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Xu R, Li Y, Sui Z, Lan T, Song W, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Xing J. A C-terminal encoded peptide, ZmCEP1, is essential for kernel development in maize. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:5390-5406. [PMID: 34104938 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
C-terminal encoded peptides (CEPs) are peptide hormones which act as mobile signals coordinating important developmental programs. Previous studies have unraveled that CEPs are able to regulate plant growth and abiotic stress via cell-to-cell communication in Arabidopsis and rice; however, little is known about their roles in maize. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal expression pattern of ZmCEP1 and showed that ZmCEP1 is highly expressed in young ears and tassels of maize, particularly in the vascular bundles of ears. Heterologous expression of ZmCEP1 in Arabidopsis results in smaller plants and seed size. Similarly, overexpression of ZmCEP1 in maize decreased the plant and ear height, ear length, kernel size, and 100-kernel weight. Consistently, exogenous application of the synthesized ZmCEP1 peptide to the roots of Arabidopsis and maize inhibited root elongation. Knock-out of ZmCEP1 through CRISPR/Cas9 significantly increased plant and ear height, kernel size and 100-kernel weight. Transcriptome analysis revealed that knock-out of ZmCEP1 up-regulated a subset of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, nitrate transport, sugar transport and auxin response. Thus, these results provide new insights into the genetic and molecular function of ZmCEP1 in regulating kernel development and plant growth, providing novel opportunities for maize breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibin Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhipeng Sui
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tianyu Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wanjun Song
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yirong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiewen Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE), Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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Xiao X, Ma J, Sun Y, Yao Y. A method for the further assembly of targeted unigenes in a transcriptome after assembly by Trinity. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:843. [PMID: 26528307 PMCID: PMC4604318 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA-sequencing has been widely used to obtain high throughput transcriptome sequences in various species, but the assembly of a full set of complete transcripts is still a significant challenge. Judging by the number of expected transcripts and assembled unigenes in a transcriptome library, we believe that some unigenes could be reassembled. In this study, using the nitrate transporter (NRT) gene family and phosphate transporter (PHT) gene family in Salicornia europaea as examples, we introduced an approach to further assemble unigenes found in transcriptome libraries which had been previously generated by Trinity. To find the unigenes of a particular transcript that contained gaps, we respectively selected 16 NRT candidate unigene pairs and 12 PHT candidate unigene pairs for which the two unigenes had the same annotations, the same expression patterns among various RNA-seq samples, and different positions of the proteins coded as mapped to a reference protein. To fill a gap between the two unigenes, PCR was performed using primers that mapped to the two unigenes and the PCR products were sequenced, which demonstrated that 5 unigene pairs of NRT and 3 unigene pairs of PHT could be reassembled when the gaps were filled using the corresponding PCR product sequences. This fast and simple method will reduce the redundancy of targeted unigenes and allow acquisition of complete coding sequences (CDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of ScienceUrumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Jinbiao Ma
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yufang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of ScienceUrumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yinan Yao
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yinan Yao
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Parker JL, Newstead S. Molecular basis of nitrate uptake by the plant nitrate transporter NRT1.1. Nature 2014; 507:68-72. [PMID: 24572366 PMCID: PMC3982047 DOI: 10.1038/nature13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The NRT1/PTR family of proton-coupled transporters are responsible for nitrogen assimilation in eukaryotes and bacteria through the uptake of peptides. However, in the majority of plant species members of this family have evolved to transport nitrate as well as additional secondary metabolites and hormones. In response to falling nitrate levels, NRT1.1 is phosphorylated on an intracellular threonine that switches the transporter from a low to high affinity state. Here we present both the apo and nitrate bound crystal structures of Arabidopsis thaliana NRT1.1, which together with in vitro binding and transport data identify a key role for His356 in nitrate binding. Our data support a model whereby phosphorylation increases structural flexibility and in turn the rate of transport. Comparison with peptide transporters further reveals how the NRT1/PTR family has evolved to recognize diverse nitrogenous ligands, whilst maintaining elements of a conserved coupling mechanism within this superfamily of nutrient transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Simon Newstead
- 1] Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK [2] Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
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