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Kalairaj A, Rajendran S, Panda RC, Senthilvelan T. A study on waterlogging tolerance in sugarcane: a comprehensive review. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:747. [PMID: 38874798 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09679-z] [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: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is an important crop, native to tropical and subtropical regions and it is a major source of sugar and Bioenergy in the world. Abiotic stress is defined as environmental conditions that reduce growth and yield below the optimum level. To tolerate these abiotic stresses, plants initiate several molecular, cellular, and physiological changes. These responses to abiotic stresses are dynamic and complex; they may be reversible or irreversible. Waterlogging is an abiotic stress phenomenon that drastically reduces the growth and survival of sugarcane, which leads to a 15-45% reduction in cane's yield. The extent of damage due to waterlogging depends on genotypes, environmental conditions, stage of development and duration of stress. An improved understanding of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of sugarcane to waterlogging stress could help to develop new breeding strategies to sustain high yields against this situation. The present review offers a summary of recent findings on the adaptation of sugarcane to waterlogging stress in terms of growth and development, yield and quality, as well as biochemical and adaptive-molecular processes that may contribute to flooding tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmitha Kalairaj
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 602 105, India
| | - Swethashree Rajendran
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 602 105, India
| | - Rames C Panda
- Chemical Engineering Division, RajaLakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 602 105, India
| | - T Senthilvelan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 602 105, India.
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Jiang X, Zhang L, Li Y, Long R, Yang Q, Kang J. Functional Characterization of the MsFKF1 Gene Reveals Its Dual Role in Regulating the Flowering Time and Plant Height in Medicago sativa L. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:655. [PMID: 38475501 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Alfalfa (M. sativa), a perennial legume forage, is known for its high yield and good quality. As a long-day plant, it is sensitive to changes in the day length, which affects the flowering time and plant growth, and limits alfalfa yield. Photoperiod-mediated delayed flowering in alfalfa helps to extend the vegetative growth period and increase the yield. We isolated a blue-light phytohormone gene from the alfalfa genome that is an ortholog of soybean FKF1 and named it MsFKF1. Gene expression analyses showed that MsFKF1 responds to blue light and the circadian clock in alfalfa. We found that MsFKF1 regulates the flowering time through the plant circadian clock pathway by inhibiting the transcription of E1 and COL, thus suppressing FLOWERING LOCUS T a1 (FTa1) transcription. In addition, transgenic lines exhibited higher plant height and accumulated more biomass in comparison to wild-type plants. However, the increased fiber (NDF and ADF) and lignin content also led to a reduction in the digestibility of the forage. The key genes related to GA biosynthesis, GA20OX1, increased in the transgenic lines, while GA2OX1 decreased for the inactive GA transformation. These findings offer novel insights on the function of MsFKF1 in the regulation of the flowering time and plant height in cultivated M. sativa. These insights into MsFKF1's roles in alfalfa offer potential strategies for molecular breeding aimed at optimizing flowering time and biomass yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yajing Li
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruicai Long
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qingchuan Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Junmei Kang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Ma L, Li X, Zhang J, Yi D, Li F, Wen H, Liu W, Wang X. MsWRKY33 increases alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) salt stress tolerance through altering the ROS scavenger via activating MsERF5 transcription. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3887-3901. [PMID: 37656830 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is considered to be the most important forage crop on a global scale. Nevertheless, soil salinity significantly decreases productivity, seriously threatening food security worldwide. One viable strategy is to explore salt stress-responsive factors and elucidate their underlying molecular mechanism, and utilize them in further alfalfa breeding. In the present study, we designated MsWRKY33 as a representative salt stress-responsive factor preferentially expressed in alfalfa roots and leaves. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that MsWRKY33 was localized in the cell nucleus, and functioned as a transcriptional activator of the W-box element. Transgenic alfalfa overexpressing MsWRKY33 displayed enhanced salt stress tolerance and antioxidant activities with no significant difference in other agronomic traits. Transcriptome profiling of MsWRKY33 transgenic alfalfa under control and salt treatment unveiled significantly altered expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger genes in transgenic alfalfa. Subsequent examination revealed that MsWRKY33 binded to the promoter of MsERF5, activating its expression and consequently fine-tuning the ROS-scavenging enzyme activity. Furthermore, MsWRKY33 interacted with the functional fragment of MsCaMBP25, which participates in Ca2+ signaling transduction. Collectively, this research offers new insight into the molecular mechanism of alfalfa salt stress tolerance and highlights the potential utility of MsWRKY33 in alfalfa breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dengxia Yi
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Beijing Cuihu Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Wen
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xuemin Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Bo C, Su C, Teng J, Sheng W, Xue T, Zhu Y, Xue J. Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Differential Gene Expression during the Process of Microtuber Formation in Pinellia ternata. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11604. [PMID: 37511363 PMCID: PMC10380585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Using petiole material as explants and directly inducing the formation of microtubers without going through the callus stage is an essential way to rapidly expand scarce medical plants such as Pinellia ternata. However, the early molecular mechanism underlying the formation of the microtuber is largely elusive. Here, we conducted cytology and dynamic transcriptome analyses of inchoate microtubers in Pinellia explants and identified 1092 differentially expressed genes after their cultivation in vitro for 0, 5, and 15 days. Compared with 0 day, the number and size of the microtuber cells were larger at 5 and 15 days of culture. Detailed categorization revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to responses to stimulus, biological regulation, organelles, membranes, transcription factor activity, and protein binding. Further analysis revealed that the microtuber at different incubation days exhibited quite a difference in both hormone signaling pathway transduction and the regulation pattern of transcription factors. Therefore, this study contributes to a better understanding of the early molecular regulation during the formation of the microtuber and provides new insights for the study of the rapid expansion of P. ternata and other medical plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Bo
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Chuandong Su
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Jingtong Teng
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Wei Sheng
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Tao Xue
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Yanfang Zhu
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
| | - Jianping Xue
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Featured Resource Plants, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
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Nowicka B. Modifications of Phytohormone Metabolism Aimed at Stimulation of Plant Growth, Improving Their Productivity and Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stress Factors. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3430. [PMID: 36559545 PMCID: PMC9781743 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to the growing human population, the increase in crop yield is an important challenge for modern agriculture. As abiotic and biotic stresses cause severe losses in agriculture, it is also crucial to obtain varieties that are more tolerant to these factors. In the past, traditional breeding methods were used to obtain new varieties displaying demanded traits. Nowadays, genetic engineering is another available tool. An important direction of the research on genetically modified plants concerns the modification of phytohormone metabolism. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art research concerning the modulation of phytohormone content aimed at the stimulation of plant growth and the improvement of stress tolerance. It aims to provide a useful basis for developing new strategies for crop yield improvement by genetic engineering of phytohormone metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrycze Nowicka
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Ma L, Zhang Y, Wen H, Liu W, Zhou Y, Wang X. Silencing of MsD14 Resulted in Enhanced Forage Biomass through Increasing Shoot Branching in Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:939. [PMID: 35406919 PMCID: PMC9003486 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Branching is one of the key determinants of plant architecture that dramatically affects crop yield. As alfalfa is the most important forage crop, understanding the genetic basis of branching in this plant can facilitate breeding for a high biomass yield. In this study, we characterized the strigolactone receptor gene MsD14 in alfalfa and demonstrated that MsD14 was predominantly expressed in flowers, roots, and seedpods. Furthermore, we found that MsD14 expression could significantly respond to strigolactone in alfalfa seedlings, and its protein was located in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cytomembrane. Most importantly, transformation assays demonstrated that silencing of MsD14 in alfalfa resulted in increased shoot branching and forage biomass. Significantly, MsD14 could physically interact with AtMAX2 and MsMAX2 in the presence of strigolactone, suggesting a similarity between MsD14 and AtD14. Together, our results revealed the conserved D14-MAX2 module in alfalfa branching regulation and provided candidate genes for alfalfa high-yield molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (L.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Yongchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Hongyu Wen
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (L.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Yu Zhou
- Institute of Characteristic Crops Research, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China;
| | - Xuemin Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (L.M.); (H.W.)
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Ma L, Liu X, Liu W, Wen H, Zhang Y, Pang Y, Wang X. Characterization of Squamosa-Promoter Binding Protein-Box Family Genes Reveals the Critical Role of MsSPL20 in Alfalfa Flowering Time Regulation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:775690. [PMID: 35069631 PMCID: PMC8766856 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.775690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
SQUAMOSA Promoter-binding protein-Like (SPL) genes affect a broad range of plant biological processes and show potential application in crop improvement by genetic modification. As the most widely planted forage crop in the world, biomass and abiotic stresses tolerance are important breeding targets for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Nevertheless, the systematic analysis of SPL genes in alfalfa genome remains lacking. In the present study, we characterized 22 putative non-redundant SPL genes in alfalfa genome and uncovered the abundant structural variation among MsSPL genes. The phylogenetic analysis of plant SPL proteins separated them into 10 clades and clade J was an alfalfa-specific clade, suggesting SPL genes in alfalfa might have experienced gene duplication and functional differentiation within the genome. Meanwhile, 11 MsSPL genes with perfect matches to miRNA response elements (MREs) could be degraded by miR156, and the cleavage sites were gene specific. In addition, we investigated the temporal and spatial expression patterns of MsSPL genes and their expression patterns in response to multiple treatments, characterizing candidate SPL genes in alfalfa development and abiotic stress tolerant regulation. More importantly, overexpression of the alfalfa-specific SPL gene (MsSPL20) showed stable delayed flowering time, as well as increased biomass. Further studies indicated that MsSPL20 delayed flowering time by regulating the expression of genes involved in floret development, including HD3A, FTIP1, TEM1, and HST1. Together, our findings provide valuable information for future research and utilization of SPL genes in alfalfa and elucidate a possibly alfalfa-specific flowering time regulation, thereby supplying candidate genes for alfalfa molecular-assisted breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiqiang Liu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Hongyu Wen
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yongzhen Pang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yongzhen Pang,
| | - Xuemin Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xuemin Wang,
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Mao T, Zhu H, Liu Y, Bao M, Zhang J, Fu Q, Xiong C, Zhang J. Weeping candidate genes screened using comparative transcriptomic analysis of weeping and upright progeny in an F1 population of Prunus mume. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2020; 170:318-334. [PMID: 32754906 PMCID: PMC7693177 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Weeping is a specific plant architecture with high ornamental value. Despite the considerable importance of the weeping habit to landscaping applications and knowledge of plant architecture biology, little is known regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, growth and phytohormone content were analyzed among the progeny of different branch types in an F1 mapping population of Prunus mume with varying plant architecture. Bulked segregant RNA sequencing was conducted to compare differences among progeny at a transcriptional level. The weeping habit appears to be a complex process regulated by a series of metabolic pathways, with photosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis highly enriched in differentially expressed genes between weeping and upright progeny. Based on functional annotation and homologous analyses, we identified 30 candidate genes related to weeping that merit further analysis, including 10 genes related to IAA and GA3 biosynthesis, together with 6 genes related to secondary branch growth. The results of this study will facilitate further studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the weeping habit in P. mume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian‐Yu Mao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Huan‐Huan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Yao‐Yao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Man‐Zhu Bao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Jun‐Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Cai‐Feng Xiong
- Moshan Administrative OfficeWuhan East Lake Eco‐tourism Scenic SpotWuhanChina
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry ScienceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
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Systematic Analysis of Gibberellin Pathway Components in Medicago truncatula Reveals the Potential Application of Gibberellin in Biomass Improvement. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197180. [PMID: 33003317 PMCID: PMC7582545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gibberellins (GAs), a class of phytohormones, act as an essential natural regulator of plant growth and development. Many studies have shown that GA is related to rhizobial infection and nodule organogenesis in legume species. However, thus far, GA metabolism and signaling components are largely unknown in the model legume Medicago truncatula. In this study, a genome-wide analysis of GA metabolism and signaling genes was carried out. In total 29 components, including 8 MtGA20ox genes, 2 MtGA3ox genes, 13 MtGA2ox genes, 3 MtGID1 genes, and 3 MtDELLA genes were identified in M. truncatula genome. Expression profiles revealed that most members of MtGAox, MtGID1, and MtDELLA showed tissue-specific expression patterns. In addition, the GA biosynthesis and deactivation genes displayed a feedback regulation on GA treatment, respectively. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that all the three MtGID1s interacted with MtDELLA1 and MtDELLA2, suggesting that the MtGID1s are functional GA receptors. More importantly, M. truncatula exhibited increased plant height and biomass by ectopic expression of the MtGA20ox1, suggesting that enhanced GA response has the potential for forage improvement.
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Nowicka B. Target genes for plant productivity improvement. J Biotechnol 2019; 298:21-34. [PMID: 30978366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the development of high-yielding varieties enabled substantial increase in crop productivity during the 20th century. However, the increase in yield over the last two decades has been slower. It is thought that further improvement in productivity of the major crop species using traditional cultivation methods is limited. Therefore, the use of genetic engineering seems to be a promising approach. There is ongoing research concerning genes that have an impact on plant growth, development and yield. The proteins and miRNAs encoded by these genes participate in a variety of processes, such as growth regulation, assimilate transport and partitioning as well as macronutrient uptake and metabolism. This paper presents the major directions in research concerning genes that may be targets of genetic engineering aimed to improve plant productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrycze Nowicka
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
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Yu A, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Li F, Liu A. Global Gene Expression of Seed Coat Tissues Reveals a Potential Mechanism of Regulating Seed Size Formation in Castor Bean. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1282. [PMID: 30875738 PMCID: PMC6471003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiological and molecular basis of seed size formation is complex, and the development of seed coat (derived from integument cells) might be a critical factor that determines seed size formation for many endospermic seeds. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), a model system of studying seed biology, has large and persistent endosperm with a hard seed coat at maturity. Here, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms underlying seed size formation in castor bean by comparing the difference between global gene expression within developing seed coat tissues between the large-seed ZB107 and small-seed ZB306. First, we observed the cell size of seed coat and concluded that the large seed coat area of ZB107 resulted from more cell numbers (rather than cell size). Furthermore, we found that the lignin proportion of seed coat was higher in ZB306. An investigation into global gene expression of developing seed coat tissues revealed that 815 genes were up-regulated and 813 were down-regulated in ZB306 relative to ZB107. Interestingly, we found that many genes involved in regulating cell division were up-regulated in ZB107, whereas many genes involved in regulating lignin biosynthesis (including several NAC members, as well as MYB46/83 and MYB58/63) and in mediating programmed cell death (such as CysEP1 and βVPE) were up-regulated in ZB306. Furthermore, the expression patterns of the genes mentioned above indicated that the lignification of seed coat tissues was enhanced and occurred earlier in the developing seeds of ZB306. Taken together, we tentatively proposed a potential scenario for explaining the molecular mechanisms of seed coat governing seed size formation in castor bean by increasing the cell number and delaying the onset of lignification in seed coat tissues in large-seed ZB107. This study not only presents new information for possible modulation of seed coat related genes to improve castor seed yield, but also provides new insights into understanding the molecular basis of seed size formation in endospermic seeds with hard seed coat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zaiqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Oil Crops Biology, Crops Research Institute of Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China.
| | - Fei Li
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Aizhong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China.
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Abstract
N.I. Vavilov was among the first scientists who recognized the high potential value of plant genetic resources (PGR) for humankind. In addition to his fundamental work on the centers of crop origin, he emphasized the importance of collection and ex situ conservation of cultivated plants and their wild relatives, to make them available for breeding programs and for future generations. Vavilov's ideas formed a solid scientific basis for the long-term efforts on securing PGR in ex situ genebanks, both internationally and in Russia. The collection of seeds and living plants at the N.I. Vavilov All Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) is one of the oldest in the world. The size of the collection increased from 301 accessions in 1901 to over 330,000 accessions in 2017, now representing 64 botanical families, 376 genera, and 2169 species. Acquisition was mainly focused on crops that are suitable for cultivation in Russia such as potatoes, barley, wheat, sorghum, beans, vegetables, forage species, and many others. For over a century, VIR has been providing the materials for breeding programs and research, which resulted in developing new cultivars with unique characteristics such as high yield combined with deceased resistance, improved storability, cold and drought tolerance, or ability to grow on deserts and polluted lands. The main field collection near St. Petersburg and 11 main branches across the country covering a wide spectrum of climatic conditions combined with modern seed storage, in vitro and cryobank facilities, and molecular laboratories form a solid platform for breeding, regeneration, and evaluation of accessions in the collection. This article gives a brief overview of VIR as the leading genebank and breeding center in Russia, its main activities in conservation and utilization of PGR for national food security and its role in developing national policies in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- N I Dzyubenko
- The N.I. Vavilov All Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Federal Research Center , St. Petersburg, Russia
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13
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Watahiki M, Trewavas A. Systems, variation, individuality and plant hormones. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 146:3-22. [PMID: 30312622 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Inter-individual variation in plants and particularly in hormone content, figures strongly in evolution and behaviour. Homo sapiens and Arabidopsis exhibit similar and substantial phenotypic and molecular variation. Whereas there is a very substantial degree of hormone variation in mankind, reports of inter-individual variation in plant hormone content are virtually absent but are likely to be as large if not larger than that in mankind. Reasons for this absence are discussed. Using an example of inter-individual variation in ethylene content in ripening, the article shows how biological time is compressed by hormones. It further resolves an old issue of very wide hormone dose response that result directly from negative regulation in hormone (and light) transduction. Negative regulation is used because of inter-individual variability in hormone synthesis, receptors and ancillary proteins, a consequence of substantial genomic and environmental variation. Somatic mosaics have been reported for several plant tissues and these too contribute to tissue variation and wide variation in hormone response. The article concludes by examining what variation exists in gravitropic responses. There are multiple sensing systems of gravity vectors and multiple routes towards curvature. These are an aspect of the need for reliability in both inter-individual variation and unpredictable environments. Plant hormone inter-individuality is a new area for research and is likely to change appreciation of the mechanisms that underpin individual behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Watahiki
- Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan.
| | - Anthony Trewavas
- Institute of Plant Molecular Science, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3 JH, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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