New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1111/nph.17934
SlFHY3 and SlHY5 act compliantly to enhance cold tolerance through the integration of myo-inositol and light signaling in tomato.
College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110866, China.; National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang, 110866, China.; College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China.; College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
Plants have evolved sophisticated regulatory networks to cope with dynamically changing light and temperature environments during day-night and seasonal cycles. However, the integration mechanisms of light and low temperature remain largely unclear. Here, we show that low red:far-red ratio (L-R/FR) induces FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (SlFHY3) transcription under cold stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Reverse genetic approaches revealed that knocking out SlFHY3 decreases myo-inositol accumulation and increases cold susceptibility, while overexpressing SlFHY3 induces myo-inositol accumulation and enhances cold tolerance in tomato plants. SlFHY3 physically interacts with ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (SlHY5) to promote the transcriptional activity of SlHY5 on MYO-INOSITOL-1-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 3 (SlMIPS3) and induce myo-inositol accumulation in tomato plants under cold stress. Disruption of SlHY5 and SlMIPS3 largely suppresses the cold tolerance of SlFHY3-overexpressing plants and myo-inositol accumulation in tomato. Furthermore, silencing of SlMIPS3 drastically reduces myo-inositol accumulation and compromises L-R/FR-induced cold tolerance in tomato. Together, our results reveal a crucial role of SlFHY3 in L-R/FR-induced cold tolerance in tomato, and unravel a novel regulatory mechanism whereby plants integrate dynamic environmental light signals and internal cues (inositol biosynthesis) to induce and control cold tolerance in tomato plants.
PMID: 34936108
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1111/pce.14241
Norway spruce deploys tissue-specific responses during acclimation to cold.
Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umea, Sweden.; Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.
Climate change in the conifer-dominated boreal forest is expected to lead to warmer but more dynamic winter air temperatures, reducing the depth and duration of snow cover and lowering winter soil temperatures. To gain insight into the mechanisms that have enabled conifers to dominate extreme cold environments, we performed genome-wide RNA-Seq analysis from needles and roots of non-dormant two-year Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst), and contrasted these response to herbaceous model Arabidopsis We show that the main transcriptional response of Norway spruce needles exposed to cold was delayed relative to Arabidopsis, and this delay was associated with slower development of freezing tolerance. Despite this difference in timing, Norway spruce principally utilizes early response transcription factors (TFs) belonging to the same gene families as Arabidopsis, indicating broad evolutionary conservation of cold response networks. In keeping with their different metabolic and developmental states, needles and root of Norway spruce showed contrasting results. Regulatory network analysis identified both conserved TFs with known roles in cold acclimation (e.g. homologs of ICE1, AKS3, and of the NAC and AP2/ERF superfamilies), but also a root-specific bHLH101 homolog, providing functional insights into cold stress response strategies in Norway spruce.
PMID: 34873720
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab555
Genome-wide association study identifies variants of GhSAD1 conferring cold tolerance in cotton.
State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang, China.; Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Cold stress is a major environmental factor affecting plant growth and development. Although some plants have developed resistance to cold stress, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Using genome-wide association mapping (GWAS) with 200 cotton accessions collected from different regions, we identified variations in the short chain alcohol dehydrogenase gene, GhSAD1, that responds to cold stress. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and overexpression in Arabidopsis revealed that GhSAD1 fulfils important roles in cold-stress responses. Ectopic expression of GhSAD1HapB in Arabidopsis increased cold tolerance. Silencing of GhSAD1HapB resulted in a decrease in abscisic acid (ABA) content. Conversely, overexpression of GhSAD1HapB increased ABA contents. GhSAD1HapB regulates cold stress responses in cotton through modulation of C-repeat binding factor activity, which regulates ABA signalling. GhSAD1HapB induces the expression of COLD-REGULATED (COR) genes and increases the levels of metabolites associated with cold stress tolerance. Overexpression of GhSAD1HapB partially complements the phenotype of the aba2-1 mutant. Collectively, the findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying GhSAD1-mediated cold-stress responses in cotton.
PMID: 34919655
Front Nutr , IF:6.576 , 2021 , V8 : P769715 doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.769715
Revealing the Specific Regulations of Brassinolide on Tomato Fruit Chilling Injury by Integrated Multi-Omics.
Key Laboratory of Vegetable Post-harvest Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Institute of Agri-Food Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China.; Beijing Key Laboratory of Fruits and Vegetable Storage and Processing, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Institute of Agri-Food Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China.; Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China) of Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China.; Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (North) of Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China.; State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China.; School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Tomato fruit is susceptible to chilling injury (CI) when stored at low temperatures, limiting its storage potential, and resulting in economic loss if inappropriate temperatures are used. Brassinolide (BR) is a plant growth regulator that is known to decrease the susceptibility of fruit to CI. In this study, transcriptome, metabolome, and proteome analysis revealed the regulation mechanism of BR treatment in alleviating tomato fruit CI. The results showed that the differentially expressed metabolites mainly included amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in plant cold stress response (HSFA3, SHSP, and TPR), fruit redox process (POD, PAL, and LOX), related to the fruit texture (CESA, beta-Gal, and PAE), plant hormone signal transduction (ACS3, ARF, and ERF,), transcription factors (TCP, bHLH, GATA). Moreover, differentially expressed proteins were associated with fruit texture (CESA, PE, PL, and CHI), plant oxidation processes (LOX, GPX, CAT, and POD), plant cold stress response (HSF, HSP20, HSP70, and HSP90B), plant hormone signal transduction (BSK1 and JAR1) and transcription factors (WRKY and MYB). Our study showed that BR alleviates CI symptoms of tomato fruit by regulating LOX in the alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathway, enhancing jasmonic acid-CoA (JA-CoA) synthesis, inhibiting cell wall and membrane lipid damage. The results provided a theoretical basis for further study on the CI mechanism of tomato fruit.
PMID: 34926549
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1111/tpj.15647
Eugenol functions as a signal mediating cold and drought tolerance via UGT71A59-mediated glucosylation in tea plants.
State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China.; Biotechnology of Natural Products, Technische Universitat Munchen, Liesel-Beckmann-Str. 1, 85354, Freising, Germany.
PMID: 34931743
Antioxidants (Basel) , IF:6.312 , 2021 Dec , V10 (12) doi: 10.3390/antiox10122024
Spatial-Temporal Response of Reactive Oxygen Species and Salicylic Acid Suggest Their Interaction in Pumpkin Rootstock-Induced Chilling Tolerance in Watermelon Plants.
Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Grafting with pumpkin rootstock could improve chilling tolerance in watermelon, and salicylic acid (SA) as a signal molecule is involved in regulating plant tolerance to chilling and other abiotic stresses. To clarify the mechanism in pumpkin rootstock-induced systemic acquired acclimation in grafted watermelon under chilling stress, we used self-grafted (Cl/Cl) and pumpkin rootstock-grafted (Cl/Cm) watermelon seedlings to study the changes in lipid peroxidation, photosystem II (PSII) activity and antioxidant metabolism, the spatio-temporal response of SA biosynthesis and H2O2 accumulation to chilling, and the role of H2O2 signal in SA-induced chilling tolerance in grafted watermelon. The results showed that pumpkin rootstock grafting promoted SA biosynthesis in the watermelon scions. Chilling induced hydrolysis of conjugated SA into free SA in the roots and accumulation of free SA in the leaves in Cl/Cm plants. Further, pumpkin rootstock grafting induced early response of antioxidant enzyme system in the roots and increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the leaves, thus maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Exogenous SA improved while the inhibition of SA biosynthesis reduced chilling tolerance in Cl/Cl seedlings. The application of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) and dimethylthiourea (DMTU, H2O2 scavenger) decreased, while exogenous H2O2 improved the PSII activity in Cl/Cl plants under chilling stress. Additionally, the decrease of the net photosynthetic rate in DMTU- and DPI-pretreated Cl/Cl plants under chilling conditions could be alleviated by subsequent application of H2O2 but not SA. In conclusion, pumpkin rootstock grafting induces SA biosynthesis and redistribution in the leaves and roots and participates in the regulation of antioxidant metabolism probably through interaction with the H2O2 signal, thus improving chilling tolerance in watermelon.
PMID: 34943126
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf , IF:6.291 , 2021 Dec , V226 : P112816 doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112816
Addressing the challenge of cold stress resilience with the synergistic effect of Rhizobium inoculation and exogenous melatonin application in Medicago truncatula.
College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: yangpeizhi@126.com.; College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: hutianming@126.com.
Cold stress is an adverse environmental condition that limits the growth and yield of leguminous plants. Thus, discovering an effective way of ameliorating cold-mediated damage is important for sustainable legume production. In this study, the combined use of Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and melatonin (MT) pretreatment was investigated in Medicago truncatula plants under cold stress. Eight-week-old seedlings were divided into eight groups: (i) CK (no stress, noninoculated, no MT), (ii) RI (Rhizobium inoculated), (iii) MT (75 muM melatonin), (iv) RI+MT, (v) CS (cold stress at 4 degrees C without Rhizobium inoculation and melatonin), (vi) CS+RI, (vii) CS+MT, and (viii) CS+RI+MT. Plants were exposed to cold stress for 24 hrs. Cold stress decreased photosynthetic pigments and increased oxidative stress. Pretreatment with RI and MT alone or combined significantly improved root activity and plant biomass production under cold stress. Interestingly, chlorophyll contents increased by 242.81% and MDA levels dramatically decreased by 34.22% in the CS+RI+MT treatment compared to the CS treatment. Moreover, RI+MT pretreatment improved the antioxidative ability by increasing the activities of peroxidase (POD; 8.45%), superoxide dismutase (SOD; 50.36%), catalase (CAT; 140.26%), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 42.63%) over CS treated plants. Additionally, increased osmolyte accumulation, nutrient uptake, and nitrate reductase activity due to the combined use of RI and MT helped the plants counteract cold-mediated damage by strengthening the nonenzymatic antioxidant system. These data indicate that pretreatment with a combined application of RI and MT can attenuate cold damage by enhancing the antioxidation ability of legumes.
PMID: 34597844
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2021 Dec , V22 (24) doi: 10.3390/ijms222413229
Hydrogen Sulfide Improves the Cold Stress Resistance through the CsARF5-CsDREB3 Module in Cucumber.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Key Laboratory of Crop Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops in Huanghuai Region, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
As an important gas signaling molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a crucial role in regulating cold tolerance. H2S cooperates with phytohormones such as abscisic acid, ethylene, and salicylic acid to regulate the plant stress response. However, the synergistic regulation of H2S and auxin in the plant response to cold stress has not been reported. This study showed that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an H2S donor) treatment enhanced the cold stress tolerance of cucumber seedlings and increased the level of auxin. CsARF5, a cucumber auxin response factor (ARF) gene, was isolated, and its role in regulating H2S-mediated cold stress tolerance was described. Transgenic cucumber leaves overexpressing CsARF5 were obtained. Physiological analysis indicated that overexpression of CsARF5 enhanced the cold stress tolerance of cucumber and the regulation of the cold stress response by CsARF5 depends on H2S. In addition, molecular assays showed that CsARF5 modulated cold stress response by directly activating the expression of the dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB)/C-repeat binding factor (CBF) gene CsDREB3, which was identified as a positive regulator of cold stress. Taken together, the above results suggest that CsARF5 plays an important role in H2S-mediated cold stress in cucumber. These results shed light on the molecular mechanism by which H2S regulates cold stress response by mediating auxin signaling; this will provide insights for further studies on the molecular mechanism by which H2S regulates cold stress. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of H2S regulating cold tolerance of cucumber seedlings and provide a theoretical basis for the further study of cucumber cultivation and environmental adaptability technology in winter.
PMID: 34948028
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P797276 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.797276
Genome-Wide Analysis of DEAD-box RNA Helicase Family in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Functional Identification of TaDEAD-box57 in Abiotic Stress Responses.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.; Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China.; Hebei Key Laboratory of Crop Salt-Alkali Stress Tolerance Evaluation and Genetic Improvement/Cangzhou Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Cangzhou, China.
DEAD-box RNA helicases constitute the largest subfamily of RNA helicase superfamily 2 (SF2), and play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in worldwide, and abiotic stresses greatly restrict its production. So far, the DEAD-box RNA helicase family has yet to be characterized in wheat. Here, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family in wheat, including phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal distribution, duplication events, and protein motifs. A total of 141 TaDEAD-box genes were identified and found to be unevenly distributed across all 21 chromosomes. Whole genome/segmental duplication was identified as the likely main driving factor for expansion of the TaDEAD-box family. Expression patterns of the 141 TaDEAD-box genes were compared across different tissues and under abiotic stresses to identify genes to be important in growth or stress responses. TaDEAD-box57-3B was significantly up-regulated under multiple abiotic stresses, and was therefore selected for further analysis. TaDEAD-box57-3B was localized to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Ectopic expression of TaDEAD-box57-3B in Arabidopsis improved tolerance to drought and salt stress as measured by germination rates, root lengths, fresh weights, and survival rates. Transgenic lines also showed higher levels of proline and chlorophyll and lower levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) than WT plants in response to drought or salt stress. In response to cold stress, the transgenic lines showed significantly better growth and higher survival rates than WT plants. These results indicate that TaDEAD-box57-3B may increase tolerance to drought, salt, and cold stress in transgenic plants through regulating the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation. This study provides new insights for understanding evolution and function in the TaDEAD-box gene family.
PMID: 34956297
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P766130 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.766130
Functional Characterization of Cotton C-Repeat Binding Factor Genes Reveal Their Potential Role in Cold Stress Tolerance.
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ICR, CAAS)/State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Anyang, China.; School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University (SBPMAS), Zhengzhou, China.; School of Biological, Physical, Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo, Kenya.
Low temperature is a common biological abiotic stress in major cotton-growing areas. Cold stress significantly affects the growth, yield, and yield quality of cotton. Therefore, it is important to develop more robust and cold stress-resilient cotton germplasms. In response to climate change and erratic weather conditions, plants have evolved various survival mechanisms, one of which involves the induction of various stress responsive transcript factors, of which the C-repeat-binding factors (CBFs) have a positive effect in enhancing plants response to cold stress. In this study, genomewide identification and functional characterization of the cotton CBFs were carried out. A total of 29, 28, 25, 21, 30, 26, and 15 proteins encoded by the CBF genes were identified in seven Gossypium species. A phylogenetic evaluation revealed seven clades, with Clades 1 and 6 being the largest. Moreover, the majority of the proteins encoded by the genes were predicted to be located within the nucleus, while some were distributed in other parts of the cell. Based on the transcriptome and RT-qPCR analysis, Gthu17439 (GthCBF4) was highly upregulated and was further validated through forward genetics. The Gthu17439 (GthCBF4) overexpressed plants exhibited significantly higher tolerance to cold stress, as evidenced by the higher germination rate, increased root growth, and high-induction levels of stress-responsive genes. Furthermore, the overexpressed plants under cold stress had significantly reduced oxidative damage due to a reduction in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Moreover, the overexpressed plants under cold stress had minimal cell damage compared to the wild types, as evidenced by the Trypan and 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining effect. The results showed that the Gthu17439 (GthCBF4) could be playing a significant role in enhancing cold stress tolerance in cotton and can be further exploited in developing cotton germplasm with improved cold-stress tolerance.
PMID: 34956264
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P778745 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.778745
Changes in Morphology, Metabolism and Composition of Cuticular Wax in Zucchini Fruit During Postharvest Cold Storage.
Department of Plant Physiology, Facultad de Ciencias, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.; Department of Biology and Geology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (CeiA3), University of Almeria, Almeria, Spain.
Cuticle composition is an important economic trait in agriculture, as it is the first protective barrier of the plant against environmental conditions. The main goal of this work was to study the role of the cuticular wax in maintaining the postharvest quality of zucchini fruit, by comparing two commercial varieties with contrasting behavior against low temperatures; the cold-tolerant variety 'Natura', and the cold-sensitive 'Sinatra', as well as 'Sinatra' fruit with induced-chilling tolerance through a preconditioning treatment (15 degrees C for 48 h). The freshly-harvested 'Natura' fruit had a well-detectable cuticle with a significant lower permeability and a subset of 15 up-regulated cuticle-related genes. SEM showed that zucchini epicuticular waxes mainly consisted of round-shaped crystals and clusters of them, and areas with more dense crystal deposition were found in fruit of 'Natura' and of preconditioned 'Sinatra'. The cuticular wax load per surface was higher in 'Natura' than in 'Sinatra' fruit at harvest and after 14 days at 4 degrees C. In addition, total cuticular wax load only increased in 'Natura' and preconditioned 'Sinatra' fruit with cold storage. With respect to the chemical composition of the waxes, the most abundant components were alkanes, in both 'Natura' and 'Sinatra', with similar values at harvest. The total alkane content only increased in 'Natura' fruit and in the preconditioned 'Sinatra' fruit after cold storage, whereas the amount of total acids decreased, with the lowest values observed in the fruit that showed less chilling injury (CI) and weight loss. Two esters were detected, and their content also decreased with the storage in both varieties, with a greater reduction observed in the cold-tolerant variety in response to low temperature. Gene expression analysis showed significant differences between varieties, especially in CpCER1-like and CpCER3-like genes, involved in alkane production, as well as in the transcription factors CpWIN1-like and CpFUL1-like, associated with cuticle development and epidermal wax accumulation in other species. These results suggest an important role of the alkane biosynthetic pathway and cuticle morphology in maintaining the postharvest quality of zucchini fruit during the storage at low temperatures.
PMID: 34950169
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P722525 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.722525
A Dual Role for Abscisic Acid Integrating the Cold Stress Response at the Whole-Plant Level in Iris pseudacorus L. Growing in a Natural Wetland.
Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.; Research Biodiversity Institute, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Leaf senescence, the last stage of the developmental program of leaves, can be induced by both internal and external signals. Cold stress-induced leaf senescence is an efficient strategy to overcome winter temperatures. In this work, we studied leaf senescence in yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus L.) individuals growing in a natural wetland, not only considering its relationship with external and internal cues, but also the plant developmental program, and the biological significance of rhizomes, storage organs that remain viable through winter. Total chlorophyll contents and the maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv /Fm ratio) decreased in senescing leaves, which was associated with a sharp increase in abscisic acid (ABA) contents. Furthermore, total cytokinin and 2-isopentenyladenine contents decreased in December compared to November, as plants became more stressed due to a decline in air temperatures. ABA increases in senescing leaves increased in parallel to reductions in violaxanthin. Rhizomes also accumulated large amounts of ABA during winter, while roots did not, and neither roots nor rhizomes accumulated 9-cis-epoxycarotenoids, thus suggesting ABA, which might play a role in conferring cold tolerance to this subterranean organ, may result from phloem transport from senescing leaves. It is concluded that (i) leaf senescence is a highly regulated physiological process in yellow flag playing a key role in the modulation of the entire plant developmental program, and (ii) ABA plays a major role not only in the regulation of leaf senescence but also in the establishment of cold tolerance in rhizomes, two processes that appear to be intimately interconnected.
PMID: 34950157
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P765302 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.765302
CmRCC1 Gene From Pumpkin Confers Cold Tolerance in Tobacco by Modulating Root Architecture and Photosynthetic Activity.
Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education/College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
Low-temperature stress is the main limiting factor of cucurbit crop cultivation as it affects crop yield and quality. The identification of genes involved in cold tolerance is a crucial aspect of pumpkin rootstock breeding. Here, we examined the function of a pumpkin Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1 (CmRCC1) gene in the root development and cold stress responses of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). CmRCC1 expression was differentially induced in pumpkin root, stem, and leaf under cold stress. Transient transformation showed that CmRCC1 is located in the nucleus. CmRCC1 overexpression in tobacco increased the gravitropic set-point angle in lateral roots, as well as root diameter and volume. The expression of auxin polar transport factors, PIN1 and PIN3, decreased and increased in CmRCC1-overexpressed plants, respectively. Yeast two-hybrid verification and luciferase complementation imaging assay showed that CmRCC1 interacts with CmLAZY1. Furthermore, the decreases in maximum quantum yield of PS II, the effective quantum yield of PS II, and electron transfer rate and the increases in quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation and malondialdehyde content were compromised in transgenic plants compared with wild-type plants under cold stress. The results suggest that CmRCC1 plays an important role in the regulation of root architecture and positively modulates cold tolerance.
PMID: 34925414
Plant Cell Physiol , IF:4.927 , 2021 Dec , V62 (10) : P1615-1629 doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcab115
Characterization of Chromatin Accessibility and Gene Expression upon Cold Stress Reveals that the RAV1 Transcription Factor Functions in Cold Response in Vitis Amurensis.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, PR China.; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Rd, Beijing 100049, PR China.; EGFV, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRA, Universite de Bordeaux, ISVV, 210 chemin de Leysotte, Villenave d'Ornon 33882, France.; Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Lumo Rd, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
Cold tolerance is regulated by a variety of transcription factors (TFs) and their target genes. Except for the well-characterized C-repeat binding factors (CBFs)-dependent transcriptional cascade, the mechanisms of cold tolerance mediated by other transcriptional regulatory networks are still largely unknown. Here, we used the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA-seq to identify cold responsive TFs in Vitis amurensis, a grape species with high cold hardiness. Nine TFs, including CBF4, RAV1 and ERF104, were identified after cold treatment. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that these TFs may regulate cold response through different pathways. As a prime candidate TF, overexpression of VaRAV1 in grape cells improved its cold tolerance. The transgenic cells exhibited low electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content and high peroxidase activity. Moreover, the TF gene TCP8 and a gene involving in homogalacturonan biosynthesis were found to be regulated by VaRAV1, suggesting that the contribution of VaRAV1 to cold tolerance may be achieved by enhancing the stability of cell membrane and regulating the expression of target genes involved in plant cell wall composition. Our work provides novel insights into plant response to cold stress and demonstrates the utility of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq for the rapid identification of TFs in response to cold stress in grapevine. VaRAV1 may play an important role in adaption to cold stress.
PMID: 34279666
Plant Cell Physiol , IF:4.927 , 2021 Dec , V62 (12) : P1858-1866 doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcab103
Responses of the Plant Cell Wall to Sub-Zero Temperatures: A Brief Update.
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan.; Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.; Plant Resilience Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.; Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.; Research Center for Global Agro-Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.; USDA and Department of Crop Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Our general understanding of plant responses to sub-zero temperatures focuses on mechanisms that mitigate stress to the plasma membrane. The plant cell wall receives comparatively less attention, and questions surrounding its role in mitigating freezing injury remain unresolved. Despite recent molecular discoveries that provide insight into acclimation responses, the goal of reducing freezing injury in herbaceous and woody crops remains elusive. This is likely due to the complexity associated with adaptations to low temperatures. Understanding how leaf cell walls of herbaceous annuals promote tissue tolerance to ice does not necessarily lead to understanding how meristematic tissues are protected from freezing by tissue-level barriers formed by cell walls in overwintering tree buds. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of biological ice nucleation and explain how plants control the spatiotemporal location of ice formation. We discuss how sugars and pectin side chains alleviate adhesive injury that develops at sub-zero temperatures between the matrix polysaccharides and ice. The importance of site-specific cell-wall elasticity to promote tissue expansion for ice accommodation and control of porosity to impede ice growth and promote supercooling will be presented. How specific cold-induced proteins modify plant cell walls to mitigate freezing injury will also be discussed. The opinions presented in this report emphasize the importance of a plant's developmental physiology when characterizing mechanisms of freezing survival.
PMID: 34240199
Sci Rep , IF:4.379 , 2021 Dec , V11 (1) : P23434 doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-02707-z
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteome analysis insights into cold stress of Winter Rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) grown in the field.
State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 7300070, China.; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.; State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 7300070, China. 18293121851@163.com.; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China. 18293121851@163.com.
Winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) is a major oilseed crop in Northern China, where its production was severely affected by chilling and freezing stress. However, not much is known about the role of differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) during the chilling and freezing stress. In this study, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology was performed to identify DAPs under freezing stress. To explore the molecular mechanisms of cold stress tolerance at the cellular and protein levels, the morphological and physiological differences in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) of two winter rapeseed varieties, Longyou 7 (cold-tolerant) and Lenox (cold-sensitive), were explored in field-grown plants. Compared to Lenox, Longyou 7 had a lower SAM height and higher collar diameter. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content was also decreased. Simultaneously, the soluble sugars (SS) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble protein (SP) content, and collar diameter were increased in Longyou 7 as compared to Lenox. A total of 6330 proteins were identified. Among this, 98, 107, 183 and 111 DAPs were expressed in L7 CK/Le CK, L7 d/Le d, Le d/Le CK and L7 d/L7 CK, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of the coding genes for seventeen randomly selected DAPs was performed for validation. These DAPs were identified based on gene ontology enrichment analysis, which revealed that glutathione transferase activity, carbohydrate-binding, glutathione binding, metabolic process, and IAA response were closely associated with the cold stress response. In addition, some cold-induced proteins, such as glutathione S-transferase phi 2(GSTF2), might play an essential role during cold acclimation in the SAM of Brassica rapa. The present study provides valuable information on the involvement of DAPs during cold stress responses in Brassica rapa L, and hence could be used for breeding experiments.
PMID: 34873178
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2021 Dec , V21 (1) : P583 doi: 10.1186/s12870-021-03356-0
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the bZIP transcription factors, and functional analysis in response to drought and cold stresses in pear (Pyrus breschneideri).
State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China. huangxs@njau.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: Transcription factors (TFs) are involved in many important biological processes, including cell stretching, histological differentiation, metabolic activity, seed storage, gene regulation, and response to abiotic and biotic stresses. Little is known about the functions, evolutionary history, and expression patterns of basic region-leucine zipper TF family genes in pear, despite the release of the genome of Chinese white pears ("Dangshansuli"). RESULTS: Overall, 92 bZIP genes were identified in the pear genome (Pyrus breschneideri). Of these, 83 were randomly distributed on all 17 chromosomes except chromosome 4, and the other 9 genes were located on loose scaffolding. The genes were divided into 14 subgroups. Whole-genome duplications, dispersed duplication, and purifying selection for whole-genome duplications are the main reasons for the expansion of the PbrbZIP gene family. The analysis of functional annotation enrichment indicated that most of the functions of PbrbZIP genes were enriched in Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways involved in the abiotic stress response. Next, expression analysis and virus-induced gene silencing results indicated that PbrbZIP genes might play critical roles in response to drought and cold stresses, especially for the genes from subgroups A, C, G, I, and S. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-two PbrbZIP genes were identified from the pear genome and classified into 14 subgroups. PbrbZIP genes were mainly expanded from whole-genome duplications and dispersed duplications and retained by purifying selection. PbrbZIP genes were induced by cold and drought stresses and played important roles in drought and cold tolerance. These results provided useful information for further increasing the tolerance of pears to stresses and a foundation to study the cold and drought tolerance mechanism of PbrbZIP genes.
PMID: 34886805
Tree Physiol , IF:4.196 , 2021 Dec , V41 (12) : P2424-2437 doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpab084
Poplar PsnICE1 enhances cold tolerance by binding to different cis-acting elements to improve reactive oxygen species-scavenging capability.
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Dongxiaofu 1, Xiangshan Road, Beijing 100091, China.; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 51 Hexing Road, Harbin 150040, China.; Key Laboratory of Fast-Growing Tree Cultivating of Heilongjiang Province, Forestry Science Research Institute of Heilongjiang Province, 134 haping Road, Harbin 150081, China.; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 818 Beijingnan Road, Urumqi 830011, China.
Low temperature is a major stress that severely affects plant growth and development. Inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1) plays a key role in plant cold tolerance by regulating the expression of cold stress-responsive genes. In the present study, we characterized the function and underlying regulatory mechanism of PsnICE1 from Xiaohei poplar (Populus simonii x Populus nigra). PsnICE1 was significantly induced in response to cold stress in the roots, stems and leaves. PsnICE1 proteins were found to localize to the nucleus and exert transactivation activity via their N-terminal transactivation domain. Compared with non-transgenic poplar, transgenic poplar overexpressing PsnICE1 showed substantially enhanced tolerance to cold stress, with higher survival rates and antioxidant enzyme activity levels and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In contrast, plants with RNA inhibition-mediated silencing of PsnICE1 showed the opposite phenotype. PsnICE1 can bind to H-box element and abscisic acid-responsive element (ABRE), and more importantly, it mainly binds to IBS1 (a newly discovered cis-acting element) and E-box elements to regulate stress-related genes involved in ROS scavenging. Overall, these results indicated that PsnICE1 functions as a positive regulator of cold tolerance and serves as a potential candidate gene for plant cold tolerance improvement via molecular breeding.
PMID: 34185092
FEMS Microbiol Ecol , IF:4.194 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiab161
Ecology and potential functions of plant-associated microbial communities in cold environments.
Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.; Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
Complex microbial communities are associated with plants and can improve their resilience under harsh environmental conditions. In particular, plants and their associated communities have developed complex adaptation strategies against cold stress. Although changes in plant-associated microbial community structure have been analyzed in different cold regions, scarce information is available on possible common taxonomic and functional features of microbial communities across cold environments. In this review, we discuss recent advances in taxonomic and functional characterization of plant-associated microbial communities in three main cold regions, such as alpine, Arctic, and Antarctica environments. Culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches are analyzed, in order to highlight main factors affecting the taxonomic structure of plant-associated communities in cold environments. Moreover, biotechnological applications of plant-associated microorganisms from cold environments are proposed for agriculture, industry, and medicine, according to biological functions and cold adaptation strategies of bacteria and fungi. Although further functional studies may improve our knowledge, the existing literature suggest that plants growing in cold environments harbor complex, host specific, and cold adapted microbial communities, which may play key functional roles in plant growth and survival under cold conditions.
PMID: 34910139
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2021 Dec , V10 (12) doi: 10.3390/plants10122824
Cold Acclimation in Brachypodium Is Accompanied by Changes in Above-Ground Bacterial and Fungal Communities.
Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
Shifts in microbiota undoubtedly support host plants faced with abiotic stress, including low temperatures. Cold-resistant perennials prepare for freeze stress during a period of cold acclimation that can be mimicked by transfer from growing conditions to a reduced photoperiod and a temperature of 4 degrees C for 2-6 days. After cold acclimation, the model cereal, Brachypodium distachyon, was characterized using metagenomics supplemented with amplicon sequencing (16S ribosomal RNA gene fragments and an internal transcribed spacer region). The bacterial and fungal rhizosphere remained largely unchanged from that of non-acclimated plants. However, leaf samples representing bacterial and fungal communities of the endo- and phyllospheres significantly changed. For example, a plant-beneficial bacterium, Streptomyces sp. M2, increased more than 200-fold in relative abundance in cold-acclimated leaves, and this increase correlated with a striking decrease in the abundance of Pseudomonas syringae (from 8% to zero). This change is of consequence to the host, since P. syringae is a ubiquitous ice-nucleating phytopathogen responsible for devastating frost events in crops. We posit that a responsive above-ground bacterial and fungal community interacts with Brachypodium's low temperature and anti-pathogen signalling networks to help ensure survival in subsequent freeze events, underscoring the importance of inter-kingdom partnerships in the response to cold stress.
PMID: 34961295
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2021 Dec , V10 (12) doi: 10.3390/plants10122746
Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of ABA and CaCl2 Regulating Chilling Tolerance of Cucumber Seedlings.
College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China.; Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.; College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, 63 Nongye Road, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
Cold stress is a limiting factor to the growth and development of cucumber in the temperate regions; hence, improving the crop's tolerance to low temperature is highly pertinent. The regulation of low-temperature tolerance with exogenous ABA and CaCl2 was investigated in the cucumber variety Zhongnong 26. Under low-temperature conditions (day/night 12/12 h at 5 degrees C), seedlings were sprayed with a single application of ABA, CaCl2, or a combination of both. Our analysis included a calculated chilling injury index, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and APX), leaf tissue structure, and expression of cold-related genes by transcriptome sequencing. Compared with the water control treatment, the combined ABA + CaCl2 treatment significantly improved the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) of the seedlings by 34.47%, 59.66%, and 118.80%, respectively (p < 0.05), and significantly reduced the chilling injury index, relative electrical conductivity, and MDA content, by 89.47%, 62.17%, and 44.55%, respectively (p < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis showed that compared with the water control treatment, 3442 genes were differentially expressed for the combined treatment, 3921 for the ABA treatment, and 1333 for the CaCl2 treatment. KEGG enrichment analysis for both the ABA and combined ABA + CaCl2 treatments (as compared to the water control) showed that it mainly involves genes of the photosynthesis pathway and metabolic pathways. Differentially expressed genes following the CaCl2 treatment were mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling pathway-plant, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and circadian rhythm-plant. qRT-PCR analysis and RNA-seq results showed a consistent trend in variation of differential gene expression. Overall, this study demonstrated that although all three treatments provided some protection, the combined treatment of ABA (35 mg/L) with CaCl2 (500 mg/L) afforded the best results. A combined ABA + CaCl2 treatment can effectively alleviate cold-stress damage to cucumber seedlings by inducing physiological changes in photosynthesis and metabolism, and provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the application of exogenous ABA and CaCl2 for low-temperature protection of cucumber seedlings.
PMID: 34961219
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2021 Dec , V10 (12) doi: 10.3390/plants10122729
The Role of the GSTF11 Gene in Resistance to Powdery Mildew Infection and Cold Stress.
Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics UFRC RAS, Prospekt Oktyabrya 71, 450054 Ufa, Russia.
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is an economically important crop. In a temperate climate, powdery mildew Erysiphe crucifertaum can drastically reduce its yield. Nevertheless, cultivars resistant to this fungal disease have not yet been selected. Glutathione S-transferase GSTF11 is involved in glucosinolate (GSL) biosynthesis and response to stress, including fungal deceases. However, the impact of exogenous GSTF11 gene expression on resistance to powdery mildew has not yet been confirmed and requires further investigation. Transgenic B. napus was generated for this purpose. It demonstrated increased GST activity and a higher GSH:GSSG ratio under normal conditions. Powdery mildew Erysiphe crucifertaum caused 50% mortality in wild type (WT) plants. In most of transgenic plants, mycelium growth was inhibited. The infection contributed to higher GSTF11 expression and increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in both transgenic and WT plants. In contrast, GSTF11 mRNA content, GST activity and GSSG level were lower only in WT plants. In transgenic plants, increased resistance to powdery mildew correlated with a lower GSH:GSSG ratio, indicating a higher content of neutralized toxic molecules. GSTF11 expression was also affected by cold stress, but not drought. At -1 degrees C, the expression level increased only in transgenic plants. Therefore, GSTF11 appears to be nonspecific and is able to protect plants under several types of stress. This gene could be used as a target in the production of stress tolerant cultivars.
PMID: 34961200
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2021 Dec , V269 : P153602 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2021.153602
Cold responses in rice: From physiology to molecular biology.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. Electronic address: yangshuhua@cau.edu.cn.
As rice originated in tropical or subtropical areas, it is generally sensitive to cold stress. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying rice responses to cold stress can provide new power for engineering cold-tolerant and high-yielding rice varieties.
PMID: 34954427
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2022 Jan , V268 : P153581 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2021.153581
Differential physiological response to heat and cold stress of tomato plants and its implication on fruit quality.
Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Biology, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.; R&D Department, APC Europe S.L., Granollers, Spain.; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Biology, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain; R&D Department, APC Europe S.L., Granollers, Spain; Research Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Biology, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: smunne@ub.edu.
The upcoming climate change presents a great challenge for plant growth and development being extremes temperatures among the major environmental limitations to crop productivity. Understanding the repercussions of these extreme temperatures is of high importance to elaborate future strategies to confront crop damages. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are one of the most cultivated crops and their fruits are consumed worldwide standing out for their organoleptic characteristics and nutritional value. Tomato plants are sensitive to temperatures below 12 degrees C and above 32 degrees C. In this study, Micro-Tom cultivar was used to evaluate the effects of extreme temperatures on the plant of tomato and the fruit productivity and quality from the stressed plants, either exposed to cold (4 degrees C for three nights per week) or heat (32 degrees C during the day, seven days per week) treatments. Total productivity and the percentage of ripe fruits per plant were evaluated together with foliar stress markers and the contents of photosynthetic pigments and tocochromanols. Fruit quality was also assessed determining lycopene contents, total soluble solids, total acidity and ascorbate contents. High temperatures altered multiple physiological parameters indicating a moderate stress, particularly decreasing fruit yield. As a response to this stress, plants enhanced their antioxidant contents both at leaf and fruit level. Low temperatures did not negatively affect the physiology of plants with similar yields as compared to controls, suggesting chilling acclimation. Both high and low temperatures, but most particularly the former, increased total soluble solids contents indicating that temperature control may be used as a strategy to modulate fruit quality.
PMID: 34915351
Funct Integr Genomics , IF:3.41 , 2021 Dec doi: 10.1007/s10142-021-00808-6
Proteomic analysis of a plastid gene encoding RPS4 mutant in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis).
Department of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110866, China.; Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Breeding College of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Shushan District, Hefei, China.; Biotechnology Research Institute, Xiqing District, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinjing Road 17 km, Tianjin, 300384, China.; Department of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110866, China. fenghuiaaa@syau.edu.cn.
Plastids are important plant cell organelles containing a genome and bacterial-type 70S ribosomes-primarily composed of plastid ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNAs. In this study, a chlorophyll-deficient mutant (cdm) obtained from double-haploid Chinese cabbage 'FT' was identified as a plastome mutant with an A-to-C base substitution in the plastid gene encoding the ribosomal protein RPS4. To further elucidate the function and regulatory mechanisms of RPS4, a comparative proteomic analysis was conducted between cdm and its wild-type 'FT' plants by isobaric tags and a relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based strategy. A total of 6,245 proteins were identified, 540 of which were differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in the leaves of cdm as compared to those of 'FT'-including 233 upregulated and 307 downregulated proteins. Upregulated DAPs were mainly involved in translation, organonitrogen compound biosynthetic process, ribosomes, and spliceosomes. Meanwhile, downregulated DAPs were mainly involved in photosynthesis, photosynthetic reaction centres, photosynthetic light harvesting, carbon fixation, and chlorophyll binding. These results indicated an important role of RPS4 in the regulation of growth and development of Chinese cabbage, possibly by regulating plastid translation activity by affecting the expression of specific photosynthesis- and cold stress-related proteins. Moreover, a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) test and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed our iTRAQ results. Quantitative proteomic analysis allowed us to confirm diverse changes in the metabolic pathways between cdm and 'FT' plants. This work provides new insights into the regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis in Chinese cabbage.
PMID: 34881421
J Biotechnol , IF:3.307 , 2021 Dec , V342 : P102-113 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2021.10.012
Inhibition of the JAZ1 gene causes activation of camalexin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis callus cultures.
Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia. Electronic address: makhazen@biosoil.ru.; Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia.
Indole alkaloid camalexin has potential medicinal properties such as suppressing the viability of leukemic but not normal cells. Camalexin is not produced in plants and an external factor is required to activate its biosynthesis. In this work, we stimulated camalexin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis calli by blocking one of repressors of the jasmonate pathway, the jasmonate ZIM-domain protein 1 (JAZ1) by using amiRNA targeting JAZ1 gene transcripts. Inhibition of the JAZ1 gene led to an increase in camalexin content from trace amounts in control culture to 9 microg/g DW in the jaz1 line without affecting growth. In addition, JAZ1 silencing enhanced tolerance to cold stress with simultaneous increasing camalexin content up to 30 microg/g DW. Real-time quantitative PCR determination of marker gene expression showed that effects caused by the JAZ1 silencing might be realized through crosslinking JA, ROS, and abscisic acid signaling pathways. Thus, targeting the distal components of signaling pathways can be suggested as a tool for bioengineering of secondary metabolism, along with standard techniques for targeting biosynthetic genes or genes encoding transcription factors.
PMID: 34736953
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2021 Dec : P2013638 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2021.2013638
Cold acclimation alleviates cold stress-induced PSII inhibition and oxidative damage in tobacco leaves.
Institute of Biological Engineering, Xinxiang Institute of Engineering, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
This study aimed to explore how cold acclimation (CA) modulates cold stress in tobacco leaves and reveal the relationship between CA and cold stress resistance, and the mechanism of CA-induced plant resistance to cold stress. This study examined the effects of CA treatment (at 8-10 for 2 d) on the cold tolerance of tobacco leaves under 4 degrees C cold stress treatment using seedlings without CA treatment as the control (NA). In both CA and NA leaves, cold stress treatment resulted in a decrease in maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), increase in relative variable fluorescence (VJ) at 2 ms on the standardized OJIP curve, inhibition of PSII activity, and impairment of electron transfer on the acceptor side. Besides increasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrolyte leakage rate, the cold stress exacerbated the degree of membrane peroxidation. The CA treatment also induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anion (O2.(-)) and H2O2, and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX). The CA treatment also enhanced the accumulation of soluble sugar (SS) and soluble protein (SP), cyclic electron flow (CEF), and the proportion of regulatory energy dissipation Y(NPQ). Moreover, CA+ cold stress treatment significantly reduced CEF and Y(NPQ) in tobacco leaves than under NA+ cold stress treatment, thus significantly alleviating the degree of PSII photoinhibition. In conclusion, CA treatment significantly alleviated PSII photoinhibition and oxidative damage in tobacco leaves under cold stress treatment. Improvement in cold resistance of tobacco leaves is associated with the induction of antioxidant enzyme activity, accumulation of osmoregulation substances, and initiation of photoprotective mechanisms.
PMID: 34964430
Braz J Biol , 2021 , V83 : Pe242603 doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.242603
Expression analysis of transcription factors in sugarcane during cold stress.
Hazara University, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.; Universidade Federal de Lavras, Natural Scincey Institute, Department of Biology, Lavras, MG, Brasil.; Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China.; Department of Agriculture, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21300- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan.
Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.
PMID: 34932612