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Effects of elevated soil copper on phenology, growth and reproduction of five ruderal plant species.

The repeated use of copper (Cu) fungicides to control vine downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, has been responsible for the heavy increase of Cu concentration in the upper layers of vineyard soils. To determine the effects of elevated soil Cu on plant development, we created an artificial soil gradient with Cu enrichments ranging from 0 to 400 mg kg-1. On this gradient, and for five ruderal plant species commonly found in vineyards in southern France (Poa annua L., Dactylis glomerata L., Senecio vulgaris L., Hypochoeris radicata L., and Andryala integriflolia L.), we quantified survival, growth, and reproduction throughout one flowering season. High concentrations of Cu in the soil resulted in low survival, low total plant biomass, delay in flowering and fruiting, and low seed set. However, the effects differed among species. Furthermore, high soil Cu concentrations had contrasting effects on patterns of resource allocation depending on the plant species.

Copper↗

Mesophilic microorganisms and endotoxin levels on developing cotton plants.

Healthy cotton leaf, bract, fiber and soil were collected twice each week during growing season. These samples were studied to determine the epiphytic total and gram-negative bacterial (GNB) populations and endotoxin levels from seedling development to harvest. Since bract is a significant trash component of raw cotton, a study of the epiphytic bract fungi was performed also. Bract and soil had the highest total bacterial count (TBC) until senescence, when the bract count increased significantly over that of the soil. Leaf TBC was usually third while fiber had the least TBC. Leaf senescence did not result in an increase in TBC as with bract. GNB counts paralleled, but were approximately 10-fold lower than that of the TBC. Enterobacter agglomerans was the most predominant bacterium on leaf and bract. Gram-positive rods were the most common bacteria on fiber with E. agglomerans second. Gram-positive rods were by far the predominant species in soil. Senescence affected the population levels of the various genera on leaf and bract. Endotoxin varied greatly for all sample types. Soil usually gave the highest amounts, followed by bract, fiber leaf surface. Statistical analysis showed some minor correlations between the presence of certain bacteria with other bacteria. No correlations were found between weather data and bacterial types present or endotoxin levels. The epiphytic fungal population on bract was studied through the growing season. Though different genera appeared, the predominant genus throughout the study was Cladosporium.

Bacteria↗

On systems thinking, systems biology, and the in silico plant.

The recent summary report of a Department of Energy Workshop on Plant Systems Biology (P.V. Minorsky [2003] Plant Physiol 132: 404-409) offered a welcomed advocacy for systems analysis as essential in understanding plant development, growth, and production. The goal of the Workshop was to consider methods for relating the results of molecular research to real-world challenges in plant production for increased food supplies, alternative energy sources, and environmental improvement. The rather surprising feature of this report, however, was that the Workshop largely overlooked the rich history of plant systems analysis extending over nearly 40 years (Sinclair and Seligman, 1996) that has considered exactly those challenges targeted by the Workshop. Past systems research has explored and incorporated biochemical and physiological knowledge into plant simulation models from a number of perspectives. The research has resulted in considerable understanding and insight about how to simulate plant systems and the relative contribution of various factors in influencing plant production. These past activities have contributed directly to research focused on solving the problems of increasing biomass production and crop yields. These modeling approaches are also now providing an avenue to enhance integration of molecular genetic technologies in plant improvement (Hammer et al., 2002).

Computer Simulation↗

Developmental and stress regulation of RCI2A and RCI2B, two cold-inducible genes of arabidopsis encoding highly conserved hydrophobic proteins.

The capability of most higher plants to tolerate environmental conditions strongly depends on their developmental stage. In addition, environmental factors have pleiotropic effects on many developmental processes. The interaction between plant development and environmental conditions implies that some genes must be regulated by both environmental factors and developmental cues. To understand their developmental regulation and obtain possible clues on their functions, we have isolated genomic clones for RCI2A and RCI2B, two genes from Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia (Col), whose expression is induced in response to low temperature, dehydration, salt stress, and abscisic acid. The promoters of RCI2A and RCI2B were fused to the uidA (GUS)-coding sequence and the resulting constructs used to transform Arabidopsis. GUS activity was analyzed in transgenic plants during development under both stressed and unstressed conditions. Transgenic plants with either the RCI2A or RCI2B promoter showed strong GUS expression during the first stages of seed development and germination, in vascular bundles, pollen, and most interestingly in guard cells. When transgenic plants were exposed to low temperature, dehydration, salt stress, or abscisic acid, reporter gene expression was induced in most tissues. These results indicate that RCI2A and RCI2B are regulated at transcriptional level during plant development and in response to different environmental stimuli and treatments. The potential role of RCI2A and RCI2B in plant development and stress response is discussed.

Abscisic Acid↗

Changes in the glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system in Brassica juncea cotyledons during seedling development.

Optimal defense theory (ODT) predicts that plant defenses will be allocated to plant organs and tissues in proportion to their relative fitness values and susceptibilities to attack. This study was designed to test ODT predictions on the myrosinase-glucosinolate defense system in Brassica juncea by examining the relationships between the fitness value of B. juncea cotyledons and the levels and effectiveness of cotyledon defenses. Specifically, we estimated fitness value of cotyledons during plant development by measuring plant growth and seed production after cotyledon damage or removal at successive seedling ages. Cotyledon removal within five days of emergence had a significant impact on growth and seed production, but cotyledon removal at later stages did not. Consistent with ODT, glucosinolate and myrosinase levels in cotyledons also declined with seedling age, as did relative defenses against a generalist herbivore, Spodoptera eridania, as estimated by bioassay. Declines in glucosinolates were as predicted by a passive, allometric dilution model based on cotyledon expansion. Declines in myrosinase activity were significantly more gradual than predicted by allometric dilution, suggesting active retention of myrosinase activity as young cotyledons expand.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Epi-alleles in plants: inheritance of epigenetic information over generations.

Epigenetic modification of plant gene and transposon activity, which correlates with their methylation, is often heritable over many generations. Such heritable properties allow conventional genetic linkage analysis to identify the sequences affected in epigenetic variants. Machinery controlling the establishment of the epigenetic state and role of the epigenetic controls in plant development are also discussed.

Alleles↗

Efficient gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

The moss Physcomitrella patens is used as a genetic model system to study plant development, taking advantage of the fact that the haploid gametophyte dominates in its life cycle. Transformation experiments designed to target three single-copy genomic loci were performed to determine the efficiency of gene targeting in this plant. Mean transformation rates were 10-fold higher with the targeting vectors and molecular evidence for the integration of exogenous DNA into each targeted locus by homologous recombination is provided. The efficiency of gene targeting determined in these experiments is above 90%, which is in the range of that observed in yeast and several orders of magnitude higher than previous reports of gene targeting in plants. Thus, gene knock-out and allele replacement approaches are directly accessible to study plant development in the moss Physcomitrella patens. Moreover, efficient gene targeting has so far only been observed in lower eukaryotes such as protozoa, yeasts and filamentous fungi, and, as shown here the first example from the plant kingdom is a haplobiontic moss. This suggests a possible correlation between efficient gene targeting and haplophase in eukaryotes.

Bryopsida↗

Overexpression analysis of plant transcription factors.

Transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in plant development and its response to the environment. A variety of reverse genetics tools have been developed to study TF function, the two most commonly used ones being knockout and overexpression. Because of the unique characteristics and modes of action of TFs, the overexpression strategy has been particularly effective in revealing TF function. Thus, a number of overexpression-based methodologies - constitutive expression, tissue-specific expression, chemically inducible expression and overexpression of modified TFs - have been developed and are used in the analysis of TF function.

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental↗

Jasmonic acid distribution and action in plants: regulation during development and response to biotic and abiotic stress.

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a naturally occurring growth regulator found in higher plants. Several physiological roles have been described for this compound (or a related compound, methyl jasmonate) during plant development and in response to biotic and abiotic stress. To accurately determine JA levels in plant tissue, we have synthesized JA containing 13C for use as an internal standard with an isotopic composition of [225]:[224] 0.98:0.02 compared with [225]:[224] 0.15:0.85 for natural material. GC analysis (flame ionization detection and MS) indicate that the internal standard is composed of 92% 2-(+/-)-[13C]JA and 8% 2-(+/-)-7-iso-[13C]JA. In soybean plants, JA levels were highest in young leaves, flowers, and fruit (highest in the pericarp). In soybean seeds and seedlings, JA levels were highest in the youngest organs including the hypocotyl hook, plumule, and 12-h axis. In soybean leaves that had been dehydrated to cause a 15% decrease in fresh weight, JA levels increased approximately 5-fold within 2 h and declined to approximately control levels by 4 h. In contrast, a lag time of 1-2 h occurred before abscisic acid accumulation reached a maximum. These results will be discussed in the context of multiple pathways for JA biosynthesis and the role of JA in plant development and responses to environmental signals.

Journal Article↗

Control of meristem development by CLAVATA1 receptor kinase and kinase-associated protein phosphatase interactions

The CLAVATA1 (CLV1) gene encodes a putative receptor kinase required for the proper balance between cell proliferation and differentiation in Arabidopsis shoot and flower meristems. Impaired CLV1 signaling results in masses of undifferentiated cells at the shoot and floral meristems. Although many putative receptor kinases have been identified in plants, the mechanism of signal transduction mediated by plant receptor-like kinases is largely unknown. One potential effector of receptor kinase signaling is kinase-associated protein phosphatase (KAPP), a protein that binds to multiple plant receptor-like kinases in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. To examine a possible role for KAPP in CLV1-dependent plant development, the interaction of CLV1 and KAPP was investigated in vitro and in vivo. KAPP binds directly to autophosphorylated CLV1 in vitro and co-immunoprecipitates with CLV1 in plant extracts derived from meristematic tissue. Reduction of KAPP transcript accumulation in an intermediate clv1 mutant suppresses the mutant phenotype, and the degree of suppression is inversely correlated with KAPP mRNA levels. These data suggest that KAPP functions as a negative regulator of CLV1 signaling in plant development. This may represent a general model for the interaction of KAPP with receptor kinases.

Journal Article↗

Molecular mechanism of gibberellin signaling in plants.

The hormone gibberellin (GA) plays an important role in modulating diverse processes throughout plant development. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the identification of upstream GA signaling components and trans- and cis-acting factors that regulate downstream GA-responsive genes in higher plants. GA appears to derepress its signaling pathway by inducing proteolysis of GA signaling repressors (the DELLA proteins). Recent evidence indicates that the DELLA proteins are targeted for degradation by an E3 ubiquitin ligase SCF complex through the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway.

Arabidopsis↗

New perspectives on the endo-beta-glucanases of glycosyl hydrolase Family 17.

Isozymes of glycosyl hydrolase Family 17 hydrolyze 1,3-beta-glucan polysaccharides found in the cell wall matrix of plants and fungi, enabling these plant enzymes to serve diverse roles in plant defense and plant development. Fourteen genes from Family 17 have been characterized in the genome of rice. A sequence dendrogram analysis divided these genes into four subfamilies. The recombinant GNS1 enzyme from subfamily B had 1,3;1,4-beta-glucanase activity, suggesting a role for this isozyme in plant development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two callose synthases, GSL1 and GSL5, play an essential and redundant role in plant and pollen development and in fertility.

Callose, a beta-1,3-glucan that is widespread in plants, is synthesized by callose synthase. Arabidopsis thaliana contains a family of 12 putative callose synthase genes (GSL1-12). The role of callose and of the individual genes in plant development is still largely uncertain. We have now used TILLING and T-DNA insertion mutants (gsl1-1, gsl5-2 and gsl5-3) to study the role of two closely related and linked genes, GSL1 and GSL5, in sporophytic development and in reproduction. Both genes are expressed in all parts of the plant. Sporophytic development was nearly normal in gsl1-1 homozygotes and only moderately defective in homozygotes for either of the two gsl5 alleles. On the other hand, plants that were gsl1-1/+ gsl5/gsl5 were severely defective, with smaller leaves, shorter roots and bolts and smaller flowers. Plants were fertile when the sporophytes had either two wild-type GSL1 alleles, or one GSL5 allele in a gsl1-1 background, but gsl1-1/+ gsl5/gsl5 plants produced an extremely reduced number of viable seeds. A chromosome with mutations in both GSL1 and GSL5 rendered pollen infertile, although such a chromosome could be transmitted via the egg. As a result, it was not possible to obtain plants that were homozygous for mutations in both the GSL genes. Pollen grain development was severely affected in double mutant plants. Many pollen grains were collapsed and inviable in the gsl1-1/gsl1-1 gsl5/+ and gsl1-1/+ gsl5/gsl5 plants. In addition, gsl1-1/+ gsl5/gsl5 plants produced abnormally large pollen with unusual pore structures, and had problems with tetrad dissociation. In this particular genotype, while the callose wall formed around the pollen mother cells, no callose wall separated the resulting tetrads. We conclude that GSL1 and GSL5 play important, but at least partially redundant roles in both sporophytic development and in the development of pollen. They are responsible for the formation of the callose wall that separates the microspores of the tetrad, and also play a gametophytic role later in pollen grain maturation. Other GSL genes may control callose formation at different steps during pollen development.

Arabidopsis↗

An X-ray micro-tomography system optimised for the low-dose study of living organisms.

An X-ray micro-tomography system has been designed that is dedicated to the low-dose imaging of radiation sensitive living organisms and has been used to image the early development of the first few days of plant development immediately after germination. The system is based on third-generation X-ray micro-tomography system and consists of an X-ray tube, two-dimensional X-ray detector and a mechanical sample manipulation stage. The X-ray source is a 50kVp X-ray tube with a silver target with a filter to centre the X-ray spectrum on 22keV.A 100mm diameter X-ray image intensifier (XRII) is used to collect the two-dimensional projection images. The rotation tomography table incorporates a linear translation mechanism to eliminate ring artefact that is commonly associated with third-generation tomography systems. Developing maize seeds (Triticum aestivum) have been imaged using the system with a cubic voxel linear dimension of 100 microm, over a diameter of 25mm and the root lengths and volumes measured. The X-ray dose to the plants was also assessed and found to have no effect on the plant root development.

Equipment Design↗

Surface attachment and pre-penetration stage development by plant pathogenic fungi.

Fungal pathogens cause many of the most serious crop diseases. One of the principal reasons for the success of this group is their ability to locate and perceive appropriate host surfaces and then to elaborate specialized infection structures. Here we review the processes implicated in surface attachment, germ tube elongation, and development of appressoria. The involvement of surface-acting proteins such as fungal hydrophobins and integrins in these processes is evaluated, along with a description of studies that have revealed the existence of conserved signaling pathways that regulate appressorium formation. Finally, we anticipate the prospect of genome-level analysis of fungal pathogens and the key research questions that will need to be addressed.

Fungal Proteins↗

Arabidopsis glucosyltransferase UGT74B1 functions in glucosinolate biosynthesis and auxin homeostasis.

Glucosinolates are a class of secondary metabolites with important roles in plant defense and human nutrition. Here, we characterize a putative UDP-glucose:thiohydroximate S-glucosyltransferase, UGT74B1, to determine its role in the Arabidopsis glucosinolate pathway. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that recombinant UGT74B1 specifically glucosylates the thiohydroximate functional group. Low Km values for phenylacetothiohydroximic acid (approximately 6 microm) and UDP-glucose (approximately 50 microm) strongly suggest that thiohydroximates are in vivo substrates of UGT74B1. Insertional loss-of-function ugt74b1 mutants exhibit significantly decreased, but not abolished, glucosinolate accumulation. In addition, ugt74b1 mutants display phenotypes reminiscent of auxin overproduction, such as epinastic cotyledons, elongated hypocotyls in light-grown plants, excess adventitious rooting and incomplete leaf vascularization. Indeed, during early plant development, mutant ugt74b1 seedlings accumulate nearly threefold more indole-3-acetic acid than the wild type. Other phenotypes, however, such as chlorosis along the leaf veins, are likely caused by thiohydroximate toxicity. Analysis of UGT74B1 promoter activity during plant development reveals expression patterns consistent with glucosinolate metabolism and induction by auxin treatment. The results are discussed in the context of known mutations in glucosinolate pathway genes and their effects on auxin homeostasis. Taken together, our work provides complementary in vitro and in vivo evidence for a primary role of UGT74B1 in glucosinolate biosynthesis.

Arabidopsis↗