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Increasing evidence suggests that proteins present in the angiosperm sieve tube system play an important role in the long distance signaling system of plants. To identify the nature of these putatively non-cell-autonomous proteins, we adopted a large scale proteomics approach to analyze pumpkin phloem exudates. Phloem proteins were fractionated by fast protein liquid chromatography using both anion and cation exchange columns and then either in-solution or in-gel digested following further separation by SDS-PAGE. A total of 345 LC-MS/MS data sets were analyzed using a combination of Mascot and X!Tandem against the NCBI non-redundant green plant database and an extensive Cucurbit maxima expressed sequence tag database. In this analysis, 1,209 different consensi were obtained of which 1,121 could be annotated from GenBank and BLAST search analyses against three plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), and poplar (Populus trichocarpa). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses identified sets of phloem proteins that function in RNA binding, mRNA translation, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and macromolecular and vesicle trafficking. Our findings indicate that protein synthesis and turnover, processes that were thought to be absent in enucleate sieve elements, likely occur within the angiosperm phloem translocation stream. In addition, our GO analysis identified a set of phloem proteins that are associated with the GO term "embryonic development ending in seed dormancy"; this finding raises the intriguing question as to whether the phloem may exert some level of control over seed development. The universal significance of the phloem proteome was highlighted by conservation of the phloem proteome in species as diverse as monocots (rice), eudicots (Arabidopsis and pumpkin), and trees (poplar). These results are discussed from the perspective of the role played by the phloem proteome as an integral component of the whole plant communication system.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are integral components of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and play a central role in RNA processing. In plants, some RBPs function in a non-cell-autonomous manner. The angiosperm phloem translocation stream contains a unique population of RBPs, but little is known regarding the nature of the proteins and mRNA species that constitute phloem-mobile RNP complexes. Here, we identified and characterized a 50-kD pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima cv Big Max) phloem RNA binding protein (RBP50) that is evolutionarily related to animal polypyrimidine tract binding proteins. In situ hybridization studies indicated a high level of RBP50 transcripts in companion cells, while immunolocalization experiments detected RBP50 in both companion cells and sieve elements. A comparison of the levels of RBP50 present in vascular bundles and phloem sap indicated that this protein is highly enriched in the phloem sap. Heterografting experiments confirmed that RBP50 is translocated from source to sink tissues. Collectively, these findings established that RBP50 functions as a non-cell-autonomous RBP. Protein overlay, coimmunoprecipitation, and cross-linking experiments identified the phloem proteins and mRNA species that constitute RBP50-based RNP complexes. Gel mobility-shift assays demonstrated that specificity, with respect to the bound mRNA, is established by the polypyrimidine tract binding motifs within such transcripts. We present a model for RBP50-based RNP complexes within the pumpkin phloem translocation stream.

Cucurbita moschata, a cucurbit species responsive to inductive short-day (SD) photoperiods, and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) were used to test whether long-distance movement of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) mRNA or FT is required for floral induction. Ectopic expression of FT by ZYMV was highly effective in mediating floral induction of long-day (LD)-treated plants. Moreover, the infection zone of ZYMV was far removed from floral meristems, suggesting that FT transcripts do not function as the florigenic signal in this system. Heterografting demonstrated efficient transmission of a florigenic signal from flowering Cucurbita maxima stocks to LD-grown C. moschata scions. Real-time RT-PCR performed on phloem sap collected from C. maxima stocks detected no FT transcripts, whereas mass spectrometry of phloem sap proteins revealed the presence of Cm-FTL1 and Cm-FTL2. Importantly, studies on LD- and SD-treated C. moschata plants established that Cmo-FTL1 and Cmo-FTL2 are regulated by photoperiod at the level of movement into the phloem and not by transcription. Finally, mass spectrometry of florally induced heterografted C. moschata scions revealed that C. maxima FT, but not FT mRNA, crossed the graft union in the phloem translocation stream. Collectively, these studies are consistent with FT functioning as a component of the florigenic signaling system in the cucurbits.

Two plasmids from the plant-pathogenic mollicute "Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense" were completely sequenced from two isolates derived from different plant hosts. Plasmid pPAPh2 (3607bp) was obtained from Phormium showing Phormium yellow leaf symptoms and pPASb11 (3635bp) from strawberry showing strawberry lethal yellows symptoms. The plasmids varied in their copy number and nucleotide sequence yet contained the same four open reading frames (ORFs). The deduced amino acid sequence derived from ORF1 shares similarity with hypothetical proteins encoded on the plasmids from onion yellows and beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasmas. The deduced amino acid sequences of both ORF2 and ORF3 share similarity with functionally unknown proteins on the chromosome of onion yellows phytoplasma. An ORF with a similar sequence to ORF2 is also present on the chromosome of "Ca. P. australiense." The deduced amino acid sequence derived from ORF4 is most similar to replication proteins encoded by other phytoplasma plasmids and by geminiviruses, the only protein on the plasmids for which a putative function can be assigned. The identities of the deduced amino acid sequences of ORF1, ORF2, ORF3, and ORF4 between pPAPh2 and pPASb11 were 89, 68, 91, and 68%, respectively; the differences being consistent with the subgroup status of the parental phytoplasmas.

Cell-to-cell movement of potexviruses requires cognate recognition between the viral RNA, the triple gene block proteins (TGBp1-3) and the coat protein (CP). cis-acting motifs required for recognition and translocation of viral RNA were identified using an artificial potexvirus defective RNA encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter transcriptionally fused to the terminal viral sequences. Analysis of GFP fluorescence produced in vivo from these defective RNA constructs, referred to as chimeric RNA reporters, was used to identify viral cis-acting motifs required for RNA trafficking. Mapping experiments localized the cis-acting element to nucleotides 1-107 of the Potato virus X (PVX) genome. This sequence forms an RNA secondary structural element that has also been implicated in viral plus-strand accumulation [Miller, E.D., Plante, C.A., Kim, K.-H., Brown, J.W. and Hemenway, C. (1998) J. Mol. Biol. 284, 591-608]. While replication and movement functions associated with this region have not been separated, these results are consistent with sequence-specific recognition of RNA by the viral movement protein(s). This situation is unusual among viral movement proteins that typically function to translocate RNA between cells in a non-sequence-specific manner. These data support the concept of cis-acting elements specifying intercellular potexvirus RNA movement and thus provide a basis for dissection of RNA-mediated intercellular communication in plants.

Recent studies have revealed the operation of a long-distance communication network operating within the vascular system of higher plants. The evolutionary development of this network reflects the need to communicate environmental inputs, sensed by mature organs, to meristematic regions of the plant. One consequence of such a long-distance signaling system is that newly forming organs can develop properties optimized for the environment into which they will emerge, mature, and function. The phloem translocation stream of the angiosperms contains, in addition to photosynthate and other small molecules, a variety of macromolecules, including mRNA, small RNA, and proteins. This review highlights recent progress in the characterization of phloem-mediated transport of macromolecules as components of an integrated long-distance signaling network. Attention is focused on the role played by these proteins and RNA species in coordination of developmental programs and the plant's response to both environmental cues and pathogen challenge. Finally, the importance of developing phloem transcriptome and proteomic databases is discussed within the context of advances in plant systems biology.

Systemic translocation of RNA exerts non-cell-autonomous control over plant development and defense. Long-distance delivery of mRNA has been proven, but transport of small interfering RNA and microRNA remains to be demonstrated. Analyses performed on phloem sap collected from a range of plants identified populations of small RNA species. The dynamic nature of this population was reflected in its response to growth conditions and viral infection. The authenticity of these phloem small RNA molecules was confirmed by bioinformatic analysis; potential targets for a set of phloem small RNA species were identified. Heterografting studies, using spontaneously silencing coat protein (CP) plant lines, also established that transgene-derived siRNA move in the long-distance phloem and initiate CP gene silencing in the scion. Biochemical analysis of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) phloem sap led to the characterization of C. maxima Phloem SMALL RNA BINDING PROTEIN1 (CmPSRP1), a unique component of the protein machinery probably involved in small RNA trafficking. Equivalently sized small RNA binding proteins were detected in phloem sap from cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and lupin (Lupinus albus). PSRP1 binds selectively to 25-nucleotide single-stranded RNA species. Microinjection studies provided direct evidence that PSRP1 could mediate the cell-to-cell trafficking of 25-nucleotide single-stranded, but not double-stranded, RNA molecules. The potential role played by PSRP1 in long-distance transmission of silencing signals is discussed with respect to the pathways and mechanisms used by plants to exert systemic control over developmental and physiological processes.

Phloem-mobile endogenous RNA is trafficked selectively into the shoot apex. In contrast, most viruses and long-distance post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) signals are excluded from the shoot apex. These observations suggest the operation of an underlying regulatory mechanism. To examine this possibility, a potexvirus movement protein, known to modify cell-to-cell trafficking and PTGS, was expressed ectopically in transgenic plants. These plants were found to be compromised in their capacity to exclude both viral RNA and silencing signals from the shoot apex. The transgenic plants also displayed various degrees of abnormal leaf polarity depending on transgene expression level. Normal patterns of organ development were restored by either virus- or Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated induction of PTGS. This revealed the presence of an RNA signal surveillance system that acts to allow the selective entry of RNA into the shoot apex. We propose that this surveillance system regulates signaling and protects the shoot apex, in particular the cells that give rise to reproductive structures, from viral invasion.

The triple gene block proteins (TGBp1-3) and coat protein (CP) of potexviruses are required for cell-to-cell movement. Both cell-to-cell and long-distance movement of White clover mosaic virus in which individual, combinations, or all movement functions were mutated could be rescued by transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana expressing complementary viral products. To address the importance of TGB functions in vascular transport, we used an experimental system based on grafted plants and trans-complementation, to define co-translocated viral products and the minimal requirements for viral exit from the plant vasculature. Evidence is presented that TGBp1 is co-translocated with viral RNA and CP and that, once viral RNA is loaded into the phloem translocation stream, it can exit in sink tissues and replicate in the absence of TGBp2-3. These results are discussed in the context of the recent finding that TGBp1 can mediate the suppression of signaling involved in systemic gene silencing., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

The triple gene block proteins (TGBp1-3) and coat protein (CP) of potexviruses are required for cell-to-cell movement. Separate models have been proposed for intercellular movement of two of these viruses, transport of intact virions, or a ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) comprising genomic RNA, TGBp1, and the CP. At issue therefore, is the form(s) in which RNA transport occurs and the roles of TGBp1-3 and the CP in movement. Evidence is presented that, based on microprojectile bombardment studies, TGBp1 and the CP, but not TGBp2 or TGBp3, are co-translocated between cells with viral RNA. In addition, cell-to-cell movement and encapsidation functions of the CP were shown to be separable, and the rate-limiting factor of potexvirus movement was shown not to be virion accumulation, but rather, the presence of TGBp1-3 and the CP in the infected cell. These findings are consistent with a common mode of transport for potexviruses, involving a non-virion RNP, and show that TGBp1 is the movement protein, whereas TGBp2 and TGBp3 are either involved in intracellular transport or interact with the cellular machinery/docking sites at the plasmodesmata.

White clover mosaic virus strain O (WClMV-O), species of the Potexvirus genus, contains a set of three partially overlapping genes (the triple gene block) that encodes nonvirion proteins of 26 kDa, 13 kDa, and 7 kDa. These proteins are necessary for cell-to-cell movement in plants but not for replication. The WClMV-O 13-kDa gene was mutated (to 13*) in a region of the gene that is conserved in all viruses known to possess triple-gene-block proteins. All 10 13* transgenic lines of Nicotiana benthamiana designed to express the mutated movement protein were shown to be resistant to systemic infection by WClMV-O at 1 microgram of WClMV virions per ml, whereas all plants from susceptible control lines became systemically infected. Of the 13* transgenic lines, 3 selected for their abundant seed supply were shown to be resistant to systemic infection when challenged by inoculation with three different WClMV strains (O, M, and J) or with WClMV-O RNA at 10 micrograms/ml. Most plants were also resistant to systemic infection at inoculum concentrations up to 250 micrograms of WClMV virions per ml. In addition, the three 13* transgenic plant lines were found to be resistant to systemic infection with two other members of the Potexvirus group, potato virus X and narcissus mosaic virus, and the Carlavirus potato virus S but not to be resistant to tobacco mosaic virus of the Tobamovirus group. These results indicate that virus resistance can be engineered into transgenic plants by expression of dominant negative mutant forms of triple-gene-block movement proteins.

An L-asparaginase cDNA clone, BR4, was isolated from a Lupinus arboreus Sims developing seed expression library by screening with polyclonal antibodies to the seed asparaginase. The cDNA hybridised with an oligonucleotide probe designed from amino acid sequence data and was found on sequencing to be 947 bp in length. Six polypeptide sequences obtained previously could be placed along the longest open reading frame. Computer-aided codon use analysis revealed that the cDNA sequence was consistent with other plant genes in terms of codon use. The cDNA insert was used to analyse asparaginase transcription in various tissues by northern blot analysis. A transcript size of approximately 1.2 kb was detected in L. arboreus seed total and poly(A)+ RNA. The level of this transcript declined from 30 days after anthesis to an undetectable level by day 55. Furthermore, under the high stringency conditions used, the seed asparaginase cDNA did not hybridise with total or poly(A)+ RNA isolated from root tips, suggesting that the asparaginase known to be present in this tissue may be the product of a different gene. Southern analysis suggested the seed asparaginase is a single-copy gene. The plant asparaginase amino acid sequence did not have any significant homology with microbial asparaginases but was 23% identical and 66% similar (allowing for conservative substitutions) to a human glycosylasparaginase.

Asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) activity reached a maximum 40 days post anthesis in developing seeds of Lupinus arboreus and this correlated with the appearance of other ammonia assimilatory enzymes. Asparaginase, purified from these developing seeds, was resolved into three isoforms, designated asparaginases A, B and C. A major protein species in asparaginase A preparations co-focussed with enzyme activity on an isoelectric focussing gel. When analysed by SDS-PAGE, asparaginase isoforms A and B each yielded several polypeptides with M(r)s in the 14,000 to 19,000 ranged. These peptides are fragmentation products of an M(r) 36,000 asparaginase subunit. Polyclonal antibodies raised against asparaginase isoforms A and B precipitated asparaginase activity from a partially purified L. arboreus seed extract. Immunoaffinity chromatography recovered polypeptides with M(r)s between 14,000 and 19,000. Partial protein sequences were obtained for these asparaginase polypeptides.