Characterization of ALBA Family Expression and Localization in Arabidopsis thaliana Generative Organs

ALBA DNA/RNA-binding proteins form an ancient family, which in eukaryotes diversified into two Rpp25-like and Rpp20-like subfamilies. In most studied model organisms, their function remains unclear, but they are usually associated with RNA metabolism, mRNA translatability and stress response. In plants, the enriched number of ALBA family members remains poorly understood. Here, we studied ALBA dynamics during reproductive development in Arabidopsis at the levels of gene expression and protein localization, both under standard conditions and following heat stress. In generative tissues, ALBA proteins showed the strongest signal in mature pollen where they localized predominantly in cytoplasmic foci, particularly in regions surrounding the vegetative nucleus and sperm cells. Finally, we demonstrated the involvement of two Rpp25-like subfamily members ALBA4 and ALBA6 in RNA metabolism in mature pollen supported by their co-localization with poly(A)-binding protein 3 (PABP3). Collectively, we demonstrated the engagement of ALBA proteins in male reproductive development and the heat stress response, highlighting the involvement of ALBA4 and ALBA6 in RNA metabolism, storage and/or translational control in pollen upon heat stress. Such dynamic re-localization of ALBA proteins in a controlled, developmentally and environmentally regulated manner, likely reflects not only their redundancy but also their possible functional diversification in plants.     

Telomerase Interaction Partners–Insight from Plants

Telomerase, an essential enzyme that maintains chromosome ends, is important for genome integrity and organism development. Various hypotheses have been proposed in human, ciliate and yeast systems to explain the coordination of telomerase holoenzyme assembly and the timing of telomerase performance at telomeres during DNA replication or repair. However, a general model is still unclear, especially pathways connecting telomerase with proposed non-telomeric functions. To strengthen our understanding of telomerase function during its intracellular life, we report on interactions of several groups of proteins with the Arabidopsis telomerase protein subunit (AtTERT) and/or a component of telomerase holoenzyme, POT1a protein. Among these are the nucleosome assembly proteins (NAP) and the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) system, which reveal new insights into the telomerase interaction network with links to telomere chromatin assembly and replication. A targeted investigation of 176 candidate proteins demonstrated numerous interactions with nucleolar, transport and ribosomal proteins, as well as molecular chaperones, shedding light on interactions during telomerase biogenesis. We further identified protein domains responsible for binding and analyzed the subcellular localization of these interactions. Moreover, additional interaction networks of NAP proteins and the DOMINO1 protein were identified. Our data support an image of functional telomerase contacts with multiprotein complexes including chromatin remodeling and cell differentiation pathways.     

一种新的钙依赖性的蛋白激酶基因CP4的克隆及其表达研究

在利用人ACA(Anti-Centromere/Kinetochore Autoantibody)血清研究拟南芥ACA相关蛋白的过程中克隆了钙依赖性的蛋白激酶基因家族的一个不典型基因，称为CP4，GenBank注册号为AF130252。Southern杂交结果表明，拟南芥基因组中至少存在两种以上等位形式的CP4。原位杂交结果表明，CP4 mRNA在拟南芥的花和根中高表达，在果实和叶片中没有表达。此外还构建了CP4的高效表达载体，为进一步研究CP4的功能打下了基础。     

The Simultaneous Repression of CCR and CAD, Two Enzymes of the Lignin Biosynthetic Pathway, Results in Sterility and Dwarfism in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cinnamoyl CoA reductase(CCR)and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase(CAD)catalyze the last steps of monolignol biosynthesis.In Arabidopsis,one CCR gene(CCR1,At1g15950)and two CAD genes(CAD C At3g19450 and CAD D At4g34230)are involved in this pathway.A triple cad c cad d ccr1 mutant,named ccc,was obtained.This mutant displays a severe dwarf phenotype and male sterility.The lignin content in ccc mature stems is reduced to 50% of the wild-type level.In addition,stem lignin structure is severely affected,as shown by the dramatic enrichment in resistant inter-unit bonds and incorporation into the polymer of monolignol precursors such as coniferaldehyde,sinapaldehyde,and ferulic acid.Male sterility is due to the lack of lignification in the anther endothecium,which causes the failure of anther dehiscence and of pollen release.The ccc hypolignified stems accumulate higher amounts of flavonol glycosides,sinapoyl malate and feruloyl malate,which suggests a redirection of the phenolic pathway.Therefore,the absence of CAD and CCR,key enzymes of the monolignol pathway,has more severe consequences on the phenotype than the individual absence of each of them.Induction of another CCR(CCR2,At1g80820)and another CAD(CAD1,At4g39330)does not compensate the absence of the main CCR and CAD activities.This lack of CCR and CAD activities not only impacts lignification,but also severely affects the development of the plants.These consequences must be carefully considered when trying to reduce the lignin content of plants in order to facilitate the lignocellulose-to-bioethanol conversion process.     

基于多模块方法的拟南芥功能结构模拟研究

花卉植物生长模拟中,构建反映植物形态和生理特征的功能结构模型是目前虚拟植物的研究热点。对植物形态结构的表达方法和碳汇生物量在植物组织器官间的分配方法进行了研究,基于多模块方法实现了功能结构相统一的虚拟花卉植物生长模拟。利用自定义的光反应曲线模拟碳汇生物量,基于源汇理论实现了碳生物量在器官间分配,利用L+C 多模块方法实现了植物叶片和节间的动态生长。通过对拟南芥植物的生长模拟,证明了方法的实用性和有效性。     

Quantification of Species-Preferential Micropylar Chemoattraction in Arabidopsis by Fluorescein Diacetate Staining of Pollen Tubes

Sexual reproduction between males and females of the same species is essential for species maintenance. Ovular micropylar guidance, the last step of pollen tube guidance in angiosperms, contributes to species-preferential reproduction. Previous studies using semi-in vivo attraction assays showed that species-preferential attractant peptides are secreted from the ovule through its micropyle. However, conventional semi-in vivo assays usually depend on transgenic pollen tubes expressing a fluorescent protein to determine whether the tubes are attracted to the ovule to precisely penetrate the micropyle. Here, we found that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining was suitable for evaluating the micropylar guidance rate of non-transgenic pollen tubes in semi-in vivo conditions. Micropylar guidance was quantified for ovules and pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis lyrata by combining FDA staining with modified semi-in vivo assays. Our results using the simple staining method showed that the ovules of each species secrete species-preferential attractants, and that pollen tubes respond more strongly to attractants of their own species compared with those of closely related species. LURE-type CRP810 attractant peptides were shown to be responsible for micropylar attraction of A. thaliana in the semi-in vivo assay. The POLLEN-SPECIFIC RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 6 (PRK6) receptor for LURE1, as well as an unidentified receptor for other LURE-type attractants, are involved in the species-preferential response of these two Arabidopsis species.