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Ion channels in the plasma membrane of Amaranthus protoplasts: one cation and one anion channel dominate the conductance.

This report details preliminary findings for ion channels in the plasma membrane of protoplasts derived from the cotyledons of Amaranthus seedlings. The conductance properties of the membrane can be described almost entirely by the behavior of two types of ion channel observed as single channels in attached and detached patches. The first is a cation-selective outward rectifier, and the second a multistate anion-selective channel which, under physiological conditions, acts as an inward rectifier. The cation channel has unit conductance of approx. 30 pS (symmetrical 100 K+) and relative permeability sequence K+ greater than Na+ much greater than Cl- (1:0.16:0.03): whole-cell currents activate in a time-dependent manner, and both activation and deactivation kinetics are voltage dependent. The anion channel opens for hyperpolarized membrane potentials, has a full-level conductance of approx. 200 pS and multiple subconductance states. The number of subconductances does not appear to be fixed. When activated the channel is open for long periods, though shuts if the membrane potential (Vm) is depolarized; at millimolar levels of [Ca2+]cyt this voltage dependency disappears. Inward current attributable to the anion channel is not observed in whole-cell recordings when MgATP (2 mM) is present in the intracellular solution. By contrast the channel is active in most detached patches, whether MgATP is present or not on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane. The anion channel has a significant permeability to cations, the sequence being NO3- greater than Cl- greater than K+ greater than Aspartate (2.04:1:0.18 to 0.09:0.04). The relative permeability for K+ decreased at progressively lower conductance states. In the absence of permeant anions this channel could be mistaken for a cation inward rectifier. The anion and cation channels could serve to clamp Vm at a preferred value in the face of events which would otherwise perturb Vm.

Anions↗

Protoplast fusion of beta-glucosidase-producing Aspergillus niger strains.

Protoplast fusion, induced by polyethylene glycol and Ca2+, was carried out between two auxotrophic strains of Aspergillus niger. The fusion frequency ranged from 6.2 x 10(-2) - 9.1 x 10(-2). After induced haploidization of a diploid, various segregants showing combinations of the parental genetic markers were isolated. Unlike diploids, haploid segregants exhibited greater variations in their morphology and beta-glucosidase activities. One segregant showed a 2.5-fold increase in beta-glucosidase activity over those of the parents. Thus, this method appears promising for creating new recombinant strains of A. niger with improved beta-glucosidase activities.

Aspergillus niger↗

Gene manipulation by protoplast fusion and penicillin production by Penicillium chrysogenum.

Hybrids have been obtained by protoplast fusion of nitrate-nonutilizing cnx- and acetate-nonutilizing fac- mutants of Penicillium chrysogenum strains 4/95 and 26/818, respectively. Induced haplodization of the hybrids allowed the recovery of stable segregants, which were screened for penicillin production. The penicillin-producing segregants showed a wide range of titers that reached for a certain mutant to 290-390% increase above the parent strains.

Chlorates↗

Obtaining mutants for protoplast fusion of gibberellin-forming Gibberella fujikuroi strains.

Auxotrophic, drug-resistant, nitrate-nonutilizing, and albino mutants have been isolated in Gibberella fujikuroi following UV mutagenesis. Protoplasts of complementing auxotrophic strains, mutants with resistance markers, or mutants blocked in different steps of the nitrate assimilatory pathway have been fused to form heterokaryons, diploids, or recombinant haploids. The properties of fusant strains, including gibberellic acid productivity, have been examined and compared to parent strains.

Cerulenin↗

Generation of nuclear hybrids overcoming the natural barrier of incompatibility: transfer of nuclei from Lentinula edodes into protoplasts of Coriolus versicolor.

Heterokaryotic nuclear hybrids overcoming the natural barriers of incompatibility have been studied in basidiomycetes. To produce these nuclear hybrids between incompatible mushrooms, which have several potent pharmacological effects, nuclear transfer was performed between Lentinula edodes and Coriolus versicolor. Nuclei from serine auxotrophs of Lentinula edodes, LE207 (Ser-) were transferred into the protoplasts of arginine auxotrophs of Coriolus versicolor, CV17 (Arg-), using 30% polyethylene glycol 4000 in 10 mM CaCl2-glycine solution (pH 8.0). Nuclear transfer progenies were selected by nutritional complementation on minimal media supplemented with 0.6 M sucrose. The progenies were classified based on colony morphology to L. edodes-like, C. versicolor-like and non-parental type. Most of the progenies grew slower than either parent. The number of nuclei per cell was similar but the DNA content varied between progenies. The isozyme patterns of nuclear hybrids resembled either of the parent profiles or showed a mixed profile.

Cell Nucleus↗

Synchronization of mitotic activity in protoplast-derived Solanum nigrum L. microcalluses is correlated with plasmodesmal connectivity.

In protoplast-derived Solanum nigrum microcalluses, plasmodesmal connectivity and cell division behaviour of the sister cells were examined by repeated pressure-injection experiments with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LYCH; M(r) 457) and concomitant light-microscopical long-term live observations. The studies revealed that the plasmodesmal permeability of the cultured cells differs in the distinct stages of microcallus development. There was a correlation between the symplasmic connectivity of the cells and the synchronousness of their mitotic activity. Sister cells which were symplasmically interconnected by functional plasmodesmata, permitting the diffusion of LYCH, were always found to divide synchronously. However, asynchronous mitotic divisions were exclusively observed in those sister cells whose plasmodesmata were closed to LYCH. The temporary symplasmic isolation is presumably performed by reversible gating of plasmodesmata. Repeated dye-coupling experiments on the same microcalluses showed that symplasmically interconnected sister cells may become uncoupled and vice versa, according to their division behaviour. These findings on cultured cells indicate that modulation of the symplasmic connectivity determines the synchronization of mitotic activity. Yet it remains to be proven whether this is true in planta as well. The results are discussed with respect to the possible role of plasmodesmata in exerting "supracellular control" over mitotic activity by trafficking mitosis-regulating signals.

Cell Wall↗

Quantitative trait loci affecting plant regeneration from protoplasts of Brassica oleracea.

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the plant-regeneration ability of Brassica oleracea protoplasts were mapped in a population of 128 F(2) plants derived from a cross between the high-responding, rapid-cycling line and a low-responding, broccoli breeding line of B. oleracea. A modified bulked segregant analysis with AFLP markers identified two QTLs for plant regeneration. In a multiple regression analysis, the two QTLs explained 83% of the total genetic variation for regeneration recorded 15 weeks after initial transfer of microcalli to regeneration medium. Both QTLs showed additive effects, and the alleles contributing to the high regeneration frequencies were derived from the high-responding, rapid-cycling line. Using microsatellites with known location, the two QTLs were mapped to linkage groups O2 and O9 on the map published by Sebastian et al. [(2000) Theor Appl Genet 100:75-81] or to chromosomes C8 and C7 on the map published by Saal et al. [(2001) Theor Appl Genet 102:695-699]. QTLs for the early flowering trait of the rapid-cycling parent have previously been mapped to the same two linkage groups. Association between flowering time and regeneration ability was, however, not found in the present material, indicating that plant-regeneration ability can be transferred between cultivars independently of the early flowering trait. The detection of two major QTLs for plant regeneration in B. oleracea may provide the initial step towards the identification of markers suitable for marker-assisted selection of regeneration ability.

Brassica↗

Transient and permanent fusion of vesicles in Zea mays coleoptile protoplasts measured in the cell-attached configuration.

Exocytosis in protoplasts from Zea mays L. coleoptiles was studied using patch-clamp techniques. Fusion of individual vesicles with the plasma membrane was monitored as a step increase of the membrane capacitance (Cm). Vesicle fusion was observed as (i) An irreversible step increase in Cm. (ii) Occasionally, irreversible Cm steps were preceded by transient changes in Cm, suggesting that the electrical connection between the vesicle with the plasma membrane opens and closes reversibly before full connection is achieved. (iii) Most frequently, however, stepwise transient changes in Cm did not lead to an irreversible Cm step. Within one patch of membrane capacitance steps due to transient and irreversible fusions were of similar amplitude. This suggests that the exocytosis events do not result from the fusion of vesicles with different sizes but are due to kinetically different states in a fusion process of the same vesicle type. The dwell time histogram of the transient fusion events peaked at about 100 msec. Fusion can be described with a circular three-state model for the fusion process of two fused states and one nonfused state. It predicts that energy input is required to drive the system into a prevailing direction.

Cell Membrane↗

Voltage-independent adaptation of mechanosensitive channels in Escherichia coli protoplasts.

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels, with 560 pS conductance, opened transiently by rapid application of suction pulses to patches of E. coli protoplast membrane. The adaptation phase of the response was voltage-independent. Application of strong suction pulses, which were sufficient to cause saturation of the MS current, did not abolish the adaptation. Multiple-pulse experimental protocols revealed that once MS channels had fully adapted, they could be reactivated by a second suction pulse of similar amplitude, providing the time between pulses was long enough and suction had been released between pulses. Limited proteolysis (0.2 mg/ml pronase applied to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane patch) reduced the number of open channels without affecting the adaptation. Exposing patches to higher levels of pronase (1 mg/ml) removed responsiveness of the channel to suction and abolished adaptation consistent with disruption of the tension transmission mechanism responsible for activating the MS channel. Based on these data we discuss a mechanism for mechanosensitivity mediated by a cytoplasmic domain of the MS channel molecule or associated protein.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

A patch-clamp study of ion channels in protoplasts prepared from the marine alga Valonia utricularis.

The giant marine alga Valonia utricularis is a classical model system for studying the electrophysiology and water relations of plant cells by using microelectrode and pressure probe techniques. The recent finding that protoplasts can be prepared from the giant "mother cells" (Wang, J., Sukhorukov, V.L., Djuzenova, C.S., Zimmermann, U., Müller, T., Fuhr, G., 1997, Protoplasma 196:123-134) allowed the use of the patch-clamp technique to examine ion channel activity in the plasmalemma of this species. Outside-out and cell-attached experiments displayed three different types of voltage-gated Cl(-) channels (VAC1, VAC2, VAC3, Valonia Anion Channel 1,2,3), one voltage-gated K(+) channel (VKC1, Valonia K(+) Channel 1) as well as stretch-activated channels. In symmetrical 150 mm Cl(-) media, VAC1 was most frequently observed and had a single channel conductance of 36 +/- 7 pS (n = 4) in the outside-out and 33 +/- 5 pS (n = 10) in the cell-attached configuration. The reversal potential of the corresponding current-voltage curves was within 0 +/- 4 mV (n = 4, outside-out) and 9 +/- 7 mV (n = 10, cell-attached) close to the Nernst potential of Cl(-) and shifted towards more negative values when cell-attached experiments were performed in asymmetrical 50:150 mm Cl(-) media (bath/pipette; E(Cl(-)) -20 +/- 7 mV (n = 4); Nernst potential -28 mV). Consistent with a selectivity for Cl(-), VAC1 was inhibited by 100 micronM DIDS (4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid). VAC1 was activated by a hyperpolarization of the patch. Boltzmann fits of the channel activity under symmetrical 150 mm Cl(-) conditions yielded a midpoint potential of -12 +/- 5 mV (n = 4, outside-out) and -3 +/- 6 mV (n = 9, cell-attached) and corresponding apparent minimum gating charges of 15 +/- 3 (n = 4) and 18 +/- 5 (n = 9). The midpoint potential shifted to more negative values in the presence of a Cl(-) gradient. VAC2 was activated by voltages more negative than E(Cl(-)) and was always observed together with VAC1, but less frequently. It showed a "flickering" gating. The single channel conductance was 99 +/- 10 pS (n = 6). VAC3 was activated by membrane depolarization and frequently exhibited several subconductance states. The single channel conductance of the main conductance state was 36 +/- 5 pS (n = 5). VKC1 was also activated by positive clamped voltages. Up to three conductance states occurred whereby the main conductance state had a single channel conductance of 124 +/- 27 pS (n = 6). In the light of the above results it seems to be likely that VAC1 contributes mainly to the Cl(-) conductance of the plasmalemma of the turgescent "mother cells" and that this channel (as well as VAC2) can operate in the physiological membrane potential range. The physiological significance of VAC3 and VKC1 is unknown, but may be related (as the stretch-activated channels) to processes involved in turgor regulation.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Glycerol and arabitol production by an intergeneric hybrid, PB2, obtained by protoplast fusion between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Torulaspora delbrueckii.

An intergeneric osmotolerant hybrid yeast, PB2, was used together with the parental strains to study glycerol and arabitol production in batch culture. This fusion product was previously obtained by protoplast fusion between Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Polyols and biomass production were determined in batch culture under aerobic conditions. Under the conditions tested, using PB2 hybrid and both parental strains, the best results were obtained with the hybrid. Arabitol reached a final concentration of 70 g/l and glycerol was increased to up to 50 g/l.

Culture Media↗

Antagonistic properties of two recombinant strains of Streptomyces melanosporofaciens obtained by intraspecific protoplast fusion.

Intraspecific protoplast fusion was used to produce stable prototrophic recombinants of Streptomyces melanosporofaciens EF-76, a biocontrol agent of plant disease producing geldanamycin. Two recombinant strains (FP-54 and FP-60) that differed with regard to their antagonistic properties against Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Streptomyces scabies EF-35 and Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi 390 were characterized. FP-60 lost the ability to inhibit the in vitro growth of these microbial strains while FP-54 exhibited higher antagonistic activities against them. FP-60 was deficient in geldanamycin biosynthesis whereas FP-54 was shown to produce, in addition to geldanamycin, at least two other antimicrobial compounds that were absent in the culture supernatants of strain EF-76. Like the wild-type strain EF-76, strain FP-54 reduced common scab symptoms on potato tuber but no significant difference was observed between the disease index attributed to tubers treated with strain EF-76 or with strain FP-54. Strain FP-60 showed no protective effect against common scab. The disease index of tubers treated with this recombinant was worse than the index associated with potato tubers from control treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Isolation and identification of Streptomyces fradiae SU-1 from Thailand and protoplast transformation with the chitinase B Gene from Nocardiopsis prasina OPC-131.

Thirty-two strains of actinomycetes obtained from soil samples of Thailand were selected. Actinomycete strain SU-1 is the most effective in terms of antagonism of Fusarium moniliforme. It produces antifungal substances on agar medium against F. moniliforme. On the basis of microscopical observations of its morphology and biochemical tests as well as analysis of cell wall and fatty acid pattern, this strain was identified as Streptomyces fradiae. The chitinase gene B (chiB337) from Nocardiopsis prasina OPC-131 was inserted into an integrating plasmid pFIS318, an Escherichia coli-Streptomyces shuttle vector. The new plasmid pFIS319-1 carrying the chitinase gene was used to transform protoplasts of S. fradiae strain SU-1. The obtained recombinant strain SU-1 pFIS319-1 exhibited higher chitinase activity than the wild-type in chitinase induction medium. Chitinase activity after renaturing protein from SDS-PAGE was detected rapidly by using 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D: -N,N''-diacetylchitobioside as the substrate. S. fradiae SU-1 secreted two chitinases with estimated molecular masses of 26 kDa and 43 kDa whereas the recombinant strain secreted three chitinases of about 26 kDa, 31.5 kDa (ChiB), and 43 kDa. The supernatant of the recombinant strain grown in chitinase induction medium inhibited the hyphal extension of F. moniliforme.

Actinomycetales↗

Stable transformants of the azaphilone pigment-producing Monascus purpureus obtained by protoplast transformation and Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer.

The high-level pigment-producing Monascus strain IBCC1 was characterized by random amplification of polymorphic DNA as M. purpureus. This technique allowed us to distinguish between M. purpureus and M. ruber strains. Transformation of Monascus species has not been previously reported. Protoplast formation and regeneration from M. purpureus IBCC1 was optimized by modification of growth media, lytic enzyme mixture, osmotic stabilizer and regeneration media. Of the Monascus transformants, 60% were found to be mitotically stable and retained the plasmid inserted in the chromosome after repeated sporulation cycles. Additionally, an Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer system was developed. The transformants obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer remained fully stable (98%) after four sporulation rounds and showed bands of hybridization corresponding to integration of the plasmid in different sites of the genome. The green fluorescent protein marker was well expressed in the M. purpureus transformants. The development of transformation systems is a basic tool for advanced genetic manipulation of the natural pigment producers, M. purpureus and M. ruber.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Efficiency of transient transformation in tobacco protoplasts is independent of plasmid amount.

We describe an optimized protocol for the transient transformation of tobacco protoplasts mediated by polyethylene-glycol (PEG). As expected, the quantitative beta-glucuronidase (Gus) activity driven by pCaMVGus was dependent on the amount of plasmid used. Nevertheless, we demonstrate by an immunodetection method that transformation efficiency did not depend on the amount of plasmid used but on the limitation imposed by cell competence. In fact, we obtained the same percentage of transformed cells (about 60%) using a wide range of plasmid concentrations (0.1-10 microg per test). Finally, we show that, when we used two plasmid types in a mixture at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 10 microg for each, all transformed cells expressed proteins encoded by both plasmids. Transient expression and co-transformation experiments are routinely used methods and, probably, the major results from this work were assumed by many researchers in this field, but our data experimentally support this assumption.

Plasmids↗

Uncapped mRNA introduced into tobacco protoplasts can be imported into the nucleus and is trapped by leptomycin B.

The mechanism of nuclear export of RNAs in yeast and animal cells is rapidly being uncovered, but RNA export in plants has received little attention. We introduced capped and uncapped fluorescent mRNAs into tobacco (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia) protoplasts and studied their cellular localization. Following insertion, capped transcripts were found in the cytoplasm, while uncapped messengers transiently appeared in the nucleus in about one-quarter to one-third of the cells. These mRNAs were trapped by the nuclear export-inhibiting drug leptomycin B, pointing to an export mechanism in plants similar to Rev-NES-mediated RNP export in other organisms.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗