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de Oliveira KKP, de Oliveira RR, Chalfun-Junior A. Small RNAs: Promising Molecules to Tackle Climate Change Impacts in Coffee Production. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3531. [PMID: 37895993 PMCID: PMC10610182 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the centuries, human society has evolved based on the ability to select and use more adapted species for food supply, which means making plant species tastier and more productive in particular environmental conditions. However, nowadays, this scenario is highly threatened by climate change, especially by the changes in temperature and greenhouse gasses that directly affect photosynthesis, which highlights the need for strategic studies aiming at crop breeding and guaranteeing food security. This is especially worrying for crops with complex phenology, genomes with low variability, and the ones that support a large production chain, such as Coffea sp. L. In this context, recent advances shed some light on the genome function and transcriptional control, revealing small RNAs (sRNAs) that are responsible for environmental cues and could provide variability through gene expression regulation. Basically, sRNAs are responsive to environmental changes and act on the transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing pathways that regulate gene expression and, consequently, biological processes. Here, we first discuss the predicted impact of climate changes on coffee plants and coffee chain production and then the role of sRNAs in response to environmental changes, especially temperature, in different species, together with their potential as tools for genetic improvement. Very few studies in coffee explored the relationship between sRNAs and environmental cues; thus, this review contributes to understanding coffee development in the face of climate change and towards new strategies of crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Chalfun-Junior
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Plant Physiology Sector, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 3037, Brazil; (K.K.P.d.O.); (R.R.d.O.)
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2
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Vashisht I, Dhaka N, Jain R, Sood A, Sharma N, Sharma MK, Sharma R. Non-coding RNAs-mediated environmental surveillance determines male fertility in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108030. [PMID: 37708711 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Plants are continuously exposed to environmental stresses leading to significant yield losses. With the changing climatic conditions, the intensity and duration of these stresses are expected to increase, posing a severe threat to crop productivity worldwide. Male gametogenesis is one of the most sensitive developmental stages. Exposure to environmental stresses during this stage leads to male sterility and yield loss. Elucidating the underlying molecular mechanism of environment-affected male sterility is essential to address this challenge. High-throughput RNA sequencing studies, loss-of-function phenotypes of sRNA biogenesis genes and functional genomics studies with non-coding RNAs have started to unveil the roles of small RNAs, long non-coding RNAs and the complex regulatory interactions between them in regulating male fertility under different growth regimes. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the non-coding RNA-mediated environmental stress surveillance and regulation of male fertility in plants. The candidate ncRNAs emerging from these studies can be leveraged to generate environment-sensitive male sterile lines for hybrid breeding or mitigate the impact of climate change on male fertility, as the situation demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Vashisht
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Namrata Dhaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, 123031, India
| | - Rubi Jain
- School of Computational & Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Akanksha Sood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Niharika Sharma
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Manoj K Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rita Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
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3
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Chow HT, Mosher RA. Small RNA-mediated DNA methylation during plant reproduction. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1787-1800. [PMID: 36651080 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive tissues are a rich source of small RNAs, including several classes of short interfering (si)RNAs that are restricted to this stage of development. In addition to RNA polymerase IV-dependent 24-nt siRNAs that trigger canonical RNA-directed DNA methylation, abundant reproductive-specific siRNAs are produced from companion cells adjacent to the developing germ line or zygote and may move intercellularly before inducing methylation. In some cases, these siRNAs are produced via non-canonical biosynthesis mechanisms or from sequences with little similarity to transposons. While the precise role of these siRNAs and the methylation they trigger is unclear, they have been implicated in specifying a single megaspore mother cell, silencing transposons in the male germ line, mediating parental dosage conflict to ensure proper endosperm development, hypermethylation of mature embryos, and trans-chromosomal methylation in hybrids. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of reproductive siRNAs, including their biosynthesis, transport, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiu Tung Chow
- The School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, USA
| | - Rebecca A Mosher
- The School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, USA
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4
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Nie H, Cheng C, Kong J, Li H, Hua J. Plant non-coding RNAs function in pollen development and male sterility. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1109941. [PMID: 36875603 PMCID: PMC9975556 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1109941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Male sterility is classified as either cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) or genic male sterility (GMS). Generally, CMS involves mitochondrial genomes interacting with the nuclear genome, while GMS is caused by nuclear genes alone. Male sterility is regulated by multilevel mechanisms in which non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs), which have been proven to be critical elements. The development of high-throughput sequencing technology offers new opportunities to evaluate the genetic mechanism of ncRNAs in plant male sterility. In this review, we summarize the critical ncRNAs that regulate gene expression in ways dependent on or independent of hormones, which involve the differentiation of the stamen primordia, degradation of the tapetum, formation of microspores, and the release of pollen. In addition, the key mechanisms of the miRNA-lncRNA-mRNA interaction networks mediating male sterility in plants are elaborated. We present a different perspective on exploring the ncRNA-mediated regulatory pathways that control CMS in plants and create male-sterile lines through hormones or genome editing. A refined understanding of the ncRNA regulatory mechanisms in plant male sterility for the development of new sterile lines would be conducive to improve hybridization breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hushuai Nie
- Agricultural College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Laboratory of Cotton Genetics, Genomics and Breeding/Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization of Ministry of Education/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Laboratory of Cotton Genetics, Genomics and Breeding/Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization of Ministry of Education/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Kong
- Institute of Economic Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Huijing Li
- Laboratory of Cotton Genetics, Genomics and Breeding/Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization of Ministry of Education/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinping Hua
- Laboratory of Cotton Genetics, Genomics and Breeding/Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization of Ministry of Education/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Zhan J, O'Connor L, Marchant DB, Teng C, Walbot V, Meyers BC. Coexpression network and trans-activation analyses of maize reproductive phasiRNA loci. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 113:160-173. [PMID: 36440497 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The anther-enriched phased, small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) play vital roles in sustaining male fertility in grass species. Their long non-coding precursors are synthesized by RNA polymerase II and are likely regulated by transcription factors (TFs). A few putative transcriptional regulators of the 21- or 24-nucleotide phasiRNA loci (referred to as 21- or 24-PHAS loci) have been identified in maize (Zea mays), but whether any of the individual TFs or TF combinations suffice to activate any PHAS locus is unclear. Here, we identified the temporal gene coexpression networks (modules) associated with maize anther development, including two modules highly enriched for the 21- or 24-PHAS loci. Comparisons of these coexpression modules and gene sets dysregulated in several reported male sterile TF mutants provided insights into TF timing with regard to phasiRNA biogenesis, including antagonistic roles for OUTER CELL LAYER4 and MALE STERILE23. Trans-activation assays in maize protoplasts of individual TFs using bulk-protoplast RNA-sequencing showed that two of the TFs coexpressed with 21-PHAS loci could activate several 21-nucleotide phasiRNA pathway genes but not transcription of 21-PHAS loci. Screens for combinatorial activities of these TFs and, separately, the recently reported putative transcriptional regulators of 24-PHAS loci using single-cell (protoplast) RNA-sequencing, did not detect reproducible activation of either 21-PHAS or 24-PHAS loci. Collectively, our results suggest that the endogenous transcriptional machineries and/or chromatin states in the anthers are necessary to activate reproductive PHAS loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Zhan
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Lily O'Connor
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - D Blaine Marchant
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Chong Teng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Virginia Walbot
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Blake C Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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Morales KY, Bridgeland AH, Hake KD, Udall JA, Thomson MJ, Yu JZ. Homology-based identification of candidate genes for male sterility editing in upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1006264. [PMID: 36589117 PMCID: PMC9795482 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1006264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) accounts for more than 90% of the world's cotton production, providing natural material for the textile and oilseed industries worldwide. One strategy for improving upland cotton yields is through increased adoption of hybrids; however, emasculation of cotton flowers is incredibly time-consuming and genetic sources of cotton male sterility are limited. Here we review the known biochemical modes of plant nuclear male sterility (NMS), often known as plant genetic male sterility (GMS), and characterized them into four groups: transcriptional regulation, splicing, fatty acid transport and processing, and sugar transport and processing. We have explored protein sequence homology from 30 GMS genes of three monocots (maize, rice, and wheat) and three dicots (Arabidopsis, soybean, and tomato). We have analyzed evolutionary relationships between monocot and dicot GMS genes to describe the relative similarity and relatedness of these genes identified. Five were lowly conserved to their source species, four unique to monocots, five unique to dicots, 14 highly conserved among all species, and two in the other category. Using this source, we have identified 23 potential candidate genes within the upland cotton genome for the development of new male sterile germplasm to be used in hybrid cotton breeding. Combining homology-based studies with genome editing may allow for the discovery and validation of GMS genes that previously had no diversity observed in cotton and may allow for development of a desirable male sterile mutant to be used in hybrid cotton production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Y. Morales
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Aya H. Bridgeland
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Kater D. Hake
- Cotton Incorporated, Agricultural and Environment Research, Cary, NC, United States
| | - Joshua A. Udall
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Michael J. Thomson
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - John Z. Yu
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, TX, United States
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Marchant DB, Walbot V. Anther development-The long road to making pollen. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:4677-4695. [PMID: 36135809 PMCID: PMC9709990 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Anthers express the most genes of any plant organ, and their development involves sequential redifferentiation of many cell types to perform distinctive roles from inception through pollen dispersal. Agricultural yield and plant breeding depend on understanding and consequently manipulating anthers, a compelling motivation for basic plant biology research to contribute. After stamen initiation, two theca form at the tip, and each forms an adaxial and abaxial lobe composed of pluripotent Layer 1-derived and Layer 2-derived cells. After signal perception or self-organization, germinal cells are specified from Layer 2-derived cells, and these secrete a protein ligand that triggers somatic differentiation of their neighbors. Historically, recovery of male-sterile mutants has been the starting point for studying anther biology. Many genes and some genetic pathways have well-defined functions in orchestrating subsequent cell fate and differentiation events. Today, new tools are providing more detailed information; for example, the developmental trajectory of germinal cells illustrates the power of single cell RNA-seq to dissect the complex journey of one cell type. We highlight ambiguities and gaps in available data to encourage attention on important unresolved issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Blaine Marchant
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94505, USA
| | - Virginia Walbot
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94505, USA
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Tonosaki K, Fujimoto R, Dennis ES, Raboy V, Osabe K. Will epigenetics be a key player in crop breeding? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:958350. [PMID: 36247549 PMCID: PMC9562705 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.958350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
If food and feed production are to keep up with world demand in the face of climate change, continued progress in understanding and utilizing both genetic and epigenetic sources of crop variation is necessary. Progress in plant breeding has traditionally been thought to be due to selection for spontaneous DNA sequence mutations that impart desirable phenotypes. These spontaneous mutations can expand phenotypic diversity, from which breeders can select agronomically useful traits. However, it has become clear that phenotypic diversity can be generated even when the genome sequence is unaltered. Epigenetic gene regulation is a mechanism by which genome expression is regulated without altering the DNA sequence. With the development of high throughput DNA sequencers, it has become possible to analyze the epigenetic state of the whole genome, which is termed the epigenome. These techniques enable us to identify spontaneous epigenetic mutations (epimutations) with high throughput and identify the epimutations that lead to increased phenotypic diversity. These epimutations can create new phenotypes and the causative epimutations can be inherited over generations. There is evidence of selected agronomic traits being conditioned by heritable epimutations, and breeders may have historically selected for epiallele-conditioned agronomic traits. These results imply that not only DNA sequence diversity, but the diversity of epigenetic states can contribute to increased phenotypic diversity. However, since the modes of induction and transmission of epialleles and their stability differ from that of genetic alleles, the importance of inheritance as classically defined also differs. For example, there may be a difference between the types of epigenetic inheritance important to crop breeding and crop production. The former may depend more on longer-term inheritance whereas the latter may simply take advantage of shorter-term phenomena. With the advances in our understanding of epigenetics, epigenetics may bring new perspectives for crop improvement, such as the use of epigenetic variation or epigenome editing in breeding. In this review, we will introduce the role of epigenetic variation in plant breeding, largely focusing on DNA methylation, and conclude by asking to what extent new knowledge of epigenetics in crop breeding has led to documented cases of its successful use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Tonosaki
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujimoto
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Elizabeth S. Dennis
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Victor Raboy
- Independent Researcher Portland, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kenji Osabe
- Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Zhou X, Huang K, Teng C, Abdelgawad A, Batish M, Meyers BC, Walbot V. 24-nt phasiRNAs move from tapetal to meiotic cells in maize anthers. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:488-501. [PMID: 35451503 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In maize, 24-nt phased, secondary small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) are abundant in meiotic stage anthers, but their distribution and functions are not precisely known. Using laser capture microdissection, we analyzed tapetal cells, meiocytes and other somatic cells at several stages of anther development to establish the timing of 24-PHAS precursor transcripts and the 24-nt phasiRNA products. By integrating RNA and small RNA profiling plus single-molecule and small RNA FISH (smFISH or sRNA-FISH) spatial detection, we demonstrate that the tapetum is the primary site of 24-PHAS precursor and Dcl5 transcripts and the resulting 24-nt phasiRNAs. Interestingly, 24-nt phasiRNAs accumulate in all cell types, with the highest levels in meiocytes, followed by tapetum. Our data support the conclusion that 24-nt phasiRNAs are mobile from tapetum to meiocytes and to other somatic cells. We discuss possible roles for 24-nt phasiRNAs in anther cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhou
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Molecular Imaging Core, 360 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Chong Teng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelgawad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Mona Batish
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Blake C Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Virginia Walbot
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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