1
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Li Z. Modeling pesticide residues in nectar and pollen in support of pesticide exposure assessment for honeybees: A generic modeling approach. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 236:113507. [PMID: 35421823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide residues in nectar and pollen of plants can damage honeybees; however, few modeling approaches have simulated residue levels in nectar and pollen in support of exposure assessment for honeybees. This study introduced a generic modeling approach based on plant uptake models and simple partitioning rules that specifies soil incorporation and foliar spray application scenarios of pesticides and is flexible for conducting variability analysis for various environmental conditions, pesticide application patterns, chemical individuals, and plant varieties. The results indicated that, in general, systemic or moderate lipophilicity (log KOW of ~2.5) pesticides have relatively high simulated residue levels in nectar and pollen because of the enhanced residue uptake process from soil. For non-systemic or highly lipophilic pesticides, the residue uptake via leaf surface deposition pathway can be enhanced, and more residues will be bioaccumulated in pollen than nectar due to a relatively high lipid content of pollen (as compared to nectar), but the overall residue levels in nectar and pollen are lower than systemic or moderately lipophilic pesticides. The variability analysis showed that environmental conditions, pesticide application patterns, chemical properties, and plant varieties cause considerable variations in simulated residue levels in nectar and pollen, indicating that spatiotemporal, chemical, and plant-related factors must be considered in pesticide exposure assessment for honeybees. Moreover, the comparison between the simulated and measured data showed a high degree of consistency, indicating that the proposed model could be used to conduct a screening-level pesticide exposure assessment for honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China.
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2
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Omics Profiles of Non-transgenic Scion Grafted on Transgenic RdDM Rootstock. Food Saf (Tokyo) 2022; 10:13-31. [PMID: 35510071 PMCID: PMC9008877 DOI: 10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.d-21-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Grafting of commercial varieties onto transgenic stress-tolerant rootstocks is attractive
approach, because fruit from the non-transgenic plant body does not contain foreign genes.
RNA silencing can modulate gene expression and protect host plants from viruses and
insects, and small RNAs (sRNAs), key molecules of RNA silencing, can move systemically.
Here, to evaluate the safety of foods obtained from sRNA-recipient plant bodies, we
investigated the effects of rootstock-derived sRNAs involved in mediating RNA-directed DNA
methylation (RdDM) on non-transgenic scions. We used tobacco rootstocks showing RdDM
against the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. When scions harboring CaMV 35S
promoter sequence were grafted onto RdDM-inducing rootstocks, we found that RdDM-inducing
sRNAs were only weakly transported from the rootstocks to the scion, and we observed a low
level of DNA methylation of the CaMV 35S promoter in the scion. Next, wild-type (WT)
tobacco scions were grafted onto RdDM-inducing rootstocks (designated NT) or WT rootstocks
(designated NN), and scion leaves were subjected to multi-omics analyses. Our
transcriptomic analysis detected 55 differentially expressed genes between the NT and NN
samples. A principal component analysis of proteome profiles showed no significant
differences. In the positive and negative modes of LC-ESI-MS and GC-EI-MS analyses, we
found a large overlap between the metabolomic clusters of the NT and NN samples. In
contrast, the negative mode of a LC-ESI-MS analysis showed separation of clusters of NT
and NN metabolites, and we detected 6 peak groups that significantly differed. In
conclusion, we found that grafting onto RdDM-inducing rootstocks caused a low-level
transmission of sRNAs, resulting in limited DNA methylation in the scion. However, the
causal relationships between sRNA transmission and the very slight changes in the
transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles of the scions remains unclear. The safety
assessment points for grafting with RdDM rootstocks are discussed.
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3
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Herrera CM, Bazaga P, Pérez R, Alonso C. Lifetime genealogical divergence within plants leads to epigenetic mosaicism in the shrub Lavandula latifolia (Lamiaceae). THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:2065-2076. [PMID: 33634863 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mosaicism is a possible source of within-plant phenotypic heterogeneity, yet its frequency and developmental origin remain unexplored. This study examines whether extant epigenetic heterogeneity within Lavandula latifolia (Lamiaceae) shrubs reflects recent epigenetic modifications experienced independently by different plant parts or, alternatively, it is the cumulative outcome of a steady lifetime process. Leaf samples from different architectural modules (branch tips) were collected from three L. latifolia plants and characterized epigenetically by global DNA cytosine methylation and methylation state of methylation-sensitive amplified fragment-length polymorphism (MS-AFLP) markers. Epigenetic characteristics of modules were then assembled with information on the branching history of plants. Methods borrowed from phylogenetic research were used to assess genealogical signal of extant epigenetic variation and reconstruct within-plant genealogical trajectory of epigenetic traits. Plants were epigenetically heterogeneous, as shown by differences among modules in global DNA methylation and variation in the methylation states of 6 to 8% of MS-AFLP markers. All epigenetic features exhibited significant genealogical signal within plants. Events of epigenetic divergence occurred throughout the lifespan of individuals and were subsequently propagated by branch divisions. Internal epigenetic diversification of L. latifolia individuals took place steadily during their development, a process which eventually led to persistent epigenetic mosaicism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos M Herrera
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, E-41092, Spain
| | - Pilar Bazaga
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, E-41092, Spain
| | - Ricardo Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de La Cartuja, CSIC-US, Avda. Américo Vespucio 49, Sevilla, E-41092, Spain
| | - Conchita Alonso
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, E-41092, Spain
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4
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Effect of Transgenic Rootstock Grafting on the Omics Profiles in Tomato. Food Saf (Tokyo) 2021; 9:32-47. [PMID: 34249588 PMCID: PMC8254850 DOI: 10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.d-20-00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Grafting of non-transgenic scion onto genetically modified (GM) rootstocks provides superior
agronomic traits in the GM rootstock, and excellent fruits can be produced for consumption. In
such grafted plants, the scion does not contain any foreign genes, but the fruit itself is
likely to be influenced directly or indirectly by the foreign genes in the rootstock. Before
market release of such fruit products, the effects of grafting onto GM rootstocks should be
determined from the perspective of safety use. Here, we evaluated the effects of a transgene
encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) on the grafted tomato fruits as a model case. An edible tomato
cultivar, Stella Mini Tomato, was grafted onto GM Micro-Tom tomato plants that had been
transformed with the GUS gene. The grafted plants showed no difference in
their fruit development rate and fresh weight regardless of the presence or absence of the
GUS gene in the rootstock. The fruit samples were subjected to transcriptome
(NGS-illumina), proteome (shotgun LC-MS/MS), metabolome (LC-ESI-MS and GC-EI-MS), and general
food ingredient analyses. In addition, differentially detected items were identified between
the grafted plants onto rootstocks with or without transgenes (more than two-fold). The
transcriptome analysis detected approximately 18,500 expressed genes on average, and only 6
genes were identified as differentially expressed. Principal component analysis of 2,442 peaks
for peptides in proteome profiles showed no significant differences. In the LC-ESI-MS and
GC-EI-MS analyses, a total of 93 peak groups and 114 peak groups were identified, respectively,
and only 2 peak groups showed more than two-fold differences. The general food ingredient
analysis showed no significant differences in the fruits of Stella scions between GM and non-GM
Micro-Tom rootstocks. These multiple omics data showed that grafting on the rootstock harboring
the GUS transgene did not induce any genetic or metabolic variation in the
scion.
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5
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Liu YL, Zheng HL. Physiological and Proteomic Analyses of Two Acanthus Species to Tidal Flooding Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031055. [PMID: 33494455 PMCID: PMC7865619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius and its relative, Acanthus mollis, have been previously proved to possess diverse pharmacological effects. Therefore, evaluating the differentially expressed proteins of these species under tidal flooding stress is essential to fully exploit and benefit from their medicinal values. The roots of A. ilicifolius and A. mollis were exposed to 6 h of flooding stress per day for 10 days. The dry weight, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, anatomical characteristics, carbon and energy levels, and two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS technology were used to reveal the divergent flooding resistant strategies. A. ilicifolius performed better under tidal flooding stress, which was reflected in the integrity of the morphological structure, more efficient use of carbon and energy, and a higher percentage of up-regulated proteins associated with carbon and energy metabolism. A. mollis could not survive in flooding conditions for a long time, as revealed by disrupting cell structures of the roots, less efficient use of carbon and energy, and a higher percentage of down-regulated proteins associated with carbon and energy metabolism. Energy provision and flux balance played a role in the flooding tolerance of A. ilicifolius and A. mollis.
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Kapazoglou A, Tani E, Avramidou EV, Abraham EM, Gerakari M, Megariti S, Doupis G, Doulis AG. Epigenetic Changes and Transcriptional Reprogramming Upon Woody Plant Grafting for Crop Sustainability in a Changing Environment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:613004. [PMID: 33510757 PMCID: PMC7835530 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.613004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Plant grafting is an ancient agricultural practice widely employed in crops such as woody fruit trees, grapes, and vegetables, in order to improve plant performance. Successful grafting requires the interaction of compatible scion and rootstock genotypes. This involves an intricate network of molecular mechanisms operating at the graft junction and associated with the development and the physiology of the scion, ultimately leading to improved agricultural characteristics such as fruit quality and increased tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic factors. Bidirectional transfer of molecular signals such as hormones, nutrients, proteins, and nucleic acids from the rootstock to the scion and vice versa have been well documented. In recent years, studies on rootstock-scion interactions have proposed the existence of an epigenetic component in grafting reactions. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and the action of small RNA molecules are known to modulate chromatin architecture, leading to gene expression changes and impacting cellular function. Mobile small RNAs (siRNAs) migrating across the graft union from the rootstock to the scion and vice versa mediate modifications in the DNA methylation pattern of the recipient partner, leading to altered chromatin structure and transcriptional reprogramming. Moreover, graft-induced DNA methylation changes and gene expression shifts in the scion have been associated with variations in graft performance. If these changes are heritable they can lead to stably altered phenotypes and affect important agricultural traits, making grafting an alternative to breeding for the production of superior plants with improved traits. However, most reviews on the molecular mechanisms underlying this process comprise studies related to vegetable grafting. In this review we will provide a comprehensive presentation of the current knowledge on the epigenetic changes and transcriptional reprogramming associated with the rootstock-scion interaction focusing on woody plant species, including the recent findings arising from the employment of advanced-omics technologies as well as transgrafting methodologies and their potential exploitation for generating superior quality grafts in woody species. Furthermore, will discuss graft-induced heritable epigenetic changes leading to novel plant phenotypes and their implication to woody crop improvement for yield, quality, and stress resilience, within the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliki Kapazoglou
- Department of Vitis, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture (IOSV), Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (HAO-Demeter), Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Tani
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia V. Avramidou
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, Athens, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (HAO-Demeter), Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni M. Abraham
- Laboratory of Range Science, Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Gerakari
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatia Megariti
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Doupis
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Sub-Tropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (HAO-Demeter) (fr. NAGREF), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andreas G. Doulis
- Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, Institute of Olive Tree, Sub-Tropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (HAO-Demeter) (fr. NAGREF), Heraklion, Greece
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7
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Wang L, Yamashita M, Greaves IK, Peacock WJ, Dennis ES. Arabidopsis Col/Ler and Ws/Ler hybrids and Hybrid Mimics produce seed yield heterosis through increased height, inflorescence branch and silique number. PLANTA 2020; 252:40. [PMID: 32851481 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The seed yield increase of the hybrids and their derived Mimics compared to parents is associated with increased plant height and inflorescence branch number which are correlated with decreased expression of FT, SOC1 and FUL. In Arabidopsis, plant size has been extensively investigated, but few studies have been carried out on seed yield heterosis. In hybrids between Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler), and Wassilewskija (Ws) and Ler, there was significant seed yield heterosis. F6/F7 Hybrid Mimics derived from hybrids of each of the two systems had seed yield increases similar to that of the F1 hybrid (approximately 50-70% greater than the average of the parents). Increased seed yield of the Hybrid Mimics was accompanied by changes of plant architecture with increased plant height and increased inflorescence branch number relative to the parents. Three of the Hybrid Mimic lines derived from the Ws/Ler system had 20% increase in seed yield relative to the F1 hybrid. Genes which repress flowering were up-regulated and the expression levels of flowering -promoting genes including FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1) and FRUITFULL (FUL) were negatively correlated with the increase in seed yield in both hybrids and F7 Mimics of both systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Moe Yamashita
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
| | - Ian K Greaves
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - W James Peacock
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Elizabeth S Dennis
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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8
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Bioinformatic Exploration of the Targets of Xylem Sap miRNAs in Maize under Cadmium Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061474. [PMID: 30909604 PMCID: PMC6470939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has the potential to be chronically toxic to humans through contaminated crop products. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can move systemically in plants. To investigate the roles of long-distance moving xylem miRNAs in regulating maize response to Cd stress, three xylem sap small RNA (sRNA) libraries were constructed for high-throughput sequencing to identify potential mobile miRNAs in Cd-stressed maize seedlings and their putative targets in maize transcriptomes. In total, about 199 miRNAs (20–22 nucleotides) were identified in xylem sap from maize seedlings, including 97 newly discovered miRNAs and 102 known miRNAs. Among them, 10 miRNAs showed differential expression in xylem sap after 1 h of Cd treatment. Two miRNAs target prediction tools, psRNAtarget (reporting the inhibition pattern of cleavage) and DPMIND (discovering Plant MiRNA-Target Interaction with degradome evidence), were used in combination to identify, via bioinformatics, the targets of 199 significantly expressed miRNAs in maize xylem sap. The integrative results of these two bioinformatic tools suggested that 27 xylem sap miRNAs inhibit 34 genes through cleavage with degradome evidence. Moreover, nearly 300 other genes were also the potential miRNAs cleavable targets without available degradome data support, and the majority of them were enriched in abiotic stress response, cell signaling, transcription regulation, as well as metal handling. These approaches and results not only enhanced our understanding of the Cd-responsive long-distance transported miRNAs from the view of xylem sap, but also provided novel insights for predicting the molecular genetic mechanisms mediated by miRNAs.
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9
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Alonso C, Pérez R, Bazaga P, Medrano M, Herrera CM. Within-plant variation in seed size and inflorescence fecundity is associated with epigenetic mosaicism in the shrub Lavandula latifolia (Lamiaceae). ANNALS OF BOTANY 2018; 121:153-160. [PMID: 29186299 PMCID: PMC5786237 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sub-individual variation in traits of homologous structures has multiple ecological consequences for individuals and populations. Assessing the evolutionary significance of such effects requires an improved knowledge of the mechanisms underlying within-plant phenotypic heterogeneity. The hypothesis that continuous within-plant variation in some phenotypic traits can be associated with epigenetic mosaicism was examined. METHODS Fifteen individuals of the long-lived, evergreen Mediterranean shrub Lavandula latifolia were studied. Five widely spaced 'modules', each consisting of a single inflorescence plus all its subtending basal leaves, were collected from each shrub. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaf samples and genome-wide cytosine methylation determined by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with spectrofluorimetric detection. The number and mean mass of seeds produced were determined for each inflorescence. An assessment was made of whether (1) leaves from different modules in the same plant differed significantly in global DNA cytosine methylation, and (2) mosaicism in cytosine methylation contributed to explain variation across modules in number and size of seeds. KEY RESULTS Leaves from different modules in the same plant differed in global DNA cytosine methylation. The magnitude of epigenetic mosaicism was substantial, as the variance in DNA methylation among modules of the same shrub was greater than the variance between individuals. Number and mean mass of seeds produced by individual inflorescences varied within plants and were quadratically related to cytosine methylation of subtending leaves, with an optimum at an intermediate methylation level (approx. 25 %). CONCLUSIONS The results support a causal link between global cytosine methylation of leaves in a module and the size and numbers of seeds produced by the associated inflorescence. It is proposed that variation in global DNA methylation within L. latifolia shrubs may result from the concerted action of plant sectoriality and differential exposure of different plant parts to some environmental factor(s) with a capacity to induce durable epigenetic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conchita Alonso
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ricardo Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de La Cartuja, CSIC-US, Avda. Américo Vespucio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Pilar Bazaga
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Mónica Medrano
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos M Herrera
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, Sevilla, Spain
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Limera C, Sabbadini S, Sweet JB, Mezzetti B. New Biotechnological Tools for the Genetic Improvement of Major Woody Fruit Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1418. [PMID: 28861099 PMCID: PMC5559511 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The improvement of woody fruit species by traditional plant breeding techniques has several limitations mainly caused by their high degree of heterozygosity, the length of their juvenile phase and auto-incompatibility. The development of new biotechnological tools (NBTs), such as RNA interference (RNAi), trans-grafting, cisgenesis/intragenesis, and genome editing tools, like zinc-finger and CRISPR/Cas9, has introduced the possibility of more precise and faster genetic modifications of plants. This aspect is of particular importance for the introduction or modification of specific traits in woody fruit species while maintaining unchanged general characteristics of a selected cultivar. Moreover, some of these new tools give the possibility to obtain transgene-free modified fruit tree genomes, which should increase consumer's acceptance. Over the decades biotechnological tools have undergone rapid development and there is a continuous addition of new and valuable techniques for plant breeders. This makes it possible to create desirable woody fruit varieties in a fast and more efficient way to meet the demand for sustainable agricultural productivity. Although, NBTs have a common goal i.e., precise, fast, and efficient crop improvement, individually they are markedly different in approach and characteristics from each other. In this review we describe in detail their mechanisms and applications for the improvement of fruit trees and consider the relationship between these biotechnological tools and the EU biosafety regulations applied to the plants and products obtained through these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Limera
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle MarcheAncona, Italy
| | - Silvia Sabbadini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle MarcheAncona, Italy
| | - Jeremy B. Sweet
- J. T. Environmental Consultants LtdCambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle MarcheAncona, Italy
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11
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Adeyemo OS, Chavarriaga P, Tohme J, Fregene M, Davis SJ, Setter TL. Overexpression of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene improves floral development in cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181460. [PMID: 28753668 PMCID: PMC5533431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cassava is a tropical storage-root crop that serves as a worldwide source of staple food for over 800 million people. Flowering is one of the most important breeding challenges in cassava because in most lines flowering is late and non-synchronized, and flower production is sparse. The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is pivotal for floral induction in all examined angiosperms. The objective of the current work was to determine the potential roles of the FT signaling system in cassava. The Arabidopsis thaliana FT gene (atFT) was transformed into the cassava cultivar 60444 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and was found to be overexpressed constitutively. FT overexpression hastened flower initiation and associated fork-type branching, indicating that cassava has the necessary signaling factors to interact with and respond to the atFT gene product. In addition, overexpression stimulated lateral branching, increased the prolificacy of flower production and extended the longevity of flower development. While FT homologs in some plant species stimulate development of vegetative storage organs, atFT inhibited storage-root development and decreased root harvest index in cassava. These findings collectively contribute to our understanding of flower development in cassava and have the potential for applications in breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Sarah Adeyemo
- Soil and Crop Sciences Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Paul Chavarriaga
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Joe Tohme
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Martin Fregene
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Seth J. Davis
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tim L. Setter
- Soil and Crop Sciences Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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12
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Hao J, Gu F, Zhu J, Lu S, Liu Y, Li Y, Chen W, Wang L, Fan S, Xian CJ. Low Night Temperature Affects the Phloem Ultrastructure of Lateral Branches and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide (RFO) Accumulation in RFO-Transporting Plant Melon (Cucumismelo L.) during Fruit Expansion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160909. [PMID: 27501301 PMCID: PMC4976869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the importance and complexity of photo assimilate transport in raffinose family oligosaccharide (RFO)-transporting plants such as melon, it is important to study the features of the transport structure (phloem) particularly of the lateral branches connecting the source leaves and the sink fruits, and its responses to environmental challenges. Currently, it is unclear to what extents the cold environmental temperature stress would alter the phloem ultrastructure and RFO accumulation in RFO-transporting plants. In this study, we firstly utilized electron microscopy to investigate the changes in the phloem ultrastructure of lateral branches and RFO accumulation in melons after being subjected to low night temperatures (12°C and 9°C). The results demonstrated that exposure to 9°C and 12°C altered the ultrastructure of the phloem, with the effect of 9°C being more obvious. The most obvious change was the appearance of plasma membrane invaginations in 99% companion cells and intermediary cells. In addition, phloem parenchyma cells contained chloroplasts with increased amounts of starch grains, sparse cytoplasm and reduced numbers of mitochondria. In the intermediary cells, the volume of cytoplasm was reduced by 50%, and the central vacuole was present. Moreover, the treatment at 9°C during the night led to RFO accumulation in the vascular bundles of the lateral branches and fruit carpopodiums. These ultrastructural changes of the transport structure (phloem) following the treatment at 9°C represented adaptive responses of melons to low temperature stresses. Future studies are required to examine whether these responses may affect phloem transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghong Hao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technique in Agricultural Application, College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fengying Gu
- Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Institute of Agro-products Processing Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaowei Lu
- Institute of Protected Horticulture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Engineering, Beijing 100125, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education Ministry and Liaoning Province, College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Yunfei Li
- Beijing Agricultural Technology Extension Centre, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Weizhi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education Ministry and Liaoning Province, College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | - Shuangxi Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technique in Agricultural Application, College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Cory J. Xian
- Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia
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13
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Thieme CJ, Rojas-Triana M, Stecyk E, Schudoma C, Zhang W, Yang L, Miñambres M, Walther D, Schulze WX, Paz-Ares J, Scheible WR, Kragler F. Endogenous Arabidopsis messenger RNAs transported to distant tissues. NATURE PLANTS 2015; 1:15025. [PMID: 27247031 DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2015.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The concept that proteins and small RNAs can move to and function in distant body parts is well established. However, non-cell-autonomy of small RNA molecules raises the question: To what extent are protein-coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) exchanged between tissues in plants? Here we report the comprehensive identification of 2,006 genes producing mobile RNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana. The analysis of variant ecotype transcripts that were present in heterografted plants allowed the identification of mRNAs moving between various organs under normal or nutrient-limiting conditions. Most of these mobile transcripts seem to follow the phloem-dependent allocation pathway transporting sugars from photosynthetic tissues to roots via the vasculature. Notably, a high number of transcripts also move in the opposite, root-to-shoot direction and are transported to specific tissues including flowers. Proteomic data on grafted plants indicate the presence of proteins from mobile RNAs, allowing the possibility that they may be translated at their destination site. The mobility of a high number of mRNAs suggests that a postulated tissue-specific gene expression profile might not be predictive for the actual plant body part in which a transcript exerts its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph J Thieme
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Monica Rojas-Triana
- Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401, USA
| | - Ewelina Stecyk
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Christian Schudoma
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Wenna Zhang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Lei Yang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Miguel Miñambres
- Departamento de Genética Molecular de Plantas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Dirk Walther
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Waltraud X Schulze
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Javier Paz-Ares
- Departamento de Genética Molecular de Plantas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Wolf-Rüdiger Scheible
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
- Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401, USA
| | - Friedrich Kragler
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany
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14
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Notaguchi M, Higashiyama T, Suzuki T. Identification of mRNAs that move over long distances using an RNA-Seq analysis of Arabidopsis/Nicotiana benthamiana heterografts. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 56:311-21. [PMID: 25527829 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcu210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Phloem is a conductive tissue that allocates nutrients from mature source leaves to sinks such as young developing tissues. Phloem also delivers proteins and RNA species, such as small RNAs and mRNAs. Intensive studies on plant systemic signaling revealed the essential roles of proteins and RNA species. However, many of their functions are still largely unknown, with the roles of transported mRNAs being particularly poorly understood. A major difficulty is the absence of an accurate and comprehensive list of mobile transcripts. In this study, we used a hetero-graft system with Nicotiana benthamiana as the recipient scion and Arabidopsis as the donor stock, to identify transcripts that moved long distances across the graft union. We identified 138 Arabidopsis transcripts as mobile mRNAs, which we collectively termed the mRNA mobilome. Reverse transcription-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR and droplet digital PCR analyses confirmed the mobility. The transcripts included potential signaling factors and, unexpectedly, more general factors. In our investigations, we found no preferred transcript length, no previously known sequence motifs in promoter or transcript sequences and no similarities between the level of the transcripts and that in the source leaves. Grafting experiments regarding the function of ERECTA, an identified transcript, showed that no function of the transcript mobilized. To our knowledge, this is the first report identifying transcripts that move over long distances using a hetero-graft system between different plant taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michitaka Notaguchi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan ERATO Higashiyama Live-holonics Project, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan ERATO Higashiyama Live-holonics Project, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan
| | - Takamasa Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan ERATO Higashiyama Live-holonics Project, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602 Japan Present address: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, 478-8501 Japan
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15
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Weiberg A, Bellinger M, Jin H. Conversations between kingdoms: small RNAs. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 32:207-215. [PMID: 25622136 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Humans, animals, and plants are constantly under attack from pathogens and pests, resulting in severe consequences on global human health and crop production. Small RNA (sRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved regulatory mechanism that is involved in almost all eukaryotic cellular processes, including host immunity and pathogen virulence. Recent evidence supports the significant contribution of sRNAs and RNAi to the communication between hosts and some eukaryotic pathogens, pests, parasites, or symbiotic microorganisms. Mobile silencing signals—most likely sRNAs—are capable of translocating from the host to its interacting organism, and vice versa. In this review, we will provide an overview of sRNA communications between different kingdoms, with a primary focus on the advances in plant-pathogen interaction systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Weiberg
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Center for Plant Cell Biology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Marschal Bellinger
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Center for Plant Cell Biology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Center for Plant Cell Biology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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16
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Jia Z, Jiang B, Gao X, Yue Y, Fei Z, Sun H, Wu C, Sun S, Hou W, Han T. GmFULa, a FRUITFULL homolog, functions in the flowering and maturation of soybean. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2015; 34:121-32. [PMID: 25326369 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-014-1693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE A FRUITFULL homolog GmFULa was cloned and found to play roles in the flowering and maturation of soybean. Soybean varieties exhibit great diversity in terms of flowering and maturation due to differences in their photoperiodic responses. The underlying mechanism remains unclear despite the fact that some upstream flowering genes have been studied. FRUITFULL (FUL) genes are one group of downstream flowering genes known to have major roles in reproductive transition, floral meristem identity, and floral organ identity. However, FUL homologs and their functions are poorly understood in soybean. Here, a soybean FUL homolog was cloned from the late-maturing photoperiod-sensitive soybean variety Zigongdongdou (ZGDD) and designated GmFULa. In ZGDD, GmFULa exhibited a terminal-preferential expression pattern, with higher expression in the root and shoot apices than in the middle parts. Diurnal rhythm analysis revealed that photoperiod regulates the GmFULa expression level but does not alter its diurnal rhythm. ZGDD was maintained under different photoperiod conditions (long day, LD; short day, SD; LD after 13 short days, SD13-LD) to assess GmFULa expression in newly expanded leaves and in the shoot apex. From this analysis, GmFULa expression was detected in the floral meristem, floral organs and their primordia; trifoliate leaves; and the inflorescence meristem, with the expression levels induced by SD and inhibited by LD. GmFULa expression was also associated with maturity in seven soybean varieties with different photoperiod sensitivities. Therefore, photoperiod conditions affect the expression level of GmFULa but not its diurnal rhythm. The gene plays pleiotropic roles in reproductive transition, flowering, and leaf development and is associated with maturity in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jia
- The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement and MOA Key Lab of Soybean Biology (Beijing), Institute of Crop Science, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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17
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Zhang W, Kollwig G, Stecyk E, Apelt F, Dirks R, Kragler F. Graft-transmissible movement of inverted-repeat-induced siRNA signals into flowers. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 80:106-21. [PMID: 25039964 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In plants, small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and microRNAs move to distant tissues where they control numerous developmental and physiological processes such as morphogenesis and stress responses. Grafting techniques and transient expression systems have been employed to show that sequence-specific siRNAs with a size of 21-24 nucleotides traffic to distant organs. We used inverted-repeat constructs producing siRNA targeting the meiosis factor DISRUPTED MEIOTIC cDNA 1 (DMC1) and GFP to test whether silencing signals move into meiotically active tissues. In grafted Nicotiana tabacum, a transgenic DMC1 siRNA signal made in source tissues preferably entered the anthers formed in the first flowers. Here, the DMC1 siRNA interfered with meiotic progression and, consequently, the flowers were at least partially sterile. In agro-infiltrated N. benthamiana plants, a GFP siRNA signal produced in leaves was allocated and active in most flower tissues including anthers. In hypocotyl-grafted Arabidopsis thaliana plants, the DMC1 silencing signal consistently appeared in leaves, petioles, and stem, and only a small number of plants displayed DMC1 siRNA signals in flowers. In all three tested plant species the systemic silencing signal penetrated male sporogenic tissues suggesting that plants harbour an endogenous long-distance small RNA transport pathway facilitating siRNA signalling into meiotically active cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenna Zhang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Wissenschaftspark Golm, Am Mühlenberg 1, Golm, Germany
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18
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Bloomfield JA, Rose TJ, King GJ. Sustainable harvest: managing plasticity for resilient crops. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2014; 12:517-33. [PMID: 24891039 PMCID: PMC4207195 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining crop production to feed a growing world population is a major challenge for this period of rapid global climate change. No consistent conceptual or experimental framework for crop plants integrates information at the levels of genome regulation, metabolism, physiology and response to growing environment. An important role for plasticity in plants is assisting in homeostasis in response to variable environmental conditions. Here, we outline how plant plasticity is facilitated by epigenetic processes that modulate chromatin through dynamic changes in DNA methylation, histone variants, small RNAs and transposable elements. We present examples of plant plasticity in the context of epigenetic regulation of developmental phases and transitions and map these onto the key stages of crop establishment, growth, floral initiation, pollination, seed set and maturation of harvestable product. In particular, we consider how feedback loops of environmental signals and plant nutrition affect plant ontogeny. Recent advances in understanding epigenetic processes enable us to take a fresh look at the crosstalk between regulatory systems that confer plasticity in the context of crop development. We propose that these insights into genotype × environment (G × E) interaction should underpin development of new crop management strategies, both in terms of information-led agronomy and in recognizing the role of epigenetic variation in crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A Bloomfield
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Terry J Rose
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Graham J King
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
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19
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Benitez-Alfonso Y. Symplastic intercellular transport from a developmental perspective. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2014; 65:1857-63. [PMID: 24619998 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plant cells have channel-like structures named plasmodesmata that allow for the symplastic molecular transport between neighbouring cells. The importance of plasmodesmata in whole plant development is well acknowledged. They mediate the cell-to-cell and vascular loading and unloading of metabolites, proteins, and other signalling molecules. However, it is still not clear how, mechanistically, these channels are regulated in response to developmental and environmental cues. This review aims to bring together knowledge acquired in recent years on plasmodesmata composition, regulation, and function. Progress in the discovery of factors that regulate symplastic transport and plant development in particular are discussed. This will hopefully highlight the challenges faced by the scientific community to unveil the mechanisms controlling symplastic communication during the formation and maintenance of plant meristems.
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