Joachim Fisahn

Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Are you Joachim Fisahn?

Claim your profile

Publications (28)94.54 Total impact

  • Article: Arabidopsis thaliana root elongation growth is sensitive to lunisolar tidal acceleration and may also be weakly correlated with geomagnetic variations.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Background Correlative evidence suggests a relationship between the lunisolar tidal acceleration and the elongation rate of arabidopsis roots grown under free-running conditions of constant low light.Methods Seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana were grown in a controlled-climate chamber maintained at a constant temperature and subjected to continuous low-level illumination from fluorescent tubes, conditions that approximate to a 'free-running' state in which most of the abiotic factors that entrain root growth rates are excluded. Elongation of evenly spaced, vertical primary roots was recorded continuously over periods of up to 14 d using high temporal- and spatial-resolution video imaging and were analysed in conjunction with geophysical variables.Key Results and Conclusions The results confirm the lunisolar tidal/root elongation relationship. Also presented are relationships between the hourly elongation rates and the contemporaneous variations in geomagnetic activity, as evaluated from the disturbance storm time and ap indices. On the basis of time series of root elongation rates that extend over ≥4 d and recorded at different seasons of the year, a provisional conclusion is that root elongation responds to variation in the lunisolar force and also appears to adjust in accordance with variations in the geomagnetic field. Thus, both lunisolar tidal acceleration and the geomagnetic field should be considered as modulators of root growth rate, alongside other, stronger and more well-known abiotic environmental regulators, and perhaps unexplored factors such as air ions. Major changes in atmospheric pressure are not considered to be a factor contributing to oscillations of root elongation rate.
    Annals of Botany 03/2013; · 4.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: Arabidopsis thaliana root growth kinetics and lunisolar tidal acceleration.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: • All living organisms on Earth are continually exposed to diurnal variations in the gravitational tidal force due to the Sun and Moon. • Elongation of primary roots of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings maintained at a constant temperature was monitored for periods of up to 14 d using high temporal- and spatial-resolution video imaging. The time-course of the half-hourly elongation rates exhibited an oscillation which was maintained when the roots were placed in the free-running condition of continuous illumination. • Correlation between the root growth kinetics collected from seedlings initially raised under several light protocols but whose roots were subsequently in the free-running condition and the lunisolar tidal profiles enabled us to identify that the latter is the probable exogenous determinant of the rhythmic variation in root elongation rate. Similar observations and correlations using roots of Arabidopsis starch mutants suggest a central function of starch metabolism in the response to the lunisolar tide. The periodicity of the lunisolar tidal signal and the concomitant adjustments in root growth rate indicate that an exogenous timer exists for the modulation of root growth and development. • We propose that, in addition to the sensitivity to Earthly 1G gravity, which is inherent to all animals and plants, there is another type of responsiveness which is attuned to the natural diurnal variations of the lunisolar tidal force.
    New Phytologist 05/2012; 195(2):346-55. · 6.64 Impact Factor
  • Article: High-throughput phenotyping of root growth dynamics.
    Nima Yazdanbakhsh, Joachim Fisahn
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Plant organ phenotyping by noninvasive video imaging techniques provides a powerful tool to assess physiological traits, circadian and diurnal rhythms, and biomass production. In particular, growth of individual plant organs is known to exhibit a high plasticity and occurs as a result of the interaction between various endogenous and environmental processes. Thus, any investigation aiming to unravel mechanisms that determine plant or organ growth has to accurately control and document the environmental growth conditions. Here we describe challenges in establishing a recently developed plant root monitoring platform (PlaRoM) specially suited for noninvasive high-throughput plant growth analysis with highest emphasis on the detailed documentation of capture time, as well as light and temperature conditions. Furthermore, we discuss the experimental procedure for measuring root elongation kinetics and key points that must be considered in such measurements. PlaRoM consists of a robotized imaging platform enclosed in a custom designed phytochamber and a root extension profiling software application. This platform has been developed for multi-parallel recordings of root growth phenotypes of up to 50 individual seedlings over several days, with high spatial and temporal resolution. Two Petri dishes are mounted on a vertical sample stage in a custom designed phytochamber that provides exact temperature control. A computer-controlled positioning unit moves these Petri dishes in small increments and enables continuous screening of the surface under a binocular microscope. Detection of the root tip is achieved by applying thresholds on image pixel data and verifying the neighbourhood for each dark pixel. The growth parameters are visualized as position over time or growth rate over time graphs and averaged over consecutive days, light-dark periods and 24 h day periods. This setup enables the investigation of root extension profiles of different genotypes in various growth conditions (e.g., light protocol, temperature, growth media) and is especially suited for the detection of diurnal or circadian growth rhythms.
    Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) 01/2012; 918:21-40.
  • Article: Tomato fruit photosynthesis is seemingly unimportant in primary metabolism and ripening but plays a considerable role in seed development.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Fruit of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), like those from many species, have been characterized to undergo a shift from partially photosynthetic to truly heterotrophic metabolism. While there is plentiful evidence for functional photosynthesis in young tomato fruit, the rates of carbon assimilation rarely exceed those of carbon dioxide release, raising the question of its role in this tissue. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of lines exhibiting a fruit-specific reduction in the expression of glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (GSA). Despite the fact that these plants contained less GSA protein and lowered chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic activity, they were characterized by few other differences. Indeed, they displayed almost no differences in fruit size, weight, or ripening capacity and furthermore displayed few alterations in other primary or intermediary metabolites. Although GSA antisense lines were characterized by significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with photosynthesis, as well as with cell wall and amino acid metabolism, these changes were not manifested at the phenotypic level. One striking feature of the antisense plants was their seed phenotype: the transformants displayed a reduced seed set and altered morphology and metabolism at early stages of fruit development, although these differences did not affect the final seed number or fecundity. Taken together, these results suggest that fruit photosynthesis is, at least under ambient conditions, not necessary for fruit energy metabolism or development but is essential for properly timed seed development and therefore may confer an advantage under conditions of stress.
    Plant physiology 12/2011; 157(4):1650-63. · 6.53 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Mutations in leaf starch metabolism modulate the diurnal root growth profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana.
    Nima Yazdanbakhsh, Joachim Fisahn
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana exhibit stable diurnal growth profiles that are controlled by the circadian clock. Here we describe the effects of mutations in leaf starch metabolism on the diurnal root growth characteristics of Arabidopsis thaliana. High temporal and spatial resolution video imaging was performed to quantify the growth kinetics of Arabidopsis wild-type as well as pgm, sex1, mex1, dpe1 and dpe2 starch metabolism mutants grown in three different photoperiods. As a result, root growth patterns of all genotypes displayed characteristic modifications in their diurnal kinetics that were also affected by the photoperiod. To further investigate the role of starch derived substrate deficiency on root growth, the effect of 0.05% extracellular sucrose was studied in 12 h-12 h light-dark cycles.
    Plant signaling & behavior 07/2011; 6(7):995-8.
  • Article: Circadian control of root elongation and C partitioning in Arabidopsis thaliana.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Plants grow in a light/dark cycle. We have investigated how growth is buffered against the resulting changes in the carbon supply. Growth of primary roots of Arabidopsis seedlings was monitored using time-resolved video imaging. The average daily rate of growth is increased in longer light periods or by addition of sugars. It responds slowly over days when the conditions are changed. The momentary rate of growth exhibits a robust diel oscillation with a minimum 8-9 h after dawn and a maximum towards the end of the night. Analyses with starch metabolism mutants show that starch turnover is required to maintain growth at night. A carbon shortfall leads to an inhibition of growth, which is not immediately reversed when carbon becomes available again. The diel oscillation persists in continuous light and is strongly modified in clock mutants. Central clock functions that depend on CCA1/LHY are required to set an appropriate rate of starch degradation and maintain a supply of carbon to support growth through to dawn, whereas ELF3 acts to decrease growth in the light period and promote growth in the night. Thus, while the overall growth rate depends on the carbon supply, the clock orchestrates diurnal carbon allocation and growth.
    Plant Cell and Environment 02/2011; 34(6):877-94. · 5.22 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: NFX1-LIKE2 (NFXL2) suppresses abscisic acid accumulation and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The NFX1-LIKE1 (NFXL1) and NFXL2 genes were identified as regulators of salt stress responses. The NFXL1 protein is a nuclear factor that positively affects adaptation to salt stress. The nfxl1-1 loss-of-function mutant displayed reduced survival rates under salt and high light stress. In contrast, the nfxl2-1 mutant, defective in the NFXL2 gene, and NFXL2-antisense plants exhibited enhanced survival under these conditions. We show here that the loss of NFXL2 function results in abscisic acid (ABA) overaccumulation, reduced stomatal conductance, and enhanced survival under drought stress. The nfxl2-1 mutant displayed reduced stomatal aperture under all conditions tested. Fusicoccin treatment, exposition to increasing light intensities, and supply of decreasing CO(2) concentrations demonstrated full opening capacity of nfxl2-1 stomata. Reduced stomatal opening presumably is a consequence of elevated ABA levels. Furthermore, seedling growth, root growth, and stomatal closure were hypersensitive to exogenous ABA. The enhanced ABA responses may contribute to the improved drought stress resistance of the mutant. Three NFXL2 splice variants were cloned and named NFXL2-78, NFXL2-97, and NFXL2-100 according to the molecular weight of the putative proteins. Translational fusions to the green fluorescent protein suggest nuclear localisation of the NFXL2 proteins. Stable expression of the NFXL2-78 splice variant in nfxl2-1 plants largely complemented the mutant phenotype. Our data show that NFXL2 controls ABA levels and suppresses ABA responses. NFXL2 may prevent unnecessary and costly stress adaptation under favourable conditions.
    PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(11):e26982. · 4.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Proteomics - The key to understanding systems biology of Arabidopsis trichomes.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Every multicellular organism consists of numerous organs, tissues and specific cell types. To gain detailed knowledge about the morphogenesis of these complex structures, it is inevitable to advance biochemical analyses to ultimate spatial and temporal resolution since individual cell types contribute differently to the overall performance of living objects. Single cell sampling combined with systems biological approaches was recently applied to investigations of Arabidopsis thaliana trichomes (leaf hairs). These are single celled structures that provide ideal model systems to address various aspects of plant cell development and differentiation at the level of individual cells. A previously suggested function of trichomes in plant stress responses could thus be confirmed. Furthermore, trichome-specific "omics" data collected in several laboratories are mutually conclusive which demonstrates the applicability of systems biological approaches at the single cell level.
    Phytochemistry 10/2010; 72(10):1061-70. · 3.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana root growth kinetics with high temporal and spatial resolution.
    Nima Yazdanbakhsh, Joachim Fisahn
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Methods exist to quantify the distribution of growth rate over the root axis. However, non-destructive, high-throughput evaluations of total root elongation in controlled environments and the field are lacking in growth studies. A new imaging approach to analyse total root elongation is described. High pixel resolution of the images enables the study of growth in short time intervals and provides high temporal resolution. Using the method described, total root elongation rates are calculated from the displacement of the root tip. Although the absolute root elongation rate changes in response to growth conditions, this set-up enables root growth of Arabidopsis wild-type seedlings to be followed for more than 1 month after germination. The method provides an easy approach to decipher root extension rate and much simpler calculations compared with other methods that use segmental growth to address this question. The high temporal resolution allows small modifications of total root elongation growth to be revealed. Furthermore, with the options to investigate growth of various mutants in diverse growth conditions the present tool allows modulations in root growth kinetics due to different biotic and abiotic stimuli to be unravelled. Measurements performed on Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type (Col0) plants revealed rhythms superimposed on root elongation. Results obtained from the starchless mutant pgm, however, present a clearly modified pattern. As expected, deviation is strongest during the dark period.
    Annals of Botany 05/2010; 105(5):783-91. · 4.03 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Quantitative expression analysis of selected transcription factors in pavement, basal and trichome cells of mature leaves from Arabidopsis thaliana.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Gene expression levels of several transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana that were described previously to be involved in leaf development and trichome formation were analysed in trichome, basal and pavement cells of mature leaves. Single cell samples of these three cells types were collected by glass micro-capillaries. Real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was used to analyse expression patterns of the following transcription factors: MYB23, MYB55, AtHB1, FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL)/YABBY1 (YAB1), TRIPTYCHON (TRY) and CAPRICE (CPC). A difference in the expression patterns of TRY and CPC was revealed. Contrary to the CPC expression pattern, no transcripts of TRY could be detected in pavement cells. FIL/YAB1 was exclusively expressed in trichome cells. AtHB1 was highly expressed throughout all three cell types. MYB55 was higher expressed in basal cells than in trichome and pavement cells. MYB23 showed a pattern of low expression in pavement cells, medium in basal cells and high expression in trichomes. Expression patterns obtained by single cell sampling and real-time RT-PCR were compared to promoter GUS fusions of the selected transcription factors. Therefore, we regenerated two transgenic Arabidopsis lines that expressed the GUS reporter gene under control of the promoters of MYB55 and YAB1. In conclusion, despite their function in leaf morphogenesis, all six transcription factors were detected in mature leaves. Furthermore, single cell sampling and promoter GUS staining patterns demonstrated the predominant presence of MYB55 in basal cells as compared to pavement cells and trichomes.
    Protoplasma 05/2010; 241(1-4):29-36. · 1.92 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Metabolic profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana epidermal cells.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Metabolic phenotyping at cellular resolution may be considered one of the challenges in current plant physiology. A method is described which enables the cell type-specific metabolic analysis of epidermal cell types in Arabidopsis thaliana pavement, basal, and trichome cells. To achieve the required high spatial resolution, single cell sampling using microcapillaries was combined with routine gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) based metabolite profiling. The identification and relative quantification of 117 mostly primary metabolites has been demonstrated. The majority, namely 90 compounds, were accessible without analytical background correction. Analyses were performed using cell type-specific pools of 200 microsampled individual cells. Moreover, among these identified metabolites, 38 exhibited differential pool sizes in trichomes, basal or pavement cells. The application of an independent component analysis confirmed the cell type-specific metabolic phenotypes. Significant pool size changes between individual cells were detectable within several classes of metabolites, namely amino acids, fatty acids and alcohols, alkanes, lipids, N-compounds, organic acids and polyhydroxy acids, polyols, sugars, sugar conjugates and phenylpropanoids. It is demonstrated here that the combination of microsampling and GC-MS based metabolite profiling provides a method to investigate the cellular metabolism of fully differentiated plant cell types in vivo.
    Journal of Experimental Botany 02/2010; 61(5):1321-35. · 5.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protein profiling of single epidermal cell types from Arabidopsis thaliana using surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization technology.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Here, we describe a novel approach for investigating differential protein expression within three epidermal cell types. In particular, 3000 single pavement, basal, and trichome cells from leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana were harvested by glass micro-capillaries. Subsequently, these single cell samples were joined to form pools of 100 individual cells and analyzed using the ProteinChip technology; SELDI: surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization. As a result, numerous protein signals that were differentially expressed in the three epidermal cell types could be detected. One of these proteins was characterized by tryptical digestion and subsequent identification via tandem quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. Down regulation of this sequenced small subunit precursor of ribulose-1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase(C) oxygenase(O) (RuBisCo) in trichome and basal cells indicates the sink status of these cell types that are located on the surface of A. thaliana source leaves. Based on the obtained protein profiles, we suggest a close functional relationship between basal and trichome cells at the protein level.
    Journal of plant physiology 05/2008; 165(12):1227-37. · 2.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gene expression profiling of the different stages of Arabidopsis thaliana trichome development on the single cell level.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Leaf hairs (trichomes) of Arabidopsis thaliana are a model system for studying cell development, differentiation and cell cycle regulation. To exploit this model system with ultimate spatial resolution we applied single cell sampling, thus avoiding the averaging effect induced by complex tissue mixtures. In particular, we analysed gene expression profiles of two selected stages of the developing trichome: trichome initial cells and mature trichomes, as well as pavement cells. Ten single cells per sample were collected by glass microcapillaries and used for the generation of radioactive probes for subsequent hybridization to nylon filters representing approximately 8000 genes of A. thaliana. Functional categorization of genes transcribed in trichome initials, mature trichomes and pavement cells demonstrated involvement of these surface cells in the stress response. In silico promoter analysis of genes preferentially expressed in trichome initials revealed enrichment in MYB-binding sites and presence of elements involved in hormonal, metal, sulphur response and cell cycle regulation. Three candidate genes preferentially expressed in trichome initials were selected for further analysis: At3g16980 (putative RNA polymerase II), At5g15230 (GASA4) and At4g27260 (GH3.5, WES1). Promoter:GUS studies confirmed expression of the putative RNA polymerase II and the gibberellin responsive GASA4 in trichome initials and partially in mature trichomes. Functional implication of the three selected candidates in trichome development and hence in cell cycle regulation in A. thaliana is discussed. We suggest that these genes are involved in differentiation and initiation of endocycling during trichome development.
    Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 03/2008; 46(2):160-73. · 2.84 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gene expression profiling of single epidermal, basal and trichome cells of Arabidopsis thaliana.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Samples of single epidermal, basal and trichome cells were collected by glass microcapillaries from 7-week-old Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. Transcript amplification of these single-cell samples was performed by RT PCR. For gene expression profiling, we hybridized the amplified transcriptome of each individual cell type to nylon membranes spotted with 16,000 Arabidopsis expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Initial analysis of the array filter data enabled us to functionally categorize transcripts that were present in each individual cell type. In order to confirm the filter array data, we used RT PCR. Results of this RT PCR approach confirmed the presence of 12 selected candidate genes in agreement with array filter hybridization data. Further, transcripts involved in detoxification and sulfur metabolism could be identified in epidermal cell extracts. Together, the results of our study provide the localization of approximately 1000 expressed genes to either pavement, basal or trichome cells. To cluster transcripts with similar expression levels, we developed a novel mathematical algorithm. Based on the mean and standard deviation, ratios of expression levels of a transcript were defined for pairs of the three cell types. This numerical analysis enabled subdivision into 67 categories of genes differentially expressed in epidermal, basal and trichome cells. Transcripts in each category displayed similar ratios of expression levels in the three cell types. Examples of these clusters are presented and discussed in Appendix A.
    Journal of plant physiology 12/2007; 165(14):1530-44. · 2.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: Deficiency of mitochondrial fumarase activity in tomato plants impairs photosynthesis via an effect on stomatal function.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants expressing a fragment of a fumarate hydratase (fumarase) gene in the antisense orientation and exhibiting considerable reductions in the mitochondrial activity of this enzyme show impaired photosynthesis. The rate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle was reduced in the transformants relative to the other major pathways of carbohydrate oxidation and the plants were characterized by a restricted rate of dark respiration. However, biochemical analyses revealed relatively little alteration in leaf metabolism as a consequence of reducing the fumarase activity. That said, in comparison to wild-type plants, CO(2) assimilation was reduced by up to 50% under atmospheric conditions and plants were characterized by a reduced biomass on a whole plant basis. Analysis of further photosynthetic parameters revealed that there was little difference in pigment content in the transformants but that the rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance was markedly reduced. Analysis of the response of the rate of photosynthesis to variation in the concentration of CO(2) confirmed that this restriction was due to a deficiency in stomatal function.
    The Plant Journal 07/2007; 50(6):1093-106. · 6.16 Impact Factor
  • Conference Proceeding: Investigation of Plant Root Elongation by Screening the Surface of a Petri Dish.
    Nima Yazdanbakhsh, Joachim Fisahn
    Proceedings of the 2007 International Conference on Image Processing, Computer Vision, & Pattern Recognition, IPCV 2007, June 25-28, 2007, Las Vegas Nevada, USA; 01/2007
  • Article: Chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and violaxanthin deepoxidation of FBPase antisense plants at low light intensities and low temperatures
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Genetically modified potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun N.N.) plants were used to analyze the effects exerted by the chloroplastic (cp) fructose- 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) on the regulation of light energy discrimination at the level of photosystem II. The cp-FBPase activity was progressively inhibited by an mRNA antisense to this FBPase. The chlorophyll fluorescence quenching parameters of these transgenic plants were compared to those of wild-type and transgenic plants that were acclimated to low temperatures. In particular various lines of the transgenic potato and tobacco plants were exposed to a temperature treatment of 10 and 20°C for 10 days. Light intensities were kept low to reduce photoinhibition so that we could analyze exclusively the effects of a modification in the carbon fixation cycle on the chlorophyll fluorescence quenching parameters. The photon flux densities (PFDs) employed at the level of the middle leaves of all plants were set to two different values of 10 μmol m−2 s−1 and 50 μmol m−2 s−1. Subsequent to this 10-day acclimation the chlorophyll-fluorescence parameters of all plants were measured. Photoinhibition as expressed by the Fy/Fm ratio was minor in plants subjected to a PFD of 10 μmol m−2 s−1. Higher photon fluence rates of 50 μmol m−2 s−1 at temperatures of 10°C gave rise to a significant reduction in the Fy/Fm ratios obtained from the transgenic plants which were characterized by a restriction in cp-FBPase capacity to 20% of normal activity. Furthermore, a progressive inhibition of the cp-FBPase activity induced an amplified nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence with in the genetically manipulated species (except at 10°C and 50 μmol m−2 s−1). The increase in nonphotochemical quenching depended upon light and temperature. Photochemical quenching of light quanta within the antisense plants declined relative to that in the wild type. To further characterize the mechanisms producing higher levels of nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching. we analyzed several of the xanthophyll cycle pigments. The deepoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments in potato plants increased with attenuating FBPase activities under all conditions. For tobacco plants, this elevation of the deepoxidation state was only observed at a PFD of 50 μmol m−2 s−1.
    Physiologia Plantarum 04/2006; 95(1):1 - 10. · 3.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: An optical multifrequency phase-modulation method using microbeads for measuring intracellular oxygen concentrations in plants.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: A technique has been developed to measure absolute intracellular oxygen concentrations in green plants. Oxygen-sensitive phosphorescent microbeads were injected into the cells and an optical multifrequency phase-modulation technique was used to discriminate the sensor signal from the strong autofluorescence of the plant tissue. The method was established using photosynthesis-competent cells of the giant algae Chara corallina L., and was validated by application to various cell types of other plant species.
    Biophysical Journal 09/2005; 89(2):1339-45. · 3.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Adjustment of diurnal starch turnover to short days: depletion of sugar during the night leads to a temporary inhibition of carbohydrate utilization, accumulation of sugars and post-translational activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in the following light period.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: A larger proportion of the fixed carbon is retained as starch in the leaf in short days, providing a larger store to support metabolism and carbon export during the long night. The mechanisms that facilitate this adjustment of the sink-source balance are unknown. Starchless pgm mutants were analysed to discover responses that are triggered when diurnal starch turnover is disturbed. Sugars accumulated to high levels during the day, and fell to very low levels by the middle of the night. Sugars rose rapidly in the roots and rosette after illumination, and decreased later in the light period. Global transcript profiling revealed only small differences between pgm and Col0 at the end of the day but large differences at the end of the night, when pgm resembled Col0 after a 4-6 h prolongation of the night and many genes required for biosynthesis and growth were repressed [Plant J. 37 (2004) 914]. It is concluded that transient sugar depletion at the end of the night inhibits carbon utilization at the start of the ensuing light period. A second set of experiments investigated the stimulation of starch synthesis in response to short days in wild-type Col0. In short days, sugars were very low in the roots and rosette at the end of the dark period, and after illumination accumulated rapidly in both organs to levels that were higher than in long days. The response resembles pgm, except that carbohydrate accumulated in the leaf as starch instead of sugars. A similar response was found after transfer from long to short days. Inclusion of sugar in the rooting medium attenuated the stimulation of starch synthesis. Post-translational activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) was increased in pgm, and in Col0 in short days. It is concluded that starch synthesis is stimulated in short day conditions because sugar depletion at the end of the night triggers a temporary inhibition of growth and carbohydrate utilization in the first part of the light period, leading to transient accumulation of sugar and activation of AGPase.
    The Plant Journal 10/2004; 39(6):847-62. · 6.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cell-specific protein profiling in Arabidopsis thaliana trichomes: identification of trichome-located proteins involved in sulfur metabolism and detoxification.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Metabolite, protein, and transcript analysis at the cellular level gives unparalleled insight into the complex roles tissues play in the plant system. However, while capillary electrophoresis and PCR amplification strategies make the profiling of metabolites and transcripts in specific cell types possible, the profiling of proteins in small samples represents a bottleneck. Here for the first time protein profiling has been achieved in a specific plant cell type: The application of specific cell sampling and shotgun peptide sequencing (nano LC/MS/MS) resulted in the identification of 63 unique proteins from pooled Arabidopsis trichome cells. A complete S-adenosylmethionine pathway cluster, two S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoforms, a glutathione S-conjugate translocator and other proteins involved in sulfur metabolism and detoxification are shown to be present in these cells, in agreement with previous work done at the level of trichome transcript analysis. The technology described here brings the simultaneous identification and localization of physiologically relevant cellular proteins within reach.
    Phytochemistry 07/2004; 65(11):1641-9. · 3.35 Impact Factor