The Glucose Sensor MdHXK1 Phosphorylates a Tonoplast Na+/H+ Exchanger to Improve Salt Tolerance.

Glc regulates many vital processes, including plant growth, development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stress. However, the molecular mechanism by which Glc acts as a signal to regulate salinity tolerance remains unclear. In this study, we found that the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Glc sensor hexokinase1 (MdHXK1) contributes to Glc-mediated salinity tolerance. A combination of split ubiquitin system, pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that MdHXK1 interacts with and phosphorylates the Na+/H+ exchanger MdNHX1 at its Ser-275 residue. Phosphorylation improved the stability of MdNHX1 and enhanced its Na+/H+ transport activity in MdNHX1 overexpression transgenic apple and yeast complementation cells. Furthermore, Ser-275 of MdNHX1 was found to be crucial for MdHXK1-mediated phosphorylation. Finally, a series of transgenic analyses demonstrated that salt tolerance mediated by MdHXK1 partially depended on MdNHX1. Overall, our findings provide insights into how sugar recruits and regulates MdNHX1 in response to high salinity in plants.

[Evaluation of zinc deficiency tolerance in different kinds of apple rootstocks].

The objective of this study was to screen and evaluate the zinc deficiency tolerance among eight apple rootstocks, i.e., Malus baccata, M. rockii, M. xiaojinensis, M. sikkimensis, M. sieversii, M. robusta, M. hupehensis and Malus 'Flame'. The experiment took these 8 kinds of root-stocks as the research materials to observe and analyze the index of the rootstock's height, dry biomass, root architecture and zinc concentration, and with help of the fuzzy membership function to work out a comprehensive evaluation on their zinc deficiency tolerance. The result showed that several obvious zinc deficiency symptoms were observed in three kinds of rootstocks (M. rockii, M. sikkimensis and M. sieversii), such as dwarfed plant and newborn small leaves, while such symptoms were not obvious in M. xiaojinensis and M. 'Flame'. The plant biomass, height and zinc accumulation of aerial part greatly decreased under zinc deficiency stress, while smaller reduction was observed in M. xiaojinensis than in other rootstocks. M. xiaojinensis and M. baccata had higher zinc concentrations in leaves than others. According to the fuzzy membership function and cluster analysis, the resistance of the eight apple rootstocks to zinc deficiency was ranked: M. xiaojinensis was the highest one; M. 'Flame' was the second; M. baccata, M. sikkimensis, M. robusta and M. hupehensis were rather weaker; M. rockii and M. sieversii demonstrated the highest sensitivity to zinc deficiency.

The transcriptional response of apple alcohol acyltransferase (MdAAT2) to salicylic acid and ethylene is mediated through two apple MYB TFs in transgenic tobacco.

Volatile esters are major factors affecting the aroma of apple fruits, and alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) are key enzymes involved in the last steps of ester biosynthesis. The expression of apple AAT (MdAAT2) is known to be induced by salicylic acid (SA) or ethylene in apple fruits, although the mechanism of its transcriptional regulation remains elusive. In this study, we reveal that two apple transcription factors (TFs), MdMYB1 and MdMYB6, are involved in MdAAT2 promoter response to SA and ethylene in transgenic tobacco. According to electrophoretic mobility shift assays, MdMYB1 or MdMYB6 can directly bind in vitro to MYB binding sites in the MdAAT2 promoter. In vivo, overexpression of the two MYB TFs can greatly enhance MdAAT2 promoter activity, as demonstrated by dual luciferase reporter assays in transgenic tobacco. In contrast to the promoter of MdMYB1 or MdMYB6, the MdAAT2 promoter cannot be induced by SA or ethephon (ETH) in transgenic tobacco, even in stigmas in which the MdAAT2 promoter can be highly induced under normal conditions. However, the induced MYB TFs can dramatically enhance MdAAT2 promoter activity under SA or ETH treatment. We conclude that MdMYB1 and MdMYB6 function in MdAAT2 responses to SA and ethylene in transgenic tobacco, suggesting that a similar regulation mechanism may exist in apple.

A dsRNA-binding protein MdDRB1 associated with miRNA biogenesis modifies adventitious rooting and tree architecture in apple.

Although numerous miRNAs have been already isolated from fruit trees, knowledge about miRNA biogenesis is largely unknown in fruit trees. Double-strand RNA-binding (DRB) protein plays an important role in miRNA processing and maturation; however, its role in the regulation of economically important traits is not clear yet in fruit trees. EST blast and RACE amplification were performed to isolate apple MdDRB1 gene. Following expression analysis, RNA binding and protein interaction assays, MdDRB1 was transformed into apple callus and in vitro tissue cultures to characterize the functions of MdDRB1 in miRNA biogenesis, adventitious rooting, leaf development and tree growth habit. MdDRB1 contained two highly conserved DRB domains. Its transcripts existed in all tissues tested and are induced by hormones. It bound to double-strand RNAs and interacted with AtDCL1 (Dicer-Like 1) and MdDCL1. Chip assay indicated its role in miRNA biogenesis. Transgenic analysis showed that MdDRB1 controls adventitious rooting, leaf curvature and tree architecture by modulating the accumulation of miRNAs and the transcript levels of miRNA target genes. Our results demonstrated that MdDRB1 functions in the miRNA biogenesis in a conserved way and that it is a master regulator in the formation of economically important traits in fruit trees.

Genomewide identification and expression analysis of the ARF gene family in apple.

Auxin response factors (ARF) are transcription factors that regulate auxin responses in plants. Although the genomewide analysis of this family has been performed in some species, little is known regarding ARF genes in apple (Malus domestica). In this study, 31 putative apple ARF genes have been identified and located within the apple genome. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that MdARFs could be divided into three subfamilies (groups I, II and III). The predicted MdARFs were distributed across 15 of 17 chromosomes with different densities. In addition, the analysis of exon-intron junctions and of the intron phase inside the predicted coding region of each candidate gene has revealed high levels of conservation within and between phylogenetic groups. Expression profile analyses of MdARF genes were performed in different tissues (root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit), and all the selected genes were expressed in at least one of the tissues that were tested, which indicated that MdARFs are involved in various aspects of physiological and developmental processes of apple. To our knowledge, this report is the first to provide a genomewide analysis of the apple ARF gene family. This study provides valuable information for understanding the classification and putative functions of the ARF signal in apple.

Molecular cloning of cryptochrome 1 from apple and its functional characterization in Arabidopsis.

Cryptochromes are blue-light photoreceptors involved in regulating many aspects of plant growth and development. Investigations of cryptochromes in plants have largely focused on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), rice (Oryza sativa) and pea (Pisum sativum). Here, we isolated the cryptochrome 1 gene from apple (Malus domestica) (MdCRY1) and analyzed its function in transgenic Arabidopsis. The predicted MdCRY1 protein was most closely homologous to strawberry CRY1. In terms of transcript levels, MdCRY1 expression was up-regulated by light. The function of MdCRY1 was analyzed through heterologous expression in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of MdCRY1 in Arabidopsis is able to rescue the cry1 mutant phenotype, inhibit hypocotyl elongation, promote root growth, and enhance anthocyanin accumulation in wild-type seedlings under blue light. These data provide functional evidence for a role of MdCRY1 in controlling photomorphogenesis under blue light and indicate that CRY1 function is conserved between Arabidopsis and apple. Furthermore, we found that MdCRY1 interacts with AtCOP1 in both yeast and onion cells. This interaction may represent an important regulatory mechanism in blue-light signaling pathway in apple.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of a blue light receptor gene MdCRY2 from apple (Malus domestica).

KEY MESSAGE: MdCRY2 was isolated from apple fruit skin, and its function was analyzed in MdCRY2 transgenic Arabidopsis. The interaction between MdCRY2 and AtCOP1 was found by yeast two-hybrid and BiFC assays. Cryptochromes are blue/ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light receptors involved in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. Investigations of the structure and functions of cryptochromes in plants have largely focused on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pea (Pisum sativum), and rice (Oryza sativa). However, no data on the function of CRY2 are available in woody plants. In this study, we isolated a cryptochrome gene, MdCRY2, from apple (Malus domestica). The deduced amino acid sequences of MdCRY2 contain the conserved N-terminal photolyase-related domain and the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) binding domain, as well as the C-terminal DQXVP-acidic-STAES (DAS) domain. Relationship analysis indicates that MdCRY2 shows the highest similarity to the strawberry FvCRY protein. The expression of MdCRY2 is induced by blue/UV-A light, which represents a 48-h circadian rhythm. To investigate the function of MdCRY2, we overexpressed the MdCRY2 gene in a cry2 mutant and wild type (WT) Arabidopsis, assessed the phenotypes of the resulting transgenic plants, and found that MdCRY2 functions to regulate hypocotyl elongation, root growth, flower initiation, and anthocyanin accumulation. Furthermore, we examined the interaction between MdCRY2 and AtCOP1 using a yeast two-hybrid assay and a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. These data provide functional evidence for a role of blue/UV-A light-induced MdCRY2 in controlling photomorphogenesis in apple.

MdCOP1 ubiquitin E3 ligases interact with MdMYB1 to regulate light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and red fruit coloration in apple.

MdMYB1 is a crucial regulator of light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit coloration in apple (Malus domestica). In this study, it was found that MdMYB1 protein accumulated in the light but degraded via a ubiquitin-dependent pathway in the dark. Subsequently, the MdCOP1-1 and MdCOP1-2 genes were isolated from apple fruit peel and were functionally characterized in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cop1-4 mutant. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that MdMYB1 interacts with the MdCOP1 proteins. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that MdCOP1s are necessary for the ubiquitination and degradation of MdMYB1 protein in the dark and are therefore involved in the light-controlled stability of the MdMYB1 protein. Finally, a viral vector-based transformation approach demonstrated that MdCOP1s negatively regulate the peel coloration of apple fruits by modulating the degradation of the MdMYB1 protein. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which light controls anthocyanin accumulation and red fruit coloration in apple and even other plant species.

Simultaneous determination of 346 multiresidue pesticides in grapes by PSA-MSPD and GC-MS-SIM.

The article demonstrates a method of simultaneous determination for 352 pesticide residues in grapes using primary-secondary amine (PSA) matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) cleanup and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM). Grape samples (15 g) were mixed with 6 g of anhydrous magnesium sulfate and 1.5 g of sodium chloride, and then extracted with acetonitrile (15 mL) and cleaned up with 0.3 g of dispersive PSA. The analytes were determined by GC-MS-SIM. Four injections for one sample were acquired to cover a total of 352 pesticides. The limit of detection (LOD) for the method was 0.0017-0.2667 mg kg(-1), depending on the nature of compounds. The linear correlation coefficient (r) was equal to or greater than 0.95; at low, medium, and high fortification levels, recoveries ranged from 45% to 136% for 352 pesticides, among which the recoveries between 60%-120% accounted for 97%. The pesticides for which the relative standard deviations (RSD) were equal to or below 20% accounted for 95%. A positive of nine varieties of grape samples was detected out, one of which was abtained Changli city, Hebei province, China. Pesticides were identified by the retention time, molecule ions, fragment ions, and the abundance ratio of the selected ions. The analytical method was rugged, quick, cheap and effective, and suitable for the determination of a wide scope of 346 pesticides in grapes.

[Effects of exogenous NO3- on cherry root function and enzyme activities related to nitrogen metabolism under hypoxia stress].

A water culture experiment with controlled dissolved oxygen concentration was conducted to explore the effects of exogenous NO3- on the root function and enzyme activities related to nitrogen metabolism of cherry (Prunun cerasus x P. canescens) seedlings under hypoxia stress. Comparing with the control (7.5 mmol NO3- x L(-1)), treatments 15 and 22.5 mmol NO3- x L(-1) made the materials for plant metabolism abundant, ensured the synthesis of enzyme proteins, increased root activity, maintained root respiration, improved the activities of enzymes related to nitrogen metabolism, such as nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthethase (GS), and glutamate dehydrogenase (NADH-GDH) in roots, and thereby, supplied enough energy for root respiration and NAD+ to glycolytic pathway, ensured electron transfer, and avoid ammonium toxicity under hypoxia stress. As a result, the injury of hypoxia stress to cherry plant was alleviated. Applying NO3- at the concentration of 22.5 mmol x L(-1) was more advisable. However, NO3- deficiency (0 mmol x L(-1)) showed opposite results. The above results suggested that applying exogenous NO3- to growth medium could regulate cherry root function and nitrogen metabolism, and antagonize the damage of hypoxia stress on cherry roots.

[Responses of primary photochemical reactions in apple fruit peel to the changes of incident PFD and air temperature in sunny days].

Taking Malus domestica Borkh as test object, this paper studied the primary photochemical reactions and xanthophyll cycle in its fruit peel in response to the diurnal changes of incident photon flux density (PFD) and air temperature in sunny days. With the increase of PFD and air temperature in a daily cycle, a severe photo-inhibition of the primary photochemical reactions in M. domestica fruit peel occurred from 12:00 to 14:00. The relative variable fluorescence at 300 micros of chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (Wk) did not change significantly through the day, which indicated that the activity of oxygen evolving complex (OEC) was not damaged by strong light and high temperature. However, the efficiency that a trapped exciton moved an electron into the electron transport chain beyond QA(-) (Psio) was reduced from 12:00 to 14:00, indicating that the acceptor side of PS II in apple fruit peel was damaged. Strong light decreased the density of PS II reaction centers per excited cross-section (RC/CS), which induced the increase of the energy absorption per active reaction center (ABS/RC). However, the excited energy was not able to be efficiently used via photochemical reaction (TRo/RC), resulting in an increase in non-photochemical energy dissipation per active reaction center (DIo/RC). Along with the appearance of photo-inhibition, the de-epoxidation level of xanthophyll pigment pool (PRI) increased markedly, showing that the xanthophyll cycle in fruit peel was enhanced by strong light to dissipate excess excitation energy to prevent photosynthetic apparatus from further damage. Both strong light and high temperature enhanced the photo-inhibition in apple fruit peel, and the effect of strong light was significantly more prominent than that of high temperature during a day.

Potential polyphenol markers of phase change in apple (Malus domestica).

In order to identify potential biochemical markers that can be used as indicators for phase change, the dynamics of polyphenolic compounds across apple seedlings (Malus domestica, Jonathan x Golden Delicious) were analyzed in this study by high performance liquid chromatography. Precocious flowering was induced by foliar sprays of plant growth regulators. Qualitative changes in the concentration of polyphenols were observed at node nos. 50, 80 and 120. Spontaneous and induced flowering was found at node nos. 122 and 77. It was reasonable to conclude that node no. 77 represented the point of transition between the juvenile phase and the adult vegetative phase, which was marked by the presence of phloridzin in the buds. The disappearance of myricitrin in the bark and the absence of caffeic acid in the aboveground tissues were qualitative markers of the reproductive phase, which was reached at node no. 122.

Genetic relationships of ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba analyzed by AFLP techniques.

Eight primer combinations that produced clear and a large number of polymorphic bands were screened from 64 EcoR I/Mse I primer combinations (Mse I fluorescent labeled). The genetic relationships of 21 ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba L. from the United States of America, Holland, Japan, France, and China were analyzed. These primer combinations produced a total of 1 119 bands, 229 specific loci (including 54 absent bands, and 175 monomorphic bands). Among them, 983 polymorphic bands (PPB), accounting for 88%, were detected. The percentage of identification per primer combination was as high as 100%. The average PPB of 14 foreign cultivars was 35.86% and the average PPB of seven domestic cultivars was 31.51%. Genetic similarity coefficient (SC) among all cultivars varied from 0.4899 to 0.8499, and all cultivars were divided into the four clusters when SC was set at 0.7300. The cultivars from the same origin did not fall into the same group. The cultivars from France and China were classified into three groups. According to the comprehensive analyses based on specific loci, similarity coefficient, and clustering results, eight cultivars 'Fastigiata', 'Tit', 'Tubifolia', 'Daeryinxing', 'Variegata', 'Horizontalis, 'Pendula', and 'Yiyuanyeziyinxing' were considered to be important germplasms of ornamental cultivars of Ginkgo biloba.

[Changes in glycosidases and cellulase activities, and cell wall composition in strawberry fruits during development and ripening].

Experiments were carried out with two strawberry (Fragaria x nanassa Duch.) cultivars Fengxiang and Hongfeng, with different softening characteristics during growth, ripening and postharvest storage. The fruits were harvested at different stages of growth and ripening, as assessed by size and the coloration of the surface of the fruits. We selected the following stages: small and green (S1), large and green (S2), white (S3), reddish (S4), and fully red (S5). The main results were as follows. Both alpha- and beta-galactosidase activities were changed with ripening of strawberry fruits (Fig.1A, B). Of the strawberry cultivars tested, no correlation was found between glucosidase activity and fruit ripening (Fig.1C, D). Alpha-mannosidase is an enzyme being ionically bound with cell wall and its activities is correlated with the softening of strawberry fruits (Fig.1E, F). No beta-mannosidase has been detected in strawberry. The activities of cellulase increased as the strawberry fruits developed from stage of small and green to stage of overripe (Fig.2A). The activities of PME increased during the development of strawberry fruits (Fig.2B). Endo-PG was not detected in strawberry, and exo-PG was not related to fruit ripening (Fig.2C). Changes in cell wall component contents were clearly related to the changes in the firmness of strawberry fruits. The increase in soluble pectin, together with reduction of ionically bound pectin content, covalently bound pectin content (Fig.3A, B) and cellulose (Fig.3A, B) resulted in softening of strawberry fruits.

Salicylic acid, ethephon, and methyl jasmonate enhance ester regeneration in 1-MCP-treated apple fruit after long-term cold storage.

Volatile esters, primarily synthesized in peel tissues, are major aromatic components of apple fruits [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.]. The use of cold storage combined with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment prolongs the life of apples but represses the regeneration of esters during poststorage ripening. In this study, the regeneration of total esters was significantly increased in apple fruits treated with salicylic acid (SA) and Ethephon (ETH) that had been treated once or twice with 1-MCP. However, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment resulted in regeneration of total esters after a single 1-MCP treatment. To determine the mechanism by which SA, ETH, and MeJA regulate ester regeneration, the apple alcohol acyltransferase gene (MdAAT2) was investigated at the mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity levels. Genes associated with ethylene perception were also investigated by RT-PCR. The results suggest that MdAAT2 controls ester regeneration and that MdETR1 plays a key role in ethylene perception and regulation of downstream MdAAT2 gene expression during poststorage. Ester compounds and concentrations differed in peels treated with different signal molecules, indicating that regulation of the pathway upstream of straight-chain ester biosynthesis depended on the regulation of lipoxygenase (LOX) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity by SA, ETH, and MeJA during poststorage ripening.

Expression of MaMAPK gene in seedlings of Malus L. under water stress.

Seedlings of three species of Malus were used to study the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in response to water stress: Malus hupehensis, a drought-sensitive species; Malus sieversii, a drought-tolerant species; and Malus micromalus, a middle type. Results showed that Malus MAPK (MaMAPK, GenBank accession No. AF435805) was expressed in both roots and leaves of seedlings of the three Malus species treated with 20% polyethylene glycol for different time periods. Expression levels peaked at 1.5 h after treatment with polyethylene glycol, then decreased to their lowest levels. Liquid kinase assays indicated that the dynamic changes of MAPK activity were very similar to those of the relative expression of MaMAPK mRNA. However, the peak of the former occurred slightly behind the latter. It was noticed that, although the kinase activity decreased after the peak, it was still higher than that of the control during the whole time period. These results suggested that MaMAPK was regulated not only by water stress at the transcription level, but also by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at the protein level. In addition, of these three apple species, the highest MAPK activity and MaMAPK expression level was found in M. sieversii, followed by M. micromalus and M. hupehensis, suggesting that MAPK might be correlated with drought tolerance in these three species. The different expression levels might be one of the molecular mechanisms of the different drought tolerances in Malus.

Colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus versiforme induces a defense response against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in the grapevine (Vitis amurensis Rupr.), which includes transcriptional activation of the class III chitinase gene VCH3.

Inoculation of the grapevine (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus versiforme significantly increased resistance against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita. Studies using relative quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RQRT-PCR) analysis of grapevine root inoculation with the AM fungus revealed an up-regulation of VCH3 transcripts. This increase was greater than that observed following infection with RKN. However, inoculation of the mycorrhizal grapevine roots with RKN was able to enhance VCH3 transcript expression further. Moreover, the increase in VCH3 transcripts appeared to result in a higher level of resistance against subsequent RKN infection. Constitutive expression of VCH3 cDNA in transgenic tobacco under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter also conferred resistance against RKN, but had no significant effect on the growth of the AM fungus. We analyzed beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity directed by a 1,216 bp VCH3 promoter in transgenic tobacco following inoculation with both the AM fungus and RKN. GUS activity was negligible in the root tissues before inoculation, and was more effectively induced after inoculation with the AM fungus than with RKN. Moreover, GUS staining in the mycorrhizal transgenic tobacco roots was enhanced by subsequent RKN infection, and was found ubiquitously throughout the whole root tissue. Together, these results suggest that AM fungus induced a defense response against RKN in the mycorrhizal grapevine roots, which appeared to involve transcriptional control of VCH3 expression throughout the whole root tissue.

Isolation and characterization of a chitinase gene VCH3 promoter from grapevine (Vitis amurensis).

The 1216-bp 5' upstream region of the gene encoding a class III chitinase VCH3 was isolated from grapevine (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) by adaptor-PCR (GenBank accession number AF441123), and the transcriptional start site of the VCH3 gene was identified by primer extension, which corresponds to the second A in the DNA sequence 5'-ATCAAGCAC-3'. Sequence analysis revealed that the VCH3 promoter sequence contains CAAT and TATA motifs that are located at the -122 and -29 nucleotide upstream of the transcriptional start site, respectively. Both motifs are characteristic of the eukaryotic gene promoter. In addition, within the VCH3 promoter, we found two inverse salicylic acid (SA)-responsive cis-acting motifs (TGACG) at -1181 bp and -293 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site, respectively. To characterize the VCH3 promoter, the VCH3 promoter-GUS chimera was constructed and transferred to Nicotiana tobacum cv. NC89 by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated leaf disc transformation. Fluorometric and histochemical analysis of GUS activity in the transgenic tobacco root and leaf treated with SA showed that the VCH3 promoter was induced by SA, which indicates that it may have potential use in genetic engineering.

[Identifying the S genotypes of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars].

This report identified S-RNase genes (S genes) of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), presented the sequences of S genes by using a pair of specific primers PruC2 and PruC4R based on the conserved regions C2 and RC4 of Rosaceous S-RNase genes and researched the S gene specific products from the genomic DNAs of different cultivars in which most of the S genotypese were unknown. The bands of PCR were cloned and their sequences were compared in GenBank. Four S genes were defined and the conclusion was made that all the same bands from PCR in the agarose gel had the same length and sequence of nucleic acid and were the same kind of S gene. The lengths of the amplified S genes are as follows: S1 is 677 bp, S3 762 bp, S4 945 bp, S6 456 bp. The S genotypes (S gene genotypes) of the tested self-incompatible cultivars were identified as follows: 'Hongdeng', 'Hongyan' and 'Early ruby', as same as 'Van', were S1 S3; 'Jueze', 'Hongfeng' and 'Napoleon' were S3S4; 'Dazi' was S1 S6; 'Changbahong' was S1 S4; 'Elton' was S3S6. The self-compatibile cultivars 'Waiyin No.7' and 'Stella' had the same S genotypes S3 S4'.

[Indole butyric acid activates Ca2+-ATPase in Malus hupehensis Rhed. roots by protein phosphorylation].

The effect of IBA on protein kinase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of Malus hupehensis Rhed. roots were studied by adding 3, 3', 4', 5, 7-pentahydroxyflavone (quercetin), a protein kinase inhibitor, and IBA into the Hagland nutrient solution at different time. The results showed that membrane protein phosphorylation in roots occurred mainly on the serine residues. After treatment of Malus hupehensis Rhed.roots with 100 mumol/L IBA, the activity of protein kinase and Ca(2+)-ATPase increased several dozens of times in 2-3 h and then decreased rapidly after they reached the vertex. The protein kinase activity changes earlier than that of Ca(2+)-ATPase. Quercetin not only inhibits the protein kinase activity, but also weakens the activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase by IBA markedly. It is suggested that Ca(2+)-ATPase may be a member of IBA signal transduction in M. hupehensis roots and IBA activates Ca(2+)-ATPase activity through protein phosphorylation.