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Qiao M, Hong C, Jiao Y, Hou S, Gao H. Impacts of Drought on Photosynthesis in Major Food Crops and the Related Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Drought. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1808. [PMID: 38999648 PMCID: PMC11243883 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Drought stress is one of the most critical threats to crop productivity and global food security. This review addresses the multiple effects of drought on the process of photosynthesis in major food crops. Affecting both light-dependent and light-independent reactions, drought leads to severe damage to photosystems and blocks the electron transport chain. Plants face a CO2 shortage provoked by stomatal closure, which triggers photorespiration; not only does it reduce carbon fixation efficiency, but it also causes lower overall photosynthetic output. Drought-induced oxidative stress generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular structures, including chloroplasts, further impairing photosynthetic productivity. Plants have evolved a variety of adaptive strategies to alleviate these effects. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms help dissipate excess light energy as heat, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus under drought conditions. Alternative electron pathways, such as cyclical electron transmission and chloroplast respiration, maintain energy balance and prevent over-reduction of the electron transport chain. Hormones, especially abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and cytokinin, modulate stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and osmotic adjustment, further increasing the tolerance to drought. Structural adjustments, such as leaf reordering and altered root architecture, also strengthen tolerance. Understanding these complex interactions and adaptive strategies is essential for developing drought-resistant crop varieties and ensuring agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hongbo Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (M.Q.)
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2
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Lewandowska M, Zienkiewicz K, Zienkiewicz A, Kelly A, König S, Feussner K, Kunst L, Feussner I. Wounding Triggers Wax Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis Leaves in an Abscisic Acid-Dependent and Jasmonoyl-Isoleucine-Dependent Manner. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 65:928-938. [PMID: 37927069 PMCID: PMC11209552 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Wounding caused by insects or abiotic factors such as wind and hail can cause severe stress for plants. Intrigued by the observation that wounding induces expression of genes involved in surface wax synthesis in a jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile)-independent manner, the role of wax biosynthesis and respective genes upon wounding was investigated. Wax, a lipid-based barrier, protects plants both from environmental threats and from an uncontrolled loss of water. Its biosynthesis is described to be regulated by abscisic acid (ABA), whereas the main wound signal is the hormone JA-Ile. We show in this study that genes coding for enzymes of surface wax synthesis are induced upon wounding in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves in a JA-Ile-independent but an ABA-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ABA-dependent transcription factor MYB96 is a key regulator of wax biosynthesis upon wounding. On the metabolite level, wound-induced wax accumulation is strongly reduced in JA-Ile-deficient plants, but this induction is only slightly decreased in ABA-reduced plants. To further analyze the ABA-dependent wound response, we conducted wounding experiments in high humidity. They show that high humidity prevents the wound-induced wax accumulation in A. thaliana leaves. Together the data presented in this study show that wound-induced wax accumulation is JA-Ile-dependent on the metabolite level, but the expression of genes coding for enzymes of wax synthesis is regulated by ABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Lewandowska
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Zienkiewicz
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Zienkiewicz
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Amélie Kelly
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Stefanie König
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Kirstin Feussner
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Ljerka Kunst
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, Goettingen 37077, Germany
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3
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Calderone S, Mauri N, Manga-Robles A, Fornalé S, García-Mir L, Centeno ML, Sánchez-Retuerta C, Ursache R, Acebes JL, Campos N, García-Angulo P, Encina A, Caparrós-Ruiz D. Diverging cell wall strategies for drought adaptation in two maize inbreds with contrasting lodging resistance. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:1747-1768. [PMID: 38317308 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The plant cell wall is a plastic structure of variable composition that constitutes the first line of defence against environmental challenges. Lodging and drought are two stressful conditions that severely impact maize yield. In a previous work, we characterised the cell walls of two maize inbreds, EA2024 (susceptible) and B73 (resistant) to stalk lodging. Here, we show that drought induces distinct phenotypical, physiological, cell wall, and transcriptional changes in the two inbreds, with B73 exhibiting lower tolerance to this stress than EA2024. In control conditions, EA2024 stalks had higher levels of cellulose, uronic acids and p-coumarate than B73. However, upon drought EA2024 displayed increased levels of arabinose-enriched polymers, such as pectin-arabinans and arabinogalactan proteins, and a decreased lignin content. By contrast, B73 displayed a deeper rearrangement of cell walls upon drought, including modifications in lignin composition (increased S subunits and S/G ratio; decreased H subunits) and an increase of uronic acids. Drought induced more substantial changes in gene expression in B73 compared to EA2024, particularly in cell wall-related genes, that were modulated in an inbred-specific manner. Transcription factor enrichment assays unveiled inbred-specific regulatory networks coordinating cell wall genes expression. Altogether, these findings reveal that B73 and EA2024 inbreds, with opposite stalk-lodging phenotypes, undertake different cell wall modification strategies in response to drought. We propose that the specific cell wall composition conferring lodging resistance to B73, compromises its cell wall plasticity, and renders this inbred more susceptible to drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Calderone
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Mauri
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Fornalé
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís García-Mir
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Camila Sánchez-Retuerta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robertas Ursache
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Narciso Campos
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Encina
- Area de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - David Caparrós-Ruiz
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Consorci CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Edifici CRAG Campus de Bellaterra de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Fakhrzad F, Jowkar A. Gene expression analysis of drought tolerance and cuticular wax biosynthesis in diploid and tetraploid induced wallflowers. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:330. [PMID: 38664602 PMCID: PMC11044323 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Whole-genome doubling leads to cell reprogramming, upregulation of stress genes, and establishment of new pathways of drought stress responses in plants. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance and cuticular wax characteristics in diploid and tetraploid-induced Erysimum cheiri. According to real-time PCR analysis, tetraploid induced wallflowers exhibited increased expression of several genes encoding transcription factors (TFs), including AREB1 and AREB3; the stress response genes RD29A and ERD1 under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, two cuticular wax biosynthetic pathway genes, CER1 and SHN1, were upregulated in tetraploid plants under drought conditions. Leaf morphological studies revealed that tetraploid leaves were covered with unique cuticular wax crystalloids, which produced a white fluffy appearance, while the diploid leaves were green and smooth. The greater content of epicuticular wax in tetraploid leaves than in diploid leaves can explain the decrease in cuticle permeability as well as the decrease in water loss and improvement in drought tolerance in wallflowers. GC‒MS analysis revealed that the wax components included alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and fatty acids. The most abundant wax compound in this plant was alkanes (50%), the most predominant of which was C29. The relative abundance of these compounds increased significantly in tetraploid plants under drought stress conditions. These findings revealed that tetraploid-induced wallflowers presented upregulation of multiple drought-related and wax biosynthesis genes; therefore, polyploidization has proved useful for improving plant drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazilat Fakhrzad
- Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, P.O. Box: 71441-13131, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Jowkar
- Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, P.O. Box: 71441-13131, Shiraz, Iran.
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5
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Dai Y, Yuan H, Cao X, Liu Y, Xu Z, Jiang Z, White JC, Zhao J, Wang Z, Xing B. La 2O 3 Nanoparticles Can Cause Cracking of Tomato Fruit through Genetic Reconstruction. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7379-7390. [PMID: 38411928 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
La2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in agriculture, but cracking of plant sensitive tissue could occur during application, resulting in a poor appearance, facilitating entry for insects and fungi, and increasing economic losses. Herein, exocarp cracking mechanisms of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit in response to La2O3 NPs were investigated. Tomato plants were exposed to La2O3 NPs (0-40 mg/L, 90 days) by a split-root system under greenhouse condition. La2O3 NPs with high concentrations (25 and 40 mg/L) increased the obvious cracking of the fruit exocarp by 20.0 and 22.7%, respectively. After exposure to 25 mg/L La2O3 NPs, decreased thickness of the cuticle and cell wall and lower wax crystallization patterns of tomato fruit exocarp were observed. Biomechanical properties (e.g., firmness and stiffness) of fruit exocarp were decreased by 34.7 and 25.9%, respectively. RNA-sequencing revealed that the thinner cuticle was caused by the downregulation of cuticle biosynthesis related genes; pectin remodeling, including the reduction in homogalacturonan (e.g., LOC101264880) and rhamnose (e.g., LOC101248505), was responsible for the thinner cell wall. Additionally, genes related to water and abscisic acid homeostasis were significantly upregulated, causing the increases of water and soluble solid content of fruit and elevated fruit inner pressure. Therefore, the thinner fruit cuticle and cell wall combined with the higher inner pressure caused fruit cracking. This study improves our understanding of nanomaterials on important agricultural crops, including the structural reconstruction of fruit exocarp contributing to NPs-induced cracking at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Dai
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Hanyu Yuan
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, No. 1800, Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yinglin Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Zefeng Xu
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Zhixiang Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Jian Zhao
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology (Ministry of Education), Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, No. 1800, Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, 161 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Liu J, Li L, Xiong Z, Robert CAM, Li B, He S, Chen W, Bi J, Zhai G, Guo S, Zhang H, Li J, Zhou S, Zhang X, Song CP. Trade-offs between the accumulation of cuticular wax and jasmonic acid-mediated herbivory resistance in maize. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:143-159. [PMID: 37975264 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved complex physical and chemical defense systems that allow them to withstand herbivory infestation. Composed of a complex mixture of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and their derivatives, cuticular wax constitutes the first physical line of defense against herbivores. Here, we report the function of Glossy 8 (ZmGL8), which encodes a 3-ketoacyl reductase belonging to the fatty acid elongase complex, in orchestrating wax production and jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated defenses against herbivores in maize (Zea mays). The mutation of GL8 enhanced chemical defenses by activating the JA-dependent pathway. We observed a trade-off between wax accumulation and JA levels across maize glossy mutants and 24 globally collected maize inbred lines. In addition, we demonstrated that mutants defective in cuticular wax biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana and maize exhibit enhanced chemical defenses. Comprehensive transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses indicated that the gl8 mutant confers chemical resistance to herbivores by remodeling VLCFA-related lipid metabolism and subsequent JA biosynthesis and signaling. These results suggest that VLCFA-related lipid metabolism has a critical role in regulating the trade-offs between cuticular wax and JA-mediated chemical defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Lu Li
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhilong Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | | | - Baozhu Li
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Shan He
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Wenjie Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jiasheng Bi
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Guanqing Zhai
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Siyi Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jieping Li
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shutang Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Chun-Peng Song
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute of Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
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Jolliffe JB, Pilati S, Moser C, Lashbrooke JG. Beyond skin-deep: targeting the plant surface for crop improvement. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:6468-6486. [PMID: 37589495 PMCID: PMC10662250 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The above-ground plant surface is a well-adapted tissue layer that acts as an interface between the plant and its surrounding environment. As such, its primary role is to protect against desiccation and maintain the gaseous exchange required for photosynthesis. Further, this surface layer provides a barrier against pathogens and herbivory, while attracting pollinators and agents of seed dispersal. In the context of agriculture, the plant surface is strongly linked to post-harvest crop quality and yield. The epidermal layer contains several unique cell types adapted for these functions, while the non-lignified above-ground plant organs are covered by a hydrophobic cuticular membrane. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying crop cuticle and epidermal cell formation, with focus placed on genetic elements contributing towards quality, yield, drought tolerance, herbivory defence, pathogen resistance, pollinator attraction, and sterility, while highlighting the inter-relatedness of plant surface development and traits. Potential crop improvement strategies utilizing this knowledge are outlined in the context of the recent development of new breeding techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Bryanne Jolliffe
- South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, San Michele all’Adige, 38098, Italy
| | - Stefania Pilati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, San Michele all’Adige, 38098, Italy
| | - Claudio Moser
- Research and Innovation Centre, Edmund Mach Foundation, San Michele all’Adige, 38098, Italy
| | - Justin Graham Lashbrooke
- South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
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8
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Yang Z, Cao Y, Shi Y, Qin F, Jiang C, Yang S. Genetic and molecular exploration of maize environmental stress resilience: Toward sustainable agriculture. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:1496-1517. [PMID: 37464740 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change exacerbates the effects of environmental stressors, such as drought, flooding, extreme temperatures, salinity, and alkalinity, on crop growth and grain yield, threatening the sustainability of the food supply. Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most widely cultivated crops and the most abundant grain crop in production worldwide. However, the stability of maize yield is highly dependent on environmental conditions. Recently, great progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying maize responses to environmental stresses and in developing stress-resilient varieties due to advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, multi-omics analysis platforms, and automated phenotyping facilities. In this review, we summarize recent advances in dissecting the genetic factors and networks that contribute to maize abiotic stress tolerance through diverse strategies. We also discuss future challenges and opportunities for the development of climate-resilient maize varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yibo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Caifu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Shuhua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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9
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Castorina G, Bigelow M, Hattery T, Zilio M, Sangiorgio S, Caporali E, Venturini G, Iriti M, Yandeau-Nelson MD, Consonni G. Roles of the MYB94/FUSED LEAVES1 (ZmFDL1) and GLOSSY2 (ZmGL2) genes in cuticle biosynthesis and potential impacts on Fusarium verticillioides growth on maize silks. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1228394. [PMID: 37546274 PMCID: PMC10399752 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1228394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Maize silks, the stigmatic portions of the female flowers, have an important role in reproductive development. Silks also provide entry points for pathogens into host tissues since fungal hyphae move along the surface of the silks to reach the site of infection, i.e., the developing kernel. The outer extracellular surface of the silk is covered by a protective hydrophobic cuticle, comprised of a complex array of long-chain hydrocarbons and small amounts of very long chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols. This work illustrates that two previously characterized cuticle-related genes separately exert roles on maize silk cuticle deposition and function. ZmMYB94/FUSED LEAVES 1 (ZmFDL1) MYB transcription factor is a key regulator of cuticle deposition in maize seedlings. The ZmGLOSSY2 (ZmGL2) gene, a putative member of the BAHD superfamily of acyltransferases with close sequence similarity to the Arabidopsis AtCER2 gene, is involved in the elongation of the fatty acid chains that serve as precursors of the waxes on young leaves. In silks, lack of ZmFDL1 action generates a decrease in the accumulation of a wide number of compounds, including alkanes and alkenes of 20 carbons or greater and affects the expression of cuticle-related genes. These results suggest that ZmFDL1 retains a regulatory role in silks, which might be exerted across the entire wax biosynthesis pathway. Separately, a comparison between gl2-ref and wild-type silks reveals differences in the abundance of specific cuticular wax constituents, particularly those of longer unsaturated carbon chain lengths. The inferred role of ZmGL2 is to control the chain lengths of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The treatment of maize silks with Fusarium verticillioides conidia suspension results in altered transcript levels of ZmFDL1 and ZmGL2 genes. In addition, an increase in fungal growth was observed on gl2-ref mutant silks 72 hours after Fusarium infection. These findings suggest that the silk cuticle plays an active role in the response to F. verticillioides infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Castorina
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Madison Bigelow
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Travis Hattery
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Massimo Zilio
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Sangiorgio
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Venturini
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Iriti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Gabriella Consonni
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
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10
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Liu Q, Wang F, Xu Y, Lin C, Li X, Xu W, Wang H, Zhu Y. Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf. Response to Osmotic Stress Determined via Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2624. [PMID: 37514239 PMCID: PMC10385767 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Drought, as a widespread environmental factor in nature, has become one of the most critical factors restricting the yield of forage grass. Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf.), as a tall and large grass, has a large biomass and is widely used as forage and biofuel. However, its growth and development are limited by drought stress. To obtain novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the drought response and excavate drought tolerance genes in sudangrass, the first full-length transcriptome database of sudangrass under drought stress at different time points was constructed by combining single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) and next-generation transcriptome sequencing (NGS). A total of 32.3 Gb of raw data was obtained, including 20,199 full-length transcripts with an average length of 1628 bp after assembly and correction. In total, 11,921 and 8559 up- and down-regulated differentially expressed genes were identified between the control group and plants subjected to drought stress. Additionally, 951 transcription factors belonging to 50 families and 358 alternative splicing events were found. A KEGG analysis of 158 core genes exhibiting continuous changes over time revealed that 'galactose metabolism' is a hub pathway and raffinose synthase 2 and β-fructofuranosidase are key genes in the response to drought stress. This study revealed the molecular mechanism underlying drought tolerance in sudangrass. Furthermore, the genes identified in this study provide valuable resources for further research into the response to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxu Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Fangyan Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Yalin Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Chaowen Lin
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Xiangyan Li
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Wenzhi Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Yongqun Zhu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610066, China
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11
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Huang H, Yang X, Zheng M, Chen Z, Yang Z, Wu P, Jenks MA, Wang G, Feng T, Liu L, Yang P, Lü S, Zhao H. An ancestral role for 3-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE3 as a negative regulator of plant cuticular wax synthesis. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:2251-2270. [PMID: 36807983 PMCID: PMC10226574 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The plant cuticle, a structure primarily composed of wax and cutin, forms a continuous coating over most aerial plant surfaces. The cuticle plays important roles in plant tolerance to environmental stress, including stress imposed by drought. Some members of the 3-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE (KCS) family are known to act as metabolic enzymes involved in cuticular wax production. Here we report that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) KCS3, which was previously shown to lack canonical catalytic activity, instead functions as a negative regulator of wax metabolism by reducing the enzymatic activity of KCS6, a key KCS involved in wax production. We demonstrate that the role of KCS3 in regulating KCS6 activity involves physical interactions between specific subunits of the fatty acid elongation complex and is essential for maintaining wax homeostasis. We also show that the role of the KCS3-KCS6 module in regulating wax synthesis is highly conserved across diverse plant taxa from Arabidopsis to the moss Physcomitrium patens, pointing to a critical ancient and basal function of this module in finely regulating wax synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xianpeng Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Minglü Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zexi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Pan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Matthew A Jenks
- School of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Guangchao Wang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Pingfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Shiyou Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Huayan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
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12
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Shim Y, Seong G, Choi Y, Lim C, Baek SA, Park YJ, Kim JK, An G, Kang K, Paek NC. Suppression of cuticular wax biosynthesis mediated by rice LOV KELCH REPEAT PROTEIN 2 supports a negative role in drought stress tolerance. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1504-1520. [PMID: 36683564 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Drought tolerance is important for grain crops, including rice (Oryza sativa); for example, rice cultivated under intermittent irrigation produces less methane gas compared to rice grown in anaerobic paddy field conditions, but these plants require greater drought tolerance. Moreover, the roles of rice circadian-clock genes in drought tolerance remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the mutation of LOV KELCH REPEAT PROTEIN 2 (OsLKP2) enhanced drought tolerance by increasing cuticular wax biosynthesis. Among ZEITLUPE family genes, OsLKP2 expression specifically increased under dehydration stress. OsLKP2 knockdown (oslkp2-1) and knockout (oslkp2-2) mutants exhibited enhanced drought tolerance. Cuticular waxes inhibit non-stomatal water loss. Under drought conditions, total wax loads on the leaf surface increased by approximately 10% in oslkp2-1 and oslkp2-2 compared to the wild type, and the transcript levels of cuticular wax biosynthesis genes were upregulated in the oslkp2 mutants. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that OsLKP2 interacts with GIGANTEA (OsGI) in the nucleus. The osgi mutants also showed enhanced tolerance to drought stress, with a high density of wax crystals on their leaf surface. These results demonstrate that the OsLKP2-OsGI interaction negatively regulates wax accumulation on leaf surfaces, thereby decreasing rice resilience to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Shim
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gayeong Seong
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yumin Choi
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaemyeong Lim
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-A Baek
- Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin Park
- Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kwang Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gynheung An
- Crop Biotech Institute and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiyoon Kang
- Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Chon Paek
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Yang Z, Qin F. The battle of crops against drought: Genetic dissection and improvement. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:496-525. [PMID: 36639908 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
With ongoing global climate change, water scarcity-induced drought stress remains a major threat to agricultural productivity. Plants undergo a series of physiological and morphological changes to cope with drought stress, including stomatal closure to reduce transpiration and changes in root architecture to optimize water uptake. Combined phenotypic and multi-omics studies have recently identified a number of drought-related genetic resources in different crop species. The functional dissection of these genes using molecular techniques has enriched our understanding of drought responses in crops and has provided genetic targets for enhancing resistance to drought. Here, we review recent advances in the cloning and functional analysis of drought resistance genes and the development of technologies to mitigate the threat of drought to crop production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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14
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He J, Li C, Hu N, Zhu Y, He Z, Sun Y, Wang Z, Wang Y. ECERIFERUM1-6A is required for the synthesis of cuticular wax alkanes and promotes drought tolerance in wheat. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:1640-1657. [PMID: 36000923 PMCID: PMC9614490 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular waxes cover the aerial surfaces of land plants and protect them from various environmental stresses. Alkanes are major wax components and contribute to plant drought tolerance, but the biosynthesis and regulation of alkanes remain largely unknown in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, we identified and functionally characterized a key alkane biosynthesis gene ECERIFERUM1-6A (TaCER1-6A) from wheat. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated knockout mutation in TaCER1-6A greatly reduced the contents of C27, C29, C31, and C33 alkanes in wheat leaves, while TaCER1-6A overexpression significantly increased the contents of these alkanes in wheat leaves, suggesting that TaCER1-6A is specifically involved in the biosynthesis of C27, C29, C31, and C33 alkanes on wheat leaf surfaces. TaCER1-6A knockout lines exhibited increased cuticle permeability and reduced drought tolerance, whereas TaCER1-6A overexpression lines displayed reduced cuticle permeability and enhanced drought tolerance. TaCER1-6A was highly expressed in flag leaf blades and seedling leaf blades and could respond to abiotic stresses and abscisic acid. TaCER1-6A was located in the endoplasmic reticulum, which is the subcellular compartment responsible for wax biosynthesis. A total of three haplotypes (HapI/II/III) of TaCER1-6A were identified in 43 wheat accessions, and HapI was the dominant haplotype (95%) in these wheat varieties. Additionally, we identified two R2R3-MYB transcription factors TaMYB96-2D and TaMYB96-5D that bound directly to the conserved motif CAACCA in promoters of the cuticular wax biosynthesis genes TaCER1-6A, TaCER1-1A, and fatty acyl-CoA reductase4. Collectively, these results suggest that TaCER1-6A is required for C27, C29, C31, and C33 alkanes biosynthesis and improves drought tolerance in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Chongzhao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Ning Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yuyao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhaofeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yulin Sun
- Department of Botany, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Zhonghua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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15
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The Italian Research on the Molecular Characterization of Maize Kernel Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911383. [PMID: 36232684 PMCID: PMC9570349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the genetic control of maize seed development and seed-related pathways has been one of the most important themes approached by the Italian scientific community. Maize has always attracted the interest of the Italian community of agricultural genetics since its beginning, as some of its founders based their research projects on and developed their “schools” by adopting maize as a reference species. Some of them spent periods in the United States, where maize was already becoming a model system, to receive their training. In this manuscript we illustrate the research work carried out in Italy by different groups that studied maize kernels and underline their contributions in elucidating fundamental aspects of caryopsis development through the characterization of maize mutants. Since the 1980s, most of the research projects aimed at the comprehension of the genetic control of seed development and the regulation of storage products’ biosyntheses and accumulation, and have been based on forward genetics approaches. We also document that for some decades, Italian groups, mainly based in Northern Italy, have contributed to improve the knowledge of maize genomics, and were both fundamental for further international studies focused on the correct differentiation and patterning of maize kernel compartments and strongly contributed to recent advances in maize research.
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16
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Liu L, Wang X, Chang C. Toward a smart skin: Harnessing cuticle biosynthesis for crop adaptation to drought, salinity, temperature, and ultraviolet stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:961829. [PMID: 35958191 PMCID: PMC9358614 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.961829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are major environmental factors that adversely affect plant growth and crop production. As a protective shield covering the outer epidermal cell wall of plant aerial organs, the cuticle is mainly composed of cutin matrix impregnated and sealed with cuticular waxes, and greatly contributes to the plant adaption to environmental stresses. Past decades have seen considerable progress in uncovering the molecular mechanism of plant cutin and cuticular wax biosynthesis, as well as their important roles in plant stress adaptation, which provides a new direction to drive strategies for stress-resilient crop breeding. In this review, we highlighted the recent advances in cuticle biosynthesis in plant adaptation to drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation stress, and discussed the current status and future directions in harnessing cuticle biosynthesis for crop improvement.
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17
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Transcriptome and Physiological Analyses of a Navel Orange Mutant with Improved Drought Tolerance and Water Use Efficiency Caused by Increases of Cuticular Wax Accumulation and ROS Scavenging Capacity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105660. [PMID: 35628469 PMCID: PMC9145189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drought is one of the main abiotic stresses limiting the quality and yield of citrus. Cuticular waxes play an important role in regulating plant drought tolerance and water use efficiency (WUE). However, the contribution of cuticular waxes to drought tolerance, WUE and the underlying molecular mechanism is still largely unknown in citrus. 'Longhuihong' (MT) is a bud mutant of 'Newhall' navel orange with curly and bright leaves. In this study, significant increases in the amounts of total waxes and aliphatic wax compounds, including n-alkanes, n-primary alcohols and n-aldehydes, were overserved in MT leaves, which led to the decrease in cuticular permeability and finally resulted in the improvements in drought tolerance and WUE. Compared to WT leaves, MT leaves possessed much lower contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), significantly higher levels of proline and soluble sugar, and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities under drought stress, which might reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage, improve osmotic regulation and cell membrane stability, and finally, enhance MT tolerance to drought stress. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that seven structural genes were involved in wax biosynthesis and export, MAPK cascade, and ROS scavenging, and seven genes encoding transcription factors might play an important role in promoting cuticular wax accumulation, improving drought tolerance and WUE in MT plants. Our results not only confirmed the important role of cuticular waxes in regulating citrus drought resistance and WUE but also provided various candidate genes for improving citrus drought tolerance and WUE.
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18
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Lee SB, Suh MC. Regulatory mechanisms underlying cuticular wax biosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:2799-2816. [PMID: 35560199 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Plants are sessile organisms that have developed hydrophobic cuticles that cover their aerial epidermal cells to protect them from terrestrial stresses. The cuticle layer is mainly composed of cutin, a polyester of hydroxy and epoxy fatty acids, and cuticular wax, a mixture of very-long-chain fatty acids (>20 carbon atoms) and their derivatives, aldehydes, alkanes, ketones, alcohols, and wax esters. During the last 30 years, forward and reverse genetic, transcriptomic, and biochemical approaches have enabled the identification of key enzymes, transporters, and regulators involved in the biosynthesis of cutin and cuticular waxes. In particular, cuticular wax biosynthesis is significantly influenced in an organ-specific manner or by environmental conditions, and is controlled using a variety of regulators. Recent studies on the regulatory mechanisms underlying cuticular wax biosynthesis have enabled us to understand how plants finely control carbon metabolic pathways to balance between optimal growth and development and defense against abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms underlying cuticular wax biosynthesis at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saet Buyl Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju, 54874, Korea
| | - Mi Chung Suh
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Korea
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19
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Zhukov A, Popov V. Synthesis of C 20-38 Fatty Acids in Plant Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094731. [PMID: 35563119 PMCID: PMC9101283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) are involved in a number of important plant physiological functions. Disorders in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of VLCFA lead to a number of phenotypic consequences, ranging from growth retardation to the death of embryos. The elongation of VLCFA in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is carried out by multiple elongase complexes with different substrate specificities and adapted to the synthesis of a number of products required for a number of metabolic pathways. The information about the enzymes involved in the synthesis of VLCFA with more than 26 atoms of Carbon is rather poor. Recently, genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of both regular-length fatty acids and VLCFA have been discovered and investigated. Polyunsaturated VLCFA in plants are formed mainly by 20:1 elongation into new monounsaturated acids, which are then imported into chloroplasts, where they are further desaturated. The formation of saturated VLCFA and their further transformation into a number of aliphatic compounds included in cuticular waxes and suberin require the coordinated activity of a large number of different enzymes.
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20
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Abhilasha A, Roy Choudhury S. Molecular and Physiological Perspectives of Abscisic Acid Mediated Drought Adjustment Strategies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122769. [PMID: 34961239 PMCID: PMC8708728 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Drought is the most prevalent unfavorable condition that impairs plant growth and development by altering morphological, physiological, and biochemical functions, thereby impeding plant biomass production. To survive the adverse effects, water limiting condition triggers a sophisticated adjustment mechanism orchestrated mainly by hormones that directly protect plants via the stimulation of several signaling cascades. Predominantly, water deficit signals cause the increase in the level of endogenous ABA, which elicits signaling pathways involving transcription factors that enhance resistance mechanisms to combat drought-stimulated damage in plants. These responses mainly include stomatal closure, seed dormancy, cuticular wax deposition, leaf senescence, and alteration of the shoot and root growth. Unraveling how plants adjust to drought could provide valuable information, and a comprehensive understanding of the resistance mechanisms will help researchers design ways to improve crop performance under water limiting conditions. This review deals with the past and recent updates of ABA-mediated molecular mechanisms that plants can implement to cope with the challenges of drought stress.
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21
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Rida S, Maafi O, López-Malvar A, Revilla P, Riache M, Djemel A. Genetics of Germination and Seedling Traits under Drought Stress in a MAGIC Population of Maize. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1786. [PMID: 34579319 PMCID: PMC8468063 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Drought is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses hampering seed germination, development, and productivity. Maize is more sensitive to drought than other cereals, especially at seedling stage. Our objective was to study genetic regulation of drought tolerance at germination and during seedling growth in maize. We evaluated 420 RIL with their parents from a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population with PEG-induced drought at germination and seedling establishment. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out to identify genomic regions associated with drought tolerance. GWAS identified 28 and 16 SNPs significantly associated with germination and seedling traits under stress and well-watered conditions, respectively. Among the SNPs detected, two SNPs had significant associations with several traits with high positive correlations, suggesting a pleiotropic genetic control. Other SNPs were located in regions that harbored major QTLs in previous studies, and co-located with QTLs for cold tolerance previously published for this MAGIC population. The genomic regions comprised several candidate genes related to stresses and plant development. These included numerous drought-responsive genes and transcription factors implicated in germination, seedling traits, and drought tolerance. The current analyses provide information and tools for subsequent studies and breeding programs for improving drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumeya Rida
- Higher National Agronomic School (ENSA), L-RGB, Hassan Badi, El Harrach, Algiers 16004, Algeria; (S.R.); (O.M.); (M.R.); (A.D.)
| | - Oula Maafi
- Higher National Agronomic School (ENSA), L-RGB, Hassan Badi, El Harrach, Algiers 16004, Algeria; (S.R.); (O.M.); (M.R.); (A.D.)
| | - Ana López-Malvar
- Facultad de Biología, Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ciencias del Suelo, Agrobiología Ambiental, Calidad de Suelos y Plantas, Universidad de Vigo, As Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Pedro Revilla
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (CSIC), Apartado 28, E-36080 Pontevedra, Spain;
| | - Meriem Riache
- Higher National Agronomic School (ENSA), L-RGB, Hassan Badi, El Harrach, Algiers 16004, Algeria; (S.R.); (O.M.); (M.R.); (A.D.)
| | - Abderahmane Djemel
- Higher National Agronomic School (ENSA), L-RGB, Hassan Badi, El Harrach, Algiers 16004, Algeria; (S.R.); (O.M.); (M.R.); (A.D.)
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Batsale M, Bahammou D, Fouillen L, Mongrand S, Joubès J, Domergue F. Biosynthesis and Functions of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids in the Responses of Plants to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses. Cells 2021; 10:1284. [PMID: 34064239 PMCID: PMC8224384 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain fatty acids (i.e., fatty acids with more than 18 carbon atoms; VLCFA) are important molecules that play crucial physiological and structural roles in plants. VLCFA are specifically present in several membrane lipids and essential for membrane homeostasis. Their specific accumulation in the sphingolipids of the plasma membrane outer leaflet is of primordial importance for its correct functioning in intercellular communication. VLCFA are found in phospholipids, notably in phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, where they could play a role in membrane domain organization and interleaflet coupling. In epidermal cells, VLCFA are precursors of the cuticular waxes of the plant cuticle, which are of primary importance for many interactions of the plant with its surrounding environment. VLCFA are also major components of the root suberin barrier, which has been shown to be fundamental for nutrient homeostasis and plant adaptation to adverse conditions. Finally, some plants store VLCFA in the triacylglycerols of their seeds so that they later play a pivotal role in seed germination. In this review, taking advantage of the many studies conducted using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, we present our current knowledge on the biosynthesis and regulation of VLCFA in plants, and on the various functions that VLCFA and their derivatives play in the interactions of plants with their abiotic and biotic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Frédéric Domergue
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biogenèse Membranaire, UMR 5200, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France; (M.B.); (D.B.); (L.F.); (S.M.); (J.J.)
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23
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Liu X, Bourgault R, Galli M, Strable J, Chen Z, Feng F, Dong J, Molina I, Gallavotti A. The FUSED LEAVES1-ADHERENT1 regulatory module is required for maize cuticle development and organ separation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:388-402. [PMID: 32738820 PMCID: PMC7754373 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
All aerial epidermal cells in land plants are covered by the cuticle, an extracellular hydrophobic layer that provides protection against abiotic and biotic stresses and prevents organ fusion during development. Genetic and morphological analysis of the classic maize adherent1 (ad1) mutant was combined with genome-wide binding analysis of the maize MYB transcription factor FUSED LEAVES1 (FDL1), coupled with transcriptional profiling of fdl1 mutants. We show that AD1 encodes an epidermally-expressed 3-KETOACYL-CoA SYNTHASE (KCS) belonging to a functionally uncharacterized clade of KCS enzymes involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis. Wax analysis in ad1 mutants indicates that AD1 functions in the formation of very-long-chain wax components. We demonstrate that FDL1 directly binds to CCAACC core motifs present in AD1 regulatory regions to activate its expression. Over 2000 additional target genes of FDL1, including many involved in cuticle formation, drought response and cell wall organization, were also identified. Our results identify a regulatory module of cuticle biosynthesis in maize that is conserved across monocots and eudicots, and highlight previously undescribed factors in lipid metabolism, transport and signaling that coordinate organ development and cuticle formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
| | - Richard Bourgault
- Department of BiologyAlgoma UniversitySault Ste. MarieONP6A 2G4Canada
| | - Mary Galli
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
| | - Josh Strable
- School of Integrative Plant SciencePlant Biology SectionCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
| | - Zongliang Chen
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
| | - Fan Feng
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
| | - Jiaqiang Dong
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
| | - Isabel Molina
- Department of BiologyAlgoma UniversitySault Ste. MarieONP6A 2G4Canada
| | - Andrea Gallavotti
- Waksman Institute of MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJ08854‐8020USA
- Department of Plant BiologyRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJ08901USA
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24
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Liu X, Bourgault R, Galli M, Strable J, Chen Z, Feng F, Dong J, Molina I, Gallavotti A. The FUSED LEAVES1-ADHERENT1 regulatory module is required for maize cuticle development and organ separation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:388-402. [PMID: 32738820 DOI: 10.1101/2020.02.11.943787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
All aerial epidermal cells in land plants are covered by the cuticle, an extracellular hydrophobic layer that provides protection against abiotic and biotic stresses and prevents organ fusion during development. Genetic and morphological analysis of the classic maize adherent1 (ad1) mutant was combined with genome-wide binding analysis of the maize MYB transcription factor FUSED LEAVES1 (FDL1), coupled with transcriptional profiling of fdl1 mutants. We show that AD1 encodes an epidermally-expressed 3-KETOACYL-CoA SYNTHASE (KCS) belonging to a functionally uncharacterized clade of KCS enzymes involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis. Wax analysis in ad1 mutants indicates that AD1 functions in the formation of very-long-chain wax components. We demonstrate that FDL1 directly binds to CCAACC core motifs present in AD1 regulatory regions to activate its expression. Over 2000 additional target genes of FDL1, including many involved in cuticle formation, drought response and cell wall organization, were also identified. Our results identify a regulatory module of cuticle biosynthesis in maize that is conserved across monocots and eudicots, and highlight previously undescribed factors in lipid metabolism, transport and signaling that coordinate organ development and cuticle formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
| | - Richard Bourgault
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2G4, Canada
| | - Mary Galli
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
| | - Josh Strable
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Zongliang Chen
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
| | - Fan Feng
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
| | - Jiaqiang Dong
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
| | - Isabel Molina
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2G4, Canada
| | - Andrea Gallavotti
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8020, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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25
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Ogata T, Ishizaki T, Fujita M, Fujita Y. CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis of OsERA1 confers enhanced responses to abscisic acid and drought stress and increased primary root growth under nonstressed conditions in rice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243376. [PMID: 33270810 PMCID: PMC7714338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling components play an important role in the drought stress response in plants. Arabidopsis thaliana ENHANCED RESPONSE TO ABA1 (ERA1) encodes the β-subunit of farnesyltransferase and regulates ABA signaling and the dehydration response. Therefore, ERA1 is an important candidate gene for enhancing drought tolerance in numerous crops. However, a rice (Oryza sativa) ERA1 homolog has not been characterized previously. Here, we show that rice osera1 mutant lines, harboring CRISPR/Cas9-induced frameshift mutations, exhibit similar leaf growth as control plants but increased primary root growth. The osera1 mutant lines also display increased sensitivity to ABA and an enhanced response to drought stress through stomatal regulation. These results illustrate that OsERA1 is a negative regulator of primary root growth under nonstressed conditions and also of responses to ABA and drought stress in rice. These findings improve our understanding of the role of ABA signaling in the drought stress response in rice and suggest a strategy to genetically improve rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Ogata
- Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takuma Ishizaki
- Tropical Agriculture Research Front (TARF), Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Miki Fujita
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yasunari Fujita
- Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
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