Identification of PP2Cs in six rosaceae species highlights RcPP2C24 as a negative regulator in rose drought tolerance.

Drought is a major environmental stress that limits plant growth, so it's important to identify drought-responsive genes to understand the mechanism of drought response and breed drought-tolerant roses. Protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) plays a crucial role in plant abiotic stress response. In this study, we identified 412 putative PP2Cs from six Rosaceae species. These genes were divided into twelve clades, with clade A containing the largest number of PP2Cs (14.1%). Clade A PP2Cs are known for their important role in ABA-mediated drought stress response; therefore, the analysis focused on these specific genes. Conserved motif analysis revealed that clade A PP2Cs in these six Rosaceae species shared conserved C-terminal catalytic domains. Collinearity analysis indicated that segmental duplication events played a significant role in the evolution of clade A PP2Cs in Rosaceae. Analysis of the expression of 11 clade A RcPP2Cs showed that approximately 60% of these genes responded to drought, high temperature, and salt stress. Among them, RcPP2C24 exhibited the highest responsiveness to both drought and ABA. Furthermore, overexpression of RcPP2C24 significantly reduced drought tolerance in transgenic tobacco by increasing stomatal aperture after exposure to drought stress. The transient overexpression of RcPP2C24 weakened the dehydration tolerance of rose petal discs, while its silencing increased their dehydration tolerance. In summary, our study identified PP2Cs in six Rosaceae species and highlighted the negative role of RcPP2C24 on rose's drought tolerance by inhibiting stomatal closure. Our findings provide valuable insights into understanding the mechanism behind rose's response to drought.

Inactivation, Aggregation and Conformational Changes of Polyphenol Oxidase from Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) Juice Subjected to Thermal and High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Treatment.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) causes the browning reaction in fruits and vegetables and deteriorates the quality. Thermal treatment for enzyme inactivation may result in defects as opposed to high pressure CO2 (HPCD) processing. In this study, the changes in activity, dissociation, aggregation and conformation of purified PPO from thermal and HPCD treated juice were investigated. HPCD exhibited inactivation of PPO at 55⁻65 °C whereas thermal processing alone at the same temperature resulted in PPO still showing activity. Under thermal treatment at 25 and 65 °C, the browning degree was higher (0.39 and 0.24) than for HPCD-treated juice (0.23 and 0.12). Fluorescence and circular dichroism spectral results indicated that HPCD induced large decreases in intensities, revealing a rearrangement of the secondary structure and destruction of the native configuration of the PPO molecule. The particle size distribution (PSD) pattern revealed structural modification leading to initial dissociation and subsequent aggregation of PPO after HPCD treatment. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis exhibited that molecular size of protein was 40 kDa. In conclusion, the HPCD method was found to be more effective than thermal treatment to inactivate PPO. Structural modifications provided better insights into the phenomena of activation and inactivation of PPO.

Polyphenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) varieties.

Phytochemical profiles (phenolic compounds, L-ascorbic acid, antioxidant and PPO activities) of 13 different quince varieties and 5 genotypes were studied. Polyphenols were identified by LC-PDA-QTof/MS and quantified by UPLC-PDA and UPLC-FL. A total of 26 polyphenolic compounds found in quince tissues were identified and presented: 9 flavan-3-ols ((-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, 3 procyanidin dimers and trimers, and 1 tetramer); 8 hydroxycinnamates, derivatives of caffeoylquinic and coumaroylquinic acid; and 9 kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. The content of total polyphenols was between 1709.43 (genotype 'S1') and 3436.56 mg/100 g dry weight ('Leskovac'). Flavan-3-ols, which are the major class of quince polyphenols, represented between 78 and 94% of the total polyphenolic compounds. The activity of PPO enzyme ranged from 709.85 to 1284.59 ΔU/min, and that of L-ascorbic acid ranged from 5.86 to 26.42 mg/100 g. Some quince varieties and their products characterized by a higher content of phenolic compounds may be selected to promote their positive effect on health.

Concentration dependent effects of commonly used pesticides on activation versus inhibition of the quince (Cydonia Oblonga) polyphenol oxidase.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the oxidation of o-diphenols to their respective quinones which undergo autopolymerization and form dark pigments. The interaction of PPO with various substrates and effectors remains the focus of intensive investigations due to the enzyme's key role in pigments biosynthesis including animal melanogenesis and fruit/fungi enzymatic browning. In this study, the effect of a range of commonly used pesticides on the enzyme activity has been evaluated using the purified quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) PPO. The biochemical analysis showed that, in the presence of high pesticide concentrations, the enzyme was competitively inhibited, particularly with benomyl, carbaryl, deltamethrine and parathion methyl for which inhibition constants (K(i)) were 8.3, 5.7, 12 and 4 microM, respectively. At lower pesticide concentrations (2-10 microM), however, the catecholase activity was significantly activated (p<0.01), suggesting a homotropic behavior of these chemical compounds. Furthermore, the use of in silico structure-based analyses, known as computational docking, highlighted the nature of the PPO-pesticides interactions and confirmed the in vitro observations. Catechol substrate and parathion methyl inhibitor showed lower total energy scores of -120.06 and -117.4 3 kcal mol(-1), indicating that these ligands had higher PPO-binding affinities. The obtained data bring to light new pesticide functional features of great interest in the medicinal, agro-chemical and environmental circles.

A kinetic study of p-cresol oxidation by quince fruit polyphenol oxidase.

The monophenolase activity of quince pulp polyphenol oxidase was characterized by extracting samples using a combination of a two-phase partition step in Triton X-114, followed by a PEG 8000/phosphate partition step, and a final ammonium sulfate fractionation between 30 and 75%. The purification method avoids the loss of cresolase activity described in another quince pulp polyphenol oxidase. The activity was characterized by a lag period, whose duration depended on the substrate concentration, the pH, and the presence of catalytic amounts of o-diphenol. By increasing the concentration of o-diphenols, it was possible to evaluate the enzyme activation constant, K(act), which showed a value of 4.5 microM for 4-methylcatechol. A general kinetic mechanism for this enzyme is used to explain the loss of activity that normally occurs during quince pulp polyphenol oxidase purification.

S-RNase-mediated self-incompatibility.

The Solanaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae families all possess an RNase-mediated self-incompatibility mechanism through which their pistils can recognize and reject self-pollen to prevent inbreeding. The highly polymorphic S-locus controls the self-incompatibility interaction, and the S-locus of the Solanaceae has been shown to be a multi-gene complex in excess of 1.3 Mb. To date, the function of only one of the S-locus genes, the S-RNase gene, has been determined. This article reviews the current status of the search for the pollen S-gene and the current models for how S-haplotype specific inhibition of pollen tubes can be accomplished by S-RNases.

Isolation, cloning and expression of a multifunctional O-methyltransferase capable of forming 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-3(2H)-furanone, one of the key aroma compounds in strawberry fruits.

Strawberry fruits contain an uncommon group of key aroma compounds with a 2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone structure. Here, we report on the methylation of 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) to 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMMF) by a S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent O-methyltransferase, the cloning of the corresponding cDNA and characterization of the encoded protein. Northern-hybridization indicated that the Strawberry-OMT specific transcripts accumulated during ripening in strawberry fruits and were absent in root, petiole, leaf and flower. The protein was functionally expressed in E. coli and exhibited a substrate specificity for catechol, caffeic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeoyl CoA and DMHF. A common structural feature of the accepted substrates was a o-diphenolic structure also present in DMHF in its dienolic tautomer. FaOMT is active as a homodimer and the native enzyme shows optimum activity at pH 8.5 and 37 degrees C. It does not require a cofactor for enzymatic activity. Due to the expression pattern of FaOMT and the enzymatic activity in the different stages of fruit ripening we suppose that FaOMT is involved in lignification of the achenes and the vascular bundles in the expanding fruit. In addition, it is concluded that the Strawberry-OMT plays an important role in the biosynthesis of strawberry volatiles such as vanillin and DMMF.

Cloning, expression and immunolocalization pattern of a cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler).

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD; EC 1.1.1.195) catalyses the conversion of p-hydroxy-cinnamaldehydes to the corresponding alcohols and is considered a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis. By a differential screening of a strawberry (Fragariax ananassa cv. Chandler) fruit specific subtractive cDNA library, a full-length clone corresponding to a cad gene was isolated (Fxacad1). Northern blot and quantitative real time PCR studies indicated that the strawberry Fxacad1 gene is expressed in fruits, runners, leaves, and flowers but not in roots. In addition, the gene presented a differential expression in fruits along the ripening process. Moreover, by screening of a strawberry genomic library a cad gene was isolated (Fxacad2). Similar to that found in other cad genes from higher plants, this strawberry cad gene is structured in five exons and four introns. Southern blot analyses suggest that, probably, a small cad gene family exists in strawberry. RT-PCR studies indicated that only the Fxacad1 gene was expressed in all the fruit ripening stages and vegetative tissues analysed. The Fxacad1 cDNA was expressed in E. coli cells and the corresponding protein was used to raise antibodies against the strawberry CAD polypeptide. The antibodies obtained were used for immunolocalization studies. The results showed that the CAD polypeptide was localized in lignifying cells of all the tissues examined (achenes, fruit receptacles, runners, leaves, pedicels, and flowers). Additionally, the cDNA was also expressed in yeast (Pichia pastoris) as an extracellular protein. The recombinant protein showed activity with the characteristic substrates of CAD enzymes from angiosperms, indicating that the gene cloned corresponds to a CAD protein.

Aroma biosynthesis in strawberry: s-adenosylmethionine:furaneol o-methyltransferase activity in ripening fruits.

Among the most important volatile compounds in the aroma of strawberries are 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (Furaneol) and its methoxy derivative (methoxyfuraneol, mesifuran). Three strawberry varieties, Malach, Tamar, and Yael, were assessed for total volatiles, Furaneol, and methoxyfuraneol. The content of these compounds sharply increased during fruit ripening, with maximum values at the ripe stage. An enzymatic activity that transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to Furaneol sharply increases during ripening of strawberry fruits. The in vitro generated methoxyfuraneol was identified by radio-TLC and GC-MS. The partially purified enzyme had a native molecular mass of approximately 80 kDa, with optimum activity at pH 8.5 and 37 degrees C. A high apparent K(m) of 5 mM was calculated for Furaneol, whereas this enzyme preparation apparently accepted as substrates other o-dihydroxyphenol derivatives (such as catechol, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic aldehyde) with much higher affinities (K(m) approximately 105, 130, and 20 microM, respectively). A K(m) for SAM was found to be approximately 5 microM, regardless of the acceptor used. Substrates that contained a phenolic group with only one OH group, such as p-coumaric and trans-ferulic acid, as well as trans-anol and coniferyl alcohol, were apparently not accepted by this activity. It is suggested that Furaneol methylation is mediated by an O-methyltransferase activity and that this activity increases during fruit ripening.

Differential expression patterns of an acidic chitinase and a basic chitinase in the root nodule of Elaeagnus umbellata.

Two cDNA clones encoding chitinase were isolated from a root nodule cDNA library of Elaeagnus umbellata by the hybridization-competition method. The two clones, EuNOD-CHT1 and EuNOD-CHT2, encode for 335 and 317 amino acid residues with the molecular mass of mature proteins being 33.3 and 31.1 kDa, respectively. The two chitinases showed similar protein structures consisting of four domains: hydrophobic signal peptide domain, cysteine-rich chitin-binding domain, hinge domain, and catalytic domain. The EuNOD-CHT1 gene showed similar expression levels in root nodules and leaves, with no detection of transcripts in the roots. The EuNOD-CHT2 gene was expressed at similarly high levels in the roots and root nodules, but at a very low level in the leaves. In situ hybridization showed that EuNOD-CHT1 transcripts were strongly detected in the meristem zone, but weakly detected in the outer cortex layer of the root nodule and in the uninfected cells of the fixation zone. On the other hand, EuNOD-CHT2 transcripts were strongly detected in the infected cells of the fixation zone and central vascular system, but weakly detected in the senescence zone. Our results suggest that the two chitinases may play different biological roles in the root nodule. EuNOD-CHT2 may be involved in a defense response against internal symbionts, external pathogens, or both, while EuNOD-CHT1 may be involved in normal plant development as well as in a defensive role against external pathogens.

Sequence variability of nine cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases in polyploid strawberry.

Little is known about differential gene expression at the molecular level in polyploid plants. Here, we describe the molecular analysis of ApxSC (cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase from a polyploid strawberry) genes. Fifty-three cDNAs encoding ApxSC were isolated from a strawberry fruit cDNA library. These clones were categorized (i) into nine homologous (95 to 99%) gene groups on the basis of their nucleotide sequences and (ii) into four groups of similar (> 98%) polypeptides on the basis of their deduced amino acid sequences. Sequence variation among the gene groups was dispersed throughout the gene, while differences among the polypeptide groups were observed only at three amino acid positions (9, 63, and 233). These results imply that the ApxSC genes show co-dominant expression resulting from multiple alleles. This hypothesis is supported by genomic blots and primer extension analyses.

Trade-offs between male and female reproduction associated with allozyme variation in phosphoglucoisomerase in an annual plant (Clarkia unguiculata: Onagraceae).

The genotype of an individual for allozymes such as phosphoglucoisomerase (Pgi) is often not neutral with regard to fitness. Studies of several taxa have found consistent fitness differences among Pgi genotypes expressing different allozymes. We conducted a greenhouse experiment with Clarkia unguiculata to determine whether allelic variation at the Pgi-C1 locus may affect components of male and female function. We found significant differences in siring success between pollen donors homozygous for different Pgi alleles. When a mixture of pollen was applied to stigmas under conditions of gametophytic competition (more pollen deposited on stigmas than there are ovules available to fertilize), donors homozygous for the C allele of Pgi sired more seeds per fruit than B-allele donors. Differences between genotypes with respect to female fertility per fruit contrasted with the male advantage associated with the C allele. Recipients homozygous for the C allele produced fruits with more aborted seeds and fewer viable seeds than recipients homozygous for the B allele. These results suggest that allelic variation at a single locus may have opposing effects on male and female reproductive success in C. unguiculata, and that trade-offs between the two types of reproductive success could contribute to the maintenance of variation at the Pgi-C1 locus.