Control of the Hypocotyl Hook Angle in Phaseolus mungo L.: the Role of Parts of the Seedling

Phaseolus mungo L. seedlings were grown in the dark for 5 d.They were either kept in the dark or exposed to 5 min red light.The location of the light-sensitive region (the hook) and theanatomy of light-induced opening are described. The responsewas phytochrome-mediated. The time course of light-induced openingand its far-red reversal are described and the implicationsfor the mechanism of light-induced opening discussed. The lagphase between irradiation and the start of opening was >8h, for 3 h of which the response remained completely photoreversible.This implies that some critical level of a factor is requiredbefore hook opening can be initiated. The terminal parts (leavesand cotyledons) kept the hooks shut in the dark, but did notdirectly affect the light response. The necessity for distinguishingbetween treatment effects on hook angle and on light-inducedopening is noted. We hypothesize that the terminal parts produceda hook-maintaining factor whose level declined after their removal.This factor was dispersed or inactivated following irradiation,or the hook cells were rendered less sensitive to it. Differencesbetween the responses of P. mungo and those reported for otherspecies are discussed.     

Inhibition of Synthesis of Peroxidases and Some Proteins by Heliangine in Phaseolus mungo Hypocotyl Sections

The peroxidase activity in Phaseolus mungo hypocotyl sectionsfloated on water decreased during the first 3 h and then increasedagain. The activity of this enzyme was reduced by heliangineand cyeloheximide in vivo, but not in vitro. Peroxidase activityis inhibited by heliangine and cycloheximide since the enzymeis not synthesized. Disk gel electrophoresis studies revealed that at least sixspecies of proteins, soluble in Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, were synthesizedin Phaseolus hypocotyl sections during 24 h incubation on water.Heliangine inhibited the synthesis of two of them, a speciesof peroxidase and another protein. Heliangine inhibited the incorporation of radioactive leucineinto the cell wall fraction, suggesting that it inhibits synthesisof cell wall proteins. It did not, however, inhibit the incorporationof labelled proline into the cell wall fraction. The resultssuggest that heliangine inhibits the synthesis of only someproteins.     

Seed Coat Retention and Hypocotyl Hook Development in Mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana L.

Germination and growth of wild-type and two mutant strains (aux-1and Dwf) of Arabidopsis thaliana L. have been examined. Seedlingsof aux-1 exhibit agravitropic roots whereas Dwf display bothagravitropic roots and shoots. Wild-type seedlings retained the seed coat at the root-hypocotyltransition zone and developed hypocotyl hooks. In contrast,aux-I and Dwf seedlings did not retain their seed coats andlacked hypocotyl hooks. A positive gravitropic response of theroots was essential for the retention of the seed coat at theroot—hypocotyl transition zone by the attachment of roothairs to the seed coat. The development of the hypocotyl hookwas aided by the retention of the seed coat. The apical regionof the hypocotyl apparently remained agravitropic during formationand maintenance of the hypocotyl hook. Arabidopsis thaliana L., auxins, gravitropism, hypocotyl hook, mutants, peg formation, germination     

Influence of Light on the Bioelectric Potential of the Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Hypocotyl Hook

By use of surface electrodes electropotenlial measurements were carried out on hypocotyl hooks of Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings. The hooks were illuminated with a small spot of white, blue, red or far red light. The potential changes in bean hypocotyl hooks do not show the red-far red reversible characteristics of phytochrome-mediated processes. By experimenting with inhibitors of photosynthesis we could demonstrate that the light-triggered potential changes in green bean hooks are correlated to photosynthetic electron transport phenomena. The red-light-induced transient is a depolarization, whereas blue light induces a hyperpolarization. Etiolated beans exhibit no bioelectric potential changes when subjected to red or far red irradiations. Blue light and white light induce a strong hyperpolarization in etiolated hooks cells. This transient seems to be an action potential induced by light. The action potential is influenced by inhibitors of electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. By comparing the action spectrum of the action potential induced by light with the absorption spectra of extracted carotenoids and xanthophylls from etiolated bean hypocotyl hooks, we observed similarities.     

3-Dehydroquinate synthase in germinating Phaseolus mungo seedlings.

Dehydroquinate synthase, an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) to 3-dehydroquinate, was detected in cell-free extracts of etiolated Phaseolus mungo seedlings. The reaction product, 3-dehydroquinate, formed from [1-14C]DAHP was identified by paper-radiochromatography. The enzyme required NAD+ and Co2+ for activity.     

Comparison of Plasma Membrane and Tonoplast H+-Translocating ATPases in Phaseolus mungo L. Roots

Two membrane fractions were obtained from 16%/26% and 34%/40%interfaces following discontinuous sucrose density gradientcentrifugation of a 10,000–80,000xg pellet from mung bean(Phaseolus mungo L.) roots. The ATPases in the fractions differedfrom each other in their sensitivity toward various inhibitors,activation with salts, dependence of activity on pH, and K_mfor ATP.Mg²⁺. Judging from their sensitivity toward inhibitors,the ATPases in the low and high density membranes are consideredmainly of tonoplast and plasma membrane origin, respectively.Both ATPases were activated by gramicidin D and nigericin. ATP-inducedquenching of quinacrine fluorescence in both fractions requiredMg²⁺ and permeant anions such as Cl^– and quenching wascollapsed by carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone.The sensitivities of quenching to the inhibitors were essentiallythe same as those of ATPase activity in the membranes. Thesefindings suggest the involvement of ATPases in H⁺-pumping acrossa plasma membrane and tonoplast. (Received April 12, 1985; Accepted October 11, 1985)     

The Promotive Effect of Purine and Pyrimidine Bases in Rooting Hypocotyl Cuttings of Phaseolus mungo in Relation to Auxin and Nutrition

Exogenously supplied nitrogenous bases in combination with IAA + sucrose hastened the formation of roots on hypocotyl cuttings of Phaseolus mungo L. cv. G31. While purine and pyrimidine bases had little effect when used alone, together with IAA or sucrose they increased the number of roots and the effect was even more pronounced in combination with (IAA + sucrose). By contrast, guanine inhibited rooting completely in higher concentrations even in combination with (IAA + sucrose), and cuttings died within 48–72 h.     

Purification and Properties of the Plasma Membrane H-Translocating Adenosine Triphosphatase of Phaseolus mungo L. Roots

The plasma membrane ATPase of mung bean (Phaseolus mungo L.) roots has been solubilized with a two-step procedure using the anionic detergent, deoxycholate (DOC) and the zwitterionic detergent, zwittergent 3-14 as follows: (a) loosely bound membrane proteins are removed by treatment with 0.1% DOC; (b) The ATPase is solubilized with 0.1% zwittergent in the presence of 1% DOC; (c) the solubilized material is further purified by centrifugation through a glycerol gradient (45-70%). Typically, about 10% of the ATPase activity is recovered, and the specific activity increases about 11-fold. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that the peak fraction from the glycerol gradient contains three major polypeptides of M_r = 105,000, 67,000, and 57,000 daltons. The properties of the purified ATPase are essentially the same as those of membrane-bound ATPase, with respect to pH optimum, substrate specificity, inhibitor sensitivity, and ion stimulation.     

Enhancement in Growth and Yield by Pre-sowing Chilling Treatment to Seeds of Phaseolus mungo cv. T 9

Pre-sowing chill treatments to seeds of Phaseolus mungo induceenhancement in growth, branching, nodulation and seed yieldper plant. The concentrations of certain biochemical constituentsare also higher in the seeds harvested from treated plants. Phaseolus mungo cv. T 9, pre-sowing chill treatment, yield enhancement     

The Role of Various Regions of the Bean Hypocotyl on Red Light-induced Hook Opening

Measurement of various zones on the concave half of etiolated Phaseolus vulgaris L. (cv. Black Valentine) hypocotyls has shown that growth at the basal portion of the elbow and the contiguous upper portion of the shank was stimulated earliest by red light. Growth of these two zones was unaffected by the tissue of the convex half but was inhibited by tissue distal to them. The inhibition was alleviated by the continuous presence of shank tissue below the growing zones. Based on cuts made halfway through the hypocotyl at positions above, below, or between the two zones of growth, it is suggested that cells at the inner portion of the upper shank control in some way the light-induced growth of the elbow cells directly above.     

Control of Thylakoid Growth in Phaseolus vulgaris

An attempt was made to answer whether the extent of thylakoid growth in Phaseolus vulgaris is controlled by a feedback inhibition mechanism, operating after insertion of all of the necessary components of the mature thylakoid, in the right amounts and ratio, or by parameters independent of the developmental stage of the membrane. This was done by following the growth of thylakoids, as monitored by the rate of chlorophyll accumulation and the rate of thylakoid protein synthesis, in etiolated plants exposed either directly to continuous light (transformation of prolamellar body to mature thylakoid) or first to periodic light and then to continuous light (transformation of prolamellar body to primary thylakoids and then to mature thylakoids). It was found that prolonged etiolation has no effect on the rate of thylakoid synthesis in continuous light. However, prolonged preexposure to periodic light diminishes drastically the rate of new thylakoid synthesis in continuous light. Since the thylakoids formed in the latter case are far from being complete, it seems that thylakoid growth can stop long before all of the necessary components are incorporated. Parameters independent of the developmental stage and composition of the membrane, therefore, seem to control membrane growth.     

Reconstitution and Characterization of H+-Translocating ATPase from the Plasma Membrane of Phaseolus mungo L. Roots

Plasma membrane H⁺-translocating ATPase was partially purifiedfrom mung bean (Phaseolus mungo L.) roots and reconstitutedinto soybean phospholipid (asolectin) liposomes by the n-octylglucosidedilution method. The resulting proteoliposomes were mainly unilamellarvesicles ranging in size from 0.05 to 0.2 µm. The existenceof ATP-drived H⁺-pumping across the proteoliposomes was demonstratedby the quenching of quinacrine fluorescence in the presenceof Mg²⁺. The quenching could be abolished by an uncoupler, FCCP,and an inhibitor of H⁺-translocating ATPase, vanadate. The reconstitutedATPase consisted of three major polypeptides of 105 KDa, 67KDa and 57 KDa. Its pH optimum, divalent cation stimulationand vanadate sensitivity were similar to those of partiallypurified ATPase. However, the specificity toward ATP was muchgreater following reconstitution. Also reconstitution reducedthe degree of inhibition by DCCD. Local anesthetics (e.g. dibucaine)had no effect on H⁺-pumping activity but increased the ATPaseactivity when proteoliposomes were reconstituted in their presence. (Received May 2, 1986; Accepted October 17, 1986)     

Correlative Inhibition of Lateral Bud Growth in Pisum sativum L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Studies of the Role of Abscisic Acid

The possibility has been investigated that abscisic acid (ABA)might act as a correlative inhibitor of lateral bud growth inPisum sativum and Phaseolus vulgaris. Application of ABA insmall quantities (2µg) to axillary buds on decapitatedplants of P. sativum caused appreciable inhibition of theirgrowth, and induced a compensatory growth of the bud on an adjacentnode. Application of this same quantity of ABA to axillary budson decapitated plants of Phaseolus vulgaris was without effect,but a high concentration in lanolin (1 mg g^–1) did substantiallyreduce bud outgrowth. Endogenous ABA-like substances in Phaseolusvulgaris, detected by bioassay and electron capture g.l.c.,were present in similar concentrations in shoot tips, lateralbuds on intact plants and lateral buds on plants decapitated24 h earlier. The effects of applied ABA suggested that it might be involvedin the mechanism of correlative inhibition in Pisum sativum,but it was not possible to test this hypothesis by determiningendogenous ABA levels in axillary buds because of their smallsize. The evidence presented here suggests that ABA is not acorrelative inhibitor in Phaseolus vulgaris even though at highconcentration it can inhibit the growth of axillary buds.     

Gradient of Growth, Spontaneous Changes in Growth Rate and Response to Auxin of Excised Hypocotyl Segments of Phaseolus aureus

Spontaneous growth was studied in excised mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) hypocotyl segments. Measurements were made with a growth-recording apparatus using displacement transducers on single 5- to 6-millimeter samples excised from the growth zone immediately below the hook.     

Expression of a-Amylase in Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna mungo Plants

Levels of starch and soluble sugar in pods of Phaseolus vulgarisand Vigna mungo plants were analyzed during the course of maturationof fruits. The results suggest that the immature pods of P.vulgaris function to some extent as temporary reservoirs ofcarbohydrates for growth of seeds. A less clear pattern of accumulationof starch was observed in pods of maturing fruits of Vigna mungo.Measurements of a-amylase activites in pods of maturing fruitsand immunoblotting with an antiserum against     

Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. at Two Irradiances 1. Growth

Plants of Phaseolus vulgaris grown at 7 and 28 W m^–2 showedno differences in rate of development of leaves or flowers.At 7 W m-Z plants had longer internodes, more succulent stemsand leaves, higher ratios of shoot:root and greater leaf areasthat those at 28 W m^–2. These differences were establishedprior to detectable differences in photosynthesis and couldpartly be attributed to an increased proportion of far-red light. Although the final d. wt, carbon content, and fruit yield werehigher at 28 W m^–2, plants at 7 W m^–2 apparentlyhad similar relative growth rates and greater photosyntheticefficiency. Dry weight differences are most easily interpretedas resulting from the establishment of an earlier net carbongain at 28 W m^–2 than at 7 W m^–2.     

A monomeric protein with hemagglutinating activity from seeds of Vigna mungo (Phaseolus mungo).

Black gram (Vigna mungo) seeds are shown to contain a lectin with certain unusual features. The lectin agglutinates only trypsinized red cells, and its sugar specificity is complex as none of the common sugars, oligosaccharides or complex polysaccharides exhibit any affinity for the lectin. The purified lectin has a molecular weight of 58 kDa and is a monomer. Unlike other plant lectins, antibodies to the P. mungo lectin do not exhibit any immunological cross reactivity. The clot forming ability of the lectin is unusual in that the clot once formed is rapidly disaggregated indicated that it induces, as yet undefined, certain membrane alterations.     

Effect of Localized Anoxia on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Root Growth

Heterogeneity within the root environment results in differentialgrowth within root systems. The response of five Phaseolus vulgarisL. cultivars to non-uniform root aeration was evaluated. Threetreatments were applied to a split root system for a periodof 72 h. Treatments consisted of an aerated control, a non-aeratedcontrol (both halves non-aerated, using N₂). and localized anoxia(one-half the root system aerated and the remaining half subjectedto N₂). Shoot and root growth were reduced in the anoxic controlbut not in the aerated control or localized anoxia treatment. Root growth was greatest in the aerated portion of the localizedanoxia treatment for all genotypes. Contributions of the rootcomponents to the compensatory responses differed dependingon the plant cultivar examined. The growth of branched and lateralroots present before the treatment period increased by 65% inline 31908. A 50% increase in the growth of lateral roots whichemerged during the treatment period occurred in another line(Swan Valley). Other genotypes responded in an intermediatemanner. These observations indicate differences in cultivarresponses to localized soil stress. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., Anoxia, Root growth