Trends Plant Sci , IF:18.313 , 2024 Sep , V29 (9) : P958-961 doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.04.004
Emerging multiple function of B-RAFs in plants.
Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China. Electronic address: wangpc@sustech.edu.cn.
Recent studies have revealed that B-subgroup rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF) kinases have pivotal roles in hormone signaling and stress responses across a wide range of organisms. In this forum, I explore their evolution and diverse signaling pathways, highlighting the significance of B-RAF kinases in plant growth and plant-environment interactions while discussing open questions for future research.
PMID: 38719711
Adv Sci (Weinh) , IF:16.806 , 2024 Sep , V11 (33) : Pe2402442 doi: 10.1002/advs.202402442
VIK-Mediated Auxin Signaling Regulates Lateral Root Development in Arabidopsis.
The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China.; College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266109, China.
The crucial role of TIR1-receptor-mediated gene transcription regulation in auxin signaling has long been established. In recent years, the significant role of protein phosphorylation modifications in auxin signal transduction has gradually emerged. To further elucidate the significant role of protein phosphorylation modifications in auxin signaling, a phosphoproteomic analysis in conjunction with auxin treatment has identified an auxin activated Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase (MAPKKK) VH1-INTERACTING Kinase (VIK), which plays an important role in auxin-induced lateral root (LR) development. In the vik mutant, auxin-induced LR development is significantly attenuated. Further investigations show that VIK interacts separately with the positive regulator of LR development, LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN18 (LBD18), and the negative regulator of LR emergence, Ethylene Responsive Factor 13 (ERF13). VIK directly phosphorylates and stabilizes the positive transcription factor LBD18 in LR formation. In the meantime, VIK directly phosphorylates the negative regulator ERF13 at Ser168 and Ser172 sites, causing its degradation and releasing the repression by ERF13 on LR emergence. In summary, VIK-mediated auxin signaling regulates LR development by enhancing the protein stability of LBD18 and inducing the degradation of ERF13, respectively.
PMID: 38958531
Nat Commun , IF:14.919 , 2024 Aug , V15 (1) : P7576 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51726-7
ZmGDIalpha-hel counters the RBSDV-induced reduction of active gibberellins to alleviate maize rough dwarf virus disease.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience/College of Agronomy and Biotechnology/National Maize Improvement Center/Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.; College of Agronomy/State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, PR China.; College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience/College of Agronomy and Biotechnology/National Maize Improvement Center/Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China. mxu@cau.edu.cn.
Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) threatens maize production globally. The P7-1 effector of the rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) targets maize Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (ZmGDIalpha) to cause MRDD. However, P7-1 has difficulty recruiting a ZmGDIalpha variant with an alternative helitron-derived exon 10 (ZmGDIalpha-hel), resulting in recessive resistance. Here, we demonstrate that P7-1 can recruit another maize protein, gibberellin 2-oxidase 13 (ZmGA2ox7.3), which also exhibits tighter binding affinity for ZmGDIalpha than ZmGDIalpha-hel. The oligomerization of ZmGA2ox7.3 is vital for its function in converting bioactive gibberellins into inactive forms. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of ZmGA2ox7.3 oligomers increases when forming hetero-oligomers with P7-1/ZmGDIalpha, but decreases when ZmGDIalpha-hel replaces ZmGDIalpha. Viral infection significantly promotes ZmGA2ox7.3 expression and oligomerization in ZmGDIalpha-containing susceptible maize, resulting in reduced bioactive GA(1)/GA(4) levels. This causes an auxin/cytokinin imbalance and ultimately manifests as MRDD syndrome. Conversely, in resistant maize, ZmGDIalpha-hel counters these virus-induced changes, thereby mitigating MRDD severity.
PMID: 39217146
Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.09.003
The JA-to-ABA signaling relay promotes lignin deposition for wound healing in Arabidopsis.
College of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230000, China.; College of Life Sciences, College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong, China.
Plants are frequently exposed to herbivory and mechanical damage that results in wounding. Two fundamental strategies, regeneration and healing, are employed by plants upon wounding. It is not fully understood how plants make different decisions, and how wound healing is sustained until the damaged tissues recover. In this study, we find that the local auxin accumulation patterns, determined by wounding modes, may activate different recovery programs in wounded tissues. Wounding triggers a transient jasmonic acid (JA) signaling that promotes lignin deposition in the first few hours after wounding occurs. This early response is subsequently relayed to ABA signaling via MYC2. The induced JA signaling promotes ABA biosynthesis to maintain the expression of RAP2.6, a key factor for sustained lignin biosynthesis and the later wound healing process. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into how plants heal from wounding and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the prolonged healing process following wounding.
PMID: 39262116
Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.09.002
The OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module promotes root development and drought tolerance in upland rice.
Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Electronic address: lijinjie@cau.edu.cn.
Drought is a major environmental stress limiting crop yields worldwide. Upland rice (Oryza sativa) has evolved complex genetic mechanisms to adjust to drought stress. However, few genetic variants have been identified that mediate drought resistance in upland rice, and little is known about the evolution of this trait during domestication. Here, using a genome-wide association study in rice, we identified ROOT LENGTH 1 (RoLe1) controlling root length and drought resistance. We demonstrate that a G-to-T polymorphism in the RoLe1 promoter increases binding of the transcription factor OsNAC41 to activate its transcription. We also show that RoLe1 interacts with and interferes with the function of OsAGAP, an ARF-GTPase activating protein involved in auxin-dependent root development, to modulate root development. Furthermore, RoLe1 enhanced crop yield by increasing the seed setting rate under moderate drought conditions. Genomic evolution analysis showed that a newly arisen favorable allelic variant, proRoLe1(-526T), originated from Region I (Midwest Asia) and was retained in upland rice during domestication. Our findings propose a OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module, providing promising genetic targets for molecular breeding of drought-resistant varieties in rice.
PMID: 39228126
Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2024 Sep , V17 (9) : P1407-1422 doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.07.014
A dose-dependent bimodal switch by homologous Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors.
Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: htcho@snu.ac.kr.; Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Climate and Energy Systems Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
Combinatorial interactions between different regulators diversify and enrich the chance of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, a dose-dependent functional switch of homologous transcriptional repressors has rarely been reported. Here, we show that SHY2, an auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) repressor, exhibits a dose-dependent bimodal role in auxin-sensitive root-hair growth and gene transcription in Arabidopsis, whereas other Aux/IAA homologs consistently repress the auxin responses. The co-repressor (TOPLESS [TPL])-binding affinity of a bimodal Aux/IAA was lower than that of a consistently repressing Aux/IAA. The switch of a single amino acid residue in the TPL-binding motif between the bimodal form and the consistently repressing form switched their TPL-binding affinity and transcriptional and biological roles in auxin responses. Based on these data, we propose a model whereby competition between homologous repressors with different co-repressor-binding affinities could generate a bimodal output at the transcriptional and developmental levels.
PMID: 39095993
Dev Cell , IF:12.27 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.08.010
DRMY1 promotes robust morphogenesis in Arabidopsis by sustaining the translation of cytokinin-signaling inhibitor proteins.
Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Section of Plant Biology, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.; Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.; Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.; Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biosciences-QB3, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.; Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Section of Plant Biology, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: ahr75@cornell.edu.
Robustness is the invariant development of phenotype despite environmental changes and genetic perturbations. In the Arabidopsis flower bud, four sepals robustly initiate and grow to a constant size to enclose and protect the inner floral organs. We previously characterized the mutant development-related myb-like 1 (drmy1), where 3-5 sepals initiate variably and grow to different sizes, compromising their protective function. The molecular mechanism underlying this loss of robustness was unclear. Here, we show that drmy1 has reduced TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) activity, ribosomal content, and translation. Translation reduction decreases the protein level of ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR7 (ARR7) and ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE PHOSPHOTRANSFER PROTEIN 6 (AHP6), two cytokinin-signaling inhibitors that are normally rapidly produced before sepal initiation. The resultant upregulation of cytokinin signaling disrupts robust auxin patterning and sepal initiation. Our work shows that the homeostasis of translation, a ubiquitous cellular process, is crucial for the robust spatiotemporal patterning of organogenesis.
PMID: 39305905
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3875-3893 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae212
Strigolactone-induced degradation of SMXL7 and SMXL8 contributes to gibberellin- and auxin-mediated fiber cell elongation in cotton.
State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China.; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China.; Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Cotton (Gossypium) fiber length, a key trait determining fiber yield and quality, is highly regulated by a class of recently identified phytohormones, strigolactones (SLs). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SL signaling involved in fiber cell development are largely unknown. Here, we show that the SL signaling repressors MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2-LIKE7 (GhSMXL7) and GhSMXL8 negatively regulate cotton fiber elongation. Specifically, GhSMXL7 and GhSMXL8 inhibit the polyubiquitination and degradation of the gibberellin (GA)-triggered DELLA protein (GhSLR1). Biochemical analysis revealed that GhSMXL7 and GhSMXL8 physically interact with GhSLR1, which interferes with the association of GhSLR1 with the E3 ligase GA INSENSITIVE2 (GhGID2), leading to the repression of GA signal transduction. GhSMXL7 also interacts with the transcription factor GhHOX3, preventing its binding to the promoters of essential fiber elongation regulatory genes. Moreover, both GhSMXL7 and GhSMXL8 directly bind to the promoter regions of the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) genes GhARF18-10A, GhARF18-10D, and GhARF19-7D to suppress their expression. Cotton plants in which GhARF18-10A, GhARF18-10D, and GhARF19-7D transcript levels had been reduced by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) displayed reduced fiber length compared with control plants. Collectively, our findings reveal a mechanism illustrating how SL integrates GA and auxin signaling to coordinately regulate plant cell elongation at the single-cell level.
PMID: 39046066
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3689-3708 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae176
Two pyridoxal phosphate homeostasis proteins are essential for management of the coenzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in Arabidopsis.
Vitamins & Environmental Stress Responses in Plants, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Coenzyme management is important for homeostasis of the pool of active metabolic enzymes. The coenzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) is involved in diverse enzyme reactions including amino acid and hormone metabolism. Regulatory proteins that contribute to PLP homeostasis remain to be explored in plants. Here, we demonstrate the importance of proteins annotated as PLP homeostasis proteins (PLPHPs) for controlling PLP in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). A systematic analysis indicates that while most organisms across kingdoms have a single PLPHP homolog, Angiosperms have two. PLPHPs from Arabidopsis bind PLP and exist as monomers, in contrast to reported PLP-dependent enzymes, which exist as multimers. Disrupting the function of both PLPHP homologs perturbs vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) content, inducing a PLP deficit accompanied by light hypersensitive root growth, unlike PLP biosynthesis mutants. Micrografting studies show that the PLP deficit can be relieved distally between shoots and roots. Chemical treatments probing PLP-dependent reactions, notably those for auxin and ethylene, provide evidence that PLPHPs function in the dynamic management of PLP. Assays in vitro show that Arabidopsis PLPHP can coordinate PLP transfer and withdrawal from other enzymes. This study thus expands our knowledge of vitamin B6 biology and highlights the importance of PLP coenzyme homeostasis in plants.
PMID: 38954500
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3751-3769 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae195
CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE C proteins modulate cell wall establishment during ethylene-mediated root growth inhibition in rice.
Key Lab of Seed Innovation, State Key Lab of Plant Genomics, 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 100049, China.
The cell wall shapes plant cell morphogenesis and affects the plasticity of organ growth. However, the way in which cell wall establishment is regulated by ethylene remains largely elusive. Here, by analyzing cell wall patterns, cell wall composition and gene expression in rice (Oryza sativa, L.) roots, we found that ethylene induces cell wall thickening and the expression of cell wall synthesis-related genes, including CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE C1, 2, 7, 9, 10 (OsCSLC1, 2, 7, 9, 10) and CELLULOSE SYNTHASE A3, 4, 7, 9 (OsCESA3, 4, 7, 9). Overexpression and mutant analyses revealed that OsCSLC2 and its homologs function in ethylene-mediated induction of xyloglucan biosynthesis mainly in the cell wall of root epidermal cells. Moreover, OsCESA-catalyzed cellulose deposition in the cell wall was enhanced by ethylene. OsCSLC-mediated xyloglucan biosynthesis likely plays an important role in restricting cell wall extension and cell elongation during the ethylene response in rice roots. Genetically, OsCSLC2 acts downstream of ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 (OsEIL1)-mediated ethylene signaling, and OsCSLC1, 2, 7, 9 are directly activated by OsEIL1. Furthermore, the auxin signaling pathway is synergistically involved in these regulatory processes. These findings link plant hormone signaling with cell wall establishment, broadening our understanding of root growth plasticity in rice and other crops.
PMID: 38943676
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3025-3035 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae125
Protein degradation in auxin response.
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WE, The Netherlands.
The signaling molecule auxin sits at the nexus of plant biology where it coordinates essentially all growth and developmental processes. Auxin molecules are transported throughout plant tissues and are capable of evoking highly specific physiological responses by inducing various molecular pathways. In many of these pathways, proteolysis plays a crucial role for correct physiological responses. This review provides a chronology of the discovery and characterization of the auxin receptor, which is a fascinating example of separate research trajectories ultimately converging on the discovery of a core auxin signaling hub that relies on degradation of a family of transcriptional inhibitor proteins-the Aux/IAAs. Beyond describing the "classical" proteolysis-driven auxin response system, we explore more recent examples of the interconnection of proteolytic systems, which target a range of other auxin signaling proteins, and auxin response. By highlighting these emerging concepts, we provide potential future directions to further investigate the role of protein degradation within the framework of auxin response.
PMID: 38652687
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P2978-2979 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae079
UnERFing auxin-mediated degradation in the emerging lateral root.
Assistant Features Editor, The Plant Cell, American Society of Plant Biologists, USA.; School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
PMID: 38470569
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3145-3161 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae072
Rapid depletion of target proteins in plants by an inducible protein degradation system.
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
Inducible protein knockdowns are excellent tools to test the function of essential proteins in short time scales and to capture the role of proteins in dynamic events. Current approaches destroy or sequester proteins by exploiting plant biological mechanisms such as the activity of photoreceptors for optogenetics or auxin-mediated ubiquitination in auxin degrons. It follows that these are not applicable for plants as light and auxin are strong signals for plant cells. We describe here an inducible protein degradation system in plants named E3-DART for E3-targeted Degradation of Plant Proteins. The E3-DART system is based on the specific and well-characterized interaction between the Salmonella-secreted protein H1 (SspH1) and its human target protein kinase N1 (PKN1). This system harnesses the E3 catalytic activity of SspH1 and the SspH1-binding activity of the homology region 1b (HR1b) domain from PKN1. Using Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we show that a chimeric protein containing the leucine-rich repeat and novel E3 ligase domains of SspH1 efficiently targets protein fusions of varying sizes containing HR1b for degradation. Target protein degradation was induced by transcriptional control of the chimeric E3 ligase using a glucocorticoid transactivation system, and target protein depletion was detected as early as 3 h after induction. This system could be used to study the loss of any plant protein with high-temporal resolution and may become an important tool in plant cell biology.
PMID: 38446628
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Sep , V36 (9) : P3162-3176 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae047
MAC3A and MAC3B mediate degradation of the transcription factor ERF13 and thus promote lateral root emergence.
The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.; College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China.; School of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong 252000, China.
Lateral roots (LRs) increase root surface area and allow plants greater access to soil water and nutrients. LR formation is tightly regulated by the phytohormone auxin. Whereas the transcription factor ETHYLENE-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR13 (ERF13) prevents LR emergence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), auxin activates MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE14 (MPK14), which leads to ERF13 degradation and ultimately promotes LR emergence. In this study, we discovered interactions between ERF13 and the E3 ubiquitin ligases MOS4-ASSOCIATED COMPLEX 3A (MAC3A) and MAC3B. As MAC3A and MAC3B gradually accumulate in the LR primordium, ERF13 levels gradually decrease. We demonstrate that MAC3A and MAC3B ubiquitinate ERF13, leading to its degradation and accelerating the transition of LR primordia from stages IV to V. Auxin enhances the MAC3A and MAC3B interaction with ERF13 by facilitating MPK14-mediated ERF13 phosphorylation. In summary, this study reveals the molecular mechanism by which auxin eliminates the inhibitory factor ERF13 through the MPK14-MAC3A and MAC3B signaling module, thus promoting LR emergence.
PMID: 38366565
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2024 Sep , V34 (18) : PR871-R873 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.08.023
Plant growth: The heavy matter of weight-induced plant stem thickening.
Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Schanzlerstr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.; Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Schanzlerstr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: laura.ragni@biologie.uni-freiburg.de.
As plant stems grow taller and heavier, they adapt by promoting stem thickening. A new study shows that weight-induced radial growth is mediated by the auxin efflux transporter PIN3.
PMID: 39317161
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2024 Sep , V34 (18) : P4285-4293.e3 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.065
Weight-induced radial growth in plant stems depends on PIN3.
Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, C/ Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46011 Valencia, Spain; Umea Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umea, Sweden.; Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, C/ Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46011 Valencia, Spain.; Umea Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umea, Sweden.; Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, C/ Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46011 Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: jagusti@ibmcp.upv.es.
How multiple growth programs coordinate during development is a fundamental question in biology. During plant stem development, radial growth is continuously adjusted in response to longitudinal-growth-derived weight increase to guarantee stability.(1)(,)(2)(,)(3) Here, we demonstrate that weight-stimulated stem radial growth depends on the auxin efflux carrier PIN3, which, upon weight increase, expands its cellular localization from the lower to the lateral sides of xylem parenchyma, phloem, procambium, and starch sheath cells, imposing a radial auxin flux that results in radial growth. Using the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) or the fluorescent endocytic tracer FM4-64, we reveal that this expansion of the PIN3 cellular localization domain occurs because weight increase breaks the balance between PIN3 biosynthesis and removal, favoring PIN3 biosynthesis. Experimentation using brefeldin A (BFA) treatments or arg1 and arl2 mutants further supports this conclusion. Analyses of CRISPR-Cas9 lines for Populus PIN3 orthologs reveals that PIN3 dependence of weight-induced radial growth is conserved at least in these woody species. Altogether, our work sheds new light on how longitudinal and radial growth coordinate during stem development.
PMID: 39260363
Curr Biol , IF:10.834 , 2024 Sep , V34 (17) : P4007-4020.e4 doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.066
A 3-component module maintains sepal flatness in Arabidopsis.
Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; Laboratoire de Reproduction et Developpement des Plantes, Universite de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, 46 Allee d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France; University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi 11355, Vietnam.; Laboratoire de Reproduction et Developpement des Plantes, Universite de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, 46 Allee d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France; Cell and Developmental Biology Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.; Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; The Advanced Seed Institute, National Key Laboratory of Rice Breeding and Biology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Section of Plant Biology, School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.; Laboratoire de Reproduction et Developpement des Plantes, Universite de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, 46 Allee d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France. Electronic address: olivier.hamant@ens-lyon.fr.; Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: lilanhong@zju.edu.cn.
As in origami, morphogenesis in living systems heavily relies on tissue curving and folding through the interplay between biochemical and biomechanical cues. By contrast, certain organs maintain their flat posture over several days. Here, we identified a pathway that is required for the maintenance of organ flatness, taking the sepal, the outermost floral organ, in Arabidopsis as a model system. Through genetic, cellular, and mechanical approaches, our results demonstrate that the global gene expression regulator VERNALIZATION INDEPENDENCE 4 (VIP4) fine-tunes the mechanical properties of sepal cell walls and maintains balanced growth on both sides of the sepals, mainly by orchestrating the distribution pattern of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 3 (ARF3). vip4 mutation results in softer cell walls and faster cell growth on the adaxial sepal side, which eventually cause sepals to bend outward. Downstream of VIP4, ARF3 works through modulating auxin to downregulate pectin methylesterase VANGUARD1, resulting in decreased cell wall stiffness. Thus, our work unravels a 3-component module that relates hormonal patterns to organ curvature and actively maintains sepal flatness during its growth.
PMID: 39146940
Biosens Bioelectron , IF:10.618 , 2024 Sep , V267 : P116757 doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116757
Electrochemical sensors for plant signaling molecules.
School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China.; School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China. Electronic address: slj.1226@ntu.edu.cn.
Plant signaling molecules can be divided into plant messenger signaling molecules (such as calcium ions, hydrogen peroxide, Nitric oxide) and plant hormone signaling molecules (such as auxin (mainly indole-3-acetic acid or IAA), salicylic acid, abscisic acid, cytokinin, jasmonic acid or methyl jasmonate, gibberellins, brassinosteroids, strigolactone, and ethylene), which play crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development, and response to the environment. Due to the important roles of the plant signaling molecules in the plants, many methods were developed to detect them. The development of in-situ and real-time detection of plant signaling molecules and field-deployable sensors will be a key breakthrough for botanical research and agricultural technology. Electrochemical methods provide convenient methods for in-situ and real-time detection of plant signaling molecules in plants because of their easy operation, high sensitivity, and high selectivity. This article comprehensively reviews the research on electrochemical detection of plant signaling molecules reported in the past decade, which summarizes the various types electrodes of electrochemical sensors and the applications of multiple nanomaterials to enhance electrode detection selectivity and sensitivity. This review also provides examples to introduce the current research trends in electrochemical detection, and highlights the applicability and innovation of electrochemical sensors such as miniaturization, non-invasive, long-term stability, integration, automation, and intelligence in the future. In all, the electrochemical sensors can realize in-situ, real-time and intelligent acquisition of dynamic changes in plant signaling molecules in plants, which is of great significance for promoting basic research in botany and the development of intelligent agriculture.
PMID: 39250871
J Hazard Mater , IF:10.588 , 2024 Sep , V480 : P135925 doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135925
The bifunctional transcription factor NAC32 modulates nickel toxicity responses through repression of root-nickel compartmentalization and activation of auxin biosynthesis.
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China; College of Tropical Crop, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.; Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA. Electronic address: son.tran@ttu.edu.; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China. Electronic address: xujin@sxau.edu.cn.
Nickel (Ni) is an important micronutrient, but excess Ni is toxic to many plant species. Currently, relatively little is known about the genetic basis of the plant responses to Ni toxicity. Here, we demonstrate that NAC32 transcription factor functions as a core genetic hub to regulate the Ni toxicity responses in Arabidopsis. NAC32 negatively regulates root-Ni concentration through the IREG2 (IRON REGULATED2) encoding a transporter. NAC32 also induces local auxin biosynthesis in the root-apex transition zone by upregulating YUCCA 7 (YUC7)/8/9 expression, which results in a local enhancement of auxin signaling in root tips, especially under Ni toxicity, thereby impaired primary root growth. By analyses of various combinations of nac32 and ireg2 mutants, as well as nac32 and yuc7/8/9 triple mutants, including high-order quadruple mutant, we demonstrated that NAC32 negatively regulates Ni stress tolerance by acting upstream of IREG2 and YUC7/8/9 to modulate their function in Ni toxicity responses. ChIPqPCR, EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) and transient dual-LUC reporter assays showed that NAC32 transcriptionally represses IREG2 expression but activates YUC7/8/9 expression by directly binding to their promoters. Our work demonstrates that NAC32 coordinates Ni compartmentation and developmental plasticity in roots, providing a conceptual framework for understanding Ni toxicity responses in plants.
PMID: 39341195
J Hazard Mater , IF:10.588 , 2024 Sep , V477 : P135423 doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135423
The monokaryotic filamentous fungus Ustilago sp. HFJ311 promotes plant growth and reduces Cd accumulation by enhancing Fe transportation and auxin biosynthesis.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. Electronic address: naxf@lzu.edu.cn.; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. Electronic address: yrbi@lzu.edu.cn.
Infection with smut fungus like Ustilago maydis decreases crop yield via inducing gall formation. However, the in vitro impact of Ustilago spp. on plant growth and stress tolerance remains elusive. This study investigated the plant growth promotion and cadmium stress mitigation mechanisms of a filamentous fungus discovered on a cultural medium containing 25 muM CdCl(2). ITS sequence alignment revealed 98.7 % similarity with Ustilago bromivora, naming the strain Ustilago sp. HFJ311 (HFJ311). Co-cultivation with HFJ311 significantly enhanced the growth of various plants, including Arabidopsis, tobacco, cabbage, carrot, rice, and maize, and improved Arabidopsis tolerance to abiotic stresses like salt and metal ions. HFJ311 increased chlorophyll and Fe contents in Arabidopsis shoots and enhanced root-to-shoot Fe translocation while decreasing root Fe concentration by approximately 70 %. Concurrently, HFJ311 reduced Cd accumulation in Arabidopsis by about 60 %, indicating its potential for bioremediation in Cd-contaminated soils. Additionally, HFJ311 stimulated IAA concentration by upregulating auxin biosynthesis genes. Overexpression of the Fe transporter IRT1 negated HFJ311's growth-promotion effects under Cd stress. These results suggest that HFJ311 stimulates plant growth and inhibits Cd uptake by enhancing Fe translocation and auxin biosynthesis while disrupting Fe absorption. Our findings offer a promising bioremediation strategy for sustainable agriculture and food security.
PMID: 39106721
J Hazard Mater , IF:10.588 , 2024 Sep , V476 : P135092 doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135092
Methylisothiazolinone pollution inhibited root stem cells and regeneration through auxin transport modification in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Laboratory of Medicinal Plant, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China.; Laboratory of Medicinal Plant, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China.; Laboratory of Medicinal Plant, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.; Research Center of Environment and Healh of South-to-North Waler Diversion Area, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China.; College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China.; Laboratory of Medicinal Plant, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China. Electronic address: lee.childe@qq.com.; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. Electronic address: juanliu126@126.com.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a widely used preservative and biocide to prevent product degradation, yet its potential impact on plant growth remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated MIT's toxic effects on Arabidopsis thaliana root growth. Exposure to MIT significantly inhibited Arabidopsis root growth, associated with reduced root meristem size and root meristem cell numbers. We explored the polar auxin transport pathway and stem cell regulation as key factors in root meristem function. Our findings demonstrated that MIT suppressed the expression of the auxin efflux carrier PIN1 and major root stem cell regulators (PLT1, PLT2, SHR, and SCR). Additionally, MIT hindered root regeneration by downregulating the quiescent center (QC) marker WOX5. Transcriptome analysis revealed MIT-induced alterations in gene expression related to oxidative stress, with physiological experiments confirming elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased cell death in root tips at concentrations exceeding 50 muM. In summary, this study provides critical insights into MIT's toxicity on plant root development and regeneration, primarily linked to modifications in polar auxin transport and downregulation of genes associated with root stem cell regulation.
PMID: 38964040
J Adv Res , IF:10.479 , 2024 Sep , V63 : P57-72 doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.001
Modulation of warm temperature-sensitive growth using a phytochrome B dark reversion variant, phyB[G515E], in Arabidopsis and rice.
Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.; Graduate School of Green-Bio Science and Crop Biotech Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea.; Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Kumho Life Science Laboratory, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.; National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea.; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.; Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.; Graduate School of Green-Bio Science and Crop Biotech Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jjeon@khu.ac.kr.; Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yipark@cnu.ac.kr.
INTRODUCTION: Ambient temperature-induced hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis seedlings is sensed by the epidermis-localized phytochrome B (phyB) and transduced into auxin biosynthesis via a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, phytochrome-interacting factor 4 (PIF4). Once synthesized, auxin travels down from the cotyledons to the hypocotyl, triggering hypocotyl cell elongation. Thus, the phyB-PIF4 module involved in thermosensing and signal transduction is a potential genetic target for engineering warm temperature-insensitive plants. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to manipulate warm temperature-induced elongation of plants at the post-translational level using phyB variants with dark reversion, the expression of which is subjected to heat stress. METHODS: The thermosensitive growth response of Arabidopsis was manipulated by expressing the single amino acid substitution variant of phyB (phyB[G515E]), which exhibited a lower dark reversion rate than wild-type phyB. Other variants with slow (phyB[G564E]) or rapid (phyB[S584F]) dark reversion or light insensitivity (phyB[G767R]) were also included in this study for comparison. Warming-induced transient expression of phyB variants was achieved using heat shock-inducible promoters. Arabidopsis PHYB[G515E] and PHYB[G564E] were also constitutively expressed in rice in an attempt to manipulate the heat sensitivity of a monocotyledonous plant species. RESULTS: At an elevated temperature, Arabidopsis seedlings transiently expressing PHYB[G515E] under the control of a heat shock-inducible promoter exhibited shorter hypocotyls than those expressing PHYB and other PHYB variant genes. This warm temperature-insensitive growth was related to the lowered PIF4 and auxin responses. In addition, transgenic rice seedlings expressing Arabidopsis PHYB[G515E] and PHYB[G564E] showed warm temperature-insensitive shoot growth. CONCLUSION: Transient expression of phyB variants with altered dark reversion rates could serve as an effective optogenetic technique for manipulating PIF4-auxin-mediated thermomorphogenic responses in plants.
PMID: 37926145
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/nph.20153
The Arabidopsis splicing factor PORCUPINE/SmE1 orchestrates temperature-dependent root development via auxin homeostasis maintenance.
Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre, Umea University, SE-901 87, Umea, Sweden.; Department of Plant Biology, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-75007, Uppsala, Sweden.; Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umea, Sweden.
Appropriate abiotic stress response is pivotal for plant survival and makes use of multiple signaling molecules and phytohormones to achieve specific and fast molecular adjustments. A multitude of studies has highlighted the role of alternative splicing in response to abiotic stress, including temperature, emphasizing the role of transcriptional regulation for stress response. Here we investigated the role of the core-splicing factor PORCUPINE (PCP) on temperature-dependent root development. We used marker lines and transcriptomic analyses to study the expression profiles of meristematic regulators and mitotic markers, and chemical treatments, as well as root hormone profiling to assess the effect of auxin signaling. The loss of PCP significantly alters RAM architecture in a temperature-dependent manner. Our results indicate that PCP modulates the expression of central meristematic regulators and is required to maintain appropriate levels of auxin in the RAM. We conclude that alternative pre-mRNA splicing is sensitive to moderate temperature fluctuations and contributes to root meristem maintenance, possibly through the regulation of phytohormone homeostasis and meristematic activity.
PMID: 39327913
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/nph.20128
A nitrogen-responsive cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase regulates root response to high ammonium in rice.
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization and MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Lower-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Nanjing, 210014, China.; Excellence and Innovation Center, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.; College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology Ecology and Production Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Co-sponsored by Province and Ministry, Nanjing, 210095, China.; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.; Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.
Plant root system is significantly influenced by high soil levels of ammonium nitrogen, leading to reduced root elongation and enhanced lateral root branching. In Arabidopsis, these processes have been reported to be mediated by phytohormones and their downstream signaling pathways, while the controlling mechanisms remain elusive in crops. Through a transcriptome analysis of roots subjected to high/low ammonium treatments, we identified a cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase encoding gene, CKX3, whose expression is induced by high ammonium. Knocking out CKX3 and its homologue CKX8 results in shorter seminal roots, fewer lateral roots, and reduced sensitivity to high ammonium. Endogenous cytokinin levels are elevated by high ammonium or in ckx3 mutants. Cytokinin application results in shorter seminal roots and fewer lateral roots in wild-type, mimicking the root responses of ckx3 mutants to high ammonium. Furthermore, CKX3 is transcriptionally activated by type-B RR25 and RR26, and ckx3 mutants have reduced auxin content and signaling in roots under low ammonium. This study identified RR25/26-CKX3-cytokinin as a signal module that mediates root responses to external ammonium by modulating of auxin signaling in the root meristem and lateral root primordium. This highlights the critical role of cytokinin metabolism in regulating rice root development in response to ammonium.
PMID: 39297368
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/nph.20139
Genetic and transcriptomic analysis of the Bradyrhizobium T3SS-triggered nodulation in the legume Aeschynomene evenia.
IRD, Laboratoire des Symbioses Tropicales et Mediterraneennes (LSTM), UMR IRD/Institut Agro Montpellier/INRAE/Universite de Montpellier/CIRAD, TA-A82/J- Campus de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.; PHIM Plant Health Institute of Montpellier, Universite de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.; University of Cambridge, Sainsbury Laboratory (SLCU), Cambridge, CB2 1LR, UK.
Some Bradyrhizobium strains nodulate certain Aeschynomene species independently of Nod factors, but thanks to their type III secretion system (T3SS). While different T3 effectors triggering nodulation (ErnA and Sup3) have been identified, the plant signalling pathways they activate remain unknown. Here, we explored the intraspecies variability in T3SS-triggered nodulation within Aeschynomene evenia and investigated transcriptomic responses that occur during this symbiosis. Furthermore, Bradyrhizobium strains having different effector sets were tested on A. evenia mutants altered in various symbiotic signalling genes. We identified the A. evenia accession N21/PI 225551 as appropriate for deciphering the T3SS-dependent process. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of A. evenia N21 roots inoculated with ORS3257 strain and its ∆ernA mutant revealed genes differentially expressed, including some involved in plant defences and auxin signalling. In the other A. evenia accession N76, all tested strains nodulated the AeCRK mutant but not the AeNIN and AeNSP2 mutants, indicating a differential requirement of these genes for T3SS-dependent nodulation. Furthermore, the effects of AePOLLUX, AeCCaMK and AeCYCLOPS mutations differed between the strains. Notably, ORS86 nodulated these three mutant lines and required for this both ErnA and Sup3. Taken together, these results shed light on how the T3SS-dependent nodulation process is achieved in legumes.
PMID: 39300950
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/nph.20120
An auxin homeostat allows plant cells to establish and control defined transmembrane auxin gradients.
Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland.; Faculty of Engineering, Electrical Signaling in Plants (ESP) Laboratory - Center of Bioinformatics, Simulation and Modeling (CBSM), University of Talca, Talca, CL-3460000, Chile.
Extracellular auxin maxima and minima are important to control plant developmental programs. Auxin gradients are provided by the concerted action of proteins from the three major plasma membrane (PM) auxin transporter classes AUX1/LAX, PIN and ATP-BINDING CASSETTE subfamily B (ABCB) transporters. But neither genetic nor biochemical nor modeling approaches have been able to reliably assign the individual roles and interplay of these transporter types. Based on the thermodynamic properties of the transporters, we show here by mathematical modeling and computational simulations that the concerted action of different auxin transporter types allows the adjustment of specific transmembrane auxin gradients. The dynamic flexibility of the 'auxin homeostat' comes at the cost of an energy-consuming 'auxin cycling' across the membrane. An unexpected finding was that potential functional ABCB-PIN synchronization appears to allow an optimization of the trade-off between the speed of PM auxin gradient adjustment on the one hand and ATP consumption and disturbance of general anion homeostasis on the other. In conclusion, our analyses provide fundamental insights into the thermodynamic constraints and flexibility of transmembrane auxin transport in plants.
PMID: 39279032
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/nph.20091
Impaired Brown midrib12 function orchestrates sorghum resistance to aphids via an auxin conjugate indole-3-acetic acid-aspartic acid.
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.; Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.; Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
Lignin, a complex heterogenous polymer present in virtually all plant cell walls, plays a critical role in protecting plants from various stresses. However, little is known about how lignin modifications in sorghum will impact plant defense against sugarcane aphids (SCA), a key pest of sorghum. We utilized the sorghum brown midrib (bmr) mutants, which are impaired in monolignol synthesis, to understand sorghum defense mechanisms against SCA. We found that loss of Bmr12 function and overexpression (OE) of Bmr12 provided enhanced resistance and susceptibility to SCA, respectively, as compared with wild-type (WT; RTx430) plants. Monitoring of the aphid feeding behavior indicated that SCA spent more time in reaching the first sieve element phase on bmr12 plants compared with RTx430 and Bmr12-OE plants. A combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that bmr12 plants displayed altered auxin metabolism upon SCA infestation and specifically, elevated levels of auxin conjugate indole-3-acetic acid-aspartic acid (IAA-Asp) were observed in bmr12 plants compared with RTx430 and Bmr12-OE plants. Furthermore, exogenous application of IAA-Asp restored resistance in Bmr12-OE plants, and artificial diet aphid feeding trial bioassays revealed that IAA-Asp is associated with enhanced resistance to SCA. Our findings highlight the molecular underpinnings that contribute to sorghum bmr12-mediated resistance to SCA.
PMID: 39233513
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep , V243 (5) : P1681-1697 doi: 10.1111/nph.19970
A transcriptional repressor HVA regulates vascular bundle formation through auxin transport in Arabidopsis stem.
Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut, 1376 Storrs Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.; Institute for System Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
Vascular bundles transport water and photosynthate to all organs, and increased bundle number contributes to crop lodging resistance. However, the regulation of vascular bundle formation is poorly understood in the Arabidopsis stem. We report a novel semi-dominant mutant with high vascular activity, hva-d, showing increased vascular bundle number and enhanced cambium proliferation in the stem. The activation of a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor, AT5G27880/HVA, is responsible for the hva-d phenotype. Genetic, biochemical, and fluorescent microscopic analyses were used to dissect the functions of HVA. HVA functions as a repressor and interacts with TOPLESS via the conserved Ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated Amphiphilic Repression motif. In contrast to the HVA activation line, knockout of HVA function with a CRISPR-Cas9 approach or expression of HVA fused with an activation domain VP16 (HVA-VP16) resulted in fewer vascular bundles. Further, HVA directly regulates the expression of the auxin transport efflux facilitator PIN1, as a result affecting auxin accumulation. Genetics analysis demonstrated that PIN1 is epistatic to HVA in controlling bundle number. This research identifies HVA as a positive regulator of vascular initiation through negatively modulating auxin transport and sheds new light on the mechanism of bundle formation in the stem.
PMID: 39014537
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep , V243 (5) : P1870-1886 doi: 10.1111/nph.19961
ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 act together to promote stigmatic papilla formation in maize through regulating auxin signaling and ZmWOX3A expression.
State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510535, China.; Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Maize silk is a specialized type of stigma, covered with numerous papillae for pollen grain capture. However, the developmental process of stigmatic papillae and the underlying regulatory mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Here, we combined the cytological, genetic and molecular studies to demonstrate that three homologous genes ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 play a central role in promoting stigmatic papilla formation in maize. We show that their triple knockout mutants are nearly complete lack of stigmatic papilla, resulting in a severe reduction in kernel setting. Cellular examination reveals that stigmatic papilla is developed from a precursor cell, which is the smaller daughter cell resulting from asymmetric cell division of a silk epidermal cell. In situ hybridization shows that ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and their target genes SPI1, ZmPIN1b, ZmARF28 and ZmWOX3A are preferentially expressed in the precursor cells of stigmatic papillae. Moreover, ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 directly bind to the promoters of SPI1, ZmPIN1b, ZmARF28 and ZmWOX3A and promote their expression. Further, Zmwox3a knockout mutants display severe defects in stigmatic papilla formation and reduced seed setting. Collectively, our results demonstrate that ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 act together to promote stigmatic papilla development through regulating auxin signaling and ZmWOX3A expression.
PMID: 39010694
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Sep , V243 (5) : P1855-1869 doi: 10.1111/nph.19949
The biosynthesis of storage reserves and auxin is coordinated by a hierarchical regulatory network in maize endosperm.
State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-breeding, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.; State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, Plant Science Center, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
Grain filling in maize (Zea mays) is intricately linked to cell development, involving the regulation of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of storage reserves (starch, proteins, and lipids) and phytohormones. However, the regulatory network coordinating these biological functions remains unclear. In this study, we identified 1744 high-confidence target genes co-regulated by the transcription factors (TFs) ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 (ZmNAC128/130) through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing coupled with RNA-seq analysis in the zmnac128/130 loss-of-function mutants. We further constructed a hierarchical regulatory network using DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis of downstream TFs regulated by ZmNAC128/130. In addition to target genes involved in the biosynthesis of starch and zeins, we discovered novel target genes of ZmNAC128/130 involved in the biosynthesis of lipids and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Consistently, the number of oil bodies, as well as the contents of triacylglycerol, and IAA were significantly reduced in zmnac128/130. The hierarchical regulatory network centered by ZmNAC128/130 revealed a significant overlap between the direct target genes of ZmNAC128/130 and their downstream TFs, particularly in regulating the biosynthesis of storage reserves and IAA. Our results indicated that the biosynthesis of storage reserves and IAA is coordinated by a multi-TFs hierarchical regulatory network in maize endosperm.
PMID: 38962989
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Oct , V244 (1) : P104-115 doi: 10.1111/nph.19777
The auxin efflux carrier PIN1a regulates vascular patterning in cereal roots.
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.; Future Food Beacon of Excellence, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.; Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.; Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland.; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia.; Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia.; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD, Nottingham, UK.; Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA.; Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, 06466, Seeland, Germany.; Department of Crop Sciences, Center of integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), Georg-August-University, Von Siebold Str. 8, 37075, Gottingen, Germany.; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.; Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge, CB2 1LR, UK.; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, 502324, Telangana, India.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an important global cereal crop and a model in genetic studies. Despite advances in characterising barley genomic resources, few mutant studies have identified genes controlling root architecture and anatomy, which plays a critical role in capturing soil resources. Our phenotypic screening of a TILLING mutant collection identified line TM5992 exhibiting a short-root phenotype compared with wild-type (WT) Morex background. Outcrossing TM5992 with barley variety Proctor and subsequent SNP array-based bulk segregant analysis, fine mapped the mutation to a cM scale. Exome sequencing pinpointed a mutation in the candidate gene HvPIN1a, further confirming this by analysing independent mutant alleles. Detailed analysis of root growth and anatomy in Hvpin1a mutant alleles exhibited a slower growth rate, shorter apical meristem and striking vascular patterning defects compared to WT. Expression and mutant analyses of PIN1 members in the closely related cereal brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon) revealed that BdPIN1a and BdPIN1b were redundantly expressed in root vascular tissues but only Bdpin1a mutant allele displayed root vascular defects similar to Hvpin1a. We conclude that barley PIN1 genes have sub-functionalised in cereals, compared to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where PIN1a sequences control root vascular patterning.
PMID: 38666346
Plant Biotechnol J , IF:9.803 , 2024 Sep , V22 (9) : P2596-2611 doi: 10.1111/pbi.14372
Light control of three-dimensional chromatin organization in soybean.
National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Shandong, China.; School of Plant Science and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.; School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Higher-order chromatin structure is critical for regulation of gene expression. In plants, light profoundly affects the morphogenesis of emerging seedlings as well as global gene expression to ensure optimal adaptation to environmental conditions. However, the changes and functional significance of chromatin organization in response to light during seedling development are not well documented. We constructed Hi-C contact maps for the cotyledon, apical hook and hypocotyl of soybean subjected to dark and light conditions. The resulting high-resolution Hi-C contact maps identified chromosome territories, A/B compartments, A/B sub-compartments, TADs (Topologically Associated Domains) and chromatin loops in each organ. We observed increased chromatin compaction under light and we found that domains that switched from B sub-compartments in darkness to A sub-compartments under light contained genes that were activated during photomorphogenesis. At the local scale, we identified a group of TADs constructed by gene clusters consisting of different numbers of Small Auxin-Upregulated RNAs (SAURs), which exhibited strict co-expression in the hook and hypocotyl in response to light stimulation. In the hypocotyl, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) regulated the transcription of a SAURs cluster under light via TAD condensation. Our results suggest that the 3D genome is involved in the regulation of light-related gene expression in a tissue-specific manner.
PMID: 38762905
Plant Biotechnol J , IF:9.803 , 2024 Sep , V22 (9) : P2578-2592 doi: 10.1111/pbi.14370
Evolutionary relationship of moso bamboo forms and a multihormone regulatory cascade involving culm shape variation.
Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration/Beijing on Bamboo and Rattan Science and Technology, Beijing, China.; Institute of Gene Science and Industrialization for Bamboo and Rattan Resources, International Center for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, China.; Sanya Research Base, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Sanya, China.
Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) known as Mao Zhu (MZ) in Chinese exhibits various forms with distinct morphological characteristics. However, the evolutionary relationship among MZ forms and the mechanisms of culm shape variation are still lacking. Here, the main differences among MZ forms were identified as culm shape variation, which were confirmed by analysing MZ forms (799 bamboo culms) and MZ (458 bamboo culms) populations. To unravel the genetic basis underlying the morphological variations, 20 MZ forms were subjected to whole-genome resequencing. Further analysis yielded 3 230 107 high-quality SNPs and uncovered low genetic diversity and high genotype heterozygosity associated with MZ forms' formation. By integrating the SNP data of 427 MZ individuals representing 15 geographic regions, the origins of eight MZ forms were successfully traced using the phylogenetic tree and the identified common heterozygous loci. Meanwhile, transcriptomic analysis was performed using shoots from MZ and its two forms with culm shape variation. The results, combined with genomic analyses, demonstrated that hormone signalling related genes played crucial roles in culm variation. Co-expression network analysis uncovered genes associated with multiple plant hormone signal transduction, especially auxin and cytokinin were involved in culm shape variation. Furthermore, the regulatory relationships of a specific transcription factor and their target genes associated with auxin and ethylene signalling were validated by yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and dual-luciferase reporter. Overall, this study provides important insights into the culm shape variation formation in bamboo, which facilitates to breed new varieties with novel culms.
PMID: 38743918
Curr Opin Biotechnol , IF:9.74 , 2024 Sep , V90 : P103194 doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103194
AuxSynBio: synthetic biology tools to understand and engineer auxin.
Department of Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA. Electronic address: mossbl@whitman.edu.
The plant hormone auxin is a crucial coordinator of nearly all plant growth and development processes. Because of its centrality to plant physiology and the modular nature of the signaling pathway, auxin has played a critical role at the forefront of plant synthetic biology. This review will highlight how auxin is both a subject and an object of synthetic biology. Engineering biology approaches are deepening our understanding of how auxin pathways are wired and tuned, particularly through the creative use of signaling pathway recapitulation in yeast and engineered orthogonal auxin-receptor pairs. Auxin biology has also been mined for parts by synthetic biologists, with components being used for inducible protein degradation systems (auxin-inducible degron), auxin biosensors, synthetic cell-cell communication, and plant engineering.
PMID: 39255527
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae519
Transcription factor SlSTOP1 regulates Small Auxin-Up RNA Genes for tomato root elongation under aluminum stress.
College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
Aluminum (Al) stress, a prevalent constraint in acidic soils, inhibits plant growth by inhibiting root elongation through restricted cell expansion. The molecular mechanisms of Al-induced root inhibition, however, are not fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Small Auxin-up RNAs (SlSAURs), which function downstream of the key Al stress-responsive transcription factor SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIZOTOXICITY 1 (SlSTOP1) and its enhancer STOP1-INTERACTING ZINC-FINGER PROTEIN 1 (SlSZP1), in modulating root elongation under Al stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Our findings demonstrated that tomato lines with knocked out SlSAURs exhibited shorter root lengths when subjected to Al stress. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms revealed that SlSAURs interact with Type 2C Protein Phosphatases (SlPP2Cs), specifically D-clade Type 2C Protein Phosphatases (SlPP2C.Ds). This interaction was pivotal as it suppresses the phosphatase activity, leading to the degradation of SlPP2C.D's inhibitory effect on plasma membrane H+-ATPase. Consequently, this promoted cell expansion and root elongation under Al stress. These findings increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which Al ions modulate root elongation. The discovery of the SlSAUR-SlPP2C.D interaction and its impact on H+-ATPase activity also provides a perspective on the adaptive strategies employed by plants to cope with Al toxicity, which may lead to the development of tomato cultivars with enhanced Al stress tolerance, thereby improving crop productivity in acidic soils.
PMID: 39343733
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae496
Identification and analysis of imprinted genes in wild strawberry uncover a regulatory pathway in endosperm development.
Dept. of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.; Dept. of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
Fertilization is a fundamental process that triggers seed and fruit development, but the molecular mechanisms underlying fertilization-induced seed development are poorly understood. Previous research has established AGamous-Like62 (AGL62) activation and auxin biosynthesis in the endosperm as key events following fertilization in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). To test the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms are critical in mediating the effect of fertilization on the activation of AGL62 and auxin biosynthesis in the endosperm, we first identified and analyzed imprinted genes from the endosperm of wild strawberry. We isolated endosperm tissues from F1 seeds of two wild strawberry Fragaria vesca subspecies, generated endosperm-enriched transcriptomes, and identified candidate Maternally-Expressed and Paternally-Expressed Genes (MEGs and PEGs). Through bioinformatic analyses, we identified four imprinted genes that may be involved in regulating the expression of FveAGL62 and auxin biosynthesis genes. We conducted functional analysis of a maternally expressed gene FveMYB98 through CRISPR-knockout and overexpression in transgenic strawberry as well as analysis in heterologous systems. FveMYB98 directly repressed FveAGL62 at stage 3 endosperm, which likely serves to limit auxin synthesis and endosperm proliferation. These results provide an inroad into the regulation of early stage seed development by imprinted genes in strawberry, suggest potential function of imprinted genes in parental conflict, and identify FveMYB98 as a regulator of a key transition point in endosperm development.
PMID: 39331513
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae474
ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5-mediated light signaling promotes shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.; RIKEN, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.; Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi 487-8501, Japan.
Injured plant somatic tissues regenerate themselves by establishing shoot or root meristems. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a two-step culture system ensures regeneration by first promoting the acquisition of pluripotency and subsequently specifying the fate of new meristems. Although previous studies have reported the importance of phytohormones auxin and cytokinin in determining the fate of new meristems, whether and how environmental factors influence this process remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the impact of light signals on shoot regeneration using Arabidopsis hypocotyls as explants. We found that light signals promote shoot regeneration while inhibiting root formation. ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), the pivotal transcriptional factor in light signaling, plays a central role in this process by mediating the expression of key genes controlling the fate of new meristems. Specifically, HY5 directly represses root development genes and activates shoot meristem genes, leading to the establishment of shoot progenitor from pluripotent callus. We further demonstrated that the early activation of photosynthesis is critical for shoot initiation, and this is transcriptionally regulated downstream of HY5-dependent pathways. In conclusion, we uncovered the intricate molecular mechanisms by which light signals control the establishment of new meristems through the regulatory network governed by HY5, thus highlighting the influence of light signals on plant developmental plasticity.
PMID: 39315875
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae484
RALF22 is a key modulator of the root hair growth responses to fungal ethylene emissions in Arabidopsis.
Institute for Mediterranean and Subtropical Horticulture "La Mayora" (IHSM), CSIC-UMA, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur, 49, 29010 Malaga, Spain.; Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia (IdAB), CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra. Irunako etorbidea 123, 31192 Mutiloabeti, Nafarroa, Spain.; Instituto de Bioquimica Vegetal y Fotosintesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)-Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.; Department of Soil and Plant Microbiology, Estacion Experimental del Zaidin (EEZ-CSIC), Profesor Albareda, 1, 18008 Granada, Spain.; Fundacion Instituto Leloir and IIBBA-CONICET, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires CP C1405BWE, Argentina.; Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal (CBV), Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile and ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Nucleus for the Development of Super Adaptable Plants (MN-SAP), Santiago, Chile.
In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh), exposure to volatile compounds (VCs) emitted by Penicillium aurantiogriseum promotes root hair (RH) proliferation and hyper-elongation through mechanisms involving ethylene, auxin and photosynthesis signaling. In addition, this treatment enhances the levels of the small signalling peptide RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR 22 (RALF22). Here we used genetics to address the role of RALF22 in fungal VC-promoted RH growth and to identify the bioactive fungal VC. We found that RHs of ralf22 and feronia (fer-4) plants impaired in the expression of RALF22 and its receptor FERONIA, respectively, responded weakly to fungal VCs. Unlike in WT roots, fungal VC exposure did not enhance RALF22 transcript levels in roots of fer-4 and ethylene- and auxin- insensitive mutants. In ralf22 and fer-4 roots, this treatment did not enhance the levels of ERS2 transcripts encoding one member of the ethylene receptor family and those of some RH-related genes. RHs of ers2-1 and the rsl2rsl4 double mutants impaired in the expression of ERS2 and the ethylene- and auxin-responsive ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE 2 and 4 transcription factors, respectively, weakly responded to fungal VCs. Moreover, roots of plants defective in photosynthetic responsiveness to VCs exhibited weak RALF22 expression and RH growth responses to fungal VCs. VCs of DeltaefeA strains of P. aurantiogriseum cultures impaired in ethylene synthesis weakly promoted RH proliferation and elongation in exposed plants. We conclude that RALF22 simultaneously functions as a transcriptionally regulated signaling molecule that participates in the ethylene, auxin and photosynthesis signaling-mediated RH growth response to fungal ethylene emissions and regulation of ethylene perception in RHs.
PMID: 39283986
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae470
Phosphorylation of auxin signaling repressor IAA8 by heat-responsive MPKs causes defective flower development.
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.; Depatment of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
Heat stress is a substantial and imminent threat to plant growth and development. Understanding its adverse effects on plant development at the molecular level is crucial for sustainable agriculture. However, the molecular mechanism underlying how heat stress causes developmental defects in flowers remains poorly understood. Here, we identified Indole-3-Acetic Acid 8 (IAA8), a repressor of auxin signaling, as a substrate of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) in Arabidopsis thaliana, and found that MPK-mediated phosphorylation of IAA8 inhibits flower development. MPKs phosphorylated three residues of IAA8: S74, T77, and S135. Interestingly, transgenic plants overexpressing a phospho-mimicking mutant of IAA8 (IAA8DDD OX) exhibited defective flower development due to high IAA8 levels. Furthermore, MPK-mediated phosphorylation inhibited IAA8 polyubiquitination, thereby significantly increasing its stability. Additionally, the expression of key transcription factors involved in flower development, such as bZIP and MYB genes, was significantly perturbed in the IAA8DDD OX plants. Collectively, our study demonstrates that heat stress inhibits flower development by perturbing the expression of flower development genes through the MPK-mediated phosphorylation of IAA8, suggesting that Aux/IAA phosphorylation enables plants to fine-tune their development in response to environmental stress.
PMID: 39240752
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae467
The MdIAA29-MdARF4 complex plays an important role in balancing plant height with salt and drought stress responses.
College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
Breeding dwarf apple (Malus domestica) varieties is a recent trend in agriculture because such varieties are easy to maintain and have high yields; however, dwarf apple trees generally have poor stress tolerance. Balancing apple plant height and stress response has been an important breeding goal. In this study, aux/indole-3-acetic acid 29 gene in apple (MdIAA29) overexpression lines (#1, #2, #3) had reduced plant height by 39%, 31%, and 35%, respectively, suitable for close planting applications. Surprisingly, the dwarf MdIAA29-overexpression lines also showed increased plant tolerance to salt and drought stresses. Further analysis showed that MdIAA29 inhibited the regulation of auxin response factor 4 (ARF4) on Gretchen Hagen 3.9 (GH3.9) gene and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 3 (NCED3) gene in apple and changed the contents of auxin and abscisic acid in different tissues, thus achieving a balance between plant height and stress tolerance. In addition, we also found that MdIAA7 enhanced the inhibitory effect of MdIAA29 on MdARF4. In brief, the MdIAA29-MdARF4 complex significantly impacts the height of apple plants and their ability to respond to salt and drought stress.
PMID: 39230895
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae465
YELLOW, SERRATED LEAF is essential for cotyledon vein patterning in Arabidopsis.
State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
Venation develops complex patterns within the leaves of angiosperms, and the mechanism of leaf vein patterning remains poorly understood. Here, we report a spontaneous mutant that exhibits yellow serrated leaves and defective cotyledon vein patterning. We mapped and cloned the relevant gene YELLOW, SERRATED LEAF (YSL), a previously unreported gene in plants. YSL interacts with VH1-interacting kinase (VIK), a protein that functions in cotyledon venation development. VIK is a vascular-specific adaptor protein kinase that interacts with another vascular developmental protein, VASCULAR HIGHWAY1 (VH1)/BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-LIKE 2 (BRL2), which is a receptor-like kinase of the BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) family. Mutation of YSL affects the auxin response and the expression of auxin-related genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Our results reveal that YSL affects cotyledon vein patterning by interacting with VIK in Arabidopsis.
PMID: 39226151
Sci Total Environ , IF:7.963 , 2024 Oct , V948 : P174663 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174663
Non-pathogenic microbiome associated to aquatic plants and anthropogenic impacts on this interaction.
Ecotoxicology of Aquatic Microorganisms Laboratory, GRIL, EcotoQ, TOXEN, Department of Biological Sciences, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Montreal Succ. Centre-Ville, H3C 3P8 Montreal, QC, Canada.; Institut national de la recherche scientifique - Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 Couronne St, Quebec City, Quebec G1K 9A9, Canada.; Ecotoxicology of Aquatic Microorganisms Laboratory, GRIL, EcotoQ, TOXEN, Department of Biological Sciences, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Montreal Succ. Centre-Ville, H3C 3P8 Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address: juneau.philippe@uqam.ca.
The microbiota associated with aquatic plants plays a crucial role in promoting plant growth and development. The structure of the plant microbiome is shaped by intricate interactions among hosts, microbes, and environmental factors. Consequently, anthropogenic pressures that disrupt these interactions can indirectly impact the ecosystem services provided by aquatic plants, such as CO(2) fixation, provision of food resources, shelter to animals, nutrient cycling, and water purification. Presently, studies on plant-microbiota interactions primarily focus on terrestrial hosts and overlook aquatic environments with their unique microbiomes. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive understanding of plant microbiomes in aquatic ecosystems. This review delves into the overall composition of the microbiota associated with aquatic plant, with a particular emphasis on bacterial communities, which have been more extensively studied. Subsequently, the functions provided by the microbiota to their aquatic plants hosts are explored, including the acquisition and mobilization of nutrients, production of auxin and related compounds, enhancement of photosynthesis, and protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, the influence of anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change and aquatic contamination, on the interaction between microbiota and aquatic plants is discussed. Finally, knowledge gaps are highlighted and future directions in this field are suggested.
PMID: 38992379
Sci Total Environ , IF:7.963 , 2024 Oct , V946 : P174198 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174198
Plant metabolic responses to soil herbicide residues differ under herbivory in two woodland strawberry genotypes.
Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland. Electronic address: Benjamin.fuchs@utu.fi.; Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.; Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.; Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojova 263, 16502 Prague, Czech Republic.; Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.; Natural Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, FI-20014, University of Turku, Finland.; Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland; Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, As, Norway.
The use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) to control weeds has increased exponentially in recent decades, and their residues and degradation products have been found in soils across the globe. GBH residues in soil have been shown to affect plant physiology and specialised metabolite biosynthesis, which, in turn, may impact plant resistance to biotic stressors. In a greenhouse study, we investigated the interactive effects between soil GBH residues and herbivory on the performance, phytohormone concentrations, phenolic compound concentrations and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions of two woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) genotypes, which were classified as herbivore resistant and herbivore susceptible. Plants were subjected to herbivory by strawberry leaf beetle (Galerucella tenella) larvae, and to GBH residues by growing in soil collected from a field site with GBH treatments twice a year over the past eight years. Soil GBH residues reduced the belowground biomass of the susceptible genotype and the aboveground biomass of both woodland strawberry genotypes. Herbivory increased the belowground biomass of the resistant genotype and the root-shoot ratio of both genotypes. At the metabolite level, herbivory induced the emission of several VOCs. Jasmonic acid, abscisic acid and auxin concentrations were induced by herbivory, in contrast to salicylic acid, which was only induced by herbivory in combination with soil GBH residues in the resistant genotype. The concentrations of phenolic compounds were higher in the resistant genotype compared to the susceptible genotype and were induced by soil GBH residues in the resistant genotype. Our results indicate that soil GBH residues can differentially affect plant performance, phytohormone concentrations and phenolic compound concentrations under herbivore attack, in a genotype-dependent manner. Soil GBH altered plant responses to herbivory, which may impact plant resistance traits and species interactions. With ongoing agrochemical pollution, we need to consider plant cultivars with better resistance to polluted soils while maintaining plant resilience under challenging environmental conditions.
PMID: 38914330
Sci Total Environ , IF:7.963 , 2024 Sep , V942 : P173775 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173775
High-throughput 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing reveals the functional divergence of halophilic bacterial communities in the Suaeda salsa root compartments on the eastern coast of China.
Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.; Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Zoology & Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria.; Biofuels Institute, School of Environment & Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China. Electronic address: jxjiang@ujs.edu.cn.
The rhizosphere environment of plants, which harbors halophilic bacterial communities, faces significant challenges in coping with environmental stressors, particularly saline soil properties. This study utilizes a high-throughput 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing to investigate the variations in bacterial community dynamics in rhizosphere soil (RH), root surface soil (RS), root endophytic bacteria (PE) compartments of Suaeda salsa roots, and adjoining soils (CK) across six locations along the eastern coast of China: Nantong (NT), Yancheng (YC), Dalian (DL), Tianjin (TJ), Dongying (DY), and Qingdao (QD), all characterized by chloride-type saline soil. Variations in the physicochemical properties of the RH compartment were also evaluated. The results revealed significant changes in pH, electrical conductivity, total salt content, and ion concentrations in RH samples from different locations. Notably, the NT location exhibited the highest alkalinity and nitrogen availability. The pH variations were linked to HCO(3)(-) accumulation in S. salsa roots, while salinity stress influenced soil pH through H(+) discharge. Despite salinity stress, enzymatic activities such as catalase and urease were higher in soils from various locations. The diversity and richness of bacterial communities were higher in specific locations, with Proteobacteria dominating PE samples from the DL location. Additionally, Vibrio and Marinobacter were prevalent in RH samples. Significant correlations were found between soil pH, salinity, nutrient content, and the abundance and diversity of bacterial taxa in RH samples. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the prevalence of halophilic bacteria, such as Bacillus, Halomonas, and Streptomyces, with diverse metabolic functions, including amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms. Essential genes, such as auxin response factor (ARF) and GTPase-encoding genes, were abundant in RH samples, suggesting adaptive strategies for harsh environments. Likewise, proline/betaine transport protein genes were enriched, indicating potential bioremediation mechanisms against high salt stress. These findings provide insight into the metabolic adaptations facilitating resilience in saline ecosystems and contribute to understanding the complex interplay between soil conditions, bacterial communities, and plant adaptation.
PMID: 38844238
Curr Opin Plant Biol , IF:7.834 , 2024 Oct , V81 : P102589 doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102589
Putting heads together: Developmental genetics of the Asteraceae capitulum.
Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 36849, Auburn, AL, USA.; Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 36849, Auburn, AL, USA. Electronic address: danielsjones@auburn.edu.
Inflorescence architecture is highly variable across plant lineages yet is critical for facilitating reproductive success. The capitulum-type inflorescence of the Asteraceae is marked as a key morphological innovation that preceded the family's diversification and expansion. Despite its evolutionary significance, our understanding of capitulum development and evolution is limited. This review highlights our current perspective on capitulum evolution through the lens of both its molecular and developmental underpinnings. We attempt to summarize our understanding of the capitulum by focusing on two key characteristics: patterning (arrangement of florets on a capitulum) and floret identity specification. Note that these two features are interconnected such that the identity of florets depends on their position along the inflorescence axis. Phytohormones such as auxin seemingly determine both pattern progression and floret identity specification through unknown mechanisms. Floret morphology in a head is controlled by differential expression of floral symmetry genes regulating floret identity specification. We briefly summarize the applicability of the ABCE quartet model of flower development in regulating the floret organ identity of a capitulum in Asteraceae. Overall, there have been promising advancements in our understanding of capitula; however, comprehensive functional genetic analyses are necessary to fully dissect the molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in capitulum development.
PMID: 38955094
Curr Opin Plant Biol , IF:7.834 , 2024 Oct , V81 : P102566 doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102566
Insights into dynamic coenocytic endosperm development: Unraveling molecular, cellular, and growth complexity.
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. Electronic address: tomo.k@uky.edu.
The endosperm, a product of double fertilization, is one of the keys to the evolution and success of angiosperms in conquering the land. While there are differences in endosperm development among flowering plants, the most common form is coenocytic growth, where the endosperm initially undergoes nuclear division without cytokinesis and eventually becomes cellularized. This complex process requires interplay among networks of transcription factors such as MADS-box, auxin response factors (ARFs), and phytohormones. The role of cytoskeletal elements in shaping the coenocytic endosperm and influencing seed growth also becomes evident. This review offers a recent understanding of the molecular and cellular dynamics in coenocytic endosperm development and their contributions to the final seed size.
PMID: 38830335
Curr Opin Plant Biol , IF:7.834 , 2024 Oct , V81 : P102565 doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102565
Illuminating the role of the calyptra in sporophyte development.
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. Electronic address: jbudke@utk.edu.
The study of moss calyptra form and function began almost 250 years ago, but calyptra research has remained a niche endeavor focusing on only a small number of species. Recent advances have focused on calyptra cuticular waxes, which function in dehydration protection of the immature sporophyte apex. The physical presence of the calyptra also plays a role in sporophyte development, potentially via its influence on auxin transport. Progress developing genomic resources for mosses beyond the model Physcomitrium patens, specifically for species with larger calyptrae and taller sporophytes, in combination with advances in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing will enable the influence of the calyptra on gene expression and the production of RNAs and proteins that coordinate sporophyte development to be explored.
PMID: 38824880
Free Radic Biol Med , IF:7.376 , 2024 Sep , V222 : P371-385 doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.06.013
Pulsed high power microwave seeds priming modulates germination, growth, redox homeostasis, and hormonal shifts in barley for improved seedling growth: Unleashing the molecular dynamics.
Plasma Bioscience Research Center (PBRC), Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.; Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Plasma Bio Display, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.; Plasma Bioscience Research Center (PBRC), Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Plasma Bio Display, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ehchoi@kw.ac.kr.
Increasing the seed germination potential and seedling growth rates play a pivotal role in increasing overall crop productivity. Seed germination and early vegetative (seedling) growth are critical developmental stages in plants. High-power microwave (HPM) technology has facilitated both the emergence of novel applications and improvements to existing in agriculture. The implications of pulsed HPM on agriculture remain unexplored. In this study, we have investigated the effects of pulsed HPM exposure on barley germination and seedling growth, elucidating the plausible underlying mechanisms. Barley seeds underwent direct HPM irradiation, with 60 pulses by 2.04 mJ/pulse, across three distinct irradiation settings: dry, submerged in deionized (DI) water, and submerged in DI water one day before exposure. Seed germination significantly increased in all HPM-treated groups, where the HPM-dry group exhibited a notable increase, with a 2.48-fold rise at day 2 and a 1.9-fold increment at day 3. Similarly, all HPM-treated groups displayed significant enhancements in water uptake, and seedling growth (weight and length), as well as elevated levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and total soluble protein content. The obtained results indicate that when comparing three irradiation setting, HPM-dry showed the most promising effects. Condition HPM seed treatment increases the level of reactive species within the barley seedlings, thereby modulating plant biochemistry, physiology, and different cellular signaling cascades via induced enzymatic activities. Notably, the markers associated with plant growth are upregulated and growth inhibitory markers are downregulated post-HPM exposure. Under optimal HPM-dry treatment, auxin (IAA) levels increased threefold, while ABA levels decreased by up to 65 %. These molecular findings illuminate the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing phenotypic changes in barley seedlings subjected to HPM treatment. The results of this study might play a key role to understand molecular mechanisms after pulsed-HPM irradiation of seeds, contributing significantly to address the global need of sustainable crop yield.
PMID: 38901500
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/pce.15163
PeFUS3 Drives Lateral Root Growth Via Auxin and ABA Signalling Under Drought Stress in Populus.
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.; National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Changes in root system architecture are vital for plant adaptation to drought stress, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process remain largely elusive. Here, FUSCA3 (FUS3), a B3 domain transcription factor isolated from Populus euphratica, was found to be an important gene of regulating lateral root (LR) development under drought stress. The expression of PeFUS3 was strongly induced by ABA and dehydration treatments. Overexpressing PeFUS3 in poplar 84 K (P. alba x P. glandulosa) positively regulated LR growth and enhanced drought tolerance, while the knockout lines, generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, displayed repressed LR growth and weakened drought tolerance. Further investigation demonstrated that PeFUS3 activated the expression of PIN2, PIN6a and AUX1, which were key genes involved in auxin transport, suggesting PeFUS3 modulated LR development under drought stress through auxin signalling. Moreover, PeFUS3 directly upregulated PePYL3 expression, and overexpressing PePYL3 poplar lines exhibited significantly increased drought resistance. In addition, PeABF2, an ABA responsive transcription factor, interacted with PeFUS3 and activated its transcription, indicating PeFUS3 was involved in ABA signalling pathway. Taken together, PeFUS3 is a key regulator, maintaining root growth of poplar by modulating the crosstalk of auxin and ABA signalling under drought stress.
PMID: 39318109
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/pce.15171
Nutrient and Water Availability Influence Rice Physiology, Root Architecture and Ionomic Balance via Auxin Signalling.
National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, India.
Water and soil nutrients are the vital ingredients of crop production, and their efficient uptake is essentially dependent on root development, majorly regulated by auxin. For a water-loving crop like rice, how water availability regulates nutrient acquisition, additionally, how ambient nutrient level modulates water uptake, and the role of auxin therein is not well studied. While investigating the cross-talks among these components, we found water to be essential for auxin re-distribution in roots and shaping the root architecture. We also found that supplementing rice seedlings with moderate concentrations of mineral nutrients facilitated faster water uptake and greater nutrient enrichment in leaves compared to adequate nutrient supplementation. Additionally, moderate nutrient availability favoured greater stomatal density, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, transpiration rate and water use efficiency when water was not limiting. Further, auxin supplementation enhanced root formation in rice, while affecting their water uptake ability, photosynthesis and transpiration causing differential mineral-specific uptake trends. The present study uncovers the existence of an intricate crosstalk among water, nutrients and auxin signalling the knowledge of which will enable optimizing the growth conditions for speed breeding of rice and harnessing the components of auxin signalling to improve water and nutrient use efficiency of rice.
PMID: 39315660
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/pce.15154
Tyrosylprotein Sulfotransferase Positively Regulates Symbiotic Nodulation and Root Growth.
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.; Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA.
Posttranslational tyrosine sulfation of peptides and proteins is catalysed by tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPSTs). In Arabidopsis, tyrosine sulfation is essential for the activities of peptide hormones, such as phytosulfokine (PSK) and root meristem growth factor (RGF). Here, we identified a TPST-encoding gene, MtTPST, from model legume Medicago truncatula. MtTPST expression was detected in all organs, with the highest level in root nodules. A promoter:GUS assay revealed that MtTPST was highly expressed in the root apical meristem, nodule primordium and nodule apical meristem. The loss-of-function mutant mttpst exhibited a stunted phenotype with short roots and reduced nodule number and size. Application of both of the sulfated peptides PSK and RGF3 partially restored the defective root length of mttpst. The reduction in symbiotic nodulation in mttpst was partially recovered by treatment with sulfated PSK peptide. MtTPST-PSK module functions downstream of the Nod factor signalling to promote nodule initiation via regulating accumulation and/or signalling of cytokinin and auxin. Additionally, the small-nodule phenotype of mttpst, which resulted from decreased apical meristematic activity, was partially complemented by sulfated RGF3 treatment. Together, these results demonstrate that MtTPST, through its substrates PSK, RGF3 and other sulfated peptide(s), positively regulates nodule development and root growth.
PMID: 39286964
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/pce.15103
An EIL Family Transcription Factor From Switchgrass Affects Sulphur Assimilation and Root Development in Arabidopsis.
CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China.; Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China.; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong, China.; College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.; CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Xining, Gansu, China.
Sulphur limitation 1 (SLIM1), a member of ethylene-insensitive3-like (EIN3/EIL) protein family, is recognised as the pivotal transcription factor regulating sulphur assimilation, essential for maintaining sulphur homoeostasis in Arabidopsis. However, the function of its monocot homologues is largely unknown. In this study, we identified PvEIL3a, a homologous gene of AtSLIM1, from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a significant perennial bioenergy crop. Our results demonstrated that introducing PvEIL3a into Arabidopsis slim1 mutants significantly increased the expression of genes responsive to sulphur deficiency, and transgenic plants exhibited shortened root length and delayed development. Moreover, PvEIL3a activated the expression of AtAPR1, AtSULTR1;1 and AtBGLU30, which plays an important role in sulphur assimilation and glucosinolate metabolism. Results of transcriptome and metabonomic analysis further indicated a perturbation in the metabolic pathways of tryptophan-dependent indole glucosinolates (IGs), camalexin and auxin. In addition, PvEIL3a conservatively regulated sulphur assimilation and the biosynthesis of tryptophan pathway-derived secondary metabolites, which reduced the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and inhibited the root elongation of transgenic Arabidopsis. In conclusion, this study highlights the functional difference of the ethylene-insensitive 3-like (EIL) family gene in monocot and dicot plants, thereby deepening the understanding of the specific biological roles of EIL3 in monocot plant species.
PMID: 39254223
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/pce.15150
Sly-miR398b Mediates Mature Leaf Flattening by Orchestrating Auxin and H(2)O(2) Signalling in Tomato.
Discipline of Facility Horticulture, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.; Department of Computer Science and Technology, College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Leaf flattening plays a pivotal role in optimizing light capture and enhancing photosynthesis efficiency. While extensive research has clarified the molecular mechanisms governing the initial stages of leaf flattening, understanding the maintenance of this process in mature leaves remains limited. Our investigation focused on sly-miR398b in tomatoes and revealed its crucial role in maintaining leaf flattening. In situ hybridization experiments indicated predominant expression of sly-miR398b in the abaxial side. Disrupting sly-miR398b using CRISPR/Cas9 relieved its suppression on target gene (Cu/Zn-SOD, SlCSD1), elevating SlCSD1 levels specifically on the abaxial side. Consequently, this asymmetrical expression of SlCSD1 increased hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) levels in the abaxial side, hindering auxin influx genes while promoting auxin efflux gene expression. This shift reduced auxin response gene expression in the abaxial side of mature leaves compared to the adaxial side, leading to leaf epinasty in sly-miR398b mutants. Exogenous H(2)O(2) spraying induced leaf epinasty, downregulating SlGH3.5 and upregulating SlPIN3 and SlPIN4. Remarkably, spraying with 1-naphthalacetic acid (NAA) restored leaf flattening in sly-miR398b mutants. Our findings offer novel insights into mature leaf flattening maintenance via sly-miR398b's regulation of auxin and H(2)O(2) signalling pathways.
PMID: 39248305
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5717-5733 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae305
Alternate bearing in 'Hass' avocado: fruit load-induced changes in bud auxin homeostasis are associated with flowering repression.
Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.; The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
In 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana), fruit presence reduces next season flowering. Recent fruit tree studies proposed that heavy fruit load (HFL) generates an auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) signal in the buds that represses flowering. However, the nature of this signal remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of avocado HFL on bud IAA accumulation and flowering transition. We found that IAA-aspartate and IAA-glutamate conjugate levels were significantly higher in buds from fully loaded ('on') than low-loaded ('off') trees, hinting that free IAA levels were higher in the former. Expression analysis showed that coinciding with flowering reduction, HFL induced the floral repressor PaTFL1, and suggested that accumulation of IAA in buds as imposed by HFL was associated with its conjugation to aspartate and glutamate and resulted both from de novo IAA synthesis and from reduced IAA export. Accordingly, experiments involving radiolabelled [14C]IAA demonstrated that HFL reduced shoot basipetal IAA transport. Finally, we confirmed the negative effects of IAA on flowering, showing that IAA and polar auxin transport blocker (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) treatments delayed 'off' trees' inflorescence development, reducing their inflorescence axis and inducing PaTFL1 expression. Together, our data indicate that avocado HFL generates IAA signalling in buds that induces PaTFL1, leading to repression of inflorescence development.
PMID: 39011888
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5557-5567 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae307
New insights into plasmodesmata: complex 'protoplasmic connecting threads'.
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, MO 63132, USA.
Intercellular communication in plants, as in other multicellular organisms, allows cells in tissues to coordinate their responses for development and in response to environmental stimuli. Much of this communication is facilitated by plasmodesmata (PD), consisting of membranes and cytoplasm, that connect adjacent cells to each other. PD have long been viewed as passive conduits for the movement of a variety of metabolites and molecular cargoes, but this perception has been changing over the last two decades or so. Research from the last few years has revealed the importance of PD as signaling hubs and as crucial players in hormone signaling. The adoption of advanced biochemical approaches, molecular tools, and high-resolution imaging modalities has led to several recent breakthroughs in our understanding of the roles of PD, revealing the structural and regulatory complexity of these 'protoplasmic connecting threads'. We highlight several of these findings that we think well illustrate the current understanding of PD as functioning at the nexus of plant physiology, development, and acclimation to the environment.
PMID: 39001658
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5955-5970 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae284
Raffinose catabolism enhances maize waterlogging tolerance by stimulating adventitious root growth and development.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.; The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.; Department of Horticulture, Seed Biology, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
Raffinose mitigates plant heat, drought, and cold stresses; however, whether raffinose contributes to plant waterlogging tolerance is unknown. The maize raffinose synthase mutant zmrafs-1 had seedlings that lack raffinose, generated fewer and shorter adventitious roots, and were more sensitive to waterlogging stress, while overexpression of the raffinose synthase gene, ZmRAFS, increased raffinose content, stimulated adventitious root formation, and enhanced waterlogging tolerance of maize seedlings. Transcriptome analysis of null segregant seedlings compared with zmrafs-1, particularly when waterlogged, revealed that the expression of genes related to galactose metabolism and the auxin biosynthetic pathway were up-regulated by raffinose. Additionally, indole-3-acetic acid content was significantly decreased in zmrafs-1 seedlings and increased in ZmRAFS-overexpressing seedlings. Inhibition of the hydrolysis of raffinose by 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin decreased the waterlogging tolerance of maize seedlings, the expression of genes encoding proteins related to auxin transport-related genes, and the indole-3-acetic acid level in the seedlings, indicating that the hydrolysis of raffinose is necessary for maize waterlogging tolerance. These data demonstrate that raffinose catabolism stimulates adventitious root formation via the auxin signaling pathway to enhance maize waterlogging tolerance.
PMID: 38938017
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5681-5702 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae282
Arinole, a novel auxin-stimulating benzoxazole, affects root growth and promotes adventitious root formation.
Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; Laboratory of Integrated Molecular Plant Physiological Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.; Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; NMR and Structure Analysis Research Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; Laboratory for Applied In Vitro Plant Biotechnology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.; Natural Products Chemistry Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan.
The triple response phenotype is characteristic for seedlings treated with the phytohormone ethylene or its direct precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-carboxylic acid, and is often employed to find novel chemical tools to probe ethylene responses. We identified a benzoxazole-urea derivative (B2) partially mimicking ethylene effects in a triple response bioassay. A phenotypic analysis demonstrated that B2 and its closest analogue arinole (ARI) induced phenotypic responses reminiscent of seedlings with elevated levels of auxin, including impaired hook development and inhibition of seedling growth. Specifically, ARI reduced longitudinal cell elongation in roots, while promoting cell division. In contrast to other natural or synthetic auxins, ARI mostly acts as an inducer of adventitious root development, with only limited effects on lateral root development. Quantification of free auxins and auxin biosynthetic precursors as well as auxin-related gene expression demonstrated that ARI boosts global auxin levels. In addition, analyses of auxin reporter lines and mutants, together with pharmacological assays with auxin-related inhibitors, confirmed that ARI effects are facilitated by TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE1 (TAA1)-mediated auxin synthesis. ARI treatment in an array of species, including Arabidopsis, pea, tomato, poplar, and lavender, resulted in adventitious root formation, which is a desirable trait in both agriculture and horticulture.
PMID: 38920303
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5521-5530 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae277
Mediator complex: an important regulator of root system architecture.
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India.; Plant Mediator Lab, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India.
Mediator, a multiprotein complex, is an important component of the transcription machinery. In plants, the latest studies have established that it functions as a signal processor that conveys transcriptional signals from transcription factors to RNA polymerase II. Mediator has been found to be involved in different developmental and stress-adaptation conditions, ranging from embryo, root, and shoot development to flowering and senescence, and also in responses to different biotic and abiotic stresses. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the role of Mediator subunits in root development. They have been shown to transcriptionally regulate development of almost all the components of the root system architecture-primary root, lateral roots, and root hairs. They also have a role in nutrient acquisition by the root. In this review, we discuss all the known functions of Mediator subunits during root development. We also highlight the role of Mediator as a nodal point for processing different hormone signals that regulate root morphogenesis and growth.
PMID: 38881317
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5592-5610 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae245
A gain-of-function mutation in BnaIAA13 disrupts vascular tissue and lateral root development in Brassica napus.
National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.; College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.; Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China.
Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an important oilseed crop worldwide. Plant vascular tissues are responsible for long-distance transport of water and nutrients and for providing mechanical support. The lateral roots absorb water and nutrients. The genetic basis of vascular tissue and lateral root development in rapeseed remains unknown. This study characterized an ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized rapeseed mutant, T16, which showed dwarf stature, reduced lateral roots, and leaf wilting. SEM observations showed that the internode cells were shortened. Observations of tissue sections revealed defects in vascular bundle development in the stems and petioles. Genetic analysis revealed that the phenotypes of T16 were controlled by a single semi-dominant nuclear gene. Map-based cloning and genetic complementarity identified BnaA03.IAA13 as the functional gene; a G-to-A mutation in the second exon changed glycine at position 79 to glutamic acid, disrupting the conserved degron motif VGWPP. Transcriptome analysis in roots and stems showed that auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways were disordered in T16. Evolutionary analysis showed that AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID is conserved during plant evolution. The heterozygote of T16 showed significantly reduced plant height while maintaining other agronomic traits. Our findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of vascular tissue and lateral root development, and offer a new germplasm resource for rapeseed breeding.
PMID: 38824403
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (18) : P5471-5476 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae246
Slow and rapid auxin responses in Arabidopsis.
College of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330045, China.; Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
PMID: 38794966
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2024 Sep , V75 (17) : P5267-5294 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erae054
Epigenetics and plant hormone dynamics: a functional and methodological perspective.
Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.; Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-61265 Brno, Czech Republic.; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.; Photon Systems Instruments, Prumyslova 470, CZ-664 24 Drasov, Czech Republic.
Plant hormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth, development, and response to environmental cues, have recently emerged as central modulators of epigenetic processes governing gene expression and phenotypic plasticity. This review addresses the complex interplay between plant hormones and epigenetic mechanisms, highlighting the diverse methodologies that have been harnessed to decipher these intricate relationships. We present a comprehensive overview to understand how phytohormones orchestrate epigenetic modifications, shaping plant adaptation and survival strategies. Conversely, we explore how epigenetic regulators ensure hormonal balance and regulate the signalling pathways of key plant hormones. Furthermore, our investigation includes a search for novel genes that are regulated by plant hormones under the control of epigenetic processes. Our review offers a contemporary overview of the epigenetic-plant hormone crosstalk, emphasizing its significance in plant growth, development, and potential agronomical applications.
PMID: 38373206
Int J Biol Macromol , IF:6.953 , 2024 Sep , V280 (Pt 2) : P135731 doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135731
Genome-wide identification of hormone biosynthetic and metabolism genes in the 2OGD family of tobacco and JOX genes silencing enhances drought tolerance in plants.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Huaiyin Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Xuhuai Region in Jiangsu, Huaiyin, 223300, China.; Agricultural Big-Data Research Center and College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China. Electronic address: lyang@sdau.edu.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address: mingzhou@zju.edu.cn.
Phytohormones play crucial roles in regulation of plant growth and tolerance to abiotic stresses. The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD) superfamily responds to hormone biosynthesis and metabolism in plants. However, the Nt2OGD family in tobacco has not been fully explored. In this study, we identify 126 members of the Nt2OGD family, and 60 of them are involved in hormone biosynthesis and metabolism process (Nt2OGD-Hs), including 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidases (ACO), dioxygenases for auxin oxidation (DAO), gibberellin (GA) 20-oxidases and 3-oxidases (GA20ox and GA3ox), carbon-19 and carbon-20 GA 2-oxidases (C19-GA2ox and C20-GA2ox), lateral branching oxidoreductases (LBO), jasmonate-induced oxygenases (JOX), downy mildew resistant 6, and DMR6-like oxygenases (DMR6/DLO). Gene duplication analysis suggests the segmental duplication and whole genome duplication (WGD) might be a potential mechanism for the expansion of this family. Expression analysis reveals that most of Nt2OGD-Hs show tissue-specific expression patterns, and some of them respond to environmental conditions. Of Nt2OGD-Hs, the expression of NtJOX3 and NtJOX5, which are involved in JA metabolism, exhibits remarkable changes during drought treatments. Silencing of NtJOX3 or NtJOX5 increases tobacco tolerance to drought stress. Furthermore, knocking out OsJOX3 and OsJOX4, respectively in rice, result in high tolerance to drought. Taken together, our work comprehensively identifies the Nt2OGD family in tobacco and provides new insights into roles of the JA pathway in drought tolerance in plants.
PMID: 39299420
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol , IF:6.914 , 2024 Sep , V71 (3) : P307-317 doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2024-0159OC
Indole-3-Acetic Acid Protects Against Lipopolysaccharide-induced Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Lung Injury through the Activation of USP40.
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, and.; Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Lung microvascular endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is the pathological hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a key regulator in control of endothelial barrier disruption and inflammation. Our recent study has demonstrated that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 40 (USP40) preserves endothelial integrity by targeting HSP90beta for its deubiquitination and inactivation. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a plant hormone of the auxin class, can also be catabolized from dietary tryptophan by the intestinal microbiota. Accumulating evidence suggests that IAA reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and promotes intestinal barrier function. However, little is known about the role of IAA in endothelial cells and acute lung injury. In this study, we investigated the role of IAA in lung endothelial cell function in the context of acute lung injury. IAA exhibited EC barrier protection against LPS-induced reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance and inflammatory responses. The underlying mechanism of IAA on EC protective effects was investigated by examining the influence of IAA on degrees of HSP90 ubiquitination and USP40 activity. We identified that IAA, acting as a potential activator of USP40, reduces HSP90 ubiquitination, thereby protecting against LPS-induced inflammation in human lung microvascular endothelial cells as well as alleviating experimental lung injury. Furthermore, the EC protective effects of IAA against LPS-induced EC dysfunction and lung injury were abolished in USP40-deficient human lung microvascular endothelial cell and lungs of USP40 EC-specific knockout (USP40(cdh5-ECKO)) mice. Taken together, this study reveals that IAA protects against LPS-induced EC dysfunction and lung injury through the activation of USP40.
PMID: 38761166
Development , IF:6.868 , 2024 Oct , V151 (20) doi: 10.1242/dev.203026
Analysis of auxin responses in the fern Ceratopteris richardii identifies the developmental phase as a major determinant for response properties.
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.; Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Lavrentyeva Avenue 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation.; Department of Plant Systems Physiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW-405 Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton AB T6G 2E9, Canada.
The auxin signaling molecule regulates a range of plant growth and developmental processes. The core transcriptional machinery responsible for auxin-mediated responses is conserved across all land plants. Genetic, physiological and molecular exploration in bryophyte and angiosperm model species have shown both qualitative and quantitative differences in auxin responses. Given the highly divergent ontogeny of the dominant gametophyte (bryophytes) and sporophyte (angiosperms) generations, however, it is unclear whether such differences derive from distinct phylogeny or ontogeny. Here, we address this question by comparing a range of physiological, developmental and molecular responses to auxin in both generations of the model fern Ceratopteris richardii. We find that auxin response in Ceratopteris gametophytes closely resembles that of a thalloid bryophyte, whereas the sporophyte mimics auxin response in flowering plants. This resemblance manifests both at the phenotypic and transcriptional levels. Furthermore, we show that disrupting auxin transport can lead to ectopic sporophyte induction on the gametophyte, suggesting a role for auxin in the alternation of generations. Our study thus identifies developmental phase, rather than phylogeny, as a major determinant of auxin response properties in land plants.
PMID: 39324436
Hortic Res , IF:6.793 , 2024 Sep , V11 (9) : Puhae193 doi: 10.1093/hr/uhae193
The tomato WRKY-B transcription factor modulates lateral branching by targeting BLIND, PIN4, and IAA15.
College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.; College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.; College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China.; College of Agriculture, Ningxia Universisty, Yinchuan 750002, China.; Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao City 266000, China.
Lateral branching is a crucial agronomic trait that impacts crop yield. In tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ), excessive lateral branching is unfavorable and results in substantial labor and management costs. Therefore, optimizing lateral branching is a primary objective in tomato breeding. Although many genes related to lateral branching have been reported in tomato, the molecular mechanism underlying their network remains elusive. In this study, we found that the expression profile of a WRKY gene, WRKY-B (for WRKY-BRANCING), was associated with the auxin-dependent axillary bud development process. Wrky-b mutants generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 editing system presented fewer lateral branches, while WRKY-B overexpression lines presented more lateral branches than did wild-type plants. Furthermore, WRKY-B can directly target the well-known branching gene BLIND (BL) and the auxin efflux carrier gene PIN4 to activate their expression. Both the bl and pin4 mutants exhibited reduced lateral branching, similar to the wrky-b mutant. The IAA contents in the axillary buds of the wrky-b, bl, and pin4 mutant plants were significantly higher than those in the wild-type plants. In addition, WRKY-B can also directly target the AUX/IAA gene IAA15 and repress its expression. In summary, WRKY-B works upstream of BL, PIN4, and IAA15 to regulate the development of lateral branches in tomato.
PMID: 39257542
Hortic Res , IF:6.793 , 2024 Sep , V11 (9) : Puhae188 doi: 10.1093/hr/uhae188
Restorer of fertility like 30, encoding a mitochondrion-localized pentatricopeptide repeat protein, regulates wood formation in poplar.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.; Key Laboratory of Eco-environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Nuclear-mitochondrial communication is crucial for plant growth, particularly in the context of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) repair mechanisms linked to mitochondrial genome mutations. The restorer of fertility-like (RFL) genes, known for their role in CMS restoration, remain largely unexplored in plant development. In this study, we focused on the evolutionary relationship of RFL family genes in poplar specifically within the dioecious Salicaceae plants. PtoRFL30 was identified to be preferentially expressed in stem vasculature, suggesting a distinct correlation with vascular cambium development. Transgenic poplar plants overexpressing PtoRFL30 exhibited a profound inhibition of vascular cambial activity and xylem development. Conversely, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of PtoRFL30 led to increased wood formation. Importantly, we revealed that PtoRFL30 plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial functional homeostasis. Treatment with mitochondrial activity inhibitors delayed wood development in PtoRFL30-RNAi transgenic plants. Further investigations unveiled significant variations in auxin accumulation levels within vascular tissues of PtoRFL30-transgenic plants. Wood development anomalies resulting from PtoRFL30 overexpression and knockdown were rectified by NAA and NPA treatments, respectively. Our findings underscore the essential role of the PtoRFL30-mediated mitochondrion-auxin signaling module in wood formation, shedding light on the intricate nucleus-organelle communication during secondary vascular development.
PMID: 39247885
J Environ Manage , IF:6.789 , 2024 Sep , V367 : P121950 doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121950
Resource recovery and contaminants of emerging concern mitigation by microalgae treating wastewater.
GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.; UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almeria, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almeria, Spain.; Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.; GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: ivet.ferrer@upc.edu.
This study aimed to investigate the recovery of agricultural biostimulants and biogas from microalgae treating wastewater, in the framework of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, municipal wastewater was treated in demonstrative raceway ponds, and microalgal biomass (Scenedesmus sp.) was then harvested and downstream processed to recover biostimulants and biogas in a biorefinery approach. The effect of microalgal biostimulants on plants was evaluated by means of bioassays, while the biogas produced was quantified in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. Furthermore, the fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) over the process was also assessed. Bioassays confirmed the biostimulant effect of microalgae, which showed gibberellin-, auxin- and cytokinin-like activity in watercress seed germination, mung bean rooting, and wheat leaf chlorophyll retention. In addition, the downstream process applied to raw biomass acted as a pre-treatment to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. After biostimulant extraction, the residual biomass represented 91% of the methane yield from the raw biomass (276 mLCH(4).g(-1)VS). The kinetic profile of the residual biomass was 43% higher than that of the unprocessed biomass. Co-digestion with primary sludge further increased biogas production by 24%. Finally, the concentration of CECs in wastewater was reduced by more than 80%, and only 6 out of 22 CECs analyzed were present in the biostimulant obtained. Most importantly, the concentration of those contaminants was lower than in biosolids that are commonly used in agriculture, ensuring environmental safety.
PMID: 39068780
mSystems , IF:6.496 , 2024 Sep : Pe0061124 doi: 10.1128/msystems.00611-24
Feeling hormonal? Insights into bacterial auxin sensing and its physiological effects.
Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Plant-microbe communication involves a rich language of chemical signals. Among these signals are plant hormones such as auxins, which are primarily recognized for their roles in plant development. However, they also function in modulating plant-microbe interactions. Interestingly, many bacteria are capable of producing auxins too. Yet, the mechanisms by which auxins affect bacteria and the regulatory processes controlling their production are largely unknown. Rico-Jimenez and colleagues present new insights into the effects of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid on the physiology of the rhizobacterium Serratia plymuthica (M. Rico-Jimenez, Z. Udaondo, T. Krell, and M. A. Matilla, mSystems 9:e00165-24, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00165-24). Their work provides a deeper mechanistic understanding of bacterial transcriptional responses to plant hormones and the impact on bacterial fitness in the context of the rhizosphere environment.
PMID: 39269185
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1111/tpj.17014
Arabidopsis hydathodes are sites of auxin accumulation and nutrient scavenging.
Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microbes-Environnement (LIPME), Universite de Toulouse, INRAE UMR 0441, CNRS UMR 2598, Castanet-Tolosan, F-31326, France.; Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies d'Aix-Marseille, Aix-Marseille Universite, CEA, CNRS UMR 7265, Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, F-13108, France.; Institute Jean-Pierre Bourgin for Plant Sciences (IJPB), Universite Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Versailles, 78000, France.; Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Superieure (IBENS), CNRS UMR8197, INSERM U1024, Paris, 75005, France.; Department of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany.
Hydathodes are small organs found on the leaf margins of vascular plants which release excess xylem sap through a process called guttation. While previous studies have hinted at additional functions of hydathode in metabolite transport or auxin metabolism, experimental support is limited. We conducted comprehensive transcriptomic, metabolomic and physiological analyses of mature Arabidopsis hydathodes. This study identified 1460 genes differentially expressed in hydathodes compared to leaf blades, indicating higher expression of most genes associated with auxin metabolism, metabolite transport, stress response, DNA, RNA or microRNA processes, plant cell wall dynamics and wax metabolism. Notably, we observed differential expression of genes encoding auxin-related transcriptional regulators, biosynthetic processes, transport and vacuolar storage supported by the measured accumulation of free and conjugated auxin in hydathodes. We also showed that 78% of the total content of 52 xylem metabolites was removed from guttation fluid at hydathodes. We demonstrate that NRT2.1 and PHT1;4 transporters capture nitrate and inorganic phosphate in guttation fluid, respectively, thus limiting the loss of nutrients during this process. Our transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses unveil an organ with its specific physiological and biological identity.
PMID: 39254742
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Oct , V120 (1) : P318-334 doi: 10.1111/tpj.16988
The SCOOP-MIK2 immune pathway modulates Arabidopsis root growth and development by regulating PIN-FORMED abundance and auxin transport.
MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
Plants synthesize hundreds of small secretory peptides, which are perceived by the receptor-like kinase (RLK) family at the cell surface. Various signaling peptide-RLK pairs ensure plant adaptation to distinct environmental conditions. Here, we report that SERINE RICH ENDOGENOUS PEPTIDE (SCOOP) immune peptides modulate root growth and development by regulating PIN-FORMED (PIN)-regulated polar auxin transport in Arabidopsis. The SCOOP4 and SCOOP12 treatments impaired root gravitropic growth, auxin redistribution in response to gravistimulation, and PIN abundance in the PM. Furthermore, genetic and cell biological analyses revealed that these physiological and cellular effects of SCOOP4 and SCOOP12 peptides are mediated by the receptor MALE DISCOVERER1-INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE2 (MIK2) and the downstream mitogen-activated kinase MPK6. Biochemical evidence indicates that MPK6 directly phosphorylates the cytosolic loop of PIN proteins. Our work established a link between the immune signaling peptide SCOOPs and root growth pathways, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant root adaptive growth in the defense response.
PMID: 39162107
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Sep , V119 (5) : P2273-2287 doi: 10.1111/tpj.16916
The auxin-responsive CsSPL9-CsGH3.4 module finely regulates auxin levels to suppress the development of adventitious roots in tea (Camellia sinensis).
College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
The cutting technique is extensively used in tea breeding, with key emphasis on promoting the growth of adventitious roots (ARs). Despite its importance in tea cultivation, the mechanisms underlying AR development in tea remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the essential role of auxins in the initiation and progression of AR and established that the application of exogenous 1-naphthaleneacetic acid-enhanced AR formation in tissue-cultured seedlings and cuttings. Then, we found that the auxin-responsive transcription factor CsSPL9 acted as a negative regulator of AR development by reducing the levels of free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in tea plants. Furthermore, we identified CsGH3.4 as a downstream target of CsSPL9, which was activated by direct binding to its promoter. CsGH3.4 also inhibited AR development and maintained low levels of free IAA. Thus, these results revealed the inhibitory effect of the auxin-responsive CsSPL9-CsGH3.4 module on AR development by reducing free IAA levels in tea. These findings have significant theoretical and practical value for enhancing tea breeding practices.
PMID: 39012276
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf , IF:6.291 , 2024 Sep , V283 : P116975 doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116975
Both hormones and energy-rich compounds play a role in the mitigation of elevated pH on aluminum toxicity in Citrus sinensis leaves.
College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects & Control for Emerging Contaminants/Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas, Fujian Provincial University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian 351100, China. Electronic address: 418446561@qq.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: 997037082@qq.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: raorongyu00@163.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: 1209017428@qq.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: 1527204185@qq.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: 1695830571@qq.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: talstoy@163.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: hzrapaul@126.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: yexin1000@163.com.; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects & Control for Emerging Contaminants/Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas, Fujian Provincial University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian 351100, China. Electronic address: wjc2384@163.com.; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: lisongchen2002@hotmail.com.
The contribution of plant hormones and energy-rich compounds and their metabolites (ECMs) in alleviating aluminum (Al) toxicity by elevated pH remains to be clarified. For the first time, a targeted metabolome was applied to identify Al-pH-interaction-responsive hormones and ECMs in Citrus sinensis leaves. More Al-toxicity-responsive hormones and ECMs were identified at pH 4.0 [4 (10) upregulated and 7 (17) downregulated hormones (ECMs)] than those at pH 3.0 [1 (9) upregulated and 4 (14) downregulated hormones (ECMs)], suggesting that the elevated pH improved the adaptation of hormones and ECMs to Al toxicity in leaves. The roles of hormones and ECMs in reducing leaf Al toxicity mediated by elevated pH might include the following aspects: (a) improved leaf growth by upregulating the levels of jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine (JA-ILE), 6-benzyladenosine (BAPR), N6-isopentenyladenosine (IPR), cis-zeatin-O-glucoside riboside (cZROG), and auxins (AUXs), preventing Al toxicity-induced reduction of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis, and avoiding jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated defense; (b) enhanced biosynthesis and accumulation of tryptophan (TRP), as well as the resulting increase in biosynthesis of auxin, melatonin and secondary metabolites (SMs); (c) improved ability to maintain the homeostasis of ATP and other phosphorus (P)-containing ECMs; and (d) enhanced internal detoxification of Al due to increased organic acid (OA) and SM accumulation and elevated ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to enhanced SM accumulation. To conclude, the current results corroborate the hypotheses that elevated pH reduces Al toxicity by upregulating the ability to maintain the homeostasis of ATP and other P-containing ECMs in leaves under Al toxicity and (b) hormones participate in the elevated pH-mediated alleviation of Al toxicity by positively regulating growth, the ability to detoxify ROS, and the internal detoxification of Al in leaves under Al toxicity. Our findings provide novel insights into the roles of hormones and ECMs in mitigating Al toxicity mediated by the elevated pH.
PMID: 39216222
Commun Biol , IF:6.268 , 2024 Sep , V7 (1) : P1085 doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06747-9
Polarly localized Bro1 domain proteins regulate PIN-FORMED abundance and root gravitropic growth in Arabidopsis.
MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.; Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg, Austria.; Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, Wien, Austria.; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China.; MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China. sttan@ustc.edu.cn.
The developmental plasticity of the root system plays an essential role in the adaptation of plants to the environment. Among many other signals, auxin and its directional, intercellular transport are critical in regulating root growth and development. In particular, the PIN-FORMED2 (PIN2) auxin exporter acts as a key regulator of root gravitropic growth. Multiple regulators have been reported to be involved in PIN2-mediated root growth; however, our information remains incomplete. Here, we identified ROWY Bro1-domain proteins as important regulators of PIN2 sorting control. Genetic analysis revealed that Arabidopsis rowy1 single mutants and higher-order rowy1 rowy2 rowy3 triple mutants presented a wavy root growth phenotype. Cell biological experiments revealed that ROWY1 and PIN2 colocalized to the apical side of the plasma membrane in the root epidermis and that ROWYs are required for correct PM targeting of PIN2. In addition, ROWYs also affected PIN3 protein abundance in the stele, suggesting the potential involvement of additional PIN transporters as well as other proteins. A global transcriptome analysis revealed that ROWY genes are involved in the Fe(2+) availability perception pathway. This work establishes ROWYs as important novel regulators of root gravitropic growth by connecting micronutrient availability to the proper subcellular targeting of PIN auxin transporters.
PMID: 39232040
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Sep , V25 (18) doi: 10.3390/ijms251810198
Unbalanced Expression of Structural Genes in Carotenoid Pathway Contributes to the Flower Color Formation of the Osmanthus Cultivar 'Yanzhi Hong'.
Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.; International Cultivar Registration Center for Osmanthus, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Carotenoids are important natural pigments that are responsible for the fruit and flower colors of many plants. The composition and content of carotenoid can greatly influence the color phenotype of plants. However, the regulatory mechanism underling the divergent behaviors of carotenoid accumulation, especially in flower, remains unclear. In this study, a new cultivar Osmanthus fragrans 'Yanzhi Hong' was used to study the regulation of carotenoid pigmentation in flower. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis showed that beta-carotene, phytoene, lycopene, gamma-carotene, and lutein were the top five pigments enriched in the petals of 'Yanzhi Hong'. Through transcriptome analysis, we found that the expression of the structural genes in carotenoid pathway was imbalanced: most of the structural genes responsible for lycopene biosynthesis were highly expressed throughout the flower developmental stages, while those for lycopene metabolism kept at a relatively lower level. The downregulation of LYCE, especially at the late developmental stages, suppressed the conversion from lycopene to alpha-carotene but promoted the accumulation of beta-carotene, which had great effect on the carotenoid composition of 'Yanzhi Hong'. Ethylene response factor (ERF), WRKY, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB), N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), auxin response factor (ARF), and other transcription factors (TFs) have participated in the flower color regulation of 'Yanzhi Hong', which formed co-expression networks with the structural genes and functioned in multiple links of the carotenoid pathway. The results suggested that the cyclization of lycopene is a key link in determining flower color. The modification of the related TFs will break the expression balance between the upstream and downstream genes and greatly influence the carotenoid profile in flowers, which can be further used for creating colorful plant germplasms.
PMID: 39337681
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Sep , V25 (17) doi: 10.3390/ijms25179607
ZmARF16 Regulates ZCN12 to Promote the Accumulation of Florigen and Accelerate Flowering.
College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130118, China.; College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
Auxin response factors(ARFs) are a class of transcription factors that regulate the expression of auxin response genes and play a crucial role in plant growth and development. Florigen plays a crucial role in the process of flowering. However, the process by which auxin regulates the accumulation of florigen remains largely unclear. This study found that the expression of ZmARF16 in maize increases during flowering, and the genetic transformation of ZmARF16 accelerates the flowering process in Arabidopsis and maize. Furthermore, ZmARF16 was found to be positively correlated with the transcription of the ZCN12 gene. Similarly, the FT-like gene ZCN12 in maize rescues the late flowering phenotype of the FT mutation in Arabidopsis. Moreover, ZCN12 actively participates in the accumulation of florigen and the flowering process. Further research revealed that ZmARF16 positively responds to the auxin signal, and that the interaction between ZmARF16 and the ZCN12 promoter, as well as the subsequent promotion of ZCN12 gene expression, leads to early flowering. This was confirmed through a yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assay. Therefore, the study provides evidence that the ZmARF16-ZCN12 module plays a crucial role in regulating the flowering process of maize.
PMID: 39273554
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Sep , V25 (17) doi: 10.3390/ijms25179566
Nitrate Starvation Induces Lateral Root Organogenesis in Triticum aestivum via Auxin Signaling.
College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.; Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China.
The lateral root (LR) is an essential component of the plant root system, performing important functions for nutrient and water uptake in plants and playing a pivotal role in cereal crop productivity. Nitrate (NO(3)(-)) is an essential nutrient for plants. In this study, wheat plants were grown in 1/2 strength Hoagland's solution containing 5 mM NO(3)(-) (check; CK), 0.1 mM NO(3)(-) (low NO(3)(-); LN), or 0.1 mM NO(3)(-) plus 60 mg/L 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) (LNT). The results showed that LN increased the LR number significantly at 48 h after treatment compared with CK, while not increasing the root biomass, and LNT significantly decreased the LR number and root biomass. The transcriptomic analysis showed that LN induced the expression of genes related to root IAA synthesis and transport and cell wall remodeling, and it was suppressed in the LNT conditions. A physiological assay revealed that the LN conditions increased the activity of IAA biosynthesis-related enzymes, the concentrations of tryptophan and IAA, and the activity of cell wall remodeling enzymes in the roots, whereas the content of polysaccharides in the LRP cell wall was significantly decreased compared with the control. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic microscopy revealed that the content of cell wall polysaccharides decreased and the cell wall elasticity of LR primordia (LRP) increased under the LN conditions. The effects of LN on IAA synthesis and polar transport, cell wall remodeling, and LR development were abolished when TIBA was applied. Our findings indicate that NO(3)(-) starvation may improve auxin homeostasis and the biological properties of the LRP cell wall and thus promote LR initiation, while TIBA addition dampens the effects of LN on auxin signaling, gene expression, physiological processes, and the root architecture.
PMID: 39273513
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2024 , V15 : P1418119 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1418119
OsCBL1 mediates rice response to local nitrate signaling: insights into regulatory networks and gene expression.
College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Nitrate is a significant source of nitrogen in soils and also serves as a critical signal for root development. Previous studies have demonstrated that the local nitrate supply promotes lateral root elongation primarily through local nitrate signals, rather than nutritional effects. In this study, we report that Calcineurin B-like protein 1 (OsCBL1) positively regulates local nitrate signaling, thereby triggering lateral root colonization, as revealed by a comparative analysis of the phenotype and whole transcriptome of the knockdown mutant (OsCBL1-KD) and the wild-type (WT). In the split-root system, the knockdown of OsCBL1 was found to inhibit local nitrate-induced lateral root growth. Transcriptome analyses identified 398 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were under the control of OsCBL1 and associated with the phenotype of nitrate-induced lateral root colonization. Further analysis revealed that the nitrate transporter/sensor gene OsNRT1.1B was up-regulated under Sp-NaNO(3) conditions compared to Sp-NaCl in WT but not in OsCBL1-KD plants. Pathway mapping of DEGs (i.e., genes exhibiting a significant change in expression in the Sp-NaNO(3) condition compared to the Sp-NaCl condition) revealed a preferential upregulation of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and a downregulation of genes involved in auxin and salicylic acid signaling. This suggests that OsCBL1 might function as a transmitter within the auxin, salicylic acid signaling, lignin biosynthesis, and nitrate sensor (OsNRT1.1B)-mediated pathways in response to local nitrate signaling. We also identified a transcriptional regulatory network downstream of OsCBL1 in nitrate-rich patches that is centered on several core transcription factors. Our study provides new insights into how plants adapt to an inhomogeneous distribution of nitrogen in the soil.
PMID: 39345982
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2024 , V15 : P1395999 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1395999
Exogenous gibberellin suppressed taproot secondary thickening by inhibiting the formation and maintenance of vascular cambium in radish (Raphanus sativus L.).
Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in East China, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.; College of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.; College of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China.
INTRODUCTION: The thickening of radish taproots is primarily determined by secondary growth driven by the vascular cambium and is a highly intricate process regulated by plant hormones, transcription factors, and many metabolic pathways. Gibberellin (GA), a plant hormone associated with cell elongation, is essential in secondary growth. However, the mechanism through which exogenous GA3 regulates secondary taproot growth in radishes remains unclear. METHODS: Integrated morphological, anatomical, hormonal, and transcriptomic analyses of taproots in radishes treated with GA3 and its biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PBZ) were performed to explore their effects on taproot secondary growth and key regulatory pathways. RESULTS: GA3 significantly hindered taproot thickening by inhibiting the formation and maintenance of the vascular cambium, and PBZ promoted root development by increasing root length rather than root diameter. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2,014, 948, and 1,831 differentially expressed genes identified from the control vs. GA3, control vs. PBZ, and GA3 vs. PBZ comparisons, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in the biosyntheses of secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways. GA3 significantly increased the levels of endogenous indole-acetic acid and the expression of auxin synthesis and signal transduction genes. DISCUSSION: Exogenous GA3 significantly inhibited the expression of genes involved in the maintenance and differentiation of vascular cambium, including WOX14, ER/ERL1, and XCP2. Exogenous GA3 affects root thickening in radishes primarily by regulating hormone signal transduction pathways, vascular cambium activity, and substance and energy metabolisms. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying taproot thickening in radishes and provide a valuable gene database for future studies.
PMID: 39328795
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2024 , V15 : P1413716 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1413716
Comparison of transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed cold-resistant metabolic pathways in cucumber roots under low-temperature stress in root zone.
Hetao College, Department of Agronomy, Bayannur, China.; Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.; Hetao Green Agricultural Product Safety Production and Warning Control Laboratory, Hetao College, Bayannur, China.; Urat Middle Banner Green Industry Development Center, Bayannur, China.; Department of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
INTRODUCTION: Low ground temperature is a major factor limiting overwintering in cucumber cultivation facilities in northern alpine regions. Lower temperatures in the root zone directly affect the physiological function of the root system, which in turn affects the normal physiological activity of plants. However, the importance of the ground temperature in facilities has not attracted sufficient attention. METHODS: Therefore, this study tested the cucumber variety Jinyou 35 under three root zone temperatures (room temperature, 20-22 degrees C; suboptimal temperature, 13- 15 degrees C; and low temperature, 8-10 degrees C) to investigated possible cold resistance mechanisms in the root of cucumber seedlings through hormone, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results showed that cucumber roots were subjected to chilling stress at different temperatures. Hormone analysis indicated that auxin content was highest in the roots. Jasmonic acid and strigolactone participated in the low-temperature stress response. Auxin and jasmonate are key hormones that regulate the response of cucumber roots to low temperatures. Phenolic acid was the most abundant metabolite in cucumber roots under chilling stress. Additionally, triterpenes may play an important role in chilling resistance. Differentially expressed genes and metabolites were significantly enriched in benzoxazinoid biosynthesis in the room temperature vs. suboptimal temperature groups and the room temperature vs. low temperature groups. Most differentially expressed transcription factor genes in AP2/ERF were strongly induced in cucumber roots by both suboptimal and low-temperature stress conditions. These results provide guidance for the cultivation of cucumber in facilities.
PMID: 39315370
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2024 , V15 : P1464053 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1464053
Gallic acid regulates primary root elongation via modulating auxin transport and signal transduction.
Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Regional Plant Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement (CTGU)/Biotechnology Research Center, College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China.
Gallic acid is an important secondary metabolite in plants, with great value in medicine, food, and chemical industry. However, whether and how this widely existing natural polyphenolic compound affects the growth and development of plants themselves remains elusive. In this study, we revealed that exogenous application of gallic acid has a dual effect on the elongation of primary root in Arabidopsis. While lower concentrations of gallic acid slightly stimulate primary root growth, excessive gallic acid profoundly reduces primary root length and root meristem size in a dose-dependent manner, probably via suppressing cell division in root meristem as indicated by CYCB1;1::GUS. Moreover, as suggested by the DR5::GFP line analysis and confirmed by the LC-MS assay, auxin contents in root tips were dramatically decreased upon excessive gallic acid treatment. Additional application of IAA partially rescued the shortened primary root and root meristem upon excessive gallic acid treatment, suggesting that auxin is required for excessive gallic acid-caused root growth inhibition. Then, we further revealed that excessive gallic acid down-regulated the expression of auxin transporters PIN1, PIN2, PIN3, and PIN7, and triple mutant pin1 pin3 pin7 exhibited a reduced sensitivity to gallic acid treatment. Meanwhile, excessive gallic acid decreased the degradation of AXR3/IAA17 protein as revealed by HS::AXR3NT-GUS reporter line. Auxin signaling mutant tir1 afb2 afb3 and axr3-3 were also less sensitive to excessive gallic acid treatment in terms of primary root length and root meristem size. Taken together, these findings suggested that excessive gallic acid inhibits primary root growth by modulating auxin transport and signaling in Arabidopsis.
PMID: 39286841
Nutrients , IF:5.717 , 2024 Sep , V16 (17) doi: 10.3390/nu16173010
Indole-3-Butyric Acid, a Natural Auxin, Protects against Fenton Reaction-Induced Oxidative Damage in Porcine Thyroid.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland.; Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska St., 93-338 Lodz, Poland.
We present results on the potential protective antioxidant properties of indole-3-butyric acid. Indole-3-butyric acid is an indole derivative defined as an auxin and widely known as a plant growth regulator. It naturally occurs in Arabidopsis thaliana, which is applied as a model plant in genetic studies. Oxidative damage to membrane lipids (lipid peroxidation; LPO) in porcine thyroid homogenates was induced by Fenton reaction substrates (Fe(2+) + H(2)O(2)). Iron (Fe(2+)) was used in very high concentrations of 1200, 600, 300, 150, 75, 37.5, 18.75, 9.375, 4.687, and 2.343 microM. Indole-3-butyric acid (10.0, 5.0, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625 mM) was applied to check whether it prevents the above process. The LPO level, expressed as malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA + 4-HDA) concentration, was measured spectrophotometrically. Expectedly, Fenton reaction substrates, in a Fe(2+) concentration-dependent manner, increased LPO level, with the lowest effective concentration of iron being 9.375 microM. In the case of almost all concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid, this auxin has exhibited very promising antioxidant protection, with the most effective concentrations being 10.0 and 5.0 mM; however, as low concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid at 1.25 mM was still effective. Indole-3-butyric acid used alone did not change the basal level of LPO, which is a favourable effect. To summarise, indole-3-butyric acid has protective antioxidant properties against experimentally induced oxidative damage to membrane lipids in the thyroid, and this is for the first time documented in the literature. This compound can be considered a natural protective agent present in plants, which can serve as a dietary nutrient.
PMID: 39275325
Theor Appl Genet , IF:5.699 , 2024 Sep , V137 (10) : P216 doi: 10.1007/s00122-024-04726-6
Map-based cloning of LPD, a major gene positively regulates leaf prickle development in eggplant.
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.; College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. wuwr@fafu.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. wuwr@fafu.edu.cn.; College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. gwenxia@fafu.edu.cn.; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. zhengyan@fafu.edu.cn.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. zhengyan@fafu.edu.cn.
A critical gene for leaf prickle development (LPD) in eggplant was mapped on chromosome E06 and was confirmed to be SmARF10B through RNA interference using a new genetic transformation technique called SACI developed in this study Prickles on eggplant pose challenges for agriculture and are undesirable in cultivated varieties. This study aimed to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind prickle formation in eggplant. Using the F(2) and F(2:3) populations derived from a cross between the prickly wild eggplant, YQ, and the prickle-free cultivated variety, YZQ, we identified a key genetic locus (LPD, leaf prickle development) on chromosome E06 associated with leaf prickle development through BSA-seq and QTL mapping. An auxin response factor gene, SmARF10B, was predicted as the candidate gene as it exhibited high expression in YQ's mature leaves, while being significantly low in YZQ. Downregulating SmARF10B in YQ through RNAi using a simple and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method named Seedling Apical Cut Infection (SACI) developed in this study substantially reduced the size and density of leaf prickles, confirming the role of this gene in prickle development. Besides, an effective SNP was identified in SmARF10B, resulting in an amino acid change between YQ and YZQ. However, this SNP did not consistently correlate with prickle formation in eight other eggplant materials examined. This study sheds light on the pivotal role of SmARF10B in eggplant prickle development and introduces a new genetic transformation method for eggplant, paving the way for future research in this field.
PMID: 39249556
Front Microbiol , IF:5.64 , 2024 , V15 : P1467082 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1467082
Unveiling wheat growth promotion potential of phosphate solubilizing Pantoea agglomerans PS1 and PS2 through genomic, physiological, and metagenomic characterizations.
Department of Biochemistry, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India.; INtegrative GENomics of HOst-PathogEn (INGEN-HOPE) Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi, India.; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
INTRODUCTION: Phosphorus is an abundant element in the earth's crust and is generally found as complex insoluble conjugates. Plants cannot assimilate insoluble phosphorus and require external supplementation as chemical fertilizers to achieve a good yield. Continuous use of fertilizers has impacted soil ecology, and a sustainable solution is needed to meet plant elemental requirements. Phosphate solubilizing microbes could enhance phosphorus bioavailability for better crop production and can be employed to attain sustainable agriculture practices. METHODS: The current study unveils the biofertilizer potential of wheat rhizospheric bacteria through physiological, taxonomic, genomic, and microbiomics experimentations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Culture-dependent exploration identified phosphate-solubilizing PS1 and PS2 strains from the wheat rhizosphere. These isolates were rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacteria, having optimum growth at 37 degrees C and pH 7. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic characterization revealed their taxonomic affiliation as Pantoea agglomerans subspecies PS1 & PS2. Both isolates exhibited good tolerance against saline (>10% NaCl (w/v), >11.0% KCl (w/v), and >6.0% LiCl (w/v)), oxidizing (>5.9% H(2)O(2) (v/v)) conditions. PS1 and PS2 genomes harbor gene clusters for biofertilization features, root colonization, and stress tolerance. PS1 and PS2 showed nitrate reduction, phosphate solubilization, auxin production, and carbohydrate utilization properties. Treatment of seeds with PS1 and PS2 significantly enhanced seed germination percentage (p = 0.028 and p = 0.008, respectively), number of tillers (p = 0.0018), number of leaves (p = 0.0001), number of spikes (p = 0.0001) and grain production (p = 0.0001). Wheat rhizosphere microbiota characterizations indicated stable colonization of PS1 and PS2 strains in treated seeds at different feek stages. Pretreatment of seeds with both strains engineered the wheat rhizosphere microbiota by recruiting plant growth-promoting microbial groups. In vitro, In vivo, and microbiota characterization studies indicated the biofertilizer potential of Pantoea sp. PS1 & PS2 to enhance wheat crop production. The employment of these strains could fulfill plant nutrient requirements and be a substitute for chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
PMID: 39318437
Microbiol Res , IF:5.415 , 2024 Sep , V286 : P127823 doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127823
Aerial signaling by plant-associated Streptomyces setonii WY228 regulates plant growth and enhances salt stress tolerance.
The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plant of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.; The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plant of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, PR China. Electronic address: shengqin@jsnu.edu.cn.
Plant-associated streptomycetes play important roles in plant growth and development. However, knowledge of volatile-mediated crosstalk between Streptomyces spp. and plants remains limited. In this study, we investigated the impact of volatiles from nine endophytic Streptomyces strains on the growth and development of plants. One versatile strain, Streptomyces setonii WY228, was found to significantly promote the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato seedlings, confer salt tolerance, and induce early flowering and increased fruit yield following volatile treatment. Analysis of plant growth-promoting traits revealed that S. setonii WY228 could produce indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, ACC deaminase, fix nitrogen, and solubilize inorganic phosphate. These capabilities were further confirmed through genome sequencing and analysis. Volatilome analysis indicated that the volatile organic compounds emitted from ISP-2 medium predominantly comprised sesquiterpenes and 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine. Further investigations showed that 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine and sesquiterpenoid volatiles were the primary regulators promoting growth, as confirmed by experiments using the terpene synthesis inhibitor phosphomycin, pure compounds, and comparisons of volatile components. Transcriptome analysis, combined with mutant and inhibitor studies, demonstrated that WY228 volatiles promoted root growth by activating Arabidopsis auxin signaling and polar transport, and enhanced root hair development through ethylene signaling activation. Additionally, it was confirmed that volatiles can stimulate plant abscisic acid signaling and activate the MYB75 transcription factor, thereby promoting anthocyanin synthesis and enhancing plant salt stress tolerance. Our findings suggest that aerial signaling-mediated plant growth promotion and abiotic stress tolerance represent potentially overlooked mechanisms of Streptomyces-plant interactions. This study also provides an exciting strategy for the regulation of plant growth and the improvement of horticultural crop yields within sustainable agricultural practices.
PMID: 38959523
Environ Microbiome , IF:5.286 , 2024 Sep , V19 (1) : P73 doi: 10.1186/s40793-024-00611-3
Genetic diversity, stress tolerance and phytobeneficial potential in rhizobacteria of Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Team, Center of Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Avenue Ibn Battouta, BP 1014, Rabat, 10000, Morocco. hnini007@gmail.com.; Microbiology and Molecular Biology Team, Center of Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Avenue Ibn Battouta, BP 1014, Rabat, 10000, Morocco.
BACKGROUND: Soil bacteria often form close associations with their host plants, particularly within the root compartment, playing a significant role in plant growth and stress resilience. Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana, (V. tortilis subsp. raddiana)a leguminous tree, naturally thrives in the harsh, arid climate of the Guelmim region in southern Morocco. This study aims to explore the diversity and potential plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities of bacteria associated with this tree. RESULTS: A total of 152 bacterial isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere of V. tortilis subsp. raddiana. Rep-PCR fingerprinting revealed 25 distinct genomic groups, leading to the selection of 84 representative strains for further molecular identification via 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Seventeen genera were identified, with Bacillus and Pseudomonas being predominant. Bacillus strains demonstrated significant tolerance to water stress (up to 30% PEG), while Pseudomonas strains showed high salinity tolerance (up to 14% NaCl). In vitro studies indicated variability in PGP activities among the strains, including mineral solubilization, biological nitrogen fixation, ACC deaminase activity, and production of auxin, siderophores, ammonia, lytic enzymes, and HCN. Three elite strains were selected for greenhouse inoculation trials with V. tortilis subsp. raddiana. Strain LMR725 notably enhanced various plant growth parameters compared to uninoculated control plants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the potential of Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains as biofertilizers, with strain LMR725 showing particular promise in enhancing the growth of V. tortilis subsp. raddiana. This strain emerges as a strong candidate for biofertilizer formulation aimed at improving plant growth and resilience in arid environments.
PMID: 39334409
J Agric Food Chem , IF:5.279 , 2024 Sep , V72 (35) : P19333-19341 doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c06062
Dual-Mediated Roles of H(+)-ATPase in Alleviating the Phytotoxicity of Imazethapyr to Nontarget Wheat.
Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China.; MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
The regulation solutions and mechanisms of reducing pesticide phytotoxicity to nontarget plants are not well-defined and detailed. Here, we have proposed a new detoxification strategy to control the toxic effects of herbicide imazethapyr (IM) induced in wheat seedlings from the perspective of the plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase. We found that the changes in PM H(+)-ATPase activity have a regulatory effect on the phytotoxic effects induced by IM in plants. Treatment with PM H(+)-ATPase activators restored the reduced auxin content and photosynthetic efficiency caused by IM, thereby promoting plant growth. Application of a PM H(+)-ATPase inhibitor further reduced phosphorus content and significantly increased 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H,1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)one (DIMBOA) and jasmonic acid levels. These effects indicate that auxin and DIMBOA may regulate plant growth trends and detoxification effects mediated by PM H(+)-ATPase. This work opens a new strategy for regulating herbicide toxicity to nontarget plants from the PM H(+)-ATPase.
PMID: 39183467
ACS Synth Biol , IF:5.11 , 2024 Sep , V13 (9) : P2804-2819 doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00186
Genetically Encoded, Noise-Tolerant, Auxin Biosensors in Yeast.
Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.; Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.; The Translational Plant Sciences Center (TPSC), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Auxins are crucial signaling molecules that regulate the growth, metabolism, and behavior of various organisms, most notably plants but also bacteria, fungi, and animals. Many microbes synthesize and perceive auxins, primarily indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, referred to as auxin herein), the most prevalent natural auxin, which influences their ability to colonize plants and animals. Understanding auxin biosynthesis and signaling in fungi may allow us to better control interkingdom relationships and microbiomes from agricultural soils to the human gut. Despite this importance, a biological tool for measuring auxin with high spatial and temporal resolution has not been engineered in fungi. In this study, we present a suite of genetically encoded, ratiometric, protein-based auxin biosensors designed for the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Inspired by auxin signaling in plants, the ratiometric nature of these biosensors enhances the precision of auxin concentration measurements by minimizing clonal and growth phase variation. We used these biosensors to measure auxin production across diverse growth conditions and phases in yeast cultures and calibrated their responses to physiologically relevant levels of auxin. Future work will aim to improve the fold change and reversibility of these biosensors. These genetically encoded auxin biosensors are valuable tools for investigating auxin biosynthesis and signaling in S. cerevisiae and potentially other yeast and fungi and will also advance quantitative functional studies of the plant auxin perception machinery, from which they are built.
PMID: 39197086
Metabolites , IF:4.932 , 2024 Sep , V14 (9) doi: 10.3390/metabo14090498
Combined Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Maize Leaves Reveal Global Effect of Biochar on Mechanisms Involved in Anti-Herbivory to Spodoptera frugiperda.
College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China.; Lishui Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Lishui 323000, China.; Ecological Forestry Development Center of Suichang County, Lishui 323300, China.; Soil Fertilizer and Plant Protection Station of Lishui City, Lishui 323000, China.
Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) has now spread to more than 26 Chinese provinces. The government is working with farmers and researchers to find ways to prevent and control this pest. The use of biochar is one of the economic and environmentally friendly strategies to increase plant growth and improve pest resistance. We tested four v/v combinations of bamboo charcoal with coconut bran [BC1 (10:1), BC2(30:1), BC3(50:1)] against a control (CK) in maize. We found that plant height, stem thickness, fresh weight and chlorophyll content were significantly higher in BC2, in addition to the lowest FAW survival %. We then compared the metabolome and transcriptome profiles of BC2 and CK maize plants under FAW herbivory. Our results show that the levels of flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, nucleotides and derivatives and most phenolic acids decreased, while terpenoids, organic acids, lipids and defense-related hormones increased in BC-grown maize leaves. Transcriptome sequencing revealed consistent expression profiles of genes enriched in these pathways. We also observed the increased expression of genes related to abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin and MAPK signaling. Based on these observations, we discussed the possible pathways involved in maize against FAW herbivory. We conclude that bamboo charcoal induces anti-herbivory responses in maize leaves.
PMID: 39330505
Plant Cell Physiol , IF:4.927 , 2024 Sep , V65 (8) : P1310-1327 doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcae067
Characterization of the Arabidopsis Mutant oligocellula6-D Reveals the Importance of Leaf Initiation in Determining the Final Leaf Size.
Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1, Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-8501 Japan.; Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.; Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, 5-1, Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, 444-8787 Japan.; Research Center for Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1, Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, 171-8501 Japan.
The leaf is a determinate organ with a final size under genetic control. Numerous factors that regulate the final leaf size have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana; although most of these factors play their roles during the growth of leaf primordia, much less is known about leaf initiation and its effects on the final leaf size. In this study, we characterized oligocellula6-D (oli6-D), a semidominant mutant of A. thaliana with smaller leaves than the wild type (WT) due to its reduced leaf cell numbers. A time-course analysis showed that oli6-D had approximately 50% fewer leaf cells even immediately after leaf initiation; this difference was maintained throughout leaf development. Next-generation sequencing showed that oli6-D had chromosomal duplications involving 2-kb and 3-Mb regions of chromosomes 2 and 4, respectively. Several duplicated genes examined had approximately 2-fold higher expression levels, and at least one gene acquired a new intron/exon structure due to a chromosome fusion event. oli6-D showed reduced auxin responses in leaf primordia, primary roots and embryos, as well as reduced apical dominance and partial auxin-resistant root growth. CRISPR-associated protein-9-mediated genome editing enabled the removal of a 3-Mb duplicated segment, the largest targeted deletion in plants thus far. As a result, oli6-D restored the WT leaf phenotypes, demonstrating that oli6-D is a gain-of-function mutant. Our results suggest a new regulatory point of leaf size determination that functions at a very early stage of leaf development and is negatively regulated by one or more genes located in the duplicated chromosomal segments.
PMID: 38878059
Plant Cell Physiol , IF:4.927 , 2024 Sep , V65 (8) : P1231-1244 doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcae055
The PLETHORA Homolog in Marchantia polymorpha is Essential for Meristem Maintenance, Developmental Progression, and Redox Homeostasis.
College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
To adapt to a terrestrial habitat, the ancestors of land plants must have made several morphological and physiological modifications, such as a meristem allowing for three-dimensional growth, rhizoids for water and nutrient uptake, air pore complexes or stomata that permit air exchange, and a defense system to cope with oxidative stress that occurs frequently in a terrestrial habitat. To understand how the meristem was determined during land plant evolution, we characterized the function of the closest PLETHORA homolog in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, which we named MpPLT. Through a transgenic approach, we showed that MpPLT is expressed not only in the stem cells at the apical notch but also in the proliferation zone of the meristem, as well as in cells that form the air-pore complex and rhizoids. Using the CRISPR method we then created mutants for MpPLT and found that the mutants are not only defective in meristem maintenance but also compromised in air-pore complex and rhizoid development. Strikingly, at later developmental stages, numerous gemma-like structures were formed in Mpplt mutants, suggesting developmental arrest. Further experiments indicated that MpPLT promotes plant growth by regulating MpWOX, which shared a similar expression pattern to MpPLT, and genes involved in auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways. Through transcriptome analyses, we found that MpPLT also has a role in redox homeostasis and that this role is essential for plant growth. Taken together, these results suggest that MpPLT has a crucial role in liverwort growth and development and hence may have played a crucial role in early land plant evolution.
PMID: 38757817
Rice (N Y) , IF:4.783 , 2024 Sep , V17 (1) : P60 doi: 10.1186/s12284-024-00732-w
Physiological Basis of Plant Growth Promotion in Rice by Rhizosphere and Endosphere Associated Streptomyces Isolates from India.
Systems Plant Physiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, 78801, USA. dhivya.thenappan@ag.tamu.edu.; Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India. dhivya.thenappan@ag.tamu.edu.; Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.; Divsion of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.; University School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, 110078, India.; ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India.; Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
This study demonstrated the plant growth-promoting capabilities of native actinobacterial strains obtained from different regions of the rice plant, including the rhizosphere (FT1, FTSA2, FB2, and FH7) and endosphere (EB6). We delved into the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of these plant-microbe interactions by conducting a transcriptional analysis of a select group of key genes involved in phytohormone pathways. Through in vitro screening for various plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, all tested isolates exhibited positive traits for indole-3-acetic acid synthesis and siderophore production, with FT1 being the sole producer of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). All isolates were identified as members of the Streptomyces genus through 16S rRNA amplification. In pot culture experiments, rice seeds inoculated with strains FB2 and FTSA2 exhibited significant increases in shoot dry mass by 7% and 34%, respectively, and total biomass by 8% and 30%, respectively. All strains led to increased leaf nitrogen levels, with FTSA2 demonstrating the highest increase (4.3%). On the contrary, strains FB2 and FT1 increased root length, root weight ratio, root volume, and root surface area, leading to higher root nitrogen content. All isolates, except for FB2, enhanced total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. Additionally, qRT-PCR analysis supported these findings, revealing differential gene expression in auxin (OsAUX1, OsIAA1, OsYUCCA1, OsYUCCA3), gibberellin (OsGID1, OsGA20ox-1), and cytokinin (OsIPT3, OsIPT5) pathways in response to specific actinobacterial treatments. These actinobacterial strains, which enhance both aboveground and belowground crop characteristics, warrant further evaluation in field trials, either as individual strains or in consortia. This could lead to the development of commercial bioinoculants for use in integrated nutrient management practices.
PMID: 39259231
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Aug , V349 : P112228 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112228
The knockout of SlMTC impacts tomato seed size and reduces resistance to salt stress in tomato.
Laboratory of molecular biology of tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.; Laboratory of molecular biology of tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China. Electronic address: chenguoping@cqu.edu.cn.; Laboratory of molecular biology of tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China. Electronic address: huzongli71@163.com.
Members of the MT-A70 family are key catalytic proteins involved in m(6)A methylation modifications in plants. They play diverse roles at the posttranscriptional level by regulating RNA secondary structure, selective splicing, stability, and translational efficiency, which collectively affect plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this study, we explored the function of the gene SlMTC, a Class C member of the MT-A70 family, in tomatoes by using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Compared with the wild-type (WT), the CR-slmtc mutants exhibited decreased seed size and slower growth rates during the seedling stage, along with weaker salt tolerance and significant downregulation of stress-related genes, such as PR1, PR5, and P5CS. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the expression levels of genes involved in auxin biosynthesis (FZY1, FZY3, and FZY4) and polar transport (PIN1, PIN4, and PIN8) were lower in CR-slmtc plants than in the WT plants. In addition, yeast two-hybrid assays showed that SlMTC could interact with SlMTA, a Class A member of the MT-A70 family, providing insights into the potential mode of action of SlMTC in tomatoes. Overall, our findings indicate the critical role of SlMTC in plant growth and development as well as in response to salt stress.
PMID: 39218307
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Oct , V347 : P112204 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112204
PoARRO-1 regulates adventitious rooting through interaction with PoIAA27b in Paeonia ostii.
College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.; College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.; School of Horticulture Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, China.; College of Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China.; College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China. Electronic address: wenqianshang@henau.edu.cn.; College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China. Electronic address: hsl213@yeah.net.; College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China. Electronic address: wzhengt@163.com.
Adventitious root (AR) formation is a limiting factor in the vegetative propagation of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.). PoARRO-1, which encodes an auxin oxidase involved in AR formation, plays a role in the root development of P. ostii, but its associated molecular regulatory mechanisms are not yet understood. In this study, we examined the role of PoARRO-1 in AR formation in P. ostii. The overexpression of PoARRO-1 in P. ostii test-tube plantlets led to a notable enhancement in both the rooting rate and the average number of ARs in vitro, as well as increased activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and indoleacetic acid oxidase (IAAO). PoARRO-1 was involved in the conversion of IAA-Asp and IAA-Glu to OxIAA and promoted IAA oxidation. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that PoARRO-1 overexpression led to upregulation of enzyme activity, auxin metabolism related genes. Further analyses showed that PoARRO-1 interacted with the 1-175 aa position of PoIAA27b to regulate the formation of ARs. We therefore propose that PoARRO-1 interacts with PoIAA27b to promote AR formation, and it may be useful targets for enhancing the in vitro propagation of P. ostii.
PMID: 39059631
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Sep , V346 : P112177 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112177
The mutation of CsSUN, an IQD family protein, is responsible for the short and fat fruit (sff) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.; College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.; College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.; Vegetable Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.; USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.; College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: liyuhong73@nwsuaf.edu.cn.; College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: pengchen@nwsuaf.edu.cn.
The fruit shape of cucumber is an important agronomic trait, and mining regulatory genes, especially dominant ones, is vital for cucumber breeding. In this study, we identified a short and fat fruit mutant, named sff, from an EMS mutagenized population. Compared to the CCMC (WT), sff (MT) exhibited reduced fruit length and increased dimeter. Segregation analysis revealed that the sff phenotype is controlled by a semi-dominant single gene with dosage effects. Through map-based cloning, the SFF locus was narrowed down to a 52.6 kb interval with two SNPs (G651A and C1072T) in the second and third exons of CsaV3_1G039870, which encodes an IQD family protein, CsSUN. The G651A within the IQ domain of CsSUN was identified as the unique SNP among 114 cucumber accessions, and it was the primary cause of the functional alteration in CsSUN. By generating CsSUN knockout lines in cucumber, we confirmed that CsSUN was responsible for sff mutant phenotype. The CsSUN is localized to the plasma membrane. CsSUN exhibited the highest expression in the fruit with lower expression in sff compared to WT. Histological observations suggest that the sff mutant phenotype is due to increased transverse cell division and inhibited longitudinal cell division. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CsSUN significantly affected the expression of genes related to cell division, expansion, and auxin signal transduction. This study unveils CsSUN's crucial role in shaping cucumber fruit and offers novel insights for cucumber breeding.
PMID: 38964612
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Sep , V346 : P112160 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112160
Integrating histology and phytohormone/metabolite profiling to understand rooting in yellow camellia cuttings.
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States.; D.W. Daniel High School, Central, SC 29630, United States.; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States. Electronic address: hliang@clemson.edu.
Vegetative propagation through cutting is a widely used clonal approach for maintaining desired genotypes. However, some woody species have difficulty forming adventitious roots (ARs) with this approach, including yellow camellia (YC) C. nitidissima. Yellow camellias, prized for their ornamental value and potential health benefits in tea, remain difficult to propagate clonally due to this rooting recalcitrance. As part of the efforts to understand YC cuttings' recalcitrance, we conducted a detailed investigation into AR formation in yellow camellia cuttings via histology and endogenous phytohormone dynamics during this process. We also compared YC endogenous phytohormone and metabolite phytohormone profiles with those of easy-to-root poplar and willow cuttings. Our results indicate that the induction of ARs in YC cuttings is achievable through auxin treatment, and YC ARs are initiated from cambial derivatives and develop a vascular system connected with that of the stem. During AR induction, endogenous hormones showed a dynamic profile, with IAA continuing to increase starting 9 days after auxin induction. JA, JA-Ile, and OPDA showed a similar trend as IAA but decreased by the 45th day. Cytokinin first decreased to its lowest level by the 18th day and then increased. SA largely exhibited an increasing trend with a drop on the 36th day, while ABA first increased to its peak level by the 18th day and then decreased. Compared to poplar, YC cuttings had a low level of IAA, IAA-Asp, and OPDA, and a high level of cytokinin and SA. Metabolite profiling highlighted significant down-accumulation of compounds associated with AR formation in yellow camellias, such as citric and ascorbic acid, fructose, sucrose, flavonoids, and phenolic acid derivatives. Our study reveals the unfavorable endogenous hormone and metabolite profiles underlying the rooting recalcitrance of YC cuttings, providing valuable knowledge for addressing this challenge in clonal propagation.
PMID: 38908800
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Sep , V346 : P112133 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112133
WUSCHEL RELATED HOMEOBOX5 and 7 maintain callus development by promoting cell division in Arabidopsis.
State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.; National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. Electronic address: zhaining@cemps.ac.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China. Electronic address: limin.pi@whu.edu.cn.
In tissue culture, a high concentration of auxin in the callus induction medium (CIM) stimulates cell division and subsequent callus formation, which acquires root primordium-like characteristics necessary for cell pluripotency. In Arabidopsis, WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 (WOX5) and its closest homolog WOX7, which are abundant in the middle cell layer of mature callus, play a crucial role in maintaining pluripotency by promoting auxin accumulation and enhancing cytokinin sensitivity. However, the mechanism by which WOX5/7 regulate callus formation remains unclear. In this study, we found that mutations in WOX5/7 resulted in a significant down-regulation of genes involved in the G2M and S phases during callus induction. Loss-of-function mutants of WOX5/7 exhibited reduced callus formation, which was correlated with decreased expression of CYCB1;1 compared to the wild-type. Furthermore, we provided evidence that WOX5 physically interacts with PHYTOCHROME A SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION1 (PAT1), which spatio-temporally co-expresses with WOX5 in early-induced callus, and up-regulates a subset of cycle-regulating genes targeted by PAT1. Collectively, our findings suggest a critical role for the WOX5-PAT1 protein complex in regulating cell cycle progression, thereby promoting the continuous growth capacity of pluripotent callus.
PMID: 38795752
Physiol Plant , IF:4.5 , 2024 Sep-Oct , V176 (5) : Pe14551 doi: 10.1111/ppl.14551
Network analysis of metabolomics, transcriptome and hormones reveals propionic acid-mediated novel survival strategy against drought in wheat.
College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.; Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.; National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
Propionic acid (PA), a low-molecular-weight organic acid, is crucial to plant life metabolism. However, the regulatory mechanism of PA-mediated drought resistance in wheat remains largely unknown. Herein, we reported on a regulatory network of PA-mediated drought resistance in wheat using integrated transcriptome and metabolomics analysis and verified genes associated with drought resistance. Compared to the water-treated group, the application of PA alleviated the damage of drought by increasing plant water content, antioxidant enzyme activities and decreasing the malondialdehyde level (MDA). Transcriptome and metabolomics analysis revealed that PA triggered upregulation of key genes and metabolites, including TaBCAT, TaALDH6A1, TaALDH7A1, TaCHI, TaFLS, chrysin, and galangin, which were involved in valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation or flavonoid biosynthesis, respectively. In addition, the expression of genes encoding auxin-related transcription factors (TFs) strikingly increased, such as auxin/indoleacetic acid (AUX/IAA) and auxin response factor (ARF). Moreover, PA activated abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) signalling pathways. Taken together, our findings suggest that PA promotes energy metabolism and antioxidant activities to confer wheat drought resistance by introducing comprehensive and systemic effects of valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation flavonoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, activated AUX/IAA and ARF TFs might serve vital roles in drought resistance via modulating IAA signalling. This study provides novel insights into PA-mediated crop resistance and the improvement of the agroecological environment.
PMID: 39344506
Physiol Plant , IF:4.5 , 2024 Sep-Oct , V176 (5) : Pe14550 doi: 10.1111/ppl.14550
Evaluating the effects of azelaic acid in the metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings through untargeted metabolomics and ionomics approaches.
Universidade de Vigo. Departamento de Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencias do Solo, Facultade de Bioloxia, Vigo, Spain.; Instituto de Agroecoloxia e Alimentacion (IAA), Universidade de Vigo - Campus Auga, Ourense, Spain.; Department for Sustainable Food Process, CRAST Research Centre, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy.; Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Universita Statale di Milano, Milano, Italy.
The present study demonstrates that low concentrations of azelaic acid (AZA) significantly impact the metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, leading to imbalances in numerous minerals and metabolites due to AZA-induced stress. Untargeted metabolomic analyses were conducted on untreated and AZA-treated seedlings at two time points: 7 and 14 days after treatment initiation. The results revealed a general accumulation of sugars (e.g., glucose, mannose, xylose), amino acids (e.g., lysine, GABA, threonine, glutamine), and organic acids (e.g., glutaric acid, shikimic acid, succinic acid) in AZA treated-seedlings, suggesting that AZA triggers stress responses in Arabidopsis. Ionomic analysis revealed that AZA induces phosphorus deficiency, which plants compensate by increasing malate content in the roots. Additionally, AZA treatment induced putrescine accumulation within the root, a metabolic biomarker of potassium deficiency and plant stress. The metabolomic profile showed elevated levels of different specialized metabolites, such as nitrogen- and sulphur-containing compounds, and altered levels of various phytohormones, including jasmonates and brassinosteroids, implicated in plant protection under biotic and/or abiotic stresses. These findings support the hypothesis that AZA's mode of action is associated with an auxin imbalance, suggesting its function as an auxinic herbicide. The observed increases in starch and jasmonates, coupled with the disruptions in potassium homeostasis, are linked to the previously reported alterations in the auxin transport, root architecture and gravitropic root response. Statistical analyses were applied, including Kruskal-Wallis tests for ionomic data, as well as multifactor analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis, and enrichment pathway analysis for metabolomic data, ensuring the robustness and validity of these findings.
PMID: 39327690
Physiol Plant , IF:4.5 , 2024 Sep-Oct , V176 (5) : Pe14526 doi: 10.1111/ppl.14526
Auxin as a downstream signal positively participates in melatonin-mediated chilling tolerance of cucumber.
Key laboratory of crop biology and genetic improvement of horticultural crops in Huanghuai region/College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong, P.R. China.
Here, we elucidate the interaction between IAA and melatonin (MT) in response to chilling in cucumber. The results showed that chilling stress induced the increase of endogenous MT and IAA, and the application of MT promoted the synthesis of IAA, while IAA could not affect endogenous MT content under chilling stress. Moreover, MT and IAA application both remarkably increased the chilling tolerance of cucumber seedlings in terms of lower contents of MDA and ROS, higher mRNA abundance of cold response genes, net photosynthetic rate (P(n)), maximum regeneration rate of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate (J(max)), Rubisco maximum carboxylation efficiency (V(cmax)), the activities and gene expression of RCA and Rubisco, as well as the content of active P700 (I/I(0)) and photosynthetic electron transport, compared with the plants in H(2)O treatment. Further analysis revealed that the inhibition of IAA transportation significantly reduced the chilling tolerance induced by MT, whereas the inhibition of endogenous MT did not affect the chilling tolerance induced by IAA. Meanwhile, we found that overexpression of the MT biosynthesis gene CsASMT increased the chilling tolerance, which was blocked by inhibition of endogenous IAA, and the silence of IAA biosynthesis gene CsYUCCA10 decreased the chilling tolerance of cucumber, which could not be alleviated by MT. These data implied IAA acted as a downstream signal to participate in the MT-induced chilling tolerance of cucumber seedlings. The study has implications for the production of greenhouse cucumber in winter seasons.
PMID: 39318034
Physiol Plant , IF:4.5 , 2024 Sep-Oct , V176 (5) : Pe14524 doi: 10.1111/ppl.14524
Exogenous melatonin enhances the continuous cropping tolerance of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) by regulating the antioxidant defense system.
School of Life Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, P.R. China.
The yield of Tartary buckwheat is significantly affected by continuous cropping. Melatonin plays a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms against abiotic stresses. However, the relationship between melatonin and continuous cropping tolerance remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the physiological mechanism of melatonin in enhancing the continuous cropping tolerance (abiotic stress) of Tartary buckwheat. A field experiment was conducted on Tartary buckwheat cultivar Jinqiao 2 under continuous cropping with five melatonin application rates, 0 (Control), 10, 50, 100, and 200 mumol L(-1), applied during the early budding stage. The chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, osmolyte and auxin (IAA) contents, root activity, rhizosphere soil nutrient content, and agronomic traits of Tartary buckwheat initially increased and then decreased with an increase in the concentration of exogenous melatonin application, with the best effects observed at 100 mumol L(-1). Compared with the Control treatment, the 100 mumol L(-1) treatment decreased the contents of malondialdehyde, superoxide anion free radical, and abscisic acid (ABA) by an average of 28.79%, 27.08%, and 31.64%, respectively. Exogenous melatonin treatment significantly increased the yield of Tartary buckwheat under continuous cropping. Plants treated with 10, 50, 100, and 200 muM respectively had 1.88, 2.01, 2.20, and 1.78 times higher yield than those of the Control treatment. In summary, melatonin treatment, particularly 100 mumol L(-1), enhanced the continuous cropping tolerance of Tartary buckwheat by increasing antioxidant capacity and osmotica content, coordinating endogenous ABA and IAA content levels, and delaying senescence, ultimately increasing yield.
PMID: 39266459
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Sep , V216 : P109125 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109125
Fermentation broth of a novel endophytic fungus enhanced maize salt tolerance by regulating sugar metabolism and phytohormone biosynthesis or signaling.
College of Life sciences, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, 264025, China.; Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250100, China.; College of Horticulture, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, 264025, China.; College of Horticulture, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, 264025, China. Electronic address: qdhwd123@163.com.; College of Life sciences, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, 264025, China. Electronic address: wanglei9909@163.com.; College of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, 276000, China. Electronic address: suhongyan66@126.com.
Soil salinization is a major environmental factor that severely affects global agriculture. Root endophytes can enter root cells, and offer various ecological benefits, such as promoting plant growth, improving soil conditions, and enhancing plant resistance. Su100 is a novel strain of endophytic fungus that was characterized from blueberry roots. In this study, we focused on evaluating the effects of Su100 secretion on maize growth. The results demonstrated that maize treated with Su100 fermentation broth (SFB) exhibited significantly stronger salt tolerance than the control. It is worth mentioning that the treated root system not only had an advantage in terms of biomass but also a change in root structure with a significant increase in lateral roots (LRs) compared to the control. Transcriptome analysis combined with hormone content measurements indicated that SFB upregulated the auxin signaling pathway, and also caused alterations in brassinosteroids (BR) and jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and signaling pathways. Transcriptome analyses also indicated that SFB caused significant changes in the sugar metabolism of maize roots. The major changes included: enhancing the conversion and utilization of sucrose in roots; increasing carbon flow to uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG), which acted as a precursor for producing more cell wall polysaccharides, mainly pectin and lignin; accelerating the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which were further supported by sugar content determinations. Taken together, our results indicated that the enhanced salt tolerance of maize treated with SFB was due to the modulation of sugar metabolism and phytohormone biosynthesis or signaling pathways. This study provided new insights into the mechanisms of action of endophytic fungi and highlighted the potential application of fungal preparations in agriculture.
PMID: 39278049
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Sep , V216 : P109092 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109092
Antifungal mechanisms and characteristics of Pseudomonas fluorescens: Promoting peanut growth and combating Fusarium oxysporum-induced root rot.
Agronomy College of Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.; Agronomy College of Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China. Electronic address: chengyang2364@126.com.
Continuous cropping of peanuts presents significant challenges to sustainable production due to soil-borne diseases like root rot caused by Fusarium species. In this study, field inoculation experiments treatments and in vitro agar plate confrontation tests were conducted, including non-inoculated controls (CK), inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF), Fusarium oxysporum (FO), and co-inoculation with both (PF + FO). The aim was to explore the antifungal mechanisms of Pseudomonas fluorescens in mitigating root rot and enhancing peanut yield. The results indicated that PF and PF + FO significantly enhanced peanut root activity, as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities, while simultaneously decreasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents, compared to FO treatment. Additionally, PF treatment notably increased lignin content through enhanced phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamate 3-hydroxylase, and peroxidase activity compared to CK and FO treatment. Moreover, PF treatment resulted in longer roots and a higher average diameter and surface area, potentially due to increased endogenous levels of auxin and zeatin riboside, coupled with decreased abscisic acid content. PF treatment significantly elevated chlorophyll content and the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII in the light-adapted state, the actual photochemical efficiency and the proportion of PSII reaction centers open, leading to improved photosynthetic performance. Confrontation culture assays revealed PF's notable inhibitory effects on Fusarium oxysporum growth, subsequently reducing rot disease incidence in the field. Ultimately, PF treatment led to increased peanut yield by enhancing plant numbers and pod weight compared to FO treatment, indicating its potential in mitigating Fusarium oxysporum-induced root rot disease under continuous cropping systems.
PMID: 39241626
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V215 : P109055 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109055
Target of rapamycin coordinates auxin are involved in exogenous melatonin regulated low temperature tolerance in cucumber seedlings.
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.; College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China. Electronic address: zhangtengguo@163.com.
Low temperature (LT) is an important environmental factor affecting the growth and yield of plants. Melatonin (MT) can effectively enhance the LT tolerance of cucumber. This study found that LT stress induced the expression of Comt1 (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1), with the highest expression being about 2-times that of the control. Meanwhile, the content of MT was found to be roughly 63.16% of that in the control samples. Compared with LT treatment alone, exogenous MT pretreatment upregulated the expression levels of TOR (Target of rapamycin), PIN1 (Pin-formed 1), and YUC4 (YUCCA 4), with maximum upregulations reaching approximately 66.67%, 79.32%, and 42.86%, respectively. These results suggest that MT may modulate the tolerance of cucumber seedlings to LT stress by regulating the expression of TOR, PIN1, and YUC4. In addition, co-treatment with AZD-8055 (a TOR inhibitor) or NPA (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid, an auxin polar transport inhibitor) and MT attenuated MT-induced resistance to LT stress, leading to higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced antioxidant defense capacity, and increased damage to the membrane system in cucumber seedlings. Concurrently, the content of osmoregulatory substances and the photosynthesis decreased. These results demonstrate that both TOR and auxin were required for MT to alleviate LT-induced damage in cucumber. In summary, the present study demonstrates that TOR and auxin signaling synergistically contribute to alleviating LT damage in cucumber seedlings by exogenous MT. These findings help us understand the function of MT and provide insights into the regulatory network of MT that regulates the LT tolerance of plants.
PMID: 39182426
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V215 : P109027 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109027
Genome-wide analysis of Citrus medica ABC transporters reveals the regulation of fruit development by CmABCB19 and CmABCC10.
State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Experimental Research Center, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China; National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China. Electronic address: adazbd@163.com.; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Experimental Research Center, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China; National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China.; Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China. Electronic address: jhh211411@163.com.; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Experimental Research Center, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China.; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Experimental Research Center, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China; National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China. Electronic address: y_yuan0732@163.com.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are vital for plant growth and development as they facilitate the transport of essential molecules. Despite the family's significance, limited information exists about its functional distinctions in Citrus medica. Our study identified 119 genes encoding ABC transporter proteins in the C. medica genome. Through an evolutionary tree and qPCR analysis, two ABC genes, CmABCB19 and CmABCC10, were implicated in C. medica fruit development, showing upregulation in normal fruits compared to malformed fruits. CmABCB19 was found to localize to the plasma membrane of Nicotiana tabacum, exhibiting indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) efflux activity in the yeast mutant strain yap1. CmABCC10, a tonoplast-localized transporter, exhibited efflux of diosmin, nobiletin, and naringin, with rutin influx in strain ycf1. Transgenic expression of CmABCB19 and CmABCC10 in Arabidopsis thaliana induced alterations in auxin and flavonoid content, impacting silique and seed size. This effect was attributed to the modulation of structural genes in the auxin biosynthesis (YUC5/9, CYP79B2, CYP83B1, SUR1) and flavonoid biosynthesis (4CL2/3, CHS, CHI, FLS1/3) pathways. In summary, the functional characterization of CmABCB19 and CmABCC10 illuminates auxin and flavonoid transport, offering insights into their interplay with biosynthetic pathways and providing a foundation for understanding the transporter's role in fruit development.
PMID: 39154422
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V215 : P109031 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109031
PGPR isolated from hot spring imparts resilience to drought stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, HP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.; CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, HP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India. Electronic address: aparna@ihbt.res.in.
Drought is a major abiotic stress that occurs frequently due to climate change, severely hampers agricultural production, and threatens food security. In this study, the effect of drought-tolerant PGPRs, i.e., PGPR-FS2 and PGPR-VHH4, was assessed on wheat by withholding water. The results indicate that drought-stressed wheat seedlings treated with PGPRs-FS2 and PGPR-VHH4 had a significantly higher shoot and root length, number of roots, higher chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzymatic activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) compared to without PGPR treatment. The expression study of wheat genes related to tryptophan auxin-responsive (TaTAR), drought-responsive (TaWRKY10, TaWRKY51, TaDREB3, and TaDREB4) and auxin-regulated gene organ size (TaARGOS-A, TaARGOS-B, and TaARGOS-D) exhibited significantly higher expression in the PGPR-FS2 and PGPR-VHH4 treated wheat under drought as compared to without PGPR treatment. The results of this study illustrate that PGPR-FS2 and PGPR-VHH4 mitigate the drought stress in wheat and pave the way for imparting drought in wheat under water deficit conditions. Among the two PGPRs, PGPR-VHH4 more efficiently altered the root architecture to withstand drought stress.
PMID: 39137684
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Sep , V214 : P108972 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108972
Overexpression of EgrZFP6 from Eucalyptus grandis increases ROS levels by downregulating photosynthesis in plants.
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China. Electronic address: ljcheng@zju.edu.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China.; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China. Electronic address: xfwang@zafu.edu.cn.
In plants, abiotic stressors are frequently encountered during growth and development. To counteract these challenges, zinc finger proteins play a critical role as transcriptional regulators. The EgrZFP6 gene, which codes for a zinc finger protein of the C2H2 type, was shown to be considerably elevated in the leaves of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings in the current study when they were subjected to a variety of abiotic stimuli, including heat, salinity, cold, and drought. Analysis conducted later showed that in EgrZFP6 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, EgrZFP6 was essential for causing hyponastic leaves and controlling the stress response. Furthermore, the transgenic plants showed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Additionally, in EgrZFP6-overexpressing plants, transcriptome sequencing analysis demonstrated a considerable downregulation of many genes involved in photosynthesis, decreasing electron transport efficiency and perhaps promoting the buildup of ROS. Auxin levels were higher and auxin signal transduction was compromised in the transgenic plants. Stress-related genes were also upregulated in Arabidopsis as a result of EgrZFP6 overexpression. It is hypothesized that EgrZFP6 can downregulate photosynthesis, which would cause the production of ROS in chloroplasts. As a result, this protein may alter plant stress responses and leaf morphology via a retrograde mechanism driven by ROS. These results highlight the significance of zinc finger proteins in this sophisticated process and advance our understanding of the complex link between gene regulation, ROS signaling, and plant stress responses.
PMID: 39067106
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Sep , V214 : P108930 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108930
Selenite improves growth by modulating phytohormone pathways and reprogramming primary and secondary metabolism in tomato plants.
College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China.; College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China. Electronic address: xujin@sxau.edu.cn.
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient in organisms that has a significant impact on physiological activity and gene expression in plants, thereby affecting growth and development. Humans and animals acquire Se from plants. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide. Improving the Se nutrient level not only is beneficial for growth, development and stress resistance in tomato plants but also contributes to improving human health. However, the molecular basis of Se-mediated tomato plant growth has not been fully elucidated. In this study, using physiological and transcriptomic analyses, we investigated the effects of a low dosage of selenite [Se(â…£)] on tomato seedling growth. Se(IV) enhanced the photosynthetic efficiency and increased the accumulation of soluble sugars, dry matter and organic matter, thereby promoting tomato plant growth. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Se(IV) reprogrammed primary and secondary metabolic pathways, thus modulating plant growth. Se(IV) also increased the concentrations of auxin, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid in leaves and the concentration of cytokinin in roots, thus altering phytohormone signaling pathways and affecting plant growth and stress resistance in tomato plants. Furthermore, exogenous Se(IV) alters the expression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, thereby modulating plant growth and development in tomato plants. Taken together, these findings provide important insights into the regulatory mechanisms of low-dose Se(IV) on tomato growth and contribute to the breeding of Se-accumulating tomato cultivars.
PMID: 39013356
Brief Funct Genomics , IF:4.241 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1093/bfgp/elae035
Prioritization of candidate genes for major QTLs governing yield traits employing integrated multi-omics approach in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.; Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER) Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507, India.; Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.; Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agricultural College, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522101, India.; Department of Statistics and Computer Applications, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
Rapidly identifying candidate genes underlying major QTLs is crucial for improving rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we developed a workflow to rapidly prioritize candidate genes underpinning 99 major QTLs governing yield component traits. This workflow integrates multiomics databases, including sequence variation, gene expression, gene ontology, co-expression analysis, and protein-protein interaction. We predicted 206 candidate genes for 99 reported QTLs governing ten economically important yield-contributing traits using this approach. Among these, transcription factors belonging to families of MADS-box, WRKY, helix-loop-helix, TCP, MYB, GRAS, auxin response factor, and nuclear transcription factor Y subunit were promising. Validation of key prioritized candidate genes in contrasting rice genotypes for sequence variation and differential expression identified Leucine-Rich Repeat family protein (LOC_Os03g28270) and cytochrome P450 (LOC_Os02g57290) as candidate genes for the major QTLs GL1 and pl2.1, which govern grain length and panicle length, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that our workflow can significantly narrow down a large number of annotated genes in a QTL to a very small number of the most probable candidates, achieving approximately a 21-fold reduction. These candidate genes have potential implications for enhancing rice yield.
PMID: 39228011
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int , IF:4.223 , 2024 Sep , V31 (44) : P56174-56193 doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-34934-y
Phosphate solubilization potential of PSB: an advance approach to enhance phosphorous availability for phytostimulation.
Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.; Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan. ambreenahmed1@hotmail.com.
Rhizosphere engineering approach is considered a quantum leap in plant sciences. The current study focused on investigating rhizobacterial efficiency to mobilize bioavailable phosphate from insoluble-phosphate source. Four efficient phosphate-solubilizing bacterial isolates, i.e., Pseudomonas songnenensis (GR3), Stutzerimonas stutzeri (HH2), Bacillus bingmayongensis (KH3), and Achromobacter aegrifaciens (MH1) were selected for the current study. Interactions between various physiological parameters and phosphate solubilization efficiency of isolates revealed that glucose significantly facilitated phosphorus solubilization at 37 ℃, with media having pH 7 and 0.5% phosphorous. Additionally, positive correlation among P-solubilization potential, acids produced, and pH was observed. Plant microbe-interaction analysis was performed to evaluate the efficiency of these bacterial isolates on various morpho-physiological responses of Zea mays L. For this purpose, various concentrations of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mM) were applied to plants in the presence and absence of bacterial isolates. The results showed that lower phosphate levels (10 and 20 mM) trigger shoot development and improve plant weight and leaf formation whereas higher phosphate concentrations (30 mM and above) stimulated the development of longer root system. The bacterial isolates, KH3 and HH2, were observed as efficient phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) that positively stimulated various plant growth and biochemical attributes over untreated plants. At lower phosphate levels, substantial increase of 92, 65, and 200% in shoot length, fresh weight, and number of leaves was recorded with bacterial isolate HH2, whereas, at 30 mM TCP, increase of 165% was observed in root length of plants treated with bacterial isolate KH3 compared to control. Similarly, at lower phosphate levels, increment of 57.3, 76.7, and 217% in phosphate, protein, and auxin content was recorded in plants treated with bacterial isolate HH2, and increase of 188.8% in total soluble carbohydrates was observed in plants treated with bacterial isolate KH3 as compared to control. Contrarily, increment in total chlorophyll content was most substantial (207%) by the bacterial isolate KH3 when provided with 30 mM TCP. Hence, the current study reviled that the use of these phosphates (KH3 and HH2)-solubilizing PGPR, as an efficient phytostimulator used for crop production in the replacement of chemical fertilizers, is carcinogenic and deteriorating our eco-system.
PMID: 39256340
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Sep , V24 (1) : P876 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05577-5
Genome-wide gene network uncover temporal and spatial changes of genes in auxin homeostasis during fruit development in strawberry (F. x ananassa).
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, 33598, USA.; Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.; Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.; Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.; Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, 33598, USA. seonghee105@ufl.edu.
BACKGROUND: The plant hormone auxin plays a crucial role in regulating important functions in strawberry fruit development. Although a few studies have described the complex auxin biosynthetic and signaling pathway in wild diploid strawberry (Fragaria vesca), the molecular mechanisms underlying auxin biosynthesis and crosstalk in octoploid strawberry fruit development are not fully characterized. To address this knowledge gap, comprehensive transcriptomic analyses were conducted at different stages of fruit development and compared between the achene and receptacle to identify developmentally regulated auxin biosynthetic genes and transcription factors during the fruit ripening process. Similar to wild diploid strawberry, octoploid strawberry accumulates high levels of auxin in achene compared to receptacle. RESULTS: Genes involved in auxin biosynthesis and conjugation, such as Tryptophan Aminotransferase of Arabidopsis (TAAs), YUCCA (YUCs), and Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3s), were found to be primarily expressed in the achene, with low expression in the receptacle. Interestingly, several genes involved in auxin transport and signaling like Pin-Formed (PINs), Auxin/Indole-3-Acetic Acid Proteins (Aux/IAAs), Transport Inhibitor Response 1 / Auxin-Signaling F-Box (TIR/AFBs) and Auxin Response Factor (ARFs) were more abundantly expressed in the receptacle. Moreover, by examining DEGs and their transcriptional profiles across all six developmental stages, we identified key auxin-related genes co-clustered with transcription factors from the NAM-ATAF1,2-CUC2/ WRKYGQK motif (NAC/WYKY), Heat Shock Transcription Factor and Heat Shock Proteins (HSF/HSP), APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) and MYB transcription factor groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results elucidate the complex regulatory network of auxin biosynthesis and its intricate crosstalk within the achene and receptacle, enriching our understanding of fruit development in octoploid strawberries.
PMID: 39304822
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Sep , V24 (1) : P821 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05538-y
Improved salinity tolerance in cucumber seedlings inoculated with halotolerant bacterial isolates with plant growth-promoting properties.
Department of Plant Pathology, Jiroft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran.; Department of Plant Pathology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.; Department of Horticultural and Crops Research, Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Jiroft, Iran. alisalehisardoei@gau.ac.ir.; Graduated with a master's degree in statistics from Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.; Department of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak, 38156-8-8349, Iran. m-ghorbanpour@araku.ac.ir.; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 6009, Perth, WA, Australia.
To address salinity stress in plants in an eco-friendly manner, this study investigated the potential effects of salinity-resistant bacteria isolated from saline agricultural soils on the growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus, cv. Royal) seedlings. A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors, salinity at four levels and five bacterial treatments, with three replications (n = 3). Initially, fifty bacterial isolates were screened for their salinity and drought tolerance, phosphate solubilization activity, along with production of auxin, siderophore and hydrogen cyanide. Isolates K4, K14, K15, and C8 exhibited the highest resistance to salinity and drought stresses in vitro. Isolates C8 and K15 demonstrated the highest auxin production capacity, generating 2.95 and 2.87 microg mL(- 1), respectively, and also exhibited significant siderophore production capacities (by 14% and 11%). Additionally, isolates C8 and K14 displayed greater phosphate solubilization activities, by 184.64 and 122.11 microg mL(- 1), respectively. The statistical analysis revealed that the selected four potent isolates significantly enhanced all growth parameters of cucumber plants grown under salinity stress conditions for six weeks. Plant height increased by 41%, fresh and dry weights by 35% and 7%, respectively, and the leaf area index by 85%. The most effective isolate, C8, was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the 16 S rDNA amplicon sequencing. This study demonstrated that inoculating cucumber seedlings with halotolerant bacterial isolates, such as C8 (Bacillus subtilis), possessing substantial plant growth-promoting properties significantly alleviated salinity stress by enhancing plant growth parameters. These findings suggest a promising eco-friendly strategy for improving crop productivity in saline agricultural environments.
PMID: 39218905
Planta , IF:4.116 , 2024 Sep , V260 (5) : P109 doi: 10.1007/s00425-024-04539-3
Regulatory mechanisms of miR171d-SCL6 module in the rooting process of Acer rubrum L.
College of Landscape Architecture, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.; Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing, 102206, China.; College of Landscape Architecture, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China. kezhong.zhang@bua.edu.cn.; Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing, 102206, China. kezhong.zhang@bua.edu.cn.; College of Landscape Architecture, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China. wei.ge@bua.edu.cn.; Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing, 102206, China. wei.ge@bua.edu.cn.
MiR171d and SCL6 are induced by the plant hormone auxin. MiR171d negatively regulates the expression of SCL6, thereby regulating the growth and development of plant adventitious roots. Under natural conditions, it is difficult to induce rooting in the process of propagating Acer rubrum L. via branches, which seriously limits its wide application in landscaping construction. In this study, the expression of Ar-miR171d was downregulated and the expression of ArSCL6 was upregulated after 300 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment. The transient interaction of Ar-miR171d and ArSCL6 in tobacco cells further confirmed their cleavage activity. Transgenic function verification confirmed that OE-Ar-miR171d inhibited adventitious root (AR) development, while OE-ArSCL6 promoted AR development. Tissue-specific expression verification of the ArSCL6 promoter demonstrated that it was specifically expressed in the plant root and leaf organs. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activation assays revealed that both ArSCL6 and ArbHLH089 were located in the nucleus and exhibited transcriptional activation activity. The interaction between the two was verified by bimolecular fluorescence complementarity (BIFC) experiments. These results help elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the Ar-miR171d-ArSCL6 module during the propagation of A. rubrum and provide a molecular basis for the rooting of branches.
PMID: 39340535
Genes (Basel) , IF:4.096 , 2024 Sep , V15 (9) doi: 10.3390/genes15091179
Physiological and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Effects of Fertilization on the Yield of Winter Wheat and on the Photosynthetic Performance of Leaves during the Flowering Period.
Institute of Nuclear and Biological Technology, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China.; Key Laboratory of Desert-Oasis Crop Physiology, Ecology and Cultivation, Urumqi 830091, China.
Fertilization significantly affects the growth and development of wheat. However, the precise mechanisms underlying gene regulation during flowering in response to fertilization deficiency remain elusive. In this study, fertilization (F) and non-fertilization (CK) ) treatments were set up to reveal examine the effect of fertilization on the photosynthetic capacity of winter wheat during the flowering period through physiological, biochemical, and transcriptome analyses. Upon analyzing analysing their yield, leaf photosynthetic system exchange parameters during flowering, antioxidant enzyme activity, and endogenous hormone parameters, we found that the F treatment resulted in higher net photosynthetic rates during flowering periods than the CK treatment. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) (83.92%), peroxidase (POD) (150.75%), and catalase (CAT) (22.74%) activities of leaves in treated with F during the flowering period were notably elevated compared to those of CK-treated leaves. Abscisic acid (ABA) (1.86%) and gibberellin acid (GA3) (33.69%) levels were reduced, whereas Auxin auxin (IAA) (98.27%) content was increasedwas increased under F treatment compared to those the results under the CK treatment. The chlorophyll a (32.53%), chlorophyll b (56%), total chlorophyll (37.96%), and carotenoid contents (29.80%) under F treatment were also increased compared to CK., exceeded exceeding those obtained under the CK treatment. Furthermore, transcriptional differences between the F and CK conditions were analyzed, and key genes were screened and validated by using q-PCR. Transcriptome analysis identified 2281 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with enriched pathways related to photosynthesis and light harvesting. DEGs were subjected to cluster simulation, which revealed that 53 DEGS, both up- and down-regulated, responded to the F treatment. qRT-PCR-based validation confirmed the differential expression of genes associated with carbohydrate transport and metabolism, lipid transport, and signal transduction. This study revealed distinctive transcriptional patterns and crucial gene regulation networks in wheat during flowering under fertilization, providing transcriptomic guidance for the precise regulation of wheat breeding.
PMID: 39336770
Plant Mol Biol , IF:4.076 , 2024 Sep , V114 (5) : P107 doi: 10.1007/s11103-024-01504-2
Low-dose (60)Co-gamma-ray irradiation promotes the growth of cucumber seedlings by inducing CsSAUR37 expression.
Key Laboratory of Sugar Beet Genetic Breeding, College of Heilongjiang Province, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China.; Sugar Beet Engineering Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150080, China.; Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.; Key Laboratory of Sugar Beet Genetic Breeding, College of Heilongjiang Province, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China. 2016003@hlju.edu.cn.; Sugar Beet Engineering Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150080, China. 2016003@hlju.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory of Sugar Beet Genetic Breeding, College of Heilongjiang Province, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China. 2016002@hlju.edu.cn.; Sugar Beet Engineering Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150080, China. 2016002@hlju.edu.cn.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a major vegetable crop grown globally, with a cultivation history of more than 3000 years. The limited genetic diversity, low rate of intraspecific variation, and extended periods of traditional breeding have resulted in slow progress in their genetic research and the development of new varieties. Gamma (gamma)-ray irradiation potentially accelerates the breeding progress; however, the biological and molecular effects of gamma-ray irradiation on cucumbers are unknown. Exposing cucumber seeds to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 Gy doses of (60)Co-gamma-ray irradiation, this study aimed to investigate the resulting phenotype and physiological characteristics of seedling treatment to determine the optimal irradiation dose. The results showed that low irradiation doses (50-100 Gy) enhanced root growth, hypocotyl elongation, and lateral root numbers, promoting seedling growth. However, high irradiation doses (150-250 Gy) significantly inhibited seed germination and growth, decreasing the survival rate of seedlings. More than 100 Gy irradiation significantly decreased the total chlorophyll content while increasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) and H(2)O(2) content in cucumber. Transcriptome sequencing analysis at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 Gy doses showed that gene expression significantly differed between low and high irradiation doses. Gene Ontology enrichment and functional pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the auxin response pathway played a crucial role in seedling growth under low irradiation doses. Further, gene function analysis revealed that small auxin up-regulated gene CsSAUR37 was a key gene that was overexpressed in response to low irradiation doses, promoting primary root elongation and enhancing lateral root numbers by regulating the expression of protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs) and auxin synthesis genes.
PMID: 39333431
Plant Mol Biol , IF:4.076 , 2024 Sep , V114 (5) : P104 doi: 10.1007/s11103-024-01494-1
The underlying molecular mechanisms of hormonal regulation of fruit color in fruit-bearing plants.
College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. noorpk_1990@yahoo.com.; Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. noorpk_1990@yahoo.com.; College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. noorpk_1990@yahoo.com.; Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China.; College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China.; College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. yangms100@126.com.; Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. lmj1234567@aliyun.com.; College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, China. lmj1234567@aliyun.com.
Fruit color is a key feature of fruit quality, primarily influenced by anthocyanin or carotenoid accumulation or chlorophyll degradation. Adapting the pigment content is crucial to improve the fruit's nutritional and commercial value. Genetic factors along with other environmental components (i.e., light, temperature, nutrition, etc.) regulate fruit coloration. The fruit coloration process is influenced by plant hormones, which also play a vital role in various physiological and biochemical metabolic processes. Additionally, phytohormones play a role in the regulation of a highly conserved transcription factor complex, called MBW (MYB-bHLH-WD40). The MBW complex, which consists of myeloblastosis (MYB), basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), and WD40 repeat (WDR) proteins, coordinates the expression of downstream structural genes associated with anthocyanin formation. In fruit production, the application of plant hormones may be important for promoting coloration. However, concerns such as improper concentration or application time must be addressed. This article explores the molecular processes underlying pigment formation and how they are influenced by various plant hormones. The ABA, jasmonate, and brassinosteroid increase anthocyanin and carotenoid formation, but ethylene, auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin have positive as well as negative effects on anthocyanin formation. This article establishes the necessary groundwork for future studies into the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones regulating fruit color, ultimately aiding in their effective and scientific application towards fruit coloration.
PMID: 39316226
Plant Mol Biol , IF:4.076 , 2024 Sep , V114 (5) : P101 doi: 10.1007/s11103-024-01503-3
Suppression of SlHDT1 expression increases fruit yield and decreases drought and salt tolerance in tomato.
Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Tomato, Department of Biology Science and Food Engineering, Lu Liang University, Lvliang, 033000, People's Republic of China. 15935816248@163.com.; Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Tomato, Department of Biology Science and Food Engineering, Lu Liang University, Lvliang, 033000, People's Republic of China.
Histone deacetylation, one of most important types of post-translational modification, plays multiple indispensable roles in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. However, little information about the roles of histone deacetylase in regulating inflorescence architecture, fruit yield, and stress responses is available in tomato. Functional characterization revealed that SlHDT1 participated in the control of inflorescence architecture and fruit yield by regulating auxin signalling, and influenced tolerance to drought and salt stresses by governing abscisic acid (ABA) signalling. More inflorescence branches and higher fruit yield, which were influenced by auxin signalling, were observed in SlHDT1-RNAi transgenic plants. Moreover, tolerance to drought and salt stresses was decreased in SlHDT1-RNAi transgenic lines compared with the wild type (WT). Changes in parameters related to the stress response, including decreases in survival rate, chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), proline content, catalase (CAT) activity and ABA content and an increase in malonaldehyde (MDA) content, were observed in SlHDT1-RNAi transgenic lines. In addition, the RNA-seq analysis revealed varying degrees of downregulation for genes such as the stress-related genes SlABCC10 and SlGAME6 and the pathogenesis-related protein P450 gene SlCYP71A1, and upregulation of the pathogenesis-related protein P450 genes SlCYP94B1, SlCYP734A7 and SlCYP94A2 in SlHDT1-RNAi transgenic plants, indicating that SlHDT1 plays an important role in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses by mediating stress-related gene expression. In summary, the data suggest that SlHDT1 plays essential roles in the regulation of inflorescence architecture and fruit yield and in the response to drought and salt stresses.
PMID: 39312030
J Proteomics , IF:4.044 , 2024 Sep , V307 : P105288 doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105288
Proteomic insights into adventitious root formation in Larix kaempferi.
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083 Beijing, China; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of Chinese Forestry Administration, 100083 Beijing, China.; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083 Beijing, China; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of Chinese Forestry Administration, 100083 Beijing, China. Electronic address: gaiying@bjfu.edu.cn.
The adventitious root formaton (ARF) in excised plant parts is essential for the survival of isolated plant fragments. In this study, we explored the complex mechanisms of ARF in Larix kaempferi by conducting a comprehensive proteomic analysis across three distinct stages: the induction of adventitious root primordia (C1, 0-25 d), the formation of adventitious root primordia (C2, 25-35 d), and the elongation of adventitious roots (C3, 35-45 d). We identified 1976 proteins, with 263 and 156 proteins exhibiting increased abundance in the C2/C1 and C3/C2 transitions, respectively. In contrast, a decrease in the abundance of 106 and 132 proteins suggests a significant demand for metabolic processes during the C2/C1 phase. The abundance of IAA-amino acid hydrolase and S-adenosylmethionine synthase were increased in the C2/C1 phase, underscoring the role of auxin in adventitious root induction. The decrease in abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins during the C2/C1 phase highlights the significance of initial light conditions in adventitious root induction. Moreover, variation in cell wall synthesis and metabolic proteins in the C2/C1 and C3/C2 stages suggests that cell wall metabolism is integral to adventitious root regeneration. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed pathways related to protein modification enzymes, including deubiquitinases and kinases, which are crucial for modulating protein modifications to promote ARF. Furthermore, the increased abundance of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidases and glutathione peroxidases, indicates a potential approach for enhancing ARF by supplementing the culture medium with antioxidants. Our study provides insights into metabolic changes during ARF in L. kaempferi, offering strategies to enhance adventitious root regeneration. These findings have the potential to refine plant propagation techniques and expedite breeding processes. SIGNFICANCE: The main challenge in the asexual reproduction technology of Larix kaempferi lies in adventitious root formation (ARF). While numerous studies have concentrated on the efficiency of ARF, proteomic data are currently scarce. In this study, we collected samples from three stages of ARF in L. kaempferi and subsequently performed proteomic analysis. The data generated not only reveal changes in protein abundance but also elucidate key metabolic processes involved in ARF. These insights offer a novel perspective on addressing the challenge of adventurous root regeneration.
PMID: 39173904
BMC Genomics , IF:3.969 , 2024 Sep , V25 (1) : P879 doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10788-z
Metabolomics, phytohormone and transcriptomics strategies to reveal the mechanism of barley heading date regulation to responds different photoperiod.
State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, 850000, China.; Research Institute of Agriculture, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, 850000, China.; State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, 850000, China. Tibetzhasang@163.com.; Research Institute of Agriculture, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, 850000, China. Tibetzhasang@163.com.
BACKGROUND: The correlation between heading date and flowering time significantly regulates grain filling and seed formation in barley and other crops, ultimately determining crop productivity. In this study, the transcriptome, hormone content detection, and metabolome analysis were performed systematically to analyze the regulatory mechanism of heading time in highland barley under different light conditions. The heading date of D18 (winter highland barley variety, Dongqing18) was later than that of K13 (vernal highland barley variety) under normal growth conditions or long-day (LD) treatment, while this situation will reverse with short-day (SD) treatment. RESULTS: The circadian rhythm plant, plant hormone signaling transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, and photosynthesis-related pathways are significantly enriched in barley under SD and LD to influence heading time. In the plant circadian rhythm pathway, the key genes GI (Gigantea), PRR (Pesudoresponseregulator), FKF1 (Flavin-binding kelch pepeat F-Box 1), and FT (Flowering locus T) are identified as highly expressed in D18SD3 and K13SD2, while they are significantly down-regulated in K13SD3. These genes play an important role in regulating the heading date of D18 earlier than that of K13 under SD conditions. In photosynthesis-related pathways, a-b binding protein and RBS were highly expressed in K13LD3, while NADP-dependent malic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, and triosephosphate isomerase were significantly expressed in D18SD3. In the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, 41 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) and related metabolites were identified as highly expressed and accumulated in D18SD3. The DEGs SAUR (Small auxin-up RNA), ARF (Auxin response factor), TIR1 (Transport inhibitor response 1), EIN3 (Ethylene-insensitive 3), ERS1 (Ethylene receptor gene), and JAZ1 (Jasmonate ZIM-domain) in the plant hormone pathway were significantly up-regulated in D18SD3. Compared with D18LD3, the content of N6-isopentenyladenine, indole-3-carboxylic acid, 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, trans-zeatin, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, 1-O-indol-3-ylacetylglucose, and salicylic acid in D18SD3 also increased. The expression levels of vernalization genes (HvVRN1, HvVRN2, and HvVRN3), photoperiod genes (PPD), and PPDK (Pyruvate phosphate dikinase) that affect photosynthetic efficiency in barley are also analyzed, which play important regulatory roles in barley heading date. The WGCNA analysis of the metabolome data and circadian regulatory genes identified the key metabolites and candidate genes to regulate the heading time of barley in response to the photoperiod. CONCLUSION: These studies will provide a reference for the regulation mechanism of flowering and the heading date of highland barley.
PMID: 39300396
BMC Genomics , IF:3.969 , 2024 Sep , V25 (1) : P831 doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10746-9
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses against soft rot induced by Pectobacterium aroidearum and Pectobacterium carotovorum in Pinellia ternata.
Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources and Chemistry of Hubei Province, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.; Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China. miaoyh@hbucm.edu.cn.; Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China. liudahui@hbucm.edu.cn.
Pectobacterium carotovorum and Pectobacterium aroidearum represent the primary pathogens causing variable soft rot disease. However, the fundamental defense responses of Pinellia ternata to pathogens remain unclear. Our investigation demonstrated that the disease produced by P. carotovorum is more serious than P. aroidearum. RNA-seq analysis indicated that many cell wall-related genes, receptor-like kinase genes, and resistance-related genes were induced by P. aroidearum and P. carotovorum similarly. But many different regulatory pathways exert a crucial function in plant immunity against P. aroidearum and P. carotovorum, including hormone signaling, whereas more auxin-responsive genes were responsive to P. carotovorum, while more ethylene and gibberellin-responsive genes were responsive to P. aroidearum. 12 GDSL esterase/lipase genes and 3 fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein genes were specifically upregulated by P. carotovorum, whereas 11 receptor-like kinase genes and 8 disease resistance genes were up-regulated only by P. aroidearum. Among them, a lectin gene (part1transcript/39001) was induced by P. carotovorum and P. aroidearum simultaneously. Transient expression in N. benthamiana demonstrated that the lectin gene improves plant resistance to P. carotovorum. This study offers a comprehensive perspective on P. ternata immunity produced by different soft rot pathogens and reveals the importance of lectin in anti-soft rot of P. ternata for the first time.
PMID: 39227779
Pestic Biochem Physiol , IF:3.963 , 2024 Sep , V204 : P106099 doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106099
Low expression of auxin receptor EcAFB4 confers resistance to florpyrauxifen-benzyl in Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.
College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China.; Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China.; College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.; College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: fengzk2011@njau.edu.cn.; College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: dly@njau.edu.cn.
Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv is a monocotyledonous weed that seriously infests rice fields. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, a novel synthetic auxin herbicide commercialized in China in 2018, is an herbicide for controlling E. crus-galli. However, a suspected resistant population (R) collected in 2012 showed resistance to the previously unused florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Whole-plant dose-response bioassay indicated that the R population evolved high resistance to quinclorac and florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Pretreatment with P450 inhibitors did not influence the GR(50) of E. crus-galli to florpyrauxifen-benzyl. The expression of target receptor EcAFB4 was down-regulated in the R population, leading to the reduced response to florpyrauxifen-benzyl (suppresses over-production of ethylene and ABA). We verified this resistance mechanism in the knockout OsAFB4 in Oryza sativa L. The Osafb4 mutants exhibited high resistance to florpyrauxifen-benzyl and moderate resistance to quinclorac. Furthermore, DNA methylation in the EcAFB4 promoter regulated its low expression in the R population after florpyrauxifen-benzyl treatment. In summary, the low expression of the auxin receptor EcAFB4 confers target resistance to the synthetic auxin herbicide florpyrauxifen-benzyl in the R- E. crus-galli.
PMID: 39277422
Pestic Biochem Physiol , IF:3.963 , 2024 Sep , V204 : P106072 doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106072
Characterisation of low-level pyrasulfotole resistance and the role of herbicide translocation in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum).
Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia. Electronic address: danica.goggin@uwa.edu.au.; Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia.
The synthetic auxin 2,4-D and the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor pyrasulfotole are phloem-mobile post-emergence herbicides, the latter applied in co-formulation with either bromoxynil (a contact herbicide causing leaf desiccation) or MCPA (another synthetic auxin). Previous studies have shown a wide range of 2,4-D translocation phenotypes in resistant populations of the agricultural weed Raphanus raphanistrum, but it was hypothesised that enhanced movement out of the apical meristem could contribute to resistance. Little is known about pyrasulfotole translocation or the effect of bromoxynil on pyrasulfotole movement. Therefore, the behaviour of pyrasulfotole and 2,4-D applied to the growing point of susceptible and resistant R. raphanistrum seedlings was assessed, along with the effect of bromoxynil on pyrasulfotole translocation. The small amount of herbicide directly contacting the growing point after spraying was sufficient to induce herbicide symptoms, and there was no enhancement of translocation away from the growing point in either pyrasulfotole- or 2,4-D-resistant populations. Bromoxynil had a slightly inhibitory effect on pyrasulfotole translocation in some populations, somewhat negating the minor differences observed among populations when pyrasulfotole was applied alone. Resistance to pyrasulfotole could not explained by enhanced metabolism or vacuolar sequestration of the herbicide. Overall, differential translocation in either the treated leaves or apical meristems does not appear to be a major determinant of resistance to pyrasulfotole or 2,4-D.
PMID: 39277417
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Sep , V13 (18) doi: 10.3390/plants13182592
Targeted Metabolites and Transcriptome Analysis Uncover the Putative Role of Auxin in Floral Sex Determination in Litchi chinensis Sonn.
Institute of Tropical Fruit Trees, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization of Tropical Fruits and Vegetables (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Tree Biology of Hainan Province, Haikou 571100, China.; Sanya Research Institute, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572025, China.; Institute of Agro-Products Processing and Design, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Cold-Chain of Hainan Province, Haikou 571100, China.; Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Tropical Horticultural Crops, School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China.
Litchi exhibits a large number of flowers, many flowering batches, and an inconsistent ratio of male and female flowers, frequently leading to a low fruit-setting rate. Floral sexual differentiation is a crucial phase in perennial trees to ensure optimal fruit production. However, the mechanism behind floral differentiation remains unclear. The objective of the study was to identify the role of auxin in floral differentiation at the transcriptional level. The results showed that the ratio of female flowers treated with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was significantly lower than that of the control stage (M0/F0). The levels of endogenous auxin and auxin metabolites were measured in male and female flowers at different stages of development. It was found that the levels of IAA, IAA-Glu, IAA-Asp, and IAA-Ala were significantly higher in male flowers compared to female flowers. Next-generation sequencing and modeling were employed to perform an in-depth transcriptome analysis on all flower buds in litchi 'Feizixiao' cultivars (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). Plant hormones were found to exert a significant impact on the litchi flowering process and flower proliferation. Specifically, a majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the auxin pathway were noticeably increased during male flower bud differentiation. The current findings will enhance our comprehension of the process and control mechanism of litchi floral sexual differentiation. It also offers a theoretical foundation for implementing strategies to regulate flowering and enhance fruit production in litchi cultivation.
PMID: 39339567
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Sep , V13 (18) doi: 10.3390/plants13182566
The Effects of Auxin Transport Inhibition on the Formation of Various Leaf and Vein Patterns.
Biotechnology Department, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2, Canada.; Mathematics Department, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2, Canada.; Biology Department, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1G3, Canada.
Polar auxin transport (PAT) is a known component controlling leaf complexity and venation patterns in some model plant species. Evidence indicates that PAT generates auxin converge points (CPs) that in turn lead to local leaf formation and internally into major vein formation. However, the role of PAT in more diverse leaf arrangements and vein patterns is largely unknown. We used the pharmacological inhibition of PAT in developing pinnate tomato, trifoliate clover, palmate lupin, and bipinnate carrot leaves and observed dosage-dependent reduction to simple leaves in these eudicots. Leaf venation patterns changed from craspedodromous (clover, carrot), semi-craspedodromous (tomato), and brochidodromous (lupin) to more parallel patterning with PAT inhibition. The visualization of auxin responses in transgenic tomato plants showed that discrete and separate CPs in control plants were replaced by diffuse convergence areas near the margin. These effects indicate that PAT plays a universal role in the formation of different leaf and vein patterns in eudicot species via a mechanism that depends on the generation as well as the separation of auxin CPs. Computer simulations indicate that variations in PAT can alter the number of CPs, corresponding leaf lobe formation, and the position of major leaf veins along the leaf margin in support of experimental results.
PMID: 39339541
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Sep , V13 (18) doi: 10.3390/plants13182541
Mechanism of Rice Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Blight via Phytohormones.
College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world, and its yield restricts global food security. However, various diseases and pests of rice pose a great threat to food security. Among them, bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most serious bacterial diseases affecting rice globally, creating an increasingly urgent need for research in breeding resistant varieties. Phytohormones are widely involved in disease resistance, such as auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA). In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in the analysis of their regulatory mechanism in BLB resistance in rice. In this review, a series of achievements of phytohormones in rice BLB resistance in recent years were summarized, the genes involved and their signaling pathways were reviewed, and a breeding strategy combining the phytohormones regulation network with modern breeding techniques was proposed, with the intention of applying this strategy to molecular breeding work and playing a reference role for how to further improve rice resistance.
PMID: 39339516
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Sep , V13 (17) doi: 10.3390/plants13172523
Advances in Plant Auxin Biology: Synthesis, Metabolism, Signaling, Interaction with Other Hormones, and Roles under Abiotic Stress.
State Key Lab of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.; School of Economic Geography, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha 410205, China.
Auxin is a key hormone that regulates plant growth and development, including plant shape and sensitivity to environmental changes. Auxin is biosynthesized and metabolized via many parallel pathways, and it is sensed and transduced by both normal and atypical pathways. The production, catabolism, and signal transduction pathways of auxin primarily govern its role in plant growth and development, and in the response to stress. Recent research has discovered that auxin not only responds to intrinsic developmental signals, but also mediates various environmental signals (e.g., drought, heavy metals, and temperature stresses) and interacts with hormones such as cytokinin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, and ethylene, all of which are involved in the regulation of plant growth and development, as well as the maintenance of homeostatic equilibrium in plant cells. In this review, we discuss the latest research on auxin types, biosynthesis and metabolism, polar transport, signaling pathways, and interactions with other hormones. We also summarize the important role of auxin in plants under abiotic stresses. These discussions provide new perspectives to understand the molecular mechanisms of auxin's functions in plant development.
PMID: 39274009
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Sep , V13 (17) doi: 10.3390/plants13172512
The Small Auxin-Up RNA 50 (SAUR50) Gene from Ammopiptanthus nanus Negatively Regulates Drought Tolerance.
Ecological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang 621000, China.; Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.; National Research Centre of Intercropping, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
Drought stress is a primary abiotic stress that causes significant losses to forestry and agricultural production. Therefore, exploring drought-responsive genes and their regulatory mechanism is crucial for plant molecular breeding for forestry and agriculture production safety. Small auxin-up RNA (SAUR) proteins are essential in plant growth and development but show functional diversity in stress response. In this study, the transcriptome sequencing data of Ammopiptanthus nanus seedlings revealed that the expression of AnSAUR50 was continuously downregulated under drought stress. Hence, the AnSAUR50 gene was cloned and functionally analyzed in drought response. The results showed that the coding sequence of AnSAUR50 was 315 bp in length and encoded 104 amino acids. The AnSAUR50 protein showed high conservation, possessed a SAUR-specific domain, and localized in the nucleus and cell membrane. The heterologous expression of the AnSAUR50 gene enhanced the drought sensitivity of the transgenic Arabidopsis with a lower survival rate, biomass, and higher malondialdehyde content and relative electrolyte leakage. Moreover, transgenic plants showed shorter root lengths and bigger stomatal apertures, resulting in facilitating water loss under drought stress. The study indicates that AnSAUR50 negatively regulates drought tolerance by inhibiting root growth and stomatal closure, which provides insights into the underlying function and regulatory mechanism of SAURs in plant stress response.
PMID: 39273996
J Gen Virol , IF:3.891 , 2024 Sep , V105 (9) doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.002026
Insights into the molecular basis of beet curly top resistance in sugar beet through a transcriptomic approach at the early stage of symptom development.
Institute of Sugar Beet Research, Holtenser Landstrasse 77, 37079 Gottingen, Germany.; KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA, 37574 Einbeck, Germany.; Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
Curly top disease caused by Beet curly top virus (BCTV) is a limiting factor for sugar beet production. The most economical and sustainable control of BCTV in sugar beet would be via the growth of resistant cultivars, although most commercial cultivars possess only low-to-moderate quantitative resistance. A double haploid line (KDH13) showed a high level of resistance to BCTV infection. However, the mechanism of resistance and response of this line to BCTV infection is unknown. Here, we tested the response of this line to both local and systemic BCTV infections. The virus replicated at a high level in locally infected tissue but lower than in susceptible KDH19 plants. Resistant KDH13 plants systemically infected with BCTV showed only mild enation without leaf curling after 30 days. In contrast, severe leaf curling appeared after 12 days in susceptible plants with higher virus accumulation. Transcriptome analysis of the BCTV-infected KDH13 plants at the early stage of symptom development showed only 132 genes that were exclusively deregulated compared to the regulation of a large number of genes (1018 genes) in KDH19 plants. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were predominantly involved in hormone metabolism, DNA methylation, immune response, cell cycle, biotic stress and oxidative stress. The auxin level in both resistant and susceptible plants increased in response to BCTV infection. Remarkably, exogenous application of auxin caused leaf curling phenotype in the absence of the virus. This study demonstrates the response of resistant and susceptible plants to BCTV infection at both local and systemic infections and highlights the defence-related genes and metabolic pathways including auxin for their contribution towards BCTV symptom development and resistance in sugar beet.
PMID: 39311862
Gene , IF:3.688 , 2024 Oct , V926 : P148623 doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148623
Transcriptome analysis reveals the key network of axillary bud outgrowth modulated by topping in citrus.
National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops / College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.; National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops / College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China. Electronic address: liuyongzhong@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
Topping, an important tree shaping and pruning technique, can promote the outgrowth of citrus axillary buds. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, spring shoots of Citrus reticulata 'Huagan No.2' were topped and transcriptome was compared between axillary buds of topped and untopped shoots at 6 and 11 days after topping (DAT). 1944 and 2394 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found at 6 and 11 DAT, respectively. KEGG analysis revealed that many DEGs were related to starch and sucrose metabolism, signal transduction of auxin, cytokinin and abscisic acid. Specially, transcript levels of auxin synthesis, transport, and signaling-related genes (SAURs and ARF5), cytokinin signal transduction related genes (CRE1, AHP and Type-A ARRs), ABA signal responsive genes (PYL and ABF) were up-regulated by topping; while transcript levels of auxin receptor TIR1, auxin responsive genes AUX/IAAs, ABA signal transduction related gene PP2Cs and synthesis related genes NCED3 were down-regulated. On the other hand, the contents of sucrose and fructose in axillary buds of topped shoots were significantly higher than those in untopped shoots; transcript levels of 16 genes related to sucrose synthase, hexokinase, sucrose phosphate synthase, endoglucanase and glucosidase, were up-regulated in axillary buds after topping. In addition, transcript levels of genes related to trehalose 6-phosphate metabolism and glycolysis/tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, as well to some transcription factors including Pkinase, Pkinase_Tyr, Kinesin, AP2/ERF, P450, MYB, NAC and Cyclin_c, significantly responded to topping. Taken together, the present results suggested that topping promoted citrus axillary bud outgrowth through comprehensively regulating plant hormone and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as signal transduction. These results deepened our understanding of citrus axillary bud outgrowth by topping and laid a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanisms of citrus axillary bud outgrowth.
PMID: 38821328
Gene , IF:3.688 , 2024 Aug , V921 : P148532 doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148532
Identification of cotton PIP5K genes and role of GhPIP5K9a in primary root development.
National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Anyang 455000, China; Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China.; Anyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China.; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Anyang 455000, China.; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572024, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Anyang 455000, China.; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572024, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Anyang 455000, China; Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China. Electronic address: fsl427@126.com.; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Anyang 455000, China; Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China. Electronic address: 13837240176@163.com.
Phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) is crucial for the phosphatidylinositol (PI) signaling pathway. It plays a significant role in plant growth and development, as well as stress response. However, its effects on cotton are unknown. This study identified PIP5K genes from four cotton species and conducted bioinformatic analyses, with a particular emphasis on the functions of GhPIP5K9a in primary roots. The results showed that cotton PIP5Ks were classified into four subgroups. Analysis of gene structure and motif composition showed obvious conservation within each subgroup. Synteny analysis suggested that the PIP5K gene family experienced significant expansion due to both whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication. Transcriptomic data analysis revealed that the majority of GhPIP5K genes had the either low or undetectable levels of expression. Moreover, GhPIP5K9a is highly expressed in the root and was located in plasmalemma. Suppression of GhPIP5K9a transcripts resulted in longer primary roots, longer primary root cells and increased auxin polar transport-related genes expression, and decreased abscisic acid (ABA) content, indicating that GhPIP5K9a negatively regulates cotton primary root growth. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of the role of the PIP5K genes in cotton.
PMID: 38705423
BMC Microbiol , IF:3.605 , 2024 Sep , V24 (1) : P327 doi: 10.1186/s12866-024-03479-y
Mechanisms of ROS-mediated interactions between Bacillus aryabhattai LAD and maize roots to promote plant growth.
College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, People's Republic of China.; School of Chemistry and Life Science, Anshan Normal University, Anshan, 114007, People's Republic of China.; College of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, People's Republic of China.; Innovative Institute for Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, People's Republic of China.; Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510225, People's Republic of China.; Guangdong University Key Laboratory for Sustainable Control of Fruit and Vegetable Diseases and Pests, Guangzhou, 510225, China.; College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, People's Republic of China.; College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, People's Republic of China. zhangning@syau.edu.cn.; College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, People's Republic of China. libingxue@syau.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), as a group of environmentally friendly bacteria growing in the rhizosphere of plants, play an important role in plant growth and development and resistance to environmental stresses. However, their limited understanding has led to the fact that their large-scale use in agriculture is still scarce, and the mechanisms by which beneficial bacteria are selected by plants and how they interact with them are still unclear. METHOD: In this study, we investigated the interaction between the auxin-producing strain Bacillus aryabhattai LAD and maize roots, and performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of Bacillus aryabhattai LAD after treatment with maize root secretions(RS). RESULTS: Our results show that there is a feedback effect between the plant immune system and bacterial auxin. Bacteria activate the immune response of plant roots to produce reactive oxygen species(ROS), which in turn stimulates bacteria to synthesize IAA, and the synthesized IAA further promotes plant growth. Under the condition of co-culture with LAD, the main root length, seedling length, root surface area and root volume of maize increased by 197%, 107%, 89% and 75%, respectively. In addition, the results of transcriptome metabolome analysis showed that LAD was significantly enriched in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways after RS treatment, including 93 differentially expressed genes and 45 differentially accumulated metabolites. CONCLUSION: Our findings not only provide a relevant model for exploring the effects of plant-soil microbial interactions on plant defense functions and thereby promoting plant growth, but also lay a solid foundation for the future large-scale use of PGPR in agriculture for sustainable agricultural development.
PMID: 39242527
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2024 Sep , V303 : P154354 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154354
Phloretin inhibits the growth of Arabidopsis shoots by inducing chloroplast damage and programmed cell death.
Institute for Biological Research 'Sinisa Stankovic' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.; University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade, Serbia.; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia.; Institute for Biological Research 'Sinisa Stankovic' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: mariana.stanisic@ibiss.bg.ac.rs.
Phloretin is a key secondary metabolite produced by apple trees. Known for its strong antioxidant properties, this dihydrochalcone has been extensively studied in animals but less so in plants. Recently, we identified phloretin as a phytotoxic allelochemical that inhibits growth in the model plant Arabidopsis by disrupting auxin metabolism and distribution in the roots. In this study, we found that phloretin significantly hinders the growth of Arabidopsis seedlings' aerial parts after a short-term treatment (10 days) and causes their decay after long-term exposure (28 days). These effects result from ultrastructural damage in the mesophyll cells of the leaves, including chloroplast displacement and swelling, lesions, and alterations in thylakoid and cell wall organization. Interestingly, phloretin-treated plants showed a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and antioxidant enzyme activities, while hydrogen peroxide and proline levels remained unchanged. This suggests that phloretin-induced chlorosis and seedling decay are not due to oxidative stress but rather to severe chloroplast structural damage, leading to inefficient photosynthesis, starch degradation, starvation, and activation of micro- and macroautophagic processes for self-preservation. Ultimately, these processes result in programmed cell death. These new insights into the phytotoxic effects of phloretin on Arabidopsis shoots could pave the way for future research into phloretin as a potential multitarget bioherbicide and enhance our understanding of autoallelopathy in apple trees.
PMID: 39341101
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2024 Sep , V303 : P154353 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154353
Overexpression of StERECTA enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Research Center of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Yinchuan, China.; Guyuan Branch, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Guyuan, China. Electronic address: tea_gl@126.com.; The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, China; Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yantai, China. Electronic address: hxzhang@sibs.ac.cn.
Drought is a major abiotic stresses that severely hinder plant growth and agricultural productivity. The receptor-like kinase gene, ERECTA, has been proved to play important role in promoting the response to abiotic stress in crops. However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the drought resistance mediated by ERECTA in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) are not well understood. In this study, sequence analysis confirmed that the StERECTA gene contains eight leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains and an S_TKc domain, and these domains were highly conserved in Solanaceae family. Under drought stress, Arabidopsis thaliana strains overexpressing StERECTA showed increased biomass, proline (PRO) content, and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the wild-type strains while the mutant ERECTA strain (er105) exhibited opposite phenotype. Additionally, StERECTA overexpression upregulated the expression of drought response marker genes (LEA3, DREB2A and P5CS1), improved levels of ABA and auxin, reduced stomatal density and relative expression level of stomatal development related genes (SPCH, FAMA and MUTE). Furthermore, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays demonstrated that StERECTA physically interacted with the YODA protein. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the role and regulatory mechanism of StERECTA in response to drought stress. These findings may serve as a basis for genetic improvement of potato to enhance their tolerance to abiotic stress.
PMID: 39332323
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2024 Nov , V302 : P154318 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154318
NHX5/NHX6/SPY22 complex regulates BRI1 and brassinosteroid signaling in Arabidopsis.
Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, School of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, Qinghai, 810000, China.; MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.; MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, 843300, China.; MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China. Electronic address: qiuqsh@lzu.edu.cn.
NHX5 and NHX6, Arabidopsis endosomal antiporters, play a vital role in facilitating ion and pH homeostasis in endosomal compartments. Studies have found that NHX5 and NHX6 are essential for protein trafficking, auxin homeostasis, and plant growth and development. Here, we report the role of NHX5 and NHX6 in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. We found that hypocotyl growth was enhanced in nhx5 nhx6 under epibrassinolide (eBR) treatment. nhx5 nhx6 bri1 was insensitive to eBR treatment, indicating that NHX5 and NHX6 are downstream of the BRI1 receptor in BR signaling. Moreover, confocal observation with both hypocotyls and root tips showed that BRI1-YFP localization in the plasma membrane (PM) was reduced in nhx5 nhx6. Interestingly, brefeldin A (BFA) treatment showed that formation of the BFA bodies containing BRI1 and their disassembling were disrupted in nhx5 nhx6. Further genetic analysis showed that NHX5/NHX6 and SYP22 may act coordinately in BR signaling. NHX5 and NHX6 may regulate SYP22 function by modulating cellular K(+) and pH homeostasis. Importantly, NHX5 and NHX6 colocalize and interact with SYP22, but do not interact with BRI1. In summary, our findings indicate that NHX5/NHX6/SYP22 complex is essential for the regulation of BRI1 recycling and PM localization. The H(+)-leak facilitated by NHX5 and NHX6 offers a means of controlling BR signaling in plants.
PMID: 39059150
J Plant Physiol , IF:3.549 , 2024 Oct , V301 : P154313 doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154313
miRNAs: Primary modulators of plant drought tolerance.
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: ywwang@bjfu.edu.cn.
Drought is a principal environmental factor that affects the growth and development of plants. Accordingly, plants have evolved adaptive mechanisms to cope with adverse environmental conditions. One of the mechanisms is gene regulation mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are regarded as primary modulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and have been shown to participate in drought stress response, including ABA response, auxin signaling, antioxidant defense, and osmotic regulation through downregulating the corresponding targets. miRNA-based genetic reconstructions have the potential to improve the tolerance of plants to drought. However, there are few precise classification and discussion of miRNAs in specific response behaviors to drought stress and their applications. This review summarized and discussed the specific response behaviors of miRNAs under drought stress and the role of miRNAs as regulators in the response of plants to drought and highlighted that the modification of miRNAs might effectively improve the tolerance of plants to drought.
PMID: 38991233
Protoplasma , IF:3.356 , 2024 Sep , V261 (5) : P937-950 doi: 10.1007/s00709-024-01945-y
Plant regeneration capacity in seeds of three species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) may be related to endogenous polyamine profiles.
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Biologia Vegetal, Campinas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil. juliana.ziemmer@gmail.com.; Laboratorio de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociencias e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil.; Departamento de Botanica, Universidade Federal do Parana, Curitiba, Parana, 81531-970, Brazil.
In plant tissue culture, differences in endogenous levels of species-specific plant growth regulators (PGRs) may explain differences in regenerative capacity. In the case of polyamines (PAs), their dynamics and distribution may vary between species, genotypes, tissues, and developmental pathways, such as sexual reproduction and apomixis. In this study, for the first time, we aimed to assess the impact of varying endogenous PAs levels in seeds from distinct reproductive modes in Miconia spp. (Melastomataceae), on their in vitro regenerative capacity. We quantified the free PAs endogenous content in seeds of Miconia australis (obligate apomictic), Miconia hyemalis (facultative apomictic), and Miconia sellowiana (sexual) and evaluated their in vitro regenerative potential in WPM culture medium supplemented with a combination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The morphogenic responses were characterized by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and discussed regarding the endogenous PAs profiles found. Seeds of M. sellowiana presented approximately eight times more putrescine than M. australis, which was associated with a higher percentage of regenerated calluses (76.67%) than M. australis (5.56%). On the other hand, spermine levels were significantly higher in M. australis. Spermine is indicated as an inhibitor of auxin-carrying gene expression, which may have contributed to its lower regenerative capacity under the tested conditions. These findings provide important insights into in vitro morphogenesis mechanisms in Miconia and highlight the significance of endogenous PA levels in plant regeneration. These discoveries can potentially optimize future regeneration protocols in Miconia, a plant group still underexplored in this area.
PMID: 38530427
J Biotechnol , IF:3.307 , 2024 Nov , V394 : P34-47 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.07.023
System-wide analysis of groundnut's salinity resilience: Integrating plant-cell interactions with environmental stress dynamics through cutting-edge transcriptomics.
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, India.; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Targhadia, Rajkot (Gujarat), Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, India.; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, India. Electronic address: ashishvala@jau.in.
Salinity stress is a major concern in regions where irrigation relies on saline water. This study aimed to investigate the relative water content (RWC), electrolytic leakage (EL), total chlorophyll content, free amino acid content, and total soluble sugar content were analyzed in different groundnut species subjected to various salinity treatments. The results showed that salinity stress significantly reduced the RWC in groundnut leaves, with A. duranensis (wild type) exhibiting higher RWC values compared to the Arachis hypogaea species. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during salt stress. A total of 9079 DEGs were identified, with 1372 genes upregulated and 2509 genes downregulated. Genes belonging to transcription factor families, such as WRKY, MYB, bHLH, E2F, and Auxin efflux carrier proteins, were induced under salt stress in the tolerant genotype. Conversely, genes encoding NADH dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, protein kinases, UDP-glycosyltransferase, and peroxidase were downregulated. Gene ontology and pathway analyses revealed several enriched categories and metabolic pathways associated with salt stress response, including catalytic activity, response to salt stress, ATP-dependent activity, and oxidative phosphorylation. The findings of this study provide insights into the physiological and molecular responses of groundnut to salinity stress. A. duranensis exhibited better salinity tolerance than Arachis hypogaea, as indicated by higher RWC values, lower electrolytic leakage, and differential gene expression patterns. These results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in groundnut and may guide future efforts to develop salinity-tolerant groundnut species, ultimately improving crop yield in saline-affected regions.
PMID: 39128505
PLoS One , IF:3.24 , 2024 , V19 (9) : Pe0306905 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306905
Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of Osteospermum fruticosum lines harboring wild type pRi rol genes.
Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium.; Department Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Transgenic lines engineered through wild type Rhizobium rhizogenes display an altered phenotype known as the Ri phenotype. This phenotype includes a more compact plant habit, which has proved useful to obtain more compact varieties that require less chemical growth regulation. Here, we develop a method for the molecular and cytogenetic characterization of Cape daisy (Osteospermum fruticosum Norl.) Ri lines in order to predict segregation of pRi T-DNA genes. Analysis of copy number variation (CNV) by means of digital PCR indicated large variation in the copy number of the inserted root oncogenic loci (rol) genes, ranging from 1 to more than 15 copies. In addition, up to 9 copies of the auxin biosynthesis genes (aux) were present in a single Ri line. Visualization of pRiA4 and pRi1724 rol and aux insertion in 4 Ri lines was performed through Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization. The number of rol integrated loci varied from 1 to 3 loci. In contrast, the different TR-gene copies were confined to a single locus which consistently co-localized with a TL locus, this was demonstrated for the first time. Based on CNV and FISH a single Ri line, harboring 7 pRi1724 rol gene copies dispersed over 3 integration loci, was selected for breeding. Copy number segregation in R1 progeny of 2, 3, 4 and 5 pRi1724 copies was confirmed, indicating that the evaluation of the breeding value of first generation Ri lines is possible through CNV and FISH.
PMID: 39298448
Braz J Microbiol , IF:2.476 , 2024 Sep , V55 (3) : P2855-2867 doi: 10.1007/s42770-024-01399-7
Cladosporium psychrotolerans strain T01 enhances plant biomass and also exhibits antifungal activity against pathogens.
Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular de Plantas, Division de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica A. C, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico.; Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular de Plantas, Division de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica A. C, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico. jbremont@ipicyt.edu.mx.
An increasing number of microorganisms are being identified to enhance plant growth and inhibit phytopathogens. Some Cladosporium species form beneficial associations with plants, either as endophytes or by colonizing the rhizosphere. Herein, we evaluated the influence of the Cladosporium psychrotolerans (T01 strain) fungus on the in vitro growth of Arabidopsis thaliana plantlets through direct and split interactions. After 9 days post-inoculation with C. psychrotolerans, Arabidopsis plantlets exhibited a notable increase in fresh weight and lateral roots, particularly in split interactions. Chlorophyll content increased in both plant-fungus interaction conditions, whereas the primary root was inhibited during direct interaction. We observed an increase in the GUS signal from the Arabidopsis auxin-inducible DR5:uidA marker in lateral root tips in both contact and split fungal interactions, and primary root tips in a split interaction. Arabidopsis and tomato plants cultivated in soil pots and inoculated with C. psychrotolerans (T01 strain) showed a positive effect on biomass production. GC/MS analysis detected that the T01 strain emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs), predominantly alcohols and aldehydes. These VOCs displayed potent inhibitory effects, with a 60% inhibition against Botrytis cinerea and a 50% inhibition against C. gloeosporioides. Our study demonstrates that C. psychrotolerans T01 has the potential to enhance biomass production and inhibit pathogens, making it a promising candidate for green technology applications.
PMID: 38825649
Biol Open , IF:2.422 , 2024 Sep , V13 (9) doi: 10.1242/bio.060531
An atlas of Brachypodium distachyon lateral root development.
Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, 2000 Neuchatel, Switzerland.; IPSiM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France.; Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.; Sainsbury Lab, University of Cambridge, CB2 1LR Cambridge, UK.
The root system of plants is a vital part for successful development and adaptation to different soil types and environments. A major determinant of the shape of a plant root system is the formation of lateral roots, allowing for expansion of the root system. Arabidopsis thaliana, with its simple root anatomy, has been extensively studied to reveal the genetic program underlying root branching. However, to get a more general understanding of lateral root development, comparative studies in species with a more complex root anatomy are required. Here, by combining optimized clearing methods and histology, we describe an atlas of lateral root development in Brachypodium distachyon, a wild, temperate grass species. We show that lateral roots initiate from enlarged phloem pole pericycle cells and that the overlying endodermis reactivates its cell cycle and eventually forms the root cap. In addition, auxin signaling reported by the DR5 reporter was not detected in the phloem pole pericycle cells or young primordia. In contrast, auxin signaling was activated in the overlying cortical cell layers, including the exodermis. Thus, Brachypodium is a valuable model to investigate how signaling pathways and cellular responses have been repurposed to facilitate lateral root organogenesis.
PMID: 39158386
Physiol Mol Biol Plants , IF:2.391 , 2024 Sep , V30 (9) : P1493-1515 doi: 10.1007/s12298-024-01506-w
Comparative omics-based characterization, phylogeny and melatonin-mediated expression analyses of GDSL genes in pitaya (Selenicereus undatus L.) against multifactorial abiotic stresses.
School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Hainan University, Sanya, 572025 Hainan China. ROR: https://ror.org/03q648j11. GRID: grid.428986.9. ISNI: 0000 0001 0373 6302
The GDSL gene family plays diverse roles in plant growth and development. Despite its significance, the functions of the GDSL in the pitaya plant are still unknown. Pitaya (Selenicereus undatus L.) also called Hylocereus undatus (Hu), belongs to the family Cactaceae and is an important tropical plant that contains high dietary fibers and antioxidants. In the present investigation, we screened 91 HuGDSL genes in the pitaya genome by conducting a comprehensive computational analysis. The phylogenetic tree categorized HuGDSL genes into 9 distinct clades in combination with four other species. Further, 29 duplicate events were identified of which 12 were tandem, and 17 were segmental. The synteny analysis revealed that segmental duplication was more prominent than tandem duplication among these genes. The majority of duplicated gene pairs (95%) indicate their Ka/Ks ratios ranging from 0.1 to 0.3, which shows that maximum HuGDSL genes were under purifying selection pressure. The cis-acting element in the promotor region contains phytohormones such as auxin, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid abundantly. Finally, the HuGDSL gene expression pattern under single and multiple stresses was analyzed via; RNA-seq. We select ten stress-responsive HuGDSL genes for RT-qPCR validation. After careful investigation, we identified five HuGDSL candidate genes (HuGDSL-1/3/55/59, and HuGDSL-78) based on RNA-seq, and RT-qPCR data that showed enhanced expression in stress and melatonin-applied seedlings. This study represents valuable insights into maintaining pitaya growth and development by preparing stress-resilient pitaya genotypes through modern biotechnological techniques. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01506-w.
PMID: 39310703
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2404807 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2404807
Crosstalk among plant hormone regulates the root development.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology; Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation; Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China.; College of Life Sciences, Hengshui University, Hengshui, China.
The plant root absorbs water and nutrients, anchors the plant in the soil, and promotes plant development. Root is developed from root apical meristem (RAM), which is formed during embryo stage and is maintained by dividing stem cells. Plant hormones have a predominant role in RAM maintenance. This review evaluates the functional crosstalk among three major hormones (auxin, cytokinin, and brassinolide) in RAM development in Arabidopsis, integrating a variety of experimental data into a regulatory network and revealing multiple layers of complexity in the crosstalk among these three hormones. We also discuss possible directions for future research on the roles of hormones in regulating RAM development and maintenance.
PMID: 39279500
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2391658 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2391658
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) genes in rice (Oryza sativa).
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Breeding of Major Crops, College of Agronomy & Resources and Environment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China.; College of Basic Sciences, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China.
SMALL AUXIN UP RNAs (SAURs), the largest family of early auxin response genes, plays crucial roles in multiple processes, including cell expansion, leaf growth and senescence, auxin transport, tropic growth and so on. Although the rice SAUR gene family was identified in 2006, it is necessary to identify the rice SAUR gene due to the imperfection of its analysis methods. In this study, a total of 60 OsSAURs (including two pseudogenes) distributed on 10 chromosomes were identified in rice (Oryza sativa). Bioinformatics tools were used to systematically analyze the physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, motif compositions, chromosomal location, gene duplication, evolutionary relationships, auxin-responsive cis-elements of the OsSAURs. In addition, the expression profiles obtained from microarray data analysis showed that OsSAUR genes had different expression patterns in different tissues and responded to auxin treatment, indicating functional differences among members of OsSAUR gene family. In a word, this study provides basic information for SAUR gene family of rice and lays a foundation for further study on the role of SAUR in rice growth and development.
PMID: 39148317
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2383822 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2383822
Highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9-RNP mediated CaPAD1 editing in protoplasts of three pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars.
Department of Biological Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.; Interdisciplinary Program of Genomic Data Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.; Graduate School of Medical AI, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in BIT Medical Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
Parthenocarpy, characterized by seedless fruit development without pollination or fertilization, offers the advantage of consistent fruit formation, even under challenging conditions such as high temperatures. It can be induced by regulating auxin homeostasis; PAD1 (PARENTAL ADVICE-1) is an inducer of parthenocarpy in Solanaceae plants. However, precise editing of PAD1 is not well studied in peppers. Here, we report a highly efficient clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) for CaPAD1 editing in three valuable cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): Dempsey, a gene-editable bell pepper; C15, a transformable commercial inbred line; and Younggo 4, a Korean landrace. To achieve the seedless pepper trait under high temperatures caused by unstable climate change, we designed five single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting the CaPAD1 gene. We evaluated the in vitro on-target activity of the RNP complexes in three cultivars. Subsequently, we introduced five CRISPR/Cas9-RNP complexes into protoplasts isolated from three pepper leaves and compared indel frequencies and patterns through targeted deep sequencing analyses. We selected two sgRNAs, sgRNA2 and sgRNA5, which had high in vivo target efficiencies for the CaPAD1 gene across the three cultivars and were validated as potential off-targets in their genomes. These findings are expected to be valuable tools for developing new seedless pepper cultivars through precise molecular breeding of recalcitrant crops in response to climate change.
PMID: 39052485
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2348917 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2348917
Investigation of Arabidopsis root skototropism with different distance settings.
Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Plants can activate protective and defense mechanisms under biotic and abiotic stresses. Their roots naturally grow in the soil, but when they encounter sunlight in the top-soil layers, they may move away from the light source to seek darkness. Here we investigate the skototropic behavior of roots, which promotes their fitness and survival. Glutamate-like receptors (GLRs) of plants play roles in sensing and responding to signals, but their role in root skototropism is not yet understood. Light-induced tropisms are known to be affected by auxin distribution, mainly determined by auxin efflux proteins (PIN proteins) at the root tip. However, the role of PIN proteins in root skototropism has not been investigated yet. To better understand root skototropism and its connection to the distance between roots and light, we established five distance settings between seedlings and darkness to investigate the variations in root bending tendencies. We compared differences in root skototropic behavior across different expression lines of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings (atglr3.7 ko, AtGLR3.7 OE, and pin2 knockout) to comprehend their functions. Our research shows that as the distance between roots and darkness increases, the root's positive skototropism noticeably weakens. Our findings highlight the involvement of GLR3.7 and PIN2 in root skototropism.
PMID: 38704856
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2341506 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2341506
Complex genetic interaction between glucose sensor HXK1 and E3 SUMO ligase SIZ1 in regulating plant morphogenesis.
National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, India.
Sugar signaling forms the basis of metabolic activities crucial for an organism to perform essential life activities. In plants, sugars like glucose, mediate a wide range of physiological responses ranging from seed germination to cell senescence. This has led to the elucidation of cell signaling pathways involving glucose and its counterparts and the mechanism of how these sugars take control over major hormonal pathways such as auxin, ethylene, abscisic acid and cytokinin in Arabidopsis. Plants use HXK1(Hexokinase) as a glucose sensor to modulate changes in photosynthetic gene expression in response to high glucose levels. Other proteins such as SIZ1, a major SUMO E3 ligase have recently been implicated in controlling sugar responses via transcriptional and translational regulation of a wide array of sugar metabolic genes. Here, we show that these two genes work antagonistically and are epistatic in controlling responsiveness toward high glucose conditions.
PMID: 38607960
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2331358 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2331358
Plant hormone profiling of scion and rootstock incision sites and intra- and inter-family graft junctions in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Plant Productivity Systems Research Group, Yokohama, Japan.
Many previous studies have suggested that various plant hormones play essential roles in the grafting process. In this study, to understand the plant hormones that accumulate in the graft junctions, whether these are supplied from the scion or rootstock, and how these hormones play a role in the grafting process, we performed a hormonome analysis that accumulated in the incision site of the upper plants from the incision as "ungrafted scion" and lower plants from the incision as "ungrafted rootstock" in Nicotiana benthamiana. The results revealed that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), which regulate cell division; abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA), which regulate xylem formation; cytokinin (CK), which regulates callus formation, show different accumulation patterns in the incision sites of the ungrafted scion and rootstock. In addition, to try discussing the differences in the degree and speed of each event during the grafting process between intra- and inter-family grafting by determining the concentration and accumulation timing of plant hormones in the graft junctions, we performed hormonome analysis of graft junctions of intra-family grafted plants with N. benthamiana as scion and Solanum lycopersicum as rootstock (Nb/Sl) and inter-family grafted plants with N. benthamiana as scion and Arabidopsis thaliana as rootstock (Nb/At), using the ability of Nicotiana species to graft with many plant species. The results revealed that ABA and CK showed different accumulation timings; IAA, JA, and salicylic acid (SA) showed similar accumulation timings, while different accumulated concentrations in the graft junctions of Nb/Sl and Nb/At. This information is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones in the grafting process and the differences in molecular mechanisms between intra- and inter-family grafting.
PMID: 38513064
Plant Signal Behav , IF:2.247 , 2024 Dec , V19 (1) : P2305030 doi: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2305030
Cytokinin signaling is involved in root hair elongation in response to phosphate starvation.
School of Biological Science and Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, Japan.
Root hair, single-celled tubular structures originating from the epidermis, plays a vital role in the uptake of nutrients from the soil by increasing the root surface area. Therefore, optimizing root hair growth is crucial for plants to survive in fluctuating environments. Root hair length is determined by the action of various plant hormones, among which the roles of auxin and ethylene have been extensively studied. However, evidence for the involvement of cytokinins has remained elusive. We recently reported that the cytokinin-activated B-type response regulators, ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 1 (ARR1) and ARR12 directly upregulate the expression of ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE 4 (RSL4), which encodes a key transcription factor that controls root hair elongation. However, depending on the nutrient availability, it is unknown whether the ARR1/12-RSL4 pathway controls root hair elongation. This study shows that phosphate deficiency induced the expression of RSL4 and increased the root hair length through ARR1/12, though the transcript and protein levels of ARR1/12 did not change. These results indicate that cytokinins, together with other hormones, regulate root hair growth under phosphate starvation conditions.
PMID: 38267225
Genes Genomics , IF:1.839 , 2024 Sep doi: 10.1007/s13258-024-01566-y
Comparative analysis of the transcriptomes from regenerated plants and root explants of endangered Oplopanax elatus.
Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.; Department of Agriculture and Life Industry, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.; Department of Applied Plant Sciences, Division of Bioresource Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.; Department of Applied Plant Sciences, Division of Bioresource Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea. esseong@kangwon.ac.kr.
BACKGROUND: Oplopanax elatus is a plant of therapeutic significance in oriental medicine; however, its mass cultivation is limited owing to the difficulties in propagating it from seeds. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the transcriptome profiles and transcriptional regulatory factors expressed during plantlet regeneration from root tissues of the endangered O. elatus. RESULTS: The RNA-seq results for the control and regenerated plants cultured in liquid medium for 8 weeks showed that the clean length of the control group was 11,901,667,912 and that of the 8-week sample was 10,115,155,171, indicating a clean value of 97% for both samples. The number of mapped paired-end reads was 63,922,480 for the control group and 54,146,902 for the 8-week sample. The number of genes for which at least one clean data point was mapped was 43,177 in the control group and 42,970 in the 8-week sample. The results of the differentially expressed gene analysis indicate that the number of upregulated genes in the 8-week sample was 158, and the number of downregulated genes was 424. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the upregulated genes revealed that GO terms were classified into 14 categories, and genes expressed in the biological process category occurred most frequently. GO terms of the downregulated genes were evenly distributed into two categories: biological process and molecular function. From the upregulated genes, eight reference genes with significant differences in expression were selected and analyzed using real-time PCR. The Oe38836 gene (late embryogenesis abundant protein M17-like isoform X1) showed the highest expression rate that was more than tenfold that of the control. Oe40610 (auxin-responsive protein SAUR21-like) and Oe07114 (glucose-1-phosphate adenyl transferase-like protein) genes showed expression levels that were increased eightfold relative to the control. CONCLUSIONS: The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) results from the plants regenerated through liquid culture of O. elatus root tissue were confirmed using real-time PCR, indicating their reliability.
PMID: 39320642
Mol Breed , 2024 Oct , V44 (10) : P64 doi: 10.1007/s11032-024-01500-w
Simultaneous improvement of fiber yield and quality in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by integration of auxin transport and synthesis.
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, No. 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715 P. R. China. ROR: https://ror.org/01kj4z117. GRID: grid.263906.8. ISNI: 0000 0001 0362 4044; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China. ROR: https://ror.org/01kj4z117. GRID: grid.263906.8. ISNI: 0000 0001 0362 4044
Cotton is a widely planted commercial crop in the world. Enhancing fiber yield and quality is a long-term goal for cotton breeders. Our previous work has demonstrated that fine promotion of auxin biosynthesis in ovule epidermis, by overexpressing FBP7pro::iaaM, has a significant improvement on lint yield and fiber fineness. Lately, transgenic cottons overexpressing GhROP6 variants modify mature fiber length by controlling GhPIN3a-mediated polar auxin transport in ovules. Here, this study showed that all these GhROP6-related cottons displayed unsatisfactory agronomic performance in field conditions. Yet extra auxin supply could promote their fiber development, suggesting inadequate auxin supply in the ovules. Thus, these cottons were integrated with enhanced auxin synthesis by crossing with FBP7pro::iaaM cotton. All the transgene-stacked cottons exhibited synergetic effects on cotton yield (seedcotton yield, lint yield, and lint percentage) and quality (length, strength, and micronaire). Notably, comparing to the FBP7pro::iaaM background, the transgene-stacked cotton co-expressing FBP7pro::iaaM and CA-ghrop6 (constitutively active GhROP6) exhibited a 12.6% increase in seedcotton yield and a 19.0% increase in lint yield over a three-year field trial, and simultaneously resulted in further improvement on fiber length, strength, and micronaire. Collectively, our data provide a potential strategy for genetic improvement on cotton fiber yield and quality. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01500-w.
PMID: 39301413
bioRxiv , 2024 Aug doi: 10.1101/2024.08.29.610046
Transport of herbicides by PIN-FORMED auxin transporters.
Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.; Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Garching, Germany.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016, United States of America.
Auxins are a group of phytohormones that control plant growth and development (1). Their crucial role in plant physiology has inspired development of potent synthetic auxins that can be used as herbicides (2). Phenoxyacetic acid derivatives are a widely used group of auxin herbicides in agriculture and research. Despite their prevalence, the identity of the transporters required for distribution of these herbicides in plants is both poorly understood and the subject of controversial debate (3,4). Here we show that PIN-FORMED auxin transporters transport a range of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides across the membrane and we characterize the molecular determinants of this process using a variety of different substrates as well as protein mutagenesis to control substrate specificity. Finally, we present Cryo-EM structures of Arabidopsis thaliana PIN8 with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) bound. These structures represent five key states from the transport cycle, allowing us to describe conformational changes associated with substrate binding and transport across the membrane. Overall, our results reveal that phenoxyacetic acid herbicides use the same export machinery as endogenous auxins and exemplify how transporter binding sites undergo transformations that dictate substrate specificity. These results enable development of novel synthetic auxins and for guiding precision breeding of herbicide resistant crop plants.
PMID: 39257797