Analysis of seed development in siliques from wild type (WT), <i>atvdac1</i> and reciprocal crosses between WT and <i>atvdac1</i>, showing that female fertility is affected.

<p>The statistical analysis was performed in siliques from 50-day-old plants after transplantion into the soil.</p>a<p>40 siliques were examined.</p>b<p>20 siliques were examined.</p><p>Analysis of seed development in siliques from wild type (WT), <i>atvdac1</i> and reciprocal crosses between WT and <i>atvdac1</i>, showing that female fertility is affected.</p

<i>Arabidopsis</i> Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 (AtVDAC1) Is Required for Female Development and Maintenance of Mitochondrial Functions Related to Energy-Transaction

<div><p>The voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), prominently localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane, play important roles in the metabolite exchange, energy metabolism and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis process in mammalian cells. However, relatively little is known about the functions of VDACs in plants. To further investigate the function of AtVDAC1 in <i>Arabidopsis</i>, we analyzed a T-DNA insertion line for the <i>AtVDAC1</i> gene. The knock-out mutant <i>atvdac1</i> showed reduced seed set due to a large number of undeveloped ovules in siliques. Genetic analyses indicated that the mutation of <i>AtVDAC1</i> affected female fertility and belonged to a sporophytic mutation. Abnormal ovules in the process of female gametogenesis were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Interestingly, both mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ) and ATP synthesis rate were obviously reduced in the mitochondria isolated from <i>atvdac1</i> plants.</p></div

Ovule development in wild-type (WT) and <i>atvdac1</i> siliques revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).

<p>(A–F) Female gametogenesis in WT siliques at stage FG1 (A), FG3 (B), FG4 (C), early FG5 (D), late FG5 (E), FG6 (F). (G–L) Abnormal ovules in <i>atvdac1</i> siliques at stage FG1 (G), FG3 (H), FG4 (I), FG5 (J, K), FG6 (L). Abbreviations: AN, antipodal nucleus (nuclei); CN, chalazal nucleus (nuclei); CcN, central cell nucleus; CPN, chalazal polar nucleus; DM, degenerated megaspores; DS, degenerated structure; EN, egg cell nucleus; FM, functional megaspore; MN, micropylar nucleus (nuclei); MPN, micropylar polar nucleus; N, nucleus; PN, polar nuclei; SN, synergid nuclei; V, vacuole. Bars = 20 µm.</p

The segregation ratio of progeny from <i>atvdac1</i>/+ selfed and reciprocal crosses between wild type (WT) and <i>atvdac1</i>/+.

<p>TE, transmission efficiency  =  (W1+W2)/WO ×100%; TE_F, female transmission efficiency. </p><p>TE_M, male transmission efficiency; NA, not applicable.</p>a<p>The ratio was calculated using seeds from ten <i>atvdac1</i>/+ plants.</p>b<p>The ratio was calculated using seeds from eight plants.</p><p>The segregation ratio of progeny from <i>atvdac1</i>/+ selfed and reciprocal crosses between wild type (WT) and <i>atvdac1</i>/+.</p

Reciprocal crosses show that female fertility was affected.

<p>(A) Seed development in representative siliques of reciprocal crosses using pollen from <i>atvdac1</i> plants to pollinate wild-type (WT) pistils and using pollen from WT plants to pollinate <i>atvdac1</i> pistils. The arrows indicate undeveloped ovules. Bars = 1 mm. (B) Seed development in the representative <i>atvdac1</i>/+ selfed silique and in representative siliques from reciprocal crosses between WT and atvdac1/+. Bars = 1 mm.</p

Molecular confirmation of isolated <i>atvdac1</i> mutant and its gene complementation.

<p>(A) Schematic diagram of the <i>AtVDAC1</i> gene structure and the T-DNA insertion sites in the <i>atvdac1</i> mutant. Closed boxes indicate exons, and arrowheads indicate the positions of primers used for genotyping. The start and stop codons are labeled. (B) Homozygous <i>atvdac1</i> plants were complemented with the transgene (<i>AtVDAC1 promoter:AtVDAC1</i> genomic DNA). Six independent transgenic lines, wild type (WT) and the <i>atvdac1</i> mutant were analyzed by genomic PCR amplification. (C) Expression of the <i>AtVDAC1</i> gene was analyzed by RT-PCR in the six independent complemented lines, WT and the <i>atvdac1</i> mutant. The <i>UBQ5</i> transcript was amplified as an internal control.</p

Adsorption Removal of Glycidyl Esters from Palm Oil and Oil Model Solution by Using Acid-Washed Oil Palm Wood-Based Activated Carbon: Kinetic and Mechanism Study

Acid-washed oil palm wood-based activated carbon (OPAC) has been investigated for its potential application as a promising adsorbent in the removal of glycidyl esters (GEs) from both palm oil and oil model (hexadecane) solution. It was observed that the removal rate of GEs in palm oil was up to >95%, which was significantly higher than other adsorbents used in this study. In batch adsorption system, the adsorption efficiency and performance of acid-washed OPAC were evaluated as a function of several experimental parameters such as contact time, initial glycidyl palmitate (PGE) concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium isotherm, and the equilibrium data were fitted best by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of acid-washed OPAC was found to be 36.23 mg/g by using the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption of PGE on acid-washed OPAC was an endothermic and physical process in nature. The experimental data were fitted by using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. It was found that the kinetic of PGE adsorption onto acid-washed OPAC followed well the pseudo-second-order model for various initial PGE concentrations and the adsorption process was controlled by both film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. The desorption test indicated the removal of GEs from palm oil was attributed to not only the adsorption of GEs on acid-washed OPAC, but also the degradation of GEs adsorbed at activated sites with acidic character. Furthermore, no significant difference between before and after PGE adsorption in oil quality was observed

Expression pattern of AtVDAC1 in Arabidopsis, showing that GUS stains were observed in seedling (A), root tip (B), inflorescence (C), flower (D), rosette leaf (E), and silique (F) in transgenic plants carrying the <i>AtVDAC1 promoter:GUS</i> construction.

<p>Bars = 2 mm (A), 200 µm (B), 1 mm (C), 500 µm (D), 2 mm (E), and 1 mm (F).</p

The atvdac1 mutation caused shorter siliques and reduced seed set.

<p>(A) Representative siliques from wild-type (WT) and <i>atvdac1</i> mutant plants. (B) Seed development in the representative siliques from WT and <i>atvdac1</i> mutant plants. The arrows indicate undeveloped ovules and the arrowhead indicates the aborted seed. Bars = 1 mm.</p

Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ) and ATP synthesis rate were lower in <i>atvdac1</i> than those in wild type (WT).

<p>(A) Isolated mitochondria (1 mg/mL) prepared from WT and <i>atvdac1</i> mutant plants were treated with Rhodamine123 (Rh123) for 20 min, and ΔΨ was measured by Rh123 uptake. (B) ATP synthesis rate was measured in mitochondria prepared from WT and <i>atvdac1</i> mutant plants. Error bars represent SD (n≥3). Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between <i>atvdac1</i> and WT (Student's <i>t</i>-test), **P<0.01.</p