cellulase and ethephon

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cellulase in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seed germination. The application of abscisic acid (ABA) or ethephon inhibits or promotes germination, respectively, by affecting endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation. Cellulase activities, and related protein and transcript abundances of two lettuce cellulase genes, LsCEL1 and LsCEL2, increase in the endosperm cap and radicle prior to radicle protrusion following imbibition in water. ABA or ethephon reduce or elevate, respectively, cellulase activity, and related protein and transcript abundances in the endosperm cap. Taken together, these observations suggest that cellulase plays a role in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce seed germination, and that the regulation of cellulase in the endosperm cap by ABA and ethephon play a role in endosperm cap weakening. However, the influence of ABA and ethephon on radicle elongation may not be through their effects on cellulase.

Topics: Abscisic Acid; Cellulase; Endosperm; Germination; Lactuca; Organophosphorus Compounds; Seeds

Although auxin and ethylene play pivotal roles in leaf abscission, the subsequent signaling molecules are poorly understood. This is mainly because it is difficult to effectively treat the intact abscission zone (AZ) with pharmacological reagents. We developed an in vitro experimental system that reproduces stress-induced leaf abscission in planta. In this system, 1-mm-thick petiole strips, encompassing the AZ, were separated within 4 days of abscission at the AZ through cell wall degradation in an auxin depletion- and ethylene-dependent manner. The system allowed us to show that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is involved in abscission signaling. Microscopic analyses revealed continuous H(2)O(2) production by AZ cells. H(2)O(2) scavengers and diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, suppressed in vitro abscission and cellulase expression. Conversely, the application of H(2)O(2) promoted in vitro abscission and expression of cellulase. Ethephon-induced abscission was suppressed by inhibitors of H(2)O(2) production, whereas the expression of ethylene-responsive genes was unaffected by both H(2)O(2) and an H(2)O(2) inhibitor. These results indicated that H(2)O(2) acts downstream from ethylene in in vitro abscission signaling. In planta, salinity stress induced the expression of genes that respond to ethylene and reactive oxygen species, and also induced H(2)O(2) production at the AZ, which preceded leaf abscission. These results indicate that H(2)O(2) has roles in leaf abscission associated with ethylene both in vitro and in planta.

Topics: Capsicum; Cellulase; Ethylenes; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Hydrogen Peroxide; Indoleacetic Acids; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Onium Compounds; Organophosphorus Compounds; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Leaves; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Plant; Sodium Chloride