To study the local and systemic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal （AMF） colonization, Nicotiana attenuata plants impaired in their interactions with AMF due to silencing of a calcium- and calmodulin dependent...To study the local and systemic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal （AMF） colonization, Nicotiana attenuata plants impaired in their interactions with AMF due to silencing of a calcium- and calmodulin dependent protein kinase （inverted repreat （ir）CCaMK） were grown competitively in pairs with empty vector （EV） plants, with and without two different types of inoculum. When inoculated, EV plants strongly outperformed irCCaMK plants. Foliar transcript profiling revealed that AMF colonization significantly changed gene expression of P-starvation and -transporter genes in irCCaMK plants. The Phtl family phosphate transporter NaPT5 was not only specifically induced in roots after AMF colonization, but also in leaves of AMF-colonized irCCaMK plants, and in plants grown under low Pi conditions in the absence of AMF. The P-starvation signature of inoculated irCCaMK plants corresponded with increases in selected amino acids and phenolic compounds in leaves. We also found a strong AMF-induced increase in amino acids and phenolic metabolites in roots. Plants impaired in their interactions with AMF clearly have a fitness disadvantage when competing for limited soil nutrients with a fully functional isogenic line. The additional role of the AMF-induced Phtl family transporter NaPT5 in leaves under P-starvation conditions will require further experiments to fully resolve.展开更多
Herein we review the current state-of-the-art of plant hydraulics in the context of plant physiology, ecology, and evolution, focusing on current and future research opportunities. We explain the physics of water tran...Herein we review the current state-of-the-art of plant hydraulics in the context of plant physiology, ecology, and evolution, focusing on current and future research opportunities. We explain the physics of water transport in plants and the limits of this transport system, highlighting the relationships between xylem structure and function. We describe the great variety of techniques existing for evaluating xylem resistance to cavitation. We address several methodological issues and their connec- tion with current debates on conduit refilling and exponentially shaped vulnerability curves. We analyze the trade-offs existing between water transport safety and efficiency. We also stress how little information is available on molecular biology of cavitation and the potential role of aquaporins in conduit refilling. Finally, we draw attention to how plant hydraulic traits can be used for modeling stomatal responses to environmental variables and climate change, including drought mortality.展开更多
Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is...Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is unloaded for diverse uses. Clearly, Suc transport and metabolism is central to plant growth and development and the functionality of the entire vascular system. Despite vast information in the literature about the physiological roles of individual sugar metabolic enzymes and transporters, there is a lack of systematic evaluation about their molecular regulation from transcriptional to post-translational levels. Knowledge on this topic is essential for understanding and improving plant development, optimizing resource distri- bution and increasing crop productivity. We therefore focused our analyses on molecular control of key players in Suc metabolism and transport, including： （i） the identifica- tion of promoter elements responsive to sugars and hormones or targeted by transcription factors and micro- RNAs degrading transcripts of target genes; and （ii） modulation of enzyme and transporter activities through protein-protein interactions and other post-translational modifications. We have highlighted major remaining questions and discussed opportunities to exploit current understanding to gain new insights into molecular control of carbon partitioning for improving plant performance.展开更多
An essential step for the distribution of carbon throughout the whole plant is the loading of sugars into the phloem in source organs. In many plants, accumulation of sugars in the sieve element-companion cell （SE-CC...An essential step for the distribution of carbon throughout the whole plant is the loading of sugars into the phloem in source organs. In many plants, accumulation of sugars in the sieve element-companion cell （SE-CC） complex is mediated and regulated by active processes. However, for poplar and many other tree species, a passive symplasmic mechanism of phloem loading has been proposed, characterized by symplasmic continuity along the pre-phloem pathway and the absence of active sugar accumulation in the SE-CC complex. A high overall leaf sugar concentration is thought to enable diffusion of sucrose into the phloem. In this review, we critically evaluate current evidence regarding the mechanism of passive syrnplasmic phloem loading, with a focus on the potential influence of active sugar transport and plasmo- desmal regulation. The limited experimental data, com- bined with theoretical considerations, suggest that a concomitant operation of passive symplasmic and active phloem loading in the same minor vein is unlikely. However, active sugar transport could well play an important role in how passively loading plants might modulate the rate of sugar export from leaves. Insights into the operation of this mechanism has direct implications for our understanding of how these plants utilize assimilated carbon.展开更多
During daylight, plants produce excess photo- synthates, including sucrose, which is temporarily stored in the vacuole. At night, plants remobilize sucrose to sustain metabolism and growth. Based on homology to other ...During daylight, plants produce excess photo- synthates, including sucrose, which is temporarily stored in the vacuole. At night, plants remobilize sucrose to sustain metabolism and growth. Based on homology to other sucrose transporter （SUT） proteins, we hypothesized the maize （Zea mays） SUCROSE TRANSPORTER2 （ZmSUT2） protein functions as a sucrose/H^＋ symporter on the vacuolar membrane to export transiently stored sucrose. To understand the biological role of ZmSut2, we examined its spatial and temporal gene expression, determined the protein subcellular localization, and characterized loss-of- function mutations. ZmSut2 mRNA was ubiquitously expressed and exhibited diurnal cycling in transcript abundance. Expressing a translational fusion of ZmSUT2 fused to a red fluorescent protein in maize mesophyll cell protoplasts revealed that the protein localized to the tonoplast. Under field conditions, zmsut2 mutant plants grew slower, possessed smaller tassels and ears, and produced fewer kernels when compared to wild-type siblings, zmsut2 mutants also accumulated two-fold more sucrose, glucose, and fructose as well as starch in source leaves compared to wild type. These findings suggest （i） ZmSUT2 functions to remobilize sucrose out of the vacuole for subsequent use in growing tissues; and （ii） its function provides an important contribution to maize development and agronomic yield.展开更多
The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes corn smut disease, inducing tumor formation in its host Zea mays. Upon infection, the fungal hyphae invaginate the plasma membrane of infected maize ceils, establishing an ...The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes corn smut disease, inducing tumor formation in its host Zea mays. Upon infection, the fungal hyphae invaginate the plasma membrane of infected maize ceils, establishing an interface where pathogen and host are separated only by their plasma membranes. At this interface the fungal and maize sucrose transporters, UmSrtl and ZmSUT1, compete for extracellular sucrose in the corn smut/maize pathos- ystem. Here we biophysically characterized ZmSUT1 and UmSrtl in Xenopus oocytes with respect to their voltage-, pH- and substrate-dependence and determined affinities toward protons and sucrose. In contrast to ZmSUT% UmSrtl has a high affinity for sucrose and is relatively pH- and voltage-independent. Using these quantitative parameters, we developed a mathematical model to simulate the competition for extracellular sucrose at the contact zone between the fungus and the host plant. This approach revealed that UmSrtl exploits the apoplastic sucrose resource, which forces the plant transporter into a sucrose export mode providing the fungus with sugar from the phloem. Importantly, the high sucrose concen- tration in the phloem appeared disadvantageous for the ZmSUT1 preventing sucrose recovery from the apoplastic space in the fungus/plant interface.展开更多
Systemic acquired resistance （SAR） is a form of broad-spectrum resistance induced in response to local infections that protects uninfected parts against subsequent secondary infections by related or unrelated pathog...Systemic acquired resistance （SAR） is a form of broad-spectrum resistance induced in response to local infections that protects uninfected parts against subsequent secondary infections by related or unrelated pathogens. SAR signaling requires two parallel branches, one regulated by salicylic acid （SA）. and theother by azelaic acid （AzA） and glycerol-3-phosphate （G3P）. AzA and G3P function downstream of the free radicals nitric oxide （NO） and reactive oxygen species （ROS）. During SAR, SA, AzA and G3P accumulate in the infected leaves, but only a small portion of these is transported to distal uninfected leaves. SA is preferen- tially transported via the apoplast, whereas phloem loading of AzA and G3P occurs via the symplast. The symplastic transport of AzA and G3P is regulated by gating of the plasmodesmata （PD）. The PD localizing proteins, PDLP1 and PDLP5, regulate SAR by regulating PD gating as well as the subcellular partitioning of a SAR-associated protein.展开更多
Plant transformation has for many years relied on agrobacterium infection or biolistic particle delivery. However, these two methods are limited to model plant systems or a small number of crop species. This commentar...Plant transformation has for many years relied on agrobacterium infection or biolistic particle delivery. However, these two methods are limited to model plant systems or a small number of crop species. This commentary highlights recent developments in the nanoparticle-mediated transformation that havethe potential to revolutionize how plants are trans- formed.展开更多
In the 192os, the German forestry scientist Ernst M{Jnch postulated that photo-assimilate transport is a mass flow driven by osmotically induced pressure gradients between source organs （high turgot） and sink organs...In the 192os, the German forestry scientist Ernst M{Jnch postulated that photo-assimilate transport is a mass flow driven by osmotically induced pressure gradients between source organs （high turgot） and sink organs （lower turgor）. Two crucial components of MOnch＇s hypothesis, the translocation by mass flow from sources to sinks and the osmotic mechanism of pressure flow, were established notions at the time, but had been developed by two institutionally separated groups of scholars. A conceptual separation of wholepplant biology from cellular physiology had followed the institutional separation of forestry science from botany in German-speaking central Europe during the so-called Humboldtian reforms, and was reinforced by the delayed institutionalization of plant physiology as an academic discipline. Munch did not invent a novel concept, but accomplished an integration of the organism-focused and the cell-focused research traditions, reducing the polarization that had evolved when research universities emerged in central Europe. Post-Munch debates about the validity of his hypothesis focused increasingly on the suitability of available research methodologies, especially the electron microscope and the proper interpretation of the results it produced. The present work reconstructs the influence of the dynamic scientific and non-scientific context on the history of the Munch hypothesis.展开更多
Metabolite transport processes and primary metabolism are highly interconnected. This study exam- ined the importance of source-to-sink nitrogen partition- ing, and associated nitrogen metabolism for carbon capture, t...Metabolite transport processes and primary metabolism are highly interconnected. This study exam- ined the importance of source-to-sink nitrogen partition- ing, and associated nitrogen metabolism for carbon capture, transport and usage. Specifically, Arabidopsis aap8 （AMINO ACID PERMEASE 8） mutant lines were analyzed to resolve the consequences of reduced amino acid phloem loading for source leaf carbon metabolism, sucrose phloem transport and sink development during vegetative and reproductive growth phase. Results showed that decreased amino acid transport had a negative effect on sink development of aap8 lines throughout the life cycle, leading to an overall decrease in plant biomass. During vegetative stage, photosynthe- sis and carbohydrate levels were decreased in aap8 leaves, while expression of carbon metabolism and transport genes, as well as sucrose phloem transport were not affected despite reduced sink strength. However, when aap8 plants transitioned to reproductive phase, carbon fixation and assimilation as well as sucrose partitioning to siliques were strongly decreased. Overall, this work demonstrates that phloem loading of nitrogen has varying implications for carbon fixation, assimilation and source-to-sink allocation depending on plant growth stage. It further suggests alterations in source-sink relationships, and regulation of carbon metabolism and transport by sink strength in a development-dependent manner.展开更多
基金funded by the Max Planck Societyby Advanced Grant 293926 from the European Research Council to I.T.B.by a JSMC grant to J.W.and by the Collaborative Research Centre“Chemical Mediators in Complex Biosystems-ChemBioSys”(SFB 531 1127).
文摘To study the local and systemic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal （AMF） colonization, Nicotiana attenuata plants impaired in their interactions with AMF due to silencing of a calcium- and calmodulin dependent protein kinase （inverted repreat （ir）CCaMK） were grown competitively in pairs with empty vector （EV） plants, with and without two different types of inoculum. When inoculated, EV plants strongly outperformed irCCaMK plants. Foliar transcript profiling revealed that AMF colonization significantly changed gene expression of P-starvation and -transporter genes in irCCaMK plants. The Phtl family phosphate transporter NaPT5 was not only specifically induced in roots after AMF colonization, but also in leaves of AMF-colonized irCCaMK plants, and in plants grown under low Pi conditions in the absence of AMF. The P-starvation signature of inoculated irCCaMK plants corresponded with increases in selected amino acids and phenolic compounds in leaves. We also found a strong AMF-induced increase in amino acids and phenolic metabolites in roots. Plants impaired in their interactions with AMF clearly have a fitness disadvantage when competing for limited soil nutrients with a fully functional isogenic line. The additional role of the AMF-induced Phtl family transporter NaPT5 in leaves under P-starvation conditions will require further experiments to fully resolve.
基金provided by National Science Foundation grant IOS-1450560
文摘Herein we review the current state-of-the-art of plant hydraulics in the context of plant physiology, ecology, and evolution, focusing on current and future research opportunities. We explain the physics of water transport in plants and the limits of this transport system, highlighting the relationships between xylem structure and function. We describe the great variety of techniques existing for evaluating xylem resistance to cavitation. We address several methodological issues and their connec- tion with current debates on conduit refilling and exponentially shaped vulnerability curves. We analyze the trade-offs existing between water transport safety and efficiency. We also stress how little information is available on molecular biology of cavitation and the potential role of aquaporins in conduit refilling. Finally, we draw attention to how plant hydraulic traits can be used for modeling stomatal responses to environmental variables and climate change, including drought mortality.
基金financially supported by Australia Research Council(DP110104931,DP120104148)to YLR
文摘Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is unloaded for diverse uses. Clearly, Suc transport and metabolism is central to plant growth and development and the functionality of the entire vascular system. Despite vast information in the literature about the physiological roles of individual sugar metabolic enzymes and transporters, there is a lack of systematic evaluation about their molecular regulation from transcriptional to post-translational levels. Knowledge on this topic is essential for understanding and improving plant development, optimizing resource distri- bution and increasing crop productivity. We therefore focused our analyses on molecular control of key players in Suc metabolism and transport, including： （i） the identifica- tion of promoter elements responsive to sugars and hormones or targeted by transcription factors and micro- RNAs degrading transcripts of target genes; and （ii） modulation of enzyme and transporter activities through protein-protein interactions and other post-translational modifications. We have highlighted major remaining questions and discussed opportunities to exploit current understanding to gain new insights into molecular control of carbon partitioning for improving plant performance.
文摘An essential step for the distribution of carbon throughout the whole plant is the loading of sugars into the phloem in source organs. In many plants, accumulation of sugars in the sieve element-companion cell （SE-CC） complex is mediated and regulated by active processes. However, for poplar and many other tree species, a passive symplasmic mechanism of phloem loading has been proposed, characterized by symplasmic continuity along the pre-phloem pathway and the absence of active sugar accumulation in the SE-CC complex. A high overall leaf sugar concentration is thought to enable diffusion of sucrose into the phloem. In this review, we critically evaluate current evidence regarding the mechanism of passive syrnplasmic phloem loading, with a focus on the potential influence of active sugar transport and plasmo- desmal regulation. The limited experimental data, com- bined with theoretical considerations, suggest that a concomitant operation of passive symplasmic and active phloem loading in the same minor vein is unlikely. However, active sugar transport could well play an important role in how passively loading plants might modulate the rate of sugar export from leaves. Insights into the operation of this mechanism has direct implications for our understanding of how these plants utilize assimilated carbon.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program, grant no. IOS-1025976 to DMB
文摘During daylight, plants produce excess photo- synthates, including sucrose, which is temporarily stored in the vacuole. At night, plants remobilize sucrose to sustain metabolism and growth. Based on homology to other sucrose transporter （SUT） proteins, we hypothesized the maize （Zea mays） SUCROSE TRANSPORTER2 （ZmSUT2） protein functions as a sucrose/H^＋ symporter on the vacuolar membrane to export transiently stored sucrose. To understand the biological role of ZmSut2, we examined its spatial and temporal gene expression, determined the protein subcellular localization, and characterized loss-of- function mutations. ZmSut2 mRNA was ubiquitously expressed and exhibited diurnal cycling in transcript abundance. Expressing a translational fusion of ZmSUT2 fused to a red fluorescent protein in maize mesophyll cell protoplasts revealed that the protein localized to the tonoplast. Under field conditions, zmsut2 mutant plants grew slower, possessed smaller tassels and ears, and produced fewer kernels when compared to wild-type siblings, zmsut2 mutants also accumulated two-fold more sucrose, glucose, and fructose as well as starch in source leaves compared to wild type. These findings suggest （i） ZmSUT2 functions to remobilize sucrose out of the vacuole for subsequent use in growing tissues; and （ii） its function provides an important contribution to maize development and agronomic yield.
基金supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) within the Grant GE2195/1-1supported by grants from the King Saud Universitysupported by the FONDECYT grant N 1150054 from the Comisión Nacional Científicay Tecnológica of Chile
文摘The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis causes corn smut disease, inducing tumor formation in its host Zea mays. Upon infection, the fungal hyphae invaginate the plasma membrane of infected maize ceils, establishing an interface where pathogen and host are separated only by their plasma membranes. At this interface the fungal and maize sucrose transporters, UmSrtl and ZmSUT1, compete for extracellular sucrose in the corn smut/maize pathos- ystem. Here we biophysically characterized ZmSUT1 and UmSrtl in Xenopus oocytes with respect to their voltage-, pH- and substrate-dependence and determined affinities toward protons and sucrose. In contrast to ZmSUT% UmSrtl has a high affinity for sucrose and is relatively pH- and voltage-independent. Using these quantitative parameters, we developed a mathematical model to simulate the competition for extracellular sucrose at the contact zone between the fungus and the host plant. This approach revealed that UmSrtl exploits the apoplastic sucrose resource, which forces the plant transporter into a sucrose export mode providing the fungus with sugar from the phloem. Importantly, the high sucrose concen- tration in the phloem appeared disadvantageous for the ZmSUT1 preventing sucrose recovery from the apoplastic space in the fungus/plant interface.
基金supported by funding from the National Science Foundation (0749731 and 051909)
文摘Systemic acquired resistance （SAR） is a form of broad-spectrum resistance induced in response to local infections that protects uninfected parts against subsequent secondary infections by related or unrelated pathogens. SAR signaling requires two parallel branches, one regulated by salicylic acid （SA）. and theother by azelaic acid （AzA） and glycerol-3-phosphate （G3P）. AzA and G3P function downstream of the free radicals nitric oxide （NO） and reactive oxygen species （ROS）. During SAR, SA, AzA and G3P accumulate in the infected leaves, but only a small portion of these is transported to distal uninfected leaves. SA is preferen- tially transported via the apoplast, whereas phloem loading of AzA and G3P occurs via the symplast. The symplastic transport of AzA and G3P is regulated by gating of the plasmodesmata （PD）. The PD localizing proteins, PDLP1 and PDLP5, regulate SAR by regulating PD gating as well as the subcellular partitioning of a SAR-associated protein.
基金supported by the University of Maryland CMNS Dean’s Matching Award that is associated with the NIH T32 Molecular and Cell Biology Training Grantsupported by grants from NSF(IOS 1444987)USDA(NIFA 11889048)
文摘Plant transformation has for many years relied on agrobacterium infection or biolistic particle delivery. However, these two methods are limited to model plant systems or a small number of crop species. This commentary highlights recent developments in the nanoparticle-mediated transformation that havethe potential to revolutionize how plants are trans- formed.
文摘In the 192os, the German forestry scientist Ernst M{Jnch postulated that photo-assimilate transport is a mass flow driven by osmotically induced pressure gradients between source organs （high turgot） and sink organs （lower turgor）. Two crucial components of MOnch＇s hypothesis, the translocation by mass flow from sources to sinks and the osmotic mechanism of pressure flow, were established notions at the time, but had been developed by two institutionally separated groups of scholars. A conceptual separation of wholepplant biology from cellular physiology had followed the institutional separation of forestry science from botany in German-speaking central Europe during the so-called Humboldtian reforms, and was reinforced by the delayed institutionalization of plant physiology as an academic discipline. Munch did not invent a novel concept, but accomplished an integration of the organism-focused and the cell-focused research traditions, reducing the polarization that had evolved when research universities emerged in central Europe. Post-Munch debates about the validity of his hypothesis focused increasingly on the suitability of available research methodologies, especially the electron microscope and the proper interpretation of the results it produced. The present work reconstructs the influence of the dynamic scientific and non-scientific context on the history of the Munch hypothesis.
基金supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation grant number IOS 1021286 and IOS 1457183
文摘Metabolite transport processes and primary metabolism are highly interconnected. This study exam- ined the importance of source-to-sink nitrogen partition- ing, and associated nitrogen metabolism for carbon capture, transport and usage. Specifically, Arabidopsis aap8 （AMINO ACID PERMEASE 8） mutant lines were analyzed to resolve the consequences of reduced amino acid phloem loading for source leaf carbon metabolism, sucrose phloem transport and sink development during vegetative and reproductive growth phase. Results showed that decreased amino acid transport had a negative effect on sink development of aap8 lines throughout the life cycle, leading to an overall decrease in plant biomass. During vegetative stage, photosynthe- sis and carbohydrate levels were decreased in aap8 leaves, while expression of carbon metabolism and transport genes, as well as sucrose phloem transport were not affected despite reduced sink strength. However, when aap8 plants transitioned to reproductive phase, carbon fixation and assimilation as well as sucrose partitioning to siliques were strongly decreased. Overall, this work demonstrates that phloem loading of nitrogen has varying implications for carbon fixation, assimilation and source-to-sink allocation depending on plant growth stage. It further suggests alterations in source-sink relationships, and regulation of carbon metabolism and transport by sink strength in a development-dependent manner.
