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Million CR, Wijeratne S, Karhoff S, Cassone BJ, McHale LK, Dorrance AE. Molecular mechanisms underpinning quantitative resistance to Phytophthora sojae in Glycine max using a systems genomics approach. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1277585. [PMID: 38023885 PMCID: PMC10662313 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1277585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Expression of quantitative disease resistance in many host-pathogen systems is controlled by genes at multiple loci, each contributing a small effect to the overall response. We used a systems genomics approach to study the molecular underpinnings of quantitative disease resistance in the soybean-Phytophthora sojae pathosystem, incorporating expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping and gene co-expression network analysis to identify the genes putatively regulating transcriptional changes in response to inoculation. These findings were compared to previously mapped phenotypic (phQTL) to identify the molecular mechanisms contributing to the expression of this resistance. A subset of 93 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a Conrad × Sloan population were inoculated with P. sojae isolate 1.S.1.1 using the tray-test method; RNA was extracted, sequenced, and the normalized read counts were genetically mapped from tissue collected at the inoculation site 24 h after inoculation from both mock and inoculated samples. In total, more than 100,000 eQTLs were mapped. There was a switch from predominantly cis-eQTLs in the mock treatment to an almost entirely nonoverlapping set of predominantly trans-eQTLs in the inoculated treatment, where greater than 100-fold more eQTLs were mapped relative to mock, indicating vast transcriptional reprogramming due to P. sojae infection occurred. The eQTLs were organized into 36 hotspots, with the four largest hotspots from the inoculated treatment corresponding to more than 70% of the eQTLs, each enriched for genes within plant-pathogen interaction pathways. Genetic regulation of trans-eQTLs in response to the pathogen was predicted to occur through transcription factors and signaling molecules involved in plant-pathogen interactions, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK pathways. Network analysis identified three co-expression modules that were correlated with susceptibility to P. sojae and associated with three eQTL hotspots. Among the eQTLs co-localized with phQTLs, two cis-eQTLs with putative functions in the regulation of root architecture or jasmonic acid, as well as the putative master regulators of an eQTL hotspot nearby a phQTL, represent candidates potentially underpinning the molecular control of these phQTLs for resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassidy R. Million
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, United States
- Center for Soybean Research and Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Saranga Wijeratne
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, United States
| | - Stephanie Karhoff
- Center for Soybean Research and Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Translational Plant Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Bryan J. Cassone
- Center for Soybean Research and Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - Leah K. McHale
- Center for Soybean Research and Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anne E. Dorrance
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, United States
- Center for Soybean Research and Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Castano-Duque L, Gilbert MK, Mack BM, Lebar MD, Carter-Wientjes CH, Sickler CM, Cary JW, Rajasekaran K. Flavonoids Modulate the Accumulation of Toxins From Aspergillus flavus in Maize Kernels. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:761446. [PMID: 34899785 PMCID: PMC8662736 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.761446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen capable of producing aflatoxins, potent carcinogenic toxins that accumulate in maize kernels after infection. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of maize resistance to A. flavus growth and aflatoxin accumulation, we performed a high-throughput transcriptomic study in situ using maize kernels infected with A. flavus strain 3357. Three maize lines were evaluated: aflatoxin-contamination resistant line TZAR102, semi-resistant MI82, and susceptible line Va35. A modified genotype-environment association method (GEA) used to detect loci under selection via redundancy analysis (RDA) was used with the transcriptomic data to detect genes significantly influenced by maize line, fungal treatment, and duration of infection. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of genes highly expressed in infected kernels identified molecular pathways associated with defense responses to fungi and other microbes such as production of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and lipid bilayer formation. To further identify novel genes of interest, we incorporated genomic and phenotypic field data from a genome wide association analysis with gene expression data, allowing us to detect significantly expressed quantitative trait loci (eQTL). These results identified significant association between flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes and infection by A. flavus. In planta fungal infections showed that the resistant line, TZAR102, has a higher fold increase of the metabolites naringenin and luteolin than the susceptible line, Va35, when comparing untreated and fungal infected plants. These results suggest flavonoids contribute to plant resistance mechanisms against aflatoxin contamination through modulation of toxin accumulation in maize kernels.
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Wang R, Xue Y, Fan J, Yao JL, Qin M, Lin T, Lian Q, Zhang M, Li X, Li J, Sun M, Song B, Zhang J, Zhao K, Chen X, Hu H, Fei Z, Xue C, Wu J. A systems genetics approach reveals PbrNSC as a regulator of lignin and cellulose biosynthesis in stone cells of pear fruit. Genome Biol 2021; 22:313. [PMID: 34776004 PMCID: PMC8590786 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02531-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stone cells in fruits of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) negatively influence fruit quality because their lignified cell walls impart a coarse and granular texture to the fruit flesh. RESULTS We generate RNA-seq data from the developing fruits of 206 pear cultivars with a wide range of stone cell contents and use a systems genetics approach to integrate co-expression networks and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) to characterize the regulatory mechanisms controlling lignocellulose formation in the stone cells of pear fruits. Our data with a total of 35,897 expressed genes and 974,404 SNPs support the identification of seven stone cell formation modules and the detection of 139,515 eQTLs for 3229 genes in these modules. Focusing on regulatory factors and using a co-expression network comprising 39 structural genes, we identify PbrNSC as a candidate regulator of stone cell formation. We then verify the function of PbrNSC in regulating lignocellulose formation using both pear fruit and Arabidopsis plants and further show that PbrNSC can transcriptionally activate multiple target genes involved in secondary cell wall formation. CONCLUSIONS This study generates a large resource for studying stone cell formation and provides insights into gene regulatory networks controlling the formation of stone cell and lignocellulose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Wang
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yongsong Xue
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jing Fan
- Institute of Fruit and Tea, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jia-Long Yao
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Auckland, 1025, New Zealand
| | - Mengfan Qin
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Tao Lin
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518124, China
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Qun Lian
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518124, China
| | - Mingyue Zhang
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518124, China
| | - Jiaming Li
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Manyi Sun
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Bobo Song
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jiaying Zhang
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Kejiao Zhao
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Horticultural Plant Biology and Metabolomics Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hongju Hu
- Institute of Fruit and Tea, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhangjun Fei
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- USDA-ARS, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Cheng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China.
| | - Jun Wu
- College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Sakai T, Abe A, Shimizu M, Terauchi R. RIL-StEp: epistasis analysis of rice recombinant inbred lines reveals candidate interacting genes that control seed hull color and leaf chlorophyll content. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab130. [PMID: 33871605 PMCID: PMC8496299 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Characterizing epistatic gene interactions is fundamental for understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits. However, due to the large number of potential gene combinations, detecting epistatic gene interactions is computationally demanding. A simple, easy-to-perform method for sensitive detection of epistasis is required. Due to their homozygous nature, use of recombinant inbred lines excludes the dominance effect of alleles and interactions involving heterozygous genotypes, thereby allowing detection of epistasis in a simple and interpretable model. Here, we present an approach called RIL-StEp (recombinant inbred lines stepwise epistasis detection) to detect epistasis using single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome. We applied the method to reveal epistasis affecting rice (Oryza sativa) seed hull color and leaf chlorophyll content and successfully identified pairs of genomic regions that presumably control these phenotypes. This method has the potential to improve our understanding of the genetic architecture of various traits of crops and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Sakai
- Laboratory of Crop Evolution, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Mozume, Muko, Kyoto 617-0001, Japan
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Akira Abe
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
| | - Motoki Shimizu
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
| | - Ryohei Terauchi
- Laboratory of Crop Evolution, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Mozume, Muko, Kyoto 617-0001, Japan
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
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A systems genetics approach reveals environment-dependent associations between SNPs, protein coexpression, and drought-related traits in maize. Genome Res 2020; 30:1593-1604. [PMID: 33060172 PMCID: PMC7605251 DOI: 10.1101/gr.255224.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of drought on maize yield is of particular concern in the context of climate change and human population growth. However, the complexity of drought-response mechanisms makes the design of new drought-tolerant varieties a difficult task that would greatly benefit from a better understanding of the genotype–phenotype relationship. To provide novel insight into this relationship, we applied a systems genetics approach integrating high-throughput phenotypic, proteomic, and genomic data acquired from 254 maize hybrids grown under two watering conditions. Using association genetics and protein coexpression analysis, we detected more than 22,000 pQTLs across the two conditions and confidently identified 15 loci with potential pleiotropic effects on the proteome. We showed that even mild water deficit induced a profound remodeling of the proteome, which affected the structure of the protein coexpression network, and a reprogramming of the genetic control of the abundance of many proteins, including those involved in stress response. Colocalizations between pQTLs and QTLs for ecophysiological traits, found mostly in the water deficit condition, indicated that this reprogramming may also affect the phenotypic level. Finally, we identified several candidate genes that are potentially responsible for both the coexpression of stress response proteins and the variations of ecophysiological traits under water deficit. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance and suggest some pathways for further research and breeding.
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Ballesteros GI, Torres-Díaz C, Bravo LA, Balboa K, Caruso C, Bertini L, Proietti S, Molina-Montenegro MA. In silico analysis of metatranscriptomic data from the Antarctic vascular plant Colobanthus quitensis: Responses to a global warming scenario through changes in fungal gene expression levels. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.100873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Cuello C, Baldy A, Brunaud V, Joets J, Delannoy E, Jacquemot MP, Botran L, Griveau Y, Guichard C, Soubigou-Taconnat L, Martin-Magniette ML, Leroy P, Méchin V, Reymond M, Coursol S. A systems biology approach uncovers a gene co-expression network associated with cell wall degradability in maize. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0227011. [PMID: 31891625 PMCID: PMC6938352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms triggering variation of cell wall degradability is a prerequisite to improving the energy value of lignocellulosic biomass for animal feed or biorefinery. Here, we implemented a multiscale systems approach to shed light on the genetic basis of cell wall degradability in maize. We demonstrated that allele replacement in two pairs of near-isogenic lines at a region encompassing a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for cell wall degradability led to phenotypic variation of a similar magnitude and sign to that expected from a QTL analysis of cell wall degradability in the F271 × F288 recombinant inbred line progeny. Using DNA sequences within the QTL interval of both F271 and F288 inbred lines and Illumina RNA sequencing datasets from internodes of the selected near-isogenic lines, we annotated the genes present in the QTL interval and provided evidence that allelic variation at the introgressed QTL region gives rise to coordinated changes in gene expression. The identification of a gene co-expression network associated with cell wall-related trait variation revealed that the favorable F288 alleles exploit biological processes related to oxidation-reduction, regulation of hydrogen peroxide metabolism, protein folding and hormone responses. Nested in modules of co-expressed genes, potential new cell-wall regulators were identified, including two transcription factors of the group VII ethylene response factor family, that could be exploited to fine-tune cell wall degradability. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms by which a major locus influences cell wall degradability, paving the way for its map-based cloning in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Cuello
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Aurélie Baldy
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Véronique Brunaud
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Johann Joets
- Génétique Quantitative et Evolution—Le Moulon, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | - Etienne Delannoy
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Jacquemot
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Lucy Botran
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Yves Griveau
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Cécile Guichard
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ludivine Soubigou-Taconnat
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Laure Martin-Magniette
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- UMR MIA-Paris, AgroParisTech, INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | | | - Valérie Méchin
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Matthieu Reymond
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Sylvie Coursol
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
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Druege U, Hilo A, Pérez-Pérez JM, Klopotek Y, Acosta M, Shahinnia F, Zerche S, Franken P, Hajirezaei MR. Molecular and physiological control of adventitious rooting in cuttings: phytohormone action meets resource allocation. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2019; 123:929-949. [PMID: 30759178 PMCID: PMC6589513 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcy234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adventitious root (AR) formation in excised plant parts is a bottleneck for survival of isolated plant fragments. AR formation plays an important ecological role and is a critical process in cuttings for the clonal propagation of horticultural and forestry crops. Therefore, understanding the regulation of excision-induced AR formation is essential for sustainable and efficient utilization of plant genetic resources. SCOPE Recent studies of plant transcriptomes, proteomes and metabolomes, and the use of mutants and transgenic lines have significantly expanded our knowledge concerning excision-induced AR formation. Here, we integrate new findings regarding AR formation in the cuttings of diverse plant species. These findings support a new system-oriented concept that the phytohormone-controlled reprogramming and differentiation of particular responsive cells in the cutting base interacts with a co-ordinated reallocation of plant resources within the whole cutting to initiate and drive excision-induced AR formation. Master control by auxin involves diverse transcription factors and mechanically sensitive microtubules, and is further linked to ethylene, jasmonates, cytokinins and strigolactones. Hormone functions seem to involve epigenetic factors and cross-talk with metabolic signals, reflecting the nutrient status of the cutting. By affecting distinct physiological units in the cutting, environmental factors such as light, nitrogen and iron modify the implementation of the genetically controlled root developmental programme. CONCLUSION Despite advanced research in the last decade, important questions remain open for future investigations on excision-induced AR formation. These concern the distinct roles and interactions of certain molecular, hormonal and metabolic factors, as well as the functional equilibrium of the whole cutting in a complex environment. Starting from model plants, cell type- and phase-specific monitoring of controlling processes and modification of gene expression are promising methodologies that, however, need to be integrated into a coherent model of the whole system, before research findings can be translated to other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Druege
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Hilo
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, OT Gatersleben, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | | | - Yvonne Klopotek
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Manuel Acosta
- Universidad de Murcia, Facultad de Biología, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Fahimeh Shahinnia
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, OT Gatersleben, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Siegfried Zerche
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Philipp Franken
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Mohammad R Hajirezaei
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, OT Gatersleben, Stadt Seeland, Germany
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Nguyen KL, Grondin A, Courtois B, Gantet P. Next-Generation Sequencing Accelerates Crop Gene Discovery. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 24:263-274. [PMID: 30573308 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The identification and isolation of genes underlying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with agronomic traits in crops have been recently accelerated thanks to next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based technologies combined with plant genetics. With NGS, various revisited genetic approaches, which benefited from higher marker density, have been elaborated. These approaches improved resolution in QTL position and assisted in determining functional causative variations in genes. Examples of QTLs/genes associated with agronomic traits in crops and identified using different strategies based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS)/whole-genome resequencing (WGR) or RNA-seq are presented and discussed in this review. More specifically, we summarize and illustrate how NGS boosted bulk-segregant analysis (BSA), expression profiling, and the construction of polymorphism databases to facilitate the detection of QTLs and causative genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh Le Nguyen
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France; LMI RICE 2, AGI, Km2 Pham Van Dong, Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Alexandre Grondin
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Brigitte Courtois
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Gantet
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR DIADE, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France; Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Dept. of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Wierzbicki MP, Maloney V, Mizrachi E, Myburg AA. Xylan in the Middle: Understanding Xylan Biosynthesis and Its Metabolic Dependencies Toward Improving Wood Fiber for Industrial Processing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:176. [PMID: 30858858 PMCID: PMC6397879 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass, encompassing cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose in plant secondary cell walls (SCWs), is the most abundant source of renewable materials on earth. Currently, fast-growing woody dicots such as Eucalyptus and Populus trees are major lignocellulosic (wood fiber) feedstocks for bioproducts such as pulp, paper, cellulose, textiles, bioplastics and other biomaterials. Processing wood for these products entails separating the biomass into its three main components as efficiently as possible without compromising yield. Glucuronoxylan (xylan), the main hemicellulose present in the SCWs of hardwood trees carries chemical modifications that are associated with SCW composition and ultrastructure, and affect the recalcitrance of woody biomass to industrial processing. In this review we highlight the importance of xylan properties for industrial wood fiber processing and how gaining a greater understanding of xylan biosynthesis, specifically xylan modification, could yield novel biotechnology approaches to reduce recalcitrance or introduce novel processing traits. Altering xylan modification patterns has recently become a focus of plant SCW studies due to early findings that altered modification patterns can yield beneficial biomass processing traits. Additionally, it has been noted that plants with altered xylan composition display metabolic differences linked to changes in precursor usage. We explore the possibility of using systems biology and systems genetics approaches to gain insight into the coordination of SCW formation with other interdependent biological processes. Acetyl-CoA, s-adenosylmethionine and nucleotide sugars are precursors needed for xylan modification, however, the pathways which produce metabolic pools during different stages of fiber cell wall formation still have to be identified and their co-regulation during SCW formation elucidated. The crucial dependence on precursor metabolism provides an opportunity to alter xylan modification patterns through metabolic engineering of one or more of these interdependent pathways. The complexity of xylan biosynthesis and modification is currently a stumbling point, but it may provide new avenues for woody biomass engineering that are not possible for other biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexander A. Myburg
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Exploring the involvement of Tac2 in the mouse hippocampal stress response through gene networking. Gene 2019; 696:176-185. [PMID: 30769143 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Tachykinin 2 (Tac2) is expressed in a number of areas throughout the brain, including the hippocampus. However, knowledge about its function has been only well explored in the hypothalamus in the context of reproductive health. In this study, we identified and validated increased hippocampal Tac2 mRNA expression in response to chronic mild stress in mice. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis showed Tac2 is cis-regulated in the hippocampus. Using a systems genetics approach, we constructed a Tac2 co-expression network to better understand the relationship between Tac2 and the hippocampal stress response. Our network identified 69 total genes associated with Tac2, several of which encode major neuropeptides involved in hippocampal stress signaling as well as critical genes for producing neural plasticity, indicating that Tac2 is involved in these processes. Pathway analysis for the member of Tac2 gene network revealed a strong connection between Tac2 and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, as well as cardiac muscle contraction. In addition, we also identified 46 stress-related phenotypes, specifically fear conditioning response, that were significantly correlated with Tac2 expression. Our results provide evidence for Tac2 as a strong candidate gene who likely plays a role in hippocampal stress processing and neural plasticity.
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12
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Myburg AA, Hussey SG, Wang JP, Street NR, Mizrachi E. Systems and Synthetic Biology of Forest Trees: A Bioengineering Paradigm for Woody Biomass Feedstocks. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:775. [PMID: 31281326 PMCID: PMC6597874 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Fast-growing forest plantations are sustainable feedstocks of plant biomass that can serve as alternatives to fossil carbon resources for materials, chemicals, and energy. Their ability to efficiently harvest light energy and carbon from the atmosphere and sequester this into metabolic precursors for lignocellulosic biopolymers and a wide range of plant specialized metabolites make them excellent biochemical production platforms and living biorefineries. Their large sizes have facilitated multi-omics analyses and systems modeling of key biological processes such as lignin biosynthesis in trees. High-throughput 'omics' approaches have also been applied in segregating tree populations where genetic variation creates abundant genetic perturbations of system components allowing construction of systems genetics models linking genes and pathways to complex trait variation. With this information in hand, it is now possible to start using synthetic biology and genome editing techniques in a bioengineering approach based on a deeper understanding and rational design of biological parts, devices, and integrated systems. However, the complexity of the biology and interacting components will require investment in big data informatics, machine learning, and intuitive visualization to fully explore multi-dimensional patterns and identify emergent properties of biological systems. Predictive systems models could be tested rapidly through high-throughput synthetic biology approaches and multigene editing. Such a bioengineering paradigm, together with accelerated genomic breeding, will be crucial for the development of a new generation of woody biorefinery crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Myburg
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Alexander A. Myburg, ;
| | - Steven G. Hussey
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Jack P. Wang
- Forest Biotechnology Group, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Nathaniel R. Street
- Umeå Plant Science Center, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eshchar Mizrachi
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
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13
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Du Q, Lu W, Quan M, Xiao L, Song F, Li P, Zhou D, Xie J, Wang L, Zhang D. Genome-Wide Association Studies to Improve Wood Properties: Challenges and Prospects. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1912. [PMID: 30622554 PMCID: PMC6309013 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Wood formation is an excellent model system for quantitative trait analysis due to the strong associations between the transcriptional and metabolic traits that contribute to this complex process. Investigating the genetic architecture and regulatory mechanisms underlying wood formation will enhance our understanding of the quantitative genetics and genomics of complex phenotypic variation. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) represent an ideal statistical strategy for dissecting the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits. However, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying many favorable loci that contribute to wood formation and optimizing GWAS design remain challenging in this omics era. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in GWAS-based functional genomics of wood property traits in major timber species such as Eucalyptus, Populus, and various coniferous species. We discuss several appropriate experimental designs for extensive GWAS in a given undomesticated tree population, such as omics-wide association studies and high-throughput phenotyping technologies. We also explain why more attention should be paid to rare allelic and major structural variation. Finally, we explore the potential use of GWAS for the molecular breeding of trees. Such studies will help provide an integrated understanding of complex quantitative traits and should enable the molecular design of new cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhang Du
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Lu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyang Quan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Xiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangyuan Song
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Daling Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbo Xie
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Longxin Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Deqiang Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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14
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Dharanishanthi V, Ghosh Dasgupta M. Co-expression network of transcription factors reveal ethylene-responsive element-binding factor as key regulator of wood phenotype in Eucalyptus tereticornis. 3 Biotech 2018; 8:315. [PMID: 30023147 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Suitability of wood biomass for pulp production is dependent on the cellular architecture and composition of secondary cell wall. Presently, systems genetics approach is being employed to understand the molecular basis of trait variation and co-expression network analysis has enabled holistic understanding of complex trait such as secondary development. Transcription factors (TFs) are reported as key regulators of meristematic growth and wood formation. The hierarchical TF network is a multi-layered system which interacts with downstream structural genes involved in biosynthesis of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Several TFs have been associated with wood formation in tree species such as Populus, Eucalyptus, Picea and Pinus. However, TF-specific co-expression networks to understand the interaction between these regulators are not reported. In the present study, co-expression network was developed for TFs expressed during wood formation in Eucalyptus tereticornis and ethylene-responsive element-binding factor, EtERF2, was identified as the major hub transcript which co-expressed with other secondary cell wall biogenesis-specific TFs such as EtSND2, EtVND1, EtVND4, EtVND6, EtMYB70, EtGRAS and EtSCL8. This study reveals a probable role of ethylene in determining natural variation in wood properties in Eucalyptus species. Understanding this transcriptional regulation underpinning the complex bio-processing trait of wood biomass will complement the Eucalyptus breeding program through selection of industrially suitable phenotypes by marker-assisted selection.
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15
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Di Silvestre D, Bergamaschi A, Bellini E, Mauri P. Large Scale Proteomic Data and Network-Based Systems Biology Approaches to Explore the Plant World. Proteomes 2018; 6:proteomes6020027. [PMID: 29865292 PMCID: PMC6027444 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes6020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The investigation of plant organisms by means of data-derived systems biology approaches based on network modeling is mainly characterized by genomic data, while the potential of proteomics is largely unexplored. This delay is mainly caused by the paucity of plant genomic/proteomic sequences and annotations which are fundamental to perform mass-spectrometry (MS) data interpretation. However, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques are contributing to filling this gap and an increasing number of studies are focusing on plant proteome profiling and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) identification. Interesting results were obtained by evaluating the topology of PPI networks in the context of organ-associated biological processes as well as plant-pathogen relationships. These examples foreshadow well the benefits that these approaches may provide to plant research. Thus, in addition to providing an overview of the main-omic technologies recently used on plant organisms, we will focus on studies that rely on concepts of module, hub and shortest path, and how they can contribute to the plant discovery processes. In this scenario, we will also consider gene co-expression networks, and some examples of integration with metabolomic data and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to select candidate genes will be mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Di Silvestre
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council; F.lli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Milan, Italy.
| | - Andrea Bergamaschi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council; F.lli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Milan, Italy.
| | - Edoardo Bellini
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council; F.lli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Milan, Italy.
| | - PierLuigi Mauri
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies-National Research Council; F.lli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Mäkinen H, Sävilammi T, Papakostas S, Leder E, Vøllestad LA, Primmer CR. Modularity Facilitates Flexible Tuning of Plastic and Evolutionary Gene Expression Responses during Early Divergence. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:77-93. [PMID: 29293993 PMCID: PMC5758911 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression changes have been recognized as important drivers of adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Little is known about the relative roles of plastic and evolutionary responses in complex gene expression networks during the early stages of divergence. Large gene expression data sets coupled with in silico methods for identifying coexpressed modules now enable systems genetics approaches also in nonmodel species for better understanding of gene expression responses during early divergence. Here, we combined gene coexpression analyses with population genetics to separate plastic and population (evolutionary) effects in expression networks using small salmonid populations as a model system. We show that plastic and population effects were highly variable among the six identified modules and that the plastic effects explained larger proportion of the total eigengene expression than population effects. A more detailed analysis of the population effects using a QST - FST comparison across 16,622 annotated transcripts revealed that gene expression followed neutral expectations within modules and at the global level. Furthermore, two modules showed enrichment for genes coding for early developmental traits that have been previously identified as important phenotypic traits in thermal responses in the same model system indicating that coexpression analysis can capture expression patterns underlying ecologically important traits. We suggest that module-specific responses may facilitate the flexible tuning of expression levels to local thermal conditions. Overall, our study indicates that plasticity and neutral evolution are the main drivers of gene expression variance in the early stages of thermal adaptation in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erica Leder
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Leif A Vøllestad
- Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland
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17
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Gu Y, Li W, Jiang H, Wang Y, Gao H, Liu M, Chen Q, Lai Y, He C. Differential expression of a WRKY gene between wild and cultivated soybeans correlates to seed size. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:2717-2729. [PMID: 28472462 PMCID: PMC5853923 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max) probably originated from the wild soybean (Glycine soja). Glycine max has a significantly larger seed size, but the underlying genomic changes are largely unknown. Candidate regulatory genes were preliminarily proposed by data co-localizing RNA sequencing with the quantitative loci (QTLs) for seed size. The soybean gene locus SoyWRKY15a and its orthologous genes from G. max (GmWRKY15a) and G. soja (GsWRKY15a) were analyzed in detail. The coding sequences were nearly identical between the two orthologs, but GmWRKY15a was significantly more highly expressed than GsWRKY15a. Four haplotypes (H1-H4) were found and they varied in the size of a CT-core microsatellite locus in the 5'-untranslated region of this gene. H1 (with six CT-repeats) was the only allelic version found in G. max, while H3 (with five CT-repeats) was the dominant G. soja allele. Differential expression of this gene in soybean pods was correlated with CT-repeat variation, and manipulation of the CT copy number altered the reporter gene expression, suggesting a regulatory role for the simple sequence repeats. Seed weight of wild soybeans harboring H1 was significantly greater than that of soybeans having haplotypes H2, H3, or H4, and seed weight was correlated with gene expression, suggesting the influence of GsWRKY15a in controlling seed size. However, the seed size might be refractory to increased SoyWRKY15a expression in cultivated soybeans. The evolutionary significance of SoyWRKY15a variation in soybean seed domestication is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhe Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Crop Tillage and Cultivation Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hongwei Jiang
- College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Crop Tillage and Cultivation Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qingshan Chen
- College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yongcai Lai
- Crop Tillage and Cultivation Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chaoying He
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Christie N, Myburg AA, Joubert F, Murray SL, Carstens M, Lin YC, Meyer J, Crampton BG, Christensen SA, Ntuli JF, Wighard SS, Van de Peer Y, Berger DK. Systems genetics reveals a transcriptional network associated with susceptibility in the maize-grey leaf spot pathosystem. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 89:746-763. [PMID: 27862526 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We used a systems genetics approach to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the responses of maize to grey leaf spot (GLS) disease caused by Cercospora zeina, a threat to maize production globally. Expression analysis of earleaf samples in a subtropical maize recombinant inbred line population (CML444 × SC Malawi) subjected in the field to C. zeina infection allowed detection of 20 206 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Four trans-eQTL hotspots coincided with GLS disease QTLs mapped in the same field experiment. Co-expression network analysis identified three expression modules correlated with GLS disease scores. The module (GY-s) most highly correlated with susceptibility (r = 0.71; 179 genes) was enriched for the glyoxylate pathway, lipid metabolism, diterpenoid biosynthesis and responses to pathogen molecules such as chitin. The GY-s module was enriched for genes with trans-eQTLs in hotspots on chromosomes 9 and 10, which also coincided with phenotypic QTLs for susceptibility to GLS. This transcriptional network has significant overlap with the GLS susceptibility response of maize line B73, and may reflect pathogen manipulation for nutrient acquisition and/or unsuccessful defence responses, such as kauralexin production by the diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway. The co-expression module that correlated best with resistance (TQ-r; 1498 genes) was enriched for genes with trans-eQTLs in hotspots coinciding with GLS resistance QTLs on chromosome 9. Jasmonate responses were implicated in resistance to GLS through co-expression of COI1 and enrichment of genes with the Gene Ontology term 'cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase complex' in the TQ-r module. Consistent with this, JAZ repressor expression was highly correlated with the severity of GLS disease in the GY-s susceptibility network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanette Christie
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Genomics Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Alexander A Myburg
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Fourie Joubert
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Genomics Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Shane L Murray
- Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research, 0A Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Maryke Carstens
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Yao-Cheng Lin
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacqueline Meyer
- Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research, 0A Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Bridget G Crampton
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Shawn A Christensen
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Chemistry Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - Jean F Ntuli
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Sara S Wighard
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Yves Van de Peer
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Genetics, Genomics Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Dave K Berger
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
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19
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Network-based integration of systems genetics data reveals pathways associated with lignocellulosic biomass accumulation and processing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:1195-1200. [PMID: 28096391 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620119114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a consequence of their remarkable adaptability, fast growth, and superior wood properties, eucalypt tree plantations have emerged as key renewable feedstocks (over 20 million ha globally) for the production of pulp, paper, bioenergy, and other lignocellulosic products. However, most biomass properties such as growth, wood density, and wood chemistry are complex traits that are hard to improve in long-lived perennials. Systems genetics, a process of harnessing multiple levels of component trait information (e.g., transcript, protein, and metabolite variation) in populations that vary in complex traits, has proven effective for dissecting the genetics and biology of such traits. We have applied a network-based data integration (NBDI) method for a systems-level analysis of genes, processes and pathways underlying biomass and bioenergy-related traits using a segregating Eucalyptus hybrid population. We show that the integrative approach can link biologically meaningful sets of genes to complex traits and at the same time reveal the molecular basis of trait variation. Gene sets identified for related woody biomass traits were found to share regulatory loci, cluster in network neighborhoods, and exhibit enrichment for molecular functions such as xylan metabolism and cell wall development. These findings offer a framework for identifying the molecular underpinnings of complex biomass and bioprocessing-related traits. A more thorough understanding of the molecular basis of plant biomass traits should provide additional opportunities for the establishment of a sustainable bio-based economy.
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20
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Construction of co-expression network based on natural expression variation of xylogenesis-related transcripts in Eucalyptus tereticornis. Mol Biol Rep 2016; 43:1129-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-016-4046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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21
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Mizrachi E, Myburg AA. Systems genetics of wood formation. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 30:94-100. [PMID: 26943939 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In woody plants, xylogenesis is an exceptionally strong carbon sink requiring robust transcriptional control and dynamic coordination of cellular and metabolic processes directing carbon allocation and partitioning into secondary cell wall biosynthesis. As a biological process, wood formation is an excellent candidate for systems modeling due to the strong correlation patterns and interconnectedness observed for transcriptional and metabolic component traits contributing to complex phenotypes such as cell wall chemistry and ultrastructure. Genetic variation in undomesticated tree populations provides abundant perturbation of systems components, adding another dimension to plant systems biology (besides spatial and temporal variation). High-throughput analysis of molecular component traits in adult trees has provided the first insights into the systems genetics of wood, an important renewable feedstock for biomaterials and bioenergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshchar Mizrachi
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
| | - Alexander A Myburg
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
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22
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Edwards SV, Shultz AJ, Campbell-Staton SC. Next-generation sequencing and the expanding domain of phylogeography. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2015. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v64.i3.a2.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott V. Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
| | - Allison J. Shultz
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
| | - Shane C. Campbell-Staton
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
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23
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Frequency of alcohol consumption in humans; the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors and downstream signaling pathways. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e586. [PMID: 26101849 PMCID: PMC4490281 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent models implicate metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and downstream signaling pathways in addictive behaviors through metaplasticity. One way mGluRs can influence synaptic plasticity is by regulating the local translation of AMPA receptor trafficking proteins via eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). However, genetic variation in this pathway has not been examined with human alcohol use phenotypes. Among a sample of adults living in Detroit, Michigan (Detroit Neighborhood Health Study; n = 788; 83% African American), 206 genetic variants across the mGluR-eEF2-AMPAR pathway (including GRM1, GRM5, HOMER1, HOMER2, EEF2K, MTOR, EIF4E, EEF2, CAMK2A, ARC, GRIA1 and GRIA4) were found to predict number of drinking days per month (corrected P-value < 0.01) when considered as a set (set-based linear regression conducted in PLINK). In addition, a CpG site located in the 3'-untranslated region on the north shore of EEF2 (cg12255298) was hypermethylated in those who drank more frequently (P < 0.05). Importantly, the association between several genetic variants within the mGluR-eEF2-AMPAR pathway and alcohol use behavior (i.e., consumption and alcohol-related problems) replicated in the Grady Trauma Project (GTP), an independent sample of adults living in Atlanta, Georgia (n = 1034; 95% African American), including individual variants in GRM1, GRM5, EEF2, MTOR, GRIA1, GRIA4 and HOMER2 (P < 0.05). Gene-based analyses conducted in the GTP indicated that GRM1 (empirical P < 0.05) and EEF2 (empirical P < 0.01) withstood multiple test corrections and predicted increased alcohol consumption and related problems. In conclusion, insights from rodent studies enabled the identification of novel human alcohol candidate genes within the mGluR-eEF2-AMPAR pathway.
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Salvi S, Tuberosa R. The crop QTLome comes of age. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 32:179-185. [PMID: 25614069 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in genomics and phenomics allows for a more accurate and comprehensive characterization of the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs)—hereafter defined 'QTLome' as a whole—that govern the variation targeted in breeding programs. High-density genotyping now provides unambiguous identification of QTL alleles, and for several traits beneficial alleles at major QTLs have already been deployed in marker-assisted breeding. However, the amount of QTLome information is enormous and approaches to distill and translate this information to breeders remain to be refined. Improved QTL meta-analyses, better estimation of QTL effects, improved crop modelling and full sharing of raw QTL data will enable a more effective exploitation of the QTLome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Salvi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Roberto Tuberosa
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
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Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS): molecular neurogenetic evidence for predisposition to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:765-96. [PMID: 24878765 PMCID: PMC4225054 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8726-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have published extensively on the neurogenetics of brain reward systems with reference to the genes related to dopaminergic function in particular. In 1996, we coined “Reward Deficiency Syndrome” (RDS), to portray behaviors found to have gene-based association with hypodopaminergic function. RDS as a useful concept has been embraced in many subsequent studies, to increase our understanding of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), addictions, and other obsessive, compulsive, and impulsive behaviors. Interestingly, albeit others, in one published study, we were able to describe lifetime RDS behaviors in a recovering addict (17 years sober) blindly by assessing resultant Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS™) data only. We hypothesize that genetic testing at an early age may be an effective preventive strategy to reduce or eliminate pathological substance and behavioral seeking activity. Here, we consider a select number of genes, their polymorphisms, and associated risks for RDS whereby, utilizing GWAS, there is evidence for convergence to reward candidate genes. The evidence presented serves as a plausible brain-print providing relevant genetic information that will reinforce targeted therapies, to improve recovery and prevent relapse on an individualized basis. The primary driver of RDS is a hypodopaminergic trait (genes) as well as epigenetic states (methylation and deacetylation on chromatin structure). We now have entered a new era in addiction medicine that embraces the neuroscience of addiction and RDS as a pathological condition in brain reward circuitry that calls for appropriate evidence-based therapy and early genetic diagnosis and that requires further intensive investigation.
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