[Cloning and characterization of the promoters of the key genes CPT, SRPP and REF involved in Periploca sepium rubber biosynthesis].

Hevea brasiliensis is the main source of natural rubber. Restricted by its tropical climate conditions, the planting area in China is limited, resulted in a low self-sufficiency. Periploca sepium which can produce natural rubber is a potential substitute plant. cis-prenyltransferase (CPT), small rubber particle protein (SRPP) and rubber elongation factor (REF) are key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of cis-1, 4-polyisoprene, the main component of natural rubber. In this study, we cloned the promoter sequences of CPT, SRPP and REF through chromosome walking strategy. The spatial expression patterns of the three promoters were analyzed using GUS (ß-glucuronidase) as a reporter gene driven by the promoters through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. The results showed that GUS driven by CPT, SRPP or REF promoter was expressed in leaves and stems, especially in the leaf vein and vascular bundle. The GUS activity in stems was higher than that in leaf. This study provided a basis for analyzing the biosynthesis mechanism of natural rubber and breeding new varieties of high yield natural rubber.

CFLAP1 and CFLAP2 Are Two bHLH Transcription Factors Participating in Synergistic Regulation of AtCFL1-Mediated Cuticle Development in Arabidopsis.

The cuticle is a hydrophobic lipid layer covering the epidermal cells of terrestrial plants. Although many genes involved in Arabidopsis cuticle development have been identified, the transcriptional regulation of these genes is largely unknown. Previously, we demonstrated that AtCFL1 negatively regulates cuticle development by interacting with the HD-ZIP IV transcription factor HDG1. Here, we report that two bHLH transcription factors, AtCFL1 associated protein 1 (CFLAP1) and CFLAP2, are also involved in AtCFL1-mediated regulation of cuticle development. CFLAP1 and CFLAP2 interact with AtCFL1 both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of either CFLAP1 or CFLAP2 led to expressional changes of genes involved in fatty acids, cutin and wax biosynthesis pathways and caused multiple cuticle defective phenotypes such as organ fusion, breakage of the cuticle layer and decreased epicuticular wax crystal loading. Functional inactivation of CFLAP1 and CFLAP2 by chimeric repression technology caused opposite phenotypes to the CFLAP1 overexpressor plants. Interestingly, we find that, similar to the transcription factor HDG1, the function of CFLAP1 in cuticle development is dependent on the presence of AtCFL1. Furthermore, both HDG1 and CFLAP1/2 interact with the same C-terminal C4 zinc finger domain of AtCFL1, a domain that is essential for AtCFL1 function. These results suggest that AtCFL1 may serve as a master regulator in the transcriptional regulation of cuticle development, and that CFLAP1 and CFLAP2 are involved in the AtCFL1-mediated regulation pathway, probably through competing with HDG1 to bind to AtCFL1.

Proteomic analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in rice seeds.

The defects in storage proteins secretion in the endosperm of transgenic rice seeds often leads to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which produces floury and shrunken seeds, but the mechanism of this response remains unclear. We used an iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis of ER-stressed rice seeds due to the endosperm-specific suppression of OsSar1 to identify changes in the protein levels in response to ER stress. ER stress changed the expression of 405 proteins in rice seed by >2.0- fold compared with the wild-type control. Of these proteins, 140 were upregulated and 265 were downregulated. The upregulated proteins were mainly involved in protein modification, transport and degradation, and the downregulated proteins were mainly involved in metabolism and stress/defense responses. A KOBAS analysis revealed that protein-processing in the ER and degradation-related proteasome were the predominant upregulated pathways in the rice endosperm in response to ER stress. Trans-Golgi protein transport was also involved in the ER stress response. Combined with bioinformatic and molecular biology analyses, our proteomic data will facilitate our understanding of the systemic responses to ER stress in rice seeds.

Net sodium fluxes change significantly at anatomically distinct root zones of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings.

Casparian bands of endodermis and exodermis play crucial roles in blocking apoplastic movement of ions and water into the stele of roots through the cortex. These apoplastic barriers differ considerably in structure and function along the developing root. The present study assessed net Na+ fluxes in anatomically distinct root zones of rice seedlings and analyzed parts of individual roots showing different Na+ uptake. The results indicated that anatomically distinct root zones contributed differently to the overall uptake of Na+. The average Na+ uptake in root zones in which Casparian bands of the endo- and exo-dermis were interrupted by initiating lateral root primordia (root zone III) was significantly greater than that at the root apex, where Casparian bands were not yet formed (root zone I), or in the region where endo- and exo-dermis with Casparian bands were well developed (root zone II). The measurement of net Na+ fluxes using a non-invasive scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) demonstrated that net Na+ flux varied significantly in different positions along developing rice roots, and a net Na+ influx was obvious at the base of young lateral root primordia. Since sodium fluxes changed significantly along developing roots of rice seedlings, we suggest that the significantly distinct net Na+ flux profile may be attributed to different apoplastic permeability due to lateral root primordia development for non-selective apoplastic bypass of ions along the apoplast.

Development of Casparian strip in rice cultivars.

The development of Casparian strips (CSs) on the endo- and exodermis and their chemical components in roots of three cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa) with different salt tolerance were compared using histochemistry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The development and deposition of suberin lamellae of CSs on the endo- and exodermis in the salt-tolerant cultivar Liaohan 109 was earlier than in the moderately tolerant cultivar Tianfeng 202 and the sensitive cultivar Nipponbare. The detection of chemical components indicated major contributions to the structure of the outer part from aliphatic suberin, lignin, and cell wall proteins and carbohydrates to the rhizodermis, exodermis, sclerenchyma, and one layer of cortical cells in series (OPR) and the endodermal Casparian strip. Moreover, the amounts of these major chemical components in the outer part of the Liaohan 109 root were higher than in Tianfeng 202 and Nipponbare, but there was no distinct difference in endodermal CSs among the three rice cultivars. The results suggest that the exodermis of the salt-tolerant cultivar Liaohan 109 functions as a barrier for resisting salt stress.

Abscisic acid pretreatment enhances salt tolerance of rice seedlings: proteomic evidence.

Enhanced salt tolerance of rice seedlings by abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment was observed from phenotypic and physiological analyses. Total proteins from rice roots treated with ABA plus subsequent salt stress were analyzed by using proteomics method. Results showed that, 40 protein spots were uniquely upregulated in the seedlings under the condition of ABA pretreatment plus subsequent salt stress, whereas only 16 under the condition of salt treatment. About 78% (31 spots) of the 40 protein spots were only upregulated in the presence of the subsequent salt stress, indicating that plants might have an economical strategy to prevent energy loss under a false alarm. The results also showed that more enzymes involved in energy metabolism, defense, primary metabolism, etc. were upregulated uniquely in ABA-pretreated rice seedlings, suggesting more abundant energy supply, more active anabolism (nitrogen, nucleotide acid, carbohydrate, etc), and more comprehensive defense systems in ABA-pretreated seedlings than in salt stressed ones.

Expression pattern of UidA gene under the control of rice glutelin GluA-2 gene upstream sequence in transgenic rice endosperm.

In order to study the expression pattern of rice glutelin endosperm specific promoter in Chinese cultivar Zhonghua 8 (Oryza sativa L. subsp japonica), UidA gene was fused with rice glutelin GluA-2 gene 5' upstream sequence 2.3 kb and 750 bp upstream respectively and transferred into rice by Agrobacterium mediated transformation. Southern blot indicated that UidA gene was integrated into the genome of transgenic plants as single copy. Northern blot demonstrated that the expression of UidA gene and endogenous GluA-2 gene reached their highest level at 13-15 days and 11-13 days after pollination respectively, and then declined. Histochemical staining of immature transgenic rice seeds showed UidA gene was specifically expressed in endosperm and the highest level GUS expression was observed in aleurone layer. Quantitative analysis of GUS activity showed seeds GUS activity of that 2.3 kb transgenic plant was about two to three folds of those of 750 bp transgenic plant. Sequence analysis suggested that the G-box located in the -2,170 bp (from transcription start site) may be a quantitative cis-element.

[The characters and gene expression of rice seed proteins].

As an important nitrogen source of human being. The composition, structure and synthesis of rice storage protein were concerned by scientists. Now people know a lot about the structure ,expression patterns of rice glutelin genes. On the basis of these knowledge, we may improve the quality of rice grain and use it to produce foreign proteins. In this paper we summarize the knowledge about rice storage proteins that we have got in these years.