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Del Campo EM, Gasulla F, Hell AF, González-Hourcade M, Casano LM. Comparative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses Provide New Insights into the Tolerance to Cyclic Dehydration in a Lichen Phycobiont. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:1725-1739. [PMID: 37039841 PMCID: PMC10497648 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02213-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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Desiccation tolerance (DT) is relatively frequent in non-vascular plants and green algae. However, it is poorly understood how successive dehydration/rehydration (D/R) cycles shape their transcriptomes and proteomes. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of adjustments on both transcript and protein profiles in response to successive D/R cycles in Coccomyxa simplex (Csol), isolated from the lichen Solorina saccata. A total of 1833 transcripts and 2332 proteins were differentially abundant as a consequence of D/R; however, only 315 of these transcripts/proteins showed similar trends. Variations in both transcriptomes and proteomes along D/R cycles together with functional analyses revealed an extensive decrease in transcript and protein levels during dehydration, most of them involved in gene expression, metabolism, substance transport, signalling and folding catalysis, among other cellular functions. At the same time, a series of protective transcripts/proteins, such as those related to antioxidant defence, polyol metabolism and autophagy, was upregulated during dehydration. Overall, our results show a transient decrease in most cellular functions as a result of drying and a gradual reactivation of specific cell processes to accommodate the hydration status along successive D/R cycles. This study provides new insights into key mechanisms involved in the DT of Csol and probably other dehydration-tolerant microalgae. In addition, functionally characterising the high number of genes/proteins of unknown functions found in this study may lead to the discovery of new DT mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Del Campo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain.
| | - Francisco Gasulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
| | - Aline F Hell
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
- Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, 09606-070, São Bernardo Do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - María González-Hourcade
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
- Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leonardo M Casano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain
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2
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Jawaharraj K, Peta V, Dhiman SS, Gnimpieba EZ, Gadhamshetty V. Transcriptome-wide marker gene expression analysis of stress-responsive sulfate-reducing bacteria. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16181. [PMID: 37758719 PMCID: PMC10533852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43089-8] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are terminal members of any anaerobic food chain. For example, they critically influence the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and metals (natural environment) as well as the corrosion of civil infrastructure (built environment). The United States alone spends nearly $4 billion to address the biocorrosion challenges of SRB. It is important to analyze the genetic mechanisms of these organisms under environmental stresses. The current study uses complementary methodologies, viz., transcriptome-wide marker gene panel mapping and gene clustering analysis to decipher the stress mechanisms in four SRB. Here, the accessible RNA-sequencing data from the public domains were mined to identify the key transcriptional signatures. Crucial transcriptional candidate genes of Desulfovibrio spp. were accomplished and validated the gene cluster prediction. In addition, the unique transcriptional signatures of Oleidesulfovibrio alaskensis (OA-G20) at graphene and copper interfaces were discussed using in-house RNA-sequencing data. Furthermore, the comparative genomic analysis revealed 12,821 genes with translation, among which 10,178 genes were in homolog families and 2643 genes were in singleton families were observed among the 4 genomes studied. The current study paves a path for developing predictive deep learning tools for interpretable and mechanistic learning analysis of the SRB gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalimuthu Jawaharraj
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
- 2D-Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2D BEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
- Data-Driven Materials Discovery for Bioengineering Innovation Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
| | - Vincent Peta
- Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, 4800 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107, USA
| | - Saurabh Sudha Dhiman
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
- Data-Driven Materials Discovery for Bioengineering Innovation Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
- Chemistry, Biology and Health Sciences, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
| | - Etienne Z Gnimpieba
- 2D-Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2D BEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA.
- Data-Driven Materials Discovery for Bioengineering Innovation Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, 4800 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107, USA.
| | - Venkataramana Gadhamshetty
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA.
- 2D-Materials for Biofilm Engineering, Science and Technology (2D BEST) Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA.
- Data-Driven Materials Discovery for Bioengineering Innovation Center, South Dakota Mines, 501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA.
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Moore RA, Azua-Bustos A, González-Silva C, Carr CE. Unveiling metabolic pathways involved in the extreme desiccation tolerance of an Atacama cyanobacterium. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15767. [PMID: 37737281 PMCID: PMC10516996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41879-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gloeocapsopsis dulcis strain AAB1 is an extremely xerotolerant cyanobacterium isolated from the Atacama Desert (i.e., the driest and oldest desert on Earth) that holds astrobiological significance due to its ability to biosynthesize compatible solutes at ultra-low water activities. We sequenced and assembled the G. dulcis genome de novo using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing, which resulted in high-quality consensus sequences of the chromosome and two plasmids. We leveraged the G. dulcis genome to generate a genome-scale metabolic model (iGd895) to simulate growth in silico. iGd895 represents, to our knowledge, the first genome-scale metabolic reconstruction developed for an extremely xerotolerant cyanobacterium. The model's predictive capability was assessed by comparing the in silico growth rate with in vitro growth rates of G. dulcis, in addition to the synthesis of trehalose. iGd895 allowed us to explore simulations of key metabolic processes such as essential pathways for water-stress tolerance, and significant alterations to reaction flux distribution and metabolic network reorganization resulting from water limitation. Our study provides insights into the potential metabolic strategies employed by G. dulcis, emphasizing the crucial roles of compatible solutes, metabolic water, energy conservation, and the precise regulation of reaction rates in their adaptation to water stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Moore
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 275 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
| | - Armando Azua-Bustos
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Christopher E Carr
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 275 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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4
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Almer J, Resl P, Gudmundsson H, Warshan D, Andrésson ÓS, Werth S. Symbiont-specific responses to environmental cues in a threesome lichen symbiosis. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1045-1061. [PMID: 36478478 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photosymbiodemes are a special case of lichen symbiosis where one lichenized fungus engages in symbiosis with two different photosynthetic partners, a cyanobacterium and a green alga, to develop two distinctly looking photomorphs. We compared gene expression of thallus sectors of the photosymbiodeme-forming lichen Peltigera britannica containing cyanobacterial photobionts with thallus sectors with both green algal and cyanobacterial photobionts and investigated differential gene expression at different temperatures representing mild and putatively stressful conditions. First, we quantified photobiont-mediated differences in fungal gene expression. Second, because of known ecological differences between photomorphs, we investigated symbiont-specific responses in gene expression to temperature increases. Photobiont-mediated differences in fungal gene expression could be identified, with upregulation of distinct biological processes in the different morphs, showing that interaction with specific symbiosis partners profoundly impacts fungal gene expression. Furthermore, high temperatures expectedly led to an upregulation of genes involved in heat shock responses in all organisms in whole transcriptome data and to an increased expression of genes involved in photosynthesis in both photobiont types at 15 and 25°C. The fungus and the cyanobacteria exhibited thermal stress responses already at 15°C, the green algae mainly at 25°C, demonstrating symbiont-specific responses to environmental cues and symbiont-specific ecological optima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Almer
- Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Resl
- Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hörður Gudmundsson
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Denis Warshan
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ólafur S Andrésson
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Silke Werth
- Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Jiang M, Gao L, Huang R, Lin X, Gao G. Differential responses of bloom-forming Ulva intestinalis and economically important Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis to marine heatwaves under changing nitrate conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 840:156591. [PMID: 35688236 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are affecting the survival of macroalgae. However, little is known regarding how the impacts of MHWs are regulated by nitrogen availability. In this study, we investigated the physiological and genetic responses of a green-tide macroalga Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus and a commercially cultivated macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Bory) E.Y. Dawson, Acleto & Foldvik under different nitrate conditions to simulated MHWs. Under nitrogen limited conditions (LN), heatwaves did not significantly affect biomass or Fv/Fm of U. intestinalis although it led to an earlier biomass decline due to more reproduction events, and meanwhile an upregulation in genes related to TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation was detected, supporting sporulation. Under nitrogen replete conditions (HN), heatwaves did not change biomass, Fv/Fm or photosynthetic pigments but reduced reproduction rate along with insignificant change of oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle related genes. Meanwhile, genes related to photosynthesis and glutathione metabolism were upregulated. Regarding G. lemaneiformis, heatwaves reduced its Fv/Fm and photosynthetic pigments content, leading to bleaching and death, and photosynthesis-related genes were also downregulated at LN. Fv/Fm was improved and photosynthesis-related genes were up-regulated by the combination of nitrogen enrichment and heatwaves, whereas G. lemaneiformis remained bleached and died by day 12. Therefore, U. intestinalis could survive heatwaves through shifting to micropropagules at LN and protecting its photosynthesis at HN. In contrast, G. lemaneiformis died of bleaching when suffering heatwaves regardless of nitrogen availability. These findings suggest that in future oceans with eutrophication and MHWs, the harmful alga U. intestinalis may have more advantages over the economic alga G. lemaneiformis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science & College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Lin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science & College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Ruiping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science & College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science & College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Guang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science & College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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6
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Cardon ZG, Peredo EL, Enloe CM, Oakey JS, Wu SZ, Bezanilla M. Slip slidin' away: Bristle-driven gliding by Tetradesmus deserticola (Chlorophyta) in microfluidic chambers. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2022; 58:626-630. [PMID: 35608962 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13271] [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: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae within the Scenedesmaceae are often distinguished by spines, bristles, and other wall characteristics. We examined the dynamic production and chemical nature of bristles extruded from the poles of Tetradesmus deserticola previously isolated from microbiotic crust. Rapidly growing cells in a liquid growth medium were established in polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic chambers specially designed to maintain aerobic conditions over time within a chamber 6-12 μm deep. This geometry enabled in-focus imaging of single cells over long periods. Differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging revealed that after multiple fission of mother cells, the newly released, lemon-shaped daughter cells began extruding bristles from each pole. In some instances, the bristles became stuck to either the glass floor or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) walls of the chamber, and the force by which the new bristle was extruded was sufficient to propel the cells across the field of view at ~1.2 μm · h-1 . Confocal fluorescence and DIC imaging of cells stained with pontamine fast scarlet and calcofluor, and treated with proteinase K, suggested that bristles are proteinaceous and may also host carbohydrate modifications. The polar bristles extruded by this desert-derived T. deserticola may simply be relics of bristles produced by an aquatic ancestor for flotation or predator deterrence. But, their tendency to attach to glass (silicate) and/or PDMS surfaces suggests a potential role in tethering cells in place or binding soil particles. T. deserticola is closely related to T. obliquus, which is of interest for biofuels development; extruded bristles in T. deserticola may offer tethers for industrial use of these stress-tolerant algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe G Cardon
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA
| | - Elena L Peredo
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA
| | - Cassidy M Enloe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
| | - John S Oakey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
| | - Shu-Zon Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, USA
| | - Magdalena Bezanilla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, USA
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7
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Acquisition of desiccation tolerance in Haematococcus pluvialis requires photosynthesis and coincides with lipid and astaxanthin accumulation. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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8
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Masoomi‐Aladizgeh F, Kamath KS, Haynes PA, Atwell BJ. Genome survey sequencing of wild cotton (Gossypium robinsonii) reveals insights into proteomic responses of pollen to extreme heat. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:1242-1256. [PMID: 35092006 PMCID: PMC9415111 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress specifically affects fertility by impairing pollen viability but cotton wild relatives successfully reproduce in hot savannas where they evolved. An Australian arid-zone cotton (Gossypium robinsonii) was exposed to heat events during pollen development then mature pollen was subjected to deep proteomic analysis using 57 023 predicted genes from a genomic database we assembled for the same species. Three stages of pollen development, including tetrads (TEs), uninucleate microspores (UNs) and binucleate microspores (BNs) were exposed to 36°C or 40°C for 5 days and the resulting mature pollen was collected at anthesis (p-TE, p-UN and p-BN, respectively). Using the sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra proteomic analysis, 2704 proteins were identified and quantified across all pollen samples analysed. Proteins predominantly decreased in abundance at all stages in response to heat, particularly after exposure of TEs to 40°C. Functional enrichment analyses demonstrated that extreme heat increased the abundance of proteins that contributed to increased messenger RNA splicing via spliceosome, initiation of cytoplasmic translation and protein refolding in p-TE40. However, other functional categories that contributed to intercellular transport were inhibited in p-TE40, linked potentially to Rab proteins. We ascribe the resilience of reproductive processes in G. robinsonii at temperatures up to 40°C, relative to commercial cotton, to a targeted reduction in protein transport.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul A. Haynes
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversityNorth RydeNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Brian J. Atwell
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversityNorth RydeNew South WalesAustralia
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9
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Masoomi-Aladizgeh F, McKay MJ, Asar Y, Haynes PA, Atwell BJ. Patterns of gene expression in pollen of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) indicate downregulation as a feature of thermotolerance. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:965-979. [PMID: 34837283 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive performance in plants is impaired as maximum temperatures consistently approach 40°C. However, the timing of heatwaves critically affects their impact. We studied the molecular responses during pollen maturation in cotton to investigate the vulnerability to high temperature. Tetrads (TEs), uninucleate and binucleate microspores, and mature pollen were subjected to SWATH-MS and RNA-seq analyses after exposure to 38/28°C (day/night) for 5 days. The results indicated that molecular signatures were downregulated progressively in response to heat during pollen development. This was even more evident in leaves, where three-quarters of differentially changed proteins decreased in abundance during heat. Functional analysis showed that translation of genes increased in TEs after exposure to heat; however, the reverse pattern was observed in mature pollen and leaves. For example, proteins involved in transport were highly abundant in TEs whereas in later stages of pollen formation and leaves, heat suppressed synthesis of proteins involved in cell-to-cell communication. Moreover, a large number of heat shock proteins were identified in heat-affected TEs, but these proteins were less abundant in mature pollen and leaves. We speculate that the sensitivity of TE cells to heat is related to high rates of translation targeted to pathways that might not be essential for thermotolerance. Molecular signatures during stages of pollen development after heatwaves could provide markers for future genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
| | - Yasmin Asar
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul A Haynes
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
| | - Brian J Atwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
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10
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Matilla AJ. The Orthodox Dry Seeds Are Alive: A Clear Example of Desiccation Tolerance. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:plants11010020. [PMID: 35009023 PMCID: PMC8747232 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To survive in the dry state, orthodox seeds acquire desiccation tolerance. As maturation progresses, the seeds gradually acquire longevity, which is the total timespan during which the dry seeds remain viable. The desiccation-tolerance mechanism(s) allow seeds to remain dry without losing their ability to germinate. This adaptive trait has played a key role in the evolution of land plants. Understanding the mechanisms for seed survival after desiccation is one of the central goals still unsolved. That is, the cellular protection during dry state and cell repair during rewatering involves a not entirely known molecular network(s). Although desiccation tolerance is retained in seeds of higher plants, resurrection plants belonging to different plant lineages keep the ability to survive desiccation in vegetative tissue. Abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in desiccation tolerance through tight control of the synthesis of unstructured late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, heat shock thermostable proteins (sHSPs), and non-reducing oligosaccharides. During seed maturation, the progressive loss of water induces the formation of a so-called cellular "glass state". This glassy matrix consists of soluble sugars, which immobilize macromolecules offering protection to membranes and proteins. In this way, the secondary structure of proteins in dry viable seeds is very stable and remains preserved. ABA insensitive-3 (ABI3), highly conserved from bryophytes to Angiosperms, is essential for seed maturation and is the only transcription factor (TF) required for the acquisition of desiccation tolerance and its re-induction in germinated seeds. It is noteworthy that chlorophyll breakdown during the last step of seed maturation is controlled by ABI3. This update contains some current results directly related to the physiological, genetic, and molecular mechanisms involved in survival to desiccation in orthodox seeds. In other words, the mechanisms that facilitate that an orthodox dry seed is a living entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel J Matilla
- Departamento de Biología Funcional (Área Fisiología Vegetal), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Artur MAS, Kajala K. Convergent evolution of gene regulatory networks underlying plant adaptations to dry environments. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2021; 44:3211-3222. [PMID: 34196969 PMCID: PMC8518057 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants transitioned from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle during their evolution. On land, fluctuations on water availability in the environment became one of the major problems they encountered. The appearance of morpho-physiological adaptations to cope with and tolerate water loss from the cells was undeniably useful to survive on dry land. Some of these adaptations, such as carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), desiccation tolerance (DT) and root impermeabilization, appeared in multiple plant lineages. Despite being crucial for evolution on land, it has been unclear how these adaptations convergently evolved in the various plant lineages. Recent advances on whole genome and transcriptome sequencing are revealing that co-option of genes and gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is a common feature underlying the convergent evolution of these adaptations. In this review, we address how the study of CCMs and DT has provided insight into convergent evolution of GRNs underlying plant adaptation to dry environments, and how these insights could be applied to currently emerging understanding of evolution of root impermeabilization through different barrier cell types. We discuss examples of co-option, conservation and innovation of genes and GRNs at the cell, tissue and organ levels revealed by recent phylogenomic (comparative genomic) and comparative transcriptomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana A. S. Artur
- Laboratory of Plant PhysiologyWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Kaisa Kajala
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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12
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Gechev T, Lyall R, Petrov V, Bartels D. Systems biology of resurrection plants. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6365-6394. [PMID: 34390381 PMCID: PMC8558194 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03913-8] [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: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Plant species that exhibit vegetative desiccation tolerance can survive extreme desiccation for months and resume normal physiological activities upon re-watering. Here we survey the recent knowledge gathered from the sequenced genomes of angiosperm and non-angiosperm desiccation-tolerant plants (resurrection plants) and highlight some distinct genes and gene families that are central to the desiccation response. Furthermore, we review the vast amount of data accumulated from analyses of transcriptomes and metabolomes of resurrection species exposed to desiccation and subsequent rehydration, which allows us to build a systems biology view on the molecular and genetic mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsanko Gechev
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 139 Ruski Blvd., Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria.
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 24 Tsar Assen Str., Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria.
| | - Rafe Lyall
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 139 Ruski Blvd., Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
| | - Veselin Petrov
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 139 Ruski Blvd., Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
- Department of Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Genetics, Agricultural University - Plovdiv, 12, Mendeleev Str, Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
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Terlova EF, Holzinger A, Lewis LA. Terrestrial Green Algae Show Higher Tolerance to Dehydration than Do Their Aquatic Sister-Species. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:770-782. [PMID: 33502573 PMCID: PMC7612456 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01679-3] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Diverse algae possess the ability to recover from extreme desiccation without forming specialized resting structures. Green algal genera such as Tetradesmus (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae) contain temperate terrestrial, desert, and aquatic species, providing an opportunity to compare physiological traits associated with the transition to land in closely related taxa. We subjected six species from distinct habitats to three dehydration treatments varying in relative humidity (RH 5%, 65%, 80%) followed by short- and long-term rehydration. We tested the capacity of the algae to recover from dehydration using the effective quantum yield of photosystem II as a proxy for physiological activity. The degree of recovery was dependent both on the habitat of origin and the dehydration scenario, with terrestrial, but not aquatic, species recovering from dehydration. Distinct strains of each species responded similarly to dehydration and rehydration, with the exception of one aquatic strain that recovered from the mildest dehydration treatment. Cell ultrastructure was uniformly maintained in both aquatic and desert species during dehydration and rehydration, but staining with an amphiphilic styryl dye indicated damage to the plasma membrane from osmotically induced water loss in the aquatic species. These analyses demonstrate that terrestrial Tetradesmus possess a vegetative desiccation tolerance phenotype, making these species ideal for comparative omics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta F Terlova
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Department of Botany, Functional Plant Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Louise A Lewis
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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Belinky F, Ganguly I, Poliakov E, Yurchenko V, Rogozin IB. Analysis of Stop Codons within Prokaryotic Protein-Coding Genes Suggests Frequent Readthrough Events. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041876. [PMID: 33672790 PMCID: PMC7918605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonsense mutations turn a coding (sense) codon into an in-frame stop codon that is assumed to result in a truncated protein product. Thus, nonsense substitutions are the hallmark of pseudogenes and are used to identify them. Here we show that in-frame stop codons within bacterial protein-coding genes are widespread. Their evolutionary conservation suggests that many of them are not pseudogenes, since they maintain dN/dS values (ratios of substitution rates at non-synonymous and synonymous sites) significantly lower than 1 (this is a signature of purifying selection in protein-coding regions). We also found that double substitutions in codons—where an intermediate step is a nonsense substitution—show a higher rate of evolution compared to null models, indicating that a stop codon was introduced and then changed back to sense via positive selection. This further supports the notion that nonsense substitutions in bacteria are relatively common and do not necessarily cause pseudogenization. In-frame stop codons may be an important mechanism of regulation: Such codons are likely to cause a substantial decrease of protein expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Belinky
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (F.B.); (I.G.)
| | - Ishan Ganguly
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (F.B.); (I.G.)
| | - Eugenia Poliakov
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (V.Y.); (I.B.R.)
| | - Igor B. Rogozin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (F.B.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (V.Y.); (I.B.R.)
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