Direct control of shoot meristem activity by a cytokinin-activating enzyme

The growth of plants depends on continuous function of the meristems. Shoot meristems are responsible for all the post-embryonic aerial organs, such as leaves, stems and flowers. It has been assumed that the phytohormone cytokinin has a positive role in shoot meristem function. A severe reduction in the size of meristems in a mutant that is defective in all of its cytokinin receptors has provided compelling evidence that cytokinin is required for meristem activity. Here, we report a novel regulation of meristem activity, which is executed by the meristem-specific activation of cytokinins. The LONELY GUY (LOG) gene of rice is required to maintain meristem activity and its loss of function causes premature termination of the shoot meristem. LOG encodes a novel cytokinin-activating enzyme that works in the final step of bioactive cytokinin synthesis. Revising the long-held idea of multistep reactions, LOG directly converts inactive cytokinin nucleotides to the free-base forms, which are biologically active, by its cytokinin-specific phosphoribohydrolase activity. LOG messenger RNA is specifically localized in shoot meristem tips, indicating the activation of cytokinins in a specific developmental domain. We propose the fine-tuning of concentrations and the spatial distribution of bioactive cytokinins by a cytokinin-activating enzyme as a mechanism that regulates meristem activity.     

Inhibition of shoot branching by new terpenoid plant hormones

Shoot branching is a major determinant of plant architecture and is highly regulated by endogenous and environmental cues. Two classes of hormones, auxin and cytokinin, have long been known to have an important involvement in controlling shoot branching. Previous studies using a series of mutants with enhanced shoot branching suggested the existence of a third class of hormone(s) that is derived from carotenoids, but its chemical identity has been unknown. Here we show that levels of strigolactones, a group of terpenoid lactones, are significantly reduced in some of the branching mutants. Furthermore, application of strigolactones inhibits shoot branching in these mutants. Strigolactones were previously found in root exudates acting as communication chemicals with parasitic weeds and symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Thus, we propose that strigolactones act as a new hormone class-or their biosynthetic precursors-in regulating above-ground plant architecture, and also have a function in underground communication with other neighbouring organisms.     

Regulation of phyllotaxis by polar auxin transport

The regular arrangement of leaves around a plant's stem, called phyllotaxis, has for centuries attracted the attention of philosophers, mathematicians and natural scientists; however, to date, studies of phyllotaxis have been largely theoretical. Leaves and flowers are formed from the shoot apical meristem, triggered by the plant hormone auxin. Auxin is transported through plant tissues by specific cellular influx and efflux carrier proteins. Here we show that proteins involved in auxin transport regulate phyllotaxis. Our data indicate that auxin is transported upwards into the meristem through the epidermis and the outermost meristem cell layer. Existing leaf primordia act as sinks, redistributing auxin and creating its heterogeneous distribution in the meristem. Auxin accumulation occurs only at certain minimal distances from existing primordia, defining the position of future primordia. This model for phyllotaxis accounts for its reiterative nature, as well as its regularity and stability.     

玉米茎尖培养再生体系的建立

不同基因型的玉米茎尖分生组织在添加不同浓度6-BA(6-苄基嘌呤)的MS培养基上,经过4周愈伤组织诱导培养和4周芽发育培养,获得高频率的丛生芽和再生植株,芽尖倍增数可达3~8芽/茎尖.通过比较试验,确立了诱导丛生芽发生的适宜培养条件和程序,反映了不同基因型的茎尖形成愈伤组织和再生植株的能力不同,从而初步建立了利用玉米茎尖分生组织再生植株的培养体系.     

Asymmetric leaves1 mediates leaf patterning and stem cell function in Arabidopsis

Meristem function in plants requires both the maintenance of stem cells and the specification of founder cells from which lateral organs arise. Lateral organs are patterned along proximodistal, dorsoventral and mediolateral axes. Here we show that the Arabidopsis mutant asymmetric leaves1 (as1) disrupts this process. AS1 encodes a myb domain protein, closely related to PHANTASTICA in Antirrhinum and ROUGH SHEATH2 in maize, both of which negatively regulate knotted-class homeobox genes. AS1 negatively regulates the homeobox genes KNAT1 and KNAT2 and is, in turn, negatively regulated by the meristematic homeobox gene SHOOT MERISTEMLESS. This genetic pathway defines a mechanism for differentiating between stem cells and organ founder cells within the shoot apical meristem and demonstrates that genes expressed in organ primordia interact with meristematic genes to regulate shoot morphogenesis.     

SERRATE coordinates shoot meristem function and leaf axial patterning in Arabidopsis

Leaves of flowering plants are determinate organs produced by pluripotent structures termed shoot apical meristems. Once specified, leaves differentiate an adaxial (upper) side specialized for light capture, and an abaxial (lower) side specialized for gas exchange. A functional relationship between meristem activity and the differentiation of adaxial leaf fate has been recognized for over fifty years, but the molecular basis of this interaction is unclear. In Arabidopsis thaliana, activity of the class I KNOX (KNOTTED1-like homeobox) genes SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) and BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) is required for meristem function but excluded from leaves, whereas members of the HD-Zip III (class III homeodomain leucine zipper) protein family function to promote both meristem activity and adaxial leaf fate. Here we show that the zinc-finger protein SERRATE acts in a microRNA (miRNA) gene-silencing pathway to regulate expression of the HD-Zip III gene PHABULOSA (PHB) while also limiting the competence of shoot tissue to respond to KNOX expression. Thus, SERRATE acts to coordinately regulate meristem activity and leaf axial patterning.     

The role of barren stalk1 in the architecture of maize

The architecture of higher plants is established through the activity of lateral meristems--small groups of stem cells formed during vegetative and reproductive development. Lateral meristems generate branches and inflorescence structures, which define the overall form of a plant, and are largely responsible for the evolution of different plant architectures. Here, we report the isolation of the barren stalk1 gene, which encodes a non-canonical basic helix-loop-helix protein required for the initiation of all aerial lateral meristems in maize. barren stalk1 represents one of the earliest genes involved in the patterning of maize inflorescences, and, together with the teosinte branched1 gene, it regulates vegetative lateral meristem development. The architecture of maize has been a major target of selection for early agriculturalists and modern farmers, because it influences harvesting, breeding strategies and mechanization. By sampling nucleotide diversity in the barren stalk1 region, we show that two haplotypes entered the maize gene pool from its wild progenitor, teosinte, and that only one was incorporated throughout modern inbreds, suggesting that barren stalk1 was selected for agronomic purposes.     

玉米幼胚组织培养及其转化的研究

对6个玉米自交系和15个杂交组合的幼胚在不同培养基中进行了愈伤组织诱导、继代、分化培养,所试材料都能诱导出状态良好的愈伤组织,并在继代培养中生长正常.使用D icam ba和A gNO3能促进和改善愈伤组织的诱导数量和质量,二者对愈伤组织的良好状态和分化能力的保持具有协同效应.在分化培养基中提高蔗糖的浓度和附加细胞分裂素有利于胚状体的形成和苗的分化.杂交组合的愈伤组织生长状态遗传了双亲的特点,正反交试验表明,其特征更接近母本.对自交系Z3和Z31进行基因枪转化,PCR及PCR-Sou thern检测证实外源基因的导入.     

玉米茎尖培养研究(Ⅱ)--体细胞胚胎发生的组织细胞学研究

以玉米茎尖分生组织为外植体，在离体培养条件下诱导体细胞胚胎(胚状体)发生。组织细胞学观察表明，玉米茎尖分生组织在离体培养条件下可直接产生胚性愈伤组织，后者在继代培养中发生胚状体。多数胚状体起源于愈伤组织的表层细胞和表层之下的几层细胞，少数产生于愈伤组织的较深层。胚状体发生于单细胞，发育过程与合子胚大致相似。多数胚状体发育正常，具有一个芽端和一个胚根端。少数胚状体形成具多个芽端而共用一个胚根端的次生连体胚。胚状体发生不同步。胚状体只有在分化培养基上才能发育成熟。     

铁棍山药试管苗快繁培养基的优化

研究了不同植物生长调节剂(TDZ、6-BA、KT和NAA)浓度及其组合对铁棍山药试管苗快繁的影响,结果表明:KT和NAA组合时,在MS+KT 2mg·L-1+NAA 0.02mg·L-1培养基中试管苗高度达7.67cm,但繁殖系数只有2.67;在KT和NAA组合的基础上再添加TDZ后,在MS+KT 2mg·L-1+NAA 0.02mg·L-1+TDZ 0.02mg·L-1培养基中试管苗繁殖系数提高到6.00,试管苗健壮且生长旺盛;在比较不同细胞分裂素(KT,6-BA和TDZ)与NAA组合对试管苗快繁的影响时发现,6-BA与NAA组合最不适合试管苗的生长,KT与NAA组合中的试管苗生长缓慢,繁殖系数低,TDZ与NAA组合的培养基中有类原球茎形成.因此,综合以上研究结果,本实验认为KT、TDZ和NAA组合的培养基(MS+KT 2mg·L-1+NAA 0.02mg·L-1+TDZ 0.02mg·L-1)更适于铁棍山药试管苗的快繁.     

Cyclin D control of growth rate in plants

The mechanisms by which plants modulate their growth rate in response to environmental and developmental conditions are unknown, but are presumed to involve specialized regions called meristems where cell division is concentrated. The possible role of cell division in influencing meristem activity and overall plant growth rate is controversial, with a prevailing view that cell division is secondary to higher order meristem controls. Here we show that a reduction in the length of the cell-cycle G1 phase and faster cell cycling occur when the rate of cell division in transgenic tobacco plants is increased by the plant D-type cyclin CycD2 (ref. 8). The plants have normal cell and meristem sizes, but elevated overall growth rates, an increased rate of leaf initiation and accelerated development in all stages from seedling to maturity. We conclude that cell division is a principal determinant of meristem activity and overall growth rate, and propose that modulation of plant growth rate is achieved through regulation of G1.     

植物根尖分生组织干细胞调控模式

静止中心(QC)形成和干细胞区特化是植物根尖分生组织确立的标志。静止中心位于根尖分生组织中心,干细胞围绕在静止中心细胞周围。依赖于生长素的PLT途径和不依赖于生长素的SCR/SHR途径共同发挥维持静止中心细胞稳定的作用。静止中心和干细胞区的柱干细胞之间存在类似于WUS/CLV3的WOX5/ACR4/CLE40的反馈抑制调节途径,该调节途径维持着静止中心细胞和柱干细胞之间的平衡。静止中心和其他类型干细胞之间也可能存在类似的反馈抑制调节途径。生长素、细胞分裂素、赤霉素等植物激素信号在根干细胞功能发挥方面也起到重要作用,与各种基因一起组成根分生组织干细胞调控网络。     

影响植物分枝的一些基因及其分子机制

了解植物分枝机理不仅具有理论意义,对于农业、林业、果树、蔬菜和花卉等生产实践更具有重要意义.由于分子生物学的发展,人们有机会获得转基因植物和突变体,利用这些材料从不同角度对植物分枝机理进行深入研究.影响植物分枝的分子机制是多种多样的,对激素感知、激素代谢、激素运输等方面的影响都可以改变植物的分枝状况.目前,分枝的分子机制研究已取得较大进展.     

Conserved factors regulate signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana shoot and root stem cell organizers

Throughout the lifespan of a plant, which in some cases can last more than one thousand years, the stem cell niches in the root and shoot apical meristems provide cells for the formation of complete root and shoot systems, respectively. Both niches are superficially different and it has remained unclear whether common regulatory mechanisms exist. Here we address whether root and shoot meristems use related factors for stem cell maintenance. In the root niche the quiescent centre cells, surrounded by the stem cells, express the homeobox gene WOX5 (WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX 5), a homologue of the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene that non-cell-autonomously maintains stem cells in the shoot meristem. Loss of WOX5 function in the root meristem stem cell niche causes terminal differentiation in distal stem cells and, redundantly with other regulators, also provokes differentiation of the proximal meristem. Conversely, gain of WOX5 function blocks differentiation of distal stem cell descendents that normally differentiate. Importantly, both WOX5 and WUS maintain stem cells in either a root or shoot context. Together, our data indicate that stem cell maintenance signalling in both meristems employs related regulators.     

茭白分蘗苗端的结构及发育研究

茭白生育过程可分为四个时期:萌发期、分蘖期、苗端增粗期、休眠期。生长锥在各阶段始终保持原套—原体结构,原套两层细胞。叶原基发生的最初标志是原套细胞在叶原基发生位点上的平周分裂。最初的腋芽原基发生在苗端倒数第3间隔期所形成的幼叶叶腋内,发生的早期出现壳状区结构,促仗腋芽原基外突。不定根发生的最早阶段约在苗端倒数第5节间的上部,起源于幼茎外围堆管束的外侧一层薄壁细胞。茭瓜是茎的变态,它的侧生腋芽退化,没有膨大。茭瓜的膨大可归因于:基本组织的细胞分裂、细胞体积增大和胞间隙扩大等。茭白苗端的淀粉分布及消长规律与苗端的分区结构和器官发生都有密切相关性。     

毛竹PeSCL6基因的克隆及其表达分析

SCL6基因是植物保持茎端分生组织未分生状态所必需的关键基因之一。采用RT-PCR和RACE方法从毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis Carr.)中获得一个SCL6同源基因,命名为PeSCL6。该基因全长1 894 bp,其中5'端非编码区60 bp,3'端非编码区211 bp,编码区1 623 bp,共编码540个氨基酸。序列分析表明:PeSCL6基因编码的蛋白含有LHRI、VHIID、LHRII、PFYRE和SAW 5个保守区,属于GRAS家族蛋白; 该蛋白与水稻、玉米、高粱等单子叶植物的SCL6有较高的一致性(70%以上)。实时定量PCR结果表明:PeSCL6基因为组成型表达,且在叶片中的表达丰度最高; 而在即将开花之前和处于盛花期的竹株叶片中PeSCL6表达丰度明显降低,分别为幼龄竹株叶片的1%和14%。PeSCL6基因表达的变化,意味着它可能参与毛竹由营养生长向生殖生长的转换调控。     

玉米幼胚愈伤组织再生植株的变异

玉米受粉7—10天的幼胚,在含激素的MS培养基上诱导生成愈伤组织,并分化出胚状体,成苗后移栽于温室内,至成熟结实。这些试管苗植株在整个生长发育过程中,出现了雌穗顶生,顶生雌雄同穗,植株矮,叶片少,雌穗着生部位低及轮生叶序和对生叶序等多种显著的差异和变异。