The stay-green phenotype of wheat mutant tasg1 is associated with altered cytokinin metabolism

Wheat cis-zeatin-O-glucosyltransferase cZOGT1 interacts with the Ca2+-dependent lipid binding protein TaZIP to regulate senescence

Premature senescence is an important factor affecting wheat yield and quality. Wheat yield can be increased by delaying senescence and prolonging the effective photosynthetic time. Previously, we found that the cis-zeatin-O-glucosyltransferase (cZOGT1) gene plays an important role in the stay-green wheat phenotype. In this study, cZOGT1-overexpressing lines exhibited a delayed senescence phenotype, despite a significant reduction in the total cytokinin content. Further, we found that cZOGT1 interacted with the Ca2+-dependent lipid binding protein TaZIP (cZOGT1-interacting protein), and that a high level of cZOGT1 expression led to the suppression of TaZIP expression, which in turn, reduced abscisic acid (ABA) content. The synergistic reduction in cytokinins and ABA levels eventually caused the stay-green phenotype in cZOGT1-overexpressing lines. This study provides a new theoretical basis to explain the mechanism underlying the wheat stay-green phenotype and provides a genetic resource for wheat molecular-design breeding.

Involvement of plant signaling network and cell metabolic homeostasis in nitrogen deficiency-induced early leaf senescence

Nitrogen (N) is a basic building block that plays an essential role in the maintenance of normal plant growth and its metabolic functions through complex regulatory networks. Such the N metabolic network comprises a series of transcription factors (TFs), with the coordinated actions of phytohormone and sugar signaling to sustain cell homeostasis. The fluctuating N concentration in plant tissues alters the sensitivity of several signaling pathways to stressful environments and regulates the senescent-associated changes in cellular structure and metabolic process. Here, we review recent advances in the interaction between N assimilation and carbon metabolism in response to N deficiency and its regulation to the nutrient remobilization from source to sink during leaf senescence. The regulatory networks of N and sugar signaling for N deficiency-induced leaf senescence is further discussed to explain the effects of N deficiency on chloroplast disassembly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, asparagine metabolism, sugar transport, autophagy process, Ca2+ signaling, circadian clock response, brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZRI), and other stress cell signaling. A comprehensive understanding for the metabolic mechanism and regulatory network underlying N deficiency-induced leaf senescence may provide a theoretical guide to optimize the source-sink relationship during grain filling for the achievement of high yield by a selection of crop cultivars with the properly prolonged lifespan of functional leaves and/or by appropriate agronomic managements.

Role of reactive oxygen species in lesion mimic formation and conferred basal resistance to Fusarium graminearum in barley lesion mimic mutant 5386

This study investigated the barley lesion mimic mutant (LMM) 5386, evidenced by a leaf brown spot phenotype localized on the chromosome 3H, and its conferred basal resistance to Fusarium graminearum. RNA-seq analysis identified 1453 genes that were differentially expressed in LMM 5386 compared to those in the wild type. GO and KEGG functional annotations suggested that lesion mimic formation was mediated by pathways involving oxidation reduction and glutathione metabolism. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in brown spots was substantially higher in LMM 5386 than in the wild-type plant; therefore, antioxidant competence, which is indicated by ROS accumulation, was significantly lower in LMM 5386. Furthermore, the reduction of glycine in LMM 5386 inhibited glutathione biosynthesis. These results suggest that the decrease in antioxidant competence and glutathione biosynthesis caused considerable ROS accumulation, leading to programmed cell death, which eventually reduced the yield components in LMM 5386.

Precision phenotyping across the life cycle to validate and decipher drought-adaptive QTLs of wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) introduced into elite wheat varieties

Drought events or the combination of drought and heat conditions are expected to become more frequent due to global warming, and wheat yields may fall below their long-term average. One way to increase climate-resilience of modern high-yielding varieties is by their genetic improvement with beneficial alleles from crop wild relatives. In the present study, the effect of two beneficial QTLs introgressed from wild emmer wheat and incorporated in the three wheat varieties BarNir, Zahir and Uzan was studied under well-watered conditions and under drought stress using non-destructive High-throughput Phenotyping (HTP) throughout the life cycle in a single pot-experiment. Plants were daily imaged with RGB top and side view cameras and watered automatically. Further, at two time points, the quantum yield of photosystem II was measured with a top view FluorCam. The QTL carrying near isogenic lines (NILs) were compared with their corresponding parents by t-test for all non-invasively obtained traits and for the manually determined agronomic and yield parameters. Data quality of phenotypic traits (repeatability) in the controlled HTP experiment was above 85% throughout the life cycle and at maturity. Drought stress had a strong effect on growth in all wheat genotypes causing biomass reduction from 2% up to 70% at early and late points in the drought period, respectively. At maturity, the drought caused 47-55% decreases in yield-related traits grain weight, straw weight and total biomass and reduced TKW by 10%, while water use efficiency (WUE) increased under drought by 29%. The yield-enhancing effect of the introgressed QTLs under drought conditions that were previously demonstrated under field/screenhouse conditions in Israel, could be mostly confirmed in a greenhouse pot experiment using HTP. Daily precision phenotyping enabled to decipher the mode of action of the QTLs in the different genetic backgrounds throughout the entire wheat life cycle. Daily phenotyping allowed a precise determination of the timing and size of the QTLs effect (s) and further yielded information about which image-derived traits are informative at which developmental stage of wheat during the entire life cycle. Maximum height and estimated biovolume were reached about a week after heading, so experiments that only aim at exploring these traits would not need a longer observation period. To obtain information on different onset and progress of senescence, the CVa curves represented best the ongoing senescence of plants. The QTL on 7A in the BarNir background was found to improve yield under drought by increased biomass growth, a higher photosynthetic performance, a higher WUE and a "stay green effect."

Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci for the functional stay green trait in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) via high-density SNP-based genotyping

This study identified QTLs associated with the functional stay green trait by a high-density genetic map. Two large effect QTLs, QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, were identified in multiple years and one of them was successfully validated. The functional stay green phenotype enables wheat to acclimate to stressful environments and prolongs the effectiveness of photosynthesis during the end-of-crop season. Despite the fact that stay green mutants in wheat have been reported, our knowledge of loci for the functional stay green trait remains limited. In this study, an RIL population containing 371 lines genotyped using the Wheat55K SNP array was used to map QTLs controlling the functional stay green trait in multiple years. In total, 21 and 19 QTLs were mapped using the BIP or MET modules of the ICIM method, respectively. Among them, two QTLs, QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, were considered large effect QTLs for the stay green trait and explained 11.43% and 15.27% of phenotypic variation on average, respectively. Two KASP markers were developed and tightly linked to QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2, respectively, and the genetic effects of different genotypes in the RIL population were successfully confirmed. QSg.sau-2B.1 was also validated by linked KASP marker in different genetic backgrounds. QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2 may influence heredity of the stay green trait and also exhibited a positive effect on the grain filling content. In the interval where QSg.sau-2B.1 and QSg.sau-6A.2 were located on the Chinese Spring and T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides reference genomes, several genes associated with the leaf senescence process were identified. Altogether, our results identified two QTLs associated with the functional stay green trait and will be useful for the fine mapping and cloning of genes for stay green in the future.

Cytokinin glucosyl transferases, key regulators of cytokinin homeostasis, have potential value for wheat improvement

The cytokinins, which are N⁶ -substituted adenine derivatives, control key aspects of crop productivity. Cytokinin levels are controlled via biosynthesis by isopentenyl transferase (IPT), destruction by cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX), and inactivation via glucosylation by cytokinin glucosyl transferases (CGTs). While both yield components and tolerance to drought and related abiotic stressors have been positively addressed via manipulation of IPT and/or CKX expression, much less attention has been paid to the CGTs. As naming of the CGTs has been unclear, we suggest COGT, CNGT, CONGT and CNOGT to describe the O-, N- and dual function CGTs. As specific CGT mutants of both rice and arabidopsis showed impacts on yield components, we interrogated the wheat genome database, IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 & v2.0, to investigate wheat CGTs. Besides providing unambiguous names for the 53 wheat CGTs, we show their expression patterns in 70 developmental tissues and their response characteristics to various stress conditions by reviewing more than 1000 RNA-seq data sets. These revealed various patterns of responses and showed expression generally being more limited in reproductive tissues than in vegetative tissues. Multiple cis-regulatory elements are present in the 3 kb upstream of the start codons of the 53 CGTs. Elements associated with abscisic acid, light and methyl jasmonate are particularly over-represented, indicative of the responsiveness of CGTs to the environment. These data sets indicate that CGTs have potential value for wheat improvement and that these could be targeted in TILLING or gene editing wheat breeding programmes.

Overexpression of isochorismate synthase enhances salt tolerance in barley

Isochorismate synthase (ICS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of salicylic acid (SA) in plants. SA plays an important role in the response of plants to abiotic stress. In this study, transgenic barley was constructed to evaluate the function of ICS under salt stress. ICS_OE lines showed obvious salt stress tolerance, this results from the increased outward Na⁺ flux and inward K⁺ flux in roots, thereby maintaining a lower cytosolic Na⁺/K⁺ ratio under salt stress. Overexprssion of ICS also improved Na⁺ sequestration in shoots under salt stress. In addition, ICS_OE lines displayed less accumulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage, accompanied by higher activity of antioxidant enzymes. The improved Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, Na⁺ sequestration, and antioxidative competence play an important role in the enhanced salt tolerance of ICS_OE lines. These findings help to elucidate the abiotic stress resistance of the ICS pathway in barley.

TaCKX2.2 Genes Coordinate Expression of Other TaCKX Family Members, Regulate Phytohormone Content and Yield-Related Traits of Wheat

TaCKX gene family members (GFMs) play essential roles in the regulation of cytokinin during wheat development and significantly influence yield-related traits. However, detailed function of most of them is not known. To characterize the role of TaCKX2.2 genes we silenced all homoeologous copies of both TaCKX2.2.1 and TaCKX2.2.2 by RNAi technology and observed the effect of silencing in 7 DAP spikes of T₁ and T₂ generations. The levels of gene silencing of these developmentally regulated genes were different in both generations, which variously determined particular phenotypes. High silencing of TaCKX2.2.2 in T₂ was accompanied by slight down-regulation of TaCKX2.2.1 and strong up-regulation of TaCKX5 and TaCKX11, and expression of TaCKX1, TaCKX2.1, and TaCKX9 was comparable to the non-silenced control. Co-ordinated expression of TaCKX2.2.2 with other TaCKX GFMs influenced phytohormonal homeostasis. Contents of isoprenoid, active cytokinins, their conjugates, and auxin in seven DAP spikes of silenced T₂ plants increased from 1.27 to 2.51 times. However, benzyladenine (BA) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents were significantly reduced and GA₃ was not detected. We documented a significant role of TaCKX2.2.2 in the regulation of thousand grain weight (TGW), grain number, and chlorophyll content, and demonstrated the formation of a homeostatic feedback loop between the transcription of tested genes and phytohormones. We also discuss the mechanism of regulation of yield-related traits.

The involvement of wheat U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase TaPUB1 in salt stress tolerance

U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases play important roles in the ubiquitin/26S proteasome machinery and in abiotic stress responses. TaPUB1-overexpressing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were generated to evaluate its function in salt tolerance. These plants had more salt stress tolerance during seedling and flowering stages, whereas the TaPUB1-RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knock-down transgenic wheat showed more salt stress sensitivity than the wild type (WT). TaPUB1 overexpression upregulated the expression of genes related to ion channels and increased the net root Na⁺ efflux, but decreased the net K⁺ efflux and H⁺ influx, thereby maintaining a low cytosolic Na⁺ /K⁺ ratio, compared with the WT. However, RNAi-mediated knock-down plants showed the opposite response to salt stress. TaPUB1 could induce the expression of some genes that improved the antioxidant capacity of plants under salt stress. TaPUB1 also interacted with TaMP (Triticum aestivum α-mannosidase protein), a regulator playing an important role in salt response in yeast and in plants. Thus, low cytosolic Na⁺ /K⁺ ratios and better antioxidant enzyme activities could be maintained in wheat with overexpression of TaPUB1 under salt stress. Therefore, we conclude that the U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase TaPUB1 positively regulates salt stress tolerance in wheat.

Enhanced Senescence Process is the Major Factor Stopping Spike Differentiation of Wheat Mutant ptsd1

Complete differentiation of the spikes guarantees the final wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield. A unique wheat mutant that prematurely terminated spike differentiation (ptsd1) was obtained from cultivar Guomai 301 treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). The molecular mechanism study on ptsd1 showed that the senescence-associated genes (SAGs) were highly expressed, and spike differentiation related homeotic genes were depressed. Cytokinin signal transduction was weakened and ethylene signal transduction was enhanced. The enhanced expression of Ca²⁺ signal transduction related genes and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused the upper spikelet cell death. Many genes in the WRKY, NAC and ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factor (TF) families were highly expressed. Senescence related metabolisms, including macromolecule degradation, nutrient recycling, as well as anthocyanin and lignin biosynthesis, were activated. A conserved tae-miR164 and a novel-miR49 and their target genes were extensively involved in the senescence related biological processes in ptsd1. Overall, the abnormal phytohormone homeostasis, enhanced Ca²⁺ signaling and activated senescence related metabolisms led to the spikelet primordia absent their typical meristem characteristics, and ultimately resulted in the phenotype of ptsd1.

The involvement of cytokinin and nitrogen metabolism in delayed flag leaf senescence in a wheat stay-green mutant, tasg1

In the present study on a wheat stay-green mutant, tasg1, we found that its delayed senescence at the late filling stage was related to the high cytokinin (CK) and N contents. RNA sequencing suggested that several genes may be responsible for the different senescence processes between wild-type (WT) and tasg1 plants. WT and tasg1 seedlings were treated with NH₄NO₃, lovastatin, and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and the results suggested that the feedback of CK with N content regulated the leaf senescence in the tasg1 plants. Furthermore, a knock-out of the candidate gene cisZOGT1 (catalytic O-glucosylation in cis-zeatin) in the wheat mutant pool 'Kronos' exhibited delayed senescence at the late grain filling stage. Overall, our results suggested the cisZOGT1 gene has an important role in regulating wheat leaf senescence by regulating CK and N metabolism. At the same time, CK and N metabolism involved in delayed flag leaf senescence of tasg1 may be by a feedback pattern.

Blue light suppression alters cytokinin homeostasis in wheat leaves senescing under shading stress

Blue light (BL) suppression accelerates the senescence rate of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves exposed to shading. In order to study whether this effect involves the alteration of different cytokinin (CK) metabolites, CK-degradation, as well as the expression profile of genes responsible of CK-perception, -inactivation, -reactivation and/or -turnover, leaf segments of 30 day-old plants were placed in boxes containing bi-distilled water and covered with blue (B) or green (G) light filters, which supplied a similar irradiance but differed in the percentage of BL transmitted (G << B). A neutral (N) filter was used as control. When appropriate, different CK metabolites or an inhibitor of CK-degradation were added in order to alter the endogenous CK levels. A rapid decrement of trans-zeatin (tZ) and cis-zeatin (cZ) content was observed after leaf excision, which progressed at a higher rate in treatment G than in the control and B treatments. Senescence progression correlated with an accumulation of glycosylated forms (particularly cZ-derivatives), and an increment of CK-degradation, both of which were slowed in the presence of BL. On the contrary, CK-reactivation (analyzed through TaGLU1-3 expression) was delayed in the absence of BL. When different CK were exogenously supplied, tZ was the only natural free base capable to emulate the senescence-retarding effect of BL. Even though the signaling components involved in the regulation of senescence rate and CK-homeostasis by BL remain elusive, our data suggest that changes in the expression profile and/or functioning of the transcription factor HY5 might play an important role.

Transcriptome Analysis of a Premature Leaf Senescence Mutant of Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Leaf senescence is an important agronomic trait that affects both crop yield and quality. In this study, we characterized a premature leaf senescence mutant of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) obtained by ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis, named m68. Genetic analysis showed that the leaf senescence phenotype of m68 is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. We compared the transcriptome of wheat leaves between the wild type (WT) and the m68 mutant at four time points. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis revealed many genes that were closely related to senescence genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that transcription factors and protein transport genes might function in the beginning of leaf senescence, while genes that were associated with chlorophyll and carbon metabolism might function in the later stage. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the genes that are involved in plant hormone signal transduction were significantly enriched. Through expression pattern clustering of DEGs, we identified 1012 genes that were induced during senescence, and we found that the WRKY family and zinc finger transcription factors might be more important than other transcription factors in the early stage of leaf senescence. These results will not only support further gene cloning and functional analysis of m68, but also facilitate the study of leaf senescence in wheat.

The genetic characteristics in cytology and plant physiology of two wheat (Triticum aestivum) near isogenic lines with different freezing tolerances

Freezing tolerance in taft plants relied more upon an ABA-independent- than an ABA-dependent antifreeze signaling pathway. Two wheat (Triticum aestivum) near isogenic lines (NIL) named tafs (freezing sensitivity) and taft (freezing tolerance) were isolated in the laboratory and their various cytological and physiological characteristics under freezing conditions were studied. Proplastid, cell membrane, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were less damaged by freezing treatment in taft than tafs plants. Chlorophyll, ATP, and thylakoid membrane protein contents were significantly higher, but malondialdehyde content was significantly lower in taft than tafs plants under freezing condition. Antioxidant capacity, as indicated by reactive oxygen species accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity, and the relative gene expression were significantly greater in taft than tafs plants. Soluble sugars and abscisic acid (ABA) contents were significantly higher in taft plants than in tafs plants under both normal and freezing conditions. The upregulated expression levels of certain freezing tolerance-related genes were greater in taft than tafs plants under freezing treatment. The addition of sodium tungstate, an ABA synthesis inhibitor, led to only partial freezing tolerance inhibition in taft plants and the down-regulated expression of some ABA-dependent genes. Thus, both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signaling pathways are involved in the freezing tolerance of taft plants. At the same time, freezing tolerance in taft plants relied more upon an ABA-independent- than an ABA-dependent antifreeze signaling pathway.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) reveals the genetic architecture of four husk traits in maize

Background

Maize (Zea mays) husk referring to the leafy outer enclosing the ear, plays an important role in grain production by directly contributing photosynthate and protecting ear from pathogen infection. Although the physiological functions related to husk have been extensively studied, little is known about its morphological variation and genetic basis in natural population.

Results

Here we utilized a maize association panel including 508 inbred lines with tropical, subtropical and temperate backgrounds to decipher the genetic architecture attributed to four husk traits, i.e. number of layers, length, width and thickness. Evaluating the phenotypic diversity at two different environments showed that four traits exhibit broadly natural variations and moderate levels of heritability with 0.64, 0.74, 0.49 and 0.75 for number, length, width and thickness, respectively. Diversity analysis indicated that different traits have dissimilar responses to subpopulation effects. A series of significantly positive or negative correlations between husk phenotypes and other agronomic traits were identified, indicating that husk growth is coordinated with other developmental processes. Combining husk traits with about half of a million of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) via genome-wide association study revealed a total of 9 variants significantly associated with traits at P < 1.04 × 10^-5, which are implicated in multiple functional categories, such as cellular trafficking, transcriptional regulation and metabolism.

Conclusions

These results provide instrumental information for understanding the genetic basis of husk development, and further studies on identified candidate genes facilitate to illuminate molecular pathways regulating maize husk growth.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3229-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cytokinin-Regulated Sucrose Metabolism in Stay-Green Wheat Phenotype

A wheat stay-green mutant, tasg1, was observed to exhibit significantly delayed senescence in the late developmental stage. The photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf was greater in tasg1 than in wild type (WT) plants. In addition, the grain volume of tasg1 was significantly higher than that of WT at the early filling stage. The content of various cytokinins (CKs) in the grain was significantly higher in tasg1 than in WT and was accompanied by an upregulated expression of some cell cycle-related genes. Examination of the metabolism of soluble sugars in tasg1 and WT revealed that the concentrations of glucose (Glu), fructose (Fru), and sucrose (Suc) were higher in the flag leaves and grains of tasg1 than in WT plants. The activities of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SuSy), and cell wall invertase (CW-invertase) were higher in tasg1, suggesting an altered metabolism and transport of soluble sugars. Furthermore, when tasg1 was treated with the CK inhibitor lovastatin, the activity of invertase was inhibited and was associated with premature senescence phenotype. However, the activity of invertase was partially recovered in tasg1 when treated with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The trend of change in the concentrations of Glu, Fru, and Suc was similar to that of invertase. Our results suggest that CKs might regulate the stay-green phenotype of tasg1 by regulating the invertase activity involved in Suc remobilization.

Exogenous Cytokinins Increase Grain Yield of Winter Wheat Cultivars by Improving Stay-Green Characteristics under Heat Stress

Stay-green, a key trait of wheat, can not only increase the yield of wheat but also its resistance to heat stress during active photosynthesis. Cytokinins are the most potent general coordinator between the stay-green trait and senescence. The objectives of the present study were to identify and assess the effects of cytokinins on the photosynthetic organ and heat resistance in wheat. Two winter wheat cultivars, Wennong 6 (a stay-green cultivar) and Jimai 20 (a control cultivar), were subjected to heat stress treatment from 1 to 5 days after anthesis (DAA). The two cultivars were sprayed daily with 10 mg L^-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) between 1 and 3 DAA under ambient and elevated temperature conditions. We found that the heat stress significantly decreased the number of kernels per spike and the grain yield (P < 0.05). Heat stress also decreased the zeatin riboside (ZR) content, but increased the gibberellin (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA) contents at 3 to 15 DAA. Application of 6-BA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the grain-filling rate, endosperm cell division rate, endosperm cell number, and 1,000-grain weight under heated condition. 6-BA application increased ZR and IAA contents at 3 to 28 DAA, but decreased GA₃ and ABA contents. The contents of ZR, ABA, and IAA in kernels were positively and significantly correlated with the grain-filling rate (P < 0.05), whereas GA₃ was counter-productive at 3 to 15 DAA. These results suggest that the decrease in grain yield under heat stress was due to a lower ZR content and a higher GA₃ content compared to that at elevated temperature during the early development of the kernels, which resulted in less kernel number and lower grain-filling rate. The results also provide essential information for further utilization of the cytokinin substances in the cultivation of heat-resistant wheat.