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A Y, Shi S, Sun S, Jing Y, Li Z, Zhang X, Li X, Wu F. Telomerase activity, relative telomere length, and longevity in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). PeerJ 2022. [DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Medicago sativa L. ‘Qingshui’ is a valuable rhizomatous forage germplasm resource. We previously crossed Qingshui with the high-yielding Medicago sativa L. ‘WL168’ and obtained novel rhizomatous hybrid strains (RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03). Telomere dynamics are more accurate predictors of survival and mortality than chronological age. Based on telomere analyses, we aimed to identify alfalfa varieties with increased stamina and longevity for the establishment of artificial grazing grasslands.
Methods
In this study, we performed longitudinal analysis of telomerase activity and relative telomere length in five alfalfa varieties (Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03) at the age of 1 year and 5 years to examine the relationship among telomerase activity, rate of change in relative telomere length, and longevity. We further aimed to evaluate the longevity of the examined varieties. Telomerase activity and relative telomere length were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
Results
We observed significant differences in telomerase activity between plants aged 1 year and those aged 5 years in all varieties except WL168, and the rate of change in telomerase activity does not differ reliably with age. As telomerase activity and relative telomere length are complex phenomena, further studies examining the molecular mechanisms of telomere-related proteins are needed. Relative telomere lengths of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 in plants aged 5 years were higher than those aged 1 year by 11.41, 11.24, 9.21, 10.23, and 11.41, respectively. Relative telomere length of alfalfa tended to increase with age. Accordingly, alfalfa varieties can be classified according to rate of change in relative telomere length as long-lived (Qingshui, WL168, and RSA-03), medium-lived (RSA-02) and short-lived (RSA-01). The differences in relative telomere length distances of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 between plants aged 1 and 5 years were 10.40, 13.02, 12.22, 11.22, and 13.25, respectively. The largest difference in relative telomere length was found between Qingshui and RSA-02 at 2.20. Our findings demonstrated that relative telomere length in alfalfa is influenced by genetic variation and age, with age exerting a greater effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun A
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shangli Shi
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | | | - Zili Li
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Xiaolong Li
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Aronen T, Virta S, Varis S. Telomere Length in Norway Spruce during Somatic Embryogenesis and Cryopreservation. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10020416. [PMID: 33672393 PMCID: PMC7926734 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres i.e., termini of the eukaryotic chromosomes protect chromosomes during DNA replication. Shortening of telomeres, either due to stress or ageing is related to replicative cellular senescence. There is little information on the effect of biotechnological methods, such as tissue culture via somatic embryogenesis (SE) or cryopreservation on plant telomeres, even if these techniques are widely applied. The aim of the present study was to examine telomeres of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during SE initiation, proliferation, embryo maturation, and cryopreservation to reveal potential ageing or stress-related effects that could explain variation observed at SE process. Altogether, 33 genotypes from 25 families were studied. SE initiation containing several stress factors cause telomere shortening in Norway spruce. Following initiation, the telomere length of the embryogenic tissues (ETs) and embryos produced remains unchanged up to one year of culture, with remarkable genotypic variation. Being prolonged in vitro culture can, however, shorten the telomeres and should be avoided. This is achieved by successful cryopreservation treatment preserving telomere length. Somatic embryo production capacity of the ETs was observed to vary a lot not only among the genotypes, but also from one timepoint to another. No connection between embryo production and telomere length was found, so this variation remains unexplained.
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D'Amico-Willman KM, Anderson ES, Gradziel TM, Fresnedo-Ramírez J. Relative Telomere Length and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) Expression Are Associated with Age in Almond ( Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A.Webb). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:189. [PMID: 33498228 PMCID: PMC7909263 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
While all organisms age, our understanding of how aging occurs varies among species. The aging process in perennial plants is not well-defined, yet can have implications on production and yield of valuable fruit and nut crops. Almond exhibits an age-related disorder known as non-infectious bud failure (BF) that affects vegetative bud development, indirectly affecting kernel yield. This species and disorder present an opportunity to address aging in a commercially relevant and vegetatively propagated perennial crop. The hypothesis tested in this study was that relative telomere length and/or telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression can serve as biomarkers of aging in almond. Relative telomere lengths and expression of TERT, a subunit of the enzyme telomerase, were measured via qPCR methods using bud and leaf samples collected from distinct age cohorts over a two-year period. Results from this work show a marginal but significant association between both relative telomere length and TERT expression, and age, suggesting that as almonds age, telomeres shorten and TERT expression decreases. This work provides information on potential biomarkers of perennial plant aging, contributing to our knowledge of this process. In addition, these results provide opportunities to address BF in almond breeding and nursery propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. D'Amico-Willman
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 446911, USA;
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 432102, USA
| | | | - Thomas M. Gradziel
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Jonathan Fresnedo-Ramírez
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 446911, USA;
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 432102, USA
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Analysis of the age of Panax ginseng based on telomere length and telomerase activity. Sci Rep 2015; 5:7985. [PMID: 25614145 PMCID: PMC5379010 DOI: 10.1038/srep07985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ginseng, which is the root of Panax ginseng (Araliaceae), has been used in Oriental medicine as a stimulant and dietary supplement for more than 7,000 years. Older ginseng plants are substantially more medically potent, but ginseng age can be simulated using unscrupulous cultivation practices. Telomeres progressively shorten with each cell division until they reach a critical length, at which point cells enter replicative senescence. However, in some cells, telomerase maintains telomere length. In this study, to determine whether telomere length reflects ginseng age and which tissue is best for such an analysis, we examined telomerase activity in the main roots, leaves, stems, secondary roots and seeds of ginseng plants of known age. Telomere length in the main root (approximately 1 cm below the rhizome) was found to be the best indicator of age. Telomeric terminal restriction fragment (TRF) lengths, which are indicators of telomere length, were determined for the main roots of plants of different ages through Southern hybridization analysis. Telomere length was shown to be positively correlated with plant age, and a simple mathematical model was formulated to describe the relationship between telomere length and age for P. ginseng.
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Mu Y, Ren LF, Xun ZL, Zhang DD, Song H, Lu H, Li FL, Liu D. Sex- and season-dependent differences in telomere length and telomerase activity in the leaves of ash and willow. SPRINGERPLUS 2014; 3:163. [PMID: 24711987 PMCID: PMC3977023 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase have important biological functions and can protect chromosome ends. In this study, sex- and season-dependent changes in telomere length and telomerase activity in ash and willow were analyzed. A statistical analysis showed that the telomere lengths of male and female trees differed significantly (P < 0.05). In ash, the telomere lengths of female trees were shorter than those of male trees. In willow, the telomere lengths of female trees were longer than those of male trees. During the annual developmental cycle, the telomere lengths of male and female ash and willow increased from April to May (P < 0.05), remained stable from May to August (P > 0.05), and decreased significantly in September and October (P < 0.05). Additionally, telomerase activities could be detected in both male and female ash and willow trees from April to October. Our results show that the telomere lengths changed according to season and sex in ash and willow. Telomere length did not have a direct positive correlation with telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Mu
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Lan-Fang Ren
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Li Xun
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Han Song
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Hai Lu
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
| | - Di Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Mail-box 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China ; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100083 People's Republic of China
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QTL Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Telomere Length Control Factors in Maize (Zea mays L.). G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2011; 1:437-50. [PMID: 22384354 PMCID: PMC3276162 DOI: 10.1534/g3.111.000703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length is a quantitative trait important for many cellular functions. Failure to regulate telomere length contributes to genomic instability, cellular senescence, cancer, and apoptosis in humans, but the functional significance of telomere regulation in plants is much less well understood. To gain a better understanding of telomere biology in plants, we used quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to identify genetic elements that control telomere length variation in maize (Zea mays L.). For this purpose, we measured the median and mean telomere lengths from 178 recombinant inbred lines of the IBM mapping population and found multiple regions that collectively accounted for 33–38% of the variation in telomere length. Two-way analysis of variance revealed interaction between the quantitative trait loci at genetic bin positions 2.09 and 5.04. Candidate genes within these and other significant QTL intervals, along with select genes known a priori to regulate telomere length, were tested for correlations between expression levels and telomere length in the IBM population and diverse inbred lines by quantitative real-time PCR. A slight but significant positive correlation between expression levels and telomere length was observed for many of the candidate genes, but Ibp2 was a notable exception, showing instead a negative correlation. A rad51-like protein (TEL-MD_5.04) was strongly supported as a candidate gene by several lines of evidence. Our results highlight the value of QTL mapping plus candidate gene expression analysis in a genetically diverse model system for telomere research.
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DUNSHEA GLENN, DUFFIELD DEBORAH, GALES NICK, HINDELL MARK, WELLS RANDALLS, JARMAN SIMONN. Telomeres as age markers in vertebrate molecular ecology. Mol Ecol Resour 2011; 11:225-35. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Watson JM, Riha K. Telomeres, Aging, and Plants: From Weeds to Methuselah – A Mini-Review. Gerontology 2011; 57:129-36. [DOI: 10.1159/000310174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Song H, Liu D, Li F, Lu H. Season- and age-associated telomerase activity in Ginkgo biloba L. Mol Biol Rep 2010; 38:1799-805. [PMID: 20842436 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-010-0295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres have lately received considerable attention in the development of broad-leaved tree species. In order to determine tissue-, sex-, season- and age-specific changes in telomerase activity in ginkgo trees, analyses of the telomerase repeat amplification protocol were carried out. In all of the tissues detected (embryonal callus, microspore tissues and leaves) telomerase activity was found, with differences between these activities statistically significant (P < 0.05). The highest telomerase activity was found in embryonal callus, suggesting that ginkgo trees have tissue-specific telomerase activity. Tissues containing high levels of dividing cells also have high levels of telomerase activity. No significant difference of telomerase activity was found between male and female trees (P > 0.05). In the annual development cycle, the highest telomerase activity was found in April and a decreasing trend over time in the four age groups studied: 10, 20, 70 and 700 year. The most obvious decline appeared in trees of the 700 year old group, suggesting that ginkgo trees have season-specific telomerase activities and trees of various ages react differently to seasonal changes. The mean annual telomerase activity showed a regular decreasing trend in all leaf samples analyzed from 10 to 700 year old ginkgo trees. We conclude that maintenance of telomere length depends on season- and age- associated telomerase activity. An optimal telomere length is regulated and maintained by telomerase in Ginkgo biloba L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Song
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, 162#, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China
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Song H, Liu D, Chen X, Ying Z, Zhang B, Li F, Lu H. Change of season-specific telomere lengths in Ginkgo biloba L. Mol Biol Rep 2009; 37:819-24. [PMID: 19626460 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-009-9627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres have lately received considerable attention in the development of tree species. Normal somatic cells have limited replicative capacity and telomeres get shorten with each round of DNA replication. For broad-leaved tree species, to determine what changes happen to their somatic cells in its annual development cycle, an exhaustive research on different ages of gingko trees telomere length changes was carried out. Analysis of changes in leaf telomere lengths in the annual development cycle of Ginkgo biloba L. showed no significant changes (P > 0.05) from April to August, but a dramatic decrease in September and October (P < 0.05). Statistical analyses showed that TRF length of males and females are equal, the p values of the three age groups comparison were all bigger than 0.05. The results showed that specific apoptotic changes occur in the annual development cycle of Ginkgo biloba L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Song
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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