A copia-like element in Pisum demonstrates the uses of dispersed repeated sequences in genetic analysis

A DNA sequence between two legumin genes in Pisum is a member of the copia-like class of retrotransposons and represents one member of a polymorphic and heterogeneous dispersed repeated sequence family in Pisum. This sequence can be exploited in genetic studies either by RFLP analysis where several markers can be scored together, or the segregation of individual elements can be followed after PCR amplification of specific members.

Inheritance of qualitative and quantitative trypsin inhibitor variants in Pisum

A trypsin inhibitor locus (Tri) has been mapped close to Vc-2 on Pisum (pea) linkage group 5 using recombinant inbred lines derived from crosses of genotypes showing qualitative variation in seed trypsin inhibitors. F2 seed populations derived from crosses between lines showing qualitative variation in trypsin inhibitors as well as quantitative variation in inhibitor activity showed an association between the segregation of the structural variation and relative activity levels. Clones complementary to Pisum trypsin inhibitor mRNA were used in hybridization analyses which showed that the segregation of protein polymorphisms reflected directly the segregation of polymorphisms associated with the structural genes.

Characterisation of a glutathione reductase gene and its genetic locus from pea (Pisum sativum L.)

A cDNA encoding the chloroplast/mitochondrial form of glutathione reductase (GR:EC 1,6,4,2) from pea (Pisum sativum L.) was used to map a single GR locus, named GORI. In two domesticated genotypes of pea (cv, Birte and JI 399) it is likely that the GORI locus contains a single gene. However, in a semi-domesticated land race of pea sequences were detected but closely related sets of GR gene sequences were in JI 281 represent either a second intact gene or a partial or pseudogene copy. A GR gene was cloned from ev. Birte, sequenced and its structure analysed. No features of the transcription or structure of the gene suggested a mechanism for generating any more than one form of . From these data plus previously published biochemical evidence was suggested a second, distinct gene encoding for the cytosolic form of GR should be present in peas. The GORI-encoded GR mRNA can be detected in all main organs of the plant and no alternative spliced species was present which could perhaps account for the generation of multiple isoforms of GR. The mismatch between the number of charge-separable isoforms in pea and the proposed number suggests that different GR isoforms arise by some form of post-transnational modification.

The organisation and expression of the genes encoding the mitochondrial glycine decarboxylase complex and serine hydroxymethyltransferase in pea (Pisum sativum)

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms have been used to determine the chromosomal location of the genes encoding the glycine decarboxylase complex (GDC) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) of pea leaf mitochondria. The genes encoding the H subunit of GDC and the genes encoding SHMT both show linkage to the classical group I marker i. In addition, the genes for the P protein of GDC show linkage to the classic group I marker a. The genes for the L and T proteins of GDC are linked to one another and are probably situated on the satellite of chromosome 7. The mRNAs encoding the five polypeptides that make up GDC and SHMT are strongly induced when dark-grown etiolated pea seedlings are placed in the light. Similarly, when mature plants are placed in the dark for 48 h, the levels of both GDC protein and SHMT mRNAs decline dramatically and then are induced strongly when these plants are returned to the light. During both treatments a similar pattern of mRNA induction is observed, with the mRNA encoding the P protein of GDC being the most rapidly induced and the mRNA for the H protein the slowest. Whereas during the greening of etiolated seedlings the polypeptides of GDC and SHMT show patterns of accumulation similar to those of the corresponding mRNAs, very little change in the level of the polypeptides is seen when mature plants are placed in the dark and then re-exposed to the light.

Properties of acetylcholinesterase from Pisum sativum

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Pisum sativum purified 28 fold showed two closely moving protein bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, both of which have AChE activity. AChE activity occurs in roots, stem and leaves, that in roots varying with age. Activity is optimal at pH 9 and at 30”. The energy of activation is 9.82 x lo3 J per mol and MW is greater than 200000. Although the enzyme can hydrolyze both choline and non-choline esters, it has greater affinity for acetylthiocholine (ATCh) and acetylcholine (ACh). ATCh inhibits the enzyme at higher concentrations and the K, is 0.2 mM with this as substrate. The enzyme is not as sensitive to Eserine as it is to Neostigmine. It is also inhibited by organophosphorus pesticides such as Fensulfothion, Parathion and Dimethoate. Treatment of the seeds with Fensulfothion [O, O-diethyl (p-methylsulfinylphenyl) phosphorothioate] affects growth and secondary root development. This might be explained by its inhibition of AChE and the consequent increase of endogenous levels of ACh.

De novo synthesis of acetylcholinesterase in roots of Pisum sativum

Pisum sativum seeds contain a conserved acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which is active during the early stages of germination. The enzyme activity soon disappears and reappears after 72 hr of germination. A protein devoid of catalytic ability, but exhibiting similar chromatographic and electrophoretic properties as the active AChE, could be detected after 24 hr of germination. The pattern of incorporation of labelled amino acids into AChE and the influence of cycloheximide revealed that the AChE found in the roots from 72 hr onwards was entirely new. During this period of growth, the AChE protein accounts for 4–10% of the total proteins in the root tissue.

Effect of substituent on the thermodynamics of D-glucopyranoside binding to concanavalin A, pea (Pisum sativum) lectin and lentil (Lens culinaris) lectin

Titration calorimetry measurements of the binding of phenyl-alpha (alpha PhOGlu), 3-methoxy (3MeOGlu), fluorodeoxy and deoxy derivatives of alpha-D-glucopyranose (Glu) to concanavalin A (conA), pea lectin and lentil lectin were performed at approx. 10 and 25 degrees C in 0.01 M dimethylglutaric acid/NaOH buffer, pH 6.9, containing 0.15 M NaCl and Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions. Apparently the 3-deoxy, 4-deoxy and 6-deoxy as well as the 4-fluorodeoxy and 6-fluorodeoxy derivatives of Glu do not bind to the lectins because no heat release was observed on the addition of aliquots of solutions of these derivatives to the lectin solutions. The binding enthalpies, delta H0b, and entropies, delta S0b, determined from the measurements were compared with the same thermodynamic binding parameters for Glu, D-mannopyranoside and methyl-alpha- D-glucopyranoside (alpha MeOGlu). The binding reactions are enthalpically driven with little change in the heat capacity on binding, and exhibit enthalpy-entropy compensation. Differences between the thermodynamic binding parameters can be rationalized in terms of the interactions apparent in the known crystal structures of the methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside-conA [Derewenda, Yariv, Helliwell, Kalb (Gilboa), Dodson, Papiz, Wan and Campbell (1989) EMBO J. 8, 2189-2193] and pea lectin-trimanno-pyranoside [Rini, Hardman, Einspahr, Suddath and Carber (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 10126-10132] complexes. Increases in the entropy change on binding are observed for alpha MeOGlu binding to pea and lentil lectin, for alpha PhOGlu binding to conA and pea lectin, and for 3MeOGlu binding to pea lectin relative to the entropy change for Glu binding, and imply that the phenoxy and methoxy substituents provide additional hydrophobic interactions in the complex. Increases in the binding enthalpy relative to that of Glu are observed for deoxy and fluoro derivatives in the C-1 and C-2 positions and imply that these substituents weaken the interaction with the surrounding water, thereby strengthening the interaction with the binding site.

Thermodynamics of monosaccharide binding to concanavalin A, pea (Pisum sativum) lectin, and lentil (Lens culinaris) lectin

Titration calorimetry measurements of the binding of methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside (Me alpha Man), D-mannopyranoside (Man), methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside (Me alpha Glu), and D-glucopyranoside (Glu) to concanavalin A (Con A), pea lectin, and lentil lectin were performed at 281 and 292 K in 0.01 M dimethylglutaric acid-NaOH buffer (pH 6.9) containing 0.15 M NaCl and Mn+2 and Ca+2 ions. The site binding enthalpies, delta H, are the same at both temperatures and range from -28.4 +/- 0.9 (Me alpha Man) to -16.6 +/- 0.5 kJ mol-1 (Glu) for Con A, from -26.2 +/- 1.1 (Me alpha Man) to -12.8 +/- 0.4 kJ mol-1 (Me alpha Glu) for pea lectin, and from -16.6 +/- 0.7 (Me alpha Man) to -8.0 +/- 0.2 kJ mol-1 (Me alpha Glu) for lentil lectin. The site binding constants range from 17 +/- 1 x 10(3) M-1 (Me alpha Man to Con A at 281.2 K) to 230 +/- 20 M-1 (Glu to lentil lectin at 292.6 K) and exhibit high specificity for Con A where they are in the Me alpha Man:Man:Me alpha Glu:Glu ratio of 21:4:5:1, while the corresponding ratio is 5:2:1.5:1 for pea lectin and 4:2:2:1 for lentil lectin. The higher specificity for Con A indicates more interactions between the amino acid residues at the binding site and the carbohydrate ligand than for the pea and lentil lectin-carbohydrate complexes. The carbohydrate-lectin binding results exhibit enthalpy-entropy compensation in that delta Hb (kJ mol-1) = -1.67 +/- 0.06 x 10(4) + (1.30 +/- 0.12)T(K) delta Sb (J mol-1K-1). Differential scanning calorimetry measurements on the thermal denaturation of the lectins and their carbohydrate complexes show that the Con A tetramer dissociates into monomers, while the pea and lentil lectin dimers dissociate into two submonomer fragments. At the denaturation temperature, one carbohydrate binds to each monomer of Con A and the pea and lentil lectins. Complexation with the carbohydrate increases the denaturation temperature of the lectin and the magnitude of the increases yield binding constants in agreement with the determinations from titration calorimetry.

Large Gene Family Expansions and Adaptive Evolution for Odorant and Gustatory Receptors in the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Gaining insight into the mechanisms of chemoreception in aphids is of primary importance for both integrative studies on the evolution of host plant specialization and applied research in pest control management because aphids rely on their sense of smell

Glycine betaine-mediated protection of peas (Pisum sativum L.) during blanching and frozen storage

We used glycine betaine (5–20% w/v) for blanching green peas (100°C, 60 s), and their subsequent freezing and storage (–20°C, 90 days). Blanching after the addition of glycine betaine at ≥10% (w/v) followed by a 90 day storage period which resulted in the most desirable outcome: higher vitamin C levels, a superior green color, enhanced organoleptic quality and texture, and improved retention of peroxidase and lipoxygenase activity relative to control peas (no glycine betaine added). Microscopic characterizations of control and treated peas revealed that glycine betaine acts as a cryoprotectant which maintains cellular integrity. Glycine betaine (10% w/v) could be used commercially for production of frozen peas with better quality attributes.

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of Cr(VI) and Pb²+ in Pisum sativum

A toxicidade dos metais é uma problemática que envolve a saúde humana e o ambiente, sendo necessária uma vigilância constante e uma avaliação dos danos precisa e robusta. As plantas, como principal fonte alimentar e de produtos, são de vital importância à sociedade humana. Devido a serem seres sesseis, este grupo é um dos mais afectados por poluentes, tornandoos objectos de estudo extremamente interessantes. O objectivo desta tese foi avaliar os efeitos genotóxicos e citotóxicos do Cr(VI) e Pb2+ na espécie modelo Pisum sativum L. No capitulo I é introduzida a problemática da toxicidade de ambos os metais, com especial relevo nas plantas, bem como as abordagens mais actuais no estudo da geno e citotoxicidade. No capitulo II são apresentados os resultados dos estudos da genotoxicidade do Pb2+ (II-1) e Cr(VI) (II-2 e II-3), tendo sido realizados analises de dano ao DNA a vários níveis e alterações do ciclo celular (II-1 e II-2), bem como a detecção de instabilidade de microssatelites (II-1 e II-3), que é um indicador do estado funcional do mecanismo de reparação do DNA. O capítulo III aborda o efeito de stresses abióticos na capacidade fotossintética da espécie modelo. No capítulo III-1, realizou-se um estudo pioneiro de avaliação da aplicabilidade da citometria de fluxo no estudo da fotossíntese, mais concretamente no estado funcional e estrutural dos cloroplastos, quando expostos a um inibidor da fotossíntese (Paraquat). Os dados obtidos neste estudo encorajaram a aplicação da técnica nos capítulos III-2 e III-3, nos quais se analisaram os efeitos dos metais Pb2+ (III- 2) e Cr(VI) (III-3) na capacidade fotossintética de plantas expostas a este metal; em estudos que envolveram vários marcadores clássicos, para alem dos da citometria de fluxo. Finalmente, no capítulo IV são apresentadas as conclusões finais do trabalho, uma comparativa entre os efeitos e níveis de toxicidade dos dois metais em estudo e são apontadas algumas perspectivas para futuros estudos, levantadas pelos dados obtidos.

Identificação de marcadores moleculares ligados a um gene mutado de resistência ao oídio (Erysiphe pisi Syd.) em ervilha (Pisum sativum L.)

Tese dout., Ciências Agrárias, Universidade do Algarve, 2006