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Valeeva LR, Sannikova AV, Shafigullina NR, Abdulkina LR, Sharipova MR, Shakirov EV. Telomere Length Variation in Model Bryophytes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:387. [PMID: 38337920 PMCID: PMC10856949 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The ends of linear chromosomes of most eukaryotes consist of protein-bound DNA arrays called telomeres, which play essential roles in protecting genome integrity. Despite general evolutionary conservation in function, telomeric DNA is known to drastically vary in length and sequence between different eukaryotic lineages. Bryophytes are a group of early diverging land plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. This group of ancient land plants recently emerged as a new model for important discoveries in genomics and evolutionary biology, as well as for understanding plant adaptations to a terrestrial lifestyle. We measured telomere length in different ecotypes of model bryophyte species, including Physcomitrium patens, Marchantia polymorpha, Ceratodon purpureus, and in Sphagnum isolates. Our data indicate that all analyzed moss and liverwort genotypes have relatively short telomeres. Furthermore, all analyzed ecotypes and isolates of model mosses and liverworts display evidence of substantial natural variation in telomere length. Interestingly, telomere length also differs between male and female strains of the dioecious liverwort M. polymorpha and dioecious moss C. purpureus. Given that bryophytes are extraordinarily well adapted to different ecological niches from polar to tropical environments, our data will contribute to understanding the impact of natural telomere length variation on evolutionary adaptations in this ancient land plant lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liia R. Valeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Anastasia V. Sannikova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Nadiya R. Shafigullina
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Department of General Ecology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
| | - Liliia R. Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Margarita R. Sharipova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Eugene V. Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
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Kusová A, Steinbachová L, Přerovská T, Drábková LZ, Paleček J, Khan A, Rigóová G, Gadiou Z, Jourdain C, Stricker T, Schubert D, Honys D, Schrumpfová PP. Completing the TRB family: newly characterized members show ancient evolutionary origins and distinct localization, yet similar interactions. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 112:61-83. [PMID: 37118559 PMCID: PMC10167121 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-023-01348-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Telomere repeat binding proteins (TRBs) belong to a family of proteins possessing a Myb-like domain which binds to telomeric repeats. Three members of this family (TRB1, TRB2, TRB3) from Arabidopsis thaliana have already been described as associated with terminal telomeric repeats (telomeres) or short interstitial telomeric repeats in gene promoters (telo-boxes). They are also known to interact with several protein complexes: telomerase, Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) E(z) subunits and the PEAT complex (PWOs-EPCRs-ARIDs-TRBs). Here we characterize two novel members of the TRB family (TRB4 and TRB5). Our wide phylogenetic analyses have shown that TRB proteins evolved in the plant kingdom after the transition to a terrestrial habitat in Streptophyta, and consequently TRBs diversified in seed plants. TRB4-5 share common TRB motifs while differing in several others and seem to have an earlier phylogenetic origin than TRB1-3. Their common Myb-like domains bind long arrays of telomeric repeats in vitro, and we have determined the minimal recognition motif of all TRBs as one telo-box. Our data indicate that despite the distinct localization patterns of TRB1-3 and TRB4-5 in situ, all members of TRB family mutually interact and also bind to telomerase/PRC2/PEAT complexes. Additionally, we have detected novel interactions between TRB4-5 and EMF2 and VRN2, which are Su(z)12 subunits of PRC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alžbeta Kusová
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Steinbachová
- Laboratory of Pollen Biology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Přerovská
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Záveská Drábková
- Laboratory of Pollen Biology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Paleček
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ahamed Khan
- Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriela Rigóová
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Gadiou
- Laboratory of Pollen Biology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Claire Jourdain
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tino Stricker
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Schubert
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Honys
- Laboratory of Pollen Biology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Procházková Schrumpfová
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Shakirov EV, Chen JJL, Shippen DE. Plant telomere biology: The green solution to the end-replication problem. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2492-2504. [PMID: 35511166 PMCID: PMC9252485 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is a fundamental cellular process conserved across all eukaryotic lineages. Although plants and animals diverged over 1.5 billion years ago, lessons learned from plants continue to push the boundaries of science, revealing detailed molecular mechanisms in telomere biology with broad implications for human health, aging biology, and stress responses. Recent studies of plant telomeres have unveiled unexpected divergence in telomere sequence and architecture, and the proteins that engage telomeric DNA and telomerase. The discovery of telomerase RNA components in the plant kingdom and some algae groups revealed new insight into the divergent evolution and the universal core of telomerase across major eukaryotic kingdoms. In addition, resources cataloging the abundant natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, maize (Zea mays), and other plants are providing unparalleled opportunities to understand the genetic networks that govern telomere length polymorphism and, as a result, are uncovering unanticipated crosstalk between telomeres, environmental factors, organismal fitness, and plant physiology. Here we recap current advances in plant telomere biology and put this field in perspective relative to telomere and telomerase research in other eukaryotic lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia 25701, USA
| | - Julian J -L Chen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
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Choi JY, Abdulkina LR, Yin J, Chastukhina IB, Lovell JT, Agabekian IA, Young PG, Razzaque S, Shippen DE, Juenger TE, Shakirov EV, Purugganan MD. Natural variation in plant telomere length is associated with flowering time. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1118-1134. [PMID: 33580702 PMCID: PMC8599780 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are highly repetitive DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes that protect the chromosomes from deterioration duringcell division. Here, using whole-genome re-sequencing and terminal restriction fragment assays, we found substantial natural intraspecific variation in telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), and maize (Zea mays). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) mapping in A. thaliana identified 13 regions with GWAS-significant associations underlying telomere length variation, including a region that harbors the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. Population genomic analysis provided evidence for a selective sweep at the TERT region associated with longer telomeres. We found that telomere length is negatively correlated with flowering time variation not only in A. thaliana, but also in maize and rice, indicating a link between life-history traits and chromosome integrity. Our results point to several possible reasons for this correlation, including the possibility that longer telomeres may be more adaptive in plants that have faster developmental rates (and therefore flower earlier). Our work suggests that chromosomal structure itself might be an adaptive trait associated with plant life-history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young Choi
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York 10003, NY, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
| | - Liliia R Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Inna B Chastukhina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - John T Lovell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
- Genome Sequencing Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Inna A Agabekian
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - Pierce G Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2128, USA
| | - Samsad Razzaque
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2128, USA
| | - Thomas E Juenger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Eugene V Shakirov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, West Virginia 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, West Virginia 25755, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
| | - Michael D Purugganan
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York 10003, NY, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
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Peška V, Mandáková T, Ihradská V, Fajkus J. Comparative Dissection of Three Giant Genomes: Allium cepa, Allium sativum, and Allium ursinum. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E733. [PMID: 30744119 PMCID: PMC6387171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the fascinating world of DNA repeats is continuously being enriched by newly identified elements and their hypothetical or well-established biological relevance. Genomic approaches can be used for comparative studies of major repeats in any group of genomes, regardless of their size and complexity. Such studies are particularly fruitful in large genomes, and useful mainly in crop plants where they provide a rich source of molecular markers or information on indispensable genomic components (e.g., telomeres, centromeres, or ribosomal RNA genes). Surprisingly, in Allium species, a comprehensive comparative study of repeats is lacking. Here we provide such a study of two economically important species, Allium cepa (onion), and A. sativum (garlic), and their distantly related A. ursinum (wild garlic). We present an overview and classification of major repeats in these species and have paid specific attention to sequence conservation and copy numbers of major representatives in each type of repeat, including retrotransposons, rDNA, or newly identified satellite sequences. Prevailing repeats in all three studied species belonged to Ty3/gypsy elements, however they significantly diverged and we did not detect them in common clusters in comparative analysis. Actually, only a low number of clusters was shared by all three species. Such conserved repeats were for example 5S and 45S rDNA genes and surprisingly a specific and quite rare Ty1/copia lineage. Species-specific long satellites were found mainly in A. cepa and A. sativum. We also show in situ localization of selected repeats that could potentially be applicable as chromosomal markers, e.g., in interspecific breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vratislav Peška
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Terezie Mandáková
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Ihradská
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Fajkus
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Procházková Schrumpfová P, Schořová Š, Fajkus J. Telomere- and Telomerase-Associated Proteins and Their Functions in the Plant Cell. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:851. [PMID: 27446102 PMCID: PMC4924339 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres, as physical ends of linear chromosomes, are targets of a number of specific proteins, including primarily telomerase reverse transcriptase. Access of proteins to the telomere may be affected by a number of diverse factors, e.g., protein interaction partners, local DNA or chromatin structures, subcellular localization/trafficking, or simply protein modification. Knowledge of composition of the functional nucleoprotein complex of plant telomeres is only fragmentary. Moreover, the plant telomeric repeat binding proteins that were characterized recently appear to also be involved in non-telomeric processes, e.g., ribosome biogenesis. This interesting finding was not totally unexpected since non-telomeric functions of yeast or animal telomeric proteins, as well as of telomerase subunits, have been reported for almost a decade. Here we summarize known facts about the architecture of plant telomeres and compare them with the well-described composition of telomeres in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Procházková Schrumpfová
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk UniversityBrno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk UniversityBrno, Czech Republic
- *Correspondence: Petra Procházková Schrumpfová,
| | - Šárka Schořová
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk UniversityBrno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk UniversityBrno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk UniversityBrno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i.Brno, Czech Republic
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7
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Fulcher N, Teubenbacher A, Kerdaffrec E, Farlow A, Nordborg M, Riha K. Genetic architecture of natural variation of telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genetics 2015; 199:625-35. [PMID: 25488978 PMCID: PMC4317667 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.114.172163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres represent the repetitive sequences that cap chromosome ends and are essential for their protection. Telomere length is known to be highly heritable and is derived from a homeostatic balance between telomeric lengthening and shortening activities. Specific loci that form the genetic framework underlying telomere length homeostasis, however, are not well understood. To investigate the extent of natural variation of telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, we examined 229 worldwide accessions by terminal restriction fragment analysis. The results showed a wide range of telomere lengths that are specific to individual accessions. To identify loci that are responsible for this variation, we adopted a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approach with multiple recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. A doubled haploid RIL population was first produced using centromere-mediated genome elimination between accessions with long (Pro-0) and intermediate (Col-0) telomere lengths. Composite interval mapping analysis of this population along with two established RIL populations (Ler-2/Cvi-0 and Est-1/Col-0) revealed a number of shared and unique QTL. QTL detected in the Ler-2/Cvi-0 population were examined using near isogenic lines that confirmed causative regions on chromosomes 1 and 2. In conclusion, this work describes the extent of natural variation of telomere length in A. thaliana, identifies a network of QTL that influence telomere length homeostasis, examines telomere length dynamics in plants with hybrid backgrounds, and shows the effects of two identified regions on telomere length regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Fulcher
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Astrid Teubenbacher
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Envel Kerdaffrec
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Ashley Farlow
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Magnus Nordborg
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Karel Riha
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno, Czech Republic
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Göhring J, Fulcher N, Jacak J, Riha K. TeloTool: a new tool for telomere length measurement from terminal restriction fragment analysis with improved probe intensity correction. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:e21. [PMID: 24366880 PMCID: PMC3919618 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres comprise the protective caps of natural chromosome ends and function in the suppression of DNA damage signaling and cellular senescence. Therefore, techniques used to determine telomere length are important in a number of studies, ranging from those investigating telomeric structure to effects on human disease. Terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis has for a long time shown to be one of the most accurate methods for quantification of absolute telomere length and range from a number of species. As this technique centers on standard Southern blotting, telomeric DNA is observed on resulting autoradiograms as a heterogeneous smear. Methods to accurately determine telomere length from telomeric smears have proven problematic, and no reliable technique has been suggested to obtain mean telomere length values. Here, we present TeloTool, a new program allowing thorough statistical analysis of TRF data. Using this new method, a number of methodical biases are removed from previously stated techniques, including assumptions based on probe intensity corrections. This program provides a standardized mean for quick and reliable extraction of quantitative data from TRF autoradiograms; its wide application will allow accurate comparison between datasets generated in different laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janett Göhring
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria, Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna 1030, Austria, Institute for Applied Physics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz 4040, Austria and Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, Campus Linz, Linz 4020, Austria
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Donà M, Balestrazzi A, Mondoni A, Rossi G, Ventura L, Buttafava A, Macovei A, Sabatini ME, Valassi A, Carbonera D. DNA profiling, telomere analysis and antioxidant properties as tools for monitoring ex situ seed longevity. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2013; 111:987-98. [PMID: 23532044 PMCID: PMC3631342 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The germination test currently represents the most used method to assess seed viability in germplasm banks, despite the difficulties caused by the occurrence of seed dormancy. Furthermore, seed longevity can vary considerably across species and populations from different environments, and studies related to the eco-physiological processes underlying such variations are still limited in their depth. The aim of the present work was the identification of reliable molecular markers that might help in monitoring seed deterioration. METHODS Dry seeds were subjected to artificial ageing and collected at different time points for molecular/biochemical analyses. DNA damage was measured using the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) approach while the seed antioxidant profile was obtained using both the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) assay and the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) provided profiles of free radicals. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was used to assess the expression profiles of the antioxidant genes MT2 (type 2 metallothionein) and SOD (superoxide dismutase). A modified QRT-PCR protocol was used to determine telomere length. KEY RESULTS The RAPD profiles highlighted different capacities of the two Silene species to overcome DNA damage induced by artificial ageing. The antioxidant profiles of dry and rehydrated seeds revealed that the high-altitude taxon Silene acaulis was characterized by a lower antioxidant specific activity. Significant upregulation of the MT2 and SOD genes was observed only in the rehydrated seeds of the low-altitude species. Rehydration resulted in telomere lengthening in both Silene species. CONCLUSIONS Different seed viability markers have been selected for plant species showing inherent variation of seed longevity. RAPD analysis, quantification of redox activity of non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds and gene expression profiling provide deeper insights to study seed viability during storage. Telomere lengthening is a promising tool to discriminate between short- and long-lived species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Donà
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - A. Balestrazzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - A. Mondoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - G. Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - L. Ventura
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Via Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - A. Buttafava
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Via Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - A. Macovei
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - M. E. Sabatini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - A. Valassi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - D. Carbonera
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘L. Spallanzani’, Laboratori di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via Ferrata 1,
27100 Pavia, Italy
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Teo CH, Ma L, Kapusi E, Hensel G, Kumlehn J, Schubert I, Houben A, Mette MF. Induction of telomere-mediated chromosomal truncation and stability of truncated chromosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 68:28-39. [PMID: 21745249 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2011.04662.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Minichromosomes possess functional centromeres and telomeres and thus should be stably inherited. They offer an enormous opportunity to plant biotechnology as they have the potential to simultaneously transfer and stably express multiple genes. Segregating independently of host chromosomes, they provide a platform for accelerating plant breeding. Following a top-down approach, we truncated endogenous chromosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana by Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of T-DNA constructs containing telomere sequences. Blocks of A. thaliana telomeric repeats were inserted into a binary vector suitable for stable transformation. After transfer of these constructs into the natural tetraploid A. thaliana accession Wa-1, chromosome truncation by T-DNA-induced de novo formation of telomeres could be confirmed by DNA gel blot analysis, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The addition of new telomere repeats in this process could start alternatively from within the T-DNA-derived telomere repeats or from adjacent sequences close to the right border of the T-DNA. Truncated chromosomes were transmissible in sexual reproduction, but were inherited at rates lower than expected according to Mendelian rules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee How Teo
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany
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Mozgová I, Mokroš P, Fajkus J. Dysfunction of chromatin assembly factor 1 induces shortening of telomeres and loss of 45S rDNA in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE PLANT CELL 2010; 22:2768-80. [PMID: 20699390 PMCID: PMC2947181 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.110.076182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF1) is a three-subunit H3/H4 histone chaperone responsible for replication-dependent nucleosome assembly. It is composed of CAC 1-3 in yeast; p155, p60, and p48 in humans; and FASCIATA1 (FAS1), FAS2, and MULTICOPY SUPPRESSOR OF IRA1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. We report that disruption of CAF1 function by fas mutations in Arabidopsis results in telomere shortening and loss of 45S rDNA, while other repetitive sequences (5S rDNA, centromeric 180-bp repeat, CACTA, and Athila) are unaffected. Substantial telomere shortening occurs immediately after the loss of functional CAF1 and slows down at telomeres shortened to median lengths around 1 to 1.5 kb. The 45S rDNA loss is progressive, leaving 10 to 15% of the original number of repeats in the 5th generation of mutants affecting CAF1, but the level of the 45S rRNA transcripts is not altered in these mutants. Increasing severity of the fas phenotype is accompanied by accumulation of anaphase bridges, reduced viability, and plant sterility. Our results show that appropriate replication-dependent chromatin assembly is specifically required for stable maintenance of telomeres and 45S rDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Mozgová
- Division of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, CZ-61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Mokroš
- Division of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, CZ-61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Fajkus
- Division of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, CZ-61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., CZ-61265 Brno, Czech Republic
- Address correspondence to
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Vannier JB, Depeiges A, White C, Gallego ME. ERCC1/XPF protects short telomeres from homologous recombination in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS Genet 2009; 5:e1000380. [PMID: 19214203 PMCID: PMC2632759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many repair and recombination proteins play essential roles in telomere function and chromosome stability, notwithstanding the role of telomeres in "hiding" chromosome ends from DNA repair and recombination. Among these are XPF and ERCC1, which form a structure-specific endonuclease known for its essential role in nucleotide excision repair and is the subject of considerable interest in studies of recombination. In contrast to observations in mammalian cells, we observe no enhancement of chromosomal instability in Arabidopsis plants mutated for either XPF (AtRAD1) or ERCC1 (AtERCC1) orthologs, which develop normally and show wild-type telomere length. However, in the absence of telomerase, mutation of either of these two genes induces a significantly earlier onset of chromosomal instability. This early appearance of telomere instability is not due to a general acceleration of telomeric repeat loss, but is associated with the presence of dicentric chromosome bridges and cytologically visible extrachromosomal DNA fragments in mitotic anaphase. Such extrachromosomal fragments are not observed in later-generation single-telomerase mutant plants presenting similar frequencies of anaphase bridges. Extensive FISH analyses show that these DNAs are broken chromosomes and correspond to two specific chromosome arms. Analysis of the Arabidopsis genome sequence identified two extensive blocks of degenerate telomeric repeats, which lie at the bases of these two arms. Our data thus indicate a protective role of ERCC1/XPF against 3' G-strand overhang invasion of interstitial telomeric repeats. The fact that the Atercc1 (and Atrad1) mutants dramatically potentiate levels of chromosome instability in Attert mutants, and the absence of such events in the presence of telomerase, have important implications for models of the roles of recombination at telomeres and is a striking illustration of the impact of genome structure on the outcomes of equivalent recombination processes in different organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Vannier
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, UMR CNRS 6247, Clermont Université, INSERM U931, Aubière, France
| | - Annie Depeiges
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, UMR CNRS 6247, Clermont Université, INSERM U931, Aubière, France
| | - Charles White
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, UMR CNRS 6247, Clermont Université, INSERM U931, Aubière, France
| | - Maria Eugenia Gallego
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, UMR CNRS 6247, Clermont Université, INSERM U931, Aubière, France
- * E-mail:
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Siroky J. Chromosome landmarks as tools to study the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana. Cytogenet Genome Res 2008; 120:202-9. [DOI: 10.1159/000121068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Zellinger B, Riha K. Composition of plant telomeres. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 1769:399-409. [PMID: 17383025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2007.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2006] [Revised: 02/01/2007] [Accepted: 02/09/2007] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are essential elements of eukaryotic chromosomes that differentiate native chromosome ends from deleterious DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). This is achieved by assembling chromosome termini in elaborate high-order nucleoprotein structures that in most organisms encompass telomeric DNA, specific telomere-associated proteins as well as general chromatin and DNA repair factors. Although the individual components of telomeric chromatin are evolutionary highly conserved, cross species comparisons have revealed a remarkable flexibility in their utilization at telomeres. This review outlines the strategies used for chromosome end protection and maintenance in mammals, yeast and flies and discusses current progress in deciphering telomere structure in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Zellinger
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Bohrgasse 3, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
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