Hemoglobin Control of Cell Survival/Death Decision Regulates in Vitro Plant Embryogenesis.

Programmed cell death (PCD) in multicellular organisms is a vital process in growth, development, and stress responses that contributes to the formation of tissues and organs. Although numerous studies have defined the molecular participants in apoptotic and PCD cascades, successful identification of early master regulators that target specific cells to live or die is limited. Using Zea mays somatic embryogenesis as a model system, we report that the expressions of two plant hemoglobin (Hb) genes (ZmHb1 and ZmHb2) regulate the cell survival/death decision that influences somatic embryogenesis through their cell-specific localization patterns.

Genome-wide comparative analysis of annexin superfamily in plants.

Most annexins are calcium-dependent, phospholipid-binding proteins with suggested functions in response to environmental stresses and signaling during plant growth and development. They have previously been identified and characterized in Arabidopsis and rice, and constitute a multigene family in plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of annexin gene families in the sequenced genomes of Viridiplantae ranging from unicellular green algae to multicellular plants, and identified 149 genes.

Expression of chitinase genes of Metarhizium anisopliae isolates in lepidopteran pests and on synthetic media.

Pathogenecity of the well characterized entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae used for biocontrol of a wide range of insect pests secretes hydrolytic enzymes that degrade the host cuticle. The chitinolytic activity of high and low virulent isolates of M. anisopliae was assayed on minimal medium (MM) + colloidal chitin and MM supplemented with insect cuticles.

The Arabidopsis mutant, fy-1, has an ABA-insensitive germination phenotype.

Arabidopsis FY, a homologue of the yeast RNA 3' processing factor Pfs2p, regulates the autonomous floral transition pathway through its interaction with FCA, an RNA binding protein. It is demonstrated here that FY also influences seed dormancy. Freshly-harvested seed of the Arabidopsis fy-1 mutant germinated readily in the absence of stratification or after-ripening.

Identification and characterization of annexin gene family in rice.

Plant annexins are Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins and are encoded by multigene families. They are implicated in the regulation of plant development as well as protection from drought and other stresses. They are well characterized in Arabidopsis, however no such characterization of rice annexin gene family has been reported thus far.

Transcriptional regulation of annexins in Indian Mustard, Brassica juncea and detoxification of ROS in transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing AnnBj1.

Annexins in plants constitute a multigene family and there is growing evidence for their involvement in response to various stress treatments. We have cloned and characterized six different annexin genes from mustard. The transcript regulation of these genes was studied in treatments with various signaling molecules, osmotic stress, oxidative stress conditions and wounding.

Molecular cloning and characterization of five annexin genes from Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss).

Plant annexins constitute a multigene family having suggested roles in a variety of cellular processes including stress responses. We have isolated and characterized five different cDNAs of mustard, Brassica juncea (AnnBj1, AnnBj2, AnnBj3, AnnBj6 and AnnBj7) encoding annexin proteins using a RT-PCR/RACE-PCR based strategy. The predicted molecular masses of these annexins are approximately 36.

Ectopic expression of an annexin from Brassica juncea confers tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress treatments in transgenic tobacco.

Plant annexins belong to a multigene family and are suggested to play a role in stress responses. A full-length cDNA for a gene encoding an annexin protein was isolated and characterized from Brassica juncea (AnnBj1). AnnBj1 message levels were regulated by abscisic acid, ethephon, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate as well as chemicals that induce osmotic stress (NaCl, Mannitol or PEG), heavy metal stress (CdCl(2)) and oxidative stress (methyl viologen or H(2)O(2)).

Molecular, biochemical and structural characterization of osmotin-like protein from black nightshade (Solanum nigrum).

A full-length 910bp cDNA encoding osmotin-like protein with an open reading frame of 744bp encoding a protein of 247 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.8kDa was cloned from Solanum nigrum (SniOLP). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary conservation of this protein among diverse taxa.