Increased freezing tolerance in an ABA-hypersensitive mutant of common wheat

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping Combined with RNA Sequencing Reveals the Molecular Basis of Seed Germination in Oilseed Rape

Rapid and uniform seed germination improves mechanized oilseed rape production in modern agricultural cultivation practices. However, the molecular basis of seed germination is still unclear in Brassica napus. A population of recombined inbred lines of B. napus from a cross between the lower germination rate variety ‘APL01’ and the higher germination rate variety ‘Holly’ was used to study the genetics of seed germination using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. A total of five QTLs for germination energy (GE) and six QTLs for germination percentage (GP) were detected across three seed lots, respectively. In addition, six epistatic interactions between the QTLs for GE and nine epistatic interactions between the QTLs for GP were detected. qGE.C3 for GE and qGP.C3 for GP were co-mapped to the 28.5–30.5 cM interval on C3, which was considered to be a novel major QTL regulating seed germination. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the differences in sugar, protein, lipid, amino acid, and DNA metabolism and the TCA cycle, electron transfer, and signal transduction potentially determined the higher germination rate of ‘Holly’ seeds. These results contribute to our knowledge about the molecular basis of seed germination in rapeseed.

Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for the qRT-PCR Assays of Populus ussuriensis Gene Expression under Abiotic Stresses and Related ABA Treatment

Populus ussuriensis Kom. is one of the most important tree species for forest renewal in the eastern mountainous areas of Northeast China due to its fast growth, high yield, and significant commercial and ecological value. The selection of optimal reference genes for the normalization of qRT-PCR data is essential for the analysis of relative gene expression. In this study, fourteen genes were selected and assessed for their expression stability during abiotic stress (drought, high salinity, and cold stress) and after the treatment with the drought-related hormone ABA. Three algorithms were used, geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper, and a comprehensive ranking of candidate reference genes was produced based on their output. The most appropriate reference genes were UBQ10 and RPL24 for drought and ABA treatment, UBQ10 and TUB3 for cold stress, and UBQ10 and 60S rRNA for high salinity. Overall, UBQ10 was the most stable reference gene for use as an internal control, whereas PP2A was the least stable. The expression of two target genes (P5CS2 and GI) was used to further verify that the selected reference genes were suitable for gene expression normalization. This work comprehensively assesses the stability of reference genes in Populus ussuriensis and identifies suitable reference genes for normalization during qRT-PCR analysis.

Exogenous methylglyoxal enhances the reactive aldehyde detoxification capability and frost-hardiness of wheat

Cold-acclimation is essential for the development of adequate frost-hardiness in cereals and therefore sudden freezes can cause considerable damage to the canopy. However, timely adding of an appropriate signal in the absence of cold acclimation may also harden wheat for the upcoming freeze. The feasibility of the promising signal molecule methylglyoxal was tested here for such applications and the signal mechanism was studied in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum). Spraying with 10 mM methylglyoxal did not decrease the fresh weight and photosynthetic parameters in most wheat varieties at growth temperature (21 °C). Photosynthetic parameters even improved and chlorophyll content increased in some cases. Increased transcript level of glutathione-S-transferases and omega-3 fatty acid desaturases was detected by qPCR 6 h after the last methylglyoxal spray. Aldo-keto reductase and glyoxalase enzyme activities, as well as sorbitol content of wheat plants increased 24 h after the last 10 mM methylglyoxal spray in most of the cultivars. These mechanisms may explain the increased freezing survival of methylglyoxal pretreated wheat plants from less than 10% to over 30%. Our results demonstrate that exogenous methylglyoxal treatment can be safely added to wheat plants as preparatory treatment without detrimental effects but inducing some of the stress-protective mechanisms, which contribute to frost-hardiness.

The genetic characteristics in cytology and plant physiology of two wheat (Triticum aestivum) near isogenic lines with different freezing tolerances

Freezing tolerance in taft plants relied more upon an ABA-independent- than an ABA-dependent antifreeze signaling pathway. Two wheat (Triticum aestivum) near isogenic lines (NIL) named tafs (freezing sensitivity) and taft (freezing tolerance) were isolated in the laboratory and their various cytological and physiological characteristics under freezing conditions were studied. Proplastid, cell membrane, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were less damaged by freezing treatment in taft than tafs plants. Chlorophyll, ATP, and thylakoid membrane protein contents were significantly higher, but malondialdehyde content was significantly lower in taft than tafs plants under freezing condition. Antioxidant capacity, as indicated by reactive oxygen species accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity, and the relative gene expression were significantly greater in taft than tafs plants. Soluble sugars and abscisic acid (ABA) contents were significantly higher in taft plants than in tafs plants under both normal and freezing conditions. The upregulated expression levels of certain freezing tolerance-related genes were greater in taft than tafs plants under freezing treatment. The addition of sodium tungstate, an ABA synthesis inhibitor, led to only partial freezing tolerance inhibition in taft plants and the down-regulated expression of some ABA-dependent genes. Thus, both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signaling pathways are involved in the freezing tolerance of taft plants. At the same time, freezing tolerance in taft plants relied more upon an ABA-independent- than an ABA-dependent antifreeze signaling pathway.

Towards a conceptual ABA ideotype in plant breeding for water limited environments

A huge amount of information had been accumulated on abscisic acid (ABA). Laboratory and some field research with ABA-enhanced transgenic plants generally conclude that ABA is a drought resistance hormone, since it causes stomatal closure, reduces transpiration and results in 'water saving' under drought stress. This recurring conclusion is hard to accept in the agronomic domain considering the many direct and indirect negative effects of ABA on plant growth and reproduction. In order to formulate a conceptual phenotypic ABA ideotype for plant breeding, this paper begins by briefly reviewing the phenomics of ABA relative to plant function and productivity. Consequently, it is recognised that ABA enhancement is important in controlling the isohydric ('water saving') plant model, whereas plant hydraulics are more important in controlling the anisohydric ('water spending') plant model. Subsequently, the respective isohydric and anisohydric ideotypes appropriate to specific dryland crop drought stress scenarios are proposed. It is concluded that ABA can by no means be universally defined as a 'drought resistance hormone'. Its benefit or damage depends on the crop drought stress profile and the dynamics of the seasonal regimen of ABA in the plant. The isohydric ideotype might have an advantage in the harshest environments, whereas the anisohydric one will perform relatively better under more moderate drought conditions.

Line differences in Cor/Lea and fructan biosynthesis-related gene transcript accumulation are related to distinct freezing tolerance levels in synthetic wheat hexaploids

In common wheat, cultivar differences in freezing tolerance are considered to be mainly due to allelic differences at two major loci controlling freezing tolerance. One of the two loci, Fr-2, is coincident with a cluster of genes encoding C-repeat binding factors (CBFs), which induce downstream Cor/Lea genes during cold acclimation. Here, we conducted microarray analysis to study comprehensive changes in gene expression profile under long-term low-temperature (LT) treatment and to identify other LT-responsive genes related to cold acclimation in leaves of seedlings and crown tissues of a synthetic hexaploid wheat line. The microarray analysis revealed marked up-regulation of a number of Cor/Lea genes and fructan biosynthesis-related genes under the long-term LT treatment. For validation of the microarray data, we selected four synthetic wheat lines that contain the A and B genomes from the tetraploid wheat cultivar Langdon and the diverse D genomes originating from different Aegilops tauschii accessions with distinct levels of freezing tolerance after cold acclimation. Quantitative RT-PCR showed increased transcript levels of the Cor/Lea, CBF, and fructan biosynthesis-related genes in more freezing-tolerant lines than in sensitive lines. After a 14-day LT treatment, a significant difference in fructan accumulation was observed among the four lines. Therefore, the fructan biosynthetic pathway is associated with cold acclimation in development of wheat freezing tolerance and is another pathway related to diversity in freezing tolerance, in addition to the CBF-mediated Cor/Lea expression pathway.

Increased ABA sensitivity results in higher seed dormancy in soft white spring wheat cultivar 'Zak'

As a strategy to increase the seed dormancy of soft white wheat, mutants with increased sensitivity to the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) were identified in mutagenized grain of soft white spring wheat "Zak". Lack of seed dormancy is correlated with increased susceptibility to preharvest sprouting in wheat, especially those cultivars with white kernels. ABA induces seed dormancy during embryo maturation and inhibits the germination of mature grain. Three mutant lines called Zak ERA8, Zak ERA19A, and Zak ERA19B (Zak ENHANCED RESPONSE to ABA) were recovered based on failure to germinate on 5 μM ABA. All three mutants resulted in increased ABA sensitivity over a wide range of concentrations such that a phenotype can be detected at very low ABA concentrations. Wheat loses sensitivity to ABA inhibition of germination with extended periods of dry after-ripening. All three mutants recovered required more time to after-ripen sufficiently to germinate in the absence of ABA and to lose sensitivity to 5 μM ABA. However, an increase in ABA sensitivity could be detected after as long as 3 years of after-ripening using high ABA concentrations. The Zak ERA8 line showed the strongest phenotype and segregated as a single semi-dominant mutation. This mutation resulted in no obvious decrease in yield and is a good candidate gene for breeding preharvest sprouting tolerance.

Variation in abscisic acid responsiveness of Aegilops tauschii and hexaploid wheat synthetics due to the D-genome diversity

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an allohexaploid that originated from natural hybridization between tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum) and diploid Aegilops tauschii. Ae. tauschii is considered one of the potential sources of new genetic variation in abiotic stress tolerance for improving common wheat. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in plant adaptation to environmental stresses. In this study, ABA responsiveness of 67 Ae. tauschii accessions and their synthetic hexaploid wheat lines, derived from crosses between T. turgidum cv. Langdon and the Ae. tauschii accessions, was evaluated based on growth inhibition by 20 µM ABA. Wide variation was found in ABA responsiveness for both synthetic wheat lines and their parental Ae. tauschii accessions. The variations due to D-genome found at the diploid level were also expressed in a hexaploid genetic background. Two pairs of synthetic wheat lines differing in ABA responsiveness were then selected for gene expression analysis and to test abiotic stress tolerance, because their parental Ae. tauschii accessions similarly exhibited the differential response to ABA. Gene expression of ABA inducible transcription factor, WABI5, and the downstream Cor/Lea genes (Wrab17, Wdhn13 and Wrab18) were analysed. In one pair, the highly responsive line exhibited higher induction of Wrab17 by ABA treatment, but no significant difference in dehydration or salinity tolerance was observed between these lines. In contrast, in the second pair, the highly ABA-responsive line showed higher levels of Wdhn13 expression and dehydration and salinity tolerance. In synthetic wheat lines, the difference in the ABA responsiveness of the lines appeared to be determined by the different sets of D-genome genes. Our findings suggest that highly ABA-responsive Ae. tauschii accessions should be valuable genetic resources for improving the abiotic stress tolerance of common wheat.

Identification of chromosomes controlling abscisic acid responsiveness and transcript accumulation of Cor-Lea genes in common wheat seedlings

Abiotic stresses, such as cold, drought or high salinity, seriously affect plant growth and reduce yield in crop species including common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The phytohormone ABA plays important roles in plant adaptation to abiotic stress. We compared responsiveness to exogenous ABA, based on root growth inhibition by ABA, among three common wheat cultivars. Seedlings of the cultivars Cheyenne (Cnn) and Hope showed higher ABA responsiveness and higher levels of Cor (cold-responsive)-Lea (late embryogenesis abundant) gene expression than seedlings of Chinese Spring (CS). The chromosomes involved in the regulation of ABA responsiveness and Cor-Lea expression were identified using chromosome substitution lines, in which a chromosome pair of CS was substituted for the corresponding homologous pair of Cnn or Hope. In the CS-Cnn substitution lines, chromosomes 3A, 5A, 5D and 7A increased the ABA responsiveness of CS. Chromosomes 3A and 5A were also involved in the regulation of Cor-Lea gene expression and stomatal response during leaf dehydration. Substitution of CS chromosomes 3A or 5A with the respective homologous pair from Hope also enhanced ABA responsiveness and Cor-Lea expression. In addition, the factors present on chromosomes 4D and 7B of highly responsive cultivars increased Wrab17 expression but had little or no effect on ABA responsiveness. Cultivar differences in ABA responsiveness appear to be determined by genes present on these specific chromosomes in common wheat.

Differential effects of cold acclimation and abscisic acid on free amino acid composition in wheat

The effect of cold acclimation and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment on the free amino acid composition was compared in Chinese Spring chromosome 5A substitution lines with different levels of freezing tolerance. The total amino acid content gradually increased during the 3-week cold acclimation period, while the effect of ABA became visible only after 7 d. The ratio of members of the glutamate family increased during cold acclimation and the ratio of amino acids belonging to the aspartate family decreased. Opposite changes were observed after treatment with ABA. Consistently with these results, ABA only induced a major increase in the Asn content, while the Asp, Glu, Gln and Pro levels were greatly induced by cold. A corresponding alteration at the gene expression level was only found for Pro and Glu. With the exception of Pro, cold- or ABA-induced changes in the amino acid levelsor Pro, did not correlate with the freezing tolerance of the three genotypes examined and were not affected by chromosome 5A. Since cold acclimation induced the accumulation of most of the amino acids, while ABA had a significant effect only on Asn, the cold-induced changes in free amino acid levels were probably not mediated by ABA.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for ABA responsiveness at the seedling stage associated with ABA-regulated gene expression in common wheat

Responsiveness to abscisic acid (ABA) during vegetative growth plays an important role in regulating adaptive responses to various environmental conditions, including activation of a number of ABA-responsive genes. However, the relationship between gene expression and responsiveness to ABA at the seedling stage has not been well studied in wheat. In the present study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for ABA responsiveness at the seedling stage was performed using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between common wheat cultivars showing different ABA responsiveness. Five QTLs were found to be significant, located on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 3A, 6D and 7B. The QTL with the greatest effect was located on chromosome 6D and explained 11.12% of the variance in ABA responsiveness. The other QTLs each accounted for approximately 5-8% of the phenotypic variation. Expression analyses of three ABA-responsive Cor/Lea genes, Wdhn13, Wrab15 and Wrab17, showed that allelic differences in QTLs on chromosomes 2A, 6D and 7B influenced expression of these genes in seedlings treated with ABA. The 3A QTL appeared to be involved in the regulatory system of Wdhn13 and Wrab15, but not Wrab17. The effects of the 2A and 6D QTLs on gene expression were relatively large. The combination of alleles at the QTLs resulted in an additive or synergistic effect on Cor/Lea expression. These results indicate that the QTLs influencing ABA responsiveness are associated with ABA-regulated gene expression and suggest that the QTL on chromosome 6D with the largest effect acts as a key regulator of ABA responses including seedling growth arrest and gene expression during the vegetative stage.

Expression of a rice DREB1 gene, OsDREB1D, enhances cold and high-salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

OsDREB1D, a special DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein) homologous gene, whose transcripts cannot be detected in rice (Oryza sativa L), either with or without stress treatments, was amplified from the rice genome DNA. The yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that OsDREB1D was able to form a complex with the dehydration responsive element/C-repeat motif. It can also bind with a sequence of LTRE (low temperature responsive element). To analyze the function of OsDREB1D, the gene was transformed and over-expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana cv. Columbia. Results indicated that the over-expression of OsDREB1D conferred cold and high-salt tolerance in transgenic plants, and that transgenic plants were also insensitive to ABA (abscisic acid). From these data, we deduced that this OsDREB1D gene functions similarly as other DREB transcription factors. The expression of OsDREB1D in rice may be controlled by a special mechanism for the redundancy of function.

Ethylene and cold participate in the regulation of LeCBF1 gene expression in postharvest tomato fruits

C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factor (CBF) is a transcription factor regulating cold response in plants, of which little is known in fruits. We showed a double-peak expression pattern of Lycopersicon esculentum putative transcriptional activator CBF1 (LeCBF1) in mature green fruit. The peaks appeared at 2 and 16 h after subjection to cold storage (2 degrees C). The second peak was coincident with, and thus caused by a peak in endogenous ethylene production. We showed that LeCBF1 expression was regulated by exogenous ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene, and was not expressed without cold induction. LeCBF1 expression was different in the five maturation stages of fruits, but expression peaked at 2 h at all stages.

Effects of molybdenum on expression of cold-responsive genes in abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent and ABA-independent pathways in winter wheat under low-temperature stress

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for higher plants. It has been shown that application of Mo enhances the cold resistance of winter wheat. In order to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cold resistance arising from application of Mo in winter wheat, investigations were made regarding the transcription of cold-responsive (COR) genes in abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent and ABA-independent pathways in winter wheat regulated by Mo application under low-temperature stress.

METHODS

Two cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), Mo-efficient cultivar '97003' and Mo-inefficient cultivar '97014', were grown in control (-Mo) and Mo fertilizer (+Mo) treatments for 40 d at 15/12 degrees C (day/night), and the temperature was then reduced to 5/2 degrees C (day/night) to create low-temperature stress. Aldehyde oxidase (AO) activities, ABA contents, the transcripts of basic leucine zipper (bZIP)-type transcription factor (TF) genes, ABA-dependent COR genes, CBF/DREB transcription factor genes and ABA-independent COR genes were investigated at 0, 3, 6 and 48 h post cold stress.

KEY RESULTS

Mo application significantly increased AO activity, ABA levels, and expression of bZIP-type TF genes (Wlip19 and Wabi5) and ABA-dependent COR genes (Wrab15, Wrab17, Wrab18 and Wrab19). Mo application increased expression levels of CBF/DREB transcription factor genes (TaCBF and Wcbf2-1) and ABA-independent COR genes (Wcs120, Wcs19, Wcor14 and Wcor15) after 3 and 6 h exposure to low temperature.

CONCLUSIONS

Mo might regulate the expression of ABA-dependent COR genes through the pathway: Mo --> AO --> ABA --> bZIP --> ABA-dependent COR genes in winter wheat. The response of the ABA-dependent pathway to Mo was prior to that of the ABA-independent pathway. Similarities and differences between the Mo-efficient and Mo-inefficient wheat cultivars in response to Mo under cold stress are discussed.

Cbf genes of the Fr-A2 allele are differentially regulated between long-term cold acclimated crown tissue of freeze-resistant and - susceptible, winter wheat mutant lines

BACKGROUND

In order to identify genes that might confer and maintain freeze resistance of winter wheat, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed between control and 4 wk cold-acclimated crown tissue of two winter wheat lines that differ in field freeze survival. The lines, generated by azide mutagenesis of the winter wheat cultivar 'Winoka' were designated FR (75% survival) and FS (30% survival). Using two winter lines for this comparative analysis removed the influence of differential expression of the vernalization genes and allowed our study to focus on Cbf genes located within the Fr-A2 allele independent of the effect of the closely mapped Vrn allele.

RESULTS

Vernalization genes, (Vrn-A1, B1 and D1), and the transcription factor gene, TaVrt-2, were up-regulated to the same extent in FR and FS lines with cold acclimation thus confirming that azide mutagenesis had not modified the winter habitat of the lines. One category of Cbf genes, (Cbf-2, -A22 and B-22) reflected an increase in level of expression with cold acclimation in both FR and FS lines. Another category of Cbf genes (Cbf-3, -5, -6, -12, -14 and -19) were differentially expressed between cold-acclimated FR and FS lines relative to the non-acclimated controls. Comparison of expression patterns of the two categories of Cbf genes with the expression patterns of a set of ABA-dependent and -independent Cor/Lea genes revealed similar patterns of expression for this sample of Cor/Lea genes with that for Cbf-2 and -22. This pattern of expression was also exhibited by the Vrn genes.

CONCLUSION

Some Cor/Lea genes may be co-regulated by the Vrn genes during cold acclimation and the Vrn genes may also control the expression of Cbf-2, -A22 and -B22. The increased freeze survival by the FR line and the increase in expression levels of wheat Cbf genes, Cbf-3, -5, -6, -12, -14 and -19 with cold acclimation in the FR line suggests a possible gain of function mutation resulting in higher levels of expression of these Cbf genes and increased freeze survival.

Positive role of a wheat HvABI5 ortholog in abiotic stress response of seedlings

ABA-responsive element binding protein (AREB) and ABA-responsive element binding factor (ABF), members of the basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP)-type protein family, act as major transcription factors in ABA-responsive gene expression under abiotic stress conditions in Arabidopsis. Barley HvABI5 and rice transcription factor responsible for ABA regulation 1 (TRAB1) are homologues of AREB/ABF and are expressed in drought- and ABA-treated seedlings. However, no direct evidence has shown an association of an AREB/ABF-type transcription factor with stress tolerance in cereals. To understand the molecular basis of abiotic stress tolerance through a cereal AREB/ABF-type transcription factor, a wheat HvABI5 ortholog, Wabi5, was isolated and characterized. Wabi5 expression was activated by low temperature, drought and exogenous ABA treatment, and its expression pattern differed between two wheat accessions with distinct levels of stress tolerance and ABA sensitivity. Wabi5-expressing transgenic tobacco plants showed a significant increase in tolerance to abiotic stresses such as freezing, osmotic and salt stresses and a hypersensitivity to exogenous ABA in the seedling stage compared with wild-type plants. Expression of a GUS reporter gene under the control of promoters of three wheat cold-responsive/late embryogenesis abundant (Cor/Lea) genes, Wdhn13, Wrab18 and Wrab19, was enhanced by ectopic Wabi5 expression in wheat callus and tobacco plants. These results clearly indicated that WABI5 functions as a transcriptional regulator of the Cor/Lea genes in multiple abiotic stress responses in common wheat.

Development of abiotic stress tolerance via bZIP-type transcription factor LIP19 in common wheat

Cereal lip19 genes encoding bZIP-type transcription factors are assumed to play a regulatory role in gene expression during the cold acclimation process. However, no direct evidence shows an association of LIP19-type bZIPs with stress tolerance or activation of stress-responsive Cor/Lea genes. To understand the molecular basis of development of abiotic stress tolerance through the LIP19 transcription factor, a wheat lip19 homologue, Wlip19, was isolated and characterized. Wlip19 expression was activated by low temperature in seedlings and was higher in a freezing-tolerant cultivar than in a freezing-sensitive one. Wlip19 also responded to drought and exogenous ABA treatment. Wlip19-expressing transgenic tobacco showed a significant increase in abiotic stress tolerance, especially freezing tolerance. Expression of a GUS reporter gene under the control of promoter sequences of four wheat Cor/Lea genes, Wdhn13, Wrab17, Wrab18, and Wrab19, was enhanced by Wlip19 expression in wheat callus and tobacco plants. These results indicate that WLIP19 acts as a transcriptional regulator of Cor/Lea genes in the development of abiotic stress tolerance. Moreover, direct protein-protein interaction between WLIP19 and a wheat OBF1 homologue TaOBF1, another bZIP-type transcription factor, was observed, suggesting that this interaction is conserved in cereals.