BTB/TAZ protein MdBT2 integrates multiple hormonal and environmental signals to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple

BT2 is a BTB/TAZ domain protein with key roles in multiple stress responses and the plant development of Arabidopsis (Figueroa et al. 2005; Ren et al. 2007; Mandadi et al. 2009). Recent studies have demonstrated that apple MdBT2 functions as a negative regulator in diverse hormonal and environmental signal‐induced anthocyanin biosynthesis, suggesting that MdBT2 integrates stress signals and anthocyanin biosynthesis.     

Nectar production and transportation in the nectaries of the female Cucumis sativus L. flower during anthesis

Summary. In an effort to gain a greater understanding of nectar production, we studied the dynamic mechanisms of starch accumulation and transformation and nectar transportation in the Cucumis sativus L. female flower. Starch, which is the main precursor of nectar, accumulates in the epidermis and underlying parenchyma, with the most active accumulation occurring in the parenchyma cells within 3 days prior to anthesis. Thereafter, the starch was successively hydrolyzed and the hydrolyte was transported from the amyloplasts to vacuoles, suggesting that amyloplasts and vacuoles are the centers of nectar production. In addition, we observed few plasmodesmata and the presence of invaginated plasmalemma and electron-dense material in the intercellular spaces, suggesting that the apoplast system is involved in nectar transportation in an ATPase-dependent fashion.Correspondence and reprints: College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, Peoples Republic of China     

Putative PIP1 genes isolated from apple: expression analyses during fruit development and under osmotic stress

To gain insight into the function of plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) genes in apple, two genes, MdPIP1a and MdPIP1b, were isolated. MdPIP1 expression was in accordance with the volume increase during fruit development, which is a loading process of water and solutes. In addition, the expression of MdPIP1 was up-regulated in the stems by osmotic stress. These results indicate that MdPIP1 may play important roles not only in fruit expansion, but also in maintaining water homeostasis under stress conditions.     

Characterization of na(+) and ca(2+) channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons

Background

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somata from rodents have provided an excellent model system to study ion channel properties and modulation using electrophysiological investigation. As in other vertebrates, zebrafish (Danio rerio) DRG are organized segmentally and possess peripheral axons that bifurcate into each body segment. However, the electrical properties of zebrafish DRG sensory neurons, as compared with their mammalian counterparts, are relatively unexplored because a preparation suitable for electrophysiological studies has not been available.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We show enzymatically dissociated DRG neurons from juvenile zebrafish expressing Isl2b-promoter driven EGFP were easily identified with fluorescence microscopy and amenable to conventional whole-cell patch-clamp studies. Two kinetically distinct TTX-sensitive Na⁺ currents (rapidly- and slowly-inactivating) were discovered. Rapidly-inactivating I_Na were preferentially expressed in relatively large neurons, while slowly-inactivating I_Na was more prevalent in smaller DRG neurons. RT-PCR analysis suggests zscn1aa/ab, zscn8aa/ab, zscn4ab and zscn5Laa are possible candidates for these I_Na components. Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ currents (I_Ca) were primarily (87%) comprised of a high-voltage activated component arising from ω-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive Ca_V2.2 (N-type) Ca²⁺ channels. A few DRG neurons (8%) displayed a miniscule low-voltage-activated component. I_Ca in zebrafish DRG neurons were modulated by neurotransmitters via either voltage-dependent or -independent G-protein signaling pathway with large cell-to-cell response variability.

Conclusions/Significance

Our present results indicate that, as in higher vertebrates, zebrafish DRG neurons are heterogeneous being composed of functionally distinct subpopulations that may correlate with different sensory modalities. These findings provide the first comparison of zebrafish and rodent DRG neuron electrical properties and thus provide a basis for future studies.     

利用叶绿体DNA trnL-F序列初步探讨菊科风毛菊属的系统发育

风毛菊属Saussurea DC.是菊科物种分化十分剧烈和分类处理十分困难的一个属。该属的单系起源性质、属下分类系统以及一些独特形态物种的系统位置尚不清楚,有待进一步验证。本文测定了代表该属5个亚属37种植物43个样品和川木香属Dolomiaea DC.的１种样品的叶绿体DNA trnL-F序列,并调取菜蓟族Cardueae Cass.与风毛菊属具有一定亲缘关系的13属的该序列,一起进行了分支分析,重点验证该属的属下形态分类系统以及形态特殊、青藏高原地区特有的雪兔子亚属subgen. Eriocoryne     

Jasmonate induces biosynthesis of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin in apple by mediating the JAZ1–TRB1–MYB9 complex

Jasmonate (JA) induces the biosynthesis of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin. MdMYB9 is essential for modulating the accumulation of both anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin in apple, but the molecular mechanism for induction of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis by JA is unclear. In this study, we discovered an apple telomere-binding protein (MdTRB1) to be the interacting protein of MdMYB9. A series of biological assays showed that MdTRB1 acted as a positive modulator of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation, and is dependent on MdMYB9. MdTRB1 interacted with MdMYB9 and enhanced the activation activity of MdMYB9 to its downstream genes. In addition, we found that the JA signaling repressor MdJAZ1 interacted with MdTRB1 and interfered with the interaction between MdTRB1 and MdMYB9, therefore negatively modulating MdTRB1-promoted biosynthesis of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin. These results show that the JAZ1–TRB1–MYB9 module dynamically modulates JA-mediated accumulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin. Taken together, our data further expand the functional study of TRB1 and provide insights for further studies of the modulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis by JA.