Arabidopsis thaliana plastoglobule-associated fibrillin 1a interacts with fibrillin 1b in vivo

The role of SlCHRC in carotenoid biosynthesis and plastid development in tomato fruit

Chromoplasts are specialized plastids in plants involved in carotenoid synthesis, accumulation, and stress resistance. In tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), the Chromoplast-associated carotenoid binding protein (CHRC) regulates chromoplast development and carotenoid accumulation, although its precise mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To investigate the role of SlCHRC in carotenoid biosynthesis, we generated transgenic tomatoes using overexpression (oe-SlCHRC) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing (cr-SlCHRC) techniques. The results demonstrated inhibited fruit ripening and delayed onset of color break in both transgenic lines. The oe-SlCHRC lines exhibited increased carotenoid accumulation, particularly (E/Z)-phytoene, lycopene, and γ-carotene, with abundant plastoglobules and carotenoid crystals observed via TEM. In contrast, cr-SlCHRC mutants showed a greener phenotype, reduced carotenoid content, and fewer plastoglobules at the BK + 10 stage. Transcriptome analysis indicated that SlCHRC influences key genes in carotenoid biosynthesis, such as SlNCED2, as well as genes related to chloroplast development, photosynthesis, and plastoglobule formation. Additionally, SlCHRC enhances heat stress tolerance in tomato fruits by upregulating heat shock proteins (HSPs), antioxidants, and proline accumulation. These findings indicate that SlCHRC plays a crucial role in improving tomato fruit quality under heat stress conditions.

OsFBN7-OsKAS I module promotes formation of plastoglobules clusters in rice chloroplasts

Plastoglobules (PGs) contiguous with the outer leaflets of thylakoid membranes regulate lipid metabolism, plastid developmental transitions, and responses to environmental stimuli. However, the function of OsFBN7, a PG-core fibrillin gene in rice, has not been elucidated. Using molecular genetics and physiobiochemical approaches, we observed that OsFBN7 overexpression promoted PG clustering in rice chloroplasts. OsFBN7 interacted with two KAS I enzymes, namely OsKAS Ia and OsKAS Ib, in rice chloroplasts. Lipidomic analysis of chloroplast subcompartments, including PGs in the OsFBN7 overexpression lines, confirmed that levels of diacylglycerol (DAG), a chloroplast lipid precursor and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), the main chloroplast membrane lipids, were increased in PGs and chloroplasts. Furthermore, OsFBN7 enhanced the abundances of OsKAS Ia/Ib in planta and their stability under oxidative and heat stresses. In addition, RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses showed that the expression of the DAG synthetase gene PAP1 and MGDG synthase gene MDG2 was upregulated by OsFBN7. In conclusion, this study proposes a new model in which OsFBN7 binds to OsKAS Ia/Ib in chloroplast and enhances their abundance and stability, thereby regulating the chloroplast and PG membrane lipids involved in the formation of PG clusters.

Fibrillin2 in chloroplast plastoglobules participates in photoprotection and jasmonate-induced senescence

Fibrillins (FBNs) are the major structural proteins of plastoglobules (PGs) in chloroplasts. PGs are associated with defense against abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as lipid storage. Although FBN2 is abundant in PGs, its independent function under abiotic stress has not yet been identified. In this study, the targeting of FBN2 to PGs was clearly demonstrated using an FBN2-YFP fusion protein. FBN2 showed higher expression in green photosynthetic tissues and was upregulated at the transcriptional level under high-light stress. The photosynthetic capacity of fbn2 knockout mutants generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology decreased rapidly compared with that of wild-type (WT) plants under high-light stress. In addition to the photoprotective function of FBN2, fbn2 mutants had lower levels of plastoquinone-9 and plastochromanol-8. The fbn2 mutants were highly sensitive to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and exhibited root growth inhibition and a pale-green phenotype due to reduced chlorophyll content. Consistently, upon MeJA treatment, the fbn2 mutants showed faster leaf senescence and more rapid chlorophyll degradation with decreased photosynthetic ability compared with the WT plants. The results of this study suggest that FBN2 is involved in protection against high-light stress and acts as an inhibitor of jasmonate-induced senescence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).

The mysterious role of fibrillin in plastid metabolism: current advances in understanding

Fibrillins (FBNs) are a family of genes in cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The proteins they encode possess a lipid-binding motif, exist in various types of plastids, and are associated with lipid bodies called plastoglobules, implicating them in lipid metabolism. FBNs present in the thylakoid and stroma are involved in the storage, transport, and synthesis of lipid molecules for photoprotective functions against high-light stress. In this review, the diversity of subplastid locations in the evolution of FBNs, regulation of FBNs expression by various stresses, and the role of FBNs in plastid lipid metabolism are comprehensively summarized and directions for future research are discussed.

WHIRLIES Are Multifunctional DNA-Binding Proteins With Impact on Plant Development and Stress Resistance

WHIRLIES are plant-specific proteins binding to DNA in plastids, mitochondria, and nucleus. They have been identified as significant components of nucleoids in the organelles where they regulate the structure of the nucleoids and diverse DNA-associated processes. WHIRLIES also fulfil roles in the nucleus by interacting with telomers and various transcription factors, among them members of the WRKY family. While most plants have two WHIRLY proteins, additional WHIRLY proteins evolved by gene duplication in some dicot families. All WHIRLY proteins share a conserved WHIRLY domain responsible for ssDNA binding. Structural analyses revealed that WHIRLY proteins form tetramers and higher-order complexes upon binding to DNA. An outstanding feature is the parallel localization of WHIRLY proteins in two or three cell compartments. Because they translocate from organelles to the nucleus, WHIRLY proteins are excellent candidates for transducing signals between organelles and nucleus to allow for coordinated activities of the different genomes. Developmental cues and environmental factors control the expression of WHIRLY genes. Mutants and plants with a reduced abundance of WHIRLY proteins gave insight into their multiple functionalities. In chloroplasts, a reduction of the WHIRLY level leads to changes in replication, transcription, RNA processing, and DNA repair. Furthermore, chloroplast development, ribosome formation, and photosynthesis are impaired in monocots. In mitochondria, a low level of WHIRLIES coincides with a reduced number of cristae and a low rate of respiration. The WHIRLY proteins are involved in the plants' resistance toward abiotic and biotic stress. Plants with low levels of WHIRLIES show reduced responsiveness toward diverse environmental factors, such as light and drought. Consequently, because such plants are impaired in acclimation, they accumulate reactive oxygen species under stress conditions. In contrast, several plant species overexpressing WHIRLIES were shown to have a higher resistance toward stress and pathogen attacks. By their multiple interactions with organelle proteins and nuclear transcription factors maybe a comma can be inserted here? and their participation in organelle-nucleus communication, WHIRLY proteins are proposed to serve plant development and stress resistance by coordinating processes at different levels. It is proposed that the multifunctionality of WHIRLY proteins is linked to the plasticity of land plants that develop and function in a continuously changing environment.

Arabidopsis fibrillin 1-2 subfamily members exert their functions via specific protein-protein interactions

Fibrillins (FBNs) are plastidial proteins found in photosynthetic organisms from cyanobacteria to higher plants. The function of most FBNs remains unknown. Here, we focused on members of the FBN subgroup comprising FBN1a, FBN1b, and FBN2. We show that these three polypeptides interact between each other, potentially forming a network around the plastoglobule surface. Both FBN2 and FBN1s interact with allene oxide synthase, and the elimination of any of these FBNs results in a delay in jasmonate-mediated anthocyanin accumulation in response to a combination of moderate high light and low temperature. Mutations in the genes encoding FBN1s or FBN2 also affect the protection of PSII under the combination of these stresses. Fully developed leaves of these mutants have lower maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and higher oxidative stress than wild-type plants. These effects are additive, and the fbn1a-1b-2 triple mutant shows a stronger decrease in Fv/Fm and a greater increase in oxidative stress than fbn1a-1b or fbn2 mutants. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that FBN2 also interacts with other proteins involved in different metabolic processes. We propose that these fibrillins facilitate accurate positioning of different proteins involved in distinct metabolic processes, and that their elimination leads to dysfunction of those proteins.

Insights into topology and membrane interaction characteristics of plastoglobule-localized AtFBN1a and AtLOX2

Plant chloroplasts harbor ubiquitous lipid droplets called plastoglobules. While physically connected to the thylakoid membrane, they are characterized by a unique set of about 30 proteins specifically associated with the plastoglobule. How these proteins selectively target the plastoglobule remains unknown. Protease shaving assays with isolated Arabidopsis thaliana thylakoid and plastoglobule show that a ca. 25 kD portion of the abundant structural protein of plastoglobules, Fibrillin 1a, is protected from protease digestion. Mapping of protease cleavage sites and experimentally identified phosphorylation sites onto a homology model of Fibrillin 1a indicates that this protected sequence corresponds to the C-terminal lipocalin-like domain, implicated in specific lipid binding. In contrast, protease shaving and membrane washing assays with another plastoglobule-associated protein harboring a C-terminal PLAT domain, Lipoxygenase 2, is consistent with an exposed PLAT domain positioned parallel with, and upon, the surface of the plastoglobule. We propose a model where conserved lipid-binding domains associate with either the surface or neutral core of the lipid droplet. Our study provides insight into the topology and membrane interactions of two plastoglobule-localized proteins.

Chloroplast Localized FIBRILLIN11 Is Involved in the Osmotic Stress Response during Arabidopsis Seed Germination

Simple Summary

The FIBRILLIN11 (FBN11) of Arabidopsis has a lipid-binding FBN domain and a kinase domain. FBN11 is present in chloroplasts and is involved in salt and osmotic stress responses during seed germination. In mannitol, the seed germination rate of the fbn11 mutants significantly reduced compared to that of the wild type. The ABA-dependent and -independent stress response regulating genes were differentially expressed in fbn11 mutants and wild-type when grown in mannitol supplemented medium. These results suggest that chloroplast localized FBN11 is involved in mediating osmotic stress tolerance through the signaling pathway that regulates the stress response in the nucleus.

Abstract

Plants live in ever-changing environments, facing adverse environmental conditions including pathogen infection, herbivore attack, drought, high temperature, low temperature, nutrient deficiency, toxic metal soil contamination, high salt, and osmotic imbalance that inhibit overall plant growth and development. Plants have evolved mechanisms to cope with these stresses. In this study, we found that the FIBRILLIN11 (FBN11) gene in Arabidopsis, which has a lipid-binding FBN domain and a kinase domain, is involved in the plant’s response to abiotic stressors, including salt and osmotic stresses. FBN11 protein localizes to the chloroplast. FBN11 gene expression significantly changed when plants were exposed to the abiotic stress response mediators such as abscisic acid (ABA), sodium chloride (NaCl), and mannitol. The seed germination rates of fbn11 homozygous mutants in different concentrations of mannitol and NaCl were significantly reduced compared to wild type. ABA-dependent and -independent stress response regulatory genes were differentially expressed in the fbn11 mutant compared with wild type when grown in mannitol medium. These results suggest a clear role for chloroplast-localized FBN11 in mediating osmotic stress tolerance via the stress response regulatory signaling pathway in the nucleus.

Arabidopsis APx-R Is a Plastidial Ascorbate-Independent Peroxidase Regulated by Photomorphogenesis

Peroxidases are enzymes that catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, thus minimizing cell injury and modulating signaling pathways as response to this reactive oxygen species. Using a phylogenetic approach, we previously identified a new peroxidase family composed of a small subset of ascorbate peroxidase (APx) homologs with distinguished features, which we named ascorbate peroxidase-related (APx-R). In this study, we showed that APx-R is an ascorbate-independent heme peroxidase. Despite being annotated as a cytosolic protein in public databases, transient expression of AtAPx-R-YFP in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts and stable overexpression in plants showed that the protein is targeted to plastids. To characterize APx-R participation in the antioxidant metabolism, we analyzed loss-of-function mutants and AtAPx-R overexpressing lines. Molecular analysis showed that glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPx07) is specifically induced to compensate the absence of APx-R. APx-R overexpressing lines display faster germination rates, further confirming the involvement of APx-R in seed germination. The constitutive overexpression of AtAPx-R-YFP unraveled the existence of a post-translational mechanism that eliminates APx-R from most tissues, in a process coordinated with photomorphogenesis. Our results show a direct role of APx-R during germinative and post-germinative development associated with etioplasts differentiation.

Profiling of the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1a (RACK1a) interaction network in Arabidopsis thaliana

As a scaffold protein, Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1a (RACK1) interacts with many proteins and is involved in multiple biological processes in Arabidopsis. However, the global RACK1 protein interaction network in higher plants remains poorly understood. Here, we generated a yeast two-hybrid library using mixed samples from different developmental stages of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using RACK1a as bait, we performed a comprehensive screening of the resulting library to identify RACK1a interactors at the whole-transcriptome level. We selected 1065 independent positive clones that led to the identification of 215 RACK1a interactors. We classified these interactors into six groups according to their potential functions. Several interactors were selected for bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis and their interaction with RACK1a was confirmed in vivo. Our results provide further insight into the molecular mechanisms through which RACK1a regulates various growth and development processes in higher plants.

Overexpressing OsFBN1 enhances plastoglobule formation, reduces grain-filling percent and jasmonate levels under heat stress in rice

In higher plants, Fibrillins (FBNs) constitute a conserved plastid-lipid-associated (PAPs) protein family and modulate the metabolite transport and lipid metabolism in plastids of dicot species. However, FBNs have not functionally characterized in monocot species. In this study, the function of rice fibrillin 1 (OsFBN1) was investigated. The subcellular localization assay showed that the N-terminal chloroplast transport peptide (CTP) could facilitate the import of OsFBN1 into chloroplast. OsFBN1 specifically bound C18- and C20- fatty acids in vitro. Overexpressing OsFBN1 increased the tiller number but decreased the panicle length, grain-filling percent and JA levels compared to the wild type and RNAi silencing lines under heat stress. In addition, the overexpressing lines had more plastoglobules (PGs) than the wild type and RNAi silencing lines under both normal and heat stress conditions. Moreover, overexpressing OsFBN1 affected the transcription levels of OsAOS2 in JA synthesis, OsTHF1, OsABC1K7 and OsPsaE in thylakoid stability and photosynthesis, OsABC1-4 and OsSPS2 in ubiquinone-metabolism, OsHDR, OsDXR, and OsFPPS in isoprenoid metabolism. Collectively, these findings suggest the essential role of rice OsFBN1 in PG formation and lipid metabolism in chloroplasts, which coordinately regulate the growth and grain filling of the overexpressing lines under heat stress.

Starch formation inside plastids of higher plants

Starch is a water-insoluble polyglucan synthesized inside the plastid stroma within plant cells, serving a crucial role in the carbon budget of the whole plant by acting as a short-term and long-term store of energy. The highly complex, hierarchical structure of the starch granule arises from the actions of a large suite of enzyme activities, in addition to physicochemical self-assembly mechanisms. This review outlines current knowledge of the starch biosynthetic pathway operating in plant cells in relation to the micro- and macro-structures of the starch granule. We highlight the gaps in our knowledge, in particular, the relationship between enzyme function and operation at the molecular level and the formation of the final, macroscopic architecture of the granule.

Identification of host factors potentially involved in RTM-mediated resistance during potyvirus long distance movement

The long distance movement of potyviruses is a poorly understood step of the viral cycle. Only factors inhibiting this process, referred to as "Restricted TEV Movement" (RTM), have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. On the virus side, the potyvirus coat protein (CP) displays determinants required for long-distance movement and for RTM-based resistance breaking. However, the potyvirus CP was previously shown not to interact with the RTM proteins. We undertook the identification of Arabidopsis factors which directly interact with either the RTM proteins or the CP of lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). An Arabidopsis cDNA library generated from companion cells was screened with LMV CP and RTM proteins using the yeast two-hybrid system. Fourteen interacting proteins were identified. Two of them were shown to interact with CP and the RTM proteins suggesting that a multiprotein complex could be formed between the RTM proteins and virions or viral ribonucleoprotein complexes. Co-localization experiments in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that most of the viral and cellular protein pairs co-localized at the periphery of chloroplasts which suggests a putative role for plastids in this process.

Plastoglobuli: Plastid Microcompartments with Integrated Functions in Metabolism, Plastid Developmental Transitions, and Environmental Adaptation

Plastoglobuli (PGs) are plastid lipoprotein particles surrounded by a membrane lipid monolayer. PGs contain small specialized proteomes and metabolomes. They are present in different plastid types (e.g., chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and elaioplasts) and are dynamic in size and shape in response to abiotic stress or developmental transitions. PGs in chromoplasts are highly enriched in carotenoid esters and enzymes involved in carotenoid metabolism. PGs in chloroplasts are associated with thylakoids and contain ∼30 core proteins (including six ABC1 kinases) as well as additional proteins recruited under specific conditions. Systems analysis has suggested that chloroplast PGs function in metabolism of prenyl lipids (e.g., tocopherols, plastoquinone, and phylloquinone); redox and photosynthetic regulation; plastid biogenesis; and senescence, including recycling of phytol, remobilization of thylakoid lipids, and metabolism of jasmonate. These functionalities contribute to chloroplast PGs' role in responses to stresses such as high light and nitrogen starvation. PGs are thus lipid microcompartments with multiple functions integrated into plastid metabolism, developmental transitions, and environmental adaptation. This review provides an in-depth overview of PG experimental observations, summarizes the present understanding of PG features and functions, and provides a conceptual framework for PG research and the realization of opportunities for crop improvement.

Surveying the Oligomeric State of Arabidopsis thaliana Chloroplasts

Blue native-PAGE (BN-PAGE) resolves protein complexes in their native state. When combined with immunoblotting, it can be used to identify the presence of high molecular weight complexes at high resolution for any protein, given a suitable antibody. To identify proteins in high molecular weight complexes on a large scale and to bypass the requirement for specific antibodies, we applied a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) approach to BN-PAGE-resolved chloroplasts. Fractionation of the gel into six bands allowed identification and label-free quantification of 1000 chloroplast proteins with native molecular weight separation. Significantly, this approach achieves a depth of identification comparable with traditional shotgun proteomic analyses of chloroplasts, indicating much of the known chloroplast proteome is amenable to MS/MS identification under our fractionation scheme. By limiting the number of fractionation bands to six, we facilitate scaled-up comparative analyses, as we demonstrate with the reticulata chloroplast mutant displaying a reticulated leaf phenotype. Our comparative proteomics approach identified a candidate interacting protein of RETICULATA as well as effects on lipid remodeling proteins, amino acid metabolic enzymes, and plastid division machinery. We additionally highlight selected proteins from each sub-compartment of the chloroplast that provide novel insight on known or hypothesized protein complexes to further illustrate the utility of this approach. Our results demonstrate the high sensitivity and reproducibility of this technique, which is anticipated to be widely adaptable to other sub-cellular compartments.

Transcriptome Analysis of Stem and Globally Comparison with Other Tissues in Brassica napus

Brassica napus is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. However, there is currently no enough stem transcriptome information and comparative transcriptome analysis of different tissues, which impedes further functional genomics research on B. napus. In this study, the stem transcriptome of B. napus was characterized by RNA-seq technology. Approximately 13.4 Gb high-quality clean reads with an average length of 100 bp were generated and used for comparative transcriptome analysis with the existing transcriptome sequencing data of roots, leaves, flower buds, and immature embryos of B. napus. All the transcripts were annotated against GO and KEGG databases. The common genes in five tissues, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the common genes between stems and other tissues, and tissue-specific genes were detected, and the main biochemical activities and pathways implying the common genes, DEGs and tissue-specific genes were investigated. Accordingly, the common transcription factors (TFs) in the five tissues and tissue-specific TFs were identified, and a TFs-based regulation network between TFs and the target genes involved in 'Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis' pathway were constructed to show several important TFs and key nodes in the regulation process. Collectively, this study not only provided an available stem transcriptome resource in B. napus, but also revealed valuable comparative transcriptome information of five tissues of B. napus for future investigation on specific processes, functions and pathways.

Phosphorylation of plastoglobular proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plastoglobules (PGs) are plastid lipid-protein particles with a small specialized proteome and metabolome. Among the 30 core PG proteins are six proteins of the ancient ABC1 atypical kinase (ABC1K) family and their locations in an Arabidopsis mRNA-based co-expression network suggested central regulatory roles. To identify candidate ABC1K targets and a possible ABC1K hierarchical phosphorylation network within the chloroplast PG proteome, we searched Arabidopsis phosphoproteomics data from publicly available sources. Evaluation of underlying spectra and/or associated information was challenging for a variety of reasons, but supported pSer sites and a few pThr sites in nine PG proteins, including five FIBRILLINS. PG phosphorylation motifs are discussed in the context of possible responsible kinases. The challenges of collection and evaluation of published Arabidopsis phosphorylation data are discussed, illustrating the importance of deposition of all mass spectrometry data in well-organized repositories such as PRIDE and ProteomeXchange. This study provides a starting point for experimental testing of phosho-sites in PG proteins and also suggests that phosphoproteomics studies specifically designed toward the PG proteome and its ABC1K are needed to understand phosphorylation networks in these specialized particles.

The role of plastoglobules in thylakoid lipid remodeling during plant development

Photosynthesis is the key bioenergetic process taking place in the chloroplast. The components of the photosynthetic machinery are embedded in a highly dynamic matrix, the thylakoid membrane. This membrane has the capacity to adapt during developmental transitions and under stress conditions. The galactolipids are the major polar lipid components of the thylakoid membrane conferring bilayer properties, while neutral thylakoid lipids such as the prenyllipids and carotenoids contribute to essential functions such as electron transport and photoprotection. Despite a large number of studies, the intriguing processes of thylakoid membrane biogenesis and dynamics remain unsolved. Plastoglobules, thylakoid-associated lipid droplets, appear to actively participate in thylakoid function from biogenesis to senescence. Recruitment of specific proteins enables the plastoglobules to act in metabolite synthesis, repair and disposal under changing environmental conditions and developmental stages. In this review, we describe plastoglobules as thylakoid membrane microdomains and discuss their involvement in lipid remodeling during stress and in the conversion from one plastid type to another. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chloroplast Biogenesis.

Fluorescent Protein Aided Insights on Plastids and their Extensions: A Critical Appraisal

Multi-colored fluorescent proteins targeted to plastids have provided new insights on the dynamic behavior of these organelles and their interactions with other cytoplasmic components and compartments. Sub-plastidic components such as thylakoids, stroma, the inner and outer membranes of the plastid envelope, nucleoids, plastoglobuli, and starch grains have been efficiently highlighted in living plant cells. In addition, stroma filled membrane extensions called stromules have drawn attention to the dynamic nature of the plastid and its interactions with the rest of the cell. Use of dual and triple fluorescent protein combinations has begun to reveal plastid interactions with mitochondria, the nucleus, the endoplasmic reticulum and F-actin and suggests integral roles of plastids in retrograde signaling, cell to cell communication as well as plant-pathogen interactions. While the rapid advances and insights achieved through fluorescent protein based research on plastids are commendable it is necessary to endorse meaningful observations but subject others to closer scrutiny. Here, in order to develop a better and more comprehensive understanding of plastids and their extensions we provide a critical appraisal of recent information that has been acquired using targeted fluorescent protein probes.