1
|
Qu M, Huang X, García-Caparrós P, Shabala L, Fuglsang AT, Yu M, Shabala S. Understanding the role of boron in plant adaptation to soil salinity. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14358. [PMID: 38783511 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting the sustainability and profitability of agricultural production systems. Salinity stress tolerance has been present in wild crop relatives but then lost, or significantly weakened, during their domestication. Given the genetic and physiological complexity of salinity tolerance traits, agronomical solutions may be a suitable alternative to crop breeding for improved salinity stress tolerance. One of them is optimizing fertilization practices to assist plants in dealing with elevated salt levels in the soil. In this review, we analyse the causal relationship between the availability of boron (an essential metalloid micronutrient) and plant's adaptive responses to salinity stress at the whole-plant, cellular, and molecular levels, and a possibility of using boron for salt stress mitigation. The topics covered include the impact of salinity and the role of boron in cell wall remodelling, plasma membrane integrity, hormonal signalling, and operation of various membrane transporters mediating plant ionic and water homeostasis. Of specific interest is the role of boron in the regulation of H+-ATPase activity whose operation is essential for the control of a broad range of voltage-gated ion channels. The complex relationship between boron availability and expression patterns and the operation of aquaporins is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Qu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xin Huang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Pedro García-Caparrós
- Agronomy Department of Superior School Engineering, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Lana Shabala
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Anja Thoe Fuglsang
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Min Yu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Sergey Shabala
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gu L, Hou Y, Sun Y, Chen X, Wang G, Wang H, Zhu B, Du X. The maize WRKY transcription factor ZmWRKY64 confers cadmium tolerance in Arabidopsis and maize (Zea mays L.). PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:44. [PMID: 38246890 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03112-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE ZmWRKY64 positively regulates Arabidopsis and maize Cd stress through modulating Cd uptake, translocation, and ROS scavenging genes expression. Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal with severe impacts on crops growth and development. The WRKY transcription factor is a significant regulator influencing plant stress response. Nevertheless, the function of the WRKY protein in maize Cd stress response remains unclear. Here, we identified a maize WRKY gene, ZmWRKY64, the expression of which was enhanced in maize roots and leaves under Cd stress. ZmWRKY64 was localized in the nucleus and displayed transcriptional activity in yeast. Heterologous expression of ZmWRKY64 in Arabidopsis diminished Cd accumulation in plants by negatively regulating the expression of AtIRT1, AtZIP1, AtHMA2, AtNRAMP3, and AtNRAMP4, which are involved in Cd uptake and transport, resulting in Cd stress tolerance. Knockdown of ZmWRKY64 in maize led to excessive Cd accumulation in leaf cells and in the cytosol of the root cells, resulting in a Cd hypersensitive phenotype. Further analysis confirmed that ZmWRKY64 positively regulated ZmABCC4, ZmHMA3, ZmNRAMP5, ZmPIN2, ZmABCG51, ZmABCB13/32, and ZmABCB10, which may influence Cd translocation and auxin transport, thus mitigating Cd toxicity in maize. Moreover, ZmWRKY64 could directly enhance the transcription of ZmSRG7, a reported key gene regulating reactive oxygen species homeostasis under abiotic stress. Our results indicate that ZmWRKY64 is important in maize Cd stress response. This work provides new insights into the WRKY transcription factor regulatory mechanism under a Cd-polluted environment and may lead to the genetic improvement of Cd tolerance in maize.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yunyan Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yiyue Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xuanxuan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangyi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Hongcheng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xuye Du
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang H, Wang H, Liu H, Wan T, Li Y, Zhang K, Shabala S, Li X, Chen Y, Yu M. Aluminium stress-induced modulation of root gravitropism in pea (Pisum sativum) via auxin signalling. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 206:108315. [PMID: 38157836 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Aluminium (Al) toxicity stands out as a primary cause of crop failure in acidic soils. The root gravity setpoint angle (GSA), one of the important traits of the root system architecture (RSA), plays a pivotal role in enabling plants to adapt to abiotic stress. This study explored the correlation between GSA and Al stress using hydroponic culture with pea (Pisum sativum) plants. The findings revealed that under Al stress, GSA increased in newly developed lateral roots. Notably, this response remained consistent regardless of the treatment duration, extending for at least 3 days during the experiment. Furthermore, exposure to Al led to a reduction in both the size and quantity of starch granules, pivotal components linked to gravity perception. The accumulation of auxin in root transition zone increased. This variation was mirrored in the expression of genes linked to granule formation and auxin efflux, particularly those in the PIN-formed family. This developmental framework suggested a unique role for the root gravitropic response that hinges on starch granules and auxin transport, acting as mediators in the modulation of GSA under Al stress. Exogenous application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and the auxin efflux inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) had an impact on the root gravitropic response to Al stress. The outcomes indicate that Al stress inhibited polar auxin transport and starch granule formation, the two processes crucial for gravitropism. This impairment led to an elevation in GSA and a reconfiguration of RSA. This study introduces a novel perspective on how plant roots react to Al toxicity, culminating in RSA modification in the context of acidic soil with elevated Al concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Huayang Wang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Houzhou Liu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Tao Wan
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Yalin Li
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Ketong Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Sergey Shabala
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Xuewen Li
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China.
| | - Yinglong Chen
- School of Agriculture and Environment & Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia.
| | - Min Yu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China; School of Agriculture and Environment & Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tao L, Zhu H, Huang Q, Xiao X, Luo Y, Wang H, Li Y, Li X, Liu J, Jásik J, Chen Y, Shabala S, Baluška F, Shi W, Shi L, Yu M. PIN2/3/4 auxin carriers mediate root growth inhibition under conditions of boron deprivation in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 115:1357-1376. [PMID: 37235684 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic basis by which boron (B) deprivation inhibits root growth via the mediation of root apical auxin transport and distribution remains elusive. This study showed that B deprivation repressed root growth of wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings, which was related to higher auxin accumulation (observed with DII-VENUS and DR5-GFP lines) in B-deprived roots. Boron deprivation elevated the auxin content in the root apex, coinciding with upregulation of the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis-related genes (TAA1, YUC3, YUC9, and NIT1) in shoots, but not in root apices. Phenotyping experiments using auxin transport-related mutants revealed that the PIN2/3/4 carriers are involved in root growth inhibition caused by B deprivation. B deprivation not only upregulated the transcriptional levels of PIN2/3/4, but also restrained the endocytosis of PIN2/3/4 carriers (observed with PIN-Dendra2 lines), resulting in elevated protein levels of PIN2/3/4 in the plasma membrane. Overall, these results suggest that B deprivation not only enhances auxin biosynthesis in shoots by elevating the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis-related genes but also promotes the polar auxin transport from shoots to roots by upregulating the gene expression levels of PIN2/3/4, as well as restraining the endocytosis of PIN2/3/4 carriers, ultimately resulting in auxin accumulation in root apices and root growth inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430000, China
- Microelement Research Center/Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hu Zhu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Qiuyu Huang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Xiaoyi Xiao
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Ying Luo
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Hui Wang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Yalin Li
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Xuewen Li
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Jiayou Liu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Ján Jásik
- Institute of Botany, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Yinglong Chen
- School of Agriculture and Environment & Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Sergey Shabala
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
- Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, College of Science and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - František Baluška
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, D-53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Weiming Shi
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
- Institute of Soil Science Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Lei Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430000, China
- Microelement Research Center/Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Min Yu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology & Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China
- Institute of Botany, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|