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1.
Mol Genet Genomics ; 293(6): 1355-1363, 2018 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29946790

ABSTRACT

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) involves complex molecular signalling pathways. Understanding molecular mechanism of SE in Larix leptolepis (L. leptolepis) can aid research on genetic improvement of gymnosperms. Previously, we obtained five LaMIR166a (miR166a precursor) -overexpression embryonic cell lines in the gymnosperm Larix leptolepis. The proliferation rates of pro-embryogenic masses in transgenic and wild-type lines were calculated. Overexpression of the miR166a precursor LaMIR166a led to slower proliferation. When pro-embryogenic masses were transferred to maturation medium, the relative expression of LaMIR166a and miR166a in the LaMIR166a-overexpression lines was higher than in the wild-type during SE, while LaHDZ31-34 expression levels also increased without negative control by miR166, suggesting that regulation of HD-ZIP III by miR166a exits stage-specific characteristics. The key indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthetic gene Nitrilase of L. leptolepis (LaNIT) was identified and the effects of miR166a on auxin biosynthesis and signalling genes were studied. During SE, LaNIT, Auxin response factor1 (LaARF1) and LaARF2 mRNA levels and IAA contents were markedly higher in LaMIR166a-overexpression lines, which revealed lower deformity rate of embryos, indicating endogenous IAA synthesis is required for somatic embryo maturation in L. leptolepis. Additionally, the IAA biosynthesis and signalling genes showed similar expression patterns to LaHDZ31-34, suggesting HD-ZIP III genes have a positive regulatory effect on LaNIT. Our results suggest miR166a and LaHDZ31-34 have important roles in auxin biosynthesis and signalling during SE, which might determine if the somatic embryo normally developed to mature in L. leptolepis.


Subject(s)
Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Larix/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Larix/growth & development , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , Seeds/embryology , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/metabolism , Signal Transduction/genetics
2.
Planta ; 243(2): 473-88, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26476718

ABSTRACT

MAIN CONCLUSION: Embryogenesis-related genes ( LdBBM, LdLEC1, LdWOX2 and LdSERK ) were confirmed in sequence and expression abundance for Larix decidua ­these findings are valid for somatic as well as for zygotic embryo development.S omatic embryogenesis is a reliable source of high-quality genotypes as it presents an advantageous alternative for conifers in forestry, independent from seed production. Although this propagation method is already being applied, molecular factors initiating and controlling the process remain to be understood. The embryogenesis-associated genes BABYBOOM (BBM), LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), WUSCHEL-related HOMEOBOX2 (WOX2) and SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-like KINASE (SERK) were identified and analyzed in somatic embryos of the European larch, L. decidua Mill. Subsequent comparisons with annotated sequences displayed similarities with angiosperm homologs. Transcript accumulation of the identified genes during embryogenesis has been analyzed. LdLEC1 and LdWOX2 are mainly expressed during early embryogenesis, whereas LdBBM and LdSERK reveal increased expression during later development. Temporal and spatial expression studies revealed a specific LdLEC1 signal in the outer cell layer of young embryo heads, whereas mature embryos showed a homogeneous expression. The overexpression of LdLEC1 in Arabidopsis influences germination and cotyledon formation, thus indicating the interspecific importance of LEC1 for proper embryo and specifically cotyledon development. Our data support a conserved role of principal regulators during plant embryogenesis that may be used as molecular markers for embryogenicity and to further determine initiating processes of somatic embryogenesis.


Subject(s)
Larix/genetics , Plant Proteins/physiology , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , Animals , Arabidopsis/genetics , Biomarkers/metabolism , Computer Simulation , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Larix/embryology , Molecular Sequence Data , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Sequence Alignment , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Sequence Analysis, Protein
3.
Ann Bot ; 115(4): 605-15, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25605662

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In conifers, mature somatic embryos and zygotic embryos appear to resemble one another physiologically and morphologically. However, phenotypes of cloned conifer embryos can be strongly influenced by a number of in vitro factors and in some instances clonal variation can exceed that found in nature. This study examines whether zygotic embryos that develop within light-opaque cones differ from somatic embryos developing in dark/light conditions in vitro. Embryogenesis in larch is well understood both in situ and in vitro and thus provides a suitable system for addressing this question. METHODS: Features of somatic and zygotic embryos of hybrid larch, Larix × marschlinsii, were quantified, including cotyledon numbers, protein concentration and phenol chemistry. Somatic embryos were placed either in light or darkness for the entire maturation period. Embryos at different developmental stages were embedded and sectioned for histological analysis. KEY RESULTS: Light, and to a lesser degree abscisic acid (ABA), influenced accumulation of protein and phenolic compounds in somatic and zygotic embryos. Dark-grown mature somatic embryos had more protein (91·77 ± 11·26 µg protein mg(-1) f.wt) than either dark-grown zygotic embryos (62·40 ± 5·58) or light-grown somatic embryos (58·15 ± 10·02). Zygotic embryos never accumulated phenolic compounds at any stage, whereas somatic embryos stored phenolic compounds in the embryonal root caps and suspensors. Light induced the production of quercetrin (261·13 ± 9·2 µg g(-1) d.wt) in somatic embryos. Mature zygotic embryos that were removed from seeds and placed on medium in light rapidly accumulated phenolics in the embryonal root cap and hypocotyl. Delaying germination with ABA delayed phenolic compound accumulation, restricting it to the embryonal root cap. CONCLUSIONS: In larch embryos, light has a negative effect on protein accumulation, but a positive effect on phenol accumulation. Light did not affect morphogenesis, e.g. cotyledon number. Somatic embryos produced different amounts of phenolics, such as quercetrin, depending on light conditions. The greatest difference was seen in the embryonal root cap in all embryo types and conditions.


Subject(s)
Larix/radiation effects , Light , Pigmentation/radiation effects , Seeds/radiation effects , Abscisic Acid/pharmacology , Germination/drug effects , Germination/radiation effects , Hybridization, Genetic , Larix/drug effects , Larix/embryology , Larix/growth & development , Pigmentation/drug effects , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/growth & development
4.
Physiol Plant ; 150(2): 271-91, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23789891

ABSTRACT

A global DNA methylation and proteomics approach was used to investigate somatic embryo maturation in hybrid larch. Each developmental step during somatic embryogenesis was associated with a distinct and significantly different global DNA methylation level: from 45.8% mC for undifferentiated somatic embryos (1-week proliferation) to 61.5% mC for immature somatic embryos (1-week maturation), while maturation was associated with a decrease in DNA methylation to 53.4% for mature cotyledonary somatic embryos (8-weeks maturation). The presence of 5-azacytidine (hypo-methylating agent) or hydroxyurea (hyper-methylating agent) in the maturation medium altered the global DNA methylation status of the embryogenic cultures, and significantly reduced both their relative growth rate and embryogenic potential, suggesting an important role for DNA methylation in embryogenesis. Maturation was also assessed by examining changes in the total protein profile. Storage proteins, identified as legumin- and vicilin-like, appeared at the precotyledonary stage. In the proteomic study, total soluble proteins were extracted from embryos after 1 and 8 weeks of maturation, and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. There were 147 spots which showed significant differences between the stages of maturation; they were found to be involved mainly in primary metabolism and the stabilization of the resulting metabolites. This indicated that the somatic embryo was still metabolically active at 8 weeks of maturation. This is the first report of analyses of global DNA methylation (including the effects of hyper- and hypo-treatments) and proteome during somatic embryogenesis in hybrid larch, and thus provides novel insights into maturation of conifer somatic embryos.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers/metabolism , DNA Methylation/genetics , Hybridization, Genetic , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Proteomics , Seeds/metabolism , Carbon/metabolism , Crosses, Genetic , Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional , Kinetics , Larix/growth & development , Plant Proteins/metabolism
5.
Gene ; 522(2): 177-83, 2013 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23566830

ABSTRACT

Polar auxin transport provides a developmental signal for cell fate specification during somatic embryogenesis. Some members of the HD-ZIP III transcription factors participate in regulation of auxin transport, but little is known about this regulation in somatic embryogenesis. Here, four HD-ZIP III homologues from Larix leptolepis were identified and designated LaHDZ31, 32, 33 and 34. The occurrence of a miR165/166 target sequence in all four cDNA sequences indicated that they might be targets of miR165/166. Identification of the cleavage products of LaHDZ31 and LaHDZ32 in vivo confirmed that they were regulated by miRNA. Their mRNA accumulation patterns during somatic embryogenesis and the effects of 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) on their transcript levels and somatic embryo maturation were investigated. The results showed that the four genes had higher transcript levels at mature stages than at the proliferation stage, and that NPA treatment down-regulated the mRNA abundance of LaHDZ31, 32 and 33 at cotyledonary embryo stages, but had no effect on the mRNA abundance of LaHDZ34. We concluded that these four members of Larix HD-ZIP III family might participate in polar auxin transport and the development of somatic embryos, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis.


Subject(s)
Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism , Larix/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Seeds/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Biological Transport/drug effects , Biological Transport/genetics , Down-Regulation , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects , Larix/embryology , Leucine Zippers , MicroRNAs/genetics , Phthalimides/pharmacology , Plant Proteins/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Seeds/metabolism
6.
Plant Cell Rep ; 31(9): 1637-57, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22622308

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) is an ecologically and economically important species mainly grown in northeastern China, Japan and Europe. However, erratic flowering and poor germplasm resources caused by high embryo abortion rates have hampered breeding of Larix species. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an effective tool for the production of L. leptolepis with desirable characteristics, such as expression of totipotency, preparation of synthetic seeds, and genetic transformation. However, public genomic resources for this species are limited. We sequenced 591,759 raw expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a 454 sequencing cDNA library of L. leptolepis somatic embryos, resulting in 572,403 high-quality reads. These reads were assembled into 70,927 unique sequences (UniGenes), including 32,321 contigs and 38,606 singletons. After removal of low-quality sequences, 65,115 UniGenes were annotated using the UniProtKB program. Based on their sequence similarity with known proteins, the matched 30,372 sequences from 664 species were estimated to represent approximately 19,000 unique genes. Gene ontology analysis revealed 21,324 UniGenes assigned to 51 categories. By Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes mapping, 25,773 transcripts were associated with 160 biochemical pathways. Further analysis screened four signal transduction pathways represented by 337 enzymes and 17 secondary metabolites. In silico analysis reveals that 207 UniESTs in Larix are homologous to MAPKs genes identified from other model plants, which may be involved in regulating SE development. This study provides an initial insight into the Larix transcriptomes of the pro-embryogenic mass and is a sound basis for future studies. KEY MESSAGE: We constructed a large, full-length 454 sequencing cDNA library of Larix leptolepis during somatic embryogenesis. More than 590,000 sequences were obtained and a deep-coverage EST database was constructed.


Subject(s)
Computational Biology/methods , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Seeds/genetics , Base Sequence , Biosynthetic Pathways/genetics , Databases, Protein , Expressed Sequence Tags , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics , Japan , Molecular Sequence Annotation , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Signal Transduction/genetics
7.
Planta ; 236(2): 647-57, 2012 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22526500

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as essential regulators of biological processes. Somatic embryogenesis is one of the most important techniques for gymnosperm-breeding programs, but there is little understanding of its underlying mechanism. To investigate the roles of miRNAs during somatic embryogenesis in larch, we constructed a small RNA library from somatic embryos. High-throughput sequencing of the library identified 83 conserved miRNAs from 35 families, 16 novel miRNAs, and 14 plausible miRNA candidates, with a high proportion specific to larch or gymnosperms. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that both the conserved and novel or candidate miRNAs were expressed in larch. Several miRNA precursor sequences were obtained via RACE. We predicted 110 target genes using bioinformatics, and validated 9 of them by 5' RACE. 11 conserved miRNA families including 17 miRNAs with critical functions in plant development and six target mRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR in the larch SE. Stage-specific expression of miRNAs and their targets indicate their possible modulation on SE of larch: miR171a/b might exert function on PEMs, while miR171c acts in the induction process of larch SE; miR397 and miR398 mainly involved in modulation of PEM propagation and transition to single embryo; miR162 and miR168 exert their regulatory function during total SE process, especially during stages 5-8; miR156, miR159, miR160, miR166, miR167, and miR390 might play regulatory roles during cotyledonary embryo development. These findings indicate that larch and possibly other gymnosperms have complex mechanisms of gene regulation involving specific and common miRNAs operating post-transcriptionally during embryogenesis.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Larix/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Base Sequence , Computational Biology , Conserved Sequence , Cotyledon/embryology , Cotyledon/genetics , Cotyledon/physiology , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics , Gene Library , Genome, Plant/genetics , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Larix/embryology , Larix/physiology , MicroRNAs/metabolism , RNA, Plant/genetics , RNA, Plant/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
8.
Ontogenez ; 43(6): 425-35, 2012.
Article in Russian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23401960

ABSTRACT

Embryogenic callus formation in different larch species from Siberia (Larix sibirica, L. gmelinii, and L. sukaczewii) was carried out on MSGm medium supplemented with growth regulators (2.4-D and BAP) and followed one and the same scheme: elongation of somatic cells and their asymmetric division with formation of initial and tube cells. The cells of embryo initial underwent sequential divisions and formed embryonic globules which caused the formation of somatic embryos. Somatic embryos became mature and germinated by addition of ABA and PEG into the medium. Long-term proliferating cell lines and regenerant plants were obtained in Sukachev larch and its hybrid with Siberian larch. The success of somatic embryogenesis depended on the genotype of the donor tree.


Subject(s)
Hybrid Cells/physiology , Larix/embryology , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques/methods , Abscisic Acid/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds , Cell Division/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Genotype , Germination/drug effects , Germination/physiology , Hybrid Cells/drug effects , Hybrid Cells/ultrastructure , Indoleacetic Acids/pharmacology , Kinetin/pharmacology , Larix/drug effects , Larix/genetics , Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacology , Purines , Siberia
9.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 398(3): 355-60, 2010 Jul 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20599742

ABSTRACT

Somatic embryogenesis involves complex molecular signaling pathways. Deregulation of these signaling pathways can transform the embryogenic callus to non-embryogenic callus. To investigate the miRNA regulation underlying this detrimental transformation in Japanese Larch (Larix leptolepis), we compared miRNA expression profiles between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus at day 3 and day 14 after sub-culture. Four miRNA families dominated the 165 differentially expressed miRNAs between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus. Of the four, miR171 was up-regulated, and miR159, miR169, and miR172 were down-regulated in the embryogenic callus. These four families are all abiotic stress-induced miRNAs, and all target transcription factors that regulate a group of genes important for cell differentiation and development, including scarecrow-like (SCL) transcription factor (miR171), apetala2 (miR172), MYB transcription factors (miR159), and NF-YA transcription factor (miR169). Three down-regulated miRNA families in the embryogenic callus are also regulated by ABA, which further shed light into the potential mechanisms underlying the transformation of the embryogenic competence in L. leptolepis. This study represents the first report on the miRNA regulation of the embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus in plant, and thus these four miRNA families provide important clues for further functional investigation.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Larix/embryology , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Stress, Physiological , Larix/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism
10.
Yi Chuan ; 31(5): 540-5, 2009 May.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19586850

ABSTRACT

To study the molecular mechanism of Larix somatic embryogenesis, a differentially expressed cDNA library of Larix somatic embryo in the period of maturation was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). The cDNA from the cultures at the stage of somatic embryo maturation of embryogenic cell line Y35 of L. leptolepis xL. principis-rupprechtii was used as the tester and the cDNA from its subcultured callus was used as the driver. Eight hundreds randomly selected positive clones were sequenced, and 468 UniGenes were obtained finally. According to their function, these ESTs were classified into 19 categories and were involved in many biological process related to plant growth and development such as metabolism, transcription, signal transduction, transport facilitation, cell growth and division, cell structure, cell fate, protein synthesis or degradation, defense etc. Real-time PCR results of several ESTs showed that they were all differentially expressed at the different stages during cell line Y35 somatic embryo maturation.


Subject(s)
Embryonic Development/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology , Larix/genetics , Seeds/genetics , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary , Embryo Culture Techniques , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics , Larix/embryology , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , RNA, Messenger/metabolism
11.
Oecologia ; 159(3): 527-37, 2009 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19066970

ABSTRACT

Masting is the intermittent production of large seed crops by a population of plants. Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain masting. Variations in seed crop may result from stochastic climate factors (temperature, rainfall, etc.), and/or masting may be a plant evolutionary strategy to avoid specific seed predators. To determine the effect of climate on the annual pattern of cone production in the European larch (Larix decidua), we analyzed larch cone production from 1975 to 2005 at 20 sites in the French Alps, ranging from 1,300 to 2,100 m a.s.l. (on average 17 years per site were sampled). We examined the effects of mast seeding on the predation of larch cones by the dominant specific pre-dispersal seed predators, cone fly Strobilomyia spp. Larch cone production varied across the years and was spatially synchronized throughout the region. We constructed two models to explain seed production, one for sites at low (<1,800 m) and one for sites at high (> or =1,800 m) altitudes, using partial least squares (PLS) regressions to detect across a large number of climate indices (306) the factors which best explain cone production. Monthly indices were more accurate descriptors than 4-month period indices. The predation rate was lower in high cone production years that followed low production years, supporting the predator satiation hypothesis. However, variable cone production explained only a small part of predation rates (45 and 25% at low and high altitudes, respectively). Predation was also directly affected by climate conditions. PLS regressions taking into account both cone production and climate factors accounted for as much as 68 and 82% of the predation rate variation at low and high altitudes, respectively. This study contributes to a better understanding of how climate factors differently affect the members of an interacting community.


Subject(s)
Climate , Larix/physiology , Seeds , Altitude , Animals , Larix/embryology , Predatory Behavior
12.
Ontogenez ; 39(2): 106-15, 2008.
Article in Russian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18669292

ABSTRACT

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in Siberian larch by in vitro culturing zygotic embryos at different developmental stages. Cultures were grown in modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with hormones 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2 mg/l) and 6-benzylaminopurine (0.5-1 mg/l). The success of somatic embryogenesis in this species depended on the tree genotype and developmental stage of embryos used for culturing. Somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos at the stage of cotyledon initiation was most active. After 5-10 days, such embryos formed the embryogenic tissue including two cell types--elongated highly vacuolated embryonic tubes and small embryonic cells. Somatic embryos were isolated from proliferating embryogenic tissues after 2 months of culture.


Subject(s)
Cotyledon/embryology , Larix/embryology , Cotyledon/cytology , Genotype , Larix/cytology
13.
J Plant Physiol ; 165(9): 1003-10, 2008 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18160178

ABSTRACT

Two APETALA2 domain transcription factors were characterized first in angiosperms, and, recently, in several gymnosperms. These proteins are involved in several processes, from flowering to embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. We extrapolated this result to hybrid larch (Larixxmarschlinsii Coaz) resulting from a cross between European (Larix decidua) and Japanese (Larix kaempferi) larches. Somatic embryogenesis is well described and controlled for this Pinaceae. We characterized two-AP2 domain genes: LmAP2L1 and LmAP2L2. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that LmAP2L1 and LmAP2L2 were orthologous to Norway spruce PaAP2L1 and PaAP2L2 and that L1 forms appeared to be specific to Pinaceae. RT-PCR analysis showed that larch APETALA2 was differentially expressed during late somatic embryogenesis and during the first steps of germination. Whereas LmAP2L2 was constitutively expressed during this process, LmAP2L1 expression appeared only during late somatic embryogenesis, when embryos were able to germinate. Further, LmAP2L1 appeared to be the preferentially expressed form during embryo germination. Thus, LmAP2L1 seems to be a valuable molecular marker for hybrid larch late somatic embryogenesis and could play a role during post-embryonic development.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins/chemistry , Embryonic Development/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Germination/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/chemistry , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/chemistry , Plant Proteins/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Conserved Sequence , Crosses, Genetic , Hybridization, Genetic , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Sequence Alignment
14.
Plant Mol Biol ; 61(4-5): 615-27, 2006 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16897479

ABSTRACT

Germins and germin-like proteins (GLPs) are members of a superfamily of proteins widely distributed in plants. Their localization within the extracellular matrix and in some cases their hydrogen peroxide-producing activity suggests that these proteins are involved in cell wall metabolism during stress responses and developmental processes. Several very highly conserved conifer GLPs have been identified in somatic embryo tissues. In order to gain more knowledge on their potential involvement in the development of this particular tissue, we have characterized a new GLP gene, LmGER1 in hybrid larch. Anti-GLP immunserum and in-gel activity analyses suggested the presence of superoxide dismutase activity in apoplastic proteins from larch somatic embryos. These results could indicate a possible role for LmGER1 in this physiological process. The expression of LmGER1 has been followed during the maturation of somatic embryos and in different organs of young plantlets by homologous transformation with a promoter-gus construct. This promoter was activated in the root cap of young embryos and, later on, in the cotyledons and in the vascular procambium and xylem. Furthermore, the importance of this gene in embryo development was evaluated by transforming embryonal masses with a gene construct encoding a hairpin RNA leading to gene silencing. The potential role of LmGER1 in cross-linking of cell wall components is discussed.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Genes, Plant/genetics , Glycoproteins/genetics , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Down-Regulation , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Molecular Sequence Data , Plants, Genetically Modified , Tissue Culture Techniques
15.
Planta ; 223(1): 40-5, 2005 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16034590

ABSTRACT

Efficiency of novel fiber formation was much improved in protoplast culture of embryogenic cells (ECs) of a conifer, Larix leptolepis (Sieb. et Zucc.) Gord., by pre-culturing ECs in a medium containing a high concentration of glutamine (13.7 mM). The fibrillar substructures of large and elongated fibers of protoplasts isolated from Larix ECs were investigated by laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) after Aniline Blue staining and atomic force microscopy (AFM) using a micromanipulator without any pre-treatment. Fibers were composed of bundles of fibrils and subfibrils, whose diameters were defined as 0.7 and 0.17 mum, respectively, by image analysis after LCSM and AFM. These fibers were proven to be composed of callose by using specific degrading enzymes for beta-1,4-glucan and beta-1,3-glucan.


Subject(s)
Glucans/analysis , Larix/embryology , Protoplasts/chemistry , Carbohydrate Conformation , Cell Fractionation , Cellulases/metabolism , Glucans/chemistry , Glucosidases/metabolism , Glutamine/pharmacology , Larix/anatomy & histology , Larix/chemistry , Microscopy, Atomic Force , Microscopy, Confocal , Protoplasts/cytology , Protoplasts/drug effects , Tissue Culture Techniques , beta-Glucans/analysis , beta-Glucans/chemistry
16.
Plant Cell Rep ; 24(7): 418-25, 2005 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15830196

ABSTRACT

We report a new protocol for the stable transformation of Larix gmelinii. Thirty mature zygotic embryos precultured for 3 days on solid medium supplemented with benzyladenine were bombarded with plasmids pUC-GHG (GUS, HPT, and GFP genes) or pBI221-HPT (HPT and GUS genes). After a 2-month culture on selection medium, hygromycin-resistant calli appeared on the surfaces of the necrotic embryos. The frequencies of embryos with resistant calli were 18.4% and 17.4% in the transformations with pUC-GHG and pBI221-HPT DNA, respectively. More than 20 adventitious shoots formed from each of the transgenic calli. Of 17 elongated shoots selected for culturing on a rooting medium, five shoots rooted after 2 months. Expression of the GFP and GUS genes was detected in the resistant tissues by microscopic observations and by a histological GUS activity assay, respectively. PCR and Southern analysis confirmed the stable insertion of the introduced DNA into the genome.


Subject(s)
Biolistics/methods , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/genetics , Transformation, Genetic/genetics , Biolistics/trends , Culture Media/chemistry , Culture Media/pharmacology , DNA, Plant/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Genome, Plant , Plant Shoots/genetics , Plant Shoots/growth & development , Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics , Plants, Genetically Modified/growth & development
17.
Plant Cell Physiol ; 46(3): 445-53, 2005 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15695457

ABSTRACT

In contrast to angiosperms, some gymnosperms form well-developed suspensors in somatic embryogenesis. This characteristic makes it easy to study suspensor biology. In cultures with high cell densities, somatic embryogenesis of Japanese larch, especially the suspensor development, is strongly inhibited due to factor(s) that are released by the cells into the culture medium. In this study, we purified and identified one of the inhibitory factors present in high-cell-density conditioned medium (HCM) of larch cells. The factor with the strongest inhibitory activity was purified by dialysis, extraction by ethyl acetate, octadecylsilyl (ODS) column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inhibitory factor was identified as vanillyl benzyl ether (VBE) by physicochemical analysis. This compound was first isolated from natural resources. Authentic VBE inhibited somatic embryo formation in Japanese larch, and the inhibitory effect in the suspensor was stronger than in the embryo proper. Furthermore, quantification of VBE by HPLC demonstrated that VBE accumulates at high concentrations in HCM. These results suggest that VBE is a novel negative regulator of somatic embryogenesis.


Subject(s)
Benzaldehydes/chemistry , Benzyl Compounds/chemistry , Growth Inhibitors/chemistry , Larix/embryology , Larix/metabolism , Seeds/embryology , Seeds/metabolism , Benzaldehydes/isolation & purification , Benzaldehydes/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds/isolation & purification , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Culture Media, Conditioned/chemistry , Culture Techniques , Growth Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Growth Inhibitors/pharmacology , Larix/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Seeds/drug effects
18.
Ann Bot ; 93(4): 423-34, 2004 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15023703

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many conifer embryos, both in natural seeds and in clonal populations of somatic embryos, display variability in the number of cotyledons. In hybrid larch, Larix x leptoeuropaea (synonymous with L. x marschlinsii Coaz), such variability has previously been reported in somatic embryos, together with a decrease in the average cotyledon number when benzyladenine (BA) is applied exogenously. Described here is a spatially quantitative study with the aim of throwing some light on the way cotyledon number is determined, and hence the mechanism of cotyledon formation. METHODS: Stock cultures of embryogenic tissue were maintained and later made embryogenically active by standard methods. Development through cotyledon formation was followed by optical microscopy with quantitative measurement of embryo diameter and number of cotyledons. SEMs of representative stages and cotyledon numbers were done for purposes of illustration in this account. Existing mathematics of waveforms on a disc were cast into a form suitable to compare with the quantitative data. RESULTS: The number of cotyledons is linearly related to the diameter of the apical surface of the embryo (which approximates a circular disc) at the time of first appearance of the cotyledon primordia. This linearity is a constant-spacing phenomenon between adjacent primordia. Addition of BA to the medium restricts the range of apical diameters without changing inter-cotyledon spacing. Slope/intercept ratio of the linear plot matches expectation for initiation of cotyledon pattern as a harmonic waveform on a circular disc. CONCLUSIONS: The entire pattern of cotyledon primordia arises as a single entity coordinated by a mechanism with wave-forming properties. This is explicable by diverse mechanisms, especially either mechanical buckling ('biophysical') or reaction-diffusion kinetics ('physicochemical').


Subject(s)
Adenine/analogs & derivatives , Cotyledon/growth & development , Hybrid Vigor/physiology , Larix/growth & development , Seeds/growth & development , Adenine/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds , Cotyledon/drug effects , Cotyledon/ultrastructure , Hybrid Vigor/genetics , Kinetin , Larix/embryology , Larix/genetics , Linear Models , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Purines , Seeds/genetics
19.
Shi Yan Sheng Wu Xue Bao ; 33(4): 357-65, 2000 Dec.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12549075

ABSTRACT

Larix principis-Rupprechtii is one of the superior afforestation forest trees growing in north China. Embryogenic cultures were initiated from immature zygotic embryos of Larix principis-Rupprechtii on S culture medium containing 2, 4-D 0-2.2 mg/L, KT and BA each at 0-0. 8 mg/L. Embryogenic calli were subcultured and multiplicated on S + B culture medium containing dropping off each hormone concentration. We set up 33 steady-going embryogenic cell lines; We studied on the growth stage and genotype differences of every embryogenic cell lines; and Finded more than 10 high-frequency somatic embryogenesis cell lines such as 2K, 2T, 2I, 2J, 3C etc.. The number of 2T somatic embryos reaches 314/per gram of embryogenic tissue and the number of 3C somatic embryos is 185/per gram of embryogenic tissue. The re-induction method of Larix principis-Rupprechtii from somatic embryos was used to produce renewable embryogenic cultures and steady-going embryogenic cell lines effectively. Mature somatic embryos can germinate and develop further into plantlets when they are isolated and cultured on a hormone-free WPM culture medium. The regeneration plantlets were obtained. Furthermore, the transformation with a truncated gene of Bacillus thuringensis (B. t) were carried out, the PCR showed positive results, because of this, embryogenic cell line of Larix principis-Rupprechtii can be used for transformation experiments to support further breeding in forestry.


Subject(s)
Larix/embryology , Cell Line , Culture Techniques , Regeneration
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