Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften
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Xylem embolism resistance has been identified as a key trait with a causal relation to drought-induced tree mortality, but not much is known about its intra-specific trait variability (ITV) in dependence on environmental variation. We measured xylem safety and efficiency in 300 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees across 30 sites in Central Europe, covering a precipitation reduction from 886 to 522 mm year−1. A broad range of variables that might affect embolism resistance in mature trees, including climatic and soil water availability, competition, and branch age, were examined. The average P50 value varied by up to 1 MPa between sites. Neither climatic aridity nor structural variables had a significant influence on P50. However, P50 was less negative for trees with a higher soil water storage capacity, and positively related to branch age, while specific conductivity (Ks) was not significantly associated with either of these variables. The greatest part of the ITV for xylem safety and efficiency was attributed to random variability within populations. We conclude that the influence of site water availability on P50 and Ks is low in European beech, and that the high degree of within-population variability for P50, partly due to variation in branch age, hampers the identification of a clear environmental signal.
Xylem hydraulic safety and efficiency are key traits determining tree fitness in a warmer and drier world. While numerous plant hydraulic studies have focused on branches, our understanding of root hydraulic functioning remains limited, although roots control water uptake, influence stomatal regulation and have commonly been considered as the most vulnerable organ along the hydraulic pathway.
We investigated 11 traits related to xylem safety and efficiency along the hydraulic pathway in four temperate broad-leaved tree species.
Continuous vessel tapering from coarse roots to stems and branches caused considerable reduction in hydraulic efficiency. Wood density was always lowest in roots, but did not decline linearly along the flow path. In contrast, xylem embolism resistance (P50) did not differ significantly between roots and branches, except for one species. The limited variation in xylem safety between organs did not adequately reflect the corresponding reductions in vessel diameter (by ~70%) and hydraulic efficiency (by ~85%). Although we did not observe any trade-off between xylem safety and specific conductivity, vessel diameter, vessel lumen fraction and wood density were related to embolism resistance, both across and partly within organs.
We conclude that coarse roots are not highly vulnerable to xylem embolism as commonly believed, indicating that hydraulic failure during soil drying might be restricted to fine roots.
Plants do not have neurons but operate transmembrane ion channels and can get electrical excited by physical and chemical clues. Among them the Venus flytrap is characterized by its peculiar hapto-electric signaling. When insects collide with trigger hairs emerging the trap inner surface, the mechanical stimulus within the mechanosensory organ is translated into a calcium signal and an action potential (AP). Here we asked how the Ca\(^{2+}\) wave and AP is initiated in the trigger hair and how it is feed into systemic trap calcium-electrical networks. When Dionaea muscipula trigger hairs matures and develop hapto-electric excitability the mechanosensitive anion channel DmMSL10/FLYC1 and voltage dependent SKOR type Shaker K\(^{+}\) channel are expressed in the sheering stress sensitive podium. The podium of the trigger hair is interface to the flytrap’s prey capture and processing networks. In the excitable state touch stimulation of the trigger hair evokes a rise in the podium Ca2+ first and before the calcium signal together with an action potential travel all over the trap surface. In search for podium ion channels and pumps mediating touch induced Ca\(^{2+}\) transients, we, in mature trigger hairs firing fast Ca\(^{2+}\) signals and APs, found OSCA1.7 and GLR3.6 type Ca\(^{2+}\) channels and ACA2/10 Ca\(^{2+}\) pumps specifically expressed in the podium. Like trigger hair stimulation, glutamate application to the trap directly evoked a propagating Ca\(^{2+}\) and electrical event. Given that anesthetics affect K\(^+\) channels and glutamate receptors in the animal system we exposed flytraps to an ether atmosphere. As result propagation of touch and glutamate induced Ca\(^{2+}\) and AP long-distance signaling got suppressed, while the trap completely recovered excitability when ether was replaced by fresh air. In line with ether targeting a calcium channel addressing a Ca\(^{2+}\) activated anion channel the AP amplitude declined before the electrical signal ceased completely. Ether in the mechanosensory organ did neither prevent the touch induction of a calcium signal nor this post stimulus decay. This finding indicates that ether prevents the touch activated, glr3.6 expressing base of the trigger hair to excite the capture organ.
The negative impact of juvenile undernourishment on adult behavior has been well reported for vertebrates, but relatively little is known about invertebrates. In honeybees, nutrition has long been known to affect task performance and timing of behavioral transitions. Whether and how a dietary restriction during larval development affects the task performance of adult honeybees is largely unknown. We raised honeybees in-vitro, varying the amount of a standardized diet (150 µl, 160 µl, 180 µl in total). Emerging adults were marked and inserted into established colonies. Behavioral performance of nurse bees and foragers was investigated and physiological factors known to be involved in the regulation of social organization were quantified. Surprisingly, adult honeybees raised under different feeding regimes did not differ in any of the behaviors observed. No differences were observed in physiological parameters apart from weight. Honeybees were lighter when undernourished (150 µl), while they were heavier under the overfed treatment (180 µl) compared to the control group raised under a normal diet (160 µl). These data suggest that dietary restrictions during larval development do not affect task performance or physiology in this social insect despite producing clear effects on adult weight. We speculate that possible effects of larval undernourishment might be compensated during the early period of adult life.
Sphingolipid long-chain bases (LCBs) are building blocks for membrane-localized sphingolipids, and are involved in signal transduction pathways in plants. Elevated LCB levels are associated with the induction of programmed cell death and pathogen-derived toxin-induced cell death. Therefore, levels of free LCBs can determine survival of plant cells. To elucidate the contribution of metabolic pathways regulating high LCB levels, we applied the deuterium-labeled LCB D-erythro-sphinganine-d7 (D7-d18:0), the first LCB in sphingolipid biosynthesis, to Arabidopsis leaves and quantified labeled LCBs, LCB phosphates (LCB-Ps), and 14 abundant ceramide (Cer) species over time. We show that LCB D7-d18:0 is rapidly converted into the LCBs d18:0P, t18:0, and t18:0P. Deuterium-labeled ceramides were less abundant, but increased over time, with the highest levels detected for Cer(d18:0/16:0), Cer(d18:0/24:0), Cer(t18:0/16:0), and Cer(t18:0/22:0). A more than 50-fold increase of LCB-P levels after leaf incubation in LCB D7-d18:0 indicated that degradation of LCBs via LCB-Ps is important, and we hypothesized that LCB-P degradation could be a rate-limiting step to reduce high levels of LCBs. To functionally test this hypothesis, we constructed a transgenic line with dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 (DPL1) under control of an inducible promotor. Higher expression of DPL1 significantly reduced elevated LCB-P and LCB levels induced by Fumonisin B1, and rendered plants more resistant against this fungal toxin. Taken together, we provide quantitative data on the contribution of major enzymatic pathways to reduce high LCB levels, which can trigger cell death. Specifically, we provide functional evidence that DPL1 can be a rate-limiting step in regulating high LCB levels.
Pivotal barrier properties of the hydrophobic plant cuticle covering aerial plant surfaces depend on its physicochemical composition. Among plant species and organs, compounds of this boundary layer between the plant interior and the environment vary considerably but cuticle-related studies comparing different organs from the same plant species are still scarce. Thus, this study focused on the cuticle profiles of Physalis peruviana, Physalis ixocarpa, Alkekengi officinarum, and Nicandra physalodes species. Inflated fruiting calyces enveloping fruits make Physalis, Alkekengi, and Nicandra highly recognizable genera among the Solanoideae subfamily. Although the inflation of fruiting calyces is well discussed in the literature still little is known about their post-floral functionalities. Cuticular composition, surface structure, and barrier function were examined and compared in fully expanded amphistomatous leaves, ripe astomatous fruits, and fully inflated hypostomatous fruiting calyces. Species- and organ-specific abundances of non-glandular and glandular trichomes revealed high structural diversity, covering not only abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces but also fruiting calyx surfaces, whereas fruits were glabrous. Cuticular waxes, which limit non-stomatal transpiration, ranged from <1 μg cm\(^{−2}\) on P. peruviana fruiting calyces and N. physalodes fruits to 22 μg cm\(^{−2}\) on P. peruviana fruits. Very-long-chain aliphatic compounds, notably n-alkanes, iso-, and anteiso-branched alkanes, alkanols, alkanoic acids, and alkyl esters, dominated the cuticular wax coverages (≥86%). Diversity of cuticular wax patterns rose from leaves to fruiting calyces and peaked in fruits. The polymeric cutin matrix providing the structural framework for cuticular waxes was determined to range from 81 μg cm\(^{−2}\) for N. physalodes to 571 μg cm\(^{−2}\) for A. officinarum fruits. Cuticular transpiration barriers were highly efficient, with water permeabilities being ≤5 × 10\(^{−5}\) m s\(^{−1}\). Only the cuticular water permeability of N. physalodes fruits was 10 × 10\(^{−5}\) m s\(^{−1}\) leading to their early desiccation and fruits that easily split, whereas P. peruviana, P. ixocarpa, and A. officinarum bore fleshy fruits for extended periods after maturation. Regarding the functional significance, fruiting calyces establish a physicochemical shield that reduces water loss and enables fruit maturation within a protective microclimate, and promotes different seed dispersal strategies among plant species investigated.
For the treatment of large bone defects, the commonly used technique of autologous bone grafting presents several drawbacks and limitations. With the discovery of the bone-inducing capabilities of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), several delivery techniques were developed and translated to clinical applications. Implantation of scaffolds containing adsorbed BMP2 showed promising results. However, off-label use of this protein-scaffold combination caused severe complications due to an uncontrolled release of the growth factor, which has to be applied in supraphysiological doses in order to induce bone formation. Here, we propose an alternative strategy that focuses on the covalent immobilization of an engineered BMP2 variant to biocompatible scaffolds. The new BMP2 variant harbors an artificial amino acid with a specific functional group, allowing a site-directed covalent scaffold functionalization. The introduced artificial amino acid does not alter BMP2′s bioactivity in vitro. When applied in vivo, the covalently coupled BMP2 variant induces the formation of bone tissue characterized by a structurally different morphology compared to that induced by the same scaffold containing ab-/adsorbed wild-type BMP2. Our results clearly show that this innovative technique comprises translational potential for the development of novel osteoinductive materials, improving safety for patients and reducing costs.
The evolution of the internal water transport system was a prerequisite for high plant productivity. In times of climate change, understanding the dependency of juvenile growth on xylem hydraulic physiology is therefore of high importance. Here, we explored various wood anatomical, hydraulic, and leaf morphological traits related to hydraulic safety and efficiency in three temperate broadleaved tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, and Sorbus aucuparia). We took advantage of a severe natural heat wave that resulted in different climatic growing conditions for even-aged plants from the same seed source growing inside a greenhouse and outside. Inside the greenhouse, the daily maximum vapour pressure deficit was on average 36% higher than outside during the growing seasons. Because of the higher atmospheric moisture stress, the biomass production differed up to 5.6-fold between both groups. Except for one species, a high productivity was associated with a high hydraulic efficiency caused by large xylem vessels and a large, supported leaf area. Although no safety-efficiency trade-off was observed, productivity was significantly related to P\(_{50}\) in two of the tree species but without revealing any clear pattern. A considerable plasticity in given traits was observed between both groups, with safety-related traits being more static while efficiency-related traits revealed a higher intra-specific plasticity. This was associated with other wood anatomical and leaf morphological adjustments. We confirm that a high hydraulic efficiency seems to be a prerequisite for a high biomass production, while our controversial results on the growth–xylem safety relationship confirm that safety-efficiency traits are decoupled and that their relationship with juvenile growth and water regime is species-specific.
The recently observed consistent loss of β-diversity across ecosystems indicates increasingly homogeneous communities in patches of landscapes, mainly caused by increasing land-use intensity. Biodiversity is related to numerous ecosystem functions and stability. Therefore, decreasing β-diversity is also expected to reduce multifunctionality. To assess the impact of homogenization and to develop guidelines to reverse its potentially negative effects, we combine expertise from forest science, ecology, remote sensing, chemical ecology and statistics in a collaborative and experimental β-diversity approach. Specifically, we will address the question whether the Enhancement of Structural Beta Complexity (ESBC) in forests by silviculture or natural disturbances will increase biodiversity and multifunctionality in formerly homogeneously structured production forests. Our approach will identify potential mechanisms behind observed homogenization-diversity-relationships and show how these translate into effects on multifunctionality. At eleven forest sites throughout Germany, we selected two districts as two types of small ‘forest landscapes’. In one of these two districts, we established ESBC treatments (nine differently treated 50x50 m patches with a focus on canopy cover and deadwood features). In the second, the control district, we will establish nine patches without ESBC. By a comprehensive sampling, we will monitor 18 taxonomic groups and measure 21 ecosystem functions, including key functions in temperate forests, on all patches. The statistical framework will allow a comprehensive biodiversity assessment by quantifying the different aspects of multitrophic biodiversity (taxonomical, functional and phylogenetic diversity) on different levels of biodiversity (α-, β-, γ-diversity). To combine overall diversity, we will apply the concept of multidiversity across the 18 taxa. We will use and develop new approaches for quantification and partitioning of multifunctionality at α- and β- scales. Overall, our study will herald a new research avenue, namely by experimentally describing the link between β-diversity and multifunctionality. Furthermore, we will help to develop guidelines for improved silvicultural concepts and concepts for management of natural disturbances in temperate forests reversing past homogenization effects.
Pflanzen müssen sich während der Samenkeimung und Keimlingsentwicklung über eingelagerte Speicherstoffe heterotroph versorgen, bis sie, nach Etablierung ihres Photosyntheseapparats, einen autotrophen Lebensstil führen können.
Diese Arbeit geht von der Hypothese aus, dass der evolutionär konservierten zentral-metabolischen Kinase Snf1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE 1 (SnRK1) eine besondere Rolle bei der Mobilisierung von Speicherstoffen während der Keimlingsentwicklung zukommt. Während die Bedeutung von SnRK1 als zentraler Regulator katabolischer Prozesse unter Energiemangel- und Stresssituationen bereits gezeigt wurde, war die Funktion von SnRK1 im Zusammenhang mit der Samenkeimung weitgehend ungeklärt. In dieser Arbeit konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, dass SnRK1 in Arabidopsis die Mobilisierung und Degradation von Speicherstoffen, insbesondere von Triacylglyceride (TAGs), Samenspeicherproteinen und Aminosäuren, steuert. Sowohl Studien zur Lokalisation von SnRK1:GFP-Fusionsproteinen als auch Kinaseaktivitätsassays unterstützen eine mögliche Funktion von SnRK1 während der Keimlingsentwicklung. Eine induzierbare snrk1-knockdown Mutante zeigt neben einem eingeschränkten Wurzel- und Hypokotylwachstum auch keine Ausbildung eines Photosyntheseapparats, was die zentrale Rolle der SnRK1 in diesem frühen Entwicklungsstadium untermauert. Durch Fütterungsexperimente mit Glukose konnte der Phänotyp einer snrk1 -Mutante in Keimlingen gerettet werden. Dies zeigt, dass der metabolische Block durch externe Gabe von Kohlenhydraten umgangen werden kann. Die zentrale Funktion von SnRK1 ist folgich der Abbau von Speicherstoffen und keine allgemeine Deregulation des pflanzlichen Stoffwechsels. Durch massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen von Keimlingen des Wildtyps und der snrk1-Mutante konnte gezeigt werden, dass TAGs in der Mutante in der spä- ten Keimlingsentwicklung ab Tag 4 langsamer abgebaut werden als im Wildtyp. Ebenso werden Samenspeicherproteine in der Mutante langsamer degradiert, wodurch die Verfügbarkeit von freien Aminosäuren in geringer ist. Entgegen der allgemeinen Annahme konnte gezeigt werden, dass während der Keimlingsentwicklung zumindest in Arabidopsis, einer ölhaltigen Pflanze, zunächst Kohlenhydrate in Form von Saccharose abgebaut werden, bevor die Degradation von TAGs und Aminosäuren beginnt. Diese Abbauprodukte können dann der Glukoneogenese zugeführt werden um daraus Glukose herzustellen. Mittels Transkriptom-Analysen konnten zentrale SnRK1-abhängige Gene in der Speicherstoffmobilisierung von TAG, beispielsweise PEROXISOMAL NAD-MALATE DEHYDROGENASE 2 (PMDH2) und ACYL-CoA-OXIDASE 4 (ACX4), und Aminosäuren identifiziert werden. Somit wurde ein Mechanismus der SnRK1-abhängigen Genregulation während der Samenkeimung in Arabidopsis gefunden. Bei der Degradation von Aminosäuren wird die cytosolische PYRUVATE ORTHOPHOSPHATE DIKINASE (cyPPDK), ein Schlüsselenzym beim Abbau bestimmter Aminosäuren und bei der Glukoneogenese, SnRK1-abhängig transkriptionell reguliert. Durch Koregulation konnte der Transkriptionsfaktor bZIP63 (BASIC LEUCINE ZIPPER 63) gefunden werden, dessen Transkription ebenfalls SnRK1-abhängig reguliert wird. Außerdem konnte die Transkription von cyPPDK in bzip63-Mutanten nur noch sehr schwach induziert werden. In Protoplasten konnte der cyPPDK-Promotor durch Aktivierungsexperimente mit bZIP63 und SnRK1α1 induziert werden. Durch Mutationskartierung und Chromatin-Immunopräzipitation (ChIP)PCR konnte mehrfach eine direkte Bindung von bZIP63 an den cyPPDK-Promotor nachgewiesen werden. Zusammenfassend ergibt sich ein mechanistisches Arbeitsmodell, in dem bZIP63 durch SnRK1 phosphoryliert wird und durch Bindung an regulatorische G-Box cis-Elemente im cyPPDK- Promotor dessen Transkription anschaltet. Infolgedessen werden Aminosäuren abgebaut und wird über die Glukoneogenese Glukose aufgebaut. Dieser Mechanismus ist essentiell für die Übergangsphase zwischen heterotropher und autotropher Lebensweise, und trägt dazu bei, die im Samen vorhandenen Ressourcen dem Keimling zum idealen Zeitpunkt zugänglich zu machen. Darüber hinaus werden Gene im Abbau von verzweigtkettigen Aminosäuren ebenfalls durch bZIP63 reguliert. Dabei wird dem Keimling Energie in Form von Adenosin-Triphosphat (ATP) zur Verfügung gestellt.
Zusammengefasst zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit, dass die Mobilisierung von Speicherstoffen auch während der Keimlingsentwicklung direkt von SnRK1 abhängig ist. Die umfangreichen Datensätze der RNA-Seq-Analysen bieten zudem die Möglichkeit, weitere SnRK1-abhängige Gene der Speichermobilisierung zu identifizieren und somit einem besseren Verständnis der Keimlingsentwicklung beizutragen. Aufgrund der zentralen Bedeutung der SnRK1-Kinase in diesem entscheidenden Entwicklungsschritt ist davon auszugehen, dass diese Erkenntnisse mittelfristig auch für bessere Keimungsraten und somit bessere Erträge in der Landwirtschaft genutzt werden können.