蒺藜苜蓿MtbHLH148转录因子的克隆与转化及其功能分析

bHLH(Basic helix loop helix, bHLH)转录因子家族是植物最大的转录因子家族之一,广泛参与植物生长发育和盐胁迫应答机制。该研究利用同源克隆的方法克隆蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)的MtbHLH148基因,采用qRT PCR方法分析MtbHLH148基因在蒺藜苜蓿中的表达特性,构建超表达载体并通过农杆菌侵染法转化拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana),对转基因拟南芥的耐盐性相关功能进行分析研究。结果显示：(1)从蒺藜苜蓿中获得MtbHLH148基因,该基因cDNA全长1 343 bp,包含开放阅读框为603 bp,编码 201 个氨基酸,蛋白分子量22.7 kD,等电点为11.76;蛋白结构分析显示,该蛋白无跨膜结构域,无信号肽,为亲水性蛋白;含有精氨酸／赖氨酸残基的保守结构域和典型的bHLH结构域;二级结构以α 螺旋和无规则卷曲为主。(2)亚细胞定位表明,MtbHLH148蛋白定位在细胞核。(3)进化树分析表明,MtbHLH148与大豆(Glycine max)的亲缘性最近;启动子分析发现,该基因启动子区域含有光响应元件、MYB结合位点以及ABA应答元件ABRE,可能参与非生物胁迫。(4)qRT PCR分析发现,MtbHLH148基因在蒺藜苜蓿的茎中表达量最高,叶中表达量最低,且MtbHLH148基因受ABA(100 μmol/L)诱导并在盐胁迫(200 mmol/L NaCl)处理8 h内表达量上调,而在低温(4 ℃)处理时表达量明显下调。(5)成功构建超表达载体pCAMBIA3301 MtbHLH148并转化拟南芥获得16个抗性株系,经鉴定有12个过表达株系,其中表达量最高的转基因株系为OE8;对OE8株系耐盐性功能分析发现,转基因拟南芥植株的发芽率明显高于野生型,盐胁迫下转基因拟南芥的根长是野生型的1.5倍,表明其耐盐性得到了增强。研究表明,MtbHLH148基因可能在盐胁迫调节机制中具有一定的调控作用。     

苜蓿悬浮细胞对盐胁迫的瓜和适应

苜蓿悬浮细胞能够适应２２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＮａＣｌ及其以下盐浓度的胁迫,适应细胞中游离脯氨酸、还原糖和Ｎａ＾＋积累增加。４４０ｍｍｏｌ／ＮａＣｌ对细胞生长明显抑制。细胞对盐胁迫的反应和适应中ＰＭ－ＡＴＰａｓｅ和ＴＭ－ＡＴＰａｓｅ起到重要作用,在适应细胞中两者的活力都明显增加。ＰＭ－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的增加可受ＣＨＸ的明显抑制。     

黄花苜蓿与蒺藜苜蓿对土壤低磷胁迫适应策略的比较研究

土壤有效磷(P)含量低是限制植物生长的主要因素之一。根形态变化和根系大量分泌以柠檬酸为主的有机酸是植物适应土壤P素缺乏的重要机制。以广泛分布于我国北方的重要豆科牧草黄花苜蓿(Medicago falcata)和豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿(M. truncatula)为材料, 采用砂培方法, 研究了低P胁迫对其植株生长、根系形态和柠檬酸分泌的影响, 对比了两种苜蓿适应低P胁迫的不同策略。结果表明: 1)低P处理显著抑制了蒺藜苜蓿与黄花苜蓿的地上部生长, 而对地下部生长影响较小, 从而导致根冠比增加。2)低P胁迫显著降低黄花苜蓿的总根长和侧根长, 而对蒺藜苜蓿的上述根系形态指标没有显著影响。3)低P胁迫促进两种苜蓿根系的柠檬酸分泌, 无论是在正常供P还是低P胁迫条件下, 黄花苜蓿根系分泌柠檬酸量显著高于蒺藜苜蓿根系。上述结果表明, 黄花苜蓿和蒺藜苜蓿对低P胁迫的适应策略不同, 低P胁迫下, 黄花苜蓿主要通过根系大量分泌柠檬酸, 活化根际难溶态P来提高对P的吸收, 而蒺藜苜蓿维持较大的根系是其适应低P胁迫的主要策略。     

发状念珠藻对盐胁迫的响应

探讨了发状念珠藻(NostocflagelliformeBornetFlah)对盐胁迫的耐受适应机制,采用含不同浓度NaCl(0、01、02、04、06、08、10mol/L)的BG110培养液处理具有正常生理活性的丝状体,25±05℃,40μmol/m2/s下照光培养12h,测定藻体光合作用、呼吸作用等生理活性以及体内一些物质的含量,结果表明：随培养液中NaCl浓度的升高藻体光合作用、呼吸作用以及PSⅡ活性(Fv/Fm)降低;质膜透性不断增大,丙二醛含量升高,自由水含量、自由水/束缚水比值下降,类胡萝卜素、可溶性糖含量增加,脯氨酸含量变化不大。由此可知,盐胁迫下发状念珠藻正常生理活性受到抑制而表现出一定的抗逆能力;该藻对盐胁迫具有一定的耐受能力,类胡萝卜素的增加有助于清除藻体内的氧自由基,可溶性糖可能是其主要渗透调节物质之一,脯氨酸在盐胁迫中的渗透调节作用不大。     

盐胁迫下外源NO对苜蓿幼苗生长及氮代谢的影响

为探寻增强苜蓿耐盐能力的调控途径,以甘农4号苜蓿品种为材料,采用NO供体硝普钠、NO清除剂c-PTIO及硝普钠类似物亚铁氰化钠处理苜蓿幼苗,研究盐胁迫下外源NO对苜蓿幼苗生长、光合特征、氮同化酶活性和氮代谢物含量的影响.结果表明: 外源NO能明显缓解盐胁迫对苜蓿幼苗生长及光合作用的抑制,单株干质量、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率和可溶性蛋白含量增加;外源NO能增强硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶和谷氨酸合酶活性,抑制蛋白水解酶和谷氨酸脱氢酶活性, 降低叶片中游离氨基酸含量,提高硝态氮含量,加快铵的同化.NO供体SNP的类似物亚铁氰化钠对盐胁迫下苜蓿幼苗生长及氮代谢无调控作用;施用NO清除剂c-PTIO加剧了盐胁迫对苜蓿幼苗生长和氮代谢的抑制,添加外源NO能缓解c-PTIO的抑制效应.盐胁迫下,外源NO和内源NO均参与了苜蓿幼苗氮代谢的调控.     

罗布麻对不同浓度盐胁迫的生理响应

利用网室盆栽实验, 研究不同浓度的NaCl(100–400 mmol·L^–1)胁迫对罗布麻(Apocynum venetum)生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明, 100 mmol·L^–1NaCl处理显著降低了罗布麻植株的鲜重, 但对其干重影响不大; 随着盐浓度继续增加, 罗布麻鲜重和干重显著下降。在盐胁迫下, 罗布麻叶片内的丙二醛含量、电解质渗漏率、根部和地上部Na⁺的含量明显增加, K⁺的含量随着盐离子浓度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著降低了地上部Ca²⁺的含量, 而对根部Ca²⁺的含量没有影响。植株K⁺/Na⁺和Ca²⁺/Na⁺比值随着盐胁迫强度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著促进了罗布麻根部对K⁺和Ca²⁺的选择性吸收及对K⁺的选择性运输。当NaCl浓度小于或等于200 mmol·L^–1时, 随着盐离子浓度的增加, 罗布麻叶片内的脯氨酸和可溶性糖积累显著增加,而当NaCl浓度大于200 mmol·L^–1时, 这2种有机溶质含量显著下降。总体上, 罗布麻通过积累无机离子、合成有机溶质及维持较高的K⁺、Ca²⁺选择性吸收和运输来适应一定浓度(≤200 mmol·L^–1NaCl)的盐胁迫。     

盐胁迫下苜蓿中盐蛋白的诱导产生

盐胁迫下苜蓿叶片中蛋白质的合成受到抑制,而其离体叶绿体中蛋白质合成增强,ABA阻碍了后者的蛋白质合成。NaCl胁迫下,“松江”和“肇东”两品种的根和叶中均无新多肽出现。在盐敏感的“松江”品种离体叶绿体中,NaGl诱导70,65,60和43kD4种多肽产生,ABA诱导60和17kD两种多肽产生;在较抗盐的“肇东”品种离体叶绿体中,NaGl诱导83,80kD和43kD3种多肽产生,但100mmol/L NaCl并不诱导83kD多肽出现,ABA无明显作用。两品种的43kD多肽和肇东品种的80kD多肽都存在于类囊体膜上,而松江品种的60kD多肽则存在于叶绿体间质中。     

罗布麻对不同浓度盐胁迫的生理响应

利用网室盆栽实验,研究不同浓度的NaCl（100-400mmol·L^-1）胁迫对罗布麻（Apocynum venetum）生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明,100mmol·L^-1NaCl处理显著降低了罗布麻植株的鲜重,但对其干重影响不大;随着盐浓度继续增加,罗布麻鲜重和干重显著下降。在盐胁迫下,罗布麻叶片内的丙二醛含量、电解质渗漏率、根部和地上部Na^＋的含量明显增加,K^＋的含量随着盐离子浓度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著降低了地上部Ca^2＋的含量,而对根部Ca^2＋的含量没有影响。植株K^＋/Na^＋和Ca^2＋/Na^＋比值随着盐胁迫强度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著促进了罗布麻根部对K^＋和Ca^2＋的选择性吸收及对K^＋的选择性运输。当NaCl浓度小于或等于200mmol·L^-1时,随着盐离子浓度的增加,罗布麻叶片内的脯氨酸和可溶性糖积累显著增加,而当NaCl浓度大于200mmol·L^-1时,这2种有机溶质含量显著下降。总体上,罗布麻通过积累无机离子、合成有机溶质及维持较高的K^＋、Ca^2＋选择性吸收和运输来适应一定浓度（≤200mmol·L^-1NaCl）的盐胁迫。     

Embryo induction and regeneration from root explants of Medicago truncatula after osmotic pre-treatment

Embryo induction and regeneration from suspension culture of two Medicago truncatula cvs. (cv. R 108 1 and cv. Jemalong) have been studied. The influence of osmotic pre-treatment (1 M solution of sucrose for 48 h and 72 h) of roots as an initial explant, on embryogenic efficiency of the suspension culture was assessed. In comparison to the control, the level of abscisic acid (ABA) increased significantly after osmotic stress. The increased ABA level did not correlate with the induction of embryogenesis neither with the improved embryogenic potential of cv. R 108 1. The shortest regeneration period and the highest percent of conversion to plants were found in cv. R 108 1 after 72-h pre-treatment of roots. The efficiency of somatic embryo conversion was less after 48-h pre-treatment and much less for the untreated control. Osmotic stress did not positively affect the process of embryogenesis from root explants of cv. Jemalong, confirming its cultivar dependence. A single cell suspension fraction was produced in both Medicago trunacatula cvs. during the somatic embryo maturation stage. A higher embryogenic potential than the initial suspension culture was established only for the cell suspension originating from 72-h pre-treated roots of cv. R 108 1. The data confirms that the process of somatic embryo induction and embryo conversion from root explants of cv. R 108 1 could be promoted by osmotic stress pre-treatment.     

Growth and nitrogen fixation in Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula under NaCl stress: nodule carbon metabolism

Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula model legumes, which form determined and indeterminate nodules, respectively, provide a convenient system to study plant-Rhizobium interaction and to establish differences between the two types of nodules under salt stress conditions. We examined the effects of 25 and 50mM NaCl doses on growth and nitrogen fixation parameters, as well as carbohydrate content and carbon metabolism of M. truncatula and L. japonicus nodules. The leghemoglobin (Lb) content and nitrogen fixation rate (NFR) were approximately 10.0 and 2.0 times higher, respectively, in nodules of L. japonicus when compared with M. truncatula. Plant growth parameters and nitrogenase activity decreased with NaCl treatments in both legumes. Sucrose was the predominant sugar quantified in nodules of both legumes, showing a decrease in concentration in response to salt stress. The content of trehalose was low (less than 2.5% of total soluble sugars (TSS)) to act as an osmolyte in nodules, despite its concentration being increased under saline conditions. Nodule enzyme activities of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalase (TRE) decreased with salinity. L. japonicus nodule carbon metabolism proved to be less sensitive to salinity than in M. truncatula, as enzymatic activities responsible for the carbon supply to the bacteroids to fuel nitrogen fixation, such as sucrose synthase (SS), alkaline invertase (AI), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), were less affected by salt than the corresponding activities in barrel medics. However, nitrogenase activity was only inhibited by salinity in L. japonicus nodules.     

Ion allocation in two different salt-tolerant Mediterranean Medicago species

The relationship between Na+, major cation concentrations and salt tolerance under long-term saline conditions of Medicago arborea and Medicago citrina was studied. Plants were grown in solution culture in 1, 50, 100, or 200 mmol/L NaCl for 30 days in a climate-controlled greenhouse. Stem and petiole growth was the most affected by salt in both species. Leaf growth was inhibited in M. arborea, with increased salt, while only the 200 mmol/L NaCl-treated M. citrina plants were significantly affected. Both species had the highest Na+ concentrations in the shoots, however, the allocation pattern was different; M. arborea showed the highest concentrations in the leaf blades, whereas M. citrina distributed the salt into the petioles. K+/Na+ ratio decreased with salt in both species; however, leaf K+ use efficiency (g leaf DW mg-1 leaf K+) was higher in M. citrina. The difference in Na+ allocation and cation concentrations found in these medic species and their importance is discussed in relation to their response to NaCl salinity.     

Characterisation of new symbiotic Medicago truncatula (Gaertn.) mutants, and phenotypic or genotypic complementary information on previously described mutants

From a pool of Medicago truncatula mutants—obtained by gamma-irradiation or ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis—impaired in symbiosis with the N-fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, new mutants are described and genetically analysed, and for already reported mutants, complementary data are given on their phenotypic and genetic analysis. Phenotypic data relate to nodulation and mycorrhizal phenotypes. Among the five new mutants, three were classified as [Nod⁺ Fix^– Myc⁺] and the mutations were ascribed to two loci, Mtsym20 (TRV43, TRV54) and Mtsym21 (TRV49). For the two other new mutants, one was classified as [Nod^–/+ Myc⁺] with a mutation ascribed to gene Mtsym15 (TRV48), and the other as [Nod^– Myc^-/+] with a mutation ascribed to gene Mtsym16 (TRV58). Genetic analysis of three previously described mutants has shown that [Nod^–/+ Myc⁺] TR74 mutant can be ascribed to gene Mtsym14, and that [Nod^–/+ Myc^–/+] TR89 and TRV9 mutants are ascribed to gene Mtsym2 (dmi2). Using a detailed analysis of mycorrhizal phenotype, we have observed a delayed typical arbuscular mycorrhizal formation on some mutants that present thick lens-shaped appressoria. This phenotype was called [Myc^–/+] and mutants TR25, TR26, TR89, TRV9, P1 and Y6 were reclassified as [Myc^–/+]. Mutant P1 was reclassified as [Nod^–/+] because of a late nodulation observed on roots of this mutant.     

蒺藜苜蓿DGAT1基因的克隆和功能鉴定

该研究采用RT-PCR与电子克隆的方法,从蒺藜苜蓿cDNA中克隆得到2个编码二脂酰甘油酰基转移酶(diacylglycerol acyltransferase,DGAT)的基因MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2。MtDGAT1-1长1 620bp,编码539个氨基酸;MtDGAT1-2长1 524bp,编码507个氨基酸。多序列比对显示,MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2编码蛋白具有典型的植物DGAT1结构域。表达分析显示,MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2在根、茎、叶、花、种子中都有表达,在种子发育中高表达,且MtDGAT1-1于种子发育的中前期高表达,而MtDGAT1-2于种子发育的中后期高表达。酵母互补实验证实,MtDGAT1-2编码蛋白具有DGAT酶活性,能够恢复H1246的TAG合成和油体形成;而MtDGAT1-1编码蛋白不能恢复H1246的TAG合成和油体形成。     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula SUNN</Emphasis> Gene Encodes a <Emphasis Type="Italic">CLV1</Emphasis>-like Leucine-rich Repeat Receptor Kinase that Regulates Nodule Number and Root Length

Four Medicago truncatula sunn mutants displayed shortened roots and hypernodulation under all conditions examined. The mutants, recovered in three independent genetic screens, all contained lesions in a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor kinase. Although the molecular defects among alleles varied, root length and the extent of nodulation were not significantly different between the mutants. SUNN is expressed in shoots, flowers and roots. Although previously reported grafting experiments showed that the presence of the mutated SUNN gene in roots does not confer an obvious phenotype, expression levels of SUNN mRNA were reduced in sunn-1 roots. SUNN and the previously identified genes HAR1 (Lotus japonicus) and NARK (Glycine max) are orthologs based on gene sequence and synteny between flanking sequences. Comparison of related LRR receptor kinases determined that all nodulation autoregulation genes identified to date are the closest legume relatives of AtCLV1 by sequence, yet sunn, har and nark mutants do not display the fasciated clv phenotype. The M. truncatula region is syntenic with duplicated regions of Arabidopsis chromosomes 2 and 4, none of which harbor CLV1 or any other LRR receptor kinase genes. A novel truncated copy of the SUNN gene lacking a kinase domain, RLP1, is found immediately upstream of SUNN and like SUNN is expressed at a reduced level in sunn-1 roots.     

Molecular Evolution and Positive Selection of the Symbiotic Gene NORK in Medicago truncatula

Understanding the selective constraints of partner specificity in mutually beneficial symbiosis is a significant, yet largely unexplored, prospect of evolutionary biology. These selective constraints can be explored through the study of nucleotide polymorphism at loci controlling specificity. The membrane-anchored receptor NORK (nodulation receptor kinase) of the legume Medicago truncatula controls early steps of root infection by two symbiotic microorganisms: nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) and endomycorrhizal fungi (Glomales). We analyzed the diversity of the gene NORK by sequencing 4 kilobases in 28 inbred lines sampled from natural populations. We detected 33 polymorphic sites with only one nonsynonymous change. Analysis based on Tajima’s D and Fay and Wu’s H summary statistics revealed no departure from the neutral model. We analyzed divergence using sequences from the closely related species M. coerulea. The McDonald-Kreitman test indicated a significant excess of nonsynonymous changes contributing to this divergence. Furthermore, maximum-likelihood analysis of a molecular phylogeny of a few legume species indicated that a number of amino acid sites, likely located in the receptor domain of the protein, evolved under the regime of positive selection. Further research should focus on the rate and direction of molecular coevolution between microorganisms’ signaling molecules and legumes’ receptors. [Reviewing Editor: Dr. Deborah Charlesworth] Sequence data were deposited in the GenBank database under accession nos. AY676428 to AY676457 and AJ884582.