Molecular cloning and characterisation of two genes encoding asparagine synthetase in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Cereal asparagine synthetase genes

Asparagine synthetase catalyses the transfer of an amino group from glutamine to aspartate to form glutamate and asparagine. The accumulation of free (nonprotein) asparagine in crops has implications for food safety because free asparagine is the precursor for acrylamide, a carcinogenic contaminant that forms during high-temperature cooking and processing. Here we review publicly available genome data for asparagine synthetase genes from species of the Pooideae subfamily, including bread wheat and related wheat species (Triticum and Aegilops spp.), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rye (Secale cereale) of the Triticeae tribe. Also from the Pooideae subfamily: brachypodium (Brachypodium dIstachyon) of the Brachypodiae tribe. More diverse species are also included, comprising sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and maize (Zea mays) of the Panicoideae subfamily and rice (Oryza sativa) of the Ehrhartoideae subfamily. The asparagine synthetase gene families of the Triticeae species each comprise five genes per genome, with the genes assigned to four groups: 1, 2, 3 (subdivided into 3.1 and 3.2) and 4. Each species has a single gene per genome in each group, except that some bread wheat varieties (genomes AABBDD) and emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides; genomes AABB) lack a group 2 gene in the B genome. This raises questions about the ancestry of cultivated pasta wheat and the B genome donor of bread wheat, suggesting that the hybridisation event that gave rise to hexaploid bread wheat occurred more than once. In phylogenetic analyses, genes from the other species cluster with the Triticeae genes, but brachypodium, sorghum and maize lack a group 2 gene, while rice has only two genes, one group 3 and one group 4. This means that TaASN2, the most highly expressed asparagine synthetase gene in wheat grain, has no equivalent in maize, rice, sorghum or brachypodium. An evolutionary pathway is proposed in which a series of gene duplications gave rise to the five genes found in modern Triticeae species.

Acrylamide in food: Progress in and prospects for genetic and agronomic solutions

Acrylamide is a processing contaminant and Group 2a carcinogen that was discovered in foodstuffs in 2002. Its presence in a range of popular foods has become one of the most difficult problems facing the food industry and its supply chain. Wheat, rye and potato products are major sources of dietary acrylamide, with biscuits, breakfast cereals, bread (particularly toasted), crispbread, batter, cakes, pies, French fries, crisps and snack products all affected. Here we briefly review the history of the issue, detection methods, the levels of acrylamide in popular foods and the risk that dietary acrylamide poses to human health. The pathways for acrylamide formation from free (non-protein) asparagine are described, including the role of reducing sugars such as glucose, fructose and maltose and the Maillard reaction. The evolving regulatory situation in the European Union and elsewhere is discussed, noting that food businesses and their suppliers must plan to comply not only with current regulations but with possible future regulatory scenarios. The main focus of the review is on the genetic and agronomic approaches being developed to reduce the acrylamide-forming potential of potatoes and cereals and these are described in detail, including variety selection, plant breeding, biotechnology and crop management. Obvious targets for genetic interventions include asparagine synthetase genes, and the asparagine synthetase gene families of different crop species are compared. Current knowledge on crop management best practice is described, including maintaining optimum storage conditions for potatoes and ensuring sulphur sufficiency and disease control for wheat.

Improvement of Soybean Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Efficiency by Adding Glutamine and Asparagine into the Culture Media

As a genetically modified crop, transgenic soybean occupies the largest global scale with its food, nutritional, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses.Efficient transformation is a key factor for the improvement of genetically modified soybean. At present, the Agrobacterium-mediated method is primarily used for soybean transformation, but the efficiency of this method is still relatively low (below 5%) compared with rice (above 90%). In this study, we examined the influence of l-glutamine and/or l-asparagine on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in soybean and explored the probable role in the process of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The results showed that when the amino acids l-glutamine and l-asparagine were added separately or together to the culture medium, the shoot induction frequency, elongation rate, and transformation frequency were improved. The combined effects of l-glutamine and l-asparagine were better than those of l-glutamine and l-asparagine alone. The 50 mg/L l-glutamine and 50 mg/L l-asparagine together can enhance the transformation frequency of soybean by attenuating the expression level of GmPRs (GmPR1, GmPR4, GmPR5, and GmPR10) and suppression of the plant defense response. The transgene was successfully transmitted to the T1 generation. This study will be useful in genetic engineering of soybean.

Expression Analysis of Nitrogen Metabolism-Related Genes Reveals Differences in Adaptation to Low-Nitrogen Stress between Two Different Barley Cultivars at Seedling Stage

The excess use of nitrogen fertilizers causes many problems, including higher costs of crop production, lower nitrogen use efficiency, and environmental damage. Crop breeding for low-nitrogen tolerance, especially molecular breeding, has become the major route to solving these issues. Therefore, in crops such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of low-nitrogen tolerance at the molecule level. In the present study, two barley cultivars, BI-04 (tolerant to low nitrogen) and BI-45 (sensitive to low nitrogen), were used for gene expression analysis under low-nitrogen stress, including 10 genes related to primary nitrogen metabolism. The results showed that the expressions of HvNIA2 (nitrite reductase), HvGS2 (chloroplastic glutamine synthetase), and HvGLU2 (ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase) were only induced in shoots of BI-04 under low-nitrogen stress, HvGLU2 was also only induced in roots of BI-04, and HvGS2 showed a rapid response to low-nitrogen stress in the roots of BI-04. The expression of HvASN1 (asparagine synthetase) was reduced in both cultivars, but it showed a lower reduction in the shoots of BI-04. In addition, gene expression and regulation differences in the shoots and roots were also compared between the barley cultivars. Taken together, the results indicated that the four above-mentioned genes might play important roles in low-nitrogen tolerance in barley.

The identification of new cytosolic glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and their expression during leaf senescence

Glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase are two master enzymes involved in ammonium assimilation in plants. Their roles in nitrogen remobilization and nitrogen use efficiency have been proposed. In this report, the genes coding for the cytosolic glutamine synthetases (HvGS1) and asparagine synthetases (HvASN) in barley were identified. In addition to the three HvGS1 and two HvASN sequences previously reported, two prokaryotic-like HvGS1 and three HvASN cDNA sequences were identified. Gene structures were then characterized, obtaining full genomic sequences. The response of the five HvGS1 and five HvASN genes to leaf senescence was then studied. Developmental senescence was studied using primary and flag leaves. Dark-exposure or low-nitrate conditions were also used to trigger stress-induced senescence. Well-known senescence markers such as the chlorophyll and Rubisco contents were monitored in order to characterize senescence levels in the different leaves. The three eukaryotic-like HvGS1_1, HvGS1_2, and HvGS1_3 sequences showed the typical senescence-induced reduction in gene expression described in many plant species. By contrast, the two prokaryotic-like HvGS1_4 and HvGS1_5 sequences were repressed by leaf senescence, similar to the HvGS2 gene, which encodes the chloroplast glutamine synthetase isoenzyme. There was a greater contrast in the responses of the five HvASN and this suggested that these genes are needed for N remobilization in senescing leaves only when plants are well fertilized with nitrate. Responses of the HvASN sequences to dark-induced senescence showed that there are two categories of asparagine synthetases, one induced in the dark and the other repressed by the same conditions.

Identification of differentially expressed genes potentially involved in the tolerance of Lotus tenuis to long-term alkaline stress

Soil alkalinity is one of the most serious agricultural problems limiting crop yields. The legume Lotus tenuis is an important forage acknowledged by its ability to naturally grow in alkaline soils. To gain insight into the molecular responses that are activated by alkalinity in L. tenuis plants, subtractive cDNA libraries were generated from leaves and roots of these plants. Total RNAs of non-stressed plants (pH 5.8; E.C. 1.2), and plants stressed by the addition of 10 mM of NaHCO3 (pH 9.0; E.C. 1.9), were used as source of the driver and the tester samples, respectively. RNA samples were collected after 14 and 28 days of treatment. A total of 158 unigenes from leaves and 92 unigenes from roots were obtained and classified into 11 functional categories. Unigenes from these categories (4 for leaves and 8 for roots), that were related with nutrient metabolism and oxidative stress relief were selected, and their differential expression analyzed by qRT-PCR. These genes were found to be differentially expressed in a time dependent manner in L. tenuis during the alkaline stress application. Data generated from this study will contribute to the understanding of the general molecular mechanisms associated to plant tolerance under long-term alkaline stress in plants.

A kinetic comparison of asparagine synthetase isozymes from higher plants

Four previously identified maize asparagine synthetase (AsnS) genes and a soy AsnS gene have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzymes have been purified and kinetically characterized. The plant AsnS proteins were expressed mainly in the inclusion bodies although small amounts of one form (ZmAsnS2) were recovered in the soluble fraction. In order to measure the kinetic properties of these enzymes a sensitive assay based on the detection of Asn by HPLC has been developed. In addition a method to refold the recombinant plant AsnS to produce active enzyme has been developed. The plant AsnS enzymes are kinetically distinct with substantial differences in K(m) (Gln) and V(max) values when compared to each other. These differences may be important factors for transgenic studies using AsnS genes for crop improvement.

Differential metabolic responses of perennial grass Cynodon transvaalensis×Cynodon dactylon (C₄) and Poa Pratensis (C₃) to heat stress

Differential metabolic responses to heat stress may be associated with variations in heat tolerance between cool-season (C₃) and warm-season (C₄) perennial grass species. The main objective of this study was to identify metabolites associated with differential heat tolerance between C₄ bermudagrass and C₃ Kentucky bluegrass by performing metabolite profile analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plants of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa Pratensis'Midnight') and hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis x Cynodon dactylon'Tifdwarf') were grown under optimum temperature conditions (20/15 °C for Kentucky bluegrass and 30/25 °C for bermudagrass) or heat stress (35/30 °C for Kentucky bluegrass and 45/40 °C for bermudagrass). Physiological responses to heat stress were evaluated by visual rating of grass quality, measuring photochemical efficiency (variable fluorescence to maximal fluorescence) and electrolyte leakage. All of these parameters indicated that bermudagrass exhibited better heat tolerance than Kentucky bluegrass. The metabolite analysis of leaf polar extracts revealed 36 heat-responsive metabolites identified in both grass species, mainly consisting of organic acids, amino acids, sugars and sugar alcohols. Most metabolites showed higher accumulation in bermudagrass compared with Kentucky bluegrass, especially following long-term (18 days) heat stress. The differentially accumulated metabolites included seven sugars (sucrose, fructose, galactose, floridoside, melibiose, maltose and xylose), a sugar alcohol (inositol), six organic acids (malic acid, citric acid, threonic acid, galacturonic acid, isocitric acid and methyl malonic acid) and nine amino acids (Asn, Ala, Val, Thr, γ-aminobutyric acid, IIe, Gly, Lys and Met). The differential accumulation of those metabolites could be associated with the differential heat tolerance between C₃ Kentucky bluegrass and C₄ bermudagrass.

Nitrogen stress and the expression of asparagine synthetase in roots and nodules of soybean (Glycine max)

The difficulty of assaying asparagine synthetase (AS) (EC 6.3.5.4) activity in roots of soybean has been circumvented by measuring expression of the AS genes. Expression of three soybean asparagine synthetase (SAS) genes (SAS1, SAS2 and SAS3) was observed in roots of non-nodulated soybean plants cultivated on nitrate. Expression of these genes was reduced to very low levels within days after submitting the plants to a N-free medium. The subsequent return to a complete medium (containing nitrate) restored expression of all three AS genes. Roots of nodulated plants, where symbiotic nitrogen fixation was the exclusive source of N (no nitrate present), showed very weak expression of all three AS genes, but on transfer to a nitrate-containing medium, strong expression of these genes was observed within 24 h. In nodules, all three genes were expressed in the absence of nitrate. Under conditions that impair nitrogen fixation (nodules submerged in aerated hydroponics), only SAS1 expression was reduced. However, in the presence of nitrate, an inhibitor of N(2) fixation, SAS1 expression was maintained. High and low expressions of AS genes in the roots were associated with high and low ratios of Asn/Asp transported to the shoot through xylem. It is concluded that nitrate (or one of its assimilatory products) leads to the induction of AS in roots of soybean and that this underlies the variations found in xylem sap Asn/Asp ratios. Regulation of nodule AS expression is quite different from that of the root, but nodule SAS1, at least, appears to involve a product of N assimilation rather than nitrate itself.

Evidence for sugar signalling in the regulation of asparagine synthetase gene expressed in Phaseolus vulgaris roots and nodules

A cDNA clone, designated as PvNAS2, encoding asparagine amidotransferase (asparagine synthetase) was isolated from nodule tissue of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Negro Jamapa). Southern blot analysis indicated that asparagine synthetase in bean is encoded by a small gene family. Northern analysis of RNAs from various plant organs demonstrated that PvNAS2 is highly expressed in roots, followed by nodules in which it is mainly induced during the early days of nitrogen fixation. Investigations with the PvNAS2 promoter gusA fusion revealed that the expression of PvNAS2 in roots is confined to vascular bundles and meristematic tissues, while in root nodules its expression is solely localized to vascular traces and outer cortical cells encompassing the central nitrogen-fixing zone, but never detected in either infected or non-infected cells located in the central region of the nodule. PvNAS2 is down-regulated when carbon availability is reduced in nodules, and the addition of sugars to the plants, mainly glucose, boosted its induction, leading to the increased asparagine production. In contrast to PvNAS2 expression and the concomitant asparagine synthesis, glucose supplement resulted in the reduction of ureide content in nodules. Studies with glucose analogues as well as hexokinase inhibitors suggested a role for hexokinase in the sugar-sensing mechanism that regulates PvNAS2 expression in roots. In light of the above results, it is proposed that, in bean, low carbon availability in nodules prompts the down-regulation of the asparagine synthetase enzyme and concomitantly asparagine production. Thereby a favourable environment is created for the efficient transfer of the amido group of glutamine for the synthesis of purines, and then ureide generation.

The pivotal role of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in the mobilization of N and C from storage material to asparagine in germinating seeds of yellow lupine

In germinating seeds of legumes, amino acids liberated during mobilization of storage proteins are partially used for synthesis of storage proteins of the developing axis, but some of them are respired. The amino acids are catabolized by both glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and transaminases. Ammonium is reassimilated by glutamine synthetase (GS) and, through the action of asparagine synthetase (AS), is stored in asparagine (Asn). This review presents the ways in which amino acids are converted into Asn and their regulation, mostly in germinating seeds of yellow lupine, where Asn can make up to 30% of dry matter. The energy balance of the synthesis of Asn from glutamate, the most common amino acid in lupine storage proteins, also shows an adaptation of lupine for oxidation of amino acids in early stages of germination. Regulation of the pathway of Asn synthesis is described with regard to the role of GDH and AS, as well as compartmentation of particular metabolites. The regulatory effect of sugar on major links of the pathway (mobilization of storage proteins, induction of genes and activity of GDH and AS) is discussed with respect to recent genetic and molecular studies. Moreover, the effect of glutamate and phytohormones is presented at various stages of Asn biosynthesis.

Transcriptional profiling of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots identifies novel, dehydration-responsive genes

We used a long-oligonucleotide microarray to identify transcripts that increased or decreased in abundance in roots of dehydration-tolerant hexaploid bread wheat, in response to withholding of water. We observed that the major classes of dehydration-responsive genes (e.g. osmoprotectants, compatible solutes, proteases, glycosyltransferases/hydrolases, signal transducers components, ion transporters) were generally similar to those observed previously in other species and osmotic stresses. More specifically, we highlighted increases in transcript expression for specific genes including those putatively related to the synthesis of asparagine, trehalose, oligopeptide transporters, metal-binding proteins, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt and transcription factors. Conversely, we noted a decrease in transcript abundance for diverse classes of glutathione and sulphur-related enzymes, specific amino acids, as well as MATE-efflux carrier proteins. From these data, we identified a novel, dehydration-induced putative AP2/ERF transcription factor, which we predict to function as a transcriptional repressor. We also identified a dehydration-induced 'little protein' (LitP; predicted mass: 8 kDa) that is highly conserved across spermatophytes. Using qRT-PCR, we compared the expression patterns of selected genes between two related wheat genotypes that differed in their susceptibility to dehydration, and confirmed that these novel genes were highly inducible by water limitation in both genotypes, although the magnitude of induction differed.

High levels of asparagine synthetase in hypocotyls of pine seedlings suggest a role of the enzyme in re-allocation of seed-stored nitrogen

A pine asparagine synthetase gene expressed in developing seedlings has been identified by cloning its cDNA (PsAS1) from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Genomic DNA analysis with PsAS1 probes and a sequence-based phylogenetic tree are consistent with the possibility of more than one gene encoding asparagine synthetase in pine. However, the parallel patterns of free asparagine content and PsAS1 products indicate that the protein encoded by this gene is mainly responsible for the accumulation of this amino acid during germination and early seedling development. The temporal and spatial patterns of PsAS1 expression together with the spatial distribution of asparagine content suggest that, early after germination, part of the nitrogen mobilized from the megagametophyte is diverted toward the hypocotyl to produce high levels of asparagine as a reservoir of nitrogen to meet later specific demands of development. Furthermore, the transcript and protein analyses in seedlings germinated and growth for extended periods under continuous light or dark suggest that the spatial expression pattern of PsAS1 is largely determined by a developmental program. Therefore, our results suggest that the spatial and temporal control of PsAS1 expression determines the re-allocation of an important amount of seed-stored nitrogen during pine germination.

The aspartic acid metabolic pathway, an exciting and essential pathway in plants

Aspartate is the common precursor of the essential amino acids lysine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine in higher plants. In addition, aspartate may also be converted to asparagine, in a potentially competing reaction. The latest information on the properties of the enzymes involved in the pathways and the genes that encode them is described. An understanding of the overall regulatory control of the flux through the pathways is undisputedly of great interest, since the nutritive value of all cereal and legume crops is reduced due to low concentrations of at least one of the aspartate-derived amino acids. We have reviewed the recent literature and discussed in this paper possible methods by which the concentrations of the limiting amino acids may be increased in the seeds.

Development of EST-derived CAPS and AFLP markers linked to a gene for resistance to ryegrass blast (Pyricularia sp.) in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)

Ryegrass blast, also called gray leaf spot, is caused by the fungus Pyricularia sp. It is one of the most serious diseases of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in Japan. We analyzed segregation of resistance in an F(1) population from a cross between a resistant and a susceptible cultivar. The disease severity distribution in the F(1) population suggested that resistance was controlled by a major gene (Lm Pi1). Analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms with bulked segregant analysis identified several markers tightly linked to Lm Pi1. To identify other markers linked to Lm Pi1, we used expressed sequence tag-cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (EST-CAPS) markers mapped in a reference population of Italian ryegrass. Of the 30 EST-CAPS markers screened, one marker, p 56, flanking the Lm Pi1 locus was found. The restriction pattern of p 56 amplification showed a unique fragment corresponding to the resistant allele at the Lm Pi1 locus. A linkage map constructed from the reference population showed that the Lm Pi1 locus was located in linkage group 5 of Italian ryegrass. Genotype results obtained from resistant and susceptible cultivars indicate that the p 56 marker is useful for introduction of the Lm Pi1 gene into susceptible germ plasm in order to develop ryegrass cultivars with enhanced resistance to ryegrass blast.

Asparagine synthetase gene TaASN1 from wheat is up-regulated by salt stress, osmotic stress and ABA

Differences in gene expression between salinity stressed and normally grown wheat seedlings were compared by the differential display (DD) technique. One DD-derived cDNA clone was characterized as a partial sequence of the wheat asparagine ynthetase (AS) gene by sequence analysis and homology search of GenBank databases. Two AS genes of wheat, TaASN1 and TaASN2, were further isolated by the RT-PCR approach. Comparison of the deduced polypeptide of TaASN1 and TaASN2 with AS proteins from other organisms revealed several homologous regions, in particular, the conserved glutamine binding sites and Class-II Glutamine amidotransferases domain. The functionality of TaASN1 was demonstrated by complementing an Escherichia coli asparagine auxotroph. TaASN1 transcripts were detected in roots, shoots, anthers and young spikes by RT-PCR analysis. Abundance of TaASN1 mRNA in young spikes and anthers was higher than that in shoots and roots under normal growth conditions. TaASN1 was dramatically induced by salinity, osmotic stress and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) in wheat seedlings. TaASN2 transcripts were very low in all detected tissues and conditions and were only slightly induced by ABA in roots.