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Zhang J, Dong T, Hu Z, Li J, Zhu M, Chen G. A SEPALLATA MADS-Box Transcription Factor, SlMBP21, Functions as a Negative Regulator of Flower Number and Fruit Yields in Tomato. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1421. [PMID: 38794491 PMCID: PMC11125064 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
MADS-box transcription factors act as the crucial regulators in plant organ differentiation. Crop yields are highly influenced by the flower number and fruit growth. However, flower identification is a very complex biological process, which involves many cascade regulations. The molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic regulation of flower identification in cultivated plants, such as tomato, are intricate and require further exploration. In this study, we investigated the vital function of a SEPALLATA (SEP) MADS-box gene, SlMBP21, in tomato sympodial inflorescence meristem (SIM) development for the conversion from SIMs to floral meristems (FMs). SlMBP21 transcripts were primarily accumulated in young inflorescence meristem, flowers, sepals, and abscission zones. The Ailsa Craig (AC++) tomato plants with suppressed SlMBP21 mRNA levels using RNAi exhibited a large increase in flower number and fruit yields in addition to enlarged sepals and inhibited abscission zone development. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the maturation of inflorescence meristems (IMs) was repressed in SlMBP21-RNAi lines. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses showed that numerous genes related to the flower development, plant hormone signal transduction, cell cycle, and cell proliferation et al. were dramatically changed in SlMBP21-RNAi lines. Yeast two-hybrid assay exhibited that SlMBP21 can respectively interact with SlCMB1, SFT, JOINTLESS, and MC, which play key roles in inflorescence meristems or FM development. In summary, our data demonstrate that SlMBP21 functions as a key regulator in SIM development and the conversion from SIMs to FMs, through interacting with other regulatory proteins to control the expression of related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianling Zhang
- Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China;
| | - Tingting Dong
- Institute of Integrative Plant Biology, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221008, China; (T.D.); (M.Z.)
| | - Zongli Hu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; (Z.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Jing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; (Z.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Mingku Zhu
- Institute of Integrative Plant Biology, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221008, China; (T.D.); (M.Z.)
| | - Guoping Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Tomato, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; (Z.H.); (J.L.)
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Chang J, Wu S, You T, Wang J, Sun B, Xu B, Xu X, Zhang Y, Wu S. Spatiotemporal formation of glands in plants is modulated by MYB-like transcription factors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2303. [PMID: 38491132 PMCID: PMC10943084 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46683-0] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
About one third of vascular plants develop glandular trichomes, which produce defensive compounds that repel herbivores and act as a natural biofactory for important pharmaceuticals such as artemisinin and cannabinoids. However, only a few regulators of glandular structures have been characterized so far. Here we have identified two closely-related MYB-like genes that redundantly inhibit the formation of glandular cells in tomatoes, and they are named as GLAND CELL REPRESSOR (GCR) 1 and 2. The GCR genes highly express in the apical cells of tomato trichomes, with expression gradually diminishing as the cells transition into glands. The spatiotemporal expression of GCR genes is coordinated by a two-step inhibition process mediated by SlTOE1B and GCRs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the GCR genes act by suppressing Leafless (LFS), a gene that promotes gland formation. Intriguingly, homologous GCR genes from tobacco and petunia also inhibit gland formation, suggesting that the GCR-mediated repression mechanism likely represents a conserved regulatory pathway for glands across different plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Chang
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shurong Wu
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ting You
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bingjing Sun
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bojun Xu
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaochun Xu
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yaping Zhang
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- College of Horticulture, FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
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Liu W, Zheng T, Qiu L, Guo X, Li P, Yong X, Li L, Ahmad S, Wang J, Cheng T, Zhang Q. A 49-bp deletion of PmAP2L results in a double flower phenotype in Prunus mume. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhad278. [PMID: 38371636 PMCID: PMC10873580 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The double flower is an important trait with substantial ornamental value. While mutations in PETALOSA TOE-type or AG (AGAMOUS) genes play a crucial role in enhancing petal number in ornamental plants, the complete mechanism underlying the formation of double flowers remains to be fully elucidated. Through the application of bulked segregant analysis (BSA), we identified a novel gene, APETALA2-like (PmAP2L), characterized by a 49-bp deletion in double-flowered Prunus mume. β-Glucuronidase (GUS) staining and luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the 49-bp deletion in PmAP2L reduced its binding with Pmu-miRNA172a. Phylogenetic analysis and microsynteny analysis suggested that PmAP2L was not a PETALOSA TOE-type gene, and it might be a new gene controlling the formation of double flower in P. mume. Subsequently, overexpression of PmAP2L-D in tobacco led to a significant rise in the number of stamens and the conversion of stamens to petals. Furthermore, silencing of the homologue of RC5G0530900 in rose significantly reduced the number of petals. Using transient gene expression in P. mume flower buds, we determined the functional differences between PmAP2L-D and PmAP2-S in controlling flower development. Meanwhile, DNA-affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq), yeast hybrid assays and luciferase reporter assays indicated that PmAP2L negatively regulated the floral organ identity genes by forming a repressor complex with PmTPL and PmHDA6/19. Overall, these findings indicate that the variation in PmAP2L is associated with differences in the regulation of genes responsible for floral organ identity, providing new insights into the double-flower trait and double-flower breeding in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Tangchun Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Like Qiu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Yong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Lulu Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Tangren Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Qixiang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plants Germplasm Innovation & Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture, Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Engineering Research Center of Landscape Environment of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants of Ministry of Education, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Baranov D, Dolgov S, Timerbaev V. New Advances in the Study of Regulation of Tomato Flowering-Related Genes Using Biotechnological Approaches. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:359. [PMID: 38337892 PMCID: PMC10856997 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The tomato is a convenient object for studying reproductive processes, which has become a classic. Such complex processes as flowering and fruit setting require an understanding of the fundamental principles of molecular interaction, the structures of genes and proteins, the construction of signaling pathways for transcription regulation, including the synchronous actions of cis-regulatory elements (promoter and enhancer), trans-regulatory elements (transcription factors and regulatory RNAs), and transposable elements and epigenetic regulators (DNA methylation and acetylation, chromatin structure). Here, we discuss the current state of research on tomatoes (2017-2023) devoted to studying the function of genes that regulate flowering and signal regulation systems using genome-editing technologies, RNA interference gene silencing, and gene overexpression, including heterologous expression. Although the central candidate genes for these regulatory components have been identified, a complete picture of their relationship has yet to be formed. Therefore, this review summarizes the latest achievements related to studying the processes of flowering and fruit set. This work attempts to display the gene interaction scheme to better understand the events under consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Baranov
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Dolgov
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim Timerbaev
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
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Lindsay P, Swentowsky KW, Jackson D. Cultivating potential: Harnessing plant stem cells for agricultural crop improvement. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:50-74. [PMID: 38130059 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.12.014] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Meristems are stem cell-containing structures that produce all plant organs and are therefore important targets for crop improvement. Developmental regulators control the balance and rate of cell divisions within the meristem. Altering these regulators impacts meristem architecture and, as a consequence, plant form. In this review, we discuss genes involved in regulating the shoot apical meristem, inflorescence meristem, axillary meristem, root apical meristem, and vascular cambium in plants. We highlight several examples showing how crop breeders have manipulated developmental regulators to modify meristem growth and alter crop traits such as inflorescence size and branching patterns. Plant transformation techniques are another innovation related to plant meristem research because they make crop genome engineering possible. We discuss recent advances on plant transformation made possible by studying genes controlling meristem development. Finally, we conclude with discussions about how meristem research can contribute to crop improvement in the coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Lindsay
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | | | - David Jackson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
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