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International audience; Karrikins, of which KAR1 and KAR2 are representatives, are a class of abiotic plant growth regulators produced from the partial combustion of plant material (Flematti et al., 2004; Flematti et al., 2009). Released into the soil following wildfires, karrikins can promote seed germination and seedling photomorphogenesis, and thereby facilitate the revegetation process (Nelson et al., 2009; Nelson et al., 2010; Stevens et al., 2007). The butenolide moiety of karrikins is also an essential structural feature of strigolactones (SLs), which are carotenoid-derived plant hormones that regulate a range of developmental processes in plants, and also serve as a rhizosphere signal for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root parasitic weeds (Waters et al., 2016; Bürger and Chory, 2020). Collectively, these butenolides possess wide-ranging biological activities with considerable agricultural and environmental significance.

Carotenoids contribute to a variety of physiological processes in plants, functioning also as biosynthesis precursors of ABA and strigolactones (SLs). SL biosynthesis starts with the enzymatic conversion of all-trans-β-carotene to 9-cis-β-carotene by the DWARF27 (D27) isomerase. In Arabidopsis, D27 has two closely related paralogs, D27-LIKE1 and D27-LIKE2, which were predicted to be β-carotene-isomerases. In the present study, we characterised D27-LIKE1 and identified some key aspects of its physiological and enzymatic functions in Arabidopsis. d27-like1-1 mutant does not display any strigolactone-deficient traits and exhibits a substantially higher 9-cis-violaxanthin content, which is accompanied by a slightly higher ABA level. In vitro feeding assays with recombinant D27-LIKE1 revealed that the protein exhibits affinity to all β-carotene isoforms but with an exclusive preference towards trans/cis conversions and the interconversion between 9-cis, 13-cis and 15-cis-β-carotene forms, and accepts zeaxanthin and violaxanthin as substrates. Finally, we present evidence showing that D27-LIKE1 mRNA is phloem mobile and D27-LIKE1 is an ancient isomerase with a long evolutionary history. In summary, we demonstrate that D27-LIKE1 is a carotenoid isomerase with multi-substrate specificity and has a characteristic preference towards the catalysation of cis/cis interconversion of carotenoids. Therefore, D27-LIKE1 is a potential regulator of carotenoid cis pools and, eventually, SL and ABA biosynthesis pathways.

Carotenoids are colourful isoprenoids that contribute to a variety of physiological processes in plants. They also function as biosynthesis precursors of abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs). SL biosynthesis starts with the enzymatic conversion of all-trans-β-carotene to 9-cis-β-carotene by the DWARF27 (D27) isomerase. In Arabidopsis, D27 has two closely related paralogs, D27-LIKE1 and D27-LIKE2 which were predicted to be β-carotene-isomerases. Here we characterised D27-LIKE1 and identified some key aspects of its function. Arabidopsis d27-like1-1 mutant does not display any SL or karrikin-deficient traits, however, it exhibits a substantially higher 9-cis-violaxanthin content. In vitro feeding assays with recombinant D27-LIKE1 revealed that the protein exhibits affinity to all β-carotene isoforms but with an exclusive preference towards trans/cis conversions and the interconversion between 9-cis, 13-cis and 15-cis-β-carotene forms. Feeding experiments with zeaxanthin and violaxanthin isomers revealed that D27-LIKE1 accepts these xanthophylls as substrates. The remarkably higher 9-cis-violaxanthin content of the mutant is accompanied by a slightly higher ABA level. Finally, we presented evidence that D27-LIKE1 mRNA is phloem mobile and D27-LIKE1 is an ancient isomerase with long evolutionary history. In summary, we demonstrated that D27-LIKE1 is a carotenoid isomerase with multi-substrate specificity and has a characteristic preference towards the catalysation of cis/cis interconversion of carotenoids. Therefore, D27-LIKE1 is a potential regulator of carotenoid cis pools and eventually, SL and ABA biosynthesis pathways.

The taxonomy of genera Anabaena and Nostoc is very controversial. They are typically paraphyletic within phylogenetic trees and show similar morphological characters. The present study aimed to determine the taxonomic relationships among Anabaena and Nostoc strains of the Mosonmagyarovar Algal Culture Collection (MACC) using 16S rRNA and rbcLX gene sequences. We concluded on the basis of the number of unsuccessful amplifications that more of the examined MACC Nostoc cultures are axenic than the Anabaena cultures. In agreement with previous studies we noticed that the applied phylogenetic algorithms gave congruent results in phylogenetic analyses. However, the genus Nostoc clearly was found not monophyletic in the present study and this finding differed from many of the previous studies. Molecular results contradicted the previous morphology-based classification of some MACC cyanobacteria strains, therefore polyphasic taxonomic approaches are required for the reliable identification of cyanobacterial species. Some strains seemed to be identical based on the alignment of 16S rRNA or rbcLX sequences.

It has been found that the butenolide 3,4,5-trimethylfuran-2(5H)-one, isolated from plant-derived smoke, efficiently inhibits seed germination and significantly reduces the effect of the highly active germination promotor karrikinolide (KAR1, 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one), another smoke-derived compound. This paper reports the synthesis of stable isotope-labelled 3,4,5-trimethylfuran-2(5H)-ones containing one and two 13C atoms for the identification of metabolic degradation products in order to provide insight into the mechanism of action.

Efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was established via sonication of embryonic shoot apical meristems (ESAMs) of Dierama erectum Hilliard. Effects of explant types, co-cultivation time, acetosyringone concentration, Agrobacterium concentration and different gene delivery methods were evaluated for higher efficiency of genetic transformation in D. erectum. An explant type (ESAMs), concentration of Agrobacterium inoculum (OD600 of 1.6) and acetosyringone (50 mg L− 1), and co-cultivation duration (3 days) were optimized for efficient genetic transformation of D. erectum. The transformation efficiency varied with explant types (from 0 to 60%), concentrations of bacteria (10 to 55%) and acetosyringone (50 to 90%) and period of co-cultivation (30 to 70%). The transformation efficiency was best with ESAMs explants compared with callus clusters. The gene delivery method via sonication-assisted Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (SAAT) provided higher transformation efficiency (40%) GUS expression compared with agrobacterial monolayer and agrobacterial suspension which gave less than 5% transformation efficiency. The putative transgenic plants which histochemically expressed GUS, were confirmed further with PCR and 35.3% of the plants were GUS positive. Stable integration of the transgene was not demonstrated hence the GUS expression observed was regarded as transient. This newly developed transformation system may facilitate improvement of D. erectum characteristics and other related geophytes.

Lipid biosynthesis in microalgae can be stimulated by cultivation in low nitrogen medium. MACC-401 was isolated from the soil surface in Tres Marias (MG-Brazil). The strain shows the morphological characteristics of the Scenedesmaceae green algae. The daily biomass and lipid production of MACC-401 is remarkable, 0.36 g L−1 and 110 mg L−1, respectively. Exploration of the genetic background of this promising strain not only allows the utilization of this species for industrial-scale lipid production, but also provides genetic targets to select lipid-producing strains from microalgae collections. We conducted physiological experiments by cultivating MACC-401 in complete and N-limited media and performed genome sequencing as well as transcriptome analysis. The estimated nuclear genome size of MACC-401 is 99.503 Mbp and the chloroplast genome is 0.15 Mbp. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the MACC-401 belongs to the Scenedesmaceae family, and represents a genetically distinct accession in this family. A basic comparative transcriptome analysis resulted in the identification of N-starvation responsive genes, which could serve as markers to monitor the onset of lipid accumulation in algal cultures.

Nitric oxide (NO), strigolactones (SLs) and karrikins (KARs) are bioactive signal molecules controlling root morphology. Our knowledge regarding the signal interplay of NO with SLs or KARs is limit...

Herein we report the synthesis of new probes for photoaffinity labeling with the aim of receptor identification and mode of action elucidation of 3,4,5-trimethylfuran-2(5H)-one (TMB), recently identified in the smoke of burning vegetation as an efficient seed germination inhibitor. These photoaffinity probes consist of an ethynyl group that acts as a tag for introduction of an optional detectable marker unit by an appropriate chemoselective ligation method after the photo-cross-linking operation.

The objective of this study was to develop a simple and efficient system for the genetic transformation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). This study investigated the factors influencing the efficiency of gene transfer by microinjection of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) with Agrobacterium shooter strain. The SAM microinjected with Agrobacterium cells containing binary plasmid was incubated in co-cultivation medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs) for 2 days in the dark and subsequently transferred to solid bacterial elimination shoot regeneration medium containing MS salts plus 20 g l− 1 glucose, 8 g l− 1 agar and 300 mg l− 1 cefotaxime. Developed transgenic shoots were screened in selection medium containing the antibiotic kanamycin (Km). The efficiency of gene transfer using various germination media and infection conditions was analyzed by root growth in the presence of Km. The present investigations show that the maximum efficiency of gene transfer was sixty-five percent by Km-resistant plants. In the putative transgenic plants the presence of the transgene was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This transformation system was reproducible, suggesting that it could be adopted for other plant species.

Strigolactones (SLs) and related butenolides, originally identified as active seed germination stimulants of parasitic weeds, play important roles in many aspects of plant development. Two members of the D14 α/β hydrolase protein family, DWARF14 (D14) and KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) are essential for SL/butenolide signaling. The third member of the family in Arabidopsis, DWARF 14-LIKE2 (DLK2) is structurally very similar to D14 and KAI2, but its function is unknown. We demonstrated that DLK2 does not bind nor hydrolyze natural (+)5-deoxystrigol [(+)5DS], and weakly hydrolyzes non-natural strigolactone (-)5DS. A detailed genetic analysis revealed that DLK2 does not affect SL responses and can regulate seedling photomorphogenesis. DLK2 is upregulated in the dark dependent upon KAI2 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs), indicating that DLK2 might function in light signaling pathways. In addition, unlike its paralog proteins, DLK2 is not subject to rac-GR24-induced degradation, suggesting that DLK2 acts independently of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2); however, regulation of DLK2 transcription is mostly accomplished through MAX2. In conclusion, these data suggest that DLK2 represents a divergent member of the DWARF14 family.

Naturally occurring fires have been shaping landscapes long before mankind existed. Presumably, it is an early observation that in some habitats, fire is crucial to maintaining species diversity and for the rejuvenation of the vegetation, and so early settled farmers might have started to take advantage of the controlled burning of a desired area. The heat of fire is essential to break the dormancy of many fire ephemerals and for the seed release of some serotinous or woody taxa. Besides the physical effects caused by the heat on seeds, smoke and burnt organic material contain chemical cues that regulate the germination of seeds and the early development of seedlings. The scientific community really started to reveal the secrets of these enigmatic components from the early 1990s, although there are still a number of questions to be answered. In this review, we briefly introduce the path which leads to our current knowledge on smoke-derived compounds and their enormous effects on plant life.

Smoke plays a positive role in promoting seed germination and enhancing post-germination processes. The compound in smoke is 3-methyl-2 H -furo[2,3- c ]pyran-2-one (KAR 1 ). Recently a structurally related butenolide [3,4,5-trimethylfuran-2(5 H )-one, (trimethylbutenolide, TMB)], which inhibits germination and reduces the effect of KAR 1 , was isolated. The mechanisms of action and interaction of these karrikins are unknown. In addition, the ecological significance of fires in altering soil-smoke-chemistry and the spatial dimensions of the influence on burnt sites and neighbouring areas are undetermined. This study quantified KAR 1 and TMB residues in soils following fire and assessed the germination activity of burnt soil extracts. Soil samples from 0 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 cm depths were extracted using dichloromethane and bioassayed using Lactuca sativa L. achenes (seeds). At all soil depths, L. sativa seeds exhibited significantly greater percentage germination when treated with burnt soil extracts compared to the no-burn soil (control). The L. sativa seeds also showed significantly greater percentage germination when treated with soil extracts from the adjacent plots. Compared to the no-burn soil, higher concentrations of KAR 1 and TMB were detected in the surface layers of the burnt soils. Considerable concentrations of KAR 1 and TMB were also detected in no-burn soil indicating that sources other than fire may also generate karrikins. Findings of this study imply that post-fire increases in KAR 1 residues in the soil may influence soil seed bank stimulation of certain smoke-responsive plant communities in both burnt and adjacent non-burnt areas.

Among plant species rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves can be characterised with a very high level of salicylic acid content; however, its exact role is still poorly understood. In the present work, rice genotypes with different levels of drought tolerance have been subjected to PEG-induced drought or cold stress at 10 ° Ci n order to find relationship between the salicylic acid metabolism and the level of stress tolerance; and between the salicylic acid level and other protective mechanisms. Although the drought-sensitive genotypes usually contained slightly higher amount of salicylic acid than the tolerant ones, there was no strong correlation between the salicylic acid contents and the degree of drought tolerance. Because the expression pattern of the chorismate synthase and isochorismate synthase genes did not correlate with the level of salicylic acid, but there was a correlation between the levels of salicylic acid and ortho-hydroxy-cinnamic, it is assumed that the salicylic acid synthesis via ortho-hydroxy-cinnamic acid may play a more decisive role than the chorismate–isochorismate–salicylic acid pathway in rice. While the activity of the glutathione reductase enzyme did not show correlation with drought tolerance, the glutathione S-transferase activities were usually higher in the leaves of the drought-tolerant varieties than in the sensitive ones. The salicylic acid contents in the leaves were not substantially affected by the applied stress conditions; however, other stress-related compounds polyamines showed marked, stress-specific responses. Correlation data suggest that there is no direct link between the abiotic stress-induced polyamine changes and the salicylic acid metabolism in rice.

Prevention of ethylene- and shipping-induced flower abscission is necessary to maintain the quality of both cut flowers and potted plants during handling, transport and retail display. The aims of the present work were to determine the sensitivity of Plectranthus cultivars to applied ethylene, to alleviate ethylene- and shipping-induced flower abscission in intact potted plants using 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and to investigate the possible causes of dark-induced flower abscission. All cultivars were sensitive to ethylene in a concentration-dependent manner, and complete abscission occurred within 24 h with 1 and 2 μl l− 1 ethylene. Unopened buds were more sensitive to applied ethylene, and exhibited greater abscission than open flowers. Ethylene synthesis remained below detection limits at all time points under control and continuous dark conditions. Dark treatment significantly increased flower abscission in Plectranthus cultivars, and like ethylene-induced flower abscission, this could be prevented by continuous 1-MCP treatment. Gene expression of ethylene biosynthetic enzymes ACS and ACO was examined as possible causes for the accelerated flower abscission observed in plants kept in continuous darkness. Expression patterns of ACS and ACO varied between different cultivars of Plectranthus. In some cases, increased expression of ACS and ACO led to increased flower abscission. Gene expression was higher in open flowers when compared to unopened flowers suggesting a cause for the observed preferential shedding of open flowers in some cultivars. Although the cause of dark-induced abscission in Plectranthus remains elusive, it can be effectively controlled by treatment with 1-MCP.

as ´ ar, Hungary Abstract The dietary fibre (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan), is a major quality parameter of cereals. Grain β-glucan content is the most important factor from the aspect of human health maintenance. The grain of barley (Hordeum vulgare )i s one of the most important β-glucan sources having a β-glucan content 10 times higher than that of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Winter wheat/winter barley 'Mv9kr1'/'Igri' 1HS ditelosomic and 'Mv9kr1'/'Igri' 7H disomic addition lines carrying the HvCslF9 and HvCslF6 barley genes, respectively, were used to investigate the additive effect of barley cellulose synthase-like genes on the wheat β-glucan content. A significantly higher β-glucan level was detected in the leaves and grains of the wheat/barley 1HS and 7H addition lines compared to the control wheat line. The expression of the HvCslF9 and HvCslF6 genes in the genetic background of wheat was also determined by quantitative RT- PCR. The expression pattern of the HvCslF9 gene transcript showed a gradual increase throughout grain development, while the HvCslF6 gene was normally transcribed at relatively high levels. In leaves, the transcript of the HvCslF9 gene could not be detected at the end of tillering, while the HvCslF6 gene was still strongly expressed at this time in the 7H addition line. This study mapped the HvCslF9 gene to the short arm of the 1H chromosome. The HvGlb1 barley gene, encoding (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan endohydrolase isoenzyme EI, is possibly involved in the regulation of the β-glucan level during grain development. Previously this was also mapped to the barley 1H chromosome, and this study suggested that it was located on the 1HL chromosome arm. It was also concluded that the independent expression of the HvCslF9 gene in the wheat background resulted in a slight increase in the β-glucan content. The results provide new insights into the expression and regulation of the HvCslF genes in the genetic background of wheat and indicate that cisgenesis can be used to increase the leaf and grain β-glucan content in wheat.

Ambient temperature plays an important role in plant development. In cereals, little is known about the exact effects of ambient temperature in the range between it being a vernalising agent and an abiotic stress factor; thus the genetic determinants involved in the registering and response to ambient temperature, and their natural variation has not been dissected either. Principally, we wished to establish the level of natural variation in response to ambient temperature in barley via studying plant phenological development. The responses to temperature of 168 barley genotypes of different provenances and seasonal growth habit groups were observed in controlled environments. The effects of four temperature regimes (13 ◦ C, 16.5 ◦ C, 18 ◦ Ca nd 23 ◦ C) on the duration of plant phenophases were examined. The plant development was characterised in a series of consecutive phenophases that span the plant life cycle from germination through flowering to attainment of maximum plant height. Ambient temperature affected significantly plant development, with substantial variation in responses among the genotypes. Six major types of responses were identified, which depended strongly on seasonal growth habit, with only a small degree of overlap. Although the differences in the timing of development among clusters were significant under each temperature regime, the 23 ◦ C treatment resulted in the largest diversity of responses, with significant changes in the ranking of the six clusters compared to other treatments. Two clusters showed particularly unusual responses to 23C: the development of one winter barley cluster was extremely accelerated by the 23C treatment, whereas the development of one spring barley cluster was significantly delayed. Ambient temperature assumes importance as a regulatory cue in the intricate and complex temporal and spatial regulation network of plant development in cereals and acts mostly through its regulatory effect on certain developmental phases such as the onset and duration of the intensive stem elongation.

Salicylic acid is a promising compound for the reduction of stress sensitivity in plants. Although several biochemical and physiological changes have been described in plants treated with salicylic acid, the mode of action of the various treatments has not yet been clarified. The present work reports a detailed comparative study on the effects of different modes of salicylic acid application at the physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic levels. Seed soaking and hydroponic treatments were found to induce various changes in the protective mechanisms of wheat plants. The possible involvement of the flavonoid metabolism in salicylic acid-related stress signaling was also demonstrated. Different salicylic acid treatments were shown to induce different physiological and biochemical processes, with varying responses in the leaves and roots. Hydroponic treatment enhanced the level of oxidative stress, the expression of genes involved in the flavonoid metabolism and the amount of non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, namely ortho-hydroxycinnamic acid and the flavonol quercetin in the leaves, while it decreased the ortho-hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonol contents and enhanced ascorbate peroxidase activity in the roots. In contrast, seed soaking only elevated the gene expression level of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in the roots and caused a slight increase in the amount of flavonols. These results draw attention to the fact that the effects of exogenous salicylic acid application cannot be generalized in different experimental systems and that the flavonoid metabolism may be an important part of the action mechanisms induced by salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid (SA), which is known as a signal molecule in the induction of defense mechanisms in plants, could be a promising compound for the reduction of stress sensitivity. The aim of the present work was to investigate the distribution of SA in young pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings grown from seeds soaked in 3H-labeled SA solution before sowing, and to study the physiological changes induced by this seed treatment. The most pronounced changes in SA levels occurred in the epicotyl and the seeds. Radioactivity was detected only in the bound form of SA, the majority of which was localized in the seeds, and only a very low level of radioactivity was detected in the epicotyl. SA pre-treatment increased the expression of the chorismate synthase and isochorismate synthase genes in the epicotyl. Pre-soaking the seeds in SA increased the activities of some antioxidant enzymes, namely ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) and the level of ortho-hydroxycinnamic acid, but decreased the level of polyamines. These results suggest that the increased level of free and bound SA detected in plants growing from seeds soaked in SA solution before sowing is the product of de novo synthesis, rather than having been taken up and mobilized by the plants.

The work was aimed at investigating short-term metabolic changes caused by S-methylmethionine (SMM) and at clarifying the gene expression background of these changes in order to gain a better understanding of the protective effect of SMM against stress. When examining the expression of genes coding for the enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of polyamines, which play an important role in responses to low temperature stress, and that of the C-repeat binding transcription factor (CBF1) gene, it was found that both SMM and cold treatment increased the expression of genes responsible for the polyamine synthesis pathway starting from arginine. It caused only a slight increase when applied alone, but when SMM pre-treatment was followed by cold stress, it resulted in a considerable extent of up-regulation. SMM caused a similar increase in the expression of CBF1. The changes in the expression of genes responsible for the polyamine synthesis were clearly reflected in changes in the putrescine and agmatine con...

Aerosol smoke and smoke-water can break dormancy and promote seed germination of many plant species. In this study we investigated changes in gene expression after imbibition of light-sensitive Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Grand Rapids’ achenes with dilute smoke-water compared to water control samples kept in the dark or continuous light, using the fluorescent differential display technique. Although no difference was detected in the smoke-water versus water control samples germinated in light, smoke-water treatment resulted in the differential display of several expressed sequence tags (ESTs) when compared to water control samples kept in the dark. The most pronounced fragments isolated correspond to known genes related to germination, with functions in cell wall expansion, regulation of translation, the cell division cycle, carbohydrate metabolism and abscisic acid (ABA) regulation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) validation revealed that the transcript abundance of the genes, HVA22, short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase and late embryogenesis abundant protein, are upregulated after smoke treatment when compared to control achenes kept in the light. The results indicate that smoke has a dual effect. On the one hand, the smoke can induce genes that may be linked to ABA action, whereas, on the other hand, it elicits a faster germination rate by inducing a similar pattern in gene expression as light treatment. Smoke effects could be manifested mainly through the induction of the cell division cycle, cell wall extension and storage mobilization.

Differential Display RT-PCR was developed before the genomic era to serve as a tool in hunting for genes. Nowadays, applications using state-of-the-art techniques to obtain more information about the whole transcriptome or the genome have rapidly overtaken DD-RT-PCR. This paper will discuss a few of the major drawbacks and limitations of using this once highly valued method.

Paraquat (Pq) inducible transporters are presumed to play a role in the resistance mechanism of horseweed and to function by carrying paraquat to a metabolically inactive compartment. The uptake and intracellular localisation of paraquat, the effect of transporter inhibitors on resistance, and paraquat-induced gene expression were studied to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of resistance. Investigations proved that paraquat entered the cells of both resistant and susceptible biotypes, approached the maximum within the first hour in chloroplasts, and then declined in all organelle fractions. In the resistant biotype paraquat was located in the vacuoles a day after treatment. Selective transporter inhibitors blocked the sequestration of paraquat, suggesting the participation of not directly energized transporters. Four EST fragments were identified that were expressed in response to paraquat. Two of them are thought to play a role in the general stress response (Ferr2, Myb). The others exhibit a similarity to transporters (EmrE, CAT) and could conceivably be involved in the intracellular transport of paraquat and the mechanism of resistance.

Smoke-derived compounds provide a strong chemical signal to seeds in the soil seed bank, allowing them to take advantage of the germination niche created by the occurrence of fire. The germination stimulatory activity of smoke can largely be attributed to karrikinolide (KAR(1) ), while a related compound, trimethylbutenolide (TMB), has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on germination. The aim of this study was to characterize the interaction of these potent fire-generated compounds. Dose-response analysis, leaching tests and a detailed transcriptome study were performed using highly KAR(1) -sensitive lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv 'Grand Rapids') achenes. Dose-response analysis demonstrated that the compounds are not competitors and TMB modulates germination in a concentration-dependent manner. The transcriptome analysis revealed a contrasting expression pattern induced by the compounds. KAR(1) suppressed, while TMB up-regulated ABA, seed maturation and dormancy-related transcripts. The effect of TMB was reversed by leaching the compound, while the KAR(1) effect was only reversible by leaching within the first 2 h of KAR(1) treatment. Our findings suggest that the compounds may act in concert for germination-related signaling. After the occurrence of fire, sufficient rainfall would contribute to post-germination seedling recruitment by reducing the concentration of the inhibitory compound.

The effect of light on gene expression and hormonal status during the development of freezing tolerance was studied in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Mv Emese) and in the spring wheat variety Nadro. Ten-day-old plants (3-leaf stage) were cold hardened at 5°C for 12 days under either normal (250 µmol m(-2) s(-1) ) or low (20 µmol m(-2) s(-1) ) light conditions. Comprehensive analysis was carried out to explore the background of frost tolerance and the differences between these wheat varieties. Global genome analysis was performed, enquiring about the details of the cold signaling pathways. The expression level of a large number of genes is affected by light, and this effect may differ in different wheat genotypes. Photosynthesis-related processes probably play a key role in the enhancement of freezing tolerance; however, there are several other genes whose induction is light-dependent, so either there is cross-talk between signaling of chloroplast originating and other protective mechanisms or there are other light sensors that transduce signals to the components responsible for stress tolerance. Changes in the level of both plant hormones (indole-3-acetic acid, cytokinins, nitric oxide and ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) and other stress-related protective substances (proline, phenolics) were investigated during the phases of the hardening period. Hormonal levels were also affected by light and their dynamics indicate that wheat plants try to keep growing during the cold-hardening period. The data from this experiment may provide a new insight into the cross talk between cold and light signaling in wheat.

Background Smoke released from burning vegetation functions as an important environmental signal promoting the germination of many plant species following a fire. It not only promotes the germination of species from fire-prone habitats, but several species from non-fire-prone areas also respond, including some crops. The germination stimulatory activity can largely be attributed to the presence of a highly active butenolide compound, 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (referred to as karrikin 1 or KAR1), that has previously been isolated from plant-derived smoke. Several hypotheses have arisen regarding the molecular background of smoke and KAR1 action. Results In this paper we demonstrate that although smoke-water and KAR1 treatment of maize kernels result in a similar physiological response, the gene expression and the protein ubiquitination patterns are quite different. Treatment with smoke-water enhanced the ubiquitination of proteins and activated protein-degradation-related genes. This effect was completely absent from KAR1-treated kernels, in which a specific aquaporin gene was distinctly upregulated. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the array of bioactive compounds present in smoke-water form an environmental signal that may act together in germination stimulation. It is highly possible that the smoke/KAR1 'signal' is perceived by a receptor that is shared with the signal transduction system implied in perceiving environmental cues (especially stresses and light), or some kind of specialized receptor exists in fire-prone plant species which diverged from a more general one present in a common ancestor, and also found in non fire-prone plants allowing for a somewhat weaker but still significant response. Besides their obvious use in agricultural practices, smoke and KAR1 can be used in studies to gain further insight into the transcriptional changes during germination.

Ferritins, the multimeric iron storage proteins, are the main regulators of the cellular level of uncomplexed iron. Ferritins are encoded by small gene families and expressed differentially under various developmental conditions depending on iron availability, effect of hormones or oxygen radical generating agents. In the present work the primary structure of the ferritin2 gene from resistant and susceptible biotypes of horseweed Conyza canadensis was determined. This gene was found to exhibit great similarity and possess all the structural characteristics of known plant ferritin2 genes. The C. canadensis ferritin2 genes had identical primary structure in the two biotypes and were upregulated by paraquat (Pq) in both susceptible and resistant plants. The enhanced expression level was probably connected with defence reactions in the plants after Pq treatment.