1
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Meena SK, Quevedo M, Nardeli SM, Verez C, Bhat SS, Zacharaki V, Kindgren P. Antisense transcription from stress-responsive transcription factors fine-tunes the cold response in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:3467-3482. [PMID: 38801743 PMCID: PMC11371176 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Transcription of antisense long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) occurs pervasively across eukaryotic genomes. Only a few antisense lncRNAs have been characterized and shown to control biological processes, albeit with idiosyncratic regulatory mechanisms. Thus, we largely lack knowledge about the general role of antisense transcription in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we characterized genes with antisense transcription initiating close to the poly(A) signal of genes (PAS genes) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We compared plant native elongation transcript sequencing (plaNET-seq) with RNA sequencing during short-term cold exposure and detected massive differences between the response in active transcription and steady-state levels of PAS gene-derived mRNAs. The cold-induced expression of transcription factors B-BOX DOMAIN PROTEIN28 (BBX28) and C2H2-TYPE ZINC FINGER FAMILY PROTEIN5 (ZAT5) was detected by plaNET-seq, while their steady-state level was only slightly altered due to high mRNA turnover. Knockdown of BBX28 and ZAT5 or of their respective antisense transcripts severely compromised plant freezing tolerance. Decreased antisense transcript expression levels resulted in a reduced cold response of BBX28 and ZAT5, revealing a positive regulatory role of both antisense transcripts. This study expands the known repertoire of noncoding transcripts. It highlights that native transcription approaches can complement steady-state RNA techniques to identify biologically relevant players in stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Kumar Meena
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 90187, Sweden
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Marti Quevedo
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Sarah Muniz Nardeli
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Clément Verez
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Susheel Sagar Bhat
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Zacharaki
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Peter Kindgren
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 90187, Sweden
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2
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McDonald BR, Picard CL, Brabb IM, Savenkova MI, Schmitz RJ, Jacobsen SE, Duttke SH. Enhancers associated with unstable RNAs are rare in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:1246-1257. [PMID: 39080503 PMCID: PMC11335568 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01741-9] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Unstable transcripts have emerged as markers of active enhancers in vertebrates and shown to be involved in many cellular processes and medical disorders. However, their prevalence and role in plants is largely unexplored. Here, we comprehensively captured all actively initiating (nascent) transcripts across diverse crops and other plants using capped small (cs)RNA sequencing. We discovered that unstable transcripts are rare in plants, unlike in vertebrates, and when present, often originate from promoters. In addition, many 'distal' elements in plants initiate tissue-specific stable transcripts and are likely bona fide promoters of as-yet-unannotated genes or non-coding RNAs, cautioning against using reference genome annotations to infer putative enhancer sites. To investigate enhancer function, we integrated data from self-transcribing active regulatory region (STARR) sequencing. We found that annotated promoters and other regions that initiate stable transcripts, but not those marked by unstable or bidirectional unstable transcripts, showed stronger enhancer activity in this assay. Our findings underscore the blurred line between promoters and enhancers and suggest that cis-regulatory elements can encompass diverse structures and mechanisms in eukaryotes, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayley R McDonald
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Colette L Picard
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ian M Brabb
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Marina I Savenkova
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | | | - Steven E Jacobsen
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sascha H Duttke
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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3
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Pratx L, Crawford T, Bäurle I. Mechanisms of heat stress-induced transcriptional memory. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102590. [PMID: 38968911 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Transcriptional memory allows organisms to store information about transcriptional reprogramming in response to a stimulus. In plants, this often involves the response to an abiotic stress, which in nature may be cyclical or recurring. Such transcriptional memory confers sustained induction or enhanced re-activation in response to a recurrent stimulus, which may increase chances of survival and fitness. Heat stress (HS) has emerged as an excellent model system to study transcriptional memory in plants, and much progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Here, we review how histone turnover and transcriptional co-regulator complexes contribute to reprogramming of transcriptional responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Pratx
- University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tim Crawford
- University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Isabel Bäurle
- University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany.
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4
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Mateo-Bonmatí E, Montez M, Maple R, Fiedler M, Fang X, Saalbach G, Passmore LA, Dean C. A CPF-like phosphatase module links transcription termination to chromatin silencing. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2272-2286.e7. [PMID: 38851185 PMCID: PMC7616277 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.05.016] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The interconnections between co-transcriptional regulation, chromatin environment, and transcriptional output remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the mechanism underlying RNA 3' processing-mediated Polycomb silencing of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). We show a requirement for ANTHESIS PROMOTING FACTOR 1 (APRF1), a homolog of yeast Swd2 and human WDR82, known to regulate RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) during transcription termination. APRF1 interacts with TYPE ONE SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 4 (TOPP4) (yeast Glc7/human PP1) and LUMINIDEPENDENS (LD), the latter showing structural features found in Ref2/PNUTS, all components of the yeast and human phosphatase module of the CPF 3' end-processing machinery. LD has been shown to co-associate in vivo with the histone H3 K4 demethylase FLOWERING LOCUS D (FLD). This work shows how the APRF1/LD-mediated polyadenylation/termination process influences subsequent rounds of transcription by changing the local chromatin environment at FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Mateo-Bonmatí
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/CSIC, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid 28223, Spain.
| | - Miguel Montez
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Robert Maple
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Marc Fiedler
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Xiaofeng Fang
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Gerhard Saalbach
- Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | | | - Caroline Dean
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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5
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Chenna S, Ivanov M, Nielsen TK, Chalenko K, Olsen E, Jørgensen K, Sandelin A, Marquardt S. A data-driven genome annotation approach for cassava. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38831668 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Genome annotation files play a critical role in dictating the quality of downstream analyses by providing essential predictions for gene positions and structures. These files are pivotal in decoding the complex information encoded within DNA sequences. Here, we generated experimental data resolving RNA 5'- and 3'-ends as well as full-length RNAs for cassava TME12 sticklings in ambient temperature and cold. We used these data to generate genome annotation files using the TranscriptomeReconstructoR (TR) tool. A careful comparison to high-quality genome annotations suggests that our new TR genome annotations identified additional genes, resolved the transcript boundaries more accurately and identified additional RNA isoforms. We enhanced existing cassava genome annotation files with the information from TR that maintained the different transcript models as RNA isoforms. The resultant merged annotation was subsequently utilized for comprehensive analysis. To examine the effects of genome annotation files on gene expression studies, we compared the detection of differentially expressed genes during cold using the same RNA-seq data but alternative genome annotation files. We found that our merged genome annotation that included cold-specific TR gene models identified about twice as many cold-induced genes. These data indicate that environmentally induced genes may be missing in off-the-shelf genome annotation files. In conclusion, TR offers the opportunity to enhance crop genome annotations with implications for the discovery of differentially expressed candidate genes during plant-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Chenna
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Maxim Ivanov
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Tue Kjærgaard Nielsen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Karina Chalenko
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Evy Olsen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
| | - Albin Sandelin
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen N, DK2200, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen N, DK2200, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Frederiskberg C, 1871, Denmark
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6
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Zhu S, Yuan S, Niu R, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Xu G. RNAirport: a deep neural network-based database characterizing representative gene models in plants. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:652-664. [PMID: 38518981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.03.004] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
A 5'-leader, known initially as the 5'-untranslated region, contains multiple isoforms due to alternative splicing (aS) and alternative transcription start site (aTSS). Therefore, a representative 5'-leader is demanded to examine the embedded RNA regulatory elements in controlling translation efficiency. Here, we develop a ranking algorithm and a deep-learning model to annotate representative 5'-leaders for five plant species. We rank the intra-sample and inter-sample frequency of aS-mediated transcript isoforms using the Kruskal-Wallis test-based algorithm and identify the representative aS-5'-leader. To further assign a representative 5'-end, we train the deep-learning model 5'leaderP to learn aTSS-mediated 5'-end distribution patterns from cap-analysis gene expression data. The model accurately predicts the 5'-end, confirmed experimentally in Arabidopsis and rice. The representative 5'-leader-contained gene models and 5'leaderP can be accessed at RNAirport (http://www.rnairport.com/leader5P/). The Stage 1 annotation of 5'-leader records 5'-leader diversity and will pave the way to Ribo-Seq open-reading frame annotation, identical to the project recently initiated by human GENCODE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Shu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Ruixia Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Yulu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Guoyong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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7
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Obermeyer S, Kapoor H, Markusch H, Grasser KD. Transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II in plants: factors, regulation and impact on gene expression. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:645-656. [PMID: 36703573 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) through chromatin is a dynamic and highly regulated step of eukaryotic gene expression. A combination of transcript elongation factors (TEFs) including modulators of RNAPII activity and histone chaperones facilitate efficient transcription on nucleosomal templates. Biochemical and genetic analyses, primarily performed in Arabidopsis, provided insight into the contribution of TEFs to establish gene expression patterns during plant growth and development. In addition to summarising the role of TEFs in plant gene expression, we emphasise in our review recent advances in the field. Thus, mechanisms are presented how aberrant intragenic transcript initiation is suppressed by repressing transcriptional start sites within coding sequences. We also discuss how transcriptional interference of ongoing transcription with neighbouring genes is prevented. Moreover, it appears that plants make no use of promoter-proximal RNAPII pausing in the way mammals do, but there are nucleosome-defined mechanism(s) that determine the efficiency of mRNA synthesis by RNAPII. Accordingly, a still growing number of processes related to plant growth, development and responses to changing environmental conditions prove to be regulated at the level of transcriptional elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Obermeyer
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Henna Kapoor
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Markusch
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus D Grasser
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
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8
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Li J, Gu W, Yang Z, Chen J, Yi F, Li T, Li J, Zhou Y, Guo Y, Song W, Lai J, Zhao H. ZmELP1, an Elongator complex subunit, is required for the maintenance of histone acetylation and RNA Pol II phosphorylation in maize kernels. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1251-1268. [PMID: 38098341 PMCID: PMC11022810 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14262] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The Elongator complex was originally identified as an interactor of hyperphosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in yeast and has histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. However, the genome-wide regulatory roles of Elongator on transcriptional elongation and histone acetylation remain unclear. We characterized a maize miniature seed mutant, mn7 and map-based cloning revealed that Mn7 encodes one of the subunits of the Elongator complex, ZmELP1. ZmELP1 deficiency causes marked reductions in the kernel size and weight. Molecular analyses showed that ZmELP1 interacts with ZmELP3, which is required for H3K14 acetylation (H3K14ac), and Elongator complex subunits interact with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal domain (CTD). Genome-wide analyses indicated that loss of ZmELP1 leads to a significant decrease in the deposition of H3K14ac and the CTD of phosphorylated RNAPII on Ser2 (Ser2P). These chromatin changes positively correlate with global transcriptomic changes. ZmELP1 mutation alters the expression of genes involved in transcriptional regulation and kernel development. We also showed that the decrease of Ser2P depends on the deposition of Elongator complex-mediated H3K14ac. Taken together, our results reveal an important role of ZmELP1 in the H3K14ac-dependent transcriptional elongation, which is critical for kernel development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Crop Breeding, Cultivation Research Institution/CIMMYT‐China Specialty Maize Research Center, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Specialty Maize, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and BreedingShanghai Academy of Agricultural SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Zhijia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fei Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and BiotechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jingrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological SciencesChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking‐Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological SciencesChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Weibin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jinsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Haiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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9
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Blanco-Touriñán N, Pérez-Alemany J, Bourbousse C, Latrasse D, Ait-Mohamed O, Benhamed M, Barneche F, Blázquez MA, Gallego-Bartolomé J, Alabadí D. The plant POLYMERASE-ASSOCIATED FACTOR1 complex links transcription and H2B monoubiquitination genome wide. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:640-651. [PMID: 38285074 PMCID: PMC11060679 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved POLYMERASE-ASSOCIATED FACTOR1 complex (Paf1C) participates in transcription, and research in animals and fungi suggests that it facilitates RNA POLYMERASE II (RNAPII) progression through chromatin. We examined the genomic distribution of the EARLY FLOWERING7 (ELF7) and VERNALIZATION INDEPENDENCE3 subunits of Paf1C in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The occupancy of both subunits was confined to thousands of gene bodies and positively associated with RNAPII occupancy and the level of gene expression, supporting a role as a transcription elongation factor. We found that monoubiquitinated histone H2B, which marks most transcribed genes, was strongly reduced genome wide in elf7 seedlings. Genome-wide profiling of RNAPII revealed that in elf7 mutants, RNAPII occupancy was reduced throughout the gene body and at the transcription end site of Paf1C-targeted genes, suggesting a direct role for the complex in transcription elongation. Overall, our observations suggest a direct functional link between Paf1C activity, monoubiquitination of histone H2B, and the transition of RNAPII to productive elongation. However, for several genes, Paf1C may also act independently of H2Bub deposition or occupy these genes more stable than H2Bub marking, possibly reflecting the dynamic nature of Paf1C association and H2Bub turnover during transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noel Blanco-Touriñán
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jaime Pérez-Alemany
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Bourbousse
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (CNRS), CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75230 Paris, France
| | - David Latrasse
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (Université Paris-Saclay-CNRS), 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ouardia Ait-Mohamed
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (CNRS), CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75230 Paris, France
| | - Moussa Benhamed
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (Université Paris-Saclay-CNRS), 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Fredy Barneche
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (CNRS), CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75230 Paris, France
| | - Miguel A Blázquez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - David Alabadí
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022 Valencia, Spain
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10
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Zhang Y, Dong Q, Wang Z, Liu Q, Yu H, Sun W, Cheema J, You Q, Ding L, Cao X, He C, Ding Y, Zhang H. A fine-scale Arabidopsis chromatin landscape reveals chromatin conformation-associated transcriptional dynamics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3253. [PMID: 38627396 PMCID: PMC11021422 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47678-7] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Plants, as sessile organisms, deploy transcriptional dynamics for adapting to extreme growth conditions such as cold stress. Emerging evidence suggests that chromatin architecture contributes to transcriptional regulation. However, the relationship between chromatin architectural dynamics and transcriptional reprogramming in response to cold stress remains unclear. Here, we apply a chemical-crosslinking assisted proximity capture (CAP-C) method to elucidate the fine-scale chromatin landscape, revealing chromatin interactions within gene bodies closely associated with RNA polymerase II (Pol II) densities across initiation, pausing, and termination sites. We observe dynamic changes in chromatin interactions alongside Pol II activity alterations during cold stress, suggesting local chromatin dynamics may regulate Pol II activity. Notably, cold stress does not affect large-scale chromatin conformations. We further identify a comprehensive promoter-promoter interaction (PPI) network across the genome, potentially facilitating co-regulation of gene expression in response to cold stress. Our study deepens the understanding of chromatin conformation-associated gene regulation in plant response to cold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Qianli Dong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Qinzhe Liu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Haopeng Yu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Wenqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Jitender Cheema
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Qiancheng You
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ling Ding
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan He
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Yiliang Ding
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
| | - Huakun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
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11
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Chen Y, Guo P, Dong Z. The role of histone acetylation in transcriptional regulation and seed development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1962-1979. [PMID: 37979164 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Histone acetylation is highly conserved across eukaryotes and has been linked to gene activation since its discovery nearly 60 years ago. Over the past decades, histone acetylation has been evidenced to play crucial roles in plant development and response to various environmental cues. Emerging data indicate that histone acetylation is one of the defining features of "open chromatin," while the role of histone acetylation in transcription remains controversial. In this review, we briefly describe the discovery of histone acetylation, the mechanism of histone acetylation regulating transcription in yeast and mammals, and summarize the research progress of plant histone acetylation. Furthermore, we also emphasize the effect of histone acetylation on seed development and its potential use in plant breeding. A comprehensive knowledge of histone acetylation might provide new and more flexible research perspectives to enhance crop yield and stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Peiguo Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhicheng Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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12
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Nishio H, Kawakatsu T, Yamaguchi N. Beyond heat waves: Unlocking epigenetic heat stress memory in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1934-1951. [PMID: 37878744 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Plants remember their exposure to environmental changes and respond more effectively the next time they encounter a similar change by flexibly altering gene expression. Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in establishing such memory of environmental changes and fine-tuning gene expression. With the recent advancements in biochemistry and sequencing technologies, it has become possible to characterize the dynamics of epigenetic changes on scales ranging from short term (minutes) to long term (generations). Here, our main focus is on describing the current understanding of the temporal regulation of histone modifications and chromatin changes during exposure to short-term recurring high temperatures and reevaluating them in the context of natural environments. Investigations of the dynamics of histone modifications and chromatin structural changes in Arabidopsis after repeated exposure to heat at short intervals have revealed the detailed molecular mechanisms of short-term heat stress memory, which include histone modification enzymes, chromatin remodelers, and key transcription factors. In addition, we summarize the spatial regulation of heat responses. Based on the natural temperature patterns during summer, we discuss how plants cope with recurring heat stress occurring at various time intervals by utilizing 2 distinct types of heat stress memory mechanisms. We also explore future research directions to provide a more precise understanding of the epigenetic regulation of heat stress memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishio
- Data Science and AI Innovation Research Promotion Center, Shiga University, Shiga 522-8522, Japan
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
| | - Taiji Kawakatsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Yamaguchi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
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13
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Tremblay BJM, Santini CP, Cheng Y, Zhang X, Rosa S, Qüesta JI. Interplay between coding and non-coding regulation drives the Arabidopsis seed-to-seedling transition. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1724. [PMID: 38409232 PMCID: PMC10897432 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Translation of seed stored mRNAs is essential to trigger germination. However, when RNAPII re-engages RNA synthesis during the seed-to-seedling transition has remained in question. Combining csRNA-seq, ATAC-seq and smFISH in Arabidopsis thaliana we demonstrate that active transcription initiation is detectable during the entire germination process. Features of non-coding regulation such as dynamic changes in chromatin accessible regions, antisense transcription, as well as bidirectional non-coding promoters are widespread throughout the Arabidopsis genome. We show that sensitivity to exogenous ABSCISIC ACID (ABA) during germination depends on proximal promoter accessibility at ABA-responsive genes. Moreover, we provide genetic validation of the existence of divergent transcription in plants. Our results reveal that active enhancer elements are transcribed producing non-coding enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) as widely documented in metazoans. In sum, this study defining the extent and role of coding and non-coding transcription during key stages of germination expands our understanding of transcriptional mechanisms underlying plant developmental transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J M Tremblay
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina P Santini
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yajiao Cheng
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xue Zhang
- Plant Biology Department, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Rosa
- Plant Biology Department, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julia I Qüesta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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Shamnas v M, Singh A, Kumar A, Mishra GP, Sinha SK. Exitrons: offering new roles to retained introns-the novel regulators of protein diversity and utility. AOB PLANTS 2024; 16:plae014. [PMID: 38566894 PMCID: PMC10985678 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plae014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Exitrons are exonic introns. This subclass of intron retention alternative splicing does not contain a Pre-Terminating stop Codon. Therefore, when retained, they are always a part of a protein. Intron retention is a frequent phenomenon predominantly found in plants, which results in either the degradation of the transcripts or can serve as a stable intermediate to be processed upon induction by specific signals or the cell status. Interestingly, exitrons have coding ability and may confer additional attributes to the proteins that retain them. Therefore, exitron-containing and exitron-spliced isoforms will be a driving force for creating protein diversity in the proteome of an organism. This review establishes a basic understanding of exitron, discussing its genesis, key features, identification methods and functions. We also try to depict its other potential roles. The present review also aims to provide a fundamental background to those who found such exitronic sequences in their gene(s) and to speculate the future course of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Shamnas v
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Akanksha Singh
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette 47906, Indiana, USA
| | - Anuj Kumar
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Gyan Prakash Mishra
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Subodh Kumar Sinha
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
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15
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Crawford T, Siebler L, Sulkowska A, Nowack B, Jiang L, Pan Y, Lämke J, Kappel C, Bäurle I. The Mediator kinase module enhances polymerase activity to regulate transcriptional memory after heat stress in Arabidopsis. EMBO J 2024; 43:437-461. [PMID: 38228917 PMCID: PMC10897291 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-023-00024-x] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Plants are often exposed to recurring adverse environmental conditions in the wild. Acclimation to high temperatures entails transcriptional responses, which prime plants to better withstand subsequent stress events. Heat stress (HS)-induced transcriptional memory results in more efficient re-induction of transcription upon recurrence of heat stress. Here, we identified CDK8 and MED12, two subunits of the kinase module of the transcription co-regulator complex, Mediator, as promoters of heat stress memory and associated histone modifications in Arabidopsis. CDK8 is recruited to heat-stress memory genes by HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR A2 (HSFA2). Like HSFA2, CDK8 is largely dispensable for the initial gene induction upon HS, and its function in transcriptional memory is thus independent of primary gene activation. In addition to the promoter and transcriptional start region of target genes, CDK8 also binds their 3'-region, where it may promote elongation, termination, or rapid re-initiation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) complexes during transcriptional memory bursts. Our work presents a complex role for the Mediator kinase module during transcriptional memory in multicellular eukaryotes, through interactions with transcription factors, chromatin modifications, and promotion of Pol II efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Crawford
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lara Siebler
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Bryan Nowack
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Li Jiang
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Yufeng Pan
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jörn Lämke
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christian Kappel
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Isabel Bäurle
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
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16
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Kornienko AE, Nizhynska V, Molla Morales A, Pisupati R, Nordborg M. Population-level annotation of lncRNAs in Arabidopsis reveals extensive expression variation associated with transposable element-like silencing. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 36:85-111. [PMID: 37683092 PMCID: PMC10734619 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are understudied and underannotated in plants. In mammals, lncRNA loci are nearly as ubiquitous as protein-coding genes, and their expression is highly variable between individuals of the same species. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, we aimed to elucidate the true scope of lncRNA transcription across plants from different regions and study its natural variation. We used transcriptome deep sequencing data sets spanning hundreds of natural accessions and several developmental stages to create a population-wide annotation of lncRNAs, revealing thousands of previously unannotated lncRNA loci. While lncRNA transcription is ubiquitous in the genome, most loci appear to be actively silenced and their expression is extremely variable between natural accessions. This high expression variability is largely caused by the high variability of repressive chromatin levels at lncRNA loci. High variability was particularly common for intergenic lncRNAs (lincRNAs), where pieces of transposable elements (TEs) present in 50% of these lincRNA loci are associated with increased silencing and variation, and such lncRNAs tend to be targeted by the TE silencing machinery. We created a population-wide lncRNA annotation in Arabidopsis and improve our understanding of plant lncRNA genome biology, raising fundamental questions about what causes transcription and silencing across the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra E Kornienko
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Viktoria Nizhynska
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Almudena Molla Morales
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Rahul Pisupati
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Magnus Nordborg
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
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17
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Liu M, Zhu J, Huang H, Chen Y, Dong Z. Comparative analysis of nascent RNA sequencing methods and their applications in studies of cotranscriptional splicing dynamics. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:4304-4324. [PMID: 37708036 PMCID: PMC10689179 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput detection of nascent RNA is critical for studies of transcription and much more challenging than that of mRNA. Recently, several massively parallel nascent RNA sequencing methods were established in eukaryotic cells. Here, we systematically compared 3 classes of methods on the same pure or crude nuclei preparations: GRO-seq for sequence nuclear run-on RNAs, pNET-seq for sequence RNA polymerase II-associated RNAs, and CB RNA-seq for sequence chromatin-bound (CB) RNAs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To improve the resolution of CB RNAs, 3'CB RNA-seq was established to sequence the 3' ends of CB RNAs. In addition, we modified pNET-seq to establish the Chromatin Native Elongation Transcript sequencing (ChrNET) method using chromatin as the starting material for RNA immunoprecipitation. Reproducibility, sensitivity and accuracy in detecting nascent transcripts, experimental procedures, and costs were analyzed, which revealed the strengths and weaknesses of each method. We found that pNET and GRO methods best detected active RNA polymerase II. CB RNA-seq is a simple and cost-effective alternative for nascent RNA studies, due to its high correlation with pNET-seq and GRO-seq. Compared with pNET, ChrNET has higher specificity for nascent RNA capture and lower sequencing cost. 3'CB is sensitive to transcription-coupled splicing. Using these methods, we identified 1,404 unknown transcripts, 4,482 unannotated splicing events, and 60 potential recursive splicing events. This comprehensive comparison of different nascent/chromatin RNA sequencing methods highlights the strengths of each method and serves as a guide for researchers aiming to select a method that best meets their study goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiafu Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huijuan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhicheng Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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18
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Obermeyer S, Schrettenbrunner L, Stöckl R, Schwartz U, Grasser K. Different elongation factors distinctly modulate RNA polymerase II transcription in Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11518-11533. [PMID: 37819035 PMCID: PMC10681736 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Various transcript elongation factors (TEFs) including modulators of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity and histone chaperones tune the efficiency of transcription in the chromatin context. TEFs are involved in establishing gene expression patterns during growth and development in Arabidopsis, while little is known about the genomic distribution of the TEFs and the way they facilitate transcription. We have mapped the genome-wide occupancy of the elongation factors SPT4-SPT5, PAF1C and FACT, relative to that of elongating RNAPII phosphorylated at residues S2/S5 within the carboxyterminal domain. The distribution of SPT4-SPT5 along transcribed regions closely resembles that of RNAPII-S2P, while the occupancy of FACT and PAF1C is rather related to that of RNAPII-S5P. Under transcriptionally challenging heat stress conditions, mutant plants lacking the corresponding TEFs are differentially impaired in transcript synthesis. Strikingly, in plants deficient in PAF1C, defects in transcription across intron/exon borders are observed that are cumulative along transcribed regions. Upstream of transcriptional start sites, the presence of FACT correlates with nucleosomal occupancy. Under stress conditions FACT is particularly required for transcriptional upregulation and to promote RNAPII transcription through +1 nucleosomes. Thus, Arabidopsis TEFs are differently distributed along transcribed regions, and are distinctly required during transcript elongation especially upon transcriptional reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Obermeyer
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Schrettenbrunner
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard Stöckl
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Schwartz
- NGS Analysis Centre, Biology and Pre-Clinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus D Grasser
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
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19
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Larran AS, Pajoro A, Qüesta JI. Is winter coming? Impact of the changing climate on plant responses to cold temperature. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3175-3193. [PMID: 37438895 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14669] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is causing alterations in annual temperature regimes worldwide. Important aspects of this include the reduction of winter chilling temperatures as well as the occurrence of unpredicted frosts, both significantly affecting plant growth and yields. Recent studies advanced the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cold responses and tolerance in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, how these cold-responsive pathways will readjust to ongoing seasonal temperature variation caused by global warming remains an open question. In this review, we highlight the plant developmental programmes that depend on cold temperature. We focus on the molecular mechanisms that plants have evolved to adjust their development and stress responses upon exposure to cold. Covering both genetic and epigenetic aspects, we present the latest insights into how alternative splicing, noncoding RNAs and the formation of biomolecular condensates play key roles in the regulation of cold responses. We conclude by commenting on attractive targets to accelerate the breeding of increased cold tolerance, bringing up biotechnological tools that might assist in overcoming current limitations. Our aim is to guide the reflection on the current agricultural challenges imposed by a changing climate and to provide useful information for improving plant resilience to unpredictable cold regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Santiago Larran
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) IRTA-CSIC-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alice Pajoro
- National Research Council, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome, Italy
| | - Julia I Qüesta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) IRTA-CSIC-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Dwivedi SL, Quiroz LF, Reddy ASN, Spillane C, Ortiz R. Alternative Splicing Variation: Accessing and Exploiting in Crop Improvement Programs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15205. [PMID: 37894886 PMCID: PMC10607462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015205] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a gene regulatory mechanism modulating gene expression in multiple ways. AS is prevalent in all eukaryotes including plants. AS generates two or more mRNAs from the precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) to regulate transcriptome complexity and proteome diversity. Advances in next-generation sequencing, omics technology, bioinformatics tools, and computational methods provide new opportunities to quantify and visualize AS-based quantitative trait variation associated with plant growth, development, reproduction, and stress tolerance. Domestication, polyploidization, and environmental perturbation may evolve novel splicing variants associated with agronomically beneficial traits. To date, pre-mRNAs from many genes are spliced into multiple transcripts that cause phenotypic variation for complex traits, both in model plant Arabidopsis and field crops. Cataloguing and exploiting such variation may provide new paths to enhance climate resilience, resource-use efficiency, productivity, and nutritional quality of staple food crops. This review provides insights into AS variation alongside a gene expression analysis to select for novel phenotypic diversity for use in breeding programs. AS contributes to heterosis, enhances plant symbiosis (mycorrhiza and rhizobium), and provides a mechanistic link between the core clock genes and diverse environmental clues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis Felipe Quiroz
- Agriculture and Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Anireddy S N Reddy
- Department of Biology and Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Charles Spillane
- Agriculture and Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Rodomiro Ortiz
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23053 Alnarp, SE, Sweden
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21
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Mcdonald BR, Picard C, Brabb IM, Savenkova MI, Schmitz RJ, Jacobsen SE, Duttke SH. Enhancers associated with unstable RNAs are rare in plants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.25.559415. [PMID: 37808859 PMCID: PMC10557634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.559415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Unstable transcripts have emerged as markers of active enhancers in vertebrates and shown to be involved in many cellular processes and medical disorders. However, their prevalence and role in plants is largely unexplored. Here, we comprehensively captured all actively initiating ("nascent") transcripts across diverse crops and other plants using capped small (cs)RNA-seq. We discovered that unstable transcripts are rare, unlike in vertebrates, and often originate from promoters. Additionally, many "distal" elements in plants initiate tissue-specific stable transcripts and are likely bone fide promoters of yet-unannotated genes or non-coding RNAs, cautioning against using genome annotations to infer "enhancers" or transcript stability. To investigate enhancer function, we integrated STARR-seq data. We found that annotated promoters, and other regions that initiate stable transcripts rather than unstable transcripts, function as stronger enhancers in plants. Our findings underscore the blurred line between promoters and enhancers and suggest that cis-regulatory elements encompass diverse structures and mechanisms in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayley R. Mcdonald
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Colette Picard
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ian M. Brabb
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Marina I. Savenkova
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | | | - Steven E. Jacobsen
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sascha H. Duttke
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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22
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Zhang Y, Tian L, Lu C. Chloroplast gene expression: Recent advances and perspectives. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:100611. [PMID: 37147800 PMCID: PMC10504595 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Chloroplasts evolved from an ancient cyanobacterial endosymbiont more than 1.5 billion years ago. During subsequent coevolution with the nuclear genome, the chloroplast genome has remained independent, albeit strongly reduced, with its own transcriptional machinery and distinct features, such as chloroplast-specific innovations in gene expression and complicated post-transcriptional processing. Light activates the expression of chloroplast genes via mechanisms that optimize photosynthesis, minimize photodamage, and prioritize energy investments. Over the past few years, studies have moved from describing phases of chloroplast gene expression to exploring the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we focus on recent advances and emerging principles that govern chloroplast gene expression in land plants. We discuss engineering of pentatricopeptide repeat proteins and its biotechnological effects on chloroplast RNA research; new techniques for characterizing the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast gene expression; and important aspects of chloroplast gene expression for improving crop yield and stress tolerance. We also discuss biological and mechanistic questions that remain to be answered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Lin Tian
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Congming Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China.
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23
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Zhou S, Zhao F, Zhu D, Zhang Q, Dai Z, Wu Z. Coupling of co-transcriptional splicing and 3' end Pol II pausing during termination in Arabidopsis. Genome Biol 2023; 24:206. [PMID: 37697420 PMCID: PMC10496290 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03050-4] [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: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Arabidopsis, RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) often pauses within a few hundred base pairs downstream of the polyadenylation site, reflecting efficient transcriptional termination, but how such pausing is regulated remains largely elusive. RESULT Here, we analyze Pol II dynamics at 3' ends by combining comprehensive experiments with mathematical modelling. We generate high-resolution serine 2 phosphorylated (Ser2P) Pol II positioning data specifically enriched at 3' ends and define a 3' end pause index (3'PI). The position but not the extent of the 3' end pause correlates with the termination window size. The 3'PI is not decreased but even mildly increased in the termination deficient mutant xrn3, indicating 3' end pause is a regulatory step early during the termination and before XRN3-mediated RNA decay that releases Pol II. Unexpectedly, 3'PI is closely associated with gene exon numbers and co-transcriptional splicing efficiency. Multiple exons genes often display stronger 3' end pauses and more efficient on-chromatin splicing than genes with fewer exons. Chemical inhibition of splicing strongly reduces the 3'PI and disrupts its correlation with exon numbers but does not globally impact 3' end readthrough levels. These results are further confirmed by fitting Pol II positioning data with a mathematical model, which enables the estimation of parameters that define Pol II dynamics. CONCLUSION Our work highlights that the number of exons via co-transcriptional splicing is a major determinant of Pol II pausing levels at the 3' end of genes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixian Zhou
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fengli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Danling Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qiqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ziwei Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Zhe Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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24
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Pronozin AY, Afonnikov DA. ICAnnoLncRNA: A Snakemake Pipeline for a Long Non-Coding-RNA Search and Annotation in Transcriptomic Sequences. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1331. [PMID: 37510236 PMCID: PMC10379598 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. Experimental studies have shown the diversity and importance of lncRNA functions in plants. To expand knowledge about lncRNAs in other species, computational pipelines that allow for standardised data-processing steps in a mode that does not require user control up until the final result were actively developed recently. These advancements enable wider functionality for lncRNA data identification and analysis. In the present work, we propose the ICAnnoLncRNA pipeline for the automatic identification, classification and annotation of plant lncRNAs in assembled transcriptomic sequences. It uses the LncFinder software for the identification of lncRNAs and allows the adjustment of recognition parameters using genomic data for which lncRNA annotation is available. The pipeline allows the prediction of lncRNA candidates, alignment of lncRNA sequences to the reference genome, filtering of erroneous/noise transcripts and probable transposable elements, lncRNA classification by genome location, comparison with sequences from external databases and analysis of lncRNA structural features and expression. We used transcriptomic sequences from 15 maize libraries assembled by Trinity and Hisat2/StringTie to demonstrate the application of the ICAnnoLncRNA pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Yu Pronozin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Afonnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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25
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Berthelier J, Furci L, Asai S, Sadykova M, Shimazaki T, Shirasu K, Saze H. Long-read direct RNA sequencing reveals epigenetic regulation of chimeric gene-transposon transcripts in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3248. [PMID: 37277361 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38954-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are accumulated in both intergenic and intragenic regions in plant genomes. Intragenic TEs often act as regulatory elements of associated genes and are also co-transcribed with genes, generating chimeric TE-gene transcripts. Despite the potential impact on mRNA regulation and gene function, the prevalence and transcriptional regulation of TE-gene transcripts are poorly understood. By long-read direct RNA sequencing and a dedicated bioinformatics pipeline, ParasiTE, we investigated the transcription and RNA processing of TE-gene transcripts in Arabidopsis thaliana. We identified a global production of TE-gene transcripts in thousands of A. thaliana gene loci, with TE sequences often being associated with alternative transcription start sites or transcription termination sites. The epigenetic state of intragenic TEs affects RNAPII elongation and usage of alternative poly(A) signals within TE sequences, regulating alternative TE-gene isoform production. Co-transcription and inclusion of TE-derived sequences into gene transcripts impact regulation of RNA stability and environmental responses of some loci. Our study provides insights into TE-gene interactions that contributes to mRNA regulation, transcriptome diversity, and environmental responses in plants.
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Grants
- JP20H02995 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP22H00364 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP20H05909 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP20H05913 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Berthelier
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Leonardo Furci
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Shuta Asai
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Munissa Sadykova
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Tomoe Shimazaki
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Ken Shirasu
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Saze
- Plant Epigenetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
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26
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Manavella PA, Godoy Herz MA, Kornblihtt AR, Sorenson R, Sieburth LE, Nakaminami K, Seki M, Ding Y, Sun Q, Kang H, Ariel FD, Crespi M, Giudicatti AJ, Cai Q, Jin H, Feng X, Qi Y, Pikaard CS. Beyond transcription: compelling open questions in plant RNA biology. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1626-1653. [PMID: 36477566 PMCID: PMC10226580 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The study of RNAs has become one of the most influential research fields in contemporary biology and biomedicine. In the last few years, new sequencing technologies have produced an explosion of new and exciting discoveries in the field but have also given rise to many open questions. Defining these questions, together with old, long-standing gaps in our knowledge, is the spirit of this article. The breadth of topics within RNA biology research is vast, and every aspect of the biology of these molecules contains countless exciting open questions. Here, we asked 12 groups to discuss their most compelling question among some plant RNA biology topics. The following vignettes cover RNA alternative splicing; RNA dynamics; RNA translation; RNA structures; R-loops; epitranscriptomics; long non-coding RNAs; small RNA production and their functions in crops; small RNAs during gametogenesis and in cross-kingdom RNA interference; and RNA-directed DNA methylation. In each section, we will present the current state-of-the-art in plant RNA biology research before asking the questions that will surely motivate future discoveries in the field. We hope this article will spark a debate about the future perspective on RNA biology and provoke novel reflections in the reader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Micaela A Godoy Herz
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Alberto R Kornblihtt
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Reed Sorenson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake City 84112, USA
| | - Leslie E Sieburth
- School of Biological Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake City 84112, USA
| | - Kentaro Nakaminami
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Motoaki Seki
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa 244-0813, Japan
| | - Yiliang Ding
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Qianwen Sun
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hunseung Kang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Federico D Ariel
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Martin Crespi
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay IPS2, CNRS, INRA, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Bâtiment 630, Orsay 91405, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay IPS2, Université de Paris, Bâtiment 630, Orsay 91405, France
| | - Axel J Giudicatti
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Qiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92507, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Yijun Qi
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Craig S Pikaard
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
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27
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Marquardt S, Petrillo E, Manavella PA. Cotranscriptional RNA processing and modification in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1654-1670. [PMID: 36259932 PMCID: PMC10226594 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The activities of RNA polymerases shape the epigenetic landscape of genomes with profound consequences for genome integrity and gene expression. A fundamental event during the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression is the coordination between transcription and RNA processing. Most primary RNAs mature through various RNA processing and modification events to become fully functional. While pioneering results positioned RNA maturation steps after transcription ends, the coupling between the maturation of diverse RNA species and their transcription is becoming increasingly evident in plants. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the crosstalk between RNA Polymerase II, IV, and V transcription and nascent RNA processing of both coding and noncoding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Marquardt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ezequiel Petrillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
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28
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Jin Y, Ivanov M, Dittrich AN, Nelson AD, Marquardt S. LncRNA FLAIL affects alternative splicing and represses flowering in Arabidopsis. EMBO J 2023:e110921. [PMID: 37051749 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022110921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
How the noncoding genome affects cellular functions is a key biological question. A particular challenge is to distinguish the effects of noncoding DNA elements from long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that coincide at the same loci. Here, we identified the flowering-associated intergenic lncRNA (FLAIL) in Arabidopsis through early flowering flail mutants. Expression of FLAIL RNA from a different chromosomal location in combination with strand-specific RNA knockdown characterized FLAIL as a trans-acting RNA molecule. FLAIL directly binds to differentially expressed target genes that control flowering via RNA-DNA interactions through conserved sequence motifs. FLAIL interacts with protein and RNA components of the spliceosome to affect target mRNA expression through co-transcriptional alternative splicing (AS) and linked chromatin regulation. In the absence of FLAIL, splicing defects at the direct FLAIL target flowering gene LACCASE 8 (LAC8) correlated with reduced mRNA expression. Double mutant analyses support a model where FLAIL-mediated splicing of LAC8 promotes its mRNA expression and represses flowering. Our study suggests lncRNAs as accessory components of the spliceosome that regulate AS and gene expression to impact organismal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Maxim Ivanov
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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29
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Gullotta G, Korte A, Marquardt S. Functional variation in the non-coding genome: molecular implications for food security. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:2338-2351. [PMID: 36316269 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The growing world population, in combination with the anticipated effects of climate change, is pressuring food security. Plants display an impressive arsenal of cellular mechanisms conferring resilience to adverse environmental conditions, and humans rely on these mechanisms for stable food production. The elucidation of the molecular basis of the mechanisms used by plants to achieve resilience promises knowledge-based approaches to enhance food security. DNA sequence polymorphisms can reveal genomic regions that are linked to beneficial traits of plants. However, our ability to interpret how a given DNA sequence polymorphism confers a fitness advantage at the molecular level often remains poor. A key factor is that these polymorphisms largely localize to the enigmatic non-coding genome. Here, we review the functional impact of sequence variations in the non-coding genome on plant biology in the context of crop breeding and agricultural traits. We focus on examples of non-coding with particularly convincing functional support. Our survey combines findings that are consistent with the view that the non-coding genome contributes to cellular mechanisms assisting many plant traits. Understanding how DNA sequence polymorphisms in the non-coding genome shape plant traits at the molecular level offers a largely unexplored reservoir of solutions to address future challenges in plant growth and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Gullotta
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 21A, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Arthur Korte
- Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, University of Würzburg, Hubland Nord 32, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 21A, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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30
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de Felippes FF, Waterhouse PM. Plant terminators: the unsung heroes of gene expression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:2239-2250. [PMID: 36477559 PMCID: PMC10082929 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To be properly expressed, genes need to be accompanied by a terminator, a region downstream of the coding sequence that contains the information necessary for the maturation of the mRNA 3' end. The main event in this process is the addition of a poly(A) tail at the 3' end of the new transcript, a critical step in mRNA biology that has important consequences for the expression of genes. Here, we review the mechanism leading to cleavage and polyadenylation of newly transcribed mRNAs and how this process can affect the final levels of gene expression. We give special attention to an aspect often overlooked, the effect that different terminators can have on the expression of genes. We also discuss some exciting findings connecting the choice of terminator to the biogenesis of small RNAs, which are a central part of one of the most important mechanisms of regulation of gene expression in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter M Waterhouse
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature & Agriculture, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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31
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Zachgo S. Nuclear redox processes in land plant development and stress adaptation. Biol Chem 2023; 404:379-384. [PMID: 36853884 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings expanded our knowledge about plant redox regulation in stress responses by demonstrating that redox processes exert crucial nuclear regulatory functions in meristems and other developmental processes. Analyses of redox-modulated transcription factor functions and coregulatory ROXYs, CC-type land-plant specific glutaredoxins, reveal new insights into the redox control of plant transcription factors and participation of ROXYs in plant development. The role for ROS and redox signaling in response to low-oxygen conditions further strengthens the importance of redox processes in meristems and tissue differentiation as well as for adaptation to changing environments effecting food crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Zachgo
- Division of Botany, School of Biology/Chemistry, Osnabrück University, Barbarastrasse 11, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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32
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Arce AL, Mencia R, Cambiagno DA, Lang PL, Liu C, Burbano HA, Weigel D, Manavella PA. Polymorphic inverted repeats near coding genes impact chromatin topology and phenotypic traits in Arabidopsis thaliana. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112029. [PMID: 36689329 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposons are mobile elements that are commonly silenced to protect eukaryotic genome integrity. In plants, transposable element (TE)-derived inverted repeats (IRs) are commonly found near genes, where they affect host gene expression. However, the molecular mechanisms of such regulation are unclear in most cases. Expression of these IRs is associated with production of 24-nt small RNAs, methylation of the IRs, and drastic changes in local 3D chromatin organization. Notably, many of these IRs differ between Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, causing variation in short-range chromatin interactions and gene expression. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated disruption of two IRs leads to a switch in genome topology and gene expression with phenotypic consequences. Our data show that insertion of an IR near a gene provides an anchor point for chromatin interactions that profoundly impact the activity of neighboring loci. This turns IRs into powerful evolutionary agents that can contribute to rapid adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín L Arce
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Regina Mencia
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Damian A Cambiagno
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Patricia L Lang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Epigenetics, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hernán A Burbano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Life's Origins and Evolution, University College London, London, UK
| | - Detlef Weigel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina.
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33
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Obermeyer S, Stöckl R, Schnekenburger T, Kapoor H, Stempfl T, Schwartz U, Grasser KD. TFIIS Is Crucial During Early Transcript Elongation for Transcriptional Reprogramming in Response to Heat Stress. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167917. [PMID: 36502880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the stage of transcriptional initiation, the production of mRNAs is regulated during elongation. Accordingly, the synthesis of mRNAs by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in the chromatin context is modulated by various transcript elongation factors. TFIIS is an elongation factor that stimulates the transcript cleavage activity of RNAPII to reactivate stalled elongation complexes at barriers to transcription including nucleosomes. Since Arabidopsis tfIIs mutants grow normally under standard conditions, we have exposed them to heat stress (HS), revealing that tfIIs plants are highly sensitive to elevated temperatures. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that particularly HS-induced genes are expressed at lower levels in tfIIs than in wildtype. Mapping the distribution of elongating RNAPII uncovered that in tfIIs plants RNAPII accumulates at the +1 nucleosome of genes that are upregulated upon HS. The promoter-proximal RNAPII accumulation in tfIIs under HS conditions conforms to that observed upon inhibition of the RNAPII transcript cleavage activity. Further analysis of the RNAPII accumulation downstream of transcriptional start sites illustrated that RNAPII stalling occurs at +1 nucleosomes that are depleted in the histone variant H2A.Z upon HS. Therefore, assistance of early transcript elongation by TFIIS is required for reprogramming gene expression to establish plant thermotolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Obermeyer
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard Stöckl
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Schnekenburger
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Henna Kapoor
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stempfl
- Center of Excellence for Fluorescent Bioanalytics (KFB), University of Regensburg, Am Biopark 9, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Schwartz
- NGS Analysis Centre, Biology and Pre-Clinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus D Grasser
- Cell Biology & Plant Biochemistry, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Zacharaki V, Meena SK, Kindgren P. The non-coding RNA SVALKA locus produces a cis-natural antisense transcript that negatively regulates the expression of CBF1 and biomass production at normal temperatures. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023:100551. [PMID: 36681861 PMCID: PMC10363475 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding transcription is present in all eukaryotic genomes, but we lack fundamental knowledge about its importance for an organism's ability to develop properly. In plants, emerging evidence highlights the essential biological role of non-coding transcription in the regulation of coding transcription. However, we have few molecular insights into this regulation. Here, we show that a long isoform of the long non-coding RNA SVALKA-L (SVK-L) forms a natural antisense transcript to the host gene CBF1 and negatively regulates CBF1 mRNA levels at normal temperatures in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, we show detailed evidence for the specific mode of action of SVK-L. This pathway includes the formation of double-stranded RNA that is recognized by the DICER proteins and subsequent downregulation of CBF1 mRNA levels. Thus, the CBF1-SVK regulatory circuit is not only important for its previously known role in cold temperature acclimation but also for biomass production at normal temperatures. Our study characterizes the developmental role of SVK-L and offers mechanistic insight into how biologically important overlapping natural antisense transcripts can act on and fine-tune the steady-state levels of their host gene's mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Zacharaki
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Shiv Kumar Meena
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter Kindgren
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.
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35
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Kurihara Y, Makita Y, Kawauchi M, Kageyama A, Kuriyama T, Matsui M. Intergenic splicing-stimulated transcriptional readthrough is suppressed by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in Arabidopsis. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1390. [PMID: 36539571 PMCID: PMC9768141 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent emerging evidence has shown that readthrough transcripts (RTs), including polycistronic mRNAs, are also transcribed in eukaryotes. However, the post-transcriptional regulation for these remains to be elucidated. Here, we identify 271 polycistronic RT-producing loci in Arabidopsis. Increased accumulation of RTs is detected in the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD)-deficient mutants compared with wild type, and the second open reading frames (ORFs) of bicistronic mRNAs are rarely translated in contrast to the first ORFs. Intergenic splicing (IS) events which occur between first and second genes are seen in 158 RTs. Splicing inhibition assays suggest that IS eliminates the chance of transcription termination at the polyadenylation sites of the first gene and promotes accumulation of RTs. These results indicate that RTs arise from genes whose transcription termination is relatively weak or attenuated by IS, but NMD selectively degrades them. Ultimately, this report presents a eukaryotic strategy for RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Kurihara
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902 Japan
| | - Yuko Makita
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan ,grid.444244.60000 0004 0628 9167Faculty of Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Kamisadori 460-1, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0816 Japan
| | - Masaharu Kawauchi
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Ami Kageyama
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027 Japan
| | - Tomoko Kuriyama
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Minami Matsui
- grid.509461.f0000 0004 1757 8255Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027 Japan
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36
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Zhang Q, Zhao F, Wu Z, Zhu D. A simple and robust method for isolating and analyzing chromatin-bound RNAs in Arabidopsis. PLANT METHODS 2022; 18:135. [PMID: 36510301 PMCID: PMC9743689 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-022-00967-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: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromatin-bound RNAs are the primary product of transcription that undergo on-chromatin processing such as capping, splicing, and polyadenylation. These processing steps then determine the fate of RNAs. Albeit its vital importance, a simple and robust method for isolating different fractions of chromatin-bound RNAs is missing in plants. RESULT Here, we describe our updated method and the associated step-by-step protocol for chromatin-bound RNAs isolation in A. thaliana. The chromatin-bound RNAs isolation is based on the 1 M UREA wash that removes the majority of non-chromatin-associated proteins from the nucleus, as previously developed in mammalian cells. On-demand, the isolated chromatin-bound RNAs can be either used directly for gene-specific analysis or subject to further rRNA removal and also the optional polyadenylated RNA removal, followed by high-throughput sequencing. Detailed protocols for these procedures are also provided. Comparison of sequencing results of chromatin-bound RNAs with and without polyadenylated RNA removal revealed that a small fraction of CB-RNAs is polyadenylated but not yet fully spliced, representing RNA-processing intermediate on-chromatin. CONCLUSION This optimized chromatin-bound RNAs purification method is simple and robust and can be used to study transcription and its-coupled RNA processing in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhang
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Research, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fengli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Research, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Research, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Danling Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Research, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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37
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Diego-Martin B, Pérez-Alemany J, Candela-Ferre J, Corbalán-Acedo A, Pereyra J, Alabadí D, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Wohlschlegel J, Gallego-Bartolomé J. The TRIPLE PHD FINGERS proteins are required for SWI/SNF complex-mediated +1 nucleosome positioning and transcription start site determination in Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10399-10417. [PMID: 36189880 PMCID: PMC9561266 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes have evolved multiple ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers to shape the nucleosome landscape. We recently uncovered an evolutionarily conserved SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeler complex in plants reminiscent of the mammalian BAF subclass, which specifically incorporates the MINUSCULE (MINU) catalytic subunits and the TRIPLE PHD FINGERS (TPF) signature subunits. Here we report experimental evidence that establishes the functional relevance of TPF proteins for the complex activity. Our results show that depletion of TPF triggers similar pleiotropic phenotypes and molecular defects to those found in minu mutants. Moreover, we report the genomic location of MINU2 and TPF proteins as representative members of this SWI/SNF complex and their impact on nucleosome positioning and transcription. These analyses unravel the binding of the complex to thousands of genes where it modulates the position of the +1 nucleosome. These targets tend to produce 5′-shifted transcripts in the tpf and minu mutants pointing to the participation of the complex in alternative transcription start site usage. Interestingly, there is a remarkable correlation between +1 nucleosome shift and 5′ transcript length change suggesting their functional connection. In summary, this study unravels the function of a plant SWI/SNF complex involved in +1 nucleosome positioning and transcription start site determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Diego-Martin
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Jaime Pérez-Alemany
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Joan Candela-Ferre
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Antonio Corbalán-Acedo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Juan Pereyra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - David Alabadí
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - James Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Javier Gallego-Bartolomé
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, 46022, Spain
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38
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Qin Y, Long Y, Zhai J. Genome-wide characterization of nascent RNA processing in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102294. [PMID: 36063636 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102294] [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: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Following transcription initiation, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongates through the genic region and terminates after the polyadenylation signal. This process is accompanied by splicing, 3' cleavage, and polyadenylation, to eventually form a mature mRNA. Recent advances in short-read and long-read high-throughput sequencing methods have shed light on the global landscape of these co-transcriptional events at nucleotide resolution. In this mini review, we summarize recent developments in genome-wide approaches that broadened our understanding of nascent RNA processing in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Qin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yanping Long
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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39
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Antisense Transcription in Plants: A Systematic Review and an Update on cis-NATs of Sugarcane. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911603. [PMID: 36232906 PMCID: PMC9569758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911603] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Initially, natural antisense transcripts (NATs, natRNAs, or asRNAs) were considered repressors; however, their functions in gene regulation are diverse. Positive, negative, or neutral correlations to the cognate gene expression have been noted. Although the first studies were published about 50 years ago, there is still much to be investigated regarding antisense transcripts in plants. A systematic review of scientific publications available in the Web of Science databases was conducted to contextualize how the studying of antisense transcripts has been addressed. Studies were classified considering three categories: “Natural antisense” (208), artificial antisense used in “Genetic Engineering” (797), or “Natural antisense and Genetic Engineering”-related publications (96). A similar string was used for a systematic search in the NCBI Gene database. Of the 1132 antisense sequences found for plants, only 0.8% were cited in PubMed and had antisense information confirmed. This value was the lowest when compared to fungi (2.9%), bacteria (2.3%), and mice (54.1%). Finally, we present an update for the cis-NATs identified in Saccharum spp. Of the 1413 antisense transcripts found in different experiments, 25 showed concordant expressions, 22 were discordant, 1264 did not correlate with the cognate genes, and 102 presented variable results depending on the experiment.
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40
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Kyung J, Jeon M, Lee I. Recent advances in the chromatin-based mechanism of FLOWERING LOCUS C repression through autonomous pathway genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:964931. [PMID: 36035698 PMCID: PMC9411803 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.964931] [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: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Proper timing of flowering, a phase transition from vegetative to reproductive development, is crucial for plant fitness. The floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is the major determinant of flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana. In rapid-cycling A. thaliana accessions, which bloom rapidly, FLC is constitutively repressed by autonomous pathway (AP) genes, regardless of photoperiod. Diverse AP genes have been identified over the past two decades, and most of them repress FLC through histone modifications. However, the detailed mechanism underlying such modifications remains unclear. Several recent studies have revealed novel mechanisms to control FLC repression in concert with histone modifications. This review summarizes the latest advances in understanding the novel mechanisms by which AP proteins regulate FLC repression, including changes in chromatin architecture, RNA polymerase pausing, and liquid-liquid phase separation- and ncRNA-mediated gene silencing. Furthermore, we discuss how each mechanism is coupled with histone modifications in FLC chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinseul Kyung
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myeongjune Jeon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilha Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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41
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Kufel J, Diachenko N, Golisz A. Alternative splicing as a key player in the fine-tuning of the immunity response in Arabidopsis. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:1226-1238. [PMID: 35567423 PMCID: PMC9276941 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Plants, like animals, are constantly exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses, which often inhibit plant growth and development, and cause tissue damage, disease, and even plant death. Efficient and timely response to stress requires appropriate co- and posttranscriptional reprogramming of gene expression. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing provides an important layer of this regulation by controlling the level of factors involved in stress response and generating additional protein isoforms with specific features. Recent high-throughput studies have revealed that several defence genes undergo alternative splicing that is often affected by pathogen infection. Despite extensive work, the exact mechanisms underlying these relationships are still unclear, but the contribution of alternative protein isoforms to the defence response and the role of regulatory factors, including components of the splicing machinery, have been established. Modulation of gene expression in response to stress includes alternative splicing, chromatin remodelling, histone modifications, and nucleosome occupancy. How these processes affect plant immunity is mostly unknown, but these facets open new regulatory possibilities. Here we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge and recent findings regarding the growing importance of alternative splicing in plant response to biotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kufel
- Institute of Genetics and BiotechnologyFaculty of BiologyUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | - Nataliia Diachenko
- Institute of Genetics and BiotechnologyFaculty of BiologyUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | - Anna Golisz
- Institute of Genetics and BiotechnologyFaculty of BiologyUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
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42
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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. Regulation of both transcription and RNA turnover contribute to germline specification. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7310-7325. [PMID: 35776114 PMCID: PMC9303369 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuanced mechanisms driving primordial germ cells (PGC) specification remain incompletely understood since genome-wide transcriptional regulation in developing PGCs has previously only been defined indirectly. Here, using SLAMseq analysis, we determined genome-wide transcription rates during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to form epiblast-like (EpiLC) cells and ultimately PGC-like cells (PGCLCs). This revealed thousands of genes undergoing bursts of transcriptional induction and rapid shut-off not detectable by RNAseq analysis. Our SLAMseq datasets also allowed us to infer RNA turnover rates, which revealed thousands of mRNAs stabilized and destabilized during PGCLC specification. mRNAs tend to be unstable in ESCs and then are progressively stabilized as they differentiate. For some classes of genes, mRNA turnover regulation collaborates with transcriptional regulation, but these processes oppose each other in a surprisingly high frequency of genes. To test whether regulated mRNA turnover has a physiological role in PGC development, we examined three genes that we found were regulated by RNA turnover: Sox2, Klf2 and Ccne1. Circumvention of their regulated RNA turnover severely impaired the ESC-to-EpiLC and EpiLC-to-PGCLC transitions. Our study demonstrates the functional importance of regulated RNA stability in germline development and provides a roadmap of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation during germline specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine (IGM), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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43
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Thieffry A, López-Márquez D, Bornholdt J, Malekroudi MG, Bressendorff S, Barghetti A, Sandelin A, Brodersen P. PAMP-triggered genetic reprogramming involves widespread alternative transcription initiation and an immediate transcription factor wave. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2615-2637. [PMID: 35404429 PMCID: PMC9252474 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune responses triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are key to pathogen defense, but drivers and stabilizers of the growth-to-defense genetic reprogramming remain incompletely understood in plants. Here, we report a time-course study of the establishment of PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) using cap analysis of gene expression. We show that around 15% of all transcription start sites (TSSs) rapidly induced during PTI define alternative transcription initiation events. From these, we identify clear examples of regulatory TSS change via alternative inclusion of target peptides or domains in encoded proteins, or of upstream open reading frames in mRNA leader sequences. We also find that 60% of PAMP response genes respond earlier than previously thought. In particular, a cluster of rapidly and transiently PAMP-induced genes is enriched in transcription factors (TFs) whose functions, previously associated with biological processes as diverse as abiotic stress adaptation and stem cell activity, appear to converge on growth restriction. Furthermore, examples of known potentiators of PTI, in one case under direct mitogen-activated protein kinase control, support the notion that the rapidly induced TFs could constitute direct links to PTI signaling pathways and drive gene expression changes underlying establishment of the immune state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Thieffry
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Diego López-Márquez
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Jette Bornholdt
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | | | - Simon Bressendorff
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Andrea Barghetti
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
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44
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Couvillion M, Harlen KM, Lachance KC, Trotta KL, Smith E, Brion C, Smalec BM, Churchman LS. Transcription elongation is finely tuned by dozens of regulatory factors. eLife 2022; 11:e78944. [PMID: 35575476 PMCID: PMC9154744 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the complex network that regulates transcription elongation requires the quantitative analysis of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) activity in a wide variety of regulatory environments. We performed native elongating transcript sequencing (NET-seq) in 41 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking known elongation regulators, including RNA processing factors, transcription elongation factors, chromatin modifiers, and remodelers. We found that the opposing effects of these factors balance transcription elongation and antisense transcription. Different sets of factors tightly regulate Pol II progression across gene bodies so that Pol II density peaks at key points of RNA processing. These regulators control where Pol II pauses with each obscuring large numbers of potential pause sites that are primarily determined by DNA sequence and shape. Antisense transcription varies highly across the regulatory landscapes analyzed, but antisense transcription in itself does not affect sense transcription at the same locus. Our findings collectively show that a diverse array of factors regulate transcription elongation by precisely balancing Pol II activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Couvillion
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Kevin M Harlen
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Kate C Lachance
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Kristine L Trotta
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Erin Smith
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Christian Brion
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Brendan M Smalec
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - L Stirling Churchman
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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45
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Gonzalo L, Tossolini I, Gulanicz T, Cambiagno DA, Kasprowicz-Maluski A, Smolinski DJ, Mammarella MF, Ariel FD, Marquardt S, Szweykowska-Kulinska Z, Jarmolowski A, Manavella PA. R-loops at microRNA encoding loci promote co-transcriptional processing of pri-miRNAs in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:402-418. [PMID: 35449404 PMCID: PMC9023350 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01125-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In most organisms, the maturation of nascent RNAs is coupled to transcription. Unlike in animals, the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes microRNA genes (MIRNAs) as long and structurally variable pri-miRNAs in plants. Current evidence suggests that the miRNA biogenesis complex assembly initiates early during the transcription of pri-miRNAs in plants. However, it is unknown whether miRNA processing occurs co-transcriptionally. Here, we used native elongating transcript sequencing data and imaging techniques to demonstrate that plant miRNA biogenesis occurs coupled to transcription. We found that the entire biogenesis occurs co-transcriptionally for pri-miRNAs processed from the loop of the hairpin but requires a second nucleoplasmic step for those processed from the base. Furthermore, we found that co- and post-transcriptional miRNA processing mechanisms co-exist for most miRNAs in a dynamic balance. Notably, we discovered that R-loops, formed near the transcription start site region of MIRNAs, promote co-transcriptional pri-miRNA processing. Furthermore, our results suggest the neofunctionalization of co-transcriptionally processed miRNAs, boosting countless regulatory scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Gonzalo
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ileana Tossolini
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Tomasz Gulanicz
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Damian A Cambiagno
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios (UDEA), INTA-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anna Kasprowicz-Maluski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jan Smolinski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
- Centre For Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - María Florencia Mammarella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Federico D Ariel
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Zofia Szweykowska-Kulinska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Jarmolowski
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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46
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Lange H, Gagliardi D. Catalytic activities, molecular connections, and biological functions of plant RNA exosome complexes. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:967-988. [PMID: 34954803 PMCID: PMC8894942 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA exosome complexes provide the main 3'-5'-exoribonuclease activities in eukaryotic cells and contribute to the maturation and degradation of virtually all types of RNA. RNA exosomes consist of a conserved core complex that associates with exoribonucleases and with multimeric cofactors that recruit the enzyme to its RNA targets. Despite an overall high level of structural and functional conservation, the enzymatic activities and compositions of exosome complexes and their cofactor modules differ among eukaryotes. This review highlights unique features of plant exosome complexes, such as the phosphorolytic activity of the core complex, and discusses the exosome cofactors that operate in plants and are dedicated to the maturation of ribosomal RNA, the elimination of spurious, misprocessed, and superfluous transcripts, or the removal of mRNAs cleaved by the RNA-induced silencing complex and other mRNAs prone to undergo silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Lange
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Author for correspondence:
| | - Dominique Gagliardi
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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47
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Jamge B, Berger F. Diversification of chromatin organization in eukaryotes. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 74:1-6. [PMID: 34998094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Our knowledge of the chromatin landscape and its regulation was originally discovered using yeast and a limited number of animals models. A wealth of studies in model plants now strongly demonstrates the conservation of certain features while illuminating the diversification of others. Here we summarize recent advances that describe specific features of chromatin organization of transcriptional units and specific regulation of heterochromatin in flowering plants. We highlight the importance of transcriptional regulation in plant chromatin organization and the need to investigate a more diverse range of species to understand the chromatin landscape in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyshree Jamge
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria; Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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48
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Nojima T, Proudfoot NJ. Mechanisms of lncRNA biogenesis as revealed by nascent transcriptomics. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:389-406. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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Gowthaman U, Ivanov M, Schwarz I, Patel HP, Müller NA, García‐Pichardo D, Lenstra TL, Marquardt S. The Hda1 histone deacetylase limits divergent non-coding transcription and restricts transcription initiation frequency. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108903. [PMID: 34661296 PMCID: PMC8634119 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) at gene promoters support initiation of RNA polymerase II transcription. Interestingly, transcription often initiates in both directions, resulting in an mRNA and a divergent non-coding (DNC) transcript of unclear purpose. Here, we characterized the genetic architecture and molecular mechanism of DNC transcription in budding yeast. Using high-throughput reverse genetic screens based on quantitative single-cell fluorescence measurements, we identified the Hda1 histone deacetylase complex (Hda1C) as a repressor of DNC transcription. Nascent transcription profiling showed a genome-wide role of Hda1C in repression of DNC transcription. Live-cell imaging of transcription revealed that mutations in the Hda3 subunit increased the frequency of DNC transcription. Hda1C contributed to decreased acetylation of histone H3 in DNC transcription regions, supporting DNC transcription repression by histone deacetylation. Our data support the interpretation that DNC transcription results as a consequence of the NDR-based architecture of eukaryotic promoters, but that it is governed by locus-specific repression to maintain genome fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uthra Gowthaman
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Maxim Ivanov
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Isabel Schwarz
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Heta P Patel
- Division of Gene RegulationThe Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)Oncode InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Niels A Müller
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
- Present address:
Thünen Institute of Forest GeneticsGrosshansdorfGermany
| | - Desiré García‐Pichardo
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Tineke L Lenstra
- Division of Gene RegulationThe Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)Oncode InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Copenhagen Plant Science CentreDepartment of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
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50
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Mo W, Liu B, Zhang H, Jin X, Lu D, Yu Y, Liu Y, Jia J, Long Y, Deng X, Cao X, Guo H, Zhai J. Landscape of transcription termination in Arabidopsis revealed by single-molecule nascent RNA sequencing. Genome Biol 2021; 22:322. [PMID: 34823554 PMCID: PMC8613925 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynamic process of transcription termination produces transient RNA intermediates that are difficult to distinguish from each other via short-read sequencing methods. RESULTS Here, we use single-molecule nascent RNA sequencing to characterize the various forms of transient RNAs during termination at genome-wide scale in wildtype Arabidopsis and in atxrn3, fpa, and met1 mutants. Our data reveal a wide range of termination windows among genes, ranging from ~ 50 nt to over 1000 nt. We also observe efficient termination before downstream tRNA genes, suggesting that chromatin structure around the promoter region of tRNA genes may block pol II elongation. 5' Cleaved readthrough transcription in atxrn3 with delayed termination can run into downstream genes to produce normally spliced and polyadenylated mRNAs in the absence of their own transcription initiation. Consistent with previous reports, we also observe long chimeric transcripts with cryptic splicing in fpa mutant; but loss of CG DNA methylation has no obvious impact on termination in the met1 mutant. CONCLUSIONS Our method is applicable to establish a comprehensive termination landscape in a broad range of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Mo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xianhao Jin
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yiming Yu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuelin Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jinbu Jia
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yanping Long
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xian Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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