Nature , IF:49.962 , 2024 Oct , V634 (8036) : P1238-1244 doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08012-9
LYCHOS is a human hybrid of a plant-like PIN transporter and a GPCR.
Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.; School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.; Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.; Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.; University of Sydney Nano Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.; Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. michelle.halls@monash.edu.; Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. andrew.ellisdon@monash.edu.
Lysosomes have crucial roles in regulating eukaryotic metabolism and cell growth by acting as signalling platforms to sense and respond to changes in nutrient and energy availability(1). LYCHOS (GPR155) is a lysosomal transmembrane protein that functions as a cholesterol sensor, facilitating the cholesterol-dependent activation of the master protein kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)(2). However, the structural basis of LYCHOS assembly and activity remains unclear. Here we determine several high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of human LYCHOS, revealing a homodimeric transmembrane assembly of a transporter-like domain fused to a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) domain. The class B2-like GPCR domain is captured in the apo state and packs against the surface of the transporter-like domain, providing an unusual example of a GPCR as a domain in a larger transmembrane assembly. Cholesterol sensing is mediated by a conserved cholesterol-binding motif, positioned between the GPCR and transporter domains. We reveal that the LYCHOS transporter-like domain is an orthologue of the plant PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporter family, and has greater structural similarity to plant auxin transporters than to known human transporters. Activity assays support a model in which the LYCHOS transporter and GPCR domains coordinate to sense cholesterol and regulate mTORC1 activation.
PMID: 39358511
Trends Plant Sci , IF:18.313 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.09.018
Multiple layers of regulators emerge in the network controlling lateral root organogenesis.
DIADE, Universite de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement, Montpellier, France.; Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.; Department of Earth System Science, Faculty of Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan; Institute of Industrial Nanomaterial (IINA), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; International Research Organization for Advanced Science and Technology (IROAST), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.; School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.; Institute of Industrial Nanomaterial (IINA), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; International Research Organization for Advanced Science and Technology (IROAST), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; International Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biology (IRCAEB), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.; DIADE, Universite de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: soazig.guyomarch@ird.fr.
Lateral root (LR) formation is a postembryonic organogenesis process that is crucial for plant root system development and adaptation to heterogenous soil environments. Since the early 1990s, a wealth of experimental data on arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) has helped reveal the LR formation regulatory network, in which dynamic auxin distribution and transcriptional cascades direct root cells through their organogenesis pathway. Some parts of this network appear conserved across diverse plant species or distinct developmental contexts. Recently, our knowledge of this process dramatically expanded thanks to technical advances, from single cell profiling to whole-root system phenotyping. Interestingly, new players are now emerging in this network, such as fatty acids and reactive oxygen species (ROS), transforming our knowledge of this hidden half of plant biology.
PMID: 39455398
Adv Sci (Weinh) , IF:16.806 , 2024 Oct : Pe2406111 doi: 10.1002/advs.202406111
A CC-NB-ARC-LRR Gene Regulates Bract Morphology in Cotton.
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310058, China.; Precision Breeding and Germplasm Innovation Team for Cotton and Economic Crops, Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya, 572025, China.
Bracts are leaf-like structures in flowering plants. They serve multiple functions such as attracting pollinators, aiding tolerance of abiotic stressors, and conducting photosynthesis. While previous studies extensively examine bract function, the molecular mechanisms underlying bract growth remain unknown. Here, the map-based isolation and characterization of a crucial factor responsible for cotton bract development, identified from a mutant known as frego bract (fg), discovered by Frego in 1945 are presented. This gene, named Ghfg, encodes a CC-NB-ARC-LRR (CNL) family protein. Through analysis of bract form in plants with virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and transgenic plants, this gene is confirmed to be the causal gene under the fg locus. Furthermore, high-resolution single-cell transcriptomic landscape of cotton bracts is generated, which reveals differences related to auxin in proliferating cells from TM-1 and T582; differences in auxin distribution and ROS accumulation are experimentally verified. These findings suggest that GhFG is in a self-activated state in the fg mutant, and its activity leads to ROS accumulation that impacts auxin distribution and transport. Finally, an island cotton variety with the frego bract trait is developed, demonstrating a novel solution for reducing the high impurity rate caused by bract remnants.
PMID: 39364742
Nat Plants , IF:15.793 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1038/s41477-024-01810-z
A coherent feed-forward loop in the Arabidopsis root stem cell organizer regulates auxin biosynthesis and columella stem cell maintenance.
Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.; National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Agriculture, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.; Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.; Uniklinik Freiburg, Zentrum fur Translationale Zellforschung (ZTZ), Freiburg, Germany.; Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modeling (FDM), Freiburg, Germany.; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. laux@biologie.uni-freiburg.de.; Sino-German Joint Research Center on Agricultural Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China. laux@biologie.uni-freiburg.de.
Stem cells in plant meristems are kept undifferentiated by signals from surrounding cells and provide the basis for continuous organ formation. In the stem cell organizer of the Arabidopsis thaliana root, the quiescent centre (QC), the WOX5 transcription factor, functions as a central hub in regulating columella stem cell (CSC) homoeostasis. However, the processes mediating WOX5 function are only poorly understood. Here we identify the transcription factor HAN as a central mediator of WOX5-regulated stem cell maintenance. HAN is required for mitotic quiescence of QC and CSC maintenance and is sufficient to induce ectopic stem cells. WOX5 and HAN repress transcription of the differentiation factor gene CDF4 in a coherent feed-forward loop (cFFL), one output of which is the expression of the auxin biosynthesis gene TAA1 and maintenance of auxin response maxima in the organizer. These findings and mathematical modelling provide a mechanistic framework for WOX5 function in the root stem cell niche.
PMID: 39394505
Nat Commun , IF:14.919 , 2024 Oct , V15 (1) : P9352 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53671-x
Seed coat-derived brassinosteroid signaling regulates endosperm development.
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam Science Park, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.; Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.; Laboratoire Reproduction et Developpement des Plantes, Univ. Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, INRIA, 69364, Lyon, France.; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam Science Park, 14476, Potsdam, Germany. figueiredo@mpimp-golm.mpg.de.
An angiosperm seed is formed by the embryo and endosperm, which are direct products of fertilization, and by the maternal seed coat. These tissues communicate with each other to ensure synchronized seed development. After fertilization, auxin produced in the endosperm is exported to the integuments where it drives seed coat formation. Here, we show that the seed coat signals back to the endosperm to promote its proliferation via the steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BR). We show that BR regulate cell wall-related processes in the seed coat and that the biophysical properties of this maternal organ determine the proliferation rate of the endosperm in a manner independent of the timing of its cellularization. We thus propose that maternal BR signaling tunes endosperm proliferation to seed coat expansion.
PMID: 39472566
Microbiome , IF:14.65 , 2024 Oct , V12 (1) : P200 doi: 10.1186/s40168-024-01911-z
Combating wheat yellow mosaic virus through microbial interactions and hormone pathway modulations.
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.; State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. zhanghaoqing@nbu.edu.cn.; Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2753, Australia.; National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.; State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. getida@nbu.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: The rhizosphere microbiome is critical for promoting plant growth and mitigating soil-borne pathogens. However, its role in fighting soil-borne virus-induced diseases, such as wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) transmitted by Polymyxa graminis zoospores, remains largely underexplored. In this study, we hypothesized that during viral infections, plant microbiomes engage in critical interactions with plants, with key microbes playing vital roles in maintaining plant health. Our research aimed to identify microbial taxa that not only suppress the disease but also boost wheat yield by using a blend of techniques, including field surveys, yield assessments, high-throughput sequencing of plant and soil microbiomes, microbial isolation, hydroponic experiments, and transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS: We found that, compared with roots and leaves, the rhizosphere microbiome showed a better performance in predicting wheat yield and the prevalence of P. graminis and WYMV across the three WYMV-impacted regions in China. Using machine learning, we found that healthy rhizospheres were marked with potentially beneficial microorganisms, such as Sphingomonas and Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Parararhizobium-Rhizobium, whereas diseased rhizospheres were associated with a higher prevalence of potential pathogens, such as Bipolaris and Fusicolla. Structural equation modeling showed that these biomarkers both directly and indirectly impacted wheat yield by modulating the rhizosphere microbiome and P. graminis abundance. Upon re-introduction of two key healthy rhizosphere biomarkers, Sphingomonas azotifigens and Rhizobium deserti, into the rhizosphere, wheat growth and health were enhanced. This was attributed to the up-regulation of auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways and the regulation of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid pathways during infections. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study revealed the critical role of the rhizosphere microbiome in combating soil-borne viral diseases, with specific rhizosphere microbes playing key roles in this process. Video Abstract.
PMID: 39407339
Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol , IF:13.827 , 2024 Oct , V40 (1) : P329-352 doi: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-111822-115334
Plant Cell Wall Loosening by Expansins.
Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; email: dcosgrove@psu.edu.
Expansins comprise an ancient group of cell wall proteins ubiquitous in land plants and their algal ancestors. During cell growth, they facilitate passive yielding of the wall's cellulose networks to turgor-generated tensile stresses, without evidence of enzymatic activity. Expansins are also implicated in fruit softening and other developmental processes and in adaptive responses to environmental stresses and pathogens. The major expansin families in plants include alpha-expansins (EXPAs), which act on cellulose-cellulose junctions, and beta-expansins, which can act on xylans. EXPAs mediate acid growth, which contributes to wall enlargement by auxin and other growth agents. The genomes of diverse microbes, including many plant pathogens, also encode expansins designated expansin-like X. Expansins are proposed to disrupt noncovalent bonding between laterally aligned polysaccharides (notably cellulose), facilitating wall loosening for a variety of biological roles.
PMID: 38724021
Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2024 Oct , V17 (10) : P1594-1605 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.; College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong, China. Electronic address: cyli@genetics.ac.cn.; College of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230000, China. Electronic address: Mengsplant@ahau.edu.cn.; College of Life Sciences, College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: wus@fafu.edu.cn.
Plants are frequently exposed to herbivory and mechanical damage that result in wounding. Two fundamental strategies, regeneration and healing, are employed by plants upon wounding. How plants make different decisions and how wound healing is sustained until the damaged tissues recover are not fully understood. In this study, we found that local auxin accumulation patterns, determined by wounding modes, may activate different recovery programs in wounded tissues. Wounding triggers 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 clarify the molecular mechanisms that underlie the prolonged healing process following wounding.
PMID: 39262116
Mol Plant , IF:13.164 , 2024 Oct , V17 (10) : P1573-1593 doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.09.002
The OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module promotes root development and drought resistance 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 for adaptative growth under drought stress. However, few genetic variants that mediate drought resistance in upland rice have been identified, and little is known about the evolution of this trait during rice domestication. In this study, using a genome-wide association study we identified ROOT LENGTH 1 (RoLe1) that controls rice root length and drought resistance. We found that a G-to-T polymorphism in the RoLe1 promoter causes increased binding of the transcription factor OsNAC41 and thereby enhanced expression of RoLe1. We further showed that RoLe1 interacts with OsAGAP, an ARF-GTPase activating protein involved in auxin-dependent root development, and interferes with its function to modulate root development. Interestingly, RoLe1 could enhance crop yield by increasing the seed-setting rate under moderate drought conditions. Genomic evolutionary analysis revealed that a newly arisen favorable allelic variant, proRoLe1(-526T), originated from the midwest Asia and was retained in upland rice during domestication. Collectively, our study identifies an OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module that promotes upland rice root development and drought resistance, providing promising genetic targets for molecular breeding of drought-resistant rice varieties.
PMID: 39228126
Dev Cell , IF:12.27 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.09.026
MCTP controls nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs during lateral root development.
Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds/Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism & Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.; Department of Biological Sciences and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.; Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds/Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address: lu.liu@sjtu.edu.cn.
The plant hormone auxin orchestrates almost all aspects of plant growth and development. AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs (ARFs) control the transcription of auxin-responsive genes, forming cytoplasmic condensates to modulate auxin sensitivity and diversify auxin response regulation. However, the dynamic control of ARF distribution across different subcellular compartments remains largely obscure. Here, we show that three MULTIPLE C2 DOMAIN AND TRANSMEMBRANE REGION PROTEINs (MCTPs), MCTP3, MCTP4, and MCTP6, control ARF nucleocytoplasmic partitioning and determine lateral root development. MCTP3/4/6 are highly expressed in lateral roots and specifically interact with ARF7 and ARF19 to dissolve their cytoplasmic condensates. This promotes ARF nuclear localization in lateral root primordia and enhances auxin signaling during lateral root formation. Our findings confer MCTP as a key switch to modulate auxin responses and outline an MCTP-ARF signaling cascade that is crucial for the establishment of the plant root system.
PMID: 39423818
Dev Cell , IF:12.27 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.09.020
Transport properties of canonical PIN-FORMED proteins from Arabidopsis and the role of the loop domain in auxin transport.
Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.; Proteomics and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85954 Freising, Germany; Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.; Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.; Computational Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.; Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany. Electronic address: ulrich.hammes@tum.de.
The phytohormone auxin is polarly transported in plants by PIN-FORMED (PIN) transporters and controls virtually all growth and developmental processes. Canonical PINs possess a long, largely disordered cytosolic loop. Auxin transport by canonical PINs is activated by loop phosphorylation by certain kinases. The structure of the PIN transmembrane domains was recently determined, their transport properties remained poorly characterized, and the role of the loop in the transport process was unclear. Here, we determined the quantitative kinetic parameters of auxin transport mediated by Arabidopsis PINs to mathematically model auxin distribution in roots and to test these predictions in vivo. Using chimeras between transmembrane and loop domains of different PINs, we demonstrate a strong correlation between transport parameters and physiological output, indicating that the loop domain is not only required to activate PIN-mediated auxin transport, but it has an additional role in the transport process by a currently unknown mechanism.
PMID: 39413780
Dev Cell , IF:12.27 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.09.021
Differential growth is an emergent property of mechanochemical feedback mechanisms in curved plant organs.
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK.; Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.; Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK; Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK; Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: henrik.jonsson@slcu.cam.ac.uk.; Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK. Electronic address: alexander.jones@slcu.cam.ac.uk.
Differential growth is central to eukaryotic morphogenesis. We showed using cellular imaging, simulations, and perturbations that light-induced differential growth in a curved organ, the Arabidopsis thaliana apical hook, emerges from the longitudinal expansion of subepidermal cells, acting in parallel with a differential in the material properties of epidermal cell walls that resist expansion. The greater expansion of inner hook cells that results in apical hook opening is gated by wall alkalinity and auxin, both of which are depleted upon illumination. We further identified mechanochemical feedback from wall mechanics to light stimulated auxin depletion, which may contribute to gating hook opening under mechanical restraint. These results highlight how plant cells coordinate growth among tissue layers by linking mechanics and hormonal gradients with the cell wall remodeling required for differential growth.
PMID: 39378877
Dev Cell , IF:12.27 , 2024 Oct , V59 (20) : P2745-2758.e3 doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.06.019
Factors governing cellular reprogramming competence in Arabidopsis adventitious root formation.
Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Duke Center for Quantitative BioDesign, Durham, NC 27708, USA.; Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Duke Center for Quantitative BioDesign, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: lucia.strader@duke.edu.
Developmental reprogramming allows for flexibility in growth and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. In plants, wounding events can result in new stem cell niches and lateral organs. Adventitious roots develop from aerial parts of the plant and are regulated by multiple stimuli, including wounding. Here, we find that Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings wounded at the hypocotyl-root junction reprogram certain pericycle cells to produce adventitious roots proximal to the wound site. We have determined that competence for this reprogramming is controlled; basal cells close to the wound site can produce adventitious roots, whereas cells distal from the wound site mostly cannot. We found that altering cytokinin response or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-to-(indole-3-acetic acid) IAA conversion resulted in an expanded adventitious root competence zone and delineated the connection between these pathways. Our work highlights the importance of endogenous IBA-derived auxin and its interaction with cytokinin in adventitious root formation and the regenerative properties of plants.
PMID: 39043189
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae280
TYPHON proteins are RAB-dependent mediators of the trans-Golgi network secretory pathway.
Umea Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 87 Umea, Sweden.; Laboratoire de Biogenese Membranaire, UMR5200, Universite de Bordeaux, CNRS, 33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France.; Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan.; Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.; The Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
The trans-Golgi network (TGN), a key compartment in endomembrane trafficking, participates in both secretion to and endocytosis from the plasma membrane. Consequently, the TGN plays a key role in plant growth and development. Understanding how proteins are sorted for secretion or endocytic recycling at the TGN is critical for elucidating mechanisms of plant development. We previously showed that the protein ECHIDNA is essential for phytohormonal control of hypocotyl bending because it mediates secretion of cell wall components and the auxin influx carrier AUXIN RESISTANT 1 (AUX1) from the TGN. Despite the critical role of ECHIDNA in TGN-mediated trafficking, its mode of action remains unknown in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We therefore performed a suppressor screen on the ech mutant. Here, we report the identification of TGN-localized TYPHON 1 (TPN1) and TPN2 proteins. A single amino acid change in either TPN protein causes dominant suppression of the ech mutant's defects in growth and AUX1 secretion, while also restoring wild-type-like ethylene-responsive hypocotyl bending. Importantly, genetic and cell biological evidence shows that TPN1 acts through RAS-ASSOCIATED BINDING H1b (RABH1b), a TGN localized RAB-GTPase. These results provide insights into ECHIDNA-mediated secretory trafficking of cell wall and auxin carriers at the TGN, as well as its role in controlling plant growth.
PMID: 39405432
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae270
The AP2 transcription factor BARE RECEPTACLE regulates floral organogenesis via auxin pathways in woodland strawberry.
National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China.; Shijiazhuang Institute of Pomology, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050061, China.; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
During flower development, different floral organs are formed to ensure fertilization and fruit set. Although the genetic networks underlying flower development are increasingly well understood, less is known about the mechanistic basis in different species. Here, we identified a mutant of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), bare receptacle (bre), which produces flowers with greatly reduced carpels and other floral organs. Genetic analysis revealed that BRE encodes an APETALA2 (AP2) transcription factor. BRE was highly expressed in floral meristems and floral organ primordia. BRE could directly bind the GCC-box motif in the YUCCA (YUC) auxin biosynthesis genes FveYUC4 and FveYUC2 and promote their expression. The yuc4 mutant had fewer floral organs, and the bre yuc4 double mutant had similar numbers of petals and carpels to bre. Auxin homeostasis and distribution were severely disrupted in bre. Although auxin application or FveYUC4 overexpression did not rescue the bre phenotypes, bre was hypersensitive to treatment with the polar auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). In addition, BRE was able to directly bind and regulate the expression of five other auxin pathway genes. Overall, these results demonstrate that BRE is required for floral organogenesis, particularly carpel initiation, and acts through the auxin pathway in strawberry.
PMID: 39367407
Plant Cell , IF:11.277 , 2024 Oct , V36 (10) : P4388-4403 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae184
NIN-LIKE PROTEIN3.2 inhibits repressor Aux/IAA14 expression and enhances root biomass in maize seedlings under low nitrogen.
State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.; Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Plants generally enhance their root growth in the form of greater biomass and/or root length to boost nutrient uptake in response to short-term low nitrogen (LN). However, the underlying mechanisms of short-term LN-mediated root growth remain largely elusive. Our genome-wide association study, haplotype analysis, and phenotyping of transgenic plants showed that the crucial nitrate signaling component NIN-LIKE PROTEIN3.2 (ZmNLP3.2), a positive regulator of root biomass, is associated with natural variations in root biomass of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under LN. The monocot-specific gene AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID14 (ZmAux/IAA14) exhibited opposite expression patterns to ZmNLP3.2 in ZmNLP3.2 knockout and overexpression lines, suggesting that ZmNLP3.2 hampers ZmAux/IAA14 transcription. Importantly, ZmAux/IAA14 knockout seedlings showed a greater root dry weight (RDW), whereas ZmAux/IAA14 overexpression reduced RDW under LN compared with wild-type plants, indicating that ZmAux/IAA14 negatively regulates the RDW of LN-grown seedlings. Moreover, in vitro and vivo assays indicated that AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR19 (ZmARF19) binds to and transcriptionally activates ZmAux/IAA14, which was weakened by the ZmNLP3.2-ZmARF19 interaction. The zmnlp3.2 ZmAux/IAA14-OE seedlings exhibited further reduced RDW compared with ZmAux/IAA14 overexpression lines when subjected to LN treatment, corroborating the ZmNLP3.2-ZmAux/IAA14 interaction. Thus, our study reveals a ZmNLP3.2-ZmARF19-ZmAux/IAA14 module regulating root biomass in response to nitrogen limitation in maize.
PMID: 38917216
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A , IF:11.205 , 2024 Oct , V121 (42) : Pe2320187121 doi: 10.1073/pnas.2320187121
Shade-induced ROS/NO reinforce COP1-mediated diffuse cell growth.
Fundacion Instituto Leloir, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquimicas de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina.; Departamento de Fisiologia, Biologia Molecular y Celular and Consejo de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiologia, Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.; Instituto de Biologiotaa Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientiotaficas, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia 46022, Spain.; Institute of Synthetic Biology and Cluster of Excellence in Plant Sciences, University of Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf 40225, Germany.; Facultades de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales y de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Instituto de Fisiologia Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina.; Facultad de Agronomia, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiologicas y Ecologicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1417, Argentina.
Canopy shade enhances the activity of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs) to boost auxin synthesis in the cotyledons. Auxin, together with local PIFs and their positive regulator CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1), promotes hypocotyl growth to facilitate access to light. Whether shade alters the cellular redox status thereby affecting growth responses, remains unexplored. Here, we show that, under shade, high auxin levels increased reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide accumulation in the hypocotyl of Arabidopsis. This nitroxidative environment favored the promotion of hypocotyl growth by COP1 under shade. We demonstrate that COP1 is S-nitrosylated, particularly under shade. Impairing this redox regulation enhanced COP1 degradation by the proteasome and diminished the capacity of COP1 to interact with target proteins and to promote hypocotyl growth. Disabling this regulation also generated transversal asymmetries in hypocotyl growth, indicating poor coordination among different cells, which resulted in random hypocotyl bending and predictably low ability to compete with neighbors. These findings highlight the significance of redox signaling in the control of diffuse growth during shade avoidance.
PMID: 39382994
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/nph.20180
The t-SNARE protein OsSYP132 is required for vesicle fusion and root morphogenesis in rice.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Ningbo Key Laboratory of Agricultural Germplasm Resources Mining and Environmental Regulation, College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315300, China.; College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China.
Root morphogenesis is crucial for water and nutrient acquisition, but many aspects of root morphogenesis in crops are not well-understood. Here, we cloned and functionally characterized a key gene for root morphogenesis in rice (Oryza sativa) based on mutant analysis. The stop root morphogenesis 1 (srm1) mutant lacks crown roots (CRs) and lateral roots (LRs) and carries a point mutation in the t-SNARE coding gene SYNTAXIN OF PLANTS 132 (OsSYP132), leading to a premature stop codon and ablating the post-transmembrane (PTM) region of OsSYP132. We identified the functional SNARE complex OsSYP132-OsNPSN13-OsSYP71-OsVAMP721/722 and determined that the integrity of the PTM region of OsSYP132 is essential for OsSYP132-based SNARE complex-mediated fusion of OsVAMP721/722 vesicles with the plasma membrane. The loss of this region in srm1 disrupts the intercellular trafficking and plasma membrane localization of OsPIN1b, preventing proper auxin distribution in the primordia of CRs and LRs and inhibiting their outgrowth.
PMID: 39449241
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/nph.20195
Antioxidants by nature: an ancient feature at the heart of flavonoids' multifunctionality.
Institute of Applied Physics 'Carrara' (IFAC), National Research Council of Italy, Via Madonna del Piano 10, I-50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.; Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), National Research Council of Italy, Via Madonna del Piano 10, I-50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Ave Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n-CCS, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.; Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Sciences (DAGRI), University of Florence, Viale delle Idee 30, I-50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
PMID: 39434218
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/nph.20211
Nonphototrophic hypocotyl 3 domain proteins: traffic directors, hitchhikers, or both?
Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
The nonphototrophic hypocotyl 3 (NPH3) domain is plant specific and of unknown function. It is nearly always attached to an N-terminal BTB domain and a largely unstructured C-terminal region. Recent reports revealed NPH3-domain GTPase activity and connection to intracellular trafficking, condensate formation, membrane attachment of the C-terminal region for some NPH3-domain proteins and, at the physiological level, drought-related function for at least one NPH3-domain protein. We integrate these new ideas of NPH3-domain protein function into two, nonexclusive, working models: the 'traffic director' model, whereby NPH3-domain proteins regulate intracellular trafficking and, the 'hitchhiker' model whereby NPH3-domain proteins ride the trafficking system to find ubiquitination targets. Determining which model best applies to uncharacterized NPH3-domain proteins will contribute to understanding intracellular trafficking and environmental responses.
PMID: 39425258
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Nov , V244 (4) : P1408-1421 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 Nov , V244 (4) : P1391-1407 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 Nov , V244 (4) : P1422-1436 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 Nov , V244 (4) : P1597-1615 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 Oct , V244 (2) : P496-510 doi: 10.1111/nph.19959
Actin-bundling protein fimbrin serves as a new auxin biosynthesis orchestrator in Arabidopsis root tips.
Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.; National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China.
Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well-established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored. Using LC-MS/MS-based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots. AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the 'actin cytoskeleton-26S proteasome-YUC8-auxin' axis that controls auxin levels. Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome.
PMID: 39044442
New Phytol , IF:10.151 , 2024 Nov , V244 (3) : P949-961 doi: 10.1111/nph.19967
Tip of the iceberg? Three novel TOPLESS-interacting effectors of the gall-inducing fungus Ustilago maydis.
Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, Bonn, 53115, Germany.; Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna, 1030, Austria.
Ustilago maydis is a biotrophic pathogen causing smut disease in maize. It secretes a cocktail of effector proteins, which target different host proteins during its biotrophic stages in the host plant. One such class of proteins we identified previously is TOPLESS (TPL) and TOPLESS-RELATED (TPR) transcriptional corepressors. Here, we screened 297 U. maydis effector candidates for their ability to interact with maize TPL protein RAMOSA 1 ENHANCER LOCUS 2 LIKE 2 (RELK2) and their ability to induce auxin signaling and thereby identified three novel TPL-interacting protein effectors (Tip6, Tip7, and Tip8). Structural modeling and mutational analysis allowed the identification of TPL-interaction motifs of Tip6 and Tip7. In planta interaction between Tip6 and Tip7 with RELK2 occurs mainly in nuclear compartments, whereas Tip8 colocalizes with RELK2 in a compartment outside the nucleus. Overexpression of Tip8 in nonhost plants leads to cell death, indicating recognition of the effector or its activity. By performing infection assays with single and multideletion mutants of U. maydis, we demonstrate a positive role of Tip6 and Tip7 in U. maydis virulence. Transcriptional profiling of maize leaves infected with Tip effector mutants in comparison with SG200 strain suggests Tip effector activities are not merely redundant.
PMID: 39021059
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 Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae569
The transcription factor TaFDL2-1A functions in auxin metabolism mediated by abscisic acid to regulate shoot growth in wheat.
State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production and College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
Genetic strategies can be effective in improving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) drought stress tolerance, but accumulating evidence suggests that overexpressing drought-resistance genes, especially genes related to the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, can retard plant growth. We previously characterized the positive roles of the wheat bZIP transcription factor TaFD-Like2-1A (TaFDL2-1A) in drought stress tolerance and ABA biosynthesis and response, whereas a dwarfing shoot exhibited under normal conditions. This study determined the underlying mechanisms that allow TaFDL2-1A to affect shoot growth. Overexpressing TaFDL2-1A decreased cell length, cell width, leaf size, shoot length, and biomass in wheat. The results of RNA-seq showed that multiple differently expressed transcripts are enriched in the auxin signaling pathway. Further analysis indicated higher expression levels of Gretchen Hagen3 (GH3) genes and lower indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations in the TaFDL2-1A overexpression lines. Exogenous IAA treatment restored the phenotypes of the TaFDL2-1A overexpression lines to wild-type levels. Transcriptional regulation analysis suggested that TaFDL2-1A enhances the expression of auxin metabolism genes, such as TaGH3.2-3A, TaGH3.2-3B, TaGH3.8-2A, and TaGH3.8-2D, by directly binding to ACGT core cis-elements. Furthermore, tafdl2 knock-out plants had lower expression levels of these GH3 genes and higher IAA levels than Fielder wheat. These GH3 gene expression and IAA levels were induced and reduced in Fielder wheat and tafdl2 knock-out plants treated with exogenous ABA. Our findings elucidate mechanisms underlying the functional redundancy of TaFDL2-1A in the crosstalk between ABA and IAA to affect shoot growth and provide insights into the balance between drought resistance and yield in wheat.
PMID: 39447050
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae550
ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 promotes leaf hyponasty in Arabidopsis by light-mediated auxin signaling.
Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.; Research Institute of Molecular Alchemy, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea.; Department of Life Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.; Department of Industrial Plant Science & Technology, College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea.; Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.; Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 Korea.; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.; Department of Biotechnology and Kumho Life Science Laboratory, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.; Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea.; Anti-aging Bio Cell factory Regional Leading Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea.; Department of Plant Bioscience, Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang 50463, Korea.; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.; Plant Immunity Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.; Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
In plants, balancing growth and environmental responses is crucial for maximizing fitness. Close proximity among plants and canopy shade, which negatively impacts reproduction, elicits morphological adjustments such as hypocotyl growth and leaf hyponasty, mainly through changes in light quality and auxin levels. However, how auxin, synthesized from a shaded leaf blade, distally induces elongation of hypocotyl and petiole cells remains to be elucidated. We demonstrated that ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) promotes leaf hyponasty through the regulation of auxin biosynthesis, polar auxin transport, and auxin signaling genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). AS1 overexpression leads to elongation of the abaxial petiole cells with auxin accumulation in the petiole, resulting in hyponastic growth, which is abolished by the application of an auxin transport inhibitor to the leaf blade. In addition, the as1 mutant exhibits reduced hypocotyl growth under shade conditions. We observed that AS1 protein accumulates in the nucleus in response to shade or far-red light. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis identified the association of AS1 with the promoters of YUCCA8 (YUC8) and INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID INDUCIBLE 19 (IAA19). In addition, AS1 forms complexes with PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs in the nucleus and synergistically induces YUC8 and IAA19 expression. Our findings suggest that AS1 plays a crucial role in facilitating phenotypic plasticity to the surroundings by connecting light and phytohormone action.
PMID: 39418078
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae510
AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 2 mediates repression of strawberry receptacle ripening via auxin-ABA interplay.
College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China.; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China.; State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Institute of Horticulture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a popular, economically important fruit. The ripening of the receptacle (pseudocarp), the main edible part, depends on endogenously produced abscisic acid (ABA) and is suppressed by the high level of auxin produced from achenes (true fruit) during early development. However, the mechanism whereby auxin regulates receptacle ripening through inhibiting ABA biosynthesis remains unclear. Here, we identified AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 2 (FaARF2), which showed decreased expression with reduced auxin content in the receptacle, leading to increased ABA levels and accelerated ripening. Dual-luciferase, yeast one-hybrid, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that FaARF2 could bind to the AuxRE element in the promoter of 9-CIS-EPOXYCAROT-ENOID DIOXYGENASE 1 (FaNCED1), a key ABA biosynthetic gene, to suppress its transcriptional activity. Transiently overexpressing FaARF2 in the receptacles decreased FaNCED1 expression and ABA levels, resulting in inhibition of receptacle ripening and of development of quality attributes, such as pigmentation, aroma, and sweetness. This inhibition caused by overexpressing FaARF2 was partially recovered by the injection of exogenous ABA; conversely, transient silencing of FaARF2 using RNA interference produced the opposite results. The negative targeting of FaNCED1 by FaARF2 is a key link between auxin-ABA interactions and regulation of strawberry ripening.
PMID: 39405162
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae542
The HAT1 transcription factor regulates photomorphogenesis and skotomorphogenesis via phytohormone levels.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P.R.China.; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, P.R.China.
Plants dynamically modulate their growth and development to acclimate to the fluctuating light environment via a complex phytohormone network. However, the dynamic molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying how plants regulate phytohormones during skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis are largely unknown. Here, we identified a HD-ZIP II transcription factor, HOMEODOMAIN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA1 (HAT1), as a key node that modulates the dose effects of brassinosteroids (BR) and auxin on hypocotyl growth during skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis. Compared with the wild-type (Col-0), both HAT1 loss of function and its overexpression led to disrupted photomorphogenic and skotomorphogenic hypocotyl growth. HAT1 overexpression (HAT1OX) plants displayed longer hypocotyls in the light but shorter hypocotyls in darkness, whereas the triple mutant hat1hat2hat3 showed the opposite phenotype. Furthermore, we found that CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) interacted with dephosphorylated HAT1 and facilitated the degradation of HAT1 by ubiquitination in darkness, while HAT1 was phosphorylated and stabilized by BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2) in the light. Interestingly, we observed distinct dose-dependent effects of BR and auxin on hypocotyl elongation under varying light conditions and that HAT1 functioned as a key node in this process. The shorter hypocotyl of HAT1OX in darkness was due to the inhibition of BR biosynthetic gene BRASSINOSTEROID-6-OXIDASE2 (BR6OX2) expression to reduce BRs content, while brassinolide (BL) treatment alleviated this growth repression. In the light, HAT1 inhibited BR biosynthesis but enhanced auxin signaling by directly repressing IAA3/SHORT HYPOCOTYL 2 (SHY2) expression. Our findings uncover a dual function of HAT1 in regulating BR biosynthesis and auxin signaling that is crucial for ensuring proper skotomorphogenic and photomorphogenic growth.
PMID: 39404113
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae540
CLAVATA3 INSENSITIVE RECEPTOR KINASEs regulate lateral root initiation and spacing in Arabidopsis.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
The root system architecture is very critical for plants to adapt to ever-changing environmental stimulations and is largely affected by lateral roots (LRs). Therefore, how plants regulate LR initiation and spacing is a key point for root system development. Previous studies have shown that RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 7 (RLK7) and its ligand TARGET OF LBD SIXTEEN 2 (TOLS2) control the initiation and spacing of LRs. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the perception and transduction of the TOLS2 signal by RLK7 remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explored whether CLAVATA3 INSENSITIVE RECEPTOR KINASEs (CIKs) are critical signaling components during Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) LR development by investigating phenotypes of cik mutants and examining interactions between CIKs and members of the RLK7-mediated signaling pathway. Our results showed that high-order cik mutants generated more LRs because of more LR initiation and defective LR spacing. The cik mutants showed reduced sensitivity to applied TOLS2 peptides. TOLS2 application enhanced the interactions between CIKs and RLK7 and the RLK7-dependent phosphorylation of CIKs. In addition, overexpression of transcription factor PUCHI and constitutive activation of MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE KINASE 4 (MKK4) and MKK5 partially rescued the spacing defects of LRs in cik and rlk7-3 mutants. Moreover, we discovered that auxin maximum in pericycle cells altered subcellular localization of CIKs to determine lateral root founder cells. These findings revealed that CIKs and RLK7 function together to perceive the TOLS2 signal and regulate LR initiation and spacing through the MKK4/5-MPK3/6-PUCHI cascade.
PMID: 39387495
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P916-930 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae422
A microRNA396b-growth regulating factor module controls castor seed size by mediating auxin synthesis.
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.; The Center for Basic Forestry Research, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P. R. China.; Tongliao Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tongliao 028015, China.; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an importance crop cultivated for its oil and economic value. Seed size is a crucial factor that determines crop yield. Gaining insight into the molecular regulatory processes of seed development is essential for the genetic enhancement and molecular breeding of castor. Here, we successfully fine-mapped a major QTL related to seed size, qSS3, to a 180 kb interval on chromosome 03 using F2 populations (DL01xWH11). A 17.6-kb structural variation (SV) was detected through genomic comparison between DL01 and WH11. Analysis of haplotypes showed that the existence of the complete 17.6 kb structural variant may lead to the small seed characteristic in castor. In addition, we found that qSS3 contains the microRNA396b (miR396b) sequence, which is situated within the 17.6 kb SV. The results of our experiment offer additional evidence that miR396-Growth Regulating Factor 4 (GRF4) controls seed size by impacting the growth and multiplication of seed coat and endosperm cells. Furthermore, we found that RcGRF4 activates the expression of YUCCA6 (YUC6), facilitating the production of IAA in seeds and thereby impacting the growth of castor seeds. Our research has discovered a crucial functional module that controls seed size, offering a fresh understanding of the mechanism underlying seed size regulation in castor.
PMID: 39140314
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P1659-1673 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae405
Exogenous application of the apocarotenoid retinaldehyde negatively regulates auxin-mediated root growth.
Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.; Advanced Instrumental Analysis Center, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya 320-8551, Japan.; Department of Biosciences, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya 320-8551, Japan.; Department of Bioscience, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 700-0005, Japan.; Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.; Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan.; Division of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
Root development is essential for plant survival. The lack of carotenoid biosynthesis in the phytoene desaturase 3 (pds3) mutant results in short primary roots (PRs) and reduced lateral root formation. In this study, we showed that short-term inhibition of PDS by fluridone suppresses PR growth in wild type, but to a lesser extent in auxin mutants of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Such an inhibition of PDS activity increased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid levels, promoted auxin signaling, and partially complemented the PR growth of an auxin-deficient mutant, the YUCCA 3 5 7 8 9 quadruple mutant (yucQ). The exogenous application of retinaldehyde (retinal), an apocarotenoid derived from beta-carotene, complemented the fluridone-induced suppression of root growth, as well as the short roots of the pds3 mutant. Retinal also partially complemented the auxin-induced suppression of root growth. These results suggest that retinal may play a role in regulating root growth by modulating endogenous auxin levels.
PMID: 39117340
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P1562-1578 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae370
Cell wall integrity modulates HOOKLESS1 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 expression controlling apical hook formation.
Dipartimento di Biologia e biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Universita di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy.; Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umea, Sweden.; IRBV, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Montreal, QC H1X 2B2 Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, CZ-77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic.; Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CB2 1LR Cambridge, UK.; Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Plant Physiology, Umea University, 901 87 Umea, Sweden.
Formation of the apical hook in etiolated dicot seedlings results from differential growth in the hypocotyl apex and is tightly controlled by environmental cues and hormones, among which auxin and gibberellins (GAs) play an important role. Cell expansion is tightly regulated by the cell wall, but whether and how feedback from this structure contributes to hook development are still unclear. Here, we show that etiolated seedlings of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) quasimodo2-1 (qua2) mutant, defective in pectin biosynthesis, display severe defects in apical hook formation and maintenance, accompanied by loss of asymmetric auxin maxima and differential cell expansion. Moreover, qua2 seedlings show reduced expression of HOOKLESS1 (HLS1) and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4), which are positive regulators of hook formation. Treatment of wild-type seedlings with the cellulose inhibitor isoxaben (isx) also prevents hook development and represses HLS1 and PIF4 expression. Exogenous GAs, loss of DELLA proteins, or HLS1 overexpression partially restore hook development in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. Interestingly, increased agar concentration in the medium restores, both in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings, hook formation, asymmetric auxin maxima, and PIF4 and HLS1 expression. Analyses of plants expressing a Forster resonance energy transfer-based GA sensor indicate that isx reduces accumulation of GAs in the apical hook region in a turgor-dependent manner. Lack of the cell wall integrity sensor THESEUS 1, which modulates turgor loss point, restores hook formation in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. We propose that turgor-dependent signals link changes in cell wall integrity to the PIF4-HLS1 signaling module to control differential cell elongation during hook formation.
PMID: 38976579
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P667-669 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae334
Of attachment and connection: Auxin signaling in the cambium promotes successful plant grafting.
Assistant Features Editor, Plant Physiology, American Society of Plant Biologists.; Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines.
PMID: 38865436
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P1475-1488 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae322
TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 regulates high-intensity blue light-induced phototropism by reducing CRYPTOCHROME1 levels.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.; College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang 473061, Henan, China.
The asymmetrical distribution of auxin supports high intensity blue light (HBL)-mediated phototropism. Flavonoids, secondary metabolites induced by blue light and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1), alter auxin transport. However, the role of TTG1 in HBL-induced phototropism in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) remains unclear. We found that TTG1 regulates HBL-mediated phototropism. HBL-induced degradation of CRYPTOCHROME 1 (CRY1) was repressed in ttg1-1, and depletion of CRY1 rescued the phototropic defects of the ttg1-1 mutant. Moreover, overexpression of CRY1 in a cry1 mutant background led to phototropic defects in response to HBL. These results indicated that CRY1 is involved in the regulation of TTG1-mediated phototropism in response to HBL. Further investigation showed that TTG1 physically interacts with CRY1 via its N-terminus and that the added TTG1 promotes the dimerization of CRY1. The interaction between TTG1 and CRY1 may promote HBL-mediated degradation of CRY1. TTG1 also physically interacted with blue light inhibitor of cryptochrome 1 (BIC1) and Light-Response Bric-a-Brack/Tramtrack/Broad 2 (LRB2), and these interactions either inhibited or promoted their interaction with CRY1. Exogenous gibberellins (GA) and auxins, two key plant hormones that crosstalk with CRY1, may confer the recovery of phototropic defects in the ttg1-1 mutant and CRY1-overexpressing plants. Our results revealed that TTG1 participates in the regulation of HBL-induced phototropism by modulating CRY1 levels, which are coordinated with GA or IAA signaling.
PMID: 38833579
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P1460-1474 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae301
A network comprising ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5, microRNA397b, and auxin-associated factors regulates root hair growth in Arabidopsis.
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.; Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) P.O. CIMAP, Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, Lucknow, 226015, India.; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) is a major light-associated transcription factor involved in plant growth and development. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the role of HY5 is very well defined in regulating primary root growth and lateral root formation; however, information regarding its role in root hair development is still lacking, and little is known about the genetic pathways regulating this process. In this study, we investigated the role of HY5 and its associated components in root hair development. Detailed analysis of root hair phenotype in wild-type and light signaling mutants under light and dark conditions revealed the importance of light-dependent HY5-mediated root hair initiation. Altered auxin levels in the root apex of the hy5 mutant and interaction of HY5 with promoters of root hair developmental genes were responsible for differential expression of root hair developmental genes and phenotype in the hy5 mutant. The partial complementation of root hair in the hy5 mutant after external supplementation of auxin and regaining of root hair in PIN-FORMED 2 and PIN-FORMED 2 mutants after grafting suggested that the auxin-mediated root hair development pathway requires HY5. Furthermore, miR397b overexpression (miR397bOX) and CRISPR/Cas9-based mutants (miR397bCR) indicated miR397b targets genes encoding reduced residual arabinose (RRA1/RRA2), which in turn regulate root hair growth. The regulation of the miR397b-(RRA1/RRA2) module by HY5 demonstrated its indirect role by targeting root hair cell wall genes. Together, this study demonstrated that HY5 controls root hair development by integrating auxin signaling and other miRNA-mediated pathways.
PMID: 38820143
Plant Physiol , IF:8.34 , 2024 Oct , V196 (2) : P754-762 doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiae257
Auxin signaling in the cambium promotes tissue adhesion and vascular formation during Arabidopsis graft healing.
Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls grand 1, 765 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
The strong ability of plants to regenerate wounds is exemplified by grafting when two plants are cut and joined together to grow as one. During graft healing, tissues attach, cells proliferate, and the vasculatures connect to form a graft union. The plant hormone auxin plays a central role, and auxin-related mutants perturb grafting success. Here, we investigated the role of individual cell types and their response to auxin during Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) graft formation. By employing a cell-specific inducible misexpression system, we blocked auxin response in individual cell types using the bodenlos mutation. We found that auxin signaling in procambial tissues was critical for successful tissue attachment and vascular differentiation. In addition, we found that auxin signaling was required for cell divisions of the procambial cells during graft formation. Loss of function mutants in cambial pathways also perturbed attachment and phloem reconnection. We propose that cambial and procambial tissues drive tissue attachment and vascular differentiation during successful grafting. Our study thus refines our knowledge of graft development and furthers our understanding of the regenerative role of the cambium.
PMID: 38701036
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
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
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/pce.15210
Integrated Metabolomic, Lipidomic and Proteomic Analysis Define the Metabolic Changes Occurring in Curled Areas in Leaves With Leaf Peach Curl Disease.
Centro de Estudios Fotosinteticos y Bioquimicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmaceuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.; Estacion Experimental San Pedro, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA), San Pedro, Argentina.; School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.; Max-Planck-Institut fur Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
Peach Leaf Curl Disease, caused by Taphrina deformans, is characterized by reddish hypertrophic and hyperplasic leaf areas. To comprehend the biochemical imbalances caused by the fungus, dissected symptomatic (C) and asymptomatic areas (N) from leaves with increasing disease extension were analyzed by an integrated approach including metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, and complementary biochemical techniques. Drastic metabolic differences were identified in C areas with respect to either N areas or healthy leaves, including altered chloroplastic functioning and composition, which differs from the typical senescence process. In C areas, alteration in redox-homoeostasis proteins and in triacylglycerols content, peroxidation and double bond index were observed. Proteomic data revealed induction of host enzymes involved in auxin and jasmonate biosynthesis and an upregulation of phenylpropanoid and mevalonate pathways and downregulation of the plastidic methylerythritol phosphate route. Amino acid pools were affected, with upregulation of proteins involved in asparagine synthesis. Curled areas exhibited a metabolic shift towards functioning as a sink tissue importing sugars, probably from N areas, and producing energy through fermentation and respiration and reductive power via the pentose phosphate route. Identifying the metabolic disturbances leading to disease symptoms is a key step in designing strategies to prevent or delay the progression of the disease.
PMID: 39420723
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/pce.15202
RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED Has Both Canonical and Noncanonical Regulatory Functions During Thermo-Morphogenic Responses in Arabidopsis Seedlings.
Institute of Plant Biology, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.; Doctoral School in Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.; Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.; Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK.; Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Warm temperatures accelerate plant growth, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show that increasing the temperature from 22 degrees C to 28 degrees C rapidly activates proliferation in the apical shoot and root meristems of wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings. We found that one of the central regulators of cell proliferation, the cell cycle inhibitor RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR), is suppressed by warm temperatures. RBR became hyper-phosphorylated at a conserved CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE (CDK) site in young seedlings growing at 28 degrees C, in parallel with the stimulation of the expressions of the regulatory CYCLIN D/A subunits of CDK(s). Interestingly, while under warm temperatures ectopic RBR slowed down the acceleration of cell proliferation, it triggered elongation growth of post-mitotic cells in the hypocotyl. In agreement, the central regulatory genes of thermomorphogenic response, including PIF4 and PIF7, as well as their downstream auxin biosynthetic YUCCA genes (YUC1-2 and YUC8-9) were all up-regulated in the ectopic RBR expressing line but down-regulated in a mutant line with reduced RBR level. We suggest that RBR has both canonical and non-canonical functions under warm temperatures to control proliferative and elongation growth, respectively.
PMID: 39420660
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/pce.15203
Peptide Signals Regulate Nitrogen Deficiency Adaptation of Dicotyledonous Model Plants.
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, Center of Plant Science, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 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, Shanghai, China.
Nitrogen is a crucial macroelement essential for plant growth and development. In Arabidopsis Thaliana, classical phytohormones such as auxin and cytokinin orchestrate local and systemic signalling networks coordinate plant growth and development in response to nitrogen deficiency. Nowadays, emerging signalling pathways involving small peptides like CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDINGR REGION (CLE) and C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) and their corresponding kinase receptors, also regulate Arabidopsis' adaptation to nitrogen scarcity. Unlike Arabidopsis, which adapts to nitrogen deficiency by changing root development, legumes have the unique ability to form nitrogen-fixing root nodules through symbiotic interactions with soil rhizobia. During the symbiotic nodulation in Medicago, CLE and CEP peptides and their receptors consist of an autoregulatory network governing the number of nodules in accordance with the soil nitrogen level. Additionally, other plant peptides, such as phytosulfokine (PSK) and root meristem growth factors (RGF), have been identified as new regulators of leguminous root nodule development under nitrogen-limited condition. However, the precise mechanism by which these peptides coordinate nitrogen deficiency response and the development of nitrogen-fixing organs remains to be fully elucidated. This review summarises the adaptive strategies of dicotyledons to nitrogen deficiency, with a particular focus on the regulation of Medicago nitrogen-fixing nodule development by the peptides.
PMID: 39420598
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/pce.15176
Jasmonates Regulate Auxin-Mediated Root Growth Inhibition in Response to Rhizospheric pH in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Department of Agribiotechnology, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India.
Rhizospheric pH, an important environmental cue, severely impacts plant growth and fitness, therefore, has emerged as a major determinant of crop productivity. Despite numerous attempts, the key questions related to plants response against rhizospheric pH remains largely elusive. The present study provides a mechanistic framework for rhizospheric pH-mediated root growth inhibition (RGI). Utilizing various genetic resources combined with pharmacological agents and high-resolution confocal microscopy, the study provides direct evidence for the involvement of jasmonates and auxin in rhizospheric pH-mediated RGI. We show that auxin maxima at root tip is tightly regulated by the rhizospheric pH. In contrast, jasmonates (JAs) abundance inversely correlates with rhizospheric pH. Furthermore, JA-mediated regulation of auxin maxima through GRETCHEN HAGEN 3 (GH3) family genes explains the pattern of RGI observed over the range of rhizospheric pH. Our findings revealed auxin as the key regulator of RGI during severe pH conditions, while JAs antagonistically regulate auxin response against rhizospheric pH.
PMID: 39350742
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Nov , V47 (11) : P4398-4415 doi: 10.1111/pce.15031
Glycosylation mode of phloretin affects the morphology and stress resistance of apple plant.
State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Phloretin has different glycosylation modes in plants. Phlorizin (phloretin 2'-O-glucoside) is one of the glycosylation products of phloretin, and accumulates abundantly in apple plants. However, it is still unclear whether phlorizin is more beneficial for apple plants compared with other glycosylation products of phloretin. We created transgenic apple plants with different glycosylation modes of phloretin. In transgenic plants, the accumulation of phlorizin was partly replaced by that of trilobatin (phloretin 4'-O-glucoside) or phloretin 3',5'-di-C-glycoside. Compared with wild type, transgenic plants with less phlorizin showed dwarf phenotype, larger stomatal size, higher stomatal density and less tolerance to drought stress. Transcriptome and phytohormones assay indicate that phlorizin might regulate stomatal development and behaviour via controlling auxin and abscisic acid signalling pathways as well as carbonic anhydrase expressions. Transgenic apple plants with less phlorizin also showed less resistance to spider mites. Apple plants may hydrolyse phlorizin to produce phloretin, but cannot hydrolyse trilobatin or phloretin 3',5'-di-C-glycoside. Compared with its glycosylation products, phloretin is more toxic to spider mites. These results suggest that the glycosylation of phloretin to produce phlorizin is the optimal glycosylation mode in apple plants, and plays an important role in apple resistance to stresses.
PMID: 38995178
Plant Cell Environ , IF:7.228 , 2024 Nov , V47 (11) : P4323-4336 doi: 10.1111/pce.15027
A molecular module connects abscisic acid with auxin signals to facilitate seasonal wood formation in Populus.
Yuelushan Laboratory, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.; Key Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Perennial trees have a recurring annual cycle of wood formation in response to environmental fluctuations. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate the seasonal formation of wood remain poorly understood. Our prior study indicates that VCM1 and VCM2 play a vital role in regulating the activity of the vascular cambium by controlling the auxin homoeostasis of the cambium zone in Populus. This study indicates that abscisic acid (ABA) affects the expression of VCM1 and VCM2, which display seasonal fluctuations in relation to photoperiod changes. ABA-responsive transcription factors AREB4 and AREB13, which are predominantly expressed in stem secondary vascular tissue, bind to VCM1 and VCM2 promoters to induce their expression. Seasonal changes in the photoperiod affect the ABA amount, which is linked to auxin-regulated cambium activity via the functions of VCM1 and VCM2. Thus, the study reveals that AREB4/AREB13-VCM1/VCM2-PIN5b acts as a molecular module connecting ABA and auxin signals to control vascular cambium activity in seasonal wood formation.
PMID: 38963121
Microbiol Spectr , IF:7.171 , 2024 Oct , V12 (10) : Pe0071224 doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00712-24
Unveiling the multifaceted potential of Pseudomonas khavaziana strain SR9: a promising biocontrol agent for wheat crown rot.
State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China.; Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin, College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China.; State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China.
Fusarium pseudograminearum, a soil-borne fungus, is the cause of the devastating wheat disease known as wheat crown rot (WCR). The persistence of this pathogen in the soil and crop residues contributes to the increased occurrence and severity of WCR. Therefore, developing effective strategies to prevent and manage WCR is of great importance. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain, designated as SR9, from the stem of wheat, that exhibited potent antagonistic effects against F. pseudograminearum, as well as the biocontrol efficacy of SR9 on WCR was quantified at 83.99% +/- 0.11%. We identified SR9 as Pseudomonas khavaziana and demonstrated its potential as a plant probiotic. SR9 displayed broad-spectrum antagonism against other fungal pathogens, including Neurospora dictyophora, Botrytis californica, and Botryosphaeria dothidea. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that SR9 harbored genes encoding various cell wall-degrading enzymes, cellulases, and lipases, along with antifungal metabolites, which are responsible for its antagonistic activity. Gene knockout and quantitative PCR analyses reveal that phenazine is the essential factor for antagonism. SR9 possessed genes related to auxin synthesis, flagellar biosynthesis, biofilm adhesion, and the chemotaxis system, which play pivotal roles in plant colonization and growth promotion; we also evaluated the effects of SR9 on plant growth in wheat and Arabidopsis. Our findings strongly suggest that SR9 holds great promise as a biocontrol agent for WCR in sustainable agriculture.IMPORTANCEThe escalating prevalence of wheat crown rot, primarily attributed to Fusarium pseudograminearum, necessitates the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly biocontrol strategies. While plant endophytes are recognized for their biocontrol potential, reports on effective strains targeting wheat crown rot are sparse. This study introduces the Pseudomonas khavaziana SR9 strain as an efficacious antagonist to the wheat crown rot pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum. Demonstrating a significant reduction in wheat crown rot incidence and notable plant growth promotion, SR9 emerges as a key contributor to plant health and agricultural sustainability. Our study outlines a biological approach to tackle wheat crown rot, establishing a groundwork for innovative sustainable agricultural practices.
PMID: 39162535
J Integr Plant Biol , IF:7.061 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/jipb.13786
The OsMAPK5-OsWRKY72 module negatively regulates grain length and grain weight in rice.
Marine and Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.; National Rice Engineering Laboratory of China, Rice Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, China.; College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.; College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Grain size and grain weight are important determinants for grain yield. In this study, we identify a novel OsMAPK5-OsWRKY72 module that negatively regulates grain length and grain weight in rice. We found that loss-of-function of OsMAPK5 leads to larger cell size of the rice spikelet hulls and a significant increase in both grain length and grain weight in an indica variety Minghui 86 (MH86). OsMAPK5 interacts with OsMAPKK3/4/5 and OsWRKY72 and phosphorylates OsWRKY72 at T86 and S88. Similar to the osmapk5 MH86 mutants, the oswrky72 knockout MH86 mutants exhibited larger size of spikelet hull cells and increased grain length and grain weight, whereas the OsWRKY72-overexpression MH86 plants showed opposite phenotypes. OsWRKY72 targets the W-box motifs in the promoter of OsARF6, an auxin response factor involved in auxin signaling. Dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that OsWRKY72 activates OsARF6 expression. The activation effect of the phosphorylation-mimicking OsWRKY72(T86D/S88D) on OsARF6 expression was significantly enhanced, whereas the effects of the OsWRKY72 phosphorylation-null mutants were significantly reduced. In addition, auxin levels in young panicles of the osmapk5 and oswrky72 mutants were significantly higher than that in the wild-type MH86. Collectively, our study uncovered novel connections of the OsMAPKK3/4/5-OsMAPK5-mediated MAPK signaling, OsWRKY72-mediated transcription regulation, and OsARF6-mediated auxin signaling pathways in regulating grain length and grain weight in an indica-type rice, providing promising targets for molecular breeding of rice varieties with high yield and quality.
PMID: 39474750
J Integr Plant Biol , IF:7.061 , 2024 Oct , V66 (10) : P2158-2174 doi: 10.1111/jipb.13749
A QTL GN1.1, encoding FT-L1, regulates grain number and yield by modulating polar auxin transport in rice.
National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China.; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
Rice grain number is a crucial agronomic trait impacting yield. In this study, we characterized a quantitative trait locus (QTL), GRAIN NUMBER 1.1 (GN1.1), which encodes a Flowering Locus T-like1 (FT-L1) protein and acts as a negative regulator of grain number in rice. The elite allele GN1.1(B), derived from the Oryza indica variety, BF3-104, exhibits a 14.6% increase in grain yield compared with the O. japonica variety, Nipponbare, based on plot yield tests. We demonstrated that GN1.1 interacted with and enhanced the stability of ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)-GTPase-activating protein (Gap), OsZAC. Loss of function of OsZAC results in increased grain number. Based on our data, we propose that GN1.1(B) facilitates the elevation of auxin content in young rice panicles by affecting polar auxin transport (PAT) through interaction with OsZAC. Our study unveils the pivotal role of the GN1.1 locus in rice panicle development and presents a novel, promising allele for enhancing rice grain yield through genetic improvement.
PMID: 39083298
J Integr Plant Biol , IF:7.061 , 2024 Oct , V66 (10) : P2109-2125 doi: 10.1111/jipb.13745
Simultaneous mutations in ITPK4 and MRP5 genes result in a low phytic acid level without compromising salt tolerance in Arabidopsis.
Key Laboratory of Plant Design, National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.; Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572024, China.
Generation of crops with low phytic acid (myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (InsP(6))) is an important breeding direction, but such plants often display less desirable agronomic traits. In this study, through ethyl methanesulfonate-mediated mutagenesis, we found that inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate 5/6-kinase 4 (ITPK4), which is essential for producing InsP(6), is a critical regulator of salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Loss of function of ITPK4 gene leads to reduced root elongation under salt stress, which is primarily because of decreased root meristem length and reduced meristematic cell number. The itpk4 mutation also results in increased root hair density and increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species during salt exposure. RNA sequencing assay reveals that several auxin-responsive genes are down-regulated in the itpk4-1 mutant compared to the wild-type. Consistently, the itpk4-1 mutant exhibits a reduced auxin level in the root tip and displays compromised gravity response, indicating that ITPK4 is involved in the regulation of the auxin signaling pathway. Through suppressor screening, it was found that mutation of Multidrug Resistance Protein 5 (MRP5)5 gene, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter required for transporting InsP(6) from the cytoplasm into the vacuole, fully rescues the salt hypersensitivity of the itpk4-1 mutant, but in the itpk4-1 mrp5 double mutant, InsP(6) remains at a very low level. These results imply that InsP(6) homeostasis rather than its overall amount is beneficial for stress tolerance in plants. Collectively, this study uncovers a pair of gene mutations that confer low InsP(6) content without impacting stress tolerance, which offers a new strategy for creating "low-phytate" crops.
PMID: 39031490
Int J Biol Macromol , IF:6.953 , 2024 Oct , V282 (Pt 2) : P136850 doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136850
PpERF-CRF3 selected by transcriptomic analysis plays key roles in the regulation of ABA alleviating chilling injury in peach fruit.
Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.; Institute of Agro-products Storage and Processing & Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Processing and Preservation of Agricultural Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China. Electronic address: jyshi@sdau.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China. Electronic address: zunyangsong@sdau.edu.cn.
Abscisic acid (ABA) is widely utilized to mitigate chilling injury (CI) of fruit. However, the molecular mechanism of ABA alleviates CI in peach fruit remain unclear. Herein, 10(-4) M ABA treatment significantly mitigated the CI of peach fruit by reducing relative conductivity and malondialdehyde content, while increasing proline and endogenous ABA content. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that an abundant number of differentially expressed genes were altered by ABA treatment, which primarily enriched pathways such as plant hormone signal transduction, glycerophospholipid metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. RNA-Seq results indicate that ABA modulates the transcription of genes involved in auxin, ABA and ethylene signal transduction, as well as in cell wall degradation, antioxidant, fatty acid desaturation and proline metabolism. RT-qPCR confirmed the RNA-Seq results, ABA treatment induced the transcription of proline metabolism related genes (PpP5CR2, PpP5CS, PpP5CS1) and PpERF-CRF3. Particularly noteworthy, as a nuclear protein, PpERF-CRF3 activated the expression of PpP5CR2 and PpP5CS by directly binding to their promoters and over-expression PpERF-CRF3 increased proline content and enhanced PpP5CR2 and PpP5CS expression. Overall, these findings suggest that ABA mitigates CI in peach fruit may be by mediating these pathways, and PpERF-CRF3 potentially involves this process by stimulating the expression of genes related to proline synthesis.
PMID: 39461629
Int J Biol Macromol , IF:6.953 , 2024 Nov , V279 (Pt 2) : P135234 doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135234
Role of auxin and gibberellin under low light in enhancing saffron corm starch degradation during sprouting.
State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China; College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China.; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China; College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: peixjin@163.com.; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China; College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: mayuntong06@163.com.; Innovative institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: binjiexu@outlook.com.
The mechanisms by which low light accelerates starch macromolecules degradation by auxin and gibberellin (GA) in geophytes during sprouting remain largely unknown. This study investigated these mechanisms in saffron, grown under low light (50 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) and optimal light (200 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) during the sprouting phase. Low light reduced starch concentration in corms by 34.0 % and increased significantly sucrose levels in corms, leaves, and leaf sheaths by 19.2 %, 9.8 %, and 134.5 %, respectively. This was associated with a 33.3 % increase in GA(3) level and enhanced auxin signaling. Leaves synthesized IAA under low light, which was transported to the corms to promote GA synthesis, facilitating starch degradation through a 228.7 % increase in amylase activity. Exogenous applications of GA and IAA, as well as the use of their synthesis or transport inhibitors, confirmed the synergistic role of these phytohormones in starch metabolism. The unigenes associated with GA biosynthesis and auxin signaling were upregulated under low light, highlighting the IAA-GA module role in starch degradation. Moreover, increased respiration rate and invertase activity, crucial for ATP biosynthesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were consistent with the upregulation of related unigenes, suggesting that auxin signaling accelerates starch degradation by promoting energy metabolism. Upregulated of auxin signaling (CsSAUR32) and starch metabolism (CsSnRK1) genes under low light suggests that auxin directly regulate starch degradation in saffron corms. This study elucidates that low light modulates auxin and GA interactions to accelerate starch degradation in saffron corms during sprouting, offering insights for optimizing agricultural practices under suboptimal light conditions.
PMID: 39218189
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 Oct , V11 (10) : Puhae209 doi: 10.1093/hr/uhae209
Auxin response factors: important keys for understanding regulatory mechanisms of fleshy fruit development and ripening.
State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, No.100, East Daxue Road, Xixiangtang District, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China.; State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, No. 866, Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310058, China.; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, No. 866, Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310058, China.; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, No. 866, Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310058, China.; Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Auxin response transcription factors (ARFs) form a large gene family, many of whose members operate at the final step of the auxin signaling pathway. ARFs participate directly in many aspects of plant growth and development. Here we summarize recent advances in understanding the roles of ARFs in regulating aspects of fleshy fruit development and ripening. ARFs play a crucial role in regulating fruit size, color, nutrients, texture, yield, and other properties that ultimately influence the ripening and quality of important crops such as tomato, apple, strawberry, and peach. ARFs impact these processes acting as positive, negative, or bidirectional regulators via phytohormone-dependent or -independent mechanisms. In the phytohormone-dependent pathway, ARFs act as a central hub linking interactions with multiple phytohormones generating diverse effects. The three domains within ARFs, namely the DNA-binding domain, the middle region, and the carboxy-terminal dimerization domain, exhibit distinct yet overlapping functions, contributing to a range of mechanisms mediated by ARFs. These findings not only provide a profound understanding of ARF functions, but also raise new questions. Further exploration can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of fleshy fruit development and ripening mediated by ARFs.
PMID: 39372288
J Environ Manage , IF:6.789 , 2024 Oct , V371 : P123075 doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123075
Fostering climate-resilient agriculture with ACC-deaminase producing rhizobacterial biostimulants from the cold deserts of the Indian Himalayas.
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India. Electronic address: gal_arvind@yahoo.co.in.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, NT 0870, Australia.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India; Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 144 004, India.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India; Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Kapurthala, 144 601, India.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India; Department of Microbiology, School of Biosciences, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, 147 301, Punjab, India.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India; Department of Biotechnology, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, Mohali- 140307, India.; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India.; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Himachal Pradesh Agriculture, Bajaura, 175 121, Himachal Pradesh, India.; CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Climate change is one of the most significant threats to agricultural productivity, which necessitates a need for more resilient and sustainable farming practices. Rhizobacterial biostimulants that secrete 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and enhance crop resilience and yield can serve as a potential sustainable solution. The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of ACC-deaminase producing rhizobacteria (ACCD) isolated from cold deserts of the Indian trans-Himalayas and their efficacy to improve crop resilience and productivity under diverse climatic conditions. Thirty four efficient ACCD showed ACC deaminase activity ranging from 4.9 to 24484.3 nM alpha-ketobutyrate/h/mg/protein. These strains also exhibited broad-spectrum plant growth promotion (PGP) attributes, including tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) solubilization ranging from 2.4 to 687.5 mug/ml, siderophore production ranging from 62 to 224% and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-like auxin production ranging from 0.9 to 88.2 mug/ml. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of efficient strains showed their belonging to 10 genera, including Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Cellulomonas, Enterobacter, Microbacterium, Neomicrococcus, Priestia, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobium. Among these, Pseudomonas was the dominant genus with high ACC-deaminase activity and multiple PGP traits. These strains also showed growth under various stressed culture conditions, including acidity/alkalinity, different temperatures, desiccation, and salinity. Field applications of 4 efficient and stress-tolerant ACCD, including Pseudomonas geniculata, P. migulae, Priestia aryabhattai, and Rhizobium nepotum with reduced NPK dose under two different temperate climate conditions showed a significant improvement in growth and productivity of crops such as garlic, pea, potato, and wheat in slightly acidic soils and maize in saline-sodic alkaline soils. These findings indicated the broad-spectrum potential of these efficient and stress-tolerant ACCD strains to improve plant growth and productivity across diverse soil types and climatic conditions.
PMID: 39471599
mSystems , IF:6.496 , 2024 Oct , V9 (10) : 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 Nov , V120 (3) : P855-856 doi: 10.1111/tpj.17118
Exit control: the role of Arabidopsis hydathodes in auxin storage and nutrient recovery.
PMID: 39476242
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/tpj.17083
GhGRF4/GhARF2-GhGASA24 module regulates fiber cell wall thickness by modulating cellulose biosynthesis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).
State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China.; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China.; Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.; School of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, China.; National Supercomputing Center in Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Fiber elongation rate is an essential characteristic of cotton fiber in the textile industry, yet it has been largely overlooked in genetic studies. Gibberellins (GAs) and auxin (IAA) are recognized for their role in directing numerous developmental processes in plants by influencing cell differentiation and elongation. However, the degree to which GA-IAA interaction governs cellular elongation in cotton fiber cells remains to be fully understood. In this study, we identified a causal gene, Gibberellic Acid-Stimulated in Arabidopsis 24 (GhGASA24), that appears to be responsible for fiber elongation rate via regulating fiber cell wall thickness. Subsequent experiments revealed that GhGASA24 influences cell wall formation by promoting the expression of GhCesA8 and GhCesA10. Our findings suggest that Auxin Response Factor 2 (GhARF2) regulates fiber elongation rate by directly binding to the AuxRE elements in GhGASA24 promoter. In addition, we identified Growth Regulation Factor 4 (GhGRF4) as a transcription factor that interacts with GhARF2 to form a heterodimer complex, which also transcriptionally activates GhGASA24. Intriguingly, GhGRF4 regulates GhARF2 expression by directly binding to its promoter, thereby acting as a cascade regulator to enhance the transcriptional levels of GhGASA24. We propose that the GhGRF4/GhARF2-GhGASA24-GhCesAs module may contribute to fiber cell wall thickness by modulating cellulose biosynthesis, and provide a theoretical basis for improvement of fiber quality.
PMID: 39427330
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1111/tpj.17059
Transcriptome dynamics in developing leaves from C(3) and C(4) Flaveria species.
Institute of Plant Molecular and Developmental Biology, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, D-40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.; Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, D-40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.; Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, D-40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.; Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, D-40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.; Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
C(4) species have evolved more than 60 times independently from C(3) ancestors. This multiple and parallel evolution of the complex C(4) trait suggests common underlying evolutionary mechanisms, which could be identified by comparative analysis of closely related C(3) and C(4) species. Efficient C(4) function depends on a distinctive leaf anatomy that is characterised by enlarged, chloroplast-rich bundle sheath cells and narrow vein spacing. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that generate the Kranz anatomy, we analysed a developmental series of leaves from the C(4) plant Flaveria bidentis and the closely related C(3) species Flaveria robusta by comparing anatomies and transcriptomes. Vascular density measurements of all nine leaf developmental stages identified three leaf anatomical zones whose proportions vary with respect to the developmental stage. We then deconvoluted the transcriptome datasets using non-negative matrix factorisation, which identified four distinct transcriptome patterns in the growing leaves of both species. By integrating the leaf anatomy and transcriptome data, we were able to correlate the different transcriptional profiles with different developmental zones in the leaves. These comparisons revealed an important role for auxin metabolism, in particular auxin homeostasis (conjugation and deconjugation), in establishing the high vein density typical of C(4) species.
PMID: 39427328
Plant J , IF:6.417 , 2024 Nov , V120 (3) : P857-871 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 Oct , V120 (2) : P429-444 doi: 10.1111/tpj.16948
LATA1, a RING E3 ligase, modulates the tiller angle by affecting auxin asymmetric distribution and content in rice.
Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding (MOE), Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
The tiller angle is an important agronomic trait that determines plant architecture and grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, the molecular regulation mechanism of the rice tiller angle remains unclear. Here, we identified a rice tiller angle gene, LARGE TILLER ANGLE 1 (LATA1), using the MutMap approach. LATA1 encodes a C3H2C3-type RING zinc finger E3 ligase and the conserved region of the RING zinc finger is essential for its E3 activity. LATA1 was highly expressed in the root and tiller base and LATA1-GFP fusion protein was specifically localized to the nucleus. The mutation of LATA1 significantly reduced indole-3-acetic acid content and attenuated lateral auxin transport, thereby resulting in defective shoot gravitropism and spreading plant architecture in rice. Further investigations found that LATA1 may indirectly affect gravity perception by modulating the sedimentation rate of gravity-sensing amyloplasts upon gravistimulation. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the rice tiller angle and new genetic resource for the improvement of plant architecture in rice.
PMID: 39052425
Mol Ecol , IF:6.185 , 2024 Oct : Pe17543 doi: 10.1111/mec.17543
Gravitropic Gene Expression Divergence Associated With Adaptation to Contrasting Environments in an Australian Wildflower.
School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.; Australian Research Centre of Excellence in Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.; School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.; School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.; Australian National University, College of Health and Medicine, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Plants adapt to their local environment through complex interactions between genes, gene networks and hormones. Although the impact of gene expression on trait regulation and evolution has been recognised for many decades, its role in the evolution of adaptation is still a subject of intense exploration. We used a Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population, which we derived from crossing multiple parents from two distinct coastal ecotypes of an Australia wildflower, Senecio lautus. We focused on studying the contrasting gravitropic behaviours of these ecotypes, which have evolved independently multiple times and show strong responses to natural selection in field experiments, emphasising the role of natural selection in their evolution. Here, we investigated how gene expression differences have contributed to the adaptive evolution of gravitropism. We studied gene expression in 60 pools at five time points (30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 min) after rotating half of the pools 90 degrees . We found 428 genes with differential expression in response to the 90 degrees rotation treatment. Of these, 81 genes (~19%) have predicted functions related to the plant hormones auxin and ethylene, which are crucial for the gravitropic response. By combining insights from Arabidopsis mutant studies and analysing our gene networks, we propose a preliminary model to explain the differences in gravitropism between ecotypes. This model suggests that the differences arise from changes in the transport and availability of the two hormones auxin and ethylene. Our findings indicate that the genetic basis of adaptation involves interconnected signalling pathways that work together to give rise to new ecotypes.
PMID: 39444280
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Oct , V25 (20) doi: 10.3390/ijms252011253
Impact of Sulfur Deficiency and Excess on the Growth and Development of Soybean Seedlings.
College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.; Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China.
Sulfur is a critical element for plant growth and development, serving as a component of amino acids (cysteine and methionine), iron-sulfur clusters, proteins, glutathione, coenzymes, and auxin precursors. Deficiency or low concentrations of sulfur in the soil can lead to significant growth retardation in plants. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of sulfur (S) deficiency and excess on morphological symptoms, sulfur and nitrogen (N) metabolism, as well as antioxidant activity in soybean. We found that S starvation decreased the fine root length, biomass, and activity, and the chlorophyll content was reduced, while excess sulfur promotes lateral root growth. In contrast to sulfur excess, sulfur deficiency inhibits N and S metabolism levels in both subsurface and above-ground parts, and induced the expression of some sulfur transporters (SULTRs). In this study, we created soybean hairy root lines overexpressing the SULTR gene (GmSULTR2;1a) to observe metabolic changes following sulfur deficiency treatment. The results showed that GmSULTR2;1a saved the sulfur-deficient phenotype, and the antioxidant enzyme activity was much higher than that of the wildtype in the absence of sulfur. Our study revealed the important role of sulfur element in soybean growth and development and the regulation of sulfur deficiency by GmSULTR2;1a.
PMID: 39457037
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Oct , V25 (20) doi: 10.3390/ijms252011100
Single-Base Methylome Analysis of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) on Dwarfing Rootstocks Reveals Epigenomic Differences Associated with Scion Dwarfing Conferred by Grafting.
Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
Plant grafting using dwarfing rootstocks is one of the important cultivation measures in the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) industry. In this work, we aimed to explore the effects of the dwarfing rootstock "Pd1" (Prunus tomentosa) on sweet cherry 'Shuguang2' scions by performing morphological observations using the paraffin slice technique, detecting GA (gibberellin) and IAA (auxin) contents using UPLC-QTRAP-MS (ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer), and implementing integration analyses of the epigenome and transcriptome using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Anatomical analysis indicated that the cell division ability of the SAM (shoot apical meristem) in dwarfing plants was reduced. Pd1 rootstock significantly decreased the levels of GAs and IAA in sweet cherry scions. Methylome analysis showed that the sweet cherry genome presented 15.2~18.6%, 59.88~61.55%, 28.09~33.78%, and 2.99~5.28% methylation at total C, CG, CHG, and CHH sites, respectively. Shoot tips from dwarfing plants exhibited a hypermethylated pattern mostly due to increased CHH methylation, while leaves exhibited a hypomethylated pattern. According to GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis, DMGs (differentially methylated genes) and DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were enriched in hormone-related GO terms and KEGG pathways. Global correlation analysis between methylation and transcription revealed that mCpG in the gene body region enhanced gene expression and mCHH in the region near the TSS (transcription start site) was positively correlated with gene expression. Next, we found some hormone-related genes and TFs with significant changes in methylation and transcription, including SAURs, ARF, GA2ox, ABS1, bZIP, MYB, and NAC. This study presents a methylome map of the sweet cherry genome, revealed widespread DNA methylation alterations in scions caused by dwarfing rootstock, and obtained abundant genes with methylation and transcription alterations that are potentially involved in rootstock-induced growth changes in sweet cherry scions. Our findings can lay a good basis for further epigenetic studies on sweet cherry dwarfing and provide valuable new insight into understanding rootstock-scion interactions.
PMID: 39456883
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2024 Oct , V25 (19) doi: 10.3390/ijms251910842
The Complexity of the Influence of Growth Substances, Heavy Metals, and Their Combination on the Volume Dynamics of Vacuoles Isolated from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Taproot Cells.
Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-032 Katowice, Poland.
The plant vacuole is a very dynamic organelle that can occupy more than 90% of the cell volume and is essential to plant cell growth and development, the processes in which auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) is a central player. It was found that when IAA or FC (fusicoccin) was present in the control medium of vacuoles isolated from red beet taproots at a final concentration of 1 microM, it increased their volume to a level that was 26% or 36% higher than that observed in the control medium without growth regulators, respectively. In the presence of IAA and FC, the time after which most vacuoles ruptured was about 10 min longer for IAA than for FC. However, when cadmium (Cd) or lead (Pb) was present in the control medium at a final concentration of 100 microM, it increased the volume of the vacuoles by about 26% or 80% compared to the control, respectively. The time after which the vacuoles ruptured was similar for both metals. The combined effect of IAA and Pb on the volume of the vacuoles was comparable with that observed in the presence of Pb only, while for FC combined with Pb, it was additive. The use of IAA or FC together with Cd caused in both cases a decrease in the vacuole volumes by about 50%. The data presented in this study are discussed, taking into account the structure and function of the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) and their changes in the presence of growth substances, heavy metals, and their combination.
PMID: 39409172
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2024 , V15 : P1463438 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1463438
Identification of potential auxin response candidate genes for soybean rapid canopy coverage through comparative evolution and expression analysis.
Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.; Translational Plant Science Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.; School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
INTRODUCTION: Throughout domestication, crop plants have gone through strong genetic bottlenecks, dramatically reducing the genetic diversity in today's available germplasm. This has also reduced the diversity in traits necessary for breeders to develop improved varieties. Many strategies have been developed to improve both genetic and trait diversity in crops, from backcrossing with wild relatives, to chemical/radiation mutagenesis, to genetic engineering. However, even with recent advances in genetic engineering we still face the rate limiting step of identifying which genes and mutations we should target to generate diversity in specific traits. METHODS: Here, we apply a comparative evolutionary approach, pairing phylogenetic and expression analyses to identify potential candidate genes for diversifying soybean (Glycine max) canopy cover development via the nuclear auxin signaling gene families, while minimizing pleiotropic effects in other tissues. In soybean, rapid canopy cover development is correlated with yield and also suppresses weeds in organic cultivation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We identified genes most specifically expressed during early canopy development from the TIR1/AFB auxin receptor, Aux/IAA auxin co-receptor, and ARF auxin response factor gene families in soybean, using principal component analysis. We defined Arabidopsis thaliana and model legume species orthologs for each soybean gene in these families allowing us to speculate potential soybean phenotypes based on well-characterized mutants in these model species. In future work, we aim to connect genetic and functional diversity in these candidate genes with phenotypic diversity in planta allowing for improvements in soybean rapid canopy cover, yield, and weed suppression. Further development of this and similar algorithms for defining and quantifying tissue- and phenotype-specificity in gene expression may allow expansion of diversity in valuable phenotypes in important crops.
PMID: 39421145
Microbiol Res , IF:5.415 , 2024 Oct , V289 : P127924 doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127924
Brassinosteroids mediate arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis through multiple potential pathways and partial identification in tomato.
State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address: yingren@stu.scau.edu.cn.; School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: brian.tobin@ucd.ie.; School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: shuyi.yang@ucdconnect.ie.; Boone Pickens School of Geology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, United States. Electronic address: tingying.xu@okstate.edu.; State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address: chenhui@scau.edu.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address: tangm@nwafu.edu.cn.
Currently, little is known regarding the specific processes through which brassinosteroids (BR) affect arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. Understanding this relationship is vital for advancing plant physiology and agricultural applications. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of BR in AM symbiosis. According to the log2 fold change-value and adjP-value, we integrated the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in maize (Zea mays L.) treated with BR and AM, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants deficient in BR receptors, and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants inoculated with AM fungi. In addition, we characterized the symbiotic performance of tomato plants with BR receptor defects and overexpression. The results indicated that the common differential genes induced by BR and AM were involved in metabolic processes, such as cell wall modification, cytoskeleton remodeling, auxin and ethylene signaling, photosynthesis, mineral nutrient transport, and stress defense. Specifically, these include the BR1 gene, which modifies the cell wall. However, the fungal colonization rate of BR receptor-deficient tomato plants was significantly reduced, and the total phosphorus concentration was increased. Conversely, the performance of the overexpressing tomato transformation plants demonstrated a significant contrast. Additionally, the mild rescue of mycorrhizal attenuation in mutants treated with exogenous BR suggests the possibility of direct feedback from BR synthesis to AM. Notably, the cell wall modification gene (SlBR1) and calcium spike gene (SlIPD3) were induced by both BR and AM, suggesting that BR may influence cell penetration during the early stages of AM colonization. Synthesis: Our results demonstrated that BR positively regulates AM symbiosis through multiple pathways. These findings pave the way for future research, including isolation of the individual contributions of each pathway to this complex process and exploration of possible agricultural applications.
PMID: 39395377
J Agric Food Chem , IF:5.279 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04334
Overexpression of the RAV Transcription Factor OsAAT1 Confers Enhanced Arsenic Tolerance by Modulating Auxin Hemostasis in Rice.
College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, PR China.
Characterization of arsenic (As)-responsive genes is fundamental to solving the issue of As contamination in rice. Herein, we establish the involvement of an RAV transcription factor OsAAT1 (Arsenic Accumulation and Tolerance 1) in regulating As response in rice. The expression of OsAAT1 is significantly higher in roots and stems of rice seedlings and is clearly upregulated by higher concentrations of arsenite [As(III)]. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, OsAAT1-overexpressed transgenic lines (OE-OsAAT1) exhibit tolerance, while OsAAT1-knockout mutants (Osaat1) are sensitive to As(III) stress. Notably, the application of exogenous 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) greatly enhances the As tolerance of WT and transgenic lines, with stronger effects on OE-OsAAT1. The change in OsAAT1 expression leads to the alteration of As and auxin accumulation in transgenic plants by regulating the expression of OsLsi1, OsLsi2, OsCRL4, and OsAUX1 genes. Moreover, overexpression of OsAAT1 accelerates ROS scavenging and phytochelatins (PCs) synthesis, especially with the addition of exogenous NAA. OsAAT1 localizes in the nucleus and works as a transcriptional suppressor. OsGH3-12, belonging to the auxin-responsive GH3 gene family, is the downstream target gene of OsAAT1, whose expression is extensively downregulated by As(III). These findings provide new insights into As response via auxin signaling pathway in rice.
PMID: 39436822
J Agric Food Chem , IF:5.279 , 2024 Oct , V72 (43) : P23776-23789 doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c08019
Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca Stimulates Lateral Root Development by Integrating Auxin and Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling in Arabidopsis.
MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Natural Resource & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote lateral root formation, while the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we found that Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca inoculation enhanced auxin accumulation in lateral root primordia (LRP). Upon reaching LRPs, auxin activated the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 7 and 19 (ARF7/19) and promoted lateral root formation in Arabidopsis. Moreover, we found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is required for auxin-dependent lateral root emergence, and P. chlororaphis upregulated the expression of RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE D and F (RBOHD/F), leading to the accumulation of ROS in LRP. Although scavenging ROS or rbohd/f mutants exhibited decreased lateral roots after P. chlororaphis inoculation, the bacteria-triggered auxin signals were not altered. Conversely, the application of auxin or mutants defective in auxin signaling disturbed P. chlororaphis-derived ROS accumulation in lateral roots. Collectively, these results suggest that ARF7/19-dependent auxin signaling activates RBOHD/F to produce ROS, coordinately facilitating lateral root development after P. chlororaphis treatment.
PMID: 39415482
Plant Cell Physiol , IF:4.927 , 2024 Oct , V65 (9) : P1377-1387 doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcae071
Radicle Growth Regulation of Root Parasitic Plants by Auxin-related Compounds.
Laboratory of Plant Chemical Regulation, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1, Higashi-Mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan.; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.; Department of Bioscience, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridaimachi, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama 700-0005, Japan.
Root parasitic plants in the Orobanchaceae, such as Striga and Orobanche, cause significant damage to crop production. The germination step of these root parasitic plants is induced by host-root-derived strigolactones. After germination, the radicles elongate toward the host and invade the host root. We have previously discovered that a simple amino acid, tryptophan (Trp), as well as its metabolite, the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), can inhibit radicle elongation of Orobanche minor. These results suggest that auxin plays a crucial role in the radicle elongation step in root parasitic plants. In this report, we used various auxin chemical probes to dissect the auxin function in the radicle growth of O. minor and Striga hermonthica. We found that synthetic auxins inhibited radicle elongation. In addition, auxin receptor antagonist, auxinole, rescued the inhibition of radicle growth by exogenous IAA. Moreover, a polar transport inhibitor of auxin, N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid, affected radicle bending. We also proved that exogenously applied Trp is converted into IAA in O. minor seeds, and auxinole partly rescued this radicle elongation. Taken together, our data demonstrate a pivotal role for auxin in radicle growth. Thus, manipulation of auxin function in root parasitic plants should offer a useful approach to combat these parasites.
PMID: 38943636
Biomolecules , IF:4.879 , 2024 Oct , V14 (10) doi: 10.3390/biom14101253
Investigation of the Roles of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate 5-Kinases 7,9 and Wall-Associated Kinases 1-3 in Responses to Indole-3-Carbinol and Biotic Stress in Arabidopsis Thaliana.
School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.; Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel.
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a hydrolysis product of indole-3-methylglucosinolate, is toxic to herbivorous insects and pathogens. In mammals, I3C is extensively studied for its properties in cancer prevention and treatment. Produced in Brassicaceae, I3C reversibly inhibits root elongation in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition is partially explained by the antagonistic action of I3C on auxin signaling through TIR1. To further elucidate the mode of action of I3C in plants, we have employed a forward-genetic amiRNA screen that circumvents functional redundancy. We identified and characterized two amiRNA lines with impaired I3C response. The first line, ICT2, targets the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase family (PIP5K), exhibiting tolerance to I3C, while the second line, ICS1, targets the Wall-Associated Kinases (WAK1-3) family, showing susceptibility to I3C. Both lines maintain I3C-induced antagonism of auxin signaling, indicating that their phenotypes are due to auxin-independent mechanisms. Transcript profiling experiments reveal that both lines are transcriptionally primed to respond to I3C treatment. Physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analysis reveal that these kinases mediate numerous developmental processes and are involved in abiotic and biotic stress responses.
PMID: 39456186
Biomolecules , IF:4.879 , 2024 Sep , V14 (10) doi: 10.3390/biom14101239
A Moderate Water Deficit Induces Profound Changes in the Proteome of Developing Maize Ovaries.
AgroParisTech, GQE-Le Moulon, PAPPSO, Universite Paris-Saclay, INRAE, CNRS, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.; LEPSE, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Universite Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France.
Water deficit is a major cause of yield loss for maize (Zea mays), leading to ovary abortion when applied at flowering time. To help understand the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, the proteome response to water deficit has been analysed in developing ovaries at the silk emergence stage and five days later. Differential analysis, abundance pattern clustering and co-expression networks were performed in order to draw a general picture of the proteome changes all along ovary development and under the effect of water deficit. The results show that even mild water deficit has a major impact on ovary proteome, but this impact is very different from a response to stress. A part of the changes can be related to a slowdown of ovary development, while another part cannot. In particular, ovaries submitted to water deficit show an increase in proteins involved in protein biosynthesis and in vesicle transport together with a decrease in proteins involved in amino acid metabolism and proteolysis. According to the functions of increased proteins, the changes may be linked to auxin, brassinosteroids and jasmonate signalling but not abscisic acid.
PMID: 39456174
Pest Manag Sci , IF:4.845 , 2024 Oct , V80 (10) : P5364-5376 doi: 10.1002/ps.8265
Transcriptome-wide N(6)-methyladenosine profiling reveals growth-defense trade-offs in the response of rice to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) infestation.
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.; College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.; School of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.; School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China.; Wuhan Benagen Technology Company Limited, Wuhan, China.; School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.; School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University/Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui, China.
BACKGROUND: N(6)-Methyladenosine (m(6)A) is a common messenger RNA (mRNA) modification that affects various physiological processes in stress responses. However, the role of m(6)A modifications in plants responses to herbivore stress remains unclear. RESULTS: Here, we found that an infestation of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) female adults enhanced the resistance of rice to N. lugens. The m(6)A methylome analysis of N. lugens-infested and uninfested rice samples was performed to explore the interaction between rice and N. lugens. The m(6)A methylation mainly occurred in genes that were actively expressed in rice following N. lugens infestation, while an analysis of the whole-genomic mRNA distribution of m(6)A showed that N. lugens infestation caused an overall decrease in the number of m(6)A methylation sites across the chromosomes. The m(6)A methylation of genes involved in the m(6)A modification machinery and several defense-related phytohormones (jasmonic acid and salicylic acid) pathways was increased in N. lugens-infested rice compared to that in uninfested rice. In contrast, m(6)A modification levels of growth-related phytohormone (auxin and gibberellin) biosynthesis-related genes were significantly attenuated during N. lugens infestation, accompanied by the down-regulated expression of these transcripts, indicating that rice growth was restricted during N. lugens attack to rapidly optimize resource allocation for plant defense. Integrative analysis of the differential patterns of m(6)A methylation and the corresponding transcripts showed a positive correlation between m(6)A methylation and transcriptional regulation. CONCLUSION: The m(6)A modification is an important strategy for regulating the expression of genes involved in rice defense and growth during rice-N. lugens interactions. These findings provide new ideas for formulating strategies to control herbivorous pests. (c) 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID: 39031631
Pest Manag Sci , IF:4.845 , 2024 Nov , V80 (11) : P5791-5798 doi: 10.1002/ps.8310
Cytochrome P450 CYP81A104 in Eleusine indica confers resistance to multiherbicide with different modes of action.
College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.; Jiangsu Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou, China.
BACKGROUND: Developing herbicide-resistant (HR) crop cultivars is an efficient way to control weeds and minimize crop yield losses. However, widespread and long-term herbicide application has led to the evolution of resistant weeds. Here, we established a resistant (R) E. indica population, collected from imidazolinone-resistant rice cultivar fields. RESULTS: The R population evolved 4.5-fold resistance to imazamox. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene sequencing and ALS activity assays excluded the effect of target-site resistance in this population. P450 inhibitor malathion pretreatment significantly reversed resistance to imazamox. RNA sequencing showed that a P450 gene CYP81A104 was expressed higher in R versus susceptible (S) plants. Arabidopsis overexpressing CYP81A104 showed resistance to ALS inhibitors (imazamox, tribenuron-methyl, penoxsulam and flucarbazone-sodium), PSII inhibitor (bentazone), hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor (mesotrione) and auxin mimics (MCPA), which was generally consistent with the results presented in the R population. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the CYP81A104 gene endowed resistance to multiherbicides with different modes-of-action. Our findings provide an insight into the molecular characteristics of resistance and contribute to formulating an appropriate strategy for weed management in HR crops. (c) 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID: 39003629
Rice (N Y) , IF:4.783 , 2024 Oct , V17 (1) : P64 doi: 10.1186/s12284-024-00742-8
A Cyclin Gene OsCYCB1;5 Regulates Seed Callus Induction in Rice Revealed by Genome Wide Association Study.
National Engineering Research Center of Plant Aerospace-Mutation Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.; College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. laoliuhongscau@163.com.; College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. raodehua@scau.edu.cn.
Plant tissue culture is extensively employed in plant functional genomics research and crop genetic improvement breeding. The callus induction ability is critical for utilizing Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) utilizing 368 rice accessions to identify traits associated with callus induction rate (CIR), resulting in the identification of a total of 104 significant SNP loci. Integrated with gene function annotation and transcriptome analysis, 13 high-confidence candidate genes involved in auxin-related, CYC cyclins, and histone H3K9-specific methyltransferase were identified in significant loci. Furthermore, we also verified a candidate gene, Os05g0493500 (OsCycB1;5), and employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate OsCycB1;5 knockout mutants in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The OscycB1;5 mutant displays significantly reduced callus induction and proliferation capacity, this result indicating OsCycB1;5 is required for the callus formation in rice. Overall, this study provides several reliable loci and high-confidence candidate genes that may significantly affect callus formation in rice. This information will offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying callus formation not only in rice but also in other plants.
PMID: 39402219
BMB Rep , IF:4.778 , 2024 Oct , V57 (10) : P441-446
Rice CHD3/Mi-2 chromatin remodeling factor RFS regulates vascular development and root formation by modulating the transcription of auxin-related genes NAL1 and OsPIN1.
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.; Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.; Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea.
The vascular system in plants facilitates long-distance transportation of water and nutrients through the xylem and phloem, while also providing mechanical support for vertical growth. Although many genes that regulate vascular development in rice have been identified, the mechanism by which epigenetic regulators control vascular development remains unclear. This study found that Rolled Fine Striped (RFS), a Chromodomain Helicase DNA-binding 3 (CHD3)/Mi-2 subfamily protein, regulates vascular development in rice by affecting the initiation and development of primordia. The rfs mutant was found to affect auxin-related genes, as revealed by RNA sequencing and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. The transcript levels of OsPIN1 and NAL1 genes were downregulated in rfs mutant, compared to the wild-type plant. The chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed lower levels of H3K4me3 in the OsPIN1a and NAL1 genes in rfs mutant. Furthermore, exogenous auxin treatment partially rescued the reduced adventitious root vascular development in rfs mutant. Subsequently, exogenous treatments with auxin or an auxin-transport inhibitor revealed that the expression of OsPIN1a and NAL1 is mainly affected by auxin. These results provide strong evidence that RFS plays an important role in vascular development and root formation through the auxin signaling pathway in rice. [BMB Reports 2024; 57(10): 441-446].
PMID: 39044456
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Oct , V350 : P112288 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112288
Unveiling the molecular symphony: MicroRNA160a-Auxin Response Factor 18 module orchestrates low potassium tolerance in banana (Musa acuminata L.).
Institute of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, and School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.; Institute of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China. Electronic address: w_mingyuan@163.com.; Institute of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China. Electronic address: yuhailing1989@163.com.; Institute of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China. Electronic address: wqz@hqu.edu.cn.
Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of most plants. In banana (Musa acuminata L.), microRNA160a (miR160a) is suggested to potentially contribute to the response to low K(+) stress by modulating the auxin signaling pathway. However, further investigation is required to elucidate its specific regulatory mechanism. This study presents evidence highlighting the critical role of the miR160a-Auxin Response Factor 18 (ARF18) module in conferring low K(+) tolerance in banana. Both miR160a and its predicted target gene ARF18 displayed elevated expression levels in banana roots, with their expression profiles significantly altered under low K(+) stress. The inhibitory effect of mac-miR160a on the expression of MaARF18-like-2 was confirmed through tobacco transient transformation and dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Surprisingly, Arabidopsis lines overexpressing mac-miR160a (mac-miR160a OE) exhibited enhanced tolerance to low K(+) stress. Conversely, Arabidopsis lines overexpressing MaARF18-like-2 (MaARF18-like-2 OE) displayed increased sensitivity to K(+) deficiency. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that MaARF18-like-2 mediates the response of Arabidopsis to low K(+) stress by influencing the expression of genes associated with Ca(2+), ion transport, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. In conclusion, our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the miR160a-ARF18-like-2 module in the plant response to low K(+) stress.
PMID: 39396617
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Dec , V349 : P112278 doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112278
Pelargonic acid's interaction with the auxin transporter PIN1: A potential mechanism behind its phytotoxic effects on plant metabolism.
Universidade de Vigo. Departamento de Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencia do Solo, Facultade de Bioloxia, Vigo 36310, Spain; Instituto de Agroecoloxia e Alimentacion (IAA), Universidade de Vigo, Campus Auga, Ourense 32004, Spain. Electronic address: davidlopez@uvigo.gal.; Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain. Electronic address: marmuous@alumni.upv.es.; Departamento de Quimica Fisica, Facultade de Quimica, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain; Biologically Active Organic Compounds and Ionic Liquids Group (BIOILS), Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Galicia Sur, (IIS Galicia Sur). SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain. Electronic address: jose_hermida@uvigo.gal.; Universidade de Vigo. Departamento de Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencia do Solo, Facultade de Bioloxia, Vigo 36310, Spain; Instituto de Agroecoloxia e Alimentacion (IAA), Universidade de Vigo, Campus Auga, Ourense 32004, Spain. Electronic address: sara.alvarez.rodriguez@uvigo.gal.; Dipartamento di Science Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Universita Statale di Milano, Via Celoria n masculine2, Milano 20133, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.araniti@unimi.it.; Biologically Active Organic Compounds and Ionic Liquids Group (BIOILS), Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Galicia Sur, (IIS Galicia Sur). SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Departamento de Quimica Organica, Facultade de Quimica, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: qomaca@uvigo.es.; Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain. Electronic address: merversa@eaf.upv.es.; Universidade de Vigo. Departamento de Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencia do Solo, Facultade de Bioloxia, Vigo 36310, Spain; Instituto de Agroecoloxia e Alimentacion (IAA), Universidade de Vigo, Campus Auga, Ourense 32004, Spain. Electronic address: adela@uvigo.gal.
Pelargonic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in several organisms, that is known for its phytotoxic effect and its use as bioherbicide for sustainable weed management. Although PA is already commercialised as bioherbicide, its molecular targets and mode of action is unknown according to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee. Therefore, the aim of this work was focusing on the way this natural active substance impacts the plant metabolism of the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. PA caused increase of secondary and adventitious roots, as well as torsion, loss of gravitropism and phytotoxic effects. Moreover, PA altered the cellular arrangement and the PIN proteins activity. Computational simulations revealed that the intermolecular interactions between PA and the polar auxin transporter protein PIN1 are very similar to those established between the natural auxin IAA and PIN1. However, under intracellular conditions, the PA-PIN1 binding is more energetically stable than the IAA-PIN1. These results suggest that PA could act as an auxin-mimics bioherbicide. The exogenous application of PA would be responsible for the alterations observed both at structural and ultrastructural levels, which would be caused by the alteration on the transport of auxins into the plant, inducing root inhibition and ultimately total stop of root growth.
PMID: 39395675
Plant Sci , IF:4.729 , 2024 Dec , 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 Cell Rep , IF:4.57 , 2024 Oct , V43 (11) : P268 doi: 10.1007/s00299-024-03360-2
Small peptide SiDVL/RTFLs from foxtail millet inhibit root growth through repressing auxin signaling in transgenic Arabidopsis.
Shandong Engineering Research Center of Plant-Microbial Restoration for Saline-Alkali Land, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China.; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Plant-Microbial Restoration for Saline-Alkali Land, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China. cawu@sdau.edu.cn.
SiDVLs inhibit auxin signaling to regulate root growth by enhancing the expression of Aux/IAAs and reducing the protein accumulation of PINs. The DEVIL/ ROTUNDIFOLIA (DVL/RTFL), a small polypeptide family, is conserved in seed plants and important in regulating plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, 27 SiDVLs were identified in foxtail millet genome. Overexpression of three SiDVLs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) strongly repressed the plant growth, especially the root growth. We demonstrate that overexpression of SiDVLs enhances Auxin/Indole-3-Acetic Acids (Aux/IAAs) transcription, thereby weakening auxin signaling in the roots. Furthermore, SiDVLs reduced the protein levels of the auxin transporters PIN-formed 1 (PIN1), PIN2, and PIN7 in the roots. The impaired auxin signaling reduces the cell division and elongation. In conclusion, SiDVLs suppress cell division and elongation in root by inhibiting auxin signaling and transport, which lead to the reduced root growth.
PMID: 39433684
Plant Cell Rep , IF:4.57 , 2024 Oct , V43 (11) : P265 doi: 10.1007/s00299-024-03353-1
Genome-wide identification of Aux/IAA gene family members in grape and functional analysis of VaIAA3 in response to cold stress.
College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.; College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China. maojuan@gsau.edu.cn.
Twenty-five VvIAA genes and eighteen VaIAA genes were identified from Pinot Noir and Shanputao, respectively. The overexpression of VaIAA3 in transgenic Arabidopsis increased cold tolerance by regulating auxin, ABA and ethylene signaling. Aux/IAA genes are key genes involved in regulating auxin signal transduction in plants. Although IAA genes have been characterized in various plant species, the role of IAA genes in grape cold resistance is unclear. To further explore the members of the Aux/IAA gene family in grape and their functions, in this study, using genomic data for Pinot Noir (Vitis vinifera cv. 'Pinot Noir') and Shanputao (Vitis amurensis), 25 VvIAA genes and 18 VaIAA genes were identified. The VaIAA genes presented different expression patterns at five different temperatures (28 +/- 1 degrees C, 5 +/- 1 degrees C, 0 +/- 1 degrees C, -5 +/- 1 degrees C, and -10 +/- 1 degrees C) according to qRT‑PCR results. VaIAA3 was selected as a candidate gene for further functional analysis because of its high expression level under low-temperature stress. Subcellular localization experiments revealed that VaIAA3 was localized in the nucleus. Additionally, under 4 degrees C treatment for 24 h, relative expression level of VaIAA3, antioxidant enzyme activity, survival rate, and cold-responsive gene expression in three transgenic lines (OE-1, OE-2, OE-3) were greater, whereas relative electrolytic conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) content were lower than those of the wild type (WT). Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that VaIAA3 regulated cold stress resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) through pathways involving auxin, ABA, JA, or ethylene. Importantly, heterologous overexpression of VaIAA3 increased the resistance of Arabidopsis to cold stress, which provides a theoretical basis for the further use of VaIAA3 to improve cold resistance in grape.
PMID: 39417869
Plant Cell Rep , IF:4.57 , 2024 Oct , V43 (11) : P259 doi: 10.1007/s00299-024-03348-y
GhMAC3e is involved in plant growth and defense response to Verticillium dahliae.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Cosponsored by Jiangsu Province and Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production Cosponsored by Jiangsu Province and Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. kangliu@njau.edu.cn.
GhMAC3e expression was induced by various stresses and hormones. GhMAC3e may regulate plant growth by influencing auxin distribution, and play important roles in Verticillium wilt resistance via mediating SA signaling. The MOS4-Associated Complex (MAC) is a highly conserved protein complex involved in pre-mRNA splicing and spliceosome assembly, which plays a vital role in plant immunity. It comprises key components such as MOS4, CDC5, and PRL1. MAC3A/B, as U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases, are crucial for various plant processes including development, stress responses, and disease resistance. However, their roles in cotton remain largely unknown. In this study, we first cloned the GhMAC3e gene from cotton and explored its biological functions by using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cotton and transgenic overexpression in Arabidopsis. The results showed that GhMAC3e is ubiquitously expressed in cotton tissues and could be induced by salt stress, Verticillium dahliae (VD) infection, PEG, ABA, ETH, GA3, MeJA, and SA. Silencing GhMAC3e retarded primary stem growth and reduced biomass of cotton coupled with the reduced auxin content in the petioles and veins. Silencing GhMAC3e up-regulated expression of cell growth-related genes GhXTH16 and Gh3.6, while down-regulated GhSAUR12 expression. Ectopic expression of GhMAC3e in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced its resistance to Verticillium wilt (VW) in terms of decreased pathogen biomass and lowered plant mortality. Overexpression of GhMAC3e dramatically upregulated AtPR1 by around 15 fold and more than 262 fold under basal and VD inoculation condition, respectively. This change was not associated with the expression of GhNPR1. In conclusion, GhMAC3e may not only regulate plant growth by influencing auxin distribution and growth-related gene expression, but also play important roles in VW resistance via mediating SA signaling independent of NPR1 transcription level.
PMID: 39390296
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V217 : P109209 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109209
Multi-omics analysis unveils early molecular responses to aluminum toxicity in barley root tip.
Department of Architectural Engineering, Yuanpei College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China.; College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.; College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China. Electronic address: kuanglh@hunau.edu.cn.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is widely cultivated across diverse soil types, including acidic soils where aluminum (Al) toxicity is the major limiting factor. The relative Al sensitivity of barley highlights the need for a deeper understanding of early molecular responses in root tip (the primary target of Al toxicity) to develop Al-tolerant cultivars. Integrative N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses revealed that elevated auxin and jasmonic acid (JA) levels modulated Al-induced root growth inhibition by repressing genes involved in cell elongation and proliferation. Additionally, these pathways promoted pectin demethylation via up-regulation of genes encoding pectin methylesterases (PMEs). The up-regulation of citrate efflux transporter genes including Al-activated citrate transporter 1 (HvAACT1), and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters like HvABCB25, facilitated Al exclusion and vacuolar sequestration. Enhanced activity within the phenylpropanoid pathway supported antioxidant defenses and internal chelation through the production of specific flavonoids and altered cell wall composition via lignin unit modulation. Notably, several Al-responsive genes, including HvABCB25 and transcription factors (TFs), exhibited m6A modification changes, with two microtubule associated protein 65 (MAP65) members displaying opposing regulatory patterns at both transcriptional and m6A levels, underscoring the crucial role of m6A modification in gene expression regulation. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the epitranscriptomic regulation of gene expression and metabolite accumulation in barley root tip under Al stress.
PMID: 39437666
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V217 : P109220 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109220
Genome-wide identification of HIPP and mechanism of SlHIPP4/7/9/21/26/32 mediated phytohormones response to Cd, osmotic, and salt stresses in tomato.
College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.; The Ziyuan Bureau of Agriculture and Rural, Guilin, 541400, China.; College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China. Electronic address: licx@gxu.edu.cn.
Heavy-metal-associated isoprenylated plant proteins (HIPPs) contributed to abiotic tolerance in vascular plants. Up to now, the HIPP gene family of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) had not been thoroughly understood. In the present study, 34 SlHIPP genes were identified from the tomato genome using the Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the evolution of SlHIPPs was highly conserved. The cis-acting element analysis indicated that SlHIPP genes might be involved in phytohormones and abiotic stresses. We constructed venn diagram with 17 genes containing stress-related motifs as well as 15 genes and 19 genes expressing in leaves and roots in RNA-seq data, suggesting that SlHIPP4/7/9/21/26/32 were selected as candidate genes for study. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that 6 candidate genes were indicated to be involved in osmotic and salt stress tolerance and SlHIPP7/21/26/32 responded to cadmium (Cd) tolerance. The virus-induced silencing of 6 candidate genes caused growth inhibition in stress conditions, further illustrating that 6 candidate genes played a positive role in abiotic conditions. Importantly, the phytohormone analysis implied that 6 candidate genes mediated abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellin (GA(3)), auxin (IAA), or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) response to Cd, osmotic, or salt stress tolerance. These findings indicated that SlHIPP4/7/9/21/26/32 were key regulators of abiotic stress responses in tomato seedlings, functioning through multiple phytohormone pathways.
PMID: 39437665
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V216 : P109201 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109201
SlMKK4 is responsible for pollen development in tomato.
Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: chenlf@fjnu.edu.cn.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: chenleiq0816@163.com.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: zhhong0898@163.com.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: xxcccyyy@163.com.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: fangyulin@fjnu.edu.cn.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: laiyiruchn@163.com.; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Biotechnology, Agricultural Ministry of China, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address: pct@zju.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Biotechnology, Agricultural Ministry of China, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address: glu@zju.edu.cn.; Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation & Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China. Electronic address: wuyk@fjnu.edu.cn.
The development of viable pollen is a determinant of male fertility and plays an essential role in the reproductive process of angiosperms. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades modulate diverse aspects of plant growth, but their involvement in post-meiotic pollen development is unclear. In this study, SlMKK4 was identified as a crucial regulator in overseeing pollen development in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). Utilizing CRISPR-associated protein 9 to disrupt SlMKK4 resulted in an obvious decrease in pollen viability. The results of cell biology and transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that SlMKK4 specifically regulates auxin and sugar metabolism as well as signal transduction during post-meiotic pollen development. This is supported by the finding that protein-protein interaction assays and in vitro phosphorylation assays indicate that SlMKK4 serves as the upstream MAPKK for SlMPK20, which exhibits a distinct function in regulating the uninucleate (UN) to binucleate (BN) transition during microgametogenesis in tomatoes. Moreover, pollen from transgenic plants experienced significant arrest predominantly at the BN stage, accompanied by subcellular abnormalities manifesting during the late UN microspore phase. Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses indicated that SlMKK4 knockout remarkably downregulated the expression of numerous genes regulating auxin and sugar metabolism as well as signal transduction in anthers. Therefore, our findings suggest that SlMKK4 may serve as one of the upstream SlMAPKKs of SlMPK20 and also play a pivotal role in modulating post-meiotic pollen development in tomato plants.
PMID: 39423721
Plant Physiol Biochem , IF:4.27 , 2024 Oct , V216 : P109185 doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109185
Regulation mechanism of exogenous nitric oxide on phenanthrene uptake by ryegrass roots.
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China.; College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: xhzhan@njau.edu.cn.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a category of persistent organic contaminants that possess the potential to induce carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic consequences. Our previous findings have revealed that plant roots actively take up PAHs through co-transport with protons, and auxin can promote PAHs uptake by wheat roots. It remains unclear whether nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological processes in plants and downstream of auxin, can affect PAHs uptake by plant roots. In our study, 50 mumol/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP) significantly enhanced phenanthrene uptake after 4 h of exposure. After the addition of SNP (50 mumol/L), the H(+) flux on root surface increased, and H(+)-ATPase activity was activated, indicating that exogenous NO promotes phenanthrene uptake by plant roots via activating H(+)-ATPase. By studying the effects of 50 mumol/L cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), 5 mmol/L Ca(2+), and 50 mumol/L adenosine monophosphate (AMP) on phenanthrene uptake by ryegrass roots and measuring root calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK) activity, we demonstrated that exogenous NO promotes phenanthrene uptake through the signaling pathway of NO, cGMP, Ca(2+), CDPK, 14-3-3 protein and H(+)-ATPase. The results contribute significant insights into elucidating the underlying mechanisms of NO modulating PAHs absorption by plant roots, thereby offering crucial strategies for advancing food safety measures and enhancing the phytoremediation potential of soils and waters contaminated with PAHs.
PMID: 39395225
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
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int , IF:4.223 , 2024 Oct , V31 (50) : P60178-60188 doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-35211-8
Phytohormonal balance and differential gene expression in chronically irradiated Scots pine populations from the chernobyl affected zone.
Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 249035 Kievskoe Shosse, d 1, K 1, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia. bitarishvili.s@gmail.com.; Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 249035 Kievskoe Shosse, d 1, K 1, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia.; Independent Researcher, 2440, Geel, Belgium.; Belgian Nuclear Research Centre-SCK CEN, Unit for Biosphere Impact Studies, 2400, Mol, Belgium.
The impact of chronic radiation exposure on phytohormone content and expression of phytohormone- and stress-related genes of Scots pine in the zone affected by the Chernobyl accident was studied. Needle samples were collected from three plots with contrasting levels of radioactive contamination in the Polesye State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, Republic of Belarus, and two reference plots in the Kozeluzhsky forest in June 2022. The experimental plots were located within the artificial plantations of Scots pine established in 1982, before the accident in 1986. The activity of radionuclides (137)Cs, (90)Sr, (241)Am, (238)Pu, and (239+240)Pu in soil and needles ensured dose rates ranging from 3.3 to 87 mGy x year(-1), while at the reference plots, the range was 0.7‒0.8 mGy x year(-1). Concentrations of plant hormones, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), zeatin, and abscisic acid (ABA) in needles were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We demonstrate that chronic radiation exposure is a significant stress factor that affects both phytohormonal balance and the expression of some important phytohormone- and stress-related genes. We found a tendency toward decreased ABA and auxin concentrations in trees from plots contaminated with radionuclides. The ratio (IAA + IBA + zeatin)/ABA was drastically raised at the most contaminated plots Masany and Kulazhin, reflecting the functional rearrangements of cellular metabolism that ensure plant adaptation under chronic radiation exposure. Changes in gene expression indicated modulation of ABA and Ca(2+) signalling pathways, decreased potential of zeatin biosynthesis, and activation of heat shock proteins biosynthesis.
PMID: 39373840
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P998 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05724-y
Effects of combined application of phosphorus and zinc on growth and physiological characteristics of apple rootstock M9-T337 seedlings (Malus domestica Borkh.).
College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.; Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730070, China.; College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China. wangxy@gsau.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: Balancing nutrient application is crucial for plant growth. However, excessive fertilizer use, especially imbalanced applications of macronutrients such as phosphate (P), can hinder plant uptake of micronutrients. Balanced P and zinc (Zn) are vital for apple yield and quality, and apple trees are highly sensitive to deficiencies in these nutrients. Therefore, this study was conducted in May 2022, employed a sand culture experiment to investigate the effects of varying P and Zn levels on the growth phenotype, photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, sugar composition, endogenous hormone levels, and nutrient absorption and utilization of M9-T337 seedlings. Three levels of P (low, medium, high) and three levels of Zn (low, medium, high) were combined to create a total of nine distinct treatment. RESULTS: The results indicate that combined P and Zn fertilization at various levels exerts either synergistic or antagonistic effects on the growth, nutrient absorption, and utilization of M9-T337 seedlings. Compared to low and medium levels of P, a combination of high P (4 mmol.L(-1)) and an adequate amount of Zn significantly enhanced plant growth, root system development, and the microstructure of leaves. Notably, seedlings treated with high P and low Zn (HPLZn) reached a height 1.54 times that of the medium P and medium Zn (MPMZn, control). Physiological indicators under HP conditions revealed significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activity, leaf water retention, photosynthetic pigment concentration, osmotic adjustment substances, and the contents of glucose, sucrose, fructose, endogenous hormones, as well as P and Zn accumulation in the leaves, compared to the control. However, an increase in Zn application led to a declining trend in these parameters. Specifically, the HPLZn treatment exhibited substantial increases in Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), Total chlorophyll (Chl a + b), glucose, fructose, sucrose, and Auxin(IAA), with increments of 7.12%, 27.32%, 11.40%, 23.20%, 16.67%, and 55.11%, respectively, compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Based on the comprehensive ranking from principal component analysis, the combination of HP ( 4 mmol.L(-1)) and LZn (0.5 micromol.L(-1)) was found to be the most effective in enhancing the antioxidant capacity, sugar accumulation, osmotic regulation ability, photosynthetic capacity, endogenous hormone levels, as well as P and Zn nutrient absorption and utilization in M9-T337 seedlings.
PMID: 39448942
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P993 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05707-z
Tomato SlARF5 participate in the flower organ initiation process and control plant height.
School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China.; Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China. lkai@jsnu.edu.cn.; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China. qishilian1@163.com.
Plant height is a critical agronomic trait closely linked to yield, primarily regulated by Gibberellins (GA) and auxins, which interact in complex ways. However, the mechanism underlying their interactions remain incompletely understood. In this study, we identified a tomato mutant exhibiting significantly reduced plant height. Through gene cloning and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) sequencing, we found that the mutant gene corresponds to the tomato auxin response factor gene SlARF5/MP. Here, we show that overexpression of SlARF5/MP significantly enhances plant height. Additionally, treatment with GA(3) restored the plant height of the mutant to wild-type (WT) levels, indicating that GA content is a key factor influencing plant height. We also observed significant upregulation of GA-biosynthesis genes, including GA2-oxidases GA20ox3 and GA20ox4, as well as the GA(3) biosynthesis gene GA3ox1, in SlARF5-overexpressing plants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SlARF5 directly binds to SlGA2ox3, which mediates the conversion of GA(3) to inactive GA, therebyregulating its expression. Our findings suggest that SlARF5 modulates GA(3) metabolism by regulating GA synthesis genes, ultimately leading to alterations in plant height.
PMID: 39438786
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P969 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05654-9
A systematic regulatory network related to bulbil formation in Lilium lancifolium based on metabolome and transcriptome analyses.
College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.; College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. lixue@syau.edu.cn.; College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. jiajunlei@syau.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: Lilium lancifolium is a special wild triploid species native to China and can produce abundant bulbils on its stem under natural conditions, which is very valuable to study bulbil organogenesis in plants. Although similar to the lateral and tillering principles, the molecular mechanism underlying bulbil formation has remained incompletely understood. RESULTS: The metabolome and transcriptome of L. lancifolium bulbils across four development stages were analyzed. The pairwise comparison of metabolomes across the four stages identified 17 differential hormones, predominantly auxin (IAA), cytokinin (CK), and jasmonic acid (JA). Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) trend analysis of differential genes revealed four significant trends across these stages. The KEGG enrichment analysis of the four clusters highlighted pathways, such as plant hormone signal transduction, which were speculated to play a crucial role in development stages. these pathways were speculated to play a crucial role in development stages. To explore the key differential expressed genes and transcription factors associated with bulbil occurrence, two periods were focused on: Ll_UN and Ll_DN, which represented the stages with and without bulbils, respectively. Through correlation analysis and qRT-PCR analysis, 11 candidate differentially expressed genes and 27 candidate transcription factors were selected. By spraying exogenous hormones to validate these candidates, LlbHLH128, LlTIFY10A, LlbHLH93, and LlMYB108, were identified as the key genes for L. lancifolium bulbils. CONCLUSION: A regulatory network of L. lancifolium bulbil development was predicted. LlTIFY10A and LlbHLH93 might be involved in the JA and auxin signal transduction pathways, which jointly formed a regulatory network to affect the occurrence of L. lancifolium bulbil. This study not only provided more information about the differentially expressed genes and metabolites through transcriptome and metabolomics analyses, but also provided a clearer understanding of the effect of hormones on bulbil formation in lily.
PMID: 39407139
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P935 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05637-w
Growth, phytochemical, and phytohormonal responses of basil to different light durations and intensities under constant daily light integral.
Photosynthesis Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran.; Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC), College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran.; Photosynthesis Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran. aliniaeifard@ut.ac.ir.; Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC), College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran. aliniaeifard@ut.ac.ir.; Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.; Department of Horticultural Science, INRES-Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, 53121, Bonn, Germany. ngruda@uni-bonn.de.
Horticulture in controlled environments has been increasingly used to tackle limitations on crop production. As a crucial environmental factor, light regulate plant growth and metabolism. In the present study, basil plants were subjected to different light durations and intensities considering constant daily light integral (DLI). The lighting environment included 200, 300, and 400 micromol m(- 2) s(- 1) intensities for 18, 12, and 9 h, respectively. DLI amounted to 12.96 mol m(- 2) d(- 1) among all light treatments (LI200 for 18 h, LI300 for 12 h, and LI400 for 9 h). Half of the plants under each light treatment were exposed to 30 micromol m(- 2) s(- 1) of far-red light. The results indicated the general negative impact of LI400/9 on the growth of basils. Exposure to far-red light hurt the growth of the shoot, while it enhanced stem and petiole elongation. This effect was due to higher gibberellin accumulation, which resulted in shade avoidance responses. Exposure to far-red light also reduced anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, as two important nutritional components. Soluble carbohydrates increased, while storage carbohydrates decreased by increasing lighting duration/decreasing light intensity or by far-red light inclusion. The lowest antioxidant activity was detected in LI400/9. In the LI200/18, the highest level of auxin and the lowest level of cytokinin were detected, while the LI300/12 exhibited the highest level of gibberellin hormone. Low light intensity and long photoperiod enhanced plant biomass and phytochemical production and are recommended for basil production in controlled environments.
PMID: 39379825
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P931 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05635-y
Molecular regulation by H(2)S of antioxidant and glucose metabolism in cold-sensitive Capsicum.
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.; Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Characteristic Plants, No.14 Yongxing Road, Chonglong Town, Zizhong County, Neijiang City, Sichuan Province, 641200, China.; College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China. huanxiuli62@163.com.
BACKGROUND: Cold is an important environmental limiting factor affecting plant yield and quality. Capsicum (chili pepper), a tropical and subtropical vegetable crop, is extremely sensitive to cold. Although H(2)S is an important signaling regulator in the responses of plant growth and development to abiotic stress, few studies have examined its effects on cold-sensitive capsicum varieties. Through biotechnology methods to enhance the cold resistance of peppers, to provide some reference for pepper breeding, investigated molecular regulation by H(2)S of responses to cold stress in cold-sensitive capsicum plants, via physiological and transcriptomic analyses. RESULTS: In capsicum seedlings, exogenous H(2)S enhanced relative electrical conductivity (REC) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) under cold stress, maintained membrane integrity, increased the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, balanced reactive oxygen species levels (O(2)(.-) and H(2)O(2)), and improved photosynthesis, mitigating the damage caused by cold. In addition, 416 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in the response to cold stress after H(2)S treatment. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the ascorbate-glutathione and starch-sucrose metabolic pathways and plant hormone signal-transduction pathways. Exogenous H(2)S altered the expression of key enzyme-encoding genes such as GST, APX, and MDHAR in the ascorbate-glutathione metabolism pathway, as well as that of regulatory genes for stimulatory hormones (auxin, cytokinins, and gibberellins) and inhibitory hormones (including jasmonate and salicylic acid) in the plant hormone signal-transduction pathway, helping to maintain the energy supply and intracellular metabolic stability under cold stress. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal that exogenous H(2)S improves cold tolerance in cold-sensitive capsicum plants, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying its responses to cold stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for exploring and improving cold tolerance in capsicum plants.
PMID: 39375603
BMC Plant Biol , IF:4.215 , 2024 Oct , V24 (1) : P921 doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05616-1
Identification of a 301 bp promoter core region of the SrUGT91D2 gene from Stevia rebaudiana that contributes to hormone and abiotic stress inducibility.
College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.; College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China. ewuwei@sicau.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 91D2 (SrUGT91D2) gene is a crucial element in the biosynthetic pathway of steviol glycosides (SGs) and is responsible for creating 1,2-beta-D glucosidic bonds at the C19 and C13 positions. This process plays a vital role in the synthesis of rebaudioside M (RM) and rebaudioside D (RD). The promoter, which regulates gene expression, requires functional analysis to understand gene expression regulation. However, investigations into the function of the promoter of SrUGT91D2 (pSrUGT91D2) have not been reported. RESULTS: The pSrUGT91D2 was isolated from six S. rebaudiana lines, and subsequent multiple sequence comparisons revealed the presence of a 26 bp inDel fragment (pSrUGT91D2-B1188 type) in lines GP, GX, 110, 1114, and B1188 but not in the pSrUGT91D2 of line 023 (pSrUGT91D2-023 type). Bioinformatics analysis revealed a prevalence of significant cis-regulatory elements (CREs) within the promoter sequences, including those responsive to abscisic acid, light, anaerobic conditions, auxin, drought, low temperature, and MeJA. To verify the activity of pSrUGT91D2, the full-length promoter and a series of 5' deletion fragments (P1-P7) and a 3' deletion fragment (P8) from various lines were fused with the reporter beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene to construct the plant expression vector, pCAMBIA1300-proColon, two colonsGUS. The transcriptional activity of these genes was examined in tobacco leaves through transient transformation. GUS tissue staining analysis and enzyme activity assays demonstrated that both the full-length promoter and truncated pSrUGT91D2 were capable of initiating GUS expression in tobacco leaves. Interestingly, P8-pSrUGT91D2-B1188 (containing the inDel segment, 301 bp) exhibited enhanced activity in driving GUS gene expression. Transient expression studies of P8-pSrUGT91D2-B1188 and P8-pSrUGT91D2-023 in response to exogenous hormones (abscisic acid and indole-3-acetic acid) and light indicated the necessity of the inDel region for P8 to exhibit transcriptional activity, as it displayed strong responsiveness to abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and light induction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the upstream region of the SrUGT91D2 gene and provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the interaction between CREs of pSrUGT91D2 and related transcription factors.
PMID: 39358690
Planta , IF:4.116 , 2024 Oct , V260 (6) : P126 doi: 10.1007/s00425-024-04559-z
Overexpression of wheat C2H2 zinc finger protein transcription factor TaZAT8-5B enhances drought tolerance and root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.
College of Life Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.; Puyang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Puyang, 457000, China.; College of Life Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China. ruilixue@126.com.; Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of CNTC, Zhengzhou, 450001, China. mingzhuwus@126.com.; College of Life Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China. lihua@henau.edu.cn.
TaZAT8-5B, a C2H2 zinc finger protein transcription factor, positively regulates drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. It promotes root growth under drought stress via the Aux/IAA-ARF module in the auxin signaling pathway. C2H2 zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) represent the largest but relatively unexplored family of transcription factors in plants. This is particularly evident in wheat, where the functions of only a few C2H2-ZFP genes have been confirmed. In this study, we identified a novel C2H2-ZFP gene, TaZAT8-5B. This gene shows high expression in roots and flowers and is significantly induced by heat, drought, and salt stress. Under drought stress, overexpressing TaZAT8-5B in Arabidopsis resulted in increased proline content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in leaves. It also led to reduced stomatal aperture and water loss, while inducing the expression of P5CS1, RD29A, and DREB1A. Consequently, it alleviated drought stress-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and improved drought tolerance. Additionally, TaZAT8-5B promoted lateral root initiation under mannitol stress and enhanced both lateral and primary root growth under long-term drought stress. Moreover, TaZAT8-5B was induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Overexpressing TaZAT8-5B under drought stress significantly inhibited the expression of auxin signaling negative regulatory genes IAA12 and IAA14. Conversely, downstream genes (ARF7, LBD16, LBD18, and CDKA1) of IAA14 and IAA12 were upregulated in TaZAT8-5B overexpressing plants compared to wild-type (WT) plants. These findings suggest that TaZAT8-5B regulates root growth and development under drought stress via the Aux/IAA-ARF module in the auxin signaling pathway. In summary, this study elucidates the role of TaZAT8-5B in enhancing drought tolerance and its involvement in root growth and development through the auxin signaling pathway. These findings offer new insights into the functional analysis of homologous genes of TaZAT8-5B, particularly in Gramineae species.
PMID: 39466433
Genes (Basel) , IF:4.096 , 2024 Oct , V15 (10) doi: 10.3390/genes15101348
Transcriptome Analysis Deciphers the Underlying Molecular Mechanism of Peanut Lateral Branch Angle Formation Using Erect Branching Mutant.
Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.; Shandong International Joint Laboratory of Agricultural Germplasm Resources Innovation, Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources (Institute of Biotechnology), Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China.; College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.; Kenli District Agricultural Development Service Center, Dongying 257500, China.; Weihai City Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264200, China.
Background The growth habit (GH), also named the branching habit, is an important agronomic trait of peanut and mainly determined by the lateral branch angle (LBA). The branching habit is closely related to peanut mechanized farming, pegging, yield, and disease management. Objectives However, the molecular basis underlying peanut LBA needs to be uncovered. Methods In the present study, an erect branching peanut mutant, eg06g, was obtained via (60)Co gamma-ray-radiating mutagenesis of a spreading-type peanut cultivar, Georgia-06G (G06G). RNA-seq was performed to compare the transcriptome variation of the upper sides and lower sides of the lateral branch of eg06g and G06G. Results In total, 4908 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 5833 DEGs were identified between eg06g and G06G from the lower sides and upper sides of the lateral branch, respectively. GO, KEGG, and clustering enrichment analysis indicated that the carbohydrate metabolic process, cell wall organization or biogenesis, and plant hormone signal transduction were mainly enriched in eg06g. Conclusions Further analysis showed that the genes involved in starch biosynthesis were upregulated in eg06g, which contributed to amyloplast sedimentation and gravity perception. Auxin homeostasis and transport-related genes were found to be upregulated in eg06g, which altered the redistribution of auxin in eg06g and in turn triggered apoplastic acidification and activated cell wall modification-related enzymes, leading to tiller angle establishment through the promotion of cell elongation at the lower side of the lateral branch. In addition, cytokinin and GA also demonstrated synergistic action to finely regulate the formation of peanut lateral branch angles. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the molecular regulation of peanut LBA and present genetic materials for breeding peanut cultivars with ideotypes.
PMID: 39457471
BMC Genomics , IF:3.969 , 2024 Oct , V25 (1) : P924 doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10821-1
Non-additive expression genes play a critical role in leaf vein ratio heterosis in Nicotiana tabacum L.
College of Tobacco, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.; Key Laboratory for Tobacco Quality Research Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.; College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.; Anshun University, Anshun, 561099, China.; College of Tobacco, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China. rxliu@gzu.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory for Tobacco Quality Research Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China. rxliu@gzu.edu.cn.
Heterosis, recognized for improving crop performance, especially in the first filial (F(1)) generation, remains an area of significant study in the tobacco industry. The low utilization of leaf veins in tobacco contributes to economic inefficiency and resource waste. Despite the positive impacts of heterosis on crop genetics, investigations into leaf-vein ratio heterosis in tobacco have been lacking. Understanding the mechanisms underlying negative heterosis in leaf vein ratio at the molecular level is crucial for advancing low vein ratio leaf breeding research. This study involved 12 hybrid combinations and their parental lines to explore heterosis associated with leaf vein ratios. The hybrids displayed diverse patterns of positive or negative leaf vein ratio heterosis across different developmental stages. Notably, the F(1) hybrid (G70 x Qinggeng) consistently exhibited substantial negative heterosis, reaching a maximum of -19.79% 80 days after transplanting. A comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that a significant proportion of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), approximately 39.04% and 23.73%, exhibited dominant and over-dominant expression patterns, respectively. These findings highlight the critical role of non-additive gene expression, particularly the dominance pattern, in governing leaf vein ratio heterosis. The non-additive genes, largely associated with various GO terms such as response to abiotic stimuli, galactose metabolic process, plant-type cell wall organization, auxin-activated signaling pathway, hydrolase activity, and UDP-glycosyltransferase activity, were identified. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis unveiled their involvement in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, glutathione metabolism, MAPK signaling pathway, starch, and sucrose metabolism. Among the non-additive genes, we identified some genes related to leaf development, leaf size, leaf senescence, and cell wall extensibility that showed significantly lower expression in F(1) than in its parents. These results indicate that the non-additive expression of genes plays a key role in the heterosis of the leaf vein ratio in tobacco. This study marks the first exploration into the molecular mechanisms governing leaf vein ratio heterosis at the transcriptome level. These findings significantly contribute to understanding leaf vein ratios in tobacco breeding strategies.
PMID: 39363277
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (20) doi: 10.3390/plants13202940
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Aux/IAA Gene Family in Strawberry Species.
Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Quzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Quzhou 324003, China.; Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
Auxin is the first plant hormone found to play a dominant role in fruit growth, from fruit set to fruit ripening. Strawberry plants represent a suitable model for studying auxin's biosynthesis, sensing, and signaling machinery. Aux/IAA genes are a classical rapid auxin-responsive family. However, the Aux/IAA gene family in Fragaria genus is poorly understood. In this study, a total of 287 Aux/IAA genes were identified in the eight strawberry genomes. Their physicochemical properties, domain structure, and cis-regulatory elements revealed the functional multiplicity of the strawberry Aux/IAAs. We used a phylogenetic analysis to classify these genes into 12 classes. In addition, based on synteny analysis, gene duplications, and calculation of the Ka/Ks ratio, we found that segmental duplications promote the evolution of Aux/IAAs in Fragaria species, which is followed by purifying selection. Furthermore, the expression pattern and protein-protein interaction network of these genes in Fragaria vesca revealed various tissue-specific expressions and probable regulatory functions. Taken together, these results provide basic genomic information and a functional analysis of these genes, which will serve to expand our understanding of the direction in which the Aux/IAA gene family is evolving in Fragaria species.
PMID: 39458886
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (20) doi: 10.3390/plants13202879
Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Defense-Related Genes and Pathways of Rice Plants in Response to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Infestation.
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) serves as a substitute for bread and is a staple food for half of the world's population, but it is heavily affected by insect pests. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a highly destructive pest, threatening rice and other crops in tropical regions. Despite its significance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying rice's response to fall armyworm infestation. In this study, we used transcriptome analysis to explore the global changes in gene expression in rice leaves during a 1 h and 12 h fall armyworm feeding. The results reveal 2695 and 6264 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 1 and 12 h post-infestation, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analyses provide insights into biological processes and pathways affected by fall armyworm feeding. Key genes associated with hormone regulation, defense metabolic pathways, and antioxidant and detoxification processes were upregulated, suggesting the involvement of jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, salicylic acid biosynthesis pathways, auxin response, and heat shock proteins in defense during 1 h and 12 h after fall armyworm infestation. Similarly, key genes involved in transcriptional regulation and defense mechanisms reveal the activation of calmodulins, transcription factors (TFs), and genes related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Additionally, MYB, WRKY, and ethylene-responsive factors (ERFs) are identified as crucial TF families in rice's defense response. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular dynamics in rice responding to fall armyworm infestation, offering valuable insights for developing pest-resistant rice varieties and enhancing global food security. The identified genes and pathways provide an extensive array of genomic resources that can be used for further genetic investigation into rice herbivore resistance. This also suggests that rice plants may have evolved strategies against herbivorous insects. It also lays the groundwork for novel pest-resistance techniques for rice.
PMID: 39458827
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (20) doi: 10.3390/plants13202875
A Novel Enterococcus-Based Nanofertilizer Promotes Seedling Growth and Vigor in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
Department of Basic and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, 1-Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town, Lahore 54782, Pakistan.; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, 1-Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town, Lahore 54782, Pakistan.; H.A. Shah & Sons Group of Companies, Islamabad 46000, Pakistan.; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, SBA School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore 54792, Pakistan.; Institute of Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Campus Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain.
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers poses significant environmental and health concerns. Microbial-based biofertilizers are increasingly being promoted as safe alternatives. However, they have limitations such as gaining farmers' trust, the need for technical expertise, and the variable performance of microbes in the field. The development of nanobiofertilizers as agro-stimulants and agro-protective agents for climate-smart and sustainable agriculture could overcome these limitations. In the present study, auxin-producing Enterococcus sp. SR9, based on its plant growth-promoting traits, was selected for the microbe-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These microbial-nanoparticles SR9AgNPs were characterized using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and a size analyzer. To test the efficacy of SR9AgNPs compared to treatment with the SR9 isolate alone, the germination rates of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds were analyzed. The data revealed that seeds simultaneously treated with SR9AgNPs and SR9 showed better germination rates than untreated control plants. In the case of vigor, wheat showed the most positive response to the nanoparticle treatment, with a higher vigor index than the other crops analyzed. The toxicity assessment of SR9AgNPs demonstrated no apparent toxicity at a concentration of 100 ppm, resulting in the highest germination and biomass gain in wheat seedlings. This work represents the first step in the characterization of microbial-assisted SR9AgNPs and encourages future studies to extend these conclusions to other relevant crops under field conditions.
PMID: 39458822
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (20) doi: 10.3390/plants13202849
CaARP1/CaSGT1 Module Regulates Vegetative Growth and Defense Response of Pepper Plants against Phytophthora capsici.
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.; Jiangsu Coastal Area Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Yancheng 224002, China.
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) suffers severe quality and yield loss from oomycete diseases caused by Phytophthora capsici. CaSGT1 was previously determined to positively regulate the immune response of pepper plants against P. capsici, but by which mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, the potential interacting proteins of CaSGT1 were isolated from pepper using a yeast two-hybrid system, among which CaARP1 was determined to interact with CaSGT1 via bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays. CaARP1 belongs to the auxin-repressed protein family, which is well-known to function in modulating plant growth. The transcriptional and protein levels of CaARP1 were both significantly induced by infection with P. capsici. Silencing of CaARP1 promotes the vegetative growth of pepper plants and attenuates its disease resistance to P. capsici, as well as compromising the hypersensitive response-like cell death in pepper leaves induced by PcINF1, a well-characterized typical PAMP from P. capsici. Chitin-induced transient expression of CaARP1 in pepper leaves enhanced its disease resistance to P. capsici, which is amplified by CaSGT1 co-expression as a positive regulator. Taken together, our result revealed that CaARP1 plays a dual role in the pepper, negatively regulating the vegetative growth and positively regulating plant immunity against P. capsici in a manner associated with CaSGT1.
PMID: 39458796
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (19) doi: 10.3390/plants13192796
Polyacrylamide Regulated Phytohormone Balance and Starch Degradation to Promote Seed-Potato Sprouting and Emergence.
College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
Potatoes are typically seeded as tubers, and their slow sprouting significantly impacts production. Therefore, the effects of polyacrylamide (20 g.L(-1), 30 g.L(-1), and 40 g.L(-1)) as a seed potato dressing on sprouting, seedling growth, and biomass were investigated. The phytohormone content, respiratory intensity, and starch metabolism enzyme activity were analyzed to elucidate the physiological mechanisms involved. The sprouting rate significantly increased after 20 g.L(-1) and 30 g.L(-1) treatments by 40.63% and 15.63%, respectively. The sprouting energy was the highest (52.0%) at 20 g.L(-1), 7.67 times higher than the control. The 20 g.L(-1) and 30 g.L(-1) treatments also promoted emergence and growth, with the emergence rate increasing by 18.18% and 27.27% and growth increasing by over 8.1% and 11.9%, respectively. These effects were related to changes in phytohormone content and accelerated starch conversion. After treatment, the auxin and cytokinin contents in the apical buds increased significantly at the germination initiation stage, and during the germination and vigorous growth phases, the auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin contents increased. Polyacrylamide treatment activated alpha-amylase and promoted starch degradation, increasing soluble sugar content to provide nutrients and energy for sprouting. This study provides a promising approach for promoting potato tuber sprouting and seedling growth.
PMID: 39409666
Plants (Basel) , IF:3.935 , 2024 Oct , V13 (19) doi: 10.3390/plants13192775
Exploring Novel Genomic Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Plant Height in Bulgarian Bread Wheat via Multi-Model GWAS.
Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.; Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.; Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben), Corrensstrasse 3, 06466 Seeland, OT Gatersleben, Germany.; CONICET CCT La Plata, 8 n degrees 1467, La Plata 1900, Argentina.
In the context of crop breeding, plant height (PH) plays a pivotal role in determining straw and grain yield. Although extensive research has explored the genetic control of PH in wheat, there remains an opportunity for further advancements by integrating genomics with growth-related phenomics. Our study utilizes the latest genome-wide association scan (GWAS) techniques to unravel the genetic basis of temporal variation in PH across 179 Bulgarian bread wheat accessions, including landraces, tall historical, and semi-dwarf modern varieties. A GWAS was performed with phenotypic data from three growing seasons, the calculated best linear unbiased estimators, and the leveraging genotypic information from the 25K Infinium iSelect array, using three statistical methods (MLM, FarmCPU, and BLINK). Twenty-five quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with PH were identified across fourteen chromosomes, encompassing 21 environmentally stable quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs), and four haplotype blocks. Certain loci (17) on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 5D, and 6A remain unlinked to any known Rht (Reduced height) genes, QTL, or GWAS loci associated with PH, and represent novel regions of potential breeding significance. Notably, these loci exhibit varying effects on PH, contribute significantly to natural variance, and are expressed during seedling to reproductive stages. The haplotype block on chromosome 6A contains five QTN loci associated with reduced height and two loci promoting height. This configuration suggests a substantial impact on natural variation and holds promise for accurate marker-assisted selection. The potentially novel genomic regions harbor putative candidate gene coding for glutamine synthetase, gibberellin 2-oxidase, auxin response factor, ethylene-responsive transcription factor, and nitric oxide synthase; cell cycle-related genes, encoding cyclin, regulator of chromosome condensation (RCC1) protein, katanin p60 ATPase-containing subunit, and expansins; genes implicated in stem mechanical strength and defense mechanisms, as well as gene regulators such as transcription factors and protein kinases. These findings enrich the pool of semi-dwarfing gene resources, providing the potential to further optimize PH, improve lodging resistance, and achieve higher grain yields in bread wheat.
PMID: 39409644
Plant Reprod , IF:3.767 , 2024 Dec , V37 (4) : P489-506 doi: 10.1007/s00497-024-00503-z
Identification of male sterility-related genes in Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum.
Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.; The Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Waipahu, HI, 96797, USA.; Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. rayming@illinois.edu.; Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China. rayming@illinois.edu.
Candidate male sterility genes were identified in sugarcane, which interacts with kinase-related proteins, transcription factors, and plant hormone signaling pathways to regulate stamen and anther development. Saccharum officinarum is a cultivated sugarcane species that its predominant feature is high sucrose content in stems. Flowering is necessary for breeding new cultivars but will terminate plant growth and reduce sugar yield. The wild sugarcane species Saccharum spontaneum has robust and viable pollen, whereas most S. officinarum accessions are male sterile, which is a desirable trait of a maternal parent in sugarcane breeding. To study male sterility and related regulatory pathways in sugarcane, we carried out RNAseq using flowers in different developmental stages between male-sterile S. officinarum accession 'LA Purple' and fertile S. spontaneum accession 'SES208'. Gene expression profiles were used to detect how genes are differentially expressed between male sterile and fertile flowers and to identify candidate genes for male sterility. Weighted gene correlation networks analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to investigate the regulatory networks. Transcriptomic analyses showed that 988 genes and 2888 alleles were differentially expressed in S. officinarum compared to S. spontaneum. Ten differentially expressed genes and thirty alleles were identified as candidate genes and alleles for male sterility in sugarcane. The gene Sspon.03G0007630 and two alleles of the gene Sspon.08G0002270, Sspon.08G0002270-2B and Sspon.08G0014700-1A, were involved in the early stamen or carpel development stages, while the remaining genes were classified into the post-meiosis stage. Gibberellin, auxin, and jasmonic acid signaling pathways are involved in the stamen development in sugarcane. The results expanded our knowledge of male sterility-related genes in sugarcane and generated genomic resources to facilitate the selection of ideal maternal parents to improve breeding efficiency.
PMID: 38844561
Plant Reprod , IF:3.767 , 2024 Dec , V37 (4) : P463-468 doi: 10.1007/s00497-024-00504-y
An epiQTL underlying asexual seed formation in Arabidopsis.
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam Science Park, Am Muhlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.; Business Academy Aarhus, 8260, Viby J, Denmark.; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam Science Park, Am Muhlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany. figueiredo@mpimp-golm.mpg.de.
The DNA methylation status at an epigenetic quantitative trait locus in the Arabidopsis chromosome 2 is linked to the formation of apomictic-like endosperms. Seed development in most angiosperms is coupled to fertilization of the maternal gametes by two sperm cells. However, apomictic species can reproduce asexually via seeds. This trait is of great agricultural interest, as it would fix complex genotypes and allow for pollen-independent seed production. However, engineering full apomixis requires three independent processes: apomeiosis, parthenogenesis and autonomous endosperm development. While the first two have been successfully engineered in some crops, the formation of autonomous endosperms remains a challenge. Although it is known that this trait is under epigenetic control, such as of DNA methylation, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly undiscovered. Here, using epigenetic recombinant inbred lines, we identified an epigenetic quantitative trait locus in the Arabidopsis chromosome 2, which correlates with permissiveness for the formation of asexual seeds: hypomethylation at this genomic region allows the formation of larger autonomous endosperms. Importantly, the methylation at this locus only correlates with asexual seed size, and not to the size of sexual seeds or that of other organs. With this, we aim to show that screening for epialleles is a promising strategy to uncover loci underlying relevant traits and could pave the way to identifying genes necessary for the engineering of apomixis.
PMID: 38836892
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
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
World J Microbiol Biotechnol , IF:3.312 , 2024 Oct , V40 (11) : P356 doi: 10.1007/s11274-024-04154-0
Elucidating the eco-friendly herbicidal potential of microbial metabolites from Bacillus altitudinis.
Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.; Key Laboratory of Qinghai Tibet Plateau biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.; Northwest Potato Engineering Research Center, Ministry of Education, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.; Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China. fjfzss@126.com.; Key Laboratory of Qinghai Tibet Plateau biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China. fjfzss@126.com.; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China. fjfzss@126.com.; Northwest Potato Engineering Research Center, Ministry of Education, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China. fjfzss@126.com.
Microbial herbicides play a vital role in agricultural preservation, amid growing concerns over the ecological impact from extensive development and use of chemical herbicides. Utilizing beneficial microbial metabolites to combat weeds has become a significant focus of research. This study focused on isolating herbicidal active compounds from Bacillus altitudinis D30202 through activity-guided methods. First, the n-butanol extract (n-BE) of B. altitudinis D30202 underwent fractionation using macroporous adsorption resin D101 and Sephadex LH-20, identifying Fr. F as the most potent segment against wild oats (Avena fatua L.). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC - QTOF-MS) identified nine compounds in the active fraction Fr. F. Subsequently, three subfractions (Fr.F-1 to Fr.F-3) were derived from Fr.F via semi-preparative liquid chromatography, resulting in methyl indole-3-acetate (MeIAA) purification. MeIAA, functioning as an auxin analog, exhibited effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on wild oats' growth, with a root length median inhibitory concentration of 81.06 microg/ml. Furthermore, we assessed MeIAA's herbicidal impact on five weed species across diverse families and genera, providing a first-time analysis of MeIAA's mechanism on wild oats. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed structural damage to leaves and roots post-MeIAA treatment. MeIAA treatment increased superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide levels in wild oat roots, alongside with elevated peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, chlorophyll-degrading enzymes (Chlase, MDACase), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and relative conductivity in leaves. Conversely, it decreased catalase (CAT) activity and chlorophyll content. Therefore, this study provides a new material source and theoretical foundation for ecologically sustainable agricultural weed control.
PMID: 39424739
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 (10) : Pe0309452 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309452
Ectopic expression of potato ARP1 encoding auxin-repressed protein confers salinity stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Biology Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
Salinity stress is one of the most detrimental factors affecting crop production worldwide. Genetic engineering offers a promising approach for improving agronomic traits and enhancing stress tolerance. In a previous work, several potential candidate genes were identified in potato using large-scale functional yeast screening. In this work, we characterized one of the identified genes, an auxin-repressed protein 1 (ARP1), in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. ARP1 transgenic lines were subjected to salinity stress and compared with wild-type (WT) plants. Compared to WT plants, transgenic ARP1 lines showed significant improvements in morphological parameters, such as plant height, leaves per plant, root length, and fresh weight. Additionally, biochemical and physiological analyses revealed that the transgenic ARP1 lines exhibited improved stomatal conductance, reduced electrolyte leakage, increased proline and chlorophyll accumulation, significantly enhanced malondialdehyde accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, spectral analysis revealed that transgenic ARP1 lines had increased photosynthetic capacity compared to WT plants, as indicated by various biochemical parameters and pigment indicators. Transgenic ARP1 lines also showed improved photosystem (PSII) efficiency compared to WT plants, as demonstrated by detailed chlorophyll fluorescence analyses. Moreover, both ARP1 lines showed significantly higher expression levels of SOD, CAT, and APX than the WT plants under salt stress. The highest increase in relative expression was observed with SOD (3-fold increase) as compared to their respective WT in both ARP1 lines. We conclude that potato ARP1 is a promising candidate gene for the future development of salt-tolerant crops.
PMID: 39418226
Funct Plant Biol , IF:3.101 , 2024 Oct , V51 doi: 10.1071/FP24059
Alteration in certain growth, biochemical, and anatomical indices of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in response to the foliar application of auxin under water deficit.
Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.; Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.; College of Integrated Science and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA.
Drought-induced stress represents one of the most economically detrimental natural phenomena impacting grapevine (Vitis vinifera ) development, yield, and fruit characteristics. Also, auxin is one of the most important plant growth regulators that can reduce damage caused by stress in plants. In this study, the impact of exogenously sprayed auxin (0, 50, and 200mgL-1 ) on growth, biochemical, and anatomical parameters was investigated in two grapevine varieties (cvs. 'Rashe' and 'Fakhri') under water deficit. According to our findings, water deficit led to a notable decrease in growth, protein content, and anatomical parameters; but significantly enhanced electrolyte leakage. Grapevines exposed to water deficit exhibited substantial increases in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Applying 50mgL-1 napthalene acetic acid (NAA) reduced the effects of water deficit in both grapevine cultivars by decreasing electrolyte leakage (15% in 'Rashe' and 20% in 'Fakhri'), and accumulating protein content (22% 'Rashe' and 32% 'Fakhri'), total phenolic compounds (33%'Rashe' and 40% 'Fakhri'), and antioxidant capacity (11% 'Rashe' and 39% 'Fakhri'); anantomical parameters were also improved. However, application of 200mgL-1 NAA had adverse effects on growth and biochemical traits of grapevines, with a more pronounced impact on root growth and anatomical parameters compared to other NAA concentrations. In conclusion, the application of 50mgL-1 NAA enhanced grapevine growth, enabling them to better thrive under water deficit.
PMID: 39388429
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
Genetica , IF:1.082 , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1007/s10709-024-00214-3
Systematic analysis of the ARF gene family in Fagopyrum dibotrys and its potential roles in stress tolerance.
Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism Regulation in Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China.; Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism Regulation in Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China. wangdk@zstu.edu.cn.
The auxin response factor (ARF) is a plant-specific transcription factor that regulates the expression of auxin response genes by binding directly to their promoters. They play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development, as well as in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the identification and functional analysis of ARFs in Fagopyrum dibotrys are still unclear. In this study, a total of 26 FdARF genes were identified using bioinformatic methods. Their chromosomal location, gene structure, physical and chemical properties of their encoded protein, subcellular location, phylogenetic tree, conserved motifs and cis-acting elements in FdARF promoters were analyzed. The results showed that 26 FdARF genes were unevenly distributed on 8 chromosomes, with the largest distribution on chromosome 4 and the least distribution on chromosome 3. Most FdARF proteins are located in the nucleus, except for the proteins FdARF7 and FdARF21 located to the cytoplasm and nucleus, while FdARF14, FdARF16, and FdARF25 proteins are located outside the chloroplast and nucleus. According to phylogenetic analysis, 26 FdARF genes were divided into 6 subgroups. Duplication analysis indicates that the expansion of the FdARF gene family was derived from segmental duplication rather than tandem duplication. The prediction based on cis-elements of the promoter showed that 26 FdARF genes were rich in multiple stress response elements, suggesting that FdARFs may be involved in the response to abiotic stress. Expression profiling analysis showed that most of the FdARF genes were expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, and tubers of F. dibotrys, but their expression exhibits a certain degree of tissue specificity. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that most members of the FdARF gene were up- or down-regulated in response to abiotic stress. The results of this study expand our understanding of the functional role of FdARFs in response to abiotic stress and lay a theoretical foundation for further exploration of other functions of FdARF genes.
PMID: 39365431
Cold Spring Harb Protoc , 2024 Oct doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot108623
The Rolled Towel Method for Hormone Response Assays in Maize.
Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.; Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA dkelley@iastate.edu.
The rolled towel assay (RTA) is a soil-free method to evaluate juvenile phenotypes in crops such as maize and soybean. Here, we provide an updated RTA-based protocol to phenotype maize seedling responses to chemicals of interest. We exemplify the protocol with two synthetic auxin herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and picloram), an auxin precursor (indole-3-butyric acid), and an auxin inhibitor (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid), but the method can be used with other hormones or plant growth regulators that are soluble in growth media. We also include instructions on how to annotate root traits and analyze primary root length trait data. The protocol can be scaled up for use in genetic screens, preparing tissue for gene expression analyses, carrying out genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and quantitative trait locus (QTL) identification.
PMID: 39477537
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao , 2024 Oct , V40 (10) : P3629-3648 doi: 10.13345/j.cjb.240074
[Plant hormone signaling is involved in regulating flower bud size of daylily].
College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi, China.
To explore the role and metabolic differences of plant hormones in regulating the flower bud size of daylily, we collected the flower buds from two daylily varieties 'Datong Huanghua' and 'Dongbei Huanghua' at the young bud, green, yellowing, and yellow stages for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and the exogenous plant hormone spraying experiments were conducted. A total of 199 DEGs related to the biosynthesis and metabolism of plant hormones was screened out at different flower development stages of 'Datong Huanghua' and 'Dongbei Huanghua'. These genes regulated the biosynthesis and metabolism of six plant hormones: abscisic acid, gibberellin, auxin, jasmonate, cytokinin, and ethylene. The DEGs associated with auxin were the most, which suggested that auxin played a role in regulating flower bud development. The auxin response factor (ARF) presented up-regulated expression at all the four stages of flower bud development, indicating that ARF played a positive regulatory role throughout the flower bud development of daylily. The experiments with exogenous spraying of six hormones further verified that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) significantly promoted the growth and increased the nutrient content in the flower buds of 'Datong Huanghua', suggesting that IAA played a role in regulating flower bud development. Our results laid a theoretical foundation for probing into the regulatory mechanism of flower bud development of 'Datong Huanghua' and 'Dongbei Huanghua'.
PMID: 39467755
Heliyon , 2024 Oct , V10 (19) : Pe38653 doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38653
Halotolerant phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from arid area in Tunisia improve P status and photosynthetic activity of cultivated barley under P shortage.
Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Sfax, BP "1175", 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.; Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Zrig, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia.; Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Saiwai-cho, Fuchushi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.; Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria (CBBC), BP 901, Hammam-Lif, 2050, Tunisia.; Pastoral Ecosystems and Valorization of Spontaneous Plants and Associated Microorganisms Laboratory, Arid Regions Institute, University of Gabes, 4100, Medenine, Tunisia.; Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box-2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90095, USA.
Forty-seven (47) bacterial strains were isolated from soil of Gabes (an arid region in southern Tunisia) and were screened for their ability to produce Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and to solubilize phosphate (P). The characterization and molecular identification of the most successful P-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were then carried out. When grown on suitable artificial media, the most salt-tolerant strains also showed the highest P solubilization capacity (up to 126.8 mug ml(-1) of released phosphorus after 7 day incubation) and the strongest ability to produce IAA (up to 101.86 mug ml(-1) after 3 day incubation). Overall, bacterial isolates displayed a different tolerance to varying pH, temperatures, and salinity. The molecular identification revealed that 11 strains belonged to three genera: Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Mesorhizobium. Inoculation of barley with P-solubilizing bacteria under tricalcium phosphate-induced P shortage significantly improved plant growth (biomass, shoot height, and root length) together with increasing total chlorophyll contents and photosynthetic activity. This was concomitant with (i) higher P uptake and translocation and (ii) increased phosphorus absorption and utilization efficiencies (PAE and PUE), which is indicative of a better plant P nutrition under P scarcity. Taken together, we provide strong arguments showing that bacteria native to extreme environments display PSB potential making them promising candidates to mitigate low Pi availability for crop plants.
PMID: 39397981
Postepy Biochem , 2024 Sep , V70 (3) : P297-306 doi: 10.18388/pb.2021_549
[Biosynthesis and metabolic inactivation of auxins].
Zaklad Biologii Rozwoju Roslin, Wydzial Nauk Biologicznych, Uniwersytet Wroclawski.
Auxins are a phytohormones that regulates of processes related to plant growth and morphogenesis, therefore their deficiency or excess results in severe developmental disorders. Plants have developed mechanisms aimed at regulating the level of the active form of these hormones, including their: directional transport, local biosynthesis, and degradation, as well as reversible and irreversible inactivation by binding to additional chemical groups. Despite almost a hundred years since the discovery of auxins, the functioning of these mechanisms, especially at the level of metabolism, is still not fully understood. In recent years, thanks to the development of new research methods, significant progress has been made in this field. This applies to both the identification of auxin biosynthetic pathways and the genes involved in them, as well as the detection of new auxin metabolites, their mutual connections and enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, transformation, and degradation. This work focuses on summarizing the current knowledge on this topic, considering the relationship of auxin metabolism with developmental processes and the response to changing environmental conditions.
PMID: 39365572
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
Plant Commun , 2024 Oct , V5 (10) : P100943 doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100943
LAZY4 acts additively with the starch-statolith-dependent gravity-sensing pathway to regulate shoot gravitropism and tiller angle in rice.
National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai' an 271018, China.; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China; Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya 572024, China.; National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai' an 271018, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China. Electronic address: yhwang@genetics.ac.cn.
Rice tiller angle is a key agronomic trait that has significant effects on the establishment of a high-yield rice population. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the control of rice tiller angle remains to be clarified. Here, we characterized the novel tiller-angle gene LAZY4 (LA4) in rice through map-based cloning. LA4 encodes a C3H2C3-type RING zinc-finger E3 ligase localized in the nucleus, and an in vitro ubiquitination assay revealed that the conserved RING finger domain is essential for its E3 ligase activity. We found that expression of LA4 can be induced by gravistimulation and that loss of LA4 function leads to defective shoot gravitropism caused by impaired asymmetric auxin redistribution upon gravistimulation. Genetic analysis demonstrated that LA4 acts in a distinct pathway from the starch biosynthesis regulators LA2 and LA3, which function in the starch-statolith-dependent pathway. Further genetic analysis showed that LA4 regulates shoot gravitropism and tiller angle by acting upstream of LA1 to mediate lateral auxin transport upon gravistimulation. Our studies reveal that LA4 regulates shoot gravitropism and tiller angle upstream of LA1 through a novel pathway independent of the LA2-LA3-mediated gravity-sensing mechanism, providing new insights into the rice tiller-angle regulatory network.
PMID: 38897199
J Genet Genomics , 2024 Oct , V51 (10) : P1101-1110 doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.05.011
Genome-editing of a circadian clock gene TaPRR95 facilitates wheat peduncle growth and heading date.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding and National Key Facility for Crop Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.; College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China.; College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, China.; College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.; School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding and National Key Facility for Crop Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China. Electronic address: gengshuaifeng@caas.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding and National Key Facility for Crop Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China. Electronic address: liaili@caas.cn.; State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding and National Key Facility for Crop Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China. Electronic address: maolong@caas.cn.
Plant height and heading date are important agronomic traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that affect final grain yield. In wheat, knowledge of pseudo-response regulator (PRR) genes on agronomic traits is limited. Here, we identify a wheat TaPRR95 gene by genome-wide association studies to be associated with plant height. Triple allele mutant plants produced by CRISPR/Cas9 show increased plant height, particularly the peduncle, with an earlier heading date. The longer peduncle is mainly caused by the increased cell elongation at its upper section, whilst the early heading date is accompanied by elevated expression of flowering genes, such as TaFT and TaCO1. A peduncle-specific transcriptome analysis reveals up-regulated photosynthesis genes and down-regulated IAA/Aux genes for auxin signaling in prr95(aabbdd) plants that may act as a regulatory mechanism to promote robust plant growth. A haplotype analysis identifies a TaPRR95-B haplotype (Hap2) to be closely associated with reduced plant height and increased thousand-grain weight. Moreover, the Hap2 frequency is higher in cultivars than that in landraces, suggesting the artificial selection on the allele during wheat breeding. These findings suggest that TaPRR95 is a regulator for plant height and heading date, thereby providing an important target for wheat yield improvement.
PMID: 38849110