Overexpression of PvBiP2 improved biomass yield and cadmium tolerance in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Transcriptome-wide m6A methylation profile reveals tissue specific regulatory networks in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) under cadmium stress

The heavy metal cadmium (Cd), known for its high toxicity, poses a grave threat to human health through the food chain. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal modification, regulates plant adaptation to various adversities, yet the panorama of m6A modifications in switchgrass under cadmium stress remains elusive. This study examines the physiological responses of switchgrass roots and shoots exposed to 50 μM CdCl2, alongside an overview of transcriptome-wide m6A methylation patterns. After cadmium treatment, methylation modifications are primarily enriched near stop codons and the 3'UTR region, with a negative correlation between m6A modification and gene expression levels. In shoots, approximately 58 % of DEGs with m6A modifications show upregulation in expression and decrease in m6A peaks, including zinc transporter 4-like (ZIP4). In roots, about 43 % of DEGs with m6A modifications exhibit downregulation in expression and increase in m6A peaks, such as the ABC transporter family member (ABCG25). We further validate the m6A enrichment, gene expression and mRNA stability of ZIP4 in response to Cd treatment. The results suggest that the negative correlation of m6A enrichment and gene expression is due to altered mRNA stability. Our study establishes an m6A regulatory network governing cadmium transport in switchgrass roots and shoots, offering new avenues for candidate gene manipulation in phytoremediation applications of heavy metal pollution.

Biostimulant and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Application on Four Major Biomass Crops as the Base of Phytomanagement Strategies in Metal-Contaminated Soils

Using contaminated land to grow lignocellulosic crops can deliver biomass and, in the long term, improve soil quality. Biostimulants and microorganisms are nowadays an innovative approach to define appropriate phytomanagement strategies to promote plant growth and metal uptake. This study evaluated biostimulants and mycorrhizae application on biomass production and phytoextraction potential of four lignocellulosic crops grown under two metal-contaminated soils. Two greenhouse pot trials were setup to evaluate two annual species (sorghum, hemp) in Italy and two perennial ones (miscanthus, switchgrass) in China, under mycorrhizae (M), root (B2) and foliar (B1) biostimulants treatments, based on humic substances and protein hydrolysates, respectively, applied both alone and in combination (MB1, MB2). MB2 increased the shoot dry weight (DW) yield in hemp (1.9 times more), sorghum (3.6 times more) and miscanthus (tripled) with additional positive effects on sorghum and miscanthus Zn and Cd accumulation, respectively, but no effects on hemp metal accumulation. No treatment promoted switchgrass shoot DW, but M enhanced Cd and Cr shoot concentrations (+84%, 1.6 times more, respectively) and the phytoextraction efficiency. Root biostimulants and mycorrhizae were demonstrated to be more efficient inputs than foliar biostimulants to enhance plant development and productivity in order to design effective phytomanagement strategies in metal-contaminated soil.

Comprehensive analysis of the Spartina alterniflora WD40 gene family reveals the regulatory role of SaTTG1 in plant development

Introduction

The WD40 gene family, prevalent in eukaryotes, assumes diverse roles in cellular processes. Spartina alterniflora, a halophyte with exceptional salt tolerance, flood tolerance, reproduction, and diffusion ability, offers great potential for industrial applications and crop breeding analysis. The exploration of growth and development-related genes in this species offers immense potential for enhancing crop yield and environmental adaptability, particularly in industrialized plantations. However, the understanding of their role in regulating plant growth and development remains limited.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of WD40 genes in S. alterniflora at the whole-genome level, delving into their characteristics such as physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene architecture, and expression patterns. Additionally, we cloned the TTG1 gene, a gene in plant growth and development across diverse species.

Results

We identified a total of 582 WD40 proteins in the S. alterniflora genome, exhibiting an uneven distribution across chromosomes. Through phylogenetic analysis, we categorized the 582 SaWD40 proteins into 12 distinct clades. Examining the duplication patterns of SaWD40 genes, we observed a predominant role of segmental duplication in their expansion. A substantial proportion of SaWD40 gene duplication pairs underwent purifying selection through evolution. To explore the functional aspects, we selected SaTTG1, a homolog of Arabidopsis TTG1, for overexpression in Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the SaTTG1 protein localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane, exhibiting transcriptional activation in yeast cells. The overexpression of SaTTG1 in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering and increased seed size.

Discussion

These outcomes significantly contribute to our understanding of WD40 gene functions in halophyte species. The findings not only serve as a valuable foundation for further investigations into WD40 genes in halophyte but also offer insights into the molecular mechanisms governing plant development, offering potential avenues in molecular breeding.

Zero-valent iron (nZVI) nanoparticles mediate SlERF1 expression to enhance cadmium stress tolerance in tomato

Cadmium (Cd) pollution threatens plant physiological and biochemical activities and crop production. Significant progress has been made in characterizing how nanoparticles affect Cd stress tolerance; however, the molecular mechanism of nZVI nanoparticles in Cd stress remains largely uncharacterized. Plants treated with nZVI and exposed to Cd had increased antioxidant capacity and reduced Cd accumulation in plant tissues. The nZVI treatment differentially affected the expression of genes involved in plant environmental responses, including those associated with the ERF transcription factor. SlEFR1 was upregulated by Cd stress in nZVI-treated plants when compared with the control and the predicted protein-protein interactions suggested SlERF1 interacts with proteins associated with plant hormone signaling pathway and related to stress. Yeast overexpressing SlEFR1 grew faster after Cd exposure and significantly had higher Cd stress tolerance when compared with empty vector controls. These results suggest that nZVI induces Cd stress tolerance by activating SlERF1 expression to improve plant growth and nutrient accumulation. Our study reveals the molecular mechanism of Cd stress tolerance for improved plant growth and will support new research on overcoming Cd stress and improving vegetable crop production.

IlNRAMP5 is required for cadmium accumulation and the growth in Iris lactea under cadmium exposures

Iris lactea is potentially applied for remediating Cd-contaminated soils due to the strong ability of Cd uptake and accumulation. However, its molecular mechanism underlying Cd uptake pathway remains unknown. Here, we report a member of NRAMP (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein) family, IlNRAMP5, is involved in Cd/Mn uptake and the growth in I. lactea response to Cd. IlNRAMP5 was localized onto the plasma membrane, and was induced by Cd. It was expressed in the root cortex rather than the central vasculature, and in leaf vascular bundle and mesophyll cells. Heterologous expression in yeast showed that IlNRAMP5 could transport Cd and Mn, but not Fe. Knockdown of IlNRAMP5 triggered a significant reduction in Cd uptake, further diminishing the accumulation of Cd. In addition, silencing IlNRAMP5 disrupted Mn homeostasis by lowering Mn uptake and Mn allocation, accompanied by remarkably inhibiting photosynthesis under Cd conditions. Overall, the findings suggest that IlNRAMP5 plays versatile roles in Cd accumulation by mediating Cd uptake, and contributes to maintain the growth via modulating Mn homeostasis in I. lactea under Cd exposures. This would provide a mechanistic understanding Cd phytoremediation efficiency in planta.