Recovery of free ADP, Pi, and free energy of ATP hydrolysis in human skeletal muscle

We measuredsignificant undershoots of the concentrations of free ADP([ADP]) and P_i([P_i]) and the freeenergy of ATP hydrolysis (G_ATP) belowinitial resting levels during recovery from severe ischemic exercisewith ³¹P-nuclear magneticresonance spectroscopy in 11 healthy sports students. Undershoots ofthe rate of oxidative phosphorylation would be predicted if the rate ofoxidative phosphorylation would depend solely on free[ADP],[P_i], orG_ATP. However,undershoots of the rate of oxidative phosphorylation have not beenreported in the literature. Furthermore, undershoots of the rate ofoxidative phosphorylation are unlikely because there is evidence that a balance between ATP production and consumption cannot be achieved if anundershoot of the rate of oxidative phosphorylation actually occurs.Therefore, oxidative phosphorylation seems to depend not only on free[ADP],[P_i], orG_ATP. Anexplanation is that acidosis-related or other factors control oxidativephosphorylation additionally, at least under some conditions.

     

Regulation of the expression of lipoxygenase genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis> fruit ripening

Three genes of the lipoxygenase (LOX) family in peach (Prunus persica var. compressa cv. Ruipan 4) were cloned, and their expression patterns during fruit ripening were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR. All of the three peach LOX genes had been expressed during fruit ripening; however, their expression patterns were significantly different. During the normal ripening of peach fruits, the expression levels of PpLox1, PpLox2 and PpLox3 increased in varying degrees accompanying upsurge of ethylene evolution. After treated by methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), the peak of ethylene releasing occurred in advance, and the declining rate of fruit hardness was accelerated, the expression level of the three peach LOX genes in fruits markedly enhanced at the early stage of storage, but significantly decreased at the late storage stage. So, it could be suggested that all three LOXs relate to fruit ripening; however, their functions might be different. PpLox1 expression increase along with the upsurge of ethylene evolution in both control and MeJA-treated peach fruits suggested that PpLox1 probably played a major role in the peach fruit ripening. Expression peak of PpLox2 appeared at the 1 DAH (days after harvest) in both control and MeJA-treated peach fruits, while obvious changes in ethylene evolution and fruit hardness was not observed, which suggested that the rise of PpLox2 expression can be induced by certain stimulation related to ripening, such as harvesting stress and MeJA treatment. The expression of PpLox3 kept a lower level in the natural ripening fruits, whereas raced up at the early stage of storage in the fruits treated with MeJA, which indicated that PpLox3 was expressed inductively and had minor roles during the normal ripening of peach fruits, but when encountered with external stimulation, its expression level would rapidly enhance and accelerate the ripening of peach fruit.     

Deep Origin of Plastid/Parasite ATP/ADP Translocases

Abstract Membrane proteins that transport ATP and ADP have been identified in mitochondria, plastids, and obligate intracellular parasites. The mitochondrial ATP/ADP transporters are derived from a broad-specificity transport family of eukaryotic origin, whereas the origin of the plastid/parasite ATP/ADP translocase is more elusive. Here we present the sequences of five genes coding for ATP/ADP translocases from four species of Rickettsia. The results are consistent with an early duplication and divergence of the five ATP/ADP translocases within the rickettsial lineage. A comparison of the phylogenetic depths of the mitochondrial and the plastid/parasite ATP/ADP translocases indicates a deep origin for both transporters. The results provide no evidence for a recent acquisition of the ATP/ADP transporters in Rickettsia via horizontal gene transfer, as previously suggested. A possible function of the two types of ATP/ADP translocases was to allow switches between glycolysis and aerobic respiration in the early eukaryotic cell and its endosymbiont.     

Gain of function assays identify non- rol genes from Agrobacterium rhizogenes TL-DNA that alter plant morphogenesis or hormone sensitivity

This study tested the morphogenetic potential of 15 open reading frames of the TL-DNA of Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain HRI. These open reading frames were expressed individually under the control of the 35S RNA promoter in transgenic tobacco plants ( Nicotiana tabacum L.). Expression of three T-DNA loci, ORF3n, ORF8 and ORF13, alters plant morphogenesis or the response of transgenic tissues to plant hormones. ORF3n transgenic plants are characterized by retarded flowering, altered internode elongation, altered leaf shape and, in particular, leaf tip necrosis. ORF3n and ORF8 expression reduces the sensitivity to auxin and cytokinin in combination or auxin alone. Tetracycline-dependent expression of ORF13 overcomes a selection of low levels of expression during plant regeneration and reveals a strong inhibitory effect of the ORF13 gene product on cell division and cell elongation. We conclude that the A. rhizogenes TL-DNA harbors genetic information that is important for pathogenicity apart from the well studied rol genes. We propose that these genes play mainly a negative regulatory role during pathogenesis. Moreover, these loci might be relevant to successful infections in specific host plants.     

Structure, evolution and expression of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP translocator gene from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Summary The first AUG in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ADP/ATP translocator (CRANT) mRNA initiates an open reading frame (ORF) which is very similar (51–79% amino acid identity) to other ANT proteins. In contrast to higher plants, no evidence for a long amino-terminal extension was obtained. The 5 non-transcribed region of the single-copy CRANT gene contains sequence motifs present in other C. reinhardtii nuclear genes. Four introns, whose positions are not conserved in other ANT genes, interrupt the protein coding region. A short heat shock specifically reduces CRANT mRNA levels. CRANT mRNA levels were unaffected by a mutation in photosynthesis. In a dark/light regime CRANT mRNA levels are high in the dark phase and low in the early light phase. Data on translation initiation sites, splice junctions and the codon preferences of C. reinhardtii nuclear genes were compiled. With the exception of two rare codons, ACA and GGA, the CRANT gene exhibits the biased codon usage of C. reinhardtii nuclear genes that are highly expressed during normal vegetative growth.     

High hexokinase activity in tomato fruit perturbs carbon and energy metabolism and reduces fruit and seed size

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var MP‐1) plants overexpressing Arabidopsis hexokinase 1 (AtHXK1) exhibited high hexokinase (HXK) activity in correlation with drastic phenotypic modifications in fruit. Transgenic fruit and seeds were reduced in size. Reduction in fruit size was due to decreased cell expansion, which could not be corrected by perfusion with sucrose (Suc). Neither could wild type (WT) fruit and seed size be obtained by grafting of transgenic flowers onto WT shoots. Starch and hexose contents were lower but organic and amino acids were higher in transgenic fruit. Lower respiratory rates measured in vitro accompanied by even lower ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratios indicated metabolic perturbations that may explain, in part, reduced fruit and seed size.     

Identification of plant cytokinin biosynthetic enzymes as dimethylallyl diphosphate:ATP/ADP isopentenyltransferases

It has been believed that the key step in cytokinin biosynthesis is the addition of a 5-carbon chain to the N(6) of AMP. To identify cytokinin biosynthesis enzymes that catalyze the formation of the isopentenyl side chain of cytokinins, the Arabidopsis genomic sequence was searched for genes that could code for isopentenyltransferases. This resulted in the identification of nine putative genes for isopentenyltransferases. One of these, AtIPT4, was subjected to detailed analysis. Overexpression of AtIPT4 caused cytokinin-independent shoot formation on calli. As shoot formation on calli normally occurs only when cytokinins are applied, it suggested that this gene product catalyzed cytokinin biosynthesis in plants. Recombinant AtIPT4 catalyzed the transfer of an isopentenyl group from dimethylallyl diphosphate to the N(6) of ATP and ADP, but not to that of AMP. AtIPT4 did not exhibit the DMAPP:tRNA isopentenyltransferase activity. These results indicate that cytokinins are, at least in part, synthesized from ATP and ADP in plants.     

Phenological variation in fruit characteristics in vertebrate-dispersed plants

Summary We investigated inter-specific variation in fruit characteristics — fruit size, seed number per fruit, seed weight, nutritional content, fruit persistence, and fruit synchronization — in relation to flowering and fruiting phenology in 34 species of fleshy fruited plants. Except for aspects of fruit synchrony and persistence, the results in general were inconsistent with previous suggestions about adaptive variation in phenologically related fruit traits. The main results were as follows: (1) Late flowering, late fruiting, lengthy development time from flower to fruit, and highly persistent fruits constitute a complex of correlated characteristics among the species. (2) Synchronization of fruiting within individuals increased from early ripening fruits to late ripening fruits. Fruiting synchrony was more pronounced in species with a small crop size than in species with a large fruit crop, whereas synchrony was not significantly related to flowering synchronization, nor to life form. (3) Nitrogen and carbohydrate content of fruit pulp did not vary in relation to phenology, whereas lipid content decreased from early to late ripening fruits. (4) No seasonal trends were found for variation in seed size or seed number per fruit. (5) Interactions with flowering phenology and developmental constraints are important in phenological fruiting patterns. Temporal variation in start of fruiting was partly (36%) explained by variation in flowering time. Seed weight variation explained 17% of variation in development time from flower to fruit. (6) Despite constraints from flowering and seed development, some adaptive adjustment in fruiting phenology is likely to be allowed for among the investigated species. Such an adaptive variation in fruiting phenology was suggested by intra-generic comparisons of Prunus and Vaccinium species.     

Effects of Exogenous Application of GA4+7 and NAA on Sugar Accumulation and Related Gene Expression in Peach Fruits During Developing and Ripening Stages

Sweetness is one of the key factors determining peach fruit quality. To better understand the molecular basis of gibberellic acid (GA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) interference with sugar biosynthesis, a middle-late maturing commercial cultivar, ‘Jinxiu’ yellow peach fruit, was treated with three different concentrations of GA₄₊₇ and four of NAA. Fruit weight, firmness, total soluble solids, different sugar contents and the expression level of sugar-related genes were evaluated. The results showed that maximum increase in cv. ‘Jinxiu’ peach fruit size and sucrose content was with 1.25 mM GA₄₊₇, compared to control fruits and the other treatments during the ripening stages. The sucrose-phosphate synthase gene (PpSPS₂) which had a high level of expression and positive correlation with sucrose content was significantly regulated by 1.25 mM GA₄₊₇ in the final ripening stages. 0.5 mM NAA treatments significantly reduced the sucrose content and fruit size. Ninety percent of the fruits were deformed or dropped from the trees with treatments of 1 mM NAA and 2 mM NAA in the early development period. The crosstalk of different phytohormones and the related genes will be further investigated to get an insight into the inherent association between hormone control and sugar accumulation.

     

家蚕ADP/ATP转运酶(BmANT)抑制BmNPV增殖作用机制研究

【目的】家蚕核型多角体病毒(Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus,BmNPV)隶属于杆状病毒,需要借助宿主细胞能量代谢进行自身增殖复制。家蚕ADP/ATP转运酶(Bombyx mori ADP/ATP translocase,BmANT)是线粒体转运蛋白,在BmNPV感染条件下和家蚕热休克蛋白60(heatshockprotein60,BmHSP60)具有直接的相互作用。因此,鉴定Bmant基因在BmNPV感染过程中的功能特征,有助于解析杆状病毒劫持宿主细胞因子促进自身增殖复制机制,完善杆状病毒和宿主相互作用网络。【方法】通过结构域预测BmANT蛋白的结构特征,荧光定量PCR分析Bmant基因在BmNPV感染后的变化特征;并过表达BmANT检测其对病毒DNA复制和病毒蛋白表达变化影响;进一步在转录水平分析Bmant和Bmhsp60基因的调控关系;最后通过流式细胞术等技术鉴定Bmant和Bmhsp60基因共同调控BmNPV增殖复制的机制。【结果】SMART软件预测显示BmANT包含3个线粒体载体结构域,BmNPV感染24 h后Bmant基因持续下调表达。过表达Bmant基因能够显著抑制BmNPV DNA的复制和VP39蛋白表达。荧光定量PCR分析显示Bmant和Bmhsp60基因具有相互拮抗作用,能够相互抑制转录。Bmant和Bmhsp60共同过表达分析显示,BmANT和BmHSP60共同作用BmNPV能够抑制病毒的增殖复制。【结论】结果表明,BmANT是一个线粒体载体蛋白,具有显著的抗病毒作用,能够下调Bmhsp60基因表达,并抑制BmNPV增殖复制。     

Natural variation in cytokinin maintenance improves salt tolerance in apple rootstocks

Plants experiencing salt‐induced stress often reduce cytokinin levels during the early phases of stress‐response. Interestingly, we found that the cytokinin content in the apple rootstock “robusta” was maintained at a high level under salt stress. Through screening genes involved in cytokinin biosynthesis and catabolism, we found that the high expression levels of IPT5b in robusta roots were involved in maintaining the high cytokinin content. We identified a 42 bp deletion in the promoter region of IPT5b, which elevated IPT5b expression levels, and this deletion was linked to salt tolerance in robusta×M.9 segregating population. The 42 bp deletion resulted in the deletion of a Proline Response Element (ProRE), and our results suggest that ProRE negatively regulates IPT5b expression in response to proline. Under salt stress, the robusta cultivar maintains high cytokinin levels as IPT5b expression cannot be inhibited by proline due to the deletion of ProRE, leading to improve salt tolerance.     

Dormancy and Flowering Are Regulated by the Reciprocal Interaction Between Cytokinin and Gibberellin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zantedeschia</Emphasis>

Floral productivity of Zantedeschia is dependent on the conversion rate of buds to shoots, which is controlled by varying intensities of para- (apical dominance), endo- (dormancy), and ecodormancy. We present evidence of cross-talk between cytokinin and gibberellin in their complementary roles to alleviate bud dormancy and enhance flowering in a perennial geophyte. We assessed the impact of cytokinin and gibberellin, applied alone and in sequential combinations, on bud fate during three phases along the ontogeny of growth, which coincide with the progressive transition of buds from apical dominance to dormancy. Given that cytokinin can stimulate branching and gibberellin can induce flowering in Zantedeschia, we measured these phenotypic responses as parameters of bud commitment. The efficacy of cytokinin alone to stimulate branching declined with the transition to dormancy (phase 1 = 3.8 ± 0.2 shoots; phase 3 = 1.0 ± 0.3 shoots). To sustain branching during this transition, a sequential application of gibberellin was necessary. Gibberellin alone failed to stimulate branching. The efficacy of gibberellin alone to stimulate flowering diminished with the transition to dormancy. Any flowering during this transition occurred only after the sequential application of cytokinin. Cytokinin alone failed to stimulate flowering. Alleviating bud dormancy and enhancing flowering in Zantedeschia, achieved by the reciprocal cross-talk between cytokinin and gibberellin, contributes to the pool of evidence drawing common mechanisms between dormancy and flowering and may have commercial implications.