1
|
Maio KA, Moubayidin L. 'Organ'ising Floral Organ Development. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1595. [PMID: 38931027 PMCID: PMC11207604 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Flowers are plant structures characteristic of the phylum Angiosperms composed of organs thought to have emerged from homologous structures to leaves in order to specialize in a distinctive function: reproduction. Symmetric shapes, colours, and scents all play important functional roles in flower biology. The evolution of flower symmetry and the morphology of individual flower parts (sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels) has significantly contributed to the diversity of reproductive strategies across flowering plant species. This diversity facilitates attractiveness for pollination, protection of gametes, efficient fertilization, and seed production. Symmetry, the establishment of body axes, and fate determination are tightly linked. The complex genetic networks underlying the establishment of organ, tissue, and cellular identity, as well as the growth regulators acting across the body axes, are steadily being elucidated in the field. In this review, we summarise the wealth of research already at our fingertips to begin weaving together how separate processes involved in specifying organ identity within the flower may interact, providing a functional perspective on how identity determination and axial regulation may be coordinated to inform symmetrical floral organ structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laila Moubayidin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Usai G, Fambrini M, Pugliesi C, Simoni S. Exploring the patterns of evolution: Core thoughts and focus on the saltational model. Biosystems 2024; 238:105181. [PMID: 38479653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2024.105181] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The Modern Synthesis, a pillar in biological thought, united Darwin's species origin concepts with Mendel's laws of character heredity, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolution within species. Highlighting phenotypic variation and natural selection, it elucidated the environment's role as a selective force, shaping populations over time. This framework integrated additional mechanisms, including genetic drift, random mutations, and gene flow, predicting their cumulative effects on microevolution and the emergence of new species. Beyond the Modern Synthesis, the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis expands perspectives by recognizing the role of developmental plasticity, non-genetic inheritance, and epigenetics. We suggest that these aspects coexist in the plant evolutionary process; in this context, we focus on the saltational model, emphasizing how saltation events, such as dichotomous saltation, chromosomal mutations, epigenetic phenomena, and polyploidy, contribute to rapid evolutionary changes. The saltational model proposes that certain evolutionary changes, such as the rise of new species, may result suddenly from single macromutations rather than from gradual changes in DNA sequences and allele frequencies within a species over time. These events, observed in domesticated and wild higher plants, provide well-defined mechanistic bases, revealing their profound impact on plant diversity and rapid evolutionary events. Notably, next-generation sequencing exposes the likely crucial role of allopolyploidy and autopolyploidy (saltational events) in generating new plant species, each characterized by distinct chromosomal complements. In conclusion, through this review, we offer a thorough exploration of the ongoing dissertation on the saltational model, elucidating its implications for our understanding of plant evolutionary processes and paving the way for continued research in this intriguing field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Usai
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Fambrini
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Pugliesi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Samuel Simoni
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang T, Elomaa P. Development and evolution of the Asteraceae capitulum. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:33-48. [PMID: 38361269 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19590] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Asteraceae represent one of the largest and most diverse families of plants. The evolutionary success of this family has largely been contributed to their unique inflorescences, capitula that mimic solitary flowers but are typically aggregates of multiple florets. Here, we summarize the recent molecular and genetic level studies that have promoted our understanding of the development and evolution of capitula. We focus on new results on patterning of the enlarged meristem resulting in the iconic phyllotactic arrangement of florets in Fibonacci numbers of spirals. We also summarize the current understanding of the genetic networks regulating the characteristic reproductive traits in the family such as floral dimorphism and differentiation of highly specialized floral organs. So far, developmental studies in Asteraceae are still limited to a very narrow selection of model species. Along with the recent advancements in genomics and phylogenomics, Asteraceae and its relatives provide an outstanding model clade for extended evo-devo studies to exploit the morphological diversity and the underlying molecular networks and to translate this knowledge to the breeding of the key crops in the family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teng Zhang
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, PO Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Elomaa
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, PO Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang Y, Curran-French S, Koh SWH, Jamil I, Gu B, Argirò L, Lopez SG, Martins C, Saalbach G, Moubayidin L. O-glycosylation of the transcription factor SPATULA promotes style development in Arabidopsis. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:283-299. [PMID: 38278950 PMCID: PMC10881398 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01617-4] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) and O-fucose are two sugar-based post-translational modifications whose mechanistic role in plant signalling and transcriptional regulation is still largely unknown. Here we investigated how two O-glycosyltransferase enzymes of Arabidopsis thaliana, SPINDLY (SPY) and SECRET AGENT (SEC), promote the activity of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor SPATULA (SPT) during morphogenesis of the plant female reproductive organ apex, the style. SPY and SEC modify amino-terminal residues of SPT in vivo and in vitro by attaching O-fucose and O-GlcNAc, respectively. This post-translational regulation does not impact SPT homo- and heterodimerization events, although it enhances the affinity of SPT for the kinase PINOID gene locus and its transcriptional repression. Our findings offer a mechanistic example of the effect of O-GlcNAc and O-fucose on the activity of a plant transcription factor and reveal previously unrecognized roles for SEC and SPY in orchestrating style elongation and shape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Jiang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Samuel W H Koh
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Iqra Jamil
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Benguo Gu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Luca Argirò
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Sergio G Lopez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Carlo Martins
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Gerhard Saalbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
| | - Laila Moubayidin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hughes MDG, Cussons S, Hanson BS, Cook KR, Feller T, Mahmoudi N, Baker DL, Ariëns R, Head DA, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Building block aspect ratio controls assembly, architecture, and mechanics of synthetic and natural protein networks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5593. [PMID: 37696784 PMCID: PMC10495373 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrous networks constructed from high aspect ratio protein building blocks are ubiquitous in nature. Despite this ubiquity, the functional advantage of such building blocks over globular proteins is not understood. To answer this question, we engineered hydrogel network building blocks with varying numbers of protein L domains to control the aspect ratio. The mechanical and structural properties of photochemically crosslinked protein L networks were then characterised using shear rheology and small angle neutron scattering. We show that aspect ratio is a crucial property that defines network architecture and mechanics, by shifting the formation from translationally diffusion dominated to rotationally diffusion dominated. Additionally, we demonstrate that a similar transition is observed in the model living system: fibrin blood clot networks. The functional advantages of this transition are increased mechanical strength and the rapid assembly of homogenous networks above a critical protein concentration, crucial for in vivo biological processes such as blood clotting. In addition, manipulating aspect ratio also provides a parameter in the design of future bio-mimetic and bio-inspired materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt D G Hughes
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sophie Cussons
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Benjamin S Hanson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kalila R Cook
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tímea Feller
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Daniel L Baker
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Robert Ariëns
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David A Head
- School of Computing, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David J Brockwell
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Advances in Research on the Regulation of Floral Development by CYC-like Genes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2035-2059. [PMID: 36975501 PMCID: PMC10047570 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45030131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CYCLOIDEA (CYC)-like genes belong to the TCP transcription factor family and play important roles associated with flower development. The CYC-like genes in the CYC1, CYC2, and CYC3 clades resulted from gene duplication events. The CYC2 clade includes the largest number of members that are crucial regulators of floral symmetry. To date, studies on CYC-like genes have mainly focused on plants with actinomorphic and zygomorphic flowers, including Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Gesneriaceae species and the effects of CYC-like gene duplication events and diverse spatiotemporal expression patterns on flower development. The CYC-like genes generally affect petal morphological characteristics and stamen development, as well as stem and leaf growth, flower differentiation and development, and branching in most angiosperms. As the relevant research scope has expanded, studies have increasingly focused on the molecular mechanisms regulating CYC-like genes with different functions related to flower development and the phylogenetic relationships among these genes. We summarize the status of research on the CYC-like genes in angiosperms, such as the limited research conducted on CYC1 and CYC3 clade members, the necessity to functionally characterize the CYC-like genes in more plant groups, the need for investigation of the regulatory elements upstream of CYC-like genes, and exploration of the phylogenetic relationships and expression of CYC-like genes with new techniques and methods. This review provides theoretical guidance and ideas for future research on CYC-like genes.
Collapse
|
7
|
The generation of the flower by self-organisation. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 177:42-54. [PMID: 36346254 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The essence of the Turing-Child theory (Schiffmann, 1991, 2017) is the direct and spontaneous conversion of chemical energy into simultaneous differentiation and morphogenesis, and all localised biological work and localised entropy-reducing processes. This is done via the identification of the Turing instability with cAMP and ATP being the Turing morphogens that mutually fulfil the five Turing inequalities. A flower model like the ABC model is derived from experiments with mutations. But what actually generates the model in real development? That is, how do genes of class A come to be expressed in the sepal and petal whorls, genes of class B in the petal and stamen whorls, and genes of class C in the stamen and carpel whorls. We suggest that the generation of the ABC model occurs via sequential compartmentalisation by Turing-Child eigenfunction patterns similar to the one occurring in Drosophila (Schiffmann, 2012). We also suggest a similar mechanism for the generation of the dorso-lateral-ventral polarity and bilateral symmetry. A mechanism for the generation of the regular location of the floral organs is also suggested. The symmetry and regularity of flowers, which are the source of their attraction and beauty, stem from the symmetry and regularity of the Turing-Child eigenfunctions. The central problem in developmental biology is the endless regress. This endless regress is halted by the Turing-Child pre-patterns and this is illustrated on a central example in flower generation. Both the shape and the chemistry - the steady-state rate of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis - of the Turing-Child pre-patterns are exactly what is required. Art and science meet in flower formation.
Collapse
|