Mariana Rosa

Soluble sugars--metabolism, sensing and abiotic stress: a complex network in the life of plants.

Plants are autotrophic and photosynthetic organisms that both produce and consume sugars. Soluble sugars are highly sensitive to environmental stresses, which act on the supply of carbohydrates from source organs to sink ones. Sucrose and hexoses both play dual functions in gene regulation as exemplified by the up-regulation of growth-related genes and down-regulation of stress-related genes. Although coordinately regulated by sugars, these growth- and stress-related genes are up-regulated or down-regulated through HXK-dependent and/or HXK-independent pathways. Sucrose-non-fermenting-1- (SNF1-) related protein pathway, analogue to the protein kinase (SNF-) yeast-signalling pathway, seems also involved in sugar sensing and transduction in plants. However, even if plants share with yeast some elements involved in sugar sensing, several aspects of sugar perception are likely to be peculiar to higher plants. In this paper, we have reviewed recent evidences how plants sense and respond to environmental factors through sugar-sensing mechanisms. However, we think that forward and reverse genetic analysis in combination with expression profiling must be continued to uncover many signalling components, and a full biochemical characterization of the signalling complexes will be required to determine specificity and cross-talk in abiotic stress signalling pathways.

Low-temperature effect on enzyme activities involved in sucrose–starch partitioning in salt-stressed and salt-acclimated cotyledons of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seedlings

The effect of low temperature on growth, sucrose-starch partitioning and related enzymes in salt-stressed and salt-acclimated cotyledons of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) was studied. The growth of cotyledons and growing axes in seedlings grown at 25/20 degrees C (light/dark) and shifted to 5/5 degrees C was lower than in those only growing at 25/20 degrees C (unstressed). However, there were no significant differences between low-temperature control and salt-treated seedlings. The higher activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS, EC 2.4.1.14) and soluble acid invertase (acid INV, EC 3.2.1.25) were observed in salt-stressed cotyledons; however, the highest acid INV activity was observed in unstressed cotyledons. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADP-GPPase, EC 2.7.7.27) was higher in unstressed cotyledons than in stressed ones. However, between 0 and 4days the highest value was observed in salt-stressed cotyledons. The lowest value of ADP-GPPase was observed in salt-acclimated cotyledons. Low temperature also affected sucrose synthase (SuSy, EC 2.4.1.13) activity in salt-treated cotyledons. Sucrose and glucose were higher in salt-stressed cotyledons, but fructose was essentially higher in low-temperature control. Starch was higher in low-temperature control; however, the highest content was observed at 0day in salt-acclimated cotyledons. Results demonstrated that low temperature induces different responses on sucrose-starch partitioning in salt-stressed and salt-acclimated cotyledons. Data also suggest that in salt-treated cotyledons source-sink relations (SSR) are changed in order to supply soluble sugars and proline for the osmotic adjustment. Relationships between starch formation and SuSy activity are also discussed.

Epidermal Lignin Deposition in Quinoa Cotyledons in Response to UV-B Radiation¶

Abstract UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) is harmful to living organisms and has detrimental effects on plant growth, development and physiology. In this work we examined some mechanisms involved in plant responses to UV-B radiation. Seedlings of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) were exposed to variable numbers of UV-B radiation doses, and the effect on cotyledons was studied. We analyzed (1) cotyledons anatomy and chloroplasts ultrastructure; (2) peroxidase activity involved in the lignification processes; and (3) content of photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds and carbohydrates. Exposure to two UV-B doses induced an increase in the wall thickness of epidermal cells, which was associated with lignin deposition and higher activity of the peroxidase. The chloroplast ultrastructure showed an appearance typical of plants under shade conditions, likely in response to reduced light penetration into the mesophyll cells due to the screening effect of epidermal lignin deposition. Exposure to UV-B radiation also led to (1) enhancement in the level of phenolics, which may serve a protective function; (2) strong increase in the fructose content, a fact that might be related to higher requirement of erythrose-4P as a substrate for the synthesis of lignin and phenolics; and (3) reduction in the chlorophyll concentration, evidencing alteration in the photosynthetic system. We propose that the observed lignin deposition in epidermal tissues of quinoa is a resistance mechanism against UV-B radiation, which allows growing of this species in Andean highlands.

Leaves of Citrus aurantifolia exhibit a different sensibility to solar UV-B radiation according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production

Plants of Citrus aurantifolia grown in a greenhouse without solar UV radiation (UVR) were transferred outdoors to evaluate the effect of solar UV-B radiation (UVBR, 280-315 nm) in prior-developed leaves, constituted by apical bud and those fully expanded before being taken outdoors, and post-developed leaves, formed by those expanded outdoors. Results demonstrated that over a 40 d outdoor period leaf chlorophyll content and distribution pattern were different with and without solar UVBR. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents in both treatments were higher in prior-developed leaves than in post-developed ones. However, highest values were observed in prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves an opposite trend was observed. Carotenoids content in prior-developed leaves was higher with solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves there were no significant differences in both with and without solar UVBR. In addition, prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR accumulated flavonoids, but not anthocyanins. Growth parameters (e.g. DW, DW/FW ratio, LMA, plant height, length and width of foliar lamina) did not show significant differences between plants grown with and without solar UVBR. Thus, our results demonstrated that C. aurantifolia leaves exhibited a different sensibility to solar UVBR according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production. In addition, the solar UVBR was not necessary as inductor of photosynthetic protection mechanisms in a short-time growth period. On the other hand, our results also demonstrated that solar UVBR acted as an effective feeding deterrent against citrus leafminer.

Changes in soluble carbohydrates and related enzymes induced by low temperature during early developmental stages of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seedlings

Low temperature represents one of the principal limitations in species distribution and crop productivity. Responses to chilling include the accumulation of simple carbohydrates and changes in enzymes involved in their metabolism. Soluble carbohydrate levels and invertase, sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose-6-phosphate synthase (SPS) and alpha-amylase activities were analysed in cotyledons and embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings grown at 5 degrees C and 25 degrees C in the dark. Significant differences in enzyme activities and carbohydrate levels were observed. Sucrose content in cotyledons was found to be similar in both treatments, while in embryonic axes there were differences. Invertase activity was the most sensitive to temperature in both organs; however, SS and SPS activities appear to be less stress-sensitive. Results suggest that 1) metabolism in germinating perispermic seeds would be different from endospermic seeds, 2) sucrose futile cycles would be operating in cotyledons, but not in embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings under our experimental conditions, 3) low temperature might induce different regulatory mechanisms on invertase, SS and SPS enzymes in both cotyledons and embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings, and 4) low temperature rather than water uptake would be mainly responsible for the changes observed in carbohydrate and related enzyme activities.

Seasonal variability of physiological and biochemical aspects of chromium accumulation in outdoor-grown Salvinia minima

Seasonal variations in physiological and biochemical parameters of the aquatic fern Salvinia minima exposed to different Cr(VI) concentrations were studied. Growth, photosynthetic pigments, soluble carbohydrates, sucrose-related enzymes, lipid peroxidation, phenolics, and Cr accumulation in floating and submerged leaves were analyzed. Cr content was lower in winter than in summer, indicating that active metabolic events occurred in metal uptake. Leaf number and metal concentration factor were higher in summer than in winter. Relative growth rate (R(n)) indicated that growth was more affected by Cr in winter than in summer. Biochemical parameters showed great seasonal variations under increasing Cr. Hexose, starch, malondialdehyde and phenolic contents were greatest in winter, but R(n) and protein values were lowest. Sucrose content was highest in summer floating leaves. A great seasonal variability was observed in sucrose-related enzymes with the highest activities occurring in winter lipoxygenase was much higher in winter than in summer, indicating a strong lipid peroxidation. Results indicate that in Salvinia Cr causes seasonal perturbations in carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress by altering both sucrose-related enzymes and lipoxygenase activities. Variability in physiological and biochemical parameters seems to indicate that in outdoor conditions different mechanisms, in terms of Cr accumulation and tolerance, may occur in S. minima during summer and winter.

UV-B Radiation, Its Effects and Defense Mechanisms in Terrestrial Plants

The UV-B is an important component of solar radiation to which all terrestrial and aquatic plants were exposed during the early evolutionary phase of the Earth. Hence the plants, principally terrestrial, have evolved different mechanisms to avoid and repair the UV-B damage; therefore, it is not surprising that photomorphogenic responses to the solar UV-B are erroneously assumed to be adaptations to the harmful UV radiation. The responses to UV-B enhancement include changes in the leaf area, leaf thickness, stomatal density, wax deposition, stem elongation, and branching pattern, as well as in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, alterations in plant–pathogen and plant–predator interactions, and in gene expression. However, under field conditions the ambient solar UV-B provides an important signal for the normal plant development and may be perceived by the plants through nondestructive processes involving both UV-B specific and UV-B nonspecific signaling pathways. The specific signaling pathways include the components UVR8 and COP1 which regulate the expression of a set of genes that are essential for the plants’ protection. The nonspecific signaling pathways involve DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS), hormones, and wound/defense signaling molecules. Indeed under the field conditions, the ambient UV-B might more properly be viewed as a photomorphogenic signal than as a stressor. Therefore, it might not be appropriate to evaluate the adaptive roles of plant responses to UV-B cues upon stress tolerance by the simultaneous application of both solar radiation and supplemental UV-B. In this chapter, we analyzed the information regarding physiological and morphogenic responses of the terrestrial plants to the UV-B radiation, as well as the events related to UV-B perception, signal transduction, gene expression, and ROS formation from different studies carried out in greenhouses, growth chambers, and field conditions.

Detoxification of Cr(VI) in Salvinia minima is related to seasonal-induced changes of thiols, phenolics and antioxidative enzymes

In this study, protein- and non-protein-thiol-containing compounds (THCC), soluble phenolics (SP), proline (Pro), proteins and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and antioxidative enzyme activities were analyzed in floating and submerged leaves of Salvinia minima to establish their role against Cr-induced oxidative stress. We analyzed relationships among biochemical responses to different Cr(VI) concentrations to explore underlying mechanisms of Cr detoxification in plants growing under field conditions during summer and winter seasons. Significant increases in THCC were observed in submerged leaves from both seasons, while in floating leaves THCC increased only in summer being decreased in winter. Contrarily SP increased in floating leaves and decreased in submerged ones. MDA increased significantly in winter-leaves, but in summer-leaves remained unchanged. Antioxidative enzymes, i.e. guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed different activity patterns. G-POD significantly increased in Cr-treated leaves from both seasons, while SOD increased in submerged leaves only, remaining practically unchanged in floating ones. CAT activity increased in floating leaves from both seasons, whereas in submerged ones was decreased or increased. Proteins increased in both leaf types during summer whereas decreased or remained unchanged in winter. Pro increased in winter-submerged leaves only. Results show that seasonal-induced changes occur in all measured parameters.

Morphological and physiological responses of two varieties of a highland species (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) growing under near-ambient and strongly reduced solar UV-B in a lowland location.

Morphological and physiological responses of seedlings to different solar UV-B irradiances were evaluated in two varieties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a crop species from Andean region of South America. Cristalina and Chucapaca varieties were grown at 1965m a.s.l in a glasshouse under natural light conditions for 18 days, and then transferred to outdoors under near-ambient (+UV-B) and strongly reduced (-UV-B) solar UV-B radiation. Exposition to -UV-B increased cotyledon area and seedling height in Cristalina variety whereas leaf number decreased compared to +UV-B. By contrast Chucapaca variety was not affected by UV-B treatments. Seedling fresh weight (FW), root length and leaf thickness did not show significant differences between +UV-B and -UV-B treatments. Mesophyll tissue was slightly affected by solar UV-B reduction. Chlorophyll content was differentially affected by UV-B treatments. Under +UV-B the highest value was observed in Cristalina variety, while in Chucapaca it was observed under -UV-B treatment. Chlorophyll content was slightly higher in leaves than in cotyledons, but there was no difference in the distribution pattern. Chlorophyll a/b ratio and carotenoid content did not show significant differences between UV-B treatments. Leaf UVB-absorbing compounds showed significant differences between UV-B treatments in Chucapaca only, while there were no significant differences in Cristalina variety. UVB-absorbing compounds of cotyledons did not show significant differences between +UV-B and -UV-B treatments. Sucrose, glucose and fructose showed different distribution patterns in cotyledons and leaves of the two varieties under near-ambient and strongly reduced UV-B. Results demonstrated that varieties of quinoa exhibit different morphological and physiological responses to changes in solar UV-B irradiance, but these responses cannot be used to predict the sensitivity to solar UV-B during a short-term exposition. Also, this study can be useful to learn about the plasticity of metabolic pathways involved in plants tolerance to solar UV-B radiation.

Solar and Supplemental UV-B Radiation Effects in Lemon Peel UV-B-absorbing Compound Content—Seasonal Variations

Effects of solar and supplemental UV‐B radiation on UV‐B‐absorbing compounds and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulations in the peel of lemons collected in summer and winter were analyzed. UV‐B‐absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo than in albedo tissue in both seasons; however, the highest values were observed in summer. These compounds were also higher in outer than in inner flavedo surface. Lemons were categorized as sun‐, semisun‐ and shaded‐lemon according to localization inside the tree canopy. Depending on‐tree localization UV‐B‐absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo of sun‐lemon than in semisun‐ and shaded‐lemon. Supplementary UV‐B radiation (22 kJ m−2 day−1 UV‐BBE) induced UV‐B‐absorbing compound synthesis in on‐tree and postharvest lemons. Two minutes of supplemental UV‐B irradiation in summer lemons produced a strong increment (300%) of UV‐B‐absorbing compound content, whereas in winter lemons a slight increase (30%) was observed only after 3 min of irradiation. By contrast, UV‐B‐absorbing compound accumulation was not observed in albedo. MDA accumulation showed approximately a similar trend of UV‐B‐absorbing compounds. According to our results, solar UV‐B was not required for UV‐B‐absorbing compound accumulation in lemon peel. Relationships between UV‐B‐absorbing compounds, MDA, reactive oxygen species and pathogen protection are also discussed.