Microspore embryogenesis in Brassica: calcium signaling, epigenetic modification, and programmed cell death

Stress induction followed by excessive calcium influx causes multiple changes in microspores resulting in chromatin remodeling, epigenetic modifications, and removal of unwanted gametophytic components via autophagy, switching microspores towards ME. In Brassica, isolated microspores that are placed under specific external stresses can switch their default developmental pathway towards an embryogenic state. Microspore embryogenesis is a unique system that speeds up breeding programs and, in the context of developmental biology, provides an excellent tool for embryogenesis to be investigated in greater detail. The last few years have provided ample evidence that has allowed Brassica researchers to markedly increase their understanding of the molecular and sub-cellular changes underlying this process. We review recent advances in this field, focusing mainly on the perception to inductive stresses, signal transduction, molecular and structural alterations, and the involvement of programmed cell death at the onset of embryogenic induction.

Natural mutations in two homoeologous TT8 genes control yellow seed coat trait in allotetraploid Brassica juncea (AABB)

Identification of the candidate gene responsible for the seed coat colour variation in Brassica juncea was undertaken following an earlier study where two independent loci (BjSc1 and BjSc2) were mapped to two linkage groups, LG A9 and B3 (Padmaja et al. in Theor Appl Genet 111:8-14, 2005). The genome search from BRAD data for the presence of flavonoid genes in B. rapa identified three candidate genes namely, DFR, TT1 and TT8 in the LG A9. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed absence of transcript for the late biosynthetic genes (LBGs) and showed significant reduction of transcript in the TT8 from the developing seeds of yellow-seeded line. While mapping of two DFR genes, the BjuA.DFR and BjuB.DFR did not show perfect co-segregation with the seed coat colour loci, that of the two TT8 genes, BjuA.TT8 and BjuB.TT8 showed perfect co-segregation with the seed coat colour phenotype. The BjuA.TT8 allele from the yellow-seeded line revealed the presence of an insertion of 1,279 bp in the exon 7 and did not produce any transcript as revealed by reverse transcriptase PCR. The BjuB.TT8 allele from the yellow-seeded line revealed the presence of an SNP (C→T) in the exon 7 resulting in a stop codon predicting a truncated protein lacking the C-terminal 8 amino acid residues and produced significantly low level of transcript than its wild-type counterpart. Hence, it is hypothesized that the mutations in both the TT8 genes are required for inhibiting the transcription of LBGs in the yellow-seeded mutant of B. juncea.

Correlations between tocopherol and fatty acid components in germplasm collections of Brassica oilseeds

To date, little is known about the correlations among the tocopherol (T) and fatty acid (FA) components in rapeseed oils. In the current study, a germplasm collection of landraces from the species Brassica juncea , Brassica rapa , and Brassica napus and a collection of low erucic acid (EA) breeding lines from B. napus were analyzed for FA and T contents. In the groups comprising landraces, the most notable correlation was the significantly positive one between α-T and the sum of C18:1 and C18:2, whereas neither positive correlations were found between α-T and C18:3 nor were positive correlations observed between α-T and very long chain FAs (VLCFA). Hardly any association between γ-T and FA components was observed, indicating the possible function of α-T beyond its antioxidant property. The complexity of correlation between T and FA components in Brassica oils may arise from the role of α-T in the FA metabolism of endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Parental genome imbalance in Brassica oleracea causes asymmetric triploid block

Interploidy crosses fail in many plant species due to abnormalities in endosperm development. In the inbreeding species Arabidopsis thaliana, both paternal and maternal excess interploidy crosses usually result in viable seed that exhibit parent-of-origin effects on endosperm development and final seed size. Paternal excess crosses result in extended proliferation of the endosperm and larger seeds, while conversely maternal excess crosses result in early endosperm cellularisation and smaller seeds. Investigations into the effect of parental gene dosage on seed development have revealed that MADS box transcription factors, particularly the AGAMOUS-like family, play important roles in controlling endosperm proliferation. The important crop genus Brassica contains self-incompatible outbreeding species and has a larger and more complex genome than the closely related Arabidopsis. Here we show that although Brassica oleracea displays strong parent-of-origin effects on seed development, triploid block due to lethal disruption of endosperm development was restricted to paternal excess, with maternal excess crosses yielding viable seed. In addition, transcriptome analyses of Brassica homologues of Arabidopsis genes linked to parent-of-origin effects revealed conservation of some mechanisms controlling aspects endosperm behaviour in the two species. However, there were also differences that may explain the failure of the paternal excess cross in B. oleracea.

Parental environment changes the dormancy state and karrikinolide response of Brassica tournefortii seeds

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The smoke-derived chemical karrikinolide (KAR(1)) shows potential as a tool to synchronize the germination of seeds for weed management and restoration. To assess its feasibility we need to understand why seeds from different populations of a species exhibit distinct responses to KAR(1). Environmental conditions during seed development, known as the parental environment, influence seed dormancy so we predicted that parental environment would also drive the KAR(1)-responses of seeds. Specifically, we hypothesized that (a) a common environment will unify the KAR(1)-responses of different populations, (b) a single population grown under different environmental conditions will exhibit different KAR(1)-responses, and (c) drought stress, as a particular feature of the parental environment, will make seeds less dormant and more responsive to KAR(1).

METHODS

Seeds of the weed Brassica tournefortii were collected from four locations in Western Australia and were sown in common gardens at two field sites, to test whether their KAR(1)-responses could be unified by a common environment. To test the effects of drought on KAR(1)-response, plants were grown in a glasshouse and subjected to water stress. For each trial, the germination responses of the next generation of seeds were assessed.

KEY RESULTS

The KAR(1)-responses of seeds differed among populations, but this variation was reduced when seeds developed in a common environment. The KAR(1)-responses of each population changed when seeds developed in different environments. Different parental environments affected germination responses of the populations differently, showing that parental environment interacts with genetics to determine KAR(1)-responses. Seeds from droughted plants were 5 % more responsive to KAR(1) and 5 % less dormant than seeds from well-watered plants, but KAR(1)-responses and dormancy state were not intrinsically linked in all experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

The parental environment in which seeds develop is one of the key drivers of the KAR(1)-responses of seeds.

[Effects of inoculating earthworm on the seed yield and its oil content of winter oilseed rape]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of inoculating earthworm (Metaphire guillelmi) on the yield components, seed yield, and seed oil content of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Zhongshuang 9). Inoculating earthworm increased the primary branch numbers per plant, main raceme pod numbers per plant, seed numbers per pod, and 1000-seeds weight, but the effect was not significant. However, comparing with the control, inoculating earthworm increased the pod number per plant, seed yield per plant, and seed yield of whole plot significantly, with the increment being 36.7%, 46.5%, and 29.7%, respectively, which could be related to the promotion effect of earthworm on the plant growth and its nitrogen uptake at vegetative growth stage. After the inoculation with earthworm, the seed oil content somewhat decreased, but, owing to the significant increase of seed yield under the effect of earthworm, both the oil production per plant and the oil production of whole plot increased significantly by 37.4% and 21.0%, respectively, compared with the control.

Profiling of phenylpropanoids in transgenic low-sinapine oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

A dsRNAi approach silencing a key enzyme of sinapate ester biosynthesis (UDP-glucose:sinapate glucosyltransferase, encoded by the UGT84A9 gene) in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) seeds was performed to reduce the anti-nutritive properties of the seeds by lowering the content of the major seed component sinapine (sinapoylcholine) and various minor sinapate esters. The transgenic seeds have been produced so far to the T6 generation and revealed a steady suppression of sinapate ester accumulation. HPLC analysis of the wild-type and transgenic seeds revealed, as in the previous generations, marked alterations of the sinapate ester pattern of the transformed seeds. Besides strong reduction of the amount of the known sinapate esters, HPLC analysis revealed unexpectedly the appearance of several minor hitherto unknown rapeseed constituents. These compounds were isolated and identified by mass spectrometric and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Structures of 11 components were elucidated to be 4-O-glucosides of syringate, caffeyl alcohol and its 7,8-dihydro derivative as well as of sinapate and sinapine, along with sinapoylated kaempferol glycosides, a hexoside of a cyclic spermidine alkaloid and a sinapine derivative with an ether-bridge to a C(6)-C(3)-unit. These results indicate a strong impact of the transgenic approach on the metabolic network of phenylpropanoids in B. napus seeds. Silencing of UGT84A9 gene expression disrupt the metabolic flow through sinapoylglucose and alters the amounts and nature of the phenylpropanoid endproducts.

Genetic analyses of agronomic and seed quality traits of synthetic oilseed Brassica napus produced from interspecific hybridization of B. campestris and B. oleracea

The heritability, the number of segregating genes and the type of gene interaction of nine agronomic traits were analysed based on F2 populations of synthetic oilseed Brassica napus produced from interspecific hybridization of B. campestris and B. oleracea through ovary culture. The nine traits-plant height, stem width, number of branches, length of main raceme, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, length of pod, seed weight per plant and 1000-seed weight-had heritabilities of 0.927, 0.215, 0.172, 0.381, 0.360, 0.972, 0.952, 0.516 and 0.987 respectively, while the mean numbers of controlling genes for these characters were 7.4, 10.4, 9.9, 12.9, 11.5, 21.7, 20.5, 19.8 and 6.4 respectively. According to estimated coefficients of skewness and kurtosis of the traits tested, no significant gene interaction was found for plant height, stem width, number of branches, length of main raceme, number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight. Seed yield per plant is an important target for oilseed production. In partial correlation analysis, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight were positively correlated with seed yield per plant. On the other hand, length of pod was negatively correlated (r = -0.69) with seed yield per plant. Other agronomic characters had no significant correlation to seed yield per plant. In this experiment, the linear regressions of seed yield per plant and other agronomic traits were also analysed. The linear regression equation was y = 0.074x8 + 1.819x9 + 6.72x12- 60.78 (R2= 0.993), where x8, x9 and x12 represent number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight respectively. The experiment also showed that erucic acid and oil contents of seeds from F2 plants were lower than those of their maternal parents. However, glucosinolate content was higher than that of the maternal plants. As for protein content, similar results were found in the F2 plants and their maternal parents. It was shown that the four quality traits, i.e. erucic acid, glucosinolate, oil content, and protein content, had heritability values of 0.614, 0.405, 0.153 and 0.680 respectively.

Control of storage-product synthesis in seeds

Seeds provide humans with much of their diet and have been targets for improvement for millennia. The recent development of a range of methodologies for investigating the control of seed metabolism will allow rapid progress towards understanding this process in the future. In situ measurements of metabolite concentrations, in combination with the localisation of gene expression, in developing legume seeds have led to the description of detailed models of the control of starch and protein synthesis. In oilseeds, the application of recently developed 13C-labelling methods allows the quantification of carbon fluxes through individual pathways in the cytosol and plastid. Molecular and genetic approaches are being used in combination to probe both the importance of individual steps in the pathways of storage-product synthesis and potential regulators of the entire process.

Heating decreases epithiospecifier protein activity and increases sulforaphane formation in broccoli

Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate from broccoli, is one of the most potent food-derived anticarcinogens. This compound is not present in the intact vegetable, rather it is formed from its glucosinolate precursor, glucoraphanin, by the action of myrosinase, a thioglucosidase enzyme, when broccoli tissue is crushed or chewed. However, a number of studies have demonstrated that sulforaphane yield from glucoraphanin is low, and that a non-bioactive nitrile analog, sulforaphane nitrile, is the primary hydrolysis product when plant tissue is crushed at room temperature. Recent evidence suggests that in Arabidopsis, nitrile formation from glucosinolates is controlled by a heat-sensitive protein, epithiospecifier protein (ESP), a non-catalytic cofactor of myrosinase. Our objectives were to examine the effects of heating broccoli florets and sprouts on sulforaphane and sulforaphane nitrile formation, to determine if broccoli contains ESP activity, then to correlate heat-dependent changes in ESP activity, sulforaphane content and bioactivity, as measured by induction of the phase II detoxification enzyme quinone reductase (QR) in cell culture. Heating fresh broccoli florets or broccoli sprouts to 60 degrees C prior to homogenization simultaneously increased sulforaphane formation and decreased sulforaphane nitrile formation. A significant loss of ESP activity paralleled the decrease in sulforaphane nitrile formation. Heating to 70 degrees C and above decreased the formation of both products in broccoli florets, but not in broccoli sprouts. The induction of QR in cultured mouse hepatoma Hepa lclc7 cells paralleled increases in sulforaphane formation.

Development of high-oleic, low-linolenic acid Ethiopian-mustard (Brassica carinata) germplasm

Seed oil of current zero erucic-acid germplasm of Ethiopian mustard ( Brassica carinata A. Braun) is characterized by a low concentration of oleic acid and high concentrations of linoleic and linolenic acids. Sources of increased oleic-acid (HO) and reduced linolenic-acid (LL) concentration have been developed separately in high erucic-acid germplasm. The objectives of the present research were to study the inheritance of the HO and LL traits in crosses HO x LL, and to develop HOLL recombinants, both in high erucic-acid and zero erucic-acid backgrounds. The HO mutant N2-3591 (about 20% oleic acid compared to 9% in conventional high erucic-acid materials), was reciprocally crossed with the LL lines N2-4961 and HF-186 (both with about 5% linolenic acid compared to 12% in standard high erucic-acid materials). Increased oleic acid concentration of N2-3591 was found to be controlled by alleles at one locus (Ol), whereas three different loci for reduced linolenic-acid concentration (Ln, Ln1 and Ln2) were identified in N2-4961 and HF-186. Crosses between N2-3591 and N2-4961 generated HOLL recombinants where levels of increased oleic-acid and reduced linolenic-acid were similar to those of the parents. However, a transgressive segregation for oleic acid was observed in crosses between N2-3591 and HF-186, where F(2) seeds with up to 29.7% oleic acid were obtained, in comparison to an upper limit of 25.1% in the N2-3591 parent grown in the same environment. The transgressive increased oleic-acid was expressed in the F(3) generation and was attributed to the presence of a second locus, designated Ol2. The transgressive trait was transferred to the zero erucic-acid line 25X-1, resulting in a zero erucic-acid germplasm with very high oleic-acid concentration (83.9% compared to 32.9% in 25X-1) and low linolenic-acid concentration (5.0% compared to 16% in 25X-1). Additionally, two other lines exhibiting different stable levels of increased oleic-acid (70.7% and 79.5%, respectively) and reduced levels of linolenic-acid (7.5% and 8.7%, respectively) were isolated.

Development of an AFLP-based linkage map and localization of QTLs for seed fatty acid content in condiment mustard (Brassica juncea)

A genetic linkage map of Brassica juncea based on AFLP and RAPD markers was constructed using 131 F1-derived doubled-haploid (DH) plants from a cross between two mustard lines. The map included 273 markers (264 AFLP, 9 RAPD) arranged on 18 linkage groups, and covered a total genetic distance of 1641 cM; 18.3% of the AFLP markers showed a segregation distortion (P < 0.01). The markers with biased segregation were clustered on seven linkage groups. QTLs for oil contents, palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic acid (18:3), eicosenoic acid (20:1), and erucic acid (22:1), were mapped on the AFLP linkage map. Correlation studies among fatty acids in the DH population and the localization of QTLs involved in their control indicated that a major gene located on linkage group (LG) 2 controlled the elongation step of erucic acid.

Single column approach for the liquid chromatographic separation of polar and non-polar glucosinolates from broccoli sprouts and seeds

Ion-pair and hydrophilic interaction chromatographies are considered to be complementary methods of choice for analyzing intact glucosinolates from broccoli. Ion-pair chromatography resolves non-polar glucosinolates, such as those containing indole moieties, while hydrophilic interaction chromatography is superior for separating polar glucosinolates, such as glucoraphanin and glucoiberin. Reversed-phase separations using hydrophilic endcapped C18-bonded silica and a 50 mM ammonium acetate-methanol gradient mobile phase resolve both polar and non-polar glucosinolates negating the need for switching columns.

Acyl-CoA elongase expression during seed development in Brassica napus

The Bn-FAE1.1 and Bn-FAE1.2 genes encode the 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase, a component of the elongation complex responsible for the synthesis of very long chain monounsaturated fatty acids (VLCMFA) in the seeds of Brassica napus. Bn-FAE1 gene expression was studied during seed development using two different cultivars: Gaspard, a high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR), and ISLR4, a low erucic acid rapeseed (LEAR). The mRNA developmental profiles were similar for the two cultivars, the maximal expression levels being measured at 8 weeks after pollination (WAP) in HEAR and at 9 WAP in LEAR. Differential expression of Bn-FAE1.1 and Bn-FAE1.2 genes was also studied. In each cultivar the same expression profile was observed for both genes, but Bn-FAE1.2 was expressed at a lower level than Bn-FAE1.1. Secondly, VLCMFA synthesis was measured using particulate fractions prepared from maturating seeds harvested weekly after pollination. The oleoyl-CoA and ATP-dependent elongase activities increased from the 4th WAP in HEAR and reached the maximal level at 8 WAP, whereas both activities were absent in LEAR. In contrast, the 3-hydroxy dehydratase, a subunit of the elongase complex, had a similar activity in both cultivars and reached a maximum from 7 to 9 WAP. Finally, antibodies against the 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase revealed a protein of 57 kDa present only in HEAR. Our results show: (i) that both genes are transcribed in HEAR and LEAR cultivars; (ii) that they are coordinately regulated; (iii) that Bn-FAE1.1 is quantitatively the major isoform expressed in seeds; (iv) that the Bn-FAE1 gene encodes a protein of 57 kDa responsible for the 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase activity.

Role of ethylene in cotyledon development of microspore-derived embryos of Brassica napus

Ethylene production during seed development in Brassica napus occurs first at 20 d after pollination (DAP), while a second greater peak occurs at 35 DAP. Because of the inaccessible location of the embryo within the maternal tissue, microspore-derived embryos (MDEs) of B. napus were used as a model for studying the role of ethylene during embryo development. The MDEs also produced a peak in ethylene evolution at 20 DAC (i.e. the early cotyledonary stage), dropping to minimal levels by 25-30 DAC. At 20 DAC the excised cotyledon evolved 85% of the ethylene found in the whole MDE. To determine the role of ethylene, MDEs were treated with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis), CoCl(2) (an inhibitor of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase), and silver thiosulphate (STS, an inhibitor of ethylene action). An inhibition in ethylene production or action at 20 DAC resulted in diminished lateral cotyledon expansion, due to a reduction in the lateral expansion of cells within the cotyledon. Recovery to 'control-type' levels of cotyledon cell expansion was achieved by application of ACC (the metabolic precursor of ethylene) to AVG-treated MDEs. Thus, ethylene production at 20 DAP likely controls cotyledon expansion during embryo development.

Changes in tocopherol and plastochromanol-8 contents in seeds and oil of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) during storage as influenced by temperature and air oxygen

The changes in tocopherol and plastochromanol-8 contents in seeds and oil of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were studied during a storage period of 24 weeks at different incubation temperatures and exposure to air oxygen (open and closed flasks). In the extracted oil, total tocopherol content remained unaltered at 5 and 20 degrees C throughout the 24 weeks of storage. At 40 degrees C, a beginning degradation was observed already after 4 weeks in both open and closed flasks; the alpha-tocopherol content was affected most, followed by gamma-tocopherol and plastochromanol-8. After 16 weeks at 40 degrees C, the total tocopherol content in the oil was reduced by more than 90%. In intact seeds, no tocopherol degradation was observed; only the seeds incubated at 40 degrees C and in open flasks showed slightly lower tocopherol contents. However, the analysis of the tocopherol composition in the stored seeds showed a decrease in the alpha-tocopherol content and an increase in the gamma-tocopherol content, which resulted in a decreasing alpha-/gamma-tocopherol ratio. This trend was most apparent at 40 degrees C and after 24 weeks of storage. A reduction of plastochromanol-8 occurred only at 40 degrees C and was more pronounced in open flasks. At 40 degrees C and in closed flasks a gradual increase in the content of alpha-tocotrienol was observed, a compound normally not accumulated in rapeseed.

Coordinate changes in carbon partitioning and plastidial metabolism during the development of oilseed rape embryos

Measurements of metabolic fluxes in whole embryos and isolated plastids have revealed major changes in the pathways of carbon utilization during cotyledon filling by oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) embryos. In the early cotyledon stage (stage A), embryos used sucrose (Suc) predominantly for starch synthesis. Plastids isolated from these embryos imported glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) and partitioned it to starch and fatty acids synthesis and to the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway in the ratio of 2:1:1 on a hexose basis. Of the substrates tested, Glc-6-P gave the highest rates of fatty acid synthesis by the plastids and pyruvate was used weakly. By the mid- to late-cotyledon stage (stage C), oil accumulation by the embryos was rapid, as was their utilization of Suc for oil synthesis in vitro. Plastids from C-stage embryos differed markedly from those of stage-A embryos: (a) pyruvate uptake and utilization for fatty acid synthesis increased by respectively 18- and 25-fold; (b) Glc-6-P partitioning was predominantly to the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (respective ratios of 1:1:3); and (c) the rate of plastidial fatty acid synthesis more than doubled. This increased rate of fatty synthesis was dependent upon the increase in pyruvate uptake and was mediated through the induction of a saturable transporter activity.

Pollination and embryo development in Brassica rapa L. in microgravity

Plant reproduction under spaceflight conditions has been problematic in the past. In order to determine what aspect of reproductive development is affected by microgravity, we studied pollination and embryo development in Brassica rapa L. during 16 d in microgravity on the space shuttle (STS-87). Brassica is self-incompatible and requires mechanical transfer of pollen. Short-duration access to microgravity during parabolic flights on the KC-135A aircraft was used initially to confirm that equal numbers of pollen grains could be collected and transferred in the absence of gravity. Brassica was grown in the Plant Growth Facility flight hardware as follows. Three chambers each contained six plants that were 13 d old at launch. As these plants flowered, thin colored tape was used to indicate the date of hand pollination, resulting in silique populations aged 8-15 d postpollination at the end of the 16-d mission. The remaining three chambers contained dry seeds that germinated on orbit to produce 14-d-old plants just beginning to flower at the time of landing. Pollen produced by these plants had comparable viability (93%) with that produced in the 2-d-delayed ground control. Matched-age siliques yielded embryos of equivalent developmental stage in the spaceflight and ground control treatments. Carbohydrate and protein storage reserves in the embryos, assessed by cytochemical localization, were also comparable. In the spaceflight material, growth and development by embryos rescued from siliques 15 d after pollination lagged behind the ground controls by 12 d; however, in the subsequent generation, no differences between the two treatments were found. The results demonstrate that while no stage of reproductive development in Brassica is absolutely dependent upon gravity, lower embryo quality may result following development in microgravity.

The embryo MADS domain factor AGL15 acts postembryonically. Inhibition of perianth senescence and abscission via constitutive expression

AGL15 (AGAMOUS-like 15), a member of the MADS domain family of regulatory factors, accumulates preferentially throughout the early stages of the plant life cycle. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and possible roles of postembryonic accumulation of AGL15. Using a combination of reporter genes, RNA gel blot analysis, and immunochemistry, we found that the AGL15 protein accumulates transiently in the shoot apex in young Arabidopsis and Brassica seedlings and that promoter activity is associated with the shoot apex and the base of leaf petioles throughout the vegetative phase. During the reproductive phase, AGL15 accumulates transiently in floral buds. When AGL15 was expressed in Arabidopsis under the control of a strong constitutive promoter, we noted a striking increase in the longevity of the sepals and petals as well as delays in a selected set of age-dependent developmental processes, including the transition to flowering and fruit maturation. Although ethylene has been implicated in many of these same processes, the effects of AGL15 could be clearly distinguished from the effects of the ethylene resistant1-1 mutation, which confers dominant insensitivity to ethylene. By comparing the petal breakstrength (the force needed to remove petals) for flowers of different ages, we determined that ectopic AGL15 had a novel effect: the breakstrength of petals initially declined, as occurs in the wild type, but was then maintained at an intermediate value over a prolonged period. Abscission-associated gene expression and structural changes were also altered in the presence of ectopic AGL15.

Oxygen-depleted zones inside reproductive structures of Brassicaceae: implications for oxygen control of seed development

Growth of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. in decreasing oxygen partial pressures revealed a linear decrease in seed production below 15 kPa, with a complete absence of seed production at 2.5 kPa oxygen. This control of plant reproduction by oxygen had previously been attributed to an oxygen effect on the partitioning between vegetative and reproductive growth. However, plants grown in a series of decreasing oxygen concentrations produced progressively smaller embryos that had stopped developing at progressively younger stages, suggesting instead that their growth is limited by oxygen. Internal oxygen concentrations of buds, pistils, and developing siliques of Brassica rapa L. and siliques of Arabidopsis were measured using a small-diameter glass electrode that was moved into the structures using a micromanipulator. Oxygen partial pressures were found to be lowest in the developing perianth (11.1 kPa) and pistils (15.2 kPa) of the unopened buds. Pollination reduced oxygen concentration inside the pistils by 3 kPa after just 24 h. Inside Brassica silique locules, partial pressures of oxygen averaged 12.2 kPa in darkness, and increased linearly with increasing light levels to 16.2 kPa. Measurements inside Arabidopsis siliques averaged 6.1 kPa in the dark and rose to 12.2 kPa with light. Hypoxia in these microenvironments is postulated to be the point of control of plant reproduction by oxygen.

[Biological life support systems: investigations on board of orbital complex "Mir"]

From 1989 till 1998 twelve experiments were performed by Bulgarian, Russian, Slovak, and US researchers and engineers on the effects of space flight on the model of ecosystem "algae-fishes-bacteria", and ontogenesis of birds (Japanese quail) and higher plants. For the first time several viable chicks were hatched and passed the whole cycle of their embryonic development in the MIR microgravity. The length of the plant ontogenetic cycle as a whole and its specific stages appeared to be same as on Earth. Seeds of Brassica rapa gathered and planted in greenhouse Svet on board MIR yielded robust shoots. Photosynthesis and dark respiration of plants growing in spaceflight were successfully measured.

The MADS-domain protein AGAMOUS-like 15 accumulates in embryonic tissues with diverse origins

AGL15 (AGAMOUS-like 15), a member of the MADS-domain family of regulatory factors, accumulates preferentially in the organs and tissues derived from double fertilization in flowering plants (i.e. the embryo, suspensor, and endosperm). The developmental role of AGL15 is still undefined. If it is involved in embryogenesis rather than some other aspect of seed biology, then AGL15 protein should accumulate whenever development proceeds in the embryonic mode, regardless of the origin of those embryos or their developmental context. To test this, we used AGL15-specific antibodies to analyze apomictic embryogenesis in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), microspore embryogenesis in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). In every case, AGL15 accumulated to relatively high levels in the nuclei of the embryos. AGL15 also accumulated in cotyledon-like organs produced by the xtc2 (extra cotyledon2) mutant of Arabidopsis and during precocious germination in oilseed rape. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of AGL15 appeared to be developmentally regulated in all embryogenic situations. AGL15 was initially present in the cytoplasm of cells and became nuclear localized before or soon after embryogenic cell divisions began. These results support the hypothesis that AGL15 participates in the regulation of programs active during the early stages of embryo development.

Molecular characterisation of plant cDNAs BnMAP4Kalpha1 and BnMAP4Kalpha2 belonging to the GCK/SPS1 subfamily of MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase

Several yeast and mammal MAP kinase modules require, upstream of their MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), a MAP3K kinase (MAP4K). An Arabidopsis thaliana EST clone, sharing identity to MAP4Ks from yeast and mammals, has been used to isolate cDNA clones from a Brassica napus microspore-derived embryo cDNA library. The BnMAP4Kalpha1 and BnMAP4K-alpha2 clones encode putative proteins possessing the 12 subdomains of the serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain. A detailed analysis showed that they belong to the GCK/SPS1 subfamily of MAP4K proteins which possess an amino terminal catalytic domain and a long carboxy terminal tail. A Southern blot analysis suggested that the two proteins are encoded by a small multigene family. Expression studies revealed the presence of BnMAP4Kalpha1 and -alpha2 transcripts in all the tissues examined; however, they are most abundant in roots, siliques and flower buds. The expression of BnMAP4Kalpha1 and -alpha2 at the three main developmental stages of microspore-derived embryos (i.e., globular/heart, torpedo and cotyledonary) was confirmed by northern blot and RT-PCR analysis. An expression analysis of the above genes using synchronised Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspensions showed that the homologues genes are cell cycle regulated.

Auxin-induced developmental patterns in Brassica juncea embryos

To investigate the mechanism of auxin action during pattern formation in dicot embryos, we tested the effects of the natural auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the auxin transport inhibitor N-(1-naphthyl)thalamic acid (NPA) and the antiauxin p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (PCIB). In vitro treatments of isolated zygotic Brassica juncea embryos with these substances led to a wide range of morphogenetic alterations. Treatment of globular embryos with exogenous auxin (10-40 microM) either completely inhibited morphogenesis, resulting in ball-shaped embryos, or caused the development of egg- and cucumber-shaped embryos, which only consisted of a shortened hypocotyl without any apical structures. Axis duplication was observed sometimes after inhibition of auxin transport in globular embryos, and led to the development of twin embryos. During the transition from globular to heart stage, changes in auxin distribution or activity frequently caused the development of either split-collar or collar-cotyledons. Antiauxin inhibited cotyledon growth, leading to embryos with single or no cotyledons, or inhibited the development of the hypocotyl and the radicle. Inhibition of auxin transport in transition embryos sometimes led to axis broadening, which resulted in the development of two radicles. The described changes in embryo shapes represent arrests in different auxin-regulated developmental steps and phenocopy some Arabidopsis morphogenetic mutants.

Developmental stage-specific and nitrate-independent regulation of nitrate reductase gene expression in rapeseed

cDNA clones for two isogenes of nitrate reductase (NR) have been isolated from rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) androgenetic haploid embryos induced by microspore culture. NR mRNA accumulation can be detected by northern hybridization at 14 d after culture initiation when embryos develop to the heart/torpedo-shaped stage. Whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments demonstrate that the mRNA accumulation is developmental stage specific. In addition, even when cultured in media containing no nitrate, embryos accumulated NR mRNA to almost the same level as the control. This indicates the unique regulation of NR in embryogenesis in which NR mRNA transcription is activated in a developmental stage-specific manner that is independent of nitrate induction. In zygotic embryogenesis, a stage-specific accumulation of NR mRNA was also observed. By contrast, the obvious effect of nitrate on NR expression that has been reported in many plant species was also confirmed in rapeseed leaf. Quantitative combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis suggests that the flexible and variable regulation of NR expression, which is organ specific, nitrogen metabolite specific, and developmental stage specific, is caused principally by regulation of one major structural gene.

AGL15, a MADS domain protein expressed in developing embryos

To extend our knowledge of genes expressed during early embryogenesis, the differential display technique was used to identify and isolate mRNA sequences that accumulate preferentially in young Brassica napus embryos. One of these genes encodes a new member of the MADS domain family of regulatory proteins; it has been designated AGL15 (for AGAMOUS-like). AGL15 shows a novel pattern of expression that is distinct from those of previously characterized family members. RNA gel blot analyses and in situ hybridization techniques were used to demonstrate that AGL15 mRNA accumulated primarily in the embryo and was present in all embryonic tissues, beginning at least as early as late globular stage in B. napus. Genomic and cDNA clones corresponding to two AGL15 genes from B. napus and the homologous single-copy gene from Arabidopsis, which is located on chromosome 5, were isolated and analyzed. Antibodies prepared against overexpressed Brassica AGL15 lacking the conserved MADS domain were used to probe immunoblots, and AGL15-related proteins were found in embryos of a variety of angiosperms, including plants as distantly related as maize. Based on these data, we suggest that AGL15 is likely to be an important component of the regulatory circuitry directing seed-specific processes in the developing embryo.

Expression of the BnmNAP subfamily of napin genes coincides with the induction of Brassica microspore embryogenesis

Brassica napus cv. Topas microspores can be diverted from pollen development toward haploid embryo formation in culture by subjecting them to a heat stress treatment. We show that this switch in developmental pathways is accompanied by the induction of high levels of napin seed storage protein gene expression. Changes in the plant growth or microspore culture conditions were not by themselves sufficient to induce napin gene expression. Specific members of the napin multigene family were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from microspores that had been induced to undergo embryogenesis. The majority of napin clones represented three members (BnmNAP2, BnmNAP3 and BnmNAP4) that, along with a previously isolated napin genomic clone (BngNAP1), constitute the highly conserved BnmNAP subfamily of napin genes. Both RNA gel blot analysis, using a subfamily-specific probe, and histochemical analysis of transgenic plants expressing a BngNAP1 promoter-beta-glucuronidase gene fusion demonstrated that the BnmNAP subfamily is expressed in embryogenic microspores as well as during subsequent stages of microsporic embryo development.

Isolation of cDNAs from Brassica napus encoding the biotin-binding and transcarboxylase domains of acetyl-CoA carboxylase: assignment of the domain structure in a full-length Arabidopsis thaliana genomic clone

One independent and two overlapping rape cDNA clones have been isolated from a rape embryo library. We have shown that they encode a 2.3 kb and a 2.5 kb stretch of the full-length acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) cDNA, corresponding to the biotin-binding and transcarboxylase domains respectively. Using the cDNA in Northern-blot analysis we have shown that the mRNA for ACCase has a higher level of expression in rape seed than in rape leaf and has a full length of 7.5 kb. The level of expression during rape embryogenesis was compared with both oil deposition and expression of two fatty acid synthetase components enoyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) reductase and 3-oxoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) reductase. Levels of ACCase mRNA were shown to peak at 29 days after anthesis during embryonic development, similarly to enoyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) reductase and 3-oxoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) reductase mRNA. In addition, a full-length genomic clone (19 kb) of Arabidopsis ACCase has been isolated and partially sequenced. Analysis of the clone has allowed the first plant ACCase activity domains (biotin carboxylase-biotin binding-transcarboxylase) to be ordered and assigned. Southern-blot analysis using the Arabidopsis clone indicates that ACCase is a single-copy gene in Arabidopsis but is encoded by a small gene family in rape.

Regulation of an Arabidopsis oleosin gene promoter in transgenic Brassica napus

Progressive deletions of the 5'-flanking sequences of an Arabidopsis oleosin gene were fused to beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and introduced into Brassica napus plants using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The effect of these deletions on the quantitative level of gene expression, organ specificity and developmental regulation was assessed. In addition, the influence of abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), sorbitol and a combined ABA/sorbitol treatment on gene expression was investigated. Sequences that positively regulate quantitative levels of gene expression are present between -1100 to -600 and -400 to -200 of the promoter. In addition, sequences present between -600 and -400 down-regulate quantitative levels of expression. In transgenic B. napus plants, the oleosin promoter directs seed-specific expression of GUS which is present at early stages of seed development and increases throughout seed maturation. Sequences present between -2500 and -1100 of the promoter are involved in modulating the levels of expression at early stages of embryo development. Histochemical staining of embryos demonstrated that expression is uniform throughout the tissues of the embryo. Sequences involved in the response to ABA and sorbitol are present between -400 and -200. The induction of GUS activity by a combined ABA/sorbitol treatment is additive suggesting that ABA is not the sole mediator of osmotically induced oleosin gene expression. A response to JA was only observed when the oleosin promoter was truncated to -600 suggesting that the reported effect of JA on oleosin gene expression may be at a post-transcriptional level.

Differential, temporal and spatial expression of genes involved in storage oil and oleosin accumulation in developing rapeseed embryos: implications for the role of oleosins and the mechanisms of oil-body formation

The temporal and spatial expression of oleosin and delta 9-stearoyl-ACP desaturase genes and their products has been examined in developing embryos of rapeseed, Brassica napus L. var. Topas. Expression of oleosin and stearate desaturase genes was measured by in situ hybridisation at five different stages of development ranging from the torpedo stage to a mature-desiccating embryo. The temporal pattern of gene expression varied dramatically between the two classes of gene. Stearate desaturase gene expression was relatively high, even at the torpedo stage, whereas oleosin gene expression was barely detectable at this stage. By the stage of maximum embryo fresh weight, stearate desaturase gene expression had declined considerably while oleosin gene expression was at its height. In contrast to their differential temporal expression, the in situ labelling of both classes of embryo-specific gene showed similar, relatively uniform patterns of spatial expression throughout the embryo sections. Immunogold labelling of ultra-thin sections from radicle tissue with anti-oleosin antibodies showed similar patterns to sections from cotyledon tissue. However, whereas at least three oleosin isoforms were detectable on western blots of homogenates from cotyledons, only one isoform was found in radicles. This suggests that some of the oleosin isoforms may be expressed differentially in the various types of embryo tissue. The differential timing of stearate desaturase and oleosin gene expression was mirrored by similar differences in the timing of the accumulation of their ultimate products, i.e. storage oil and oleosin proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isolation and characterization of two Brassica napus embryo acyl-ACP thioesterase cDNA clones

Acyl-ACP thioesterases are involved in regulating chain termination of fatty acid biosynthesis in plant systems. Previously, acyl-ACP thioesterase purified from Brassica napus seed tissue has been shown to have a high preference for hydrolysing oleoyl-ACP. Here, oligonucleotides derived from B. napus oleoyl-ACP thioesterase protein sequence data have been used to isolate two acyl-ACP thioesterase clones from a B. napus embryo cDNA library. The two clones, pNL2 and pNL3, contain 1642 bp and 1523 bp respectively and differ in the length of their 3' non-coding regions. Both cDNAs contain open reading frames of 366 amino acids which encode for 42 kDa polypeptides. Mature rape thioesterase has an apparent molecular weight of 38 kDa on SDS-PAGE and these cDNAs therefore encode for precursor forms of the enzyme. This latter finding is consistent with the expected plastidial location of fatty acid synthase enzymes. Northern blot analysis shows thioesterase mRNA size to be ca. 1.6 kb and for the thioesterase genes to be highly expressed in seed tissue coincident with the most active phase of storage lipid synthesis. There is some sequence heterogeneity between the two cDNA clones, but overall they are highly homologous sharing 95.7% identity at the DNA level and 98.4% identity at the amino acid level. Some sequence heterogeneity was also observed between the deduced and directly determined thioesterase protein sequences. Consistent with the observed sequence heterogeneity was Southern blot data showing B. napus thioesterase to be encoded by a small multi-gene family.

Deletion analysis of a 2S seed storage protein promoter of Brassica napus in transgenic tobacco

The promoter and upstream region of the Brassica napus 2S storage protein napA gene were studied to identify cis-acting sequences involved in developmental seed-specific expression. Fragments generated by successive deletions of the 5' control region of the napA gene were fused to the reporter gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS). These constructs were used to transform tobacco leaf discs. Analyses of GUS activities in mature seeds from the transformed plants indicated that there were both negatively and positively acting sequences in the napin gene promoter. Deletion of sequences between -1101 and -309 resulted in increased GUS activity. In contrast, deletion of sequences between -309 and -211 decreased the expression. The minimum sequence required for seed-specific expression was a 196 bp fragment between -152 and +44. Further 5' deletion of the fragment to -126 abolished this activity. Sequence comparison showed that a G box-like sequence and two sequence motifs conserved between 2S storage protein genes are located between -148 to -120. Histochemical and fluorometric analysis of tobacco seeds showed that the spatial and developmental expression pattern was retained in the deletion fragments down to -152. However, the expression in tobacco seeds differed from the spatial and temporal expression in B. napus. In tobacco, the napA promoter directed GUS activity early in the endosperm before any visible activity could be seen in the heart-shaped embryo. Later, during the transition from heart to torpedo stages, the main expression of GUS was localized to the embryo. No significant GUS activity was found in either root or leaf.

Downstream DNA sequences are required to activate a gene expressed in the root cortex of embryos and seedlings

We showed previously that a gene, designated AX92, which is expressed at an early stage of cortex differentiation in the root apex of oilseed rape seedlings, is also expressed in embryos. To compare AX92 gene regulation during embryo-genesis and postembryonic growth, we constructed a chimeric gene consisting of AX92 5' and 3' untranslated and flanking regions fused with a beta-glucuronidase protein coding region. We showed that the chimeric gene is active in both developing cortex cells in the root apical meristems of transgenic oilseed rape seedlings and in cortex cells at the root end of embryonic axes. To determine whether the AX92 gene is regulated by a common mechanism in embryos and seedlings, we analyzed the expression of modified chimeric genes. We showed that the AX92 chimeric gene is regulated combinatorially and that DNA sequences located 3' of the protein coding region are necessary for its activation in the root cortex of both embryos and seedlings. Our results suggest that common regulatory sequences are required to activate the gene in the embryonic and postembryonic root cortex.

Arrest of embryo development in Brassica napus mediated by modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A

Intracellularly expressed cytotoxins are useful tools both to study the action of plant regulatory sequences in transgenic plants and to modify plant phenotype. We have engineered a low mammalian toxicity derivative of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A for intracellular expression in plant cells by fusing the ADP ribosylating domain of the exotoxin gene to plant regulatory sequences. The efficacy of exotoxin A on plant cells was demonstrated by transient expression of the modified exotoxin gene in tobacco protoplasts: the exotoxin gene inhibited the expression of a co-electroporated beta-glucuronidase gene. An exotoxin with an introduced frameshift mutation was also effective at inhibiting beta-glucuronidase expression in the transient assay; the activity of the frameshifted gene was presumably a result of frameshifting during translation or initiation of translation at a codon other than AUG. When fused to napin regulatory sequences, the exotoxin gene specifically arrested embryo development in the seeds of transgenic Brassica napus plants concomitant with the onset of napin expression. The napin/exotoxin chimeric gene did not have the same pattern of expression in tobacco as in B. napus; in addition to exhibiting an inhibition of seed development, the transgenic tobacco plants were male-sterile.

In situ localization of storage protein mRNAs in developing meristems of Brassica napus embryos

Probes derived from cDNA clones of napin and cruciferin, the major storage proteins of Brassica napus, and in situ hybridization techniques were used to examine changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of storage protein messages during the course of embryogeny, with a special emphasis on the developing apical meristems. Napin mRNAs begin to accumulate in the cortex of the axis during late heart stage, in the outer faces of the cotyledons during torpedo stage and in the inner faces of the cotyledons during cotyledon stage. Cruciferin mRNAs accumulate in a similar pattern but approximately 5 days later. Cells in the apical regions where root and shoot meristems develop do not accumulate storage protein messages during early stages of embryogeny. In the upper axis, the boundary between these apical cells and immediately adjacent cells that accumulate napin and cruciferin mRNAs is particularly distinct. Our analysis indicates that this boundary is not related to differences in tissue or cell type, but appears instead to be coincident with the site of a particular set of early cell divisions. A major change in the mRNA accumulation patterns occurs halfway through embryogeny, as the embryos enter maturation stage and start drying down. Final maturation of the shoot apical meristem is associated with the development of leaf primordia and the accumulation of napin mRNAs in the meristem, associated leaf primordia and vascular tissue. Cruciferin mRNAs accumulate only in certain zones of the shoot apical meristem and on the flanks of leaf primordia. Neither type of mRNA accumulates in the root apical meristem at any stage.

Vital fluorescent staining technique for microspores of Brassica napus

The ontogeny of early microspore-derived embryo development was followed using three stains. The stain 3,3'-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide, which previously had been reported to be specific for mitochondria, was observed also to demonstrate the exine of developing microspores of Brassica napus. It provided high contrast when used in combination with Tinapol 5 BM, a stain for cellulosic cell walls, and aided identification of microspores with embryogenic potential. Hoechst 33342, a nuclear stain, alone or in combination with either or both of the other stains, could be used to highlight the nuclear developmental stage of the microspores. This paper describes procedures using these materials for the specific staining of exine, cell wall/intine and nucleus, thereby permitting their fate to be followed during the early phases of microspore-derived embryo development.

Coordinate expression of transcriptionally regulated isocitrate lyase and malate synthase genes in Brassica napus L

We have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of genes encoding the glycoxylate cycle enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase in Brassica napus L. to determine whether they are coordinately expressed. Both enzymes participate in reactions associated with lipid mobilization in oilseed plant seedlings and are sequestered in a specialized organelle, the glyoxysome. We have identified an isocitrate lyase cDNA clone containing the complete protein coding region. RNA blot and in situ hybridization studies with isocitrate lyase and malate synthase cDNA clones from B. napus showed that the genes exhibit similar expression patterns. The mRNAs begin to accumulate during late embryogeny, reach maximal levels in seedling cotyledons, are not detected at significant amounts in leaves, and are distributed similarly in cotyledons and axes of seedlings. Furthermore, transcription studies with isolated nuclei indicate that the genes are controlled primarily although not exclusively at the transcriptional level. We conclude that glyoxysome biogenesis is regulated in part through the coordinate expression of isocitrate lyase and malate synthase genes.

Spatial patterns of gene expression in Brassica napus seedlings: identification of a cortex-specific gene and localization of mRNAs encoding isocitrate lyase and a polypeptide homologous to proteinases

We investigated the spatial expression of three genes that are expressed during seed germination and postgerminative development in Brassica napus L. using in situ hybridization procedures. Two of the mRNAs encode isocitrate lyase and a predicted polypeptide that is homologous to cysteine proteinases. We reported previously that the mRNAs are prevalent primarily in cotyledons of seedlings and accumulate with similar kinetics during postgerminative growth. Here, we show that the two mRNAs are detected in several seedling tissues, but they display different distribution patterns in both cotyledons and root-shoot axes. The third mRNA is abundant in seedling axes and accumulates specifically in the ground meristem and mature cortex of hypocotyls and roots. Distribution of the mRNA in root meristems suggests that the gene product participates in an early event in cortical cell differentiation. Our results provide insight into the physiological processes that characterize seedlings.