Establishment and in vitro regeneration studies of the potential oil crop species Camelina sativa

Camelina sativa was successfully established in vitro and systems for the regeneration of shoots from leaf explants developed. Methods for the surface-sterilisation of seeds were used which gave 95% germination, though the in vitro grown seedlings failed to develop beyond 28 days culture. In a micropropagation system, the rooting response of nodal explants was increased from a control level of 26.4% to 46.7% by the addition of 5.4 μM NAA. Leaf explants were more efficient for the regeneration of root and shoots than hypocotyls. For regeneration from leaf tissue the use of auxin (NAA) alone in the medium above a level of 0.54 μM resulted in root or callus growth. Cytokinin, in the form of BA alone failed to induce regeneration, but a combination of 4.44 μM BA and 0.54 μM NAA induced shoot regeneration at rates over 10.0 shoots per explant. Regenerated shoots were successfully transplanted to soil and flowered and set seed normally. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Targeted editing of multiple homologues of GTR1 and GTR2 genes provides the ideal low-seed,high-leaf glucosinolate oilseed mustard with uncompromised defence and yield

Glucosinolate content in the two major oilseed Brassica crops—rapeseed and mustard has been reduced to the globally accepted Canola quality level (<30 μmoles/g of seed dry weight, DW), making the protein-rich seed meal useful as animal feed. However, the overall lower glucosinolate content in seeds as well as in the other parts of such plants renders them vulnerable to biotic challenges. We report CRISPR/Cas9-based editing of glucosinolate transporter (GTR) family genes in mustard (Brassica juncea) to develop ideal lines with the desired low seed glucosinolate content (SGC) while maintaining high glucosinolate levels in the other plant parts for uncompromised plant defence. Use of three gRNAs provided highly efficient and precise editing of four BjuGTR1 and six BjuGTR2 homologues leading to a reduction of SGC from 146.09 μmoles/g DW to as low as 6.21 μmoles/g DW. Detailed analysis of the GTR-edited lines showed higher accumulation and distributional changes of glucosinolates in the foliar parts. However, the changes did not affect the plant defence and yield parameters. When tested against the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and generalist pest Spodoptera litura, the GTR-edited lines displayed a defence response at par or better than that of the wild-type line. The GTR-edited lines were equivalent to the wild-type line for various seed yield and seed quality traits. Our results demonstrate that simultaneous editing of multiple GTR1 and GTR2 homologues in mustard can provide the desired low-seed, high-leaf glucosinolate lines with an uncompromised defence and yield.     

Engineering Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz for enhanced oil and seed yields by combining diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 and glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase expression

Plant seed oil‐based liquid transportation fuels (i.e., biodiesel and green diesel) have tremendous potential as environmentally, economically and technologically feasible alternatives to petroleum‐derived fuels. Due to their nutritional and industrial importance, one of the major objectives is to increase the seed yield and oil production of oilseed crops via biotechnological approaches. Camelina sativa, an emerging oilseed crop, has been proposed as an ideal crop for biodiesel and bioproduct applications. Further increase in seed oil yield by increasing the flux of carbon from increased photosynthesis into triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis will make this crop more profitable. To increase the oil yield, we engineered Camelina by co‐expressing the Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT1) and a yeast cytosolic glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD1) genes under the control of seed‐specific promoters. Plants co‐expressing DGAT1 and GPD1 exhibited up to 13% higher seed oil content and up to 52% increase in seed mass compared to wild‐type plants. Further, DGAT1‐ and GDP1‐co‐expressing lines showed significantly higher seed and oil yields on a dry weight basis than the wild‐type controls or plants expressing DGAT1 and GPD1 alone. The oil harvest index (g oil per g total dry matter) for DGTA1‐ and GPD1‐co‐expressing lines was almost twofold higher as compared to wild type and the lines expressing DGAT1 and GPD1 alone. Therefore, combining the overexpression of TAG biosynthetic genes, DGAT1 and GPD1, appears to be a positive strategy to achieve a synergistic effect on the flux through the TAG synthesis pathway, and thereby further increase the oil yield.     

Regulation of TG accumulation and lipid droplet morphology by the novel TLDP1 in Aurantiochytrium limacinum F26-b

Thraustochytrids are marine single-cell protists that produce large amounts of PUFAs, such as DHA. They accumulate PUFAs in lipid droplets (LDs), mainly as constituent(s) of triacylglycerol (TG). We identified a novel protein in the LD fraction of Aurantiochytrium limacinum F26-b using 2D-difference gel electrophoresis. The protein clustered with orthologs of thraustochytrids; however, the cluster was evolutionally different from known PAT family proteins or plant LD protein; thus, we named it thraustochytrid-specific LD protein 1 (TLDP1). TLDP1 surrounded LDs when expressed as a GFP-tagged form. Disruption of the tldp1 gene decreased the content of TG and number of LDs per cell; however, irregular and unusually large LDs were generated in tldp1-deficient mutants. Although the level of TG synthesis was unchanged by the disruption of tldp1, the level of TG degradation was higher in tldp1-deficient mutants than in the WT. These phenotypic abnormalities in tldp1-deficient mutants were restored by the expression of tldp1. These results indicate that TLDP1 is a thraustochytrid-specific LD protein and regulates the TG accumulation and LD morphology in A. limacinum F26-b.     

Constitutive or seed‐specific overexpression of Arabidopsis G‐protein γ subunit 3 (AGG3) results in increased seed and oil production and improved stress tolerance in Camelina sativa

Heterotrimeric G‐proteins consisting of Gα, Gβ and Gγ subunits play an integral role in mediating multiple signalling pathways in plants. A novel, recently identified plant‐specific Gγ protein, AGG3, has been proposed to be an important regulator of organ size and mediator of stress responses in Arabidopsis, whereas its potential homologs in rice are major quantitative trait loci for seed size and panicle branching. To evaluate the role of AGG3 towards seed and oil yield improvement, the gene was overexpressed in Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family. Analysis of multiple homozygous T4 transgenic Camelina lines showed that constitutive overexpression of AGG3 resulted in faster vegetative as well as reproductive growth accompanied by an increase in photosynthetic efficiency. Moreover, when expressed constitutively or specifically in seed tissue, AGG3 was found to increase seed size, seed mass and seed number per plant by 15%–40%, effectively resulting in significantly higher oil yield per plant. AGG3 overexpressing Camelina plants also exhibited improved stress tolerance. These observations draw a strong link between the roles of AGG3 in regulating two critical yield parameters, seed traits and plant stress responses, and reveal an effective biotechnological tool to dramatically increase yield in agricultural crops.     

An in vitro system for the rapid functional characterization of genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation

We have developed an assay based on rice embryogenic callus for rapid functional characterization of metabolic genes. We validated the assay using a selection of well‐characterized genes with known functions in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, allowing rapid visual screening of callus phenotypes based on tissue color. We then used the system to identify the functions of two uncharacterized genes: a chemically synthesized β–carotene ketolase gene optimized for maize codon usage, and a wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog of the cauliflower Orange gene. In contrast to previous reports (Lopez, A.B., Van Eck, J., Conlin, B.J., Paolillo, D.J., O'Neill, J. and Li, L. ( 2008 ) J. Exp. Bot. 59, 213–223; Lu, S., Van Eck, J., Zhou, X., Lopez, A.B., O'Halloran, D.M., Cosman, K.M., Conlin, B.J., Paolillo, D.J., Garvin, D.F., Vrebalov, J., Kochian, L.V., Küpper, H., Earle, E.D., Cao, J. and Li, L. ( 2006 ) Plant Cell 18, 3594–3605), we found that the wild‐type Orange allele was sufficient to induce chromoplast differentiation. We also found that chromoplast differentiation was induced by increasing the availability of precursors and thus driving flux through the pathway, even in the absence of Orange. Remarkably, we found that diverse endosperm‐specific promoters were highly active in rice callus despite their restricted activity in mature plants. Our callus system provides a unique opportunity to predict the effect of metabolic engineering in complex pathways, and provides a starting point for quantitative modeling and the rational design of engineering strategies using synthetic biology. We discuss the impact of our data on analysis and engineering of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway.     

粳稻和籼稻D1蛋白光抑制敏感性的差异与其编码基因序列结构特征的相关性分析(英文)

粳稻 (OryzasativaL .ssp .japonica)和籼稻 (O .sativassp .indica)对光抑制的敏感程度存在差异 ,它们的叶绿体光反应中心Ⅱ核心蛋白D1的稳定性不同。以菌落原位杂交法克隆了粳稻“95 16”和籼稻“籼优 6 3”叶绿体D1蛋白的编码基因psbA。核苷酸序列同源比较显示 :两者在启动子区和 5′_UTR完全相同 ;编码区存在着个别碱基的差异 ,但均位于三联体密码的第三位 ,不影响氨基酸编码特性 ,在蛋白质氨基酸序列上没有差异 ;在 3′_UTR内存在寡聚U长度的差异。因此 ,粳稻和籼稻D1蛋白对光抑制作用敏感性的差异与其蛋白质的氨基酸序列结构无关 ,可能与调控psbA基因表达的上游因子或光保护机制的差异有关。     

Functional analysis of the tandem-duplicated P450 genes SPS/BUS/CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 in glucosinolate biosynthesis and plant development by Ds transposition-generated double mutants

A significant fraction (approximately 17%) of Arabidopsis genes are members of tandemly repeated families and pose a particular challenge for functional studies. We have used the Ac-Ds transposition system to generate single- and double-knockout mutants of two tandemly duplicated cytochrome P450 genes, SPS/BUS/CYP79F1 and CYP79F2. We have previously described the Arabidopsis supershoot mutants in CYP79F1 that exhibit massive overproliferation of shoots. Here we use a cytokinin-responsive reporter ARR5::uidA and an auxin-responsive reporter DR5::uidA in the sps/cyp79F1 mutant to show that increased levels of cytokinin, but not auxin, correlate well with the expression pattern of the SPS/CYP79F1 gene, supporting the involvement of this gene in cytokinin homeostasis. Further, we isolated Ds gene trap insertions in the CYP79F2 gene, and find these mutants to be defective mainly in the root system, consistent with a root-specific expression pattern. Finally, we generated double mutants in CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 using secondary transpositions, and demonstrate that the phenotypes are additive. Previous biochemical studies have suggested partially redundant functions for SPS/CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 in aliphatic glucosinolate synthesis. Our analysis shows that aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis is completely abolished in the double-knockout plants, providing genetic proof for the proposed biochemical functions of these genes. This study also provides further demonstration of how gluconisolate biosynthesis, regarded as secondary metabolism, is intricately linked with hormone homeostatis and hence with plant growth and development.     

OsLOL1, a C2C2‐type zinc finger protein,interacts with OsbZIP58 to promote seed germination through the modulation of gibberellin biosynthesis in Oryza sativa

Seed germination is a key developmental process in the plant life cycle that is influenced by various environmental cues and phytohormones through gene expression and a series of metabolism pathways. In the present study, we investigated a C2C2‐type finger protein, OsLOL1, which promotes gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and affects seed germination in Oryza sativa (rice). We used OsLOL1 antisense and sense transgenic lines to explore OsLOL1 functions. Seed germination timing in antisense plants was restored to wild type when exogenous GA₃ was applied. The reduced expression of the GA biosynthesis gene OsKO2 and the accumulation of ent‐kaurene were observed during germination in antisense plants. Based on yeast two‐hybrid and firefly luciferase complementation analyses, OsLOL1 interacted with the basic leucine zipper protein OsbZIP58. The results from electrophoretic mobility shift and dual‐luciferase reporter assays showed that OsbZIP58 binds the G‐box cis‐element of the OsKO2 promoter and activates LUC reporter gene expression, and that interaction between OsLOL1 and OsbZIP58 activates OsKO2 gene expression. In addition, OsLOL1 decreased SOD1 gene expression and accelerated programmed cell death (PCD) in the aleurone layer of rice grains. These findings demonstrate that the interaction between OsLOL1 and OsbZIP58 influences GA biosynthesis through the activation of OsKO2 via OsbZIP58, thereby stimulating aleurone PCD and seed germination.     

CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 have distinct functions in the biosynthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates in Arabidopsis

Cytochromes P450 of the CYP79 family catalyze the conversion of amino acids to oximes in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates, a group of natural plant products known to be involved in plant defense and as a source of flavor compounds, cancer-preventing agents and bioherbicides. We report a detailed biochemical analysis of the substrate specificity and kinetics of CYP79F1 and CYP79F2, two cytochromes P450 involved in the biosynthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using recombinant CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 expressed in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively, we show that CYP79F1 metabolizes mono- to hexahomomethionine, resulting in both short- and long-chain aliphatic glucosinolates. In contrast, CYP79F2 exclusively metabolizes long-chain elongated penta- and hexahomomethionines. CYP79F1 and CYP79F2 are spatially and developmentally regulated, with different gene expression patterns. CYP79F2 is highly expressed in hypocotyl and roots, whereas CYP79F1 is strongly expressed in cotyledons, rosette leaves, stems, and siliques. A transposon-tagged CYP79F1 knockout mutant completely lacks short-chain aliphatic glucosinolates, but has an increased level of long-chain aliphatic glucosinolates, especially in leaves and seeds. The level of long-chain aliphatic glucosinolates in a transposon-tagged CYP79F2 knockout mutant is substantially reduced, whereas the level of short-chain aliphatic glucosinolates is not affected. Biochemical characterization of CYP79F1 and CYP79F2, and gene expression analysis, combined with glucosinolate profiling of knockout mutants demonstrate the functional role of these enzymes. This provides valuable insights into the metabolic network leading to the biosynthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates, and into metabolic engineering of altered aliphatic glucosinolate profiles to improve nutritional value and pest resistance.     

温度对大豆(Glycine max)种子发育过程中蛋白质、脂肪和淀粉积累过程的影响

目前人们仍不清楚温度是如何影响发育中的大豆（Glycine max L．）种子蛋白质和脂肪积累过程以及基因型不同的大豆是否对温度具有相同的反应。研究拟通过对3个基因型大豆在不同温度处理下,种子发育过程中的蛋白质和脂肪的积累模式研究,以了解温度对种子组分的调节机理。3个基因型大豆品种（Evans,PI132．217,和Proto）种子盆栽在温度为27／20％（中温）的生长箱中生长到开花。在开花后第10天,将其中的一个生长箱的温度调节到35／27℃（高温）;另一个调到20／12℃（低温）。生长在高温和中温条件下的大豆,在开花的第21天开始收集豆荚,每3d取1次样。生长在低温条件下的大豆,在开花的第25天开始收集豆荚,每5d取1次样。结果表明,3个基因型大豆种子均在高温下生长快,成熟早,在中温下生长速率最大,低温下生长速率低但种子生长期延长。当种子获得60％-70％总干重时种子脂肪含量达到最大（中温）,高温使其提前出现,低温则被推后。在低温下,种子中蛋白质和脂肪两者积累模式相同,但蛋白质积累速率低。在高温和中温条件下,种子蛋白质和脂肪的积累模式不同。在种子获得60％～70％的总干重之前,蛋白质和脂肪积累模式相同,但在种子获得60％～70％的总干重之后,蛋白质积累呈上升趋势,而脂肪积累停止或下降。同时在种子发育的晚期伴随着蛋白质含量增加,淀粉和蔗糖含量快速下降。虽然3个基因型大豆种子的蛋白质和脂肪积累模式均明显受温度影响,但在不同温度条件下和不同生长阶段中高蛋白质品种Proto和PI132．217（蛋白质稳定型）蛋白质含量总是高于低蛋白质品种Evans,而且两者差异显著。这一研究表明温度不能改变品种在蛋白质和脂肪合成上的遗传特性。遗传育种在提高大豆种子蛋白质含量上仍起决定作用,但是合理的播种时期在提高大豆种子蛋白质和脂肪含量上也是不可忽视的问题。     

Identification of the fnx1+ and fnx2+ genes for vacuolar amino acid transporters in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have identified the Schizosaccharomyces pombe SPBC3E7.06c gene (fnx2(+)) from a homology search with the fnx1(+) gene involving in G(0) arrest upon nitrogen starvation. Green fluorescent protein-fused Fnx1p and Fnx2p localized exclusively to the vacuolar membrane. Uptake of histidine or isoleucine by S. pombe cells was inhibited by concanamycin A, a specific inhibitor of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Amino acid uptake was also defective in the vacuolar ATPase mutant, suggesting that vacuolar compartmentalization is critical for amino acid uptake by whole cells. In both Deltafnx1 and Deltafnx2 mutant cells, uptake of lysine, isoleucine or asparagine was impaired. These results suggest that fnx1(+) and fnx2(+) are involved in vacuolar amino acid uptake in S. pombe.     

Distribution of enzyme activities within the developing maize (Zea mays) kernel in relation to starch, oil and protein accumulation

The association of enzyme activities in developing kernels with specific storage product accumulation at maturity was analyzed in different parts of Zea mays inbred OH43 kernels. Maize kernels were harvested at 20 and 55 days post-pollination and dissected into basal region, pericarp, embryo, lower endosperm, middle endosperm and upper endosperm. Mature (55 days pos(-pollination) kernel parts were analyzed for starch, total protein, zein and oil content. Immature (20 days post-pollination) kernel parts were assayed for activities of 15 enzymes of sugar and amino acid metabolism. Statistical analyses of the data suggested that glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) fructokinase (EC 2.7.1.4) and phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.1 11) activities were primarily associated with oil accumulation, whereas ADP'-glueose pyrophosphorylasc (EC 2.7.7.27) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) activities were associated with starch accumulation. The results suggest that oil biosynthesis utilizes inveitase-mediated sucrose degradation in a pathway not requiring pyrophosphatc. whereas starch biosynthesis utilizes a sucrose synthase-mediated pathway of sucrose degradation in a pathway requiring pyrophosphatc. Additional groups of enzyme activities were associated with each oilier but not with any specific storage product and appeared to be associated with general metabolic activity.