Invertase （INV） hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose, thereby playing key roles in primary metabolism and plant development. Based on their pH optima and sub-cellular locations, INVs are categorized into cel...Invertase （INV） hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose, thereby playing key roles in primary metabolism and plant development. Based on their pH optima and sub-cellular locations, INVs are categorized into cell wall, cytoplasmic, and vacuolar subgroups, abbreviated as CWlN, CIN, and VlN, respectively. The broad importance and implications of INVs in plant development and crop productivity have attracted enormous interest to examine INV function and regulation from multiple perspectives. Here, we review some exciting advances in this area over the last two decades, focusing on （1） new or emerging roles of INV in plant development and regulation at the post-translational level through interaction with inhibitors, （2） cross-talk between INV-mediated sugar signaling and hormonal control of development, and （3） sugar- and INV-mediated responses to drought and heat stresses and their impact on seed and fruit set. Finally, we discuss major questions arising from this new progress and outline future directions for unraveling mechanisms underlying INV-mediated plant development and their potential applications in plant biotechnology and agriculture.展开更多
Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is...Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is unloaded for diverse uses. Clearly, Suc transport and metabolism is central to plant growth and development and the functionality of the entire vascular system. Despite vast information in the literature about the physiological roles of individual sugar metabolic enzymes and transporters, there is a lack of systematic evaluation about their molecular regulation from transcriptional to post-translational levels. Knowledge on this topic is essential for understanding and improving plant development, optimizing resource distri- bution and increasing crop productivity. We therefore focused our analyses on molecular control of key players in Suc metabolism and transport, including： （i） the identifica- tion of promoter elements responsive to sugars and hormones or targeted by transcription factors and micro- RNAs degrading transcripts of target genes; and （ii） modulation of enzyme and transporter activities through protein-protein interactions and other post-translational modifications. We have highlighted major remaining questions and discussed opportunities to exploit current understanding to gain new insights into molecular control of carbon partitioning for improving plant performance.展开更多
Cotton （Gossypium spp.） is the most important textile crop worldwide due to its cellulosic mature fibers, which are single-celled hairs initiated from the cotton ovule epidermis at anthesis. Research to improve cott...Cotton （Gossypium spp.） is the most important textile crop worldwide due to its cellulosic mature fibers, which are single-celled hairs initiated from the cotton ovule epidermis at anthesis. Research to improve cotton fiber yield and quality in recent years has been largely focused on identifying genes regulating fiber cell initiation, elonga- tion and cellulose synthesis. However, manipulating some of those candidate genes has yielded no effect or only a marginally positive effect on fiber yield or quality. On the other hand, evolutionary comparison and transgenic studies have clearly shown that cotton fiber growth is intimately controlled by seed development. Therefore,I propose that enhancing seed development could be a more effective and achievable strategy to increase fiber yield and quality.展开更多
Central to understanding fruit development is to elucidate the processes mediating a successful transition from pre-pollination ovaries to newly set fruit, a key step in establishing fruit yield potential. In tomato, ...Central to understanding fruit development is to elucidate the processes mediating a successful transition from pre-pollination ovaries to newly set fruit, a key step in establishing fruit yield potential. In tomato, cell wall invertase （CWIN） LIN5 and its inhibitor INH1 are essential for fruit growth. However, the molecular and cellular basis by which they exert their roles in ovary-to-fruit transition remains unknown. To address this issue, we conducted a study focusing on ovaries and fruitlets at 2 days before and 2 days after anthesis, respectively. In situ hybridization analyses revealed that LIN5 and INH1 exhibited a dispersed expression in ovaries compared with their phloem-specific expression in fruitlets. Remarkably, LIN5 and INH1 proteins were immunologically co-localized to cell walls of sieve elements （SEs） in ovaries immediately prior to anthesis and in young fruitlets, but were undetectable in provascular bundles of younger ovaries. A burst in CWlN activity occurred during ovary-to-fruit transition. Interestingly, the ovaries, but not the fruit- lets, exhibited high expression of a defective invertase, SldeCWIN1, an ortholog of which is known to enhance inhibition of INH on CWlN activity in tobacco. Imaging of a fluorescent symplasmic tracer indicated an apoplasmic phloem unloading pathway operated in ovaries, contrary to the previously observed symplasmic unloading pathway in fruit pericarp. These new data indicate that （1） a phloem-specific patterning of the CWIN and INH mRNAs is induced during ovary-to-fruit transition, and （2） LIN5 protein functions specifically in walls of SEs and increases its activity during ovary-to-fruit transition, probably to facilitate phloem unloading and to generate a glucose signal positively regulating cell division, hence fruit set.展开更多
Transfer cells （TCs） are specialized cells exhibiting invaginated wall ingrowths （Wls）, thereby amplifying their plasma membrane surface area （PMSA） and hence the capacity to transport nutrients. However, it rem...Transfer cells （TCs） are specialized cells exhibiting invaginated wall ingrowths （Wls）, thereby amplifying their plasma membrane surface area （PMSA） and hence the capacity to transport nutrients. However, it remains unknown as to whether TCs play a role in biomass yield increase during evolution or domestication. Here, we examine this issue from a comparative evolutionary perspective. The cultivated tetraploid AD genome species of cotton and its A and D genome diploid progenitors displayed high, medium, and low seed and fiber biomass yield, respectively. In all three species, cells of the innermost layer of the seed coat juxtaposed to the filial tissues trans-differentiated to a TC morphology. Electron microscopic analyses revealed that these TCs are characterized by sequential formation of flange and reticulate Wls during the phase of rapid increase in seed biomass. Significantly, TCs from the tetraploid species developed substantially more flange and reticulate Wls and exhibited a higher degree of reticulate WI formation than their progenitors. Consequently, the estimated PMSA of TCs of the tetraploid species was about 4 and 70 times higher than that of TCs of the A and D genome progenitors, respectively, which correlates positively with seed and fiber biomass yield. Further, TCs with extensive Wls in the tetraploid species had much stronger expression of sucrose synthase, a key enzyme involved in TC Wl formation and function, than those from the A and D progenitors. The analyses provide a set of novel evidence that the development of TC Wls may play an important role in the increase of seed and fiber biomass yield through polyploidization during evolution.展开更多
In most higher plants, sucrose is the primary organic carbon that is translocated through phloem from photosynthetic leaves （source） into non-photosynthetic tissues （sink） such as seed, fruit, and root. After phlo...In most higher plants, sucrose is the primary organic carbon that is translocated through phloem from photosynthetic leaves （source） into non-photosynthetic tissues （sink） such as seed, fruit, and root. After phloem unloading in sinks, sucrose needs to be degraded into hexoses for diverse use by either invertase （Inv） that hydrolyses sucrose into glucose and fructose or sucrose synthase （Sus） that degrades sucrose into UDPglucose and fructose. By generating hexoses and their derivates, Inv- or Sus-mediated sucrose metabolism and re- lated transport process provide （1） energy source to power cel- lular processes; （2） starting molecules convertible to numerous metabolites and building blocks for synthesizing essential pol- ymers including starch, cellulose, callose, and proteins; and （3） a mechanism to reduce sucrose concentration at the unloading sites to facilitate its source-to-sink translocation, thereby pre- venting feedback inhibition on photosynthesis and sustaining carbon flow at the whole-plant level.展开更多
文摘Invertase （INV） hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose, thereby playing key roles in primary metabolism and plant development. Based on their pH optima and sub-cellular locations, INVs are categorized into cell wall, cytoplasmic, and vacuolar subgroups, abbreviated as CWlN, CIN, and VlN, respectively. The broad importance and implications of INVs in plant development and crop productivity have attracted enormous interest to examine INV function and regulation from multiple perspectives. Here, we review some exciting advances in this area over the last two decades, focusing on （1） new or emerging roles of INV in plant development and regulation at the post-translational level through interaction with inhibitors, （2） cross-talk between INV-mediated sugar signaling and hormonal control of development, and （3） sugar- and INV-mediated responses to drought and heat stresses and their impact on seed and fruit set. Finally, we discuss major questions arising from this new progress and outline future directions for unraveling mechanisms underlying INV-mediated plant development and their potential applications in plant biotechnology and agriculture.
基金financially supported by Australia Research Council(DP110104931,DP120104148)to YLR
文摘Sucrose （Suc） is the major end product of photosynthesis in mesophyll cells of most vascular plants. It is loaded into phloem of mature leaves for long-distance translocation to non-photosynthetic organs where it is unloaded for diverse uses. Clearly, Suc transport and metabolism is central to plant growth and development and the functionality of the entire vascular system. Despite vast information in the literature about the physiological roles of individual sugar metabolic enzymes and transporters, there is a lack of systematic evaluation about their molecular regulation from transcriptional to post-translational levels. Knowledge on this topic is essential for understanding and improving plant development, optimizing resource distri- bution and increasing crop productivity. We therefore focused our analyses on molecular control of key players in Suc metabolism and transport, including： （i） the identifica- tion of promoter elements responsive to sugars and hormones or targeted by transcription factors and micro- RNAs degrading transcripts of target genes; and （ii） modulation of enzyme and transporter activities through protein-protein interactions and other post-translational modifications. We have highlighted major remaining questions and discussed opportunities to exploit current understanding to gain new insights into molecular control of carbon partitioning for improving plant performance.
基金supported by the Australian Research Council(grant numbers DP110104931 and DP120104148)the Australian Federal Government,Department of Industry,Innovation,Science,Research and Tertiary Education(Grant number ACSRF00981)
文摘Cotton （Gossypium spp.） is the most important textile crop worldwide due to its cellulosic mature fibers, which are single-celled hairs initiated from the cotton ovule epidermis at anthesis. Research to improve cotton fiber yield and quality in recent years has been largely focused on identifying genes regulating fiber cell initiation, elonga- tion and cellulose synthesis. However, manipulating some of those candidate genes has yielded no effect or only a marginally positive effect on fiber yield or quality. On the other hand, evolutionary comparison and transgenic studies have clearly shown that cotton fiber growth is intimately controlled by seed development. Therefore,I propose that enhancing seed development could be a more effective and achievable strategy to increase fiber yield and quality.
文摘Central to understanding fruit development is to elucidate the processes mediating a successful transition from pre-pollination ovaries to newly set fruit, a key step in establishing fruit yield potential. In tomato, cell wall invertase （CWIN） LIN5 and its inhibitor INH1 are essential for fruit growth. However, the molecular and cellular basis by which they exert their roles in ovary-to-fruit transition remains unknown. To address this issue, we conducted a study focusing on ovaries and fruitlets at 2 days before and 2 days after anthesis, respectively. In situ hybridization analyses revealed that LIN5 and INH1 exhibited a dispersed expression in ovaries compared with their phloem-specific expression in fruitlets. Remarkably, LIN5 and INH1 proteins were immunologically co-localized to cell walls of sieve elements （SEs） in ovaries immediately prior to anthesis and in young fruitlets, but were undetectable in provascular bundles of younger ovaries. A burst in CWlN activity occurred during ovary-to-fruit transition. Interestingly, the ovaries, but not the fruit- lets, exhibited high expression of a defective invertase, SldeCWIN1, an ortholog of which is known to enhance inhibition of INH on CWlN activity in tobacco. Imaging of a fluorescent symplasmic tracer indicated an apoplasmic phloem unloading pathway operated in ovaries, contrary to the previously observed symplasmic unloading pathway in fruit pericarp. These new data indicate that （1） a phloem-specific patterning of the CWIN and INH mRNAs is induced during ovary-to-fruit transition, and （2） LIN5 protein functions specifically in walls of SEs and increases its activity during ovary-to-fruit transition, probably to facilitate phloem unloading and to generate a glucose signal positively regulating cell division, hence fruit set.
文摘Transfer cells （TCs） are specialized cells exhibiting invaginated wall ingrowths （Wls）, thereby amplifying their plasma membrane surface area （PMSA） and hence the capacity to transport nutrients. However, it remains unknown as to whether TCs play a role in biomass yield increase during evolution or domestication. Here, we examine this issue from a comparative evolutionary perspective. The cultivated tetraploid AD genome species of cotton and its A and D genome diploid progenitors displayed high, medium, and low seed and fiber biomass yield, respectively. In all three species, cells of the innermost layer of the seed coat juxtaposed to the filial tissues trans-differentiated to a TC morphology. Electron microscopic analyses revealed that these TCs are characterized by sequential formation of flange and reticulate Wls during the phase of rapid increase in seed biomass. Significantly, TCs from the tetraploid species developed substantially more flange and reticulate Wls and exhibited a higher degree of reticulate WI formation than their progenitors. Consequently, the estimated PMSA of TCs of the tetraploid species was about 4 and 70 times higher than that of TCs of the A and D genome progenitors, respectively, which correlates positively with seed and fiber biomass yield. Further, TCs with extensive Wls in the tetraploid species had much stronger expression of sucrose synthase, a key enzyme involved in TC Wl formation and function, than those from the A and D progenitors. The analyses provide a set of novel evidence that the development of TC Wls may play an important role in the increase of seed and fiber biomass yield through polyploidization during evolution.
文摘In most higher plants, sucrose is the primary organic carbon that is translocated through phloem from photosynthetic leaves （source） into non-photosynthetic tissues （sink） such as seed, fruit, and root. After phloem unloading in sinks, sucrose needs to be degraded into hexoses for diverse use by either invertase （Inv） that hydrolyses sucrose into glucose and fructose or sucrose synthase （Sus） that degrades sucrose into UDPglucose and fructose. By generating hexoses and their derivates, Inv- or Sus-mediated sucrose metabolism and re- lated transport process provide （1） energy source to power cel- lular processes; （2） starting molecules convertible to numerous metabolites and building blocks for synthesizing essential pol- ymers including starch, cellulose, callose, and proteins; and （3） a mechanism to reduce sucrose concentration at the unloading sites to facilitate its source-to-sink translocation, thereby pre- venting feedback inhibition on photosynthesis and sustaining carbon flow at the whole-plant level.
