamma]-Synthase from Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cysthathionine [gamma]-synthase (CS), an enzyme involved in methionine biosynthesis, was purified from an acetone powder prepared from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). After several chromatographic steps and radiolabeling of the partially purified enzyme with sodium cyanoboro[3H]hydride, a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 34,500 was isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-high performance electrophoresis chromatography. Since the molecular weight of the native enzyme was 155,000, CS apparently consists of four identical subunits. The pyridoxal 5[prime]-phosphate-dependent forward reaction has a pH optimum of 7.5 and follows a hybrid ping-pong mechanism with Km values of 3.6 mM and 0.5 mM for L-homoserine phosphate and L-cysteine, respectively. L-Cysteine methyl ester, thioglycolate methyl ester, and sodium sulfide were also utilized as thiol substrates. The latter observation suggests that CS and phosphohomoserine sulfhydrase might be a single enzyme. CS does not seem to be a regulatory enzyme but was irreversibly inhibited by DL-propargylglycine (Ki = 45 [mu]M, Kinact = 0.16 min-1). Furthermore, the homoserine phosphate analogs 4-(phosphonomethyl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, Z-3-(2-phosphonoethen-1-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, and DL-E-2-amino-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid acted as reversible competitive inhibitors with Ki values of 45, 40, and 1.1 [mu]M, respectively.     

Free Polyamines in Senescing Wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

The free polyamine content of flag leaves, peduncles, rachis,glumes, and grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Castell)plants, ripening under field conditions, has been investigatedduring three consecutive growing seasons. Putrescine was quantitativelythe most important of all polyamines detected in these organs.Concentrations were highest in the grains, glumes and flag leaves.No correlation was found between polyamine content and the onsetof senescence of flag leaves and other organs. Excised primaryleaves, however, showed a decrease in polyamine content in thedark and also in light/dark cycles, but in the latter case onlyafter an initial increase. Sink removal of otherwise intactwheat plants caused an accumulation of putrescine in flag leavesat the later stages of senescence, whereas removal of all otherleaves was without any significant effect. Putrescine was alsorecovered in phloem-exudate samples collected throughout theperiod of grain development. In both grains and glumes, peakconcentrations of polyamines were found early during seed development. Key words: Triticum aestivum, polyamines, ripening, senescence     

Floret Initiation and Development in Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The number and developmental stages of florets were determinedin each spikelet of the spike in the main shoots of spring wheat.Samples were taken frequently from plants grown in a phytotronand in a nitrogen application field-test. Ten stages of development,from floret initiation until anthesis, were recognized and described. Inter-spikelet variation in the total number of initiated floretswas rather small. However, the number of florets at advancedstages of development, as well as the number of grains, washighest in the central spikelets in which florets initiatedfirst. Floret initiation did not proceed beyond spike emergence,whereafter the distal florets and the spikelet apex degenerated.Grain-set was restricted to florets which had developed at leastto the stage of visible anther lobes at spike emergence. Thenumber of these florets was increased significantly by nitrogenapplication. Wheat, Triticum aestivum L., spikelet, floret, grain set, nitrogen     

Regeneration of Freezing-Tolerant Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants from Cryoselected Callus

A cryoselection protocol has been developed that provides freezing-tolerant callus that, in turn, can regenerate plants with enhanced cold hardiness. Tolerant calli were selected from spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) callus by immersion in liquid nitrogen without addition of cryoprotectants. Less than 15% of the calli survived the initial challenge, whereas 30 to 40% of previously selected calli survived subsequent exposure. Seed progeny from five of 11 regenerant (R2) lines tested exhibited significantly enhanced tolerance to freezing at −12°C. Thus, cryoselection appears to involve at least in part, selection for genetic rather than epigenetic variants. Analysis of one callus line indicated that cryoselection did not induce significant alterations in lipid composition, adenylate energy charge, or freezing point. An increase in the soluble sugar component was detected. Changes were also detected in the protein complement of microsomal membrane and soluble protein extracts of cryoselected callus. In all, seven unique proteins ranging from 79 to 149 kilodaltons were identified. The results demonstrate that freezing tolerant callus can be isolated from a heterogeneous population by cryoselection, and factors that contribute to hardiness at the callus level are biologically stable and can contribute to tolerance at the whole plant level.     

Colchicine-induced Paracrystals in Root Cells of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Tubulin conformations other than microtubules in the meristematiccells of wheat roots grown in the presence of 2 mM colchicinesolution were investigated by immunofluorescence and electronmicroscopy. In the affected cells microtubules disappeared andwere replaced by tubulin fluorescent strands that occurred inthe cortical cytoplasm. With increasing time of exposure tocolchicine the tubulin strands became better organized and occurredalso in the subcortical cytoplasm and finally they were restrictedto the area around the nucleus. In prophase and preprophasecells thick strands occupied the cortical cytoplasmic zone wherein normal cells a preprophase microtubule band (PMB) was expectedto be assembled. In the colchicine-treated cells electron microscopy revealedan accumulation of paracrystalline aggregates, which initiallyoccurred along the cell wall and later deeper in the cytoplasm,in the perinuclear regions and the cytoplasmic invaginationsof the nucleus. In transverse planes the paracrystalline strandsappear to consist of hexagonal subunits in a 'honeycomb' arrangement,while in longitudinal and oblique sections they exhibit variableimages. Since their distribution coincides with that of thetubulin strands visualized by immunofluorescence, they are consideredto be the same structure. Therefore, the paracrystals consistof, or at least contain, tubulin. They are most likely to bepolymers of tubulin-colchicine complexes.Copyright 1995, 1999Academic Press Wheat roots, colchicine, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, tubulin paracrystals, Triticum aestivum L     

In Vitro Synthesis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Storage Proteins

Free and membrane-associated polysomes were isolated in approximately equal amounts from endosperm of wheat kernels harvested 20 days after anthesis. The presence of heparin in the homogenizing buffer minimized polysome degradation. Ribonucleic acid from the isolated polysomes, when translated in vitro in a wheat germ system, yielded products ranging in size from about 12,000 to about 80,000 daltons, including at least two polypeptides that co-migrated with seed extract proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The nature of the translation products of free and membrane-associated RNA are distinctly different, with membrane-associated RNA yielding a higher proportion of polypeptides in the size range of 30,000 to 37,000 daltons. Analysis of membrane-associated 3′-terminal polyadenylyl-containing RNA in vitro translation products, by solubility in 70% ethanol and by immunoprecipitation, indicates that the 33,000- to 37,000-dalton polypeptides contain gliadins, and the analysis provides evidence that these proteins are synthesized in association with membranous cell organelles. Gliadin polypeptides synthesized in vitro are larger than authentic gliadins and probably are precursors which, in vivo, undergo modification to yield the smaller final products.     

A Study of Floret Development in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Plants of wheat (Triticum aestlvum L.) cv. Aotea were grownat high or low nitrogen levels and in a natural photoperiodor continuous light. Starting 17–21 days from the double-ridgestage, eight plants from each treatment were sampled every 3days until anthesis, and the two basal, the sixth, and the terminalspikelets were sectioned longitudinally. A developmental scorewas assigned to each floret and rates of development calculated.Continuous light hastened development but reduced the numberof spikelets per ear, while high nitrogen delayed developmentbut increased spikelet numbers. The number of florets initiatedin each spikelet varied within narrow limits, but grain settingdepended strongly on spikelet position and on treatment. Althoughflorets were initiated in acropetal succession, the rate ofdevelopment tended to increase up to floret 4 but then declinedmarkedly. As a result grain setting was confined to basal floretpositions, although the two basal spikelets developed so slowlythat they contributed relatively little to grain yield. Distalflorets degenerated almost simultaneously at or before ear emergence,but those in intermediate positions continued to develop untilafter fertilization in the lower florets. It is argued thatthe spikelet is an integrated system in which correlative mechanismsplay a part throughout the development of the florets.     

Light-dependent Proton Excretion of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.) Roots

We investigated the change of root net proton excretion of seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. and Zea mays L. with daily variation of illumination using a multi-channel pH-stat system. We found an increase of net proton excretion during darkness and a drop after the beginning of illumination. Inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis by norflurazone and photooxidation of chlorophylls did not change the periodicity or its induction. The induction of diurnal periodicity was possible with blue, green and red light. After induction the oscillation of net proton excretion continued for at least two cycles under constant light. We conclude that net H⁺ excretion of wheat and maize roots may be regulated by an endogenous clock or by a signal from the leaves. The nature of such a hypothetical signal remains unknown.     

Properties of Pyrophosphate:Fructose-6-Phosphate Phosphotransferase from Endosperm of Developing Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grains

Pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase (PFP, EC 2.7.1.90) from endosperm of developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains was purified to apparent homogeneity with about 52% recovery using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration through Sepharose-CL-6B. The purified enzyme, having a molecular weight of about 170,000, was a dimer with subunit molecular weights of 90,000 and 80,000, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.5 and was highly specific for pyrophosphate (PPi). None of the nucleoside mono-, di- or triphosphate could replace PPi as a source of energy and inorganic phosphate (Pi). Similarly, the enzyme was highly specific for fructose-6-phosphate. It had a requirement for Mg²⁺ and exhibited hyperbolic kinetics with all substrates including Mg²⁺. K_m values as determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots were 322, 31, 139, and 129 micromolar, respectively, for fructose-6-phosphate, PPi, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and Pi. Kinetic constants were determined in the presence of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, which stimulated activity about 20-fold and increased the affinity of the enzyme for its substrates. Initial velocity studies indicated kinetic mechanism to be sequential. At saturating concentrations of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (1 micromolar), Pi strongly inhibited PFP; the inhibition being mixed with respect to both fructose-6-phosphate and PPi, with K_i values of 0.78 and 1.2 millimolar, respectively. The inhibition pattern further confirmed the mechanism to be sequential with random binding of the substrates. Probable role of PFP in endosperm of developing wheat grains (sink tissues) is discussed.     

Localization of Galactolipid Biosynthesis in Etioplasts Isolated from Dark-Grown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Etioplasts were isolated from leaves of dark-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var Starke II). Galactolipid biosynthesis was assayed in an envelope-rich fraction and in the fraction containing the rest of the etioplast membranes by measuring incorporation of ¹⁴C from uridine-diphospho[¹⁴C]galactose into monogalactosyl diacylglycerol and digalactosyl diacylglycerol. More than half of the galactolipid biosynthetic capability was found in the fraction of inner etioplast membranes. This fraction was subfractioned into fractions enriched in prolamellar bodies and membrane vesicles (prothylakoids), respectively. All membrane fractions obtained from etioplasts were able to carry out galactolipid biosynthesis, although the activity was very low in prolamellar body-enriched fractions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed markedly different polypeptide patterns between the different fractions. It is concluded that the capability of galactolipid biosynthesis of etioplasts probably is not restricted to the envelope, but is also present in the inner membranes of this plastid.     

Intracellular Localization of Peptide Hydrolases in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Leaves

Protoplasts from 8- to 9-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves were used to isolate organelles which were examined for their contents of peptide hydrolase enzymes and, in the case of vacuoles, other acid hydrolases. High yields of intact chloroplasts were obtained using both equilibrium density gradient centrifugation and velocity sedimentation centrifugation on sucrose-sorbitol gradients. Aminopeptidase activity was found to be distributed, in approximately equal proportions, between the chloroplasts and cytoplasm. Leucyltyrosine dipeptidase was mainly found in the cytoplasm, although about 27% was associated with the chloroplasts. Vacuoles shown to be free from Cellulysin contamination contained all of the protoplast carboxypeptidase and hemoglobin-degrading activities. The acid hydrolases, phosphodiesterase, acid phosphatase, α-mannosidase, and β-N-acetylglucosamidase were found in the vacuole to varying degrees, but no β-glucosidase was localized in the vacuole.     

Osmotic Stress-Induced Growth Suppression of Dark-Grown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Coleoptiles

Application of 60 mM polyethylene glycol (PEG) to dark-grownwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots substantially reduced growthof coleoptiles. However, when PEG was removed, the growth rateof these coleoptiles greatly increased. Cell walls of stressedcoleoptiles remained loosened as compared with those of unstressedones. The osmotic potential of the stressed coleoptiles decreasedto that of the 60 mM PEG solution. On the other hand, the extentof decrease in the osmotic potential of stressed roots was smallerthan that of stressed coleoptiles. The osmotic potential difference() between the cell sap and the incubation medium of stressedroots was substantially higher than that of unstressed ones.The amount of ink moved from roots, where it was applied, tothe apical region of coleoptiles was significantly reduced underosmotic stress conditions. When water was exogenously appliedto abraded coleoptiles, the growth of these stressed coleoptileswas greatly promoted. These results suggest that inhibitionof coleop-tile growth under osmotic stress conditions is notdirectly related to a decrease in cell wall extensibility orto loss of the capacity to maintain osmotic potential gradients,but is caused by the reduction of the water supply from theroots to the coleoptiles. (Received August 26, 1996; Accepted December 18, 1996)     

抗除草剂草甘膦EPSPs基因在小麦中的转化

通过基因枪法,用抗除草剂草甘膦的ＥＰＳＰｓ基因转化小麦京花１号的幼穗约１０００个,及幼胚约８００个,经草甘膦选择后分别获得３８株和４株再生植株。这些再生植株经ＰＣＲ和（或）Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交证明,其中有部分再生植株的基因组中稳定整合了外源ＥＰＳＰｓ基因,并且转化体中部分是可育的。首次用实验证明,抗除草剂草甘膦的ＥＰＳＰｓ基因作为单子叶禾谷类作物小麦基因转化的选择标记是行之有效的。     

Movement of C-labeled Sugars into Kernels of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An anatomical study of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels 14 days after anthesis revealed that the tracheary elements of the pericarp vascular bundle are not in direct continuity with those of the rachilla. The phloem was continuous from the rachilla into the crease of the pericarp.