Characterization of an S-locus receptor protein kinase-like gene from peach

A receptor-like protein kinase gene (Ppsrkl1) was isolated from a peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.) bark cDNA library prepared with RNAs isolated from bark collected in December (cold acclimated). Sequence analysis indicated that this gene is related to the S-locus family of receptor protein kinases (SRKs) and that it shares greatest homology with ZMPK1 from maize and At4g32300 from Arabidopsis, both of which are intron-less genes. In bark tissues, Ppsrkl1 is induced by water deficit treatment, repressed by short-day photoperiods and showed no response to cold treatment. The Ppsrkl1 mRNA also increased in roots in response to water deficit. In fruit, Ppsrkl1 shows no response up to 6 h after wounding, but at 12 and 24 h after wounding, Ppsrkl1 mRNA shows an abrupt decline. This decline was prevented by the addition of salicylic acid to the wound site. The Ppsrkl1 mRNA rapidly decreased in fruit after 10-min exposure to UV-C radiation, followed by a return to normal levels within 1.5 h. Taken together, these experiments indicate that Ppsrkl1 is negatively regulated by light and positively influenced by salicylic acid treatment in fruit and water stress in bark and roots.     

Daily sap flow and maximum daily trunk shrinkage measurements for diagnosing water stress in early maturing peach trees during the post-harvest period

We compared the sensitivity of two continuously recorded plant-based water stress indicators (sap flow, SF, and maximum daily trunk shrinkage, MDS) to detect changes in the water status of 4-year-old early maturing peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Flordastar grafted on GF-677 peach rootstock) during a cycle of deficit irrigation and recovery. The feasibility of obtaining SF and MDS reference equations for use in irrigation scheduling during the post-harvest period was also studied in trees irrigated in excess of crop water requirements. We found that MDS was a more sensitive and reliable detector of changes in plant water status than SF, making it a more precise tool for irrigation scheduling. Baseline relationships between SF or MDS and the climatic variables (air temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo)) were established, despite some scatter in the data. Among the climatic variables, SF correlated more closely with ETo, whereas MDS correlated more closely with mean daily air temperature (T (m)). The fits of the regressions between MDS and ETo, midday air temperature and T (m) for individual periods were better than those obtained in the overall regressions, confirming that daily stem diameter variations must be considered not only in the context of plant water status but also in the context of plant carbon status.     

4份桃种质挥发性成分的GC-MS分析

为了分析桃果实中共有的挥发性成分及初步探讨果皮毛和果肉颜色性状对挥发性成分的影响情况,以此2对性状均存在差异的4份桃种质为试材,采用顶空固相微萃取方法提取其成熟果肉中的挥发性成分,并用气相-质谱联用仪对其进行了测定。结果表明:4份桃种质中共鉴定出116种挥发性成分,其主要为酯、醛、醇和烷烃等类物质。从挥发性成分的种类数量上看,白肉桃‘大久保’和‘华光’中检出的挥发性成分种类较多,分别有68和52种;而2份黄肉桃种质中检出的挥发性成分种类均较少。从挥发性成分的种类上看,2份普通桃与2份油桃中的差异挥发性成分总共仅有3种,其分别为反式-2,4-庚二烯醛、戊酸-2,2,4-三甲基-3-异丙酸-异丁酯和脱氧精胍菌素,远低于2份白肉桃与2份黄肉桃种质中差异挥发性成分的数量(13种)。此外,从挥发性成分的类群上看,2份白肉桃含有较多的"青香型"的C6类化合物,而2份黄肉桃含有较多的"果香型"的酯和内酯类化合物。文中综合分析认为,果皮毛的有无和果肉的颜色性状均可能影响果实中挥发性成分的数量和种类,但后者的影响较为明显。     

A virtual peach fruit model simulating changes in fruit quality during the final stage of fruit growth

A virtual fruit model simulating seasonal changes in several peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruit quality traits during the final growth stage is presented. The quality traits considered are fruit size, the proportion of total fruit mass consisting of fruit flesh, dry matter content of the flesh and the concentrations of sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol in the flesh, which are used to calculate a sweetness index. The virtual peach fruit model was developed by adapting and integrating three existing process-based models describing fruit dry mass growth, fruit fresh mass growth and sugar accumulation in the flesh into one complex system. Data sets of peach fruit growth and quality obtained from one field site over several years were used to estimate parameters and evaluate the virtual peach fruit model. Output from the model showed good agreement with the field data. Insight into the complex nature of the virtual peach fruit model, i.e., its ability to show emergent properties, was accomplished by conducting a series of theoretical experiments. The virtual peach fruit model was shown to be sensitive to management and environmental factors (leaf:fruit ratio, stem water potential and, to a lesser extent, weather). Its ability to generate simple laws relating to physiological variables and quality parameters was also demonstrated. Finally, the virtual peach fruit model was able to reveal complex behaviors resulting from changes in water potentials or leaf:fruit ratios over time.     

Transpiration by two poplar varieties grown as coppice for biomass production

Fast-growing tree clones selected for biomass plantations are highly productive and therefore likely to use more water than the agricultural crops they replace. We report field measurements of transpiration through the summer of 1994 from two poplar clones, Beaupré (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray x P. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) and Dorschkamp (P. deltoides x P. nigra L.), grown as unirrigated short-rotation coppice in southern England. Stand transpiration was quantified by scaling up from sap flow measurements made with the heat balance method in a sample of stems. Leaf conductances, leaf area development, meteorological variables and soil water deficit were also measured to investigate the response of the trees to the environment. High rates of transpiration were found for Beaupré. In June, when soil water was plentiful, the mean (+/- SD) transpiration rate over an 18-day period was 5.0 +/- 1.8 mm day(-1), reaching a maximum of 7.9 mm day(-1). Transpiration rates from Dorschkamp were lower, as a result of its lower leaf area index. High total leaf conductances were measured for both Beaupré (0.34 +/- 0.17 mol m(-2) s(-1)) and Dorschkamp (0.39 +/- 0.16 mol m(-2) s(-1)). Leaf conductance declined slightly with increasing atmospheric vapor pressure deficit in both clones, but only in Beaupré did leaf conductance decrease as soil water deficit increased.     

Structure, chain conformation and antitumor activity of a novel polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes

A water-soluble polysaccharide LT1 was isolated from the basidiocarps of Lentinus edodes by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitations, further purified by gel chromatography. The Mw of LT1 was estimated to be 642 kDa by using HPGPC. Chemical and spectroscopic studies illustrated that LT1 has a backbone chain composed of 1 → 4-linked and 1 → 3-linked glucopyranosyl residues and has branches of single glucosyl stubs at C-6 of β-(1 → 4)-linked glucopyranosyl. AFM and Congo-red test revealed that LT1 existed as triple helix chain in 0.10 M NaOH solution or distilled water. Our studies showed that LT1 presented significant antitumor bioactivities on Sarcoma180 solid tumor cell implanted in BALB/c mice, which implies that LT1 could be potentially applied as a natural antitumor drug.     

毛竹漆酶基因启动子序列分析及基因表达模式

漆酶在细胞壁形成、逆境胁迫、花青素形成和酚类物质催化等过程中均发挥着重要作用，其基因表达受到多种外界因素的影响。为揭示竹子中漆酶基因的表达模式，以毛竹（Phyllostachys edulis）为对象，利用生物信息学手段分析了其中42个漆酶基因（PeLACs）启动子序列，利用已有的转录组数据分析了其中PeLACs的表达模式，克隆漆酶基因PeLAC20的启动子序列PeLACp，并构建了瞬时表达载体，在拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）中瞬时表达。结果表明，在42个PeLACs启动子序列中包含多种与激素以及非生物胁迫相关的顺式作用元件，在GA₃处理以及低温和干旱胁迫下各基因表现为不同的表达模式，表明它们参与激素和非生物胁迫的应答，而且功能存在着一定的差异。PeLACs在毛竹不同生长阶段根和笋中的表达模式也证明了各基因功能的差异性。克隆的PeLACp序列为2 000 bp，利用GUS染色法检测启动子PeLACp的活性显示，PeLACp主要在转基因拟南芥的根中表达。研究结果为进一步揭示毛竹漆酶基因的生物学功能提供了参考依据。     

Effects of water deficit on flower opening in coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

The response of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) floral buds to different water deficits followed by re-irrigation was investigated. Flower opening was stimulated by irrigation after one period of water deficit if predawn leaf water potential declined below -0.8 MPa. Similar stimulation of flowering was observed when less severe but more prolonged water deficits (ca. -0.3 to -0.5 MPa for two weeks) were imposed, even if water deficit was relieved by re-irrigation several times during this period. Consistent results were obtained in the field and in two greenhouse locations. Stimulation of flower opening by water deficit followed by re-irrigation was restricted to buds at the "open white cluster" stage of development (Stage 4). Only buds at this stage exhibited development of secondary xylem. Split-root experiments indicated that a root signal stimulated flower opening, independently of predawn or midday leaf water status. Frequent irrigation to prevent flowering, followed by a controlled water deficit and re-irrigation to stimulate flowering, may represent a practical method to synchronize flowering and shorten the harvest period in leeward coffee production areas in Hawaii.     

Overexpression of CfPIP1-1, CfPIP1-2, and CfPIP1-4 genes of Catalpa fargesii in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana under drought stress

Catalpa fargesii is an important economic tree species used for furniture and timber production because of its high density and hardness.Its survival and growth are severely affected and primarily limited by drought stress.Thus,to better understand the mechanism of drought resistance in C.fargesii,we used qRT-PCR to reveal significantly different expression of three plasma membrane intrinsic protein genes:CfPIPl-1,CfPIP1-2 and CfPIP1-4.We then cloned their full-length cDNA sequences and characterized the encoded proteins.We analyzed the genes phylogenetically and predicted conserved motifs,domains,and secondary and tertiary structures.To verify the function of the CfPIP1 genes further,we ectopically expressed CfPIP1 transgenes in Arabidopsis thaliana.The results showed that CfPIP1-1,CfPIP1-2 and CfPIP1-4 had several characteristics of aquaporins.The transgenic plants grew better than the WT plants did under drought stress,and overexpression of the CfPIP1 genes increased the plant water content and resistance to drought.Thus,CfPIP1-1,CfPIP1-2 and CfPIP1-4 of C.fargesii play key roles in regulating the intracellular and extracellular water balance and in mediating the plant response to drought.     

Vulnerability of low temperature induced needle retention in balsam fir (Abies balsamea L.) to vapor pressure deficits

Low temperature (LT) exposure has been shown to delay postharvest needle abscission and senescence (NAS) in balsam fir and changes in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) are expected to alter these processes. Two and half year-old seedlings were exposed to a LT of 5°C for 15 days while the control (CT) group was maintained at 22°C. Seedlings were then exposed to four different VPD (0.22, 0.87, 1.3 and 1.86?kPa) and observed for relative water content (RWC), xylem pressure potential (XPP), membrane injury index (MII), stem capacitance (SC) and NAS. An interactive effect of LT and VPD was observed in RWC, XPP, MII and NAS. Low VPD (0.22 and 0.87?kPa) resulted in less negative XPP, lower electrolyte leakage, higher SC and ultimately higher NAS than those at high VPD. Maximum NAS was recorded at 0.22?kPa. At 1.86?kPa, LT had 5× lower RWC (13%), 3× more negative XPP (?1.1?MPa), 1.8× higher membrane damage and 35% lower NAS (47 days) than CT. The SC declined with an increase in VPD with no effect of LT. The XPP and RWC of LT seedlings showed a positive relationship with NAS with R² values of 0.54 and 0.59, respectively. LT offered no benefits to NAS at high VPD environments.     

两种藤本植物叶片性状及相关性对季节的响应

研究通过对两种藤本植物叶片的叶面积、比叶面积、叶厚度、气孔参数和叶脉密度的测定来分析不同季节下植物叶片的性状差异以及其性状之间的联系,为探讨植物叶片性状对环境适应的可塑性提供理论基础,同时也为藤本植物在园林中的应用提供依据。结果表明:(1)两种藤本植物叶片各性状随着季节变化呈现显著差异(P<0.5),季节变化对五叶地锦的影响大于爬山虎。两种植物的叶面积和叶厚度均夏季为最高;五叶地锦叶片气孔长度和气孔密度随季节变化先减小后增大;爬山虎叶片气孔长度随季节变化逐渐增大,气孔密度先减小后增加,春季气孔密度最大;叶脉密度均为春季最大,夏季和秋季逐渐降低。(2)两种植物叶片各性状之间存在一定的联系,但是显著性因品种和季节变化而不同。     

茶树2个MYB转录因子基因的克隆及表达分析

MYB类转录因子是一类包含一段保守的DNA结合结构域的基因家族,广泛地参与植物发育和植物次生代谢的调节。根据前期芯片杂交和文库筛选得到的2个MYB转录因子的部分序列,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术分离得到它们的全长基因:CsMYB1和CsMYB2,在GenBank的登录号分别为HQ660373和HQ660374。序列分析表明:CsMYB1基因全长1132bp,开放阅读框长879bp,编码292个氨基酸,推测的蛋白分子量约为32.9ku,理论等电点为8.13;CsMYB2基因全长1020bp,其中开放阅读框长675bp,编码224个氨基酸,推测的蛋白分子量约为25.4ku,理论等电点为9.05。2个基因编码的蛋白均具有明显的R2R3MYB结构域,且在R3结构域的下游都含有1个相对保守的C1(LIXXGIDPXTHR)基序。同源性分析表明:茶树CsMYB1和CsMYB2编码的氨基酸序列与其他植物的MYB类转录因子具有较高的相似性,其中CsMYB1编码的氨基酸序列与陆地棉MYB1的相似性为57%,CsMYB2编码的氨基酸序列与葡萄MYBC2的相似性为75%。利用荧光定量PCR技术检测2个转录因子基因在遮荫处理条件下的表达规律,及其在茶树不同组织中的表达特性,结果表明:CsMYB1和CsMYB2在不同组织中均有表达,但表达量具有明显区别,其中CsMYB2在叶片中的相对表达量是根中的100多倍;而遮荫处理能明显降低叶片中的花青素含量,并提高CsMYB1的表达,但对转录因子CsMYB2的影响不大。     

Collection of expressed genes from the transition zone of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> in the dormant season

Heartwood affects the utility of wood because it differs in some properties compared to sapwood. To regulate heartwood formation, its mechanism must be elucidated. However, the molecular basis underlying heartwood formation remains largely unknown. To obtain clues to understand the mechanism at a molecular level, we collected expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the transition zone (TZ) of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don in November, in which heartwood formation is considered to proceed. A total of 1029 ESTs were assembled into 744 unique sequences (103 clusters and 641 singletons). Putative functions were assigned to 291 nuclear-encoded sequences, and they were grouped into 21 categories according to the eukaryotic orthologous groups functional classification. We selected 20 genes for enzymes or proteins, then examined their expression patterns among different organs. The expression levels of nine genes were higher in November than in June in the TZ. The genes encode two enzymes in glycolysis, invertase, methionine adenosyltransferase, glutathione transferase, the lipid transfer protein, Bet v 1 allergen, the dehydrin and the function-unknown protein. This study has provided the first large-scale EST information from the TZ of conifers, which will be useful for understanding the physiological processes in the TZ at a molecular level.