PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Plant Development”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

Polar auxin transport--old questions and new concepts?

Polar auxin transport controls multiple aspects of plant development including differential growth, embryo and root patterning and vascular tissue differentiation. Identification of proteins involved in this process and availability of new tools enabling 'visualization' of auxin and auxin routes in planta largely contributed to the significant progress that has recently been made. New data support classical concepts, but several recent findings are likely to challenge our view on the mechanism of auxin transport. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the polar auxin transport field. It starts with classical models resulting from physiological studies, describes the genetic contributions and discusses the molecular basis of auxin influx and efflux. Finally, selected questions are presented in the context of developmental biology, integrating available data from different fields.

Arabidopsis↗

Germins and germin like proteins: an overview.

Molecular investigations during wheat germination have revealed unique developmentally regulated proteins, designated as germins, which show remarkable resistance to broad specificity proteases and to dissociation in SDS. Germins in cereals have an oxalate oxidase activity, which generates H2O2 from the oxidative breakdown of oxalate thereby playing a significant role in plant development and defense. Germin like proteins (GLPs) exhibit sequence and structural similarity with the cereal germins but mostly lack oxalate oxidase activity. Germins and germin like proteins (GLPs) are a class of developmentally regulated glycoproteins characterized by a beta-barrel core structure, a signal peptide, and are associated with the cell wall. GLPs exhibit a broad range of diversity in their occurrence and activity in organisms ranging from myxomycetes, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Germins and GLPs are thought to play a significant role during zygotic and somatic embryogenesis (wheat and Pinus, respectively), salt stress (barley and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), pathogen elicitation (wheat and barley), and heavy metal stress, etc. Characterization and cloning of some of the genes encoding germins and GLPs has facilitated a better understanding of their regulation and raised their potential of biotechnological application.

Biological Evolution↗

The TACPyAT repeats in the chalcone synthase promoter of Petunia hybrida act as a dominant negative cis-acting module in the control of organ-specific expression.

Analysis of the expression of the GUS reporter gene driven by various regions of the Petunia hybrida chalcone synthase (chsA) promoter revealed that the developmental and organ-specific expression of the chsA gene is conferred by a TATA proximal module located between -67 and -53, previously designated as the TACPyAT repeats. Histochemical analysis of GUS reporter gene expression revealed that the organ-specific 67 bp promoter fragment directs the same cell-type specificity as a 530 bp promoter, whereas additional enhancer sequences are present within the more TATA distal region. Moreover, the region between -800 and -530 is also involved in extending the cell-type specificity to the trichomes of flower organs and of young seedlings. The mechanism by which the TACPyAT repeats modulate expression during plant development was studied by analysing the expression of the GUS gene driven by chimeric promoters consisting of the CaMV 35S enhancer (domain B, -750 to -90) fused to various chsA 5' upstream sequences. Detailed enzymatic and histochemical analysis revealed that in the presence of the TACPyAT module the CaMV 35S region only enhances GUS activity in those organs in which the chsA promoter is normally active. Furthermore, this analysis shows that enhancement in the presence of the CaMV 35S domain B is accomplished by increasing the number of cell types expressing the GUS gene within the organ, rather than enhancement of the chsA cell-type-specific expression within these organs. Deletion of the TACPyAT sequences in the chimeric promoter construct completely restores the well-documented CaMV 35S domain B cell-type specificity, showing that the TACPyAT module acts as a dominant negative cis-acting element which controls both organ and developmental regulation of the chsA promoter activity.

Acyltransferases↗

Two differentially regulated Arabidopsis genes define a new branch of the DFR superfamily.

Two tandem genes were identified on Arabidopsis chromosome II (AtCRL1 and AtCRL2) encoding proteins with homology to members of the dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR) superfamily. The encoded CRL1 and CRL2 proteins share 87% mutual amino acid sequence identity whereas their promoter regions are highly divergent, suggesting differential regulation of the CRL genes. Phylogenetic analysis placed CRL1 and CRL2 in a separate branch of the DFR superfamily. Northern blotting showed strong AtCRL1 induction by abscisic acid (ABA), drought, and heat shock, and high expression level in seeds, thus resembling the expression pattern of late embryogenic abundant ABA-responsive genes. Differential expression of the two genes during plant development was confirmed in plants expressing transcriptional fusions between the two promoters and the Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase reporter gene. This showed that, whereas high expression of AtCRL1 in mature seeds declines during subsequent vegetative growth, transcriptional activity from the AtCRL2 promoter increases during vegetative growth. Expression of both genes is restricted to vascular tissue. Based upon their homology to proteins involved in lignin synthesis, we propose that AtCRL2 is involved in generating conducting tissue late in development, while AtCRL1 is involved in vascular tissue differentiation and/or synthesis in the germinating embryos.

Journal Article↗

Classification and expression of a family of cyclin gene homologues in Brassica napus.

In order to investigate the role of cell division in plant development, we isolated several plant genes which encode homologues of animal and yeast cell cycle regulators known as cyclins. Through the use of degenerate primers and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we isolated a Brassica sequence which showed homology to the 'cyclin box' functional domain found within cyclin proteins. Southern blot analysis indicated that Brassica napus has a large number of genes containing cyclin box-related sequences. This was further supported by the isolation of cyclin box sequences from six different genomic clones. In addition, we have isolated two different cyclin cDNA clones, BnCYC1 and BnCYC2, from a Brassica napus shoot apical cDNA library. Both of the cDNA clones contain a 'destruction box' regulatory domain similar to animal mitotic cyclins. Northern blot analysis using BnCYC2 shows mRNA levels which correlate well with the level of cell division in various tissues. Messenger RNA abundance was highest in 1-3 mm leaves, root tips and shoot apices. The mRNA detected using BnCYC1 was restricted to young leaves and the shoot apex, suggesting divergent, organ-specific roles for cyclin family members. The results demonstrate that the plant cyclin gene family is more extensive than previously demonstrated and consists of genes expressed in all dividing tissues as well as a subset of developmentally specific members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of an osmotic stress- and abscisic acid-induced gene encoding an acidic endochitinase from Lycopersicon chilense.

We have identified one osmotic stress- and abscisic acid-responsive member of the endochitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) gene family from leaves of drought-stressed Lycopersicon chilense plants, a natural inhabitant of extremely arid regions in South America. The 966-bp full-length cDNA (designated pcht28) encodes an acidic chitinase precursor with an amino-terminal signal peptide. The mature protein is predicted to have 229 amino acid residues with a relative molecular mass of 24,943 and pI value of 6.2. Sequence analysis revealed that pcht28 has a high degree of homology with class II chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) from tomato and tobacco. Expression of the pcht28 protein in Escherichia coli verified that it is indeed a chitinase. Northern blot analysis indicated that this gene has evolved a different pattern of expression from that of other family members reported thus far. It is highly induced by both osmotic stress and the plant hormone abscisic acid. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested that the pcht28-related genes may form a small multigene family in this species. The efficiency of induction of the gene by drought stress, in leaves and stems, is significantly higher in L. chilense than in the cultivated tomato. It is speculated that, besides its general defensive function, the pcht28-encoded chitinase may play a particular role in plant development or in protecting plants from pathogen attack during water stress.

Abscisic Acid↗

On the relationship between X-bodies and symptom development in plants infected with different tobamoviruses.

The relationship between systemic mosaic symptoms and the occurrence of viral 126-kDa protein in X-bodies was studied in tobacco infected with the tobacco mild green mosaic virus (TMGMV) strains U2, U5, and ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) strain HR, and in other plant species infected with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) strain W U 1. Strains U2, U5, and HR coded for proteins of 126, 126, and 130 kDa, respectively, but these were not recognized by antisera against the corresponding protein from W U 1. Only the HR 130-kDa protein reacted with an antiserum raised against a peptide of amino acids 849-863 from the sequence of W U 1. Electron microscopic analysis established the presence of virus clusters in the cytoplasm, as well as in chloroplasts, in leaf tissue infected with U 2 or U 5, and adjacent to nuclei and chloroplasts in scattered cells infected with HR. X-bodies were not detected after infection with any of these strains, but were large and adjacent to nuclei in W U 1-infected tomato displaying severe mosaic symptoms. Large X-bodies were detected near nuclei in W U 1-infected tomato displaying severe mosaic symptoms, but none were detected after infection of tobacco with any of the other tobamoviruses. The induction of X-bodies appears to be characteristic of some tobamovirus only and, at best, can only be associated with, rather than causative of, the severity of symptoms induced by those viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Development of plant regeneration and transformation protocols for the desiccation-sensitive weeping lovegrass Eragrostis curvula.

A tissue culture protocol, suitable for transformation, was established for the pasture grass Eragrostis curvula. Callus was generated in the dark from leaf and seed tissues on a medium comprising MS salts supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.01 mg/l BAP and 2% sucrose. Plant regeneration occurred via organogenesis on the same medium with 6% and 3% sucrose for shoot and root formation, respectively. Optimal regeneration (50 plantlets per callus) occurred when light of 45 micromol/m2 per s was used. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp12 gene was cloned into the Sac1 of the pCAMBIAUbeeQ vector and callus was transformed by biolistic bombardment. Best transformation (30%) occurred when the target tissue was bombarded twice at a distance of 70 mm using a bombardment pressure of 9,100 kPa. Although successful transformation and transcription of the Hsp12 gene occurred, no Hsp12 protein was found present in tissue extracts of transformed grass.

Agriculture↗

Identification of a new cis-regulatory element in a Nicotiana tabacum polyubiquitin gene promoter.

The polyubiquitin gene Ubi.U4 is expressed in a complex pattern during cell division and plant development in Nicotiana tabacum. Plants transformed with the uidA reporter gene placed under the control of the proximal 263 bp of the promoter are able to express GUS activity in dividing cells. This expression is modified when a G-box-like motif is mutated. In order to clarify the transcriptional regulation of this gene, we analysed positively regulating sequences in this proximal promoter by electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA). We observed that the G-box-like element gave rise to only weak protein-DNA bands but that a new motif, GCTGTAC, directs formation of numerous, distinctive, strong and developmentally specific shifts with nuclear extracts prepared from various different developmental stages and from dividing cells. Point mutations within this motif abolish formation of the protein-DNA complexes and reduce promoter activity in transient expression assays. This novel putative cis-acting element, which we called the U-box, present 12 nucleotides upstream of the G-box-like element, thus seems also to be critical for Ubi.U4 promoter activity.

Base Sequence↗

Decreased levels of TMV coat protein in transgenic tobacco plants at elevated temperatures reduce resistance to TMV infection.

Transgenic tobacco plants that accumulate tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein (CP) are resistant to TMV infection under standard growth conditions. The amount of CP accumulated and the degree of resistance to TMV were found to be temperature dependent. Exposure to continuous high temperatures (30-35 degrees) results in a sharp decrease in the amount of CP within 6 hr with no further change for at least 6 days. Under these conditions the transgenic plants developed typical systemic disease symptoms when inoculated with TMV although disease development was delayed. Transgenic plants which were moved from 35 to 22 degrees accumulated the normal level of CP within several hours. Transgenic tobacco plants inoculated and held at 35/25 degrees day/night cycles retained resistance to TMV infection. The level of CP mRNA was constant at each temperature and was associated with polyribosomes. On the basis of these results we suggest that the low level of CP under elevated temperature is due to instability of the TMV CP. In contrast, TMV CP levels in transgenic tomato plants also dropped under elevated temperatures yet retained high resistance to TMV.

Blotting, Northern↗

Development of plant protoplasts during the IML-1 mission.

During the 8 day IML-1 mission, regeneration of cell walls and cell divisions in rapeseed protoplasts were studied using the Biorack microscope onboard the Space Shuttle "Discovery". Samples from microgravity and 1g protoplast cultures were loaded on microscope slides. Visual microscopic observations were reported by the payload specialist Roberta Bondar, by down-link video transmission and by use of a microscope camera. Protoplasts grown under microgravity conditions do regenerate cell walls but to a lesser extent than under 1g. Cell divisions are delayed under microgravity. Few cell aggregates with maximum 4-6 cells per aggregate are formed under microgravity conditions, indicating that microgravity may have a profound influence on plant cell differentiation.

Brassica↗

Photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene on germination and early development of plant seedling.

The influence of light on phytotoxicity of increased concentration (2, 5, 10 mg/l) of intact fluoranthene (FLT) and photomodified fluoranthene (phFLT) diluted in experimental solutions was investigated. The germination rate of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), onion (Allium cepa L.) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) seeds and some parameters of seedlings primary growth of these plant species were used as laboratory indicators of phytotoxicity. Among them a length of root and shoot, their dry weight and a content of photosynthetic pigments in shoot were measured. The results demonstrated that the higher concentration (5 and 10 mg/l) of FLT and especially of phFLT significantly inhibited the germination rate of seeds and the length of root and shoot seedlings of all plant species. Decreased production of biomass expressed by dry weight of root and shoot was found in lettuce seedlings under the inhibitory effect of FLT and phFLT. An increased concentration of FLT and phFLT did not exhibit an unambiguous effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments in shoot of experimental plants. Only the highest concentration (10 mg/l) of FLT significantly increased content of chlorophylls a and b in lettuce, onion and tomato plants and content of carotenoids in lettuce and onion. Light intensified a significant inhibitory effect of phFLT in the most testified parameters of germination and seedling growth.

Analysis of Variance↗

Cell cycle controls and the development of plant form.

The relationship between cell division and plant form has long been a battleground for the debate between those proclaiming and disclaiming an important role for cell division in morphogenetic and developmental processes. Recent evidence suggests that cell division and morphogenesis are intimately interconnected, and whereas overall architecture is determined by patterning genes, the elaboration and execution of developmental programmes require proper control of the cell-division cycle.

Cell Cycle↗

NPK1, an MEKK1-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, regulates innate immunity and development in plants.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are rapidly activated upon plant recognition of invading pathogens. Here, we describe the use of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to study the role of candidate plant MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) homologs of human MEKK1 in pathogen-resistance pathways. We demonstrate that silencing expression of a tobacco MAPKKK, Nicotiana Protein Kinase 1 (NPK1), interferes with the function of the disease-resistance genes N, Bs2, and Rx, but does not affect Pto- and Cf4-mediated resistance. Further, NPK1-silenced plants also exhibit reduced cell size, defective cytokinesis, and an overall dwarf phenotype. Our results provide evidence that NPK1 functions in the regulation of N-, Bs2-, and Rx-mediated resistance responses and may play a role in one or more MAPK cascades, regulating multiple cellular processes.

Cell Size↗