Co-Authors:
Damari-Weissler, H., Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Rachamilevitch, S., Albert Katz Department of Dryland Biotechnologies, Sede Boqer Campus, Ben Gurion University, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 84990, Israel
Aloni, R., Department of Plant Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
German, M.A., Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Cohen, S., Institute of Soils, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Zwieniecki, M.A., Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
Michele Holbrook, N., Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
Granot, D., Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
It has been suggested that LeFRK2, the major fructose-phosphorylating enzyme in tomato plants, may be required for stem xylem development. Yet, we do not know if this enzyme affects the development of individual vessels, whether it affects water conductance, or whether it affects phloem development and sugar transport. Here, we show that suppression of LeFRK2 results in a significant reduction in the size of vascular cells and slows fiber maturation. The vessels in stems of LeFRK2-antisense plants are narrower than in WT plants and have thinner secondary cell walls. Although the cambium produces rounded secondary vessels, these vessels become deformed during the early stages of xylem maturation. Water conductance is then reduced in stems, roots, and leaves, suggesting that LeFRK2 influences xylem development throughout the entire vascular system. Interestingly, the build-up of positive xylem pressure under static (no-flow) conditions was also decreased. Suppression of LeFRK2 reduced the length and width of the sieve elements, as well as callose deposition. To examine the effect of LeFRK2 suppression on phloem transport, we created triple-grafted plants in which a portion of the wild-type stem was replaced with an antisense interstcok, and compared the contents of the transported sugar, sucrose, in the different portions of these stems. Sucrose contents above and within the LeFRK2-antisense interstock were significantly higher than those below the graft. These results show that the antisense interstock restricted the downward movement of sucrose, suggesting that LeFRK2 is required for both phloem and xylem development. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.
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