Molecular cloning, characterisation and expression of a manganese superoxide dismutase gene from peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch)

Antioxidants Application Enhances Regeneration and Conversion of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Somatic Embryos

Many embryogenic systems have been designed to generate somatic embryos (SEs) with the morphology, biochemistry, and vigor uniformity of zygotic embryos (ZEs). During the current investigation, several antioxidants were added to the maturation media of the developing somatic embryos of date palm. Explant material was a friable embryogenic callus that was placed in maturation media containing ABA at 0.5 mg L⁻¹, 5 g L⁻¹ polyethylene glycol, and 10 g L⁻¹ phytagel. Furthermore, α-tocopherol or reduced glutathione (GSH) were used separately at (25 and 50 mg L⁻¹). These treatments were compared to a widely used date palm combination of reduced ascorbic acid (ASC) and citric acid at 150 and 100 mg L⁻¹, respectively, and to the medium free from any antioxidants. The relative growth percentage of embryogenic callus (EC), globularization degree, differentiation%, and SEs number were significantly increased with GSH (50 mg L⁻¹). Additionally, the latter treatment significantly enhanced the conversion% of SEs and the number of secondary somatic embryos (SSEs). ASC and citric acid treatment increased leaf length, while α-tochopherol (50 mg L⁻¹) elevated the number of leaves plantlet⁻¹. GSH at 50 mg L⁻¹ catalyzed the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in EC and enhanced the accumulation of proteins in SEs.

Salicylic acid in Populus tomentosa is a remote signalling molecule induced by Botryosphaeria dothidea infection

The salicylic acid (SA) plays a critical role during the establishment of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in uninfected plant tissues after localised exposure to a pathogen. Here, we studied SA in Populus tomentosa infected by the plant pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea. The accumulation of SA and methyl salicylate (MeSA) occurred in chronological order in P. tomentosa. The SA and MeSA contents were greater at infected than uninfected sites. Additionally, a gene expression analysis indicated that SA might be accumulated by phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and converted to MeSA by SA carboxyl methyltransferase (SAMT), while MeSA might convert to SA by SA-binding protein 2 (SABP2). The expressions of SAMT at infected sites and SABP2 at uninfected sites, respectively, were significantly up-regulated. Thus, SA might be converted to MeSA at infected sites and transported as a signalling molecule to uninfected sites, where it is converted to SA for SAR. Moreover, the expressions of pathogenesis-related genes PR-1, PR-2 and PR-5 in P. tomentosa were up-regulated by the B. dothidea infection. Our study determined that variations in SA and MeSA contents occur at infected and uninfected sites in poplar after pathogen infection and contributed to the remote signals for poplar SAR.

Proteome analysis of the almond kernel (Prunus dulcis)

BACKGROUND

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is a popular tree nut worldwide and offers many benefits to human health. However, the importance of almond kernel proteins in the nutrition and function in human health requires further evaluation. The present study presents a systematic evaluation of the proteins in the almond kernel using proteomic analysis.

RESULTS

The nutrient and amino acid content in almond kernels from Xinjiang is similar to that of American varieties; however, Xinjiang varieties have a higher protein content. Two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis demonstrated a wide distribution of molecular weights and isoelectric points of almond kernel proteins. A total of 434 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS, and most were proteins that were experimentally confirmed for the first time. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the 434 proteins indicated that proteins involved in primary biological processes including metabolic processes (67.5%), cellular processes (54.1%), and single-organism processes (43.4%), the main molecular function of almond kernel proteins are in catalytic activity (48.0%), binding (45.4%) and structural molecule activity (11.9%), and proteins are primarily distributed in cell (59.9%), organelle (44.9%), and membrane (22.8%).

CONCLUSION

Almond kernel is a source of a wide variety of proteins. This study provides important information contributing to the screening and identification of almond proteins, the understanding of almond protein function, and the development of almond protein products. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Superoxide dismutase--mentor of abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants

Abiotic stresses impact growth, development, and productivity, and significantly limit the global agricultural productivity mainly by impairing cellular physiology/biochemistry via elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. If not metabolized, ROS (such as O2 (•-), OH(•), H2O2, or (1)O2) exceeds the status of antioxidants and cause damage to DNA, proteins, lipids, and other macromolecules, and finally cellular metabolism arrest. Plants are endowed with a family of enzymes called superoxide dismutases (SODs) that protects cells against potential consequences caused by cytotoxic O2 (•-) by catalyzing its conversion to O2 and H2O2. Hence, SODs constitute the first line of defense against abiotic stress-accrued enhanced ROS and its reaction products. In the light of recent reports, the present effort: (a) overviews abiotic stresses, ROS, and their metabolism; (b) introduces and discusses SODs and their types, significance, and appraises abiotic stress-mediated modulation in plants; (c) analyzes major reports available on genetic engineering of SODs in plants; and finally, (d) highlights major aspects so far least studied in the current context. Literature appraised herein reflects clear information paucity in context with the molecular/genetic insights into the major functions (and underlying mechanisms) performed by SODs, and also with the regulation of SODs by post-translational modifications. If the previous aspects are considered in the future works, the outcome can be significant in sustainably improving plant abiotic stress tolerance and efficiently managing agricultural challenges under changing climatic conditions.

Antioxidant Defenses in Plants with Attention to Prunus and Citrus spp

This short review briefly introduces the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as by-products of oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions, and the ways in which the antioxidant defense machinery is involved directly or indirectly in ROS scavenging. Major antioxidants, both enzymatic and non enzymatic, that protect higher plant cells from oxidative stress damage are described. Biochemical and molecular features of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) are discussed because they play crucial roles in scavenging ROS in the different cell compartments and in response to stress conditions. Among the non enzymatic defenses, particular attention is paid to ascorbic acid, glutathione, flavonoids, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The operation of ROS scavenging systems during the seasonal cycle and specific developmental events, such as fruit ripening and senescence, are discussed in relation to the intense ROS formation during these processes that impact fruit quality. Particular attention is paid to Prunus and Citrus species because of the nutritional and antioxidant properties contained in these commonly consumed fruits.

Identification and characterization of superoxide dismutase in Phytophthora cinnamomi

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi were examined. Five polypeptides with manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity were found in mycelium growing in liquid culture with relative molecular weights ranging from approximately 25 to 100 kDa. Comparison with characterized avocado SODs showed no evidence for the presence of either iron or copper/zinc SODs in P. cinnamomi. The level of activity of the MnSOD polypeptides decreased in the presence of avocado root or cell wall components. Growth of P. cinnamomi, measured as dry weight, increased when the mycelium was grown in the presence of superoxide anion (O(2) (-)), which was added exogenously. Our results suggest that the metabolism of O(2) (-) has an important role in the development of P. cinnamomi.

Transcript analysis of stress defence genes in a white poplar clone inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and grown on a polluted soil

In this study we investigated if the symbiosis with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae, which contributes to alleviate heavy metal stress in plants, may affect the transcription of genes involved in the stress defence in the white poplar clone 'AL35' grown on a multimetal (Cu and Zn) contaminated soil. The results obtained showed that the symbiosis with G. mosseae reduced transcript abundance of genes involved in antioxidant defence in leaves and roots of 'AL35' plants grown on the heavy metal-polluted soil. Moreover, the interaction between this poplar clone and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus induced the gene coding for phytochelatin synthase in leaves, whereas the expression of genes involved in heavy metal homeostasis did not change in roots. The present results suggest that, in presence of high levels of heavy metals, inoculation with G. mosseae may confer to 'AL35' a more efficient control of the oxidant level. Moreover, in mycorrhizal plants heavy metal chelation pathways appear involved in the defence strategies in leaves, whereas in roots they do not seem to contribute to increase the plant tolerance of heavy metals.

Proteomic analysis of peach endocarp and mesocarp during early fruit development

The development of the stone and formation of peach (Prunus persica) fruit were explored in this work using a proteomic approach. Sixty-eight proteins with different expression patterns were identified in both the endocarp and mesocarp during early fruit development (from 28 to 59 days after flowering) and the majority were involved in primary or secondary metabolism. In contrast to most proteins associated with primary metabolism in the endocarp, whose expression is down-regulated, expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) unexpectedly increased exponentially. Moreover, its expression pattern was linearly positively correlated with the exponentially growing lignin content (R = 0.940), which suggests that PDH may play a role in endocarp lignification. Our data also revealed different spatiotemporal expressions of enzymes involved in the lignin and flavonoid pathways that provided proteome-level evidence to support the hypothesis that these two pathways are competitive during endocarp development. In addition, we observed endocarp-specific oxidative stress and propose that it may act as a stimulating factor in activating lignification and subsequent programmed cell death in the endocarp.

Functional analysis of superoxide dismutases (SODs) in sunflower under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Identification of two new genes of mitochondrial Mn-SOD

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are a family of metalloenzymes that catalyse the disproportionation of superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. In sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings, two new Mn-SOD isozymes, designated as I and II, were identified. However, no evidence for a Fe-SOD was found. Both Mn-SOD I and Mn-SOD II have a cleaved sequence of 14 residues that target the mitochondrion with a probability of 81% and 95%, respectively. The gene expression of these new mitochondrial Mn-SODs as well as the previously reported cytosolic and chloroplastic CuZnSODs was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. This was done in the main organs (roots, hypocotyls, and cotyledons) of sunflower seedlings and also under biotic (infection by the pathogen Plasmopara halstedii) and abiotic stress conditions, including high and low temperature and mechanical wounding. Both CuZn-SODs had a gene expression of 1000-fold higher than that of mitochondrial Mn-SODs. And the expression of the Mn-SOD I was approximately 12-fold higher than that of Mn-SOD II. The Mn-SOD I showed a significant modulation in response to the assayed biotic and abiotic stresses even when it had no apparent oxidative stress, such as low temperature. Thus, it is proposed that the mitochondrial Mn-SOD I gene could act as an early sensor of adverse conditions to prevent potential oxidative damage.

Differential expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase gene of Polygonum sibiricum leaves, stems and underground stems, subjected to high-salt stress

In aerobic organisms, protection against oxidative damage involves the combined action of highly specialized antioxidant enzymes, such as copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. In this work, a cDNA clone which encodes a copper-zinc superoxide dismutase gene, named PS-CuZnSOD, has been identified from P. sibiricum Laxm. by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends method (RACE). Analysis of the nucleotide sequence reveals that the PS-CuZnSOD gene cDNA clone consists of 669 bp, containing 87 bp in the 5′ untranslated region; 459 bp in the open reading frame (ORF) encoding 152 amino acids; and 123 bp in 3′ untranslated region. The gene accession nucleotide sequence number in GenBank is GQ472846. Sequence analysis indicates that the protein, like most plant superoxide dismutases (SOD), includes two conserved ecCuZnSOD signatures that are from the amino acids 43 to 51, and from the amino acids 137 to 148, and it has a signal peptide extension in the front of the N-terminus (1–16 aa). Expression analysis by real-time quantitative PCR reveals that the PS-CuZnSOD gene is expressed in leaves, stems and underground stems. PS-CuZnSOD gene expression can be induced by 3% NaHCO₃. The different mRNA levels’ expression of PS-CuZnSOD show the gene’s different expression modes in leaves, stems and underground stems under the salinity-alkalinity stress.

Antioxidant system and protein pattern in peach fruits at two maturation stages

Peach fruits were selected to study the protein pattern and antioxidant system as well as oxidative parameters such as superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide accumulation, at two maturity stages, which were chosen for being suitable for the processing industry and fresh consumption. The proteins phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, sucrose synthase, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase, as well as the antioxidants glutathione synthetase and ascorbate peroxidase, appeared as new in the mature peach fruits. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and components of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle were also measured to explore their role in the two maturity stages studied. Changes in the SOD isoenzyme pattern and an increase in the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase were observed in mature fruits, revealing an efficient system to cope with the oxidative process accompanying ripening.

A tandem duplication of manganese superoxide dismutase in Nosema bombycis and its evolutionary origins

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites with small genomes. They infect animals from a wide variety of phyla, including humans. Two manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genes, designated NbMnSOD1 and NbMnSOD2, were found to be organized in a tandem array within the Nosema bombycis genome. The genes, both 678 bp in length, were found to be more similar to each other than they are to homologous genes of other Microsporidia, suggesting that the tandem duplication occurred subsequent to the development of this lineage. Reverse transcript PCR shows that mRNA for both genes is present in the spores. Analysis of the primary structure, hydrophobic cluster analysis, target signal analysis, and phylogenetic analysis all indicate that NbMnSOD1 is dimeric and targeted to the cytosol. NbMnSOD2 seems to have changed more rapidly and is under less evolutionary constraint than NbMnSOD1 suggesting that NbMnSOD2 may function under different conditions or in different tissues of its host rather than simply resulting in an increase in expression. A phylogenetic analysis of MnSOD sequences from eukaryotes, Archaea, and bacteria shows the microsporidial MnSODs to be grouped with the bacteria suggesting a possible horizontal gene transfer.

The expression of manganese superoxide dismutase gene from Nelumbo nucifera responds strongly to chilling and oxidative stresses

A manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene, NnMSD1, was identified from embryonic axes of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.). The NnMSD1 protein contains all conserved residues of the Mn-SOD protein family, including four consensus metal binding domains and a signal peptide for mitochondrial targeting. Southern blot analysis suggests the existence of two Mn-SOD genes in sacred lotus. NnMSD1 was highly expressed in developing embryonic axes during seed development, but appeared in cotyledons only at the early stage of development and became undetectable in the cotyledons during late embryogenesis. The expression of the NnMSD1 gene in germinating embryonic axes, in response to various stresses such as heat shock, chilling, and exposure to stress-related chemicals, was also studied. Heat shock strongly inhibited the expression of the NnMSD1 gene, whereas the NnMSD1 transcript level increased strongly in chilling stress treatment. An increase in expression was also highly induced by H2O2 in germinating embryonic axes. The results suggest that the expression pattern of the NnMSD1 gene differed between developing axes and cotyledons, and that the NnMSD1 gene expression responds strongly to chilling and oxidative stress.

Characterisation of manganese superoxide dismutase from Phytophthora nicotianae

Three polypeptides with manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity were found in mycelium, zoospores and germinated cysts of Phytophthora nicotianae. Their relative molecular weights in non-denaturing gels were approximately 34.5, 36 and 50 kDa. No evidence for the presence of either iron or copper/zinc SODs was detected at any of the developmental stages examined. The level of activity of the MnSOD polypeptides was similar in mycelia and spores. Degenerate PCR was used to amplify partial genes of two different MnSODs, designated PnMnSODI and PnMnSOD2, from P. nicotianae. Southern blot analysis indicated that there are two PnMnSOD1 genes in the P. nicotianae genome. Full length sequence was obtained for one of these genes, PnMnSOD1a, from a P. nicotianae bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library. RNA blots probed with PnMnSOD1 showed similar levels of expression in vegetative and sporulating hyphae, lower levels in germinated cysts and no detectable expression in zoospores. PnMnSOD1a had 96%, 97 % and 99 % amino acid identity with homologous genes from P. ramorum, P. infestans and P. sojae, respectively. The second gene cloned from P. nicotianae, PnMnSOD2, had only 38 % amino acid identity with PnMnSOD1a and was homologous to MnSODs that possessed an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence in Phytophthora species and other eukaryotes. Southern blots indicated that there is one copy of PnMnSOD2 in the P. nicotianae genome. PnMnSOD2 was expressed at similar levels in mycelia and germinated cysts but PnMnSOD2 transcripts were not detectable in zoospores.