Characterization of a cinnamoyl-CoA reductase 1 (CCR1) mutant in maize: effects on lignification, fibre development, and global gene expression

Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), which catalyses the first committed step of the lignin-specific branch of monolignol biosynthesis, has been extensively characterized in dicot species, but few data are available in monocots. By screening a Mu insertional mutant collection in maize, a mutant in the CCR1 gene was isolated named Zmccr1(-). In this mutant, CCR1 gene expression is reduced to 31% of the residual wild-type level. Zmccr1(-) exhibited enhanced digestibility without compromising plant growth and development. Lignin analysis revealed a slight decrease in lignin content and significant changes in lignin structure. p-Hydroxyphenyl units were strongly decreased and the syringyl/guaiacyl ratio was slightly increased. At the cellular level, alterations in lignin deposition were mainly observed in the walls of the sclerenchymatic fibre cells surrounding the vascular bundles. These cell walls showed little to no staining with phloroglucinol. These histochemical changes were accompanied by an increase in sclerenchyma surface area and an alteration in cell shape. In keeping with this cell type-specific phenotype, transcriptomics performed at an early stage of plant development revealed the down-regulation of genes specifically associated with fibre wall formation. To the present authors' knowledge, this is the first functional characterization of CCR1 in a grass species.

The cell wall and secretory proteome of a tobacco cell line synthesising secondary wall

The utility of plant secondary cell wall biomass for industrial and biofuel purposes depends upon improving cellulose amount, availability and extractability. The possibility of engineering such biomass requires much more knowledge of the genes and proteins involved in the synthesis, modification and assembly of cellulose, lignin and xylans. Proteomic data are essential to aid gene annotation and understanding of polymer biosynthesis. Comparative proteomes were determined for secondary walls of stem xylem and transgenic xylogenic cells of tobacco and detected peroxidase, cellulase, chitinase, pectinesterase and a number of defence/cell death related proteins, but not marker proteins of primary walls such as xyloglucan endotransglycosidase and expansins. Only the corresponding detergent soluble proteome of secretory microsomes from the xylogenic cultured cells, subjected to ion-exchange chromatography, could be determined accurately since, xylem-specific membrane yields were of poor quality from stem tissue. Among the 109 proteins analysed, many of the protein markers of the ER such as BiP, HSP70, calreticulin and calnexin were identified, together with some of the biosynthetic enzymes and associated polypeptides involved in polymer synthesis. However 53% of these endomembrane proteins failed identification despite the use of two different MS methods, leaving considerable possibilities for future identification of novel proteins involved in secondary wall polymer synthesis once full genomic data are available.

A new picture of cell wall protein dynamics in elongating cells of Arabidopsis thaliana: confirmed actors and newcomers

BACKGROUND

Cell elongation in plants requires addition and re-arrangements of cell wall components. Even if some protein families have been shown to play roles in these events, a global picture of proteins present in cell walls of elongating cells is still missing. A proteomic study was performed on etiolated hypocotyls of Arabidopsis used as model of cells undergoing elongation followed by growth arrest within a short time.

RESULTS

Two developmental stages (active growth and after growth arrest) were compared. A new strategy consisting of high performance cation exchange chromatography and mono-dimensional electrophoresis was established for separation of cell wall proteins. This work allowed identification of 137 predicted secreted proteins, among which 51 had not been identified previously. Apart from expected proteins known to be involved in cell wall extension such as xyloglucan endotransglucosylase-hydrolases, expansins, polygalacturonases, pectin methylesterases and peroxidases, new proteins were identified such as proteases, proteins related to lipid metabolism and proteins of unknown function.

CONCLUSION

This work highlights the CWP dynamics that takes place between the two developmental stages. The presence of proteins known to be related to cell wall extension after growth arrest showed that these proteins may play other roles in cell walls. Finally, putative regulatory mechanisms of protein biological activity are discussed from this global view of cell wall proteins.

Proteomics analysis of "Rovabiot Excel", a secreted protein cocktail from the filamentous fungus Penicillium funiculosum grown under industrial process fermentation

MS/MS techniques are well customized now for proteomic analysis, even for non-sequenced organisms, since peptide sequences obtained by these methods can be matched with those found in databases from closely related sequenced organisms. We used this approach to characterize the protein content of the "Rovabio Excel", an enzymatic cocktail produced by Penicillium funiculosum that is used as feed additive in animal nutrition. Protein separation by bi-dimensional electrophoresis yielded more than 100 spots, from which 37 proteins were unambiguously assigned from peptide sequences. By one-dimensional SDS-gel electrophoresis, 34 proteins were identified among which 8 were not found in the 2-DE analysis. A third method, termed 'peptidic shotgun', which consists in a direct treatment of the cocktail by trypsin followed by separation of the peptides on two-dimensional liquid chromatography, resulted in the identification of two additional proteins not found by the two other methods. Altogether, more than 50 proteins, among which several glycosylhydrolytic, hemicellulolytic and proteolytic enzymes, were identified by combining three separation methods in this enzymatic cocktail. This work confirmed the power of proteome analysis to explore the genome expression of a non-sequenced fungus by taking advantage of sequences from phylogenetically related filamentous fungi and pave the way for further functional analysis of P. funiculosum.

Partial purification and characterization of a copper-induced anionic peroxidase of sunflower roots

Treatment of 14-day-old sunflower seedlings with a toxic amount of copper (50 microM of CuSO(4)) during 5days caused significant increase in peroxidase activity in roots. Qualitative analysis of soluble proteins using native anionic PAGE followed by detection of peroxidase activity with guaïacol as electron donor in the presence of H(2)O(2) revealed five stimulated peroxidases, named A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. These peroxidases had differential behavior during the period of treatment. A1, A2, A3 and A4 were stimulated in the first period of stress, but rapidly suppressed at 72h. A5 showed a progressive stimulation which was even increased at 120h. A1 was partially purified, identified using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and characterized. Effects of pH and temperature on its activity were determined with guaïacol as electron donor. Optima were obtained at pH 8 and at 40 degrees C. Analysis of substrate specificity showed that A1 was active on coniferyl alcohol but not on IAA. Enzymatic activity was inhibited by a high concentration of H(2)O(2).

Regulation and role of a STE12-like transcription factor from the plant pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

In phytopathogenic fungi, STE12-like genes encode transcription factors essential for appressorium-mediated host penetration. However, their regulation and downstream targets are still unknown. In the present study, a STE12-like gene (CLSTE12) from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum was isolated. We identified a spliced variant whose expression was negatively regulated during early stages of pathogenesis, whereas the correctly spliced mRNA remained expressed up to the penetration step, suggesting distinct roles for these two transcripts. Indeed, the full-length sequence was able to complement a yeast STE12 mutant, whereas overexpression of the transcript variant had a dominant-negative effect on yeast invasive growth and C. lindemuthianum pathogenicity. To further investigate the downstream genes that could be regulated by CLSTE12, disruption mutants were generated. Phenotypic analyses of the mutants revealed reduced pectinase activity and conidial adhesion to polystyrene. Analysis of cell surface proteins allowed the identification of a major protein, Clsp1p, which was absent from the mutants. Clsp1p belongs to a new family of wall-associated proteins only found in euascomycetous fungi. Overall, these results suggest that the activity of CLSTE12 can be modulated by a regulated alternative splicing mechanism and that this factor is involved in the production of cell surface proteins and host cell wall degrading enzymes.

Cell wall proteins in apoplastic fluids of Arabidopsis thaliana rosettes: identification by mass spectrometry and bioinformatics

Weakly bound cell wall proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana were identified using a proteomic and bioinformatic approach. An efficient protocol of extraction based on vacuum-infiltration of the tissues was developed. Several salts and a chelating agent were compared for their ability to extract cell wall proteins without releasing cytoplasmic contaminants. Of the 93 proteins that were identified, a large proportion (60%) was released by calcium chloride. From bioinformatics analysis, it may be predicted that most of them (87 out of 93) had a signal peptide, whereas only six originated from the cytoplasm. Among the putative apoplastic proteins, a high proportion (67 out of 87) had a basic pI. Numerous glycoside hydrolases and proteins with interacting domains were identified, in agreement with the expected role of the extracellular matrix in polysaccharide metabolism and recognition phenomena. Ten proteinases were also found as well as six proteins with unknown functions. Comparison of the cell wall proteome of rosettes with the previously published cell wall proteome of cell suspension cultures showed a high level of cell specificity, especially for the different members of several large multigenic families.

Characterization of proteins secreted during maize microspore culture: arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) stimulate embryo development

To study molecules secreted from cultured plant cells that promote development, maize microspores were transferred into culture and the conditioned media were collected over time and analysed. Electrophoresis indicated that both non-glycosylated and glycosylated proteins including arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) appeared in the medium and their concentration increased during the time of culture. The development of embryos was correlated with the presence of specific extracellular proteins, using an experimental system based on a tunicamycin inhibition test. In addition, a precise protein analysis was conducted using MALDI-TOF and ESI-MS-MS techniques. These approaches have allowed the identification of 5 other types of proteins: a cell wall invertase, two thaumatin isoforms, one 1-3 beta-glucanase and two chitinase isoforms. Altogether these experiments and results open ways for research aimed at understanding which molecules stimulate embryo formation. Moreover, AGPs may be used to stimulate the development of microspores (pollen embryogenesis) prepared from non-responsive genotypes.

Comparison of the proteome of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown under methylotrophic and nonmethylotrophic conditions

Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 is a facultative methylotrophic bacterium that is capable of growing in the presence of methanol as the sole carbon and energy source, but is also able to grow on a limited number of C(2), C(3), and C(4) compounds, for example succinate. This study provides a proteomic view of the cellular adaptation of M. extorquens AM1 to growth on methanol and succinate, respectively. Cytosolic proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis employing overlapping pH ranges and visualized by silver nitrate or fluorescence staining. A proteomic reference map containing 229 different proteins identified by peptide mass fingerprinting of tryptic fragments was established. Comparative proteome profiling of methanol- and succinate-grown cells led to the identification of 68 proteins that are induced under methylotrophic growth conditions in comparison to growth on succinate. This group includes most proteins known to be directly involved in methanol oxidation to CO(2) and in assimilation of one carbon units by the serine cycle as well as 18 proteins without any assigned function and two proteins with a predicted regulatory function. Furthermore, the proteome analysis revealed putative isoenzymes for formaldehyde-activating enzyme Fae, malyl-CoA lyase, malate-dehydrogenase, and fumarase, that need to be characterized functionally in future studies.

Artocarpin is a polyspecific jacalin-related lectin with a monosaccharide preference for mannose

A reinvestigation of the carbohydrate-binding properties revealed that artocarpin, a previously described mannose-specific lectin from jackfruit (Artocarpus integrifolia) seeds, behaves as a polyspecific lectin. Surface plasmon resonance hapten inhibition experiments demonstrated that artocarpin readily interacted with a wide range of monosaccharides covering galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, mannose, glucose, sialic acid and N-acetylmuramic acid. Molecular docking confirmed this unexpected ability of artocarpin to interact with structurally different sugars. The biological significance of the polyspecificity of the lectin is discussed in terms of the broadening of the range of potential target glycans present on the surface of plant phytopathogens or predators.

Proteomics of loosely bound cell wall proteins ofArabidopsis thaliana cell suspension cultures: A critical analysis

The complete sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome allows the use of the recently developed mass spectrometry techniques to identify the cell wall proteins (CWPs). Most proteomic approaches depend on the quality of sample preparation. Extraction of CWPs is particularly complex since the proteins may be free in the apoplast or are embedded in a polysaccharide matrix where they are retained by Van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic or ionic interactions, or cross-linked by covalent bonds. Specific and sequential extraction procedures thus need to be developed. We report on the sequential extraction of loosely bound CWPs from living A. thaliana cells in culture. Different salts and chelating agents were used for releasing the proteins from the wall. Their effects on the extraction of CWPs and on the integrity of the plasma membrane were evaluated. Bioinformatic software was used to identify proteins and to predict their sub-cellular localization. The obtained data show that the plasma membrane of cells in culture was easily damaged by some steps of the extraction procedure, leading to the release of increasing amounts of intracellular proteins. Nevertheless, we identified fifty CWPs among which thirteen were new proteins for the cell wall. In addition, 76% of these CWPs were basic proteins not resolved in two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. The existence of two hypothetical proteins was confirmed. The structure of three proteins could be confirmed using mass spectrometry data.

The algal polysaccharide carrageenans can act as an elicitor of plant defence

•  Effects of two algal polysaccharides, laminarin and carrageenans, on defence responses and signalling in tobacco plants is presented. A possible role as defence elicitors is important in the context of the use of algal extracts as plant protectants. •  The effect of the extracts was assessed after infiltration of tobacco leaves, and compared to the effect of a known elicitor of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae(Ppn). •  Of the two algal polysaccharides, only carrageenans efficiently induced signalling and defence gene expression in tobacco leaves, as observed with Ppn elicitor. λ-carrageenan, with its high sulphate content, proved the most active. Defence genes encoding sesquiterpene cylase, chitinase and proteinase inhibitor were induced locally, and the signalling pathways mediated by ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, were triggered. Some effects lasted for at least a week. •  λ-Carrageenan can elicit an array of plant defence responses, possibly through an effect of its high sulphate content. This helps clarify the mechanism of plant protection by algal extracts.

Biochemical characterization, molecular cloning and expression of laccases - a divergent gene family - in poplar

The nature of the enzyme(s) involved in the dehydrogenative polymerization of lignin monomers is still a matter of debate. Potential candidates include laccases which have recently received attention due to their capacity to oxidize lignin monomers and close spatial and temporal correlation with lignin deposition. We have characterized two H2O2-independent phenoloxidases with approximate molecular masses of 90 kDa and 110 kDa from cell walls of Populus euramericana xylem that are capable of oxidizing coniferyl alcohol. The 90-kDa protein was purified to apparent homogeneity and extensively characterized at the biochemical and structural levels. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a plant laccase purified to homogeneity from a lignifying tissue of an angiosperm. The cDNA clones corresponding to the 90-kDa and 110-kDa proteins, lac90 and lac110, were obtained by a PCR-based approach using specific oligonucleotides derived from peptide sequences. Sequence analysis indicated that lac90 and lac110 encoded two distinct laccases. In addition, heterologous screening using an Acer pseudoplatanus laccase cDNA enabled us to obtain three additional cDNAs (lac1, lac2, lac3) that did not correspond to lac90 and lac110. The five laccase cDNAs correspond to a highly divergent multigene family but Northern analysis with gene-specific probes indicated that all of the genes are exclusively and abundantly expressed in stems. These results highlight the polymorphism of plant laccases by an integrated biochemical and molecular approach, and provide the tools that will enable us to clearly determine the function of these enzymes in plants by molecular and genetic approaches.

Purification and Characterization of Cinnamoyl-Coenzyme A:NADP Oxidoreductase in Eucalyptus gunnii

Cinnamoyl-coenzyme A:NADP oxidoreductase (CCR, EC 1.2.1.44), the entry-point enzyme into the monolignol biosynthetic pathway, was purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity from differentiating xylem of Eucalyptus gunnii Hook. The purified protein is a monomer of 38 kD and has an isoelectric point of 7. Although Eucalyptus gunnii CCR has approximately equal affinities for all possible substrates (p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A, feruloyl-coenzyme A, and sinapoyl-coenzyme A), it is approximately three times more effective at converting feruloyl-coenzyme A than the other substrates. To gain a better understanding of the catalytic regulation of Eucalyptus CCR, a variety of compounds were tested to determine their effect on CCR activity. CCR activity is inhibited by NADP and coenzyme A. Effectors that bind lysine and cysteine residues also inhibit CCR activity. As a prerequisite to the study of the regulation of CCR at the molecular level, polyclonal antibodies were obtained.

Molecular cloning and expression of a Eucalyptus gunnii cDNA clone encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) catalyses the reduction of hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes (sinapyl, paracoumaryl, coniferyl aldehydes) to the corresponding alcohols which are the direct monomeric precursors of lignins. Recently, we have purified from Eucalyptus gunnii two isoforms of CAD (CAD1 and CAD2), distinct in their biochemical and functional properties. In this paper, we report the cloning of a CAD cDNA (pEuCAD2) isolated by screening a lambda gt11 library generated from cell suspension culture of Eucalyptus gunnii, using a tobacco CAD cDNA as a probe. This full-length clone (1392 bp) encodes a protein of 356 amino acids which corresponds to the subunit molecular weight of the CAD2 isoform. Sequence analysis revealed that CAD2 is very well conserved among species (78% homology with CAD from tobacco, a herbaceous angiosperm, and 81% with the partial sequence from a gymnosperm, loblolly pine). The identity of this clone was unambiguously demonstrated (1) by comparison with peptide sequence data from purified CAD2 and (2) by functional expression of the recombinant enzyme in Escherichia coli. Recombinant CAD showed the same properties as the natural isoform CAD2, in terms of electrophoretic mobility, polypeptide structure, substrate specificity and antigenicity. The CAD2 transcript is equally abundant in stems and leaves and at the limit of detection in roots. At the tissue level the CAD2 gene is highly expressed in xylem and virtually undetectable in phloem.