The technique of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, of chloroplastic and genomic DNA, was investigated as a means of identifying eucalypt species and cultivars which are morphologically indistinguishable from one another. In order to resolve chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) RFLPs, a method was developed to extract high yields of intact chloroplasts from Eucalyptus grandis S/N M6. Starch contamination was reduced by incubation of saplings in the dark for 48 h prior to extraction and watering with a solution containing 370 mM Na-phosphate and 296 mM KN03. Optimal chloroplast yields (25 ug chlorophyll/g fresh mass) were obtained by chopping leaf material, using a vertical homogenizer, in a buffer containing 350 mM sorbitol, 50 mM tris-HCL and 5 mM EDTA, 0.1 % (w/v) bovine serum albumin, 0.15 % (w/v) 2-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM L-ascorbic acid and 1 mM MgCI2 followed by washing of leaf pieces in a buffer containing only sorbitol, tris-HCL and EDTA. When these chloroplasts were used in an "in-organelle" DNA digestion procedure, polymorphisms were observed between the cpDNA profiles resolved for E. grandis S/N M6 and that of an outgroup species (spinach). However, the developed chloroplast extraction technique could not be used to obtain chloroplasts from various other eucalypt species, probably as a result of variability in the material at an ultrastructural or biochemical level. For the analysis of genomic DNA RFLPs, a DNA extraction procedure was optimized for use with various eucalypt species and cultivars. This included the development of a purifcation technique during which DNA was ammonium acetate-ethanol precipitated and subjected to mini-dialysis. Following Dra I restriction of DNA, the extract was electrophoresed and Southern blotted onto both nylon and nitrocellulose membranes. These were probed with a Hind-III restricted sample of the multilocus plasmid probe pV47-2. This probe was labelled using 32p as well as a non-radioactive labelling substance digoxygenin (DIG). Hybridization conditions, including the composition of the hybridization buffer, were optimized for use with these labels, and DNA RFLPs (fingerprints) were resolved for the eucalypt species E. grandis and E. macarthurii and cultivars of E. grandis (S/N M6, TAG 5 and TAG 14). An average of 8.5 bands were detected with 32p and 5.0 fragments with DIG. All the species and cultivars fingerprinted with the 32P-label could be distinguished from one another. However, as a result of the reduced sensitivity of the DIG system, two of the E. grandis cultivars, S/N M6 and TAG 5, could not be differentiated. It is concluded that the latter system would be most suitable for incorporation into a routine eucalypt screening programme, although it is suggested that the colourimetric detection assay, used in this study to resolve DNA bands, be replaced by a more sensitive one. / Thesis (M.Sc)-University of Natal, Durban, 1993.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-117). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p9963446.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-94).

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The genetic information of plants is found in the nucleus, the mitochondria, and the plastids. The DNA of plastids is comprised of multiple copies of a double-stranded, circular, prokaryoticallyderived genome of -150 kb. The genome equivalents of plastid organelles in higher plant cells are an attractive target for genetic engineering as high protein expression levels are readily obtained due to the high genome copy number per organelle. The resultant proteins are contained within the plastid organelle and the corresponding transgenes are inherited, in most crop plants, uniparentally, preventing pollen transmission of DNA. Plastid transformation involves the uniform modification of all the plastid genome copies, a process facilitated by homologous recombination and the non-Mendelian segregation of plastids upon cell division. The plastid genomes are in a continuous state of inter- and intra-molecular exchange due to their common genetic complement. This enables the site-specific integration of any piece of DNA flanked by plastid targeting sequences, via homologous recombination. The attainment of homoplasmy, where all genomes are transformed, requires the inclusion of a plastid-specific selectable marker. Selective pressure favouring the propagation of the transformed genome copies, as well as the random segregation of plastids upon cell division, make it feasible to acquire uniformity and hence genetic stability. From this, a complete transplastomie line is obtained where all plastid genome copies present are transgenic, having eliminated all wild-type genome copies. The prokaryotic nature of the chloroplast genetic system enables expression of multiple proteins from polycistronic mRNAs, allowing the introduction of entire operons in a single transformation. Expression cassettes in vectors thus include single regulatory elements of plastid origin, and harbour genes encoding selectable and screenable markers, as well as one or more genes of interest. Each coding region is preceded by an appropriate translation control region to ensure efficient translation from the polycistronic mRNA. The function of a plastid transformation vector is to enable transfer and stable integration of foreign genes into the chloroplast genomes of higher plants. The expression vector constructed in this research is specific for the transformation of the grape chloroplast genome. Vitis vinifera L., from the family, Vitaceae, is the choice species for the production of wine and therefore our target for plastid transformation. All chloroplast derived regulatory elements and sequences included in the vector thus originated from this species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die genetiese inligting van plante word gevind in die kern, die mitochondria, en die plastiede. Die DNA van plastiede bestaan uit veelvuldige kopieë van 'n ~ 150 kb dubbelstring, sirkulêre genoom van prokariotiese oorsprong. Die genoomekwivalente van plastiede in hoër plante is 'n aantreklike teiken vir genetiese manipulering, aangesien die hoë genoom kopiegetal per organel dit moontlik maak om gereeld hoë vlakke van proteïenuitdrukking te verkry. Hierdie proteïene word tot die plastied beperk, en die ooreenstemmende transgene word in die meeste plante sitoplasmies oorgeërf, sonder die oordrag van DNA deur die stuifmeel. Plastied transformasie behels die uniforme modifikasie van al die plastied genoomkopieë, 'n proses wat deur homoloë rekombinasie en die nie-Mendeliese segregasie van plastiede tydens seldeling gefasiliteer word. As gevolg van die gemeenskaplike genetiese komplement, vind aanhoudende interen intra-molekulêre uitruiling van plastiedgenome plaas. Dit maak die setel-spesifieke integrasie, via homoloë rekombinasie, van enige stuk DNA wat deur plastied teikenvolgordes begrens word, moontlik. Vir die verkrying van homoplasmie, waar alle genome getransformeer is, word die insluiting van 'n plastiedspesifieke selekteerbare merker benodig. Seleksiedruk wat die vermeerdering van die getransformeerde genoomkopieë bevoordeel, en die lukrake segregasie van plastiede tydens seldeling, maak dit moontlik om genetiese stabiliteit en uniformiteit van die genoom te verkry. Dit kan op sy beurt tot die verkryging van 'n volledige transplastomiese lyn lei, waar alle aanwesige plastiedgenome transgenies is, en wilde tipe genoomkopieë geëlimineer is. Die prokariotiese aard van die chloroplas genetiese sisteem maak die uitdrukking van veelvuldige proteïene vanaf polisistroniese mRNAs moontlik, wat die toevoeging van volledige operons in 'n enkele transformasie toelaat. Uitdrukkingskassette in vektore bevat dus enkel regulatoriese elemente van plastied oorsprong, gene wat kodeer vir selekteerbare en sifbare merkers, asook een of meer gene van belang (teikengene). Voor elke koderingsstreek, is daar ook 'n toepaslike translasie beheerstreek om doeltreffende translasie vanaf die polisistroniese mRNA te verseker. Die funksie van 'n plastied transformasie vektor is om die oordrag en stabiele integrasie van transgene in chloroplasgenome van hoër plante moontlik te maak. Die uitdrukkingsvektor wat in hierdie studie gekonstrueer is, is spesifiek vir die transformasie van die druif chloroplasgenoom. Vitis vinifera L., van die familie Vitaceae, is die voorkeur species vir die produksie van wyn, en daarom die teiken vir plastied transformasie. Alle chloroplast-afgeleide regulatoriese elemente en volgordes wat in hierdie vektor ingesluit is, het huloorsprong vanaf VUis vinifera L.

Proteínas FtsH são metaloproteases pertencentes à família AAA (ATPases Associadas a Diversas Atividades Celulares), e estão presentes em todos os reinos dos seres vivos. Estas proteases utilizam a energia liberada da hidrólise do ATP para desempenhar suas diversas atividades celulares. Em Escherichia coli, as proteases FtsH se organizam em um homohexamero na membrana plasmática, sendo que este complexo atua na degradação de proteínas mal dobradas. Em Arabidopsis, o hetero-complexo FtsH localizado na membrana dos tilacóides é formados por isômeros do tipo A (FtsH1/FtsH5) e do tipo B (FtsH2/FtsH8). Sua atividade proteolítica está relacionada ao controle de qualidade organelar, degradando proteínas mal dobradas e de vida curta. O complexo está envolvido também na degradação da proteína D1 do PSII, danificada por danos foto-oxidativo. Embora as FtsH cloroplastidiais sejam bem caracterizadas em termos genéticos e moleculares, o mecanismo de regulação do complexo ainda não foi esclarecido, o que torna interessante a busca por fatores proteicos adicionais. Em investigações anteriores nosso grupo de pesquisa encontrou um candidato potencial, denominado FIP (FtsH5 Interacting Protein), que pode modular a atividade ATPásica e/ou proteásica do complexo. Fip está presente na membrana dos tilacóides e mostrou interação com FtsH5 in vivo e in vitro. Neste trabalho foram realizados ensaios de duplo híbrido de leveduras, utilizando deleções da proteína FIP, bem como substituições de resíduos de cisteína por alanina. Os resultados revelaram que a interação entre FIP e FtsH5 é mantida somente quando duas regiões ricas em cisteína estão presentes na sequência de FIP. Essa região compreende 46 aminoácidos, com 4 resíduos de cisteína conservados, e ensaios com 7 diferentes substituições desses resíduos por alanina não mostraram interação com FtsH5, o que corrobora a hipótese de que os resíduos de cisteína são necessários para a interação. Experimentos de análise de expressão utilizando PCR em tempo real, sob condições de estresse salino e estresse a frio, revelaram que os genes que codificam FIP e FtsH5 têm sua expressão regulada de modo antagônico, o que sugere que FIP possa atuar como modulador negativo da atividade proteásica do complexo FtsH. / Metalloprotease FtsH proteins are members of the AAA family (ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities), and are present in all kingdoms of living organisms. These proteases use energy of ATP hydrolysis to perform its various cellular activities. In Escherichia coli, FtsH proteases are organized in a homo-hexamer in the cytoplasmic membrane, and this complex acts in the degradation of misfolded proteins. In Arabidopsis, the FtsH hetero-complex located in the thylakoid membrane is formed by type A (FtsH1/FtsH5) and type B (FtsH2/FtsH8) isomers. Its proteolytic activity is involved in organellar quality control by degrading misfolded and short-lived proteins. The complex is also involved in the degradation of the D1 protein of PSII, damaged by photo-oxidative damage. Although the chloroplast FtsH are well characterized genetically and molecularly, the regulatory mechanism of the complex remains unclear, which makes it interesting to search for additional protein factors. In earlier studies our research group has found a potential candidate called FIP (FtsH5 Interacting Protein), which can modulate the ATPase and/or protease activity of the complex. FIP is present in the membrane of the thylakoids and showed interaction with FtsH5 in vivo and in vitro. In this study yeast two-hybrid assays were performed using FIP protein deletions, and substitutions of cysteine to alanine residues. The results showed that the interaction between FIP and FtsH5 is maintained only when two cysteine rich regions are present in the sequence of FIP. This region contains 46 amino acids with four conserved cysteine residues and 7 different assays with alanine replacements of these residues showed no interaction with FtsH5, which corroborates the hypothesis that the cysteine residues are required for the interaction. Expression experiments analysis using realtime PCR, under conditions of salt stress and cold stress, revealed that the genes encoding FtsH5 and FIP have its expression regulated in an antagonistic way, suggesting that FIP can act as a negative modulator of the activity FtsH protease of the complex.

The ability of freshly prepared spinach or poke weed (Phytolacca americana) chloroplasts to photoreduce triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPN) under anaerobic conditions decreased in the presence of ascorbate and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DPIP). On .aging the chloroplasts, however, addition of DPIP and ascorbate was required for a high rate of TPN photoreduction. Qualitatively similar results were obtained for photoreduction of DPN, indigo carmine, riboflavin-5'-phosphate and vitamin K3 . Addition of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,l-dimethylurea (DCMU) at 10-5 M to freshly prepared chloroplasts inhibited the photoreduction of TPN by more than 98 %, and activity was restored to 94 %o f the original value by addition of ascorbate and.DPIF. Hydroxylamine at 10-3 Mand ammonium ion at 0.17 M produced similar effects. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with .these three inhibitors for photoreduction of DPN, indigo , carmine, .riboflavin-5 1 -phosphate, vitamin K3, methyl red and tetrazolium blue. Cesium ion and orthophenanthroline produced inhibitory effects similar to those of DCMU, hydroxylamine and ammonium ion which responded analogously to the DPIP-ascorbate couple. The data substantiate the previously proposed idea that ascorbate is photooxidized in the absence of oxygen by the photochemical oxidizing equivalents produced by illuminated chloroplasts, with the dye DPIP· acting as intermediate electron carrier. With intact .chloroplasts 2 the oxidizing equivalents are utilized preferentially for oxidation of water to produce oxygen. Only after the oxygen-evolution .system becomes .inoperativec1;1.n the ascorbate-DPIP couple compete successfully for the oxidizing equivalents. ExPosure of chloroplasts . to . light for 20 minutes _prior to ,adding .a Hill oxidant resulted in a reduced photoreducin,g capacity in the Hill reaction with TPN, indigo .carmine .and tetrazoli:um blue. However, such a treatment .actually increased the photoreducing _ability of the chloroplasts in the presence of DPIP and .ascorbate. Chloroplasts were inactivated toward the Hill reaction .by a pH of 7.7 at 30°. This inactivation was .readily overcome by addition of ascorbate and DPIP, indicating that .the principal effect of this treatment was to inactivate the oxygen-evolution system. Since indigo carmine photoreduction is stabili.z-ed· much more by the presence of sucrose in the reaction mixture than the photoreduction of DPIP it is indicated that there are components in the electron transport system leading from the site of DPIP photoreduction to that of indigo carmine photoreduction which .are sensitiye to distilled water dilution. The photoreduction of TPN, PPN .and indigo carmine was stimulated by addition of cysteine, whereas reduced glutathione was without effect. Cysteine was unable to overcome the inhibitions of DCMU, hydroxylamine and ammonium ion and no stimulation was observed when cysteine was .added to the inhibited systems containing DPIP and ascorbate even though cysteine was capable of stimulating the uninhibited reaction containing the DI"IP-ascorbate couple. It was there3 fore concluded that cysteine acts by stabilizing or reacting with the oxygen-evolving system. Chloride-deficient chloroplasts .were stimulated by added chloride and cyanide in Hill reaction activities. Reaction .mixtures containing sufficient chloride to provide maximal stimulation were further stimulated by added cyanide, versene and Tris.

No description available.

No description available.

Ao longo dos últimos anos, o radical livre gasoso óxido nítrico (NO) vem ganhando destaque como uma importante molécula sinalizadora em respostas fotomorfogênicas em plantas. Sua produção e dagradação parecem incluir uma diversificada gama de rotas bioquímicas, entretanto, a importância relativa de cada um dos sistemas capazes de regular sua disponibilidade e toxidade nos tecidos vegetais ainda permanece pouco compreendida. Dentre as possíveis rotas de conjugação e degradação do NO em tecidos vegetais, postula-se que a glutationa (GSH) desempenhe um papel de destaque no armazenamento desse radical livre por meio da formação reversível da S-nitrosoglutationa (GSNO), sendo possível sua subsequente degradação através da ação da enzima S-nitrosoglutationa redutase (GSNOR). No presente trabalho investigamos a influência da luz sobre o metabolismo de NO em duas etapas de desenvolvimento vegetal caracterizados pela ocorrência de eventos de diferenciação plastidial: (I) o desestiolamento de plântulas e (II) o amadurecimento de frutos carnosos de tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum). Além do genótipo selvagem Micro-Tom (MT), também foram utilizados os mutantes fotomorfogênicos aurea (au) e high pigment 1 e 2 (hp1 e hp2). Durante o desestiolamento das plântulas de tomateiro constatou-se um incremento progressivo tanto nos teores endógenos quando nas taxas de degradação de NO, bem como na atividade da enzima GSNOR. Sob condições luminosas similares, mutantes com respostas exageradas à luz apresentaram incrementos ainda mais evidentes nesses parâmetros do que aqueles observados no genótipo selvagem. A aplicação de inibidores de S-nitrosilação de proteínas, bem como a avaliação do conteúdo de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) indicaram que tanto a formação de S-nitrosotiois quanto a interação do NO com ROS contribuíram para a determinação da capacidade de remoção de NO nos tecidos fotossinteticamente ativos de tomateiro. Em frutos, observou-se uma correlação positiva entre a atividade da enzima nitrato redutase (NR) e o padrão temporal de produção de NO, uma vez que ambos os parâmetros apresentaram maiores níveis em frutos imaturos. O amadurecimento desses frutos foi acompanhado por uma diminuição transitória dos conteúdos de NO ao passo que as taxas de degradação de NO mantiveram-se bastante reduzidas durante todo o processo de amadurecimento, sugerindo a existência de um estoque de NO na forma de GSNO ou algum outro S-nitrosotiol. A sinalização luminosa influenciou positivamente tanto a produção quanto a degradação de NO em frutos imaturos de tomateiro. Em conjunto, os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o metabolismo do NO em tomateiro é fortemente controlado pela luz, a qual é capaz de modular conjuntamente as taxas de produção e degradação desse importante composto sinalizador. / In recent years, the gaseous free radical nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important signaling molecule in plant photomorphogenic response. NO production and degradation seems to include a wide range of biochemical routes; however, the relative importance of which one of the systems capable of regulating NO availability and toxicity in plant tissues remains elusive. Among all potential NO degradation and conjugation routes in plant tissues, it has been suggested that gluthathione (GSH) plays a key role in NO storage due to the formation of S-nitrosogluthathione (GSNO), being possible its subsequent degradation by the action of enzyme S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). In this work, we have investigated the light influence on NO metabolism during two plant developmental events characterized by the occurrence of plastidial differentiation: (I) seedling de-etiolation and (II) fruit ripening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Besides the wild-type Micro-Tom (MT) genotype, the tomato photomorphogenic mutants aurea (au) and high pigment 1 and 2 (hp1 and hp2) were also employed in this study. During the de-etiolation of tomato seedlings, a progressive increment was observed in the NO endogenous levels and degradation rates as well as in the GSNOR activity. Under similar light conditions, light hypersensitive mutants exhibited more conspicuous increases in these parameters than those detected in the wild-type genotype. Feeding protein S-nitrosylation inhibitors and measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production indicated that both S-nitrosothiols formation and NO interaction with ROS may to contribute for determining the NO removal capacity in photosynthetically active tissues of tomato. In fruits, a positive correlation was observed between nitrate reductase (NR) activity and the temporal pattern of NO production since both parameters exhibited increased levels in immature fruits. The ripening of theses fruits was accompanied by a transitory reduction in endogenous NO levels whereas its degradation rates were maintained reduced all over the ripening process, thereby suggesting the existence of a more stable NO reservoir such as GSNO or some other S-nitrosothiol. In general light signaling positively influenced both NO production and degradation in mature green tomato fruits. Altogether, the data obtained indicated that tomato NO metabolism is significantly influenced by light, which is able to simultaneous modulate both the production and degradation of this important signaling compound.

Ribulose-1,5-Bifsfosfato (RuBP) carboxilase/oxigenase (RuBisCO) é a enzima chave para a fixação do carbono atmosférico e para a produtividade das plantas. Não há, até o momento, uma metodologia estabelecida para otimizar o processo de fixação do CO2 nas diferentes espécies de plantas. Entretanto, a disponibilidade de um protocolo de transformação genética de cloroplasto de tabaco permite tentativas de manipulação da enzima RuBisCO visando aumento da eficiência fotossintética. Nas plantas, esta proteína é formada por 8 subunidades menores codificadas pelo gene rbcS localizado no genoma nuclear e por 8 subunidades maiores codificadas pelo gene rbcL localizado no genoma de cloroplastos. Neste trabalho, dois genes rbcL-sintéticos, um com a substituição da alanina (A) 378 por uma valina (V) (A378V) e outro sem a substituição foram utilizados para a construção dos vetores pTT629, pTT630, pTT632 e pTT633. Estes vetores foram usados para transformar o cloroplasto de folhas de tabaco, pelo método de biolística. Um total de 35 plantas transplastômicas se desenvolveram sob seleção dos antibióticos espectinomicina (500 mg/L) e estreptomicina (500 mg/L) e a análise molecular dos sítios de restrição AccI, EcoRI, NdeI e NsiI, de fragmentos amplificados da sequência codante atpB::rbcL:: aadA:: accD demonstrou a integração dos genes rbcL-sintéticos em 11 linhagens transplastômicas. Sementes F1 destas plantas demonstraram ser homoplásmicas pela germinação na presença do antibiótico espectinomicina (500 mg/L). Análises fisiológicas das taxas de fotossíntese (A), condutância estomática (gs) e de transpiração (E) das plantas transplastômicas (A378V) mantidas em casa-de-vegetação produziram valores maiores e significativos, quando comparados com as plantas sem a mutação e controle não transgênicos. O aumento da taxa de fotossíntese das linhagens transplastômicas indicam a possibilidade de aumento da atividade catalítica da RuBisCO. A compreensão da interação fotossintética com a atividade fotorrespiratória poderá permitir explorar e estender possíveis benefícios, como o aumento da produtividade em cultivares de interesse agronômico. / Ribulose-1,5-Bifsfosfato (RuBP) carboxylase/ oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the key enzyme for the fixation of atmospheric carbon and productivity of plants. At moment, no single solution to optimize the CO2 fixing process by the different species of plants. The availability of a few efficient chloroplast transformation protocols for all cultivars also directs attempts to manipulate the larger and small subunit of RuBisCO. In plants, this protein consists of coding form eight smaller subunits encoding the rbcS gene and 8 larger subunits of the rbcL gene respectively located in the nucleus and chloroplasts. Using two rbcL-synthetic genes, with an alanine (Ala) 378 substituting a valine (Val) (A378V) and another one without the replacement were used in the construction of pTT629, pTT630, pTT632 and pTT633 vectors, which were used in the method of biolistic to driving these transgenes into the chloroplast genome of tobacco. A total of 35 transplastomic plants were grown under selection of antibiotics spectinomycin (500mg/ L) and streptomycin (500mg/ L) and the molecular analysis using restriction sites AccI, EcoRI, NdeI and NsiI from the amplified fragments of atpB::rbcL:: aadA:: accD sequence displayed the rbcL-synthetic genes integrated into the plastome of the 11 transplastomic lines. The F1 seeds of these plants were shown to be homoplasmic from germinating in the presence of the antibiotic spectinomycin (500mg / L). The physiology analyzes of photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) rates of these transplastomic lines (A378V) plants kept in green-house produced the highest and significant values when when compared to the control plants without the mutation and non-transgenic control. The increase of the photosynthesis rate form transplastomic lines indicates the possibility of increasing the catalytic activity of RuBisCO. The understanding of the photosynthetic interaction with photorespiration activity may allow explore more the potential benefits, such as increased productivity in crops of agronomic interest.