Isolation and characterization of a boron-rhamnogalacturonan-II complex from cell walls of sugar beet pulp

Putative rhamnogalacturonan-II glycosyltransferase identified through callus gene editing which bypasses embryo lethality

Rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) is a structurally complex and conserved domain of the pectin present in the primary cell walls of vascular plants. Borate cross-linking of RG-II is required for plants to grow and develop normally. Mutations that alter RG-II structure also affect cross-linking and are lethal or severely impair growth. Thus, few genes involved in RG-II synthesis have been identified. Here, we developed a method to generate viable loss-of-function Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants in callus tissue via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. We combined this with a candidate gene approach to characterize the male gametophyte defective 2 (MGP2) gene that encodes a putative family GT29 glycosyltransferase. Plants homozygous for this mutation do not survive. We showed that in the callus mutant cell walls, RG-II does not cross-link normally because it lacks 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) and thus cannot form the α-L-Rhap-(1→5)-α-D-kdop-(1→sidechain). We suggest that MGP2 encodes an inverting RG-II CMP-β-Kdo transferase (RCKT1). Our discovery provides further insight into the role of sidechains in RG-II dimerization. Our method also provides a viable strategy for further identifying proteins involved in the biosynthesis of RG-II.

Linking the key physiological functions of essential micronutrients to their deficiency symptoms in plants

In this review, we untangle the physiological key functions of the essential micronutrients and link them to the deficiency responses in plants. Knowledge of these responses at the mechanistic level, and the resulting deficiency symptoms, have improved over the last decade and it appears timely to review recent insights for each of them. A proper understanding of the links between function and symptom is indispensable for an accurate and timely identification of nutritional disorders, thereby informing the design and development of sustainable fertilization strategies. Similarly, improved knowledge of the molecular and physiological functions of micronutrients will be important for breeding programmes aiming to develop new crop genotypes with improved nutrient-use efficiency and resilience in the face of changing soil and climate conditions.

Leaf Proteomic Analysis in Seedlings of Two Maize Landraces with Different Tolerance to Boron Toxicity

Boron (B) toxicity is an important stressor that negatively affects maize yield and the quality of the produce. The excessive B content in agricultural lands is a growing problem due to the increase in arid and semi-arid areas because of climate change. Recently, two Peruvian maize landraces, Sama and Pachía, were physiologically characterized based on their tolerance to B toxicity, the former being more tolerant to B excess than Pachía. However, many aspects regarding the molecular mechanisms of these two maize landraces against B toxicity are still unknown. In this study, a leaf proteomic analysis of Sama and Pachía was performed. Out of a total of 2793 proteins identified, only 303 proteins were differentially accumulated. Functional analysis indicated that many of these proteins are involved in transcription and translation processes, amino acid metabolism, photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, protein degradation, and protein stabilization and folding. Compared to Sama, Pachía had a higher number of differentially expressed proteins related to protein degradation, and transcription and translation processes under B toxicity conditions, which might reflect the greater protein damage caused by B toxicity in Pachía. Our results suggest that the higher tolerance to B toxicity of Sama can be attributed to more stable photosynthesis, which can prevent damage caused by stromal over-reduction under this stress condition.

Electrochemical detection of boric acid using gallacetophenonato-(β-diketonato) ruthenium complex in water

A simple and practical method for boron detection in water is desired in various fields such as seawater desalination, water conservation, and plant production. To develop a method for detecting boron as boric acid in water, we synthesized [Ru(acac)₂(H₂thap)] (acac = acetylacetonat ion, thap = 2',3',4'-trihydroxyacetophenonate (gallacetophenonate) ion) possessing a cis-diol moiety that interacts with boric acid. A comparison of UV-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra measured in the presence and absence of boric acid at various pH values revealed that [Ru(acac)₂(H₂thap)] shows the highest response to boric acid at pH 8.5. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and differential pulse voltammograms (DPVs) of [Ru(acac)₂(H₂thap)] aqueous solution at pH 8.5 with varying boric acid concentrations showed a decrease in the peak current value at 0.032 V (vs. Ag|AgClaq.) and an increase in the peak current value at 0.444 V with increasing boric acid concentration. On the basis of the relationship between the ratio of current values (at 0.032 V and 0.444 V) and boric acid concentrations, the binding constant (assuming a 1:1 binding model) for the interaction between [Ru(acac)₂(H₂thap)] and boric acid was estimated to be 135.1 ± 9.1 mol^-1 dm³, and the Limit of Detection (LOD) was calculated to be 1.03 mg B L^-1.

Making and breaking of boron bridges in the pectic domain rhamnogalacturonan-II at apoplastic pH in vivo and in vitro

Cross-linking of the cell-wall pectin domain rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) via boron bridges between apiose residues is essential for normal plant growth and development, but little is known about its mechanism or reversibility. We characterized the making and breaking of boron bridges in vivo and in vitro at 'apoplastic' pH. RG-II (13-26 μm) was incubated in living Rosa cell cultures and cell-free media with and without 1.2 mm H3 BO3 and cationic chaperones (Ca2+ , Pb2+ , polyhistidine, or arabinogalactan-protein oligopeptides). The cross-linking status of RG-II was monitored electrophoretically. Dimeric RG-II was stable at pH 2.0-7.0 in vivo and in vitro. In-vitro dimerization required a 'catalytic' cation at all pHs tested (1.75-7.0); thus, merely neutralizing the negative charge of RG-II (at pH 1.75) does not enable boron bridging. Pb2+ (20-2500 μm) was highly effective at pH 1.75-4.0, but not 4.75-7.0. Cationic peptides were effective at approximately 1-30 μm; higher concentrations caused less dimerization, probably because two RG-IIs then rarely bonded to the same peptide molecule. Peptides were ineffective at pH 1.75, their pH optimum being 2.5-4.75. d-Apiose (>40 mm) blocked RG-II dimerization in vitro, but did not cleave existing boron bridges. Rosa cells did not take up d-[U-14 C]apiose; therefore, exogenous apiose would block only apoplastic RG-II dimerization in vivo. In conclusion, apoplastic pH neither broke boron bridges nor prevented their formation. Thus boron-starved cells cannot salvage boron from RG-II, and 'acid growth' is not achieved by pH-dependent monomerization of RG-II. Divalent metals and cationic peptides catalyse RG-II dimerization via co-ordinate and ionic bonding respectively (possible and impossible, respectively, at pH 1.75). Exogenous apiose may be useful to distinguish intra- and extra-protoplasmic dimerization.

What Can Boron Deficiency Symptoms Tell Us about Its Function and Regulation?

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Warington's discovery of boron (B) as a nutrient essential for higher plants, "boronists" have struggled to demonstrate a role beyond its structural function in cell walls dimerizing pectin molecules of rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII). In this regard, B deficiency has been associated with a plethora of symptoms in plants that include macroscopic symptoms like growth arrest and cell death and biochemical or molecular symptoms that include changes in cell wall pore size, apoplast acidification, or a steep ROS production that leads to an oxidative burst. Aiming to shed light on B functions in plant biology, we proposed here a unifying model integrating the current knowledge about B function(s) in plants to explain why B deficiency can cause such remarkable effects on plant growth and development, impacting crop productivity. In addition, based on recent experimental evidence that suggests the existence of different B ligands other than RGII in plant cells, namely glycolipids, and glycoproteins, we proposed an experimental pipeline to identify putative missing ligands and to determine how they would integrate into the above-mentioned model.

Crosstalk of Cytokinin with Ethylene and Auxin for Cell Elongation Inhibition and Boron Transport in Arabidopsis Primary Root under Boron Deficiency

Several studies have shown the role of phytohormones in the regulation of root growth of Arabidopsis plants under boron (B) deficiency. Ethylene and auxin play an important role in the control of Arabidopsis primary root cell elongation under short-term B deprivation, whereas cytokinins regulate root growth inhibition under B deficiency by controlling meristem cell proliferation. In this work, we study the possible interaction among cytokinin, ethylene, and auxin in the primary root response to B-deprivation treatment, as well as their possible role in B uptake and transport. Wild type (WT) and two mutants related to auxin and ethylene (aux1 and acs11) Arabidopsis plants were grown in control (10 µM B) or B starvation (0 µM B) treatment, in the absence or presence of trans-zeatin, and their primary root growth was analyzed. The possible interaction between these hormones was also studied by analyzing AUX1 gene expression in the acs11 mutant and ACS11 gene expression in the aux1 mutant. The GUS reporter lines ARR5::GUS, IAA2::GUS, and EBS::GUS were used to observe changes in cytokinin, auxin, and ethylene levels in the root, respectively. The results of this work suggest that cytokinin inhibits root cell elongation under B deficiency through two different mechanisms: (i) an ethylene-dependent mechanism through increased expression of the ACS11 gene, which would lead to increased ethylene in the root, and (ii) an ethylene-independent mechanism through decreased expression of the AUX1 gene, which alters auxin signaling in the meristematic and elongation zones and stele. We also report that changes in the expression of several B transporters occur in response to auxin, ethylene, and cytokinin that may affect the plant B content.

Foliar application of silica sol alleviates boron toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings

Boron (B) toxicity is one of the limiting factors affecting plant growth. Previous studies showed that silicon (Si) application could alleviate B toxicity. However, there is limited information on how Si alleviates B toxicity in rice, particularly nano-silicon (SiNP). Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the foliar function of SiNP in the reduction of B toxicity in rice. The results showed that B toxicity significantly hampered root and shoot development. However, SiNP application increased root and shoot lengths by 14.29% and 29.67%, respectively, compared to B toxicity treatment. Moreover, SiNP increased fresh weight (FW) of root (28.02%) and shoot (34%) and enhanced dry weight (DW) of root (65.13%), and shoot (26.87%), compared to B toxicity treatment. The application of SiNP decreased the translocation of B to leaves and promoted B adsorption to leaf cell wall. In roots, SiNP triggered high B accumulation and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also suggested higher peak values of functional groups (pectin), indicating that cell wall polysaccharides can adsorb high concentration of B. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations showed that SiNP treated roots had a well-arranged structure of alkali-soluble pectin (ASP), and ultrastructure of root was well organized. Cell wall adsorbed more than 80% of total B. All of these results suggest that SiNP can alleviate B toxicity in rice seedlings.

Genetic variation of BnaA3.NIP5;1 expressing in the lateral root cap contributes to boron deficiency tolerance in Brassica napus

Boron (B) is essential for vascular plants. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is the second leading crop source for vegetable oil worldwide, but its production is critically dependent on B supplies. BnaA3.NIP5;1 was identified as a B-efficient candidate gene in B. napus in our previous QTL fine mapping. However, the molecular mechanism through which this gene improves low-B tolerance remains elusive. Here, we report genetic variation in BnaA3.NIP5;1 gene, which encodes a boric acid channel, is a key determinant of low-B tolerance in B. napus. Transgenic lines with increased BnaA3.NIP5;1 expression exhibited improved low-B tolerance in both the seedling and maturity stages. BnaA3.NIP5;1 is preferentially polar-localized in the distal plasma membrane of lateral root cap (LRC) cells and transports B into the root tips to promote root growth under B-deficiency conditions. Further analysis revealed that a CTTTC tandem repeat in the 5'UTR of BnaA3.NIP5;1 altered the expression level of the gene, which is tightly associated with plant growth and seed yield. Field tests with natural populations and near-isogenic lines (NILs) confirmed that the varieties carried BnaA3.NIP5;1Q allele significantly improved seed yield. Taken together, our results provide novel insights into the low-B tolerance of B. napus, and the elite allele of BnaA3.NIP5;1 could serve as a direct target for breeding low-B-tolerant cultivars.

Biochemical differences in the skin of two blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) varieties with contrasting firmness: Implication of ions, metabolites and cell wall related proteins in two developmental stages

The pursuit of firmer and better-quality blueberries is a continuous task that aims at a more profitable production. To this end it is essential to understand the biological processes linked to fruit firmness, which may diverge among tissues. By contrasting varieties with opposing firmness, we were able to elucidate events that, taking place at immature stage, lay the foundation to produce a firmer ripe fruit. A deep analysis of blueberry skin was carried out, involving diverse comparative approaches including proteomics and metabolomics coupled to immunolocalization assays. In'O'Neal' (low firmness) enhanced levels of aquaporins, expansins and pectin esterases at the green stage were found to be critical in distinguishing it from 'Emerald' (high firmness). The latter featured higher levels of ABA, low methyl esterified pectins in tricellular junctions and high levels of catechin at this stage. Meanwhile, in 'Emerald' 's ripe fruit epicarp, several mechanisms of cell wall reinforcement such as calcium and probably boron bridges, appear to be more prominent than in 'O'Neal'. This study highlights the importance of cell wall reorganization and structure, abundance of specific metabolites, water status, and hormonal signalling in connection to fruit firmness. These findings result particularly valuable in order to improve the fertilization procedures or in the search of molecular markers related with firmness.

Advances in Plant Boron

Although very recently, David H [...].

From element to development: the power of the essential micronutrient boron to shape morphological processes in plants

Deficiency of the essential nutrient boron (B) in the soil is one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiencies worldwide, leading to developmental defects in root and shoot tissues of plants, and severe yield reductions in many crops. Despite this agricultural importance, the underlying mechanisms of how B shapes plant developmental and morphological processes are still not unequivocally understood in detail. This review evaluates experimental approaches that address our current understanding of how B influences plant morphological processes by focusing on developmental defects observed under B deficiency. We assess what is known about mechanisms that control B homeostasis and specifically highlight: (i) limitations in the methodology that is used to induce B deficiency; (ii) differences between mutant phenotypes and normal plants grown under B deficiency; and (iii) recent research on analyzing interactions between B and phytohormones. Our analysis highlights the need for standardized methodology to evaluate the roles of B in the cell wall versus other parts of the cell.

Assessment of a 18F-Phenylboronic Acid Radiotracer for Imaging Boron in Maize

Boron (B) is an essential plant micronutrient. Deficiencies of B have drastic consequences on plant development leading to crop yield losses and reductions in root and shoot growth. Understanding the molecular and cellular consequences of B deficiency is challenging, partly because of the limited availability of B imaging techniques. In this report we demonstrate the efficacy of using 4-fluorophenylboronic acid (FPBA) as a B imaging agent, which is a derivative of the B deficiency mimic phenylboronic acid (PBA). We show that radioactively labelled [¹⁸F]FPBA (t_½=110 m) accumulates at the root tip, the root elongation zone and at lateral root initiation sites in maize roots, and also translocates to the shoot where it accumulates along the leaf edges. Treatment of maize seedlings using FPBA and PBA causes a shortened primary root phenotype with absence of lateral roots in a dose-dependent manner. The primary root defects can be partially rescued by the addition of boric acid indicating that PBA can be used to induce B deficiency in maize and that radioactively labelled FPBA can be used to image sites of B demand on a tissue level.

Mechanisms of organic acids and boron induced tolerance of aluminum toxicity: A review

Aluminum is a major limiting abiotic factor for plant growth and productivity on acidic soils. The primary disorder of aluminum toxicity is the rapid cessation of root elongation. The root apex is the most sensitive part of this organ. Although significant literature evidence and hypothesis exist on aluminum toxicity, the explicit mechanism through which aluminum ceases root growth is still indefinable. The mechanisms of tolerance in plants have been the focus of intense research. Some plant species growing on acidic soils have developed tolerance mechanisms to overcome and mitigate aluminum toxicity, either by avoiding entry of Al³⁺ into roots (exclusion mechanism) or by being able to counterbalance toxic Al³⁺ engrossed by the root system (internal tolerance mechanism). Genes belonging to ALMT (Aluminum-activated malate transporter) and MATE (Multidrug and toxin compounds extrusion) have been identified that are involved in the aluminum-activated secretion of organic acids from roots. However, different plant species show different gene expression pattern. On the other hand, boron (B) (indispensable micronutrient) is a promising nutrient in the tolerance to aluminum toxicity. It not only hinders the adsorption of aluminum to the cell wall but also improves plant growth. This review mainly explains the critical roles of organic acid and B-induced tolerance to aluminum by summarizing the mechanisms of ALMT, MATE, internal detoxification, molecular traits and genetic engineering of crops.

Boron Deficiency in Trifoliate Orange Induces Changes in Pectin Composition and Architecture of Components in Root Cell Walls

Boron (B) is a micronutrient indispensable for citrus and B deficiency causes a considerable loss of productivity and quality in China. However, studies on pectin composition and architecture of cell wall components in trifoliate orange roots under B deficiency condition are not sufficient. In this study, we investigated the alteration in pectin characteristics and the architecture of cell wall components in trifoliate orange [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] roots under B starvation. The results showed that B-deficient roots resulted in a significant enlargement of root tips and an obvious decrease in cell wall B and uronic acid content in Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin compared with B-adequate roots. Meanwhile, they showed a decrease of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctanoic acid in CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin in cell walls, while the degree of methylation (DM) of CDTA-soluble pectin was significantly increased under B deficiency. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of B deficient plants showed a distinct thickening of the cell walls, with the thickness 1.82 times greater than that of control plant roots. The results from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that B deficiency changed the mode of hydrogen bonding between protein and carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose). The FTIR spectra exhibited a destroyed protein structure and accumulation of wax and cellulose in the cell walls under B starvation. The ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectra showed that B starvation changed the organic carbon structure of cell walls, and enhanced the contents of amino acid, cellulose, phenols, and lignin in the cell wall. The results reveal that the swelling and weakened structural integrity of cell walls, which induced by alteration on the network of pectin and cell wall components and structure in B-deficient roots, could be a major cause of occurrence of the rapid interruption of growth and significantly enlarged root tips in trifoliate orange roots under B-insufficient condition.

Abscisic acid and transpiration rate are involved in the response to boron toxicity in Arabidopsis plants

Boron (B) is an essential microelement for vascular plant development, but its toxicity is a major problem affecting crop yields in arid and semi-arid areas of the world. In the literature, several genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and responses are upregulated in Arabidopsis roots after treatment with excess B. It is known that the AtNCED3 gene, which encodes a crucial enzyme for ABA biosynthesis, plays a key role in the plant response to drought stress. In this study, root AtNCED3 expression and shoot ABA content were rapidly increased in wild-type plants upon B-toxicity treatment. The Arabidopsis ABA-deficient nced3-2 mutant had higher transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and accumulated more B in their shoots than wild-type plants, facts that were associated with the lower levels of ABA in this mutant. However, in wild-type plants, B toxicity caused a significant reduction in stomatal conductance, resulting in a decreased transpiration rate. This response could be a mechanism to limit the transport of excess B from the roots to the leaves under B toxicity. In agreement with the higher transpiration rate of the nced3-2 mutant, this genotype showed an increased leaf B concentration and damage upon exposure to 5 mM B. Under B toxicity, ABA application decreased B accumulation in wild-type and nced3-2 plants. In summary, this work shows that excess B applied to the roots leads to rapid changes in AtNCED3 expression and gas exchange parameters that would contribute to restrain the B entry into the leaves, this effect being mediated by ABA.

Non-equilibrium ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction of boron present in different phases within plants by ICP-OES

Non-equilibrium ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction of boron present in different phases within plants.

Boronic acid treatment phenocopies monopteros by affecting PIN1 membrane stability and polar auxin transport in Arabidopsis thaliana embryos

Several observations suggest that the micronutrient boron (B) has a stabilising role in the plasma membrane (PM), supporting functions in PM-linked (hormone) signalling processes. However, this role is poorly characterised. Here we show treatment with boronic acids, specific competitors of B, phenocopies the Arabidopsis thaliana rootless pattern mutant monopteros. At least in part, this is caused by phenylboronic acid (PBA)-induced internalisation of the membrane-localised auxin efflux carrier PINFORMED1 (PIN1) in the early embryo. PIN1 internalisation interrupts the feedback signal transduction cascade involving the phytohormone auxin, PIN1 and the transcription factor gene MONOPTEROS This entails several effects, including abnormal development of vascular cell precursors, suppression of MONOPTEROS downstream targets and loss of the root auxin maximum - essential signals for root meristem development. While PIN1 is internalised, we observe a differential effect of PBA on other proteins, which are either unaffected, internalised or, as in the case of the B transporter BOR1, stabilised at the PM. These findings suggest a competition of PBA with B for plant membrane proteins and might shed light on the function of B at the PM.

Functional Characterization of UDP-apiose Synthases from Bryophytes and Green Algae Provides Insight into the Appearance of Apiose-containing Glycans during Plant Evolution

Apiose is a branched monosaccharide that is present in the cell wall pectic polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and in numerous plant secondary metabolites. These apiose-containing glycans are synthesized using UDP-apiose as the donor. UDP-apiose (UDP-Api) together with UDP-xylose is formed from UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) by UDP-Api synthase (UAS). It was hypothesized that the ability to form Api distinguishes vascular plants from the avascular plants and green algae. UAS from several dicotyledonous plants has been characterized; however, it is not known if avascular plants or green algae produce this enzyme. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of UAS homologs from avascular plants (mosses, liverwort, and hornwort), from streptophyte green algae, and from a monocot (duckweed). The recombinant UAS homologs all form UDP-Api from UDP-glucuronic acid albeit in different amounts. Apiose was detected in aqueous methanolic extracts of these plants. Apiose was detected in duckweed cell walls but not in the walls of the avascular plants and algae. Overexpressing duckweed UAS in the moss Physcomitrella patens led to an increase in the amounts of aqueous methanol-acetonitrile-soluble apiose but did not result in discernible amounts of cell wall-associated apiose. Thus, bryophytes and algae likely lack the glycosyltransferase machinery required to synthesize apiose-containing cell wall glycans. Nevertheless, these plants may have the ability to form apiosylated secondary metabolites. Our data are the first to provide evidence that the ability to form apiose existed prior to the appearance of rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and provide new insights into the evolution of apiose-containing glycans.

Plant Fibre: Molecular Structure and Biomechanical Properties, of a Complex Living Material, Influencing Its Deconstruction towards a Biobased Composite

Plant cell walls form an organic complex composite material that fulfils various functions. The hierarchical structure of this material is generated from the integration of its elementary components. This review provides an overview of wood as a composite material followed by its deconstruction into fibres that can then be incorporated into biobased composites. Firstly, the fibres are defined, and their various origins are discussed. Then, the organisation of cell walls and their components are described. The emphasis is on the molecular interactions of the cellulose microfibrils, lignin and hemicelluloses in planta. Hemicelluloses of diverse species and cell walls are described. Details of their organisation in the primary cell wall are provided, as understanding of the role of hemicellulose has recently evolved and is likely to affect our perception and future study of their secondary cell wall homologs. The importance of the presence of water on wood mechanical properties is also discussed. These sections provide the basis for understanding the molecular arrangements and interactions of the components and how they influence changes in fibre properties once isolated. A range of pulping processes can be used to individualise wood fibres, but these can cause damage to the fibres. Therefore, issues relating to fibre production are discussed along with the dispersion of wood fibres during extrusion. The final section explores various ways to improve fibres obtained from wood.

Evolutionary Divergence of Plant Borate Exporters and Critical Amino Acid Residues for the Polar Localization and Boron-Dependent Vacuolar Sorting of AtBOR1

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants but is toxic when accumulated in excess. The plant BOR family encodes plasma membrane-localized borate exporters (BORs) that control translocation and homeostasis of B under a wide range of conditions. In this study, we examined the evolutionary divergence of BORs among terrestrial plants and showed that the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii and angiosperms have evolved two types of BOR (clades I and II). Clade I includes AtBOR1 and homologs previously shown to be involved in efficient transport of B under conditions of limited B availability. AtBOR1 shows polar localization in the plasma membrane and high-B-induced vacuolar sorting, important features for efficient B transport under low-B conditions, and rapid down-regulation to avoid B toxicity. Clade II includes AtBOR4 and barley Bot1 involved in B exclusion for high-B tolerance. We showed, using yeast complementation and B transport assays, that three genes in S. moellendorffii, SmBOR1 in clade I and SmBOR3 and SmBOR4 in clade II, encode functional BORs. Furthermore, amino acid sequence alignments identified an acidic di-leucine motif unique in clade I BORs. Mutational analysis of AtBOR1 revealed that the acidic di-leucine motif is required for the polarity and high-B-induced vacuolar sorting of AtBOR1. Our data clearly indicated that the common ancestor of vascular plants had already acquired two types of BOR for low- and high-B tolerance, and that the BOR family evolved to establish B tolerance in each lineage by adapting to their environments.

Root Responses to Boron Deficiency Mediated by Ethylene

Low boron (B) supply alters the architecture of the root system in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, leading to a reduction in the primary root growth and an increase in the length and number of root hairs. At short-term (hours), B deficiency causes a decrease in the cell elongation of the primary root, resulting in a lower growth. Experimental approaches using ethylene insensitive Arabidopsis mutants, inhibitors of ethylene response, and GUS reporter lines suggest that ethylene is involved in these responses of the primary root to B deficiency. Furthermore, it has been shown that auxin participates in the inhibition of cell elongation under short-term B deprivation. These results support that an interaction between ethylene and auxin plays an important role in controlling the primary root elongation, in which a number of genes related to the synthesis, transport, and signaling of both phytohormones could modulate this effect. Evidence for a root cross-talk among both hormones and other possible intermediates (abscisic acid, calcium sensors, and reactive oxygen species) in response to B deficiency is provided and discussed.

The cell wall pectic polymer rhamnogalacturonan-II is required for proper pollen tube elongation: implications of a putative sialyltransferase-like protein

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) is one of the pectin motifs found in the cell wall of all land plants. It contains sugars such as 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-lyxo-heptulosaric acid (Dha) and 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo), and within the wall RG-II is mostly found as a dimer via a borate diester cross-link. To date, little is known regarding the biosynthesis of this motif. Here, after a brief review of our current knowledge on RG-II structure, biosynthesis and function in plants, this study explores the implications of the presence of a Golgi-localized sialyltransferase-like 2 (SIA2) protein that is possibly involved in the transfer of Dha or Kdo in the RG-II of Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tubes, a fast-growing cell type used as a model for the study of cell elongation.

METHODS

Two heterozygous mutant lines of arabidopsis (sia2-1+/- and qrt1 × sia2-2+/-) were investigated. sia2-2+/- was in a quartet1 background and the inserted T-DNA contained the reporter gene β-glucuronidase (GUS) under the pollen-specific promoter LAT52. Pollen germination and pollen tube phenotype and growth were analysed both in vitro and in vivo by microscopy.

KEY RESULTS

Self-pollination of heterozygous lines produced no homozygous plants in the progeny, which may suggest that the mutation could be lethal. Heterozygous mutants displayed a much lower germination rate overall and exhibited a substantial delay in germination (20 h of delay to reach 30 % of pollen grain germination compared with the wild type). In both lines, mutant pollen grains that were able to produce a tube had tubes that were either bursting, abnormal (swollen or dichotomous branching tip) or much shorter compared with wild-type pollen tubes. In vivo, mutant pollen tubes were restricted to the style, whereas the wild-type pollen tubes were detected at the base of the ovary.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that the mutation in arabidopsis SIA2 encoding a sialyltransferase-like protein that may transfer Dha or Kdo on the RG-II motif has a dramatic effect on the stability of the pollen tube cell wall.

Transport of boron by the tassel-less1 aquaporin is critical for vegetative and reproductive development in maize

The element boron (B) is an essential plant micronutrient, and B deficiency results in significant crop losses worldwide. The maize (Zea mays) tassel-less1 (tls1) mutant has defects in vegetative and inflorescence development, comparable to the effects of B deficiency. Positional cloning revealed that tls1 encodes a protein in the aquaporin family co-orthologous to known B channel proteins in other species. Transport assays show that the TLS1 protein facilitates the movement of B and water into Xenopus laevis oocytes. B content is reduced in tls1 mutants, and application of B rescues the mutant phenotype, indicating that the TLS1 protein facilitates the movement of B in planta. B is required to cross-link the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) in the cell wall, and the percentage of RG-II dimers is reduced in tls1 inflorescences, indicating that the defects may result from altered cell wall properties. Plants heterozygous for both tls1 and rotten ear (rte), the proposed B efflux transporter, exhibit a dosage-dependent defect in inflorescence development under B-limited conditions, indicating that both TLS1 and RTE function in the same biological processes. Together, our data provide evidence that TLS1 is a B transport facilitator in maize, highlighting the importance of B homeostasis in meristem function.

Transcription profiles of boron-deficiency-responsive genes in citrus rootstock root by suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA microarray

Boron (B) deficiency has seriously negative effect on citrus production. Carrizo citrange (CC) has been reported as a B-deficiency tolerant rootstock. However, the molecular mechanism of its B-deficiency tolerance remained not well-explored. To understand the molecular basis of citrus rootstock to B-deficiency, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and microarray approaches were combined to identify the potential important or novel genes responsive to B-deficiency. Firstly four SSH libraries were constructed for the root tissue of two citrus rootstocks CC and Trifoliate orange (TO) to compare B-deficiency treated and non-treated plants. Then 7680 clones from these SSH libraries were used to construct a cDNA array and microarray analysis was carried out to verify the expression changes of these clones upon B-deficiency treatment at various time points compared to the corresponding controls. A total of 139 unigenes that were differentially expressed upon B-deficiency stress either in CC or TO were identified from microarray analysis, some of these genes have not previously been reported to be associated with B-deficiency stress. In this work, several genes involved in cell wall metabolism and transmembrane transport were identified to be highly regulated under B-deficiency stress, and a total of 23 metabolic pathways were affected by B-deficiency, especially the lignin biosynthesis pathway, nitrogen metabolism, and glycolytic pathway. All these results indicated that CC was more tolerant than TO to B-deficiency stress. The B-deficiency responsive genes identified in this study could provide further information for understanding the mechanisms of B-deficiency tolerance in citrus.

Calcium fructoborate helps control inflammation associated with diminished bone health

Inflammation has been identified as a possible contributory factor to disruption of the normal bone remodeling process, a process essential to healthy bone mineral density. Several large population-based clinical studies have specifically shown that levels of C-reactive protein, an immune recognition protein that is a sensitive marker of inflammation, are inversely and independently associated with total bone mineral density. The evidence suggests that control of C-reactive protein levels may contribute to bone health by protecting against inflammation's disruption of the equilibrium between bone resorption and bone deposition. Calcium fructoborate, a patented complex of calcium, fructose, and boron found naturally in fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and herbs, and wine, is a sugar-borate ester. A growing body of peer-reviewed, published clinical research indicates that the calcium fructoborate significantly reduces serum levels of the C-reactive protein in humans, suggesting that this unique plant-mineral complex may contribute to bone health by controlling the inflammation associated with loss of bone mineral density.

Transcription factors as potential participants in the signal transduction pathway of boron deficiency

Boron (B) plays a well-known structural role in the cell wall, however the way of perceiving B deficiency by roots and transmitting this environmental signal to the nucleus to elicit a response is not well established. It is known that the direct interaction between Ca2+ sensors and transcription factors (TFs) is a necessary step to regulate the expression of downstream target genes in some signaling pathways. Interestingly, B deprivation affected gene expressions of several TFs belonging to MYB, WRKY, and bZIP families, as well as expressions of Ca2+ -related genes such as several CML (calmodulin-like protein) and CPK (Ca2+ -dependent protein kinase) genes. Taken together, these results suggest that B deficiency could affect the expression of downstream target genes by alteration of a calcium signaling pathway in which the interaction between CMLs and/or CPKs with TFs (activator or repressor) would be a crucial step, which would explain why some genes are upregulated whereas others are repressed upon B deprivation.

Structural characteristics of pumpkin pectin extracted by microwave heating

To improve extraction yield of pumpkin pectin, microwave heating was adopted in this study. Using hot acid extraction, pumpkin pectin yield decreased from 5.7% to 1.0% as pH increased from pH 1.0 to 2.0. At pH 2.5, no pectin was recovered from pumpkin flesh powder. After a pretreatment at pH 1.0 and 25 °C for 1 h, pumpkin powder was microwave-extracted at 120 °C for 3 min resulting in 10.5% of pectin yield. However, premicrowave treatment at 60 °C for 20 min did not improve extraction yield. When microwave heating at 80 °C for 10 min was applied after premicrowave treatment, final pectin yield increased to 11.3%. When pH was adjusted to 2.0, the yield dropped to 7.7% under the same extraction conditions. Molecular shape and properties as well as chemical composition of pumpkin pectin were significantly affected depending on extraction methods. Galacturonic acid content (51% to 58%) of pumpkin pectin was lower than that detected in commercial acid-extracted citrus pectin, while higher content of neutral sugars and acetyl esters existed in pumpkin pectin structure. Molecular weight (M(w) ) and intrinsic viscosity (η(w) ) determined for microwave-extracted pumpkin pectins were substantially lower than acid-extracted pectin, whereas polydispersity was greater. However, microwave-extracted pectin at pH 2.0 had more than 5 times greater M(w) than did the pectin extracted at pH 1.0. The η(w) of microwave-extracted pectin produced at pH 2.0 was almost twice that of other microwave-extracted pectins, which were comparable to that of acid-extracted pectin. These results indicate that extraction yield of pumpkin pectin would be improved by microwave extraction and different pectin structure and properties can be obtained compared to acid extraction.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Pumpkin is a promising alternative source for pectin material. Pumpkin pectin has a unique chemical structure and physical properties, presumably providing different functional properties compared to conventional commercial pectin sources. Depending on the conditions to produce pumpkin pectin, diverse molecular structures can be obtained and utilized in various food applications.

Is boron a prebiotic element? A mini-review of the essentiality of boron for the appearance of life on earth

Boron is probably a prebiotic element with special importance in the so-called "sugars world". Boron is not present on Earth in its elemental form. It is found only in compounds, e.g., borax, boric acid, kernite, ulexite, colemanite and other borates. Volcanic spring waters sometimes contain boron-based acids (e.g., boric, metaboric, tetraboric and pyroboric acid). Borates influence the formation of ribofuranose from formaldehyde that feeds the "prebiotic metabolic cycle". The importance of boron in the living world is strongly related to its implications in the prebiotic origins of genetic material; consequently, we believe that throughout the evolution of life, the primary role of boron has been to provide thermal and chemical stability in hostile environments. The complexation of boric acid and borates with organic cis-diols remains the most probable chemical mechanism for the role of this element in the evolution of the living world. Because borates can stabilize ribose and form borate ester nucleotides, boron may have provided an essential contribution to the "pre-RNA world".

Golgi-mediated synthesis and secretion of matrix polysaccharides of the primary cell wall of higher plants

The Golgi apparatus of eukaryotic cells is known for its central role in the processing, sorting, and transport of proteins to intra- and extra-cellular compartments. In plants, it has the additional task of assembling and exporting the non-cellulosic polysaccharides of the cell wall matrix including pectin and hemicelluloses, which are important for plant development and protection. In this review, we focus on the biosynthesis of complex polysaccharides of the primary cell wall of eudicotyledonous plants. We present and discuss the compartmental organization of the Golgi stacks with regards to complex polysaccharide assembly and secretion using immuno-electron microscopy and specific antibodies recognizing various sugar epitopes. We also discuss the significance of the recently identified Golgi-localized glycosyltransferases responsible for the biosynthesis of xyloglucan (XyG) and pectin.

Pectin Rhamnogalacturonan II: On the “Small Stem with Four Branches” in the Primary Cell Walls of Plants

Rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) is a type of block copolymer of complex pectins that represents a quantitatively minor component of the primary cell walls of land (vascular) plants. The structural composition of RG-II is almost totally sequenced and appears to be remarkably conserved in all tracheophytes so far examined. The backbone of RG-II, released from complex (cell wall) pectins by endo-polygalacturonase (Endo-PG) treatment, has been found to contain up to 15 (1→4)-linked-α-D-GalpA units, some of which carry four well-defined side chains, often referred to as A-, B-, C-, and D-side chains. Nevertheless, the relative locations on the backbone of these four branches, especially the A chain, remain to be ascertained. A combination of different data suggests that neither the terminal nonreducing GalA nor the contiguous GalA unit is likely to be the branching point of the A chain, but probably the ninth GalA residue from the reducing end, assuming a minimum backbone length of 11 (1→4)-linked-α-d-GalpA. The latest reports on RG-II are here highlighted, with a provided update for the macrostructure and array of functionalities.

Cloning and characterization of boron transporters in Brassica napus

Six full-length cDNA encoding boron transporters (BOR) were isolated from Brassica napus (AACC) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The phylogenic analysis revealed that the six BORs were the orthologues of AtBOR1, which formed companying with the triplication and allotetra-ploidization process of B. napus, and were divided into three groups in B. napus. Each group was comprised of two members, one of which was originated from Brassica rapa (AA) and the other from Brassica oleracea (CC). Based on the phylogenetic relationships, the six genes were named as BnBOR1;1a, BnBOR1;1c, BnBOR1;2a, BnBOR1;2c, BnBOR1;3a and BnBOR1;3c, respectively. The deduced BnBOR1 s had extensive similarity with other plant BORs, with the identity of 74-96.8% in amino acid sequence. The BnBOR1;3a and BnBOR1;3c resembled AtBOR1 in number and positions of the 11 introns, but the others only have 9 introns. After the gene duplication, there was evidence of purifying selection under a divergent selective pressure. The expression patterns of the six BnBOR1 s were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The BnBOR1;3a and BnBOR1;3c showed a ubiquitous expression in all of the investigated tissues, whereas the other four genes showed similar tissue-specific expression profile. Unlike the non-transcriptional regulation of AtBOR1, the expression of BnBOR1;1c and BnBOR1;2a were obviously induced by boron deficiency. This study suggested that the BOR1 s had undergone a divergent expression pattern in the genome of B. napus after that the B. napus diverged from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Boron transport in plants: co-ordinated regulation of transporters

BACKGROUND

The essentiality of boron (B) for plant growth was established > 85 years ago. In the last decade, it has been revealed that one of the physiological roles of B is cross-linking the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II in primary cell walls. Borate cross-linking of pectic networks serves both for physical strength of cell walls and for cell adhesion. On the other hand, high concentrations of B are toxic to plant growth. To avoid deficiency and toxicity problems, it is important for plants to maintain their tissue B concentrations within an optimum range by regulating transport processes. Boron transport was long believed to be a passive, unregulated process, but the identification of B transporters has suggested that plants sense and respond to the B conditions and regulate transporters to maintain B homeostasis.

SCOPE

Transporters responsible for efficient B uptake by roots, xylem loading and B distribution among leaves have been described. These transporters are required under B limitation for efficient acquisition and utilization of B. Transporters important for tolerating high B levels in the environment have also been identified, and these transporters export B from roots back to the soil. Two types of transporters are involved in these processes: NIPs (nodulin-26-like intrinsic proteins), boric acid channels, and BORs, B exporters. It is demonstrated that the expression of genes encoding these transporters is finely regulated in response to B availability in the environment to ensure tissue B homeostasis. Furthermore, plants tolerant to stress produced by low B or high B in the environment can be generated through altered expression of these transporters.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of the first B transporter led to the discovery that B transport was a process mediated not only by passive diffusion but also by transporters whose activity was regulated in response to B conditions. Now it is evident that plants sense internal and external B conditions and regulate B transport by modulating the expression and/or accumulation of these transporters. Results obtained in model plants are applicable to other plant species, and such knowledge may be useful in designing plants or crops tolerant to soils containing low or high B.

The mechanism of boron mobility in wheat and canola phloem

Low-molecular-weight borate complexes were isolated from canola (Brassica napus) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) phloem exudates, as well as the cytoplasm of the fresh-water alga Chara corallina, and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Phloem exudate was collected from field-grown canola inflorescence stalks by shallow incision, while wheat phloem exudate was collected by aphid stylectomy. Chara cytoplasm was collected by careful manual separation of the cell wall, vacuole, and cytosolic compartments. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry showed the presence of isotopic borate complexes, at mass-to-charge ratio of 690.22/691.22 in the canola and wheat phloem and at 300.11/301.11 in canola phloem and Chara cytoplasm. Using reference compounds, the borate complexes with mass-to-charge ratio 690.22/691.22 was identified as a bis-sucrose (Suc) borate complex in which the 4,6-hydroxyl pairs from the two alpha-glucopyranoside moieties formed an [L(2)B](-1) complex. Further investigation using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of the bis-Suc borate complex in wheat phloem with a concentration up to 220 microm. The 300.11/301.11 complex was putatively identified as a bis-N-acetyl-serine borate complex but its concentration was below the detection limits of the liquid chromatography electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometer so could not be quantified. The presence of borate complexes in the phloem provides a mechanistic explanation for the observed phloem boron mobility in canola and wheat and other species that transport Suc as their primary photoassimilate.

Structural characterisation of the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II using an acidic fingerprinting methodology

Rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) is a structurally complex cell wall pectic polysaccharide. Despite its complexity, both the structure of RG-II and its ability to dimerise via a borate diester are conserved in vascular plants suggesting that RG-II has a fundamental role in primary cell wall organisation and function. The selection and analysis of new mutants affected in RG-II formation represents a promising strategy to unravel these functions and to identify genes encoding enzymes involved in RG-II biosynthesis. In this paper, a novel fingerprinting strategy is described for the screening of RG-II mutants based on the mild acid hydrolysis of RG-II coupled to the analysis of the resulting fragments by mass spectrometry. This methodology was developed using RG-II fractions isolated from citrus pectins and then validated for RG-II isolated from the Arabidopsis mur1 mutant and irx10 irx10-like double mutant.

Membrane-associated, boron-interacting proteins isolated by boronate affinity chromatography

Boron deficiency symptoms point to a role for boron in plant membranes, but the molecular partners interacting with boron have not yet been identified. The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify membrane-associated proteins with an ability to interact with boron. Boron-interacting proteins were isolated from root microsomal preparations of arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and maize (Zea mays) using phenylboronate affinity chromatography, subsequently separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified using MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) peptide mass fingerprinting. Twenty-six boron-binding membrane-associated proteins were identified in A. thaliana, and nine in Z. mays roots. Additional unidentified proteins were also present. Common to both species were the beta-subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase, several beta-glucosidases, a luminal-binding protein and fructose bisphosphate aldolase. In A. thaliana, binding of these proteins to boron was significantly reduced after 4 d of boron deprivation. The relatively high number of diverse proteins identified as boron interacting, many of which are usually enriched in membrane microdomains, supports the hypothesis that boron plays a role in plant membranes by cross-linking glycoproteins, and may be involved in their recruitment to membrane microdomains.