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Sharma V, Sharma DP, Salwan R. Surviving the stress: Understanding the molecular basis of plant adaptations and uncovering the role of mycorrhizal association in plant abiotic stresses. Microb Pathog 2024; 193:106772. [PMID: 38969183 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Environmental stresses severely impair plant growth, resulting in significant crop yield and quality loss. Among various abiotic factors, salt and drought stresses are one of the major factors that affect the nutrients and water uptake by the plants, hence ultimately various physiological aspects of the plants that compromises crop yield. Continuous efforts have been made to investigate, dissect and improve plant adaptations at the molecular level in response to drought and salinity stresses. In this context, the plant beneficial microbiome presents in the rhizosphere, endosphere, and phyllosphere, also referred as second genomes of the plant is well known for its roles in plant adaptations. Exploration of beneficial interaction of fungi with host plants known as mycorrhizal association is one such special interaction that can facilitates the host plants adaptations. Mycorrhiza assist in alleviating the salinity and drought stresses of plants via redistributing the ion imbalance through translocation to different parts of the plants, as well as triggering oxidative machinery. Mycorrhiza association also regulates the level of various plant growth regulators, osmolytes and assists in acquiring minerals that are helpful in plant's adaptation against extreme environmental stresses. The current review examines the role of various plant growth regulators and plants' antioxidative systems, followed by mycorrhizal association during drought and salt stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Sharma
- University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali PB 140413, India.
| | - D P Sharma
- College of Horticulture and Forestry (Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry), Neri, Hamirpur, H.P 177 001, India
| | - Richa Salwan
- College of Horticulture and Forestry (Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry), Neri, Hamirpur, H.P 177 001, India.
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2
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Ni L, Xu Y, Wang Z, Yu C, Hua J, Yin Y, Li H, Gu C. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal that HhERF9 positively regulates salt tolerance in Hibiscus hamabo Siebold & Zuccarini. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 213:108843. [PMID: 38879985 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108843] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Hibiscus hamabo Siebold & Zuccarini is one of the few semi-mangrove plants in the genus Hibiscus that can survive in saline-alkali soil and flooded land, but the mechanism underlying its adaptation to salt soil remains unknown. Here, to uncover this unsolved mystery, we characterized the changes in the accumulation of specific metabolites under salt stress in H. hamabo by integrating physiological, metabolic, and transcriptomic data, and found that osmotic adjustment and abscisic acid (ABA) is highly associated with the salt stress response. Further, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed on the root transcriptome data, which identified three key candidate transcription factors responsive to salt stress. Among them, the expression HhERF9 was significantly upregulated under salt stress and ABA treatment and was involved in regulating the expression of genes related to the salt stress response. Further research indicated that HhERF9 enhances the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars by regulating the expression of genes such as NHX2 and P5CS. These findings provide a reference for improving H. hamabo through targeted genetic engineering and lay a theoretical foundation for its future promotion and cultivation in saline-alkali areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjie Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China; Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Yu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China; Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China; Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Chaoguang Yu
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Jianfeng Hua
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Yunlong Yin
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Huogen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Chunsun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China; Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing, 210014, China.
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3
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Wang Y, Cheng J, Guo Y, Li Z, Yang S, Wang Y, Gong Z. Phosphorylation of ZmAL14 by ZmSnRK2.2 regulates drought resistance through derepressing ZmROP8 expression. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:1334-1350. [PMID: 38804844 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13677] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Drought stress has negative effects on crop growth and production. Characterization of transcription factors that regulate the expression of drought-responsive genes is critical for understanding the transcriptional regulatory networks in response to drought, which facilitates the improvement of crop drought tolerance. Here, we identified an Alfin-like (AL) family gene ZmAL14 that negatively regulates drought resistance. Overexpression of ZmAL14 exhibits susceptibility to drought while mutation of ZmAL14 enhances drought resistance. An abscisic acid (ABA)-activated protein kinase ZmSnRK2.2 interacts and phosphorylates ZmAL14 at T38 residue. Knockout of ZmSnRK2.2 gene decreases drought resistance of maize. A dehydration-induced Rho-like small guanosine triphosphatase gene ZmROP8 is directly targeted and repressed by ZmAL14. Phosphorylation of ZmAL14 by ZmSnRK2.2 prevents its binding to the ZmROP8 promoter, thereby releasing the repression of ZmROP8 transcription. Overexpression of ZmROP8 stimulates peroxidase activity and reduces hydrogen peroxide accumulation after drought treatment. Collectively, our study indicates that ZmAL14 is a negative regulator of drought resistance, which can be phosphorylated by ZmSnRK2.2 through the ABA signaling pathway, thus preventing its suppression on ZmROP8 transcription during drought stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jinkui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yazhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhen Li
- 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
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhizhong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
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Dong T, Su J, Li H, Du Y, Wang Y, Chen P, Duan H. Genome-Wide Identification of the WRKY Gene Family in Four Cotton Varieties and the Positive Role of GhWRKY31 in Response to Salt and Drought Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1814. [PMID: 38999654 PMCID: PMC11243856 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
The WRKY gene family is ubiquitously distributed in plants, serving crucial functions in stress responses. Nevertheless, the structural organization and evolutionary dynamics of WRKY genes in cotton have not been fully elucidated. In this study, a total of 112, 119, 217, and 222 WRKY genes were identified in Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium raimondii, Gossypium hirsutum, and Gossypium barbadense, respectively. These 670 WRKY genes were categorized into seven distinct subgroups and unequally distributed across chromosomes. Examination of conserved motifs, domains, cis-acting elements, and gene architecture collectively highlighted the evolutionary conservation and divergence within the WRKY gene family in cotton. Analysis of synteny and collinearity further confirmed instances of expansion, duplication, and loss events among WRKY genes during cotton evolution. Furthermore, GhWRKY31 transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited heightened germination rates and longer root lengths under drought and salt stress. Silencing GhWRKY31 in cotton led to reduced levels of ABA, proline, POD, and SOD, along with downregulated expression of stress-responsive genes. Yeast one-hybrid and molecular docking assays confirmed the binding capacity of GhWRKY31 to the W box of GhABF1, GhDREB2, and GhRD29. The findings collectively offer a systematic and comprehensive insight into the evolutionary patterns of cotton WRKYs, proposing a suitable regulatory framework for developing cotton cultivars with enhanced resilience to drought and salinity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Jiuchang Su
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Haoyuan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yajie Du
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Peilei Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hongying Duan
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
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5
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Qiao M, Hong C, Jiao Y, Hou S, Gao H. Impacts of Drought on Photosynthesis in Major Food Crops and the Related Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Drought. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1808. [PMID: 38999648 PMCID: PMC11243883 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Drought stress is one of the most critical threats to crop productivity and global food security. This review addresses the multiple effects of drought on the process of photosynthesis in major food crops. Affecting both light-dependent and light-independent reactions, drought leads to severe damage to photosystems and blocks the electron transport chain. Plants face a CO2 shortage provoked by stomatal closure, which triggers photorespiration; not only does it reduce carbon fixation efficiency, but it also causes lower overall photosynthetic output. Drought-induced oxidative stress generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular structures, including chloroplasts, further impairing photosynthetic productivity. Plants have evolved a variety of adaptive strategies to alleviate these effects. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms help dissipate excess light energy as heat, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus under drought conditions. Alternative electron pathways, such as cyclical electron transmission and chloroplast respiration, maintain energy balance and prevent over-reduction of the electron transport chain. Hormones, especially abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and cytokinin, modulate stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and osmotic adjustment, further increasing the tolerance to drought. Structural adjustments, such as leaf reordering and altered root architecture, also strengthen tolerance. Understanding these complex interactions and adaptive strategies is essential for developing drought-resistant crop varieties and ensuring agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hongbo Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (M.Q.)
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6
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Liang K, Zhao C, Wang J, Zheng X, Yu F, Qiu F. Genetic variations in ZmEREB179 are associated with waterlogging tolerance in maize. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00075-4. [PMID: 38636730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.04.005] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) is highly susceptible to waterlogging stress, which reduces both the yield and quality of this important crop. However, the molecular mechanism governing waterlogging tolerance is poorly understood. In this study, we identify a waterlogging- and ethylene-inducible gene ZmEREB179 that encodes an ethylene response factor (ERF) localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of ZmEREB179 in maize increases the sensitivity to waterlogging stress. Conversely, the zmereb179 knockout mutants are more tolerant to waterlogging, suggesting that ZmEREB179 functions as a negative regulator of waterlogging tolerance. A transcriptome analysis of the ZmEREB179-overexpressing plants reveals that the ERF-type transcription factor modulates the expression of various stress-related genes, including ZmEREB180. We find that ZmEREB179 directly targets the ZmEREB180 promoter and represses its expression. Notably, the analysis of a panel of 220 maize inbred lines reveals that genetic variations in the ZmEREB179 promoter (Hap2) are highly associated with waterlogging resistance. The functional association of Hap2 with waterlogging resistance is tightly co-segregated in two F2 segregating populations, highlighting its potential applications in breeding programs. Our findings shed light on the involvement of the transcriptional cascade of ERF genes in regulating plant-waterlogging tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Liang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Chenxu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Jing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Xueqing Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Feng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China.
| | - Fazhan Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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7
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Liu H, Wu Z, Bao M, Gao F, Yang W, Abou-Elwafa SF, Liu Z, Ren Z, Zhu Y, Ku L, Su H, Chong L, Chen Y. ZmC2H2-149 negatively regulates drought tolerance by repressing ZmHSD1 in maize. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:885-899. [PMID: 38164019 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14798] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Drought is a major abiotic stress that limits maize production worldwide. Therefore, it is of great importance to improve drought tolerance in crop plants for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we examined the roles of Cys2 /His2 zinc-finger-proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) in maize's drought tolerance as C2H2-ZFPs have been implicated for plant stress tolerance. By subjecting 150 Ac/Ds mutant lines to drought stress, we successfully identified a Ds-insertion mutant, zmc2h2-149, which shows increased tolerance to drought stress. Overexpression of ZmC2H2-149 in maize led to a decrease in both drought tolerance and crop yield. DAP-Seq, RNA-Seq, Y1H and LUC assays additionally showed that ZmC2H2-149 directly suppresses the expression of a positive drought tolerance regulator, ZmHSD1 (hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1). Consistently, the zmhsd1 mutants exhibited decreased drought tolerance and grain yield under water deficit conditions compared to their respective wild-type plants. Our findings thus demonstrated that ZmC2H2-149 can regulate ZmHSD1 for drought stress tolerance in maize, offering valuable theoretical and genetic resources for maize breeding programmes that aim for improving drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Liu
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhendong Wu
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Miaomiao Bao
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Fengran Gao
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | | | - Zhixue Liu
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhenzhen Ren
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingfang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lixia Ku
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Huihui Su
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Leelyn Chong
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanhui Chen
- College of Agronomy, National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science and Key Laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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8
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Ren Z, Fu J, Abou-Elwafa SF, Ku L, Xie X, Liu Z, Shao J, Wen P, Al Aboud NM, Su H, Wang T, Wei L. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms regulating how ZmEREB24 improves drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays) seedlings. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 207:108292. [PMID: 38215602 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108292] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Drought stress is one of the most limiting factors of maize productivity and can lead to a sharp reduction in the total biomass when it occurs at the seedling stage. Improving drought tolerance at the seedling stage is of great importance for maize breeding. The AP2/ERF transcription factor family plays a critical role in plant response to abiotic stresses. Here, we used a preliminary previously-generated ranscriptomic dataset to identify a highly drought-stress-responsive AP2 gene, i.e., ZmEREB24. Compared to the wild type, the overexpression of ZmEREB24 in maize significantly promotes drought tolerance of transgenic plants at the seedling stage. CRISPR/Cas9-based ZmEREB24-knockout mutants showed a drought-sensitive phenotype. RNA-seq analysis and EMSA assay revealed AATGG.CT and GTG.T.GCC motifs as the main binding sites of ZmEREB24 to the promoters of downstream target genes. DAP-seq identified four novel target genes involved in proline and sugar metabolism and hormone signal transduction of ZmEREB24. Our data indicate that ZmEREB24 plays important biological functions in regulating drought tolerance by binding to the promoters of drought stress genes and modulating their expression. The results further suggest a role of ZmEREB24 in regulating drought adaptation in maize, indicating its potential importance for employing molecular breeding in the development of high-yield drought-tolerant maize cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Ren
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Jiaxu Fu
- Henna Technology Innovation Centre of Wheat, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | | | - Lixia Ku
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Xiaowen Xie
- Henna Technology Innovation Centre of Wheat, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Zhixue Liu
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Jing Shao
- Henna Technology Innovation Centre of Wheat, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Pengfei Wen
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Nora M Al Aboud
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huihui Su
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Tongchao Wang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Li Wei
- Henna Technology Innovation Centre of Wheat, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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9
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Jiao P, Jiang Z, Miao M, Wei X, Wang C, Liu S, Guan S, Ma Y. Zmhdz9, an HD-Zip transcription factor, promotes drought stress resistance in maize by modulating ABA and lignin accumulation. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 258:128849. [PMID: 38113999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128849] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Maize is the largest crop in the world in terms of both planting area and total yield, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring global food and feed security. However, in recent years, with climate deterioration, environmental changes, and the scarcity of freshwater resources, drought has become a serious limiting factor for maize yield and quality. Drought stress-induced signals undergo a series of transmission processes to regulate the expression of specific genes, thereby affecting the drought tolerance of plants at the tissue, cellular, physiological and biochemical levels. Therefore, in this study we investigated the HD-Zip transcription factor gene Zmhdz9, and yeast activation experiments demonstrated that Zmhdz9 exhibited transcriptional activation activity. Under drought stress, high abscisic acid (ABA) and lignin levels significantly improved drought resistance in maize. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) and pull-down experiments showed that Zmhdz9 interacted with ZmWRKY120 and ZmTCP9, respectively. Overexpression of Zmhdz9 and gene editing of ZmWRKY120 or ZmTCP9 improved maize drought resistance, indicating their importance in the drought stress response. Furthermore, Zmhdz9 promoted the direct transcription of ZmWRKY120 in the W-box, activating elements of the ZmNCED1 promoter, which encodes a key enzyme in ABA biosynthesis. Additionally, Zmhdz9 promoted direct transcription of ZmTCP9 in the GGTCA motif, activating elements of the ZmKNOX8 promoter, which encodes a key enzyme in lignin synthesis. This study showed that the regulation of ABA and lignin by Zmhdz9 is essential for drought stress resistance in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jiao
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Zhenzhong Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Ming Miao
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Xiaotong Wei
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Chunlai Wang
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Siyan Liu
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Shuyan Guan
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Yiyong Ma
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
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10
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Tang Q, Wei S, Zheng X, Tu P, Tao F. APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factors in higher plant and their roles in regulation of plant stress response. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38267262 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2299769] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Plants, anchored throughout their life cycles, face a unique set of challenges from fluctuating environments and pathogenic assaults. Central to their adaptative mechanisms are transcription factors (TFs), particularly the AP2/ERF superfamily-one of the most extensive TF families unique to plants. This family plays instrumental roles in orchestrating diverse biological processes ranging from growth and development to secondary metabolism, and notably, responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Distinguished by the presence of the signature AP2 domain or its responsiveness to ethylene signals, the AP2/ERF superfamily has become a nexus of research focus, with increasing literature elucidating its multifaceted roles. This review provides a synoptic overview of the latest research advancements on the AP2/ERF family, spanning its taxonomy, structural nuances, prevalence in higher plants, transcriptional and post-transcriptional dynamics, and the intricate interplay in DNA-binding and target gene regulation. Special attention is accorded to the ethylene response factor B3 subgroup protein Pti5 and its role in stress response, with speculative insights into its functionalities and interaction matrix in tomatoes. The overarching goal is to pave the way for harnessing these TFs in the realms of plant genetic enhancement and novel germplasm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Tang
- College of Standardization, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sishan Wei
- College of Standardization, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Tu
- Department of Environmental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Tao
- College of Standardization, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Ma Z, Hu L, Jiang W. Understanding AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Responses and Tolerance to Various Abiotic Stresses in Plants: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:893. [PMID: 38255967 PMCID: PMC10815832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020893] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Abiotic stress is an adverse environmental factor that severely affects plant growth and development, and plants have developed complex regulatory mechanisms to adapt to these unfavourable conditions through long-term evolution. In recent years, many transcription factor families of genes have been identified to regulate the ability of plants to respond to abiotic stresses. Among them, the AP2/ERF (APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor) family is a large class of plant-specific proteins that regulate plant response to abiotic stresses and can also play a role in regulating plant growth and development. This paper reviews the structural features and classification of AP2/ERF transcription factors that are involved in transcriptional regulation, reciprocal proteins, downstream genes, and hormone-dependent signalling and hormone-independent signalling pathways in response to abiotic stress. The AP2/ERF transcription factors can synergise with hormone signalling to form cross-regulatory networks in response to and tolerance of abiotic stresses. Many of the AP2/ERF transcription factors activate the expression of abiotic stress-responsive genes that are dependent or independent of abscisic acid and ethylene in response to abscisic acid and ethylene. In addition, the AP2/ERF transcription factors are involved in gibberellin, auxin, brassinosteroid, and cytokinin-mediated abiotic stress responses. The study of AP2/ERF transcription factors and interacting proteins, as well as the identification of their downstream target genes, can provide us with a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of plant action in response to abiotic stress, which can improve plants' ability to tolerate abiotic stress and provide a more theoretical basis for increasing plant yield under abiotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Ma
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Plant Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Plant Genetics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Emil Ramann Str. 4, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Lanjuan Hu
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Plant Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
| | - Wenzhu Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Plant Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
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12
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Zhu X, Wang B, Liu W, Wei X, Wang X, Du X, Liu H. Genome-wide analysis of AP2/ERF gene and functional analysis of CqERF24 gene in drought stress in quinoa. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127582. [PMID: 37866580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127582] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Quinoa is a crop with high nutritional value and strong stress resistance. AP2/ERF transcription factors play a key role in plant growth and development. In this study, 148 AP2/ERF genes were identified in quinoa, which were divided into 5 subfamilies, including ERF, AP2, DREB, RAV and Soloist. The results showed that the number of introns ranged from 0 to 11, and the Motif 1-Motif 4 was highly conserved in most CqAP2/ERF proteins. The 148 CqAP2/ERF genes were distributed on 19 chromosomes. There were 93 pairs of duplicating genes in this family, and gene duplication played a critical role in the expansion of this family. Protein-protein interaction indicated that the proteins in CqAP2/ERF subfamily exhibited complex interactions, and GO enrichment analysis indicated that 148 CqAP2/ERF proteins were involved in transcription factor activity. In addition, CqAP2/ERF gene contains a large number of elements related to hormones in promoter region (IAA, GA, SA, ABA and MeJA) and stresses (salt, drought, low temperature and anaerobic induction). Transcriptome analysis under drought stress indicated that most of the CqAP2/ERF genes were responsive to drought stress, and subcellular localization indicated that CqERF24 was location in the nucleus, qRT-PCR results also showed that most of the genes such as CqERF15, CqERF24, CqDREB03, CqDREB14, CqDREB37 and CqDREB43 also responded to drought stress in roots and leaves. Overexpression of CqERF24 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced drought resistance by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and activation-related stress genes, and the gene is sensitive to ABA, while silencing CqERF24 in quinoa decreased drought tolerance. In addition, overexpression of CqERF24 in quinoa calli enhanced resistance to mannitol. These results lay a solid foundation for further study on the role of AP2/ERF family genes in quinoa under drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Baoqiang Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Wenyu Liu
- Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xiaohong Wei
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Xian Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xuefeng Du
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Haixun Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Liu X, Liang D, Song W, Wang X, Duan W, Wang C, Wang P. Tobacco roots increasing diameter and secondary lateral density in response to drought stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 204:108122. [PMID: 37939500 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108122] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the responses of root morphology and its physiological mechanisms under drought stress is significant for further improving water and nutrient absorption in roots. Here, we simulated drought through hydroponics combined with PEG treatments in tobacco to characterize the changes in tobacco root architecture. Our results showed the total root length, first lateral root number, and first lateral root length were significantly reduced upon increasing drought severity, but the average root diameter and secondary lateral root density increased under certain drought conditions. The change of auxin content in roots under drought stress was correlated with the root diameter and second lateral root density responses. Exogenous addition of the auxin analog (NAA) and the auxin transport inhibitor (NPA), as well as DR5:GUS staining experiments further demonstrated that auxin participated in this physiological process. Meanwhile, brassinolide (BR) exhibited a similar trend. Exogenous addition of BR (EBR) and the BR synthesis inhibitor BRZ experiments demonstrated that BR may participate upstream of auxin under drought stress. PEG treatment significantly up-regulated NtBRI1 at 9-24 h, and promoted the up-regulation of NtBSK2 and NtBSK3 at 48 h and 24 h, respectively, these genes may contribute to the change in root morphology under drought stress. This study shows that auxin and BR are involved in the changes in root morphology in tobacco exposed to drought stress. The elucidation of the molecular mechanism at play thus represents a future target for breeding drought-tolerant tobacco varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China
| | - Dong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China; Henan Tobacco Company Sanmenxia City Co., Ltd, Sanmenxia, 472001, PR China
| | - Wenjing Song
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China
| | - Wangjun Duan
- Sichuan Zhongyan Industry Co., Ltd., Chengdu, 610021, PR China
| | - Chengdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China.
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biology and Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China.
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14
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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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Hameed R, Abbas A, Saeed M, Shahani AAA, Huang P, Du D, Zulfiqar U, Alamri S, Alfagham AT. Investigating the dynamic responses of Aegilops tauschii Coss. to salinity, drought, and nitrogen stress: a comprehensive study of competitive growth and biochemical and molecular pathways. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1238704. [PMID: 37745988 PMCID: PMC10511890 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1238704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) is a highly deleterious, rapidly proliferating weed within the wheat, and its DD genome composition exhibits adaptability toward diverse abiotic stresses and demonstrates heightened efficacy in nutrient utilization. Current study investigated different variegated impacts of distinct nitrogen concentrations with varied plant densities, scrutinizing the behavior of Ae. tauschii under various salinity and drought stress levels through multiple physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways. Different physiological parameters attaining high growth with different plant density and different nitrogen availability levels increased Ae. tauschii dominancy. Conversely, under the duress of salinity and drought, Ae. tauschii showcased an enhanced performance through a comprehensive array of physiological and biochemical parameters, including catalase, peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and proline content. Notably, salinity-associated traits such as sodium, potassium, and the sodium-potassium ratio exhibited significant variations and demonstrated remarkable tolerance capabilities. In the domain of molecular pathways, the HKT and DREB genes have displayed a remarkable upregulation, showcasing a comparatively elevated expression profile in reaction to different levels of salinity and drought-induced stress. Without a doubt, this information will make a substantial contribution to the understanding of the fundamental behavioral tendencies and the efficiency of nutrient utilization in Ae. tauschii. Moreover, it will offer innovative viewpoints for integrated management, thereby enabling the enhancement of strategies for adept control and alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashida Hameed
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Adeel Abbas
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Muhammad Saeed
- Department of Weed Science and Botany, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Aitezaz A. A. Shahani
- Key Laboratory of Crop Sciences and Plant Breeding Genetics, College of Agriculture, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Daolin Du
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Saud Alamri
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alanoud T. Alfagham
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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16
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Li L, Zhu Z, Liu J, Zhang Y, Lu Y, Zhao J, Xing H, Guo N. Transcription Factor GmERF105 Negatively Regulates Salt Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3007. [PMID: 37631217 PMCID: PMC10459988 DOI: 10.3390/plants12163007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The Ethylene Response Factor (ERF) transcription factors form a subfamily of the AP2/ERF family that is instrumental in mediating plant responses to diverse abiotic stressors. Herein, we present the isolation and characterization of the GmERF105 gene from Williams 82 (W82), which is rapidly induced by salt, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments in soybean. The GmERF105 protein contains an AP2 domain and localizes to the nucleus. GmERF105 was selectively bound to GCC-box by gel migration experiments. Under salt stress, overexpression of GmERF105 in Arabidopsis significantly reduced seed germination rate, fresh weight, and antioxidant enzyme activity; meanwhile, sodium ion content, malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were markedly elevated compared to the wild type. It was further found that the transcription levels of CSD1 and CDS2 of two SOD genes were reduced in OE lines. Furthermore, the GmERF105 transgenic plants displayed suppressed expression of stress response marker genes, including KIN1, LEA14, NCED3, RD29A, and COR15A/B, under salt treatment. Our findings suggest that GmERF105 can act as a negative regulator in plant salt tolerance pathways by affecting ROS scavenging systems and the transcription of stress response marker genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jinming Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, MOE National Innovation Platform for Soybean Bio-Breeding Industry and Education Integration, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.L.)
| | - Han Xing
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, MOE National Innovation Platform for Soybean Bio-Breeding Industry and Education Integration, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.L.)
| | - Na Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, MOE National Innovation Platform for Soybean Bio-Breeding Industry and Education Integration, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (L.L.)
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17
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Advances of Apetala2/Ethylene Response Factors in Regulating Development and Stress Response in Maize. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065416. [PMID: 36982510 PMCID: PMC10049130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Apetala2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) is one of the largest families of transcription factors, regulating growth, development, and stress response in plants. Several studies have been conducted to clarify their roles in Arabidopsis and rice. However, less research has been carried out on maize. In this review, we systematically identified the AP2/ERFs in the maize genome and summarized the research progress related to AP2/ERF genes. The potential roles were predicted from rice homologs based on phylogenetic and collinear analysis. The putative regulatory interactions mediated by maize AP2/ERFs were discovered according to integrated data sources, implying that they involved complex networks in biological activities. This will facilitate the functional assignment of AP2/ERFs and their applications in breeding strategy.
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18
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Wang G, Su H, Abou-Elwafa SF, Zhang P, Cao L, Fu J, Xie X, Ku L, Wen P, Wang T, Wei L. Functional analysis of a late embryogenesis abundant protein ZmNHL1 in maize under drought stress. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 280:153883. [PMID: 36470036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Maize is an important feed and industrial cereal crop and is crucial for global food security. The development of drought-tolerant genotypes is a major aim of breeding programs to fight water scarcity and maintain sustainable maize production. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a family of proteins related to osmotic regulation that widely exist in organisms. Here, we implemented a previously generated maize transcriptomic dataset to identify a drought-responsive gene designated ZmNHL1. Bioinformatics analysis of ZmNHL1 showed that the protein encoded by ZmNHL1 belongs to the LEA-2 protein family. Tissue specific expression analysis showed that ZmNHL1 is relatively abundant in stems and leaves, highly expressed in tassels and only slightly expressed in roots, pollens and ears. Moreover, the activity of SOD and POD of plants from three 35S::ZmNHL1 transgenic lines under either the induced drought stress conditions (by 20% PEG6000) or the natural water deficit treatment (by water withholding) were higher than that of the WT plants, while the electrolyte leakage of the 35S::ZmNHL1 transgenic plants was lower than that of the WT plants under both drought treatments. Our data further revealed that ZmNHL1 promotes maize tolerance to drought stress in 35S::ZmNHL1 transgenic plants by improving ROS scavenging and maintaining the cell membrane permeability. Overall, our data revealed that ZmNHL1 promotes maize tolerance to drought stress and contributes to provide elite germplasm resources for maize drought tolerance breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorui Wang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Huihui Su
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | | | - Pengyu Zhang
- Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Liru Cao
- Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Jiaxu Fu
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiaowen Xie
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Lixia Ku
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Pengfei Wen
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Tongchao Wang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Li Wei
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
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Du L, Huang X, Ding L, Wang Z, Tang D, Chen B, Ao L, Liu Y, Kang Z, Mao H. TaERF87 and TaAKS1 synergistically regulate TaP5CS1/TaP5CR1-mediated proline biosynthesis to enhance drought tolerance in wheat. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:232-250. [PMID: 36264565 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress limits wheat production and threatens food security world-wide. While ethylene-responsive factors (ERFs) are known to regulate plant response to drought stress, the regulatory mechanisms responsible for a tolerant phenotype remain unclear. Here, we describe the positive regulatory role of TaERF87 in mediating wheat tolerance to drought stress. TaERF87 overexpression (OE) enhances drought tolerance, while silencing leads to drought sensitivity in wheat. RNA sequencing with biochemical assays revealed that TaERF87 activates the expression of the proline biosynthesis genes TaP5CS1 and TaP5CR1 via direct binding to GCC-box elements. Furthermore, proline accumulates to higher levels in TaERF87- and TaP5CS1-OE lines than that in wild-type plants under well-watered and drought stress conditions concomitantly with enhanced drought tolerance in these transgenic lines. Moreover, the interaction between TaERF87 and the bHLH transcription factor TaAKS1 synergistically enhances TaP5CS1 and TaP5CR1 transcriptional activation. TaAKS1 OE also increases wheat drought tolerance by promoting proline accumulation. Additionally, our findings verified that TaERF87 and TaAKS1 are targets of abscisic acid-responsive element binding factor 2 (TaABF2). Together, our study elucidates the mechanisms underlying a positive response to drought stress mediated by the TaABF2-TaERF87/TaAKS1-TaP5CS1/TaP5CR1 module, and identifies candidate genes for the development of elite drought-tolerant wheat varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linying Du
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xueling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, 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
| | - Zhongxue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Dongling Tang
- 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
| | - Lanjiya Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yuling Liu
- 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
- Pioneering Innovation Center for Wheat Stress Tolerance Improvement, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, 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
- Pioneering Innovation Center for Wheat Stress Tolerance Improvement, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
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McMillen MS, Mahama AA, Sibiya J, Lübberstedt T, Suza WP. Improving drought tolerance in maize: Tools and techniques. Front Genet 2022; 13:1001001. [PMID: 36386797 PMCID: PMC9651916 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Drought is an important constraint to agricultural productivity worldwide and is expected to worsen with climate change. To assist farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), to adapt to climate change, continuous generation of stress-tolerant and farmer-preferred crop varieties, and their adoption by farmers, is critical to curb food insecurity. Maize is the most widely grown staple crop in SSA and plays a significant role in food security. The aim of this review is to present an overview of a broad range of tools and techniques used to improve drought tolerance in maize. We also present a summary of progress in breeding for maize drought tolerance, while incorporating research findings from disciplines such as physiology, molecular biology, and systems modeling. The review is expected to complement existing knowledge about breeding maize for climate resilience. Collaborative maize drought tolerance breeding projects in SSA emphasize the value of public-private partnerships in increasing access to genomic techniques and useful transgenes. To sustain the impact of maize drought tolerance projects in SSA, there must be complementary efforts to train the next generation of plant breeders and crop scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony A. Mahama
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Julia Sibiya
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | | | - Walter P. Suza
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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Shen L, Zhao E, Liu R, Yang X. Transcriptome Analysis of Eggplant under Salt Stress: AP2/ERF Transcription Factor SmERF1 Acts as a Positive Regulator of Salt Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2205. [PMID: 36079586 PMCID: PMC9460861 DOI: 10.3390/plants11172205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Salt stress, a type of abiotic stress, impedes plant growth and development and strongly reduces crop yield. The molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to salt stress remain largely unclear. To characterize the enriched pathways and genes that were affected during salt treatment, we performed mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) in eggplant roots and identified 8509 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the mock and 24 h under salt stress. Among these DEGs, we found that the AP2/ERF transcription factor family member SmERF1 belongs to the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, which was significantly upregulated by salt stress. We found that SmERF1 localizes in the nuclei with transcriptional activity. The results of the virus-induced gene silencing assay showed that SmERF1 silencing markedly enhanced the susceptibility of plants to salt stress, significantly downregulated the transcript expression levels of salt stress defense-related marker genes (9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase [SmNCED1, SmNCED2], Dehydrin [SmDHN1], and Dehydrin (SmDHNX1), and reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Silencing SmERF1 promoted the generation of H2O2 and proline. In addition, the transient overexpression of SmERF1 triggered intense cell death in eggplant leaves, as assessed by the darker diaminobenzidine and trypan blue staining. These findings suggest that SmERF1 acts as a positive regulator of eggplant response to salt stress. Hence, our results suggest that AP2/ERF transcription factors play a vital role in the response to salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shen
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Enpeng Zhao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ruie Liu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Pan R, Buitrago S, Feng Z, Abou-Elwafa SF, Xu L, Li C, Zhang W. HvbZIP21, a Novel Transcription Factor From Wild Barley Confers Drought Tolerance by Modulating ROS Scavenging. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:878459. [PMID: 35528943 PMCID: PMC9074790 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.878459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress is a common environmental stress, which adversely affects the yield and quality of crops. Due to its excellent drought tolerance, wild barley from the Middle East region is considered a valuable source for barley improvement. Here, we compared the growth rate, stomatal regulation and capacity to metabolize reactive oxygen species (ROS) of two barley cultivars and one wild barley accession. The results indicated the wild barley EC_S1 showed a more significant decline in stomatal aperture and less ROS production. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that EC_S1 has slower transcriptional regulation (5,050 DEGs) in the early stage of drought stress (14 days) than Baudin (7,022 DEGs) and Tadmor (6,090 DEGs). In addition, 30 hub genes, including nine known drought-related genes were identified by WGCNA analysis. Then, we cloned a novel bZIP transcription factor, HvbZIP21, from EC_S1. HvbZIP21 was subcellularly targeted to the nucleus. Overexpression of HvbZIP21 in Arabidopsis enhanced drought tolerance due to increasing activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities as well as glutathione content. Silencing of HvbZIP21 in EC_S1 suppressed drought tolerance in BSMV:HvbZIP21-inoculated plants. Taken together, our findings suggest that HvbZIP21 play a critical role in drought tolerance by manipulating ROS scavenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Pan
- Research Center of Crop Stresses Resistance Technologies/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Sebastian Buitrago
- Research Center of Crop Stresses Resistance Technologies/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhenbao Feng
- Research Center of Crop Stresses Resistance Technologies/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | | | - Le Xu
- Research Center of Crop Stresses Resistance Technologies/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chengdao Li
- Western Crop Genetics Alliance, Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Wenying Zhang
- Research Center of Crop Stresses Resistance Technologies/Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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