1
|
Herbst J, Li QQ, De Veylder L. Mechanistic insights into DNA damage recognition and checkpoint control in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:539-550. [PMID: 38503962 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01652-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The plant DNA damage response (DDR) pathway safeguards genomic integrity by rapid recognition and repair of DNA lesions that, if unrepaired, may cause genome instability. Most frequently, DNA repair goes hand in hand with a transient cell cycle arrest, which allows cells to repair the DNA lesions before engaging in a mitotic event, but consequently also affects plant growth and yield. Through the identification of DDR proteins and cell cycle regulators that react to DNA double-strand breaks or replication defects, it has become clear that these proteins and regulators form highly interconnected networks. These networks operate at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and include liquid-liquid phase separation and epigenetic mechanisms. Strikingly, whereas the upstream DDR sensors and signalling components are well conserved across eukaryotes, some of the more downstream effectors are diverged in plants, probably to suit unique lifestyle features. Additionally, DDR components display functional diversity across ancient plant species, dicots and monocots. The observed resistance of DDR mutants towards aluminium toxicity, phosphate limitation and seed ageing indicates that gaining knowledge about the plant DDR may offer solutions to combat the effects of climate change and the associated risk for food security.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Herbst
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Gent, Belgium
| | - Qian-Qian Li
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Gent, Belgium
| | - Lieven De Veylder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Gent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barcenilla BB, Kundel I, Hall E, Hilty N, Ulianich P, Cook J, Turley J, Yerram M, Min JH, Castillo-González C, Shippen DE. Telomere dynamics and oxidative stress in Arabidopsis grown in lunar regolith simulant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1351613. [PMID: 38434436 PMCID: PMC10908177 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1351613] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
NASA envisions a future where humans establish a thriving colony on the Moon by 2050. Plants will be essential for this endeavor, but little is known about their adaptation to extraterrestrial bodies. The capacity to grow plants in lunar regolith would represent a major step towards this goal by minimizing the reliance on resources transported from Earth. Recent studies reveal that Arabidopsis thaliana can germinate and grow on genuine lunar regolith as well as on lunar regolith simulant. However, plants arrest in vegetative development and activate a variety of stress response pathways, most notably the oxidative stress response. Telomeres are hotspots for oxidative damage in the genome and a marker of fitness in many organisms. Here we examine A. thaliana growth on a lunar regolith simulant and the impact of this resource on plant physiology and on telomere dynamics, telomerase enzyme activity and genome oxidation. We report that plants successfully set seed and generate a viable second plant generation if the lunar regolith simulant is pre-washed with an antioxidant cocktail. However, plants sustain a higher degree of genome oxidation and decreased biomass relative to conventional Earth soil cultivation. Moreover, telomerase activity substantially declines and telomeres shorten in plants grown in lunar regolith simulant, implying that genome integrity may not be sustainable over the long-term. Overcoming these challenges will be an important goal in ensuring success on the lunar frontier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dorothy E. Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barcenilla BB, Meyers AD, Castillo-González C, Young P, Min JH, Song J, Phadke C, Land E, Canaday E, Perera IY, Bailey SM, Aquilano R, Wyatt SE, Shippen DE. Arabidopsis telomerase takes off by uncoupling enzyme activity from telomere length maintenance in space. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7854. [PMID: 38030615 PMCID: PMC10686995 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41510-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight-induced changes in astronaut telomeres have garnered significant attention in recent years. While plants represent an essential component of future long-duration space travel, the impacts of spaceflight on plant telomeres and telomerase have not been examined. Here we report on the telomere dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana grown aboard the International Space Station. We observe no changes in telomere length in space-flown Arabidopsis seedlings, despite a dramatic increase in telomerase activity (up to 150-fold in roots), as well as elevated genome oxidation. Ground-based follow up studies provide further evidence that telomerase is induced by different environmental stressors, but its activity is uncoupled from telomere length. Supporting this conclusion, genetically engineered super-telomerase lines with enhanced telomerase activity maintain wildtype telomere length. Finally, genome oxidation is inversely correlated with telomerase activity levels. We propose a redox protective capacity for Arabidopsis telomerase that may promote survivability in harsh environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Borja Barbero Barcenilla
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Alexander D Meyers
- Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Kennedy Space Center FL, Merritt Island, FL, 32899, USA
| | - Claudia Castillo-González
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Pierce Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Ji-Hee Min
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jiarui Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Chinmay Phadke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Eric Land
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Emma Canaday
- Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Imara Y Perera
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Roberto Aquilano
- National Technological University, Rosario Regional Faculty, Zeballos 1341, S2000, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Sarah E Wyatt
- Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang B, Shi X, Gao J, Liao R, Fu J, Bai J, Cui H. SCARECROW maintains the stem cell niche in Arabidopsis roots by ensuring telomere integrity. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:1115-1131. [PMID: 36943300 PMCID: PMC10231454 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells are the ultimate source of cells for various tissues and organs and thus are essential for postembryonic plant growth and development. SCARECROW (SCR) is a plant-specific transcription regulator well known for its role in stem cell renewal in plant roots, but the mechanism by which SCR exerts this function remains unclear. To address this question, we carried out a genetic screen for mutants that no longer express SCR in the stem cell niche of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots and characterized 1 of these mutants. Molecular genetics methods allowed us to pinpoint the causal mutation in this mutant in TELOMERIC PATHWAYS IN ASSOCIATION WITH STN 1 (TEN1), encoding a factor that protects telomere ends. Interestingly, TEN1 expression was dramatically reduced in the scr mutant. Telomerase and STN1 and CONSERVED TELOMERE MAINTENANCE COMPONENT 1 (CTC1), components of the same protein complex as TEN1, were also dramatically downregulated in scr. Loss of STN1, CTC1, and telomerase caused defects in root stem cells. These results together suggest that SCR maintains root stem cells by promoting expression of genes that ensure genome integrity. Supporting this conclusion, we demonstrated that the scr mutant accumulates more DNA damage than wild-type Arabidopsis and that this problem is aggravated after exposure to zeocin, a DNA damage reagent. Finally, we identified 2 previously uncharacterized motifs in TEN1 and provide evidence that a conserved amino acid residue in 1 of the motifs is indispensable for TEN1 function. SCR thus provides a connection between genome integrity and stem cell maintenance in Arabidopsis roots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiaowen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jingbo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Rui Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jing Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Juan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hongchang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sertse D, You FM, Klymiuk V, Haile JK, N'Diaye A, Pozniak CJ, Cloutier S, Kagale S. Historical Selection, Adaptation Signatures, and Ambiguity of Introgressions in Wheat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098390. [PMID: 37176097 PMCID: PMC10179502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Wheat was one of the crops domesticated in the Fertile Crescent region approximately 10,000 years ago. Despite undergoing recent polyploidization, hull-to-free-thresh transition events, and domestication bottlenecks, wheat is now grown in over 130 countries and accounts for a quarter of the world's cereal production. The main reason for its widespread success is its broad genetic diversity that allows it to thrive in different environments. To trace historical selection and hybridization signatures, genome scans were performed on two datasets: approximately 113K SNPs from 921 predominantly bread wheat accessions and approximately 110K SNPs from about 400 wheat accessions representing all ploidy levels. To identify environmental factors associated with the loci, a genome-environment association (GEA) was also performed. The genome scans on both datasets identified a highly differentiated region on chromosome 4A where accessions in the first dataset were dichotomized into a group (n = 691), comprising nearly all cultivars, wild emmer, and most landraces, and a second group (n = 230), dominated by landraces and spelt accessions. The grouping of cultivars is likely linked to their potential ancestor, bread wheat cv. Norin-10. The 4A region harbored important genes involved in adaptations to environmental conditions. The GEA detected loci associated with latitude and temperature. The genetic signatures detected in this study provide insight into the historical selection and hybridization events in the wheat genome that shaped its current genetic structure and facilitated its success in a wide spectrum of environmental conditions. The genome scans and GEA approaches applied in this study can help in screening the germplasm housed in gene banks for breeding, and for conservation purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Demissew Sertse
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Frank M You
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Valentyna Klymiuk
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Jemanesh K Haile
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Amidou N'Diaye
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Curtis J Pozniak
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Sylvie Cloutier
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Sateesh Kagale
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao M, Aweya JJ, Feng Q, Zheng Z, Yao D, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhang Y. Ammonia stress affects the structure and function of hemocyanin in Penaeus vannamei. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113827. [PMID: 36068754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic factors and climate change have serious effects on the aquatic ecosystem and aquaculture. Among water pollutants, ammonia has the greatest impact on aquaculture organisms such as penaeid shrimp because it makes them more susceptible to infections. In this study, we explored the effects of ammonia stress (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/L) on the molecular structure and functions of the multifunctional respiratory protein hemocyanin (HMC) in Penaeus vannamei. While the mRNA expression of Penaeus vannamei hemocyanin (PvHMC) was up-regulated after ammonia stress, both plasma hemocyanin protein and oxyhemocyanin (OxyHMC) levels decreased. Moreover, ammonia stress changed the molecular structure of hemocyanin, modulated the expression of protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) and casein kinase 2α (CK2α) to regulate the phosphorylation modification of hemocyanin, and enhanced its degradation into fragments by trypsin. Under moderate ammonia stress conditions, hemocyanin also undergoes glycosylation to improve its in vitro antibacterial activity and binding with Gram-negative (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, albeit differently. The current findings indicate that P. vannamei hemocyanin undergoes adaptive molecular modifications under ammonia stress enabling the shrimp to survive and counteract the consequences of the stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zhao
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, Fujian, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Zhihong Zheng
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Defu Yao
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Yongzhen Zhao
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiuli Chen
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yueling Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shakirov EV, Chen JJL, Shippen DE. Plant telomere biology: The green solution to the end-replication problem. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2492-2504. [PMID: 35511166 PMCID: PMC9252485 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is a fundamental cellular process conserved across all eukaryotic lineages. Although plants and animals diverged over 1.5 billion years ago, lessons learned from plants continue to push the boundaries of science, revealing detailed molecular mechanisms in telomere biology with broad implications for human health, aging biology, and stress responses. Recent studies of plant telomeres have unveiled unexpected divergence in telomere sequence and architecture, and the proteins that engage telomeric DNA and telomerase. The discovery of telomerase RNA components in the plant kingdom and some algae groups revealed new insight into the divergent evolution and the universal core of telomerase across major eukaryotic kingdoms. In addition, resources cataloging the abundant natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, maize (Zea mays), and other plants are providing unparalleled opportunities to understand the genetic networks that govern telomere length polymorphism and, as a result, are uncovering unanticipated crosstalk between telomeres, environmental factors, organismal fitness, and plant physiology. Here we recap current advances in plant telomere biology and put this field in perspective relative to telomere and telomerase research in other eukaryotic lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia 25701, USA
| | - Julian J -L Chen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Campitelli BE, Razzaque S, Barbero B, Abdulkina LR, Hall MH, Shippen DE, Juenger TE, Shakirov EV. Plasticity, pleiotropy and fitness trade-offs in Arabidopsis genotypes with different telomere lengths. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:1939-1952. [PMID: 34826163 PMCID: PMC9218941 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length has been implicated in the organismal response to stress, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we examine the impact of telomere length changes on the responses to three contrasting abiotic environments in Arabidopsis, and measure 32 fitness, developmental, physiological and leaf-level anatomical traits. We report that telomere length in wild-type and short-telomere mutants is resistant to abiotic stress, while the elongated telomeres in ku70 mutants are more plastic. We detected significant pleiotropic effects of telomere length on flowering time and key leaf physiological and anatomical traits. Furthermore, our data reveal a significant genotype by environment (G × E) interaction for reproductive fitness, with the benefits and costs to performance depending on the growth conditions. These results imply that life-history trade-offs between flowering time and reproductive fitness are impacted by telomere length variation. We postulate that telomere length in plants is subject to natural selection imposed by different environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E. Campitelli
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Texas Institute for Discovery Education in Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Samsad Razzaque
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Borja Barbero
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2128, USA
| | - Liliia R. Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - Mitchell H. Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Dorothy E. Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2128, USA
| | - Thomas E. Juenger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Eugene V. Shakirov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Han SH, Kim JY, Lee JH, Park CM. Safeguarding genome integrity under heat stress in plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021:erab355. [PMID: 34343307 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress adversely affects an array of molecular and cellular events in plant cells, such as denaturation of protein and lipid molecules and malformation of cellular membranes and cytoskeleton networks. Genome organization and DNA integrity are also disturbed under heat stress, and accordingly, plants have evolved sophisticated adaptive mechanisms that either protect their genomes from deleterious heat-induced damages or stimulate genome restoration responses. In particular, it is emerging that DNA damage responses are a critical defense process that underlies the acquirement of thermotolerance in plants, during which molecular players constituting the DNA repair machinery are rapidly activated. In recent years, thermotolerance genes that mediate the maintenance of genome integrity or trigger DNA repair responses have been functionally characterized in various plant species. Furthermore, accumulating evidence supports that genome integrity is safeguarded through multiple layers of thermoinduced protection routes in plant cells, including transcriptome adjustment, orchestration of RNA metabolism, protein homeostasis, and chromatin reorganization. In this review, we summarize topical progresses and research trends in understanding how plants cope with heat stress to secure genome intactness. We focus on molecular regulatory mechanisms by which plant genomes are secured against the DNA-damaging effects of heat stress and DNA damages are effectively repaired. We will also explore the practical interface between heat stress response and securing genome integrity in view of developing biotechnological ways of improving thermotolerance in crop species under global climate changes, a worldwide ecological concern in agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Hee Han
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - June-Hee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chung-Mo Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang C, Wang T, Yin M, Eller F, Liu L, Brix H, Guo W. Transcriptome Analysis of Tetraploid and Octoploid Common Reed ( Phragmites australis). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:653183. [PMID: 34025698 PMCID: PMC8132968 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.653183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polyploidization in plants is thought to have occurred as coping mechanism with environmental stresses. Polyploidization-driven adaptation is often achieved through interplay of gene networks involved in differentially expressed genes, which triggers the plant to evolve special phenotypic traits for survival. Phragmites australis is a cosmopolitan species with highly variable phenotypic traits and high adaptation capacity to various habitats. The species' ploidy level varies from 3x to 12x, thus it is an ideal organism to investigate the molecular evolution of polyploidy and gene regulation mediated by different numbers of chromosome copies. In this study, we used high-throughput RNAseq data as a tool, to analyze the gene expression profiles in tetraploid and octoploid P. australis. The estimated divergence time between tetraploid and octoploid P. australis was dated to the border between Pliocene and Pleistocene. This study identified 439 up- and 956 down-regulated transcripts in tetraploids compared to octoploids. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed that tetraploids tended to express genes responsible for reproduction and seed germination to complete the reproduction cycle early, and expressed genes related to defense against UV-B light and fungi, whereas octoploids expressed mainly genes related to thermotolerance. Most differentially expressed genes were enriched in chaperones, folding catalysts and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathways. Multiple biased isoform usage of the same gene was detected in differentially expressed genes, and the ones upregulated in octoploids were related to reduced DNA methylation. Our study provides new insights into the role of polyploidization on environmental responses and potential stress tolerance in grass species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tong Wang
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Meiqi Yin
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | | | - Lele Liu
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hans Brix
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Weihua Guo
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sham A, Al-Ashram H, Whitley K, Iratni R, El-Tarabily KA, AbuQamar SF. Metatranscriptomic Analysis of Multiple Environmental Stresses Identifies RAP2.4 Gene Associated with Arabidopsis Immunity to Botrytis cinerea. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17010. [PMID: 31740741 PMCID: PMC6861241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to identify common genetic components during stress response responsible for crosstalk among stresses, and to determine the role of differentially expressed genes in Arabidopsis-Botrytis cinerea interaction. Of 1,554 B. cinerea up-regulated genes, 24%, 1.4% and 14% were induced by biotic, abiotic and hormonal treatments, respectively. About 18%, 2.5% and 22% of B. cinerea down-regulated genes were also repressed by the same stress groups. Our transcriptomic analysis indicates that plant responses to all tested stresses can be mediated by commonly regulated genes; and protein-protein interaction network confirms the cross-interaction between proteins regulated by these genes. Upon challenges to individual or multiple stress(es), accumulation of signaling molecules (e.g. hormones) plays a major role in the activation of downstream defense responses. In silico gene analyses enabled us to assess the involvement of RAP2.4 (related to AP2.4) in plant immunity. Arabidopsis RAP2.4 was repressed by B. cinerea, and its mutants enhanced resistance to the same pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the role of RAP2.4 in plant defense against B. cinerea. This research can provide a basis for breeding programs to increase tolerance and improve yield performance in crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Sham
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
| | | | - Kenna Whitley
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Rabah Iratni
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al-Ain, UAE. .,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Synan F AbuQamar
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al-Ain, UAE.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barbero Barcenilla B, Shippen DE. Back to the future: The intimate and evolving connection between telomere-related factors and genotoxic stress. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:14803-14813. [PMID: 31434740 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.aw119.008145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of circular genomes to linear chromosomes during molecular evolution required the invention of telomeres. This entailed the acquisition of factors necessary to fulfill two new requirements: the need to fully replicate terminal DNA sequences and the ability to distinguish chromosome ends from damaged DNA. Here we consider the multifaceted functions of factors recruited to perpetuate and stabilize telomeres. We discuss recent theories for how telomere factors evolved from existing cellular machineries and examine their engagement in nontelomeric functions such as DNA repair, replication, and transcriptional regulation. We highlight the remarkable versatility of protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) proteins that was fueled by gene duplication and divergence events that occurred independently across several eukaryotic lineages. Finally, we consider the relationship between oxidative stress and telomeres and the enigmatic role of telomere-associated proteins in mitochondria. These findings point to an evolving and intimate connection between telomeres and cellular physiology and the strong drive to maintain chromosome integrity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Borja Barbero Barcenilla
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2128
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2128
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mersaoui SY, Bonnell E, Wellinger RJ. Nuclear import of Cdc13 limits chromosomal capping. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:2975-2989. [PMID: 29432594 PMCID: PMC5887288 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cdc13 is an essential protein involved in telomere maintenance and chromosome capping. Individual domain analyses on Cdc13 suggest the presence of four distinct OB-fold domains and one recruitment domain. However, it remained unclear how these sub-domains function in the context of the whole protein in vivo. Here, we use individual single domain deletions to address their roles in telomere capping. We find that the OB2 domain contains a nuclear localization signal that is essential for nuclear import of Cdc13 and therefore is required for chromosome capping. The karyopherin Msn5 is important for nuclear localization, and retention of Cdc13 in the nucleus also requires its binding to telomeres. Moreover, Cdc13 homodimerization occurs even if the protein is not bound to DNA and is in the cytoplasm. Hence, Cdc13 abundance in the nucleus and, in consequence, its capping function is strongly affected by nucleo-cytoplasmic transport as well as nuclear retention by DNA binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Y Mersaoui
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 Rue Jean Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Erin Bonnell
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 Rue Jean Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 Rue Jean Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Park SC, Kim IR, Hwang JE, Kim JY, Jung YJ, Choi W, Lee Y, Jang MK, Lee JR. Functional Mechanisms Underlying the Antimicrobial Activity of the Oryza sativa Trx-like Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061413. [PMID: 30897830 PMCID: PMC6471494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants are constantly subjected to a variety of environmental stresses and have evolved regulatory responses to overcome unfavorable conditions that might reduce or adversely change a plant’s growth or development. Among these, the regulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a signaling molecule occurs during plant development and pathogen defense. This study demonstrates the possible antifungal activity of Oryza sativa Tetratricopeptide Domain-containing thioredoxin (OsTDX) protein against various fungal pathogens. The transcription of OsTDX was induced by various environmental stresses known to elicit the generation of ROS in plant cells. OsTDX protein showed potent antifungal activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against yeast and filamentous fungi ranging between 1.56 and 6.25 and 50 and 100 µg/mL, respectively. The uptake of SYTOX-Green into fungal cells and efflux of calcein from artificial fungus-like liposomes suggest that its killing mechanism involves membrane permeabilization and damage. In addition, irregular blebs and holes apparent on the surfaces of OsTDX-treated fungal cells indicate the membranolytic action of this protein. Our results suggest that the OsTDX protein represents a potentially useful lead for the development of pathogen-resistant plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Cheol Park
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea.
| | - Il Ryong Kim
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Korea.
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21+ Program) and PMBBRC, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
| | - Jung Eun Hwang
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Korea.
| | - Jin-Young Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea.
| | - Young Jun Jung
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Korea.
| | - Wonkyun Choi
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Korea.
| | - Yongjae Lee
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Mi-Kyeong Jang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea.
- The Research Institute for Sanitation and Environment of Coastal Areas, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea.
| | - Jung Ro Lee
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xie X, Shippen DE. DDM1 guards against telomere truncation in Arabidopsis. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2018; 37:501-513. [PMID: 29392401 PMCID: PMC5880217 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-017-2245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged hypomethylation of DNA leads to telomere truncation correlated with increased telomere recombination, transposon mobilization and stem cell death. Epigenetic pathways, including DNA methylation, are crucial for telomere maintenance. Deficient in DNA Methylation 1 (DDM1) encodes a nucleosome remodeling protein, required to maintain DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants lacking DDM1 can be self-propagated, but in the sixth generation (G6) hypomethylation leads to rampant transposon activation and infertility. Here we examine the role of DDM1 in telomere length homeostasis through a longitudinal study of successive generations of ddm1-2 mutants. We report that bulk telomere length remains within the wild-type range for the first five generations (G1-G5), and then precipitously drops in G6. While telomerase activity becomes more variable in later generation ddm1-2 mutants, there is no correlation between enzyme activity and telomere length. Plants lacking DDM1 also exhibit no dysregulation of several known telomere-associated transcripts, including TERRA. Instead, telomere shortening coincides with increased G-overhangs and extra-chromosomal circles, consistent with deletional recombination. Telomere shortening also correlates with transcriptional activation of retrotransposons, and a hypersensitive DNA damage response in root apical meristems. Since abiotic stresses, including DNA damage, stimulate homologous recombination, we hypothesize that telomere deletion in G6 ddm1-2 mutants is a by-product of elevated genome-wide recombination in response to transposon mobilization. Further, we speculate that telomere truncation may be beneficial in adverse environmental conditions by accelerating the elimination of stem cells with aberrant genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-2128, USA
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-2128, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Systematic Analysis of the DNA Damage Response Network in Telomere Defective Budding Yeast. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:2375-2389. [PMID: 28546384 PMCID: PMC5499144 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.042283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Functional telomeres are critically important to eukaryotic genetic stability. Scores of proteins and pathways are known to affect telomere function. Here, we report a series of related genome-wide genetic interaction screens performed on budding yeast cells with acute or chronic telomere defects. Genetic interactions were examined in cells defective in Cdc13 and Stn1, affecting two components of CST, a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding complex that binds telomeric DNA. For comparison, genetic interactions were also examined in cells with defects in Rfa3, affecting the major ssDNA binding protein, RPA, which has overlapping functions with CST at telomeres. In more complex experiments, genetic interactions were measured in cells lacking EXO1 or RAD9, affecting different aspects of the DNA damage response, and containing a cdc13-1 induced telomere defect. Comparing fitness profiles across these data sets helps build a picture of the specific responses to different types of dysfunctional telomeres. The experiments show that each context reveals different genetic interactions, consistent with the idea that each genetic defect causes distinct molecular defects. To help others engage with the large volumes of data, the data are made available via two interactive web-based tools: Profilyzer and DIXY. One particularly striking genetic interaction observed was that the chk1∆ mutation improved fitness of cdc13-1 exo1∆ cells more than other checkpoint mutations (ddc1∆, rad9∆, rad17∆, and rad24∆), whereas, in cdc13-1 cells, the effects of all checkpoint mutations were similar. We show that this can be explained by Chk1 stimulating resection-a new function for Chk1 in the eukaryotic DNA damage response network.
Collapse
|
17
|
Berr A, Zhang X, Shen WH. [Reciprocity between active transcription and histone methylation]. Biol Aujourdhui 2017; 210:269-282. [PMID: 28327284 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2017004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, the chromatin states dictated by the different combinations of histone post-translational modifications, such as the methylation of lysine residues, are an integral part of the multitude of epigenomes involved in the fine tuning of all genome functions, and in particular transcription. Over the last decade, an increasing number of factors have been identified as regulators involved in the establishment, reading or erasure of histone methylations. Their characterization in model organisms such as Arabidopsis has thus unraveled their fundamental roles in the control and regulation of essential developmental processes such as the floral transition, cell differentiation, gametogenesis, and/or the response/adaptation of plants to environmental stresses. In this review, we will focus on the methylation of histones functioning as a mark of activate transcription and we will try to highlight, based on recent findings, the more or less direct links between this mark and gene expression. Thus, we will discuss the different mechanisms allowing the dynamics and the integration of the chromatin states resulting from the different histone methylations in connection with the transcriptional machinery of the RNA polymerase II.
Collapse
|