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Poethig RS, Fouracre J. Temporal regulation of vegetative phase change in plants. Dev Cell 2024; 59:4-19. [PMID: 38194910 PMCID: PMC10783531 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
During their vegetative growth, plants reiteratively produce leaves, buds, and internodes at the apical end of the shoot. The identity of these organs changes as the shoot develops. Some traits change gradually, but others change in a coordinated fashion, allowing shoot development to be divided into discrete juvenile and adult phases. The transition between these phases is called vegetative phase change. Historically, vegetative phase change has been studied because it is thought to be associated with an increase in reproductive competence. However, this is not true for all species; indeed, heterochronic variation in the timing of vegetative phase change and flowering has made important contributions to plant evolution. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanism of vegetative phase change, how the timing of this process is controlled by endogenous and environmental factors, and its ecological and evolutionary significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Scott Poethig
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Jim Fouracre
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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2
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Yang X, Liu C, Tang Q, Zhang T, Wang L, Han L, Zhang J, Pei X. Identification of LncRNAs and Functional Analysis of ceRNA Related to Fatty Acid Synthesis during Flax Seed Development. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14050967. [PMID: 37239327 DOI: 10.3390/genes14050967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Flax is a flowering plant cultivated for its oil and contains various unsaturated fatty acids. Linseed oil is known as the "deep-sea fish oil" of plants, and is beneficial to brain and blood lipids, among other positive effects. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in plant growth and development. There are not many studies assessing how lncRNAs are related to the fatty acid synthesis of flax. The relative oil contents of the seeds of the variety Heiya NO.14 (for fiber) and the variety Macbeth (for oil) were determined at 5 day, 10 day, 20 day, and 30 day after flowering. We found that 10-20 day is an important period for ALA accumulation in the Macbeth variety. The strand-specific transcriptome data were analyzed at these four time points, and a series of lncRNAs related to flax seed development were screened. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed and the accuracy of the network was verified using qRT-PCR. MSTRG.20631.1 could act with miR156 on the same target, squamosa promoter-binding-like protein (SPL), to influence fatty acid biosynthesis through a gluconeogenesis-related pathway during flax seed development. This study provides a theoretical basis for future studies assessing the potential functions of lncRNAs during seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinsen Yang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Caiyue Liu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qiaoling Tang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianbao Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Crop Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Lida Han
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Crop Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xinwu Pei
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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3
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Cui Y, Zhu M, Song J, Fan H, Xu X, Wu J, Guo L, Wang J. Expression dynamics of phytochrome genes for the shade-avoidance response in densely direct-seeding rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1105882. [PMID: 36743577 PMCID: PMC9889870 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1105882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Because of labor shortages or resource scarcity, direct seeding is the preferred method for rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation, and it necessitates direct seeding at the current density. In this study, two density of direct seeding with high and normal density were selected to identify the genes involved in shade-avoidance syndrome. Phenotypic and gene expression analysis showed that densely direct seeding (DDS) causes a set of acclimation responses that either induce shade avoidance or toleration. When compared to normal direct seeding (NDS), plants cultivated by DDS exhibit constitutive shade-avoidance syndrome (SAS), in which the accompanying solar radiation drops rapidly from the middle leaf to the base leaf during flowering. Simulation of shade causes rapid reduction in phytochrome gene expression, changes in the expression of multiple miR156 or miR172 genes and photoperiod-related genes, all of which leads to early flowering and alterations in the plant architecture. Furthermore, DDS causes senescence by downregulating the expression of chloroplast synthesis-related genes throughout almost the entire stage. Our findings revealed that DDS is linked to SAS, which can be employed to breed density-tolerant rice varieties more easily and widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Cui
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minhua Zhu
- College of Landscape and Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Song
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Honghuan Fan
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozheng Xu
- College of Advanced Agriculture Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiayan Wu
- College of Advanced Agriculture Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longbiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Hjertaas AC, Preston JC, Kainulainen K, Humphreys AM, Fjellheim S. Convergent evolution of the annual life history syndrome from perennial ancestors. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1048656. [PMID: 36684797 PMCID: PMC9846227 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1048656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite most angiosperms being perennial, once-flowering annuals have evolved multiple times independently, making life history traits among the most labile trait syndromes in flowering plants. Much research has focused on discerning the adaptive forces driving the evolution of annual species, and in pinpointing traits that distinguish them from perennials. By contrast, little is known about how 'annual traits' evolve, and whether the same traits and genes have evolved in parallel to affect independent origins of the annual syndrome. Here, we review what is known about the distribution of annuals in both phylogenetic and environmental space and assess the evidence for parallel evolution of annuality through similar physiological, developmental, and/or genetic mechanisms. We then use temperate grasses as a case study for modeling the evolution of annuality and suggest future directions for understanding annual-perennial transitions in other groups of plants. Understanding how convergent life history traits evolve can help predict species responses to climate change and allows transfer of knowledge between model and agriculturally important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane C. Hjertaas
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jill C. Preston
- Department of Plant Biology, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Kent Kainulainen
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aelys M. Humphreys
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siri Fjellheim
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Osadchuk K, Cheng CL, Irish EE. The integration of leaf-derived signals sets the timing of vegetative phase change in maize, a process coordinated by epigenetic remodeling. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 312:111035. [PMID: 34620439 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.111035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
After germination, the maize shoot proceeds through a series of developmental stages before flowering. The first transition occurs during the vegetative phase where the shoot matures from the juvenile to the adult phase, called vegetative phase change (VPC). In maize, both phases exhibit easily-scored morphological characteristics, facilitating the elucidation of molecular mechanisms directing the characteristic gene expression patterns and resulting physiological features of each phase. miR156 expression is high during the juvenile phase, suppressing expression of squamosa promoter binding proteins/SBP-like transcription factors and miR172. The decline in miR156 and subsequent increase in miR172 expression marks the transition into the adult phase, where miR172 represses transcripts that confer juvenile traits. Leaf-derived signals attenuate miR156 expression and thus the duration of the juvenile phase. As found in other species, VPC in maize utilizes signals that consist of hormones, stress, and sugar to direct epigenetic modifiers. In this review we identify the intersection of leaf-derived signaling with components that contribute to the epigenetic changes which may, in turn, manage the distinct global gene expression patterns of each phase. In maize, published research regarding chromatin remodeling during VPC is minimal. Therefore, we identified epigenetic regulators in the maize genome and, using published gene expression data and research from other plant species, identify VPC candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Osadchuk
- 129 E. Jefferson Street, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Chi-Lien Cheng
- 129 E. Jefferson Street, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Erin E Irish
- 129 E. Jefferson Street, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Zhang P, Zhu C, Geng Y, Wang Y, Yang Y, Liu Q, Guo W, Chachar S, Riaz A, Yan S, Yang L, Yi K, Wu C, Gu X. Rice and Arabidopsis homologs of yeast CHROMOSOME TRANSMISSION FIDELITY PROTEIN 4 commonly interact with Polycomb complexes but exert divergent regulatory functions. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1417-1429. [PMID: 33647940 PMCID: PMC8254485 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Both genetic and epigenetic information must be transferred from mother to daughter cells during cell division. The mechanisms through which information about chromatin states and epigenetic marks like histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) are transferred have been characterized in animals; these processes are less well understood in plants. Here, based on characterization of a dwarf rice (Oryza sativa) mutant (dwarf-related wd40 protein 1, drw1) deficient for yeast CTF4 (CHROMOSOME TRANSMISSION FIDELITY PROTEIN 4), we discovered that CTF4 orthologs in plants use common cellular machinery yet accomplish divergent functional outcomes. Specifically, drw1 exhibited no flowering-related phenotypes (as in the putatively orthologous Arabidopsis thaliana eol1 mutant), but displayed cell cycle arrest and DNA damage responses. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that DRW1 sustains normal cell cycle progression by modulating the expression of cell cycle inhibitors KIP-RELATED PROTEIN 1 (KRP1) and KRP5, and show that these effects are mediated by DRW1 binding their promoters and increasing H3K27me3 levels. Thus, although CTF4 orthologs ENHANCER OF LHP1 1 (EOL1) in Arabidopsis and DRW1 in rice are both expressed uniquely in dividing cells, commonly interact with several Polycomb complex subunits, and promote H3K27me3 deposition, we now know that their regulatory functions diverged substantially during plant evolution. Moreover, our work experimentally illustrates specific targets of CTF4/EOL1/DRW1, their protein-proteininteraction partners, and their chromatin/epigenetic effects in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingxian Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chunmei Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuke Geng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ying Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Weijun Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Sadaruddin Chachar
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Adeel Riaz
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shuangyong Yan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Tianjin Crop Research Institute, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Liwen Yang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Keke Yi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Author for correspondence: (K.Y.), (C.W.), (X.G.)
| | - Changyin Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Author for correspondence: (K.Y.), (C.W.), (X.G.)
| | - Xiaofeng Gu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Author for correspondence: (K.Y.), (C.W.), (X.G.)
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Du D, Zhang D, Yuan J, Feng M, Li Z, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Li X, Ke W, Li R, Chen Z, Chai L, Hu Z, Guo W, Xing J, Su Z, Peng H, Xin M, Yao Y, Sun Q, Liu J, Ni Z. FRIZZY PANICLE defines a regulatory hub for simultaneously controlling spikelet formation and awn elongation in bread wheat. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:814-833. [PMID: 33837555 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Grain yield in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is largely determined by inflorescence architecture. Zang734 is an endemic Tibetan wheat variety that exhibits a rare triple spikelet (TRS) phenotype with significantly increased spikelet/floret number per spike. However, the molecular basis underlying this specific spike morphology is completely unknown. Through map-based cloning, the causal genes for TRS trait in Zang734 were isolated. Furthermore, using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene mutation, transcriptome sequencing and protein-protein interaction, the downstream signalling networks related to spikelet formation and awn elongation were defined. Results showed that the null mutation in WFZP-A together with deletion of WFZP-D led to the TRS trait in Zang734. More interestingly, WFZP plays a dual role in simultaneously repressing spikelet formation gene TaBA1 and activating awn development genes, basically through the recruitments of chromatin remodelling elements and the Mediator complex. Our findings provide insights into the molecular bases by which WFZP suppresses spikelet formation but promotes awn elongation and, more importantly, define WFZP-D as a favourable gene for high-yield crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejie Du
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Dongxue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jun Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Man Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhaoju Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhaoheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiongtao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wensheng Ke
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Renhan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhaoyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lingling Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhaorong Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weilong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiewen Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhenqi Su
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Huiru Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Mingming Xin
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yingyin Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qixin Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhongfu Ni
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization (MOE) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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Fouracre JP, He J, Chen VJ, Sidoli S, Poethig RS. VAL genes regulate vegetative phase change via miR156-dependent and independent mechanisms. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009626. [PMID: 34181637 PMCID: PMC8270478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
How organisms control when to transition between different stages of development is a key question in biology. In plants, epigenetic silencing by Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 plays a crucial role in promoting developmental transitions, including from juvenile-to-adult phases of vegetative growth. PRC1/2 are known to repress the master regulator of vegetative phase change, miR156, leading to the transition to adult growth, but how this process is regulated temporally is unknown. Here we investigate whether transcription factors in the VIVIPAROUS/ABI3-LIKE (VAL) gene family provide the temporal signal for the epigenetic repression of miR156. Exploiting a novel val1 allele, we found that VAL1 and VAL2 redundantly regulate vegetative phase change by controlling the overall level, rather than temporal dynamics, of miR156 expression. Furthermore, we discovered that VAL1 and VAL2 also act independently of miR156 to control this important developmental transition. In combination, our results highlight the complexity of temporal regulation in plants. During their life-cycles multicellular organisms progress through a series of different developmental phases. The correct timing of the transitions between these phases is essential to ensure that development occurs at an appropriate rate and in the right order. In plants, vegetative phase change—the switch from a juvenile to an adult stage of vegetative growth prior to the onset of reproductive development–is a widely conserved transition associated with a number of phenotypic changes. It is therefore an excellent model to investigate the regulation of developmental timing. The timing of vegetative phase change is determined by a decline in the expression of a regulatory microRNA–miRNA156. However, what controls the temporal decline in miR156 expression is a major unknown in the field. In this study we tested whether members of the VAL gene family, known to be important for coordinating plant developmental transitions, are critical regulators of vegetative phase change. Using a series of genetic and biochemical approaches we found that VAL genes are important determinants of the timing of vegetative phase change. However, we discovered that VAL genes function largely to control the overall level, rather than temporal expression pattern, of miR156.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim P. Fouracre
- Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jia He
- Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Victoria J. Chen
- Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - R. Scott Poethig
- Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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