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Mir JA, Yadav AK, Singh D, Ashraf N. A novel mutation in non-constitutive lycopene beta cyclase (CstLcyB2a) from Crocus sativus modulates carotenoid/apocarotenoid content, biomass and stress tolerance in plants. PLANTA 2024; 260:80. [PMID: 39192071 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04515-x] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Mutation at A126 in lycopene-β-cyclase of Crocus (CstLcyB2a) sterically hinders its binding of δ-carotene without affecting lycopene binding, thereby diverting metabolic flux towards β-carotene and apocarotenoid biosynthesis. Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron, has emerged as an important crop for research because of its ability to synthesize unique apocarotenoids such as crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Metabolic engineering of the carotenoid pathway can prove a beneficial strategy for enhancing the quality of saffron and making it resilient to changing climatic conditions. Here, we demonstrate that introducing a novel mutation at A126 in stigma-specific lycopene-β-cyclase of Crocus (CstLcyB2a) sterically hinders its binding of δ-carotene, but does not affect lycopene binding, thereby diverting metabolic flux towards β-carotene formation. Thus, A126L-CstLcyB2a expression in lycopene-accumulating bacterial strains resulted in enhanced production of β-carotene. Transient expression of A126L-CstLcyB2a in C. sativus stigmas enhanced biosynthesis of crocin. Its stable expression in Nicotiana tabacum enhanced β-branch carotenoids and phyto-hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acids (GA's). N. tabacum transgenic lines showed better growth performance and photosynthetic parameters including maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and light-saturated capacity of linear electron transport. Exogenous application of hormones and their inhibitors demonstrated that a higher ratio of GA4/ABA has positive effects on biomass of wild-type and transgenic plants. Thus, these findings provide a platform for the development of new-generation crops with improved productivity, quality and stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javid Ahmad Mir
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190005, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Arvind Kumar Yadav
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
- Quality Control & Quality Assurance Lab, Quality, Management & Instrumentation Division, CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Deepika Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
- Quality Control & Quality Assurance Lab, Quality, Management & Instrumentation Division, CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India.
| | - Nasheeman Ashraf
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190005, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
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2
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Nazari M, Kordrostami M, Ghasemi-Soloklui AA, Eaton-Rye JJ, Pashkovskiy P, Kuznetsov V, Allakhverdiev SI. Enhancing Photosynthesis and Plant Productivity through Genetic Modification. Cells 2024; 13:1319. [PMID: 39195209 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161319] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancing crop photosynthesis through genetic engineering technologies offers numerous opportunities to increase plant productivity. Key approaches include optimizing light utilization, increasing cytochrome b6f complex levels, and improving carbon fixation. Modifications to Rubisco and the photosynthetic electron transport chain are central to these strategies. Introducing alternative photorespiratory pathways and enhancing carbonic anhydrase activity can further increase the internal CO2 concentration, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiency. The efficient translocation of photosynthetically produced sugars, which are managed by sucrose transporters, is also critical for plant growth. Additionally, incorporating genes from C4 plants, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malic enzymes, enhances the CO2 concentration around Rubisco, reducing photorespiration. Targeting microRNAs and transcription factors is vital for increasing photosynthesis and plant productivity, especially under stress conditions. This review highlights potential biological targets, the genetic modifications of which are aimed at improving photosynthesis and increasing plant productivity, thereby determining key areas for future research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoureh Nazari
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91779-48974, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Kordrostami
- Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Karaj 31485-498, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Ghasemi-Soloklui
- Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Karaj 31485-498, Iran
| | - Julian J Eaton-Rye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Pavel Pashkovskiy
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, RAS, Botanicheskaya St. 35, Moscow 127276, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kuznetsov
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, RAS, Botanicheskaya St. 35, Moscow 127276, Russia
| | - Suleyman I Allakhverdiev
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, RAS, Botanicheskaya St. 35, Moscow 127276, Russia
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bahcesehir University, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
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3
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Fu J, Liao L, Jin J, Lu Z, Sun J, Song L, Huang Y, Liu S, Huang D, Xu Y, He J, Hu B, Zhu Y, Wu F, Wang X, Deng X, Xu Q. A transcriptional cascade involving BBX22 and HY5 finely regulates both plant height and fruit pigmentation in citrus. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:1752-1768. [PMID: 38961693 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Dwarfing is a pivotal agronomic trait affecting both yield and quality. Citrus species exhibit substantial variation in plant height, among which internode length is a core element. However, the molecular mechanism governing internode elongation remains unclear. Here, we unveiled that the transcriptional cascade consisting of B-BOX DOMAIN PROTEIN 22 (BBX22) and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) finely tunes plant height and internode elongation in citrus. Loss-of-function mutations of BBX22 in an early-flowering citrus (Citrus hindsii "SJG") promoted internode elongation and reduced pigment accumulation, whereas ectopic expression of BBX22 in SJG, sweet orange (C. sinensis), pomelo (C. maxima) or heterologous expression of BBX22 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) significantly decreased internode length. Furthermore, exogenous application of gibberellin A3 (GA3) rescued the shortened internode and dwarf phenotype caused by BBX22 overexpression. Additional experiments revealed that BBX22 played a dual role in regulation internode elongation and pigmentation in citrus. On the one hand, it directly bound to and activated the expression of HY5, GA metabolism gene (GA2 OXIDASE 8, GA2ox8), carotenoid biosynthesis gene (PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1, PSY1) and anthocyanin regulatory gene (Ruby1, a MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN). On the other hand, it acted as a cofactor of HY5, enhancing the ability of HY5 to regulate target genes expression. Together, our results reveal the critical role of the transcriptional cascade consisting of BBX22 and HY5 in controlling internode elongation and pigment accumulation in citrus. Unraveling the crosstalk regulatory mechanism between internode elongation and fruit pigmentation provides key genes for breeding of novel types with both dwarf and health-beneficial fortification in citrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Fu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Li Liao
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiajing Jin
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhihao Lu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Juan Sun
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lizhi Song
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yue Huang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shengjun Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ding Huang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuantao Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiaxian He
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Bin Hu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yiqun Zhu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fangfang Wu
- Science and Technology Innovation Research Center of Majia Pomelo, Shangrao, 334000, China
| | - Xia Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xiuxin Deng
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Yan T, Cai B, Li F, Guo D, Xia C, Lv H, Lin B, Gao H, Geng Z. Proteomic and metabolomic revealed the effect of shading treatment on cigar tobacco. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1433575. [PMID: 39100083 PMCID: PMC11294240 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1433575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Shading or low light conditions are essential cultivation techniques for cigar wrapper tobacco leaves production, yet their impact on protein and metabolic regulatory networks is not well understood. In this study, we integrated proteomic and metabolomic analyses to uncover the potential molecular mechanisms affecting cigar tobacco leaves under shading treatment. Our findings include: (1) Identification of 780 significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the cigar wrapper tobacco leaves, comprising 560 up-regulated and 220 down-regulated proteins, predominantly located in the chloroplast, cytoplasm, and nucleus, collectively accounting for 50.01%. (2) Discovery of 254 significantly differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), including 148 up-regulated and 106 down-regulated metabolites. (3) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the mevalonate (MVA) pathway within 'Terpenoid backbone biosynthesis' was inhibited, leading to a down-regulation of 'Sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis'. Conversely, the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway was enhanced, resulting in an up-regulation of 'Monoterpenoid biosynthesis', 'Diterpenoid biosynthesis', and 'Carotenoid biosynthesis', thereby promoting the synthesis of terpenoids such as carotenoids and chlorophylls. Simultaneously, the Calvin cycle in 'Carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms' was amplified, increasing photosynthetic efficiency. These results suggest that under low light conditions, cigar tobacco optimizes photosynthetic efficiency by reconfiguring its energy metabolism and terpenoid biosynthesis. This study contributes valuable insights into protein and metabolic analyses, paving the way for future functional studies on plant responses to low light.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huajun Gao
- Haikou cigar Research Institute, Hainan Provincial Branch of China National Tobacco Corporation, Haikou, China
| | - Zhaoliang Geng
- Haikou cigar Research Institute, Hainan Provincial Branch of China National Tobacco Corporation, Haikou, China
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5
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Mi W, Luo F, Liu W, Liu K. A Transcriptome Reveals the Mechanism of Nitrogen Regulation in Tillering. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:223. [PMID: 38397212 PMCID: PMC10888171 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020223] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) application significantly increases tiller numbers and is accompanied by changes in endogenous hormone content. We treated seedlings of Festuca kirilowii-a perennial forage grass-with nitrogen, determined the endogenous hormone content in the tiller buds, and performed a transcriptome analysis. The application of N reduced GA3, ABA, and 5-DS content and increased ZT and IAA content. By screening DEGs in the transcriptome results, we obtained DEGs annotated to 25 GO entries and 8 KEGG pathways associated with endogenous hormones. Most of these GO entries and KEGG pathways were associated with IAA, GAS, and ABA. We conducted a validation analysis of hormone-related DEGs using qRT-PCR to demonstrate that nitrogen controls the content of endogenous hormones by regulating the expression of these DEGs, which further affects tillering in F. kirilowii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Mi
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (W.M.); (F.L.); (K.L.)
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Xining 810016, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (W.M.); (F.L.); (K.L.)
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Xining 810016, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (W.M.); (F.L.); (K.L.)
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Xining 810016, China
| | - Kaiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (W.M.); (F.L.); (K.L.)
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Xining 810016, China
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6
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Pereira AM, Martins AO, Batista-Silva W, Condori-Apfata JA, Silva VF, Oliveira LA, Andrade ES, Martins SCV, Medeiros DB, Nascimento VL, Fernie AR, Nunes-Nesi A, Araújo WL. Differential content of leaf and fruit pigment in tomatoes culminate in a complex metabolic reprogramming without growth impacts. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 293:154170. [PMID: 38271894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Although significant efforts to produce carotenoid-enriched foods either by biotechnology or traditional breeding strategies have been carried out, our understanding of how changes in the carotenoid biosynthesis might affect overall plant performance remains limited. Here, we investigate how the metabolic machinery of well characterized tomato carotenoid mutant plants [namely crimson (old gold-og), Delta carotene (Del) and tangerine (t)] adjusts itself to varying carotenoid biosynthesis and whether these adjustments are supported by a reprogramming of photosynthetic and central metabolism in the source organs (leaves). We observed that mutations og, Del and t did not greatly affect vegetative growth, leaf anatomy and gas exchange parameters. However, an exquisite metabolic reprogramming was recorded on the leaves, with an increase in levels of amino acids and reduction of organic acids. Taken together, our results show that despite minor impacts on growth and gas exchange, carbon flux is extensively affected, leading to adjustments in tomato leaves metabolism to support changes in carotenoid biosynthesis on fruits (sinks). We discuss these data in the context of our current understanding of metabolic adjustments and carotenoid biosynthesis as well as regarding to improving human nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auderlan M Pereira
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Auxiliadora O Martins
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - William Batista-Silva
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Jorge A Condori-Apfata
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Victor F Silva
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Leonardo A Oliveira
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Santos Andrade
- Setor de Fisiologia Vegetal - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil
| | - Samuel C V Martins
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - David B Medeiros
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Vitor L Nascimento
- Setor de Fisiologia Vegetal - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam Golm, Germany
| | - Adriano Nunes-Nesi
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Wagner L Araújo
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
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Tian C, Quan H, Jiang R, Zheng Q, Huang S, Tan G, Yan C, Zhou J, Liao H. Differential roles of Cassia tora 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase in trade-off between plant growth and drought tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1270396. [PMID: 37929171 PMCID: PMC10623318 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1270396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to global climate change, drought is emerging as a major threat to plant growth and agricultural productivity. Abscisic acid (ABA) has been implicated in plant drought tolerance, however, its retarding effects on plant growth cannot be ignored. The reactions catalyzed by 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) proteins are critical steps within the isoprenoid biosynthesis in plants. Here, five DXS (CtDXS1-5) and two DXR (CtDXR1-2) genes were identified from Cassia tora genome. Based on multiple assays including the phylogeny, cis-acting element, expression pattern, and subcellular localization, CtDXS1 and CtDXR1 genes might be potential candidates controlling the isoprenoid biosynthesis. Intriguingly, CtDXS1 transgenic plants resulted in drought tolerance but retardant growth, while CtDXR1 transgenic plants exhibited both enhanced drought tolerance and increased growth. By comparison of β-carotene, chlorophyll, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin 3 (GA3) contents in wild-type and transgenic plants, the absolute contents and (or) altered GA3/ABA levels were suggested to be responsible for the balance between drought tolerance and plant growth. The transcriptome of CtDXR1 transgenic plants suggested that the transcript levels of key genes, such as DXS, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCED), ent-kaurene synthase (KS) and etc, involved with chlorophyll, β-carotene, ABA and GA3 biosynthesis were induced and their contents increased accordingly. Collectively, the trade-off effect induced by CtDXR1 was associated with redesigning architecture in phytohormone homeostasis and thus was highlighted for future breeding purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiayu Zhou
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hai Liao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Rosas-Saavedra C, Quiroz LF, Parra S, Gonzalez-Calquin C, Arias D, Ocarez N, Lopez F, Stange C. Putative Daucus carota Capsanthin-Capsorubin Synthase (DcCCS) Possesses Lycopene β-Cyclase Activity, Boosts Carotenoid Levels, and Increases Salt Tolerance in Heterologous Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2788. [PMID: 37570943 PMCID: PMC10421225 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant carotenoids are synthesized and accumulated in plastids through a highly regulated pathway. Lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) is a key enzyme involved directly in the synthesis of α-carotene and β-carotene through the cyclization of trans-lycopene. Daucus carota harbors two LCYB genes, of which DcLCYB2 (annotated as CCS-Like) is mostly expressed in mature storage roots, an organ that accumulates high α-carotene and β-carotene content. In this work, we determined that DcLCYB2 of the orange Nantes variety presents plastid localization and encodes for a functional LCYB enzyme determined by means of heterologous complementation in Escherichia coli. Also, ectopic expression of DcLCYB2 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) plants increases total carotenoid content showing its functional role in plants. In addition, transgenic tobacco T2 homozygous plants showed better performance under chronic salt treatment, while kiwi transgenic calli also presented a higher survival rate under salt treatments than control calli. Our results allow us to propose DcLCYB2 as a prime candidate to engineer carotenoid biofortified crops as well as crops resilient to saline environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rosas-Saavedra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Luis Felipe Quiroz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
- Genetics & Biotechnology Lab, Plant & AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Samuel Parra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Christian Gonzalez-Calquin
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Daniela Arias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Nallat Ocarez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), La Platina, Research Centre, Av. Santa Rosa 11610, Santiago 8820000, Chile
| | - Franco Lopez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Claudia Stange
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
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Dong C, Wang Z, Qin L, Zhang C, Cao L, Li H, Ma X. Overexpression of Geranyl Diphosphate Synthase 1 (NnGGPPS1) From Nelumbo nucifera Enhances Carotenoid and Chlorophyll Content and Biomass. Gene 2023; 881:147645. [PMID: 37453723 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
As the traditional herb with pharmacological compounds in China, the key genes related with terpenoid biosynthesis are still unveiled in Nelumbo nucifera. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) is one of the key enzymes in terpenoids biosynthesis, synthesizing the common precursor of GGPP for downstream enzymes for generating various terpenoids. In this study, four NnGGPPS genes were isolated from N. nucifera. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicate that NnGGPPS1 and NnGGPPS2 belong to large subunit (LSU). Whereas NnGGPPS3 and NnGGPPS4 are classified as small subunit (SSU) of SSU Ⅱ and SSU I, respectively. Among four NnGGPPSs, only NnGGPPS1 and NnGGPPS2 can produce GGPP in bacterial pigment complementation assay. Combination analysis of subcellular localization and gene co-expression analysis (GCN) illustrates that NnGGPPS1 is the main transcript related with methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, carotenoid and chlorophyll biosynthesis and degradation. Overexpression of NnGGPPS1 improves the growth of transgenic tobacco, and increases carotenoids and chlorophyll contents. Moreover, NnGGPPS1 transgenic tobacco exhibits improved photosynthesis efficiency and ROS scavenging ability. The up-regulated expression of the key genes in MEP pathway, carotenoid biosynthesis and chlorophyll biosynthesis, result in the increase of metabolic flux in NnGGPPS1 transgenic lines. Furthermore, the elevated MEP-derived primary metabolites of carotenoid and chlorophyll was attributed to enhancement of plant biomass of NnGGPPS1 transgenic lines. Therefore, NnGGPPS1 plays a vital role in biosynthesis of carotenoid and chlorophyll.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
| | - Zhiwen Wang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Lili Qin
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Longyun Cao
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Haifeng Li
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Xintian Ma
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
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Yahya RZ, Wellman GB, Overmans S, Lauersen KJ. Engineered production of isoprene from the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Metab Eng Commun 2023; 16:e00221. [PMID: 37006831 PMCID: PMC10063407 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2023.e00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Isoprene is a clear, colorless, volatile 5-carbon hydrocarbon that is one monomer of all cellular isoprenoids and a platform chemical with multiple applications in industry. Many plants have evolved isoprene synthases (IspSs) with the capacity to liberate isoprene from dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP) as part of cellular thermotolerance mechanisms. Isoprene is hydrophobic and volatile, rapidly leaves plant tissues and is one of the main carbon emission sources from vegetation globally. The universality of isoprenoid metabolism allows volatile isoprene production from microbes expressing heterologous IspSs. Here, we compared heterologous overexpression from the nuclear genome and localization into the plastid of four plant terpene synthases (TPs) in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Using sealed vial mixotrophic cultivation, direct quantification of isoprene production was achieved from the headspace of living cultures, with the highest isoprene production observed in algae expressing the Ipomoea batatas IspS. Perturbations of the downstream carotenoid pathway through keto carotenoid biosynthesis enhanced isoprene titers, which could be further enhanced by increasing flux towards DMADP through heterologous co-expression of a yeast isopentenyl-DP delta isomerase. Multiplexed controlled-environment testing revealed that cultivation temperature, rather than illumination intensity, was the main factor affecting isoprene yield from the engineered alga. This is the first report of heterologous isoprene production from a eukaryotic alga and sets a foundation for further exploration of carbon conversion to this commodity chemical.
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11
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Liu Z, Mao L, Yang B, Cui Q, Dai Y, Li X, Chen Y, Dai X, Zou X, Ou L, Yang S. A multi-omics approach identifies bHLH71-like as a positive regulator of yellowing leaf pepper mutants exposed to high-intensity light. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad098. [PMID: 37426880 PMCID: PMC10323627 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Light quality and intensity can have a significant impact on plant health and crop productivity. Chlorophylls and carotenoids are classes of plant pigments that are responsible for harvesting light energy and protecting plants from the damaging effects of intense light. Our understanding of the role played by plant pigments in light sensitivity has been aided by light-sensitive mutants that change colors upon exposure to light of variable intensity. In this study, we conducted transcriptomic, metabolomic, and hormone analyses on a novel yellowing mutant of pepper (yl1) to shed light on the molecular mechanism that regulates the transition from green to yellow leaves in this mutant upon exposure to high-intensity light. Our results revealed greater accumulation of the carotenoid precursor phytoene and the carotenoids phytofluene, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin in yl1 compared with wild-type plants under high light intensity. A transcriptomic analysis confirmed that enzymes involved in zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin biosynthesis were upregulated in yl1 upon exposure to high-intensity light. We also identified a single basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, bHLH71-like, that was differentially expressed and positively correlated with light intensity in yl1. Silencing of bHLH71-like in pepper plants suppressed the yellowing phenotype and led to reduced accumulation of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin. We propose that the yellow phenotype of yl1 induced by high light intensity could be caused by an increase in yellow carotenoid pigments, concurrent with a decrease in chlorophyll accumulation. Our results also suggest that bHLH71-like functions as a positive regulator of carotenoid biosynthesis in pepper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhoubin Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Lianzhen Mao
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Bozhi Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Qingzhi Cui
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yunhua Dai
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xueqiao Li
- Institute of Vegetables, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Yisong Chen
- Institute of Vegetables, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Xiongze Dai
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xuexiao Zou
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Lijun Ou
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Sha Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Education, Ministry for Germplasm Innovation and Breeding New Varieties of Horticultural Crops, Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
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12
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Moreno JC, Al-Babili S. Are carotenoids the true colors of crop improvement? THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:1946-1950. [PMID: 36478583 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Stra A, Almarwaey LO, Alagoz Y, Moreno JC, Al-Babili S. Carotenoid metabolism: New insights and synthetic approaches. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1072061. [PMID: 36743580 PMCID: PMC9891708 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1072061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are well-known isoprenoid pigments naturally produced by plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria as well as by several heterotrophic microorganisms. In plants, they are synthesized in plastids where they play essential roles in light-harvesting and in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Carotenoids are also precursors of bioactive metabolites called apocarotenoids, including vitamin A and the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs). Genetic engineering of carotenogenesis made possible the enhancement of the nutritional value of many crops. New metabolic engineering approaches have recently been developed to modulate carotenoid content, including the employment of CRISPR technologies for single-base editing and the integration of exogenous genes into specific "safe harbors" in the genome. In addition, recent studies revealed the option of synthetic conversion of leaf chloroplasts into chromoplasts, thus increasing carotenoid storage capacity and boosting the nutritional value of green plant tissues. Moreover, transient gene expression through viral vectors allowed the accumulation of carotenoids outside the plastid. Furthermore, the utilization of engineered microorganisms allowed efficient mass production of carotenoids, making it convenient for industrial practices. Interestingly, manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis can also influence plant architecture, and positively impact growth and yield, making it an important target for crop improvements beyond biofortification. Here, we briefly describe carotenoid biosynthesis and highlight the latest advances and discoveries related to synthetic carotenoid metabolism in plants and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Stra
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamyaa O. Almarwaey
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yagiz Alagoz
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Juan C. Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Biomolecular Strategies for Vascular Bundle Development to Improve Crop Yield. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121772. [PMID: 36551200 PMCID: PMC9775962 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The need to produce crops with higher yields is critical due to a growing global population, depletion of agricultural land, and severe climate change. Compared with the "source" and "sink" transport systems that have been studied a lot, the development and utilization of vascular bundles (conducting vessels in plants) are increasingly important. Due to the complexity of the vascular system, its structure, and its delicate and deep position in the plant body, the current research on model plants remains basic knowledge and has not been repeated for crops and applied to field production. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge regarding biomolecular strategies of vascular bundles in transport systems (source-flow-sink), allocation, helping crop architecture establishment, and influence of the external environment. It is expected to help understand how to use sophisticated and advancing genetic engineering technology to improve the vascular system of crops to increase yield.
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15
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Quiroz-Iturra LF, Simpson K, Arias D, Silva C, González-Calquin C, Amaza L, Handford M, Stange C. Carrot DcALFIN4 and DcALFIN7 Transcription Factors Boost Carotenoid Levels and Participate Differentially in Salt Stress Tolerance When Expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and Actinidia deliciosa. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012157. [PMID: 36293018 PMCID: PMC9603649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
ALFIN-like transcription factors (ALs) are involved in several physiological processes such as seed germination, root development and abiotic stress responses in plants. In carrot (Daucus carota), the expression of DcPSY2, a gene encoding phytoene synthase required for carotenoid biosynthesis, is induced after salt and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Interestingly, the DcPSY2 promoter contains multiple ALFIN response elements. By in silico analysis, we identified two putative genes with the molecular characteristics of ALs, DcAL4 and DcAL7, in the carrot transcriptome. These genes encode nuclear proteins that transactivate reporter genes and bind to the carrot DcPSY2 promoter in yeast. The expression of both genes is induced in carrot under salt stress, especially DcAL4 which also responds to ABA treatment. Transgenic homozygous T3 Arabidopsis thaliana lines that stably express DcAL4 and DcAL7 show a higher survival rate with respect to control plants after chronic salt stress. Of note is that DcAL4 lines present a better performance in salt treatments, correlating with the expression level of DcAL4, AtPSY and AtDXR and an increase in carotenoid and chlorophyll contents. Likewise, DcAL4 transgenic kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) lines show increased carotenoid and chlorophyll content and higher survival rate compared to control plants after chronic salt treatment. Therefore, DcAL4 and DcAL7 encode functional transcription factors, while ectopic expression of DcAL4 provides increased tolerance to salinity in Arabidopsis and Kiwi plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Felipe Quiroz-Iturra
- Genetics & Biotechnology Lab, Plant & AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Kevin Simpson
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Daniela Arias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Silva
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Christian González-Calquin
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Leticia Amaza
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Michael Handford
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Claudia Stange
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-22-2978-7361
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16
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Wichmann J, Eggert A, Elbourne LDH, Paulsen IT, Lauersen KJ, Kruse O. Farnesyl pyrophosphate compartmentalization in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during heterologous (E)-α-bisabolene production. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:190. [PMID: 36104783 PMCID: PMC9472337 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01910-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eukaryotic algae have recently emerged as hosts for metabolic engineering efforts to generate heterologous isoprenoids. Isoprenoid metabolic architectures, flux, subcellular localization, and transport dynamics have not yet been fully elucidated in algal hosts. Results In this study, we investigated the accessibility of different isoprenoid precursor pools for C15 sesquiterpenoid generation in the cytoplasm and chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using the Abies grandis bisabolene synthase (AgBS) as a reporter. The abundance of the C15 sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) was not increased in the cytosol by co-expression and fusion of AgBS with different FPP synthases (FPPSs), indicating limited C5 precursor availability in the cytoplasm. However, FPP was shown to be available in the plastid stroma, where bisabolene titers could be improved several-fold by FPPSs. Sesquiterpene production was greatest when AgBS-FPPS fusions were directed to the plastid and could further be improved by increasing the gene dosage. During scale-up cultivation with different carbon sources and light regimes, specific sesquiterpene productivities from the plastid were highest with CO2 as the only carbon source and light:dark illumination cycles. Potential prenyl unit transporters are proposed based on bioinformatic analyses, which may be in part responsible for our observations. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the algal chloroplast can be harnessed in addition to the cytosol to exploit the full potential of algae as green cell factories for non-native sesquiterpenoid generation. Identification of a prenyl transporter may be leveraged for further extending this capacity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-022-01910-5.
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17
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Mi J, Liew KX, Al-Babili S. Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Carotenoid-Derived Hormones and Apocarotenoids in Plants. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e375. [PMID: 35201678 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoid oxidative cleavage products, apocarotenoids (APOs), are a class of important plant secondary metabolites, which include phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs), and growth regulators and signaling molecules such as β-cyclocitral, zaxinone, anchorene, β-apo-11-carotenoids, and retinal. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of these bioactive compounds is crucial for understanding their metabolism and may also enable discovering further regulatory APOs. The state-of-the-art mass spectrometry (MS) technology has advanced the detection of plant APOs; however, it is still challenging to perform an accurate analysis of the low-level phytohormones ABA and SL and the structurally diverse APOs from complex plant matrices. Here, we describe ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-MS (UHPLC-MS) methods to determine carotenoid-derived hormones and APOs from plants by integrating ultrasound-assisted extraction and solid-phase extraction. These assays enable an accurate quantification of carotenoid-derived hormones and APOs from plant tissues by using an UHPLC hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: UHPLC-MS analysis of APOs from rice roots Support Protocol: Preparation of dried plant root powder Basic Protocol 2: UHPLC-MS analysis of SLs from rice roots Basic Protocol 3: UHPLC-MS analysis of ABA from rice roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Mi
- The BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Kit Xi Liew
- The BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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18
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Dong C, Qu G, Guo J, Wei F, Gao S, Sun Z, Jin L, Sun X, Rochaix JD, Miao Y, Wang R. Rational design of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase enhances carotenoid production and improves photosynthetic efficiency in Nicotiana tabacum. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:315-327. [PMID: 36546080 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Restricted genetic diversity can supply only a limited number of elite genes for modern plant cultivation and transgenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that rational design enables the engineering of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (NtGGPPS), an enzyme of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP) in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum. As the crucial bottleneck in carotenoid biosynthesis, NtGGPPS1 interacts with phytoene synthase (NtPSY1) to channel GGPP into the production of carotenoids. Loss of this enzyme in the ntggpps1 mutant leads to decreased carotenoid accumulation. With the aim of enhancing NtGGPPS1 activity, we undertook structure-guided rational redesign of its substrate binding pocket in combination with sequence alignment. The activity of the designed NtGGPPS1 (a pentuple mutant of five sites V154A/I161L/F218Y/I209S/V233E, d-NtGGPPS1) was measured by a high-throughput colorimetric assay. d-NtGGPPS1 exhibited significantly higher conversion of IPP and each co-substrate (DMAPP ~1995.5-fold, GPP ~25.9-fold, and FPP ~16.7-fold) for GGPP synthesis compared with wild-type NtGGPPS1. Importantly, the transient and stable expression of d-NtGGPPS1 in the ntggpps1 mutant increased carotenoid levels in leaves, improved photosynthetic efficiency, and increased biomass relative to NtGGPPS1. These findings provide a firm basis for the engineering of GGPPS and will facilitate the development of quality and yield traits. Our results open the door for the structure-guided rational design of elite genes in higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China; College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ge Qu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Jinggong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Fang Wei
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shuwen Gao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Zhoutong Sun
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Lifeng Jin
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xuwu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Jean-David Rochaix
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Plant Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Yuchen Miao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China.
| | - Ran Wang
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, Zhengzhou 450001, China; School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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19
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Sun T, Rao S, Zhou X, Li L. Plant carotenoids: recent advances and future perspectives. MOLECULAR HORTICULTURE 2022; 2:3. [PMID: 37789426 PMCID: PMC10515021 DOI: 10.1186/s43897-022-00023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are isoprenoid metabolites synthesized de novo in all photosynthetic organisms. Carotenoids are essential for plants with diverse functions in photosynthesis, photoprotection, pigmentation, phytohormone synthesis, and signaling. They are also critically important for humans as precursors of vitamin A synthesis and as dietary antioxidants. The vital roles of carotenoids to plants and humans have prompted significant progress toward our understanding of carotenoid metabolism and regulation. New regulators and novel roles of carotenoid metabolites are continuously revealed. This review focuses on current status of carotenoid metabolism and highlights recent advances in comprehension of the intrinsic and multi-dimensional regulation of carotenoid accumulation. We also discuss the functional evolution of carotenoids, the agricultural and horticultural application, and some key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhu Sun
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sombir Rao
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xuesong Zhou
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Li Li
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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Mi J, Vallarino JG, Petřík I, Novák O, Correa SM, Chodasiewicz M, Havaux M, Rodriguez-Concepcion M, Al-Babili S, Fernie AR, Skirycz A, Moreno JC. A manipulation of carotenoid metabolism influence biomass partitioning and fitness in tomato. Metab Eng 2022; 70:166-180. [PMID: 35031492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Improving yield, nutritional value and tolerance to abiotic stress are major targets of current breeding and biotechnological approaches that aim at increasing crop production and ensuring food security. Metabolic engineering of carotenoids, the precursor of vitamin-A and plant hormones that regulate plant growth and response to adverse growth conditions, has been mainly focusing on provitamin A biofortification or the production of high-value carotenoids. Here, we show that the introduction of a single gene of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in different tomato cultivars induced profound metabolic alterations in carotenoid, apocarotenoid and phytohormones pathways. Alterations in isoprenoid- (abscisic acid, gibberellins, cytokinins) and non-isoprenoid (auxin and jasmonic acid) derived hormones together with enhanced xanthophyll content influenced biomass partitioning and abiotic stress tolerance (high light, salt, and drought), and it caused an up to 77% fruit yield increase and enhanced fruit's provitamin A content. In addition, metabolic and hormonal changes led to accumulation of key primary metabolites (e.g. osmoprotectants and antiaging agents) contributing with enhanced abiotic stress tolerance and fruit shelf life. Our findings pave the way for developing a new generation of crops that combine high productivity and increased nutritional value with the capability to cope with climate change-related environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Mi
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jose G Vallarino
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ivan Petřík
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Sandra M Correa
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Monika Chodasiewicz
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Michel Havaux
- Aix-Marseille University, CEA, CNRS UMR7265, BIAM, CEA/Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | | | - Salim Al-Babili
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Aleksandra Skirycz
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Juan C Moreno
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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21
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Moreno JC, Stange C. Heterologous complementation in bacteria for functional analysis of genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes. Methods Enzymol 2022; 671:471-488. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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22
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Mi J, Moreno JC, Alagoz Y, Liew KX, Balakrishna A, Zheng X, Al-Babili S. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plant apocarotenoids. Methods Enzymol 2022; 670:285-309. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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23
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Durán-Medina Y, Ruiz-Cortés BE, Guerrero-Largo H, Marsch-Martínez N. Specialized metabolism and development: An unexpected friendship. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 64:102142. [PMID: 34856480 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce a myriad of metabolites. Some of them have been regarded for a long time as secondary or specialized metabolites and are considered to have functions mostly in defense and the adaptation of plants to their environment. However, in the last years, new research has shown that these metabolites can also have roles in the regulation of plant growth and development, some acting as signals, through the interaction with hormonal pathways, and some independently of them. These reports provide a glimpse of the functional possibilities that specialized metabolites present in the modulation of plant development and encourage more research in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Durán-Medina
- Biotecnology and Biochemistry Department, Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) Irapuato Unit, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Esperanza Ruiz-Cortés
- Biotecnology and Biochemistry Department, Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) Irapuato Unit, Mexico
| | - Herenia Guerrero-Largo
- Biotecnology and Biochemistry Department, Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) Irapuato Unit, Mexico
| | - Nayelli Marsch-Martínez
- Biotecnology and Biochemistry Department, Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN) Irapuato Unit, Mexico.
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24
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Arias D, Arenas-M A, Flores-Ortiz C, Peirano C, Handford M, Stange C. Daucus carota DcPSY2 and DcLCYB1 as Tools for Carotenoid Metabolic Engineering to Improve the Nutritional Value of Fruits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:677553. [PMID: 34512681 PMCID: PMC8427143 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.677553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are pigments with important nutritional value in the human diet. As antioxidant molecules, they act as scavengers of free radicals enhancing immunity and preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, α-carotene and β-carotene, the main carotenoids of carrots (Daucus carota) are precursors of vitamin A, whose deficiency in the diet can trigger night blindness and macular degeneration. With the aim of increasing the carotenoid content in fruit flesh, three key genes of the carotenoid pathway, phytoene synthase (DcPSY2) and lycopene cyclase (DcLCYB1) from carrots, and carotene desaturase (XdCrtI) from the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, were optimized for expression in apple and cloned under the Solanum chilense (tomatillo) polygalacturonase (PG) fruit specific promoter. A biotechnological platform was generated and functionally tested by subcellular localization, and single, double and triple combinations were both stably transformed in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. Microtom) and transiently transformed in Fuji apple fruit flesh (Malus domestica). We demonstrated the functionality of the S. chilense PG promoter by directing the expression of the transgenes specifically to fruits. Transgenic tomato fruits expressing DcPSY2, DcLCYB1, and DcPSY2-XdCRTI, produced 1.34, 2.0, and 1.99-fold more total carotenoids than wild-type fruits, respectively. Furthermore, transgenic tomatoes expressing DcLCYB1, DcPSY2-XdCRTI, and DcPSY2-XdCRTI-DcLCYB1 exhibited an increment in β-carotene levels of 2.5, 3.0, and 2.57-fold in comparison with wild-type fruits, respectively. Additionally, Fuji apple flesh agroinfiltrated with DcPSY2 and DcLCYB1 constructs showed a significant increase of 2.75 and 3.11-fold in total carotenoids and 5.11 and 5.84-fold in β-carotene, respectively whereas the expression of DcPSY2-XdCRTI and DcPSY2-XdCRTI-DcLCYB1 generated lower, but significant changes in the carotenoid profile of infiltrated apple flesh. The results in apple demonstrate that DcPSY2 and DcLCYB1 are suitable biotechnological genes to increase the carotenoid content in fruits of species with reduced amounts of these pigments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Arias
- Centro de Biología Molecular Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Chile
| | - Anita Arenas-M
- Laboratorio de Nutrición y Genómica de Plantas, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carlos Flores-Ortiz
- Centro de Biología Molecular Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Chile
| | - Clio Peirano
- Centro de Biología Molecular Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Chile
| | - Michael Handford
- Centro de Biología Molecular Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Chile
| | - Claudia Stange
- Centro de Biología Molecular Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Chile
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25
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Alexander A, Singh VK, Mishra A. Overexpression of differentially expressed AhCytb6 gene during plant-microbe interaction improves tolerance to N 2 deficit and salt stress in transgenic tobacco. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13435. [PMID: 34183701 PMCID: PMC8239016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92424-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has plant growth-promoting potential, and interaction with Arachis hypogaea changes host-plant physiology, biochemistry, and metabolomics, which provides tolerance under the N2 starvation conditions. About 226 suppression subtractive hybridization clones were obtained from plant-microbe interaction, of which, about 62% of gene sequences were uncharacterized, whereas 23% of sequences were involved in photosynthesis. An uncharacterized SSH clone, SM409 (full-length sequence showed resemblance with Cytb6), showed about 4-fold upregulation during the interaction was transformed to tobacco for functional validation. Overexpression of the AhCytb6 gene enhanced the seed germination efficiency and plant growth under N2 deficit and salt stress conditions compared to wild-type and vector control plants. Results confirmed that transgenic lines maintained high photosynthesis and protected plants from reactive oxygen species buildup during stress conditions. Microarray-based whole-transcript expression of host plants showed that out of 272,410 genes, 8704 and 24,409 genes were significantly (p < 0.05) differentially expressed (> 2 up or down-regulated) under N2 starvation and salt stress conditions, respectively. The differentially expressed genes belonged to different regulatory pathways. Overall, results suggested that overexpression of AhCytb6 regulates the expression of various genes to enhance plant growth under N2 deficit and abiotic stress conditions by modulating plant physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Alexander
- Division of Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, 364002, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR, Ghaziabad, India
| | - Vijay K Singh
- Division of Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, 364002, India
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Avinash Mishra
- Division of Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, 364002, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR, Ghaziabad, India.
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26
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Dhami N. Chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition envisions provitamin A biofortification in green vegetables. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2021; 40:799-804. [PMID: 33754204 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-021-02684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The carotenoids available in food are vital dietary micronutrients for human health. Plants synthesize and accumulate different carotenoids in plastids in a tissue-specific manner. The level of β-carotene (provitamin A) and other nutritionally important carotenoids is substantially low in the green tissues such as leaves compared to the fruits and roots. In photosynthetic tissues, chloroplasts can accumulate a moderate level of carotenoids, mainly to facilitate photosynthesis and environmental stress tolerance. However, chromoplasts from the storage tissues such as tomato fruit and carrot root can synthesize and accumulate carotenoids to a substantially higher level. A synthetic biology approach that utilizes a transient expression of bacterial phytoene synthase (crtB) gene in the photosynthetic leaves can induce the transition of chloroplasts into chromoplasts. The plastid-localized heterologous expression of crtB in leaves can induce the overaccumulation of phytoene, triggering the chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition; therefore, enhancing the biosynthesis and accumulation of carotenoids, including provitamin A. The transition of chloroplasts into chromoplasts, however, altered the photosynthetic thylakoids, consequently reducing the photosynthetic efficiency and plant growth. An efficient metabolic engineering strategy is desirable to enhance the production of targeted carotenoids in leaves without perturbing the photosynthetic efficiency and plant growth. Collectively, a synthetic biology strategy that triggers the transformation of chloroplasts into chromoplasts in photosynthetic tissues unfolds new avenues for carotenoid biofortification in the leafy food and vegetable crops, which can increase the dietary intake of carotenoids, therefore, combating the crisis of vitamin A deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namraj Dhami
- School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara 30, Dhungepatan, Pokhara, Gandaki, 33700, Nepal.
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27
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Kössler S, Armarego-Marriott T, Tarkowská D, Turečková V, Agrawal S, Mi J, de Souza LP, Schöttler MA, Schadach A, Fröhlich A, Bock R, Al-Babili S, Ruf S, Sampathkumar A, Moreno JC. Lycopene β-cyclase expression influences plant physiology, development, and metabolism in tobacco plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:2544-2569. [PMID: 33484250 PMCID: PMC8006556 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are important isoprenoids produced in the plastids of photosynthetic organisms that play key roles in photoprotection and antioxidative processes. β-Carotene is generated from lycopene by lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB). Previously, we demonstrated that the introduction of the Daucus carota (carrot) DcLCYB1 gene into tobacco (cv. Xanthi) resulted in increased levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and especially gibberellins (GAs), resulting in increased plant yield. In order to understand this phenomenon prior to exporting this genetic strategy to crops, we generated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana) mutants that exhibited a wide range of LCYB expression. Transplastomic plants expressing DcLCYB1 at high levels showed a wild-type-like growth, even though their pigment content was increased and their leaf GA1 content was reduced. RNA interference (RNAi) NtLCYB lines showed different reductions in NtLCYB transcript abundance, correlating with reduced pigment content and plant variegation. Photosynthesis (leaf absorptance, Fv/Fm, and light-saturated capacity of linear electron transport) and plant growth were impaired. Remarkably, drastic changes in phytohormone content also occurred in the RNAi lines. However, external application of phytohormones was not sufficient to rescue these phenotypes, suggesting that altered photosynthetic efficiency might be another important factor explaining their reduced biomass. These results show that LCYB expression influences plant biomass by different mechanisms and suggests thresholds for LCYB expression levels that might be beneficial or detrimental for plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Kössler
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Tegan Armarego-Marriott
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Danuše Tarkowská
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences and Palacký University, Šlechtitelů, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Turečková
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences and Palacký University, Šlechtitelů, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Shreya Agrawal
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jianing Mi
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Leonardo Perez de Souza
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Mark Aurel Schöttler
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Anne Schadach
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Anja Fröhlich
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Arun Sampathkumar
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Juan C Moreno
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg1 D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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28
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Moreno JC, Martinez-Jaime S, Kosmacz M, Sokolowska EM, Schulz P, Fischer A, Luzarowska U, Havaux M, Skirycz A. A Multi-OMICs Approach Sheds Light on the Higher Yield Phenotype and Enhanced Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Tobacco Lines Expressing the Carrot lycopene β -cyclase1 Gene. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:624365. [PMID: 33613605 PMCID: PMC7893089 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.624365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we published a set of tobacco lines expressing the Daucus carota (carrot) DcLCYB1 gene with accelerated development, increased carotenoid content, photosynthetic efficiency, and yield. Because of this development, DcLCYB1 expression might be of general interest in crop species as a strategy to accelerate development and increase biomass production under field conditions. However, to follow this path, a better understanding of the molecular basis of this phenotype is essential. Here, we combine OMICs (RNAseq, proteomics, and metabolomics) approaches to advance our understanding of the broader effect of LCYB expression on the tobacco transcriptome and metabolism. Upon DcLCYB1 expression, the tobacco transcriptome (~2,000 genes), proteome (~700 proteins), and metabolome (26 metabolites) showed a high number of changes in the genes involved in metabolic processes related to cell wall, lipids, glycolysis, and secondary metabolism. Gene and protein networks revealed clusters of interacting genes and proteins mainly involved in ribosome and RNA metabolism and translation. In addition, abiotic stress-related genes and proteins were mainly upregulated in the transgenic lines. This was well in line with an enhanced stress (high light, salt, and H2O2) tolerance response in all the transgenic lines compared with the wild type. Altogether, our results show an extended and coordinated response beyond the chloroplast (nucleus and cytosol) at the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome levels, supporting enhanced plant growth under normal and stress conditions. This final evidence completes the set of benefits conferred by the expression of the DcLCYB1 gene, making it a very promising bioengineering tool to generate super crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Moreno
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Juan C. Moreno
| | | | - Monika Kosmacz
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Philipp Schulz
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Axel Fischer
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Urszula Luzarowska
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michel Havaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CEA, CNRS UMR7265, BIAM, CEA/Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Aleksandra Skirycz
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam, Germany
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Aleksandra Skirycz
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29
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Moreno JC, Mi J, Alagoz Y, Al‐Babili S. Plant apocarotenoids: from retrograde signaling to interspecific communication. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:351-375. [PMID: 33258195 PMCID: PMC7898548 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are isoprenoid compounds synthesized by all photosynthetic and some non-photosynthetic organisms. They are essential for photosynthesis and contribute to many other aspects of a plant's life. The oxidative breakdown of carotenoids gives rise to the formation of a diverse family of essential metabolites called apocarotenoids. This metabolic process either takes place spontaneously through reactive oxygen species or is catalyzed by enzymes generally belonging to the CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE family. Apocarotenoids include the phytohormones abscisic acid and strigolactones (SLs), signaling molecules and growth regulators. Abscisic acid and SLs are vital in regulating plant growth, development and stress response. SLs are also an essential component in plants' rhizospheric communication with symbionts and parasites. Other apocarotenoid small molecules, such as blumenols, mycorradicins, zaxinone, anchorene, β-cyclocitral, β-cyclogeranic acid, β-ionone and loliolide, are involved in plant growth and development, and/or contribute to different processes, including arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis, abiotic stress response, plant-plant and plant-herbivore interactions and plastid retrograde signaling. There are also indications for the presence of structurally unidentified linear cis-carotene-derived apocarotenoids, which are presumed to modulate plastid biogenesis and leaf morphology, among other developmental processes. Here, we provide an overview on the biology of old, recently discovered and supposed plant apocarotenoid signaling molecules, describing their biosynthesis, developmental and physiological functions, and role as a messenger in plant communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Moreno
- Max Planck Institut für Molekulare PflanzenphysiologieAm Mühlenberg 1Potsdam14476Germany
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and EngineeringCenter for Desert Agriculturethe BioActives LabKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal23955‐6900Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jianing Mi
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and EngineeringCenter for Desert Agriculturethe BioActives LabKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal23955‐6900Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yagiz Alagoz
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and EngineeringCenter for Desert Agriculturethe BioActives LabKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal23955‐6900Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityLocked Bag 1797PenrithNSW2751Australia
| | - Salim Al‐Babili
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and EngineeringCenter for Desert Agriculturethe BioActives LabKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal23955‐6900Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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30
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Zhu K, Zheng X, Ye J, Jiang Q, Chen H, Mei X, Wurtzel ET, Deng X. Building the Synthetic Biology Toolbox with Enzyme Variants to Expand Opportunities for Biofortification of Provitamin A and Other Health-Promoting Carotenoids. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:12048-12057. [PMID: 33073979 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c04740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are a large class of structures that are important in human health and include both provitamin A and nonprovitamin A compounds. Vitamin A deficiency is a global health problem that can be alleviated by enriching provitamin A carotenoids in a range of food crops. Suitable plants for biofortification are those with high levels of the provitamin A biosynthetic precursor, lycopene, which is enzymatically converted by lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) to β-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid. Crops, such as citrus, naturally accumulate high levels of provitamin A and other health-promoting carotenoids. Such plants may have useful genes to expand the synthetic biology toolbox for producing a range of phenotypes, including both high provitamin A crops and crops with unique compositions of health-promoting carotenoids. To examine enzyme variants having different activity levels, we introduced two citrus LCYB alleles into tomato, a plant with fruit rich in lycopene. Overexpression in tomato of the stronger allele of the citrus chromoplast-specific lycopene β-cyclase (CsLCYb2a) produced "golden" transgenic tomato fruits with 9.3-fold increased levels of β-carotene at up to 1.5 mg/g dry weight. The use of the weaker allele, CsLCYb2b, also led to enhanced levels of β-carotene but in the context of a more heterogeneous composition of carotenoids. From a synthetic biology standpoint, these allelic differences have value for producing cultivars with unique carotenoid profiles. Overexpression of the citrus LCYB genes was accompanied by increased expression of other genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes and increased size and number of chromoplasts needed to sequester the elevated levels of carotenoids in the transgenic tomato fruits. The overexpression of the citrus LCYB genes also led to a pleiotropic effect on profiles of phytohormones and primary metabolites. Our findings show that enzyme variants are essential synthetic biology parts needed to create a wider range of metabolic engineering products. In this case, strong and weak variants of LCYB proved useful in creating dietary sources to alleviate vitamin A deficiency or, alternatively, to create crops with a heterogeneous composition including provitamin A and healthful, nonprovitamin A carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York 10468, United States
| | - Xiongjie Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Junli Ye
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Qihang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Xuehan Mei
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Eleanore T Wurtzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York 10468, United States
- The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016-4309, United States
| | - Xiuxin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of MOE (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
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Verhage L. The colour of crop improvement. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 103:1965-1966. [PMID: 33462914 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
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