Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2022 Feb , V15 (2) : P293-307 doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2021.09.010
A cryptic inhibitor of cytokinin phosphorelay controls rice grain size.
National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.; National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.; Biogle Genome Editing Center, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213125, China.; Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Innovative Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: ccchu@genetics.ac.cn.; National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China. Electronic address: tonghongning@caas.cn.
Plant hormone cytokinin signals through histidine-aspartic acid (H-D) phosphorelay to regulate plant growth and development. While it is well known that the phosphorelay involves histidine kinases, histidine phosphotransfer proteins (HPs), and response regulators (RRs), how this process is regulated by external components remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that protein phosphatase with kelch-like domains (PPKL1), known as a signaling component of steroid hormone brassinosteroid, is actually a cryptic inhibitor of cytokinin phosphorelay in rice (Oryza sativa). Mutation at a specific amino acid D364 of PPKL1 activates cytokinin response and thus enlarges grain size in a semi-dominant mutant named s48. Overexpression of PPKL1 containing D364, either with the deletion of the phosphatase domain or not, rescues the s48 mutant phenotype. PPKL1 interacts with OsAHP2, one of authentic HPs, and D364 resides in a region resembling the receiver domain of RRs. Accordingly, PPKL1 can utilize D364 to suppress OsAHP2-to-RR phosphorelay, whereas mutation of D364 abolishes the effect. This function of PPKL1 is independent of the phosphatase domain that is required for brassinosteroid signaling. Importantly, editing of the D364-residential region produces a diversity of semi-dominant mutations associated with variously increased grain sizes. Further screening of the edited plants enables the identification of two genotypes that confer significantly improved grain yield. Collectively, our study uncovers a noncanonical cytokinin signaling suppressor and provides a robust tool for seed rational design.
PMID: 34562665
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1093/plcell/koac092
The photomorphogenic repressors BBX28 and BBX29 integrate light and brassinosteroid signaling to inhibit seedling development in Arabidopsis.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.; Institute of Plant and Food Sciences, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.; State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.; National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.; State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, National Center for Soybean Improvement, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.; School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
B-box containing proteins (BBXs) integrate light and various hormonal signals to regulate plant growth and development. Here, we demonstrate that the photomorphogenic repressors BBX28 and BBX29 positively regulate brassinosteroid (BR) signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Treatment with the BR brassinolide stabilized BBX28 and BBX29, which partially depended on BR INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) and BR-INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2). bbx28 bbx29 seedlings exhibited larger cotyledon aperture than the wild type when treated with brassinazole in the dark, which partially suppressed the closed cotyledons of brassinazole resistant 1-1D (bzr1-1D). Consistently, overexpressing BBX28 and BBX29 partially rescued the short hypocotyls of bri1-5 and bin2-1 in both the dark and light, while the loss-of-function of BBX28 and BBX29 partially suppressed the long hypocotyls of bzr1-1D in the light. BBX28 and BBX29 physically interacted with BR-ENHANCED EXPRESSION1 (BEE1), BEE2, and BEE3 and enhanced their binding to and activation of their target genes. Moreover, BBX28 and BBX29 as well as BEE1, BEE2, and BEE3 increased BZR1 accumulation to promote the BR signaling pathway. Therefore, both BBX28 and BBX29 interact with BEE1, BEE2, and BEE3 to orchestrate light and BR signaling by facilitating the transcriptional activity of BEE target genes. Our study provides insights into the pivotal roles of BBX28 and BBX29 as signal integrators in ensuring normal seedling development.
PMID: 35294019
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2022 Jan doi: 10.1093/plcell/koac027
BRASSINOSTEROID-SIGNALING KINASE1 modulates MAP KINASE15 phosphorylation to confer powdery mildew resistance in Arabidopsis.
State Key Laboratory of Ecological Control of Fujian-Taiwan Crop Pests, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by plant cell surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) triggers the first line of plant innate immunity. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase BRASSINOSTEROID-SIGNALING KINASE1 (BSK1) physically associates with PRR FLAGELLIN SENSING2 (FLS2) and plays an important role in defense against multiple pathogens. However, how BSK1 transduces signals to activate downstream immune responses remains elusive. Previously, through whole-genome phosphorylation analysis using mass spectrometry, we showed that phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase MPK15 was affected in the bsk1 mutant compared with the wild-type plants. Here, we demonstrated that MPK15 is important for powdery mildew fungal resistance. PAMPs and fungal pathogens significantly induced the phosphorylation of MPK15 Ser-511, a key phosphorylation site critical for the functions of MPK15 in powdery mildew resistance. BSK1 physically associates with MPK15 and is required for basal and pathogen-induced MPK15 Ser-511 phosphorylation, which contributes to BSK1-mediated fungal resistance. Taken together, our data identified MPK15 as a player in plant defense against powdery mildew fungi and showed that BSK1 promotes fungal resistance in part by enhancing MPK15 Ser-511 phosphorylation. These results uncovered a mechanism of BSK1-mediated disease resistance and provided new insight into the role of MAPK phosphorylation in plant immunity.
PMID: 35099562
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2022 Mar , V34 (3) : P1038-1053 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koab307
TOR promotes guard cell starch degradation by regulating the activity of beta-AMYLASE1 in Arabidopsis.
The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.; Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium.
Starch is the main energy storage carbohydrate in plants and serves as an essential carbon storage molecule for plant metabolism and growth under changing environmental conditions. The TARGET of RAPAMYCIN (TOR) kinase is an evolutionarily conserved master regulator that integrates energy, nutrient, hormone, and stress signaling to regulate growth in all eukaryotes. Here, we demonstrate that TOR promotes guard cell starch degradation and induces stomatal opening in Arabidopsis thaliana. Starvation caused by plants growing under short photoperiod or low light photon irradiance, as well as inactivation of TOR, impaired guard cell starch degradation and stomatal opening. Sugar and TOR induce the accumulation of beta-AMYLASE1 (BAM1), which is responsible for starch degradation in guard cells. The plant steroid hormone brassinosteroid and transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1 play crucial roles in sugar-promoted expression of BAM1. Furthermore, sugar supply induced BAM1 accumulation, but TOR inactivation led to BAM1 degradation, and the effects of TOR inactivation on BAM1 degradation were abolished by the inhibition of autophagy and proteasome pathways or by phospho-mimicking mutation of BAM1 at serine-31. Such regulation of BAM1 activity by sugar-TOR signaling allows carbon availability to regulate guard cell starch metabolism and stomatal movement, ensuring optimal photosynthesis efficiency of plants.
PMID: 34919720
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A , IF:11.205 , 2022 Mar , V119 (11) : Pe2118220119 doi: 10.1073/pnas.2118220119
Proteome-wide cellular thermal shift assay reveals unexpected cross-talk between brassinosteroid and auxin signaling.
Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.; Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.; Pelago Bioscience AB, 171 48 Solna, Sweden.; Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.; Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.; VIB Proteomics Core, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
SignificanceChemical genetics, which investigates biological processes using small molecules, is gaining interest in plant research. However, a major challenge is to uncover the mode of action of the small molecules. Here, we applied the cellular thermal shift assay coupled with mass spectrometry (CETSA MS) to intact Arabidopsis cells and showed that bikinin, the plant-specific glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitor, changed the thermal stability of some of its direct targets and putative GSK3-interacting proteins. In combination with phosphoproteomics, we also revealed that GSK3s phosphorylated the auxin carrier PIN-FORMED1 and regulated its polarity that is required for the vascular patterning in the leaf.
PMID: 35254915
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2022 Mar , V32 (5) : P1102-1114.e5 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.01.022
Brassinosteroid signaling regulates female germline specification in Arabidopsis.
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.; Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: yuanqin@fafu.edu.cn.
Unlike in humans and animals, plant germlines are specified de novo from somatic cells in the reproductive organs of the flower. In most flowering plant ovules, the female germline starts with the differentiation of one megaspore mother cell (MMC), which initiates a developmental program distinct from adjoining cells. Phytohormones act as a key player in physiological processes during plant development, in particular by providing positional information that supports localized differentiation events. However, little is known about the role of phytohormones for female germline initiation and establishment. Using Arabidopsis as a flowering plant model, we show that brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis and signaling components are accumulated in sporophytic cells of ovule primordia but not in the megaspore mother cell representing the precursor of the female germline. We further demonstrate that BR signaling restricts multiple sub-epidermal cells in the distal nucellus region of ovule primordia from acquiring MMC-like cell identity by transiently activating the WRKY23 transcription factor, expressed exclusively in L2 layer cells adjacent to the MMC. This activation is regulated through the BRI1 receptor and directly by the BZR1 transcriptional repressor family. Mutations in BR biosynthesis or signaling components and ectopic activation of BR signaling in MMCs induce multiple MMC-like cells. In summary, our findings elucidate a gene regulatory network that shows how the hormone BR generated in sporophytic ovule primordia cells restricts the origin of the female germline to a single cell.
PMID: 35108524
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2022 Feb , V32 (3) : P518-531.e6 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.12.043
ROPGAP-dependent interaction between brassinosteroid and ROP2-GTPase signaling controls pavement cell shape in Arabidopsis.
Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.; Developmental Genetics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tubingen, 72076 Tubingen, Germany.; FAFU-UCR Joint Centre for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, P.R. China.; Developmental Genetics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tubingen, 72076 Tubingen, Germany; Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: eurus@psb.vib-ugent.be.
The epidermal pavement cell shape in Arabidopsis is driven by chemical and mechanical cues that direct partitioning mechanisms required for the establishment of the lobe- and indentation-defining polar sites. Brassinosteroid (BR) hormones regulate pavement cell morphogenesis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we identified two PLECKSTRIN HOMOLOGY GTPase-ACTIVATING proteins (PHGAPs) as substrates of the GSK3-like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2). The phgap1phgap2 mutant displayed severe epidermal cell shape phenotypes, and the PHGAPs were markedly enriched in the anticlinal face of the pavement cell indenting regions. BIN2 phosphorylation of PHGAPs was required for their stability and polarization. BIN2 inhibition activated ROP2-GTPase signaling specifically in the lobes because of PHGAP degradation, while the PHGAPs restrained ROP2 activity in the indentations. Hence, we connect BR and ROP2-GTPase signaling pathways via the regulation of PHGAPs and put forward the importance of spatiotemporal control of BR signaling for pavement cell interdigitation.
PMID: 35085499
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2022 Feb , V32 (3) : P671-676.e5 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.046
Female self-incompatibility type in heterostylous Primula is determined by the brassinosteroid-inactivating cytochrome P450 CYP734A50.
University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.; Julius Kuhn-Institut (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural Crops, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484 Quedlinburg, Germany.; Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstrasse 3, 06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany.; University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany. Electronic address: michael.lenhard@uni-potsdam.de.
Most flowering plants are hermaphrodites, with flowers having both male and female reproductive organs. One widespread adaptation to limit self-fertilization is self-incompatibility (SI), where self-pollen fails to fertilize ovules.(1)(,)(2) In homomorphic SI, many morphologically indistinguishable mating types are found, although in heteromorphic SI, the two or three mating types are associated with different floral morphologies.(3-6) In heterostylous Primula, a hemizygous supergene determines a short-styled S-morph and a long-styled L-morph, corresponding to two different mating types, and full seed set only results from intermorph crosses.(7-9) Style length is controlled by the brassinosteroid (BR)-inactivating cytochrome P450 CYP734A50,(10) yet it remains unclear what defines the male and female incompatibility types. Here, we show that CYP734A50 also determines the female incompatibility type. Inactivating CYP734A50 converts short S-morph styles into long styles with the same incompatibility behavior as L-morph styles, and this effect can be mimicked by exogenous BR treatment. In vitro responses of S- and L-morph pollen grains and pollen tubes to increasing BR levels could only partly explain their different in vivo behavior, suggesting both direct and indirect effects of the different BR levels in S- versus L-morph stigmas and styles in controlling pollen performance. This BR-mediated SI provides a novel mechanism for preventing self-fertilization. The joint control of morphology and SI by CYP734A50 has important implications for the evolutionary buildup of the heterostylous syndrome and provides a straightforward explanation for why essentially all of the derived self-compatible homostylous Primula species are long homostyles.(11).
PMID: 34906354
J Hazard Mater , IF:10.588 , 2022 Feb , V424 (Pt C) : P127518 doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127518
Brassinosteroids and metalloids: Regulation of plant biology.
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: anketsharma@gmail.com.; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China; Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China.; Plant Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Botanical and Environment Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab 143005, India.; Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, I-56124, Pisa, Italy; CIRSEC, Centre for Climatic Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, I-56124, Pisa, Italy.; Department of Horticulture, Kulbhaskar Ashram Post Graduate College, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: bszheng@zafu.edu.cn.
Metalloid contamination in the environment is one of the serious concerns posing threat to our ecosystems. Excess of metalloid concentrations (including antimony, arsenic, boron, selenium etc.) in soil results in their over accumulation in plant tissues, which ultimately causes phytotoxicity and their bio-magnification. So, it is very important to find some ecofriendly approaches to counter negative impacts of above mentioned metalloids on plant system. Brassinosteroids (BRs) belong to family of plant steroidal hormones, and are considered as one of the ecofriendly way to counter metalloid phytotoxicity. This phytohormone regulates the plant biology in presence of metalloids by modulating various key biological processes like cell signaling, primary and secondary metabolism, bio-molecule crosstalk and redox homeostasis. The present review explains the in-depth mechanisms of BR regulated plant responses in presence of metalloids, and provides some biotechnological aspects towards ecofriendly management of metalloid contamination.
PMID: 34836689
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2022 Feb , V233 (3) : P1238-1256 doi: 10.1111/nph.17859
GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-like gene OsGLR3.4 is required for plant growth and systemic wound signaling in rice (Oryza sativa).
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Chongqing, China.
Recent studies have revealed the physiological roles of glutamate receptor-like channels (GLRs) in Arabidopsis; however, the functions of GLRs in rice remain largely unknown. Here, we show that knockout of OsGLR3.4 in rice leads to brassinosteroid (BR)-regulated growth defects and reduced BR sensitivity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and transient transactivation assays indicated that OsGLR3.4 is the downstream target of OsBZR1. Further, agonist profile assays showed that multiple amino acids can trigger transient Ca(2+) influx in an OsGLR3.4-dependent manner, indicating that OsGLR3.4 is a Ca(2+) -permeable channel. Meanwhile, the study of internode cells demonstrated that OsGLR3.4-mediated Ca(2+) flux is required for actin filament organization and vesicle trafficking. Following root injury, the triggering of both slow wave potentials (SWPs) in leaves and the jasmonic acid (JA) response are impaired in osglr3.4 mutants, indicating that OsGLR3.4 is required for root-to-shoot systemic wound signaling in rice. Brassinosteroid treatment enhanced SWPs and OsJAZ8 expression in root-wounded plants, suggesting that BR signaling synergistically regulates the OsGLR3.4-mediated systemic wound response. In summary, this article describes a mechanism of OsGLR3.4-mediated cell elongation and long-distance systemic wound signaling in plants and provides new insights into the contribution of GLRs to plant growth and responses to mechanical wounding.
PMID: 34767648
EMBO Rep , IF:8.807 , 2022 Feb : Pe53354 doi: 10.15252/embr.202153354
Deubiquitinating enzymes UBP12 and UBP13 stabilize the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1.
Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.; Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.; Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.; Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Protein ubiquitination is a dynamic and reversible post-translational modification that controls diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. Ubiquitin-dependent internalization, recycling, and degradation are important mechanisms that regulate the activity and the abundance of plasma membrane (PM)-localized proteins. In plants, although several ubiquitin ligases are implicated in these processes, no deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), have been identified that directly remove ubiquitin from membrane proteins and limit their vacuolar degradation. Here, we discover two DUB proteins, UBP12 and UBP13, that directly target the PM-localized brassinosteroid (BR) receptor BR INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) in Arabidopsis. BRI1 protein abundance is decreased in the ubp12i/ubp13 double mutant that displayed severe growth defects and reduced sensitivity to BRs. UBP13 directly interacts with and effectively removes K63-linked polyubiquitin chains from BRI1, thereby negatively modulating its vacuolar targeting and degradation. Our study reveals that UBP12 and UBP13 play crucial roles in governing BRI1 abundance and BR signaling activity to regulate plant growth.
PMID: 35166439
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac146
OsNAC016 regulates plant architecture and drought tolerance by interacting with the kinases GSK2 and SAPK8.
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
Ideal plant architecture and drought tolerance are important determinants of yield potential in rice (Oryza sativa). Here, we found that OsNAC016, a rice stress-responsive NAC transcription factor, functions as a regulator in the crosslink between BR-mediated plant architecture and ABA-regulated drought responses. The loss-of-function mutant osnac016 exhibited erect leaves and shortened internodes, but OsNAC016-overexpressing plants had opposite phenotypes. Further investigation revealed that OsNAC016 regulated the expression of the brassinosteroid biosynthesis gene D2 by binding to its promoter. Moreover, OsNAC016 interacted with and was phosphorylated by GSK3/SHAGGY-LIKE KINASE2 (GSK2), a negative regulator in the BR pathway. Meanwhile, the mutant osnac016 had improved drought stress tolerance, supported by a decreased water loss rate and enhanced stomatal closure in response to exogenous ABA, but OsNAC016-overexpressing plants showed attenuated drought tolerance and reduced ABA sensitivity. Further, OSMOTIC STRESS/ABA-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE8 (SAPK8) phosphorylated OsNAC016 and reduced its stability. The ubiquitin/26S proteasome system is an important degradation pathway of OsNAC016 via the interaction with PLANT U-BOX PROTEIN43 (OsPUB43) that mediates the ubiquitination of OsNAC016. Notably, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed global roles of OsNAC016 in promoting BR-mediated gene expression and repressing ABA-dependent drought-responsive gene expression, which was confirmed by ChIP-qPCR analysis. Our findings establish that OsNAC016 is positively involved in BR-regulated rice architecture, negatively modulates ABA-mediated drought tolerance, and is regulated by GSK2, SAPK8, and OsPUB43 through post-translational modification. Our data provide insights into how plants balance growth and survival by coordinately regulating the growth-promoting signaling pathway and response under abiotic stresses.
PMID: 35333328
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac134
Sphingolipids with 2-hydroxy fatty acids aid in plasma membrane nanodomain organization and oxidative burst.
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan.; College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan.
Plant sphingolipids mostly possess 2-hydroxy fatty acids, the synthesis of which is catalyzed by fatty acid 2-hydroxylases (FAHs). In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), two FAHs (FAH1 and FAH2) have been identified. However, the functions of FAHs and sphingolipids with 2-hydroxy fatty acids (2-hydroxy sphingolipids) are still unknown because of the lack of Arabidopsis lines with the complete deletion of FAH1. In this study, we generated a FAH1 mutant (fah1c) using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. Sphingolipid analysis of fah1c, fah2, and fah1cfah2 mutants revealed that FAH1 hydroxylates very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), whereas the substrates of FAH2 are VLCFAs and palmitic acid. However, 2-hydroxy sphingolipids are not completely lost in the fah1cfah2 double mutant, suggesting the existence of other enzymes catalyzing the hydroxylation of sphingolipid fatty acids. Plasma membrane (PM) analysis and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that hydroxyl groups of sphingolipid acyl chains play a crucial role in the organization of nanodomains, which are nanoscale liquid-ordered domains mainly formed by sphingolipids and sterols in the PM, through hydrogen bonds. In the PM of the fah1cfah2 mutant, the expression levels of 26.7% of the proteins, including defense-related proteins such as the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) brassinosteroid insensitive 1-associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1) and chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1), NADPH oxidase respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (RBOHD), and heterotrimeric G proteins, were lower than that in the wild type. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst was suppressed in the fah1cfah2 mutant after treatment with the pathogen-associated molecular patterns flg22 and chitin. These results indicated that 2-hydroxy sphingolipids are necessary for the organization of PM nanodomains and ROS burst through RBOHD and PRRs during pattern-triggered immunity.
PMID: 35312013
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Feb doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac088
The bHLH/HLH transcription factors GhFP2 and GhACE1 antagonistically regulate fiber elongation in cotton.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
bHLH/HLH transcription factors play important roles in cell elongation in plants. However, little is known about how bHLH/HLH transcription factors antagonistically regulate fiber elongation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). In this study, we report that two bHLH/HLH transcription factors, Fiber-Related Protein 2 (GhFP2) and ACTIVATOR FOR CELL ELONGATION 1 (GhACE1), function in fiber development of cotton. GhFP2 is an atypical bHLH protein without the basic region, and its expression is regulated by brassinosteroid (BR)-related BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (GhBZR1). Overexpression of GhFP2 in cotton hindered fiber elongation, resulting in shortened fiber length. In contrast, suppression of GhFP2 expression in cotton promoted fiber development, leading to longer fibers compared with the wild type. GhFP2 neither contains a DNA binding domain nor has transcriptional activation activity. Furthermore, we identified GhACE1, a bHLH protein that interacts with GhFP2 and positively regulates fiber elongation. GhACE1 could bind to promoters of plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2;7 (GhPIP2;7) and expansions 8 (GhEXP8) for directly activating their expression, but the interaction between GhFP2 and GhACE1 suppressed transcriptional activation of these target genes by GhACE1. Taken together, our results indicate that GhACE1 promotes fiber elongation by activating expressions of GhPIP2;7 and GhEXP8, but its transcription activation on downstream genes may be obstructed by BR-modulated GhFP2. Thus, our data reveal a key mechanism for fiber cell elongation through a pair of antagonizing HLH/bHLH transcription factors in cotton.
PMID: 35226094
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Feb doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac080
Branching out underground: brassinosteroid signaling promotes lateral root development in rice.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY USA.
PMID: 35212723
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Feb doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac008
Brassinosteroid-regulated bHLH transcription factor CESTA induces the gibberellin 2-oxidase GA2ox7.
Biotechnology of Horticultural Crops, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.; Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK.; Institute of Plant Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroids that have growth-promoting capacities, which are partly enabled by an ability to induce biosynthesis of gibberellins (GAs), a second class of plant hormones. In addition, BRs can also activate GA catabolism; here we show that in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) the bHLH transcription factor CESTA (CES) and its homologues BRASSINOSTEROID ENHANCED EXPRESSION (BEE) 1 and 3 contribute to this activity. CES and the BEEs are BR-regulated at the transcriptional and posttranslational level and participate in different physiological processes, including vegetative and reproduction development, shade avoidance, and cold stress responses. We show that CES/BEEs can induce the expression of the class III GA 2-oxidase GA2ox7 and that this activity is increased by BRs. In BR signaling- and CES/BEE-deficient mutants, GA2ox7 expression decreased, yielding reduced levels of GA110, a product of GA2ox7 activity. In plants that over-express CES, GA2ox7 expression is hyper-responsive to BR, GA110 levels are elevated and amounts of bioactive GA are reduced. We provide evidence that CES directly binds to the GA2ox7 promoter and is activated by BRs, but can also act by BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1)-independent means. Based on these results, we propose a model for CES activity in GA catabolism where CES can be recruited for GA2ox7 induction not only by BR, but also by other factors.
PMID: 35148416
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Feb doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac043
Brassinosteroids regulate rice seed germination through the BZR1-RAmy3D transcriptional module.
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Sate Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.; Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops of Jiangsu Province/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
Seed dormancy and germination, two physiological processes unique to seed-bearing plants, are critical for plant growth and crop production. The phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR) regulates many aspects of plant growth and development, including seed germination. The molecular mechanisms underlying BR control of rice (Oryza sativa) seed germination are mostly unknown. We investigated the molecular regulatory cascade of BR in promoting rice seed germination and post-germination growth. Physiological assays indicated that blocking BR signaling, including introducing defects into the BR insensitive 1 (BRI1) receptor or overexpressing the glycogen synthase kinase 2 (GSK2) kinase, delayed seed germination and suppressed embryo growth. Our results also indicated that brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1) is the key downstream transcription factor that mediates BR regulation of seed germination by binding to the alpha-Amylase 3D (RAmy3D) promoter, which affects alpha-amylase expression and activity and the degradation of starch in the endosperm. The BZR1-RAmy3D module functions independently from the established Gibberellin MYB (GAMYB)-alpha-amylase 1A (RAmy1A) module of the gibberellin (GA) pathway. We demonstrate that the BZR1-RAmy3D module also functions in embryo-related tissues. Moreover, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified more potential BZR1-responsive genes, including those involved in starch and sucrose metabolism. Our study successfully identified the role of the BZR1-RAmy3D transcriptional module in regulating rice seed germination.
PMID: 35139229
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2022 Feb doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac046
The CCCH Zinc Finger Protein C3H15 Negatively Regulates Cell Elongation by Inhibiting Brassinosteroid Signaling.
College of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.; Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China.; Academy of Dongying Efficient Agricultural Technology and Industry on Saline and Alkaline Land in Collaboration with Qingdao Agricultural University, Dongying 257000, China.; State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.; College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.; Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China.; Key Laboratory of Plant Cell Engineering and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.; College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Plant CCCH proteins participate in the control of multiple developmental and adaptive processes, but the regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes are not well known. In this study, we showed that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CCCH protein C3H15 negatively regulates cell elongation by inhibiting brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Genetic and biochemical evidence showed that C3H15 functions downstream of the receptor BR INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) as a negative regulator in the BR pathway. C3H15 is phosphorylated by the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 (GSK3)-like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) at Ser111 in the cytoplasm in the absence of BRs. Upon BR perception, C3H15 transcription is enhanced, and the phosphorylation of C3H15 by BIN2 is reduced. The dephosphorylated C3H15 protein accumulates in the nucleus, where C3H15 regulates transcription via G-rich elements (typically GGGAGA). C3H15 and BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1)/BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1), two central transcriptional regulators of BR signaling, directly suppress each other and share a number of BR-responsive target genes. Moreover, C3H15 antagonizes BZR1 and BES1 to regulate the expression of their shared cell elongation-associated target gene, SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA 15 (SAUR15). This study demonstrates that C3H15-mediated BR signaling may be parallel to, or even attenuate, the dominant BZR1 and BES1 signaling pathways to control cell elongation. This finding expands our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying BR-induced cell elongation in plants.
PMID: 35139225
J Integr Plant Biol , IF:7.061 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1111/jipb.13241
Sphingolipid synthesis inhibitor fumonisin B1 causes verticillium wilt in cotton.
Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Crop Quality Improvement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae is a major disease of cotton. Acidic protein-lipopolysaccharide complexes are thought to be the toxins responsible for its symptoms. Here, we determined that the sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor fumonisin B1 (FB1) acts as a toxin and phenocopies the symptoms induced by V. dahliae. Knocking out genes required for FB1 biosynthesis reduced V. dahliae pathogenicity. Moreover, we showed that overexpression of a FB1 and V. dahliae both downregulated gene, GhIQD10, enhanced verticillium wilt resistance by promoting the expression of brassinosteroid and anti-pathogen genes. Our results provide a new strategy for preventing verticillium wilt in cotton. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 35238484
J Integr Plant Biol , IF:7.061 , 2022 Mar , V64 (3) : P702-716 doi: 10.1111/jipb.13197
Interaction of brassinosteroid and cytokinin promotes ovule initiation and increases seed number per silique in Arabidopsis.
School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.; School of Agriculture and Biology, Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Ovule initiation is a key step that strongly influences ovule number and seed yield. Notably, mutants with enhanced brassinosteroid (BR) and cytokinin (CK) signaling produce more ovules and have a higher seed number per silique (SNS) than wild-type plants. Here, we crossed BR- and CK-related mutants to test whether these phytohormones function together in ovule initiation. We determined that simultaneously enhancing BR and CK contents led to higher ovule and seed numbers than enhancing BR or CK separately, and BR and CK enhanced each other. Further, the BR-response transcription factor BZR1 directly interacted with the CK-response transcription factor ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR1 (ARR1). Treatments with BR or BR plus CK strengthened this interaction and subsequent ARR1 targeting and induction of downstream genes to promote ovule initiation. Enhanced CK signaling partially rescued the reduced SNS phenotype of BR-deficient/insensitive mutants whereas enhanced BR signaling failed to rescue the low SNS of CK-deficient mutants, suggesting that BR regulates ovule initiation and SNS through CK-mediated and -independent pathways. Our study thus reveals that interaction between BR and CK promotes ovule initiation and increases seed number, providing important clues for increasing the seed yield of dicot crops.
PMID: 34837335
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2022 Mar , V73 (5) : P1415-1428 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab475
Inhibition of 4-HYDROXYPHENYLPYRUVATE DIOXYGENASE expression by brassinosteroid reduces carotenoid accumulation in Arabidopsis.
Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763South Korea.; Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.; Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974South Korea.; Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea.; Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea.
Unlike the indispensable function of the steroid hormone brassinosteroid (BR) in regulating plant growth and development, the metabolism of secondary metabolites regulated by BR is not well known. Here we show that BR reduces carotenoid accumulation in Arabidopsis seedlings. BR-deficient or BR-insensitive mutants accumulated higher content of carotenoids than wild-type plants, whereas BR treatment reduced carotenoid content. We demonstrated that BR transcriptionally suppresses 4-HYDROXYPHENYLPYRUVATE DIOXYGENASE (HPPD) expression involved in carotenogenesis via plastoquinone production. We found that the expression of HPPD displays an oscillation pattern that is expressed more strongly in dark than in light conditions. Moreover, BR appeared to inhibit HPPD expression more strongly in darkness than in light, leading to suppression of a diurnal oscillation of HPPD expression. BR-responsive transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) directly bound to the promoter of HPPD, and HPPD suppression by BR was increased in the bzr1-1D gain-of-function mutation. Interestingly, dark-induced HPPD expression did not cause carotenoid accumulation, due to down-regulation of other carotenoid biosynthetic genes in the dark. Our results suggest that BR regulates different physiological responses in dark and light through inhibition of HPPD expression.
PMID: 34718527
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2022 Mar , V109 (5) : P1048-1063 doi: 10.1111/tpj.15613
The phosphoproteomic and interactomic landscape of qGL3/OsPPKL1-mediated brassinosteroid signaling in rice.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Research Center of Seed Industry Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Information Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, China.
Oryza sativa L. (rice) is one of the most important crops in the world, and grain size is a major component determining rice yield. Recent studies have identified a number of grain size regulators, which are involved in phytohormone signaling, G protein signaling, the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway or transcriptional regulation. In a previous study, we cloned qGL3/OsPPKL1 encoding a rice protein phosphatase that negatively modulates brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and grain length. Here, to further explore the qGL3-mediated BR signaling network, we performed phosphoproteomic screenings using two pairs of rice materials: the indica rice cultivar 9311 and its near-isogenic line NIL(qgl3) and the japonica rice cultivar Dongjin and its qGL3 knockout mutant m-qgl3. Together with qGL3-interacting proteins, we constructed the qGL3-mediated network, which reveals the relationships between BR signaling and other critical signaling pathways. Transgenic plants of these network components showed BR-related alterations in plant architecture. From this network, we validated a qGL3-interacting protein, O. sativa VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3-LIKE 1 (OsVIL1), and demonstrated that qGL3 dephosphorylates OsVIL1 to modulate BR signaling. The qGL3-dependent network uncovered in this study increases our understanding of BR signaling and provides a profound foundation for addressing how BR modulates plant architecture in rice.
PMID: 34839552
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2022 Feb , V23 (3) doi: 10.3390/ijms23031817
Heat Stress Resistance Mechanisms of Two Cucumber Varieties from Different Regions.
Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Biology and Germplasm Innovation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.; Guangdong Vegetable Engineering and Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
High temperatures affect the yield and quality of vegetable crops. Unlike thermosensitive plants, thermotolerant plants have excellent systems for withstanding heat stress. This study evaluated various heat resistance indexes of the thermotolerant cucumber (TT) and thermosensitive cucumber (TS) plants at the seedling stage. The similarities and differences between the regulatory genes were assessed through transcriptome analysis to understand the mechanisms for heat stress resistance in cucumber. The TT plants exhibited enhanced leaf status, photosystem, root viability, and ROS scavenging under high temperature compared to the TS plants. Additionally, transcriptome analysis showed that the genes involved in photosynthesis, the chlorophyll metabolism, and defense responses were upregulated in TT plants but downregulated in TS plants. Zeatin riboside (ZR), brassinosteroid (BR), and jasmonic acid (JA) levels were higher in TT plants than in TS. The heat stress increased gibberellic acid (GA) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) levels in both plant lines; however, the level of GA was higher in TT. Correlation and interaction analyses revealed that heat cucumber heat resistance is regulated by a few transcription factor family genes and metabolic pathways. Our study revealed different phenotypic and physiological mechanisms of the heat response by the thermotolerant and thermosensitive cucumber plants. The plants were also shown to exhibit different expression profiles and metabolic pathways. The heat resistant pathways and genes of two cucumber varieties were also identified. These results enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cucumber response to high-temperature stress.
PMID: 35163740
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2022 , V13 : P809723 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.809723
Physio-Morphological, Biochemical and Transcriptomic Analyses Provide Insights Into Drought Stress Responses in Mesona chinensis Benth.
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources Protection and Genetic Improvement, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China.; Guangxi Engineering Research Center of TCM Resource Intelligent Creation, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China.
Drought stress affects the normal growth and development of Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB), which is an important medicinal and edible plant in China. To investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in MCB, different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) (0, 5, 10, and 15%) were used to simulate drought conditions in this study. Results showed that the growth of MCB was significantly limited under drought stress conditions. Drought stress induced the increases in the contents of Chla, Chlb, Chla + b, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and soluble pectin and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Transcriptome analysis revealed 3,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1,961 up-regulated and 1,533 down-regulated) between the control and 15% PEG6000 treatments. These DEGs were identified to be involved in the 10 metabolic pathways, including "plant hormone signal transduction," "brassinosteroid biosynthesis," "plant-pathogen interaction," "MAPK signaling pathway-plant," "starch and sucrose metabolism," "pentose and glucuronate interconversions," "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis," "galactose metabolism," "monoterpenoid biosynthesis," and "ribosome." In addition, transcription factors (TFs) analysis showed 8 out of 204 TFs, TRINITY_DN3232_c0_g1 [ABA-responsive element (ABRE)-binding transcription factor1, AREB1], TRINITY_DN4161_c0_g1 (auxin response factor, ARF), TRINITY_DN3183_c0_g2 (abscisic acid-insensitive 5-like protein, ABI5), TRINITY_DN28414_c0_g2 (ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF1b, ERF1b), TRINITY_DN9557_c0_g1 (phytochrome-interacting factor, PIF3), TRINITY_DN11435_c1_g1, TRINITY_DN2608_c0_g1, and TRINITY_DN6742_c0_g1, were closely related to the "plant hormone signal transduction" pathway. Taken together, it was inferred that these pathways and TFs might play important roles in response to drought stress in MCB. The current study provided important information for MCB drought resistance breeding in the future.
PMID: 35222473
Genomics , IF:5.736 , 2022 Mar , V114 (2) : P110271 doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110271
Transcriptome profiling reveals major structural genes, transcription factors and biosynthetic pathways involved in leaf senescence and nitrogen remobilization in rainfed spring wheat under different nitrogen fertilization rates.
State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), P. O. Box 7, Bunso, Ghana.; State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China. Electronic address: lill@gsau.edu.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.; Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, University for Development Studies, P. O Box TL 1882, Tamale, Ghana.
The present study was undertaken to profile transcriptional changes in flag leaves between anthesis and end of grain filling stages of rainfed spring wheat cultivar under varying nitrogen (N) application rates: 0 kg/ha (NN), 52.5 kg/ha (LN), and 210 kg/ha (HN). A total of 4485 and 4627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in LN and HN, respectively. The differential application of N altered several pathways; including plant hormone signal transduction, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway-plant, photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and ATP-binding cassette transporters. Jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, salicylic acid and brassinosteroid related genes promoted leaf senescence in NN or LN, whereas auxin, gibberellin acid and cytokinins genes inhibited leaf senescence in HN. Major transcription factors: auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (AUX/IAA), no apical meristem (NAC) and WRKY expressed higher in either HN or LN than NN. The DEGs, pathways and transcription factors provide valuable insight for manipulation of leaf senescence and N remobilization in wheat.
PMID: 35065192
Theor Appl Genet , IF:5.699 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1007/s00122-022-04067-2
The kinesin-13 protein BR HYPERSENSITIVE 1 is a negative brassinosteroid signaling component regulating rice growth and development.
College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, China.; Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.; State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, 310006, China.; Plant Phenomics Research Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, China. ycyu@hznu.edu.cn.; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, China. lmwu2006@aliyun.com.; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou, 310036, China. lmwu2006@aliyun.com.
Phytohormones performed critical roles in regulating plant architecture and thus determine grain yield in rice. However, the roles of brassinosteroids (BRs) compared to other phytohormones in shaping rice architecture are less studied. In this study, we report that BR hypersensitive1 (BHS1) plays a negative role in BR signaling and regulate rice architecture. BHS1 encodes the kinesin-13a protein and regulates grain length. We found that bhs1 was hypersensitive to BR, while BHS1-overexpression was less sensitive to BR compare to WT. BHS1 was down-regulated at RNA and protein level upon exogenous BR treatment, and proteasome inhibitor MG132 delayed the BHS1 degradation, indicating that both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation machineries are involved in BHS1-mediated regulation of plant growth and development. Furthermore, we found that the BR-induced degradation of BHS1 was attenuated in Osbri1 and Osbak1 mutants, but not in Osbzr1 and Oslic mutants. Together, these results suggest that BHS1 is a novel component which is involved in negative regulation of the BR signaling downstream player of BRI1.
PMID: 35258682
Theor Appl Genet , IF:5.699 , 2022 Mar , V135 (3) : P979-991 doi: 10.1007/s00122-021-04011-w
RIP2 interacts with REL1 to control leaf architecture by modulating brassinosteroid signaling in rice.
State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.; College of Agriculture & Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510550, China.; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. wywang@scau.edu.cn.; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. zmzhang@scau.edu.cn.
KEY MESSAGE: RIP2 serves as a negative regulator of leaf inclination through the coordination of BR signaling in rice. Leaf angle is considered as an important morphological trait in rice. Appropriate leaf angle increases the efficiency of sunlight capture and maintains a high level of photosynthesis, ultimately improving crop yield. Our present study demonstrates that RIP2 encodes a RING finger E3 ligase protein that directly binds to ROLLED AND ERECT LEAF 1 (REL1), a key regulator of leaf morphogenesis. Further studies reveal that RIP2 is extensively involved in leaf inclination through the coordination of BR signaling. Repression of RIP2 led to altered phenotypes, including enlarged leaf inclination and fewer tillers. Conversely, rice overexpressing RIP2 exhibited erect leaves. The double mutant rel1 rip2 displayed phenotypes similar to those of rel1, characterized by rolled leaves. Transcriptome profiling of WT, rel1, rip2, and rel1 rip2 mutants revealed that BR and IAA signaling pathways were impaired in rip2. Moreover, rel1, rip2, and rel1 rip2 were insensitive to BR treatment. In summary, these findings demonstrate that RIP2 serves as a negative regulator of leaf inclination, and therefore, provides an approach for the optimization of an ideal plant type.
PMID: 35083510
Theor Appl Genet , IF:5.699 , 2022 Mar , V135 (3) : P1113-1128 doi: 10.1007/s00122-021-04021-8
Genome-wide superior alleles, haplotypes and candidate genes associated with tolerance on sodic-dispersive soils in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Ct, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia. Darshan.Sharma@dpird.wa.gov.au.; College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia. Darshan.Sharma@dpird.wa.gov.au.; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Ct, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia. Roopali.bhoite@gmail.com.; College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia. Roopali.bhoite@gmail.com.; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Ct, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia.; Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, AgriBioVIC, Australia.
KEY MESSAGE: The pleiotropic SNPs/haplotypes, overlapping genes (metal ion binding, photosynthesis), and homozygous/biallelic SNPs and transcription factors (HTH myb-type and BHLH) hold great potential for improving wheat yield potential on sodic-dispersive soils. Sodic-dispersive soils have multiple subsoil constraints including poor soil structure, alkaline pH and subsoil toxic elemental ion concentration, affecting growth and development in wheat. Tolerance is required at all developmental stages to enhance wheat yield potential on such soils. An in-depth investigation of genome-wide associations was conducted using a field phenotypic data of 206 diverse Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS) wheat lines for two consecutive years from different sodic and non-sodic plots and the exome targeted genotyping by sequencing (tGBS) assay. A total of 39 quantitative trait SNPs (QTSs), including 18 haplotypes were identified on chromosome 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 5A, 5D, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7D for yield and yield-components tolerance. Among these, three QTSs had common associations for multiple traits, indicating pleiotropism and four QTSs had close associations for multiple traits, within 32.38 Mb. The overlapping metal ion binding (Mn, Ca, Zn and Al) and photosynthesis genes and transcription factors (PHD-, Dof-, HTH myb-, BHLH-, PDZ_6-domain) identified are known to be highly regulated during germination, maximum stem elongation, anthesis, and grain development stages. The homozygous/biallelic SNPs having allele frequency above 30% were identified for yield and crop establishment/plants m(-2). These SNPs correspond to HTH myb-type and BHLH transcription factors, brassinosteroid signalling pathway, kinase activity, ATP and chitin binding activity. These resources are valuable in haplotype-based breeding and genome editing to improve yield potential on sodic-dispersive soils.
PMID: 34985536
Front Genet , IF:4.599 , 2021 , V12 : P809608 doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.809608
Feedback Inhibition Might Dominate the Accumulation Pattern of BR in the New Shoots of Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis).
College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
Brassinosteroid (BR), a kind of polyhydroxylated steroid hormone, plays an important role in physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Studies were mainly focused on BR signaling and its exogenous spraying to help enhance crop yields. Few research studies are centered on the accumulation pattern of BR and its mechanism. Yet, it is crucial to unlock the mystery of the function of BR and its cross action with other hormones. Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is one of the important economic crops in some countries, and new shoots are the raw materials for the preparation of various tea products. Different concentrations of exogenous BR were reported to have different effects on growth and development. New shoots of tea plants can thus be considered a valuable research object to study the accumulation pattern of BR. In this study, the quantity of five BR components (brassinolide, 28-norbrassinolide, 28-homobrassinolide, castasterone, and 28-norcastasterone) in different tissues of tea plants, including buds (Bud), different maturity of leaves (L1, L2), and stems (S1, S2) were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. A total of 15 cDNA libraries of the same tissue with three repetitions for each were constructed and sequenced. The BR-accumulation pattern and gene expression pattern were combined together for weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). BR-accumulation-relative genes were then screened using two methods, based on the K.in value and BR biosynthetic pathway (ko00905), respectively. The result showed that photosynthesis-related genes and CYP450 family genes were actively involved and might play important roles in BR accumulation and/or its accumulation pattern. First and foremost, feedback inhibition was more likely to dominate the accumulation pattern of BR in the new shoots of tea plants. Moreover, three conserved miRNAs with their target transcriptional factors and target mRNAs had been figured out from negative correlation modules that might be strongly linked to the BR-accumulation pattern. Our study provided an experimental basis for the role of BR in tea plants. The excavation of genes related to the accumulation pattern of BR provided the possibility of cross-action studies on the regulation of BR biosynthesis and the study between BR and other hormones.
PMID: 35273632
Ann Bot , IF:4.357 , 2022 Mar , V129 (4) : P403-413 doi: 10.1093/aob/mcab152
MYB42 inhibits hypocotyl cell elongation by coordinating brassinosteroid homeostasis and signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana.
College of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.; Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.; State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.; College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The precise control of brassinosteroid (BR) homeostasis and signalling is a prerequisite for hypocotyl cell elongation in plants. Arabidopsis MYB42 and its paralogue MYB85 were previously identified to be positive regulators of secondary cell wall formation during mature stages. Here, we aim to reveal the role of MYB42 and MYB85 in hypocotyl elongation during the seedling stage and clarify how MYB42 coordinates BR homeostasis and signalling to regulate this process. METHODS: Histochemical analysis of proMYB42-GUS transgenic plants was used for determination of the MYB42 expression pattern. The MYB42, 85 overexpression, double mutant and some crossing lines were generated for phenotypic observation and transcriptome analysis. Transcription activation assays, quantitative PCR (qPCR), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were conducted to determine the relationship of MYB42 and BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (BZR1), a master switch activating BR signalling. KEY RESULTS: MYB42 and MYB85 redundantly and negatively regulate hypocotyl cell elongation. They function in hypocotyl elongation by mediating BR signalling. MYB42 transcription was suppressed by BR treatment or in bzr1-1D (a gain-of-function mutant of BZR1), and mutation of both MYB42 and MYB85 enhanced the dwarf phenotype of the BR receptor mutant bri1-5. BZR1 directly repressed MYB42 expression in response to BR. Consistently, hypocotyl length of bzr1-1D was increased by simultaneous mutation of MYB42 and MYB85, but was reduced by overexpression of MYB42. Expression of a number of BR-regulated BZR1 (non-)targets associated with hypocotyl elongation was suppressed by MYB42, 85. Furthermore, MYB42 enlarged its action in BR signalling through feedback repression of BR accumulation and activation of DOGT1/UGT73C5, a BR-inactivating enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: MYB42 inhibits hypocotyl elongation by coordinating BR homeostasis and signalling during primary growth. The present study shows an MYB42, 85-mediated multilevel system that contributes to fine regulation of BR-induced hypocotyl elongation.
PMID: 34922335
Planta , IF:4.116 , 2022 Mar , V255 (4) : P92 doi: 10.1007/s00425-022-03871-w
Functions of OsWRKY24, OsWRKY70 and OsWRKY53 in regulating grain size in rice.
Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China.; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.; Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China. buqingyun@iga.ac.cn.; Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China. tianxiaojie@iga.ac.cn.
MAIN CONCLUSION: OsWRKY24 functions redundantly with OsWRKY53, while OsWRKY70 functions differently from OsWRKY53 in regulating grain size. Grain size is a key agronomic trait that affects grain yield and quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The transcription factor OsWRKY53 positively regulates grain size through brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascades. However, whether the OsWRKY53 homologs OsWRKY24 and OsWRKY70 also contribute to grain size which remains unknown. Here, we report that grain size in OsWRKY24 overexpression lines and oswrky24 mutants is similar to that of the wild type. However, the oswrky24 oswrky53 double mutant produced smaller grains than the oswrky53 single mutant, indicating functional redundancy between OsWRKY24 and OsWRKY53. In addition, OsWRKY70 overexpression lines displayed an enlarged leaf angle, reduced plant height, longer grains, and higher BR sensitivity, phenotypes similar to those of OsWRKY53 overexpression lines. Importantly, a systematic characterization of seed length in the oswrky70 single, the oswrky53 oswrky70 double and the oswrky24 oswrky53 oswrky70 triple mutant indicated that loss of OsWRKY70 also leads to increased seed length, suggesting that OsWRKY70 might play a role distinct from that of OsWRKY53 in regulating grain size. Taken together, these findings suggest that OsWRKY24 and OsWRKY70 regulate rice grain size redundantly and independently from OsWRKY53.
PMID: 35322309
Planta , IF:4.116 , 2022 Feb , V255 (4) : P73 doi: 10.1007/s00425-022-03861-y
The role of N-myristoylation in homeostasis of brassinosteroid signaling kinase 1.
School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China.; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China. shanxy80@tsinghua.edu.cn.
MAIN CONCLUSION: The N-myristoylation is required for BSK1 proper plasma membrane targeting and protein turnover. Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling kinase 1 (BSK1), with a myristoylation site at its N-terminus to anchor at plasma membrane (PM), is involved in BR-regulated plant growth and flg22-triggered immunity responses. However, little is known about the role of N-myristoylation in BSK1 protein homeostasis. Here, we revealed that N-myristoylation is critical to the PM targeting and protein stability of BSK1. The N-myristoylation-deficient mutant BSK1(G2A) mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. We further found that the BSK1(G2A) proteins were unstable and degraded through ATG8e-labled autophagic pathway. This study provides a new insight into the regulation of plant protein homeostasis.
PMID: 35220507
Plant Genome , IF:4.089 , 2022 Mar , V15 (1) : Pe20174 doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20174
Genome-wide association study for lignocellulosic compounds and fermentable sugar in rice straw.
Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti Univ., Tehran, Iran.; Division of Glycoscience, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Centre, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden.; Wallenberg Wood Science Centre, Teknikringen 56-58, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden.; Linnean Centre for Plant Biology, Dep. of Plant Biology, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Cellulose and lignin are the two main components of secondary plant cell walls with substantial impact on stalk in the field and on straw during industrial processing. The amount of fermentable sugar that can be accessed is another important parameter affecting various industrial applications. In the present study, genetic variability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for cellulose, lignin, and fermentable sugars contents was analyzed in rice straw. A genome-wide association study of 33,484 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a minor allele frequency (MAF) >0.05 was performed. The genome-wide association study identified seven, three, and three genomic regions to be significantly associated with cellulose, lignin, and fermentable sugar contents, respectively. Candidate genes in the associated genomic regions were enzymes mainly involved in cell wall metabolism. Novel SNP markers associated with cellulose were tagged to GH16, peroxidase, GT6, GT8, and CSLD2. For lignin content, Villin protein, OsWAK1/50/52/53, and GH16 were identified. For fermentable sugar content, UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1, and receptor-like protein kinase 5 were found. The results of this study should improve our understanding of the genetic basis of the factors that might be involved in biosynthesis, turnover, and modification of major cell wall components and saccharides in rice straw.
PMID: 34806838
Plant Mol Biol , IF:4.076 , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1007/s11103-022-01258-9
TOPLESS in the regulation of plant immunity.
415, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.; 415, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India. ashis_nandi@mail.jnu.ac.in.
KEY MESSAGE: This review presents the multiple ways how topless and topless-related proteins regulate defense activation in plants and help in optimizing the defense-growth tradeoff. Eukaryotic gene expression is tightly regulated at various levels by hormones, transcription regulators, post-translational modifications, and transcriptional coregulators. TOPLESS (TPL)/TOPLESS-related (TPR) corepressors regulate gene expression by interacting with other transcription factors. TPRs regulate auxin, gibberellins, jasmonic acid, strigolactone, and brassinosteroid signaling in plants. In general, except for GA, TPLs suppress these signaling pathways to prevent unwanted activation of hormone signaling. The association of TPL/TPRs in these hormonal signaling reflects a wide role of this class of corepressors in plants' normal and stress physiology. The involvement of TPL in immune responses was first demonstrated a decade ago as a repressor of DND1 and DND2 that are negative regulators of plant immune response. Over the last decade, several research groups have established a larger role of TPL/TPRs in plant immunity during both pattern- and effector-triggered immunity. Very recent research unraveled the significant involvement of TPRs in balancing the growth and defense trade-off. TPRs, along with proteasomal degradation complex, miRNA, and phasiRNA, suppress the activation of autoimmunity in plants under normal conditions and promote defense under pathogen attack.
PMID: 35347548
Phytopathology , IF:4.025 , 2022 Feb , V112 (2) : P219-231 doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-04-21-0159-R
Endophytic Bacillus subtilis TR21 Improves Banana Plant Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense and Promotes Root Growth by Upregulating the Jasmonate and Brassinosteroid Biosynthesis Pathways.
Innovative Institute for Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, People's Republic of China.; College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, People's Republic of China.; Institute of Fruit Tree Research, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510000, People's Republic of China.; Zhuhai Agricultural Sciences Research Center, Zhuhai 519075, People's Republic of China.; Laboratory & Equipment Management Department, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, People's Republic of China.
The banana (Musa spp.) industry experiences dramatic annual losses from Fusarium wilt of banana disease, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). Pisang Awak banana 'Fenza No. 1' (Musa spp. cultivar Fenza No. 1), a major banana cultivar with high resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4, is considered to be ideal for growth in problematic areas. However, 'Fenza No. 1' is still affected by F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 in the field. TR21 is an endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain isolated from orchids (Dendrobium sp.). Axillary spraying of banana plants with TR21 controls Fusarium wilt of banana, decreasing the growth period and increasing yields in the field. In this study, we established that TR21 increases root growth in different monocotyledonous plant species. By axillary inoculation, TR21 induced a similar transcriptomic change as that induced by F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 but also upregulated the biosynthetic pathways for the phytohormones brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid in 'Fenza No. 1' root tissues, indicating that TR21 increases Fusarium wilt of banana resistance, shortens growth period, and increases yield of banana by inducing specific transcriptional reprogramming and modulating phytohormone levels. These findings will contribute to the identification of candidate genes related to plant resistance against fungi in a nonmodel system and facilitate further study and exploitation of endophytic biocontrol agents.
PMID: 34231376
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2022 Feb , V11 (4) doi: 10.3390/plants11040561
Electrophysiological, Morphologic, and Transcriptomic Profiling of the Ogura-CMS, DGMS and Maintainer Broccoli Lines.
Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, #12 Zhong Guan Cun Nandajie Street, Beijing 100081, China.; China Vegetable Biotechnology (Shouguang) Co., Ltd., Shouguang 262700, China.; Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China.
To better serve breeding of broccoli, the electrophysiological, morphological and transcriptomic profiling of the isogenic Ogura-CMS, DGMS and their maintainer fertile lines, were carried out by scanning electron microscopy, investigation of agronomic traits and RNA-sequencing analysis. The agronomic traits of plant height, length of the largest leaf, plant spread angle, single head weight, head width and stem diameter showed stronger performance in Ogura-CMS broccoli than in DGMS line or maintainer fertile line. However, the Ogura-CMS broccoli was poorer in the seed yield and seed germination than in the DGMS line and maintainer fertile line. Additionally, the DGMS broccoli had longer maturation and flowering periods than the Ogura-CMS and maintainer fertile lines. There were obvious differences in the honey gland, happening in the male sterility and fertile lines of broccoli. Additionally, the mechanism regulating Ogura-CMS and DGMS in broccoli was investigated using florets transcriptome analyses of the Ogura-CMS, DGMS and maintainer fertile lines. As a result, a total of 2670 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, including 1054 up- and 1616 downregulated genes in the Ogura-CMS and DGMS lines compared to the maintainer fertile line. A number of functionally known genes involved in plant hormones (auxin, salicylic acid and brassinosteroid), five Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes of atp8, LOC106319879, LOC106324734, LOC106314622 and LOC106298585, and three upregulated genes (Lhcb1, Lhcb3 and Lhcb5) associated with the photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway, were obviously detected to be highly associated with reproductive development including flowering time, maturity and reproductive period in the Ogura-CMS and DGMS broccoli comparing to their maintainer fertile line. Our research would provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the differences of electrophysiological, morphological and transcriptomic profiles in the Ogura-CMS, DGMS and maintainer broccoli, and as well as being beneficial to exploring the mechanism of male sterility in Brassica crops.
PMID: 35214894
PeerJ , IF:2.984 , 2022 , V10 : Pe12965 doi: 10.7717/peerj.12965
Transcriptome analysis of pod mutant reveals plant hormones are important regulators in controlling pod size in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).
College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.; Henan Academy of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China.
Pod size is an important yield-influencing trait in peanuts. It is affected by plant hormones and identifying the genes related to these hormones may contribute to pod-related trait improvements in peanut breeding programs. However, there is limited information on the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones that regulate pod size in peanuts. We identified a mutant with an extremely small pod (spm) from Yuanza 9102 (WT) by (60)Co gamma-radiation mutagenesis. The length and width of the natural mature pod in spm were only 71.34% and 73.36% of those in WT, respectively. We performed comparative analyses for morphological characteristics, anatomy, physiology, and global transcriptome between spm and WT pods. Samples were collected at 10, 20, and 30 days after peg elongation into the soil, representing stages S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The differences in pod size between WT and spm were seen at stage S1 and became even more striking at stages S2 and S3. The cell sizes of the pods were significantly smaller in spm than in WT at stages S1, S2, and S3. These results suggested that reduced cell size may be one of the important contributors for the small pod in spm. The contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), and brassinosteroid (BR) were also significantly lower in spm pods than those in WT pods at all three stages. RNA-Seq analyses showed that 1,373, 8,053, and 3,358 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at stages S1, S2, and S3, respectively. Functional analyses revealed that a set of DEGs was related to plant hormone biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction pathway, and cell wall biosynthesis and metabolism. Furthermore, several hub genes associated with plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Our results revealed that IAA, GA, and BR may be important regulators in controlling pod size by regulating cell size in peanuts. This study provides helpful information for the understanding of the complex mechanisms of plant hormones in controlling pod size by regulating the cell size in peanuts and will facilitate the improvement of peanut breeding.
PMID: 35251782
J Genet Genomics , 2022 Mar doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.02.026
OsASHL1 and OsASHL2, two members of the COMPASS-like complex, control floral transition and plant development in rice.
Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.; Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.; College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China.; College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330022, China.; Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China. Electronic address: fangjun@iga.ac.cn.
COMPASS or COMPASS-like is a highly conserved polyprotein complex in eukaryotes that is often involved in methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). However, the biological function of this complex in rice (Oryza sativa) is unclear. Here, we report the identification of two members of the rice COMPASS-like complex, OsASHL1 and OsASHL2, and the characterization of their functions in growth and development. The osashl1 osashl2 double mutant shows a dwarf and late-flowering phenotype. Lower expression of Ehd1, OsVIL4, and OsMADS51 in the osashl1 osashl2 double mutant background accompanies a delayed vegetative growth phase and photoperiod-sensitive phase compared to that in wild type. Notably, there is less H3K4 mono-, di- and trimethylation genome-wide in the double mutant, in particular less H3K4 trimethylation at OsVIL4. Consistent with this result, knockout of OsVIL4 gives rise to a late-flowering phenotype similar to that of the osashl1 osashl2 double mutant, suggesting that OsVIL4 is a target of the COMPASS-like complex. In addition, the expression of key genes in brassinosteroid and gibberellic acid metabolism is altered in the osashl1 osashl2 double mutant, suggesting that the COMPASS-like complex regulates plant growth and development by modulating the levels of these two phytohormones. In summary, we demonstrate that OsASHL1 and OsASHL2 are important for floral transition and plant development.
PMID: 35306222
Heliyon , 2022 Feb , V8 (2) : Pe08977 doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08977
Foliar brassinosteroid analogue (DI-31) sprays increase drought tolerance by improving plant growth and photosynthetic efficiency in lulo plants.
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogota, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Departamento de Agronomia, Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogota, 111321, Colombia.
The use of agronomic alternatives such as plant hormone sprays has been considered a tool to mitigate drought stress. This research aimed to evaluate the use of foliar brassinosteroid analogue DI-31 (BRs) sprays on plant growth, leaf exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, and biochemical variables in lulo (Solanum quitoense L. cv. septentrionale) seedlings grown under drought stress conditions. Seedlings were grown in plastic pots (3 L) using a mix between peat and sand (1:1 v/v) as substrate. Lulo plants were subjected to drought stress by suppressing 100% of the water needs at 30-37 and 73-80 days after transplanting (DAT). Foliar BRs analogue (DI-31) sprays were carried out at four different rates (0, 1, 2, 4, or 8 mL of analogue per liter) at different times (30, 33, 44, 60, 73, and 76 DAT). Drought stress caused a reduction in the Fv/Fm ratio, leaf gas exchange properties, total biomass, and relative water content. Foliar DI-31 sprays enhanced leaf photosynthesis in well-watered (WW) ( approximately 10.7 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) or water-stressed plants (WS) ( approximately 6.1 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) when lulo plants were treated at a dose of 4 and 8 mL.L(-1) compared to their respective controls (0 mL.L(-1) for WW: 8.83 mumol m(-2) s(-1) and WS: 2.01 mumol m(-2) s(-1)). Also, DI-31 sprays enhanced the photochemical efficiency of PSII, and plant growth. They also increased the concentration of photosynthetic pigments (TChl and Cx + c) and reduced lipid peroxidation of membranes (MDA) under drought conditions. The results allow us to suggest that the use of DI-31 at a dose of 4 or 8 mL.L(-1) can be a tool for managing water stress conditions caused by low water availability in the soil in lulo-producing areas to face situations of moderate water deficit at different times of the year.
PMID: 35243095