Differential expression of the Arabidopsis cytochrome c genes Cytc-1 and Cytc-2. Evidence for the involvement of TCP-domain protein-binding elements in anther- and meristem-specific expression of the Cytc-1 gene

Functional characterization of GhNAC2 promoter conferring hormone- and stress-induced expression: a potential tool to improve growth and stress tolerance in cotton

The GhNAC2 transcription factor identified from G. herbaceum improves root growth and drought tolerance through transcriptional reprogramming of phytohormone signaling. The promoter of such a versatile gene could serve as an important genetic engineering tool for biotechnological application. In this study, we identified and characterized the promoter of GhNAC2 to understand its regulatory mechanism. GhNAC2 transcription factor increased in root tissues in response to GA, ethylene, auxin, ABA, mannitol, and NaCl. In silico analysis revealed an overrepresentation of cis-regulatory elements associated with hormone signaling, stress responses and root-, pollen-, and seed-specific promoter activity. To validate their role in GhNAC2 function/regulation, an 870-bp upstream regulatory sequence was fused with the GUS reporter gene (uidA) and expressed in Arabidopsis and cotton hairy roots for in planta characterization. Histochemical GUS staining indicated localized expression in root tips, root elongation zone, root primordia, and reproductive tissues under optimal growth conditions. Mannitol, NaCl, auxin, GA, and ABA, induced the promoter-driven GUS expression in all tissues while ethylene suppressed the promoter activity. The results show that the 870 nt fragment of the GhNAC2 promoter drives root-preferential expression and responds to phytohormonal and stress signals. In corroboration with promoter regulation, GA and ethylene pathways differentially regulated root growth in GhNAC2-expressing Arabidopsis. The findings suggest that differential promoter activity governs the expression of GhNAC2 in root growth and stress-related functions independently through specific promoter elements. This multifarious promoter can be utilized to develop yield and climate resilience in cotton by expanding the options to control gene regulation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01411-2.

Lessons from the deep: mechanisms behind diversification of eukaryotic protein complexes

Genetic variation is the major mechanism behind adaptation and evolutionary change. As most proteins operate through interactions with other proteins, changes in protein complex composition and subunit sequence provide potentially new functions. Comparative genomics can reveal expansions, losses and sequence divergence within protein-coding genes, but in silico analysis cannot detect subunit substitutions or replacements of entire protein complexes. Insights into these fundamental evolutionary processes require broad and extensive comparative analyses, from both in silico and experimental evidence. Here, we combine data from both approaches and consider the gamut of possible protein complex compositional changes that arise during evolution, citing examples of complete conservation to partial and total replacement by functional analogues. We focus in part on complexes in trypanosomes as they represent one of the better studied non-animal/non-fungal lineages, but extend insights across the eukaryotes by extensive comparative genomic analysis. We argue that gene loss plays an important role in diversification of protein complexes and hence enhancement of eukaryotic diversity.

Genome-Wide Tissue-Specific Genes Identification for Novel Tissue-Specific Promoters Discovery in Soybean

Promoters play a crucial role in controlling the spatial and temporal expression of genes at transcriptional levels in the process of higher plant growth and development. The spatial, efficient, and correct regulation of exogenous genes expression, as desired, is the key point in plant genetic engineering research. Constitutive promoters widely used in plant genetic transformation are limited because, sometimes, they may cause potential negative effects. This issue can be solved, to a certain extent, by using tissue-specific promoters. Compared with constitutive promoters, a few tissue-specific promoters have been isolated and applied. In this study, based on the transcriptome data, a total of 288 tissue-specific genes were collected, expressed in seven tissues, including the leaves, stems, flowers, pods, seeds, roots, and nodules of soybean (Glycine max). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was carried out, and 52 metabolites were annotated. A total of 12 tissue-specific genes were selected via the transcription expression level and validated through real-time quantitative PCR, of which 10 genes showed tissue-specific expression. The 3-kb 5' upstream regions of ten genes were obtained as putative promoters. Further analysis showed that all the 10 promoters contained many tissue-specific cis-elements. These results demonstrate that high-throughput transcriptional data can be used as effective tools, providing a guide for high-throughput novel tissue-specific promoter discovery.

Ancestral function but divergent epigenetic regulation of HAIKU2 reveals routes of seed developmental evolution

Evolution is driven by various mechanisms. A directional increase in the embryo to endosperm ratio is an evolutionary trend within the angiosperms. The endosperm constitutes a major portion of the seed volume in Poales and some dicots. However, in other dicots such as Arabidopsis and soybean, the endosperm proliferates early, followed by embryo growth to replace the endosperm. The Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor protein kinase AtHAIKU2 (AtIKU2) is a key regulator of early endosperm proliferation. In this study, we found that IKU2s from Brachypodium, rice, and soybean can complement the abnormal seed developmental phenotype of Atiku2, while AtIKU2 also rescues the defective endosperm proliferation in the Brachypodium BdIKU2 knockout mutant seeds. AtIKU2 and soybean GmIKU2 are actively expressed a few days after fertilization. Thereafter, expression of AtIKU2 is suppressed by the FIS-PRC2 complex-mediated H3K27me3. The soybean GmIKU2 locus is also enriched with H3K27me3 marks. The histone methyltransferase AtMEA is unique to Brassicaceae, but one GmSWN in soybean plays a similar role in seed development as AtMEA. By contrast, the BdIKU2 and rice OsIKU2 loci are continuously expressed and are devoid of H3K27me3 marks. Taken together, these results suggest that IKU2 genes retain an ancestral function, but the duration of their expression that is controlled by PRC2-mediated epigenetic silencing contributes to silenced or persistent endosperm proliferation in different species. Our study reveals an epigenetic mechanism that drives the development of vastly different seed ontogenies.

Characterization of PISTILLATA-like Genes and Their Promoters from the Distyly Fagopyrum esculentum

Arabidopsis PISTILLATA (PI) encodes B-class MADS-box transcription factor (TF), and works together with APETALA3 (AP3) to specify petal and stamen identity. However, a small-scale gene duplication event of PI ortholog was observed in common buckwheat and resulted in FaesPI_1 and FaesPI_2. FaesPI_1 and FaesPI_2 were expressed only in the stamen of dimorphic flower (thrum and pin) of Fagopyrum esculentum. Moreover, intense beta-glucuronidase (GUS) staining was found in the entire stamen (filament and anther) in pFaesPI_1::GUS transgenic Arabidopsis, while GUS was expressed only in the filament of pFaesPI_2::GUS transgenic Arabidopsis. In addition, phenotype complementation analysis suggested that pFaesPI_1::FaesPI_1/pFaesPI_2::FaesPI_2 transgenic pi-1 Arabidopsis showed similar a flower structure with stamen-like organs or filament-like organs in the third whorl. This suggested that FaesPI_2 only specified filament development, but FaesPI_1 specified stamen development. Meanwhile, FaesPI_1 and FaesPI_2 were shown to function redundantly in regulating filament development, and both genes work together to require a proper stamen identity. The data also provide a clue to understanding the roles of PI-like genes involved in floral organ development during the early evolution of core eudicots and also suggested that FaesPI_1 and FaesPI_2 hold the potential application in bioengineering to develop a common buckwheat male sterile line.

Construction of a high-density genetic map and QTL analysis for yield, yield components and agronomic traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Unravelling the genetic architecture underlying yield components and agronomic traits is important for enhancing crop productivity. Here, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, developed from ICC 4958 and DCP 92–3 cross, was used for constructing linkage map and QTL mapping analysis. The RIL population was genotyped using a high-throughput Axiom^®CicerSNP array, which enabled the development of a high-density genetic map consisting of 3,818 SNP markers and spanning a distance of 1064.14 cM. Analysis of phenotyping data for yield, yield components and agronomic traits measured across three years together with genetic mapping data led to the identification of 10 major-effect QTLs and six minor-effect QTLs explaining up to 59.70% phenotypic variance. The major-effect QTLs identified for 100-seed weight, and plant height possessed key genes, such as C3HC4 RING finger protein, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein, sugar transporter, leucine zipper protein and NADH dehydrogenase, amongst others. The gene ontology studies highlighted the role of these genes in regulating seed weight and plant height in crop plants. The identified genomic regions for yield, yield components, and agronomic traits, and the closely linked markers will help advance genetics research and breeding programs in chickpea.

Identification of microRNAs and their gene targets in cytoplasmic male sterile and fertile maintainer lines of pigeonpea

Comparative analysis of genome-wide miRNAs and their gene targets between cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and fertile lines of pigeonpea suggests a possible role of miRNA-regulated pathways in reproductive development. Exploitation of hybrid vigor using CMS technology has delivered nearly 50% yield gain in pigeonpea. Among various sterility-inducing cytoplasms (A₁-A₉) reported so far in pigeonpea, A₂ and A₄ are the two major sources that facilitate hybrid seed production. Recent evidence suggests involvement of micro RNA in vast array of biological processes including plant reproductive development. In pigeonpea, information about the miRNAs is insufficient. In view of this, we sequenced six small RNA libraries of CMS line UPAS 120A and isogenic fertile line UPAS 120B using Illumina technology. Results revealed 316 miRNAs including 248 known and 68 novel types. A total of 637 gene targets were predicted for known miRNAs, while 324 genes were associated with novel miRNAs. Degradome analysis revealed 77 gene targets of predicted miRNAs, which included a variety of transcription factors playing key roles in plant reproduction such as F-box family proteins, apetala 2, auxin response factors, ethylene-responsive factors, homeodomain-leucine zipper proteins etc. Differential expression of both known and novel miRNAs implied roles for both conserved as well as species-specific players. We also obtained several miRNA families such as miR156, miR159, miR167 that are known to influence crucial aspects of plant fertility. Gene ontology and pathway level analyses of the target genes showed their possible implications for crucial events during male reproductive development such as tapetal degeneration, pollen wall formation, retrograde signaling etc. To the best of our knowledge, present study is first to combine deep sequencing of small RNA and degradome for elucidating the role of miRNAs in flower and male reproductive development in pigeonpea.

Mapping QTLs for 15 morpho-metric traits in Arabidopsis thaliana using Col-0 × Don-0 population

Genome wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana using F₂ mapping population (Col-0 × Don-0) and SNPs markers. A total of five linkage groups were obtained with number of SNPs varying from 45 to 59 per linkage group. The composite interval mapping detected a total of 36 QTLs for 15 traits and the number of QTLs ranged from one (root length, root dry biomass, cauline leaf width, number of internodes and internode distance) to seven (for bolting days). The range of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) and logarithm of the odds ratio of these 36 QTLs was found be 0.19-38.17% and 3.0-6.26 respectively. Further, the epistatic interaction detected one main effect QTL and four epistatic QTLs. Five major QTLs viz. Qbd.nbri.4.3, Qfd.nbri.4.2, Qrdm.nbri.5.1, Qncl.nbri.2.2, Qtd.nbri.4.1 with PVE > 15.0% might be useful for fine mapping to identify genes associated with respective traits, and also for development of specialized population through marker assisted selection. The identification of additive and dominant effect QTLs and desirable alleles of each of above mentioned traits would also be important for future research.

Melatonin-related mitochondrial respiration responses are associated with growth promotion and cold tolerance in plants

Melatonin has the ability to improve plant growth and strengthened plant tolerance to environmental stresses; however, the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial respiration in plants and the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The objective of the study is to determine possible effects of melatonin on mitochondrial respiration and energy efficiency in maize leaves grown under optimum temperature and cold stress and to reveal the relationship between melatonin-induced possible alterations in mitochondrial respiration and cold tolerance. Melatonin and cold stress, alone and in combination, caused significant increases in activities and gene expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase, indicating an acceleration in the rate of tricarboxylic acid cycle. Total mitochondrial respiration rate, cytochrome pathway rate, and alternative respiration rate were increased by the application of melatonin and/or cold stress. Similarly, gene expression and protein levels of cytochrome oxidase and alternative oxidase were also enhanced by melatonin and/or cold stress. The highest values for all these parameters were obtained from the seedlings treated with the combined application of melatonin and cold stress. The activity and gene expression of ATP synthase and ATP concentration were augmented by melatonin under control and cold stress. On the other hand, cold stress reduced markedly plant growth parameters, including root length, plant height, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content and increased the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide and oxidative damage, including malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage level; however, melatonin significantly promoted the plant growth parameters and reduced ROS content and oxidative damage under control and cold stress. These data revealed that melatonin-induced growth promotion and cold tolerance in maize is associated with its modulating effect on mitochondrial respiration.

The Complexity of Mitochondrial Complex IV: An Update of Cytochrome c Oxidase Biogenesis in Plants

Mitochondrial respiration is an energy producing process that involves the coordinated action of several protein complexes embedded in the inner membrane to finally produce ATP. Complex IV or Cytochrome c Oxidase (COX) is the last electron acceptor of the respiratory chain, involved in the reduction of O₂ to H₂O. COX is a multimeric complex formed by multiple structural subunits encoded in two different genomes, prosthetic groups (heme a and heme a₃), and metallic centers (Cu_A and Cu_B). Tens of accessory proteins are required for mitochondrial RNA processing, synthesis and delivery of prosthetic groups and metallic centers, and for the final assembly of subunits to build a functional complex. In this review, we perform a comparative analysis of COX composition and biogenesis factors in yeast, mammals and plants. We also describe possible external and internal factors controlling the expression of structural proteins and assembly factors at the transcriptional and post-translational levels, and the effect of deficiencies in different steps of COX biogenesis to infer the role of COX in different aspects of plant development. We conclude that COX assembly in plants has conserved and specific features, probably due to the incorporation of a different set of subunits during evolution.

Single-Base Resolution Map of Evolutionary Constraints and Annotation of Conserved Elements across Major Grass Genomes

Conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) are evolutionarily conserved DNA sequences that do not encode proteins but may have potential regulatory roles in gene expression. CNS in crop genomes could be linked to many important agronomic traits and ecological adaptations. Compared with the relatively mature exon annotation protocols, efficient methods are lacking to predict the location of noncoding sequences in the plant genomes. We implemented a computational pipeline that is tailored to the comparisons of plant genomes, yielding a large number of conserved sequences using rice genome as the reference. In this study, we used 17 published grass genomes, along with five monocot genomes as well as the basal angiosperm genome of Amborella trichopoda. Genome alignments among these genomes suggest that at least 12.05% of the rice genome appears to be evolving under constraints in the Poaceae lineage, with close to half of the evolutionarily constrained sequences located outside protein-coding regions. We found evidence for purifying selection acting on the conserved sequences by analyzing segregating SNPs within the rice population. Furthermore, we found that known functional motifs were significantly enriched within CNS, with many motifs associated with the preferred binding of ubiquitous transcription factors. The conserved elements that we have curated are accessible through our public database and the JBrowse server. In-depth functional annotations and evolutionary dynamics of the identified conserved sequences provide a solid foundation for studying gene regulation, genome evolution, as well as to inform gene isolation for cereal biologists.

Allelic variants of OsSUB1A cause differential expression of transcription factor genes in response to submergence in rice

BACKGROUND

Flooding during seasonal monsoons affects millions of hectares of rice-cultivated areas across Asia. Submerged rice plants die within a week due to lack of oxygen, light and excessive elongation growth to escape the water. Submergence tolerance was first reported in an aus-type rice landrace, FR13A, and the ethylene-responsive transcription factor (TF) gene SUB1A-1 was identified as the major tolerance gene. Intolerant rice varieties generally lack the SUB1A gene but some intermediate tolerant varieties, such as IR64, carry the allelic variant SUB1A-2. Differential effects of the two alleles have so far not been addressed. As a first step, we have therefore quantified and compared the expression of nearly 2500 rice TF genes between IR64 and its derived tolerant near isogenic line IR64-Sub1, which carries the SUB1A-1 allele. Gene expression was studied in internodes, where the main difference in expression between the two alleles was previously shown.

RESULTS

Nineteen and twenty-six TF genes were identified that responded to submergence in IR64 and IR64-Sub1, respectively. Only one gene was found to be submergence-responsive in both, suggesting different regulatory pathways under submergence in the two genotypes. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mainly included MYB, NAC, TIFY and Zn-finger TFs, and most genes were downregulated upon submergence. In IR64, but not in IR64-Sub1, SUB1B and SUB1C, which are also present in the Sub1 locus, were identified as submergence responsive. Four TFs were not submergence responsive but exhibited constitutive, genotype-specific differential expression. Most of the identified submergence responsive DEGs are associated with regulatory hormonal pathways, i.e. gibberellins (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA), apart from ethylene. An in-silico promoter analysis of the two genotypes revealed the presence of allele-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms, giving rise to ABRE, DRE/CRT, CARE and Site II cis-elements, which can partly explain the observed differential TF gene expression.

CONCLUSION

This study identified new gene targets with the potential to further enhance submergence tolerance in rice and provides insights into novel aspects of SUB1A-mediated tolerance.

New Method Application for Marker-Trait Association Studies in Plants: Partial Least Square Regression Aids Detection of Simultaneous Correlations

In this work, we investigated the suitability of performing partial least square regression (PLSR) on genotype-phenotype datasets to identify marker-trait associations. We utilized data collected on a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population that was evaluated under contrasting irrigation treatments, well-watered and water-limited conditions, in a hot, arid environment in 2012. Two phenotypic data sets were used in combination with the genetic data which consisted of 841 marker loci assigned to 117 linkage groups. The first dataset contained canopy traits that were gathered using a mobile, high-throughput phenotyping platform and included canopy temperature (CT), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and canopy height (CHT) with leaf area index (LAI) being derived from NDVI and CHT measurements. The second phenotypic data set consisted of 14 elemental concentration measurements corresponding to the following elements: P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cu, As, Co, Rb, Mo, S, and Mg. To conduct the PSLR analyses we used the "pls" and "pls depot" available in R statistical software version 3.2.4. The PLSR bi plot from the analysis of the first dataset showed that three (LAI, NDVI, and CHT) out of the four canopy traits were highly correlated, and by using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), we detected 22 significant (p<0.01) marker-trait associations for the four traits. In contrast to the canopy trait analysis, our PLSR bi plot for the second dataset showed varying correlations for each of the 14 traits. Because of the lack of distinct trait similarities, MANOVA was not an ideal option to test for marker-trait associations so we implemented a jackknife re sampling technique. Jackknife re sampling failed to detect significant marker effects for several of the 14 elemental concentration traits. Thus, our future work aims to test other re sampling techniques such as boot straping for traits that do not exhibit high correlation. Overall, PLSR was a very informative way to comprehend data structure, displaying correlations within markers, within traits, and between marker and traits in one bi plot. Further studies are still needed to leverage detection of additional variance in correlated datasets and to prevent spurious results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time PLSR has been reported in such a context.

Distinctive features and differential regulation of the DRTS genes of Arabidopsis thaliana

In plants and protists, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) are part of a bifunctional enzyme (DRTS) that allows efficient recycling of the dihydrofolate resulting from TS activity. Arabidopsis thaliana possesses three DRTS genes, called AtDRTS1, AtDRTS2 and AtDRTS3, that are located downstream of three members of the sec14-like SFH gene family. In this study, a characterization of the AtDRTS genes identified alternatively spliced transcripts coding for AtDRTS isoforms which may account for monofunctional DHFR enzymes supporting pathways unrelated to DNA synthesis. Moreover, we discovered a complex differential regulation of the AtDRTS genes that confirms the expected involvement of the AtDRTS genes in cell proliferation and endoreduplication, but indicates also functions related to other cellular activities. AtDRTS1 is widely expressed in both meristematic and differentiated tissues, whereas AtDRTS2 expression is almost exclusively limited to the apical meristems and AtDRTS3 is preferentially expressed in the shoot apex, in stipules and in root cap cells. The differential regulation of the AtDRTS genes is associated to distinctive promoter architectures and the expression of AtDRTS1 in the apical meristems is strictly dependent on the presence of an intragenic region that includes the second intron of the gene. Upon activation of cell proliferation in germinating seeds, the activity of the AtDRTS1 and AtDRTS2 promoters in meristematic cells appears to be maximal at the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, the promoters of AtDRTS2 and AtDRTS3 are negatively regulated through E2F cis-acting elements and both genes, but not AtDRTS1, are downregulated in plants overexpressing the AtE2Fa factor. Our study provides new information concerning the function and the regulation of plant DRTS genes and opens the way to further investigations addressing the importance of folate synthesis with respect to specific cellular activities.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of rice genes preferentially expressed in pollen at an early developmental stage

Microspore production using endogenous developmental programs has not been well studied. The main limitation is the difficulty in identifying genes preferentially expressed in pollen grains at early stages. To overcome this limitation, we collected transcriptome data from anthers and microspore/pollen and performed meta-expression analysis. Subsequently, we identified 410 genes showing preferential expression patterns in early developing pollen samples of both japonica and indica cultivars. The expression patterns of these genes are distinguishable from genes showing pollen mother cell or tapetum-preferred expression patterns. Gene Ontology enrichment and MapMan analyses indicated that microspores in rice are closely linked with protein degradation, nucleotide metabolism, and DNA biosynthesis and regulation, while the pollen mother cell or tapetum are strongly associated with cell wall metabolism, lipid metabolism, secondary metabolism, and RNA biosynthesis and regulation. We also generated transgenic lines under the control of the promoters of eight microspore-preferred genes and confirmed the preferred expression patterns in plants using the GUS reporting system. Furthermore, cis-regulatory element analysis revealed that pollen specific elements such as POLLEN1LELAT52, and 5659BOXLELAT5659 were commonly identified in the promoter regions of eight rice genes with more frequency than estimation. Our study will provide new sights on early pollen development in rice, a model crop plant.

Cytochrome c, a hub linking energy, redox, stress and signaling pathways in mitochondria and other cell compartments

Cytochrome c (CYTc) is a soluble redox-active heme protein that transfers electrons from complex III to complex IV in the cyanide-sensitive mitochondrial respiratory pathway. CYTc biogenesis is a complex process that requires multiple steps until the mature active protein is obtained. CYTc levels and activity are finely regulated, revealing the importance of this protein not only as electron carrier but also in many other processes. In this article, we describe the role of CYTc in mitochondrial respiration, from its canonical role as electron carrier for ATP production to its involvement in protein import and the stabilization of respiratory complexes and supercomplexes. In plants, CYTc is connected to the synthesis of the antioxidant ascorbate and the detoxification of toxic compounds. Finally, CYTc is also a multi-functional signaling molecule that influences the balance between life and death, acting in energy provision for cellular functions or triggering programmed cell death. The confluence of several metabolic routes into a single protein that links redox reactions with energy producing pathways seems logical from the point of view of cellular economy, control and organization.

Identification of candidate genes and natural allelic variants for QTLs governing plant height in chickpea

In the present study, molecular mapping of high-resolution plant height QTLs was performed by integrating 3625 desi genome-derived GBS (genotyping-by-sequencing)-SNPs on an ultra-high resolution intra-specific chickpea genetic linkage map (dwarf/semi-dwarf desi cv. ICC12299 x tall kabuli cv. ICC8261). The identified six major genomic regions harboring six robust QTLs (11.5-21.3 PVE), associated with plant height, were mapped within <0.5 cM average marker intervals on six chromosomes. Five SNPs-containing genes tightly linked to the five plant height QTLs, were validated based upon their high potential for target trait association (12.9-20.8 PVE) in 65 desi and kabuli chickpea accessions. The vegetative tissue-specific expression, including higher differential up-regulation (>5-fold) of five genes especially in shoot, young leaf, shoot apical meristem of tall mapping parental accession (ICC8261) as compared to that of dwarf/semi-dwarf parent (ICC12299) was apparent. Overall, combining high-resolution QTL mapping with genetic association analysis and differential expression profiling, delineated natural allelic variants in five candidate genes (encoding cytochrome-c-biosynthesis protein, malic oxidoreductase, NADH dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein, expressed protein and bZIP transcription factor) regulating plant height in chickpea. These molecular tags have potential to dissect complex plant height trait and accelerate marker-assisted genetic enhancement for developing cultivars with desirable plant height ideotypes in chickpea.

Identification and Comparative Analysis of H2O2-Scavenging Enzymes (Ascorbate Peroxidase and Glutathione Peroxidase) in Selected Plants Employing Bioinformatics Approaches

Among major reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exhibits dual roles in plant metabolism. Low levels of H2O2 modulate many biological/physiological processes in plants; whereas, its high level can cause damage to cell structures, having severe consequences. Thus, steady-state level of cellular H2O2 must be tightly regulated. Glutathione peroxidases (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) are two major ROS-scavenging enzymes which catalyze the reduction of H2O2 in order to prevent potential H2O2-derived cellular damage. Employing bioinformatics approaches, this study presents a comparative evaluation of both GPX and APX in 18 different plant species, and provides valuable insights into the nature and complex regulation of these enzymes. Herein, (a) potential GPX and APX genes/proteins from 18 different plant species were identified, (b) their exon/intron organization were analyzed, (c) detailed information about their physicochemical properties were provided, (d) conserved motif signatures of GPX and APX were identified, (e) their phylogenetic trees and 3D models were constructed, (f) protein-protein interaction networks were generated, and finally (g) GPX and APX gene expression profiles were analyzed. Study outcomes enlightened GPX and APX as major H2O2-scavenging enzymes at their structural and functional levels, which could be used in future studies in the current direction.

Complementary Activities of TELOMERE REPEAT BINDING Proteins and Polycomb Group Complexes in Transcriptional Regulation of Target Genes

In multicellular organisms, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 repress target genes through histone modification and chromatin compaction. Arabidopsis thaliana mutants strongly compromised in the pathway cannot develop differentiated organs. LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (LHP1) is so far the only known plant PRC1 component that directly binds to H3K27me3, the histone modification set by PRC2, and also associates genome-wide with trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3). Surprisingly, lhp1 mutants show relatively mild phenotypic alterations. To explain this paradox, we screened for genetic enhancers of lhp1 mutants to identify novel components repressing target genes together with, or in parallel to, LHP1. Two enhancing mutations were mapped to TELOMERE REPEAT BINDING PROTEIN1 (TRB1) and its paralog TRB3. We show that TRB1 binds to thousands of genomic sites containing telobox or related cis-elements with a significant increase of sites and strength of binding in the lhp1 background. Furthermore, in combination with lhp1, but not alone, trb1 mutants show increased transcription of LHP1 targets, such as floral meristem identity genes, which are more likely to be bound by TRB1 in the lhp1 background. By contrast, expression of a subset of LHP1-independent TRB1 target genes, many involved in primary metabolism, is decreased in the absence of TRB1 alone. Thus, TRB1 is a bivalent transcriptional modulator that maintains downregulation of Polycomb Group (PcG) target genes in lhp1 mutants, while it sustains high expression of targets that are regulated independently of PcG.

The Arabidopsis COX11 Homolog is Essential for Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity

Members of the ubiquitous COX11 (cytochrome c oxidase 11) protein family are involved in copper delivery to the COX complex. In this work, we characterize the Arabidopsis thaliana COX11 homolog (encoded by locus At1g02410). Western blot analyses and confocal microscopy identified Arabidopsis COX11 as an integral mitochondrial protein. Despite sharing high sequence and structural similarities, the Arabidopsis COX11 is not able to functionally replace the Saccharomyces cerevisiae COX11 homolog. Nevertheless, further analysis confirmed the hypothesis that Arabidopsis COX11 is essential for COX activity. Disturbance of COX11 expression through knockdown (KD) or overexpression (OE) affected COX activity. In KD lines, the activity was reduced by ~50%, resulting in root growth inhibition, smaller rosettes and leaf curling. In OE lines, the reduction was less pronounced (~80% of the wild type), still resulting in root growth inhibition. Additionally, pollen germination was impaired in COX11 KD and OE plants. This effect on pollen germination can only partially be attributed to COX deficiency and may indicate a possible auxiliary role of COX11 in ROS metabolism. In agreement with its role in energy production, the COX11 promoter is highly active in cells and tissues with high-energy demand for example shoot and root meristems, or vascular tissues of source and sink organs. In COX11 KD lines, the expression of the plasma-membrane copper transporter COPT2 and of several copper chaperones was altered, indicative of a retrograde signaling pathway pertinent to copper homeostasis. Based on our data, we postulate that COX11 is a mitochondrial chaperone, which plays an important role for plant growth and pollen germination as an essential COX complex assembly factor.

AtCOX10, a protein involved in haem o synthesis during cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis, is essential for plant embryogenesis and modulates the progression of senescence

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) biogenesis requires several accessory proteins implicated, among other processes, in copper and haem a insertion. In yeast, the farnesyltransferase Cox10p that catalyses the conversion of haem b to haem o is the limiting factor in haem a biosynthesis and is essential for haem a insertion in CcO. In this work, we characterized AtCOX10, a putative Cox10p homologue from Arabidopsis thaliana. AtCOX10 was localized in mitochondria and was able to restore growth of a yeast Δcox10 null mutant on non-fermentable carbon sources, suggesting that it also participates in haem o synthesis. Plants with T-DNA insertions in the coding region of both copies of AtCOX10 could not be recovered, and heterozygous mutant plants showed seeds with embryos arrested at early developmental stages that lacked CcO activity. Heterozygous mutant plants exhibited lower levels of CcO activity and cyanide-sensitive respiration but normal levels of total respiration at the expense of an increase in alternative respiration. AtCOX10 seems to be implicated in the onset and progression of senescence, since heterozygous mutant plants showed a faster decrease in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic performance than wild-type plants after natural and dark-induced senescence. Furthermore, complementation of mutants by expressing AtCOX10 under its own promoter allowed us to obtain plants with T-DNA insertions in both AtCOX10 copies, which showed phenotypic characteristics comparable to those of wild type. Our results highlight the relevance of haem o synthesis in plants and suggest that this process is a limiting factor that influences CcO activity levels, mitochondrial respiration, and plant senescence.

The miRNAs and their regulatory networks responsible for pollen abortion in Ogura-CMS Chinese cabbage revealed by high-throughput sequencing of miRNAs, degradomes, and transcriptomes

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) is one of the most important vegetables in Asia and is cultivated across the world. Ogura-type cytoplasmic male sterility (Ogura-CMS) has been widely used in the hybrid breeding industry for Chinese cabbage and many other cruciferous vegetables. Although, the cause of Ogura-CMS has been localized to the orf138 locus in the mitochondrial genome, however, the mechanism by which nuclear genes respond to the mutation of the mitochondrial orf138 locus is unclear. In this study, a series of whole genome small RNA, degradome and transcriptome analyses were performed on both Ogura-CMS and its maintainer Chinese cabbage buds using deep sequencing technology. A total of 289 known miRNAs derived from 69 families (including 23 new families first reported in B. rapa) and 426 novel miRNAs were identified. Among these novel miRNAs, both 3-p and 5-p miRNAs were detected on the hairpin arms of 138 precursors. Ten known and 49 novel miRNAs were down-regulated, while one known and 27 novel miRNAs were up-regulated in Ogura-CMS buds compared to the fertile plants. Using degradome analysis, a total of 376 mRNAs were identified as targets of 30 known miRNA families and 100 novel miRNAs. A large fraction of the targets were annotated as reproductive development related. Our transcriptome profiling revealed that the expression of the targets was finely tuned by the miRNAs. Two novel miRNAs were identified that were specifically highly expressed in Ogura-CMS buds and sufficiently suppressed two pollen development essential genes: sucrose transporter SUC1 and H (+) -ATPase 6. These findings provide clues for the contribution of a potential miRNA regulatory network to bud development and pollen engenderation. This study contributes new insights to the communication between the mitochondria and chromosome and takes one step toward filling the gap in the regulatory network from the orf138 locus to pollen abortion in Ogura-CMS plants from a miRNA perspective.

The rice transcription factor OsWRKY47 is a positive regulator of the response to water deficit stress

OsWRKY47 is a divergent rice transcription factor belonging to the group II of the WRKY family. A transcriptomic analysis of the drought response of transgenic rice plants expressing P SARK ::IPT, validated by qPCR, indicated that OsWRKY47 expression was induced under drought stress in P SARK ::IPT plants. A PCR-assisted site selection assay (SELEX) of recombinant OsWRKY47 protein showed that the preferred sequence bound in vitro is (G/T)TTGACT. Bioinformatics analyses identified a number of gene targets of OsWRKY47; among these two genes encode a Calmodulin binding protein and a Cys-rich secretory protein. Using Oswrk47 knockout mutants and transgenic rice overexpressing OsWRKY47 we show that the transcription of these putative targets were regulated by OsWRKY47. Phenotypic analysis carried out with transgenic rice plants showed that Oswrky47 mutants displayed higher sensitivity to drought and reduced yield, while plants overexpressing OsWRKY47 were more tolerant.

Structural and functional analysis of an asymmetric bidirectional promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana

Bidirectional promoters are relatively abundant in eukaryotic genomes, suggesting that they have an important biological significance. As yet, few of these promoters have been characterized in detail. Here, using a promoter::GUS transgene approach has revealed that the intergenic region of Arabidopsis thaliana divergent genes At1g71850 and At1g71860 is an asymmetric bidirectional promoter, which exhibits an orientation-dependent expression profile. The strength of the forward promoter was greater than that of the reverse promoter, and their tissue specificities were not identical. Deletion analyses revealed that this bidirectional promoter could be divided into three functional regions. The basal level and tissue specificity of the promoter in the reverse orientation were regulated positively by region II and negatively by region III, whereas promoter activity in the forward orientation was regulated negatively by region II and positively by region I. Thus the 52-bp stretch of region II had a dual function, enhancing expression in the reverse orientation and suppressing it in the forward orientation. These results demonstrated that the activity of the At1g71850-At1g71860 bidirectional promoter was modulated by complex interactions between both positive and negative cis-acting elements. These findings will enhance our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of plant bidirectional promoters.

The Arabidopsis thaliana TCP transcription factors: A broadening horizon beyond development

The TCP family of transcription factors is named after the first 4 characterized members, namely TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1) from maize (Zea mays), CYCLOIDEA (CYC) from snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), as well as PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN FACTOR1 (PCF1) and PCF2 from rice (Oryza sativa). Phylogenic analysis of this plant-specific protein family unveils a conserved bHLH-containing DNA-binding motif known as the TCP domain. In accordance with the structure of this shared domain, TCP proteins are grouped into class I (TCP-P) and class II (TCP-C), which are suggested to antagonistically modulate plant growth and development via competitively binding similar cis-regulatory modules called site II elements. Over the last decades, TCPs across the plant kingdom have been demonstrated to control a plethora of plant processes. Notably, TCPs also regulate plant development and defense responses via stimulating the biosynthetic pathways of bioactive metabolites, such as brassinosteroid (BR), jasmonic acid (JA) and flavonoids. Besides, mutagenesis analysis coupled with biochemical experiments identifies several crucial amino acids located within the TCP domain, which confer the redox sensitivity of class I TCPs and determine the distinct DNA-binding properties of TCPs. In this review, developmental functions of TCPs in various biological pathways are briefly described with an emphasis on their involvement in the synthesis of bioactive substances. Furthermore, novel biochemical aspects of TCPs with respect to redox regulation and DNA-binding preferences are elaborated. In addition, the unexpected participation of TCPs in effector-triggered immunity (ETI) and defense against insects indicates that the widely recognized developmental regulators are capable of fine-tuning defense signaling and thereby enable plants to evade deleterious developmental phenotypes. Altogether, these recent impressive breakthroughs remarkably advance our understanding as to how TCPs integrate internal developmental cues with external environmental stimuli to orchestrate plant development.

Anterograde and retrograde regulation of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins during growth, development, and stress

Mitochondrial biogenesis and function in plants require the expression of over 1000 nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins (NGEMPs). The expression of these genes is regulated by tissue-specific, developmental, internal, and external stimuli that result in a dynamic organelle involved in both metabolic and a variety of signaling processes. Although the metabolic and biosynthetic machinery of mitochondria is relatively well understood, the factors that regulate these processes and the various signaling pathways involved are only beginning to be identified at a molecular level. The molecular components of anterograde (nuclear to mitochondrial) and retrograde (mitochondrial to nuclear) signaling pathways that regulate the expression of NGEMPs interact with chloroplast-, growth-, and stress-signaling pathways in the cell at a variety of levels, with common components involved in transmission and execution of these signals. This positions mitochondria as important hubs for signaling in the cell, not only in direct signaling of mitochondrial function per se, but also in sensing and/or integrating a variety of other internal and external signals. This integrates and optimizes growth with energy metabolism and stress responses, which is required in both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic cells.

A Functional Antagonistic Relationship between Auxin and Mitochondrial Retrograde Signaling Regulates Alternative Oxidase1a Expression in Arabidopsis

The perception and integration of stress stimuli with that of mitochondrion function are important during periods of perturbed cellular homeostasis. In a continuous effort to delineate these mitochondrial/stress-interacting networks, forward genetic screens using the mitochondrial stress response marker alternative oxidase 1a (AOX1a) provide a useful molecular tool to identify and characterize regulators of mitochondrial stress signaling (referred to as regulators of alternative oxidase 1a [RAOs] components). In this study, we reveal that mutations in genes coding for proteins associated with auxin transport and distribution resulted in a greater induction of AOX1a in terms of magnitude and longevity. Three independent mutants for polarized auxin transport, rao3/big, rao4/pin-formed1, and rao5/multidrug-resistance1/abcb19, as well as the Myb transcription factor rao6/asymmetric leaves1 (that displays altered auxin patterns) were identified and resulted in an acute sensitivity toward mitochondrial dysfunction. Induction of the AOX1a reporter system could be inhibited by the application of auxin analogs or reciprocally potentiated by blocking auxin transport. Promoter activation studies with AOX1a::GUS and DR5::GUS lines further confirmed a clear antagonistic relationship between the spatial distribution of mitochondrial stress and auxin response kinetics, respectively. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses revealed that mitochondrial stress stimuli, such as antimycin A, caused a transient suppression of auxin signaling and conversely, that auxin treatment repressed a part of the response to antimycin A treatment, including AOX1a induction. We conclude that mitochondrial stress signaling and auxin signaling are reciprocally regulated, balancing growth and stress response(s).

Growth conditions determine the DNF2 requirement for symbiosis

Rhizobia and legumes are able to interact in a symbiotic way leading to the development of root nodules. Within nodules, rhizobia fix nitrogen for the benefit of the plant. These interactions are efficient because spectacularly high densities of nitrogen fixing rhizobia are maintained in the plant cells. DNF2, a Medicago truncatula gene has been described as required for nitrogen fixation, bacteroid's persistence and to prevent defense-like reactions in the nodules. This manuscript shows that a Rhizobium mutant unable to differentiate is not sufficient to trigger defense-like reactions in this organ. Furthermore, we show that the requirement of DNF2 for effective symbiosis can be overcome by permissive growth conditions. The dnf2 knockout mutants grown in vitro on agarose or Phytagel as gelling agents are able to produce nodules fixing nitrogen with the same efficiency as the wild-type. However, when agarose medium is supplemented with the plant defense elicitor ulvan, the dnf2 mutant recovers the fix- phenotype. Together, our data show that plant growth conditions impact the gene requirement for symbiotic nitrogen fixation and suggest that they influence the symbiotic suppression of defense reactions in nodules.

Evaluation of rice promoters conferring pollen-specific expression in a heterologous system, Arabidopsis

Promoters can direct gene expression specifically to targeted tissues or cells. Effective with both crop species and model plant systems, these tools can help researchers overcome the practical obstacles associated with transgenic protocols. Here, we identified promoters that allow one to target the manipulation of gene expression during pollen development. Utilizing published transcriptomic databases for rice, we investigated the promoter activity of selected genes in Arabidopsis. From various microarray datasets, including those for anthers and pollen grains at different developmental stages, we selected nine candidate genes that showed high levels of expression in the late stages of rice pollen development. We named these Oryza sativa late pollen-specific genes. Their promoter regions contained various cis-acting elements that could be responsible for anther-/pollen-specific expression. Promoter::GUS-GFP reporters were constructed and introduced into Arabidopsis plants. Histochemical GUS staining revealed that six of the nine rice promoters conferred strong GUS expression that was restricted to the anthers in Arabidopsis. Further analysis showed that although the GUS signals were not detected at the unicellular stage, they strengthened in the bicellular or tricellular stages, peaking at the mature pollen stage. This paralleled their transcriptomic profiles in rice. Based on our results, we proposed that these six rice promoters, which are active in the late stages of pollen formation in the dicot Arabidopsis, can aid molecular breeders in generating new varieties of a monocot plant, rice.

Mitochondria and copper homeostasis in plants

Copper (Cu) and other transition metals are essential for living organisms but also toxic when present in excess. To cope with this apparent paradox, organisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms to acquire, transport and store these metals. Particularly, plant mitochondria require Cu for the assembly and function of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the terminal enzyme of the respiratory chain. COX assembly is a complex process that requires the action of multiple factors, many of them involved in the delivery and insertion of Cu into the enzyme. In this review, we summarize what is known about the processes involved in Cu delivery to mitochondria and how these processes impact in Cu homeostasis at the cellular level. We also discuss evidence indicating that metallochaperones involved in COX assembly play additional roles in signaling pathways related to changes in Cu and redox homeostasis and the response of plants to stress. We propose that cysteine-rich proteins present in the mitochondrial intermembrane space are excellent candidates as sensors of these changes and transducers of signals originated in the organelle to the rest of the cell.

Genome-wide data (ChIP-seq) enabled identification of cell wall-related and aquaporin genes as targets of tomato ASR1, a drought stress-responsive transcription factor

BACKGROUND

Identifying the target genes of transcription factors is important for unraveling regulatory networks in all types of organisms. Our interest was precisely to uncover the spectrum of loci regulated by a widespread plant transcription factor involved in physiological adaptation to drought, a type of stress that plants have encountered since the colonization of land habitats 400 MYA. The regulator under study, named ASR1, is exclusive to the plant kingdom (albeit absent in Arabidopsis) and known to alleviate the stress caused by restricted water availability. As its target genes are still unknown despite the original cloning of Asr1 cDNA 20 years ago, we examined the tomato genome for specific loci interacting in vivo with this conspicuous protein.

RESULTS

We performed ChIP followed by high throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) on leaves from stressed tomato plants, using a high-quality anti-ASR1 antibody. In this way, we unraveled a novel repertoire of target genes, some of which are clearly involved in the response to drought stress. Many of the ASR1-enriched genomic loci we found encode enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis and remodeling as well as channels implicated in water and solute flux, such as aquaporins. In addition, we were able to determine a robust consensus ASR1-binding DNA motif.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of cell wall synthesis and aquaporin genes as targets of ASR1 is consistent with their suggested role in the physiological adaptation of plants to water loss. The results gain insight into the environmental stress-sensing pathways leading to plant tolerance of drought.

Light-dependent expression of flg22-induced defense genes in Arabidopsis

Chloroplasts have been reported to generate retrograde immune signals that activate defense gene expression in the nucleus. However, the roles of light and photosynthesis in plant immunity remain largely elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effects of light on the expression of defense genes induced by flg22, a peptide derived from bacterial flagellins which acts as a potent elicitor in plants. Whole-transcriptome analysis of flg22-treated Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings under light and dark conditions for 30 min revealed that a number of (30%) genes strongly induced by flg22 (>4.0) require light for their rapid expression, whereas flg22-repressed genes include a significant number of genes that are down-regulated by light. Furthermore, light is responsible for the flg22-induced accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), indicating that light is indispensable for basal defense responses in plants. To elucidate the role of photosynthesis in defense, we further examined flg22-induced defense gene expression in the presence of specific inhibitors of photosynthetic electron transport: 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-benzoquinone (DBMIB). Light-dependent expression of defense genes was largely suppressed by DBMIB, but only partially suppressed by DCMU. These findings suggest that photosynthetic electron flow plays a role in controlling the light-dependent expression of flg22-inducible defense genes.

Linking chloroplast antioxidant defense to carbohydrate availability: the transcript abundance of stromal ascorbate peroxidase is sugar-controlled via ascorbate biosynthesis

All genes encoding chloroplast antioxidant enzymes are nuclear-encoded and posttranscriptionally targeted to chloroplasts. The transcript levels of most of them decreased upon sucrose feeding like the transcript levels of many genes encoding components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. However, the transcript abundance of stromal ascorbate peroxidase (s-APX; At4g08390) increased. Due to mild sugar application conditions, the plants kept the phosphorylation status of the ADP+ATP pool and the redox states of the NADPH+NADP+ and the ascorbate pools under control, which excludes them as signals in s-APX regulation. Correlation with ascorbate pool size regulation and comparison of transcript abundance regulation in the starch-biosynthetic mutant adg1, the ascorbate biosynthesis mutant vtc1, and the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic mutant aba2 showed a link between sugar induction of s-APX and ascorbate biosynthesis.

Incorporating motif analysis into gene co-expression networks reveals novel modular expression pattern and new signaling pathways

Understanding of gene regulatory networks requires discovery of expression modules within gene co-expression networks and identification of promoter motifs and corresponding transcription factors that regulate their expression. A commonly used method for this purpose is a top-down approach based on clustering the network into a range of densely connected segments, treating these segments as expression modules, and extracting promoter motifs from these modules. Here, we describe a novel bottom-up approach to identify gene expression modules driven by known cis-regulatory motifs in the gene promoters. For a specific motif, genes in the co-expression network are ranked according to their probability of belonging to an expression module regulated by that motif. The ranking is conducted via motif enrichment or motif position bias analysis. Our results indicate that motif position bias analysis is an effective tool for genome-wide motif analysis. Sub-networks containing the top ranked genes are extracted and analyzed for inherent gene expression modules. This approach identified novel expression modules for the G-box, W-box, site II, and MYB motifs from an Arabidopsis thaliana gene co-expression network based on the graphical Gaussian model. The novel expression modules include those involved in house-keeping functions, primary and secondary metabolism, and abiotic and biotic stress responses. In addition to confirmation of previously described modules, we identified modules that include new signaling pathways. To associate transcription factors that regulate genes in these co-expression modules, we developed a novel reporter system. Using this approach, we evaluated MYB transcription factor-promoter interactions within MYB motif modules.

Gene co-expression networks unite genes with similar expression patterns. From these networks, gene co-expression modules can be identified. A specific family of transcription factor(s) may regulate the genes within a co-expression module. Thus, module identification is important to decipher the gene regulatory network. Previously, module identification relied on clustering the gene network into gene clusters that were then treated as modules. This represents a top-down approach. Here, we introduce a reverse approach aiming at identifying gene co-expression modules regulated by known promoter motifs. For a given promoter motif, we calculated the probability of each gene within the network to belong to a module regulated by that motif via motif enrichment analysis or motif position bias analysis. A sub-network containing the genes with a high probability of belonging to a motif driven module was then extracted from the gene co-expression network. From this sub-network, the modular structure can be identified via visual inspection. Our bottom-up approach recovered many known and novel modules for the G-box, MYB, W-box and site II elements motif, whose expression may be regulated by the transcription factors that bind to these motifs. Additionally, we developed a rapid transcription factor-promoter interaction screening system to validate predicted interactions.

Redox modulation of plant developmental regulators from the class I TCP transcription factor family

TEOSINTE BRANCHED1-CYCLOIDEA-PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR1 (TCP) transcription factors participate in plant developmental processes associated with cell proliferation and growth. Most members of class I, one of the two classes that compose the family, have a conserved cysteine at position 20 (Cys-20) of the TCP DNA-binding and dimerization domain. We show that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) class I proteins with Cys-20 are sensitive to redox conditions, since their DNA-binding activity is inhibited after incubation with the oxidants diamide, oxidized glutathione, or hydrogen peroxide or with nitric oxide-producing agents. Inhibition can be reversed by treatment with the reductants dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione or by incubation with the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system. Mutation of Cys-20 in the class I protein TCP15 abolished its redox sensitivity. Under oxidizing conditions, covalently linked dimers were formed, suggesting that inactivation is associated with the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Inhibition of class I TCP protein activity was also observed in vivo, in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells expressing TCP proteins and in plants after treatment with redox agents. This inhibition was correlated with modifications in the expression of the downstream CUC1 gene in plants. Modeling studies indicated that Cys-20 is located at the dimer interface near the DNA-binding surface. This places this residue in the correct orientation for intermolecular disulfide bond formation and explains the sensitivity of DNA binding to the oxidation of Cys-20. The redox properties of Cys-20 and the observed effects of cellular redox agents both in vitro and in vivo suggest that class I TCP protein action is under redox control in plants.

Tissue-specific transcriptomic profiling of Sorghum propinquum using a rice genome array

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is one of the world's most important cereal crops. S. propinquum is a perennial wild relative of S. bicolor with well-developed rhizomes. Functional genomics analysis of S. propinquum, especially with respect to molecular mechanisms related to rhizome growth and development, can contribute to the development of more sustainable grain, forage, and bioenergy cropping systems. In this study, we used a whole rice genome oligonucleotide microarray to obtain tissue-specific gene expression profiles of S. propinquum with special emphasis on rhizome development. A total of 548 tissue-enriched genes were detected, including 31 and 114 unique genes that were expressed predominantly in the rhizome tips (RT) and internodes (RI), respectively. Further GO analysis indicated that the functions of these tissue-enriched genes corresponded to their characteristic biological processes. A few distinct cis-elements, including ABA-responsive RY repeat CATGCA, sugar-repressive TTATCC, and GA-responsive TAACAA, were found to be prevalent in RT-enriched genes, implying an important role in rhizome growth and development. Comprehensive comparative analysis of these rhizome-enriched genes and rhizome-specific genes previously identified in Oryza longistaminata and S. propinquum indicated that phytohormones, including ABA, GA, and SA, are key regulators of gene expression during rhizome development. Co-localization of rhizome-enriched genes with rhizome-related QTLs in rice and sorghum generated functional candidates for future cloning of genes associated with rhizome growth and development.

Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule early senescence and defense-like reactions

Medicago truncatula and Sinorhizobium meliloti form a symbiotic association resulting in the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules. Nodule cells contain large numbers of bacteroids which are differentiated, nitrogen-fixing forms of the symbiotic bacteria. In the nodules, symbiotic plant cells home and maintain hundreds of viable bacteria. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism sustaining the phenomenon, we searched for new plant genes required for effective symbiosis. We used a combination of forward and reverse genetics approaches to identify a gene required for nitrogen fixation, and we used cell and molecular biology to characterize the mutant phenotype and to gain an insight into gene function. The symbiotic gene DNF2 encodes a putative phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C-like protein. Nodules formed by the mutant contain a zone of infected cells reduced to a few cell layers. In this zone, bacteria do not differentiate properly into bacteroids. Furthermore, mutant nodules senesce rapidly and exhibit defense-like reactions. This atypical phenotype amongst Fix(-) mutants unravels dnf2 as a new actor of bacteroid persistence inside symbiotic plant cells.

Two direct targets of cytokinin signaling regulate symbiotic nodulation in Medicago truncatula

Cytokinin regulates many aspects of plant development, and in legume crops, this phytohormone is necessary and sufficient for symbiotic nodule organogenesis, allowing them to fix atmospheric nitrogen. To identify direct links between cytokinins and nodule organogenesis, we determined a consensus sequence bound in vitro by a transcription factor (TF) acting in cytokinin signaling, the nodule-enhanced Medicago truncatula Mt RR1 response regulator (RR). Among genes rapidly regulated by cytokinins and containing this so-called RR binding site (RRBS) in their promoters, we found the nodulation-related Type-A RR Mt RR4 and the Nodulation Signaling Pathway 2 (NSP2) TF. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that RRBS cis-elements in the RR4 and NSP2 promoters are essential for expression during nodule development and for cytokinin induction. Furthermore, a microRNA targeting NSP2 (miR171 h) is also rapidly induced by cytokinins and then shows an expression pattern anticorrelated with NSP2. Other primary targets regulated by cytokinins depending on the Cytokinin Response1 (CRE1) receptor were a cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX1) and a basic Helix-Loop-Helix TF (bHLH476). RNA interference constructs as well as insertion of a Tnt1 retrotransposon in the bHLH gene led to reduced nodulation. Hence, we identified two TFs, NSP2 and bHLH476, as direct cytokinin targets acting at the convergence of phytohormonal and symbiotic cues.

Delta subclass HD-Zip proteins and a B-3 AP2/ERF transcription factor interact with promoter elements required for expression of the Arabidopsis cytochrome c oxidase 5b-1 gene

We have identified transcription factors that interact with a promoter region involved in expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana COX5b-1 gene, which encodes an isoform of the cytochrome c oxidase zinc binding subunit. Elements with the core sequence ATCATT, involved in induction by sugars, are recognized both in vitro and in one-hybrid assays in yeast by HD-Zip proteins from the delta subclass and, though less efficiently, by the trihelix transcription factor GT-3b. DistalB-like elements (CCACTTG), required for induction by abscisic acid (ABA), interact with ESE1, a member of the B-3 subgroup of AP2/ERF transcription factors. The HD-Zip protein Athb-21 and ESE1 are able to interact in yeast two-hybrid assays with the ABA responsive element binding factor AREB2/ABF4, which binds to a G-box absolutely required for expression of the COX5b-1 gene. Overexpression of the identified transcription factors in plants produces an increase in COX5b-1 transcript levels. Moreover, these factors are able to induce the expression of a reporter gene located in plants under the control of the relevant COX5b-1 promoter regions required for expression. Analysis of promoter regions of COX5b genes from different plant species suggests that the identified transcription factors were recruited for the regulation of COX5b gene expression at different stages during the evolution of dicot plants.

Lack of cytochrome c in Arabidopsis decreases stability of Complex IV and modifies redox metabolism without affecting Complexes I and III

We studied the role of cytochrome c (CYTc), which mediates electron transfer between Complexes III and IV, in cellular events related with mitochondrial respiration, plant development and redox homeostasis. We analyzed single and double homozygous mutants in both CYTc-encoding genes from Arabidopsis: CYTC-1 and CYTC-2. While individual mutants were similar to wild-type, knock-out of both genes produced an arrest of embryo development, showing that CYTc function is essential at early stages of plant development. Mutants in which CYTc levels were extremely reduced respective to wild-type had smaller rosettes with a pronounced decrease in parenchymatic cell size and an overall delay in development. Mitochondria from these mutants had lower respiration rates and a relative increase in alternative respiration. Furthermore, the decrease in CYTc severely affected the activity and the amount of Complex IV, without affecting Complexes I and III. Reactive oxygen species levels were reduced in these mutants, which showed induction of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes. Ascorbic acid levels were not affected, suggesting that a small amount of CYTc is enough to support its normal synthesis. We postulate that, in addition to its role as an electron carrier between Complexes III and IV, CYTc influences Complex IV levels in plants, probably reflecting a role of this protein in Complex IV stability. This double function of CYTc most likely explains why it is essential for plant survival.

SD3, an Arabidopsis thaliana homolog of TIM21, affects intracellular ATP levels and seedling development

It is poorly understood how plants control their growth by cell division, elongation, and differentiation. We have characterized a seedling-lethal mutant segregation distortion 3 (sd3) that showed a very dwarf phenotype when grown in the light and, in the dark, had short hypocotyls with reduced ploidy levels. The corresponding gene of SD3 encodes a protein with high similarity to yeast translocase on the inner mitochondrial membrane 21 (TIM21), which is a component of the TIM23 complex. Indeed, SD3 protein fused to GFP localized in the mitochondria. SD3 overexpression increased cotyledon size in the light and hypocotyl thickness in the dark. The expression of genes for several subunits of the respiratory-chain complexes III and IV was up-regulated in SD3-overexpressing plants. Furthermore, these plants showed high levels of ATP whereas those of sd3 were low. These results suggested that SD3 induced an increase in cell size by raising the expression of the respiratory-chain subunit genes and hence increased the intracellular ATP levels. We propose that intracellular ATP levels regulated by mitochondria control plant organ size.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals calcium regulation of specific promoter motifs in Arabidopsis

Increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) mediate plant responses to stress by regulating the expression of genes encoding proteins that confer tolerance. Several plant stress genes have previously been shown to be calcium-regulated, and in one case, a specific promoter motif Abscisic Acid Responsive-Element (ABRE) has been found to be regulated by calcium. A comprehensive survey of the Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome for calcium-regulated promoter motifs was performed by measuring the expression of genes in Arabidopsis seedlings responding to three calcium elevations of different characteristics, using full genome microarray analysis. This work revealed a total of 269 genes upregulated by [Ca(2+)](c) in Arabidopsis. Bioinformatic analysis strongly indicated that at least four promoter motifs were [Ca(2+)](c)-regulated in planta. We confirmed this finding by expressing in plants chimeric gene constructs controlled exclusively by these cis-elements and by testing the necessity and sufficiency of calcium for their expression. Our data reveal that the C-Repeat/Drought-Responsive Element, Site II, and CAM box (along with the previously identified ABRE) promoter motifs are calcium-regulated. The identification of these promoter elements targeted by the second messenger intracellular calcium has implications for plant signaling in response to a variety of stimuli, including cold, drought, and biotic stress.

Functional interconnections of Arabidopsis exon junction complex proteins and genes at multiple steps of gene expression

The exon junction complex (EJC) is deposited on mRNA after splicing and participates in several aspects of RNA metabolism, from intracellular transport to translation. In this work, the functional and molecular interactions of Arabidopsis homologues of Mago, Y14, and PYM, three EJC components that participate in intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression in animals, have been analysed. AtMago, AtY14, and AtPYM are encoded by single genes that show similar expression patterns and contain common regulatory elements, known as site II, that are required for expression. AtPYM and AtY14 are phosphorylated by plant extracts and this modification regulates complex formation between both proteins. In addition, overexpression of AtMago and AtY14 in plants produces an increase in AtPYM protein levels, while overexpression of AtPYM results in increased formation of a complex that contains the three proteins. The effect of AtMago and AtY14 on AtPYM expression is most likely to be due to intron-mediated enhacement of AtPYM expression, since the AtPYM gene contains a leader intron that is required for expression. Indeed, transient transformation asssays indicated that the three proteins are able to increase expression from reporter constructs that contain leader introns required for the expression of different genes. The results indicate that the plant homologues of Mago, Y14, and PYM are closely interconnected, not only through their function as EJC components but also at different steps of their own gene expression mechanisms, probably reflecting the importance of their interaction for the correct expression of plant genes.

Sequence context for transcription and translation of the Arabidopsis RPL23aA and RPL23aB paralogs

The 80S cytoplasmic ribosome is responsible for translating the transcriptome into the proteome. Demand for ribosome production depends on growth rate, and both the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal protein (RP) components must respond coordinately and rapidly to positive and negative growth stimuli to prevent deleterious effects of excess or insufficient subunits. The 81 RPs of the Arabidopsis 80S ribosome are encoded by multigene families that often exhibit overlapping patterns of transcript accumulation; however, only one isoform of each RP family (with the exception of a small number of acidic RPs) assembles into a single ribosome. Here we dissected the regulatory regions (RRs) of both members of the RPL23a family (RPL23aA and RPL23aB) to identify salient cis-acting elements involved in transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational regulation of expression. Full length and truncated RRs of RPL23a paralogs were cloned upstream of a GUS reporter gene and expressed in Arabidopsis transgenic plants. High level expression in mitotically active tissues, driven by RPL23aA and RPL23aB RRs, required TATA-box, telo-box, and site II motif elements. First and second introns were found to play a minor role in posttranscriptional regulation of paralogs, and conserved transcript features (e.g., UTR base composition) may be involved in enhancing translational efficiency. Overall, our results indicate that RPL23a expression is governed by a complex network of multiple regulatory layers.

Intracompartmental and intercompartmental transcriptional networks coordinate the expression of genes for organellar functions

Genes for mitochondrial and chloroplast proteins are distributed between the nuclear and organellar genomes. Organelle biogenesis and metabolism, therefore, require appropriate coordination of gene expression in the different compartments to ensure efficient synthesis of essential multiprotein complexes of mixed genetic origin. Whereas organelle-to-nucleus signaling influences nuclear gene expression at the transcriptional level, organellar gene expression (OGE) is thought to be primarily regulated posttranscriptionally. Here, we show that intracompartmental and intercompartmental transcriptional networks coordinate the expression of genes for organellar functions. Nearly 1,300 ATH1 microarray-based transcriptional profiles of nuclear and organellar genes for mitochondrial and chloroplast proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were analyzed. The activity of genes involved in organellar energy production (OEP) or OGE in each of the organelles and in the nucleus is highly coordinated. Intracompartmental networks that link the OEP and OGE gene sets serve to synchronize the expression of nucleus- and organelle-encoded proteins. At a higher regulatory level, coexpression of organellar and nuclear OEP/OGE genes typically modulates chloroplast functions but affects mitochondria only when chloroplast functions are perturbed. Under conditions that induce energy shortage, the intercompartmental coregulation of photosynthesis genes can even override intracompartmental networks. We conclude that dynamic intracompartmental and intercompartmental transcriptional networks for OEP and OGE genes adjust the activity of organelles in response to the cellular energy state and environmental stresses, and we identify candidate cis-elements involved in the transcriptional coregulation of nuclear genes. Regarding the transcriptional regulation of chloroplast genes, novel tentative target genes of σ factors are identified.

Plants contain two SCO proteins that are differentially involved in cytochrome c oxidase function and copper and redox homeostasis

Two Arabidopsis thaliana genes (HCC1 and HCC2), resulting from a duplication that took place before the emergence of flowering plants, encode proteins with homology to the SCO proteins involved in copper insertion during cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly in other organisms. Heterozygote HCC1 mutant plants produce 25% abnormal seeds with defective embryos arrested at the heart or torpedo stage. These embryos lack COX activity, suggesting that the requirement of HCC1 during the early stages of plant development is related with its COX assembly function. Homozygote HCC2 mutant plants develop normally and do not show changes in COX2 levels. These plants display increased sensitivity of root growth to increased copper and a higher expression of miR398 and other genes that respond to copper limitation, in spite of the fact that they have a higher copper content than the wild type. HCC2 mutant plants also show increased expression of stress-responsive genes. The results suggest that HCC1 is the protein involved in COX biogenesis and that HCC2, that lacks the cysteines and histidine putatively involved in copper binding, functions in copper sensing and redox homeostasis. In addition, plants that overexpress HCC1 have an altered response of root elongation to changes in copper in the growth medium and increased expression of two low-copper-responsive genes, suggesting that HCC1 may also have a role in copper homeostasis.

Combining proteomics of root and shoot mitochondria and transcript analysis to define constitutive and variable components in plant mitochondria

Mitochondria undertake respiration in plant cells, but through metabolic plasticity utilize differ proportions of substrates and deliver different proportions of products to cellular metabolic and biosynthetic pathways. In Arabidopsis the mitochondrial proteome from shoots and cell culture have been reported, but there has been little information on mitochondria in roots. We compare the root mitochondrial proteome with mitochondria isolated from photosynthetic shoots to define the role of protein abundance in these differences. The major differences observed were in the abundance and/or activities of enzymes in the TCA cycle and the mitochondrial enzymes involved in photorespiration. Metabolic pathways linked to TCA cycle and photorespiration were also altered, namely cysteine, formate and one-carbon metabolism, as well as amino acid metabolism focused on 2-oxoglutarate generation. Comparisons to microarray analysis of these same tissues showed a positive correlation between mRNA and mitochondrial protein abundance, but still ample evidence for the role of post-transcriptional processes in defining mitochondrial composition. Broader comparisons of transcript abundances for mitochondrial components across Arabidopsis tissues provided additional evidence for specialization of plant mitochondria, and clustering of these data in functional groups showed the constitutive vs variably expressed components of plant mitochondria.

The Arabidopsis class I TCP transcription factor AtTCP11 is a developmental regulator with distinct DNA-binding properties due to the presence of a threonine residue at position 15 of the TCP domain

The TCP domain is a DNA-binding domain present in plant transcription factors that modulate different processes. In the present study, we show that Arabidopsis class I TCP proteins are able to interact with a dyad-symmetric sequence composed of two GTGGG half-sites. TCP20 establishes symmetric interactions with the 5' half of each strand, whereas TCP11 interacts mainly with the 3' half. SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) experiments with TCP15 and TCP20 indicated that these proteins have similar, although not identical, DNA-binding preferences and are able to interact with non-palindromic binding sites of the type GTGGGNCCNN. TCP11 shows a different DNA-binding specificity, with a preference for the sequence GTGGGCCNNN. The distinct DNA-binding properties of TCP11 are due to the presence of a threonine residue at position 15 of the TCP domain, a position that is occupied by an arginine residue in most TCP proteins. TCP11 also forms heterodimers with TCP15 that have increased DNA-binding efficiency. The expression in plants of a repressor form of TCP11 demonstrated that this protein is a developmental regulator that influences the growth of leaves, stems and petioles, and pollen development. The results suggest that changes in DNA-binding preferences may be one of the mechanisms through which class I TCP proteins achieve functional specificity.

A PPR protein involved in regulating nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins?

The novel pentatricopeptide repeat protein PNM1 has recently been shown to be dual localized to the nucleus and mitochondria. In the nucleus it binds proteins involved in regulating gene expression, especially a TCP transcription factor. This class of proteins was recently shown to control the expression of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins that contain cis-acting "site II" regulatory elements in their promoter regions. The analysis of mutant plants showed that some genes with site II elements have increased expression levels when PNM1 is not present in the nucleus. This suggests that PNM1 might act as a negative regulator for the expression of an unknown number of genes with site II elements. Altogether, PNM1 might act as a nuclear regulator and / or could be a retrograde messenger molecule from mitochondria to the nucleus for the fine-tuning of nuclear gene expression required for mitochondrial biogenesis.

An Arabidopsis dual-localized pentatricopeptide repeat protein interacts with nuclear proteins involved in gene expression regulation

Following the endosymbiotic acquisition of mitochondria by eukaryotic cells, most of the genes in this organelle were transferred to the nucleus. To maintain mitochondrial biogenesis and function, nuclear and mitochondrial genomes require regulated and coordinated expression. In plant organelles, nuclear-encoded proteins targeted to the organelles control posttranscriptional and posttranslational mechanisms. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are good candidates to play such regulatory roles. Here, we identify PNM1 (for PPR protein localized to the nucleus and mitochondria 1), a novel PPR protein that is dual localized to mitochondria and nuclei in Arabidopsis thaliana, as observed by green fluorescent protein fusions and immunodetection on subcellular fractions and on histological sections. Genetic complementation showed that loss of PNM1 function in mitochondria, but not in nuclei, is lethal for the embryo. In mitochondria, it is associated with polysomes and may play a role in translation. A genetic screen in yeast identified protein partners of PNM1. These partners, the nucleosome assembly protein NAP1, and the transcription factor TCP8 interact with PNM1 in the nucleus in planta. Furthermore, TCP8 can bind the promoter of PNM1. This suggests that PNM1 might be involved in the regulation of its own gene expression in the nucleus and could thus play a role in gene expression adjustments between mitochondria and the nucleus.