TOL proteins mediate vacuolar sorting of the borate transporter BOR1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants; however, it shows cytotoxicity at high concentrations. A borate transporter BOR1 is required for efficient transport of B toward the root stele in Arabidopsis thaliana. BOR1 shows polar localization in the plasma membrane of various root cells toward the stele-side under B limitation. To avoid over-accumulation of B, BOR1 in the plasma membrane is rapidly internalized and transported into the vacuole for proteolysis after high-B supply in an ubiquitination-dependent manner. Although BOR1 has been predicted to be transported into multi-vesicular bodies/late endosomes (MVB/LEs) via the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, experimental evidence was absent so far. In this study, we investigated the intracellular localization of BOR1 by visualizing endomembrane compartments, and tested the involvement of ESCRT-0-like proteins TOM1-LIKEs (TOLs) in the vacuolar sorting of BOR1. Under low-B conditions, a large portion of cytoplasmic BOR1 was localized in the trans-Golgi networks/early endosomes (TGN/EEs) labeled with VHA-a1 subunit. Pharmacological interference of endosomal recycling using brefeldin A-induced colocalization of BOR1 with RabA5D, which labels recycling vesicles associated with the TGN. On the other hand, under high-B conditions, BOR1 was localized in the inside of TOL5-positive MVB/LEs. To examine the roles of TOL proteins in intracellular trafficking of BOR1, we analyzed BOR1-GFP localization in the TOL quintuple mutant (tolQ; tol2-1tol3-1tol5-1tol6-1tol9-1) after high-B supply. In the tolQ mutant, vacuolar sorting of BOR1 was delayed, while the polar localization of BOR1 was not disturbed. Taken together, BOR1 is constantly transported to the TGN/EE by endocytosis and recycled to the plasma membrane likely via RabA5D-positive endomembrane compartments under low-B conditions. On the other hand, BOR1 is transported to the vacuole via TOL5-positive MVB/LEs under high-B conditions. TOL proteins are required for sorting of ubiquitinated BOR1 into MVB/LE for vacuolar degradation.     

Biochemical properties of the cell wall in the Arabidopsis mutant bor1‐1 in relation to boron nutrition

We examined concentrations of boron (B) and dimerization of rhamnogalacturonan II (RG‐II), a B‐binding polysaccharide, in the cell wall of a low‐B sensitive mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, bor1‐1, to investigate possible effects of the bor1‐1 mutation on the biochemical form of pectins in the cell wall. In the bor1‐1 mutant, B concentrations in the cell wall from shoots were lower than those in the wild type at low B supply, whereas they were similar at sufficient B supply. The amount of B present as borate ester of the RG‐II dimer (dRG‐II‐B) in the bor1‐1 mutant was lower than that in the wild type at low B supply. In the wild type, about 90 % of RG‐II was present as dRG‐II‐B, both, at low and sufficient B supply. In the bor1‐1 mutant, about 60 % of RG‐II was in its monomeric form (mRG‐II) at low B supply, whereas more than 85 % of it was present as dRG‐II‐B at sufficient B supply. However, similar as the wild type, mRG‐II derived from the bor1‐1 mutant was able to form dRG‐II‐B in vitro in the presence of borate and lead. Sugar composition of cell wall fractions was similar in both genotypes. These results suggest that the polysaccharide composition in the cell wall was not strongly affected by the bor1‐1 mutation. The observed difference in dimerization of RG‐II at low B supply is most likely due to a reduced B concentration in the shoots of the bor1‐1 mutant.     

Role of overexpressed BOR4, a boron exporter,in tolerance to high level of boron in shoots

High boron (B) tolerance is an important trait for crop production in high-B soils. We previously reported that overexpression of BOR4, an Arabidopsis thaliana B exporter, conferred high B tolerance in A. thaliana. This improvement appeared to be mainly due to the decreased B concentrations in roots through BOR4-mediated exclusion of B. In the present study, we describe a novel role of overexpressed BOR4 in shoots for high B tolerance. We compared shoot growth of wild type A. thaliana and transgenic plants moderately overexpressing BOR4 in relation to B concentration in shoots. It was found that growths and chlorophyll accumulation of shoots containing similar levels of B are better in the transgenic plants than the wild type. This finding established that BOR4-overexpressing plants are more capable of expanding leaves and accumulating chlorophyll in the presence of high B in shoot tissues. BOR4-GFP was found to be localized to plasma membrane in leaf epidermis cells. We suggest that overexpressed BOR4 alters B distribution in leaves by exporting B from the cytoplasm to the apoplast, leading to enhancement of high B tolerance in shoots.     

花粉管通道法介导的真菌耐盐基因转化拟南芥

橡胶树内生真菌ITBB2-1具有很强的抗盐性,在培养基中添加2倍海水盐度的NaCl能显著促进菌落的生长。采用两种方法研究利用花粉管通道法将ITBB2-1耐盐基因导入拟南芥。多数耐盐转基因植株畸形,生长发育不正常。通过对一千两百余株转基因植株的筛选,获得了耐盐性显著提高、生长发育正常的转基因植株3个。对主要农艺性状统计分析发现,转基因植株叶片的长度、宽度和面积均比野生型植株小,差异达极显著水平。转基因植株SR3的角果长度仅为野生型的64．5％,SR1和SR2的角果长度与野生型无显著差异。本研究表明,在真菌耐盐机制尚未得到研究和耐盐基因尚未克隆的情况下,可以采用花粉管通道法将其耐盐特性导入高等植物中。     

Arabidopsis thaliana PRL1 is involved in low-calcium tolerance

Calcium (Ca) deficiency symptoms in plants often occur in agriculture; however, little is known about the mechanisms for adaptation to low-Ca conditions. To understand the mechanisms, we screened for Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh mutants sensitive to low Ca. Here, we describe one of the mutants, lcs1-1, isolated from the screen. The relative shoot growth of the mutant was reduced under the low-Ca conditions compared with the wild-type plants. Genetic mapping and genome resequencing revealed that lcs1-1 has one nonsynonymous mutation in the region of the chromosome responsible for the phenotype. The mutation is in Pleiotropic Regulatory Locus 1 (PRL1). An allelism test between lcs1-1 and a T-DNA inserted allele of prl1 demonstrates that the causal gene of lcs1-1 is PRL1. It has been reported that PRL1 is involved in sugar metabolism; however, the involvement of PRL1 in low-Ca tolerance has not been reported. Our results suggest a new insight connecting sugar metabolism with a mechanism for low-Ca tolerance in plants.     

手性除草剂2甲4氯丙酸对映体在拟南芥中吸收转运及亚细胞分布的差异研究

为探明不同手性构型的2甲4氯丙酸(mecoprop,MCPP)在双子叶植物中的吸收、代谢等差异,以手性14C-MCPP对映体为示踪剂,野生哥伦比亚型拟南芥为受试植物,研究实验室条件下不同手性构型的MCPP在拟南芥中的吸收转运与亚细胞分布特征.结果表明,拟南芥对14C-MCPP 2种对映体的吸收效率分别为90.45％(1...     

水稻HTD1基因启动子在转基因拟南芥中的表达特征

通过分析β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶(β-glucuronidase, GUS）基因产物,对水稻HIGH-TILLERING DWARF1(HTD1)基因启动子在转基因拟南芥中的表达特性进行初步研究。用已构建的含HTD1基因启动子和GUS报告基因的植物表达载体,通过农杆菌介导转化拟南芥,对转基因拟南芥进行GUS组织化学染色,观察该启动子的表达特性。结果表明,在HTD1基因启动子的驱动下,GUS报告基因主要在转基因拟南芥幼苗期的叶片、叶柄、下胚轴以及主根基部的维管组织中表达。     

水杨酸在赭曲霉毒素A诱导的拟南芥毒性中的作用

赭曲霉毒素A(ochratoxin A,OTA)是一种分布广泛的真菌毒素,会对谷物、动物饲料、动物性食品等造成污染。OTA对多种动物具有较强的肾毒性和肝毒性,并有致畸、致突变和致癌作用。对植物的研究表明,OTA还具有植物毒性。本实验研究了植物中重要的内源信号分子水杨酸(Salicyli cacid,SA)在OTA对拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)毒性中的作用。利用高效液相色谱测定了拟南芥叶片在OTA处理下SA含量的变化,结果显示,OTA胁迫促进了SA含量的上升;通过实时荧光定量PCR测定了OTA对SA途径中重要的病程相关蛋白1基因(pathogenesis-related gene1,PR1)相对表达量的影响,结果显示,OTA能诱导PR1的表达,并且这种诱导作用与OTA胁迫时间有关;SA与OTA同时处理拟南芥叶片后,观察到SA能造成OTA引起的叶片坏死斑的加重,相对电导率和活性氧含量的测定结果表明,SA能加重OTA对叶片的伤害,促进OTA诱导的活性氧的上升。本研究表明,SA参与了OTA诱导的拟南芥毒性过程,SA和OTA共同处理能增强OTA的植物毒性。     

Effects of transpiration rate on boron uptake by roots and translocation to shoots of table beets (Beta vulgaris L.) 1

The effects of transpiration rate on B uptake by roots and translocation to shoots of table beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Red Ace) plants were studied under conditions of environmental control. Plants grown under high or low relative humidities (RH) had low or high rates of transpiration, respectively. Dry weights and B contents of shoots and roots were higher among plants grown at 80% RH and B concentrations of roots were lower compared to plants grown at 30% RH. Shoot B concentrations were not affected by RH. Rates of growth and B accumulation in shoots were closely correlated for plants grown in 30% or 80% RH. These parameters were not closely correlated in roots.

The rate of B uptake per g root dry weight was greater in plants having higher transpiration rates; whereas the rate of B translocation to shoots per g dry weight was independent of transpiration rate. Thus we propose that B translocation to shoots is controlled mechanistically by rates of dry matter accumulation during stages of rapid growth, i.e. a sink effect.     

STMP在拟南芥分枝发育过程中的功能鉴定

拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中含有脂/固醇结合的相关脂转移蛋白结构域(steroidogenic acute regulatory related lipid transfer,START)的膜相关蛋白(START domain containing-membrane related protein,STMP),STMP是START保守域(第84～295位)功能未知的蛋白质,由440个氨基酸组成、具有跨膜片段、属于磷脂酰胆碱转运蛋白.为明确STMP在拟南芥发育调控过程中的作用,深入了解拟南芥发育调控的分子机理,本研究用35S强启动子启动START结构域,构建START结构域的过表达载体,利用农杆菌(Agrobacterium tumefaciens)侵染花序法把STMP的过表达载体转入野生型拟南芥,获得过表达STMP的转基因拟南芥,并用qRT-PCR技术进行验证;分析转基因拟南芥分枝发育状况,明确STMP在拟南芥分枝调控过程中的作用;用qRT-PCR技术分析STMP的时空表达特性;构建STMP和绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)的融合蛋白载体,把此载体转入野生型拟南芥中,对转基因拟南芥中GFP进行荧光观察,从而对STMP进行亚细胞定位.本研究获得了过表达STMP的转基因株系;过表达STMP的转基因拟南芥分枝比野生型明显增多,突变体stmp的分枝减少;STMP的时空表达特性分析表明,茎中STMP的表达量最高,STMP定位在细胞质膜和细胞质中.结果表明STMP可以促进拟南芥的分枝发育,本研究对完善拟南芥分枝调控机制具有重要的意义,可以为植物株型的定向设计提供理论依据.     

Natural variation of Arabidopsis thaliana root architecture in response to nitrate availability

Root system architecture (RSA) plays a crucial role in nutrient and water uptake in plants. RSA can be modulated to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops, decreasing the need for fertilization. In this study, we analyzed 12 root parameters in 48 Arabidopsis accessions grown in media with low or high nitrogen (N). Low N repressed six root traits and enhanced six others. A principal component analysis showed that six components contributed to 90.08% of N availability. The primary component contributed to 35.64% of the variation and was associated with LR characteristics. The 48 Arabidopsis accessions were divided into five response groups. Stw-0 had the highest biomass production and a high N concentration in both roots and shoots, independent of growth conditions. H55 had numerous LRs at low N. Our results provide N-responsive parameters suitable for mapping of quantitative trait loci related with root morphology.     

克隆包含以拟南芥为寄主的甘蓝黑腐病菌Xcc1067无毒基因的DNA片段

本研究探索了以拟南芥为寄主的甘蓝黑后病菌的致病条件，观察了其病症的发展．建立了菌株Ｘｃｃ１０６７的ｐＩＪ３２００为载体的基因文库，从基因文库中筛选出拟南芥Ｃｏｌｕｍｂｉａ为寄主的Ｘｃｃ１０６７菌株的无毒基因克隆，该克隆的进一步分析正在进行。     

Localization of MT2a Gene promoter expression is different from the site(s) of copper accumulation in the roots of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Accumulation of mRNA for MT2a, a metallothionein of Arabidopsis thaliana, is known to be upregulated by excess copper (Cu). We compared the localization of the promoter activity of the MT2a gene and the accumulation site(s) of CU in the roots of transgenic A. thaliana. Open reading frame of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was fused with the MT2a gene promoter and introduced into A. thaliana. Strong GUS activity was observed in the region near or within the stele in the presence of CU at a high concentration (high-CU condition). Electron probe X-ray micro-analysis demonstrated that under high-CU conditions, CU accumulated most abundantly in the cortex, where GUS activity was not significantly induced. These results indicate that the sites showing the MT2a promoter activity and CU accumulation did not coincide with each other, suggesting that CU is not a direct activator of the MT2a promoter.     

A novel allele of the Arabidopsis phytochelatin synthase 1 gene conferring high sensitivity to arsenic and antimony

To identify genes involved in arsenite [As(III)] tolerance, we screened for As(III)-sensitive mutants using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana. One mutant with high sensitivity to As(III) was isolated from the screening. It had a mutation in Glu⁵² of phytochelatin synthase 1 (AtPCS1), and introduction of the wild-type AtPCS1 gene rescued the phenotype, confirming that the mutant represented a new allele of atpcs1 (termed as cad1-7). The expression of AtPCS1 from cad1-7 and cad1-3, a second allele of atpcs1, complemented As-sensitive yeast, but not plants. Our study suggests that AtPCS1 activity is differentially regulated between plants and yeast.     

拟南芥Nodulin MtN21家族At1g0938基因功能的初步研究

拟南芥Nodulin MtN21 蛋白家族含有1～2个DUF6结构域,具有内在膜蛋白的特性。推测该家族基因在小分子跨膜运输、信号转导和抗逆性等方面发挥作用。At1g09380是拟南芥Nodulin MtN21 基因家族成员。本研究通过PCR筛选获得At1g09380对应的T-DNA 插入纯合子,并通过RT-PCR鉴定该突变体为无效突变体。对突变体萌发和萌发后阶段进行盐胁迫和干旱胁迫分析,结果表明,At1 g09380 突变体萌发后对NaCl和干旱胁迫敏感,证明该基因参与拟南芥的盐和干旱胁迫响应过程。同时还发现在长日照条件下突变体植株比野生型植株早开花7d左右。以上研究结果为进一步分析该基因的生物学功能打下基础。     

The high tolerance of different pomegranate cultivars to the excess of boron in irrigation water is due to their capacity to limit boron transport from the root to the leaves

Background : Presently, irrigation waters often have a high concentration of boron (B), and the fruit trees in the Mediterranean areas, in general, are exposed to a high risk of B toxicity. Aims : To test the hypothesis that pomegranate trees are very tolerant to the presence of B in the irrigation water, to elucidate the physiological mechanisms behind this tolerance, and to assess differences between different varieties. Methods : In this study, the physiological and nutritional behavior of three pomegranate cultivars (‘Mollar de Elche', ‘Valenciana', and ‘Wonderful'), treated with five B concentrations (0.25, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg L^?1), were studied. At day 30 and 60 after the start of the treatments, growth measurements, gas exchange parameters and organic solutes were recorded. Results : Almost no significant differences were observed between the B treatments for any of the cultivars. Increasing the B concentration in the nutrient solution increased B concentrations in the leaves, but they never exceed 40 mg kg^?1 of B. In the roots, however, B concentrations were very high, up to 400 mg kg^?1. Conclusion : Pomegranate trees are very tolerant to B excess due to their ability to accumulate B in great quantities in the root, without causing toxicity to this part of the plant, thus limiting its transport to the shoots.     

芸薹属作物脂肪酸链延长酶基因（FAE1）拷贝数和序列变异分析

利用拟南芥脂肪酸合成途径中的脂肪酸链延长酶FAE1基因序列的保守性设计PCR简并引物,对芸薹属(Brassica)作物3个基本种和3个复合种进行了标记,并且对每个栽培种的PCR产物进行克隆和测序,进而对所获得的FAE1基因部分序列(C-端编码区序列)进行了分析。结果表明,拟南芥(Arabidopsisthaliana)和芸薹属作物基因组中具有不同拷贝数(1￣3)的FAE1基因,所测定的部分基因序列相互之间具有很高的同源性,并与其它酶基因如3-氧乙酰-乙酰载体蛋白合成酶,超长链脂肪酸合成酶和酮乙酰CoA合成酶基因具有共同的起源。     

Ammonium uptake capacity and response of cytosolic glutamine synthetase 1;2 to ammonium supply are key factors for the adaptation of ammonium nutrition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant requires nitrogen for the growth, and it use nitrate and ammonium from the environment. Plant suffers from the toxicity when excess ammonium is supplied as a sole nitrogen, although it could be a good nitrogen source for plant growth. We hypothesized that the different responses of ecotypes to ammonium nutrient could partly account for the adaptation of Arabidopsis to an ammonium environment. The purpose of this study is to understand the different responses of ecotypes in ammonium environment. The growth of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes, Columbia was compared to those of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes, Landsberg erecta in ammonium nutrient. The ratio of shoot dry weight to root dry weight was compared to evaluate the adaptation of two ecotypes. The shoot:root ratio of Landsberg was significantly higher than that of Columbia. T-DNA insertion in cytosolic glutamine synthetase 1;2, one of the essential ammonium assimilatory enzymes, led a decrease of shoot:root ratio. We also measured the isotope-labeled ammonium uptake and the expression levels of ammonium transporter genes, and also the expression of ammonium assimilatory genes, glutamine synthetase genes and glutamate synthase genes, in roots after ammonium re-supply using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. We found that (1) ammonium uptake of Landsberg erecta was higher than that of Columbia, when ammonium was supplied at higher concentration, and (2) cytosolic glutamine synthetase 1;2 was highly increased by ammonium supply in the root of Landsberg erecta. The present study suggested the importance of these two factors for adaptation of Arabidopsis to an ammonium-rich environment.     

异源表达EgrNAC1提高拟南芥抗寒性和对干旱、高盐的敏感性

桉树是我国南方重要用材树种,但其栽培种对低温、干旱和高盐等非生物逆境抗性弱,限制了其栽培范围的扩大和栽培效益的提高.EgrNAC1(Eucgr.I00058)是巨桉中受低温、干旱和高盐诱导表达的NAC类转录因子.为进一步研究EgrNAC1的功能,通过异源转化拟南芥,获得了超表达EgrNAC1的转基因纯合株系,并对其进行...     

Investigation of the changes in low molecular weight organic acids and other physiological parameters by nitric oxide application in two wheat cultivars exposed to boron stress

Boron (B) is one of the essential nutrients for the growth of plants, but its high concentrations are toxic for plants. Thus, B toxicity is a big challenge in crop cultivation. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small signaling molecule that has cytoprotective roles in plants. We investigated whether exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which is a NO donor, may succeed to alleviate B-induced toxicity in wheat cultivars. Seedlings were grown for 10 days in a growth chamber at 25°C with 16 hr light–8 hr dark photo cycle. After high B application, the effects of SNP on growth parameters; electrolyte leakage (EL); changes in reactive oxygen species [contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline]; the activities of antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and nitrate reductase (NR); and low molecular weight organic acid (LMWOAs) contents and also chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents were investigated in both shoots and roots of two different wheat cultivars. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. 0.2 mM SNP application ameliorated the chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents, and growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, and fresh weight in both wheat cultivars exposed to B stress. SNP reduced the B-induced lipid peroxidation, EL, and proline and H₂O₂ content in wheat cultivars. SNP application also increased the activities of NR and antioxidant enzymes, including GSHPx, GR, and GST in wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. All of the tested LMWOAs including succinic, propionic, butyric, oxalic, formic, malic, malonic, and benzoic acids were increased by SNP treatment in the shoots and roots of both wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. In conclusion, results obtained from this study have demonstrated that interactive effects of SNP with B considerably reduced the toxic effects of B in wheat cultivars.