Plant growth processes in Arabidopsis under microgravity conditions simulated by a clinostat.

Abstract

Plant growth processes in Arabidopsis under microgravity conditions simulated by a clinostat obvious changes in their growth processes. A clinostat has been used to compensate for the unilateral influence of gravity for a long period of time in the field of plant physiology (Sachs, 1882, Pfeffer 1904). The mechanisms of graviperception and gravireaction have been studied using the clinostat (Larsen 1953, Nick and Schafer 1989, Lorenzi and Perbal 1990, Hoson et al. 1992). A three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes is a useful device to have a much better simulation of microgravity (Hoson et al. 1992, 1993). The 3-D clinostat will be used for a long time period to examine the life cycle of plants. Hoson et al. examined various growth processes of higher plants grown under simulated microgravity on the 3-D clinostat. However, a life cycle of plants, e.g. processes from germination to flowering, has not been examined even with a clinostat, since the life cycle of land plants generally requires several months. In order to cultivate crops in space, we must learn whether or not plants are able to complete their life cycle under a

Effects of Clinorotation on Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Rice Seeds

“…An increase in the proton permeability and a decrease in the polar lipid content in pea chloroplasts were observed under slow clinorotation (2 rpm) (Mikhaylenko et al 2001) as well as an increase in HSP70 and HSP90 levels (Kozeko and Kordyum 2006). Clinostat rotation (3 rpm) did not affect development of leaves as well as germination but inhibited influorecsence growth in Arabidopsis (Ishii et al 1996).…”

Gene expression changes in Arabidopsis seedlings during short- to long-term exposure to 3-D clinorotation

“…Interestingly, it was noted that auxin transport was inhibited under simulated microgravity conditions (Ishii et al 1996). Therefore, the down-regulated pattern of IAA6 could be explained by impaired auxin transport under minimized gravity conditions.…”

Suitable Experimental Design for Determination of Auxin Polar Transport in Space Using a Spacecraft.

“…These facts suggest that the activity of auxin polar transport is correlated with the ability of stems to grow. We have already reported that the growth of inflorescence axes was reduced under simulated microgravity conditions on a clinostat and the activities of auxin polar transport in inflorescence axes of Arabidopsis thaliana grown on a simulated microgravity conditions were also lower than those grown on 1 g conditions (Oka et al 1995, Ishii et al 1996.…”