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Valeeva LR, Sannikova AV, Shafigullina NR, Abdulkina LR, Sharipova MR, Shakirov EV. Telomere Length Variation in Model Bryophytes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:387. [PMID: 38337920 PMCID: PMC10856949 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The ends of linear chromosomes of most eukaryotes consist of protein-bound DNA arrays called telomeres, which play essential roles in protecting genome integrity. Despite general evolutionary conservation in function, telomeric DNA is known to drastically vary in length and sequence between different eukaryotic lineages. Bryophytes are a group of early diverging land plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. This group of ancient land plants recently emerged as a new model for important discoveries in genomics and evolutionary biology, as well as for understanding plant adaptations to a terrestrial lifestyle. We measured telomere length in different ecotypes of model bryophyte species, including Physcomitrium patens, Marchantia polymorpha, Ceratodon purpureus, and in Sphagnum isolates. Our data indicate that all analyzed moss and liverwort genotypes have relatively short telomeres. Furthermore, all analyzed ecotypes and isolates of model mosses and liverworts display evidence of substantial natural variation in telomere length. Interestingly, telomere length also differs between male and female strains of the dioecious liverwort M. polymorpha and dioecious moss C. purpureus. Given that bryophytes are extraordinarily well adapted to different ecological niches from polar to tropical environments, our data will contribute to understanding the impact of natural telomere length variation on evolutionary adaptations in this ancient land plant lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liia R. Valeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Anastasia V. Sannikova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Nadiya R. Shafigullina
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Department of General Ecology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
| | - Liliia R. Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Margarita R. Sharipova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (A.V.S.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Eugene V. Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
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2
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Skiba E, Pietrzak M, Michlewska S, Gruszka J, Malejko J, Godlewska-Żyłkiewicz B, Wolf WM. Photosynthesis governed by nanoparticulate titanium dioxide. The Pisum sativum L. case study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122735. [PMID: 37848082 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Wide availability of anthropogenic TiO2 nanoparticles facilitates their penetration into environment and prompts interactions with plants. They alter plants growth and change their nutritional status. In particular, metabolic processes are affected. In this work the effect of nanometric TiO2 on photosynthesis efficiency in green pea (Pisum sativum L.) was studied. Hydroponic cultivations with three Ti levels (10; 50 and 100 mg L-1) were applied. At all concentrations nanoparticles penetrated into plant tissues and were detected by the single particle ICP-MS/MS method. Nanoparticles altered the CO2 assimilation rate and gas exchange parameters (i.e. transpiration, stomatal conductance, sub-stomatal CO2 concentration). The most pronounced effects were observed for Ti 50 mg L-1 cultivation where photosynthesis efficiency, transpiration and stomatal conductance were increased by 14.69%, 4.58% and 8.92%, respectively. They were further confirmed by high maximum ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation rate (27.40% increase), maximum electron transport rate (21.51% increase) and the lowest CO2 compensation point (45.19% decrease). Furthermore, concentrations of Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, K and P were examined with the most pronounced changes observed for elements directly involved in photosynthesis (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe). The Cu concentrations in roots, stems and leaves for Ti 50 mg L-1 cultivation were below the control by 33.15%, 38.28% and 10.76%, respectively. The Zn content in analogous treatment and organs decreased by 30.24%, 26.69% and 13.35%. The Mn and Fe levels in leaves were increased by 72.22% and 50.32%, respectively. Our results indicated that plant defence mechanisms which restrain the water uptake have been overcome in pea by photocatalytic activity of nanoparticulate TiO2 which stimulated photosynthesis. On the contrary to the substantial stomatal conductance, the transpiration has been reduced because exceptional part of water flow was already consumed in chloroplasts and could not have been freed to the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Skiba
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Poland.
| | - Monika Pietrzak
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Poland
| | - Sylwia Michlewska
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Laboratory of Microscopic Imaging and Specialized Biological Techniques, University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Jakub Gruszka
- Department of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Poland
| | - Julita Malejko
- Department of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Wojciech M Wolf
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Poland
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3
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Ndayambaza B, Si J, Deng Y, Jia B, He X, Zhou D, Wang C, Zhu X, Liu Z, Qin J, Wang B, Bai X. The Euphrates Poplar Responses to Abiotic Stress and Its Unique Traits in Dry Regions of China (Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia): What Should We Know? Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2213. [PMID: 38137039 PMCID: PMC10743205 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122213] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
At the moment, drought, salinity, and low-temperature stress are ubiquitous environmental issues. In arid regions including Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia and other areas worldwide, the area of tree plantations appears to be rising, triggering tree growth. Water is a vital resource in the agricultural systems of countries impacted by aridity and salinity. Worldwide efforts to reduce quantitative yield losses on Populus euphratica by adapting tree plant production to unfavorable environmental conditions have been made in response to the responsiveness of the increasing control of water stress. Although there has been much advancement in identifying the genes that resist abiotic stresses, little is known about how plants such as P. euphratica deal with numerous abiotic stresses. P. euphratica is a varied riparian plant that can tolerate drought, salinity, low temperatures, and climate change, and has a variety of water stress adaptability abilities. To conduct this review, we gathered all available information throughout the Web of Science, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information on the impact of abiotic stress on the molecular mechanism and evolution of gene families at the transcription level. The data demonstrated that P. euphratica might gradually adapt its stomatal aperture, photosynthesis, antioxidant activities, xylem architecture, and hydraulic conductivity to endure extreme drought and salt stress. Our analyses will give readers an understanding of how to manage a gene family in desert trees and the influence of abiotic stresses on the productivity of tree plants. They will also give readers the knowledge necessary to improve biotechnology-based tree plant stress tolerance for sustaining yield and quality trees in China's arid regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boniface Ndayambaza
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianhua Si
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
| | - Yanfang Deng
- Qilian Mountain National Park Qinghai Provincial Administration, Xining 810000, China;
| | - Bing Jia
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaohui He
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Faculty of Resources and Environment, Baotou Teachers’ College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014030, China
| | - Dongmeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunlin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinglin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zijin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Qin
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Boyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (B.N.); (B.J.); (X.H.); (D.Z.); (C.W.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.); (J.Q.); (B.W.); (X.B.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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4
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Rogers HJ. How far can omics go in unveiling the mechanisms of floral senescence? Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1485-1493. [PMID: 37387359 PMCID: PMC10586764 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221097] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Floral senescence is of fundamental interest in understanding plant developmental regulation, it is of ecological and agricultural interest in relation to seed production, and is of key importance to the production of cut flowers. The biochemical changes occurring are well-studied and involve macromolecular breakdown and remobilisation of nutrients to developing seeds or other young organs in the plant. However, the initiation and regulation of the process and inter-organ communication remain to be fully elucidated. Although ethylene emission, which becomes autocatalytic, is a key regulator in some species, in other species it appears not to be as important. Other plant growth regulators such as cytokinins, however, seem to be important in floral senescence across both ethylene sensitive and insensitive species. Other plant growth regulators are also likely involved. Omics approaches have provided a wealth of data especially in ornamental species where genome data is lacking. Two families of transcription factors: NAC and WRKY emerge as major regulators, and omics information has been critical in understanding their functions. Future progress would greatly benefit from a single model species for understanding floral senescence; however, this is challenging due to the diversity of regulatory mechanisms. Combining omics data sets can be powerful in understanding different layers of regulation, but in vitro biochemical and or genetic analysis through transgenics or mutants is still needed to fully verify mechanisms and interactions between regulators.
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5
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Scintu D, Scacchi E, Cazzaniga F, Vinciarelli F, De Vivo M, Shtin M, Svolacchia N, Bertolotti G, Unterholzner SJ, Del Bianco M, Timmermans M, Di Mambro R, Vittorioso P, Sabatini S, Costantino P, Dello Ioio R. microRNA165 and 166 modulate response of the Arabidopsis root apical meristem to salt stress. Commun Biol 2023; 6:834. [PMID: 37567954 PMCID: PMC10421904 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In plants, developmental plasticity allows for the modulation of organ growth in response to environmental cues. Being in contact with soil, roots are the first organ that responds to various types of soil abiotic stress such as high salt concentration. In the root, developmental plasticity relies on changes in the activity of the apical meristem, the region at the tip of the root where a set of self-renewing undifferentiated stem cells sustain growth. Here, we show that salt stress promotes differentiation of root meristem cells via reducing the dosage of the microRNAs miR165 and 166. By means of genetic, molecular and computational analysis, we show that the levels of miR165 and 166 respond to high salt concentration, and that miR165 and 166-dependent PHABULOSA (PHB) modulation is central to the response of root growth to this stress. Specifically, we show that salt-dependent reduction of miR165 and 166 causes a rapid increase in PHB expression and, hence, production of the root meristem pro-differentiation hormone cytokinin. Our data provide direct evidence for how the miRNA-dependent modulation of transcription factor dosage mediates plastic development in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Scintu
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini, 13, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Scacchi
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Francesca Cazzaniga
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Vinciarelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko De Vivo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Margaryta Shtin
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini, 13, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Noemi Svolacchia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Bertolotti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Simon Josef Unterholzner
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazzale Università, 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | - Marja Timmermans
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Riccardo Di Mambro
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini, 13, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Vittorioso
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Sabatini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Costantino
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dello Ioio
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin, Università di Roma, Sapienza - via dei Sardi, 70, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Tan QW, Lim PK, Chen Z, Pasha A, Provart N, Arend M, Nikoloski Z, Mutwil M. Cross-stress gene expression atlas of Marchantia polymorpha reveals the hierarchy and regulatory principles of abiotic stress responses. Nat Commun 2023; 14:986. [PMID: 36813788 PMCID: PMC9946954 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36517-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Abiotic stresses negatively impact ecosystems and the yield of crops, and climate change will increase their frequency and intensity. Despite progress in understanding how plants respond to individual stresses, our knowledge of plant acclimatization to combined stresses typically occurring in nature is still lacking. Here, we used a plant with minimal regulatory network redundancy, Marchantia polymorpha, to study how seven abiotic stresses, alone and in 19 pairwise combinations, affect the phenotype, gene expression, and activity of cellular pathways. While the transcriptomic responses show a conserved differential gene expression between Arabidopsis and Marchantia, we also observe a strong functional and transcriptional divergence between the two species. The reconstructed high-confidence gene regulatory network demonstrates that the response to specific stresses dominates those of others by relying on a large ensemble of transcription factors. We also show that a regression model could accurately predict the gene expression under combined stresses, indicating that Marchantia performs arithmetic multiplication to respond to multiple stresses. Lastly, two online resources ( https://conekt.plant.tools and http://bar.utoronto.ca/efp_marchantia/cgi-bin/efpWeb.cgi ) are provided to facilitate the study of gene expression in Marchantia exposed to abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Wen Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Peng Ken Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Zhong Chen
- Amoeba Education Hub, 1 West Coast Road, 128020, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Asher Pasha
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Nicholas Provart
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Marius Arend
- Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Systems Biology and Mathematical Modeling, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Zoran Nikoloski
- Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Systems Biology and Mathematical Modeling, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Marek Mutwil
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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7
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Lima LGAD, Ferreira SS, Simões MS, Cunha LXD, Fernie AR, Cesarino I. Comprehensive expression analyses of the ABCG subfamily reveal SvABCG17 as a potential transporter of lignin monomers in the model C4 grass Setaria viridis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 280:153900. [PMID: 36525838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although several aspects of lignin metabolism have been extensively characterized, the mechanism(s) by which lignin monomers are transported across the plasma membrane remains largely unknown. Biochemical, proteomic, expression and co-expression analyses from several plant species support the involvement of active transporters, mainly those belonging to the ABC superfamily. Here, we report on the genome-wide characterization of the ABCG gene subfamily in the model C4 grass Setaria viridis and further identification of the members potentially involved in monolignol transport. A total of 48 genes encoding SvABCGs were found in the S. viridis genome, from which 21 SvABCGs were classified as full-size transporters and 27 as half-size transporters. Comprehensive analysis of the ABCG subfamily in S. viridis based on expression and co-expression analyses support a role for SvABCG17 in monolignol transport: (i) SvABCG17 is orthologous to AtABCG29, a monolignol transporter in Arabidopsis thaliana; (ii) SvABCG17 displays a similar expression profile to that of lignin biosynthetic genes in a set of different S. viridis tissues and along the elongating internode; (iii) SvABCG17 is highly co-expressed with lignin-related genes in a public transcriptomic database; (iv) SvABCG17displays particularly high expression in the top of the S. viridis elongating internode, a tissue undergoing active lignification; (v) SvABCG17 mRNA localization coincides with the histochemical pattern of lignin deposition; and (vi) the promoter of SvABCG17 is activated by secondary cell wall-associated transcription factors, especially by lignin-specific activators of the MYB family. Further studies might reveal further aspects of this potential monolignol transporter, including its real substrate specificity and whether it works redundantly with other ABC members during S. viridis lignification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leydson Gabriel Alves de Lima
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio Siqueira Ferreira
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcella Siqueira Simões
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Xavier da Cunha
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Igor Cesarino
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil; Synthetic and Systems Biology Center, InovaUSP, Avenida Professor Lucio Martins Rodrigues, 370, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil.
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8
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Mozdzer TJ, McCormick MK, Slette IJ, Blum MJ, Megonigal JP. Rapid evolution of a coastal marsh ecosystem engineer in response to global change. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:157846. [PMID: 35948126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that global change can alter ecosystems by eliciting rapid evolution of foundational plants capable of shaping vital attributes and processes. Here we describe results of a field-scale exposure experiment and multilocus assays illustrating that elevated CO2 (eCO2) and nitrogen (N) enrichment can result in rapid shifts in genetic and genotypic variation in Phragmites australis, an ecologically dominant plant that acts as an ecosystem engineer in coastal marshes worldwide. Compared to control treatments, genotypic diversity declined over three years of exposure, especially to N enrichment. The magnitude of loss also increased over time under conditions of N enrichment. Comparisons of genotype frequencies revealed that proportional abundances shifted with exposure to eCO2 and N in a manner consistent with expected responses to selection. Comparisons also revealed evidence of tradeoffs that constrained exposure responses, where any particular genotype responded favorably to one factor rather than to different factors or to combinations of factors. These findings challenge the prevailing view that plant-mediated ecosystem outcomes of global change are governed primarily by differences in species responses to shifting environmental pressures and highlight the value of accounting for organismal evolution in predictive models to improve forecasts of ecosystem responses to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Mozdzer
- Bryn Mawr College, Department of Biology, 101 N. Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, United States of America; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037, United States of America.
| | - Melissa K McCormick
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037, United States of America.
| | - Ingrid J Slette
- Colorado State University, Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, 251 W Pitkin St, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States of America
| | - Michael J Blum
- University of Tennessee, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 1416 Circle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States of America.
| | - J Patrick Megonigal
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037, United States of America.
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9
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Harchouni S, England S, Vieu J, Romand S, Aouane A, Citerne S, Legeret B, Alric J, Li-Beisson Y, Menand B, Field B. Guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) accumulation inhibits chloroplast gene expression and promotes super grana formation in the moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:86-98. [PMID: 35715975 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The nucleotides guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate (or (p)ppGpp) are implicated in the regulation of chloroplast function in plants. (p)ppGpp signalling is best understood in the model vascular plant Arabidopsis thaliana in which it acts to regulate plastid gene expression to influence photosynthesis, plant development and immunity. However, little information is known about the conservation or diversity of (p)ppGpp signalling in other land plants. We studied the function of ppGpp in the moss Physcomitrium (previously Physcomitrella) patens using an inducible system for triggering ppGpp accumulation. We used this approach to investigate the effects of ppGpp on chloroplast function, photosynthesis and growth. We demonstrate that ppGpp accumulation causes a dramatic drop in photosynthetic capacity by inhibiting chloroplast gene expression. This was accompanied by the unexpected reorganisation of the thylakoid system into super grana. Surprisingly, these changes did not affect gametophore growth, suggesting that bryophytes and vascular plants may have different tolerances to defects in photosynthesis. Our findings point to the existence of both highly conserved and more specific targets of (p)ppGpp signalling in the land plants that may reflect different growth strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seddik Harchouni
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Samantha England
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Julien Vieu
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Shanna Romand
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Aicha Aouane
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Developpement de Marseille (IBDM), 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Sylvie Citerne
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Bertrand Legeret
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance, 13108, France
| | - Jean Alric
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance, 13108, France
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance, 13108, France
| | - Benoît Menand
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Benjamin Field
- Aix-Marseille Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, 13009, Marseille, France
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10
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Rangan P, Wankhede DP, Subramani R, Chinnusamy V, Malik SK, Baig MJ, Singh K, Henry R. Evolution of an intermediate C 4 photosynthesis in the non-foliar tissues of the Poaceae. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2022; 153:125-134. [PMID: 35648247 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-022-00926-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) in plants are abaptive features that have evolved to sustain plant growth in unfavorable environments, especially at low atmospheric carbon levels and high temperatures. Uptake of CO2 and its storage in the aerenchyma tissues of Lycopsids and diurnal acidity fluctuation in aquatic plants during the Palaeozoic era (ca. 300 Ma.) would represent the earliest evolution of a CCM. The CCM parts of the dark reactions of photosynthesis have evolved many times, while the light reactions are conserved across plant lineages. A C4 type CCM, leaf C4 photosynthesis is evolved in the PACMAD clade of the Poaceae family. The evolution of C4 photosynthesis from C3 photosynthesis was an abaptation. Photosynthesis in reproductive tissues of sorghum and maize (PACMAD clade) has been shown to be of a weaker C4 type (high CO2 compensation point, low carbon isotope discrimination, and lack of Rubisco compartmentalization, when compared to the normal C4 types) than that in the leaves (normal C4 type). However, this does not fit well with the character polarity concept from an evolutionary perspective. In a recent model proposed for CCM evolution, the development of a rudimentary CCM prior to the evolution of a more efficient CCM (features contrasting to a weaker C4 type, leading to greater biomass production rate) has been suggested. An intermediate crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) type of CCM (rudimentary) was reported in the genera, Brassia, Coryanthes, Eriopsis, Peristeria, of the orchids (well-known group of plants that display the CAM pathway). Similarly, we propose here the evolution of a rudimentary CCM (C4-like type pathway) in the non-foliar tissues of the Poaceae, prior to the evolution of the C4 pathway as identified in the leaves of the C4 species of the PACMAD clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parimalan Rangan
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India.
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | | | - Rajkumar Subramani
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | | | - Surendra K Malik
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | | | - Kuldeep Singh
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, PUSA Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Robert Henry
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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11
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Duarte KE, Basso MF, de Oliveira NG, da Silva JCF, de Oliveira Garcia B, Cunha BADB, Cardoso TB, Nepomuceno AL, Kobayashi AK, Santiago TR, de Souza WR, Molinari HBC. MicroRNAs expression profiles in early responses to different levels of water deficit in Setaria viridis. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 28:1607-1624. [PMID: 36389096 PMCID: PMC9530107 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-022-01226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Water deficit is a major constraint for crops of economic importance in almost all agricultural regions. However, plants have an active defense system to adapt to these adverse conditions, acting in the reprogramming of gene expression responsible for encoding microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs promote the regulation to the target gene expression by the post-transcriptional (PTGS) and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS), modulating several pathways including defense response to water deficit. The broader knowledge of the miRNA expression profile and its regulatory networks in response to water deficit can provide evidence for the development of new biotechnological tools for genetic improvement of several important crops. In this study, we used Setaria viridis accession A10.1 as a C4 model plant to widely investigate the miRNA expression profile in early responses to different levels of water deficit. Ecophysiological studies in Setaria viridis under water deficit and after rewatering demonstrated a drought tolerant accession, capable of a rapid recovery from the stress. Deep small RNA sequencing and degradome studies were performed in plants submitted to drought to identify differentially expressed miRNA genes and their predicted targets, using in silico analysis. Our findings showed that several miRNAs were differentially modulated in response to distinctive levels of water deficit and after rewatering. The predicted mRNA targets mainly corresponded to genes related to cell wall remodeling, antioxidant system and drought-related transcription factors, indicating that these genes are rapidly regulated in early responses to drought stress. The implications of these modulations are extensively discussed, and higher-effect miRNAs are suggested as major players for potential use in genetic engineering to improve drought tolerance in economically important crops, such as sugarcane, maize, and sorghum. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01226-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Estefani Duarte
- Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF 70297-400 Brazil
- Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP 09210-580 Brazil
| | - Marcos Fernando Basso
- Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF 70297-400 Brazil
- BIOMOL/BIOTEC Laboratory, Mato Grosso Cotton Institute (IMAmt), Rondonópolis, MT 78740-970 Brazil
| | | | | | - Bruno de Oliveira Garcia
- Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF 70297-400 Brazil
- Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900 Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Thaís Ribeiro Santiago
- Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF 70297-400 Brazil
- University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Wagner Rodrigo de Souza
- Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF 70297-400 Brazil
- Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP 09210-580 Brazil
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12
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Kirschner GK. Beyond the pale - uncovering the role of ribonucleotide reductases in Setaria chloroplast development. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:623-624. [PMID: 35894703 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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13
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Li H, Li L, Wu W, Wang F, Zhou F, Lin Y. SvSTL1 in the large subunit family of ribonucleotide reductases plays a major role in chloroplast development of Setaria viridis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:625-641. [PMID: 35608125 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are essential enzymes in DNA synthesis. However, little is known about the RNRs in plants. Here, we identified a svstl1 mutant from the self-created ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutant library of Setaria viridis. The mutant leaves exhibited a bleaching phenotype at the heading stage. Paraffin section analysis showed the destruction of the C4 Kranz anatomy. Transmission electron microscopy results further demonstrated the severely disturbed development of some chloroplasts. MutMap analysis revealed that the SvSTL1 gene is the primary candidate, encoding a large subunit of RNRs. Complementation experiments confirmed that SvSTL1 is responsible for the phenotype of svstl1. There are two additional RNR large subunit homologs in S. viridis, SvSTL2 and SvSTL3. To further understand the functions of these three RNR large subunit genes, a series of mutants were generated via CRISPR/Cas9 technology. In striking contrast to the finding that all three SvSTLs interact with the RNR small subunit, the phenotype varied along with the copies of chloroplast genome among different svstl single mutants: the svstl1 mutant exhibited pronounced chloroplast development and significantly fewer copies of the chloroplast genome than the svstl2 or svstl3 single mutants. These results suggested that SvSTL1 plays a major role in the optimal function of RNRs and is essential for chloroplast development. Furthermore, through the analysis of double and triple mutants, the study provides new insights into the finely tuned coordination among SvSTLs to maintain normal chloroplast development in the emerging C4 model plant S. viridis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanying Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lin Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Weichen Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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14
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Bickford WA, Goldberg DE, Zak DR, Snow DS, Kowalski KP. Plant effects on and response to soil microbes in native and non-native Phragmites australis. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2565. [PMID: 35138659 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) mediate plant community dynamics and may plausibly facilitate plant invasions. Microbially mediated PSFs are defined by plant effects on soil microbes and subsequent changes in plant performance (responses), both positive and negative. For microbial interactions to benefit invasive plants disproportionately, native and invasive plants must either (1) have different effects on and responses to soil microbial communities or (2) only respond differently to similar microbial communities. In other words, invasive plants do not need to cultivate different microbial communities than natives if they respond differently to them. However, effects and responses are not often explored separately, making it difficult to determine the underlying causes of performance differences. We performed a reciprocal-transplant PSF experiment with multiple microbial inhibition treatments to determine how native and non-native lineages of Phragmites australis affect and respond to soil bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. Non-native Phragmites is a large, fast-growing, cosmopolitan invasive plant, whereas the North American native variety is comparatively smaller, slower growing, and typically considered a desirable wetland plant. We identified the effects of each plant lineage on soil microbes using DNA meta-barcoding and linked plant responses to microbial communities. Both Phragmites lineages displayed equally weak, insignificant PSFs. We found evidence of slight differential effects on microbial community composition, but no significant differential plant responses. Soils conditioned by each lineage differed only slightly in bacterial community composition, but not in fungal composition. Additionally, native and non-native Phragmites lineages did not significantly differ in their response to similar soil microbial communities. Neither lineage appreciably differed when plant biomass was compared between those grown in sterile and live soils. Targeted microbial inhibitor treatments revealed both lineages were negatively impacted by soil bacteria, but the negative response was stronger in non-native Phragmites. These observations were opposite of expectations from invasion theory and imply that the success of non-native Phragmites, relative to the native lineage, does not result from its interaction with soil microorganisms. More broadly, quantifying plant effects on, and responses to soil microbes separately provides detailed and nuanced insight into plant-microbial interactions and their role in invasions, which could inform management outcomes for invasive plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley A Bickford
- U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Deborah E Goldberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Donald R Zak
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Danielle S Snow
- U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kurt P Kowalski
- U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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15
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Somssich M. The Dawn of Plant Molecular Biology: How Three Key Methodologies Paved the Way. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e417. [PMID: 35441802 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The adoption of Arabidopsis thaliana in the 1980s as a universal plant model finally enabled researchers to adopt and take full advantage of the molecular biology tools and methods developed in the bacterial and animal fields since the early 1970s. It further brought the plant sciences up to speed with other research fields, which had been employing widely accepted model organisms for decades. In parallel with this major development, the concurrent establishment of the plant transformation methodology and the description of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter enabled scientists to create robust transgenic plant lines for the first time, thereby providing a valuable tool for studying gene function. The ability to create transgenic plants launched the plant biotechnology sector, with Monsanto and Plant Genetic Systems developing the first herbicide- and pest-tolerant plants, initiating a revolution in the agricultural industry. Here I review the major developments over a less than 10-year span and demonstrate how they complemented each other to trigger a revolution in plant molecular biology and launch an era of unprecedented progress for the whole plant field. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Somssich
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Hibbert L, Taylor G. Improving phosphate use efficiency in the aquatic crop watercress (Nasturtium officinale). HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhac011. [PMID: 35147194 PMCID: PMC8969064 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Watercress is a nutrient-dense leafy green crop, traditionally grown in aquatic outdoor systems and increasingly seen as well-suited for indoor hydroponic systems. However, there is concern that this crop has a detrimental impact on the environment through direct phosphate additions causing environmental pollution. Phosphate-based fertilisers are supplied to enhanced crop yield, but their use may contribute to eutrophication of waterways downstream of traditional watercress farms. One option is to develop a more phosphate use efficient (PUE) crop. This review identifies the key traits for this aquatic crop (the ideotype), for future selection, marker development and breeding. Traits identified as important for PUE are (i) increased root surface area through prolific root branching and adventitious root formation, (ii) aerenchyma formation and root hair growth. Functional genomic traits for improved PUE are (iii) efficacious phosphate remobilisation and scavenging strategies and (iv) the use of alternative metabolic pathways. Key genomic targets for this aquatic crop are identified as: PHT phosphate transporter genes, global transcriptional regulators such as those of the SPX family and genes involved in galactolipid and sulfolipid biosynthesis such as MGD2/3, PECP1, PSR2, PLDζ1/2 and SQD2. Breeding for enhanced PUE in watercress will be accelerated by improved molecular genetic resources such as a full reference genome sequence that is currently in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hibbert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Gail Taylor
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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17
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Li Z, Lathe RS, Li J, He H, Bhalerao RP. Towards understanding the biological foundations of perenniality. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:56-68. [PMID: 34561180 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perennial life cycles enable plants to have remarkably long lifespans, as exemplified by trees that can live for thousands of years. For this, they require sophisticated regulatory networks that sense environmental changes and initiate adaptive responses in their growth patterns. Recent research has gradually elucidated fundamental mechanisms underlying the perennial life cycle. Intriguingly, several conserved components of the floral transition pathway in annuals such as Arabidopsis thaliana also participate in these regulatory mechanisms underpinning perenniality. Here, we provide an overview of perennials' physiological features and summarise their recently discovered molecular foundations. We also highlight the importance of deepening our understanding of perenniality in the development of perennial grain crops, which are promising elements of future sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilisation of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Research Centre for Perennial Rice Engineering and Technology of Yunnan, School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China.
| | - Rahul S Lathe
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jinping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilisation of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Research Centre for Perennial Rice Engineering and Technology of Yunnan, School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Hong He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilisation of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Research Centre for Perennial Rice Engineering and Technology of Yunnan, School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Rishikesh P Bhalerao
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
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18
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Oh DH, Kowalski KP, Quach QN, Wijesinghege C, Tanford P, Dassanayake M, Clay K. Novel genome characteristics contribute to the invasiveness of Phragmites australis (common reed). Mol Ecol 2021; 31:1142-1159. [PMID: 34839548 PMCID: PMC9300010 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The rapid invasion of the non‐native Phragmites australis (Poaceae, subfamily Arundinoideae) is a major threat to native wetland ecosystems in North America and elsewhere. We describe the first reference genome for P. australis and compare invasive (ssp. australis) and native (ssp. americanus) genotypes collected from replicated populations across the Laurentian Great Lakes to deduce genomic bases driving its invasive success. Here, we report novel genomic features including a Phragmites lineage‐specific whole genome duplication, followed by gene loss and preferential retention of genes associated with transcription factors and regulatory functions in the remaining duplicates. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed that genes associated with biotic stress and defence responses were expressed at a higher basal level in invasive genotypes, but native genotypes showed a stronger induction of defence responses when challenged by a fungal endophyte. The reference genome and transcriptomes, combined with previous ecological and environmental data, add to our understanding of mechanisms leading to invasiveness and support the development of novel, genomics‐assisted management approaches for invasive Phragmites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Ha Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Kurt P Kowalski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Quynh N Quach
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Chathura Wijesinghege
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Philippa Tanford
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Maheshi Dassanayake
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Keith Clay
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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19
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Bertolotti G, Scintu D, Dello Ioio R. A small cog in a large wheel: crucial role of miRNAs in root apical meristem patterning. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:6755-6767. [PMID: 34350947 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In both animal and plants, establishment of body axes is fundamental for proper organ development. Plant roots show two main developmental axes: the proximo-distal axis, which spans from the hypocotyl-root junction to the root tip; and the radial axis, which traverses from the vascular tissue to the epidermis. Root axes are determined in the root meristem. The root meristem occupies the tip of the root and contains self-renewing stem cells, which continuously produce new root cells. An intricate network of signalling pathways regulates meristem function and patterning to ensure proper root development and growth. In the last decade, miRNAs, 20-21 nucleotide-long molecules with morphogenetic activity, emerged as central regulators of root cell patterning. Their activity intersects with master regulators of meristematic activity, including phytohormones. In this review, we discuss the latest findings about the activity of miRNAs and their interaction with other molecular networks in the formation of root meristem axes. Furthermore, we describe how these small molecules allow root growth to adapt to changes in the environment, while maintaining the correct patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Bertolotti
- University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Via dei Sardi 70, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Scintu
- University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Via dei Sardi 70, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dello Ioio
- University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Via dei Sardi 70, Rome, Italy
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20
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Wötzel S, Andrello M, Albani MC, Koch MA, Coupland G, Gugerli F. Arabis alpina: A perennial model plant for ecological genomics and life-history evolution. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:468-486. [PMID: 34415668 PMCID: PMC9293087 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Many model organisms were chosen and achieved prominence because of an advantageous combination of their life‐history characteristics, genetic properties and also practical considerations. Discoveries made in Arabidopsis thaliana, the most renowned noncrop plant model species, have markedly stimulated studies in other species with different biology. Within the family Brassicaceae, the arctic–alpine Arabis alpina has become a model complementary to Arabidopsis thaliana to study the evolution of life‐history traits, such as perenniality, and ecological genomics in harsh environments. In this review, we provide an overview of the properties that facilitated the rapid emergence of A. alpina as a plant model. We summarize the evolutionary history of A. alpina, including genomic aspects, the diversification of its mating system and demographic properties, and we discuss recent progress in the molecular dissection of developmental traits that are related to its perennial life history and environmental adaptation. From this published knowledge, we derive open questions that might inspire future research in A. alpina, other Brassicaceae species or more distantly related plant families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wötzel
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt and Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Marco Andrello
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Research Council, CNR-IAS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Albani
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus A Koch
- Biodiversity and Plant Systematics, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - George Coupland
- Department of Plant Development Biology, MPI for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Gugerli
- WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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Garrison JR, Caplan JS, Douhovnikoff V, Mozdzer TJ, Logan BA. Responses of stomatal features and photosynthesis to porewater N enrichment and elevated atmospheric CO 2 in Phragmites australis, the common reed. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:718-725. [PMID: 33860931 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Biological invasions increasingly threaten native biodiversity and ecosystem services. One notable example is the common reed, Phragmites australis, which aggressively invades North American salt marshes. Elevated atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen pollution enhance its growth and facilitate invasion because P. australis responds more strongly to these enrichments than do native species. We investigated how modifications to stomatal features contribute to strong photosynthetic responses to CO2 and nitrogen enrichment in P. australis by evaluating stomatal shifts under experimental conditions and relating them to maximal stomatal conductance (gwmax ) and photosynthetic rates. METHODS Plants were grown in situ in open-top chambers under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2 ) and porewater nitrogen (Nenr ) in a Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh. We measured light-saturated carbon assimilation rates (Asat ) and stomatal characteristics, from which we calculated gwmax and determined whether CO2 and Nenr altered the relationship between gwmax and Asat . RESULTS eCO2 and Nenr enhanced both gwmax and Asat , but to differing degrees; gwmax was more strongly influenced by Nenr through increases in stomatal density while Asat was more strongly stimulated by eCO2 . There was a positive relationship between gwmax and Asat that was not modified by eCO2 or Nenr , individually or in combination. CONCLUSIONS Changes in stomatal features co-occur with previously described responses of P. australis to eCO2 and Nenr . Complementary responses of stomatal length and density to these global change factors may facilitate greater stomatal conductance and carbon gain, contributing to the invasiveness of the introduced lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua S Caplan
- Department of Architecture & Environmental Design, Temple University, Ambler, PA, 19002, USA
| | | | - Thomas J Mozdzer
- Biology Department, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010, USA
| | - Barry A Logan
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA
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Phragmites australis Associates with Belowground Fungal Communities Characterized by High Diversity and Pathogen Abundance. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12090363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial symbionts are gaining attention as crucial drivers of invasive species spread and dominance. To date, much research has quantified the net effects of plant–microbe interactions on the relative success of native and invasive species. However, little is known about how the structure (composition and diversity) of microbial symbionts can differ among native and invasive species, or vary across the invasive landscape. Here, we explore the structure of endosphere and soil fungal communities associated with a monoculture-forming widespread invader, Phragmites australis, and co-occurring native species. Using field survey data from marshes in coastal Louisiana, we tested three hypotheses: (1) Phragmites australis root and soil fungal communities differ from that of co-occurring natives, (2) Phragmites australis monocultures harbor distinct fungal communities at the expanding edge compared to the monodominant center, and (3) proximity to the P. australis invading front alters native root endosphere and soil fungal community structure. We found that P. australis cultivates root and soil fungal communities with higher richness, diversity, and pathogen abundances compared to native species. While P. australis was found to have higher endosphere pathogen abundances at its expanding edge compared to the monodominant center, we found no evidence of compositional changes or pathogen spillover in native species in close proximity to the invasion front. This work suggests that field measurements of fungal endosphere communities in native and invasive plants are useful to help understand (or rule out) mechanisms of invasion.
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