EXPRESSION OF OAT phyA cDNA IN THE MOSS Ceratodon purpureus

The possibility of transforming Ceratodon purpureus protoplasts by PEG-mediated direct DNA uptake was tested. Transformation with a plasmid carrying a kanamycin-resistance gene resulted in kanamycin-resistant colonies of C. purpureus protonemata. A full-length cDNA clone coding for oat phyA phytochrome was isolated. The clone HM4.1 which is 3.7-kb long exhibits about 99% nucleotide sequence identity to the known phytochrome clone AP3. The expression of HM4.1 in C. purpureus protonemata was tested. A construct with the 35S-promotor and the structural gene of HM4.1 was cotransformed with the plasmid containing the kanamycin-resistance. Kanamycin-resistant colonies were tested for the presence of HM4.1 sequences in a genomic Southern experiment. Two out of 19 kanamycin-resistant colonies reacted positively with a HM4.1 specific probe. The expression of phyA in the positive colonies was examined with monoclonal antibodies specific for oat phytochrome. The Western blot experiment with protein extracts of the two positive colonies grown in the dark revealed clear signals at 124-kDa which were not detected in control plants. These data demonstrate the possibility of expressing oat phyA-apoprotein in C. purpureus protonemata. The transgenic moss protonemata did not show phenotypical alterations in response to the foreign phytochrome polypeptide; it is not known at the moment if the tetrapyrole chromophore is attached to the oat polypeptide in the protonemata or not.     

PHYTOCHROME CONVERSION AS AN IN SITU ASSAY FOR EFFECTIVE LIGHT GRADIENTS IN ETIOLATED SEEDLINGS OF Zea mays

Abstract— In situ photochemical conversion and measurement of phytochrome can be used as a non-intrusive assay for axial light conduction along etiolated plant tissues of Zea maysL. A computerized single beam spectrophotometer was used to measure phytochrome conversion just below the coleoptilar node following irradiation of the plant shoot with 632 nm light at various distances from the measurement point. Photochemical conversion decreased log-linearly with increasing distance between the irradiation and measurement points. The distance over which the light was attenuated by 50% was 1.80 mm for mesocotyl, 1.60 mm for coleoptile plus primary leaf, and 1.15 mm for primary leaf alone (coleoptile removed). These results verify the photochemical significance of axially conducted light and thereby provide supporting evidence that such light conduction is important for photomorphogenesis.     

FLUENCE RATE COMPENSATION OF THE PERCEPTION OF RED: FAR-RED RATIO BY PHYTOCHROME IN LIGHT-GROWN SEEDLINGS*

Abstract— The hypothesis that phytochrome functions as a sensor of vegetational shade through the perception of the red: far-red photon fluence rate ratio requires that the mechanism of perception be compensated for wavelength-independent fluctuations in fluence rate (Smith, 1982). This paper seeks to establish the lower limit of fluence-rate compensation and to assess whether or not compensation is effective at the total fluence rates typical of herbaceous canopies. Using specially-designed cabinets, Sinapis alba L. (white mustard) seedlings were grown from germination under a range of total photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR = 400 to 700 nm) values and a range of red: far-red ratios. The data indicate that fluence-rate compensation is effective above a PAR value of ca. 60 μ.mol m² s'. Pretreating seedlings at high red: far-red ratio and a PAR level of 300 (μmol m₂S_-1for increasing periods of time led to an extension of fluence rate compensation to lower fluence rates. The results are discussed in relation to the photosynthetic competence of the seedlings grown under these conditions.     

THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MUNG BEAN CHLOROPLASTS TO PHOTOINHIBITION IS INCREASED BY AN EXCESS SUPPLY OF IRON TO PLANTS: A PHOTOBIOLOGICAL ASPECT OF IRON TOXICITY IN PLANT LEAVES

In an attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for iron toxicity in plants, the combined effects of iron overload and light intensities on the photosynthetic capacity of leaves were particularly focussed upon in this study, using mung bean seedlings grown under varied conditions regarding the supply of light and iron. The seedlings, when supplied with excess iron (up to 1.0 m M ) and low light (40 W/m²), did not suffer any loss of photosynthesis; further, the typical symptoms of iron toxicity, as shown in the leaves grown in sunlight at ca 450 W/m² on an average, were not seen in those. Nonetheless, excess iron supply resulted in a marked increase in photosensitivity of the low light-adapted seedlings. A large portion of iron accumulated in chloroplasts by the supply of excess iron was found to be incorporated into thylakoids as nonheme iron (NHI), which acts as a potent sensitizer, photogenerating singlet oxygen (¹O₂). The generation rate of ¹O₂ from thylakoids linearly increased with increasing content of NHI; this was in parallel with the NHI content dependence of photoinactivation rates of photosynthetic electron transport and key enzymes of the Calvin cycle in chloroplasts. The results suggest that Fe-dependent photosensitization reactions, occurring via the ¹O₂ mechanism, may be deeply involved in cellular processes leading to developing iron toxicity symptoms in plants.     

PHOTOMORPHOGENIC RESPONSES TO UV RADIATION. II: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UV EFFECTS ON HYPOCOTYL ELONGATION IN A WILD-TYPE AND AN aurea MUTANT OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Hypocotyl growth in etiolated seedlings of wild-type and an aurea mutant of tomato (Lycopersicon esculenturn Mill.), that appears to be deficient in labile phytochrome, is strongly inhibited by UV radiation in the region of 300–400 nm. The role of phytochrome in the UV-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl growth was studied using different experimental approaches: (1) by comparing the effectiveness of treatments of increasing duration of exposure to 692 nm and UV radiation; (2) by modifying the UV spectral range with specific cut-off filters. The experimental results suggest that the UV-induced inhibition of growth in wild-type tomato is mediated to a large extent by the longer wavelengths of the UV-A region and is mediated mainly by phytochrome. In contrast, at wavelengths < 305 nm a strong UV-B effect was found in the aurea mutant, suggesting a preeminent action of a specific UV-B absorbing photoreceptor that displays less action in the wild-type.