Aleksandra Staszak - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Aleksandra Staszak
Proteomic data set containing protein identification parameters (ESI MS/MS) and GO annotation fun... more Proteomic data set containing protein identification parameters (ESI MS/MS) and GO annotation functional classification (UniProt and QuickGO). Identification parameters of differentially abundant proteins of black poplar (<em>Populus nigra</em> L.) seeds stored in different temperature (3, -3, -20 and -196°C) and time (12 and 24 months) conditions. Proteins were extracted and separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) and mass using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance for temperature and time of storage were identified by mass spectrometry (ESI MS/MS). The mascot search algorithm (http://www.matrixscience.com) was used for protein identification against the NCBInr (http://www.ncbi.nig.gov) databases.Identified proteins were grouped due to biological process, molecular function and subcellular localization according to the gene ontology (GO) annotation using UniProt database and QuickGO search (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/).
Plant Soil and Environment, 2021
Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as... more Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as well as agricultural crops, ultimately affecting their growth and productivity. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of short-term N deprivation on secondary metabolites production in developing and mature leaves of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Two weeks under low-N conditions decrease plant growth, N concentration, and soluble proteins content in leaves. Reduction in photosynthesis intensity was also observed. A decrease of cyanogenic glycoside content under N-deficient conditions was most visible in mature leaves. However, the content of linamarin and lotaustralin was about 10-fold higher in younger than in mature leaves, in which play probably protective role due to the possibility of toxic HCN release. Despite the N deficit, flax plants accumulated nitrogen in cyanoglycosides. N from cyanoglycosides can be used to synthesise amino acids; this possibility is supported by...
Biotechnologia. Journal of Biotechnology, Computational Biology and Bionanotechnology, 2013
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020
Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose (Rosa canina L.) see... more Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose (Rosa canina L.) seeds are characterized by physical/physiological dormancy, which is broken during warm, followed by cold stratification. Exposing pretreated seeds to 20 °C resulted in the induction of secondary dormancy. The aim of this study was to identify and functionally characterize the proteins associated with dormancy control of rose seeds. Proteins from primary dormant, after warm and cold stratification (nondormant), and secondary dormant seeds were analyzed using 2-D electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance were identified by mass spectrometry. Results showed that cold stratifications affected the variability of the highest number of spots, and there were more common spots with secondary dormancy than with warm stratification. The increase of mitochondrial proteins and actin during dormancy breaking suggests changes in cell functioning and seed preparation to germination. Secondary dor...
PeerJ, 2021
Aging is one of the most fundamental biological processes occurring in all forms of eukaryotic li... more Aging is one of the most fundamental biological processes occurring in all forms of eukaryotic life. Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) produce seeds in intervals of 5–10 years. Its yearly seed yield is usually very low, so there is a need for long-term seed storage to enable propagation of this species upon demand. Seeds for sowing must be of high quality but they are not easy to store without viability loss. Understanding the mechanism responsible for seed aging is therefore very important. We observed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria of embryonic axes and cotyledons of beech seeds during natural aging. The presence of ROS led to changes in compromised mitochondrial membrane integrity and in mitochondrial metabolism and morphology. In this study, we pointed to the involvement of mitochondria in the natural aging process of beech seeds, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this involvement are still unknown.
Trees
Key message Environmental stress resulting from rapid climate changes leads to the initiation of ... more Key message Environmental stress resulting from rapid climate changes leads to the initiation of the seed aging process in mitochondria and peroxisomes. Seed storage methods limiting germinability loss are fundamental for forest future. Abstract Seed aging is a natural process. It decreases the seed germination rate, i.e. the process is essential for the plant’s life cycle. Aging involves a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage over time. One of the main plant responses to stress is an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O 2 −• , H2O2 and •OH. If the concentration of ROS is too high, it causes damage of the structure of lipid membranes, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. Climate changes affect tree reproduction and may have long-term consequences in the form of reduced species dispersal and acquisition of new habitats. High temperatures accelerate the aging of seeds and decrease their viability. There is, therefore, an indisputable need to store fore...
Scientific Reports
Plant metal hyperaccumulators, to which Brassica juncea belongs, must have very efficient defence... more Plant metal hyperaccumulators, to which Brassica juncea belongs, must have very efficient defence mechanisms that enable growth and development in an environment polluted with various heavy metals. B. juncea (Indiana mustard) v. Małopolska was exposed to the activity of trace elements such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in combinations: CuPb, CuCd, CuZn, PbCd, PbZn, and ZnCd in a concentration of 25 μM each for 96 h during control cultivation. We observed a clear tendency for metal uptake and accumulation in above-ground parts which is characteristic of hyperaccumulators. The combinations of CuCd, CuZn, and PbCd inhibited the development of the seedlings the most. The used metal combinations increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as: hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2.−) and oxidized proteins in B. juncea organs, generating oxidative stress conditions in the cells. We determined the level of transcription of the respective defe...
Forests
In the present study, we examined the utility of proline usage as a biochemical indicator of meta... more In the present study, we examined the utility of proline usage as a biochemical indicator of metabolic changes caused by climate change (mean temperature and precipitation) during seed development of two Acer species differing in desiccation tolerance: Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.—desiccation tolerant—orthodox) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.—desiccation sensitive—recalcitrant). In plants, proline is an element of the antioxidant system, which has a role in response to water loss and high temperatures. Our study considered whether proline could be treated as an indicator of tree seed viability, crucial for genetic resources conservation. Proline content was measured biweekly in developing seeds (between 11 and 23 weeks after flowering) collected in consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019). We showed that proline concentrations in recalcitrant seeds were positively correlated with mean two-week temperature. In contrast, in orthodox seeds no such relationship was found. Prol...
Plants
The Pinus mugo complex includes several dozen closely related European mountain pines. The discri... more The Pinus mugo complex includes several dozen closely related European mountain pines. The discrimination of specific taxa within this complex is still extremely challenging, although numerous methodologies have been used to solve this problem, including morphological and anatomical analyses, cytological studies, allozyme variability, and DNA barcoding, etc. In this study, we used the seed total protein (STP) patterns to search for taxonomically interesting differences among three closely-related pine taxa from the Pinus mugo complex and five more distant species from the Pinaceae family. It was postulated that STP profiling can serve as the backup methodology for modern taxonomic research, in which more sophisticated analyses, i.e., based on the DNA barcoding approach, have been found to be useless. A quantitative analysis of the STP profiles revealed characteristic electrophoretic patterns for all the analyzed taxa from Pinaceae. STP profiling enabled the discrimination of closely...
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Thermoanalytical methods are widely used to study seed germination processes. Our research aimed ... more Thermoanalytical methods are widely used to study seed germination processes. Our research aimed to use them in order to monitor the germination of maize seeds. To this end, we employed—for the first time—the isothermal calorimetric method with full oxygen access. Dry seeds were placed in ampoules with threaded caps, filled with distilled water. Heat flow was recorded in microwatts at 20 °C for 72 h in order to determine changes in thermal power associated with germination. In parallel with these measurements, in the same time regime, we measured FT-Raman spectra, which allowed us to analyze how endosperm and embryo changed their chemical compositions during imbibition and germination. Spectra obtained for endosperm reflected chemical changes resulting from catabolic processes. We also analyzed variations in the secondary structure of proteins in the embryo accompanying germination. Decomposition of amide I bands proved that during germination and protein hydrolysis, the content of ...
Forests
Climate change leads to global drought-induced stress and increased plant mortality. Tree species... more Climate change leads to global drought-induced stress and increased plant mortality. Tree species living in rapidly changing climate conditions are exposed to danger and must adapt to new climate conditions to survive. Trees respond to changes in the environment in numerous ways. Physiological modulation at the seed stage, germination strategy and further development are influenced by many different factors. We review forest abiotic threats (such as drought and heat), including biochemical responses of plants to stress, and biotic threats (pathogens and insects) related to global warming. We then discus the varied adaptations of tree species to changing climate conditions such as seed resistance to environmental stress, improved by an increase in temperature, affinity to specific fungal symbionts, a wide range of tolerance to abiotic environmental conditions in the offspring of populations occurring in continental climate, and germination strategies closely linked to the ecological ...
Tree Physiology
The dormancy and the growth of trees in temperate climates are synchronized with seasons. Prepara... more The dormancy and the growth of trees in temperate climates are synchronized with seasons. Preparation for dormancy and its proper progression are key for survival and development in the next season. Using a unique approach that combined microscopy and proteomic methods, we investigated changes in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) embryonic shoots during four distinct stages of dormancy in natural weather conditions. We identified 13 proteins that varied among dormancy stages, and were linked to regulation of protein level; functioning of chloroplasts and other plastids; DNA and RNA regulation; and oxidative stress. We also found a group of five proteins, related to cold hardiness, that did not differ in expression among stages of dormancy, but had the highest abundancy level. Ultrastructure of organelles is tightly linked to their metabolic activity, and hence may indicate dormancy status. The observed ultrastructure during endodormancy was stable, whereas during ecodormancy, the structural changes were dynamic and related mainly to nucleus, plastids and mitochondria. At the ultrastructural level, the lack of starch and the presence of callose in plasmodesmata in all regions of embryonic shoot were indicators of full endodormancy. At the initiation of ecodormancy, we noted an increase in metabolic activity of organelles, tissue-specific starch hyperaccumulation and degradation. However, in proteomic analysis, we did not find variation in expression of proteins related to starch degradation or to symplastic isolation of cells. The combination of ultrastructural and proteomic methods gave a more complete picture of vegetative bud dormancy than either of them applied separately. We found some changes at the structural level, but not their analogues in the proteome. Our study suggests a very important role of plastids' organization and metabolism, and their protection in the course of dormancy and during the shift from endo-to ecodormancy and the acquisition of growth competence.
Metal hyperaccumulating plants should have extremely efficient defence mechanisms, enabling growt... more Metal hyperaccumulating plants should have extremely efficient defence mechanisms, enabling growth and development in a polluted environment. Brassica species are known to display hyperaccumulation capability. Brassica juncea (Indiana mustard) v. Malopolska plants were exposed to trace elements, i.e., cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), at a concentration of 50 M and were then harvested after 96 hours for analysis. We observed a high index of tolerance (IT), higher than 90%, for all B. juncea plants treated with the four metals, and we showed that Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulation was higher in the above-ground parts than in the roots. We estimated the metal effects on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of protein oxidation as well as on the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The obtained results indicate that organo-specific ROS generatio...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Seeds enable plant survival in harsh environmental conditions, and via seeds, genetic information... more Seeds enable plant survival in harsh environmental conditions, and via seeds, genetic information is transferred from parents to the new generation; this stage provides an opportunity for sessile plants to settle in new territories. However, seed viability decreases over long-term storage due to seed aging. For the effective conservation of gene resources, e.g., in gene banks, it is necessary to understand the causes of decreases in seed viability, not only where the aging process is initiated in seeds but also the sequence of events of this process. Mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, so they are more quickly and strongly exposed to oxidative damage than other organelles. The mitochondrial antioxidant system is also less active than the antioxidant systems of other organelles, thus such mitochondrial ‘defects’ can strongly affect various cell processes, including seed aging, which we discuss in this paper.
Functional Plant Biology
Mature seeds of Norway maple exhibit desiccation tolerance and deep physiological dormancy. Flow ... more Mature seeds of Norway maple exhibit desiccation tolerance and deep physiological dormancy. Flow cytometry, proteomics, and immunodetection have been combined to investigate seed development of this species. DNA content analysis revealed that cell cycle/endoreduplication activity differs between seed organs and developmental stages. In the embryo axis, the proportion of the nuclei with the highest DNA content (4C) increases at the beginning of maturation (17 weeks after flowering; WAF), and then is stable until the end of maturation, to increase again after drying. In cotyledons, during maturation endopolyploid nuclei (8C) occur and the intensity of endoreduplication increases up to 21 WAF, and then is stable until development is completed. In dry mature seeds, the proportion of 4C nuclei is high, and reaches 36% in the embryo axis and 52% in cotyledons. Proteomic studies revealed that energy and carbon metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, storage and antioxidant proteins are associ...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Annals of Forest Science
Key message Adequate storability of black poplar (Populus nigraL.) seeds at temperatures below 0 ... more Key message Adequate storability of black poplar (Populus nigraL.) seeds at temperatures below 0 °C was associated with preservation of proteins of energy and carbohydrate metabolism, protein turnover, and proteins maintaining long-term stability of dehydrated tissue. Context Understanding seed storability is a key factor for effective seed preservation and conservation. Black poplar is an endangered tree species and its seed loses rapidly viability during storage. Aims The aim of this study was to determine, and functionally characterise, the proteins associated with storability of black poplar seeds. Methods Dried seeds (7.1% MC) were stored at 3 °C, − 3 °C, − 20 °C, and − 196 °C, for a period of 12 and 24 months. Proteins were extracted and separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) and mass using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance for temperature and time of storage were identified by mass spectrometry. Results A germination test showed tha...
Proteomic data set containing protein identification parameters (ESI MS/MS) and GO annotation fun... more Proteomic data set containing protein identification parameters (ESI MS/MS) and GO annotation functional classification (UniProt and QuickGO). Identification parameters of differentially abundant proteins of black poplar (<em>Populus nigra</em> L.) seeds stored in different temperature (3, -3, -20 and -196°C) and time (12 and 24 months) conditions. Proteins were extracted and separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) and mass using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance for temperature and time of storage were identified by mass spectrometry (ESI MS/MS). The mascot search algorithm (http://www.matrixscience.com) was used for protein identification against the NCBInr (http://www.ncbi.nig.gov) databases.Identified proteins were grouped due to biological process, molecular function and subcellular localization according to the gene ontology (GO) annotation using UniProt database and QuickGO search (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/).
Plant Soil and Environment, 2021
Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as... more Soil nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common phenomenon that plagues both naturally growing plants as well as agricultural crops, ultimately affecting their growth and productivity. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of short-term N deprivation on secondary metabolites production in developing and mature leaves of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Two weeks under low-N conditions decrease plant growth, N concentration, and soluble proteins content in leaves. Reduction in photosynthesis intensity was also observed. A decrease of cyanogenic glycoside content under N-deficient conditions was most visible in mature leaves. However, the content of linamarin and lotaustralin was about 10-fold higher in younger than in mature leaves, in which play probably protective role due to the possibility of toxic HCN release. Despite the N deficit, flax plants accumulated nitrogen in cyanoglycosides. N from cyanoglycosides can be used to synthesise amino acids; this possibility is supported by...
Biotechnologia. Journal of Biotechnology, Computational Biology and Bionanotechnology, 2013
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020
Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose (Rosa canina L.) see... more Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose (Rosa canina L.) seeds are characterized by physical/physiological dormancy, which is broken during warm, followed by cold stratification. Exposing pretreated seeds to 20 °C resulted in the induction of secondary dormancy. The aim of this study was to identify and functionally characterize the proteins associated with dormancy control of rose seeds. Proteins from primary dormant, after warm and cold stratification (nondormant), and secondary dormant seeds were analyzed using 2-D electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance were identified by mass spectrometry. Results showed that cold stratifications affected the variability of the highest number of spots, and there were more common spots with secondary dormancy than with warm stratification. The increase of mitochondrial proteins and actin during dormancy breaking suggests changes in cell functioning and seed preparation to germination. Secondary dor...
PeerJ, 2021
Aging is one of the most fundamental biological processes occurring in all forms of eukaryotic li... more Aging is one of the most fundamental biological processes occurring in all forms of eukaryotic life. Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) produce seeds in intervals of 5–10 years. Its yearly seed yield is usually very low, so there is a need for long-term seed storage to enable propagation of this species upon demand. Seeds for sowing must be of high quality but they are not easy to store without viability loss. Understanding the mechanism responsible for seed aging is therefore very important. We observed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria of embryonic axes and cotyledons of beech seeds during natural aging. The presence of ROS led to changes in compromised mitochondrial membrane integrity and in mitochondrial metabolism and morphology. In this study, we pointed to the involvement of mitochondria in the natural aging process of beech seeds, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this involvement are still unknown.
Trees
Key message Environmental stress resulting from rapid climate changes leads to the initiation of ... more Key message Environmental stress resulting from rapid climate changes leads to the initiation of the seed aging process in mitochondria and peroxisomes. Seed storage methods limiting germinability loss are fundamental for forest future. Abstract Seed aging is a natural process. It decreases the seed germination rate, i.e. the process is essential for the plant’s life cycle. Aging involves a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage over time. One of the main plant responses to stress is an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O 2 −• , H2O2 and •OH. If the concentration of ROS is too high, it causes damage of the structure of lipid membranes, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. Climate changes affect tree reproduction and may have long-term consequences in the form of reduced species dispersal and acquisition of new habitats. High temperatures accelerate the aging of seeds and decrease their viability. There is, therefore, an indisputable need to store fore...
Scientific Reports
Plant metal hyperaccumulators, to which Brassica juncea belongs, must have very efficient defence... more Plant metal hyperaccumulators, to which Brassica juncea belongs, must have very efficient defence mechanisms that enable growth and development in an environment polluted with various heavy metals. B. juncea (Indiana mustard) v. Małopolska was exposed to the activity of trace elements such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in combinations: CuPb, CuCd, CuZn, PbCd, PbZn, and ZnCd in a concentration of 25 μM each for 96 h during control cultivation. We observed a clear tendency for metal uptake and accumulation in above-ground parts which is characteristic of hyperaccumulators. The combinations of CuCd, CuZn, and PbCd inhibited the development of the seedlings the most. The used metal combinations increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as: hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2.−) and oxidized proteins in B. juncea organs, generating oxidative stress conditions in the cells. We determined the level of transcription of the respective defe...
Forests
In the present study, we examined the utility of proline usage as a biochemical indicator of meta... more In the present study, we examined the utility of proline usage as a biochemical indicator of metabolic changes caused by climate change (mean temperature and precipitation) during seed development of two Acer species differing in desiccation tolerance: Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.—desiccation tolerant—orthodox) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.—desiccation sensitive—recalcitrant). In plants, proline is an element of the antioxidant system, which has a role in response to water loss and high temperatures. Our study considered whether proline could be treated as an indicator of tree seed viability, crucial for genetic resources conservation. Proline content was measured biweekly in developing seeds (between 11 and 23 weeks after flowering) collected in consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019). We showed that proline concentrations in recalcitrant seeds were positively correlated with mean two-week temperature. In contrast, in orthodox seeds no such relationship was found. Prol...
Plants
The Pinus mugo complex includes several dozen closely related European mountain pines. The discri... more The Pinus mugo complex includes several dozen closely related European mountain pines. The discrimination of specific taxa within this complex is still extremely challenging, although numerous methodologies have been used to solve this problem, including morphological and anatomical analyses, cytological studies, allozyme variability, and DNA barcoding, etc. In this study, we used the seed total protein (STP) patterns to search for taxonomically interesting differences among three closely-related pine taxa from the Pinus mugo complex and five more distant species from the Pinaceae family. It was postulated that STP profiling can serve as the backup methodology for modern taxonomic research, in which more sophisticated analyses, i.e., based on the DNA barcoding approach, have been found to be useless. A quantitative analysis of the STP profiles revealed characteristic electrophoretic patterns for all the analyzed taxa from Pinaceae. STP profiling enabled the discrimination of closely...
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Thermoanalytical methods are widely used to study seed germination processes. Our research aimed ... more Thermoanalytical methods are widely used to study seed germination processes. Our research aimed to use them in order to monitor the germination of maize seeds. To this end, we employed—for the first time—the isothermal calorimetric method with full oxygen access. Dry seeds were placed in ampoules with threaded caps, filled with distilled water. Heat flow was recorded in microwatts at 20 °C for 72 h in order to determine changes in thermal power associated with germination. In parallel with these measurements, in the same time regime, we measured FT-Raman spectra, which allowed us to analyze how endosperm and embryo changed their chemical compositions during imbibition and germination. Spectra obtained for endosperm reflected chemical changes resulting from catabolic processes. We also analyzed variations in the secondary structure of proteins in the embryo accompanying germination. Decomposition of amide I bands proved that during germination and protein hydrolysis, the content of ...
Forests
Climate change leads to global drought-induced stress and increased plant mortality. Tree species... more Climate change leads to global drought-induced stress and increased plant mortality. Tree species living in rapidly changing climate conditions are exposed to danger and must adapt to new climate conditions to survive. Trees respond to changes in the environment in numerous ways. Physiological modulation at the seed stage, germination strategy and further development are influenced by many different factors. We review forest abiotic threats (such as drought and heat), including biochemical responses of plants to stress, and biotic threats (pathogens and insects) related to global warming. We then discus the varied adaptations of tree species to changing climate conditions such as seed resistance to environmental stress, improved by an increase in temperature, affinity to specific fungal symbionts, a wide range of tolerance to abiotic environmental conditions in the offspring of populations occurring in continental climate, and germination strategies closely linked to the ecological ...
Tree Physiology
The dormancy and the growth of trees in temperate climates are synchronized with seasons. Prepara... more The dormancy and the growth of trees in temperate climates are synchronized with seasons. Preparation for dormancy and its proper progression are key for survival and development in the next season. Using a unique approach that combined microscopy and proteomic methods, we investigated changes in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) embryonic shoots during four distinct stages of dormancy in natural weather conditions. We identified 13 proteins that varied among dormancy stages, and were linked to regulation of protein level; functioning of chloroplasts and other plastids; DNA and RNA regulation; and oxidative stress. We also found a group of five proteins, related to cold hardiness, that did not differ in expression among stages of dormancy, but had the highest abundancy level. Ultrastructure of organelles is tightly linked to their metabolic activity, and hence may indicate dormancy status. The observed ultrastructure during endodormancy was stable, whereas during ecodormancy, the structural changes were dynamic and related mainly to nucleus, plastids and mitochondria. At the ultrastructural level, the lack of starch and the presence of callose in plasmodesmata in all regions of embryonic shoot were indicators of full endodormancy. At the initiation of ecodormancy, we noted an increase in metabolic activity of organelles, tissue-specific starch hyperaccumulation and degradation. However, in proteomic analysis, we did not find variation in expression of proteins related to starch degradation or to symplastic isolation of cells. The combination of ultrastructural and proteomic methods gave a more complete picture of vegetative bud dormancy than either of them applied separately. We found some changes at the structural level, but not their analogues in the proteome. Our study suggests a very important role of plastids' organization and metabolism, and their protection in the course of dormancy and during the shift from endo-to ecodormancy and the acquisition of growth competence.
Metal hyperaccumulating plants should have extremely efficient defence mechanisms, enabling growt... more Metal hyperaccumulating plants should have extremely efficient defence mechanisms, enabling growth and development in a polluted environment. Brassica species are known to display hyperaccumulation capability. Brassica juncea (Indiana mustard) v. Malopolska plants were exposed to trace elements, i.e., cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), at a concentration of 50 M and were then harvested after 96 hours for analysis. We observed a high index of tolerance (IT), higher than 90%, for all B. juncea plants treated with the four metals, and we showed that Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulation was higher in the above-ground parts than in the roots. We estimated the metal effects on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of protein oxidation as well as on the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The obtained results indicate that organo-specific ROS generatio...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Seeds enable plant survival in harsh environmental conditions, and via seeds, genetic information... more Seeds enable plant survival in harsh environmental conditions, and via seeds, genetic information is transferred from parents to the new generation; this stage provides an opportunity for sessile plants to settle in new territories. However, seed viability decreases over long-term storage due to seed aging. For the effective conservation of gene resources, e.g., in gene banks, it is necessary to understand the causes of decreases in seed viability, not only where the aging process is initiated in seeds but also the sequence of events of this process. Mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, so they are more quickly and strongly exposed to oxidative damage than other organelles. The mitochondrial antioxidant system is also less active than the antioxidant systems of other organelles, thus such mitochondrial ‘defects’ can strongly affect various cell processes, including seed aging, which we discuss in this paper.
Functional Plant Biology
Mature seeds of Norway maple exhibit desiccation tolerance and deep physiological dormancy. Flow ... more Mature seeds of Norway maple exhibit desiccation tolerance and deep physiological dormancy. Flow cytometry, proteomics, and immunodetection have been combined to investigate seed development of this species. DNA content analysis revealed that cell cycle/endoreduplication activity differs between seed organs and developmental stages. In the embryo axis, the proportion of the nuclei with the highest DNA content (4C) increases at the beginning of maturation (17 weeks after flowering; WAF), and then is stable until the end of maturation, to increase again after drying. In cotyledons, during maturation endopolyploid nuclei (8C) occur and the intensity of endoreduplication increases up to 21 WAF, and then is stable until development is completed. In dry mature seeds, the proportion of 4C nuclei is high, and reaches 36% in the embryo axis and 52% in cotyledons. Proteomic studies revealed that energy and carbon metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, storage and antioxidant proteins are associ...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Annals of Forest Science
Key message Adequate storability of black poplar (Populus nigraL.) seeds at temperatures below 0 ... more Key message Adequate storability of black poplar (Populus nigraL.) seeds at temperatures below 0 °C was associated with preservation of proteins of energy and carbohydrate metabolism, protein turnover, and proteins maintaining long-term stability of dehydrated tissue. Context Understanding seed storability is a key factor for effective seed preservation and conservation. Black poplar is an endangered tree species and its seed loses rapidly viability during storage. Aims The aim of this study was to determine, and functionally characterise, the proteins associated with storability of black poplar seeds. Methods Dried seeds (7.1% MC) were stored at 3 °C, − 3 °C, − 20 °C, and − 196 °C, for a period of 12 and 24 months. Proteins were extracted and separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) and mass using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance for temperature and time of storage were identified by mass spectrometry. Results A germination test showed tha...