Cytokinin-responsive MdTCP17 interacts with MdWOX11 to repress adventitious root primordium formation in apple rootstocks

Genome-wide analysis of the WOX gene family and function exploration of RhWOX331 in rose (R. 'The Fairy')

WOXs are a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play key roles in plant growth and stress responses. However, the mechanism by which WOXs influence adventitious root development in Rosa hybrida remains unclear. In this study, RcWOX gene family in rose was identified and phylogenetically analyzed using bioinformatics analysis. A total of 381 RcWOX gene members were localized on seven chromosomes except of nine members. The main cis-acting elements involved in hormonal, light, developmental, and abiotic stress responses were identified in the promoters of RcWOX genes, suggesting their regulation by these signals. Nine RhWOX genes had significant different expression during rooting process of rose. RhWOX331, RhWOX308, RhWOX318 were positive with the formation of rose roots. RhWOX331 was positively involved in the formation of adventitious root primordia, which gene coding a transcription factor localized in the nucleus. The HOX conserved domain in the protein contributed to the self-activating activity of RhWOX331. We obtained genetically modified Arabidopsis to validate the function of RhWOX331. Overexpression of RhWOX331 gene alleviated the inhibition of root length of A. thaliana primary roots by high concentration of IBA and NPA, and significantly increased the number of lateral roots on the primary roots, as well as the height of A. thaliana plants. Additionally, RhWOX331 promoted adventitious root formation in A. thaliana and mitigated hormonal inhibition by exogenous 6-BA, NPA, and GA3. The RhWOX331 promoter contained cis-acting elements such as ABRE, Box 4 and CGTCA-motif et.al. GUS activity analysis showed that the gene acted at the cotyledon attachment site. Taken together, these studies identified a significant expansion of the RcWOX gene family, inferred roles of certain branch members in adventitious root formation, elucidated the function of RhWOX331 in adventitious root initiation, and laid the foundation for further research on the function of WOX gene family in roses.

The auxin-responsive CsSPL9-CsGH3.4 module finely regulates auxin levels to suppress the development of adventitious roots in tea (Camellia sinensis)

The cutting technique is extensively used in tea breeding, with key emphasis on promoting the growth of adventitious roots (ARs). Despite its importance in tea cultivation, the mechanisms underlying AR development in tea remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the essential role of auxins in the initiation and progression of AR and established that the application of exogenous 1-naphthaleneacetic acid-enhanced AR formation in tissue-cultured seedlings and cuttings. Then, we found that the auxin-responsive transcription factor CsSPL9 acted as a negative regulator of AR development by reducing the levels of free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in tea plants. Furthermore, we identified CsGH3.4 as a downstream target of CsSPL9, which was activated by direct binding to its promoter. CsGH3.4 also inhibited AR development and maintained low levels of free IAA. Thus, these results revealed the inhibitory effect of the auxin-responsive CsSPL9-CsGH3.4 module on AR development by reducing free IAA levels in tea. These findings have significant theoretical and practical value for enhancing tea breeding practices.

Plant regeneration in the new era: from molecular mechanisms to biotechnology applications

Plants or tissues can be regenerated through various pathways. Like animal regeneration, cell totipotency and pluripotency are the molecular basis of plant regeneration. Detailed systematic studies on Arabidopsis thaliana gradually unravel the fundamental mechanisms and principles underlying plant regeneration. Specifically, plant hormones, cell division, epigenetic remodeling, and transcription factors play crucial roles in reprogramming somatic cells and reestablishing meristematic cells. Recent research on basal non-vascular plants and monocot crops has revealed that plant regeneration differs among species, with various plant species using distinct mechanisms and displaying significant differences in regenerative capacity. Conducting multi-omics studies at the single-cell level, tracking plant regeneration processes in real-time, and deciphering the natural variation in regenerative capacity will ultimately help understand the essence of plant regeneration, improve crop regeneration efficiency, and contribute to future crop design.

Age-dependent changes in leaf size in apple are governed by a cytokinin-integrated module

Plants undergo various age-dependent changes in leaf morphology during juvenile to adult vegetative stage. However, the precise molecular mechanisms governing these changes in apple (Malus domestica) remain unknown. Here, we showed that CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE5 (MdCKX5), an age-dependent gene, encodes a functional CKX enzyme and serves as the common downstream target of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factor MdSPL14 and WRKY transcription factor MdWRKY24 to control the degradation of cytokinin (CK). As the target of mdm-microRNA156a, MdSPL14 interacts with MdWRKY24 to coordinately repress the transcription of MdCKX5 by forming the age-mediated mdm-miR156a-MdSPL14-MdWRKY24 module, which regulates age-dependent changes in CK during the juvenile-to-adult phase transition. We further demonstrated that MdARR6, a type-A ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR (ARR), is a negative feedback regulator in the CK signaling pathway. Silencing of MdARR6 in apple resulted in large leaves with smaller epidermal cells and a greater number of epidermal cells. Biochemical analysis showed that the mdm-miR156a-MdSPL14-MdWRKY24 module acts as a transcriptional repressor to directly regulate MdARR6 expression, thus controlling the age-dependent changes in leaf size by reducing CK responses. These findings established a link between the age pathway and CK signaling and revealed the molecular mechanism underlying age-dependent changes during the juvenile-to-adult phase transition; our results also provide targets for the genetic improvement of the vegetative phase transition in apple.

A gradient of the HD-Zip regulator Woolly regulates multicellular trichome morphogenesis in tomato

Homeodomain (HD) proteins regulate embryogenesis in animals such as the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), often in a concentration-dependent manner. HD-leucine zipper (Zip) IV family genes are unique to plants and often function in the L1 epidermal cell layer. However, our understanding of the roles of HD-Zip IV family genes in plant morphogenesis is limited. In this study, we investigated the morphogenesis of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) multicellular trichomes, a type of micro-organ in plants. We found that a gradient of the HD-Zip IV regulator Woolly (Wo) coordinates spatially polarized cell division and cell expansion in multicellular trichomes. Moreover, we identified a TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, and PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN BINDING FACTOR (TCP) transcription factor-encoding gene, SlBRANCHED2a (SlBRC2a), as a key downstream target of Wo that regulates the transition from cell division to cell expansion. High levels of Wo promote cell division in apical trichome cells, whereas in basal trichome cells, Wo mediates a negative feedback loop with SlBRC2a that forces basal cells to enter endoreduplication. The restricted high and low activities of Wo pattern the morphogenesis of tomato multicellular trichomes. These findings provide insights into the functions of HD-Zip IV genes during plant morphogenesis.

Transcription factors WOX11 and LBD16 function with histone demethylase JMJ706 to control crown root development in rice

Crown roots are the main components of root systems in cereals. Elucidating the mechanisms of crown root formation is instrumental for improving nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, and yield in cereal crops. Several members of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) and lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) transcription factor families play essential roles in controlling crown root development in rice (Oryza sativa). However, the functional relationships among these transcription factors in regulating genes involved in crown root development remain unclear. Here, we identified LBD16 as an additional regulator of rice crown root development. We showed that LBD16 is a direct downstream target of WOX11, a key crown root development regulator in rice. Our results indicated that WOX11 enhances LBD16 transcription by binding to its promoter and recruiting its interaction partner JMJ706, a demethylase that removes histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) from the LBD16 locus. In addition, we established that LBD16 interacts with WOX11, thereby impairing JMJ706-WOX11 complex formation and repressing its own transcriptional activity. Together, our results reveal a feedback system regulating genes that orchestrate crown root development in rice, in which LBD16 acts as a molecular rheostat.

Global Analysis of the WOX Transcription Factor Family in Akebia trifoliata

Akebia trifoliata is an economically important, self-incompatible fruit tree in the Lardizabalaceae family. Asexual propagation is the main strategy used to maintain excellent agronomic traits. However, the generation of adventitious roots during asexual propagation is very difficult. To study the important role of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factor in adventitious root growth and development, we characterized this transcription factor family in the whole genome of A. trifoliata. A total of 10 AktWOXs were identified, with the following characteristics: length (657~11,328 bp), exon number (2~5), isoelectric point (5.65~9.03), amino acid number (176~361 AA) and molecular weight (20.500~40.173 kDa), and their corresponding expression sequence could also be detectable in the public transcriptomic data for A. trifoliata fruit. A total of 10 AktWOXs were classified into modern (6), intermediate (2) and ancient clades (2) and all AktWOXs had undergone strong purifying selection during evolution. The expression profile of AktWOXs during A. trifoliata adventitious root formation indicated that AktWOXs play an important role in the regulation of adventitious root development. Overall, this is the first study to identify and characterize the WOX family in A. trifoliata and will be helpful for further research on A. trifoliata adventitious root formation.

MdAIL5 overexpression promotes apple adventitious shoot regeneration by regulating hormone signaling and activating the expression of shoot development-related genes

Adventitious shoot (AS) regeneration is a significant factor in the genetic transformation of horticultural plants. It is also a noteworthy approach to their vegetative propagation. AS regeneration remains highly dependent on the genotype or maturity of explants. We here found that the AS regeneration abilities of apple leaves were positively correlated with MdAIL5 expression. MdAIL5 overexpression dramatically increased AS regeneration efficiency. Notably, MdAIL5 overexpression could restore the AS formation ability of explants to a certain extent, which was lost with an increase in maturity. Endogenous hormone detection revealed that MdAIL5 overexpression changed the contents of auxin, cytokinin (CK), and other hormones in apple leaves. Transcriptome analysis revealed that many genes related to auxin, CK, and brassinolide signaling pathways were significantly and differentially expressed between MdAIL5-overexpressing transgenic apple and wild-type apple plants. Yeast one-hybrid assays, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that MdAIL5 directly binds to MdARF9 and MdHB14 promoters and positively affects their expression. We here established a model of MdAIL5 regulating AS formation, which acts as a theoretical basis for facilitating genotype- or explant maturity-independent AS regeneration in the future.

Genome-Wide Identification of LBD Genes in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) and Functional Characterization of SiLBD21

Plant-specific lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) proteins play important roles in plant growth and development. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is one new C₄ model crop. However, the functions of foxtail millet LBD genes are unknown. In this study, a genome-wide identification of foxtail millet LBD genes and a systematical analysis were conducted. A total of 33 SiLBD genes were identified. They are unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes. Among these SiLBD genes, six segmental duplication pairs were detected. The thirty-three encoded SiLBD proteins could be classified into two classes and seven clades. Members in the same clade have similar gene structure and motif composition. Forty-seven kinds of cis-elements were found in the putative promoters, and they are related to development/growth, hormone, and abiotic stress response, respectively. Meanwhile, the expression pattern was investigated. Most SiLBD genes are expressed in different tissues, while several genes are mainly expressed in one or two kinds of tissues. In addition, most SiLBD genes respond to different abiotic stresses. Furthermore, the function of SiLBD21, which is mainly expressed in roots, was characterized by ectopic expression in Arabidopsis and rice. Compared to controls, transgenic plants generated shorter primary roots and more lateral roots, indicating the function of SiLBD21 in root development. Overall, our study laid the foundation for further functional elucidation of SiLBD genes.