Natural ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh (Chernobyl-07) respond to cadmium stress more intensively than the sensitive ecotypes Oasis and Columbia.

Large areas polluted with toxic heavy metals or radionuclides were formed as a side product of rapid industrial development of human society. Plants, due to their sessile nature, should adapt to these challenging genotoxic environmental conditions and develop resistance. Herein, we evaluated the response of three natural ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh (Oasis, Columbia-0, and Chernobyl-07) to cadmium, using discovery gel-based proteomics. These accessions are differing by level of tolerance to heavy metal probably achieved by various exposure to chronic ionizing radiation. Based on the pairwise comparison (control versus cadmium-treated) we recognized 5.8-13.4% of identified proteins as significantly altered at the presence of cadmium. Although the majority of photosynthesis-related proteins were found to be less abundant in all ecotypes it was noted that in contrast to the sensitive variants (Col and Oas), the tolerant Che accession may activate the mechanism preserving photosynthesis and energy production. Also, proteins modulating energy budget through alternative route and mediating higher resistance to heavy metals were upregulated in this ecotype. Although we suggest that regulation of enzymes acting in peptide and protein synthesis, protection of the plants against various abiotic stresses, or those neutralizing the effects of reactive oxygen species are rather associated with general response to cadmium, they were found to be altered more intensively in the Che accession. Thus, the identified affected proteins may represent good candidate molecules for molecular breeding to improve tolerance of crops to heavy metal stress.

Radioactive Chernobyl environment has produced high-oil flax seeds that show proteome alterations related to carbon metabolism during seed development.

Starting in 2007, we have grown soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. variety Soniachna) and flax (Linum usitatissimum, L. variety Kyivskyi) in the radio-contaminated Chernobyl area and analyzed the seed proteomes. In the second-generation flax seeds, we detected a 12% increase in oil content. To characterize the bases for this increase, seed development has been studied. Flax seeds were harvested in biological triplicate at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after flowering and at maturity from plants grown in nonradioactive and radio-contaminated plots in the Chernobyl area for two generations. Quantitative proteomic analyses based on 2-D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) allowed us to establish developmental profiles for 199 2-DE spots in both plots, out of which 79 were reliably identified by tandem mass spectrometry. The data suggest a statistically significant increased abundance of proteins associated with pyruvate biosynthesis via cytoplasmic glycolysis, L-malate decarboxylation, isocitrate dehydrogenation, and ethanol oxidation to acetaldehyde in early stages of seed development. This was followed by statistically significant increased abundance of ketoacyl-[acylcarrier protein] synthase I related to condensation of malonyl-ACP with elongating fatty acid chains. On the basis of these and previous data, we propose a preliminary model for plant adaptation to growth in a radio-contaminated environment. One aspect of the model suggests that changes in carbon assimilation and fatty acid biosynthesis are an integral part of plant adaptation.

Secretome analysis revealed that cell wall remodeling and starch catabolism underlie the early stages of somatic embryogenesis in Pinus nigra.

Somatic embryogenesis is an efficient mean for rapid micropropagation and preservation of the germplasm of valuable coniferous trees. Little is known about how the composition of secretome tracks down the level of embryogenic capacity. Unlike embryogenic tissue on solid medium, suspension cell cultures enable the study of extracellular proteins secreted into a liquid cultivation medium, avoiding contamination from destructured cells. Here, we present proteomic data of the secretome of Pinus nigra cell lines with contrasting embryogenic capacity, accounting for variability between genotypes. Our results showed that cell wall-related and carbohydrate-acting proteins were the most differentially accumulated. Peroxidases, extensin, α-amylase, plant basic secretory family protein (BSP), and basic secretory protease (S) were more abundant in the medium from the lines with high embryogenic capacity. In contrast, the medium from the low embryogenic capacity cell lines contained a higher amount of polygalacturonases, hothead protein, and expansin, which are generally associated with cell wall loosening or softening. These results corroborated the microscopic findings in cell lines with low embryogenic capacity-long suspensor cells without proper assembly. Furthermore, proteomic data were subsequently validated by peroxidase and α-amylase activity assays, and hence, we conclude that both tested enzyme activities can be considered potential markers of high embryogenic capacity.

Mass spectrometry-based analysis of proteomic changes in the root tips of flooded soybean seedlings.

Flooding injury is a major problem in soybean cultivation. A proteomics approach was used to clarify the occurrence of changes in protein expression level and phosphorylation in soybeans under flooding stress. Two-day-old seedlings were flooded for 1 day, proteins were extracted from root tips of the seedlings and digested with trypsin, and their expression levels and phosphorylation states were compared to those of untreated controls using mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques. Phosphoproteins were enriched using a phosphoprotein purification column prior to digestion and mass spectrometry. The expression of proteins involved in energy production increased as a result of flooding, while expression of proteins involved in protein folding and cell structure maintenance decreased. Flooding induced changes of phosphorylation status of proteins involved in energy generation, protein synthesis and cell structure maintenance. The response to flooding stress may be regulated by both modulation of protein expression and phosphorylation state. Energy-demanding and production-related metabolic pathways may be particularly subject to regulation by changes in protein phosphorylation during flooding.

Using proteomics to study sexual reproduction in angiosperms.

While a relative latecomer to the postgenomics era of functional biology, the application of mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis has increased exponentially over the past 10 years. Some of this increase is the result of transition of chemists, physicists, and mathematicians to the study of biology, and some is due to improved methods, increased instrument sensitivity, and better techniques of bioinformatics-based data analysis. Proteomic Biological processes are typically studied in isolation, and seldom are efforts made to coordinate results obtained using structural, biochemical, and molecular-genetic strategies. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis can serve as a platform to bridge these disparate results and to additionally incorporate both temporal and anatomical considerations. Recently, proteomic analyses have transcended their initial purely descriptive applications and are being employed extensively in studies of posttranslational protein modifications, protein interactions, and control of metabolic networks. Herein, we provide a brief introduction to sample preparation, comparison of gel-based versus gel-free methods, and explanation of data analysis emphasizing plant reproductive applications. We critically review the results from the relatively small number of extant proteomics-based analyses of angiosperm reproduction, from flowers to seedlings, and speculate on the utility of this strategy for future developments and directions.

Proteomics analysis of flax grown in Chernobyl area suggests limited effect of contaminated environment on seed proteome.

The accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) on April 26, 1986 is the most serious nuclear disaster in human history. Surprisingly, while the area proximal to the CNPP remains substantially contaminated with long-lived radioisotopes including (90)Sr and (137)Cs, the local ecosystem has been able to adapt. To evaluate plant adaptation, seeds of a local flax (Linum usitatissimum) variety Kyivskyi were sown in radio-contaminated and control fields of the Chernobyl region. A total protein fraction was isolated from mature seeds, and analyzed using 2-dimensional electrophoresis combined with tandem-mass spectrometry. Interestingly, growth of the plants in the radio-contaminated environment had little effect on proteome and only 35 protein spots differed in abundance (p-value of ≤0.05) out of 720 protein spots that were quantified for seeds harvested from both radio-contaminated and control fields. Of the 35 differentially abundant spots, 28 proteins were identified using state-of-the-art MS(E) method. Based on the observed changes, the proteome of seeds from plants grown in radio-contaminated soil display minor adjustments to multiple signaling pathways.

Soybean recovery from stress imposed by multigenerational growth in contaminated Chernobyl environment.

Ionizing radiation is a genotoxic anthropogenic stressor. It can cause heritable changes in the plant genome, which can be either adaptive or detrimental. There is still considerable uncertainty about the effects of chronic low-intensity doses since earlier studies reported somewhat contradictory conclusions. Our project focused on the recovery from the multiyear chronic ionizing radiation stress. Soybean (Glycine max) was grown in field plots located at the Chernobyl exclusion zone and transferred to the clean ground in the subsequent generation. We profiled proteome of mature seeds by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Overall, 15 differentially abundant protein spots were identified in the field comparison and 11 in the recovery generation, primarily belonging to storage proteins, disease/defense, and metabolism categories. Data suggested that during multigenerational growth in a contaminated environment, detrimental heritable changes were accumulated. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured on the late vegetative state, pointing to partial recovery of photosynthesis from stress imposed by contaminating radionuclides. A plausible explanation for the observed phenomena is insufficient provisioning of seeds by lower quality resources, causing a persistent effect in the offspring generation. Additionally, we hypothesized that immunity against phytopathogens was compromised in the contaminated field, but perhaps even primed in the clean ground, yet this idea requires direct functional validation in future experiments. Despite showing clear signs of physiological recovery, one season was not enough to normalize biochemical processes. Overall, our data contribute to the more informed agricultural radioprotection.

Somatic Embryogenesis in Selected Conifer Trees Pinus nigra Arn. and Abies Hybrids.

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved in the conifers Pinus nigra Arn. and in the hybrids Abies alba ×A. cephalonica and Abies alba ×A. numidica. For initiation of embryogenic tissue in P. nigra, immature zygotic embryos enclosed in megagametophytes were used. The initiated embryogenic cultures were maintained and proliferated on solid culture medium DCR supplemented with 9 µM 2,4-D and 2.2 µM BA. Microscopic investigations revealed the presence of bipolar early somatic embryos in proliferating tissue. Suspension cultures have also been established by resuspending the embryogenic tissue in liquid culture medium. Experimentation with abscisic acid concentration resulted in successful somatic embryo maturation. Besides abscisic acid, the carbohydrate content or higher concentration of gelling agent in maturation medium were also important requirements for somatic embryo maturation. Germination of cotyledonary somatic embryos occurred on hormone-free medium and terminated in somatic seedlings regeneration. The regenerated somatic seedlings were transferred to soil and were capable of successful development. For initiation of embryogenic tissue in Abies hybrids juvenile explants as immature or mature zygotic embryos as well as cotyledons were used and 4.4 µM BA as sole plant growth regulator was sufficient. Medium of the same composition was also suitable for their long-term maintenance. Maturation of somatic embryos was achieved on solid DCR medium supplemented with 38 µM abscisic acid, polyethylene glycol (0, 5, 7.5, and 10% PEG-4000) and different carbohydrates such as maltose, sucrose and glucose (each 3%). PEG-4000 stimulated somatic embryo development depending on the carbohydrate source used. Cotyledonary somatic embryos germinated after desiccation treatment and the regenerated somatic seedlings were transferred to soil. Cryopreservation of embryogenic tissue could be an alternative method for long-term maintenance. For cryopreservation the slow-freezing method was used with success. Tissue regeneration in the post thaw period was relatively high and the regenerated tissue produced mature somatic embryos and subsequent plantlets. The embryogenic tissue was also used in experiments focused on genetic transformation either by biolistic (P. nigra) or Agrobacterium-mediated (Abies hybrids) methods. A proteomic study was performed to gain a deeper insight into the early stages of P. nigra somatic embryogenesis.

Insights into the early stage of Pinus nigra Arn. somatic embryogenesis using discovery proteomics.

The somatic embryogenesis in conifers represents a suitable model of plant regeneration system facilitating studies of fundamental aspects of an early development as well as in vitro micropropagation. The aim of our study was to deeper understand the somatic embryogenesis in the conifer tree Pinus nigra Arn. Comparative proteomic analysis based on 2D-PAGE in 1) proliferating embryogenic tissues (E) initiated from immature zygotic embryos, 2) non-embryogenic calli (NEC) initiated from cotyledons of somatic seedlings of the same genotypes, 3) embryogenic tissues that lost the maturation capacity (E-L) of two cell lines (E362, E366). Investigated pine tissues showed distinct structural features. The 24 protein spots were altered in both cell lines in comparison of embryogenic and non-embryogenic tissues. These proteins are involved in disease and defence mechanism, energy metabolism and biosynthesis of cell wall components. Two of three protein spots detected only in embryogenic form of both cell lines are similar to water deficit inducible protein LP3, the third remains uncharacterised. The loss of the maturation capacity was accompanied by changes in 35 and 38 protein spots in 362 and 366 cell lines, respectively. Only two of them were altered in both cell lines, suggesting non-uniform process of ageing. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Somatic embryogenesis in conifers represents an experimental system for the study of early plant development as well as a biotechnological tool for large-scale micropropagation. The obtained results give a new insight into the process of somatic embryogenesis of a conifer Pinus nigra Arn. by revealing differences at proteomic levels among in vitro cultured tissues characterised by different embryogenic potential. Microscopic investigations have also shown differences in the structural organisation of studied tissues.

Do Cupins Have a Function Beyond Being Seed Storage Proteins?

Plants continue to flourish around the site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster. The ability of plants to transcend the radio-contaminated environment was not anticipated and is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proteome of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) during seed filling by plants grown for a third generation near Chernobyl. For this purpose, seeds were harvested at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after flowering and at maturity, from plants grown in either non-radioactive or radio-contaminated experimental fields. Total proteins were extracted and the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) patterns analyzed. This approach established paired abundance profiles for 130 2-DE spots, e.g., profiles for the same spot across seed filling in non-radioactive and radio-contaminated experimental fields. Based on Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by sequential Bonferroni correction, eight of the paired abundance profiles were discordant. Results from tandem mass spectrometry show that four 2-DE spots are discordant because they contain fragments of the cupin superfamily-proteins. Most of the fragments were derived from the N-terminal half of native cupins. Revisiting previously published data, it was found that cupin-fragments were also involved with discordance in paired abundance profiles of second generation flax seeds. Based on these observations we present an updated working model for the growth and reproductive success of flax in a radio-contaminated Chernobyl environment. This model suggests that the increased abundance of cupin fragments or isoforms and monomers contributes to the successful growth and reproduction of flax in a radio-contaminated environment.

Proteomics of field samples in radioactive Chernobyl area.

Two serious nuclear accidents during the past quarter of a century contaminated large agricultural areas with radioactivity. The remediation and possible recovery of radio-contaminated areas for agricultural purposes require comprehensive characterization of plants grown in such places. Here we describe the quantitative proteomics method that we use to analyze proteins isolated from seeds of plants grown in radioactive Chernobyl zone.

Proteomic insights into intra- and intercellular plant-bacteria symbiotic association during root nodule formation.

Over the last several decades, there have been a large number of studies done on the all aspects of legumes and bacteria which participate in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. The analysis of legume-bacteria interaction is not just a matter of numerical complexity in terms of variants of gene products that can arise from a single gene. Bacteria regulate their quorum-sensing genes to enhance their ability to induce conjugation of plasmids and symbiotic islands, and various protein secretion mechanisms; that can stimulate a collection of chain reactions including species-specific combinations of plant-secretion isoflavonoids, complicated calcium signaling pathways and autoregulation of nodulation mechanisms. Quorum-sensing systems are introduced by the intra- and intercellular organization of gene products lead to protein-protein interactions or targeting of proteins to specific cellular structures. In this study, an attempt has been made to review significant contributions related to nodule formation and development and their impacts on cell proteome for better understanding of plant-bacterium interaction mechanism at protein level. This review would not only provide new insights into the plant-bacteria symbiosis response mechanisms but would also highlights the importance of studying changes in protein abundance inside and outside of cells in response to symbiosis. Furthermore, the application to agriculture program of plant-bacteria interaction will be discussed.

Seeds in Chernobyl: the database on proteome response on radioactive environment.

Two serious nuclear accidents during the last quarter century (Chernobyl, 1986 and Fukushima, 2011) contaminated large agricultural areas with radioactivity. The database "Seeds in Chernobyl" (http://www.chernobylproteomics.sav.sk) contains the information about the abundances of hundreds of proteins from on-going investigation of mature and developing seed harvested from plants grown in radioactive Chernobyl area. This database provides a useful source of information concerning the response of the seed proteome to permanently increased level of ionizing radiation in a user-friendly format.

Soybeans grown in the Chernobyl area produce fertile seeds that have increased heavy metal resistance and modified carbon metabolism.

Plants grow and reproduce in the radioactive Chernobyl area, however there has been no comprehensive characterization of these activities. Herein we report that life in this radioactive environment has led to alteration of the developing soybean seed proteome in a specific way that resulted in the production of fertile seeds with low levels of oil and ß-conglycinin seed storage proteins. Soybean seeds were harvested at four, five, and six weeks after flowering, and at maturity from plants grown in either non-radioactive or radioactive plots in the Chernobyl area. The abundance of 211 proteins was determined. The results confirmed previous data indicating that alterations in the proteome include adaptation to heavy metal stress and mobilization of seed storage proteins. The results also suggest that there have been adjustments to carbon metabolism in the cytoplasm and plastids, increased activity of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and decreased condensation of malonyl-acyl carrier protein during fatty acid biosynthesis.

Agricultural recovery of a formerly radioactive area: I. Establishment of high-resolution quantitative protein map of mature flax seeds harvested from the remediated Chernobyl area.

In recent years there has been an increasing tendency toward remediation of contaminated areas for agriculture purposes. The study described herein is part of a comprehensive, long-term characterization of crop plants grown in the area formerly contaminated with radioactivity. As a first step, we have established a quantitative map of proteins isolated from mature flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds harvested from plants grown in a remediated plot localized directly in Chernobyl town. Flax was selected because it is a crop of economic and historical importance, despite the relative paucity of molecular resources. We used 2-dimensional electrophoresis followed by tandem mass spectrometry to establish a high-resolution seed proteome map. This approach yielded quantitative information for 318 protein spots. Genomic sequence resources for flax are very limited, leaving us with an "unknown function" annotation for 38% of the proteins analyzed including several that comprise very large spots. In addition to the seed storage proteins, we were able to reliably identify 82 proteins many of which are involved with central metabolism.

Agricultural recovery of a formerly radioactive area: II. Systematic proteomic characterization of flax seed development in the remediated Chernobyl area.

Molecular characterization of crop plants grown in remediated, formerly radioactive, areas could establish a framework for future agricultural use of these areas. Recently, we have established a quantitative reference map for mature flax seed proteins (Linum usitatissimum L.) harvested from a remediated plot in Chernobyl town. Herein we describe results from our ongoing studies of this subject, and provide a proteomics-based characterization of developing flax seeds harvested from same field. A quantitative approach, based on 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and tandem mass spectrometry, yielded expression profiles for 379 2-DE spots through seed development. Despite the paucity of genomic resources for flax, the identity for 102 proteins was reliably determined. These proteins were sorted into 11 metabolic functional classes. Proteins of unknown function comprise the largest group, and displayed a pattern of decreased abundance throughout seed development. Analysis of the composite expression profiles for metabolic protein classes revealed specific expression patterns during seed development. For example, there was an overall decrease in abundance of the glycolytic enzymes during seed development.