OsRAD21-3, an orthologue of yeast RAD21, is required for pollen development in Oryza sativa

Understanding 3D Genome Organization and Its Effect on Transcriptional Gene Regulation Under Environmental Stress in Plant: A Chromatin Perspective

The genome of a eukaryotic organism is comprised of a supra-molecular complex of chromatin fibers and intricately folded three-dimensional (3D) structures. Chromosomal interactions and topological changes in response to the developmental and/or environmental stimuli affect gene expression. Chromatin architecture plays important roles in DNA replication, gene expression, and genome integrity. Higher-order chromatin organizations like chromosome territories (CTs), A/B compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), and chromatin loops vary among cells, tissues, and species depending on the developmental stage and/or environmental conditions (4D genomics). Every chromosome occupies a separate territory in the interphase nucleus and forms the top layer of hierarchical structure (CTs) in most of the eukaryotes. While the A and B compartments are associated with active (euchromatic) and inactive (heterochromatic) chromatin, respectively, having well-defined genomic/epigenomic features, TADs are the structural units of chromatin. Chromatin architecture like TADs as well as the local interactions between promoter and regulatory elements correlates with the chromatin activity, which alters during environmental stresses due to relocalization of the architectural proteins. Moreover, chromatin looping brings the gene and regulatory elements in close proximity for interactions. The intricate relationship between nucleotide sequence and chromatin architecture requires a more comprehensive understanding to unravel the genome organization and genetic plasticity. During the last decade, advances in chromatin conformation capture techniques for unravelling 3D genome organizations have improved our understanding of genome biology. However, the recent advances, such as Hi-C and ChIA-PET, have substantially increased the resolution, throughput as well our interest in analysing genome organizations. The present review provides an overview of the historical and contemporary perspectives of chromosome conformation capture technologies, their applications in functional genomics, and the constraints in predicting 3D genome organization. We also discuss the future perspectives of understanding high-order chromatin organizations in deciphering transcriptional regulation of gene expression under environmental stress (4D genomics). These might help design the climate-smart crop to meet the ever-growing demands of food, feed, and fodder.

An insight into understanding the coupling between homologous recombination mediated DNA repair and chromatin remodeling mechanisms in plant genome: an update

Plants, with their obligatory immobility, are vastly exposed to a wide range of environmental agents and also various endogenous processes, which frequently cause damage to DNA and impose genotoxic stress. These factors subsequently increase genome instability, thus affecting plant growth and productivity. Therefore, to survive under frequent and extreme environmental stress conditions, plants have developed highly efficient and powerful defense mechanisms to repair the damages in the genome for maintaining genome stability. Such multi-dimensional signaling response, activated in presence of damage in the DNA, is collectively known as DNA Damage Response (DDR). DDR plays a crucial role in the remarkably efficient detection, signaling, and repair of damages in the genome for maintaining plant genome stability and normal growth responses. Like other highly advanced eukaryotic systems, chromatin dynamics play a key role in regulating cell cycle progression in plants through remarkable orchestration of environmental and developmental signals. The regulation of chromatin architecture and nucleosomal organization in DDR is mainly modulated by the ATP dependent chromatin remodelers (ACRs), chromatin modifiers, and histone chaperones. ACRs are mainly responsible for transcriptional regulation of several homologous recombination (HR) repair genes in plants under genotoxic stress. The HR-based repair of DNA damage has been considered as the most error-free mechanism of repair and represents one of the essential sources of genetic diversity and new allelic combinations in plants. The initiation of DDR signaling and DNA damage repair pathway requires recruitment of epigenetic modifiers for remodeling of the damaged chromatin while accumulating evidence has shown that chromatin remodeling and DDR share part of the similar signaling pathway through the altered epigenetic status of the associated chromatin region. In this review, we have integrated information to provide an overview on the association between chromatin remodeling mediated regulation of chromatin structure stability and DDR signaling in plants, with emphasis on the scope of the utilization of the available knowledge for the improvement of plant health and productivity.Abbreviation: ADH: Alcohol Dehydrogenase; AGO2: Argonaute 2; ARP: Actin-Related Protein; ASF:1- Anti-Silencing Function-1; ATM: Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated; ATR: ATM and Rad3- Related; AtSWI3c: Arabidopsis thaliana Switch 3c; ATXR5: Arabidopsis Trithorax-Related5; ATXR6: Arabidopsis Trithorax-Related6; BER: Base Excision Repair; BRCA1: Breast Cancer Associated 1; BRM: BRAHMA; BRU1: BRUSHY1; CAF:1- Chromatin Assembly Factor-1; CHD: Chromodomain Helicase DNA; CHR5: Chromatin Remodeling Protein 5; CHR11/17: Chromatin Remodeling Protein 11/17; CIPK11- CBL- Interacting Protein Kinase 11; CLF: Curly Leaf; CMT3: Chromomethylase 3; COR15A: Cold Regulated 15A; COR47: Cold Regulated 47; CRISPR: Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats; DDM1: Decreased DNA Methylation1; DRR: DNA Repair and Recombination; DSBs: Double-Strand Breaks; DDR: DNA Damage Response; EXO1: Exonuclease 1; FAS1/2: Fasciata1/2; FACT: Facilitates Chromatin Transcription; FT: Flowering Locus T; GMI1: Gamma-Irradiation And Mitomycin C Induced 1; HAC1: Histone Acetyltransferase of the CBP Family 1; HAM1: Histone Acetyltransferase of the MYST Family 1; HAM2: Histone Acetyltransferase of the MYST Family 2; HAF1: Histone Acetyltransferase of the TAF Family 1; HAT: Histone Acetyl Transferase; HDA1: Histone Deacetylase 1; HDA6: Histone Deacetylase 6; HIRA: Histone Regulatory Homolog A; HR- Homologous recombination; HAS: Helicase SANT Associated; HSS: HAND-SLANT-SLIDE; ICE1: Inducer of CBF Expression 1; INO80: Inositol Requiring Mutant 80; ISW1: Imitation Switch 1; KIN1/2: Kinase 1 /2; MET1: Methyltransferase 1; MET2: Methyltransferase 2; MINU: MINUSCULE; MMS: Methyl Methane Sulfonate; MMS21: Methyl Methane Sulfonate Sensitivity 21; MRN: MRE11, RAD50 and NBS1; MSI1: Multicopy Suppressor Of Ira1; NAP1: Nucleosome Assembly Protein 1; NRP1/NRP2: NAP1-Related Protein; NER: Nucleotide Excision Repair; NHEJ: Non-Homologous End Joining; PARP1: Poly-ADP Ribose Polymerase; PIE1: Photoperiod Independent Early Flowering 1; PIKK: Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Like Kinase; PKL: PICKLE; PKR1/2: PICKLE Related 1/2; RAD: Radiation Sensitive Mutant; RD22: Responsive To Desiccation 22; RD29A: Responsive To Desiccation 29A; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; ROS1: Repressor of Silencing 1; RPA1E: Replication Protein A 1E; SANT: Swi3, Ada2, N-Cor and TFIIIB; SEP3: SEPALLATA3; SCC3: Sister Chromatid Cohesion Protein 3; SMC1: Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Protein 1; SMC3: Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Protein 3; SOG1: Suppressor of Gamma Response 1; SWC6: SWR1 Complex Subunit 6; SWR1: SWI2/SNF2-Related 1; SYD: SPLAYED; SMC5: Structural Maintenance of Chromosome 5; SWI/SNF: Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable; TALENs: Transcription Activators Like Effector Nucleases; TRRAP: Transformation/Transactivation Domain-Associated Protein; ZFNs: Zinc Finger Nucleases.

DEAD-box helicases modulate dicing body formation in Arabidopsis

Eukaryotic cells contain numerous membraneless organelles that are made from liquid droplets of proteins and nucleic acids and that provide spatiotemporal control of various cellular processes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and rapid stress-induced alterations of these organelles are relatively uncharacterized. Here, we investigated the roles of DEAD-box helicases in the formation and alteration of membraneless nuclear dicing bodies (D-bodies) in Arabidopsis thaliana We uncovered that RNA helicase 6 (RH6), RH8, and RH12 are previously unidentified D-body components. These helicases interact with and promote the phase separation of SERRATE, a key component of D-bodies, and drive the formation of D-bodies through liquid-liquid phase separations (LLPSs). The accumulation of these helicases in the nuclei decreases upon Turnip mosaic virus infections, which couples with the decrease of D-bodies. Our results thus reveal the key roles of RH6, RH8, and RH12 in modulating D-body formation via LLPSs.

Unraveling the 3D Genome Architecture in Plants: Present and Future

The eukaryotic genome has a hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) organization with functional implications for DNA replication, DNA repair, and transcriptional regulation. Over the past decade, scientists have endeavored to elucidate the spatial characteristics and functions of plant genome architecture using high-throughput chromatin conformation capturing technologies such as Hi-C, ChIA-PET, and HiChIP. Here, we systematically review current understanding of chromatin organization in plants at multiple scales. We also discuss the emerging opinions and concepts in 3D genome research, focusing on state-of-the-art 3D genome techniques, RNA-chromatin interactions, liquid-liquid phase separation, and dynamic chromatin alterations. We propose the application of single-cell/single-molecule multi-omics, multiway (DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA, and RNA-RNA interactions) chromatin conformation capturing methods, and proximity ligation-independent 3D genome-mapping technologies to explore chromatin organization structure and function in plants. Such methods could reveal the spatial interactions between trait-related SNPs and their target genes at various spatiotemporal resolutions, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the interactions among DNA elements, RNA molecules, and protein factors during the formation of key traits in plants.

Global identification and analysis revealed differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with meiosis and low fertility in autotetraploid rice

BACKGROUND

Autotetraploid rice is a useful germplasm for polyploid rice breeding. Our previous research showed that non-coding RNAs might be associated with low fertility in autotetraploid rice. However, little information is available on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in the low fertility of autotetraploid rice. In the present study, RNA-seq was employed to detect the differentially expressed meiosis-related lncRNAs in autotetraploid rice, and gene overexpression and knock out experiments were used to validate the potential function of candidate lncRNA.

RESULTS

A total of 444 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DEL) were detected during anther and ovary meiosis in autotetraploid rice. Of these, 328 DEL were associated with the transposable elements, which displayed low expression levels during meiosis in autotetraploid rice. We used rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) assay to validate 10 DEL and found that the lncRNAs were not assembly artifacts, and six of them were conserved in tetraploid rice. Moreover, 237 and 20 lncRNAs were associated with pollen mother cell (PMC) and embryo sac mother cell (EMC) meiosis in autotetraploid rice, respectively. The differential expressions of some meiosis-related targets and its DEL regulator, including MEL1 regulated by TCONS_00068868, LOC_Os12g41350 (meiotic asynaptic mutant 1) by TCONS_00057811 in PMC, and LOC_Os12g39420 by TCONS_00144592 in EMC, were confirmed by qRT-PCR. TCONS_00057811, TCONS_00055980 and TCONS_00130461 showed anther specific expression patterns and were found to be highly expressed during meiosis. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of lncRNA57811 displayed similar morphology compared to wild type. The overexpression of lncRNA57811 resulted in low pollen fertility (29.70%) and seed setting (33%) in rice.

CONCLUSION

The differential expression levels of lncRNAs, associated with transposable elements and meiosis-regulated targets, might be endogenous noncoding regulators of pollen/embryo sac development that cause low fertility in autotetraploid rice. The results enhance our understanding about rice lncRNAs, and facilitate functional research in autotetraploid rice.

Transcriptional trajectories of anther development provide candidates for engineering male fertility in sorghum

Sorghum is a self-pollinated crop with multiple economic uses as cereal, forage, and biofuel feedstock. Hybrid breeding is a cornerstone for sorghum improvement strategies that currently relies on cytoplasmic male sterile lines. To engineer genic male sterility, it is imperative to examine the genetic components regulating anther/pollen development in sorghum. To this end, we have performed transcriptomic analysis from three temporal stages of developing anthers that correspond to meiotic, microspore and mature pollen stages. A total of 5286 genes were differentially regulated among the three anther stages with 890 of them exhibiting anther-preferential expression. Differentially expressed genes could be clubbed into seven distinct developmental trajectories using K-means clustering. Pathway mapping revealed that genes involved in cell cycle, DNA repair, regulation of transcription, brassinosteroid and auxin biosynthesis/signalling exhibit peak expression in meiotic anthers, while those regulating abiotic stress, carbohydrate metabolism, and transport were enriched in microspore stage. Conversely, genes associated with protein degradation, post-translational modifications, cell wall biosynthesis/modifications, abscisic acid, ethylene, cytokinin and jasmonic acid biosynthesis/signalling were highly expressed in mature pollen stage. High concurrence in transcriptional dynamics and cis-regulatory elements of differentially expressed genes in rice and sorghum confirmed conserved developmental pathways regulating anther development across species. Comprehensive literature survey in conjunction with orthology analysis and anther-preferential accumulation enabled shortlisting of 21 prospective candidates for in-depth characterization and engineering male fertility in sorghum.

Anther-preferential expressing gene PMR is essential for the mitosis of pollen development in rice

Phenotype identification, expression examination, and function prediction declared that the anther-preferential expressing gene PMR may participate in regulation of male gametophyte development in rice. Male germline development in flowering plants produces the pair of sperm cells for double fertilization and the pollen mitosis is a key process of it. Although the structural features of male gametophyte have been defined, the molecular mechanisms regulating the mitotic cell cycle are not well elucidated in rice. Here, we reported an anther-preferential expressing gene in rice, PMR (Pollen Mitosis Relative), playing an essential role in male gametogenesis. When PMR gene was suppressed via RNAi, the mitosis of microspore was severely damaged, and the plants formed unmatured pollens containing only one or two nucleuses at the anthesis, ultimately leading to serious reduction of pollen fertility and seed-setting. The CRISPR mutants, pmr-1 and pmr-2, both showed the similar defects as the PMR-RNAi lines. Further analysis revealed that PMR together with its co-expressing genes were liable to participate in the regulation of DNA metabolism in the nucleus, and affected the activities of some enzymes related to the cell cycle. We finally discussed that unknown protein PMR contained the PHD, SWIB and Plus-3 domains and they might have coordinating functions in regulation pathway of the pollen mitosis in rice.

The Rice AAA-ATPase OsFIGNL1 Is Essential for Male Meiosis

Meiosis is crucial in reproduction of plants and ensuring genetic diversity. Although several genes involved in homologous recombination and DNA repair have been reported, their functions in rice (Oryza sativa) male meiosis remain poorly understood. Here, we isolated and characterized the rice OsFIGNL1 (OsFidgetin-like 1) gene, encoding a conserved AAA-ATPase, and explored its function and importance in male meiosis and pollen formation. The rice Osfignl1 mutant exhibited normal vegetative growth, but failed to produce seeds and displayed pollen abortion phenotype. Phenotypic comparisons between the wild-type and Osfignl1 mutant demonstrated that OsFIGNL1 is required for anther development, and that the recessive mutation of this gene causes male sterility in rice. Complementation and CRISPR/Cas9 experiments demonstrated that wild-type OsFIGNL1 is responsible for the male sterility phenotype. Subcellular localization showed that OsFIGNL1-green fluorescent protein was exclusively localized in the nucleus of rice protoplasts. Male meiosis in the Osfignl1 mutant exhibited abnormal chromosome behavior, including chromosome bridges and multivalent chromosomes at diakinesis, lagging chromosomes, and chromosome fragments during meiosis. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated OsFIGNL1 could interact with RAD51A1, RAD51A2, DMC1A, DMC1B, and these physical interactions were further confirmed by BiFC assay. Taken together, our results suggest that OsFIGNL1 plays an important role in regulation of male meiosis and anther development.

The distribution of α-kleisin during meiosis in the holocentromeric plant Luzula elegans

Holocentric chromosomes occur in a number of independent eukaryotic lineages, and they form holokinetic kinetochores along the entire poleward chromatid surfaces. Due to this alternative chromosome structure, Luzula elegans sister chromatids segregate already in anaphase I followed by the segregation of the homologues in anaphase II. However, not yet known is the localization and dynamics of cohesin and the structure of the synaptonemal complex (SC) during meiosis. We show here that the α-kleisin subunit of cohesin localizes at the centromeres of both mitotic and meiotic metaphase chromosomes and that it, thus, may contribute to assemble the centromere in L. elegans. This localization and the formation of a tripartite SC structure indicate that the prophase I behaviour of L. elegans is similar as in monocentric species.

The Rice Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit f (OseIF3f) Is Involved in Microgametogenesis

Microgametogenesis is the post-meiotic pollen developmental phase when unicellular microspores develop into mature tricellular pollen. In rice, microgametogenesis can influence grain yields to a great degree because pollen abortion occurs more easily during microgametogenesis than during other stages of pollen development. However, our knowledge of the genes involved in microgametogenesis in rice remains limited. Due to the dependence of pollen development on the regulatory mechanisms of protein expression, we identified the encoding gene of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit f in Oryza sativa (OseIF3f). Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry confirmed that OseIF3f was a subunit of rice eIF3, which consisted of at least 12 subunits including eIF3a, eIF3b, eIF3c, eIF3d, eIF3e, eIF3f, eIF3g, eIF3h, eIF3i, eIF3k, eIF3l, and eIF3m. OseIF3f showed high mRNA levels in immature florets and is highly abundant in developing anthers. Subcellular localization analysis showed that OseIF3f was localized to the cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum in rice root cells. We further analyzed the biological function of OseIF3f using the double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) approach. The OseIF3f-RNAi lines grew normally at the vegetative stage but displayed a large reduction in seed production and pollen viability, which is associated with the down-regulation of OseIF3f. Further cytological observations of pollen development revealed that the OseIF3f-RNAi lines showed no obvious abnormalities at the male meiotic stage and the unicellular microspore stage. However, compared to the wild-type, OseIF3f-RNAi lines contained a higher percentage of arrested unicellular pollen at the bicellular stage and a higher percentage of arrested unicellular and bicellular pollen, and aborted pollen at the tricellular stage. These results indicate that OseIF3f plays a role in microgametogenesis.

Maize Male sterile 8 (Ms8), a putative β-1,3-galactosyltransferase, modulates cell division, expansion, and differentiation during early maize anther development

Precise somatic and reproductive cell proliferation and differentiation in anthers are crucial for male fertility. Loss of function of the Male sterile 8 (Ms8) gene causes male sterility with multiple phenotypic defects first visible in the epidermal and tapetal cells. Here, we document the cloning of Ms8, which is a putative β-1,3-galactosyltransferase. Ms8 transcript is abundant in immature anthers with a peak at the meiotic stage; RNA expression is highly correlated with protein accumulation. Co-immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry sequencing identified several MS8-associated proteins, including arabinogalactan proteins, prohibitins, and porin. We discuss the hypotheses that arabinogalactan protein might be an MS8 substrate and that MS8 might be involved in maintenance of mitochondrial integrity.

Collapsed abnormal pollen1 gene encoding the Arabinokinase-like protein is involved in pollen development in rice

We isolated a pollen-defective mutant, collapsed abnormal pollen1 (cap1), from Tos17 insertional mutant lines of rice (Oryza sativa). The cap1 heterozygous plant produced equal numbers of normal and collapsed abnormal grains. The abnormal pollen grains lacked almost all cytoplasmic materials, nuclei, and intine cell walls and did not germinate. Genetic analysis of crosses revealed that the cap1 mutation did not affect female reproduction or vegetative growth. CAP1 encodes a protein consisting of 996 amino acids that showed high similarity to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) l-arabinokinase, which catalyzes the conversion of l-arabinose to l-arabinose 1-phosphate. A wild-type genomic DNA segment containing CAP1 restored mutants to normal pollen grains. During rice pollen development, CAP1 was preferentially expressed in anthers at the bicellular pollen stage, and the effects of the cap1 mutation were mainly detected at this stage. Based on the metabolic pathway of l-arabinose, cap1 pollen phenotype may have been caused by toxic accumulation of l-arabinose or by inhibition of cell wall metabolism due to the lack of UDP-l-arabinose derived from l-arabinose 1-phosphate. The expression pattern of CAP1 was very similar to that of another Arabidopsis homolog that showed 71% amino acid identity with CAP1. Our results suggested that CAP1 and related genes are critical for pollen development in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

[Mapping of Sanming dominant genic male sterility gene in rice]

The mutant of "Sanming Dominant Genic Male Sterile Rice" was found from an F2 population of cross "SE2lS/Basmati370" by Sanming Institute of Agricultural Science in 2001. It has proven that the male sterility of this mutant is controlled by a dominant gene (named as SMS). By multiple backcrosses, this dominant male sterile allele was introduced into the genetic background of an indica rice cultivar Jiafuzhan (which was known as Jiabuyu). In order to map SMS, a mapping population was constructed by crossing Jiabuyu with a japonica cultivar Nipponbare and further crossing the F1 with Jiafuzhan. By bulked segregant analysis and linkage analysis using SSR and INDEL markers, SMS was mapped to a 99 kb interval between INDEL markers ZM30 and ZM9 on chromosome 8. This result will facilitate cloning of SMS.

OsSGO1 maintains synaptonemal complex stabilization in addition to protecting centromeric cohesion during rice meiosis

Shugoshin is a conserved protein in eukaryotes that protects the centromeric cohesin of sister chromatids from cleavage by separase during meiosis. In this study, we identify the rice (Oryza sativa, 2n=2x=24) homolog of ZmSGO1 in maize (Zea mays), named OsSGO1. During both mitosis and meiosis, OsSGO1 is recruited from nucleoli onto centromeres at the onset of prophase. In the Tos17-insertional Ossgo1-1 mutant, centromeres of sister chromatids separate precociously from each other from metaphase I, which causes unequal chromosome segregation during meiosis II. Moreover, the release of OsSGO1 from nucleoli is completely blocked in Ossgo1-1, which leads to the absence of OsSGO1 in centromeric regions after the onset of mitosis and meiosis. Furthermore, the timely assembly and maintenance of synaptonemal complexes during early prophase I are affected in Ossgo1 mutants. Finally, we found that the centromeric localization of OsSGO1 depends on OsAM1, not other meiotic proteins such as OsREC8, PAIR2, OsMER3, or ZEP1.

OsSpo11-4, a rice homologue of the archaeal TopVIA protein, mediates double-strand DNA cleavage and interacts with OsTopVIB

DNA topoisomerase VI from Archaea, a heterotetrameric complex composed of two TopVIA and two TopVIB subunits, is involved in altering DNA topology during replication, transcription and chromosome segregation by catalyzing DNA strand transfer through transient double-strand breaks. The sequenced yeast and animal genomes encode only one homologue of the archaeal TopVIA subunit, namely Spo11, and no homologue of the archaeal TopVIB subunit. In yeast, Spo11 is essential for initiating meiotic recombination and this function appears conserved among other eukaryotes. In contrast to yeast and animals, studies in Arabidopsis and rice have identified three Spo11/TopVIA homologues and one TopVIB homologue in plants. Here, we further identified two novel Spo11/TopVIA homologues (named OsSpo11-4 and OsSpo11-5, respectively) that exist just in the monocot model plant Oryza sativa, indicating that at least five Spo11/TopVIA homologues are present in the rice genome. To reveal the biochemical function of the two novel Spo11/TopVIA homologues, we first examined the interactions among OsSpo11-1, OsSpo11-4, OsSpo11-5, and OsTopVIB by yeast two-hybrid assay. The results showed that OsSpo11-4 and OsTopVIB can self-interact strongly and among the 3 examined OsSpo11 proteins, only OsSpo11-4 interacted with OsTopVIB. Pull-down assay confirmed the interaction between OsSpo11-4 and OsTopVIB, which indicates that OsSpo11-4 may interact with OsTopVIB in vivo. Further in vitro enzymatic analysis revealed that among the above 4 proteins, only OsSpo11-4 exhibited double-strand DNA cleavage activity and its enzymatic activity appears dependent on Mg²⁺ and independent of OsTopVIB, despite its interaction with OsTopVIB. We further analyzed the biological function of OsSpo11-4 by RNA interference and found that down-regulated expression of OsSpo11-4 led to defects in male meiosis, indicating OsSpo11-4 is required for meiosis.

Rice OsRAD21-2 is expressed in actively dividing tissues and its ectopic expression in yeast results in aberrant cell division and growth

Rad21 and its meiotic counterpart Rec8, the key components of the cohesin complex, are essential for sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis, respectively. In contrast to yeast and vertebrates, which have only two RAD21/REC8 genes, the rice genome encodes four Rad21/Rec8 proteins. Here, we report on the cloning and characterization of OsRAD21-2 from rice (Oryza sativa L.). Phylogenetic analysis of the full-length amino acids showed that OsRad21-2 was grouped into the plant-specific Rad21 subfamily. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed OsRAD21-2 preferentially expressed in premeiotic flowers. Further RNA in situ hybridization analysis and promoter::β-glucuronidase staining indicated that OsRAD21-2 was mainly expressed in actively dividing tissues including premeiotic stamen, stem intercalary meristem, leaf meristem, and root pericycle. Ectopic expression of OsRAD21-2 in fission yeast resulted in cell growth delay and morphological abnormality. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the OsRAD21-2-expressed cells were arrested in G2 phase. Our results suggest that OsRad21-2 functions in regulation of cell division and growth.

Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification- based comparative proteomics reveals the features of plasma membrane-associated proteomes of pollen grains and pollen tubes from Lilium davidii

Mature pollen grains (PGs) from most plant species are metabolically quiescent. However, once pollinated onto stigma, they quickly hydrate and germinate. A PG can give rise to a vegetative cell-derived polarized pollen tube (PT), which represents a specialized polar cell. The polarized PT grows by the tip and requires interaction of different signaling molecules localized in the apical plasma membrane and active membrane trafficking. The mechanisms underlying the interaction and membrane trafficking are not well understood. In this work, we purified PG and PT plasma-membrane vesicles from Lilium davidii Duch. using the aqueous two-phase partition technique, then enriched plasma membrane proteins by using Brij58 and KCl to remove loosely bound contaminants. We identified 223 integral and membrane-associated proteins in the plasma membrane of PGs and PTs by using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and 2-D high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. More than 68% of the proteins have putative transmembrane domains and/or lipid-modified motifs. Proteins involved in signal transduction, membrane trafficking and transport are predominant in the plasma-membrane proteome. We revealed most components of the clathrin-dependent endocytosis pathway. Statistical analysis revealed 14 proteins differentially expressed in the two development stages: in PTs, six upregulated and eight downregulated are mainly involved in signaling, transport and membrane trafficking. These results provide novel insights into polarized PT growth.

ARAG1, an ABA-responsive DREB gene, plays a role in seed germination and drought tolerance of rice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

DREB proteins are involved mainly in plant responses to abiotic stresses such as cold, drought or high salinity as well as ABA signalling. However, the function of most rice DREB genes and the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling these responses remains elusive. In this study, ARAG1, a rice DREB gene, was functionally analysed.

METHODS

Antisense and over-expression constructs of ARAG1 were introduced into rice by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect ARAG1 accumulation in transgenics. PEG and ABA were used to test their response to abiotic stresses.

KEY RESULTS

ARAG1 was expressed in inflorescences, roots, immature embryos and germinating seeds, but not in coleoptiles, leaves or mature embryos. Drought stress and ABA treatment increased transcript levels of the gene rapidly. ARAG1 knockdown line was hypersensitive to ABA application during seed germination and seedling growth. However, the line over-expressing ARAG1 behaved similarly to wild type in these circumstances. Knockdown of ARAG1 weakened tolerance of the transgenic seedlings to drought stress, while over-expression of it increased the tolerance slightly. In addition, activity of alpha-amylases was enhanced in germinating seeds of the knockdown and over-expression lines.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that ARAG1 was involved in the ABA signalling and stress responsive pathways.

RA68 is required for postmeiotic pollen development in Oryza sativa

Postmeiotic development is a unique characteristic of flowering plants. During the development, microspores undergo two cycles of mitosis (PMI and PMII) and a subsequent maturation process to finally produce the mature pollen, but the mechanism underlying the development is still largely unknown. Here, we report on the roles of a novel gene, RA68, in postmeiotic pollen development in Oryza sativa. RA68 was expressed preferentially in shoots and flowers. In flowers, the transcript persisted from the floral organ differentiation to the mature pollen stages and showed preferential accumulation in male meiocytes, developing pollen and tapetal cells. RA68-deficient RNAi lines showed reduced seed setting and pollen viability but not an aberrant phenotype in vegetative organs. Knockdown of RA68 led to arrested PMI, smaller pollen grains with little or no starch, and aborted pollen but not severely distruped male meiosis. Additionally, no abnormality of anther wall development was observed in RA68-RNAi lines. RA68 may be required for postmeiotic pollen development by affecting PMI and starch accumulation.

Cohesin gene defects may impair sister chromatid alignment and genome stability in Arabidopsis thaliana

In contrast to yeast, plant interphase nuclei often display incomplete alignment (cohesion) along sister chromatid arms. Sister chromatid cohesion mediated by the multi-subunit cohesin complex is essential for correct chromosome segregation during nuclear divisions and for DNA recombination repair. The cohesin complex consists of the conserved proteins SMC1, SMC3, SCC3, and an alpha-kleisin subunit. Viable homozygous mutants could be selected for the Arabidopsis thaliana alpha-kleisins SYN1, SYN2, and SYN4, which can partially compensate each other. For the kleisin SYN3 and for the single-copy genes SMC1, SMC3, and SCC3, only heterozygous mutants were obtained that displayed between 77% and 97% of the wild-type transcript level. Compared to wild-type nuclei, sister chromatid alignment was significantly decreased along arms in 4C nuclei of the homozygous syn1 and syn4 and even of the heterozygous smc1, smc3, scc3, and syn3 mutants. Knocking out SYN1 and SYN4 additionally impaired sister centromere cohesion. Homozygous mutants of SWITCH1 (required for meiotic sister chromatid alignment) displayed sterility and decreased sister arm alignment. For the cohesin loading complex subunit SCC2, only heterozygous mutants affecting sister centromere alignment were obtained. Defects of the alpha-kleisin SYN4, which impair sister chromatid alignment in 4C differentiated nuclei, do apparently not disturb alignment during prometaphase nor cause aneuploidy in meristematic cells. The syn2, 3, 4 scc3 and swi1 mutants display a high frequency of anaphases with bridges (~10% to >20% compared to 2.6% in wild type). Our results suggest that (a) already a slight reduction of the average transcript level in heterozygous cohesin mutants may cause perturbation of cohesion, at least in some leaf cells at distinct loci; (b) the decreased sister chromatid alignment in cohesin mutants can obviously not fully be compensated by other cohesion mechanisms such as DNA concatenation; (c) some cohesin genes, in addition to cohesion, might have further essential functions (e.g., for genome stability, apparently by facilitating correct recombination repair of double-strand breaks).

Functional conservation of the meiotic genes SDS and RCK in male meiosis in the monocot rice

The Arabidopsis SDS (SOLO DANCERS) and RCK (ROCK-N-ROLLERS) genes are important for male meiosis, but it is still unknown whether they represent conserved functions in plants. We have performed phylogenetic analyses of SDS and RCK and their respective homologs, and identified their putative orthologs in poplar and rice. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis indicated that rice SDS and RCK are expressed preferentially in young flowers, and transgenic RNAi rice lines with reduced expression of these genes exhibited normal vegetative development, but showed significantly reduced fertility with partially sterile flowers and defective pollens. SDS deficiency also caused a decrease in pollen amounts. Further cytological examination of male meiocytes revealed that the SDS deficiency led to defects in homolog interaction and bivalent formation in meiotic prophase I, and RCK deficiency resulted in defective meiotic crossover formation. These results indicate that rice SDS and RCK genes have similar functions to their Arabidopsis orthologs. Because rice and Arabidopsis, respectively, are members of monocots and eudicots, two largest groups of flowering plants, our results suggest that the functions of SDS and RCK are likely conserved in flowering plants.