Borst, W. M. 1990. Physiological changes in asparagus spear tips after harvest. -Physiol. Plant. 80: 393-400.To extend our understanding of the physiology of asparagus after harvest, changes in respiration rate, protein and amino add complement, and ultrastructure of tip sections (0-30 mm) of asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Limbras 10) were investigated. Spears had been stored for up to 4 days in the d,ark at 20°C. Respiration rate (carbon dioxide efflux) declined rapidly after harvest before stabilizing at 12 h at ca 50% of the rate at harvest. Protein, amino acid, and ammonium content of tip sections of 180 mm spears (intact tip sections) during storage, and comparable sections excised from spears at harvest and subsequently stored (excised tip sections), were compared. Total protein content of intact and excised tip sections increased ca 10% 6-12 h after harvest, and then declined to ca 85% of harvest levels at 48 h. Gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate revealed the net loss of specific proteins at 48 h. Free amino acid content of excised tip sections declined to ca 75% of harvest levels 12 h after harvest, and then increased to 150% of harvest levels by 48 h. Glutamine levels declined rapidly after harvest, and asparagine content increased ca 200% at 24 h. Similar trends in free amino acid content were found in sections of intact tips. Ammonia (ammonium ions) accumulated to ca 0.3% dry weight at 48 h in both intact and excised tip sections. Ultrastructural studies revealed that tonoplast breakdown commenced 48-96 h after harvest. Results are discussed in relation to the sequence of physiological events following harvest and the timing of mechanisms responsible for their initiation.
The signals controlling the abundance of transcripts up-regulated (pTIP27, pTIP31, and pTIP32) or down-regulated (pTIP20 and pTIP21) after harvest in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) spears were examined. pTIP27 and pTIP31 are known to encode asparagine synthetase (AS) and a β-galactosidase (β-gal) homolog, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of pTIP20, pTIP21, and pTIP32 were determined, and they encode histone 3, histone 2B, and an unknown product, respectively. Changes in respiration, soluble sugars, and abundance of the five mRNAs were similar in the tips stored as 30-mm lengths or as part of 180-mm spears. We previously hypothesized that sugars may regulate the level of AS transcripts in asparagus tissue. Asparagus cell cultures were used to test the role of sugar status in regulating gene expression. Transcript abundance for AS, β-gal, and pTIP32 was low in cells in sugar-containing medium but increased within 12 h after transferring cells to a sugar-free medium. Histone 3 and histone 2B transcripts were, in general, abundant in cells on sugar-containing medium but declined in abundance when transferred to sugar-free medium. When cells were returned to sugar-containing medium the abundance of transcripts for histone 3 and histone 2B increased, whereas that for AS, β-gal, and pTIP32 decreased. Soluble sugar levels are known to decline rapidly in the tips of harvested spears. Metabolic regulation by sugar status may have a major influence on gene expression in asparagus spears and other tissues after harvest.
~Changes in gene expression and tissue composition were investigated during foliar development and natural senescence of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.). Three phases in development and senescence of the foliage were characterized: early fern growth, mature fern, and senescence, when a marked loss of chlorophyll, sucrose, and protein occurred and major changes in translatable mRNAs were detected. Transcripts for three asparagus spear harvest-induced cDNA clones, pTIP9, pTIP11, and pTIP12 (G.A. King and K.M. Davies [1992] Plant Physiol 100: 1661-1669), accumulated during natural foliar senescence, suggesting that the underlying regulatory mechanisms may be similar in both developmental situations. We have used our knowledge of asparagus spear physiology, the probable proteins encoded by the cDNA clones, and our fern development data to propose that sugar depletion regulates the accumulation of at least pTlP12 transcripts in senescing asparagus tissue.
To extend our understanding of the physiology of asparagus after harvest, changes in respiration rate, protein and amino acid complement, and ultrastructure of tip sections (0–30 mm) of asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Limbras 10) were investigated. Spears had been stored for up to 4 days in the dark at 20°C. Respiration rate (carbon dioxide efflux) declined rapidly after harvest before stabilizing at 12 h at ca 50% of the rate at harvest. Protein, amino acid, and ammonium content of tip sections of 180 mm spears (intact tip sections) during storage, and comparable sections; excised from spears at harvest and subsequently stored (excised tip sections), were compared. Total protein content of intact and excised tip sections increased ca 10% 6–12 h after harvest, and then declined to ca 85% of harvest levels at 48 h. Gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate revealed the net loss of specific proteins at 48 h. Free amino acid content of excised tip sections declined to ca 75% of harvest levels 12 h after harvest, and then increased to 150% of harvest levels by 48 h. Glutamine levels declined rapidly after harvest, and asparagine content increased ca 200% at 24 h. Similar trends in free amino acid content were found in sections of intact tips. Ammonia (ammonium ions) accumulated to ca 0.3% dry weight at 48 h in both intact and excised tip sections. Ultrastructural studies revealed that tonoplast breakdown commenced 48–96 h after harvest. Results are discussed in relation to the sequence of physiological events following harvest and the timing of mechanisms responsible for their initiation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.