Production of an Arabidopsis halleri foliar defensin in Escherichia coli.

AIMS: Production of the recombinant Arabidopsis halleri defensin AhPDF1.1 in a native-like form. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mature AhPDF1.1 cDNA was cloned into pET-28-a(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta. After a denaturing extraction, purification by metal affinity chromatography and CNBr cleavage of the His-tag, a protein without extra amino acids at the N-terminus was obtained. An oxidative folding step was then required to renature the protein that was then purified to homogeneity by a C18 HPLC separation. Mass spectroscopy and circular dichroism analyses showed that the recombinant AhPDF1.1 has the expected molecular mass and 3D-structure features of a folded defensin with four-disulfide bridges. The recombinant protein is active against the filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.6 micromol l(-1). CONCLUSION: The proposed purification protocol produces a native-like defensin suitable for tests of new biological roles. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Plant defensins are essentially known as anti-fungal proteins; however, some unexpected actions on plant cells have recently been discovered. AhPDF1.1, for example, has been shown to confer zinc tolerance. Efficient production of native-like defensins is required to explore the different targets and roles of plant defensins.

The limited importance of size-asymmetric light competition and growth of pioneer species in early secondary forest succession in Vietnam.

It is generally believed that asymmetric competition for light plays a predominant role in determining the course of succession by increasing size inequalities between plants. Size-related growth is the product of size-related light capture and light-use efficiency (LUE). We have used a canopy model to calculate light capture and photosynthetic rates of pioneer species in sequential vegetation stages of a young secondary forest stand. Growth of the same saplings was followed in time as succession proceeded. Photosynthetic rate per unit plant mass (P(mass): mol C g(-1) day(-1)), a proxy for plant growth, was calculated as the product of light capture efficiency [Phi(mass): mol photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) g(-1) day(-1)] and LUE (mol C mol PPFD(-1)). Species showed different morphologies and photosynthetic characteristics, but their light-capturing and light-use efficiencies, and thus P (mass), did not differ much. This was also observed in the field: plant growth was not size-asymmetric. The size hierarchy that was present from the very early beginning of succession remained for at least the first 5 years. We conclude, therefore, that in slow-growing regenerating vegetation stands, the importance of asymmetric competition for light and growth can be much less than is often assumed.

Above-ground biomass investments and light interception of tropical forest trees and lianas early in succession.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crown structure and above-ground biomass investment was studied in relation to light interception of trees and lianas growing in a 6-month-old regenerating forest. METHODS: The vertical distribution of total above-ground biomass, height, diameter, stem density, leaf angles and crown depth were measured for individual plants of three short-lived pioneers (SLPs), four long-lived pioneers (LLPs) and three lianas. Daily light interception per individual Phi(d) was calculated with a canopy model. The model was then used to estimate light interception per unit of leaf mass (Phi(leaf mass)), total above-ground mass (Phi(mass)) and crown structure efficiency (E(a), the ratio of absorbed vs. available light). KEY RESULTS: The SLPs Trema and Ochroma intercepted higher amounts of light per unit leaf mass (Phi(leaf mass)) because they had shallower crowns, resulting in higher crown use efficiency (E(a)) than the other species. These SLPs (but not Cecropia) were also taller and intercepted more light per unit leaf area (Phi(area)). LLPs and lianas had considerably higher amounts of leaf mass and area per unit above-ground mass (LMR and LAR, respectively) and thus attained Phi(mass) values similar to the SLPs (Phi(mass)=Phi(area)xLAR). Lianas, which were mostly self-supporting, had light interception efficiencies similar to those of the trees. CONCLUSIONS: These results show how, due to the trade-off between crown structure and biomass allocation, SLPs, and LLPs and lianas intercept similar amount of light per unit mass which may contribute to the ability of the latter two groups to persist.