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De Micco V, Aronne G, Caplin N, Carnero-Diaz E, Herranz R, Horemans N, Legué V, Medina FJ, Pereda-Loth V, Schiefloe M, De Francesco S, Izzo LG, Le Disquet I, Kittang Jost AI. Perspectives for plant biology in space and analogue environments. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:67. [PMID: 37604914 PMCID: PMC10442387 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00315-x] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in plant space biology are required for the realization of human space exploration missions, where the re-supply of resources from Earth is not feasible. Until a few decades ago, space life science was focused on the impact of the space environment on the human body. More recently, the interest in plant space biology has increased because plants are key organisms in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for the regeneration of resources and fresh food production. Moreover, plants play an important role in psychological support for astronauts. The definition of cultivation requirements for the design, realization, and successful operation of BLSS must consider the effects of space factors on plants. Altered gravitational fields and radiation exposure are the main space factors inducing changes in gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation, signalling and physiological processes with possible consequences on tissue organization and organogenesis, thus on the whole plant functioning. Interestingly, the changes at the cellular and molecular levels do not always result in organismic or developmental changes. This apparent paradox is a current research challenge. In this paper, the main findings of gravity- and radiation-related research on higher plants are summarized, highlighting the knowledge gaps that are still necessary to fill. Existing experimental facilities to simulate the effect of space factors, as well as requirements for future facilities for possible experiments to achieve fundamental biology goals are considered. Finally, the need for making synergies among disciplines and for establishing global standard operating procedures for analyses and data collection in space experiments is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Micco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy.
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Nicol Caplin
- SciSpacE Team, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies (BIS), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Valérie Legué
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - F Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mona Schiefloe
- NTNU Social Research, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS) Dragvoll Allé 38 B, 7049, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sara De Francesco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Isabel Le Disquet
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ann- Iren Kittang Jost
- NTNU Social Research, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS) Dragvoll Allé 38 B, 7049, Trondheim, Norway
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Liang Y, Wang M, Liu Y, Wang C, Takahashi K, Naruse K. Meta-Analysis-Assisted Detection of Gravity-Sensitive Genes in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:689662. [PMID: 34422812 PMCID: PMC8371407 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.689662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gravity affects the function and maintenance of organs, such as bones, muscles, and the heart. Several studies have used DNA microarrays to identify genes with altered expressions in response to gravity. However, it is technically challenging to combine the results from various microarray datasets because of their different data structures. We hypothesized that it is possible to identify common changes in gene expression from the DNA microarray datasets obtained under various conditions and methods. In this study, we grouped homologous genes to perform a meta-analysis of multiple vascular endothelial cell and skeletal muscle datasets. According to the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis, the changes in the gene expression pattern in vascular endothelial cells formed specific clusters. We also identified candidate genes in endothelial cells that responded to gravity. Further, we exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to simulated microgravity (SMG) using a clinostat and measured the expression levels of the candidate genes. Gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR revealed that the expression level of the prostaglandin (PG) transporter gene SLCO2A1 decreased in response to microgravity, consistent with the meta-analysis of microarray datasets. Furthermore, the direction of gravity affected the expression level of SLCO2A1, buttressing the finding that its expression was affected by gravity. These results suggest that a meta-analysis of DNA microarray datasets may help identify new target genes previously overlooked in individual microarray analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liang
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Mengxue Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ken Takahashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Keiji Naruse
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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Manzano A, Villacampa A, Sáez-Vásquez J, Kiss JZ, Medina FJ, Herranz R. The Importance of Earth Reference Controls in Spaceflight -Omics Research: Characterization of Nucleolin Mutants from the Seedling Growth Experiments. iScience 2020; 23:101686. [PMID: 33163940 PMCID: PMC7607443 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding plant adaptive responses to the space environment is a requisite for enabling space farming. Spaceflight produces deleterious effects on plant cells, particularly affecting ribosome biogenesis, a complex stress-sensitive process coordinated with cell division and differentiation, known to be activated by red light. Here, in a series of ground studies, we have used mutants from the two Arabidopsis nucleolin genes (NUC1 and NUC2, nucleolar regulators of ribosome biogenesis) to better understand their role in adaptive response mechanisms to stress on Earth. Thus, we show that nucleolin stress-related gene NUC2 can compensate for the environmental stress provided by darkness in nuc1 plants, whereas nuc2 plants are not able to provide a complete response to red light. These ground control findings, as part of the ESA/NASA Seedling Growth spaceflight experiments, will determine the basis for the identification of genetic backgrounds enabling an adaptive advantage for plants in future space experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aránzazu Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Villacampa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Sáez-Vásquez
- CNRS, Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes (LGDP), UMR 5096, 66860 Perpignan, France
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, LGDP, UMR 5096, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA
| | - F. Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Califar B, Sng NJ, Zupanska A, Paul AL, Ferl RJ. Root Skewing-Associated Genes Impact the Spaceflight Response of Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:239. [PMID: 32194611 PMCID: PMC7064724 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The observation that plant roots skew in microgravity recently refuted the long-held conviction that skewing was a gravity-dependent phenomenon. Further, spaceflight root skewing suggests that specific root morphologies and cell wall remodeling systems may be important aspects of spaceflight physiological adaptation. However, connections between skewing, cell wall modification and spaceflight physiology are currently based on inferences rather than direct tests. Therefore, the Advanced Plant Experiments-03-2 (APEX-03-2) spaceflight study was designed to elucidate the contribution of two skewing- and cell wall-associated genes in Arabidopsis to root behavior and gene expression patterns in spaceflight, to assess whether interruptions of different skewing pathways affect the overall spaceflight-associated process. SPIRAL1 is a skewing-related protein implicated in directional cell expansion, and functions by regulating cortical microtubule dynamics. SKU5 is skewing-related glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein of the plasma membrane and cell wall implicated in stress response signaling. These two genes function in different cellular pathways that affect skewing on the Earth, and enable a test of the relevance of skewing pathways to spaceflight physiological adaptation. In this study, both sku5 and spr1 mutants showed different skewing behavior and markedly different patterns of gene expression in the spaceflight environment. The spr1 mutant showed fewer differentially expressed genes than its Col-0 wild-type, whereas sku5 showed considerably more than its WS wild-type. Developmental age played a substantial role in spaceflight acclimation in all genotypes, but particularly in sku5 plants, where spaceflight 4d seedlings had almost 10-times as many highly differentially expressed genes as the 8d seedlings. These differences demonstrated that the two skewing pathways represented by SKU5 and SPR1 have unique and opposite contributions to physiological adaptation to spaceflight. The spr1 response is less intense than wild type, suggesting that the loss of SPR1 positively impacts spaceflight adaptation. Conversely, the intensity of the sku5 responses suggests that the loss of SKU5 initiates a much more complex, deeper and more stress related response to spaceflight. This suggests that proper SKU5 function is important to spaceflight adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Califar
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- The Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Natasha J. Sng
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Agata Zupanska
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- The Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology and Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Anna-Lisa Paul,
| | - Robert J. Ferl
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- The Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Robert J. Ferl,
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Kamal KY, van Loon JJ, Medina FJ, Herranz R. Differential transcriptional profile through cell cycle progression in Arabidopsis cultures under simulated microgravity. Genomics 2019; 111:1956-1965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Imura T, Otsuka T, Kawahara Y, Yuge L. "Microgravity" as a unique and useful stem cell culture environment for cell-based therapy. Regen Ther 2019; 12:2-5. [PMID: 31890760 PMCID: PMC6933149 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells or pluripotent stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells has seen dramatic progress in recent years. Part of cell-based therapy are already covered by public medical insurance. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve therapeutic effects toward various diseases by cell transplantation. Culture environment is considered to be one of the most important factors affecting therapeutic effects, in particular factors such as physical stimuli, because cells have the potential to adapt to their surrounding environment. In this review, we provide an overview of the research on the effects of gravity alteration on cell kinetics such as proliferation or differentiation and on potential therapeutic effects, and we also summarize the remarkable possibilities of the use of microgravity culture in cell-based therapy for various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Imura
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takashi Otsuka
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | - Louis Yuge
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Space Bio-Laboratories Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan
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Soleimani M, Ghanati F, Hajebrahimi Z, Hajnorouzi A, Abdolmaleki P, Zarinkamar F. Energy saving and improvement of metabolism of cultured tobacco cells upon exposure to 2-D clinorotation. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 234-235:36-43. [PMID: 30660945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Studies have confirmed that on the ground, the plant cells must expend energy to maintain positional homeostasis against gravity. Under microgravity conditions, such energy may be saved for other process such as biosynthesis of beneficial metabolites for growth. This hypothesis was examined on a cell line of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Burley 21). The cells were continuously treated with 2-D clinostat for 1 week. Exposure to clinorotation conditions increased biomass and total protein. Total content of soluble sugar also increased which may provide more precursors for Krebs cycle and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In the case of 2-D clinorotation, the expression and activity of glutamate producing enzyme, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) increased, whereas the activity of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) decreased. Regarding the role of GAD in initiation of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) shunt, it is plausible that under clinorotation condition, the tobacco cells directed their metabolism toward saving energy for Krebs cycling and more production of ATP rather than shifting to side paths such as GABA shunt. Improvement of radical scavenging enzymes activity and increase of the contents of phenolic compounds and certain peroxide neutralizing amino acids, e.g., His, Pro, Ser, and Asp under clinorotation conditions decreased membrane lipid peroxidation and maintained the growth potential of tobacco cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Soleimani
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghanati
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Hajebrahimi
- Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abazar Hajnorouzi
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Basic Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Abdolmaleki
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zarinkamar
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Artemenko O. Changing gravity as a factor of influence at the beginning of the plants cell cycle. UKRAINIAN BOTANICAL JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.15407/ukrbotj75.03.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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9
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Kamal KY, Herranz R, van Loon JJWA, Medina FJ. Simulated microgravity, Mars gravity, and 2g hypergravity affect cell cycle regulation, ribosome biogenesis, and epigenetics in Arabidopsis cell cultures. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6424. [PMID: 29686401 PMCID: PMC5913308 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24942-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gravity is the only component of Earth environment that remained constant throughout the entire process of biological evolution. However, it is still unclear how gravity affects plant growth and development. In this study, an in vitro cell culture of Arabidopsis thaliana was exposed to different altered gravity conditions, namely simulated reduced gravity (simulated microgravity, simulated Mars gravity) and hypergravity (2g), to study changes in cell proliferation, cell growth, and epigenetics. The effects after 3, 14, and 24-hours of exposure were evaluated. The most relevant alterations were found in the 24-hour treatment, being more significant for simulated reduced gravity than hypergravity. Cell proliferation and growth were uncoupled under simulated reduced gravity, similarly, as found in meristematic cells from seedlings grown in real or simulated microgravity. The distribution of cell cycle phases was changed, as well as the levels and gene transcription of the tested cell cycle regulators. Ribosome biogenesis was decreased, according to levels and gene transcription of nucleolar proteins and the number of inactive nucleoli. Furthermore, we found alterations in the epigenetic modifications of chromatin. These results show that altered gravity effects include a serious disturbance of cell proliferation and growth, which are cellular functions essential for normal plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Y Kamal
- Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. .,Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jack J W A van Loon
- DESC (Dutch Experiment Support Center), Dept. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,ESA-ESTEC, TEC-MMG, Keplerlaan 1, NL-2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - F Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Branching of Ceratodon purpureus protonemata effected under altered gravity conditions. UKRAINIAN BOTANICAL JOURNAL 2015. [DOI: 10.15407/ukrbotj72.06.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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11
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Kamal KY, Hemmersbach R, Medina FJ, Herranz R. Proper selection of 1 g controls in simulated microgravity research as illustrated with clinorotated plant cell suspension cultures. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2015; 5:47-52. [PMID: 26177849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the physical and biological effects of the absence of gravity is necessary to conduct operations on space environments. It has been previously shown that the microgravity environment induces the dissociation of cell proliferation from cell growth in young seedling root meristems, but this source material is limited to few cells in each row of meristematic layers. Plant cell cultures, composed by a large and homogeneous population of proliferating cells, are an ideal model to study the effects of altered gravity on cellular mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and associated cell growth. Cell suspension cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana cell line (MM2d) were exposed to 2D-clinorotation in a pipette clinostat for 3.5 or 14 h, respectively, and were then processed either by quick freezing, to be used in flow cytometry, or by chemical fixation, for microscopy techniques. After long-term clinorotation, the proportion of cells in G1 phase was increased and the nucleolus area, as revealed by immunofluorescence staining with anti-nucleolin, was decreased. Despite the compatibility of these results with those obtained in real microgravity on seedling meristems, we provide a technical discussion in the context of clinorotation and proper 1 g controls with respect to suspension cultures. Standard 1 g procedure of sustaining the cell suspension is achieved by continuously shaking. Thus, we compare the mechanical forces acting on cells in clinorotated samples, in a control static sample and in the standard 1 g conditions of suspension cultures in order to define the conditions of a complete and reliable experiment in simulated microgravity with corresponding 1 g controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Y Kamal
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Köln, Germany
| | | | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Vandenbrink JP, Kiss JZ, Herranz R, Medina FJ. Light and gravity signals synergize in modulating plant development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:563. [PMID: 25389428 PMCID: PMC4211383 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Tropisms are growth-mediated plant movements that help plants to respond to changes in environmental stimuli. The availability of water and light, as well as the presence of a constant gravity vector, are all environmental stimuli that plants sense and respond to via directed growth movements (tropisms). The plant response to gravity (gravitropism) and the response to unidirectional light (phototropism) have long been shown to be interconnected growth phenomena. Here, we discuss the similarities in these two processes, as well as the known molecular mechanisms behind the tropistic responses. We also highlight research done in a microgravity environment in order to decouple two tropisms through experiments carried out in the absence of a significant unilateral gravity vector. In addition, alteration of gravity, especially the microgravity environment, and light irradiation produce important effects on meristematic cells, the undifferentiated, highly proliferating, totipotent cells which sustain plant development. Microgravity produces the disruption of meristematic competence, i.e., the decoupling of cell proliferation and cell growth, affecting the regulation of the cell cycle and ribosome biogenesis. Light irradiation, especially red light, mediated by phytochromes, has an activating effect on these processes. Phytohormones, particularly auxin, also are key mediators in these alterations. Upcoming experiments on the International Space Station will clarify some of the mechanisms and molecular players of the plant responses to these environmental signals involved in tropisms and the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, UniversityMS, USA
| | - Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), MadridSpain
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13
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Ruyters G, Braun M. Plant biology in space: recent accomplishments and recommendations for future research. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16 Suppl 1:4-11. [PMID: 24373009 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Gravity has shaped the evolution of life since its origin. However, experiments in the absence of this overriding force, necessary to precisely analyse its role, e.g. for growth, development, and orientation of plants and single cells, only became possible with the advent of spaceflight. Consequently, this research has been supported especially by space agencies around the world for decades, mainly for two reasons: first, to enable fundamental research on gravity perception and transduction during growth and development of plants; and second, to successfully grow plants under microgravity conditions with the goal of establishing a bioregenerative life support system providing oxygen and food for astronauts in long-term exploratory missions. For the second time, the International Space Life Sciences Working Group (ISLSWG), comprised of space agencies with substantial life sciences programmes in the world, organised a workshop on plant biology research in space. The present contribution summarises the outcome of this workshop. In the first part, an analysis is undertaken, if and how the recommendations of the first workshop held in Bad Honnef, Germany, in 1996 have been implemented. A chapter summarising major scientific breakthroughs obtained in the last 15 years from plant research in space concludes this first part. In the second part, recommendations for future research in plant biology in space are put together that have been elaborated in the various discussion sessions during the workshop, as well as provided in written statements from the session chairs. The present paper clearly shows that plant biology in space has contributed significantly to progress in plant gravity perception, transduction and responses - processes also relevant for general plant biology, including agricultural aspects. In addition, the interplay between light and gravity effects has increasingly received attention. It also became evident that plants will play a major role as components of bioregenerative life support and energy systems that are necessary to complement physico-chemical systems in upcoming long-term exploratory missions. In order to achieve major progress in the future, however, standardised experimental conditions and more advanced analytical tools, such as state-of-the-art onboard analysis, are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ruyters
- German Space Administration (DLR), Bonn, Germany
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14
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Ruyters G, Spiero F, Legué V, Palme K. Plant biology in space. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16 Suppl 1:1-3. [PMID: 24373008 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Ruyters
- Life Sciences Program, DLR (German Space Administration), Bonn, Germany.
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