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Xie Q, Zhang Y, Wu M, Chen Y, Wang Y, Zeng Q, Han Y, Zhang S, Zhang J, Chen T, Cai M. Identification and Functional Analysis of KH Family Genes Associated with Salt Stress in Rice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5950. [PMID: 38892138 PMCID: PMC11172612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115950] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Salinity stress has a great impact on crop growth and productivity and is one of the major factors responsible for crop yield losses. The K-homologous (KH) family proteins play vital roles in regulating plant development and responding to abiotic stress in plants. However, the systematic characterization of the KH family in rice is still lacking. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification and functional analysis of KH family genes and identified a total of 31 KH genes in rice. According to the homologs of KH genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, we constructed a phylogenetic tree with 61 KH genes containing 31 KH genes in Oryza sativa and 30 KH genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and separated them into three major groups. In silico tissue expression analysis showed that the OsKH genes are constitutively expressed. The qRT-PCR results revealed that eight OsKH genes responded strongly to salt stresses, and OsKH12 exhibited the strongest decrease in expression level, which was selected for further study. We generated the Oskh12-knockout mutant via the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing method. Further stress treatment and biochemical assays confirmed that Oskh12 mutant was more salt-sensitive than Nip and the expression of several key salt-tolerant genes in Oskh12 was significantly reduced. Taken together, our results shed light on the understanding of the KH family and provide a theoretical basis for future abiotic stress studies in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Xie
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Mingming Wu
- Institute of Crop and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Youheng Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Qinzong Zeng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yuliang Han
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Siqi Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Juncheng Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Maohong Cai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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Ma T, Xu S, Wang Y, Zhang L, Liu Z, Liu D, Jin Z, Pei Y. Exogenous hydrogen sulphide promotes plant flowering through the Arabidopsis splicing factor AtU2AF65a. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:1782-1796. [PMID: 38315745 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is an important regulatory mode at the post-transcriptional level, through which many flowering genes regulate floral transition by producing multiple transcripts, and splicing factors have essential roles in this process. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a newly found gasotransmitter that has critical physiological roles in plants, and one of its potential modes of action is via persulfidation of target proteins at specific cysteine sites. Previously, it has been shown that both the splicing factor AtU2AF65a and H2S are involved in the regulation of plant flowering. This study found that, in Arabidopsis, the promoting effect of H2S on flowering was abolished in atu2af65a-4 mutants. Transcriptome analyses showed that when AtU2AF65a contained mutations, the regulatory function of H2S during the AS of many flowering genes (including SPA1, LUH, LUG and MAF3) was inhibited. The persulfidation assay showed that AtU2AF65a can be persulfidated by H2S, and the RNA immunoprecipitation data indicated that H2S could alter the binding affinity of AtU2AF65a to the precursor messenger RNA of the above-mentioned flowering genes. Overall, our results suggest that H2S may regulate the AS of flowering-related genes through persulfidation of splicing factor AtU2AF65a and thus lead to early flowering in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Ma
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shutian Xu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yaqin Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Danmei Liu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhuping Jin
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanxi Pei
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Regional Plants, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Fan S, Zhang Y, Zhu S, Shen L. Plant RNA-binding proteins: Phase separation dynamics and functional mechanisms underlying plant development and stress responses. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:531-551. [PMID: 38419328 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.02.016] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) accompany RNA from synthesis to decay, mediating every aspect of RNA metabolism and impacting diverse cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes. Many RBPs undergo phase separation along with their bound RNA to form and function in dynamic membraneless biomolecular condensates for spatiotemporal coordination or regulation of RNA metabolism. Increasing evidence suggests that phase-separating RBPs with RNA-binding domains and intrinsically disordered regions play important roles in plant development and stress adaptation. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about how dynamic partitioning of RBPs into condensates controls plant development and enables sensing of experimental changes to confer growth plasticity under stress conditions, with a focus on the dynamics and functional mechanisms of RBP-rich nuclear condensates and cytoplasmic granules in mediating RNA metabolism. We also discuss roles of multiple factors, such as environmental signals, protein modifications, and N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation, in modulating the phase separation behaviors of RBPs, and highlight the prospects and challenges for future research on phase-separating RBPs in crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Fan
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Yu Zhang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Shaobo Zhu
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Lisha Shen
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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Hou H, Wu C, Huo J, Liu N, Jiang Y, Sui S, Li Z. Integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis provides insights into CpFPA1 for floral induction in Chimonanthus praecox (Magnoliidae) without FLC in genome. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:66. [PMID: 38341387 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03145-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE We used transcriptomic and proteomic association analysis to reveal the critical genes/proteins at three key flower bud differentiation stages and overexpression of CpFPA1 in Arabidopsis resulted in earlier flowering. Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), a rare winter-flowering woody plant, is well known for its unique blooming time, fragrance and long flowering period. However, the molecular mechanism of flowering in C. praecox remains poorly unclear. In this study, we used transcriptomic and proteomic association analysis to reveal the critical genes/proteins at three key flower bud (FB) differentiation stages (FB.Apr, FB.May and FB.Nov) in C. praecox. The results showed that a total of 952 differential expressed genes (DEGs) and 40 differential expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment revealed that DEGs in FB.Apr/FB.May comparison group were mainly involved in metabolic of biological process, cell and cell part of cellular component and catalytic activity of molecular function. In the EuKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG) functional classification, DEPs were predicted mainly in the function of general function prediction only (KOG0118), post-translational modification, protein turnover and chaperones. The autonomous pathway genes play an essential role in the floral induction. Based on transcriptome and proteome correlation analysis, six candidate genes associated with the autonomous pathway were identified, including FPA1, FPA2a, FPA2b, FCA, FLK, FY. Furthermore, CpFPA1 was isolated and functionally characterized, and ectopic expression of CpFPA1 in Arabidopsis Columbia (Col-0) resulted in earlier flowering. These data could contribute to understand the function of CpFPA1 for floral induction and provide information for further research on the molecular mechanisms of flowering in wintersweet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Hou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chunyu Wu
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Juntao Huo
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yingjie Jiang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shunzhao Sui
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhineng Li
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Yang J, Xue H, Li Z, Zhang Y, Shi T, He X, Barrett SCH, Wang Q, Chen J. Haplotype-resolved genome assembly provides insights into the evolution of S-locus supergene in distylous Nymphoides indica. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:2058-2071. [PMID: 37717220 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Distyly has evolved independently in numerous animal-pollinated angiosperm lineages. Understanding of its molecular basis has been restricted to a few species, primarily Primula. Here, we investigate the genetic architecture of the single diallelic locus (S-locus) supergene, a linkage group of functionally associated genes, and explore how it may have evolved in distylous Nymphoides indica, a lineage of flowering plants not previously investigated. We assembled haplotype-resolved genomes, used read-coverage-based genome-wide association study (rb-GWAS) to locate the S-locus supergene, co-expression network analysis to explore gene networks underpinning the development of distyly, and comparative genomic analyses to investigate the origins of the S-locus supergene. We identified three linked candidate S-locus genes - NinBAS1, NinKHZ2, and NinS1 - that were only evident in the short-styled morph and were hemizygous. Co-expression network analysis suggested that brassinosteroids contribute to dimorphic sex organs in the short-styled morph. Comparative genomic analyses indicated that the S-locus supergene likely evolved via stepwise duplications and has been affected by transposable element activities. Our study provides novel insight into the structure, regulation, and evolution of the supergene governing distyly in N. indica. It also provides high-quality genomic resources for future research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the striking evolutionary convergence in form and function across heterostylous taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haoran Xue
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Zhizhong Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Tao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiangyan He
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Spencer C H Barrett
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jinming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Xu L, Xiong X, Liu T, Cao J, Yu Y. Heterologous Expression of Two Brassica campestris CCCH Zinc-Finger Proteins in Arabidopsis Induces Cytoplasmic Foci and Causes Pollen Abortion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16862. [PMID: 38069184 PMCID: PMC10706035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane-less organelles in cytoplasm that are presented as cytoplasmic foci were successively identified. Although multiple CCCH zinc-finger proteins have been found to be localized in cytoplasmic foci, the relationship between their specific localization and functions still needs further clarification. Here, we report that the heterologous expression of two Brassica campestris CCCH zinc-finger protein genes (BcMF30a and BcMF30c) in Arabidopsis thaliana can affect microgametogenesis by involving the formation of cytoplasmic foci. By monitoring the distribution of proteins and observing pollen phenotypes, we found that, when these two proteins were moderately expressed in pollen, they were mainly dispersed in the cytoplasm, and the pollen developed normally. However, high expression induced the assembly of cytoplasmic foci, leading to pollen abortion. These findings suggested that the continuous formation of BcMF30a/BcMF30c-associated cytoplasmic foci due to high expression was the inducement of male sterility. A co-localization analysis further showed that these two proteins can be recruited into two well-studied cytoplasmic foci, processing bodies (PBs), and stress granules (SGs), which were confirmed to function in mRNA metabolism. Together, our data suggested that BcMF30a and BcMF30c play component roles in the assembly of pollen cytoplasmic foci. Combined with our previous study on the homologous gene of BcMF30a/c in Arabidopsis, we concluded that the function of these homologous genes is conserved and that cytoplasmic foci containing BcMF30a/c may participate in the regulation of gene expression in pollen by regulating mRNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China;
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.X.); (T.L.)
| | - Xingpeng Xiong
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.X.); (T.L.)
| | - Tingting Liu
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.X.); (T.L.)
| | - Jiashu Cao
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.X.); (T.L.)
| | - Youjian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China;
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Amara U, Hu J, Cai J, Kang H. FLK is an mRNA m 6A reader that regulates floral transition by modulating the stability and splicing of FLC in Arabidopsis. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:919-929. [PMID: 37050878 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is added, removed, and interpreted by m6A writers, erasers, and readers, respectively, is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. The m6A marks play a pivotal role in the regulation of floral transition in plants. FLOWERING LOCUS K (FLK), an RNA-binding protein harboring K-homology (KH) motifs, is known to regulate floral transition by repressing the levels of a key floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying FLK-mediated FLC regulation remains unclear. In this study, we identified FLK as a novel mRNA m6A reader protein that directly binds the m6A site in the 3'-untranslated region of FLC transcripts to repressing FLC levels by reducing its stability and splicing. Importantly, FLK binding of FLC transcripts was abolished in vir-1, an m6A writer mutant, and the late-flowering phenotype of the flk mutant could not be rescued by genetic complementation using the mutant FLKm gene, in which the m6A reader encoding function was eliminated, indicating that FLK binds and regulates FLC expression in an m6A-dependent manner. Collectively, our study has addressed a long-standing question of how FLK regulates FLC transcript levels and established a molecular link between the FLK-mediated recognition of m6A modifications on FLC transcripts and floral transition in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umme Amara
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Hunseung Kang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
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Moulick D, Bhutia KL, Sarkar S, Roy A, Mishra UN, Pramanick B, Maitra S, Shankar T, Hazra S, Skalicky M, Brestic M, Barek V, Hossain A. The intertwining of Zn-finger motifs and abiotic stress tolerance in plants: Current status and future prospects. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1083960. [PMID: 36684752 PMCID: PMC9846276 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1083960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental stresses such as drought, high salinity, and low temperature can adversely modulate the field crop's ability by altering the morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes of the plants. It is estimated that about 50% + of the productivity of several crops is limited due to various types of abiotic stresses either presence alone or in combination (s). However, there are two ways plants can survive against these abiotic stresses; a) through management practices and b) through adaptive mechanisms to tolerate plants. These adaptive mechanisms of tolerant plants are mostly linked to their signalling transduction pathway, triggering the action of plant transcription factors and controlling the expression of various stress-regulated genes. In recent times, several studies found that Zn-finger motifs have a significant function during abiotic stress response in plants. In the first report, a wide range of Zn-binding motifs has been recognized and termed Zn-fingers. Since the zinc finger motifs regulate the function of stress-responsive genes. The Zn-finger was first reported as a repeated Zn-binding motif, comprising conserved cysteine (Cys) and histidine (His) ligands, in Xenopus laevis oocytes as a transcription factor (TF) IIIA (or TFIIIA). In the proteins where Zn2+ is mainly attached to amino acid residues and thus espousing a tetrahedral coordination geometry. The physical nature of Zn-proteins, defining the attraction of Zn-proteins for Zn2+, is crucial for having an in-depth knowledge of how a Zn2+ facilitates their characteristic function and how proteins control its mobility (intra and intercellular) as well as cellular availability. The current review summarized the concept, importance and mechanisms of Zn-finger motifs during abiotic stress response in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debojyoti Moulick
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Karma Landup Bhutia
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology & Molecular Breeding, College of Basic Science and Humanities, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, India
| | - Sukamal Sarkar
- School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty Centre for Integrated Rural Development and Management (IRDM), Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, Kolkata, India
| | - Anirban Roy
- School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Faculty Centre for Integrated Rural Development and Management (IRDM), Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, Kolkata, India
| | - Udit Nandan Mishra
- Department of Crop Physiology and Biochemistry, Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Biswajit Pramanick
- Department of Agronomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, PUSA, Samastipur, Bihar, India
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Scottsbluff, NE, United States
| | - Sagar Maitra
- Department of Agronomy and Agroforestry, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India
| | - Tanmoy Shankar
- Department of Agronomy and Agroforestry, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India
| | - Swati Hazra
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Milan Skalicky
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marian Brestic
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Viliam Barek
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Akbar Hossain
- Division of Agronomy, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
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Hormone Regulation of CCCH Zinc Finger Proteins in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214288. [PMID: 36430765 PMCID: PMC9698766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CCCH zinc finger proteins contain one to six tandem CCCH motifs composed of three cysteine and one histidine residues and have been widely found in eukaryotes. Plant CCCH proteins control a wide range of developmental and adaptive processes through DNA-protein, RNA-protein and/or protein-protein interactions. The complex networks underlying these processes regulated by plant CCCH proteins are often involved in phytohormones as signal molecules. In this review, we described the evolution of CCCH proteins from green algae to vascular plants and summarized the functions of plant CCCH proteins that are influenced by six major hormones, including abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, brassinosteroid, jasmonate, ethylene and auxin. We further compared the regulatory mechanisms of plant and animal CCCH proteins via hormone signaling. Among them, Arabidopsis AtC3H14, 15 and human hTTP, three typical CCCH proteins, are able to integrate multiple hormones to participate in various biological processes.
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Wang M, Zhang H, Dai S, Feng S, Gong S, Wang J, Zhou A. AaZFP3, a Novel CCCH-Type Zinc Finger Protein from Adonis amurensis, Promotes Early Flowering in Arabidopsis by Regulating the Expression of Flowering-Related Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158166. [PMID: 35897742 PMCID: PMC9332444 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CCCH-type zinc finger proteins (ZFP) are a large family of proteins that play various important roles in plant growth and development; however, the functions of most proteins in this family are uncharacterized. In this study, a CCCH-type ZFP, AaZFP3, was identified in the floral organ of Adonis amurensis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that AaZFP3 was widely expressed in the flowers of A.amurensis. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the AaZFP3 protein was mainly localized to the cytoplasm in tobacco and Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the overexpression of AaZFP3 promoted early flowering in Arabidopsis under both normal and relatively low-temperature conditions. RNA-sequencing and qPCR analyses revealed that the expression of multiple key flowering-time genes was altered in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AaZFP3 compared to wild-type. Of these genes, FLOWERING LOCUS T (AtFT) expression was most significantly up-regulated, whereas FLOWERING LOCUS C (AtFLC) was significantly down-regulated. These results suggest that the overexpression of AaZFP3 promotes early flowering in Arabidopsis by affecting the expression of flowering-time genes. Overall, our study indicates that AaZFP3 may be involved in flowering regulation in A.amurensis and may represent an important genetic resource for improving flowering-time control in other ornamental plants or crops.
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Müller-Xing R, Ardiansyah R, Xing Q, Faivre L, Tian J, Wang G, Zheng Y, Wang X, Jing T, de Leau E, Chen S, Chen S, Schubert D, Goodrich J. Polycomb proteins control floral determinacy by H3K27me3-mediated repression of pluripotency genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:2385-2402. [PMID: 35045165 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) protein-mediated histone methylation (H3K27me3) controls the correct spatiotemporal expression of numerous developmental regulators in Arabidopsis. Epigenetic silencing of the stem cell factor gene WUSCHEL (WUS) in floral meristems (FMs) depends on H3K27me3 deposition by PcG proteins. However, the role of H3K27me3 in silencing of other meristematic regulator and pluripotency genes during FM determinacy has not yet been studied. To this end, we report the genome-wide dynamics of H3K27me3 levels during FM arrest and the consequences of strongly depleted PcG activity on early flower morphogenesis including enlarged and indeterminate FMs. Strong depletion of H3K27me3 levels results in misexpression of the FM identity gene AGL24, which partially causes floral reversion leading to ap1-like flowers and indeterminate FMs ectopically expressing WUS and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). Loss of STM can rescue supernumerary floral organs and FM indeterminacy in H3K27me3-deficient flowers, indicating that the hyperactivity of the FMs is at least partially a result of ectopic STM expression. Nonetheless, WUS remained essential for the FM activity. Our results demonstrate that PcG proteins promote FM determinacy at multiple levels of the floral gene regulatory network, silencing initially floral regulators such as AGL24 that promotes FM indeterminacy and, subsequently, meristematic pluripotency genes such as WUS and STM during FM arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Müller-Xing
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rhomi Ardiansyah
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Qian Xing
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Léa Faivre
- Epigenetics of Plants, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jingjing Tian
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Guohua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
- Information and Computer Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yucai Zheng
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Tingting Jing
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Plant Epigenetics and Development, Institute of Genetics, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Erica de Leau
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Song Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Su Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Daniel Schubert
- Epigenetics of Plants, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Justin Goodrich
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Liu H, Jia Y, Chai Y, Wang S, Chen H, Zhou X, Huang C, Guo S, Chen D. Whole-transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes between ray and disc florets and identification of flowering regulatory genes in Chrysanthemum morifolium. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:947331. [PMID: 35991433 PMCID: PMC9388166 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.947331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Chrysanthemum morifolium has ornamental and economic values. However, there has been minimal research on the morphology of the chrysanthemum florets and related genes. In this study, we used the leaves as a control to screen for differentially expressed genes between ray and disc florets in chrysanthemum flowers. A total of 8,359 genes were differentially expressed between the ray and disc florets, of which 3,005 were upregulated and 5,354 were downregulated in the disc florets. Important regulatory genes that control flower development and flowering determination were identified. Among them, we identified a TM6 gene (CmTM6-mu) that belongs to the Class B floral homeotic MADS-box transcription factor family, which was specifically expressed in disc florets. We isolated this gene and found it was highly similar to other typical TM6 lineage genes, but a single-base deletion at the 3' end of the open reading frame caused a frame shift that generated a protein in which the TM6-specific paleoAP3 motif was missing at the C terminus. The CmTM6-mu gene was ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. Petal and stamen developmental processes were unaffected in transgenic A. thaliana lines; however, the flowering time was earlier than in the wild-type control. Thus, the C-terminal of paleoAP3 appears to be necessary for the functional performance in regulating the development of petals or stamens and CmTM6-mu may be involved in the regulation of flowering time in chrysanthemum. The results of this study will be useful for future research on flowering molecular mechanisms and for the breeding of novel flower types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Liu
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Jia
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuhong Chai
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Chen
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiumei Zhou
- School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Conglin Huang
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Conglin Huang,
| | - Shuang Guo
- Chengdu Park City Construction Development Research Institute, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Conglin Huang,
| | - Dongliang Chen
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Conglin Huang,
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Han G, Qiao Z, Li Y, Wang C, Wang B. The Roles of CCCH Zinc-Finger Proteins in Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158327. [PMID: 34361093 PMCID: PMC8347928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc-finger proteins, a superfamily of proteins with a typical structural domain that coordinates a zinc ion and binds nucleic acids, participate in the regulation of growth, development, and stress adaptation in plants. Most zinc fingers are C2H2-type or CCCC-type, named after the configuration of cysteine (C) and histidine (H); the less-common CCCH zinc-finger proteins are important in the regulation of plant stress responses. In this review, we introduce the domain structures, classification, and subcellular localization of CCCH zinc-finger proteins in plants and discuss their functions in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation via interactions with DNA, RNA, and other proteins. We describe the functions of CCCH zinc-finger proteins in plant development and tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salt, drought, flooding, cold temperatures and oxidative stress. Finally, we summarize the signal transduction pathways and regulatory networks of CCCH zinc-finger proteins in their responses to abiotic stress. CCCH zinc-finger proteins regulate the adaptation of plants to abiotic stress in various ways, but the specific molecular mechanisms need to be further explored, along with other mechanisms such as cytoplasm-to-nucleus shuttling and post-transcriptional regulation. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms by which CCCH zinc-finger proteins improve stress tolerance will facilitate the breeding and genetic engineering of crops with improved traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Han
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (B.W.); Tel./Fax: +86-531-8618-0197 (B.W.)
| | | | | | | | - Baoshan Wang
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (B.W.); Tel./Fax: +86-531-8618-0197 (B.W.)
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Xu L, Xiong X, Liu W, Liu T, Yu Y, Cao J. BcMF30a and BcMF30c, Two Novel Non-Tandem CCCH Zinc-Finger Proteins, Function in Pollen Development and Pollen Germination in Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176428. [PMID: 32899329 PMCID: PMC7504113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris) is an economically important leaf vegetable crop worldwide. Mounting studies have shown that cysteine-cysteine-cysteine-histidine (CCCH) zinc-finger protein genes are involved in various plant growth and development processes. However, research on the involvement of these genes in male reproductive development is still in its infancy. Here, we identified 11 male fertility-related CCCH genes in Chinese cabbage. Among them, a pair of paralogs encoding novel non-tandem CCCH zinc-finger proteins, Brassica campestris Male Fertility 30a (BcMF30a) and BcMF30c, were further characterized. They were highly expressed in pollen during microgametogenesis and continued to express in germinated pollen. Further analyses demonstrated that both BcMF30a and BcMF30c may play a dual role as transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins in plant cells. Functional analysis showed that partial bcmf30a bcmf30c pollen grains were aborted due to the degradation of pollen inclusion at the microgametogenesis phase, and the germination rate of viable pollen was also greatly reduced, indicating that BcMF30a and BcMF30c are required for both pollen development and pollen germination. This research provided insights into the function of CCCH proteins in regulating male reproductive development and laid a theoretical basis for hybrid breeding of Chinese cabbage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liai Xu
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.X.); (X.X.); (W.L.); (T.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xingpeng Xiong
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.X.); (X.X.); (W.L.); (T.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Weimiao Liu
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.X.); (X.X.); (W.L.); (T.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.X.); (X.X.); (W.L.); (T.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Youjian Yu
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an 311300, China;
| | - Jiashu Cao
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.X.); (X.X.); (W.L.); (T.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-131-8501-1958
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Qi HD, Lin Y, Ren QP, Wang YY, Xiong F, Wang XL. RNA Splicing of FLC Modulates the Transition to Flowering. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1625. [PMID: 31921267 PMCID: PMC6928127 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Flowering is a critical stage of plant development and is closely correlated with seed production and crop yield. Flowering transition is regulated by complex genetic networks in response to endogenous and environmental signals. FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is a central repressor in the flowering transition of Arabidopsis thaliana. The regulation of FLC expression is well studied at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. A subset of antisense transcripts from FLC locus, collectively termed cold-induced long antisense intragenic RNAs (COOLAIR), repress FLC expression under cold exposure. Recent studies have provided important insights into the alternative splicing of COOLAIR and FLC sense transcripts in response to developmental and environmental cues. Herein, at the 20th anniversary of FLC functional identification, we summarise new research advances in the alternative splicing of FLC sense and antisense transcripts that regulates flowering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Dong Qi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Yi Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Qiu-Ping Ren
- College of Agronomy, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yu-Yi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Xiu-Ling Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
- *Correspondence: Xiu-Ling Wang,
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