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Yang Y, Chaffin TA, Shao Y, Balasubramanian VK, Markillie M, Mitchell H, Rubio‐Wilhelmi MM, Ahkami AH, Blumwald E, Neal Stewart C. Novel synthetic inducible promoters controlling gene expression during water-deficit stress with green tissue specificity in transgenic poplar. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1596-1609. [PMID: 38232002 PMCID: PMC11123411 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic promoters may be designed using short cis-regulatory elements (CREs) and core promoter sequences for specific purposes. We identified novel conserved DNA motifs from the promoter sequences of leaf palisade and vascular cell type-specific expressed genes in water-deficit stressed poplar (Populus tremula × Populus alba), collected through low-input RNA-seq analysis using laser capture microdissection. Hexamerized sequences of four conserved 20-base motifs were inserted into each synthetic promoter construct. Two of these synthetic promoters (Syn2 and Syn3) induced GFP in transformed poplar mesophyll protoplasts incubated in 0.5 M mannitol solution. To identify effect of length and sequence from a valuable 20 base motif, 5' and 3' regions from a basic sequence (GTTAACTTCAGGGCCTGTGG) of Syn3 were hexamerized to generate two shorter synthetic promoters, Syn3-10b-1 (5': GTTAACTTCA) and Syn3-10b-2 (3': GGGCCTGTGG). These promoters' activities were compared with Syn3 in plants. Syn3 and Syn3-10b-1 were specifically induced in transient agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves in water cessation for 3 days. In stable transgenic poplar, Syn3 presented as a constitutive promoter but had the highest activity in leaves. Syn3-10b-1 had stronger induction in green tissues under water-deficit stress conditions than mock control. Therefore, a synthetic promoter containing the 5' sequence of Syn3 endowed both tissue-specificity and water-deficit inducibility in transgenic poplar, whereas the 3' sequence did not. Consequently, we have added two new synthetic promoters to the poplar engineering toolkit: Syn3-10b-1, a green tissue-specific and water-deficit stress-induced promoter, and Syn3, a green tissue-preferential constitutive promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongil Yang
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic BiologyUniversity of Tennessee Institute of AgricultureKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Timothy A. Chaffin
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic BiologyUniversity of Tennessee Institute of AgricultureKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Yuanhua Shao
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic BiologyUniversity of Tennessee Institute of AgricultureKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Meng Markillie
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryRichlandWAUSA
| | - Hugh Mitchell
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryRichlandWAUSA
| | | | - Amir H. Ahkami
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryRichlandWAUSA
| | - Eduardo Blumwald
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - C. Neal Stewart
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic BiologyUniversity of Tennessee Institute of AgricultureKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
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Bibik JD, Hamberger B. Plant Engineering to Enable Platforms for Sustainable Bioproduction of Terpenoids. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2760:3-20. [PMID: 38468079 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3658-9_1] [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] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Terpenoids represent the most diverse class of natural products, with a broad spectrum of industrial relevance including applications in green solvents, flavors and fragrances, nutraceuticals, colorants, and therapeutics. They are typically challenging to extract from their natural sources, where they occur in small amounts and mixtures of related but unwanted byproducts. Formal chemical synthesis, where established, is reliant on petrochemistry. Hence, there is great interest in developing sustainable solutions to assemble biosynthetic pathways in engineered host organisms. Metabolic engineering for chemical production has largely focused on microbial hosts, yet plants offer a sustainable production platform. In addition to containing the precursor pathways that generate the terpenoid building blocks as well as the cell structures and compartments required, or tractable localization for the enzymes involved, plants may provide a low input system to produce these chemicals using carbon dioxide and sunlight only. There have been significant recent advancements in the discovery of pathways to terpenoids of interest as well as strategies to boost yields in host plants. While part of the phytochemical field is focusing on the discovery of biosynthetic pathways, this review will focus on advancements using the pathway toolbox and toward engineering plants for the production of terpenoids. We will highlight strategies currently used to produce target products, optimization of known pathways to improve yields, compartmentalization of pathways within cells, and genetic tools developed to facilitate complex engineering of biosynthetic pathways. These advancements in Synthetic Biology are bringing engineered plant systems closer to commercially relevant hosts for the bioproduction of terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Bibik
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- MelaTech, LLC, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Björn Hamberger
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Hu Y, Lin Y, Xia Y, Xu X, Wang Z, Cui X, Han L, Li J, Zhang R, Ding Y, Chen L. Overexpression of OsSnRK1a through a green tissue-specific promoter improves rice yield by accelerating sheath-to-panicle transport of nonstructural carbohydrates and increasing leaf photosynthesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108048. [PMID: 37757719 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The redistribution of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in rice (Oryza sativa) sheaths contributes greatly to grain filling. Sucrose nonfermenting-1-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) regulates sheath-to-panicle transport of NSCs during rice grain filling; however, it is unknown whether elevated activity of SnRK1 in sheaths improves NSC transport and grain filling. Expression of OsSnRK1a is mainly responsible for regulating SnRK1 activity in rice sheaths. Analysis of transgenic rice plants containing the OsSnRK1a promoter::GUS construct indicated that OsSnRK1a is widely expressed in rice. Notably, OsSnRK1a is highly expressed in mesophyll cells of sheaths. Therefore, a green tissue promoter specifically expressed in sheaths and leaf parenchyma cells and phloem tissue was used to over-express OsSnRK1a in japonica rice. The transgenic lines exhibited increased SnRK1a expression and SnRK1 activity in sheaths. The NSC and starch in the transgenic lines and WT all showed accumulation before heading and during the early-filling stage, and declining at the peak filling stage. But the starch and NSC content in transgenic lines was lower than that of WT. Moreover, the transgenic lines showed lower sucrose contents and higher sucrose efflux rates. The accelerated sheath NSC transport improved grain filling, and stimulated panicle development in transgenic lines. SnRK1a expression and SnRK1 activity were also increased in the leaves of transgenic lines, which improved leaf photosynthetic activity and contributed to optimal grain filling and panicle development. These results verify the promotion of high SnRK1 activity in sheath NSC transport, and also provide a new approach to improving sheath NSC transport and rice yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Hu
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongqing Xia
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuemei Xu
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziteng Wang
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiran Cui
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Han
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaoyang Li
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongtao Zhang
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanfeng Ding
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production co-sponsored by Province and Ministry, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology & Ecology in Southern China, Ministry of Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production co-sponsored by Province and Ministry, Nanjing, China.
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Kocaoglan EG, Radhakrishnan D, Nakayama N. Synthetic developmental biology: molecular tools to re-design plant shoots and roots. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:3864-3876. [PMID: 37155965 PMCID: PMC10826796 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plant morphology and anatomy strongly influence agricultural yield. Crop domestication has strived for desirable growth and developmental traits, such as larger and more fruits and semi-dwarf architecture. Genetic engineering has accelerated rational, purpose-driven engineering of plant development, but it can be unpredictable. Developmental pathways are complex and riddled with environmental and hormonal inputs, as well as feedback and feedforward interactions, which occur at specific times and places in a growing multicellular organism. Rational modification of plant development would probably benefit from precision engineering based on synthetic biology approaches. This review outlines recently developed synthetic biology technologies for plant systems and highlights their potential for engineering plant growth and development. Streamlined and high-capacity genetic construction methods (Golden Gate DNA Assembly frameworks and toolkits) allow fast and variation-series cloning of multigene transgene constructs. This, together with a suite of gene regulation tools (e.g. cell type-specific promoters, logic gates, and multiplex regulation systems), is starting to enable developmental pathway engineering with predictable outcomes in model plant and crop species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Gediz Kocaoglan
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dhanya Radhakrishnan
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Naomi Nakayama
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Chang X, Yang M, Li H, Wu J, Zhang J, Yin C, Ma W, Chen H, Zhou F, Lin Y. Cloning of the promoter of rice brown planthopper feeding-inducible gene OsTPS31 and identification of related cis-regulatory elements. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1809-1819. [PMID: 36637212 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens) is one of the most serious pests of rice in the world. Insect-resistant genetic engineering is a very effective technology to control BPH. The promoters and cis-regulatory elements inducible by plant-feeding insects are critical for genetic engineering of insect-resistant crops. RESULTS In this study, we cloned a promoter Ptps31 and a 7 bp cis-regulatory sequence that up-regulated downstream genes induced by BPH feeding. The promoter of OsTPS31 (Ptps31) unresponsive to physical damage but responsive to BPH feeding was cloned and functionally verified. The results showed that expression of the OsBPH14 gene driven by the promoter region from -510 to -246 bp in rice could significantly improve the resistance to BPH. The promoter region from -376 to -370 bp (TAGTGTC) was identified as a cis-regulatory sequence related to BPH feeding induction of downstream gene expression. CONCLUSION The findings provide a new promoter and a new cis-regulatory sequence tool for the research on and application of rice BPH resistance genes, as well as a new perspective for functional analysis of the OsTPS31 gene. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Chang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanpeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiemin Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Changxi Yin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Koukara J, Papadopoulou KK. Advances in plant synthetic biology approaches to control expression of gene circuits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 654:55-61. [PMID: 36889035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The applications of synthetic biology range from creating simple circuits to monitor an organism's state to complex circuits capable of reconstructing aspects of life. The latter has the potential to be used in plant synthetic biology to address current societal issues by reforming agriculture and enhancing production of molecules of increased demand. For this reason, development of efficient tools to precisely control gene expression of circuits must be prioritized. In this review, we report the latest efforts towards characterization, standardization and assembly of genetic parts into higher-order constructs, as well as available types of inducible systems to modulate their transcription in plant systems. Subsequently, we discuss recent developments in the orthogonal control of gene expression, Boolean logic gates and synthetic genetic toggle-like switches. Finally, we conclude that by combining different means of controlling gene expression, we can create complex circuits capable of reshaping plant life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Koukara
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliope K Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
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7
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Identification and Functional Analysis of the Promoter of a Leucoanthocyanidin Reductase Gene from Gossypium hirsutum. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:645-654. [PMID: 36155889 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) is the critical enzyme in the synthesis pathway of proanthocyanidins, which are the primary pigments in brown cotton fibers. Our previous study has revealed significant differences in the expression levels of GhLAR1 between white and brown cotton fibers at 10 DPA. In this work, the expression pattern of the GhLAR1 gene was further studied, and the promoter of GhLAR1 (1780 bp) was isolated and characterized. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that GhLAR1 promoter contained many known light response elements and several defenses related to transcriptional factor-binding boxes, which may partially explain the response of the GhLAR1 to temperature, NaCl, and PEG treatments. Furthermore, GhLAR1 was preferentially and strongly expressed in fibers and flowers of cotton, and the expression levels in all tested tissues (especially fibers) of brown cotton were significantly higher than those in white cotton. Consistent with the expression analysis, the GhLAR1 promoter mainly drove GUS expression in epidermal trichomes and floral organs.
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Yasmeen E, Wang J, Riaz M, Zhang L, Zuo K. Designing artificial synthetic promoters for accurate, smart, and versatile gene expression in plants. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023:100558. [PMID: 36760129 PMCID: PMC10363483 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the development of high-throughput biology techniques and artificial intelligence, it has become increasingly feasible to design and construct artificial biological parts, modules, circuits, and even whole systems. To overcome the limitations of native promoters in controlling gene expression, artificial promoter design aims to synthesize short, inducible, and conditionally controlled promoters to coordinate the expression of multiple genes in diverse plant metabolic and signaling pathways. Synthetic promoters are versatile and can drive gene expression accurately with smart responses; they show potential for enhancing desirable traits in crops, thereby improving crop yield, nutritional quality, and food security. This review first illustrates the importance of synthetic promoters, then introduces promoter architecture and thoroughly summarizes advances in synthetic promoter construction. Restrictions to the development of synthetic promoters and future applications of such promoters in synthetic plant biology and crop improvement are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erum Yasmeen
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lida Zhang
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kaijing Zuo
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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9
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Brophy JAN, Magallon KJ, Duan L, Zhong V, Ramachandran P, Kniazev K, Dinneny JR. Synthetic genetic circuits as a means of reprogramming plant roots. Science 2022; 377:747-751. [PMID: 35951698 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo4326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The shape of a plant's root system influences its ability to reach essential nutrients in the soil and to acquire water during drought. Progress in engineering plant roots to optimize water and nutrient acquisition has been limited by our capacity to design and build genetic programs that alter root growth in a predictable manner. We developed a collection of synthetic transcriptional regulators for plants that can be compiled to create genetic circuits. These circuits control gene expression by performing Boolean logic operations and can be used to predictably alter root structure. This work demonstrates the potential of synthetic genetic circuits to control gene expression across tissues and reprogram plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A N Brophy
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Lina Duan
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vivian Zhong
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Kiril Kniazev
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - José R Dinneny
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Lin M, Yan J, Ali MM, Wang S, Tian S, Chen F, Lin Z. Isolation and Functional Characterization of a Green-Tissue Promoter in Japonica Rice (Oryza sativa subsp. Japonica). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081092. [PMID: 35892948 PMCID: PMC9332004 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Transgenic applications have largely focused on constitutive promoters in plants. However, strong and continuous over-expression of certain genes may be redundant and even harmful to plant growth. Thus, tissue-specific promoters are the most suitable for regulating target gene expression. Although several tissue-specific promoters have been identified, the regulatory mechanism of tissue-specific gene expression remains unclear. By a series of GUS staining of 5′ and 3′ deletions, we uncover tissue-specific cis-acting elements in GSX7R, including ten light-responsive elements. The results reveal that GSX7R is a reverse green tissue-specific promoter, except in endosperm. In contrast, strong tissue-specific promoters that can be used for rice improvements are limited. In this study, we successfully showed that the GSX7R promoter can drive the Cry1Ab gene to resistant rice yellow stem borer. In addition, our study demonstrates an effective promoter to drive foreign genes for crop improvement. Abstract Plant promoters play a vital role in the initiation and regulation of gene transcription. In this study, a rice protein/gene of unknown expression, named Os8GSX7, was gained from a rice T-DNA capture line. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the gene was only expressed in root, glume, and flower, but not in stem, leaf, embryo, and endosperm of japonica rice. The GUS activity analysis of the GSX7R promoter showed that it was a reverse green tissue expression promoter, except in endosperm. The forward promoter of GSX7 cannot normally drive the expression of the foreign GUS gene, while the reverse promoter of GSX7 is a green tissue-specific expression promoter, which can drive the expression of the foreign GUS gene. The region from −2097 to −1543 bp was the key region for controlling the green tissue-specific expression. The regulatory sequences with different lengths from the 2097 bp reverse sequence from the upstream region of the Os8GSX7 were fused with the GUS reporter gene and stably expressed in rice. Furthermore, transgenic rice plants carrying Cry1Ab encoding Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin, regulated by GSX7R, were resistant to yellow stem borer. The analysis suggested that 10 light responsive elements of tissue-specific expression were found, including ACE, Box4, CAT-box, G-Box, G-box, GATA motif, GC motif, I-box, Sp1, and chs-unit1 M1. In addition, the results of 5′ and 3′ deletions further speculated that ACE and I-box may be the key elements for determining the green tissue-specific expression of GSX7R promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Lin
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Biotechnology Institute, Fuzhou 350003, China; (M.L.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jingwan Yan
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Biotechnology Institute, Fuzhou 350003, China; (M.L.); (J.Y.)
| | - Muhammad Moaaz Ali
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.M.A.); (S.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Shaojuan Wang
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.M.A.); (S.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Shengnan Tian
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.M.A.); (S.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Faxing Chen
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (M.M.A.); (S.W.); (S.T.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhimin Lin
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Biotechnology Institute, Fuzhou 350003, China; (M.L.); (J.Y.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (Z.L.)
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11
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Li H, Xu X, Han K, Wang Z, Ma W, Lin Y, Hua H. Isolation and functional analysis of OsAOS1 promoter for resistance to Nilaparvata lugens Stål infestation in rice. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:1833-1844. [PMID: 34908164 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30653] [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: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Insect pests have a great impact on the yield and quality of crops. Insecticide applications are an effective method of pest control, however, they also have adverse effects on the environment. Using insect-inducible promoters to drive insect-resistant genes in transgenic crops is a potential sustainable pest management strategy, but insect-inducible promoters have been rarely reported. In this study, we found rice allene oxide synthase gene (AOS, LOC_Os03g12500) can be highly upregulated following brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) infestation. Then, we amplified the promoter of OsAOS1 and the β- glucuronidase reporter gene was used to analyze the expression pattern of the promoter. Through a series of 5' truncated assays, three positive regulatory regions in response to BPH infestation in the promoter were identified. The transgenic plants, P1R123-min 35S and P1TR1-min 35S promoter-driven snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, GNA) gene, demonstrated the highest expression levels of GNA and lowest BPH survival. Our work identified a BPH-inducible promoter and three positive regions within it. Transgenic rice with GNA driven by OsAOS1 promoter and positive regions exhibited an expected lethal effect on BPH. This study proved the application potential of BPH-inducible promoter and provided a novel path for the selection of insect-resistant tools in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanpeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xueliang Xu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kehong Han
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhengjie Wang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hongxia Hua
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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12
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Huang D, Kosentka PZ, Liu W. Synthetic biology approaches in regulation of targeted gene expression. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:102036. [PMID: 33930839 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches are highly sought-after to facilitate the regulation of targeted gene expression in plants for functional genomics research and crop trait improvement. To date, synthetic regulation of gene expression predominantly focuses at the transcription level via engineering of synthetic promoters and transcription factors, while pioneering examples have started to emerge for synthetic regulation of gene expression at the levels of mRNA stability, translation, and protein degradation. This review discusses recent advances in plant synthetic biology for the regulation of gene expression at multiple levels, and highlights their future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debao Huang
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Pawel Z Kosentka
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Wusheng Liu
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
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Perspectives for epigenetic editing in crops. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:381-400. [PMID: 33891288 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific nucleases (SSNs) have drawn much attention in plant biotechnology due to their ability to drive precision mutagenesis, gene targeting or allele replacement. However, when devoid of its nuclease activity, the underlying DNA-binding activity of SSNs can be used to bring other protein functional domains close to specific genomic sites, thus expanding further the range of applications of the technology. In particular, the addition of functional domains encoding epigenetic effectors and chromatin modifiers to the CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoprotein complex opens the possibility to introduce targeted epigenomic modifications in plants in an easily programmable manner. Here we examine some of the most important agronomic traits known to be controlled epigenetically and review the best studied epigenetic catalytic effectors in plants, such as DNA methylases/demethylases or histone acetylases/deacetylases and their associated marks. We also review the most efficient strategies developed to date to functionalize Cas proteins with both catalytic and non-catalytic epigenetic effectors, and the ability of these domains to influence the expression of endogenous genes in a regulatable manner. Based on these new technical developments, we discuss the possibilities offered by epigenetic editing tools in plant biotechnology and their implications in crop breeding.
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Li H, Wang Z, Han K, Guo M, Zou Y, Zhang W, Ma W, Hua H. Cloning and functional identification of a Chilo suppressalis-inducible promoter of rice gene, OsHPL2. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:3177-3187. [PMID: 32336018 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoters play a key role in driving insect-resistant genes during breeding of transgenic plants. In current transgenic procedures for breeding rice resistance to striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker, SSB), the constitutive promoter is used to drive the insect-resistant gene. To reduce the burden of constitutive promoters on plant growth, isolation and identification of insect-inducible promoters are particularly important. However, few promoters are induced specifically by insect feeding. RESULTS We found rice hydroperoxide lyase gene (OsHPL2) (LOC_Os02g12680) was upregulated after feeding by SSB. We subsequently cloned the promoter of OsHPL2 and analysed its expression pattern using the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Histochemical assays and quantitative analyses of GUS activity confirmed that P HPL2 :GUS was activated by SSB, but did not respond to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) infestation, mechanical wounding or phytohormone treatments. A series of 5' truncated assays were conducted and three positive regulatory regions (-1452 to -1213, -903 to -624, and -376 to -176) induced by SSB infestation were identified. P2R123-min 35S and P2TR2-min 35S promoters linked with cry1C of transgenic plants showed the highest levels of Cry1C protein expression and SSB larval mortality. CONCLUSION We identified an SSB-inducible promoter and three positive internal regions. Transgenic rice plants with the OsHPL2 promoter and its positive regions driving cry1C exhibited the expected larvicidal effect on SSB. Our study is the first report of an SSB-inducible promoter that could be used as a potential resource for breeding insect-resistant transgenic crops. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanpeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengjie Wang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kehong Han
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengjian Guo
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yulan Zou
- College of Life Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongxia Hua
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Ali S, Kim WC. A Fruitful Decade Using Synthetic Promoters in the Improvement of Transgenic Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1433. [PMID: 31737027 PMCID: PMC6838210 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Advances in plant biotechnology provide various means to improve crop productivity and greatly contributing to sustainable agriculture. A significant advance in plant biotechnology has been the availability of novel synthetic promoters for precise spatial and temporal control of transgene expression. In this article, we review the development of various synthetic promotors and the rise of their use over the last several decades for regulating the transcription of various transgenes. Similarly, we provided a brief description of the structure and scope of synthetic promoters and the engineering of their cis-regulatory elements for different targets. Moreover, the functional characteristics of different synthetic promoters, their modes of regulating the expression of candidate genes in response to different conditions, and the resulting plant trait improvements reported in the past decade are discussed.
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