Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants

Genetically tractable model plants offer the possibility of defining the plant O₃ response at the molecular level. To this end, we have isolated a collection of ozone (O₃)-sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana . Mutant phenotypes and genetics were characterized. Additionally, parameters associated with O₃ sensitivity were analysed, including stomatal conductance, sensitivity to and accumulation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, stress gene-expression and the accumulation of stress hormones. Each mutant has a unique phenotypic profile, with O₃ sensitivity caused by a unique set of alterations in these systems. O₃ sensitivity in these mutants is not caused by gross deficiencies in the antioxidant pathways tested here. The rcd3 mutant exhibits misregulated stomata. All mutants exhibited changes in stress hormones consistent with the known hormonal roles in defence and cell death regulation. One mutant, dubbed re-8 , is an allele of the classic leaf development mutant reticulata and exhibits phenotypes dependent on light conditions. This study shows that O₃ sensitivity can be determined by deficiencies in multiple interacting plant systems and provides genetic evidence linking these systems.     

Exogenous ethanol treatment alleviates oxidative damage of Arabidopsis thaliana under conditions of high-light stress

Abiotic stresses, such as high light and salinity, are major factors that limit crop productivity and sustainability worldwide. Chemical priming is a promising strategy for improving the abiotic stress tolerance of plants. Recently, we discovered that ethanol enhances high-salinity stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice by detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the effect of ethanol on other abiotic stress responses is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ethanol on the high-light stress response. Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence showed that ethanol mitigates photoinhibition under high-light stress. Staining with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) showed that the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was inhibited by ethanol under high-light stress conditions in A. thaliana. We found that ethanol increased the gene expressions and enzymatic activities of antioxidative enzymes, including ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE1 (AtAPX1), Catalase (AtCAT1 and AtCAT2). Moreover, the expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes and anthocyanin contents were upregulated by ethanol treatment during exposure to high-light stress. These results imply that ethanol alleviates oxidative damage from high-light stress in A. thaliana by suppressing ROS accumulation. Our findings support the hypothesis that ethanol improves tolerance to multiple stresses in field-grown crops.     

Small CAB-like proteins prevent formation of singlet oxygen in the damaged photosystem II complex of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The cyanobacterial small CAB-like proteins (SCPs) are single-helix membrane proteins mostly associated with the photosystem II (PSII) complex that accumulate under stress conditions. Their function is still ambiguous although they are assumed to regulate chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis and/or to protect PSII against oxidative damage. In this study, the effect of SCPs on the PSII-specific light-induced damage and generation of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) was assessed in the strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 lacking PSI (PSI-less strain) or lacking PSI together with all SCPs (PSI-less/scpABCDE(-) strain). The light-induced oxidative modifications of the PSII D1 protein reflected by a mobility shift of the D1 protein and by generation of a D1-cytochrome b-559 adduct were more pronounced in the PSI-less/scpABCDE(-) strain. This increased protein oxidation correlated with a faster formation of (1)O(2) as detected by the green fluorescence of Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green assessed by a laser confocal scanning microscopy and by electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping technique using 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (TEMPD) as a spin trap. In contrast, the formation of hydroxyl radicals was similar in both strains. Our results show that SCPs prevent (1)O(2) formation during PSII damage, most probably by the binding of free Chl released from the damaged PSII complexes.     

强光下高温与干旱胁迫对花生光系统的伤害机制

为探讨高温和干旱胁迫对花生光合系统的不同影响机制,以鲁花14为试材进行高温(42 ℃)强光(1200 μmol · m^-2 · s^-1)(HH)、干旱(PEG6000,30%)强光(1200 μmol · m^-2 · s^-1)(DH)和强光(1200 μmol · m^-2 · s^-1)胁迫(NH)处理,以未处理为对照(CK)的实验。与CK及NH处理相比,HH和DH的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和820 nm光吸收大幅下降,叶绿素荧光动力学曲线上J点相对荧光(Vj)上升,单位面积内吸收的光量子(ABS/CSm)、单位面积内反应中心捕获的光量子(TRo/CSm)和单位面积内有活性的反应中心的数目(RC/CSm)均出现大幅下降,而PSⅡ的关闭程度(1-qP)明显升高,依赖于叶黄素循环的非辐射能量耗散(NPQ)升高,同时超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性出现下降,丙二醛(MDA)和膜透性增加,这些结果表明,HH和DH胁迫引起了花生叶片的严重光抑制,但快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线中均没有出现K点,表明花生叶片光合系统放氧复合体(OEC)对高温和干旱胁迫不敏感,光合系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)反应中心的受体侧更容易受到高温和干旱的影响,而对花生光系统造成严重破坏的主要原因则是过剩光能的积累,一方面虽然叶黄素循环可以耗散部分能量,但不是全部;另一方面水-水循环受到高温和干旱的影响不能有效起到能量消耗的作用,造成活性氧的大量积累。HH和DH处理对花生光系统造成的伤害相似,但DH处理对花生光系统的伤害程度大一些,强光下,高温和干旱对花生叶片的伤害位点及破坏机制却较为相似。     

Tetrapyrrole‐based drought stress signalling

Tetrapyrroles such as chlorophyll and heme play a vital role in primary plant metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Over the past decades, extensive genetic and molecular analyses have provided valuable insights into the complex regulatory network of the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. However, tetrapyrroles are also implicated in abiotic stress tolerance, although the mechanisms are largely unknown. With recent reports demonstrating that modified tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in plants confers wilting avoidance, a component physiological trait to drought tolerance, it is now timely that this pathway be reviewed in the context of drought stress signalling. In this review, the significance of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis under drought stress is addressed, with particular emphasis on the inter‐relationships with major stress signalling cascades driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and organellar retrograde signalling. We propose that unlike the chlorophyll branch, the heme branch of the pathway plays a key role in mediating intracellular drought stress signalling and stimulating ROS detoxification under drought stress. Determining how the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway is involved in stress signalling provides an opportunity to identify gene targets for engineering drought‐tolerant crops.     

Global regulation of reactive oxygen species scavenging genes in alfalfa root and shoot under gradual drought stress and recovery

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and scavenging in plants under drought stress have been studied intensively in recent years. Here we report a global analysis of gene expression for the major ROS generating and scavenging proteins in alfalfa root and shoot under gradual drought stress followed by one-day recovery. Data from two alfalfa varieties, one drought tolerant and one drought sensitive, were compared and no qualitative differences in ROS gene regulation between the two were found. Conserved, tissue-specific patterns of gene expression in response to drought were observed for several ROS-scavenging gene families, including ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and peroxiredoxin. In addition, differential gene expression within families was observed. Genes for the ROS-generating enzyme, NADPH oxidase were generally induced under drought, while those for glycolate oxidase were repressed. Among the ROS-scavenging protein genes, Ferritin, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the majority of the glutathione peroxidase family members were induced under drought in both roots and shoots of both alfalfa varieties. In contrast, Fe-SOD, CC-type glutaredoxins, and thoiredoxins were downregulated.     

The irreversible photoinhibition of the photosystem II complex in leaves of Vicia faba under strong light

Exposure of the photosynthetic machinery to strong light causes the photoinhibition of the photosystem II complex. The recovery from the photoinhibition in vivo was characterized by monitoring the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) in detached leaves of broad bean (Vicia faba). The changes in the ratio were explained in terms of three components, namely, two saturating exponential components with half rise-times of about 15 and 120 min, respectively, and a non-recovery component. The non-recovery component increased gradually as the exposure to strong light was prolonged. Our results suggest that this irreversible component of the photoinhibition of the photosystem II complex was caused by severe stress due to strong light under which repair of the photosystem II complex was insufficient to allow full recovery. The irreversible photoinhibition is discussed in terms of both the physiology and ecology of plants.     

Copper-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in Arabidopsis thaliana

Content of reactive oxygen species (ROS): O2*-, H2O2 and OH* as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) were studied in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia, treated with Cu excess (0, 5, 25, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 300 microM). After 7 days of Cu action ROS content and the activity of SOD and POX increased, while CAT activity decreased in comparison with control. Activities of SOD, POX and CAT were correlated both with Cu concentration (0-75 microM) in the growth medium and with OH* content in leaves. Close correlation was also found between OH* content and Cu concentration. Oxidative stress in A. thaliana under Cu treatment expressed in elevated content of O2*-, H2O2 and OH* in leaves. To overcome it very active the dismutase- and peroxidase-related (and not catalase-related, as in other plants) ROS scavenging system operated in A. thaliana. Visual symptoms of phytotoxicity: chlorosis, necrosis and violet colouring of leaves as well as a reduction of shoot biomass occurred in plants.     

干旱胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum Bobr)叶片乙烯释放和多胺含量变化与活性氧积累的关系

通过盆栽土培试验研究了干旱胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum Bobr)叶片乙烯释放、多胺含量、活性氧水平及细胞膜透性的动态变化.结果表明,随着土壤干旱强度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,多裂骆驼蓬叶片内丙二醛(MDA)含量和细胞膜透性呈递增变化趋势;轻度胁迫下,乙烯产生速率、多胺(Put、Spm、Spd)、活性氧(O2-·、H2O2)和MDA含量及多胺氧化酶(PAO)活性随胁迫时间延长无明显变化;中度和重度胁迫初期(胁迫后0～30d)腐胺(Put)、精胺(Spm)和亚精胺(Spd)含量快速提高,乙烯生成速率下降,而O2-·、H2O2、MDA含量和PAO活性相对平稳;胁迫后期(胁迫后45～75d)乙烯生成速率增高,Put、Spm和Spd含量下降, O2-·、H2O2和MDA含量大幅度增加,膜透性增大,且乙烯释放与O2-·、H2O2含量呈显著正相关.表明中度和重度胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬叶片存在乙烯和多胺合成的相互制约,乙烯释放增加诱导活性氧积累导致膜透性急剧增大.     

Analysis of oxidative signalling induced by ozone in Arabidopsis thaliana

We are using acute ozone as an elicitor of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) to understand oxidative signalling in Arabidopsis. Temporal patterns of ROS following a 6 h exposure to 300 nL L(-1) of ozone in ozone-sensitive Wassilewskija (Ws-0) ecotype showed a biphasic ROS burst with a smaller peak at 4 h and a larger peak at 16 h. This was accompanied by a nitric oxide (NO) burst that peaked at 9 h. An analysis of antioxidant levels showed that both ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were at their lowest levels, when ROS levels were high in ozone-stressed plants. Whole genome expression profiling analysis at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after initiation of ozone treatment identified 371 differentially expressed genes. Early induction of proteolysis and hormone-responsive genes indicated that an oxidative cell death pathway was triggered rapidly. Down-regulation of genes involved in carbon utilization, energy pathways and signalling suggested an inefficient defense response. Comparisons with other large-scale expression profiling studies indicated some overlap between genes induced by ethylene and ozone, and a significant overlap between genes repressed by ozone and methyl jasmonate treatment. Further, analysis of cis elements in the promoters of ozone-responsive genes also supports the view that phytohormones play a significant role in ozone-induced cell death.     

Photochemical response to drought acclimation in two sunflower genotypes

The effects of drought acclimation on CO₂ assimilation and light utilization were investigated in two sunflower genotypes ( Helianthus annuus L., T32 and Viki) in relation to water deficit and/or high light conditions. Drought interaction with PSII efficiency was observed in the genotype T32 with a sustained decrease in the potential photochemical efficiency of PSII, F_n/F_m. In response to drought acclimation, T32 displayed some tendency to accumulate closed PSII traps (higher value of 1-qp) without an enhancement of thermal deactivation (Stem-Volmer non-photochemical quenching, NPQ). Irrespective of the growth conditions (growth chamber or greenhouse), only Viki was responsive to drought acclimation, with (1) increased net photosynthesis in well-watered plants, (2) higher maintenance of photochemical electron transfer under water deficit and/or high light, (3) limited PSII inactivation (lower value of 1-qp) through increased non-photochemical energy dissipation (Stern-Volmer NPQ) which was readily reversible even at low leaf water potentials, and (4) higher F_v/F_m recovery after high light treatment. Additionally, drought acclimation delayed turgor loss during subsequent water stress in Viki. Thus, the response to drought acclimation, with an adjustment of water relations and of energy utilization by PSII, was observed under both growth conditions and was mainly genotype dependent.     

干旱和复水对入侵植物三裂叶蟛蜞菊叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响

选取入侵植物三裂叶蟛蜞菊(Wedelia trilobata)及其本地近缘种蟛蜞菊(W. chinensis)为实验材料,比较干旱和复水后二者叶片的叶绿素荧光特性和抗氧化酶活性等生理指标的变化规律,探讨入侵种三裂叶蟛蜞菊对干旱的响应和生态适应性.结果发现,在自然干旱处理过程中,入侵种三裂叶蟛蜞菊与本地种蟛蜞菊相比土壤含水量下降较快,对它们叶片气孔形态的比较发现,干旱胁迫11d后三裂叶蟛蜞菊叶片气孔开度明显大于蟛蜞菊,这可能是导致其失水较快的原因之一.干旱胁迫11d后三裂叶蟛蜞菊的PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)降低了43.8%,而蟛蜞菊只降低了3.7%;同时,与蟛蜞菊相比,三裂叶蟛蜞菊的PSⅡ实际光化学量子产量(Yield)、表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)也表现出较大幅度的降低,说明三裂叶蟛蜞菊对干旱胁迫较敏感;但复水后,三裂叶蟛蜞菊能够较快地恢复到正常水平,且与本地种不存在显著差异.这主要是由于入侵种在遭受干旱胁迫时提高了对其过量激发能的热耗散能力以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸还原酶(APX)的活性,保护光合机构少受不可逆的损伤,使其在干旱胁迫解除后光合功能得以迅速恢复.研究结果初步表明三裂叶蟛蜞菊容易受到水分条件的限制,它向干旱地区扩散的可能性较小.     

干旱胁迫下紫穗槐叶片解剖特征的变化

研究了重度、中度、轻度干旱胁迫条件下2年生紫穗槐幼苗叶片的形态解剖学特征变化.结果表明:随着干旱胁迫程度的增加,叶片厚度、上下表皮的厚度逐渐减小,栅栏组织和海绵组织的厚度也减小,而栅栏组织与海绵组织的比值、主脉维管束相对直径、主脉突起度与中脉厚度则增大.气孔面积随干旱程度的增加呈下降趋势,但气孔分布的密度增加.在干旱逆...     

Changes in the antigenic properties of proteins of laboratory mice during oxidative stress

Changes in the level of oxidative damage to proteins in CD1 outbred mice γ irradiated with a dose of 3 Gy have been studied. The changes were estimated from the amount of carbonyl groups (CG) in the proteins. It was found that two hours after exposure to γ radiation, the amount of CG in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of the liver, heart, brain, and spleen sharply increased. Two months after irradiation, the level of CG in the cytoplasmic and nuclear subcellular fractions of the liver and brain decreased to the level of CG in the control animals, which were not exposed to radiation. In the subcellular fractions of the heart and spleen, the increase in the degree of damage was more significant and a high level of damage was observed even two months after irradiation. An enhancement of the antigenic properties of proteins from the liver, heart, and spleen in the postirradiation period was found. Spleen proteins were most immunogenic. A comparison of the antigenic properties of proteins isolated from the tissues 60 days after irradiation revealed a correlation between the level of oxidative damage and the immunogenicity of the total protein fraction.     

干旱胁迫条件下马铃薯耐旱品种宁蒗182叶片蛋白质组学分析

开展马铃薯抗旱分子机理的研究对培育马铃薯抗旱品种, 减少干旱造成的损失至关重要。文章利用双向电泳技术对云南地方耐旱马铃薯品种宁蒗182在干旱与正常处理条件下叶片表达差异蛋白质组进行对比研究。经电泳图谱分析和MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS质谱鉴定获得12个表达差异蛋白点, 并进行了功能分类。结果发现, 在差异蛋白中具有保护马铃薯光和系统以及线粒体正常运转的酶类; 调节该植株对环境胁迫响应的信号传导以及调控其组织内N、C运输系统的功能蛋白, 这些蛋白在受到干旱胁迫时表达量均升高。这一结果揭示出该类蛋白是马铃薯在干旱条件下产生的耐受相关蛋白。文章为阐释马铃薯抗旱品种通过多种路径和水平的调控提高其抗性的分子机理提供了理论依据。     

In vivo cytochrome and alternative pathway respiration in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants with altered alternative oxidase under different light conditions

The in vivo activity of the alternative pathway (ν(alt)) has been studied using the oxygen isotope fractionation method in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana modified for the expression of the AtAOX1a gene by anti-sense (AS-12) or overexpression (XX-2). Under non-stressful conditions, ν(alt) was similar in all plant lines regardless of its different alternative pathway capacities (V(alt)). Total leaf respiration (V(t)) and V(alt) were directly related to growth light conditions while electron partitioning between the cytochrome pathway (CP) and alternative pathway (AP) was unchanged by light levels. Interestingly, the AP functioned at full capacity in anti-sense plants under both growth light conditions. The role of the AP in response to a high light stress induced by short-term high light treatment (HLT) was also studied. In wild type and XX-2, both CP and AP rates increased proportionally after HLT while in AS-12, where the AP was unable to increase its rate, the CP accommodated all the increase in respiration. The results obtained under high light stress suggest that flexibility in the response of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is involved in sustaining photosynthetic rates in response to this stress while the saturated AP in AS-12 plants may contribute to the observed increase in photoinhibition.