Phloem vascular tissues transport sugars synthesized by photosynthesis in mature leaves by a process called phloem loading in source tissues and unloading in sink tissues. Phloem loading in source leaves is catalyzed by Suc/H+ symporters (SUTs) which are energized by proton motive force. In Arabidopsis the principal and perhaps exclusive SUT catalyzing phloem loading is AtSUC2. In mutant plants harboring a T-DNA insertion in each of the functional SUT-family members, only Atsuc2 mutants demonstrate overtly debilitated phloem transport. Analysis of a mutant allele (Atsuc2-4) of AtSUC2 with a T-DNA insertion in the second intron showed severely stunted phenotype similar to previously analyzed Atsuc2 null alleles. However unlike previous alleles Atsuc2-4 produced viable seeds. Analysis of phloem specific promoters showed that promoter expression was regulated by Suc concentration. Unlike AtSUC2p, heterologous promoter CoYMVp was not repressed under high Suc conc. Further analysis was conducted using CoYMVp to test the capacity of diverse clades in SUT-gene family for transferring Suc in planta in Atsuc2 - / - mutant background. AtSUC1 and ZmSUT1 from maize complemented Atsuc2 mutant plants to the highest level compared to all other transporters. Over-expression of the above SUTs in phloem showed enhanced Suc loading and transport, but against expectations, plants were stunted. The implications of SUT over-expression to enhance phloem transport and loading are discussed and how it induces a perception of phosphate imbalance is presented.

Vascular tissues provide both the mechanical support to the plant body and the conducting cells for the transport of water, mineral solutes, hormones and other signaling molecules, amino acids, and sugars. To identify genes that may regulate vascular tissue-specific functions, we isolated xylem, phloem-cambium, and nonvascular tissues from the Arabidopsis root-hypocotyl, performed a genome-wide comparative analysis of tissue-specific transcripts using the 24K Affymetrix Arabidopsis ATH1 Genome Array (24K GeneChip), and identified potential genes that are required for xylem and phloem differentiation or tissue-specific functions. Based on this comparative analysis, two phloem-specific G2-like transcription factors, MYR1 and MYR2, and a xylem-specific NAC domain family member, XND1, were selected for further characterization. Under continuous light, myr2 plants flowered early, while myr1 plants did not differ significantly from wild type controls. However, double mutant myr1myr2 plants exhibited a novel phenotype characterized by elongated petioles, semi-erect leaf orientation, and suppression of lateral shoot outgrowth. These characteristics are reminiscent of yucca, a dominant Arabidopsis mutant with elevated levels of free auxin. Preliminary results indicated that like yucca, myr1myr2 plants were more resistant than wt plants to 5-mT, a toxic tryptophan analog, suggesting that MYR1 and MYR2 may be involved in regulating tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis. Overexpression of any one of MYR1 isoforms resulted in a phenotype that in some cases resembled that observed in the double mutant, indicating that the regulation mediated by MYR1 and MYR2 may depend on formation of specific heterodimers consisting of isoforms of MYR1 and/or MYR2, and that the dimerization was susceptible to disruption both by overexpression and loss-of-function of MYR1/MYR2. Overexpression of XND1 resulted in the absence of TEs as determined from the absence of both secondary cell wall deposition and TE death. Using 3 tissue-specific promoter-GUS lines as genetic backgrounds, we demonstrated that overexpression of XND1 suppressed only TE-specific GUS expression but not phloem-specific GUS expression. Three T-DNA/transposon insertion lines, xnd1-1, -2, and -3, were identified. Under normal conditions, xnd1 did not exhibit significantly different growth and development compared to wild type plants. However, preliminary data indicated that xnd1 plants were ABA and cold hypersensitive. Yeast-two hybrid screening using the N-terminal portion of XND1 as bait identified a novel RING finger protein, At3g62970 that may function as the ubiquitin ligase (E3). These results suggested that XND1 functions as a negative regulator of xylem cell differentiation, and that the regulation mediated by XND1 may be integrated with the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway. / Ph. D.

Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that live by tapping into the vascular tissue of a host plant. Contents of the host phloem translocate readily into the parasite, and shared plasmodesmata have been documented between host cortical cells and dodder searching hyphae. Dodder is known to transmit viruses from one host to another, which is consistent with viral ability to traverse plasmodesmata (PD) with the aid of movement proteins (MPs). Plant endogenous mRNAs may also associate with specific proteins to pass through PD and traffic long distances in the phloem, a process that appears to play a role in coordination of development. We have evaluated the hypothesis that dodder is able to accumulate host phloem-mobile mRNAs by assaying lespedeza dodder (C. pentagona) for the presence of host transcripts. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and tomato microarrays were used to probe RNA from dodder parasitizing tomato. Transcripts from four tomato genes were detected in dodder grown on tomato, but were not detected in control dodder grown on other hosts. Notable among these was LeGAI, a transcript previously shown to be phloem translocated. In addition, RT-PCR of RNA from dodder grown on pumpkin detected three mobile pumpkin mRNAs (CmNACP, CmSUTP1, and CmWRKYP). These results imply the existence of an extraordinary situation in which mobile mRNAs move from one plant into another, and raise questions about the role of this phenomenon in plant development and parasite pathogenicity. / Master of Science

Delivery of photoassimilate, mainly sucrose (Suc) from photoautotrophic source leaves provides the substrate for the growth and maintenance of sink tissues such as roots, storage tissues, flowers and fruits, juvenile organs, and seeds. Phloem loading is the energized process of accumulating solute in the sieve element/companion cell complex of source leaf phloem to generate the hydrostatic pressure that drives long-distance transport. In many plants this is catalyzed by Suc/Proton (H+) symporters (SUTs) which are energized by the proton motive force (PMF). Overexpression of SUTs was tested as means to enhance phloem transport and plant productivity. Phloem specific overexpression of AtSUC2 in wild type (WT) tobacco resulted in enhanced Suc loading and transport, but against the hypothesis, plants were stunted and accumulated carbohydrates in the leaves, possibly due to lack of sufficient energy to support enhanced phloem transport. The energy for SUT mediated phloem loading is provided from the PMF, which is ultimately supplied by the oxidation of a small proportion of the loaded photoassimilates. It was previously shown that inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) is necessary for this oxidation and overexpressing a proton-pumping pyrophosphatase (AVP1) enhanced both shoot and root growth, and augmented several energized processes like nutrient acquisition and stress responses. We propose that AVP1 localizes to the PM of phloem cells and uses PMF to synthesize PPi rather than hydrolyze it, and in doing so, maintains PPi levels for efficient Suc oxidation and ATP production. Enhanced ATP production in turn strengthens the PMF via plasma membrane (PM) ATPase, increasing phloem energization and phloem transport. Phloem-specific and constitutive AVP1 overexpressing lines showed increased growth and more efficiently moved carbohydrates to sink organs compared to WT. This suggested changes in metabolic flux but diagnostic metabolites of central metabolism did not show changes in steady state levels. This research focuses on fundamental aspects of carbon utilization and transport, and has a strong applied component, since increased H+-PPase activity enhances plant biomass, nutrient up-take capacities, and stress tolerance for as yet not fully characterized reasons.

Das Phloem stellt ein Netzwerk zur Assimilat- und Nährstofftranslokation sowie zur elektrischen Kommunikation innerhalb der Pflanze dar. In apoplastisch beladenden Pflanzen werden die funktionellen Eigenschaften des Phloems im Wesentlichen vom Zusammenspiel eines Transportmoduls, bestehend aus Carriern, Kaliumkanälen und Protonen-ATPasen, bestimmt. Ausgangspunkt für die biophysikalische Charakterisierung dieses Phloem-Transportmoduls waren Arbeiten zum Saccharosetransport in der Arabidopsis akt2/3-1 Mutante. Das AKT2/3 Gen kodiert für einen Phloem-spezifischen Kaliumkanal vom Shaker-Typ. Die Tatsache, dass der Saccharosegehalt im Phloem dieser Mutante um 50% im Vergleich zum Wildtyp reduziert war, ließ eine enge Kopplung von Kalium- und Zuckerflüssen vermuten. Um diesen Phänotyp aufklären zu können und ein Modell für die Beladungsprozesse an der Phloemmembran zu entwickeln, wurde das heterologe Expressionssystem der Xenopus Oozyten gewählt. So konnte in Coexpressionsstudien die Interaktion von Phloem-lokalisierten Kaliumkanälen und Transportern sowie die Kopplung des Kalium- und Zuckertransports mit Hilfe biophysikalischer Methoden untersucht werden. / In plants the phloem tissue constitutes a network providing for assimilate and nutrient translocation as well as electrical communication. A transport module, consisting of carriers, channels and pumps plays a pivotal role in apoplasmically loading plant species and determines the specific transport properties of phloem cells. The AKT2/3 channel represents a phloem-specific Shaker-like K+ channel of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Based on the observation, that sucrose transport is severely impaired in the corresponding akt2/3-1 mutant, we hypothesised a tight coupling of potassium and sugar fluxes during phloem loading. In order to allow a biophysical characterisation of the transport processes at the phloem plasma membrane during sugar loading, we decided to employ Xenopus oocytes as a model system for the heterologous expression of phloem transport proteins.

Orientador: Silvio Aparecido Lopes / Resumo: Huanglongbing (HLB), causada pela bactéria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) que coloniza o floema das plantas cítricas, é considerada a doença mais grave e destrutiva dos citros. Aspectos da patogenicidade de Las ainda não estão compreendidos, dificultado pela condição não cultivável do patógeno. Entender como Las se movimenta internamente na planta para colonizar os diferentes tecidos é fundamental para o controle do HLB e a busca de materiais com potencial de resistência. O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar a movimentação de Las em plantas de citros. Nos experimentos plantas de laranjeiras foram inoculadas por enxertia de segmentos de ramos de plantas infectadas de 2 - 3 cm de comprimento. Para estudo da velocidade de movimentação de Las nos vasos do floema, foi utilizado duas metodologias. A primeira envolveu poda sequencial do caule a diferentes distâncias do ponto de inoculação e avaliação de amostras de folhas seis meses após a inoculação. Já na segunda metodologia foi realizado a coleta de amostras de anéis de casca do caule a diferentes distâncias do ponto de inoculação e de raízes fibrosas. Foi avaliado também a influência de novos fluxos de crescimentos na movimentação de Las. Lotes de plantas foram podadas na parte aérea ou no sistema radicular para indução do crescimento. Plantas não podadas foram usadas como controle. Foram amostradas folhas que surgiram na planta após a inoculação, folhas velhas, anel de casca e raízes fibrosas a partir de 15 dias ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) which colonizes the phloem of citrus plants, is considered the most serious and destructive disease of citrus. Las pathogenicity aspects are not yet understood, hampered by non-cultured condition of the pathogen. Understanding how Las moves within the plant to colonize the different tissues is fundamental for HLB management and searching for materials with resistance potential. The objective of this research was to characterize the movement of Las in citrus plants. In the experiments orange plants were inoculated using grafting segments from infected plant branches 2-3 cm long. To study the speed of Las movement in phloem, two methodologies were used. The first involved sequential pruning of the stem at different distances from the inoculation site and evaluation of leaf samples six months after inoculation. In the second methodology was collected the ring samples of stem bark at different distances from the point of inoculation until the ground level and fibrous roots. It was also evaluated the influence of the growth flows in the Las movement. Lots of plants were pruned in the aerial part or in the root system to induction of growth. Unpruned plants were used as controls. The plants were evaluated by sampling young leaves, mature leaves, stem bark and roots every 15 days from inoculation. For the study of the movement pattern of Las in the plants, we used totally, partially and non-girdling ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd) in two cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) shown to contain different concentrations of Cd in the tuber at maturity. An initial glasshouse trial sought to determine whether differences in tuber Cd between these two cultivars resulted from differences in uptake from the soil, or were due to differences in the allocation of Cd to the various tissues within the plant. Total uptake of Cd from the soil did not differ between cultivars, nor did the yield of tubers. However, there were marked differences in Cd distribution within the plant. Most of the differences in tuber Cd concentration could be accounted for by a large (3-fold) retention of Cd in the roots of cultivar Wilwash. The concentration of Cd in the shoots of Wilwash was also higher than of Kennebec, although to a lesser extent than the roots. Further studies were conducted to trace the pathways of Cd uptake and movement within the plant. A split-pot trial, involving long-term growth of potatoes in 109Cd-labelled soil, was undertaken to determine the overall pattern of Cd distribution and the importance of the root system in supplying Cd to the tubers. The root system of the potato plant is different to many plants, in that the main root system (basal roots) is augmented after tuber initiation by roots extending from the stolon and from the tuber itself. The basal roots were found to be the dominant source of Cd to all tissues and accounted for approximately 85 % of tuber Cd. The remaining tuber Cd was sourced directly from the stolon and tuber roots. However, there was no evidence of a direct link between the main (basal) root system and the stolons. Although Cd was found to accumulate in the periderm of the tubers, there was no uptake into the tuber tissue itself. Isotopic studies were undertaken to investigate the short-term movement of newly absorbed Cd in the xylem and the phloem. Cadmium was found to be highly mobile in both the xylem and phloem, with added Cd being rapidly assimilated into all tissues following both root and foliar application. Newly absorbed Cd was rapidly sequestered by the stems when applied to either the soil or to a source leaf, suggesting that the stems may act as a transitional storage pool when rapid turnover of nutrients and other mineral elements is required during tuber bulking. Inhibition of Cd uptake by zinc (Zn), has been proposed as a method for reducing the concentration of Cd in various agricultural crops, including potatoes. The ability of Zn to reduce Cd uptake was found to be highly dependent upon cultivar and on the concentration of Cd in the external medium. Although competition between Zn and Cd was found for cultivar Wilwash when the external concentration of Cd was low, when the concentration of Cd in the external media was high, increasing Zn served to increase Cd uptake. Both synergistic and competitive responses were also noted for cultivar Kennebec. However, the patterns of response were opposite to those evident in Wilwash. The complexity of these interactions highlighted the possible shortcomings in using soil applied Zn to limit Cd uptake by potatoes. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2004.

Published works [representing] original research conducted during the various phases of [his] academic development--Pref / Includes references / 1 v. (various pagings) : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (D. Sc.)--Faculty of Science, University of Adelaide, 1990

A review of the literature established that there were areas of cytokinin transport which needed further investigation, in order to determine the function and/or mode of action of cytokinins during certain stages of plant development. Radioactive zeatin was applied to plant systems suitable for determining more about specific problems of cytokinin transport. The metabolism of the radioactive zeatin was monitored in relation to transport. The metabolism in, and possible export of, radioactive zeatin out of immature, mature and senescing Ginkgo biloba leaves was monitored using explants. The results showed that approximately the same percentage radioactivity was exported from the leaves at all three stages of their development. This indicates that these deciduous leaves could potentially export cytokinins, but the results were not regarded as being significant. Cytokinins would not have been expected to be transported out of expanding leaves, which rapidly utilize cytokinins, and in comparison greater cytokinin export would have been expected to occur from senescing leaves, but this did not occur. The resuIts could indicate that cytokinin glucosides in deciduous leaves are primarily inactivation products rather than storage compounds. The metabolism and transport of radioactive zeatin, applied to the leaves of Citrus sinesis trees, was monitored during the flush of new growth following a dormant period. Some of the radioactive zeatin applied to these leaves appeared to be utilized in the new shoot growth. This could imply that accumulated cytokinin glucosides in these evergreen leaves are exported out of the leaves and reutilized, and thus fulfil a storage function; although the extent to which export occurred as opposed to interconversion and/or catabolic metabolism in the leaves could not be determined. The distribution of radioactive zeatin applied to the xylem and phloem of Phaseolus vulgaris plants at three stages of development was also monitored. There appeared to be preferential transport of cytokinins in the transpiration stream, that is, applied to the xylem. The vegetative apices, buds and flowers appeared to be the major sinks for radioactive compounds in the vegetative and flowering plants, and the leaves were the most important sink in the fruiting plants. Radioactive zeatin in the phloem appeared to move passively with the assimilate stream. The transport of radioactive zeatin applied to the primary leaves appeared to confirm that cytokinins in the phloem were transported along with the assimilate stream. The results also indicated that the accumulated cytokinin glucosides in these annual leaves were primarily inactivation products, involved in regulating leaf metabolism, although some re-utilization of these cytokinins could potentially take place. could have reflected normal cytokinin transport occurring in the tissues. The main metabolic pathway, oxidation, did not, however, appear to be the main metabolic pathway in the plant tissues and may have been the result of the exogenous application of zeatin. The fact that metabolism did not appear to be the normal metabolism of the tissues, could potentially have affected transport. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1982.

Hundreds of proteins have been detected in phloem and xylem sap, even though the cells involved in long distance phloem and xylem transport are incapable of protein synthesis at maturity. We are now beginning to learn the identity and function of these proteins, but this knowledge is generally limited to annual plants. The first objective of this study was to identify phloem and xylem sap proteins in the perennial, poplar. Using LC-MS/MS, 48 proteins were identified in poplar phloem exudate and 98 proteins were identified in xylem sap. A large number of phloem exudate proteins are insect defense proteins that include protease inhibitors and polyphenol oxidase and also members of the pop3/SPI gene family, whereas a number of xylem sap proteins were pathogenesis-related proteins such as thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) and chitinases that function in pathogen defense. The importance of xylem sap proteins in pathogen defense has been previously demonstrated, however, the role of phloem proteins in insect defense is currently unknown. A major question to be addressed in order to understand the function of phloem proteins is if they are differentially regulated in response to insect herbivory. The second objective of this study was to identify poplar phloem proteins differentially regulated in response to simulated insect feeding. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, two proteins, PtTLP1 and pop3.1, were consistently upregulated 24 hours post-wounding. The third objective of this study was to produce antibodies against these proteins to use to further characterize their expression and localization patterns. Antibodies were also produced against another phloem exudate protein, pop3.4, which is 40% similar to pop3.1. The origin of all three proteins inside sieve elements was confirmed with immunolocalization. PtTLP 1, pop3.1 and pop3.4 antisera labelled organelle-like structures in sieve elements and also phloem parenchyma cells. For PtTLP1, these structures were identified as starch and starch containing plastids. All three antisera also labelled cell wall proteins in different cell types. Overall, this study represents the first large-scale analysis of phloem and xylem sap proteomes from a perennial and describes the first observation of wound-inducible phloem sap proteins.