101
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Gaudin ACM, Henry A, Sparks AH, Slamet-Loedin IH. Taking transgenic rice drought screening to the field. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2013. [PMID: 23202133 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ers313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous transgenes have been reported to increase rice drought resistance, mostly in small-scale experiments under vegetative-stage drought stress, but few studies have included grain yield or field evaluations. Different definitions of drought resistance are currently in use for field-based and laboratory evaluations of transgenics, the former emphasizing plant responses that may not be linked to yield under drought. Although those fundamental studies use efficient protocols to uncover and validate gene functions, screening conditions differ greatly from field drought environments where the onset of drought stress symptoms is slow (2-3 weeks). Simplified screening methods, including severely stressed survival studies, are therefore not likely to identify transgenic events with better yield performance under drought in the target environment. As biosafety regulations are becoming established to allow field trials in some rice-producing countries, there is a need to develop relevant screening procedures that scale from preliminary event selection to greenhouse and field trials. Multilocation testing in a range of drought environments may reveal that different transgenes are necessary for different types of drought-prone field conditions. We describe here a pipeline to improve the selection efficiency and reproducibility of results across drought treatments and test the potential of transgenic rice for the development of drought-resistant material for agricultural purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie C M Gaudin
- Crop Environmental Sciences Division, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines
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102
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Jeong JS, Kim YS, Redillas MCFR, Jang G, Jung H, Bang SW, Choi YD, Ha SH, Reuzeau C, Kim JK. OsNAC5 overexpression enlarges root diameter in rice plants leading to enhanced drought tolerance and increased grain yield in the field. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2013; 11:101-14. [PMID: 23094910 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Drought conditions are among the most serious challenges to crop production worldwide. Here, we report the results of field evaluations of transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsNAC5, under the control of either the root-specific (RCc3) or constitutive (GOS2) promoters. Field evaluations over three growing seasons revealed that the grain yield of the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were increased by 9%-23% and 9%-26% under normal conditions, respectively. Under drought conditions, however, RCc3:OsNAC5 plants showed a significantly higher grain yield of 22%-63%, whilst the GOS2:OsNAC5 plants showed a reduced or similar yield to the nontransgenic (NT) controls. Both the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were found to have larger roots due to an enlarged stele and aerenchyma at flowering stage. Cell numbers per cortex layer and stele of developing roots were higher in both transgenic plants than NT controls, contributing to the increase in root diameter. The root diameter was enlarged to a greater extent in the RCc3:OsNAC5, suggesting the importance of this phenotype for enhanced drought tolerance. Microarray experiments identified 25 up-regulated genes by more than three-fold (P < 0.01) in the roots of both transgenic lines. Also identified were 19 and 18 up-regulated genes that are specific to the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 roots, respectively. Of the genes specifically up-regulated in the RCc3:OsNAC5 roots, GLP, PDX, MERI5 and O-methyltransferase were implicated in root growth and development. Our present findings demonstrate that the root-specific overexpression of OsNAC5 enlarges roots significantly and thereby enhances drought tolerance and grain yield under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Seo Jeong
- School of Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin, Korea
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103
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Lawlor DW. Genetic engineering to improve plant performance under drought: physiological evaluation of achievements, limitations, and possibilities. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2013; 64:83-108. [PMID: 23162116 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ers326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fully drought-resistant crop plants would be beneficial, but selection breeding has not produced them. Genetic modification of species by introduction of very many genes is claimed, predominantly, to have given drought resistance. This review analyses the physiological responses of genetically modified (GM) plants to water deficits, the mechanisms, and the consequences. The GM literature neglects physiology and is unspecific in definitions, which are considered here, together with methods of assessment and the type of drought resistance resulting. Experiments in soil with cessation of watering demonstrate drought resistance in GM plants as later stress development than in wild-type (WT) plants. This is caused by slower total water loss from the GM plants which have (or may have-morphology is often poorly defined) smaller total leaf area (LA) and/or decreased stomatal conductance (g (s)), associated with thicker laminae (denser mesophyll and smaller cells). Non-linear soil water characteristics result in extreme stress symptoms in WT before GM plants. Then, WT and GM plants are rewatered: faster and better recovery of GM plants is taken to show their greater drought resistance. Mechanisms targeted in genetic modification are then, incorrectly, considered responsible for the drought resistance. However, this is not valid as the initial conditions in WT and GM plants are not comparable. GM plants exhibit a form of 'drought resistance' for which the term 'delayed stress onset' is introduced. Claims that specific alterations to metabolism give drought resistance [for which the term 'constitutive metabolic dehydration tolerance' (CMDT) is suggested] are not critically demonstrated, and experimental tests are suggested. Small LA and g (s) may not decrease productivity in well-watered plants under laboratory conditions but may in the field. Optimization of GM traits to environment has not been analysed critically and is required in field trials, for example of recently released oilseed rape and maize which show 'drought resistance', probably due to delayed stress onset. Current evidence is that GM plants may not be better able to cope with drought than selection-bred cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Lawlor
- Plant Biology & Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2AJ, UK.
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104
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Cominelli E, Conti L, Tonelli C, Galbiati M. Challenges and perspectives to improve crop drought and salinity tolerance. N Biotechnol 2012; 30:355-61. [PMID: 23165101 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2012.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Drought and high salinity are two major abiotic stresses affecting crop productivity. Therefore, the development of crops better adapted to cope with these stresses represents a key goal to ensure global food security to an increasing world population. Although many genes involved in the response to these abiotic stresses have been extensively characterised and some stress tolerant plants developed, the success rate in producing stress-tolerant crops for field conditions has been thus far limited. In this review we discuss different factors hampering the successful transfer of beneficial genes from model species to crops, emphasizing some limitations in the phenotypic characterisation and definition of the stress tolerant plants developed so far. We also highlight some technological advances and different approaches that may help in developing cultivated stress tolerant plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cominelli
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, Via E. Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
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105
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Niu CF, Wei W, Zhou QY, Tian AG, Hao YJ, Zhang WK, Ma B, Lin Q, Zhang ZB, Zhang JS, Chen SY. Wheat WRKY genes TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 regulate abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2012; 35:1156-70. [PMID: 22220579 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2012.02480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
WRKY-type transcription factors are involved in multiple aspects of plant growth, development and stress response. WRKY genes have been found to be responsive to abiotic stresses; however, their roles in abiotic stress tolerance are largely unknown especially in crops. Here, we identified stress-responsive WRKY genes from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and studied their functions in stress tolerance. Forty-three putative TaWRKY genes were identified and two multiple stress-induced genes, TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19, were further characterized. TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 are nuclear proteins, and displayed specific binding to typical cis-element W box. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaWRKY2 exhibited salt and drought tolerance compared with controls. Overexpression of TaWRKY19 conferred tolerance to salt, drought and freezing stresses in transgenic plants. TaWRKY2 enhanced expressions of STZ and RD29B, and bound to their promoters. TaWRKY19 activated expressions of DREB2A, RD29A, RD29B and Cor6.6, and bound to DREB2A and Cor6.6 promoters. The two TaWRKY proteins may regulate the downstream genes through direct binding to the gene promoter or via indirect mechanism. Manipulation of TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 in wheat or other crops should improve their performance under various abiotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can-Fang Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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106
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Yue Y, Zhang M, Zhang J, Tian X, Duan L, Li Z. Overexpression of the AtLOS5 gene increased abscisic acid level and drought tolerance in transgenic cotton. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2012; 63:3741-8. [PMID: 22412184 PMCID: PMC3388821 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ers069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Drought is the major environmental stress that limits cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production worldwide. LOS5/ABA3 (LOS5) encodes a molybdenum co-factor and is essential for activating aldehyde oxidase, which is involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. In this study, a LOS5 cDNA of Arabidopsis thaliana was overexpressed in cotton cultivar Zhongmiansuo35 (Z35) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The transformation and overexpression of AtLOS5 were assessed by PCR and RT-PCR analysis. Detached shoots of transgenic cotton showed slower transpirational water loss than those of Z35. When pot-grown 6-week-old seedlings were withheld from watering for 3 d, transgenic cotton accumulated 25% more endogenous ABA and about 20% more proline than Z35 plants. The transgenic plants also showed increased expression of some drought-responding genes such as P5CS and RD22, and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Their membrane integrity was considerably improved under water stress, as indicated by reduced malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage relative to control plants. When the pot-grown plants were subjected to deficit irrigation for 8 weeks (watering to 50% of field capacity), transgenic plants showed a 13% increase in fresh weight than the wild type under the same drought condition. These results suggest that the AtLOS5 transgenic cotton plants acquired a better drought tolerance through enhanced ABA production and ABA-induced physiological regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhaohu Li
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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107
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Wilkinson S, Kudoyarova GR, Veselov DS, Arkhipova TN, Davies WJ. Plant hormone interactions: innovative targets for crop breeding and management. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2012; 63:3499-509. [PMID: 22641615 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ers148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Here we highlight how both the root and shoot environment impact on whole plant hormone balance, particularly under stresses such as soil drying, and relate hormone ratios and relative abundances to processes influencing plant performance and yield under both mild and more severe stress. We discuss evidence (i) that abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene act antagonistically on grain-filling rate amongst other yield-impacting processes; (ii) that ABA's effectiveness as an agent of stomatal closure can be modulated by coincident ethylene or cytokinin accumulation; and (iii) that enhanced cytokinin production can increase growth and yield by improving foliar stay-green indices under stress, and by improving processes that impact grain-filling and number, and that this can be the result of altered relative abundances of cytokinin and ABA (and other hormones). We describe evidence and novel processes whereby these phenomena are/could be amenable to manipulation through genetic and management routes, such that plant performance and yield can be improved. We explore the possibility that a range of ABA-ethylene and ABA-cytokinin relative abundances could represent targets for breeding/managing for yield resilience under a spectrum of stress levels between severe and mild, and could circumvent some of the pitfalls so far encountered in the massive research effort towards breeding for increases in the complex trait of yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Wilkinson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
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108
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Saint Pierre C, Crossa JL, Bonnett D, Yamaguchi-Shinozaki K, Reynolds MP. Phenotyping transgenic wheat for drought resistance. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2012; 63:1799-1808. [PMID: 22213810 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Realistic experimental protocols to screen for drought adaptation in controlled conditions are crucial if high throughput phenotyping is to be used for the identification of high performance lines, and is especially important in the evaluation of transgenes where stringent biosecurity measures restrict the frequency of open field trials. Transgenic DREB1A-wheat events were selected under greenhouse conditions by evaluating survival and recovery under severe drought (SURV) as well as for water use efficiency (WUE). Greenhouse experiments confirmed the advantages of transgenic events in recovery after severe water stress. Under field conditions, the group of transgenic lines did not generally outperform the controls in terms of grain yield under water deficit. However, the events selected for WUE were identified as lines that combine an acceptable yield-even higher yield (WUE-11) under well irrigated conditions-and stable performance across the different environments generated by the experimental treatments.
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109
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Jogaiah S, Govind SR, Tran LSP. Systems biology-based approaches toward understanding drought tolerance in food crops. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2012; 33:23-39. [PMID: 22364373 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2012.659174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Economically important crops, such as maize, wheat, rice, barley, and other food crops are affected by even small changes in water potential at important growth stages. Developing a comprehensive understanding of host response to drought requires a global view of the complex mechanisms involved. Research on drought tolerance has generally been conducted using discipline-specific approaches. However, plant stress response is complex and interlinked to a point where discipline-specific approaches do not give a complete global analysis of all the interlinked mechanisms. Systems biology perspective is needed to understand genome-scale networks required for building long-lasting drought resistance. Network maps have been constructed by integrating multiple functional genomics data with both model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Lotus japonicus, and Medicago truncatula, and various food crops, such as rice and soybean. Useful functional genomics data have been obtained from genome-wide comparative transcriptome and proteome analyses of drought responses from different crops. This integrative approach used by many groups has led to identification of commonly regulated signaling pathways and genes following exposure to drought. Combination of functional genomics and systems biology is very useful for comparative analysis of other food crops and has the ability to develop stable food systems worldwide. In addition, studying desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants will unravel how combination of molecular genetic and metabolic processes interacts to produce a resurrection phenotype. Systems biology-based approaches have helped in understanding how these individual factors and mechanisms (biochemical, molecular, and metabolic) "interact" spatially and temporally. Signaling network maps of such interactions are needed that can be used to design better engineering strategies for improving drought tolerance of important crop species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudisha Jogaiah
- Downy Mildew Research Laboratory, Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka, India
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110
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Manavalan LP, Chen X, Clarke J, Salmeron J, Nguyen HT. RNAi-mediated disruption of squalene synthase improves drought tolerance and yield in rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2012; 63:163-75. [PMID: 21926092 PMCID: PMC3245457 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
About one-third of the world's rice area is in rain-fed lowlands and most are prone to water shortage. The identification of genes imparting tolerance to drought in the model cereal plant, rice, is an attractive strategy to engineer improved drought tolerance not only rice but other cereals as well. It is demonstrated that RNAi-mediated disruption of a rice farnesyltransferase/squalene synthase (SQS) by maize squalene synthase improves drought tolerance at both the vegetative and reproductive stages. Twenty-day-old seedlings of wild type (Nipponbare) and seven independent events of transgenic RNAi lines showed no difference in morphology. When subjected to water stress for a period of 32 d under growth chamber conditions, transgenic positives showed delayed wilting, conserved more soil water, and improved recovery. When five independent events along with wild-type plants were subjected to drought at the reproductive stage under greenhouse conditions, the transgenic plants lost water more slowly compared with the wild type, through reduced stomatal conductance and the retention of high leaf relative water content (RWC). After 28 d of slow progressive soil drying, transgenic plants recovered better and flowered earlier than wild-type plants. The yield of water-stressed transgenic positive plants ranged from 14-39% higher than wild-type plants. When grown in plates with Yoshida's nutrient solution with 1.2% agar, transgenic positives from three independent events showed increased root length and an enhanced number of lateral roots. The RNAi-mediated inactivation produced reduced stomatal conductance and subsequent drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xi Chen
- Syngenta Biotechnology Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC-27709, USA
| | - Joseph Clarke
- Syngenta Biotechnology Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC-27709, USA
| | - John Salmeron
- Syngenta Biotechnology Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC-27709, USA
| | - Henry T. Nguyen
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO-65211, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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111
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Deikman J, Petracek M, Heard JE. Drought tolerance through biotechnology: improving translation from the laboratory to farmers' fields. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2011; 23:243-50. [PMID: 22154468 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Water availability is a significant constraint to crop production, and increasing drought tolerance of crops is one step to gaining greater yield stability. Excellent progress has been made using models to identify pathways and genes that can be manipulated through biotechnology to improve drought tolerance. A current focus is on translation of results from models in controlled environments to crops in the field. Field testing to demonstrate improved yields under water-limiting conditions is challenging and expensive. More extensive phenotyping of transgenic lines in the greenhouse may contribute to improved predictions about field performance. It is possible that multiple mechanisms of drought tolerance may be needed to provide benefit across the diversity of water stress environments relevant to economic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Deikman
- Monsanto Company, 1920 Fifth Street, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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112
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Qin BX, Tang D, Huang J, Li M, Wu XR, Lu LL, Wang KJ, Yu HX, Chen JM, Gu MH, Cheng ZK. Rice OsGL1-1 is involved in leaf cuticular wax and cuticle membrane. MOLECULAR PLANT 2011; 4:985-95. [PMID: 21511810 DOI: 10.1093/mp/ssr028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular wax forms a hydrophobic barrier on aerial plant organs; it plays an important role in protecting a plant from damage caused by many forms of environmental stress. In the present study, we characterized a rice leaf wax-deficient mutant osgl1-1 derived from a spontaneous mutation, which exhibited a wax-deficient and highly hydrophilic leaf phenotype. We cloned the OsGL1-1 gene by the map-based cloning method and performed a complementation test to confirm the function of the candidate gene. Molecular studies revealed that OsGL1-1 was a member of the OsGL1 family, and contained regions that were homologous to some regions in sterol desaturases and short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases. Compared to the wild-type, the osgl1-1 mutant showed decreased cuticular wax deposition, thinner cuticular membrane, decreased chlorophyll leaching, increased rate of water loss, and enhanced sensitivity to drought. OsGL1-1 is expressed ubiquitously in rice. The transient expression of OsGL1-1-green fluorescent protein fusion protein indicated that OsGL1-1 is localized in the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Xiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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113
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Qin H, Gu Q, Zhang J, Sun L, Kuppu S, Zhang Y, Burow M, Payton P, Blumwald E, Zhang H. Regulated expression of an isopentenyltransferase gene (IPT) in peanut significantly improves drought tolerance and increases yield under field conditions. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 52:1904-14. [PMID: 21920877 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcr125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Isopentenyltransferase (IPT) is a critical enzyme in the cytokinin biosynthetic pathway. The expression of IPT under the control of a maturation- and stress-induced promoter was shown to delay stress-induced plant senescence that resulted in an enhanced drought tolerance in both monocot and dicot plants. This report extends the earlier findings in tobacco and rice to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), an important oil crop and protein source. Regulated expression of IPT in peanut significantly improved drought tolerance in both laboratory and field conditions. Transgenic peanut plants maintained higher photosynthetic rates, higher stomatal conductance and higher transpiration than wild-type control plants under reduced irrigation conditions. More importantly, transgenic peanut plants produced significantly higher yields than wild-type control plants in the field, indicating a great potential for the development of crops with improved performance and yield in water-limited areas of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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114
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Xu M, Li L, Fan Y, Wan J, Wang L. ZmCBF3 overexpression improves tolerance to abiotic stress in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) without yield penalty. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2011; 30:1949-57. [PMID: 21811828 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-011-1103-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plant productivity is greatly affected by environmental stresses such as drought, salt, and freezing. We previously described a C-repeat binding transcription factor from maize (ZmCBF3) that was upregulated by both abscisic acid and low-temperature and actively expressed during embryogenesis. To understand the stress response in rice, transgenic ZmCBF3 rice with ubiquitin promoter was developed. T3 generation was planted and analyzed. The results showed that overexpression of ZmCBF3 in rice did not cause growth retardation under normal growth conditions with improved tolerance to drought, high-salt, and low-temperature stresses. Moreover, the transgenic rice grain yield was similar to wild type plants under normal conditions. The transgenic plants showed enhanced survival rate and reduced malondialdehyde content and relative conductivity under drought, salt, and low-temperature stresses. ZmCBF3 overexpression in transgenic rice increased the transcript levels of stress-induced genes and enhanced the tolerance to drought, salt, and low-temperature stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoyun Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, National Key Facility of Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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115
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Yue Y, Zhang M, Zhang J, Duan L, Li Z. Arabidopsis LOS5/ABA3 overexpression in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc) results in enhanced drought tolerance. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 181:405-11. [PMID: 21889046 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Drought is a major environmental stress factor that affects growth and development of plants. Abscisic acid (ABA), osmotically active compounds, and synthesis of specific proteins, such as proteins that scavenge oxygen radicals, are crucial for plants to adapt to water deficit. LOS5/ABA3 (LOS5) encodes molybdenum-cofactor sulfurase, which is a key regulator of ABA biosynthesis. We overexpressed LOS5 in tobacco using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Detached leaves of LOS5-overexpressing seedlings showed lower transpirational water loss than that of nontransgenic seedlings in the same period under normal conditions. When subjected to water-deficit stress, transgenic plants showed less wilting, maintained higher water content and better cellular membrane integrity, accumulated higher quantities of ABA and proline, and exhibited higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, as compared with control plants. Furthermore, LOS5-overexpressing plants treated with 30% polyethylene glycol showed similar performance in cellular membrane protection, ABA and proline accumulation, and activities of catalase and peroxidase to those under drought stress. Thus, overexpression of LOS5 in transgenic tobacco can enhance drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuesen Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Agronomy, Centre of Crop Chemical Control, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing, PR China
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116
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Shu L, Lou Q, Ma C, Ding W, Zhou J, Wu J, Feng F, Lu X, Luo L, Xu G, Mei H. Genetic, proteomic and metabolic analysis of the regulation of energy storage in rice seedlings in response to drought. Proteomics 2011; 11:4122-38. [PMID: 21818852 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201000485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2010] [Revised: 06/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We used proteomic analysis to determine the response of rice plant seedlings to drought-induced stress. The expression of 71 protein spots was significantly altered, and 60 spots were successfully identified. The greatest down-regulated protein functional category was translation. Up-regulated proteins were mainly related to protein folding and assembly. Additionally, many proteins involved in metabolism (e.g. carbohydrate metabolism) also showed differences in expression. cDNA microarray and GC-MS analysis showed 4756 differentially expressed mRNAs and 37 differentially expressed metabolites. Once these data were integrated with the proteomic analysis, we were able to elucidate the metabolic pathways affected by drought-induced stress. These results suggest that increased energy consumption from storage substances occurred during drought. In addition, increased expression of the enzymes involved in anabolic pathways corresponded with an increase in the content of six amino acids. We speculated that energy conversion from carbohydrates and/or fatty acids to amino acids was increased. Analysis of basic metabolism networks allowed us to understand how rice plants adjust to drought conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liebo Shu
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai, PR China
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117
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Jiang Y, Cai Z, Xie W, Long T, Yu H, Zhang Q. Rice functional genomics research: progress and implications for crop genetic improvement. Biotechnol Adv 2011; 30:1059-70. [PMID: 21888963 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Rice is a staple food crop and has become a reference of monocot plant for functional genomic research. With the availability of high quality rice genome sequence, there has been rapid accumulation of functional genomic resources, including: large mutant libraries by T-DNA insertion, transposon tagging, and chemical mutagenesis; global expression profiles of the genes in the entire life cycle of rice growth and development; full-length cDNAs for both indica and japonica rice; sequences from resequencing large numbers of diverse germplasm accessions. Such resource development has greatly accelerated gene cloning. By the end of 2010, over 600 genes had been cloned using various methods. Many of the genes control agriculturally useful traits such as yield, grain quality, resistances to biotic and abiotic stresses, and nutrient-use efficiency, thus have potential utility in crop genetic improvement. This review was aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of such progress. We also presented our perspective for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhe Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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118
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Reguera M, Peleg Z, Blumwald E. Targeting metabolic pathways for genetic engineering abiotic stress-tolerance in crops. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1819:186-94. [PMID: 21867784 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abiotic stress conditions are the major limitations in modern agriculture. Although many genes associated with plant response(s) to abiotic stresses have been indentified and used to generate stress tolerant plants, the success in producing stress-tolerant crops is limited. New technologies are providing opportunities to generate stress tolerant crops. Biotechnological approaches that emphasize the development of transgenic crops under conditions that mimic the field situation and focus on the plant reproductive stage will significantly improve the opportunities of producing stress tolerant crops. Here, we highlight recent advances and discuss the limitations that hinder the fast integration of transgenic crops into agriculture and suggest possible research directions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant gene regulation in response to abiotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reguera
- Department of Plant Sci.s, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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119
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Zhang L, Xiao S, Li W, Feng W, Li J, Wu Z, Gao X, Liu F, Shao M. Overexpression of a Harpin-encoding gene hrf1 in rice enhances drought tolerance. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:4229-38. [PMID: 21527628 PMCID: PMC3153678 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Harpin proteins are well known as eliciters that induce multiple responses in plants, such as systemic acquired resistance, hypersensitive response, enhancement of growth, resistance to the green peach aphid, and tolerance to drought. Overexpression of Harpin-encoding genes enhances plant resistance to diseases in tobacco, rice, rape, and cotton; however, it is not yet known whether the expression of Harpin-encoding genes in vivo improves plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. The results of this study showed that overexpression of a Harpin-encoding gene hrf1 in rice increased drought tolerance through abscisic acid (ABA) signalling. hrf1- overexpression induces an increase in ABA content and promotes stomatal closure in rice. The hrf1 transgenic rice lines exhibited a significant increase in water retention ability, levels of free proline and soluble sugars, tolerance to oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability, and expression levels of four stress-related genes, OsLEA3-1, OsP5CS, Mn-SOD, and NM_001074345, under drought stress. The study confirmed that hrf1 conferred enhanced tolerance to drought stress on transgenic crops. These results suggest that Harpins may offer new opportunities for generating drought resistance in other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Min Shao
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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120
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Xue GP, Way HM, Richardson T, Drenth J, Joyce PA, McIntyre CL. Overexpression of TaNAC69 leads to enhanced transcript levels of stress up-regulated genes and dehydration tolerance in bread wheat. MOLECULAR PLANT 2011; 4:697-712. [PMID: 21459832 DOI: 10.1093/mp/ssr013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
NAC proteins are plant-specific transcription factors and enriched with members involved in plant response to drought stress. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of TaNAC69 in bread wheat using Affymetrix Wheat Genome Array datasets and quantitative RT-PCR. TaNAC69 expression was positively associated with wheat responses to both abiotic and biotic stresses and was closely correlated with a number of stress up-regulated genes. The functional analyses of TaNAC69 in transgenic wheat showed that TaNAC69 driven by a barley drought-inducible HvDhn4s promoter led to marked drought-inducible overexpression of TaNAC69 in the leaves and roots of transgenic lines. The HvDhn4s:TaNAC69 transgenic lines produced more shoot biomass under combined mild salt stress and water-limitation conditions, had longer root and more root biomass under polyethylene glycol-induced dehydration. Analysis of transgenic lines with constitutive overexpression of TaNAC69 showed the enhanced expression levels of several stress up-regulated genes. DNA-binding assays revealed that TaNAC69 and its rice homolog (ONAC131) were capable of binding to the promoter elements of three rice genes (chitinase, ZIM, and glyoxalase I) and an Arabidopsis glyoxalase I family gene, which are homologs of TaNAC69 up-regulated stress genes. These data suggest that TaNAC69 is involved in regulating stress up-regulated genes and wheat adaptation to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang-Ping Xue
- CSIRO Plant Industry, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia.
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121
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Varshney RK, Bansal KC, Aggarwal PK, Datta SK, Craufurd PQ. Agricultural biotechnology for crop improvement in a variable climate: hope or hype? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2011; 16:363-71. [PMID: 21497543 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2011.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Developing crops that are better adapted to abiotic stresses is important for food production in many parts of the world today. Anticipated changes in climate and its variability, particularly extreme temperatures and changes in rainfall, are expected to make crop improvement even more crucial for food production. Here, we review two key biotechnology approaches, molecular breeding and genetic engineering, and their integration with conventional breeding to develop crops that are more tolerant of abiotic stresses. In addition to a multidisciplinary approach, we also examine some constraints that need to be overcome to realize the full potential of agricultural biotechnology for sustainable crop production to meet the demands of a projected world population of nine billion in 2050.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K Varshney
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India.
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122
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Chattopadhyay A, Subba P, Pandey A, Bhushan D, Kumar R, Datta A, Chakraborty S, Chakraborty N. Analysis of the grasspea proteome and identification of stress-responsive proteins upon exposure to high salinity, low temperature, and abscisic acid treatment. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2011; 72:1293-307. [PMID: 21353267 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 01/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Abiotic stress causes diverse biochemical and physiological changes in plants and limits crop productivity. Plants respond and adapt to such stress by altering their cellular metabolism and activating various defense machineries. To understand the molecular basis of stress tolerance in plants, we have developed differential proteomes in a hardy legume, grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.). Five-week-old grasspea seedlings were subjected independently to high salinity, low temperature and abscisic acid treatment for duration of 36h. The physiological changes of stressed seedlings were monitored, and correlated with the temporal changes of proteome using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately, 400 protein spots were detected in each of the stress proteome with one-fourth showing more than 2-fold differences in expression values. Eighty such proteins were subjected to LC-tandem MS/MS analyses that led to the identification of 48 stress-responsive proteins (SRPs) presumably involved in a variety of functions, including metabolism, signal transduction, protein biogenesis and degradation, and cell defense and rescue. While 33 proteins were responsive to all three treatments, 15 proteins were expressed in stress-specific manner. Further, we explored the possible role of ROS in triggering the stress-induced degradation of large subunit (LSU) of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco). These results might help in understanding the spectrum of stress-regulated proteins and the biological processes they control as well as having implications for strategies to improve stress adaptation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Chattopadhyay
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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123
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Peleg Z, Blumwald E. Hormone balance and abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 14:290-5. [PMID: 21377404 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 618] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Plant hormones play central roles in the ability of plants to adapt to changing environments, by mediating growth, development, nutrient allocation, and source/sink transitions. Although ABA is the most studied stress-responsive hormone, the role of cytokinins, brassinosteroids, and auxins during environmental stress is emerging. Recent evidence indicated that plant hormones are involved in multiple processes. Cross-talk between the different plant hormones results in synergetic or antagonic interactions that play crucial roles in response of plants to abiotic stress. The characterization of the molecular mechanisms regulating hormone synthesis, signaling, and action are facilitating the modification of hormone biosynthetic pathways for the generation of transgenic crop plants with enhanced abiotic stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvi Peleg
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, CA 95616, USA
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124
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Cominelli E, Tonelli C. Transgenic crops coping with water scarcity. N Biotechnol 2010; 27:473-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Accepted: 08/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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125
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Zaima N, Goto-Inoue N, Hayasaka T, Setou M. Application of imaging mass spectrometry for the analysis of Oryza sativa rice. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2010; 24:2723-9. [PMID: 20814978 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world and new varieties have been bred for specific purposes, such as the development of drought-resistance, or the enrichment of functional food factors. The localization and composition of metabolites in such new varieties must be investigated because all artificial interventions are expected to change the metabolites of rice. Imaging mass spectrometry using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-IMS) is a suitable tool for investigating the localization and composition of metabolites; however, suitable methodologies for the MALDI-IMS analysis of rice have not yet been established. In this study, we optimized the methods for analyzing rice grains by MALDI-IMS using adhesive film and found the characteristic distribution of metabolites in rice. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) was localized in the endosperm. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), gamma-oryzanol and phytic acid were localized in the bran (germ and seed coat), and alpha-tocopherol was distributed in the germ (especially in the scutellum). In addition, MALDI-IMS revealed the LPC and PC composition of the rice samples. The LPC composition, LPC (1-acyl 16:0), LPC (1-acyl 18:2), LPC (1-acyl 18:1) and LPC (1-acyl 18:0), was 59.4 +/- 4.5%, 19.6 +/- 2.5%, 14.2 +/- 4.5% and 6.8 +/- 1.4%. The PC composition, PC (diacyl 16:0/18:2), PC (diacyl 16:0/18:1), PC (diacyl 18:1/18:3), PC (diacyl 18:1/18:2) and PC (diacyl 18:1/18:2), was 19.6 +/- 1.0%, 21.0 +/- 1.0%, 15.0 +/- 1.4%, 26.7 +/- 0.7% and 17.8 +/- 1.9%. This approach can be applied to the assessment of metabolites not only in rice, but also in other foods for which the preparation of sections is a challenging task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Zaima
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan.
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126
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Yang S, Vanderbeld B, Wan J, Huang Y. Narrowing down the targets: towards successful genetic engineering of drought-tolerant crops. MOLECULAR PLANT 2010; 3:469-90. [PMID: 20507936 DOI: 10.1093/mp/ssq016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Drought is the most important environmental stress affecting agriculture worldwide. Exploiting yield potential and maintaining yield stability of crops in water-limited environments are urgent tasks that must be undertaken in order to guarantee food supply for the increasing world population. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to identifying key regulators in plant drought response through genetic, molecular, and biochemical studies using, in most cases, the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. However, only a small portion of these regulators have been explored as potential candidate genes for their application in the improvement of drought tolerance in crops. Based on biological functions, these genes can be classified into the following three categories: (1) stress-responsive transcriptional regulation (e.g. DREB1, AREB, NF-YB); (2) post-transcriptional RNA or protein modifications such as phosphorylation/dephosphorylation (e.g. SnRK2, ABI1) and farnesylation (e.g. ERA1); and (3) osomoprotectant metabolism or molecular chaperones (e.g. CspB). While continuing down the path to discovery of new target genes, serious efforts are also focused on fine-tuning the expression of the known candidate genes for stress tolerance in specific temporal and spatial patterns to avoid negative effects in plant growth and development. These efforts are starting to bear fruit by showing yield improvements in several crops under a variety of water-deprivation conditions. As most such evaluations have been performed under controlled growth environments, a gap still remains between early success in the laboratory and the application of these techniques to the elite cultivars of staple crops in the field. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in the identification of signaling pathways and master regulators for drought tolerance. The knowledge acquired will facilitate the genetic engineering of single or multiple targets and quantitative trait loci in key crops to create commercial-grade cultivars with high-yielding potential under both optimal and suboptimal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujun Yang
- Performance Plants Inc., 700 Gardiners Road, Kingston, Ontario, K7M 3X9, Canada
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127
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128
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Qin Y, Ye H, Tang N, Xiong L. Systematic identification of X1-homologous genes reveals a family involved in stress responses in rice. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2009; 71:483-96. [PMID: 19701685 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-009-9535-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2009] [Accepted: 08/01/2009] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
X1-homologous genes (XHS) encode plant-specific proteins containing three major domains (XH, XS, zf-XS), but their functions are largely unknown. We report the systematic identification and characterization of XHS genes in the rice genome. Eleven putative XHS protein sequences (OXHS1-11) were identified in the sequenced genome of Oryza sativa japonica cv. Nipponbare, and these sequences, along with other plant XHS homologues, were classified into five subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis. Distinct diversification of the XHS proteins occurred between monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants. The OXHS family has diverse exon-intron structures and organizations of putative domains and motifs. The OXHS proteins showed no transactivation activity, and no interaction between the XH domain and the XS domain in yeast. Four representative OXHS proteins were targeted to cytoplasm, which contradicts the previous speculation that XHS proteins are putative transcription factors. All the OXHS genes are predominantly expressed in floral organs, and some are expressed in a wide range of tissues or organs in indica rice Minghui 63. Nine OXHS genes are responsive to at least one of the abiotic stresses including drought, salt, cold, and abscisic acid treatment. Over-expression of one stress-responsive gene OXHS2 in rice resulted in reduced tolerance to salt and drought stresses. These results suggest that the OXHS family may be functionally diversified and some members of this family may play important roles in regulating stress tolerance in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Qin
- National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
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129
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Ni FT, Chu LY, Shao HB, Liu ZH. Gene expression and regulation of higher plants under soil water stress. Curr Genomics 2009; 10:269-80. [PMID: 19949548 PMCID: PMC2709938 DOI: 10.2174/138920209788488535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2009] [Revised: 04/25/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Higher plants not only provide human beings renewable food, building materials and energy, but also play the most important role in keeping a stable environment on earth. Plants differ from animals in many aspects, but the important is that plants are more easily influenced by environment than animals. Plants have a series of fine mechanisms for responding to environmental changes, which has been established during their long-period evolution and artificial domestication. The machinery related to molecular biology is the most important basis. The elucidation of it will extremely and purposefully promote the sustainable utilization of plant resources and make the best use of its current potential under different scales. This molecular mechanism at least includes drought signal recognition (input), signal transduction (many cascade biochemical reactions are involved in this process), signal output, signal responses and phenotype realization, which is a multi-dimension network system and contains many levels of gene expression and regulation. We will focus on the physiological and molecular adaptive machinery of plants under soil water stress and draw a possible blueprint for it. Meanwhile, the issues and perspectives are also discussed. We conclude that biological measures is the basic solution to solving various types of issues in relation to sustainable development and the plant measures is the eventual way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Tai Ni
- 1College of Life Sciences, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
| | - Li-Ye Chu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hong-Bo Shao
- 2State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yangling 712100, China
- 3Shandong Key Laboratory of Eco-environmental Science for Yellow River Delta, Binzhou University, Binzhou 256603, China
- Institute of Life Sciences, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Zeng-Hui Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
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