The effects of exogenous xylanase supplementation on the in vivo generation of xylooligosaccharides and monosaccharides in broilers fed a wheat-based diet.

1. This study quantified xylanase-induced changes in soluble monosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents of the different sections of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and whether these were related to altered bird performance. 2. An in vitro digestion of the wheat-based diet was carried out with the xylanase (Econase XT at 16,000BXU/kg diet) to compare the in vitro and in vivo generation of these XOS and monosaccharides. For the in vivo study, 80 male Ross 508 b roiler chicks were split into two groups fed a wheat-based diet with or without Econase XT (16,000BXU/kg diet) for 21 days. 3. There were no effects of Econase XT inclusion on growth performance characteristics, likely a result of the high-quality wheat diet, the corresponding high performance of the control group (FCR average of 1.45 in controls) and the relatively young age of the birds (from four to 26 days of age). 4. Econase XT supplementation increased the xylotetraose (X4) content in the colon (P = 0.046, enzyme x GIT section interaction) and the xylose contents in the colon and caeca (P < 0.001, enzyme x GIT section interaction). 5. The trend for increased acetate production in the caeca of Econase XT treated birds (P = 0.062) suggested that the XOS generated were subsequently fermented in the caeca, potentially impacting upon the types of microbiota present. 6. The present study suggested that wheat arabinoxylan degradation was enhanced by xylanase supplementation, which may have increased the production of beneficial volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the caeca, and thereby potentially modulated the caecal microbiome, but without affecting bird performance at this early age.

Expression of RCK2 MAPKAP (MAPK-activated protein kinase) rescues yeast cells sensitivity to osmotic stress.

BACKGROUND: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the micro-organism of choice for the conversion of fermentable sugars during beverage or bioethanol fermentations. These fermentations are characterised by high osmotic stress on a yeast cell, with selected brewing fermentations beginning at 20-25% fermentable sugars and bioethanol fermentations at 13% fermentable sugars. RESULTS: RCK2 encodes for a MAPKAP (MAPK-activated protein kinase) enzyme and was identified on a locus by QTL analysis in yeast cells under osmotic stress, RCK2 expression was placed under a tetracycline regulatable vector and rescued glucose, sorbitol or glycerol induced osmotic stress in an rck2 null strain. A strain overexpressing RCK2 had significantly faster fermentation rates when compared with the empty vector control strain. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of RCK2 increased rates of glucose utilisation (~40 g glucose in first 8 h) during a 15% glucose fermentation and concurrent production of ethanol when compared with empty vector controls. Tolerance to osmotic stress using the tetracycline regulatable vectors could be turned off with the addition of tetracycline returning a rck2 null strain back to osmotic sensitivity.

Effect of silencing the two major tomato fruit pectin methylesterase isoforms on cell wall pectin metabolism.

Post-harvest storage is largely limited by fruit softening, a result of cell wall degradation. Pectin methylesterase (PE) (EC 3.1.1.11) is a major hydrolase responsible for pectin de-esterification in the cell wall, a response to fruit ripening. Two major PE isoforms, PE1 and PE2, have been isolated from tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) pericarp tissue and both have previously been down-regulated using antisense suppression. In this paper, PE1 and PE2 double antisense tomato plants were successfully generated through crossing the two single antisense lines. In the double antisense fruit, approximately 10% of normal PE activity remained and ripening associated pectin de-esterification was almost completely blocked. However, double antisense fruit softened normally during ripening. In tomato fruit, the PE1 isoform was found to contribute little to total PE activity and have little effect on the degree of esterification of pectin. In contrast, the other dominant fruit isoform, PE2, has a major impact on de-esterification of total pectin. PE2 appears to act on non-CDTA-soluble pectin during ripening and on CDTA-soluble pectin before the start of ripening in a potentially block-wise fashion.

Developmental abnormalities and reduced fruit softening in tomato plants expressing an antisense Rab11 GTPase gene.

A cDNA clone from tomato fruit encodes a protein with strong homology with the rab11/YPT3 class of small GTPases that is thought to be involved in the control of protein trafficking within cells. The gene, LeRab11a, showed a pattern consistent with a single copy in DNA gel blots. The corresponding mRNA was developmentally regulated during fruit ripening, and its expression was inhibited in several ripening mutants. Its reduced expression in the Never-ripe mutant indicates that it may be induced by ethylene in fruit. The ripening-induced expression in tissues that are undergoing cell wall loosening immediately suggests a possible role in trafficking of cell wall-modifying enzymes. The message also was produced in leaves and flowers but not in roots. Antisense transformation was used to generate a "mutant phenotype." Antisense fruit changed color as expected but failed to soften normally. This was accompanied by reduced levels of two cell wall hydrolases, pectinesterase and polygalacturonase. There were other phenotypic effects in the plants, including determinate growth, reduced apical dominance, branched inflorescences, abnormal floral structure, and ectopic shoots on the leaves. In some plants, ethylene production was reduced. These data suggest an alternative or additional role in exocytosis or endocytosis of homeotic proteins, hormone carriers, or receptors.

Down-regulation of a ripening-related beta-galactosidase gene (TBG1) in transgenic tomato fruits.

Exo-galactanase/beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) activity is thought to be responsible for the loss of galactosyl residues from the cell walls of ripening tomatoes. Transgenic tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Ailsa Craig) with reduced exo-galactanase/beta-galactosidase mRNA were generated to test this hypothesis and to investigate the role of the enzyme in fruit softening. A previously identified tomato beta-galactosidase cDNA clone, TBG1, was used in the experiments. Heterologous expression of the clone in yeast demonstrated that TBG1 could release galactosyl residues from tomato cell wall galactans. Transgenic plants showed a reduction in TBG1 mRNA to 10% of normal levels in the ripening fruits. However, despite the reduction in message, total beta-galactosidase and exo-galactanase activities were unaffected. Furthermore, there was no apparent effect on levels of cell wall galactosyl residues when compared with the control. It was concluded that during the ripening of tomato fruits a family of beta-galactosidases capable of degrading cell wall galactans are active and down-regulation of TBG1 message to 10% was insufficient to alter the degree of galactan degradation.

A rab11-like gene is developmentally regulated in ripening mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit.

A full-length cDNA clone from mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit has homology to the rab11/YPT3 class of small GTPases. The corresponding mRNA is expressed in fruit, only during ripening. The likely involvement of this RabX protein in trafficking cell-wall modifying enzymes through the trans-Golgi network is discussed.

Characterization of pectinases and pectin methylesterase cDNAs in pods of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Tomato fruit maturation is accompanied by a depolymerization of cell wall pectins which is due to the action of endopolygalacturonase (endoPG) preceded by pectin methylesterase (PE) activity. To investigate the role of endoPG and PE in determining the structure of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pectins, these pectinases were studied during pod development. Early developmental stages displayed low endoPG or exoPG activities while PE activities were measurable during all stages of pod and seed development. These results do not favour a possible synergistic action of PE and PG. For seeds, the relatively high PE activities concurred with relatively low levels of pectin methyl esterification. At a molecular level, one partial chromosomal clone of 210 bp (PE1V), two partial PE cDNA clones of 660 bp (PE2V and PE3V) from cv. verona and one full-length PE cDNA clone of 1990 bp (PE3M), from cv. Masai were isolated. The identity of the CDNA clones was confirmed by expression in Escherichia coli and immunodetection with antibodies directed towards a tomato fruit PE. Transcripts corresponding with the genomic clone PE1V were not detected but both PE2 and PE3 cDNAs corresponded with mRNAs 1.8 kb in length. In contrast to PE2, PE3 gene expression levels varied significantly in pods from different cultivars suggesting an involvement in determining pod morphology.

Pattern of expression and characteristics of a cysteine proteinase cDNA from germinating seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.).

A thiol proteinase cDNA clone with homology to barley aleurain and rice oryzain gamma and mammalian cathepsin H was isolated from a germinating pea (Pisum saticum L.) cotyledon library. The corresponding mRNA was present in late developing seeds, decreased in dry seeds and rose considerably as germination proceeded.

Protease inhibitor studies and cloning of a serine carboxypeptidase cDNA from germinating seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.).

The nature of the proteolytic activity found within the germinating pea (Pisum sativum) seed, 4 days from the initiation of imbibition, was determined by the use of specific protease inhibitors. These studies have shown most of the activity to belong to metallo or metal-activated and serine proteases. In order to investigate further the serine protease activity, a pea cotyledon germination cDNA library was, therefore, screened with a wheat cDNA (2437) [Baulcombe, D.C., Barker, R.F. & Jarvis, M.G. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 13726-13735] which had extensive similarity to the yeast serine carboxypeptidase Y gene. A positive cDNA clone (pNY551) was obtained which had extensive similarity to the four carboxypeptidases, Arabidopsis thaliana carboxypeptidase Y-like protein, rice serine carboxypeptidase III, barley serine carboxypeptidase III and wheat serine carboxypeptidase III precursor. Northern-blot analysis showed mRNA homologous to pNY551 to be expressed in late developmental pea seed and again during germination.

Tomato exo-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactanase. Isolation, changes during ripening in normal and mutant tomato fruit, and characterization of a related cDNA clone.

An exo-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactanase was isolated from ripe tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Ailsa Craig and cv Better Boy) using anion-exchange, gel filtration, and cation-exchange chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the most active fraction revealed a predominant protein band at 75 kD and several minor bands. A 30-amino acid N-terminal sequence from this 75-kD protein showed a high degree of homology with other recently identified beta-galactosidase/ galactanase proteins from persimmon and apple fruits (I.-K. Kang, S.-G. Suh, K.C. Gross, J.-K. Byun [1994] Plant Physiol 105: 975-979; G.S. Ross, T. Wegrzyn, E.A. MacRae, R.J. Redgwell [1994] Plant Physiol 106: 521-528) and with the predicted polypeptide sequence encoded by the ethylene-regulated SR12 gene in carnation (K.G. Raghothama, K.A. Lawton, P.B. Goldsbrough, W.R. Woodson [1991] Plant Mol Biol 17: 61-71). The enzyme focused to a single band of beta-galactosidase activity on an isoelectrofocusing gel at pH 9.8. The enzyme was specific for (1-->4)-beta-D-galactan substrates with a pH optimum of 4.5. The only reaction product detected was monomeric galactose, indicating that the enzyme was an exo (1-->4)-beta-D-galactanase. beta-Galactanase activity increased at the onset of ripening in normal fruit, but no similar increase was detected in the nonripening mutants nor and rin. A tomato homolog (pTombetagal1) was isolated using the SR12 cDNA clone from carnation as a probe. This clone showed 73% identify at the amino acid level with beta-galactosidase-related sequences from apple and asparagus and 66% identity with SR12. pTombetagal1 is a member of a gene family. Northern analysis demonstrated that pTombetagal1 expression was ripening related in normal fruits, with lower levels apparent in the nonsoftening mutants.

Molecular characterisation of cDNA clones representing pectin esterase isozymes from tomato.

Two pectin esterase cDNA clones representing different isozymes with ca. 95% homology were isolated from an early ripening tomato fruit cDNA library. Both clones were longer than previously published sequences, and the encoded proteins possessed extended (229-233 amino acid) putative N-terminal extensions. In addition, the mRNA species corresponding to the two clones showed differential levels of expression in fruit.

Down-regulation of two non-homologous endogenous tomato genes with a single chimaeric sense gene construct.

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Ailsa Craig) were transformed with a gene construct having 244 bp of the 5' end of a polygalacturonase (PG) cDNA, coding for a 71 amino acid N-terminal extension to the mature protein, fused to 1320 bp of a pectin-esterase (PE) cDNA encoding the full sequence of the mature PE protein. This chimaeric gene was inserted in a sense orientation between a CaMV 35S promoter and terminator for constitutive expression. In transformed tomato plants expression of the endogenous PG and PE genes in the fruit was inhibited; there was little or no observable PG and PE mRNA and a substantial reduction in the level of PG and PE enzyme activity. The transgene was expressed in the leaves of the transformed plants as demonstrated by the accumulation of mRNA, but no protein product could be identified. However, no transgene mRNA or protein were observed in the transgenic fruit. The paper represents the first report of the down-regulation of two non-homologous endogenous genes using a single gene construct. A sense gene construct was responsible for these effects. These findings are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of action of co-suppression.

Transient changes in growth and in calpain and calpastatin expression in ovine skeletal muscle after short-term dietary inclusion of cimaterol.

Prolonged dietary inclusion of beta-adrenergic agonists can induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy in meat animals, by a mechanism probably related to the calcium-dependent proteolytic enzymes, or calpains, and in particular to their specific inhibitor calpastatin. Calpain and calpastatin activities are also believed to be important factors during post-mortem tenderisation of meat. beta-Agonist treatment is generally associated with increased calpastatin activity, which may lead to meat toughness. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a short period of cimaterol (feeding for 8 days, followed by reversion to a normal diet for a further 24 days) on muscle growth and on calpain isoform and calpastatin activities and specific mRNA abundance in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. Significant changes were detected in LD wet weight and in calpastatin activity and mRNA after only 8 days treatment with cimaterol. After 24 further days on a control diet, both LD wet weight and calpastatin activity were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from untreated controls of the same age, although calpastatin mRNA stayed surprisingly high. In contrast to several earlier studies, changes in calpain I (or mu-calpain) and calpain II (or m-calpain) activity and calpain I mRNA were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from controls in any groups. These data suggest that calpastatin activity rather than the activity of either calpain isoform is closely linked to beta-agonist-induced muscle hypertrophy. Changes in calpastatin mRNA are not directly proportional to inhibitory activity, suggesting that variable mRNA species may be transcribed, spliced or stabilised, but not necessarily translated as part of the beta-agonist response.

Polygalacturonase expression during leaf abscission of normal and transgenic tomato plants.

Polygalacturonase (PG, EC 3.2.1.15), an enzyme commonly found in ripening fruit, has also been shown to be associated with abscission. A zone-specific rise in PG activity accompanies the abscission of both leaves and flowers of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants. Studies of transgenic plants expressing an antisense RNA for fruit PG indicate that although the enzyme activity in transgenic fruit is < 1 % of that in untransformed fruit, the PG activity in the leaf abscission zone increases during separation to a similar value to that in untransformed plants. The timing and rate of leaf abscission in transgenic plants are unaffected by the introduction of the antisense gene. A polyclonal antibody raised against tomato fruit PG does not recognise the leaf abscission protein. Furthermore a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone (pTOM6), which has been demonstrated to code for fruit PG, does not hybridise to mRNA isolated from the abscission-zone region of tomato leaves. These results indicate that the PG protein in abscission zones of tomato is different from that in the fruit, and that the gene coding for this protein may also be different.

Inheritance and effect on ripening of antisense polygalacturonase genes in transgenic tomatoes.

The role of the cell wall hydrolase polygalacturonase (PG) during fruit ripening was investigated using novel mutant tomato lines in which expression of the PG gene has been down regulated by antisense RNA. Tomato plants were transformed with chimaeric genes designed to express anti-PG RNA constitutively. Thirteen transformed lines were obtained of which five were analysed in detail. All contained a single PG antisense gene, the expression of which led to a reduction in PG enzyme activity in ripe fruit to between 5% and 50% that of normal. One line, GR16, showed a reduction to 10% of normal PG activity. The reduction in activity segregated with the PG antisense gene in selfed progeny of GR16. Plants homozygous for the antisense gene showed a reduction of PG enzyme expression of greater than 99%. The PG antisense gene was inherited stably through two generations. In tomato fruit with a residual 1% PG enzyme activity pectin depolymerisation was inhibited, indicating that PG is involved in pectin degradation in vivo. Other ripening parameters, such as ethylene production, lycopene accumulation, polyuronide solubilisation, and invertase activity, together with pectinesterase activity were not affected by the expression of the antisense gene.

Control and manipulation of gene expression during tomato fruit ripening.

Ripening is a complex developmental process involving changes in the biochemistry, physiology and gene expression of the fruit. It is an active process characterised by changes in all cellular compartments. cDNA cloning has been used as an approach to analyse changes in gene expression during fruit ripening. This has revealed that several genes are switched on specifically during fruit ripening, including one encoding polygalacturonase (PG), a major cell wall protein. These cDNA clones have been used to study the expression of the genes in normal and ripening mutant fruits, and under environmental stress conditions. The PG gene has been isolated and it has been demonstrated that 1450 bases 5' of the coding region are sufficient for the tissue- and development-specific expression of a bacterial marker gene in transgenic tomatoes. Antisense RNA techniques have been developed to generate novel mutant tomatoes in which the biochemical function of this enzyme and its involvement in fruit softening has been tested.

Sequencing and identification of a cDNA clone for tomato polygalacturonase.

The 2a isoenzyme of tomato polygalacturonase was purified from ripe fruit and characterised. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein was determined in order to identify polygalacturonase cDNA clones. The nucleotide sequence of a ripening-related cDNA (pTOM 6) was determined and found to encode the N-terminal sequence of mature polygalacturonase 2a. The complete open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of molecular weight 50,051, including a putative pre-sequence of 71 amino acids.

The appearance of polygalacturonase mRNA in tomatoes: one of a series of changes in gene expression during development and ripening.

Tomato mRNA was extracted from individual fruits at different stages of development and ripening, translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and the protein products analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that there are at least two classes of mRNA under separate developmental control. One group of approximately six mRNAs is present during fruit growth and then declines at the mature-green stage. Another group of between four and eight mRNAs increases substantially in amount at the onset of ripening, after the start of enhanced ethylene synthesis by the fruit, and continues to accumulate as ripening progresses. Studies of protein synthesis in vivo show that several new proteins are synthesised by ripening fruits including the fruit-softening enzyme polygalacturonase. One of the ripening-related mRNAs is shown to code for polygalacturonase, by immunoprecipitation with serum from rabbits immunised against the purified tomato enzyme. Polygalacturonase mRNA is not detectable in green fruit but accumulates during ripening. It is proposed that the ripening-related mRNAs are the products of a group of genes that code for enzymes important in the ripening process.