Identification and characterization of a novel adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene (ZmAPT2) from maize (Zea mays L.)

Phosphoribosyltransferases and Their Roles in Plant Development and Abiotic Stress Response

Glycosylation is a widespread glycosyl modification that regulates gene expression and metabolite bioactivity in all life processes of plants. Phosphoribosylation is a special glycosyl modification catalyzed by phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase), which functions as a key step in the biosynthesis pathway of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, histidine, tryptophan, and coenzyme NAD(P)⁺ to control the production of these essential metabolites. Studies in the past decades have reported that PRTases are indispensable for plant survival and thriving, whereas the complicated physiological role of PRTases in plant life and their crosstalk is not well understood. Here, we comprehensively overview and critically discuss the recent findings on PRTases, including their classification, as well as the function and crosstalk in regulating plant development, abiotic stress response, and the balance of growth and stress responses. This review aims to increase the understanding of the role of plant PRTase and also contribute to future research on the trade-off between plant growth and stress response.

Response Mechanism of Endogenous Hormones of Potential Storage Root to Phosphorus and Its Relationship With Yield and Appearance Quality of Sweetpotato

Field and pot experiments were conducted to explore the response mechanism of endogenous hormones of potential storage root to phosphorus and its relationship with yield and appearance quality of sweetpotato using five different rates of phosphorus addition. Application of adequate amounts of phosphorus (P₂ treatment, 112 kg of P₂O₅ ha^-1 in field experiment or 0.04 g of P₂O₅ kg^-1 in pot experiment) improved the yield and the appearance quality of sweetpotato when compared to the control treatment. This observation can be attributed to the fact that P₂ treatment significantly increased the expression of Ibkn1 and APRT genes and the concentration of ZR from 20 to 40 days after planting, but the results were the opposite at 10 days after planting. In addition, an increase in the expression of SRD1, NIT4, IbMADS1, and OPR3 and the concentrations of IAA and JA from day 10 to day 40 after planting were observed. Furthermore, the expression of GA3oX4 and the concentration of GA₃ decreased significantly from 20 to 30 days of planting and significantly increased after 40 days of planting. Moreover, a significant decrease in the expression of AAO and concentration of ABA was observed from 10 to 30 days after planting, and a significant increase was observed after 40 days of planting. The results show that P₂ treatment promoted root development, particularly significantly increased the number of roots and potential storage roots. P₂ treatment significantly increased the diameter, weight, and number of storage roots at 40 days after planting. Finally, proper phosphorus application (112 kg of P₂O₅ ha^-1) increased the yield (enhanced from 18.99 to 25.93%) by increasing the number of storage roots per plant and improving the appearance quality by increasing the length/diameter ratio and uniformity of storage root weight.

Comparative proteomic analysis of genetically modified maize grown under different agroecosystems conditions in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Profiling technologies allow the simultaneous measurement and comparison of thousands of cell components without prior knowledge of their identity. In the present study, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry to evaluate protein expression of Brazilian genetically modified maize hybrid grown under different agroecosystems conditions. To this effect, leaf samples were subjected to comparative analysis using the near-isogenic non-GM hybrid as the comparator.

RESULTS

In the first stage of the analysis, the main sources of variation in the dataset were identified by using Principal Components Analysis which correlated most of the variation to the different agroecosystems conditions. Comparative analysis within each field revealed a total of thirty two differentially expressed proteins between GM and non-GM samples that were identified and their molecular functions were mainly assigned to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, genetic information processing and stress response.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge this study represents the first evidence of protein identities with differentially expressed isoforms in Brazilian MON810 genetic background hybrid grown under field conditions. As global databases on outputs from "omics" analysis become available, these could provide a highly desirable benchmark for safety assessments.