1
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Peer LA, Bhat MY, Lone AA, Dar ZA, Mir BA. Genetic, molecular and physiological crosstalk during drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays): pathways to resilient agriculture. PLANTA 2024; 260:81. [PMID: 39196449 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04517-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION This review comprehensively elucidates maize drought tolerance mechanisms, vital for global food security. It highlights genetic networks, key genes, CRISPR-Cas applications, and physiological responses, guiding resilient variety development. Maize, a globally significant crop, confronts the pervasive challenge of drought stress, impacting its growth and yield significantly. Drought, an important abiotic stress, triggers a spectrum of alterations encompassing maize's morphological, biochemical, and physiological dimensions. Unraveling and understanding these mechanisms assumes paramount importance for ensuring global food security. Approaches like developing drought-tolerant varieties and harnessing genomic and molecular applications emerge as effective measures to mitigate the negative effects of drought. The multifaceted nature of drought tolerance in maize has been unfolded through complex genetic networks. Additionally, quantitative trait loci mapping and genome-wide association studies pinpoint key genes associated with drought tolerance, influencing morphophysiological traits and yield. Furthermore, transcription factors like ZmHsf28, ZmNAC20, and ZmNF-YA1 play pivotal roles in drought response through hormone signaling, stomatal regulation, and gene expression. Genes, such as ZmSAG39, ZmRAFS, and ZmBSK1, have been reported to be pivotal in enhancing drought tolerance through diverse mechanisms. Integration of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, targeting genes like gl2 and ZmHDT103, emerges as crucial for precise genetic enhancement, highlighting its role in safeguarding global food security amid pervasive drought challenges. Thus, decoding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of drought tolerance in maize sheds light on its resilience and paves the way for cultivating robust and climate-smart varieties, thus safeguarding global food security amid climate challenges. This comprehensive review covers quantitative trait loci mapping, genome-wide association studies, key genes and functions, CRISPR-Cas applications, transcription factors, physiological responses, signaling pathways, offering a nuanced understanding of intricate mechanisms involved in maize drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latif A Peer
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India.
| | - Mohd Y Bhat
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Ajaz A Lone
- Dryland Agriculture Research Station, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 191121, India
| | - Zahoor A Dar
- Dryland Agriculture Research Station, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 191121, India
| | - Bilal A Mir
- Department of Botany, North Campus, University of Kashmir, Delina, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 193201, India
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2
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Kim Y, Castroverde CDM, Kim JH. Natural allelic diversity of the calcium signaling regulators in plants. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100104. [PMID: 39098739 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100104] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Calcium ions act as secondary messengers in diverse signaling pathways in plants throughout their life cycle. Studies have revealed that calcium is involved in developmental events and in responses to external stimuli, such as biotic and abiotic stresses. Cellular calcium ion levels are tightly controlled by intricate molecular machinery such as calcium channels and pumps. Transient and spatial fluctuations in calcium levels are subsequently recognized by diverse calcium-decoding molecules, resulting in signal transduction. In this review, we highlight recent findings on natural variations in genes controlling calcium signaling in diverse plant biological processes. We then show how the calcium ion context is utilized by fine-tuning the natural variation in centrally important genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | | | - Jong Hum Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea; Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea.
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3
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Liu F, Lu JY, Li S, Zhang Y. Protein S-acylation, a new panacea for plant fitness. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39056533 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Protein S-acylation or palmitoylation is a reversible post-translational modification that influences many proteins encoded in plant genomes. Exciting progress in the past 3 years demonstrates that S-acylation modulates subcellular localization, interacting profiles, activity, or turnover of substrate proteins in plants, participating in developmental processes and responses to abiotic or biotic stresses. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of S-acylation in the targeting of substrate proteins. We highlight complex roles of S-acylation in receptor signaling. We also point out that feedbacks of protein S-acyl transferase by signaling initiated from their substrate proteins may be a recurring theme. Finally, the reversibility of S-acylation makes it a rapid and efficient way to respond to environmental cues. Future efforts on exploring these important aspects of S-acylation will give a better understanding of how plants enhance their fitness under ever changing and often harsh environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jin-Yu Lu
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Sha Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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4
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Jamil S, Ahmad S, Shahzad R, Umer N, Kanwal S, Rehman HM, Rana IA, Atif RM. Leveraging Multiomics Insights and Exploiting Wild Relatives' Potential for Drought and Heat Tolerance in Maize. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:16048-16075. [PMID: 38980762 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Climate change, particularly drought and heat stress, may slash agricultural productivity by 25.7% by 2080, with maize being the hardest hit. Therefore, unraveling the molecular nature of plant responses to these stressors is vital for the development of climate-smart maize. This manuscript's primary objective was to examine how maize plants respond to these stresses, both individually and in combination. Additionally, the paper delved into harnessing the potential of maize wild relatives as a valuable genetic resource and leveraging AI-based technologies to boost maize resilience. The role of multiomics approaches particularly genomics and transcriptomics in dissecting the genetic basis of stress tolerance was also highlighted. The way forward was proposed to utilize a bunch of information obtained through omics technologies by an interdisciplinary state-of-the-art forward-looking big-data, cyberagriculture system, and AI-based approach to orchestrate the development of climate resilient maize genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakra Jamil
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shakeel Ahmad
- Seed Centre and Plant Genetic Resources Bank Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh 14712, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahil Shahzad
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Noroza Umer
- Dr. Ikram ul Haq - Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Shamsa Kanwal
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Mamoon Rehman
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Iqrar Ahmad Rana
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rana Muhammad Atif
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- Precision Agriculture and Analytics Lab, Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, National Centre in Big Data and Cloud Computing, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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5
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Wu Z, Wang T, Chen J, Zhang Y, Lv G. Sweet corn association panel and genome-wide association analysis reveal loci for chilling-tolerant germination. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10791. [PMID: 38734751 PMCID: PMC11088700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Sweet corn is highly susceptible to the deleterious effects of low temperatures during the initial stages of growth and development. Employing a 56K chip, high-throughput single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequencing was conducted on 100 sweet corn inbred lines. Subsequently, six germination indicators-germination rate, germination index, germination time, relative germination rate, relative germination index, and relative germination time-were utilized for genome-wide association analysis. Candidate genes were identified via comparative analysis of homologous genes in Arabidopsis and rice, and their functions were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results revealed 35,430 high-quality SNPs, 16 of which were significantly correlated. Within 50 kb upstream and downstream of the identified SNPs, 46 associated genes were identified, of which six were confirmed as candidate genes. Their expression patterns indicated that Zm11ΒHSDL5 and Zm2OGO likely play negative and positive regulatory roles, respectively, in the low-temperature germination of sweet corn. Thus, we determined that these two genes are responsible for regulating the low-temperature germination of sweet corn. This study contributes valuable theoretical support for improving sweet corn breeding and may aid in the creation of specific germplasm resources geared toward enhancing low-temperature tolerance in sweet corn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Wu
- Institute of Maize and Featured Upland Crops, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongyang, 322100, China
| | - Tingzhen Wang
- Institute of Maize and Featured Upland Crops, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongyang, 322100, China
| | - Jianjian Chen
- Institute of Maize and Featured Upland Crops, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongyang, 322100, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Horticultural Research Institute, Jilin City Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jilin, 132000, China
| | - Guihua Lv
- Institute of Maize and Featured Upland Crops, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongyang, 322100, China.
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6
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Zhang Y, Wu X, Wang X, Dai M, Peng Y. Crop root system architecture in drought response. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00100-0. [PMID: 38723744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Drought is a natural disaster that profoundly impacts on global agricultural production, significantly reduces crop yields, and thereby poses a severe threat to worldwide food security. Addressing the challenge of effectively improving crop drought resistance (DR) to mitigate yield loss under drought conditions is a global issue. An optimal root system architecture (RSA) plays a pivotal role in enhancing crops' capacity to efficiently uptake water and nutrients, which consequently strengthens their resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we discuss the compositions and roles of crop RSA and summarize the most recent developments in augmenting drought tolerance in crops by manipulating RSA-related genes. Based on the current research, we propose the potential optimal RSA configuration that could be helpful in enhancing crop DR. Lastly, we discussed the existing challenges and future directions for breeding crops with enhanced DR capabilities through genetic improvements targeting RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Crop Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest Cold and Arid Regions, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
| | - Xi Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, HuBei 430070, China
| | - Xingrong Wang
- Crop Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest Cold and Arid Regions, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
| | - Mingqiu Dai
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, HuBei 430070, China.
| | - Yunling Peng
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.
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7
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Voothuluru P, Wu Y, Sharp RE. Not so hidden anymore: Advances and challenges in understanding root growth under water deficits. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:1377-1409. [PMID: 38382086 PMCID: PMC11062450 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Limited water availability is a major environmental factor constraining plant development and crop yields. One of the prominent adaptations of plants to water deficits is the maintenance of root growth that enables sustained access to soil water. Despite early recognition of the adaptive significance of root growth maintenance under water deficits, progress in understanding has been hampered by the inherent complexity of root systems and their interactions with the soil environment. We highlight selected milestones in the understanding of root growth responses to water deficits, with emphasis on founding studies that have shaped current knowledge and set the stage for further investigation. We revisit the concept of integrated biophysical and metabolic regulation of plant growth and use this framework to review central growth-regulatory processes occurring within root growth zones under water stress at subcellular to organ scales. Key topics include the primary processes of modifications of cell wall-yielding properties and osmotic adjustment, as well as regulatory roles of abscisic acid and its interactions with other hormones. We include consideration of long-recognized responses for which detailed mechanistic understanding has been elusive until recently, for example hydrotropism, and identify gaps in knowledge, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Voothuluru
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Yajun Wu
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Robert E Sharp
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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8
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Li R, Wang Y, Li D, Guo Y, Zhou Z, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Würschum T, Liu W. Meta-Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis and Candidate Gene Mining for Drought Tolerance-Associated Traits in Maize ( Zea mays L.). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4295. [PMID: 38673880 PMCID: PMC11049847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses with a severe negative impact on maize production globally. Understanding the genetic architecture of drought tolerance in maize is a crucial step towards the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties and a targeted exploitation of genetic resources. In this study, 511 quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to grain yield components, flowering time, and plant morphology under drought conditions, as well as drought tolerance index were collected from 27 published studies and then projected on the IBM2 2008 Neighbors reference map for meta-analysis. In total, 83 meta-QTL (MQTL) associated with drought tolerance in maize were identified, of which 20 were determined as core MQTL. The average confidence interval of MQTL was strongly reduced compared to that of the previously published QTL. Nearly half of the MQTL were confirmed by co-localized marker-trait associations from genome-wide association studies. Based on the alignment of rice proteins related to drought tolerance, 63 orthologous genes were identified near the maize MQTL. Furthermore, 583 candidate genes were identified within the 20 core MQTL regions and maize-rice homologous genes. Based on KEGG analysis of candidate genes, plant hormone signaling pathways were found to be significantly enriched. The signaling pathways can have direct or indirect effects on drought tolerance and also interact with other pathways. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in maize towards a more targeted improvement of this important trait in breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronglan Li
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Yueli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuhang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Mi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis and Utilization, The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Beijing Municipality, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya 572025, China
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9
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Tian Y, Zeng H, Wu JC, Dai GX, Zheng HP, Liu C, Wang Y, Zhou ZK, Tang DY, Deng GF, Tang WB, Liu XM, Lin JZ. The zinc finger protein DHHC09 S-acylates the kinase STRK1 to regulate H2O2 homeostasis and promote salt tolerance in rice. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:919-940. [PMID: 38180963 PMCID: PMC10980341 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinity results in oxidative stress and heavy losses to crop production. The S-acylated protein SALT TOLERANCE RECEPTOR-LIKE CYTOPLASMIC KINASE 1 (STRK1) phosphorylates and activates CATALASE C (CatC) to improve rice (Oryza sativa L.) salt tolerance, but the molecular mechanism underlying its S-acylation involved in salt signal transduction awaits elucidation. Here, we show that the DHHC-type zinc finger protein DHHC09 S-acylates STRK1 at Cys5, Cys10, and Cys14 and promotes salt and oxidative stress tolerance by enhancing rice H2O2-scavenging capacity. This modification determines STRK1 targeting to the plasma membrane or lipid nanodomains and is required for its function. DHHC09 promotes salt signaling from STRK1 to CatC via transphosphorylation, and its deficiency impairs salt signal transduction. Our findings demonstrate that DHHC09 S-acylates and anchors STRK1 to the plasma membrane to promote salt signaling from STRK1 to CatC, thereby regulating H2O2 homeostasis and improving salt stress tolerance in rice. Moreover, overexpression of DHHC09 in rice mitigates grain yield loss under salt stress. Together, these results shed light on the mechanism underlying the role of S-acylation in RLK/RLCK-mediated salt signal transduction and provide a strategy for breeding highly salt-tolerant rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Ji-Cai Wu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Gao-Xing Dai
- Rice Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530007, China
| | - He-Ping Zheng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Zheng-Kun Zhou
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Dong-Ying Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Guo-Fu Deng
- Rice Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530007, China
| | - Wen-Bang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Xuan-Ming Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Lin
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Changsha, 410125, China
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10
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Xie S, Luo H, Huang W, Jin W, Dong Z. Striking a growth-defense balance: Stress regulators that function in maize development. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:424-442. [PMID: 37787439 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13570] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) cultivation is strongly affected by both abiotic and biotic stress, leading to reduced growth and productivity. It has recently become clear that regulators of plant stress responses, including the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), and jasmonic acid (JA), together with reactive oxygen species (ROS), shape plant growth and development. Beyond their well established functions in stress responses, these molecules play crucial roles in balancing growth and defense, which must be finely tuned to achieve high yields in crops while maintaining some level of defense. In this review, we provide an in-depth analysis of recent research on the developmental functions of stress regulators, focusing specifically on maize. By unraveling the contributions of these regulators to maize development, we present new avenues for enhancing maize cultivation and growth while highlighting the potential risks associated with manipulating stress regulators to enhance grain yields in the face of environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Xie
- Maize Engineering and Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hongbing Luo
- Maize Engineering and Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weiwei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Breeding of Major Crops, Fresh Corn Research Center of BTH, College of Agronomy & Resources and Environment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Zhaobin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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11
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Yu B, Chao DY, Zhao Y. How plants sense and respond to osmotic stress. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:394-423. [PMID: 38329193 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Drought is one of the most serious abiotic stresses to land plants. Plants sense and respond to drought stress to survive under water deficiency. Scientists have studied how plants sense drought stress, or osmotic stress caused by drought, ever since Charles Darwin, and gradually obtained clues about osmotic stress sensing and signaling in plants. Osmotic stress is a physical stimulus that triggers many physiological changes at the cellular level, including changes in turgor, cell wall stiffness and integrity, membrane tension, and cell fluid volume, and plants may sense some of these stimuli and trigger downstream responses. In this review, we emphasized water potential and movements in organisms, compared putative signal inputs in cell wall-containing and cell wall-free organisms, prospected how plants sense changes in turgor, membrane tension, and cell fluid volume under osmotic stress according to advances in plants, animals, yeasts, and bacteria, summarized multilevel biochemical and physiological signal outputs, such as plasma membrane nanodomain formation, membrane water permeability, root hydrotropism, root halotropism, Casparian strip and suberin lamellae, and finally proposed a hypothesis that osmotic stress responses are likely to be a cocktail of signaling mediated by multiple osmosensors. We also discussed the core scientific questions, provided perspective about the future directions in this field, and highlighted the importance of robust and smart root systems and efficient source-sink allocations for generating future high-yield stress-resistant crops and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dai-Yin Chao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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12
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Mo YX, Kan YZ, Jia LM, Cao XT, Sikandar A, Wu HY. Characterization and Effect of a Nematophagous Fungus Talaromyces cystophila sp. nov. for the Biological Control of Corn Cyst Nematode. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:618-629. [PMID: 37889191 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-02-23-0045-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic of plant-parasitic nematode populations in soil is closely related to soil microorganisms. Fungi from Heterodera zeae cysts were isolated to explore the phenomenon of decline in the H. zeae population in the soil. Phylogenetic study of partial ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2 gene sequences, in addition to morphological investigations, was utilized to identify a nematode-destroying fungus. The nematicidal activity of a novel strain GX1 against H. zeae was assessed in vitro and in the greenhouse. Our findings revealed that strain GX1 is a new species of Talaromyces, named Talaromyces cystophila. It has a strong parasitic and lethal effect on H. zeae cysts, with 91.11% parasitism on cysts at 3 days after treatment. The contents of second-stage juveniles (J2s) and eggs inside the cysts were degraded and formed dense vacuoles, and the damaged eggs could not hatch normally. The spore suspension exhibited high nematophagous activity against nematodes, and fermentation filtrate exhibited marked inhibition of egg hatching and nematicidal activities on J2s. The hatching inhibition rates of eggs exposed to 1 × 108 CFU/ml spore suspensions or 20% 1-week fermentation filtrate (1-WF) for 15 days were 98.56 and 100%, respectively. The mortality of J2s exposed to 1 × 108 CFU/ml spore suspension reached 100% at 24 h; exposure to 50% 2-WF was 98.65 and 100% at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Greenhouse experiments revealed that the spore suspension and fermentation broth considerably decreased H. zeae reproduction by 56.17 to 78.76%. T. cystophila is a potential biocontrol strain with nematophagous and nematicidal activity that deserves attention and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xue Mo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yuan Zi Kan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lu Ming Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiao Tian Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Aatika Sikandar
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hai Yan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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13
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Liu B, Wang N, Yang R, Wang X, Luo P, Chen Y, Wang F, Li M, Weng J, Zhang D, Yong H, Han J, Zhou Z, Zhang X, Hao Z, Li X. ZmADF5, a Maize Actin-Depolymerizing Factor Conferring Enhanced Drought Tolerance in Maize. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:619. [PMID: 38475468 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Drought stress is seriously affecting the growth and production of crops, especially when agricultural irrigation still remains quantitatively restricted in some arid and semi-arid areas. The identification of drought-tolerant genes is important for improving the adaptability of maize under stress. Here, we found that a new member of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) family; the ZmADF5 gene was tightly linked with a consensus drought-tolerant quantitative trait locus, and the significantly associated signals were detected through genome wide association analysis. ZmADF5 expression could be induced by osmotic stress and the application of exogenous abscisic acid. Its overexpression in Arabidopsis and maize helped plants to keep a higher survival rate after water-deficit stress, which reduced the stomatal aperture and the water-loss rate, as well as improved clearance of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, seventeen differentially expressed genes were identified as regulated by both drought stress and ZmADF5, four of which were involved in the ABA-dependent drought stress response. ZmADF5-overexpressing plants were also identified as sensitive to ABA during the seed germination and seedling stages. These results suggested that ZmADF5 played an important role in the response to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ruisi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Mingshun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jianfeng Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Degui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongjun Yong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jienan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuecai Zhang
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. Postal 6-641, Texcoco 06600, Mexico
| | - Zhuanfang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xinhai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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14
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Lampugnani ER, Persson S, Khan GA. Tip Growth Defective1 interacts with the cellulose synthase complex to regulate cellulose synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292149. [PMID: 38358988 PMCID: PMC10868759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant cells possess robust and flexible cell walls composed primarily of cellulose, a polysaccharide that provides structural support and enables cell expansion. Cellulose is synthesised by the Cellulose Synthase A (CESA) catalytic subunits, which form cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs). While significant progress has been made in unravelling CSC function, the trafficking of CSCs and the involvement of post-translational modifications in cellulose synthesis remain poorly understood. In order to deepen our understanding of cellulose biosynthesis, this study utilised immunoprecipitation techniques with CESA6 as the bait protein to explore the CSC and its interactors. We have successfully identified the essential components of the CSC complex and, notably, uncovered novel interactors associated with CSC trafficking, post-translational modifications, and the coordination of cell wall synthesis. Moreover, we identified TIP GROWTH DEFECTIVE 1 (TIP1) protein S-acyl transferases (PATs) as an interactor of the CSC complex. We confirmed the interaction between TIP1 and the CSC complex through multiple independent approaches. Further analysis revealed that tip1 mutants exhibited stunted growth and reduced levels of crystalline cellulose in leaves. These findings suggest that TIP1 positively influences cellulose biosynthesis, potentially mediated by its role in the S-acylation of the CSC complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin R. Lampugnani
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Staffan Persson
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Copenhagen Plant Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ghazanfar Abbas Khan
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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15
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Zeng J, Wang Y, Wu G, Sun Q, He X, Zhang X, Sun X, Zhao Y, Liu W, Xu D, Dai X, Ma W. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Genes and Pathways Related to Wheat Root Hair Length. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2069. [PMID: 38396749 PMCID: PMC10889798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tube-like outgrowths from root epidermal cells, known as root hairs, enhance water and nutrient absorption, facilitate microbial interactions, and contribute to plant anchorage by expanding the root surface area. Genetically regulated and strongly influenced by environmental conditions, longer root hairs generally enhance water and nutrient absorption, correlating with increased stress resistance. Wheat, a globally predominant crop pivotal for human nutrition, necessitates the identification of long root hair genotypes and their regulatory genes to enhance nutrient capture and yield potential. This study focused on 261 wheat samples of diverse genotypes during germination, revealing noticeable disparities in the length of the root hair among the genotypes. Notably, two long root hair genotypes (W106 and W136) and two short root hair genotypes (W90 and W100) were identified. Transcriptome sequencing resulted in the development of 12 root cDNA libraries, unveiling 1180 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further analyses, including GO function annotation, KEGG enrichment, MapMan metabolic pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network prediction, underscored the upregulation of root hair length regulatory genes in the long root hair genotypes. These included genes are associated with GA and BA hormone signaling pathways, FRS/FRF and bHLH transcription factors, phenylpropanoid, lignin, lignan secondary metabolic pathways, the peroxidase gene for maintaining ROS steady state, and the ankyrin gene with diverse biological functions. This study contributes valuable insights into modulating the length of wheat root hair and identifies candidate genes for the genetic improvement of wheat root traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin Zeng
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Yongmei Wang
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Gang Wu
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Qingyi Sun
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Xiaoyan He
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Xuelian Sun
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Yan Zhao
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Wenxing Liu
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Dengan Xu
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Xuehuan Dai
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Wujun Ma
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.D.)
- Academy of Dongying Efficient Agricultural Technology and Industry on Saline and Alkaline Land in Collaboration with Qingdao Agricultural University, Dongying 257347, China
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16
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Nasr Esfahani M, Sonnewald U. Unlocking dynamic root phenotypes for simultaneous enhancement of water and phosphorus uptake. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 207:108386. [PMID: 38280257 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) and water are crucial for plant growth, but their availability is challenged by climate change, leading to reduced crop production and global food security. In many agricultural soils, crop productivity is confronted by both water and P limitations. The diminished soil moisture decreases available P due to reduced P diffusion, and inadequate P availability diminishes tissue water status through modifications in stomatal conductance and a decrease in root hydraulic conductance. P and water display contrasting distributions in the soil, with P being concentrated in the topsoil and water in the subsoil. Plants adapt to water- and P-limited environments by efficiently exploring localized resource hotspots of P and water through the adaptation of their root system. Thus, developing cultivars with improved root architecture is crucial for accessing and utilizing P and water from arid and P-deficient soils. To meet this goal, breeding towards multiple advantageous root traits can lead to better cultivars for water- and P-limited environments. This review discusses the interplay of P and water availability and highlights specific root traits that enhance the exploration and exploitation of optimal resource-rich soil strata while reducing metabolic costs. We propose root ideotype models, including 'topsoil foraging', 'subsoil foraging', and 'topsoil/subsoil foraging' for maize (monocot) and common bean (dicot). These models integrate beneficial root traits and guide the development of water- and P-efficient cultivars for challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nasr Esfahani
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Uwe Sonnewald
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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17
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Chen S, Liu H, Yangzong Z, Gardea-Torresdey JL, White JC, Zhao L. Seed Priming with Reactive Oxygen Species-Generating Nanoparticles Enhanced Maize Tolerance to Multiple Abiotic Stresses. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19932-19941. [PMID: 37975618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Climate change-induced extreme weather events (heat, cold, drought, and flooding) will severely affect crop production. Increasing the resilience of crops to fluctuating environmental conditions is critically important. Here, we report that nanomaterials (NMs) with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating properties can be used as seed priming agents to simultaneously enhance the tolerance of maize seeds and seedlings to diverse and even multiple stresses. Maize seeds primed with 40 mg/L silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited accelerated seed germination and an increased germination rate, greater seedling vigor, and better seedling growth under drought (10% and 20% PEG), saline (50 and 100 mM NaCl), and cold (15 °C) stress conditions, indicating enhanced resilience to diverse stresses. Importantly, maize resistance to simultaneous multiple stresses (drought and cold, drought and salt, and salt and cold) was markedly enhanced. Under drought conditions, seed priming significantly boosted root hair density and length (17.3-82.7%), which enabled greater tolerance to water deficiency. RNA-seq analysis reveals that AgNPs seed priming induced a transcriptomic shift in maize seeds. Plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signaling pathways were activated upon seed priming. Importantly, low-cost and environmentally friendly ROS-generating Fe-based NMs (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 NPs) were also demonstrated to enhance the resistance of seeds and seedlings to drought, salt, and cold stresses. These findings demonstrate that a simple seed priming strategy can be used to significantly enhance the climate resilience of crops through modulated ROS homeostasis and that this approach could be a powerful nanoenabled tool for addressing worsening food insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haolin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhaxi Yangzong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jorge L Gardea-Torresdey
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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Dong S, Li C, Tian H, Wang W, Yang X, Beckles DM, Liu X, Guan J, Gu X, Sun J, Miao H, Zhang S. Natural variation in STAYGREEN contributes to low-temperature tolerance in cucumber. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:2552-2568. [PMID: 37811725 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Low-temperature (LT) stress threatens cucumber production globally; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying LT tolerance in cucumber remain largely unknown. Here, using a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we found a naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the STAYGREEN (CsSGR) coding region at the gLTT5.1 locus associated with LT tolerance. Knockout mutants of CsSGR generated by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 exhibit enhanced LT tolerance, in particularly, increased chlorophyll (Chl) content and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in response to LT. Moreover, the C-repeat Binding Factor 1 (CsCBF1) transcription factor can directly activate the expression of CsSGR. We demonstrate that the LT-sensitive haplotype CsSGRHapA , but not the LT-tolerant haplotype CsSGRHapG could interact with NON-YELLOW COLORING 1 (CsNYC1) to mediate Chl degradation. Geographic distribution of the CsSGR haplotypes indicated that the CsSGRHapG was selected in cucumber accessions from high latitudes, potentially contributing to LT tolerance during cucumber cold-adaptation in these regions. CsSGR mutants also showed enhanced tolerance to salinity, water deficit, and Pseudoperonospora cubensis, thus CsSGR is an elite target gene for breeding cucumber varieties with broad-spectrum stress tolerance. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into LT tolerance and will ultimately facilitate cucumber molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyun Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Caixia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Haojie Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Weiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xueyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Diane M Beckles
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, One Shield Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiantao Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xingfang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jiaqiang Sun
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Han Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shengping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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Shi G, Liu G, Liu H, Xu N, Yang Q, Song Z, Ye W, Wang L. WRKY Transcriptional Factor IlWRKY70 from Iris laevigata Enhances Drought and Salinity Tolerances in Nicotiana tabacum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16174. [PMID: 38003365 PMCID: PMC10670936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Drought and high salinity greatly affect plant growth and development. WRKY transcription factors play a key role in plant tolerance to abiotic stress, but the functions of WRKYs in the ornamental monocotyledon Iris laevigata remain largely unexplored. In this study, we cloned IlWRKY70 and found that it is a Group III WRKY localized in the nucleus. The expression of IlWRKY70 was induced by NaCl and PEG-6000, which reached peaks (4.38 and 5.65 times) after 3 h and 1 h, respectively. The exogenous overexpression of IlWRKY70 in N. tabacum significantly improved the resistance under NaCl and drought treatments, as evidenced by higher germination rates, longer root lengths, and increased fresh weights compared to those of control plants. In addition, transgenic seedlings showed significantly reduced wilting, higher photosynthetic performance, higher Fv/Fm and chlorophyll content, and lower stomatal conductance. Moreover, transgenic lines showed higher antioxidant enzymatic activities, lower reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lower malondialdehyde contents. Accordingly, we also found higher expressions of antioxidant defense genes, including SOD, CAT, and POD, in transgenic lines compared to controls under salt and drought stresses. Thus, IlWRKY70 enhances the abilities of salt and drought tolerances in plants, at least partially, via ROS regulation and can be used for breeding I. laevigata possessing enhanced salt and drought resistances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ling Wang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China (G.L.); (N.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Y.)
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20
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Ningning Z, Binbin L, Fan Y, Jianzhong C, Yuqian Z, Yejian W, Wenjie Z, Xinghua Z, Shutu X, Jiquan X. Molecular mechanisms of drought resistance using genome-wide association mapping in maize (Zea mays L.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:468. [PMID: 37803273 PMCID: PMC10557160 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04489-0] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drought is a critical abiotic stress that influences maize yield and reduces grain yield when it occurs at the flowering or filling stage. To dissect the genetic architecture of grain yield under drought stress (DS), a genome-wide association analysis was conducted in a maize population composed of diverse inbred lines from five locations under well-watered and DS conditions at flowering in 2019 and 2020. RESULTS Using a fixed and random model circulating probability unification model, a total of 147 loci associated with grain yield or the drought resistance index (DRI) were identified, of which 54 loci were associated with a DRI with an average phenotypic variation explanation of 4.03%. Further, 10 of these loci explained more than 10% of the phenotypic variation. By integrating two public transcriptome datasets, 22 differentially expressed genes were considered as candidate genes, including the cloned gene ZmNAC49, which responds to drought by regulating stomatal density. Enrichment and protein interaction network showed that signaling pathways responded to drought resistance, including jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and abscisic acid-activated. Additionally, several transcription factors involved in DS were identified, including basic leucine zipper (GRMZM2G370026), NAC (GRMZM2G347043), and ethylene-responsive element binding protein (GRMZM2G169654). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we nominated several genes as candidate genes for drought resistance by intergrating association maping and transcription analysis. These results provide valuable information for understanding the genetic basis of drought tolerance at the mature stage and for designing drought-tolerant maize breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Ningning
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Liu Binbin
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Ye Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Chang Jianzhong
- Agricultural University of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Zhou Yuqian
- Crop Institute of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Wang Yejian
- Institute of Grain Crops, Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Xinjiang, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830000, China
| | - Zhang Wenjie
- Crop Institute of Ningxia Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750000, China
| | - Zhang Xinghua
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xu Shutu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Xue Jiquan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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21
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Yang Z, Cao Y, Shi Y, Qin F, Jiang C, Yang S. Genetic and molecular exploration of maize environmental stress resilience: Toward sustainable agriculture. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:1496-1517. [PMID: 37464740 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change exacerbates the effects of environmental stressors, such as drought, flooding, extreme temperatures, salinity, and alkalinity, on crop growth and grain yield, threatening the sustainability of the food supply. Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most widely cultivated crops and the most abundant grain crop in production worldwide. However, the stability of maize yield is highly dependent on environmental conditions. Recently, great progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying maize responses to environmental stresses and in developing stress-resilient varieties due to advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, multi-omics analysis platforms, and automated phenotyping facilities. In this review, we summarize recent advances in dissecting the genetic factors and networks that contribute to maize abiotic stress tolerance through diverse strategies. We also discuss future challenges and opportunities for the development of climate-resilient maize varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yibo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Caifu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Shuhua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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22
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Singh A, Pandey H, Pandey S, Lal D, Chauhan D, Aparna, Antre SH, B S, Kumar A. Drought stress in maize: stress perception to molecular response and strategies for its improvement. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:296. [PMID: 37697159 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01226-6] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Given the future demand for food crops, increasing crop productivity in drought-prone rainfed areas has become essential. Drought-tolerant varieties are warranted to solve this problem in major crops, with drought tolerance as a high-priority trait for future research. Maize is one such crop affected by drought stress, which limits production, resulting in substantial economic losses. It became a more serious issue due to global climate change. The most drought sensitive among all stages of maize is the reproductive stages and the most important for overall maize production. The exact molecular basis of reproductive drought sensitivity remains unclear due to genes' complex regulation of drought stress. Understanding the molecular biology and signaling of the unexplored area of reproductive drought tolerance will provide an opportunity to develop climate-smart drought-tolerant next-generation maize cultivars. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in maize to understand the drought tolerance mechanism. However, improving maize drought tolerance through breeding is ineffective due to the complex nature and multigenic control of drought traits. With the help of advanced breeding techniques, molecular genetics, and a precision genome editing approach like CRISPR-Cas, candidate genes for drought-tolerant maize can be identified and targeted. This review summarizes the effects of drought stress on each growth stage of maize, potential genes, and transcription factors that determine drought tolerance. In addition, we discussed drought stress sensing, its molecular mechanisms, different approaches to developing drought-resistant maize varieties, and how molecular breeding and genome editing will help with the current unpredictable climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Singh
- Centre for Advanced Studies On Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, 848125, India.
| | | | - Saurabh Pandey
- Department of Agriculture, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India.
| | - Dalpat Lal
- College of Agriculture, Jodhpur Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342304, India
| | - Divya Chauhan
- Banasthali University, Radha Kishanpura, Rajasthan, 304022, India
| | - Aparna
- Departments of Agriculture, Jagan Nath University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303901, India
| | - Suresh H Antre
- Advanced Centre of Plant Biotechnology, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Santhosh B
- Centre for Advanced Studies On Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, 848125, India
| | - Amarjeet Kumar
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, MTTC & VTC, Selesih, CAU, Imphal, 795001, India
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23
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Ma P, Liu E, Zhang Z, Li T, Zhou Z, Yao W, Chen J, Wu J, Xu Y, Zhang H. Genetic variation in ZmWAX2 confers maize resistance to Fusarium verticillioides. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1812-1826. [PMID: 37293701 PMCID: PMC10440989 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14093] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium verticillioides (F. verticillioides) is a widely distributed phytopathogen that incites multiple destructive diseases in maize, posing a grave threat to corn yields and quality worldwide. However, there are few reports of resistance genes to F. verticillioides. Here, we reveal that a combination of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) corresponding to ZmWAX2 gene associates with quantitative resistance variations to F. verticillioides in maize through a genome-wide association study. A lack of ZmWAX2 compromises maize resistance to F. verticillioides-caused seed rot, seedling blight and stalk rot by reducing cuticular wax deposition, while the transgenic plants overexpressing ZmWAX2 show significantly increased immunity to F. verticillioides. A natural occurrence of two 7-bp deletions within the promoter increases ZmWAX2 transcription, thus enhancing maize resistance to F. verticillioides. Upon Fusarium stalk rot, ZmWAX2 greatly promotes the yield and grain quality of maize. Our studies demonstrate that ZmWAX2 confers multiple disease resistances caused by F. verticillioides and can serve as an important gene target for the development of F. verticillioides-resistant maize varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Ma
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Enpeng Liu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zhirui Zhang
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Tao Li
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zijian Zhou
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Wen Yao
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jiafa Chen
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jianyu Wu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yufang Xu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Huiyong Zhang
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
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24
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Tang H, Zhang R, Wang M, Xie X, Zhang L, Zhang X, Liu C, Sun B, Qin F, Yang X. QTL mapping for flowering time in a maize-teosinte population under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. MOLECULAR BREEDING : NEW STRATEGIES IN PLANT IMPROVEMENT 2023; 43:67. [PMID: 37601731 PMCID: PMC10435433 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-023-01413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Maize grain yield can be greatly reduced when flowering time coincides with drought conditions, which delays silking and consequently increases the anthesis-silking interval. Although the genetic basis of delayed flowering time under water-stressed conditions has been elucidated in maize-maize populations, little is known in this regard about maize-teosinte populations. Here, 16 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for three flowering-time traits, namely days to anthesis, days to silk, and the anthesis-silking interval, were identified in a maize-teosinte introgression population under well-watered and water-stressed conditions; these QTL explained 3.98-32.61% of phenotypic variations. Six of these QTL were considered to be sensitive to drought stress, and the effect of any individual QTL was small, indicating the complex genetic nature of drought resistance in maize. To resolve which genes underlie the six QTL, 11 candidate genes were identified via colocalization analysis of known associations with flowering-time-related drought traits. Among the 11 candidate genes, five were found to be differentially expressed in response to drought stress or under selection during maize domestication, and thus represented the most likely candidates underlying the drought-sensitive QTL. The results lay a foundation for further studies of the genetic mechanisms of drought resistance and provide valuable information for improving drought resistance during maize breeding. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01413-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaijun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091 China
| | - Renyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Xiaoqing Xie
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091 China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091 China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091 China
| | - Baocheng Sun
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091 China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
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25
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Zhang X, Wang H, Yang M, Liu R, Zhang X, Jia Z, Li P. Natural variation in ZmNAC087 contributes to total root length regulation in maize seedlings under salt stress. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:392. [PMID: 37580686 PMCID: PMC10424409 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Soil salinity poses a significant challenge to crop growth and productivity, particularly affecting the root system, which is vital for water and nutrient uptake. To identify genetic factors that influence root elongation in stressful environments, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the natural variation associated with total root length (TRL) under salt stress and normal conditions in maize seedlings. Our study identified 69 genetic variants associated with 38 candidate genes, among which a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ZmNAC087 was significantly associated with TRL under salt stress. Transient expression and transactivation assays revealed that ZmNAC087 encodes a nuclear-localized protein with transactivation activity. Further candidate gene association analysis showed that non-coding variations in ZmNAC087 promoter contribute to differential ZmNAC087 expression among maize inbred lines, potentially influencing the variation in salt-regulated TRL. In addition, through nucleotide diversity analysis, neutrality tests, and coalescent simulation, we demonstrated that ZmNAC087 underwent selection during maize domestication and improvement. These findings highlight the significance of natural variation in ZmNAC087, particularly the favorable allele, in maize salt tolerance, providing theoretical basis and valuable genetic resources for the development of salt-tolerant maize germplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Houmiao Wang
- 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, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Mengling Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Runxiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhongtao Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management (SKL-NUM), College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Pengcheng Li
- 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, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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26
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Zhou Y, Zhang T, Wang X, Wu W, Xing J, Li Z, Qiao X, Zhang C, Wang X, Wang G, Li W, Bai S, Li Z, Suo Y, Wang J, Niu Y, Zhang J, Lan C, Hu Z, Li B, Zhang X, Wang W, Galbraith DW, Chen Y, Guo S, Song CP. A maize epimerase modulates cell wall synthesis and glycosylation during stomatal morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4384. [PMID: 37474494 PMCID: PMC10359280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40013-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The unique dumbbell-shape of grass guard cells (GCs) is controlled by their cell walls which enable their rapid responses to the environment. The molecular mechanisms regulating the synthesis and assembly of GC walls are as yet unknown. Here we have identified BZU3, a maize gene encoding UDP-glucose 4-epimerase that regulates the supply of UDP-glucose during GC wall synthesis. The BZU3 mutation leads to significant decreases in cellular UDP-glucose levels. Immunofluorescence intensities reporting levels of cellulose and mixed-linkage glucans are reduced in the GCs, resulting in impaired local wall thickening. BZU3 also catalyzes the epimerization of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine to UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, and the BZU3 mutation affects N-glycosylation of proteins that may be involved in cell wall synthesis and signaling. Our results suggest that the spatiotemporal modulation of BZU3 plays a dual role in controlling cell wall synthesis and glycosylation via controlling UDP-glucose/N-acetylglucosamine homeostasis during stomatal morphogenesis. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms controlling formation of the unique morphology of grass stomata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xiaocui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenqiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jingjing Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zuliang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xin Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Chunrui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaohang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Guangshun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Shenglong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yuanzhen Suo
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yanli Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Chen Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhubing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Baozhu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xuebin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - David W Galbraith
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China
- School of Plant Sciences and Bio5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Yuhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Siyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China.
| | - Chun-Peng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Jinming avenue 1, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, 572025, China.
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27
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Li C, Guo J, Wang D, Chen X, Guan H, Li Y, Zhang D, Liu X, He G, Wang T, Li Y. Genomic insight into changes of root architecture under drought stress in maize. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1860-1872. [PMID: 36785485 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress is a central environmental factor that severely limits maize production worldwide. Root architecture plays an important role in drought tolerance and can be targeted in breeding programmes. Here, we conducted phenotyping of root architecture under different water treatments for 373 maize inbred lines, representative germplasm from both China and the United States in different breeding eras. We found that seminal root length in response to drought stress experienced convergent increase during breeding in both countries. Using a genome-wide association study, we identified a total of 221 associated loci underlying 13 root traits under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. These loci harboured many reported root- and abiotic stress-related genes. Furthermore, a total of 75 strong candidate genes were prioritised by integrating candidate genes associated with seminal root length and differentially expressed genes in seminal root. One of high-confidence candidate genes, ZmCIPK3 was functionally characterised and probably plays a role in enhancing drought tolerance through regulating seminal root growth. This study provides valuable information for genetic improvement of root architecture and drought tolerance in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Li
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Chen
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Honghui Guan
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongxiang Li
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dengfeng Zhang
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanhua He
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Lab of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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28
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Li Q, Liu N, Wu C. Novel insights into maize (Zea mays) development and organogenesis for agricultural optimization. PLANTA 2023; 257:94. [PMID: 37031436 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In maize, intrinsic hormone activities and sap fluxes facilitate organogenesis patterning and plant holistic development; these hormone movements should be a primary focus of developmental biology and agricultural optimization strategies. Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop plant with distinctive life history characteristics and structural features. Genetic studies have extended our knowledge of maize developmental processes, genetics, and molecular ecophysiology. In this review, the classical life cycle and life history strategies of maize are analyzed to identify spatiotemporal organogenesis properties and develop a definitive understanding of maize development. The actions of genes and hormones involved in maize organogenesis and sex determination, along with potential molecular mechanisms, are investigated, with findings suggesting central roles of auxin and cytokinins in regulating maize holistic development. Furthermore, investigation of morphological and structural characteristics of maize, particularly node ubiquity and the alternate attachment pattern of lateral organs, yields a novel regulatory model suggesting that maize organ initiation and subsequent development are derived from the stimulation and interaction of auxin and cytokinin fluxes. Propositions that hormone activities and sap flow pathways control organogenesis are thoroughly explored, and initiation and development processes of distinctive maize organs are discussed. Analysis of physiological factors driving hormone and sap movement implicates cues of whole-plant activity for hormone and sap fluxes to stimulate maize inflorescence initiation and organ identity determination. The physiological origins and biogenetic mechanisms underlying maize floral sex determination occurring at the tassel and ear spikelet are thoroughly investigated. The comprehensive outline of maize development and morphogenetic physiology developed in this review will enable farmers to optimize field management and will provide a reference for de novo crop domestication and germplasm improvement using genome editing biotechnologies, promoting agricultural optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Li
- Crop Genesis and Novel Agronomy Center, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Ning Liu
- Shandong ZhongnongTiantai Seed Co., Ltd, Pingyi, 273300, Shandong, China
| | - Chenglai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
- College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
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Wu W, Zhong Y, Liu Y, Xu R, Zhang X, Liu N, Guo D. A new insight into the biosynthesis, structure, and functionality of waxy maize starch under drought stress. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2023. [PMID: 37005332 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drought stress (DS) is the main abiotic stress that maize suffers during its whole growth period, and maize is also sensitive to DS. It had been demonstrated that DS could improve the quality of normal maize starch. However, waxy maize, which has special properties, has not been explored in depth, which limits the breeding and cultivation of waxy maize varieties and the application of waxy maize starch. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of DS on the biosynthesis, structure, and functionality of waxy maize starch. RESULTS The results showed that DS decreased the expression level of SSIIb, SSIIIa, GBSSIIa, SBEI, SBEIIb, ISAII, and PUL, but increased the expression level of SSI and SBEIIa. DS did not change the average chain length of amylopectin, while increased the relative content of fa chains (RCfa ) and decreased the RCfb1 and RCfb3 . Furthermore, DS decreased the amylose content, amorphous lamellar distance da , semi-crystalline repeat distance, and average particle size, whereas it increased the relative crystallinity, crystalline distance dc , the content of rapidly digested starch in the uncooked system and resistant starch content in both the uncooked and cooked system. CONCLUSIONS For waxy maize, DS could raise the relative expression level of SSI and SBEIIa, thus increasing RCfa . The larger number of RCfa could create steric hindrance, which can lead to producing more resistant starch in waxy maize starch. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yuyue Zhong
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Yilin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Renyuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xudong Zhang
- Institute of Crop Science, Quality of Plant Products, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Na Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Dongwei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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30
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Tian T, Wang S, Yang S, Yang Z, Liu S, Wang Y, Gao H, Zhang S, Yang X, Jiang C, Qin F. Genome assembly and genetic dissection of a prominent drought-resistant maize germplasm. Nat Genet 2023; 55:496-506. [PMID: 36806841 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
In the context of climate change, drought is one of the most limiting factors that influence crop production. Maize, as a major crop, is highly vulnerable to water deficit, which causes significant yield loss. Thus, identification and utilization of drought-resistant germplasm are crucial for the genetic improvement of the trait. Here we report on a high-quality genome assembly of a prominent drought-resistant genotype, CIMBL55. Genomic and genetic variation analyses revealed that 65 favorable alleles of 108 previously identified drought-resistant candidate genes were found in CIMBL55, which may constitute the genetic basis for its excellent drought resistance. Notably, ZmRtn16, encoding a reticulon-like protein, was found to contribute to drought resistance by facilitating the vacuole H+-ATPase activity, which highlights the role of vacuole proton pumps in maize drought resistance. The assembled CIMBL55 genome provided a basis for genetic dissection and improvement of plant drought resistance, in support of global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhirui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengxue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Shuaisong Zhang
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Caifu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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31
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Zhou J, Xiao L, Huang R, Song F, Li L, Li P, Fang Y, Lu W, Lv C, Quan M, Zhang D, Du Q. Local diversity of drought resistance and resilience in Populus tomentosa correlates with the variation of DNA methylation. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:479-497. [PMID: 36385613 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Little information is known about DNA methylation variation in shaping environment-specific drought resistance and resilience for tree adaptation. In this study, we leveraged RNA sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data to dissect the distinction of epigenetic regulation under drought stress and rewater condition of Populus tomentosa accessions from three geographical regions. We demonstrated low resistance and high resilience for accessions from South. Non-CG methylation levels in promoter regions of Southern accessions were lower than accessions from higher latitudes and negatively regulated gene expression. CHH context methylation was more sensitive to drought stress, and the geographical-specific differentially methylated regions were scarcely changed by environmental fluctuation. We identified 60 conserved hub genes within the co-expression networks that correlate with photosynthetic and stomatal morphological traits. Epigenome-wide association studies and genome-wide association studies of these 60 hub genes revealed the interdependency between genetic and epigenetic variation in GATA9 and LECRK-VIII.2, which was associated with stomatal morphology and chlorophyll content. The natural epigenetic variation in GATA9 was also faithfully transmitted to progenies in two family-based F1 populations. This study indicates a functional relationship of DNA methylation diversity with drought resistance and resilience which offers new insights into plants' local adaptation to a stressful environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxuan Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Liang Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Rui Huang
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Fangyuan Song
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lianzheng Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peng Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Fang
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wenjie Lu
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chenfei Lv
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mingyang Quan
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Deqiang Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Qingzhang Du
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, P. R. China
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32
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Yang Z, Qin F. The battle of crops against drought: Genetic dissection and improvement. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:496-525. [PMID: 36639908 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
With ongoing global climate change, water scarcity-induced drought stress remains a major threat to agricultural productivity. Plants undergo a series of physiological and morphological changes to cope with drought stress, including stomatal closure to reduce transpiration and changes in root architecture to optimize water uptake. Combined phenotypic and multi-omics studies have recently identified a number of drought-related genetic resources in different crop species. The functional dissection of these genes using molecular techniques has enriched our understanding of drought responses in crops and has provided genetic targets for enhancing resistance to drought. Here, we review recent advances in the cloning and functional analysis of drought resistance genes and the development of technologies to mitigate the threat of drought to crop production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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33
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Ma Y, Yao L, Zhang L, Su A, Wang R, Song W, Li Z, Zhao J. Genome‐wide association analysis of chilling‐tolerant germination in a new maize association mapping panel. Food Energy Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ma
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
| | - Lan Yao
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
- College of Food Science and Biology Hebei University of Science and Technology Hebei China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
| | - Aiguo Su
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
| | - Ronghuan Wang
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
| | - Wei Song
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
| | - Zhaowei Li
- College of Food Science and Biology Hebei University of Science and Technology Hebei China
| | - Jiuran Zhao
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Maize Beijing China
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34
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Co-Expression of ZmVPP1 with ZmNAC111 Confers Robust Drought Resistance in Maize. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:genes14010008. [PMID: 36672748 PMCID: PMC9858277 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drought is a primary environmental factor limiting maize production globally. Although transferring a single gene to maize can enhance drought resistance, maize response to water deficit requires further improvement to accommodate the steadily intensifying drought events worldwide. Here, we generated dual transgene lines simultaneously overexpressing two drought-resistant genes, ZmVPP1 (encoding a vacuolar-type H+ pyrophosphatase) and ZmNAC111 (encoding a NAM, ATAF, and CUC (NAC)-type transcription factor). Following drought stress, survival rates of the pyramided transgenic seedlings reached 62-66%, while wild-type and single transgene seedling survival rates were 23% and 37-42%, respectively. Maize seedlings co-expressing ZmVPP1 and ZmNAC111 exhibited higher photosynthesis rates, antioxidant enzyme activities, and root-shoot ratios than the wild type, and anthesis-silking intervals were shorter while grain yields were higher under water deficit conditions in field trials. Additionally, RNA-sequencing analysis confirmed that photosynthesis and stress-related metabolic processes were stimulated in the dual transgene plants under drought conditions. The findings in this work illustrate how high co-expression of different drought-related genes can reinforce drought resistance over that of individual transgene lines, providing a path for developing arid climate-adapted elite maize varieties.
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35
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Ren W, Zhao L, Liang J, Wang L, Chen L, Li P, Liu Z, Li X, Zhang Z, Li J, He K, Zhao Z, Ali F, Mi G, Yan J, Zhang F, Chen F, Yuan L, Pan Q. Genome-wide dissection of changes in maize root system architecture during modern breeding. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:1408-1422. [PMID: 36396706 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01274-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate root system architecture (RSA) can improve maize yields in densely planted fields, but little is known about its genetic basis in maize. Here we performed root phenotyping of 14,301 field-grown plants from an association mapping panel to study the genetic architecture of maize RSA. A genome-wide association study identified 81 high-confidence RSA-associated candidate genes and revealed that 28 (24.3%) of known root-related genes were selected during maize domestication and improvement. We found that modern maize breeding has selected for a steeply angled root system. Favourable alleles related to steep root system angle have continuously accumulated over the course of modern breeding, and our data pinpoint the root-related genes that have been selected in different breeding eras. We confirm that two auxin-related genes, ZmRSA3.1 and ZmRSA3.2, contribute to the regulation of root angle and depth in maize. Our genome-wide identification of RSA-associated genes provides new strategies and genetic resources for breeding maize suitable for high-density planting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ren
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Longfei Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxing Liang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Cereal Crops Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Limei Chen
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihai Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jieping Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kunhui He
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Farhan Ali
- Cereal Crops Research Institute, Pirsabak, Nowshera, Pakistan
| | - Guohua Mi
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbing Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanjun Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, China.
| | - Lixing Yuan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Qingchun Pan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, China.
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Abbas M, Abid MA, Meng Z, Abbas M, Wang P, Lu C, Askari M, Akram U, Ye Y, Wei Y, Wang Y, Guo S, Liang C, Zhang R. Integrating advancements in root phenotyping and genome-wide association studies to open the root genetics gateway. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13787. [PMID: 36169590 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant adaptation to challenging environmental conditions around the world has made root growth and development an important research area for plant breeders and scientists. Targeted manipulation of root system architecture (RSA) to increase water and nutrient use efficiency can minimize the adverse effects of climate change on crop production. However, phenotyping of RSA is a major bottleneck since the roots are hidden in the soil. Recently the development of 2- and 3D root imaging techniques combined with the genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have opened up new research tools to identify the genetic basis of RSA. These approaches provide a comprehensive understanding of the RSA, by accelerating the identification and characterization of genes involved in root growth and development. This review summarizes the latest developments in phenotyping techniques and GWAS for RSA, which are used to map important genes regulating various aspects of RSA under varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, we discussed about the state-of-the-art image analysis tools integrated with various phenotyping platforms for investigating and quantifying root traits with the highest phenotypic plasticity in both artificial and natural environments which were used for large scale association mapping studies, leading to the identification of RSA phenotypes and their underlying genetics with the greatest potential for RSA improvement. In addition, challenges in root phenotyping and GWAS are also highlighted, along with future research directions employing machine learning and pan-genomics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubashir Abbas
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Ali Abid
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Meng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Manzar Abbas
- School of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, China
| | - Peilin Wang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Lu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Askari
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Umar Akram
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulu Ye
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunxiao Wei
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sandui Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengzhen Liang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Jiang H, Gu H, Chen H, Sun H, Zhang X, Liu X. Comparative cryogenic extraction rehydration experiments reveal isotope fractionation during root water uptake in Gramineae. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:1267-1280. [PMID: 35945699 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Determining whether isotope fractionation occurs during root water uptake is a prerequisite for using stem or xylem water isotopes to trace water sources. However, it is unclear whether isotope fractionation occurs during root water uptake in gramineous crops. We conducted prevalidation experiments to estimate the isotope measurement bias associated with cryogenic vacuum distillation (CVD). Next, we assessed isotope fractionation during root water uptake in two common agronomic crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.), under flooding after postdrought stress conditions. Cryogenic vacuum distillation caused significant depletion of 2 H but negligible effects on 18 O for both soil and stem water. Surprisingly CVD caused depletion of 2 H and enrichment of 18 O in root water. Stem and root water δ18 O were more than soil water δ18 O, even considering the uncertainty of CVD. Soil water 18 O was depleted compared with irrigation water 18 O in the pots with plants but enriched relative to irrigation water 18 O in the pots without plants. These results indicate that isotope fractionation occurred during wheat and maize root water uptake after full irrigation and led to a heavy isotope enrichment in stem water. Therefore, the xylem/stem water isotope approach widely used to trace water sources should be carefully evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, the Innovative Academy of Seed Design, the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Huijie Gu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, the Innovative Academy of Seed Design, the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Geographical Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050016, Hebei, China
| | - Hongyong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, the Innovative Academy of Seed Design, the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Xiying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, the Innovative Academy of Seed Design, the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Xiuwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, the Innovative Academy of Seed Design, the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
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Mei F, Chen B, Du L, Li S, Zhu D, Chen N, Zhang Y, Li F, Wang Z, Cheng X, Ding L, Kang Z, Mao H. A gain-of-function allele of a DREB transcription factor gene ameliorates drought tolerance in wheat. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:4472-4494. [PMID: 35959993 PMCID: PMC9614454 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Drought is a major environmental factor limiting wheat production worldwide. However, the genetic components underlying wheat drought tolerance are largely unknown. Here, we identify a DREB transcription factor gene (TaDTG6-B) by genome-wide association study that is tightly associated with drought tolerance in wheat. Candidate gene association analysis revealed that a 26-bp deletion in the TaDTG6-B coding region induces a gain-of-function for TaDTG6-BDel574, which exhibits stronger transcriptional activation, protein interactions, and binding activity to dehydration-responsive elements (DRE)/CRT cis-elements than the TaDTG6-BIn574 encoded by the allele lacking the deletion, thus conferring greater drought tolerance in wheat seedlings harboring this variant. Knockdown of TaDTG6-BDel574 transcripts attenuated drought tolerance in transgenic wheat, whereas its overexpression resulted in enhanced drought tolerance without accompanying phenotypic abnormalities. Furthermore, the introgression of the TaDTG6-BDel574 elite allele into drought-sensitive cultivars improved their drought tolerance, thus providing a valuable genetic resource for wheat breeding. We also identified 268 putative target genes that are directly bound and transcriptionally regulated by TaDTG6-BDel574. Further analysis showed that TaDTG6-BDel574 positively regulates TaPIF1 transcription to enhance wheat drought tolerance. These results describe the genetic basis and accompanying mechanism driving phenotypic variation in wheat drought tolerance, and provide a novel genetic resource for crop breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangming Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Bin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Linying Du
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shumin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dehe Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Nan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhongxue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xinxiu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Li Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhensheng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Pioneering Innovation Center for Wheat Stress Tolerance Improvement, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Yangling Seed Industry Innovation Center, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hude Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Pioneering Innovation Center for Wheat Stress Tolerance Improvement, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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Zhang X, Zhu T, Li Z, Jia Z, Wang Y, Liu R, Yang M, Chen QB, Wang Z, Guo S, Li P. Natural variation and domestication selection of ZmSULTR3;4 is associated with maize lateral root length in response to salt stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:992799. [PMID: 36388478 PMCID: PMC9644038 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.992799] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Soil salinity is a major constraint that restricts crop productivity worldwide. Lateral roots (LRs) are important for water and nutrient acquisition, therefore understanding the genetic basis of natural variation in lateral root length (LRL) is of great agronomic relevance to improve salt tolerance in cultivated germplasms. Here, using a genome-wide association study, we showed that the genetic variation in ZmSULTR3;4, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized sulfate transporter, is associated with natural variation in maize LRL under salt stress. The transcript of ZmSULTR3;4 was found preferentially in the epidermal and vascular tissues of root and increased by salt stress, supporting its essential role in the LR formation under salt stress. Further candidate gene association analysis showed that DNA polymorphisms in the promoter region differentiate the expression of ZmSULTR3;4 among maize inbred lines that may contribute to the natural variation of LRL under salt stress. Nucleotide diversity and neutrality tests revealed that ZmSULTR3;4 has undergone selection during maize domestication and improvement. Overall, our results revealed a regulatory role of ZmSULTR3;4 in salt regulated LR growth and uncovered favorable alleles of ZmSULTR3;4, providing an important selection target for breeding salt-tolerant maize cultivar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Zhang
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, Hainan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Tianze Zhu
- 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, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, Hainan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhongtao Jia
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunyun Wang
- 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, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Runxiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Mengling Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qing-Bin Chen
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, Hainan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhenjie Wang
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Siyi Guo
- Sanya Institute, Henan University, Sanya, Hainan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- 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, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Gao H, Cui J, Liu S, Wang S, Lian Y, Bai Y, Zhu T, Wu H, Wang Y, Yang S, Li X, Zhuang J, Chen L, Gong Z, Qin F. Natural variations of ZmSRO1d modulate the trade-off between drought resistance and yield by affecting ZmRBOHC-mediated stomatal ROS production in maize. MOLECULAR PLANT 2022; 15:1558-1574. [PMID: 36045577 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
While crop yields have historically increased, drought resistance has become a major concern in the context of global climate change. The trade-off between crop yield and drought resistance is a common phenomenon; however, the underlying molecular modulators remain undetermined. Through genome-wide association study, we revealed that three non-synonymous variants in a drought-resistant allele of ZmSRO1d-R resulted in plasma membrane localization and enhanced mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of ZmSRO1d toward ZmRBOHC, which increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in guard cells and promoted stomatal closure. ZmSRO1d-R enhanced plant drought resilience and protected grain yields under drought conditions, but it led to yield drag under favorable conditions. In contrast, loss-of-function mutants of ZmRBOHC showed remarkably increased yields under well-watered conditions, whereas they showed compromised drought resistance. Interestingly, by analyzing 189 teosinte accessions, we found that the ZmSRO1d-R allele was present in teosinte but was selected against during maize domestication and modern breeding. Collectively, our work suggests that the allele frequency reduction of ZmSRO1d-R in breeding programs may have compromised maize drought resistance while increased yields. Therefore, introduction of the ZmSRO1d-R allele into modern maize cultivars would contribute to food security under drought stress caused by global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junjun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shengxue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongyan Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yunting Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tengfei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Haohao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shiping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuefeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junhong Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Limei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhizhong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China; Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University; Beijing 100193, China.
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Wang LF, Lu KK, Li TT, Zhang Y, Guo JX, Song RF, Liu WC. Maize PHYTOMELATONIN RECEPTOR1 functions in plant tolerance to osmotic and drought stress. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:5961-5973. [PMID: 34922349 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Phytomelatonin is a universal signal molecule that regulates plant growth and stress responses; however, only one receptor that can directly bind with and perceive melatonin signaling has been identified so far, namely AtPMTR1/CAND2 in Arabidopsis. Whether other plants contain a similar receptor and, if so, how it functions is still unknown. In this study, we identified a new phytomelatonin receptor in the monocot maize (Zea mays), and investigated its role in plant responses to osmotic and drought stress. Using homology searching, we identified a plasma membrane-localized protein, Zm00001eb214610/ZmPMTR1, with strong binding activity to melatonin as a potential phytomelatonin receptor in maize. Overexpressing ZmPMTR1 in Arabidopsis Col-0 promoted osmotic stress tolerance, and rescued osmotic stress sensitivity of the Arabidopsis cand2-1 mutant. Furthermore, ZmPMTR1 also largely rescued defects in melatonin-induced stomatal closure in the cand2-1 mutant, thereby reducing water loss rate and increasing tolerance to drought stress. In addition, we identified a maize mutant of ZmPMTR1, EMS4-06e2fl, with a point-mutation causing premature termination of protein translation, and found that this mutant had lower leaf temperatures, increased rate of water loss, and enhanced drought stress sensitivity. Thus, we present ZmPMTR1 as the first phytomelatonin receptor to be identified and examined in a monocot plant, and our results indicate that it plays an important function in the response of maize to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Kai-Kai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jia-Xing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Ru-Feng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Wen-Cheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
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GWAS and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Key Genes Affecting Root Growth under Low Nitrogen Supply in Maize. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091632. [PMID: 36140800 PMCID: PMC9498817 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important factors affecting crop production. Root morphology exhibits a high degree of plasticity to nitrogen deficiency. However, the mechanisms underlying the root foraging response under low-N conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 213 maize inbred lines using hydroponic systems and regarding their natural variations in 22 root traits and 6 shoot traits under normal (2 mM nitrate) and low-N (0 mM nitrate) conditions. Substantial phenotypic variations were detected for all traits. N deficiency increased the root length and decreased the root diameter and shoot related traits. A total of 297 significant marker-trait associations were identified by a genome-wide association study involving different N levels and the N response value. A total of 51 candidate genes with amino acid variations in coding regions or differentially expressed under low nitrogen conditions were identified. Furthermore, a candidate gene ZmNAC36 was resequenced in all tested lines. A total of 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 12 insertions and deletions were significantly associated with lateral root length of primary root, primary root length between 0 and 0.5 mm in diameter, primary root surface area, and total length of primary root under a low-N condition. These findings help us to improve our understanding of the genetic mechanism of root plasticity to N deficiency, and the identified loci and candidate genes will be useful for the genetic improvement of maize tolerance cultivars to N deficiency.
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Bo C, Cai R, Fang X, Wu H, Ma Z, Yuan H, Cheng B, Fan J, Ma Q. Transcription factor ZmWRKY20 interacts with ZmWRKY115 to repress expression of ZmbZIP111 for salt tolerance in maize. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:1660-1675. [PMID: 35861696 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) is an important cereal crop worldwide. However, its yield and quality are adversely affected by salt stress resulting from soil hypersalinity. Exploring the regulatory mechanisms of stress responses is of vital importance to increase maize seed production. In the present study, we screened ethyl methanesulfonate-induced maize mutants and identified a salt-tolerant mutant. A single base was mutated in ZmWRKY20, leading to the formation of a truncated protein variant. A detailed phenotypic analysis revealed that this mutant had significantly higher resistance to wilting and lower reactive oxygen species levels than the inbred line B73. ZmWRKY20 showed transcriptional activity in yeast and specifically bound W-boxes according to the results of our yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift, and dual-luciferase assays. Overexpression of ZmWRKY20 decreased salt tolerance in maize. Transcriptome profiling revealed that ZmWRKY20 overexpression extensively reprogrammed genes involved in regulating defense and oxidation-reduction responses. The results substantiate that ZmWRKY20 is directly targeted to the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) motif in the transcription factor ZmbZIP111. It was also verified that ZmWRKY20 interacts with ZmWRKY115 and both proteins act jointly to enhance ZmbZIP111 repression. The results indicate that the ZmWRKY20 and ZmWRKY115 transcription factors interact in the nucleus, leading to repression of ZmbZIP111 expression by directly binding its promoter, and increase the sensitivity of maize seedlings to salt stress. The current study improves our understanding of the complicated responses of maize to salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Bo
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Ronghao Cai
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- Engineering Research Center for Maize of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Xiu Fang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Hao Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zhongxian Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Haotian Yuan
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Beijiu Cheng
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- Engineering Research Center for Maize of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Jun Fan
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- Engineering Research Center for Maize of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Qing Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- Engineering Research Center for Maize of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
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Zhang L, Thapa Magar MS, Wang Y, Cheng Y. Tip growth defective1 interacts with cellulose synthase A3 to regulate cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 110:1-12. [PMID: 35644016 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-022-01283-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
AtTIP1 physically and genetically interacts with AtCESA3. AtCESA3 undergoes S-acylation, possibly mediated by AtTIP1, suggesting a specific role of AtTIP1 in cellulose biosynthesis and plant development. S-acylation is a reversible post-translational lipid modification of proteins catalyzed by protein S-acyl transferases (PATs). S-acylation is important for various biological molecular mechanisms including cellulose biosynthesis. Cellulose is synthesized by the cellulose synthase A (CESA) complexes (CSCs) at the plasma membrane. However, specific PAT involving in cellulose biosynthesis has not been identified and the precise mechanism by which PAT regulates the CESAs is largely unknown. Here, we report isolation of tip1-5, an allele of Tip Growth Defective1 (AtTIP1/AtPAT24) with a premature stop codon. tip1-5 genetically interacts with ixr1-2, a point mutant of AtCESA3 which encodes a catalytic subunit of CSC synthesizing primary wall cellulose. We show that AtTIP1 physically interacts with AtCESA3. AtCESA3 undergoes S-acylation, which is possibly mediated by AtTIP1, suggesting a functional relationship between AtTIP1 and AtCESA3. Moreover, the interfascicular fiber cells in the primary inflorescence stems of tip1-5 ixr1-2 double mutant contain thinner cell walls and significantly less crystalline cellulose compared to the single mutants. These results highlight the positive regulation of AtTIP1 in cellulose biosynthesis, and a specific role of AtPAT in plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Madhu Shudan Thapa Magar
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Department of Plant Resources, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Yanning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Youfa Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Zhao J, Sun Y, Li X, Li Y. CYSTEINE-RICH RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE5 (CRK5) and CRK22 regulate the response to Verticillium dahliae toxins. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:714-731. [PMID: 35674361 PMCID: PMC9434262 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) play critical roles in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms of CRKs in plant defense responses remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that two CRKs, CRK5 and CRK22, are involved in regulating defense responses to Verticillium dahliae toxins (Vd-toxins) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Biochemical and genetic analyses showed that CRK5 and CRK22 may act upstream of MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE3 (MPK3) and MPK6 to regulate the salicylic acid (SA)-signaling pathway in response to Vd-toxins. In addition, MPK3 and MPK6 interact with the transcription factor WRKY70 to modulate defense responses to Vd-toxins. WRKY70 directly binds the promoter domains of the SA-signaling-related transcription factor genes TGACG SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC BINDING PROTEIN (TGA2) and TGA6 to regulate their expression in response to Vd-toxins. Thus, our study reveals a mechanism by which CRK5 and CRK22 regulate SA signaling through the MPK3/6-WRKY70-TGA2/6 pathway in response to Vd-toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuhui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Li J, Zhang M, Zhou L. Protein S-acyltransferases and acyl protein thioesterases, regulation executors of protein S-acylation in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:956231. [PMID: 35968095 PMCID: PMC9363829 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.956231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Protein S-acylation, also known as palmitoylation, is an important lipid post-translational modification of proteins in eukaryotes. S-acylation plays critical roles in a variety of protein functions involved in plant development and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. The status of S-acylation on proteins is dynamic and reversible, which is catalyzed by protein S-acyltransferases (PATs) and reversed by acyl protein thioesterases. The cycle of S-acylation and de-S-acylation provides a molecular mechanism for membrane-associated proteins to undergo cycling and trafficking between different cell compartments and thus works as a switch to initiate or terminate particular signaling transductions on the membrane surface. In plants, thousands of proteins have been identified to be S-acylated through proteomics. Many S-acylated proteins and quite a few PAT-substrate pairs have been functionally characterized. A recently characterized acyl protein thioesterases family, ABAPT family proteins in Arabidopsis, has provided new insights into the de-S-acylation process. However, our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling the S-acylation and de-S-acylation process is surprisingly incomplete. In this review, we discuss how protein S-acylation level is regulated with the focus on catalyzing enzymes in plants. We also propose the challenges and potential developments for the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling protein S-acylation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincheng Li
- College of Forestry, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Manqi Zhang
- College of Forestry, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijuan Zhou
- College of Forestry, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
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Cai G, Ahmed MA. The role of root hairs in water uptake: recent advances and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:3330-3338. [PMID: 35323893 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sufficient water is essential for plant growth and production. Root hairs connect roots to the soil, extend the effective root radius, and greatly enlarge the absorbing surface area. Although the efficacy of root hairs in nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus, has been well recognized, their role in water uptake remains contentious. Here we review recent advances in this field, discuss the factors affecting the role of root hairs in water uptake, and propose future directions. We argue that root hair length and shrinkage, in response to soil drying, explain the apparently contradictory evidence currently available. Our analysis revealed that shorter and vulnerable root hairs (i.e. rice and maize) made little, if any, contribution to root water uptake. In contrast, relatively longer root hairs (i.e. barley) had a clear influence on root water uptake, transpiration, and hence plant response to soil drying. We conclude that the role of root hairs in water uptake is species (and probably soil) specific. We propose that a holistic understanding of the efficacy of root hairs in water uptake will require detailed studies of root hair length, turnover, and shrinkage in different species and contrasting soil textures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaochao Cai
- Chair of Soil Physics, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95444, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mutez Ali Ahmed
- Chair of Soil Physics, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95444, Bayreuth, Germany
- Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Tian Y, Zeng H, Wu J, Huang J, Gao Q, Tang D, Cai L, Liao Z, Wang Y, Liu X, Lin J. Screening DHHCs of S-acylated proteins using an OsDHHC cDNA library and bimolecular fluorescence complementation in rice. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 110:1763-1780. [PMID: 35411551 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
S-acylation is an important lipid modification that primarily involves DHHC proteins (DHHCs) and associated S-acylated proteins. No DHHC-S-acylated protein pair has been reported so far in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and the molecular mechanisms underlying S-acylation in plants are largely unknown. We constructed an OsDHHC cDNA library for screening corresponding pairs of DHHCs and S-acylated proteins using bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Five DHHC-S-acylated protein pairs (OsDHHC30-OsCBL2, OsDHHC30-OsCBL3, OsDHHC18-OsNOA1, OsDHHC13-OsNAC9, and OsDHHC14-GSD1) were identified in rice. Among the pairs, OsCBL2 and OsCBL3 were S-acylated by OsDHHC30 in yeast and rice. The localization of OsCBL2 and OsCBL3 in the endomembrane depended on S-acylation mediated by OsDHHC30. Meanwhile, all four OsDHHCs screened complemented the thermosensitive phenotype of an akr1 yeast mutant, and their DHHC motifs were required for S-acyltransferase activity. Overexpression of OsDHHC30 in rice plants improved their salt and oxidative tolerance. Together, these results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying S-acylation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Jicai Wu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Dongying Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Lipeng Cai
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyi Liao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Xuanming Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China
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49
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Ying S, Scheible W. A novel calmodulin-interacting Domain of Unknown Function 506 protein represses root hair elongation in Arabidopsis. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:1796-1812. [PMID: 35312071 PMCID: PMC9314033 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Domain of Unknown Function 506 proteins are ubiquitous in plants. The phosphorus (P) stress-inducible REPRESSOR OF EXCESSIVE ROOT HAIR GROWTH1 (AtRXR1) gene encodes the first characterized DUF506. AtRXR1 inhibits root hair elongation by interacting with RabD2c GTPase. However, functions of other P-responsive DUF506 genes are still missing. Here, we selected two additional P-inducible DUF506 genes for further investigation. The expression of both genes was induced by auxin. Under P-stress, At3g07350 gene expressed ubiquitously in seedlings, whereas At1g62420 (AtRXR3) expression was strongest in roots. AtRXR3 overexpressors and knockouts had shorter and longer root hairs, respectively. A functional AtRXR3-green fluorescent protein fusion localized to root epidermal cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that AtRXR3 was transcriptionally activated by RSL4. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and calmodulin (CaM)-binding assays showed that AtRXR3 interacted with CaM in the presence of Ca2+ . Moreover, cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+ ]cyt ) oscillations in root hairs of rxr3 mutants exhibited elevated frequencies and dampened amplitudes compared to those of wild type. Thus, AtRXR3 is another DUF506 protein that attenuates P-limitation-induced root hair growth through mechanisms that involve RSL4 and interaction with CaM to modulate tip-focused [Ca2+ ]cyt oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Ying
- Noble Research Institute LLCArdmoreOklahomaUSA
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Qu Z, Wu Y, Hu D, Li T, Liang H, Ye F, Xue J, Xu S. Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Candidate Genes Contributing to Kernel-Related Traits in Maize. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:872292. [PMID: 35685022 PMCID: PMC9171146 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.872292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Maize grain size is the main factor determining grain yield. Dissecting the genetic basis of maize grain size may help reveal the regulatory mechanism of maize seed development and yield formation. In this study, two associated populations were used for genome-wide association analysis of kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, and hundred-kernel weight from multiple locations in AM122 and AM180, respectively. Then, genome-wide association mapping was performed based on the maize 6H90K SNP chip. A total of 139 loci were identified as associated with the four traits with p < 1 × 10-4 using two models (FarmCPU and MLM). The transcriptome data showed that 15 of them were expressed differentially in two maize-inbred lines KB182 (small kernel) and KB020 (big kernel) during kernel development. These candidate genes were enriched in regulating peroxidase activity, oxidoreductase, and leaf senescence. The molecular function was major in binding and catalytic activity. This study provided important reference information for exploring maize kernel development mechanisms and applying molecular markers in high-yield breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibo Qu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Die Hu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Hangyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Fan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Jiquan Xue
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
| | - Shutu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Maize Engineering Technology Research Centre, Yangling, China
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