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Hong Y, Zhang M, Xu R. Genetic Localization and Homologous Genes Mining for Barley Grain Size. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054932. [PMID: 36902360 PMCID: PMC10003025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Grain size is an important agronomic trait determining barley yield and quality. An increasing number of QTLs (quantitative trait loci) for grain size have been reported due to the improvement in genome sequencing and mapping. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning barley grain size is vital for producing elite cultivars and accelerating breeding processes. In this review, we summarize the achievements in the molecular mapping of barley grain size over the past two decades, highlighting the results of QTL linkage analysis and genome-wide association studies. We discuss the QTL hotspots and predict candidate genes in detail. Moreover, reported homologs that determine the seed size clustered into several signaling pathways in model plants are also listed, providing the theoretical basis for mining genetic resources and regulatory networks of barley grain size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hong
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Mengna Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Rugen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence:
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Yang Y, Wang B, Wang J, He C, Zhang D, Li P, Zhang J, Li Z. Transcription factors ZmNF-YA1 and ZmNF-YB16 regulate plant growth and drought tolerance in maize. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:1506-1525. [PMID: 35861438 PMCID: PMC9516732 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The identification of drought stress regulatory genes is crucial for the genetic improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) yield. Nuclear factors Y (NF-Ys) are important transcription factors, but their roles in the drought stress tolerance of plants and underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this work, we used yeast two-hybrid screening to identify potential interactors of ZmNF-YB16 and confirmed the interaction between ZmNF-YA1 and ZmNF-YB16-YC17 and between ZmNF-YA7 and ZmNF-YB16-YC17. ZmNF-YB16 interacted with ZmNF-YC17 via its histone fold domain to form a heterodimer in the cytoplasm and then entered the nucleus to form a heterotrimer with ZmNF-YA1 or ZmNF-YA7 under osmotic stress. Overexpression of ZmNF-YA1 improved drought and salt stress tolerance and root development of maize, whereas zmnf-ya1 mutants exhibited drought and salt stress sensitivity. ZmNF-YA1-mediated transcriptional regulation, especially in JA signaling, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling, could underlie the altered stress tolerance of zmnf-ya1 mutant plants. ZmNF-YA1 bound to promoter CCAAT motifs and directly regulated the expression of multiple genes that play important roles in stress responses and plant development. Comparison of ZmNF-YB16- and ZmNF-YA1-regulated genes showed that ZmNF-YA1 and ZmNF-YB16 have similar biological functions in stress responses but varied functions in other biological processes. Taken together, ZmNF-YA1 is a positive regulator of plant drought and salt stress responses and is involved in the root development of maize, and ZmNF-Y complexes with different subunits may have discrepant functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chunmei He
- Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Dengfeng Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Peng Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environment Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Juren Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environment Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
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Lu D, Zhang L, Wu Y, Pan Q, Zhang Y, Liu P. An integrated metabolome and transcriptome approach reveals the fruit flavor and regulatory network during jujube fruit development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:952698. [PMID: 36212371 PMCID: PMC9537746 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.952698] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The fruit flavor is a key economic value attribute of jujube. Here we compared metabolomes and transcriptomes of "Mazao" (ST) and "Ping'anhuluzao" (HK) with unique flavors during fruit development. We identified 437 differential metabolites, mainly sugars, acids, and lipids. Fructose, glucose, mannose and citric acid, and malic acid are the determinants of sugar and acid taste of jujube fruit. Based on the transcriptome, 16,245 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which were involved in "glucosyltransferase activity," "lipid binding," and "anion transmembrane transporter activity" processes. Both transcriptome and metabolome showed that developmental stages 2 and 3 were important transition periods for jujube maturation. Based on WGCNA and gene-metabolite correlation analysis, modules, and transcription factors (ZjHAP3, ZjTCP14, and ZjMYB78) highly related to sugar and acid were identified. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism of sugar and acid accumulation in jujube fruit and provide clues for the development of jujube with a unique flavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongye Lu
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Pan
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
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Xu H, Li S, Kazeem BB, Ajadi AA, Luo J, Yin M, Liu X, Chen L, Ying J, Tong X, Wang Y, Niu B, Chen C, Zeng X, Zhang J. Five Rice Seed-Specific NF-YC Genes Redundantly Regulate Grain Quality and Seed Germination via Interfering Gibberellin Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158382. [PMID: 35955515 PMCID: PMC9368926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-YCs are important transcription factors with diverse functions in the plant kingdoms including seed development. NF-YC8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are close homologs with similar seed-specific expression patterns. Despite the fact that some of the NF-YCs are functionally known; their biological roles have not been systematically explored yet, given the potential functional redundancy. In this study, we generated pentuple mutant pnfyc of NF-YC8-12 and revealed their functions in the regulation of grain quality and seed germination. pnfyc grains displayed significantly more chalkiness with abnormal starch granule packaging. pnfyc seed germination and post-germination growth are much slower than the wild-type NIP, largely owing to the GA-deficiency as exogenous GA was able to fully recover the germination phenotype. The RNA-seq experiment identified a total of 469 differentially expressed genes, and several GA-, ABA- and grain quality control-related genes might be transcriptionally regulated by the five NF-YCs, as revealed by qRT-PCR analysis. The results demonstrated the redundant functions of NF-YC8-12 in regulating GA pathways that underpin rice grain quality and seed germination, and shed a novel light on the functions of the seed-specific NF-YCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huayu Xu
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Shufan Li
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Bello Babatunde Kazeem
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Abolore Adijat Ajadi
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Jinjin Luo
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Man Yin
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Xinyong Liu
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Lijuan Chen
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Jiezheng Ying
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Xiaohong Tong
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yifeng Wang
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Baixiao Niu
- College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (B.N.); (C.C.)
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (B.N.); (C.C.)
| | - Xiaoshan Zeng
- Hunan Rice Research Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (J.Z.); Tel./Fax: +86-731-86491768 (X.Z.); +86-571-63370277 (J.Z.)
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China; (H.X.); (S.L.); (B.B.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.L.); (M.Y.); (X.L.); (L.C.); (J.Y.); (X.T.); (Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (J.Z.); Tel./Fax: +86-731-86491768 (X.Z.); +86-571-63370277 (J.Z.)
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Guo F, Zhang P, Wu Y, Lian G, Yang Z, Liu W, Buerte B, Zhou C, Zhang W, Li D, Han N, Tong Z, Zhu M, Xu L, Chen M, Bian H. Rice LEAFY COTYLEDON1 Hinders Embryo Greening During the Seed Development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:887980. [PMID: 35620685 PMCID: PMC9128838 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.887980] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) is the central regulator of seed development in Arabidopsis, while its function in monocots is largely elusive. We generated Oslec1 mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Oslec1 mutant seeds lost desiccation tolerance and triggered embryo greening at the early development stage. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that Oslec1 mutation altered diverse hormonal pathways and stress response in seed maturation, and promoted a series of photosynthesis-related genes. Further, genome-wide identification of OsLEC1-binding sites demonstrated that OsLEC1 bound to genes involved in photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, as well as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) pathways, involved in seed maturation. We illustrated an OsLEC1-regulating gene network during seed development, including the interconnection between photosynthesis and ABA/GA biosynthesis/signaling. Our findings suggested that OsLEC1 acts as not only a central regulator of seed maturation but also an inhibitor of embryo greening during rice seed development. This study would provide new understanding for the OsLEC1 regulatory mechanisms on photosynthesis in the monocot seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, China
| | - Peijing Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Centre, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guiwei Lian
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengfei Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - B. Buerte
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenqian Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, China
| | - Ning Han
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zaikang Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, China
| | - Muyuan Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongwu Bian
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Niu B, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Chen C. The rice LEC1-like transcription factor OsNF-YB9 interacts with SPK, an endosperm-specific sucrose synthase protein kinase, and functions in seed development. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 106:1233-1246. [PMID: 33721364 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), a NUCLEAR FACTOR-Y (NF-Y) family member, plays a critical role in embryogenesis and seed development in Arabidopsis. Previous studies have shown that rice OsNF-YB9 and OsNF-YB7 are homologous to Arabidopsis LEC1. However, the functions of LEC1-like genes in rice remain unclear. Here we report that OsNF-YB9 and OsNF-YB7 display sub-functionalization in rice. We demonstrate that OsNF-YB7 is expressed mainly in the embryo, whereas OsNF-YB9 is preferentially expressed in the developing endosperm. Heterologous expression of either OsNF-YB9 or OsNF-YB7 in Arabidopsis lec1-1 was able to complement the lec1-1 defects. We failed to generate osnf-yb7 homozygous mutants due to lethality caused by OsNF-YB7 defects. Loss of OsNF-YB9 function caused abnormal seed development: seeds were longer, narrower and thinner and exhibited a higher chalkiness ratio. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis was deregulated in osnf-yb9. OsNF-YB9 could interact with SPK, a sucrose synthase protein kinase that is predominantly expressed in rice endosperm. Knockout of SPK resulted in chalky seeds similar to those observed in the osnf-yb9 mutants. Ectopic expression of OsNF-YB9 in both rice and Arabidopsis resulted in unhealthy plants with small seeds. Taken together, these results suggest a critical role for OsNF-YB9 in rice seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixiao Niu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Zhao N, Zhang K, Wang C, Yan H, Liu Y, Xu W, Su Z. Systematic Analysis of Differential H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 Deposition in Callus and Seedling Reveals the Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms Involved in Callus Formation in Rice. Front Genet 2020; 11:766. [PMID: 32765593 PMCID: PMC7379484 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant growth and development occurs through meristematic cell activity, and cell fate transition is accompanied by epigenetic modifications. Callus with cell pluripotency exhibits the ability to undergo continued cell division, and is ideal for studying plant meristematic differentiation. By comparing the differential epigenetic modifications between callus and seedling, the changes in chromatin state and effects of various epigenetic modifications on the growth and development of plants can be revealed, and the key genes related to plant growth and development can be identified, providing novel insights into the regulation of plant growth and development. In this study, we performed ChIP assays using various antibodies in rice seed-induced callus and seedlings grown for about 15 days to examine the differential deposition of H3K27me3 and H3K4me3. Furthermore, data for DNase I-hypersensitive sites in the corresponding tissues were downloaded from National Center for Biotechnology Information. We analyzed 4,562 callus H3K27me3-decreased genes especially those encoding transcription factors in callus, and found that most of the transcription factors, including AP2-ERREBP, NAC, and HB gene families, were related to growth and development. Genes related to meristemization, such as OsWOX9, OsWOX11, OsPLT4, OsPLT5, and OsSHR, were also included. In contrast, H3K4me3 positively regulated callus characteristics through its higher deposition in the callus than in the seedling. We further performed transcriptomic analysis on 45 sets of Affymetrix GeneChip arrays and identified 1,565 genes preferentially expressed in the callus. Callus development and root development in rice were found to share a common regulatory mechanism. We found that these genes, which are associated with meristems, require the removal of H3K27me3 and the deposition of H3K4me3, and DNase I-hypersensitive sites to maintain a relatively active state in the callus than in the seedling. The present study provides novel data about the epigenetic mechanisms involved in callus formation and additional resources for the study of cell division and differentiation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Chunchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hengyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Su
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Wang J, Su Y, Kong X, Ding Z, Zhang XS. Initiation and maintenance of plant stem cells in root and shoot apical meristems. ABIOTECH 2020; 1:194-204. [PMID: 36303567 PMCID: PMC9590467 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-020-00020-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plant stem cells are a small group of cells with a self-renewal capacity and serve as a steady supply of precursor cells to form new differentiated tissues and organs in plants. Root stem cells and shoot stem cells, which are located in the root apical meristem and in the shoot apical meristem, respectively, play a critical role in plant longitudinal growth. These stem cells in shoot and root apical meristems remain as pluripotent state throughout the lifespan of the plant and control the growth and development of plants. The molecular mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of plant stem cells have been extensively investigated. In this review, we mainly discuss how the plant phytohormones, such as auxin and cytokinin, coordinate with the key transcription factors to regulate plant stem cell initiation and maintenance in root and shoot apical meristems. In addition, we highlight the common regulatory mechanisms of both root and shoot apical meristems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxia Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 Shandong China
| | - Yinghua Su
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, 271018 Shandong China
| | - Xiangpei Kong
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 Shandong China
| | - Zhaojun Ding
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 Shandong China
| | - Xian Sheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, 271018 Shandong China
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9
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Das S, Parida SK, Agarwal P, Tyagi AK. Transcription factor OsNF-YB9 regulates reproductive growth and development in rice. PLANTA 2019; 250:1849-1865. [PMID: 31482329 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
OsNF-YB9 controls heading by affecting expression of regulators of flowering. It affects the development of the reproductive meristem by interacting with MADS1 and controlling expression of hormone-related genes. Nuclear Factor-Y (NF-Y) family of transcription factors takes part in many aspects of growth and development in eukaryotes. They have been classified into three subunit classes, namely, NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. In plants, this transcription factor family is much diverged and takes part in several developmental processes and stress. We investigated NF-Y subunit genes of rice (Oryza sativa) and found OsNF-YB9 as the closest homologue of LEAFY COTYLEDON1. OsNF-YB9 delayed the heading date when ectopically expressed in rice. Expression of several heading date regulating genes such as Hd1, Ehd1, Hd3a and RFT1 were altered. OsNF-YB9 overexpression also resulted in morphological defects in the reproductive organs and led to pseudovivipary. OsNF-YB9 interacted with MADS1, a key regulator of floral development. This NF-Y subunit acted upstream to several transcription factors as well as signalling proteins involved in brassinosteroid and gibberellic acid metabolism and cell cycle. OsNF-YB9 and OsNF-YC12 interacted in planta and the latter also delayed heading in rice upon overexpression suggesting its involvement in a similar pathway. Our data provide new insights into the rice heading date pathway integrating these OsNF-Y subunit members to the network. These features can be exploited to improve vegetative growth and yield of rice plants in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Das
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Swarup K Parida
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pinky Agarwal
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Akhilesh Kumar Tyagi
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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10
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Genome-wide characterization of the NUCLEAR FACTOR-Y (NF-Y) family in Citrus grandis identified CgNF-YB9 involved in the fructose and glucose accumulation. Genes Genomics 2019; 41:1341-1355. [PMID: 31468348 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-019-00862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is increasingly known to be involved in many aspects of plant growth and development. To date, the systematic characterization of NF-Y family has never been reported in Citrus grandis. OBJECTIVE Genome-wide characterization of C. grandis NF-Y (CgNF-Y) family and analysis of their role in sucrose metabolism. METHODS NF-Y conserved models were employed to identify CgNF-Y genes from genomic data. Phylogenetic tree was generated by the neighbor-joining method using program MEGA 7.0. Based on our previous transcriptomic data, the transcription levels were calculated by RSEM software and were clustered by ShortTime-series Expression Miner. The plant expression vector of CgNF-YB9 was constructed using In-Fusion Cloning and transferred into tobacco by leaf disc transformation method. Soluble sugars and gene expressions were analysis by HPLC and qRT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS A total of 24 CgNF-Y genes (6 CgNF-YAs, 13 CgNF-YBs and 5 CgNF-YCs) were identified with conserved domains. Phylogenetic analysis of the NF-Y proteins indicated that NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC could be categorized into four, five and three clades, respectively. Expression profiling analysis reflected spatio-temporally distinct expression patterns for CgNF-Y genes. Importantly, we observed a positive correlation between the expression level of CgNF-YB9 and the content of soluble sugar. Moreover, CgNF-YB9-corelated genes were enriched in carbohydrate metabolism. In CgNF-YB9 overexpression lines, sucrose content showed a decrease, whereas glucose and fructose contents displayed an increase. As expected, the transcription levels of sucrose-phosphate synthase and vacuolar invertase in transgenic Line 3 were observed with significantly down- and up-regulated, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The structure, phylogenetic relationship and expression pattern of 24 CgNF-Y genes were identified, and CgNF-YB9 was involved in sucrose metabolism.
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11
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Xiong Y, Ren Y, Li W, Wu F, Yang W, Huang X, Yao J. NF-YC12 is a key multi-functional regulator of accumulation of seed storage substances in rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:3765-3780. [PMID: 31211389 PMCID: PMC6685661 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Starch and storage proteins, the primary storage substances of cereal endosperm, are a major source of food for humans. However, the transcriptional regulatory networks of the synthesis and accumulation of storage substances remain largely unknown. Here, we identified a rice endosperm-specific gene, NF-YC12, that encodes a putative nuclear factor-Y transcription factor subunit C. NF-YC12 is expressed in the aleurone layer and starchy endosperm during grain development. Knockout of NF-YC12 significantly decreased grain weight as well as altering starch and protein accumulation and starch granule formation. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that in the nf-yc12 mutant genes related to starch biosynthesis and the metabolism of energy reserves were enriched in the down-regulated category. In addition, starch and protein contents in seeds differed between NF-YC12-overexpression lines and the wild-type. NF-YC12 was found to interact with NF-YB1. ChIP-qPCR and yeast one-hybrid assays showed that NF-YC12 regulated the rice sucrose transporter OsSUT1 in coordination with NF-YB1 in the aleurone layer. In addition, NF-YC12 was directly bound to the promoters of FLO6 (FLOURY ENDOSPERM6) and OsGS1;3 (glutamine synthetase1) in developing endosperm. This study demonstrates a transcriptional regulatory network involving NF-YC12, which coordinates multiple pathways to regulate endosperm development and the accumulation of storage substances in rice seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Xiong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ye Ren
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wang Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengsheng Wu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Yang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaolong Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jialing Yao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Correspondence:
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12
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Azizi P, Osman M, Hanafi MM, Sahebi M, Rafii MY, Taheri S, Harikrishna JA, Tarinejad AR, Mat Sharani S, Yusuf MN. Molecular insights into the regulation of rice kernel elongation. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2019; 39:904-923. [PMID: 31303070 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2019.1632257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A large number of rice agronomic traits are complex, multi factorial and polygenic. As the mechanisms and genes determining grain size and yield are largely unknown, the identification of regulatory genes related to grain development remains a preeminent approach in rice genetic studies and breeding programs. Genes regulating cell proliferation and expansion in spikelet hulls and participating in endosperm development are the main controllers of rice kernel elongation and grain size. We review here and discuss recent findings on genes controlling rice grain size and the mechanisms, epialleles, epigenomic variation, and assessment of controlling genes using genome-editing tools relating to kernel elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Azizi
- a Laboratory of Plantation Science and Technology, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia.,b Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia
| | - M Osman
- c Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia
| | - M M Hanafi
- a Laboratory of Plantation Science and Technology, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia.,b Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia.,d Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia
| | - M Sahebi
- b Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia
| | - M Y Rafii
- b Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia.,c Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Serdang , Malaysia
| | - S Taheri
- e Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - J A Harikrishna
- e Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - A R Tarinejad
- f Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University , Tabriz , Iran
| | - S Mat Sharani
- g Malaysia Genome Institute , Jalan Bangi , Malaysia
| | - M N Yusuf
- g Malaysia Genome Institute , Jalan Bangi , Malaysia
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13
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Bello BK, Hou Y, Zhao J, Jiao G, Wu Y, Li Z, Wang Y, Tong X, Wang W, Yuan W, Wei X, Zhang J. NF-YB1-YC12-bHLH144 complex directly activates Wx to regulate grain quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.). PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2019; 17:1222-1235. [PMID: 30552799 PMCID: PMC6576074 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Identification of seed development regulatory genes is the key for the genetic improvement in rice grain quality. NF-Ys are the important transcription factors, but their roles in rice grain quality control and the underlying molecular mechanism remain largely unknown. Here, we report the functional characterization a rice NF-Y heterotrimer complex NF-YB1-YC12-bHLH144, which is formed by the binding of NF-YB1 to NF-YC12 and then bHLH144 in a sequential order. Knock-out of each of the complex genes resulted in alteration of grain qualities in all the mutants as well as reduced grain size in crnf-yb1 and crnf-yc12. RNA-seq analysis identified 1496 genes that were commonly regulated by NF-YB1 and NF-YC12, including the key granule-bound starch synthase gene Wx. NF-YC12 and bHLH144 maintain NF-YB1 stability from the degradation mediated by ubiquitin/26S proteasome, while NF-YB1 directly binds to the 'G-box' domain of Wx promoter and activates Wx transcription, hence to regulate rice grain quality. Finally, we revealed a novel grain quality regulatory pathway controlled by NF-YB1-YC12-bHLH144 complex, which has great potential for rice genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuxuan Hou
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Juan Zhao
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Guiai Jiao
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Yawen Wu
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Zhiyong Li
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Yifeng Wang
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaohong Tong
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Wenya Yuan
- State Key Lab of Biocatalysis and Enzyme EngineeringHubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio‐ResourcesHubei Key Laboratory of Industrial BiotechnologyCollege of Life SciencesHubei UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xiangjin Wei
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Lab of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
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14
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Jiang Q, Zeng Y, Yu B, Cen W, Lu S, Jia P, Wang X, Qin B, Cai Z, Luo J. The rice pds1 locus genetically interacts with partner to cause panicle exsertion defects and ectopic tillers in spikelets. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 19:200. [PMID: 31092192 PMCID: PMC6521401 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food crop worldwide. Its yield and quality are affected by its tillering pattern and spikelet development. Although many genes involved in the vegetative and reproductive development of rice have been characterized in previous studies, the genetic mechanisms that control axillary tillering, spikelet development, and panicle exsertion remain incompletely understood. RESULTS Here, we characterized a novel rice recombinant inbred line (RIL), panicle exsertion defect and aberrant spikelet (pds). It was derived from a cross between two indica varieties, S142 and 430. Intriguingly, no abnormal phenotypes were observed in the parents of pds. This RIL exhibited sheathed panicles at heading stage. Still, a small number of tillers in pds plants were fully exserted from the flag leaves. Elongated sterile lemmas and rudimentary glumes (occurred occasionally) were observed in the spikelets of the exserted panicles and were transformed into palea/lemma-like structures. Furthermore, more interestingly, tillers occasionally grew from the axils of the elongated rudimentary glumes. Via genetic linkage analysis, we found that the abnormal phenotype of pds manifesting as genetic incompatibility or hybrid weakness was caused by genetic interaction between a recessive locus, pds1, which was derived from S142 and mapped to chromosome 8, and a locus pds2, which not yet mapped from 430. We fine-mapped pds1 to an approximately 55-kb interval delimited by the markers pds-4 and 8 M3.51. Six RGAP-annotated ORFs were included in this genomic region. qPCR analysis revealed that Loc_Os080595 might be the target of pds1 locus, and G1 gene might be involved in the genetic mechanism underlying the pds phenotype. CONCLUSIONS In this study, histological and genetic analyses revealed that the pyramided pds loci resulted in genetic incompatibility or hybrid weakness in rice might be caused by a genetic interaction between pds loci derived from different rice varieties. Further isolation of pds1 and its interactor pds2, would provide new insight into the molecular regulation of grass inflorescence development and exsertion, and the evolution history of the extant rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qigui Jiang
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Yindi Zeng
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Baiyang Yu
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Weijian Cen
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
- Agriculture College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Siyuan Lu
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Peilong Jia
- Agriculture College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Agriculture College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Baoxiang Qin
- Agriculture College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Zhongquan Cai
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
- Institute of New Rural Development, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
- Agriculture College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Jijing Luo
- College of Life Science and technology (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources), Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
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15
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Jo L, Pelletier JM, Harada JJ. Central role of the LEAFY COTYLEDON1 transcription factor in seed development. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 61:564-580. [PMID: 30916433 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Seed development is a complex period of the flowering plant life cycle. After fertilization, the three main regions of the seed, embryo, endosperm and seed coat, undergo a series of developmental processes that result in the production of a mature seed that is developmentally arrested, desiccated, and metabolically quiescent. These processes are highly coordinated, both temporally and spatially, to ensure the proper growth and development of the seed. The transcription factor, LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), is a central regulator that controls several aspects of embryo and endosperm development, including embryo morphogenesis, photosynthesis, and storage reserve accumulation. Thus, LEC1 regulates distinct sets of genes at different stages of seed development. Despite its critical importance for seed development, an understanding of the mechanisms underlying LEC1's multifunctionality is only beginning to be obtained. Recent studies describe the roles of specific transcription factors and the hormones, gibberellic acid and abscisic acid, in controlling the activity and transcriptional specificity of LEC1 across seed development. Moreover, studies indicate that LEC1 acts as a pioneer transcription factor to promote epigenetic reprogramming during embryogenesis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that enable LEC1 to serve as a central regulator of seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Jo
- Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Julie M Pelletier
- Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - John J Harada
- Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, USA
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16
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Jia S, Xiong Y, Xiao P, Wang X, Yao J. OsNF-YC10, a seed preferentially expressed gene regulates grain width by affecting cell proliferation in rice. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 280:219-227. [PMID: 30824000 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Grain size and shape are important factors in determining the grain yield. In this study, OsNF-YC10, a member of the NF-Y transcription factor family encoding a putative histone transcription factor, was cloned and characterized. qRT-PCR and mRNA in situ hybridization analysis revealed that OsNF-YC10 was highly expressed in endosperm and spikelet hull at late developmental stages. The results showed that OsNF-YC10 was a nuclear protein showing transcription activation activity. The osnf-yc10 lines, produced using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, showed narrow, thin and light grains. Cytological experiments revealed significantly reduced cell number of spikelet hull in osnf-yc10 lines compared with that in WT. Narrow, thin, and light grains were found consistently in OsNF-YC10 RNAi transgenic lines. Moreover, the number of cells decreased in the grain-width direction than WT. These results indicated that OsNF-YC10 plays an important role in determining grain size and shape. OsNF-YC10 was further revealed to influence the expression of GW8 (a positive regulator of grain width), GW7 (a negative regulator of grain width) and cell cycle-regulated genes CYCD4, CYCA2.1, CYCB2.1, CYCB2.2, E2F2. Taken together, it is suggested that OsNF-YC10 regulates the grains size and shape by influencing the cell proliferation of spikelet hulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhao Jia
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yufei Xiong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Peipei Xiao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Gene Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Jialing Yao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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17
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Assis R. Lineage-Specific Expression Divergence in Grasses Is Associated with Male Reproduction, Host-Pathogen Defense, and Domestication. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:207-219. [PMID: 30398650 PMCID: PMC6331041 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Poaceae (grasses) is an agriculturally important and widely distributed family of plants with extraordinary phenotypic diversity, much of which was generated under recent lineage-specific evolution. Yet, little is known about the genes and functional modules involved in the lineage-specific divergence of grasses. Here, I address this question on a genome-wide scale by applying a novel branch-based statistic of lineage-specific expression divergence, LED, to RNA-seq data from nine tissues of the wild grass Brachypodium distachyon and its domesticated relatives Oryza sativa japonica (rice) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum). I find that LED is generally smallest in B. distachyon and largest in O. sativa japonica, which underwent domestication earlier than S. bicolor, supporting the hypothesis that domestication may increase the rate of lineage-specific expression divergence in grasses. Moreover, in all three species, LED is positively correlated with protein-coding sequence divergence and tissue specificity, and negatively correlated with network connectivity. Further analysis reveals that genes with large LED are often primarily expressed in anther, implicating lineage-specific expression divergence in the evolution of male reproductive phenotypes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis also identifies an overrepresentation of terms related to male reproduction in the two domesticated grasses, as well as to those involved in host-pathogen defense in all three species. Last, examinations of genes with the largest LED reveal that their lineage-specific expression divergence may have contributed to antimicrobial functions in B. distachyon, to enhanced adaptation and yield during domestication in O. sativa japonica, and to defense against a widespread and devastating fungal pathogen in S. bicolor. Together, these findings suggest that lineage-specific expression divergence in grasses may increase under domestication and preferentially target rapidly evolving genes involved in male reproduction, host-pathogen defense, and the origin of domesticated phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Assis
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
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18
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E Z, Li T, Zhang H, Liu Z, Deng H, Sharma S, Wei X, Wang L, Niu B, Chen C. A group of nuclear factor Y transcription factors are sub-functionalized during endosperm development in monocots. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2018; 69:2495-2510. [PMID: 29514259 PMCID: PMC5920288 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ery087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a heterotrimeric transcription factor that consists of three subunits, NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC. Gene functions of NF-Ys during endosperm development are not well understood. In this study, we identified eight rice NF-Y-encoding genes, namely OsNF-YA8, OsNF-YB1,9, and OsNF-YC8,9,10,11,12, that are predominantly expressed in the endosperm. Interestingly, the close homologs of these OsNF-Ys are present only in monocot species and are also preferentially expressed in the endosperm, suggesting that they have roles in the regulation of endosperm development. A systemic analysis of interactions between rice endosperm-preferential NF-Ys in yeast revealed that OsNF-YBs and OsNF-YCs could interact with each other. We also found that the endosperm-preferential OsNF-YBs and OsNF-YCs could interact with some ethylene response factors (ERFs) of rice. Unlike OsNF-YC8,9,10, the members of OsNF-YB1,9 or OsNF-YC 11,12 showed no transcriptional activation when present alone. However, they displayed functional activity while in dimer form. In addition, OsNF-YB1-knockout lines showed significant changes in seed morphology, further confirming its role in endosperm development. Our findings provide evidence that a group of phylogenetically conserved NF-Ys is probably differentiated in monocots to regulate endosperm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo E
- Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huaya Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zehou Liu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Sandeep Sharma
- Marine Biotechnology and Ecology Division, CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Xuefeng Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baixiao Niu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Correspondence:
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19
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Han JD, Li X, Jiang CK, Wong GKS, Rothfels CJ, Rao GY. Evolutionary Analysis of the LAFL Genes Involved in the Land Plant Seed Maturation Program. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:439. [PMID: 28421087 PMCID: PMC5379062 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seeds are one of the most significant innovations in the land plant lineage, critical to the diversification and adaptation of plants to terrestrial environments. From perspective of seed evo-devo, the most crucial developmental stage in this innovation is seed maturation, which includes accumulation of storage reserves, acquisition of desiccation tolerance, and induction of dormancy. Based on previous studies of seed development in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, seed maturation is mainly controlled by the LAFL regulatory network, which includes LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) and LEC1-LIKE (L1L) of the NF-YB gene family, and ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3), FUSCA3 (FUS3), and LEC2 (LEAFY COTYLEDON2) of the B3-AFL gene family. In the present study, molecular evolution of these LAFL genes was analyzed, using representative species from across the major plant lineages. Additionally, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the seed maturation program, co-expression pattern analyses of LAFL genes were conducted across vascular plants. The results show that the origin of AFL gene family dates back to a common ancestor of bryophytes and vascular plants, while LEC1-type genes are only found in vascular plants. LAFL genes of vascular plants likely specify their co-expression in two different developmental phrases, spore and seed maturation, respectively, and expression patterns vary slightly across the major vascular plants lineages. All the information presented in this study will provide insights into the origin and diversification of seed plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Dan Han
- School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Xia Li
- RDFZ XiShan SchoolBeijing, China
| | - Chen-Kun Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Gane K.-S. Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, EdmontonAB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, EdmontonAB, Canada
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial ZoneShenzhen, China
| | - Carl J. Rothfels
- University Herbarium and Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, BerkeleyCA, USA
| | - Guang-Yuan Rao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
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20
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Xu JJ, Zhang XF, Xue HW. Rice aleurone layer specific OsNF-YB1 regulates grain filling and endosperm development by interacting with an ERF transcription factor. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:6399-6411. [PMID: 27803124 PMCID: PMC5181583 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Grain yield and quality of rice mainly depend on grain filling and endosperm development. Here we report that a rice NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NF-Y) transcription factor, OsNF-YB1, is specifically expressed in the aleurone layer of developing endosperm and regulates grain filling and endosperm development. Knockdown of OsNF-YB1 expression by RNAi significantly retarded grain filling, leading to small grains with chalky endosperm as well as altered starch quality. Whereas OsNF-YB1 shows subcellular localization in both the cytosol and the nucleus in roots, it was specifically targeted to the nucleus of aleurone layer cells, which was facilitated by interacting with OsNF-YC proteins preferentially expressed in the aleurone layer. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that genes related to membrane transport and ATP biosynthesis were enriched in the down-regulated category in OsNF-YB1 RNAi plants, which is consistent with the crucial role of OsNF-YB1 in rice grain filling and endosperm development. Identification of the genome-wide targets of OsNF-YB1 by ChIP sequencing showed that OsNF-YB1 directly regulates genes involved in the transport of nutrients such as sugar and amino acids. Interestingly, different from the binding sites reported for other NF-Y complexes, the GCC box, the binding motif of ERF transcription factors, was enriched in the binding peaks of OsNF-YB1. Indeed, further analyses confirmed the interaction of OsERF#115 with OsNF-YB1, and OsERF#115 directly binds to the GCC box. It is proposed that OsNF-YB1 specifically regulate the transcription of downstream genes during rice endosperm development by forming protein complexes consisting of OsNF-YB1, OsNF-YC and ERF, providing informative insights into the molecular functional mechanisms of the NF-Y factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Wei Xue
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, 200032 Shanghai, China
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21
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Genome-wide generation and use of informative intron-spanning and intron-length polymorphism markers for high-throughput genetic analysis in rice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23765. [PMID: 27032371 PMCID: PMC4817136 DOI: 10.1038/srep23765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed genome-wide 84634 ISM (intron-spanning marker) and 16510 InDel-fragment length polymorphism-based ILP (intron-length polymorphism) markers from genes physically mapped on 12 rice chromosomes. These genic markers revealed much higher amplification-efficiency (80%) and polymorphic-potential (66%) among rice accessions even by a cost-effective agarose gel-based assay. A wider level of functional molecular diversity (17-79%) and well-defined precise admixed genetic structure was assayed by 3052 genome-wide markers in a structured population of indica, japonica, aromatic and wild rice. Six major grain weight QTLs (11.9-21.6% phenotypic variation explained) were mapped on five rice chromosomes of a high-density (inter-marker distance: 0.98 cM) genetic linkage map (IR 64 x Sonasal) anchored with 2785 known/candidate gene-derived ISM and ILP markers. The designing of multiple ISM and ILP markers (2 to 4 markers/gene) in an individual gene will broaden the user-preference to select suitable primer combination for efficient assaying of functional allelic variation/diversity and realistic estimation of differential gene expression profiles among rice accessions. The genomic information generated in our study is made publicly accessible through a user-friendly web-resource, "Oryza ISM-ILP marker" database. The known/candidate gene-derived ISM and ILP markers can be enormously deployed to identify functionally relevant trait-associated molecular tags by optimal-resource expenses, leading towards genomics-assisted crop improvement in rice.
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Li Q, Yan W, Chen H, Tan C, Han Z, Yao W, Li G, Yuan M, Xing Y. Duplication of OsHAP family genes and their association with heading date in rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:1759-68. [PMID: 26798026 PMCID: PMC4783360 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric Heme Activator Protein (HAP) family genes are involved in the regulation of flowering in plants. It is not clear how many HAP genes regulate heading date in rice. In this study, we identified 35 HAP genes, including seven newly identified genes, and performed gene duplication and candidate gene-based association analyses. Analyses showed that segmental duplication and tandem duplication are the main mechanisms of HAP gene duplication. Expression profiling and functional identification indicated that duplication probably diversifies the functions of HAP genes. A nucleotide diversity analysis revealed that 13 HAP genes underwent selection. A candidate gene-based association analysis detected four HAP genes related to heading date. An investigation of transgenic plants or mutants of 23 HAP genes confirmed that overexpression of at least four genes delayed heading date under long-day conditions, including the previously cloned Ghd8/OsHAP3H. Our results indicate that the large number of HAP genes in rice was mainly produced by gene duplication, and a few HAP genes function to regulate heading date. Selection of HAP genes is probably caused by their diverse functions rather than regulation of heading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wenhao Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Huaxia Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Cong Tan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhongmin Han
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wen Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guangwei Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mengqi Yuan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yongzhong Xing
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry , China
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Yano K, Ookawa T, Aya K, Ochiai Y, Hirasawa T, Ebitani T, Takarada T, Yano M, Yamamoto T, Fukuoka S, Wu J, Ando T, Ordonio RL, Hirano K, Matsuoka M. Isolation of a novel lodging resistance QTL gene involved in strigolactone signaling and its pyramiding with a QTL gene involved in another mechanism. MOLECULAR PLANT 2015; 8:303-14. [PMID: 25616386 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Lodging has been a major roadblock to attaining increased crop productivity. In an attempt to understand the mechanism for culm strength in rice, we isolated an effective quantitative trait locus (QTL), STRONG CULM3 (SCM3), the causal gene of which is identical to rice TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (OsTB1), a gene previously reported to positively control strigolactone (SL) signaling. A near-isogenic line (NIL) carrying SCM3 showed enhanced culm strength and increased spikelet number despite the expected decrease in tiller number, indicating that SL also has a positive role in enhancing culm strength and spikelet number. We produced a pyramiding line carrying SCM3 and SCM2, another QTL encoding APO1 involved in panicle development. The NIL-SCM2+SCM3 showed a much stronger culm than NIL-SCM2 and NIL-SCM3 and an increased spikelet number caused by the additive effect of these QTLs. We discuss the importance of utilizing suitable alleles of these STRONG CULM QTLs without inducing detrimental traits for breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yano
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Taiichiro Ookawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Koichiro Aya
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ochiai
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Tadashi Hirasawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ebitani
- Agricultural Research Institute, Toyama Agricultural, Forestry & Fisheries Research Center, Toyama 939-8153, Japan
| | - Takeshi Takarada
- Agricultural Research Institute, Toyama Agricultural, Forestry & Fisheries Research Center, Toyama 939-8153, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yano
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Toshio Yamamoto
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Shuichi Fukuoka
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Jianzhong Wu
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Tsuyu Ando
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | | | - Ko Hirano
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsuoka
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan.
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Bloomfield JA, Rose TJ, King GJ. Sustainable harvest: managing plasticity for resilient crops. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2014; 12:517-33. [PMID: 24891039 PMCID: PMC4207195 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining crop production to feed a growing world population is a major challenge for this period of rapid global climate change. No consistent conceptual or experimental framework for crop plants integrates information at the levels of genome regulation, metabolism, physiology and response to growing environment. An important role for plasticity in plants is assisting in homeostasis in response to variable environmental conditions. Here, we outline how plant plasticity is facilitated by epigenetic processes that modulate chromatin through dynamic changes in DNA methylation, histone variants, small RNAs and transposable elements. We present examples of plant plasticity in the context of epigenetic regulation of developmental phases and transitions and map these onto the key stages of crop establishment, growth, floral initiation, pollination, seed set and maturation of harvestable product. In particular, we consider how feedback loops of environmental signals and plant nutrition affect plant ontogeny. Recent advances in understanding epigenetic processes enable us to take a fresh look at the crosstalk between regulatory systems that confer plasticity in the context of crop development. We propose that these insights into genotype × environment (G × E) interaction should underpin development of new crop management strategies, both in terms of information-led agronomy and in recognizing the role of epigenetic variation in crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A Bloomfield
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Terry J Rose
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Graham J King
- Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross UniversityLismore, NSW, Australia
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