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Sámano ML, Nanjareddy K, Arthikala MK. NIN-like proteins (NLPs) as crucial nitrate sensors: an overview of their roles in nitrogen signaling, symbiosis, abiotic stress, and beyond. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 30:1209-1223. [PMID: 39100871 PMCID: PMC11291829 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-024-01485-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient critical for plant growth and productivity. Plants have the capacity to uptake inorganic nitrate and ammonium, with nitrate playing a crucial role as a signaling molecule in various cellular processes. The availability of nitrate and the signaling pathways involved finely tune the processes of nitrate uptake and assimilation. NIN-like proteins (NLPs), a group of transcription factors belonging to the RWP-RK gene family, act as major nitrate sensors and are implicated in the primary nitrate response (PNR) within the nucleus of both non-leguminous and leguminous plants through their RWP-RK domains. In leguminous plants, NLPs are indispensable for the initiation and development of nitrogen-fixing nodules in symbiosis with rhizobia. Moreover, NLPs play pivotal roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses, including drought and cold. Recent studies have identified NLP homologs in oomycete pathogens, suggesting their potential involvement in pathogenesis and virulence. This review article delves into the conservation of RWP-RK genes, examining their significance and implications across different plant species. The focus lies on the role of NLPs as nitrate sensors, investigating their involvement in various processes, including rhizobial symbiosis in both leguminous and non-leguminous plants. Additionally, the multifaceted functions of NLPs in abiotic stress responses, developmental processes, and interactions with plant pathogens are explored. By comprehensively analyzing the role of NLPs in nitrate signaling and their broader implications for plant growth and development, this review sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying nitrogen sensing and signaling in various plant lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana López Sámano
- Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad León, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 37689 León, Mexico
| | - Kalpana Nanjareddy
- Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad León, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 37689 León, Mexico
| | - Manoj-Kumar Arthikala
- Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad León, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 37689 León, Mexico
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Zheng X, Duan Y, Zheng H, Tang H, Zheng L, Yu X. Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the RWP-RK Proteins in Zanthoxylum armatum. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:665. [PMID: 38927601 PMCID: PMC11202622 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060665] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Apomixis is a common reproductive characteristic of Zanthoxylum plants, and RWP-RKs are plant-specific transcription factors known to regulate embryonic development. However, the genome-wide analysis and function prediction of RWP-RK family genes in Z. armatum are unclear. In this study, 36 ZaRWP-RK transcription factors were identified in the genome of Z. armatum, among which 15 genes belonged to the RKD subfamily and 21 belonged to the NLP subfamily. Duplication events of ZaRWP-RK genes were mainly segmental duplication, and synteny analysis revealed a close phylogenetic relationship between Z. armatum and Arabidopsis. The analysis of cis-elements indicated that ZaRWP-RK genes may be involved in the regulation of the embryonic development of Z. armatum by responding to plant hormones such as abscisic acid, auxin, and gibberellin. Results of a real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of most ZaRWP-RK genes were significantly increased from flowers to young fruits. Protein-protein interaction network analysis further revealed the potential roles of the ZaRWP-RK proteins in apomixis. Collectively, this study is expected to improve our understanding of ZaRWP-RK transcription factors and provide a theoretical basis for future investigations into the ZaRWP-RK genes and their regulatory mechanisms in the apomixis process of Z. armatum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaobo Yu
- Southwest Research Center for Cross Breeding of Special Economic Plants, School of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614000, China; (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (H.Z.); (H.T.); (L.Z.)
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Ueda Y, Yanagisawa S. Transcription factor module NLP-NIGT1 fine-tunes NITRATE TRANSPORTER2.1 expression. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:2865-2879. [PMID: 37595050 PMCID: PMC10663117 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) high-affinity NITRATE TRANSPORTER2.1 (NRT2.1) plays a dominant role in the uptake of nitrate, the most important nitrogen (N) source for most terrestrial plants. The nitrate-inducible expression of NRT2.1 is regulated by NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) family transcriptional activators and NITRATE-INDUCIBLE GARP-TYPE TRANSCRIPTIONAL REPRESSOR1 (NIGT1) family transcriptional repressors. Phosphorus (P) availability also affects the expression of NRT2.1 because the PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 transcriptional activator activates NIGT1 genes in P-deficient environments. Here, we show a biology-based mathematical understanding of the complex regulation of NRT2.1 expression by multiple transcription factors using 2 different approaches: a microplate-based assay for the real-time measurement of temporal changes in NRT2.1 promoter activity under different nutritional conditions, and an ordinary differential equation (ODE)-based mathematical modeling of the NLP- and NIGT1-regulated expression patterns of NRT2.1. Both approaches consistently reveal that NIGT1 stabilizes the amplitude of NRT2.1 expression under a wide range of nitrate concentrations. Furthermore, the ODE model suggests that parameters such as the synthesis rate of NIGT1 mRNA and NIGT1 proteins and the affinity of NIGT1 proteins for the NRT2.1 promoter substantially influence the temporal expression patterns of NRT2.1 in response to nitrate. These results suggest that the NLP-NIGT1 feedforward loop allows a precise control of nitrate uptake. Hence, this study paves the way for understanding the complex regulation of nutrient acquisition in plants, thus facilitating engineered nutrient uptake and plant response patterns using synthetic biology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Ueda
- Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Ohwashi 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan
- Plant Functional Biotechnology, Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Shuichi Yanagisawa
- Plant Functional Biotechnology, Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Yan D, Nambara E. Conserved and unique functions of NIN-like proteins in nitrate sensing and signaling. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 336:111842. [PMID: 37633494 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the atmosphere and serves as the foundation block of life, including plants on earth. Unlike carbon fixation through photosynthesis, plants rely heavily on external supports to acquire nitrogen. To this end, plants have adapted various strategies such as forming mutualistic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and evolving a large regulatory network that includes multiple transporters, sensors, and transcription factors for fine-tuning nitrate sensing and signaling. Nodule Inception (NIN) and NIN-like protein (NLP) are central in this network by executing multiple functions such as initiating and regulating the nodule symbiosis for nitrogen fixation, acting as the intracellular sensor to monitor the nitrate fluctuations in the environment, and activating the transcription of nitrate-responsive genes for optimal nitrogen uptake, assimilation, and usage. The involvement of NLPs in intracellular nitrate binding and early nitrate responses highlight their pivotal role in the primary nitrate response (PNR). Genome-wide reprogramming in response to nitrate by NLP is highly transient and rapid, requiring regulation in a precise and dynamic manner. This review aims to summarize recent progress in the study of NIN/NLP for a better understanding of the molecular basis of their roles and regulations in nitrate sensing and signaling, with the hope of shedding light on increasing biological nitrogen fixation and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to minimize fertilizer input in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Yan
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S3B2, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eiji Nambara
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S3B2, Ontario, Canada
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Jin Y, Luo J, Yang Y, Jia J, Sun M, Wang X, Khan I, Huang D, Huang L. The evolution and expansion of RWP-RK gene family improve the heat adaptability of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). BMC Genomics 2023; 24:510. [PMID: 37653366 PMCID: PMC10472707 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09550-8] [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: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Along with global warming, resulting in crop production, exacerbating the global food crisis. Therefore, it is urgent to study the mechanism of plant heat resistance. However, crop resistance genes were lost due to long-term artificial domestication. By analyzing the potential heat tolerance genes and molecular mechanisms in other wild materials, more genetic resources can be provided for improving the heat tolerance of crops. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) has strong adaptability to heat stress and contains abundant heat-resistant gene resources. RESULTS Through sequence structure analysis, a total of 36 RWP-RK members were identified in elephant grass. Functional analysis revealed their close association with heat stress. Four randomly selected RKDs (RKD1.1, RKD4.3, RKD6.6, and RKD8.1) were analyzed for expression, and the results showed upregulation under high temperature conditions, suggesting their active role in response to heat stress. The members of RWP-RK gene family (36 genes) in elephant grass were 2.4 times higher than that of related tropical crops, rice (15 genes) and sorghum (15 genes). The 36 RWPs of elephant grass contain 15 NLPs and 21 RKDs, and 73% of RWPs are related to WGD. Among them, combined with the DAP-seq results, it was found that RWP-RK gene family expansion could improve the heat adaptability of elephant grass by enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and peroxidase gene expression. CONCLUSIONS RWP-RK gene family expansion in elephant grass is closely related to thermal adaptation evolution and speciation. The RKD subgroup showed a higher responsiveness than the NLP subgroup when exposed to high temperature stress. The promoter region of the RKD subgroup contains a significant number of MeJA and ABA responsive elements, which may contribute to their positive response to heat stress. These results provided a scientific basis for analyzing the heat adaptation mechanism of elephant grass and improving the heat tolerance of other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarong Jin
- Herbivorous Livestock Research Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, 402460, China
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jinchan Luo
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yuchen Yang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jiyuan Jia
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Min Sun
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Imran Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Dejun Huang
- Herbivorous Livestock Research Institute, Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, 402460, China.
| | - Linkai Huang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
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Geng S, Hamaji T, Ferris PJ, Gao M, Nishimura Y, Umen J. A conserved RWP-RK transcription factor VSR1 controls gametic differentiation in volvocine algae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305099120. [PMID: 37436957 PMCID: PMC10629530 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305099120] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Volvocine green algae are a model for understanding the evolution of mating types and sexes. They are facultatively sexual, with gametic differentiation occurring in response to nitrogen starvation (-N) in most genera and to sex inducer hormone in Volvox. The conserved RWP-RK family transcription factor (TF) MID is encoded by the minus mating-type locus or male sex-determining region of heterothallic volvocine species and dominantly determines minus or male gametic differentiation. However, the factor(s) responsible for establishing the default plus or female differentiation programs have remained elusive. We performed a phylo-transcriptomic screen for autosomal RWP-RK TFs induced during gametogenesis in unicellular isogamous Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) and in multicellular oogamous Volvox carteri (Volvox) and identified a single conserved ortho-group we named Volvocine Sex Regulator 1 (VSR1). Chlamydomonas vsr1 mutants of either mating type failed to mate and could not induce expression of key mating-type-specific genes. Similarly, Volvox vsr1 mutants in either sex could initiate sexual embryogenesis, but the presumptive eggs or androgonidia (sperm packet precursors) were infertile and unable to express key sex-specific genes. Yeast two-hybrid assays identified a conserved domain in VSR1 capable of self-interaction or interaction with the conserved N terminal domain of MID. In vivo coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated association of VSR1 and MID in both Chlamydomonas and Volvox. These data support a new model for volvocine sexual differentiation where VSR1 homodimers activate expression of plus/female gamete-specific-genes, but when MID is present, MID-VSR1 heterodimers are preferentially formed and activate minus/male gamete-specific-genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Geng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
| | - Takashi Hamaji
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
- Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8502, Japan
- Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo112-8551, Japan
| | | | - Minglu Gao
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
| | - Yoshiki Nishimura
- Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8502, Japan
| | - James Umen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO63132
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Yan H, Sun M, Zhang Z, Jin Y, Zhang A, Lin C, Wu B, He M, Xu B, Wang J, Qin P, Mendieta JP, Nie G, Wang J, Jones CS, Feng G, Srivastava RK, Zhang X, Bombarely A, Luo D, Jin L, Peng Y, Wang X, Ji Y, Tian S, Huang L. Pangenomic analysis identifies structural variation associated with heat tolerance in pearl millet. Nat Genet 2023; 55:507-518. [PMID: 36864101 PMCID: PMC10011142 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Pearl millet is an important cereal crop worldwide and shows superior heat tolerance. Here, we developed a graph-based pan-genome by assembling ten chromosomal genomes with one existing assembly adapted to different climates worldwide and captured 424,085 genomic structural variations (SVs). Comparative genomics and transcriptomics analyses revealed the expansion of the RWP-RK transcription factor family and the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related genes in heat tolerance. The overexpression of one RWP-RK gene led to enhanced plant heat tolerance and transactivated ER-related genes quickly, supporting the important roles of RWP-RK transcription factors and ER system in heat tolerance. Furthermore, we found that some SVs affected the gene expression associated with heat tolerance and SVs surrounding ER-related genes shaped adaptation to heat tolerance during domestication in the population. Our study provides a comprehensive genomic resource revealing insights into heat tolerance and laying a foundation for generating more robust crops under the changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Yan
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Min Sun
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Yarong Jin
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ailing Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuang Lin
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bingchao Wu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Xu
- College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Source and Environmental Conservation, School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Qin
- Rice Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Gang Nie
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chris S Jones
- Feed and Forage Development, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Guangyan Feng
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rakesh K Srivastava
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India
| | - Xinquan Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aureliano Bombarely
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas, UPV-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Dan Luo
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Long Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanying Peng
- Triticeae Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Ji
- Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Shilin Tian
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China.
- Department of Ecology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Linkai Huang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
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Degola F, Sanità di Toppi L, Petraglia A. Bryophytes: how to conquer an alien planet and live happily (ever after). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:4267-4272. [PMID: 35849121 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Degola
- Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Petraglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
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