1
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Tan H, Liu Y, Guo H. The biogenesis, regulation and functions of transitive siRNA in plants. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 39376148 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Small RNA (sRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism that modulates gene expression in eukaryotes. As core molecules of RNAi, various sRNAs are encoded in the plant genome or derived from invading RNA molecules, and their biogenesis depends on distinct genetic pathways. Transitive small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are sRNAs produced from double-strand RNA (dsRNA) in a process that depends on RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs), can amplify and spread silencing signals to additional transcripts, thereby enabling a phenomenon termed "transitive RNAi". Members of this class of siRNAs function in various biological processes ranging from development to stress adaptation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, two RDRs participate in the generation of transitive siRNAs, acting cooperatively with various siRNA generation-related factors, such as the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and aberrant RNAs. Transitive siRNAs are produced in diverse subcellular locations and structures under the control of various mechanisms, highlighting the intricacies of their biogenesis and functions. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular events of transitive siRNA biogenesis and its regulation, with a particular focus on factors involved in RDR recruitment. We aim to provide a comprehensive description of the generalized mechanism governing the biogenesis of transitive siRNAs. Additionally, we present an overview of the diverse biological functions of these siRNAs and raise some pressing questions in this area for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Tan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Molecular Design, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuelin Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Molecular Design, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Molecular Design, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
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Shimada A, Cahn J, Ernst E, Lynn J, Grimanelli D, Henderson I, Kakutani T, Martienssen RA. Retrotransposon addiction promotes centromere function via epigenetically activated small RNAs. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:1304-1316. [PMID: 39223305 PMCID: PMC11410651 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01773-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Retrotransposons have invaded eukaryotic centromeres in cycles of repeat expansion and purging, but the function of centromeric retrotransposons has remained unclear. In Arabidopsis, centromeric ATHILA retrotransposons give rise to epigenetically activated short interfering RNAs in mutants in DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION1 (DDM1). Here we show that mutants that lose both DDM1 and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase have pleiotropic developmental defects and mis-segregate chromosome 5 during mitosis. Fertility and segregation defects are epigenetically inherited with centromere 5, and can be rescued by directing artificial small RNAs to ATHILA5 retrotransposons that interrupt tandem satellite repeats. Epigenetically activated short interfering RNAs promote pericentromeric condensation, chromosome cohesion and chromosome segregation in mitosis. We propose that insertion of ATHILA silences centromeric transcription, while simultaneously making centromere function dependent on retrotransposon small RNAs in the absence of DDM1. Parallels are made with the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, where chromosome cohesion depends on RNA interference, and with humans, where chromosome segregation depends on both RNA interference and HELLSDDM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Shimada
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Cahn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan Ernst
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Lynn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ian Henderson
- Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Robert A Martienssen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Berube B, Ernst E, Cahn J, Roche B, de Santis Alves C, Lynn J, Scheben A, Grimanelli D, Siepel A, Ross-Ibarra J, Kermicle J, Martienssen RA. Teosinte Pollen Drive guides maize diversification and domestication by RNAi. Nature 2024; 633:380-388. [PMID: 39112710 PMCID: PMC11390486 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07788-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Selfish genetic elements contribute to hybrid incompatibility and bias or 'drive' their own transmission1,2. Chromosomal drive typically functions in asymmetric female meiosis, whereas gene drive is normally post-meiotic and typically found in males. Here, using single-molecule and single-pollen genome sequencing, we describe Teosinte Pollen Drive, an instance of gene drive in hybrids between maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) and teosinte mexicana (Z. mays ssp. mexicana) that depends on RNA interference (RNAi). 22-nucleotide small RNAs from a non-coding RNA hairpin in mexicana depend on Dicer-like 2 (Dcl2) and target Teosinte Drive Responder 1 (Tdr1), which encodes a lipase required for pollen viability. Dcl2, Tdr1 and the hairpin are in tight pseudolinkage on chromosome 5, but only when transmitted through the male. Introgression of mexicana into early cultivated maize is thought to have been critical to its geographical dispersal throughout the Americas3, and a tightly linked inversion in mexicana spans a major domestication sweep in modern maize4. A survey of maize traditional varieties and sympatric populations of teosinte mexicana reveals correlated patterns of admixture among unlinked genes required for RNAi on at least four chromosomes that are also subject to gene drive in pollen from synthetic hybrids. Teosinte Pollen Drive probably had a major role in maize domestication and diversification, and offers an explanation for the widespread abundance of 'self' small RNAs in the germ lines of plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Berube
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Evan Ernst
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Cahn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Jason Lynn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Armin Scheben
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Adam Siepel
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, Center for Population Biology and Genome Center, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jerry Kermicle
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Robert A Martienssen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
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4
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Zhang H, Zhu JK. Epigenetic gene regulation in plants and its potential applications in crop improvement. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00769-1. [PMID: 39192154 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00769-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation, also known as 5-methylcytosine, is an epigenetic modification that has crucial functions in plant growth, development and adaptation. The cellular DNA methylation level is tightly regulated by the combined action of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases. Protein complexes involved in the targeting and interpretation of DNA methylation have been identified, revealing intriguing roles of methyl-DNA binding proteins and molecular chaperones. Structural studies and in vitro reconstituted enzymatic systems have provided mechanistic insights into RNA-directed DNA methylation, the main pathway catalysing de novo methylation in plants. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms will enable locus-specific manipulation of the DNA methylation status. CRISPR-dCas9-based epigenome editing tools are being developed for this goal. Given that DNA methylation patterns can be stably transmitted through meiosis, and that large phenotypic variations can be contributed by epimutations, epigenome editing holds great promise in crop breeding by creating additional phenotypic variability on the same genetic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Science, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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5
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Liang J, Wang J, Wang K, Feng H, Huang L. VmRDR2 of Valsa mali mediates the generation of VmR2-siR1 that suppresses apple resistance by RNA interference. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:1154-1171. [PMID: 38822646 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Cross-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi) is a crucial mechanism in host-pathogen interactions, with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) playing a vital role in signal amplification during RNAi. However, the role of pathogenic fungal RdRP in siRNAs generation and the regulation of plant-pathogen interactions remains elusive. Using deep sequencing, molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches, this study revealed that VmRDR2 of Valsa mali regulates VmR2-siR1 to suppress the disease resistance-related gene MdLRP14 in apple. Both VmRDR1 and VmRDR2 are essential for the pathogenicity of V. mali in apple, with VmRDR2 mediating the generation of endogenous siRNAs, including an infection-related siRNA, VmR2-siR1. This siRNA specifically degrades the apple intracellular LRR-RI protein gene MdLRP14 in a sequence-specific manner, and overexpression of MdLRP14 enhances apple resistance against V. mali, which can be suppressed by VmR2-siR1. Conversely, MdLRP14 knockdown reduces resistance. In summary, this study demonstrates that VmRDR2 contributes to the generation of VmR2-siR1, which silences the host's intracellular LRR protein gene, thereby inhibiting host resistance. These findings offer novel insights into the fungi-mediated pathogenicity mechanism through RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lili Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
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6
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Liu MJ, Fang JC, Ma Y, Chong GL, Huang CK, Takeuchi A, Takayanagi N, Ohtani M. Frontiers in plant RNA research in ICAR2023: from lab to innovative agriculture. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 114:45. [PMID: 38630407 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-024-01436-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The recent growth in global warming, soil contamination, and climate instability have widely disturbed ecosystems, and will have a significant negative impact on the growth of plants that produce grains, fruits and woody biomass. To conquer this difficult situation, we need to understand the molecular bias of plant environmental responses and promote development of new technologies for sustainable maintenance of crop production. Accumulated molecular biological data have highlighted the importance of RNA-based mechanisms for plant stress responses. Here, we report the most advanced plant RNA research presented in the 33rd International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR2023), held as a hybrid event on June 5-9, 2023 in Chiba, Japan, and focused on "Arabidopsis for Sustainable Development Goals". Six workshops/concurrent sessions in ICAR2023 targeted plant RNA biology, and many RNA-related topics could be found in other sessions. In this meeting report, we focus on the workshops/concurrent sessions targeting RNA biology, to share what is happening now at the forefront of plant RNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Jung Liu
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica (AS-BCST), Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Jhen-Cheng Fang
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica (AS-BCST), Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya Ma
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 227-8562, Japan
| | - Geeng Loo Chong
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115201, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Kai Huang
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115201, Taiwan
| | - Ami Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 227-8562, Japan
| | - Natsu Takayanagi
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 227-8562, Japan
| | - Misato Ohtani
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 227-8562, Japan.
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, 630-0192, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
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7
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Bradamante G, Nguyen VH, Incarbone M, Meir Z, Bente H, Donà M, Lettner N, Scheid OM, Gutzat R. Two ARGONAUTE proteins loaded with transposon-derived small RNAs are associated with the reproductive cell lineage in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:863-880. [PMID: 38060984 PMCID: PMC10980394 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
In sexually propagating organisms, genetic, and epigenetic mutations are evolutionarily relevant only if they occur in the germline and are hence transmitted to the next generation. In contrast to most animals, plants are considered to lack an early segregating germline, implying that somatic cells can contribute genetic information to progeny. Here we demonstrate that 2 ARGONAUTE proteins, AGO5 and AGO9, mark cells associated with sexual reproduction in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) throughout development. Both AGOs are loaded with dynamically changing small RNA populations derived from highly methylated, pericentromeric, long transposons. Sequencing of single stem cell nuclei revealed that many of these transposons are co-expressed within an AGO5/9 expression domain in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Co-occurrence of transposon expression and specific ARGONAUTE (AGO) expression in the SAM is reminiscent of germline features in animals and supports the existence of an early segregating germline in plants. Our results open the path to investigating transposon biology and epigenome dynamics at cellular resolution in the SAM stem cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bradamante
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vu Hoang Nguyen
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Incarbone
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zohar Meir
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science & Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Heinrich Bente
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattia Donà
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Lettner
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruben Gutzat
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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8
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Naish M, Henderson IR. The structure, function, and evolution of plant centromeres. Genome Res 2024; 34:161-178. [PMID: 38485193 PMCID: PMC10984392 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278409.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Centromeres are essential regions of eukaryotic chromosomes responsible for the formation of kinetochore complexes, which connect to spindle microtubules during cell division. Notably, although centromeres maintain a conserved function in chromosome segregation, the underlying DNA sequences are diverse both within and between species and are predominantly repetitive in nature. The repeat content of centromeres includes high-copy tandem repeats (satellites), and/or specific families of transposons. The functional region of the centromere is defined by loading of a specific histone 3 variant (CENH3), which nucleates the kinetochore and shows dynamic regulation. In many plants, the centromeres are composed of satellite repeat arrays that are densely DNA methylated and invaded by centrophilic retrotransposons. In some cases, the retrotransposons become the sites of CENH3 loading. We review the structure of plant centromeres, including monocentric, holocentric, and metapolycentric architectures, which vary in the number and distribution of kinetochore attachment sites along chromosomes. We discuss how variation in CENH3 loading can drive genome elimination during early cell divisions of plant embryogenesis. We review how epigenetic state may influence centromere identity and discuss evolutionary models that seek to explain the paradoxically rapid change of centromere sequences observed across species, including the potential roles of recombination. We outline putative modes of selection that could act within the centromeres, as well as the role of repeats in driving cycles of centromere evolution. Although our primary focus is on plant genomes, we draw comparisons with animal and fungal centromeres to derive a eukaryote-wide perspective of centromere structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Naish
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom
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9
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Wang L, Li H, Lei Z, Jeong DH, Cho J. The CARBON CATABOLITE REPRESSION 4A-mediated RNA deadenylation pathway acts on the transposon RNAs that are not regulated by small RNAs. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1636-1645. [PMID: 38009859 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can impair the host genome stability and integrity. It has been well documented that activated transposons in plants are suppressed by small interfering (si) RNAs. However, transposon repression by the cytoplasmic RNA surveillance system is unknown. Here, we show that mRNA deadenylation is critical for controlling transposons in Arabidopsis. Trimming of poly(A) tail is a rate-limiting step that precedes the RNA decay and is primarily mediated by the CARBON CATABOLITE REPRESSION 4 (CCR4)-NEGATIVE ON TATA-LESS (NOT) complex. We found that the loss of CCR4a leads to strong derepression and mobilization of TEs in Arabidopsis. Intriguingly, CCR4a regulates a largely distinct set of TEs from those controlled by RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase 6 (RDR6), a key enzyme that produces cytoplasmic siRNAs. This indicates that the cytoplasmic RNA quality control mechanism targets the TEs that are poorly recognized by the previously well-characterized RDR6-mediated pathway, and thereby augments the host genome stability. Our study suggests a hitherto unknown mechanism for transposon repression mediated by RNA deadenylation and unveils a complex nature of the host's strategy to maintain the genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen Lei
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dong-Hoon Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 24252, Korea
- Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 24252, Korea
| | - Jungnam Cho
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
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10
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Vaucheret H, Voinnet O. The plant siRNA landscape. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:246-275. [PMID: 37772967 PMCID: PMC10827316 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Whereas micro (mi)RNAs are considered the clean, noble side of the small RNA world, small interfering (si)RNAs are often seen as a noisy set of molecules whose barbarian acronyms reflect a large diversity of often elusive origins and functions. Twenty-five years after their discovery in plants, however, new classes of siRNAs are still being identified, sometimes in discrete tissues or at particular developmental stages, making the plant siRNA world substantially more complex and subtle than originally anticipated. Focusing primarily on the model Arabidopsis, we review here the plant siRNA landscape, including transposable elements (TE)-derived siRNAs, a vast array of non-TE-derived endogenous siRNAs, as well as exogenous siRNAs produced in response to invading nucleic acids such as viruses or transgenes. We primarily emphasize the extraordinary sophistication and diversity of their biogenesis and, secondarily, the variety of their known or presumed functions, including via non-cell autonomous activities, in the sporophyte, gametophyte, and shortly after fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Vaucheret
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Olivier Voinnet
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zurich), 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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11
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Kirov I. Toward Transgene-Free Transposon-Mediated Biological Mutagenesis for Plant Breeding. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17054. [PMID: 38069377 PMCID: PMC10706983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is a key factor for plant breeding. The birth of novel genic and genomic variants is also crucial for plant adaptation in nature. Therefore, the genomes of almost all living organisms possess natural mutagenic mechanisms. Transposable elements (TEs) are a major mutagenic force driving genetic diversity in wild plants and modern crops. The relatively rare TE transposition activity during the thousand-year crop domestication process has led to the phenotypic diversity of many cultivated species. The utilization of TE mutagenesis by artificial and transient acceleration of their activity in a controlled mode is an attractive foundation for a novel type of mutagenesis called TE-mediated biological mutagenesis. Here, I focus on TEs as mutagenic sources for plant breeding and discuss existing and emerging transgene-free approaches for TE activation in plants. Furthermore, I also review the non-randomness of TE insertions in a plant genome and the molecular and epigenetic factors involved in shaping TE insertion preferences. Additionally, I discuss the molecular mechanisms that prevent TE transpositions in germline plant cells (e.g., meiocytes, pollen, egg and embryo cells, and shoot apical meristem), thereby reducing the chances of TE insertion inheritance. Knowledge of these mechanisms can expand the TE activation toolbox using novel gene targeting approaches. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of plant populations with induced novel TE insertions (iTE plant collections) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Kirov
- All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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12
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Suo A, Yang J, Mao C, Li W, Wu X, Xie W, Yang Z, Guo S, Zheng B, Zheng Y. Phased secondary small interfering RNAs in Camellia sinensis var. assamica. NAR Genom Bioinform 2023; 5:lqad103. [PMID: 38025046 PMCID: PMC10673657 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Phased secondary small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) in plants play important roles in regulating genome stability, plant development and stress adaption. Camellia sinensis var. assamica has immense economic, medicinal and cultural significance. However, there are still no studies of phasiRNAs and their putative functions in this valuable plant. We identified 476 and 43 PHAS loci which generated 4290 twenty one nucleotide (nt) and 264 twenty four nt phasiRNAs, respectively. Moreover, the analysis of degradome revealed more than 35000 potential targets for these phasiRNAs. We identified several conserved 21 nt phasiRNA generation pathways in tea plant, including miR390 → TAS3, miR482/miR2118 → NB-LRR, miR393 → F-box, miR828 → MYB/TAS4, and miR7122 → PPR in this study. Furthermore, we found that some transposase and plant mobile domain genes could generate phasiRNAs. Our results show that phasiRNAs target genes in the same family in cis- or trans-manners, and different members of the same gene family may generate the same phasiRNAs. The phasiRNAs, generated by transposase and plant mobile domain genes, and their targets, suggest that phasiRNAs may be involved in the inhibition of transposable elements in tea plant. To summarize, these results provide a comprehensive view of phasiRNAs in Camellia sinensis var. assamica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angbaji Suo
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Jun Yang
- School of Criminal Investigation, Yunnan Police College, No. 249 North Jiaochang Road, 650223 Yunnan, China
| | - Chunyi Mao
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Wanran Li
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Xingwang Wu
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Wenping Xie
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Zhengan Yang
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Shiyong Guo
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
| | - Binglian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, No. 220 Handan Road, 200433 Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Zheng
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 95 Jinhei Road, 650201 Yunnan, China
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13
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Martin GT, Solares E, Guadardo-Mendez J, Muyle A, Bousios A, Gaut BS. miRNA-like secondary structures in maize ( Zea mays) genes and transposable elements correlate with small RNAs, methylation, and expression. Genome Res 2023; 33:1932-1946. [PMID: 37918960 PMCID: PMC10760457 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277459.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules carry information in their primary sequence and also their secondary structure. Secondary structure can confer important functional information, but it is also a signal for an RNAi-like host epigenetic response mediated by small RNAs (smRNAs). In this study, we used two bioinformatic methods to predict local secondary structures across features of the maize genome, focusing on small regions that had similar folding properties to pre-miRNA loci. We found miRNA-like secondary structures to be common in genes and most, but not all, superfamilies of RNA and DNA transposable elements (TEs). The miRNA-like regions map to a higher diversity of smRNAs than regions without miRNA-like structure, explaining up to 27% of variation in smRNA mapping for some TE superfamilies. This mapping bias is more pronounced among putatively autonomous TEs relative to nonautonomous TEs. Genome-wide, miRNA-like regions are also associated with elevated methylation levels, particularly in the CHH context. Among genes, those with miRNA-like secondary structure are 1.5-fold more highly expressed, on average, than other genes. However, these genes are also more variably expressed across the 26 nested association mapping founder lines, and this variability positively correlates with the number of mapping smRNAs. We conclude that local miRNA-like structures are a nearly ubiquitous feature of expressed regions of the maize genome, that they correlate with higher smRNA mapping and methylation, and that they may represent a trade-off between functional requirements and the potentially negative consequences of smRNA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen T Martin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA
| | - Edwin Solares
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Jeanelle Guadardo-Mendez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA
| | - Aline Muyle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Alexandros Bousios
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Brandon S Gaut
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA;
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14
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Berube B, Ernst E, Cahn J, Roche B, de Santis Alves C, Lynn J, Scheben A, Siepel A, Ross-Ibarra J, Kermicle J, Martienssen R. Teosinte Pollen Drive guides maize diversification and domestication by RNAi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548689. [PMID: 37503269 PMCID: PMC10370002 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic drivers subvert Mendelian expectations by manipulating reproductive development to bias their own transmission. Chromosomal drive typically functions in asymmetric female meiosis, while gene drive is normally postmeiotic and typically found in males. Using single molecule and single-pollen genome sequencing, we describe Teosinte Pollen Drive, an instance of gene drive in hybrids between maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) and teosinte mexicana (Zea mays ssp. mexicana), that depends on RNA interference (RNAi). 22nt small RNAs from a non-coding RNA hairpin in mexicana depend on Dicer-Like 2 (Dcl2) and target Teosinte Drive Responder 1 (Tdr1), which encodes a lipase required for pollen viability. Dcl2, Tdr1, and the hairpin are in tight pseudolinkage on chromosome 5, but only when transmitted through the male. Introgression of mexicana into early cultivated maize is thought to have been critical to its geographical dispersal throughout the Americas, and a tightly linked inversion in mexicana spans a major domestication sweep in modern maize. A survey of maize landraces and sympatric populations of teosinte mexicana reveals correlated patterns of admixture among unlinked genes required for RNAi on at least 4 chromosomes that are also subject to gene drive in pollen from synthetic hybrids. Teosinte Pollen Drive likely played a major role in maize domestication and diversification, and offers an explanation for the widespread abundance of "self" small RNAs in the germlines of plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Berube
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Evan Ernst
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Jonathan Cahn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | | | - Jason Lynn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Armin Scheben
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Adam Siepel
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
| | - Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra
- Dept. of Evolution & Ecology, Center for Population Biology and Genome Center, University of California, Davis CA
| | - Jerry Kermicle
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
| | - Rob Martienssen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor NY11724
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15
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Vashisht I, Dhaka N, Jain R, Sood A, Sharma N, Sharma MK, Sharma R. Non-coding RNAs-mediated environmental surveillance determines male fertility in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108030. [PMID: 37708711 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Plants are continuously exposed to environmental stresses leading to significant yield losses. With the changing climatic conditions, the intensity and duration of these stresses are expected to increase, posing a severe threat to crop productivity worldwide. Male gametogenesis is one of the most sensitive developmental stages. Exposure to environmental stresses during this stage leads to male sterility and yield loss. Elucidating the underlying molecular mechanism of environment-affected male sterility is essential to address this challenge. High-throughput RNA sequencing studies, loss-of-function phenotypes of sRNA biogenesis genes and functional genomics studies with non-coding RNAs have started to unveil the roles of small RNAs, long non-coding RNAs and the complex regulatory interactions between them in regulating male fertility under different growth regimes. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the non-coding RNA-mediated environmental stress surveillance and regulation of male fertility in plants. The candidate ncRNAs emerging from these studies can be leveraged to generate environment-sensitive male sterile lines for hybrid breeding or mitigate the impact of climate change on male fertility, as the situation demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Vashisht
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Namrata Dhaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, 123031, India
| | - Rubi Jain
- School of Computational & Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Akanksha Sood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Niharika Sharma
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Manoj K Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rita Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
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16
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Zhang YC, Yuan C, Chen YQ. Noncoding RNAs and their roles in regulating the agronomic traits of crops. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 3:718-726. [PMID: 38933294 PMCID: PMC11197796 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular breeding is one of the most effective methods for improving the performance of crops. Understanding the genome features of crops, especially the physiological functions of individual genes, is of great importance to molecular breeding. Evidence has shown that genomes of both animals and plants transcribe numerous non-coding RNAs, which are involved in almost every aspect of development. In crops, an increasing number of studies have proven that non-coding RNAs are new genetic resources for regulating crop traits. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of non-coding RNAs, which are potential crop trait regulators, and focus on the functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in determining crop grain yield, phased small-interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) in regulating fertility, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in facilitating plant immune response and disease resistance, and miRNAs mediating nutrient and metal stress. Finally, we also discuss the next-generation method for ncRNA application in crop domestication and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yue-Qin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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17
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Mittal M, Dhingra A, Dawar P, Payton P, Rock CD. The role of microRNAs in responses to drought and heat stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea). THE PLANT GENOME 2023; 16:e20350. [PMID: 37351954 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21-24 nt small RNAs (sRNAs) that negatively regulate protein-coding genes and/or trigger phased small-interfering RNA (phasiRNA) production. Two thousand nine hundred miRNA families, of which ∼40 are deeply conserved, have been identified in ∼80 different plant species genomes. miRNA functions in response to abiotic stresses is less understood than their roles in development. Only seven peanut MIRNA families are documented in miRBase, yet a reference genome assembly is now published and over 480 plant-like MIRNA loci were predicted in the diploid peanut progenitor Arachis duranensis genome. We explored by computational analysis of a leaf sRNA library and publicly available sRNA, degradome, and transcriptome datasets the miRNA and phasiRNA space associated with drought and heat stresses in peanut. We characterized 33 novel candidate and 33 ancient conserved families of MIRNAs and present degradome evidence for their cleavage activities on mRNA targets, including several noncanonical targets and novel phasiRNA-producing noncoding and mRNA loci with validated novel targets such as miR1509 targeting serine/threonine-protein phosphatase7 and miRc20 and ahy-miR3514 targeting penta-tricopeptide repeats (PPRs), in contradistinction to other claims of miR1509/173/7122 superfamily miRNAs indirectly targeting PPRs via TAS-like noncoding RNA loci. We characterized the inverse correlations of significantly differentially expressed drought- and heat-regulated miRNAs, assayed by sRNA blots or transcriptome datasets, with target mRNA expressions in the same datasets. Meta-analysis of an expression atlas and over representation of miRNA target genes in co-expression networks suggest that miRNAs have functions in unique aspects of peanut gynophore development. Genome-wide MIRNA annotation of the published allopolyploid peanut genome can facilitate molecular breeding of value-added traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Mittal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Anuradha Dhingra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Pranav Dawar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Paxton Payton
- USDA-ARS Plant Stress and Germplasm Lab, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher D Rock
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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18
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Shimada A, Cahn J, Ernst E, Lynn J, Grimanelli D, Henderson I, Kakutani T, Martienssen RA. Retrotransposon addiction promotes centromere function via epigenetically activated small RNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.02.551486. [PMID: 37577592 PMCID: PMC10418216 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Retrotransposons have invaded eukaryotic centromeres in cycles of repeat expansion and purging, but the function of centromeric retrotransposons, if any, has remained unclear. In Arabidopsis, centromeric ATHILA retrotransposons give rise to epigenetically activated short interfering RNAs (easiRNAs) in mutants in DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION1 (DDM1), which promote histone H3 lysine-9 di-methylation (H3K9me2). Here, we show that mutants which lose both DDM1 and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) have pleiotropic developmental defects and mis-segregation of chromosome 5 during mitosis. Fertility defects are epigenetically inherited with the centromeric region of chromosome 5, and can be rescued by directing artificial small RNAs to a single family of ATHILA5 retrotransposons specifically embedded within this centromeric region. easiRNAs and H3K9me2 promote pericentromeric condensation, chromosome cohesion and proper chromosome segregation in mitosis. Insertion of ATHILA silences transcription, while simultaneously making centromere function dependent on retrotransposon small RNAs, promoting the selfish survival and spread of centromeric retrotransposons. Parallels are made with the fission yeast S. pombe, where chromosome segregation depends on RNAi, and with humans, where chromosome segregation depends on both RNAi and HELLSDDM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Shimada
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Jonathan Cahn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Evan Ernst
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Jason Lynn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Daniel Grimanelli
- Epigenetic Regulations and Seed Development, UMR232, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Ian Henderson
- Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge University, Cambridge UK
| | - Tetsuji Kakutani
- Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Robert A. Martienssen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
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19
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Xiao Y, Maeda S, Otomo T, MacRae IJ. Structural basis for RNA slicing by a plant Argonaute. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:778-784. [PMID: 37127820 PMCID: PMC10868596 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins use small RNAs to recognize transcripts targeted for silencing in plants and animals. Many AGOs cleave target RNAs using an endoribonuclease activity termed 'slicing'. Slicing by DNA-guided prokaryotic AGOs has been studied in detail, but structural insights into RNA-guided slicing by eukaryotic AGOs are lacking. Here we present cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the Arabidopsis thaliana Argonaute10 (AtAgo10)-guide RNA complex with and without a target RNA representing a slicing substrate. The AtAgo10-guide-target complex adopts slicing-competent and slicing-incompetent conformations that are unlike known prokaryotic AGO structures. AtAgo10 slicing activity is licensed by docking target (t) nucleotides t9-t13 into a surface channel containing the AGO endoribonuclease active site. A β-hairpin in the L1 domain secures the t9-t13 segment and coordinates t9-t13 docking with extended guide-target pairing. Results show that prokaryotic and eukaryotic AGOs use distinct mechanisms for achieving target slicing and provide insights into small interfering RNA potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shintaro Maeda
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Takanori Otomo
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ian J MacRae
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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20
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Bélanger S, Zhan J, Meyers BC. Phylogenetic analyses of seven protein families refine the evolution of small RNA pathways in green plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:1183-1203. [PMID: 36869858 PMCID: PMC10231463 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Several protein families participate in the biogenesis and function of small RNAs (sRNAs) in plants. Those with primary roles include Dicer-like (DCL), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR), and Argonaute (AGO) proteins. Protein families such as double-stranded RNA-binding (DRB), SERRATE (SE), and SUPPRESSION OF SILENCING 3 (SGS3) act as partners of DCL or RDR proteins. Here, we present curated annotations and phylogenetic analyses of seven sRNA pathway protein families performed on 196 species in the Viridiplantae (aka green plants) lineage. Our results suggest that the RDR3 proteins emerged earlier than RDR1/2/6. RDR6 is found in filamentous green algae and all land plants, suggesting that the evolution of RDR6 proteins coincides with the evolution of phased small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). We traced the origin of the 24-nt reproductive phased siRNA-associated DCL5 protein back to the American sweet flag (Acorus americanus), the earliest diverged, extant monocot species. Our analyses of AGOs identified multiple duplication events of AGO genes that were lost, retained, or further duplicated in subgroups, indicating that the evolution of AGOs is complex in monocots. The results also refine the evolution of several clades of AGO proteins, such as AGO4, AGO6, AGO17, and AGO18. Analyses of nuclear localization signal sequences and catalytic triads of AGO proteins shed light on the regulatory roles of diverse AGOs. Collectively, this work generates a curated and evolutionarily coherent annotation for gene families involved in plant sRNA biogenesis/function and provides insights into the evolution of major sRNA pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Junpeng Zhan
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Blake C Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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21
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Chow HT, Mosher RA. Small RNA-mediated DNA methylation during plant reproduction. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1787-1800. [PMID: 36651080 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive tissues are a rich source of small RNAs, including several classes of short interfering (si)RNAs that are restricted to this stage of development. In addition to RNA polymerase IV-dependent 24-nt siRNAs that trigger canonical RNA-directed DNA methylation, abundant reproductive-specific siRNAs are produced from companion cells adjacent to the developing germ line or zygote and may move intercellularly before inducing methylation. In some cases, these siRNAs are produced via non-canonical biosynthesis mechanisms or from sequences with little similarity to transposons. While the precise role of these siRNAs and the methylation they trigger is unclear, they have been implicated in specifying a single megaspore mother cell, silencing transposons in the male germ line, mediating parental dosage conflict to ensure proper endosperm development, hypermethylation of mature embryos, and trans-chromosomal methylation in hybrids. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of reproductive siRNAs, including their biosynthesis, transport, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiu Tung Chow
- The School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, USA
| | - Rebecca A Mosher
- The School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, USA
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22
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Marquardt S, Petrillo E, Manavella PA. Cotranscriptional RNA processing and modification in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1654-1670. [PMID: 36259932 PMCID: PMC10226594 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The activities of RNA polymerases shape the epigenetic landscape of genomes with profound consequences for genome integrity and gene expression. A fundamental event during the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression is the coordination between transcription and RNA processing. Most primary RNAs mature through various RNA processing and modification events to become fully functional. While pioneering results positioned RNA maturation steps after transcription ends, the coupling between the maturation of diverse RNA species and their transcription is becoming increasingly evident in plants. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the crosstalk between RNA Polymerase II, IV, and V transcription and nascent RNA processing of both coding and noncoding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Marquardt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ezequiel Petrillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
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23
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Samelak-Czajka A, Wojciechowski P, Marszalek-Zenczak M, Figlerowicz M, Zmienko A. Differences in the intraspecies copy number variation of Arabidopsis thaliana conserved and nonconserved miRNA genes. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:120. [PMID: 37036577 PMCID: PMC10085913 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by RNA interference mechanism. In plants, miRNA genes (MIRs) which are grouped into conserved families, i.e. they are present among the different plant taxa, are involved in the regulation of many developmental and physiological processes. The roles of the nonconserved MIRs-which are MIRs restricted to one plant family, genus, or even species-are less recognized; however, many of them participate in the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Both over- and underproduction of miRNAs may influence various biological processes. Consequently, maintaining intracellular miRNA homeostasis seems to be crucial for the organism. Deletions and duplications in the genomic sequence may alter gene dosage and/or activity. We evaluated the extent of copy number variations (CNVs) among Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) MIRs in over 1000 natural accessions, using population-based analysis of the short-read sequencing data. We showed that the conserved MIRs were unlikely to display CNVs and their deletions were extremely rare, whereas nonconserved MIRs presented moderate variation. Transposon-derived MIRs displayed exceptionally high diversity. Conversely, MIRs involved in the epigenetic control of transposons reactivated during development were mostly invariable. MIR overlap with the protein-coding genes also limited their variability. At the expression level, a higher rate of nonvariable, nonconserved miRNAs was detectable in Col-0 leaves, inflorescence, and siliques compared to nonconserved variable miRNAs, although the expression of both groups was much lower than that of the conserved MIRs. Our data indicate that CNV rate of Arabidopsis MIRs is related with their age, function, and genomic localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Samelak-Czajka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Pawel Wojciechowski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
- Institute of Computing Science, Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Zmienko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
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24
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Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS): A Powerful Tool for Crop Improvement and Its Advancement towards Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065608. [PMID: 36982682 PMCID: PMC10057534 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an RNA-mediated reverse genetics technology that has evolved into an indispensable approach for analyzing the function of genes. It downregulates endogenous genes by utilizing the posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) machinery of plants to prevent systemic viral infections. Based on recent advances, VIGS can now be used as a high-throughput tool that induces heritable epigenetic modifications in plants through the viral genome by transiently knocking down targeted gene expression. As a result of the progression of DNA methylation induced by VIGS, new stable genotypes with desired traits are being developed in plants. In plants, RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is a mechanism where epigenetic modifiers are guided to target loci by small RNAs, which play a major role in the silencing of the target gene. In this review, we described the molecular mechanisms of DNA and RNA-based viral vectors and the knowledge obtained through altering the genes in the studied plants that are not usually accessible to transgenic techniques. We showed how VIGS-induced gene silencing can be used to characterize transgenerational gene function(s) and altered epigenetic marks, which can improve future plant breeding programs.
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Pegler JL, Oultram JMJ, Mann CWG, Carroll BJ, Grof CPL, Eamens AL. Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements: Small DNA Transposons That Have Contributed to Plant MICRORNA Gene Evolution. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1101. [PMID: 36903960 PMCID: PMC10004981 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Angiosperms form the largest phylum within the Plantae kingdom and show remarkable genetic variation due to the considerable difference in the nuclear genome size of each species. Transposable elements (TEs), mobile DNA sequences that can amplify and change their chromosome position, account for much of the difference in nuclear genome size between individual angiosperm species. Considering the dramatic consequences of TE movement, including the complete loss of gene function, it is unsurprising that the angiosperms have developed elegant molecular strategies to control TE amplification and movement. Specifically, the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, directed by the repeat-associated small-interfering RNA (rasiRNA) class of small regulatory RNA, forms the primary line of defense to control TE activity in the angiosperms. However, the miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) species of TE has at times avoided the repressive effects imposed by the rasiRNA-directed RdDM pathway. MITE proliferation in angiosperm nuclear genomes is due to their preference to transpose within gene-rich regions, a pattern of transposition that has enabled MITEs to gain further transcriptional activity. The sequence-based properties of a MITE results in the synthesis of a noncoding RNA (ncRNA), which, after transcription, folds to form a structure that closely resembles those of the precursor transcripts of the microRNA (miRNA) class of small regulatory RNA. This shared folding structure results in a MITE-derived miRNA being processed from the MITE-transcribed ncRNA, and post-maturation, the MITE-derived miRNA can be used by the core protein machinery of the miRNA pathway to regulate the expression of protein-coding genes that harbor homologous MITE insertions. Here, we outline the considerable contribution that the MITE species of TE have made to expanding the miRNA repertoire of the angiosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L. Pegler
- Centre for Plant Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jackson M. J. Oultram
- Centre for Plant Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Christopher W. G. Mann
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bernard J. Carroll
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christopher P. L. Grof
- Centre for Plant Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Eamens
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
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Vaucheret H. Epigenetic management of self and non-self: lessons from 40 years of transgenic plants. C R Biol 2023; 345:149-174. [PMID: 36847123 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Plant varieties exhibiting unstable or variegated phenotypes, or showing virus recovery have long remained a mystery. It is only with the development of transgenic plants 40 years ago that the epigenetic features underlying these phenomena were elucidated. Indeed, the study of transgenic plants that did not express the introduced sequences revealed that transgene loci sometimes undergo transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) or post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) by activating epigenetic defenses that naturally control transposable elements, duplicated genes or viruses. Even when they do not trigger TGS or PTGS spontaneously, stably expressed transgenes driven by viral promoters set apart from endogenous genes in their epigenetic regulation. As a result, transgenes driven by viral promoters are capable of undergoing systemic PTGS throughout the plant, whereas endogenous genes can only undergo local PTGS in cells where RNA quality control is impaired. Together, these results indicate that the host genome distinguishes self from non-self at the epigenetic level, allowing PTGS to eliminate non-self, and preventing PTGS to become systemic and kill the plant when it is locally activated against deregulated self.
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Halder K, Chaudhuri A, Abdin MZ, Datta A. Tweaking the Small Non-Coding RNAs to Improve Desirable Traits in Plant. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043143. [PMID: 36834556 PMCID: PMC9966754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant transcriptome contains an enormous amount of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that do not code for proteins but take part in regulating gene expression. Since their discovery in the early 1990s, much research has been conducted to elucidate their function in the gene regulatory network and their involvement in plants' response to biotic/abiotic stresses. Typically, 20-30 nucleotide-long small ncRNAs are a potential target for plant molecular breeders because of their agricultural importance. This review summarizes the current understanding of three major classes of small ncRNAs: short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNA (miRNA), and transacting siRNAs (tasiRNAs). Furthermore, their biogenesis, mode of action, and how they have been utilized to improve crop productivity and disease resistance are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Halder
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Abira Chaudhuri
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.D.); Tel.: +91-1126742750 or +91-1126735119 (A.D.)
| | - Malik Z. Abdin
- Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Asis Datta
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.D.); Tel.: +91-1126742750 or +91-1126735119 (A.D.)
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Shi X, Yang H, Birchler JA. MicroRNAs play regulatory roles in genomic balance. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200187. [PMID: 36470594 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Classic genetics studies found that genomic imbalance caused by changing the dosage of part of the genome (aneuploidy) has more detrimental effects than altering the dosage of the whole genome (ploidy). Previous analysis revealed global modulation of gene expression triggered by aneuploidy across various species, including maize (Zea mays), Arabidopsis, yeast, mammals, etc. Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of 20- to 24-nt endogenous small noncoding RNAs that carry out post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. That miRNAs and their putative targets are preferentially retained as duplicates after whole-genome duplication, as are many transcription factors and signaling components, indicates miRNAs are likely to be dosage-sensitive and potentially involved in genomic balance networks. This review addresses the following questions regarding the role of miRNAs in genomic imbalance. (1) How do aneuploidy and polyploidy impact the expression of miRNAs? (2) Do miRNAs play a regulatory role in modulating the expression of their targets under genomic imbalance?
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Shi
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Hua Yang
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - James A Birchler
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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29
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Phase separation of SGS3 drives siRNA body formation and promotes endogenous gene silencing. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111985. [PMID: 36640363 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) involves many RNA processing components, including SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING 3 (SGS3), RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6), and DICER-LIKE proteins (DCLs). Nonetheless, how these components are coordinated to produce siRNAs is unclear. Here, we show that SGS3 forms condensates via phase separation in vivo and in vitro. SGS3 interacts with RDR6 and drives it to form siRNA bodies in cytoplasm, which is promoted by SGS3-targeted RNAs. Disrupting SGS3 phase separation abrogates siRNA body assembly and siRNA biogenesis, whereas coexpression of SGS3 and RDR6 induces siRNA body formation in tobacco and yeast cells. Dysfunction in translation and mRNA decay increases the number of siRNA bodies, whereas DCL2/4 mutations enhance their size. Purification of SGS3 condensates identifies numerous RNA-binding proteins and siRNA processing components. Together, our findings reveal that SGS3 phase separation-mediated formation of siRNA bodies is essential for siRNA production and gene silencing.
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Jing X, Xu L, Huai X, Zhang H, Zhao F, Qiao Y. Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Argonaute, Dicer-like and RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Gene Families and Their Expression Analyses in Fragaria spp. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14010121. [PMID: 36672862 PMCID: PMC9859564 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the growth and development of plants, some non-coding small RNAs (sRNAs) not only mediate RNA interference at the post-transcriptional level, but also play an important regulatory role in chromatin modification at the transcriptional level. In these processes, the protein factors Argonaute (AGO), Dicer-like (DCL), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) play very important roles in the synthesis of sRNAs respectively. Though they have been identified in many plants, the information about these gene families in strawberry was poorly understood. In this study, using a genome-wide analysis and a phylogenetic approach, 13 AGO, six DCL, and nine RDR genes were identified in diploid strawberry Fragaria vesca. We also identified 33 AGO, 18 DCL, and 28 RDR genes in octoploid strawberry Fragaria × ananassa, studied the expression patterns of these genes in various tissues and developmental stages of strawberry, and researched the response of these genes to some hormones, finding that almost all genes respond to the five hormone stresses. This study is the first report of a genome-wide analysis of AGO, DCL, and RDR gene families in Fragaria spp., in which we provide basic genomic information and expression patterns for these genes. Additionally, this study provides a basis for further research on the functions of these genes and some evidence for the evolution between diploid and octoploid strawberries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Jing
- Laboratory of Fruit Crop Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Linlin Xu
- Institute of Pomology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Xinjia Huai
- Laboratory of Fruit Crop Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Laboratory of Fruit Crop Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Fengli Zhao
- Laboratory of Fruit Crop Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yushan Qiao
- Laboratory of Fruit Crop Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
- Institute of Pomology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, Nanjing 210014, China
- Correspondence:
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31
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Minow MAA, Coneva V, Lesy V, Misyura M, Colasanti J. Plant gene silencing signals move from the phloem to influence gene expression in shoot apical meristems. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:606. [PMID: 36550422 PMCID: PMC9783409 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03998-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small RNAs (sRNA) are potent regulators of gene expression that can diffuse short distances between cells and move long distances through plant vasculature. However, the degree to which sRNA silencing signals can move from the phloem to the shoot apical meristem (SAM) remains unclear. RESULTS Two independent transgenic approaches were used to examine whether phloem sRNA silencing can reach different domains of the SAM and silence SAM-expressed genes. First, the phloem companion-cell specific SUCROSE-PROTON SYMPORTER2 (SUC2) promoter was used to drive expression of an inverted repeat to target the FD gene, an exclusively SAM-localized floral regulator. Second, the SUC2 promoter was used to express an artificial microRNA (aMiR) designed to target a synthetic CLAVATA3 (CLV3) transgene in SAM stem cells. Both phloem silencing signals phenocopied the loss of function of their targets and altered target gene expression suggesting that a phloem-to-SAM silencing communication axis exists, connecting distal regions of the plant to SAM stem cells. CONCLUSIONS Demonstration of phloem-to-SAM silencing reveals a regulatory link between somatic sRNA expressed in distal regions of the plant and the growing shoot. Since the SAM stem cells ultimately produce the gametes, we discuss the intriguing possibility that phloem-to-SAM sRNA trafficking could allow transient somatic sRNA expression to manifest stable, transgenerational epigenetic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. A. Minow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Viktoriya Coneva
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victoria Lesy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Max Misyura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph Colasanti
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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32
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Du J, Liu Y, Lu L, Shi J, Xu L, Li Q, Cheng X, Chen J, Zhang X. Accumulation of DNA damage alters microRNA gene transcription in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:576. [PMID: 36503409 PMCID: PMC9743578 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and other epigenetic modifications play fundamental roles in all eukaryotic biological processes. DNA damage repair is a key process for maintaining the genomic integrity of different organisms exposed to diverse stresses. However, the reaction of miRNAs in the DNA damage repair process is unclear. RESULTS In this study, we found that the simultaneous mutation of zinc finger DNA 3'-phosphoesterase (ZDP) and AP endonuclease 2 (APE2), two genes that play overlapping roles in active DNA demethylation and base excision repair (BER), led to genome-wide alteration of miRNAs. The transcripts of newly transcribed miRNA-encoding genes (MIRs) decreased significantly in zdp/ape2, indicating that the mutation of ZDP and APE2 affected the accumulation of miRNAs at the transcriptional level. In addition, the introduction of base damage with the DNA-alkylating reagent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) accelerated the reduction of miRNAs in zdp/ape2. Further mutation of FORMAMIDOPYRIMIDINE DNA GLYCOSYLASE (FPG), a bifunctional DNA glycosylase/lyase, rescued the accumulation of miRNAs in zdp/ape2, suggesting that the accumulation of DNA damage repair intermediates induced the transcriptional repression of miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Our investigation indicates that the accumulation of DNA damage repair intermediates inhibit miRNAs accumulation by inhibiting MIR transcriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Longqian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China
| | - Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaofei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Enhancement, Physiology and Ecology of Food Crops in Cold Region of Chinese Education Ministry, College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Jinfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Papolu PK, Ramakrishnan M, Mullasseri S, Kalendar R, Wei Q, Zou L, Ahmad Z, Vinod KK, Yang P, Zhou M. Retrotransposons: How the continuous evolutionary front shapes plant genomes for response to heat stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1064847. [PMID: 36570931 PMCID: PMC9780303 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1064847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR retrotransposons) are the most abundant group of mobile genetic elements in eukaryotic genomes and are essential in organizing genomic architecture and phenotypic variations. The diverse families of retrotransposons are related to retroviruses. As retrotransposable elements are dispersed and ubiquitous, their "copy-out and paste-in" life cycle of replicative transposition leads to new genome insertions without the excision of the original element. The overall structure of retrotransposons and the domains responsible for the various phases of their replication is highly conserved in all eukaryotes. The two major superfamilies of LTR retrotransposons, Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy, are distinguished and dispersed across the chromosomes of higher plants. Members of these superfamilies can increase in copy number and are often activated by various biotic and abiotic stresses due to retrotransposition bursts. LTR retrotransposons are important drivers of species diversity and exhibit great variety in structure, size, and mechanisms of transposition, making them important putative actors in genome evolution. Additionally, LTR retrotransposons influence the gene expression patterns of adjacent genes by modulating potential small interfering RNA (siRNA) and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways. Furthermore, comparative and evolutionary analysis of the most important crop genome sequences and advanced technologies have elucidated the epigenetics and structural and functional modifications driven by LTR retrotransposon during speciation. However, mechanistic insights into LTR retrotransposons remain obscure in plant development due to a lack of advancement in high throughput technologies. In this review, we focus on the key role of LTR retrotransposons response in plants during heat stress, the role of centromeric LTR retrotransposons, and the role of LTR retrotransposon markers in genome expression and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep K. Papolu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Muthusamy Ramakrishnan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Bamboo Research Institute, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sileesh Mullasseri
- Department of Zoology, St. Albert’s College (Autonomous), Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Ruslan Kalendar
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, Biocenter 3, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Qiang Wei
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Bamboo Research Institute, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Long−Hai Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zishan Ahmad
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Bamboo Research Institute, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Ping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Bamboo Resources and High-Efficiency Utilization, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingbing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Bamboo Industry Institute, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Bamboo Resources and High-Efficiency Utilization, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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34
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Small RNA Analyses of a Ceratobasidium Isolate Infected with Three Endornaviruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102276. [PMID: 36298830 PMCID: PMC9610886 DOI: 10.3390/v14102276] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolates of three endornavirus species were identified co-infecting an unidentified species of Ceratobasidium, itself identified as a symbiont from within the roots of a wild plant of the terrestrial orchid Pterostylis vittata in Western Australia. Isogenic lines of the fungal isolate lacking all three mycoviruses were derived from the virus-infected isolate. To observe how presence of endornaviruses influenced gene expression in the fungal host, we sequenced fungus-derived small RNA species from the virus-infected and virus-free isogenic lines and compared them. The presence of mycoviruses influenced expression of small RNAs. Of the 3272 fungus-derived small RNA species identified, the expression of 9.1% (300 of 3272) of them were up-regulated, and 0.6% (18 of 3272) were down-regulated in the presence of the viruses. Fourteen novel micro-RNA-like RNAs (Cer-milRNAs) were predicted. Gene target prediction of the differentially expressed Cer-milRNAs was quite ambiguous; however, fungal genes involved in transcriptional regulation, catalysis, molecular binding, and metabolic activities such as gene expression, DNA metabolic processes and regulation activities were differentially expressed in the presence of the mycoviruses.
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35
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Nguyen V, Gutzat R. Epigenetic regulation in the shoot apical meristem. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102267. [PMID: 35985107 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms form the basis of cellular memory, developmental decisions, and the cellular immune system that defends against transposons and viruses. Organs develop from the shoot apical meristem (SAM) to shape the plant's areal phenotype, and stem cells in the SAM serve as a functional germline. While many details on the regulation of stem cell pool size, organ initiation, and patterning at the meristem periphery are known, we know surprisingly little about the molecular characteristics of SAM cells, including their epigenome and how it changes during development. Here, we summarize information on epigenetic regulation of selected genes necessary for stem cell maintenance. As recent evidence suggests that SAM stem cells might be a hotspot of transposon activation, we discuss this aspect of epigenetic control in the meristem and speculate on mechanisms that maintain the flexibility of SAM stem cells in response to developmental or environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Nguyen
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | - Ruben Gutzat
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, 1030, Austria.
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36
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Gent JI, Higgins KM, Swentowsky KW, Fu FF, Zeng Y, Kim DW, Dawe RK, Springer NM, Anderson SN. The maize gene maternal derepression of r1 encodes a DNA glycosylase that demethylates DNA and reduces siRNA expression in the endosperm. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:3685-3701. [PMID: 35775949 PMCID: PMC9516051 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Demethylation of transposons can activate the expression of nearby genes and cause imprinted gene expression in the endosperm; this demethylation is hypothesized to lead to expression of transposon small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that reinforce silencing in the next generation through transfer either into egg or embryo. Here we describe maize (Zea mays) maternal derepression of r1 (mdr1), which encodes a DNA glycosylase with homology to Arabidopsis thaliana DEMETER and which is partially responsible for demethylation of thousands of regions in endosperm. Instead of promoting siRNA expression in endosperm, MDR1 activity inhibits it. Methylation of most repetitive DNA elements in endosperm is not significantly affected by MDR1, with an exception of Helitrons. While maternally-expressed imprinted genes preferentially overlap with MDR1 demethylated regions, the majority of genes that overlap demethylated regions are not imprinted. Double mutant megagametophytes lacking both MDR1 and its close homolog DNG102 result in early seed failure, and double mutant microgametophytes fail pre-fertilization. These data establish DNA demethylation by glycosylases as essential in maize endosperm and pollen and suggest that neither transposon repression nor genomic imprinting is its main function in endosperm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaitlin M Higgins
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Kyle W Swentowsky
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Fang-Fang Fu
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yibing Zeng
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Dong won Kim
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - R Kelly Dawe
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Nathan M Springer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Sarah N Anderson
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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37
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Tirumalai V, Narjala A, Swetha C, Sundar GVH, Sujith TN, Shivaprasad PV. Cultivar-specific miRNA-mediated RNA silencing in grapes. PLANTA 2022; 256:17. [PMID: 35737180 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In-depth comparative degradome analysis of two domesticated grape cultivars with diverse secondary metabolite accumulation reveals differential miRNA-mediated targeting. Small (s)RNAs such as micro(mi)RNAs and secondary small interfering (si) often work as negative switches of gene expression. In plants, it is well known that miRNAs target and cleave mRNAs that have high sequence complementarity. However, it is not known if there are variations in miRNA-mediated targeting between subspecies and cultivars that have been subjected to vast genetic modifications through breeding and other selections. Here, we have used PAREsnip2 tool for analysis of degradome datasets derived from two contrasting domesticated grape cultivars having varied fruit color, habit and leaf shape. We identified several interesting variations in sRNA targeting using degradome and 5'RACE analysis between two contrasting grape cultivars that was further correlated using RNA-seq analysis. Several of the differences we identified are associated with secondary metabolic pathways. We propose possible means by which sRNAs might contribute to diversity in secondary metabolites and other development pathways between two domesticated cultivars of grapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Tirumalai
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, 613401, India
| | - Anushree Narjala
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, 613401, India
| | - Chenna Swetha
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, 613401, India
| | - G Vivek Hari Sundar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - T N Sujith
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - P V Shivaprasad
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India.
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38
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Sadhukhan A, Prasad SS, Mitra J, Siddiqui N, Sahoo L, Kobayashi Y, Koyama H. How do plants remember drought? PLANTA 2022; 256:7. [PMID: 35687165 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03924-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants develop both short-term and transgenerational memory of drought stress through epigenetic regulation of transcription for a better response to subsequent exposure. Recurrent spells of droughts are more common than a single drought, with intermittent moist recovery intervals. While the detrimental effects of the first drought on plant structure and physiology are unavoidable, if survived, plants can memorize the first drought to present a more robust response to the following droughts. This includes a partial stomatal opening in the watered recovery interval, higher levels of osmoprotectants and ABA, and attenuation of photosynthesis in the subsequent exposure. Short-term drought memory is regulated by ABA and other phytohormone signaling with transcriptional memory behavior in various genes. High levels of methylated histones are deposited at the drought-tolerance genes. During the recovery interval, the RNA polymerase is stalled to be activated by a pause-breaking factor in the subsequent drought. Drought leads to DNA demethylation near drought-response genes, with genetic control of the process. Progenies of the drought-exposed plants can better adapt to drought owing to the inheritance of particular methylation patterns. However, a prolonged watered recovery interval leads to loss of drought memory, mediated by certain demethylases and chromatin accessibility factors. Small RNAs act as critical regulators of drought memory by altering transcript levels of drought-responsive target genes. Further studies in the future will throw more light on the genetic control of drought memory and the interplay of genetic and epigenetic factors in its inheritance. Plants from extreme environments can give queues to understanding robust memory responses at the ecosystem level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayan Sadhukhan
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Jodhpur, 342037, India.
| | - Shiva Sai Prasad
- Department of Agriculture, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522502, India
| | - Jayeeta Mitra
- Department of Botany, Arunachal University of Studies, Arunachal Pradesh, Namsai, 792103, India
| | - Nadeem Siddiqui
- Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522502, India
| | - Lingaraj Sahoo
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, India
| | - Yuriko Kobayashi
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Koyama
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
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39
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Oliver C, Martinez G. Accumulation dynamics of ARGONAUTE proteins during meiosis in Arabidopsis. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2022; 35:153-160. [PMID: 34812935 PMCID: PMC9110482 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-021-00434-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that is key for reproduction and genetic diversity in sexually reproducing plants. Recently, different RNA silencing pathways have been proposed to carry a specific activity during meiosis, but the pathways involved during this process remain unclear. Here, we explored the subcellular localization of different ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins, the main effectors of RNA silencing, during male meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana using immunolocalizations with commercially available antibodies. We detected the presence of AGO proteins associated with posttranscriptional gene silencing (AGO1, 2, and 5) in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, while AGOs associated with transcriptional gene silencing (AGO4 and 9) localized exclusively in the nucleus. These results indicate that the localization of different AGOs correlates with their predicted roles at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels and provide an overview of their timing and potential role during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Oliver
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural, Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - German Martinez
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural, Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden.
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40
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Kumari P, Khan S, Wani IA, Gupta R, Verma S, Alam P, Alaklabi A. Unravelling the Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Development and Reproduction of Angiosperms: A Critical Appraisal. Front Genet 2022; 13:819941. [PMID: 35664328 PMCID: PMC9157814 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.819941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics are the heritable changes in gene expression patterns which occur without altering DNA sequence. These changes are reversible and do not change the sequence of the DNA but can alter the way in which the DNA sequences are read. Epigenetic modifications are induced by DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA-mediated mechanisms which alter the gene expression, primarily at the transcriptional level. Such alterations do control genome activity through transcriptional silencing of transposable elements thereby contributing toward genome stability. Plants being sessile in nature are highly susceptible to the extremes of changing environmental conditions. This increases the likelihood of epigenetic modifications within the composite network of genes that affect the developmental changes of a plant species. Genetic and epigenetic reprogramming enhances the growth and development, imparts phenotypic plasticity, and also ensures flowering under stress conditions without changing the genotype for several generations. Epigenetic modifications hold an immense significance during the development of male and female gametophytes, fertilization, embryogenesis, fruit formation, and seed germination. In this review, we focus on the mechanism of epigenetic modifications and their dynamic role in maintaining the genomic integrity during plant development and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Kumari
- Conservation and Molecular Biology Lab., Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Sajid Khan
- Conservation and Molecular Biology Lab., Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Ishfaq Ahmad Wani
- Conservation and Molecular Biology Lab., Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Renu Gupta
- Division of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha, India
| | - Susheel Verma
- Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
- *Correspondence: Susheel Verma,
| | - Pravej Alam
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alaklabi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
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41
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Small regulatory RNAs in rice epigenetic regulation. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1215-1225. [PMID: 35579290 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Plant small RNAs (sRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that are implicated in various regulatory processes involving post-transcriptional gene silencing and epigenetic gene regulation. In epigenetic regulation, sRNAs are primarily involved in RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways. sRNAs in the RdDM pathways play a role not only in the suppression of transposable element (TE) activity but also in gene expression regulation. Although the major components of the RdDM pathways have been well studied in Arabidopsis, recent studies have revealed that the RdDM pathways in rice have important biological functions in stress response and developmental processes. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent literature on sRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation in rice. First, we describe the RdDM mechanisms in plants. We then introduce recent discoveries on the biological roles of rice genes involved in the RdDM pathway and TE-derived sRNAs working at specific genomic loci for epigenetic control in rice.
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42
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Sasaki T, Ro K, Caillieux E, Manabe R, Bohl-Viallefond G, Baduel P, Colot V, Kakutani T, Quadrana L. Fast co-evolution of anti-silencing systems shapes the invasiveness of Mu-like DNA transposons in eudicots. EMBO J 2022; 41:e110070. [PMID: 35285528 PMCID: PMC9016345 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021110070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a major threat to genome stability and are therefore typically silenced by epigenetic mechanisms. In response, some TEs have evolved counteracting systems to suppress epigenetic silencing. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, two such anti-silencing systems have been identified and found to be mediated by the VANC DNA-binding proteins encoded by VANDAL transposons. Here, we show that anti-silencing systems have rapidly diversified since their origin in eudicots by gaining and losing VANC-containing domains, such as DUF1985, DUF287, and Ulp1, as well as target sequence motifs. We further demonstrate that these motifs determine anti-silencing specificity by sequence, density, and helical periodicity. Moreover, such rapid diversification yielded at least 10 distinct VANC-induced anti-silencing systems in Arabidopsis. Strikingly, anti-silencing of non-autonomous VANDALs, which can act as reservoirs of 24-nt small RNAs, is critical to prevent the demise of cognate autonomous TEs and to ensure their propagation. Our findings illustrate how complex co-evolutionary dynamics between TEs and host suppression pathways have shaped the emergence of new epigenetic control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Sasaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyudo Ro
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Erwann Caillieux
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Riku Manabe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Grégoire Bohl-Viallefond
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Baduel
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Colot
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Tetsuji Kakutani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Leandro Quadrana
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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43
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Gardiner J, Ghoshal B, Wang M, Jacobsen SE. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1811-1824. [PMID: 35134247 PMCID: PMC8968285 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tools for sequence-specific DNA binding have opened the door to new approaches in investigating fundamental questions in biology and crop development. While there are several platforms to choose from, many of the recent advances in sequence-specific targeting tools are focused on developing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR Associated (CRISPR-Cas)-based systems. Using a catalytically inactive Cas protein (dCas), this system can act as a vector for different modular catalytic domains (effector domains) to control a gene's expression or alter epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Recent trends in developing CRISPR-dCas systems include creating versions that can target multiple copies of effector domains to a single site, targeting epigenetic changes that, in some cases, can be inherited to the next generation in the absence of the targeting construct, and combining effector domains and targeting strategies to create synergies that increase the functionality or efficiency of the system. This review summarizes and compares DNA targeting technologies, the effector domains used to target transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis, and the different CRISPR-dCas systems used in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ming Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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44
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Oliver C, Annacondia ML, Wang Z, Jullien PE, Slotkin RK, Köhler C, Martinez G. The miRNome function transitions from regulating developmental genes to transposable elements during pollen maturation. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:784-801. [PMID: 34755870 PMCID: PMC8824631 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Animal and plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for the spatio-temporal regulation of development. Together with this role, plant miRNAs have been proposed to target transposable elements (TEs) and stimulate the production of epigenetically active small interfering RNAs. This activity is evident in the plant male gamete containing structure, the male gametophyte or pollen grain. How the dual role of plant miRNAs, regulating both genes and TEs, is integrated during pollen development and which mRNAs are regulated by miRNAs in this cell type at a genome-wide scale are unknown. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of miRNA dynamics and activity during pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana using small RNA and degradome parallel analysis of RNA end high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, we uncover miRNAs loaded into the two main active Argonaute (AGO) proteins in the uninuclear and mature pollen grain, AGO1 and AGO5. Our results indicate that the developmental progression from microspore to mature pollen grain is characterized by a transition from miRNAs targeting developmental genes to miRNAs regulating TE activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Oliver
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Maria Luz Annacondia
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
- College of Horticulture and State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Pauline E Jullien
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern 3013, Switzerland
| | - R Keith Slotkin
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63132, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201, USA
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
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45
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Shahid S. Hunting for TEs: MicroRNAs switch targets in developing pollen. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:710-711. [PMID: 35231112 PMCID: PMC8824632 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saima Shahid
- Assistant Features Editor, The Plant Cell, American Society of Plant Biologists, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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46
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Vigh ML, Bressendorff S, Thieffry A, Arribas-Hernández L, Brodersen P. Nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA exosomes and PELOTA1 prevent miRNA-induced secondary siRNA production in Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1396-1415. [PMID: 35037064 PMCID: PMC8860578 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification of short interfering RNA (siRNAs) via RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) is of fundamental importance in RNA silencing. Plant microRNA (miRNA) action generally does not involve engagement of RdRPs, in part thanks to a poorly understood activity of the cytoplasmic exosome adaptor SKI2. Here, we show that inactivation of the exosome subunit RRP45B and SKI2 results in similar patterns of miRNA-induced siRNA production. Furthermore, loss of the nuclear exosome adaptor HEN2 leads to secondary siRNA production from miRNA targets largely distinct from those producing siRNAs in ski2. Importantly, mutation of the Release Factor paralogue PELOTA1 required for subunit dissociation of stalled ribosomes causes siRNA production from miRNA targets overlapping with, but distinct from, those affected in ski2 and rrp45b mutants. We also show that in exosome mutants, miRNA targets can be sorted into producers and non-producers of illicit secondary siRNAs based on trigger miRNA levels and miRNA:target affinity rather than on presence of 5′-cleavage fragments. We propose that stalled RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC) and ribosomes, but not mRNA cleavage fragments released from RISC, trigger siRNA production, and that the exosome limits siRNA amplification by reducing RISC dwell time on miRNA target mRNAs while PELOTA1 does so by reducing ribosome stalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Vigh
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Simon Bressendorff
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Axel Thieffry
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Laura Arribas-Hernández
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Peter Brodersen
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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47
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Tang Y, Yan X, Gu C, Yuan X. Biogenesis, Trafficking, and Function of Small RNAs in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:825477. [PMID: 35251095 PMCID: PMC8891129 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.825477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) encoded by plant genomes have received widespread attention because they can affect multiple biological processes. Different sRNAs that are synthesized in plant cells can move throughout the plants, transport to plant pathogens via extracellular vesicles (EVs), and transfer to mammals via food. Small RNAs function at the target sites through DNA methylation, RNA interference, and translational repression. In this article, we reviewed the systematic processes of sRNA biogenesis, trafficking, and the underlying mechanisms of its functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Tang
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Yan
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenxian Gu
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yuan
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaofeng Yuan,
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48
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Oberlin S, Rajeswaran R, Trasser M, Barragán-Borrero V, Schon MA, Plotnikova A, Loncsek L, Nodine MD, Marí-Ordóñez A, Voinnet O. Innate, translation-dependent silencing of an invasive transposon in Arabidopsis. EMBO Rep 2021; 23:e53400. [PMID: 34931432 PMCID: PMC8892269 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Co‐evolution between hosts’ and parasites’ genomes shapes diverse pathways of acquired immunity based on silencing small (s)RNAs. In plants, sRNAs cause heterochromatinization, sequence degeneration, and, ultimately, loss of autonomy of most transposable elements (TEs). Recognition of newly invasive plant TEs, by contrast, involves an innate antiviral‐like silencing response. To investigate this response’s activation, we studied the single‐copy element EVADÉ (EVD), one of few representatives of the large Ty1/Copia family able to proliferate in Arabidopsis when epigenetically reactivated. In Ty1/Copia elements, a short subgenomic mRNA (shGAG) provides the necessary excess of structural GAG protein over the catalytic components encoded by the full‐length genomic flGAG‐POL. We show here that the predominant cytosolic distribution of shGAG strongly favors its translation over mostly nuclear flGAG‐POL. During this process, an unusually intense ribosomal stalling event coincides with mRNA breakage yielding unconventional 5’OH RNA fragments that evade RNA quality control. The starting point of sRNA production by RNA‐DEPENDENT‐RNA‐POLYMERASE‐6 (RDR6), exclusively on shGAG, occurs precisely at this breakage point. This hitherto‐unrecognized “translation‐dependent silencing” (TdS) is independent of codon usage or GC content and is not observed on TE remnants populating the Arabidopsis genome, consistent with their poor association, if any, with polysomes. We propose that TdS forms a primal defense against EVD de novo invasions that underlies its associated sRNA pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Oberlin
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rajendran Rajeswaran
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marieke Trasser
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verónica Barragán-Borrero
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland.,Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael A Schon
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Plotnikova
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Loncsek
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael D Nodine
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arturo Marí-Ordóñez
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland.,Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Voinnet
- Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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49
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Lei Z, Wang L, Kim EY, Cho J. Phase separation of chromatin and small RNA pathways in plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 108:1256-1265. [PMID: 34585805 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including chromatin modifications and small regulatory RNAs. These pathways are unevenly distributed within a cell and usually take place in specific intracellular regions. Unfortunately, the fundamental driving force and biological relevance of such spatial differentiation is largely unknown. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a natural propensity of demixing liquid phases and has been recently suggested to mediate the formation of biomolecular condensates that are relevant to diverse cellular processes. LLPS provides a mechanistic explanation for the self-assembly of subcellular structures by which the efficiency and specificity of certain cellular reactions are achieved. In plants, LLPS has been observed for several key factors in the chromatin and small RNA pathways. For example, the formation of facultative and obligate heterochromatin involves the LLPS of multiple relevant factors. In addition, phase separation is observed in a set of proteins acting in microRNA biogenesis and the small interfering RNA pathway. In this Focused Review, we highlight and discuss the recent findings regarding phase separation in the epigenetic mechanisms of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lei
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ling Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Eun Yu Kim
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jungnam Cho
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Gelaw TA, Sanan-Mishra N. Non-Coding RNAs in Response to Drought Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12519. [PMID: 34830399 PMCID: PMC8621352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drought stress causes changes in the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of plants. The response to drought in different plants may vary from avoidance, tolerance and escape to recovery from stress. This response is genetically programmed and regulated in a very complex yet synchronized manner. The crucial genetic regulations mediated by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as game-changers in modulating the plant responses to drought and other abiotic stresses. The ncRNAs interact with their targets to form potentially subtle regulatory networks that control multiple genes to determine the overall response of plants. Many long and small drought-responsive ncRNAs have been identified and characterized in different plant varieties. The miRNA-based research is better documented, while lncRNA and transposon-derived RNAs are relatively new, and their cellular role is beginning to be understood. In this review, we have compiled the information on the categorization of non-coding RNAs based on their biogenesis and function. We also discuss the available literature on the role of long and small non-coding RNAs in mitigating drought stress in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temesgen Assefa Gelaw
- Plant RNAi Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India;
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Debre Birhan University, Debre Birhan P.O. Box 445, Ethiopia
| | - Neeti Sanan-Mishra
- Plant RNAi Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India;
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