Project description:Seed lipid bodies (LB), previously viewed as paradigmatic, possess a restricted proteome and serve carbon and energy storage. Albeit present in minute quantities, LBs are widespread in post-germinative tissues, where they display vigorous movement, mediate transient organellar interactions, and shuttle enzymes, and signaling molecules. Storage as well as motility and signaling are relevant in shoot meristems of woody perennials, which ahead of winter produce buds that like seeds establish dormancy, dehydrate, express OLEOSIN genes and accumulate LBs. Unlike seeds, buds do not completely desiccate and LBs retain potential signaling functions. Here, we mapped bud LB production under dormancy-inducing conditions. We found that over an 8-week period LBs enlarged significantly. Concomitantly, three major OLEOSIN family genes were transiently upregulated at the start of bud formation, while in their wake expression of lipid biosynthesis gene DGAT1a/b and lipase gene SDP1a/b increased. In parallel, LDAPa/b, LDAP2a, and LDAP3a/b were upregulated, especially LDAP1b. All LDAPs were localized to LBs. The conclusion that OLEOSINs were replaced by LDAPs was supported by the finding that PUX10a, PUX10b and CDC498A1, involved in OLESOSIN ubiquitination and degradation, were significantly upregulated. Our proteomic analysis identified 723 putative LB proteins. These included LB-anchored Caleosin and LDIP, peripherally associated LDAP1/3 and OBL1, and numerous proteins that reflect storage, transport, organellar interaction, opportunistic cargo and contaminants. There is a significant overlap with proteins identified earlier in plasmodesmal proteomes. Collectively, the data support a model in which LBs are part of a pre-installed mechanism that serves dormancy release, survival through winter and regrowth.
Project description:To obtain genes expression in different parts of 84k poplar stems, transcriptome sequencing was performed using Illumina Novaseq 6000 second-generation sequencing platform from Shanghai BIOZERON Co. Ltd (www.biozeron.com). Selecte three stem segments of plants REPEAT 1, 2 and 3 with good and similar growth to use: 2nd-3rd internodes (poplar stem top: PST1, PST2, PST3); 9th-10th internodes (poplar stem middle: PSM1, PSM2, PSM3); 14th-15th internodes (poplar stem bottom: PSB1, PSB2, PSB3). [Or the three repeating organisms are also called poplar A, B, C. From top to bottom, the three parts of the stem are also called stem 1, 2, 3.]
Project description:The development of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses between soil fungi and tree roots requires modification of root cell walls. The pectin-mediated adhesion between adjacent root cells loosens to accommodate fungal hyphae in the Hartig net, facilitating nutrient exchange between partners. We investigated the role of fungal pectin modifying enzymes in Laccaria bicolor for ECM formation with Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides. We combine transcriptomics of cell-wall-related enzymes in both partners during ECM formation, immunolocalisation of pectin (Homogalacturonan, HG) epitopes in different methylesterification states, pectin methylesterase (PME) activity assays and functional analyses of transgenic L. bicolor to uncover pectin modification mechanisms and the requirement of fungal pectin methylesterases (LbPMEs) for ECM formation. Immunolocalisation identified remodelling of pectin towards de-esterified HG during ECM formation, which was accompanied by increased LbPME1 expression and PME activity. Overexpression or RNAi of the ECM-induced LbPME1 in transgenic L. bicolor lines led to reduced ECM formation. Hartig Nets formed with LbPME1 RNAi lines were shallower, whereas those formed with LbPME1 overexpressors were deeper. This suggests that LbPME1 plays a role in ECM formation potentially through HG de-esterification, which initiates loosening of adjacent root cells to facilitate Hartig net formation.
Project description:The expression of stress-related genes induced by feeding of chestnut moth larvae (Conistra vaccinii L.) was studied with Vitreoscilla hemoglobin-expressing (VHb) and non-transgenic hybrid aspen lines (Populus tremula x P. tremuloides). Besides the herbivore-injured leaves (L1), cDNA microarray analyses were conducted using uninjured leaves of hybrid aspen lines positioned above (A) and below (B) the herbivory exposed leaves.
Project description:BACKGROUND:The genus Populus is accepted as a model system for molecular tree biology. To investigate gene functions in Populus spp. trees, generating stable transgenic lines is the common technique for functional genetic studies. However, a limited number of genes have been targeted due to the lengthy transgenic process. Transient transformation assays complementing stable transformation have significant advantages for rapid in vivo assessment of gene function. The aim of this study is to develop a simple and efficient transient transformation for hybrid aspen and to provide its potential applications for functional genomic approaches. RESULTS:We developed an in planta transient transformation assay for young hybrid aspen cuttings using Agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration. The transformation conditions such as the infiltration medium, the presence of a surfactant, the phase of bacterial growth and bacterial density were optimized to achieve a higher transformation efficiency in young aspen leaves. The Agrobacterium infiltration assay successfully transformed various cell types in leaf tissues. Intracellular localization of four aspen genes was confirmed in homologous Populus spp. using fusion constructs with the green fluorescent protein. Protein-protein interaction was detected in transiently co-transformed cells with bimolecular fluorescence complementation technique. In vivo promoter activity was monitored over a few days in aspen cuttings that were transformed with luciferase reporter gene driven by a circadian clock promoter. CONCLUSIONS:The Agrobacterium infiltration assay developed here is a simple and enhanced throughput method that requires minimum handling and short transgenic process. This method will facilitate functional analyses of Populus genes in a homologous plant system.
Project description:In this study we report on transgenic hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x P. tremuloides) lines that showed potential to increase biomass production both in the greenhouse and after five years of growth in the field. The transgenic lines carried an overexpression construct for Populus tremula x tremuloides vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein PttVAP27-17 (Potri.019G116400) that was selected from a gene-mining program for novel regulators of wood formation. A proteomic analysis was performed to characterize the overall effect of the overexpression of PttVAP27-17 on plant metabolic pathways. 20 mg of xylem sample for the selected wild type (WT) and three transgenic lines (lines 1,2 and 3) was collected in the following manner from two-months-old, greenhouse grown trees: The frozen bottom-part of the stem (10-17 cm portion from the base of the stem) was peeled, and the surface of the secondary xylem consisting of living vessels and fibers (into the depth of approximately one mm from the surface) was scraped. The xylem scrapings were ground to fine powder in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80oC. The analyses included 3-5 biological replicates for each of the transgenic lines, and seven replicates for the wild type.
Project description:affy_pop_2011_08 - poplar bent study - genes regulated by PtaZFP2 in absence of mechanical stress - genes regulated by PtaZFP2 after one bending.Species: Populus tremula x Populus alba-- The laboratory previously established a poplar transgenic line overexpressing PtaZFP2 under the control of an estradiol-inducible promoter. - the experiment, conducted on 3-month-old hydroponically-grown poplars, consists in the comparison of WT poplars treated with estradiol and the PtaZFP2-overexpressing line treated with estradiol. We also compared unbent and bent PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars. The applied strain is quantitatively controlled (Coutand & Moulia, 2000, JExpBot; coutand et al., 2009, Plant Physiology) - 27 arrays - poplar; gene knock in (transgenic)
Project description:Xylem vessels function in the long-distance conduction of water in land plants. The NAC transcription factor VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN7 (VND7) is a master regulator of xylem vessel cell differentiation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We previously isolated seiv (suppressor of ectopic xylem vessel cell differentiation induced by VND7) mutants, which are suppressor mutants of VND7-inducible xylem vessel cell differentiation. Here, we report that the responsible genes for seiv3, seiv4, seiv6, and seiv9 are protein ubiquitination-related genes encoding PLANT U-BOX46 (PUB46), uncharacterized F-BOX protein, PUB36, and UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE1, respectively. We also found the decreased expression of genes downstream of VND7 and abnormal xylem transport activity in the seiv mutants. Upon VND7 induction, ubiquitinated levels from 492 and 180 protein groups were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Proteins for cell wall biosynthesis and protein transport were ubiquitinated by the VND7 induction, whereas such active protein ubiquitination was not observed in the seiv mutants. We detected the ubiquitination of three lysine residues in VND7: K94, K105, and K260. Substituting K94 with arginine significantly decreased the transactivation activity of VND7, suggesting that the ubiquitination of K94 is crucial for regulating VND7 activity. Our findings highlight the crucial roles of target protein ubiquitination in regulating xylem vessel activity.
Project description:We take the two year old plant for sampling. Use the Affymetrix poplar gene chip to elucidate the gene functions and mechanisms in Populus tomentosa newly formed developing xylem and lignified xylem. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in newly formed developing xylem and lignified xylem.
Project description:affy_pop_2011_08 - poplar estradiol study - genes regulated by PtaZFP2 in absence of mechanical stress - genes regulated by PtaZFP2 after one bending.Species: Populus tremula x Populus alba-The laboratory previously established a poplar transgenic line overexpressing PtaZFP2 under the control of an estradiol-inducible promoter. - the experiment, conducted on 3-month-old hydroponically-grown poplars, consists in the comparison of WT poplars treated with estradiol and the PtaZFP2-overexpressing line treated with estradiol. We also compared unbent and bent PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars. The applied strain is quantitatively controlled (Coutand & Moulia, 2000, JExpBot; coutand et al., 2009, Plant Physiology)