Cyanogenesis of Hevea brasiliensis during Infection with Microcyclus ulei1)

Eight Hevea species have been shown to be cyanogenic. They all liberated HCN following mechanical tissue injury. Infection of Hevea leaves with conidia of the plant pathogen Microcyclus ulei leads to a large reduction of hydrocyanic acid potential, while only small amounts of HCN are set free from the leaves into the atmosphere. HCN production by infected leaves follows a reproducible pattern with a maximum between 40 and 60 hours after infection. During the entire time of infection free HCN can be detected in the leaves. From leaves of susceptible clones high amounts of HCN are liberated whereas from resistant clones only very little HCN is released. In Hevea infections with M. ulei, cyanogenesis does not lead to defense of the fungal pathogen but impairment of the resistance reaction.     

South American leaf blight of Hevea brasiliensis: spore dispersal of Microcyclus ulei

Trapping of ascospores and conidia of Microcyclus ulei among young trees of Hevea brasiliensis in Trinidad from May 1973 to May 1975 snowed that ascospores occurred throughout the year whilst conidia were present only during the wet season. Peak ascospore concentrations occurred in August and November during the wet season, the latter peak being more marked and the former coinciding with the period of maximum conidium liberation. In dry weather the number of ascospores increased during the night to a maximum at 06.00 h, and decreased to a low level during the day. On rainy days heavy ascospore discharge also occurred during the day. Ascospore concentration decreased significantly after dawn on sunny days whilst on overcast days the concentration remained high most of the day. Conidium production was highest around 10.00 h and decreased towards the evening to a low level during the night, reaching a minimum at 07.00 h.     

Range of Hevea brasiliensis Pollen Dispersal Estimated by Esterase Isozyme Markers

A study was carried out to estimate the distance Hevea brasiliensispollen could be dispersed under natural conditions. Seeds werecollected at varying distances from the boundary between twoadjacent fields that were each planted with a pure stand ofa genetic clone. Esterase isozyme markers were used to determineif the seeds had been derived from self- or cross-pollination.The incidence of cross-pollination was then examined in relationto the distance from the inter-clonal boundary. A logarithmicmodel gave the best fit (r²=0.864) and suggested that pollencould travel distances in the order of 0.3 to 1.1 km. Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), pollen dispersal, cross-pollination, self-pollination, esterase isozymes.     

Assessing susceptibility of Hevea clones to Microcyclus ulei

Leaf disks of 7-day-old Hevea leaves floating on water produced lesions of varying sizes following inoculation with conidia of Microcyclus ulei, the cause of South American leaf blight (SALB) of Hevea. The resistance ratings of 188 Hevea clones classified according to lesion size on leaf disks and to leaf area infected in the field were correlated. Lesion size varied little with small differences in leaf age or inoculum level. Leaves which had been treated with sodium hypochlorite and stored for 3 days could still be infected by desiccated conidia, suggesting that Hevea leaves from South East Asia and conidia of M. ulei from South America could be sent to a central laboratory for rapid screening for resistance to SALB.     

巴西橡胶树4-羟基-3-甲基-2-(E)-丁烯基-4-磷酸还原酶基因(Hb-HDR)的克隆及表达分析

4-羟基-3-甲基-2-(E)-丁烯基-4-磷酸还原酶(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphatereductase,HDR)是异戊烯基焦磷酸合成途径之一甲基赤藓糖磷酸(methylerythritol phosphate,MEP)途径中的最后一个酶,催化4-羟基-3-甲基-(2E)-丁烯基-4-磷酸生成异戊烯基焦磷酸.根据植物HDR的同源序列设计引物,通过RT-PCR结合RACE的方法在橡胶树中获得了与其相应的HDR基因,命名为HbHDR.序列分析表明HbHDR长1 627 bp,编码462个氨基酸,属于LYTB家族,该氨基酸序列与烟草、长春花、胡黄连、拟南芥、银杏和火炬松的HDR同源性为79.1%、78.4%、76.5%、75.3%、72.2%和70.9%.半定量RT-PCR结果显示,乙烯诱导胶乳HbHDR的表达.     

巴西橡胶树HbCMK基因的克隆及表达

根据植物CMK(4-Diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol Kinase,CMK)的同源序列设计引物,通过RT-PCR结合RACE的方法在橡胶树中获得了与其相应的CMK基因,命名为HbCMK.序列分析表明HbCMK长1 415 bp,编码388个氨基酸,该氨基酸序列与长春花(Catharanthus roseus)、拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、甜菊(Stevia rebaudiana)、丹参(Salvia miltiorrhiza)、烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)和水稻(Oryza sativa)的CMK相似性分别达到72.6%、72.5%、71.9%、70.9%、69.0%和66.9%.半定量RT-PCR结果显示,HbCMK的表达具有组织差异性,在愈伤组织中大量表达,在叶片和胶乳中微量表达,乙烯诱导胶乳HbCMK的表达,伤害对HbCMK的表达几乎没有影响.本实验结果为进一步了解MEP途径在橡胶树胶乳中的作用和天然橡胶生物合成的调控奠定了基础.     

Gene insertion into Hevea brasiliensis

A transformation system has been developed for Hevea brasiliensis using the particle gun method. Anther derived calluses were transformed with vectors harbouring the ß-glucuronidase (gus) gene, the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene, and the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) gene. Gene transfer was determined by histochemical staining and fluorometric assay for ß-glucuronidase activity, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detecting neomycin phosphotransferase II gene and direct enzyme assay for detection of expression of the cat gene. These independent assays all showed a several-fold increase, compared to control values, in gene product level and enzyme activity in extracts from transformed callus and embryoids of Hevea. These results were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction with primers designed to amplify an internal gus fragment. Together, the results show the feasibility of the particle gun method for the introduction of foreign genes into Hevea.Abbreviations BSA bovine serine albumin - CAT chloramphenicol acetyl transferase - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - GUS ß-glucuronidase - kb kilobase - MU 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-ß-D-glucuronide - NPT-II neomycin phosphotransferase II - PCR polymerase chain reaction - Tris Trizma base - X-gluc 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl glucuronide     

Microcallus formation from Hevea brasiliensis protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus

Conditions for successful culture of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) protoplasts were investigated. Protoplasts, derived from embryogenic callus, regenerated cell walls then underwent division when embedded in alginate and cultivated on a modified Murashige and Sook medium (9 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.6 M glucose, 0.93 M kinetin, NH ₄ ⁺ reduced by half) in the presence of nurse cells (tobacco feeder cell layer). The presence of nurse cells was essential to maintain viability and sustain protoplast division. Several parameters which influenced the plating efficiency were analysed, such as the density of feeder cells and the duration of contact of the feeder layer.Abbreviations BSA Bovine Serum Albumin - CPW Cell and Protoplast Washing medium (Frearson et al. 1973) - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 3,4-D 3,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid - PDA Fluorescein diacetate - FW Fresh weight - KIN Kinetin - MES [2N-morpholino] ethane sulfonic acid - MS medium Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - PE plating efficiency - SAB South American Leaf Blight - WPM] Woody Plant Medium (Russel and Mc Cown 1986)     

Glycolipid composition of Hevea brasiliensis latex

Glycolipids of fresh latex from three clones of Hevea brasiliensis were characterized and quantified by HPLC/ESI-MS. Their fatty acyl and sterol components were further confirmed by GC/MS after saponification. The four detected glycolipid classes were steryl glucosides (SG), esterified steryl glucosides (ESG), monogalactosyl diacylglycerols (MGDG) and digalactosyl diacylglycerols (DGDG). Sterols in SG, ESG and total latex unsaponifiable were stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and Δ⁵-avenasterol. The latter was found instead of fucosterol formerly described. Galactolipids were mainly DGDG and had a fatty acid composition different from that of plant leaves as they contained less than 5% C18:3. Glycolipids, which represented 27–37% of total lipids, displayed important clonal variations in the proportions of the different fatty acids. ESG, MGDG and DGDG from clone PB235 differed notably by their higher content in furan fatty acid, which accounted for more than 40% of total fatty acids. Clonal variation was also observed in the relative proportions of glycolipid classes except MGDG (8%), with 43–51% DGDG, 30–34% SG and 7–19% ESG. When compared with other plant cell content, the unusual glycolipid composition of H. brasiliensis latex may be linked to the peculiar nature of this specialized cytoplasm expelled from laticiferous system, especially in terms of functional and structural properties.     

巴西橡胶树HbAIH基因的克隆及表达分析

鲱精胺亚胺水解酶(Agmatine iminohydrolase,AIH)是植物通过精氨酸途径合成多胺过程中的重要酶之一。本研究首次从巴西橡胶树中克隆了AIH基因HbAIH。序列分析结果表明HbAIH全长1 462 bp,开放阅读框长为1 137 bp,编码378个氨基酸。预测 HbAIH 蛋白的分子量是42.28 kD,等电点为5.09,是一个亲水性蛋白。氨基酸相似性比对结果表明HbAIH与大戟科木薯MeAIH、蓖麻RcAIH和麻风树JcAIH等具有很高相似性,且含有植物AIH中高度保守的与酶活性位点形成和参与底物结合的11个氨基酸位点。qRT-PCR 分析表明,HbAIH表达无组织特异性,在雌花中表达量最高,树皮、茎尖、胶乳、叶片和雄花中表达量依次降低。HbAIH在不同发育时期叶片中的表达存在变化,稳定期表达量最低,淡绿期最高,说明HbAIH可能参与橡胶树叶片发育过程。此外,低温、干旱、高盐、过氧化氢、乙烯利、茉莉酸甲酯处理以及橡胶树死皮的发生均能引起HbAIH表达变化。这些结果说明HbAIH可能参与了橡胶树生长发育、产排胶调控及逆境应答过程。     

Hevains: Serine-centred proteases from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis

Hevains b and l, isolated respectively from the serum and lutoids of freeze-dried latex from Hevea brasiliensis, were purified to homogeneity and compared with hevain a from commercial, ammonia-treated latex. The M_rs of hevains a and b are 69 000 and 58 000, respectively, and both exist in several charged forms. The amino acid compositions of the two enzymes differ significantly, but the reactivities to a variety of ester and protein substrates are similar, as are the pH optima. Hevain l is a distinct protease of M_r 80 000 and unique amino acid composition. It displays esterolytic activity and will digest insulin B chain, but is not proteolytic to azocollagen, azocasein, bovine serum albumen or haemoglobin. The activities of all three enzymes are dependent on the presence of serine and histidine residues.     

Hevamine: A crystalline basic protein from Hevea brasiliensis latex

The isolation and purification of a basic protein from the bottom fraction of Hevea brasiliensis latex is described. Two protein fractions were obtained by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose which also differed in their electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gel, but the similarity of their other properties precludes their classification as two protein entities at this stage.     

Lipids of Hevea brasiliensis and Euphorbia coerulescens

The low MW lipids identified in the latices of Hevea brasiliensis and Euphorbia coerulescens were as follows: 2-methylcyclobutanone; 2-methyl-2-hydroxycyclobutanone; 2-methylcyclobutanol; euphol; euphorbol; and tirucallol.     

巴西橡胶树HbNTL1基因启动子的克隆与序列分析

膜结合NAC转录因子(NTLs)是植物NAC转录因子家族中一类C端具有跨膜结构域(transmembrane motifs,TMs)的转录调控因子,在植物生长发育、激素调节和逆境胁迫应答中具有重要的功能。根据巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)膜结合类NAC转录因子HbNTL1基因cDNA序列,利用基因组步移的方法从巴西橡胶树叶片基因组DNA中克隆获得了HbNTL1基因上游1 718 bp的调控片段。序列分析表明,该段序列含有一个典型的真核生物核心启动子区域,转录起始位点A位于起始密码子上游206 bp处。该启动子序列除了含有多个TATA-box、CAAT-box等基本顺式作用元件外,还存在赤霉素、茉莉酸和脱落酸等激素响应元件以及大量逆境胁迫诱导相关的顺式调控元件,如ABRE、DOFCOREZM、MYBCORE、W-box和MYCCONSENSUSATHSE等反应元件,表明HbNTL1转录因子可能是一个逆境胁迫相关NAC转录因子,在橡胶树抵御逆境胁迫的生理过程中具有重要功能。     

巴西橡胶树 HbNAC1基因启动子的克隆及序列分析

NAC转录因子是植物特有的一类转录调控因子,在植物的生长发育、激素调节和境胁迫应答中具有重要的功能。为研究NAC转录因子在巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)抗逆胁迫中的功能,本项目组根据巴西橡胶树NAC转录因子-HbNAC1基因序列,通过Genome Walking方法从巴西橡胶基因组DNA中获得了长度为1861bp的HbNAC1基因的5’调控区片段,序列分析表明该段序列含有一个典型的真核生物核心启动子区域,转录起始位点T位于起始密码子上游52bp处。该启动子序列除了含有TATA-box、CAAT-box等基本顺式作用元件外,还具有茉莉酸响应元件以及大量光顺式作用元件和逆境胁迫诱导相关的顺式调控元件,这表明HbNAC1基因在橡胶树逆境胁迫应答过程具有重要功能,其启动子可能是一个光诱导型和组织特异性启动子。     

Polyphenol oxidases from latex of Hevea brasiliensis: purification and characterization

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from the B-serum obtained after repetitive freeze-thawing of the bottom fraction isolated from ultracentrifuged fresh latex. The B-serum was subjected to acetone precipitation and CM-Sepharose chromatography, affording two PPOs, PPO-I and PPO-II, which, upon SDS-PAGE, were 32 and 34 kDa, respectively. Both PPOs possessed the same pI (9.2), optimum pH (7) and optimum temperature (35-45 degrees C). They are stable up to 60 degrees C and active at broad pH ranges from 4-9. The K(m) values of PPO-I for dopamine, L-dopa and catechol as substrates are 2.08, 8.33 and 9.09 mM, while those for PPO-II are 2.12, 4.76 and 7.14 mM, respectively. Among various PPO inhibitors tested, 4-hexylresorcinol was the most potent. Anionic detergents were among the most effective activators of the enzymes, while cationic and nonionic detergents showed little and no effect on the PPO activities, respectively.