Masahiro Sakamoto

Bio: Masahiro Sakamoto is an academic researcher from Kyoto University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Lignin & Gene. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 54 publications receiving 1079 citations.

A unique sequence located downstream from the rice mitochondrial atp6 may cause male sterility

Abstract: Asymmetric cell-fusion of the japonica cultivar ofOryza sativa (rice) with cytoplasmic-male-sterile (CMS) plants bearing cytoplasm derived from Chinsurah Boro II, resulted in two classes of cytoplasmic hybrids (cybrids), fertile and CMS. Southern-blot analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicates recombination events around a number of genes; however, the appearance of the CMS character is tightly correlated to reorganization around theatp6 gene, suggesting recombination downstream from theatp6 gene is involved in CMS. The nucleotide sequence downstream fromatp6 contains a pseudogene which was probably created by recombination of the mitochondrial genome. Sense and antisense transcripts of the downstream region ofatp6 were found in CMS-and restored CMS (fertile)-lines, but not in the normal (fertile) line. In the CMS line, several antisense transcripts of theatp6 gene were also found. However, in the restored line which contains a nuclear-encoded gene,Rf-1, the levels of these transcripts were lower than in the CMS line. These results suggest abnormal transcripts of theatp6 gene produced in the antisense direction may be involved in CMS, and that products of the nuclear-encoded restorer gene may reduce abnormal transcription in this region of the mitochondrial genome.

High-throughput determination of thioglycolic acid lignin from rice

Abstract: For research and development of plants suitable for forage and biofuel production, the development of a high-throughput system of lignin determination, especially for herbaceous species, is important. However, currently available methods for lignin determination are not suitable for high-throughput analysis of herbaceous samples. In this paper, we describe a straightforward, high-throughput method for lignin determination as thioglycolic acid lignin from rice straw using disposable plastic microtubes, TissueLyser, and a UV microplate reader. We successfully plotted calibration curves derived from the readings of a spectrophotometer and a microplate reader using thioglycolic acid lignin prepared from bamboo milled wood lignin as a lignin standard. Based on the calibration curve, we could determine the lignin content in various organs from dried rice straw and rice seedlings. We confirmed that 20 mg of dried material from rice plants is adequate for stable determination of the lignin content. Using this method, 100 independent samples from rice straw can be analyzed in three days per person.

Microwave heating of tea residue yields polysaccharides, polyphenols, and plant biopolyester.

Abstract: Microwave heating was used to produce aqueous-soluble components from green, oolong, and black tea residues. Heating at 200-230 °C for 2 min extracted 40-50% of polysaccharides and 60-70% of the polyphenols. Solubilization of arabinose and galactose by autohydrolysis occurred with heating above 170 °C, whereas heating above 200 °C was necessary to solubilize xylose. Catechins were soluble in water by heating at low temperature (110 °C); however, new polyphenols having strong antioxidant activity were produced above 200 °C. The amount of solubilized materials and antioxidant activity increased with increased fermentation of harvested tea leaves (green tea < oolong tea < black tea). Cutin, a plant biopolyester, remained in the residue after heating as did cellulose and lignin/tannin. The predominant cutin monomer that was recovered was 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, followed by dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid and 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

Regulation of CONIFERALDEHYDE 5-HYDROXYLASE expression to modulate cell wall lignin structure in rice

Abstract: Regulation of a gene encoding coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase leads to substantial alterations in lignin structure in rice cell walls, identifying a promising genetic engineering target for improving grass biomass utilization. The aromatic composition of lignin greatly affects utilization characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass and, therefore, has been one of the primary targets of cell wall engineering studies. Limited information is, however, available regarding lignin modifications in monocotyledonous grasses, despite the fact that grass lignocelluloses have a great potential for feedstocks of biofuel production and various biorefinery applications. Here, we report that manipulation of a gene encoding coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (CAld5H, or ferulate 5-hydroxylase, F5H) leads to substantial alterations in syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) lignin aromatic composition in rice (Oryza sativa), a major model grass and commercially important crop. Among three CAld5H genes identified in rice, OsCAld5H1 (CYP84A5) appeared to be predominantly expressed in lignin-producing rice vegetative tissues. Down-regulation of OsCAld5H1 produced altered lignins largely enriched in G units, whereas up-regulation of OsCAld5H1 resulted in lignins enriched in S units, as revealed by a series of wet-chemical and NMR structural analyses. Our data collectively demonstrate that OsCAld5H1 expression is a major factor controlling S/G lignin composition in rice cell walls. Given that S/G lignin composition affects various biomass properties, we contemplate that manipulation of CAld5H gene expression represents a promising strategy to upgrade grass biomass for biorefinery applications.

Phytochemicals: Extraction, Isolation, and Identification of Bioactive Compounds from Plant Extracts

Abstract: There are concerns about using synthetic phenolic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as food additives because of the reported negative effects on human health. Thus, a replacement of these synthetics by antioxidant extractions from various foods has been proposed. More than 8000 different phenolic compounds have been characterized; fruits and vegetables are the prime sources of natural antioxidants. In order to extract, measure, and identify bioactive compounds from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, researchers use multiple techniques and methods. This review includes a brief description of a wide range of different assays. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties of phenolic natural products from fruits and vegetables are also discussed.

Chloroplast genomes: diversity, evolution, and applications in genetic engineering

Abstract: Chloroplasts play a crucial role in sustaining life on earth. The availability of over 800 sequenced chloroplast genomes from a variety of land plants has enhanced our understanding of chloroplast biology, intracellular gene transfer, conservation, diversity, and the genetic basis by which chloroplast transgenes can be engineered to enhance plant agronomic traits or to produce high-value agricultural or biomedical products. In this review, we discuss the impact of chloroplast genome sequences on understanding the origins of economically important cultivated species and changes that have taken place during domestication. We also discuss the potential biotechnological applications of chloroplast genomes.

Interactions of Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genes That Affect Male Gametophyte Development

Abstract: Apart from their agronomic importance in hybrid seed production, mutations that encode cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) provide a means to probe the role of the mitochondrion in reproductive development. Fertility restorers are examples of nuclear genes that affect cytoplasmic gene expression, and

Lignins: Biosynthesis and Biological Functions in Plants

Abstract: Lignin is one of the main components of plant cell wall and it is a natural phenolic polymer with high molecular weight, complex composition and structure. Lignin biosynthesis extensively contributes to plant growth, tissue/organ development, lodging resistance and the responses to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present review, we systematically introduce the biosynthesis of lignin and its regulation by genetic modification and summarize the main biological functions of lignin in plants and their applications. We hope this review will give an in-depth understanding of the important roles of lignin biosynthesis in various plants’ biological processes and provide a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of lignin content and composition in energy plants and crops.

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility of Rice with Boro II Cytoplasm Is Caused by a Cytotoxic Peptide and Is Restored by Two Related PPR Motif Genes via Distinct Modes of mRNA Silencing

Abstract: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nucleus-controlled fertility restoration are widespread plant reproductive features that provide useful tools to exploit heterosis in crops. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this kind of cytoplasmic-nuclear interaction remains unclear. Here, we show in rice (Oryza sativa) with Boro II cytoplasm that an abnormal mitochondrial open reading frame, orf79, is cotranscribed with a duplicated atp6 (B-atp6) gene and encodes a cytotoxic peptide. Expression of orf79 in CMS lines and transgenic rice plants caused gametophytic male sterility. Immunoblot analysis showed that the ORF79 protein accumulates specifically in microspores. Two fertility restorer genes, Rf1a and Rf1b, were identified at the classical locus Rf-1 as members of a multigene cluster that encode pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. RF1A and RF1B are both targeted to mitochondria and can restore male fertility by blocking ORF79 production via endonucleolytic cleavage (RF1A) or degradation (RF1B) of dicistronic B-atp6/orf79 mRNA. In the presence of both restorers, RF1A was epistatic over RF1B in the mRNA processing. We have also shown that RF1A plays an additional role in promoting the editing of atp6 mRNAs, independent of its cleavage function.