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Shi Y, Wang J, Yu T, Song R, Qi W. Callus-specific CRISPR/Cas9 system to increase heritable gene mutations in maize. PLANTA 2024; 260:16. [PMID: 38833022 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04451-w] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION A callus-specific CRISPR/Cas9 (CSC) system with Cas9 gene driven by the promoters of ZmCTA1 and ZmPLTP reduces somatic mutations and improves the production of heritable mutations in maize. The CRISPR/Cas9 system, due to its editing accuracy, provides an excellent tool for crop genetic breeding. Nevertheless, the traditional design utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 with ubiquitous expression leads to an abundance of somatic mutations, thereby complicating the detection of heritable mutations. We constructed a callus-specific CRISPR/Cas9 (CSC) system using callus-specific promoters of maize Chitinase A1 and Phospholipid transferase protein (pZmCTA1 and pZmPLTP) to drive Cas9 expression, and the target gene chosen for this study was the bZIP transcription factor Opaque2 (O2). The CRISPR/Cas9 system driven by the maize Ubiquitin promoter (pZmUbi) was employed as a comparative control. Editing efficiency analysis based on high-throughput tracking of mutations (Hi-TOM) showed that the CSC systems generated more target gene mutations than the ubiquitously expressed CRISPR/Cas9 (UC) system in calli. Transgenic plants were generated for the CSC and UC systems. We found that the CSC systems generated fewer target gene mutations than the UC system in the T0 seedlings but reduced the influence of somatic mutations. Nearly 100% of mutations in the T1 generation generated by the CSC systems were derived from the T0 plants. Only 6.3-16.7% of T1 mutations generated by the UC system were from the T0 generation. Our results demonstrated that the CSC system consistently produced more stable, heritable mutants in the subsequent generation, suggesting its potential application across various crops to facilitate the genetic breeding of desired mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Tante Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Rentao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, People's Republic of China.
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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Peng D, Pan S, Du X, Chen E, He J, Zhang Z. Central Roles of ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 in Nutrient Uptake and Storage during Maize Grain Filling. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:663. [PMID: 38927600 PMCID: PMC11203180 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060663] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Grain filling is critical for determining yield and quality, raising the question of whether central coordinators exist to facilitate the uptake and storage of various substances from maternal to filial tissues. The duplicate NAC transcription factors ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 could potentially serve as central coordinators. By analyzing differentially expressed genes from zmnac128 zmnac130 mutants across different genetic backgrounds and growing years, we identified 243 highly and differentially expressed genes (hdEGs) as the core target genes. These 243 hdEGs were associated with storage metabolism and transporters. ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 play vital roles in storage metabolism, and this study revealed two additional starch metabolism-related genes, sugary enhancer1 and hexokinase1, as their direct targets. A key finding of this study was the inclusion of 17 transporter genes within the 243 hdEGs, with significant alterations in the levels of more than 10 elements/substances in mutant kernels. Among them, six out of the nine upregulated transporter genes were linked to the transport of heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs), which was consistent with the enrichment of cadmium, lead, and arsenic observed in mutant kernels. Interestingly, the levels of Mg and Zn, minerals important to biofortification efforts, were reduced in mutant kernels. In addition to their direct involvement in sugar transport, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 also activate the expression of the endosperm-preferential nitrogen and phosphate transporters ZmNPF1.1 and ZmPHO1;2. This coordinated regulation limits the intake of HMMs, enhances biofortification, and facilitates the uptake and storage of essential nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; (D.P.); (S.P.); (X.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Shuxing Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; (D.P.); (S.P.); (X.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Xin Du
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; (D.P.); (S.P.); (X.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Erwang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; (D.P.); (S.P.); (X.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Junjun He
- South Subtropical Crop Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Zhanjiang 524091, China;
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; (D.P.); (S.P.); (X.D.); (E.C.)
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Cao S, Liu B, Wang D, Rasheed A, Xie L, Xia X, He Z. Orchestrating seed storage protein and starch accumulation toward overcoming yield-quality trade-off in cereal crops. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:468-483. [PMID: 38409921 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13633] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Achieving high yield and good quality in crops is essential for human food security and health. However, there is usually disharmony between yield and quality. Seed storage protein (SSP) and starch, the predominant components in cereal grains, determine yield and quality, and their coupled synthesis causes a yield-quality trade-off. Therefore, dissection of the underlying regulatory mechanism facilitates simultaneous improvement of yield and quality. Here, we summarize current findings about the synergistic molecular machinery underpinning SSP and starch synthesis in the leading staple cereal crops, including maize, rice and wheat. We further evaluate the functional conservation and differentiation of key regulators and specify feasible research approaches to identify additional regulators and expand insights. We also present major strategies to leverage resultant information for simultaneous improvement of yield and quality by molecular breeding. Finally, future perspectives on major challenges are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanghe Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Bingyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Daowen Wang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Awais Rasheed
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) China Office, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lina Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xianchun Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhonghu He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding/National Wheat Improvement Center, Institute of Crop Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) China Office, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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4
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Wu H, Galli M, Spears CJ, Zhan J, Liu P, Yadegari R, Dannenhoffer JM, Gallavotti A, Becraft PW. NAKED ENDOSPERM1, NAKED ENDOSPERM2, and OPAQUE2 interact to regulate gene networks in maize endosperm development. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 36:19-39. [PMID: 37795691 PMCID: PMC10734603 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
NAKED ENDOSPERM1 (NKD1), NKD2, and OPAQUE2 (O2) are transcription factors important for cell patterning and nutrient storage in maize (Zea mays) endosperm. To study the complex regulatory interrelationships among these 3 factors in coregulating gene networks, we developed a set of nkd1, nkd2, and o2 homozygous lines, including all combinations of mutant and wild-type genes. Among the 8 genotypes tested, we observed diverse phenotypes and gene interactions affecting cell patterning, starch content, and storage proteins. From ∼8 to ∼16 d after pollination, maize endosperm undergoes a transition from cellular development to nutrient accumulation for grain filling. Gene network analysis showed that NKD1, NKD2, and O2 dynamically regulate a hierarchical gene network during this period, directing cellular development early and then transitioning to constrain cellular development while promoting the biosynthesis and storage of starch, proteins, and lipids. Genetic interactions regulating this network are also dynamic. The assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) showed that O2 influences the global regulatory landscape, decreasing NKD1 and NKD2 target site accessibility, while NKD1 and NKD2 increase O2 target site accessibility. In summary, interactions of NKD1, NKD2, and O2 dynamically affect the hierarchical gene network and regulatory landscape during the transition from cellular development to grain filling in maize endosperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Mary Galli
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08901-8520, USA
| | - Carla J Spears
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Junpeng Zhan
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Ramin Yadegari
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Andrea Gallavotti
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08901-8520, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Philip W Becraft
- Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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5
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Chen E, Yu H, He J, Peng D, Zhu P, Pan S, Wu X, Wang J, Ji C, Chao Z, Xu Z, Wu Y, Chao D, Wu Y, Zhang Z. The transcription factors ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 coordinate with Opaque2 to promote endosperm filling in maize. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:4066-4090. [PMID: 37542515 PMCID: PMC10615213 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Endosperm filling in maize (Zea mays), which involves nutrient uptake and biosynthesis of storage reserves, largely determines grain yield and quality. However, much remains unclear about the synchronization of these processes. Here, we comprehensively investigated the functions of duplicate NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2 (NAC)-type transcription factors, namely, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130, in endosperm filling. The gene-edited double mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 exhibits a poorly filled kernel phenotype such that the kernels have an inner cavity. RNA sequencing and protein abundance analysis revealed that the expression of many genes involved in the biosynthesis of zein and starch is reduced in the filling endosperm of zmnac128 zmnac130. Further, DNA affinity purification and sequencing combined with chromatin-immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR and promoter transactivation assays demonstrated that ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 are direct regulators of 3 (16-, 27-, and 50-kD) γ-zein genes and 6 important starch metabolism genes (Brittle2 [Bt2], pullulanase-type starch debranching enzyme [Zpu1], granule-bound starch synthase 1 [GBSS1], starch synthase 1 [SS1], starch synthase IIa [SSIIa], and sucrose synthase 1 [Sus1]). ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 recognize an additional cis-element in the Opaque2 (O2) promoter to regulate its expression. The triple mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 o2 exhibits extremely poor endosperm filling, which results in more than 70% of kernel weight loss. ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 regulate the expression of the transporter genes sugars that will eventually be exported transporter 4c (ZmSWEET4c), sucrose and glucose carrier 1 (ZmSUGCAR1), and yellow stripe-like2 (ZmYSL2) and in turn facilitate nutrient uptake, while O2 plays a supporting role. In conclusion, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 cooperate with O2 to facilitate endosperm filling, which involves nutrient uptake in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) and the synthesis of zeins and starch in the starchy endosperm (SE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Huiqin Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Juan He
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Di Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Panpan Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Shuxing Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Xu Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Jincang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
| | - Chen Ji
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032,China
| | - Zhenfei Chao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032,China
| | - Zhuopin Xu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031,China
| | - Yuejin Wu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031,China
| | - Daiyin Chao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032,China
| | - Yongrui Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032,China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027,China
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6
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Wang C, Li H, Long Y, Dong Z, Wang J, Liu C, Wei X, Wan X. A Systemic Investigation of Genetic Architecture and Gene Resources Controlling Kernel Size-Related Traits in Maize. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021025. [PMID: 36674545 PMCID: PMC9865405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Grain yield is the most critical and complex quantitative trait in maize. Kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), kernel thickness (KT) and hundred-kernel weight (HKW) associated with kernel size are essential components of yield-related traits in maize. With the extensive use of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses, thousands of QTLs and quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) have been discovered for controlling these traits. However, only some of them have been cloned and successfully utilized in breeding programs. In this study, we exhaustively collected reported genes, QTLs and QTNs associated with the four traits, performed cluster identification of QTLs and QTNs, then combined QTL and QTN clusters to detect consensus hotspot regions. In total, 31 hotspots were identified for kernel size-related traits. Their candidate genes were predicted to be related to well-known pathways regulating the kernel developmental process. The identified hotspots can be further explored for fine mapping and candidate gene validation. Finally, we provided a strategy for high yield and quality maize. This study will not only facilitate causal genes cloning, but also guide the breeding practice for maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Huangai Li
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Yan Long
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Zhenying Dong
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Xun Wei
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-189-1087-6260 (X.W.); +86-186-0056-1850 (X.W.)
| | - Xiangyuan Wan
- Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio-Tech Breeding, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing 100192, China
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-189-1087-6260 (X.W.); +86-186-0056-1850 (X.W.)
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Guo Y, Chen Y, Zhang J, Li J, Fan K, Chen R, Liu Y, Zheng J, Fu J, Gu R, Wang G, Cui Y, Du X, Wang J. Epigenetic Mutation in a Tubulin-Folding Cofactor B (ZmTFCB) Gene Arrests Kernel Development in Maize. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 63:1156-1167. [PMID: 35771678 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac092] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Epialleles, the heritable epigenetic variants that are not caused by changes in DNA sequences, can broaden genetic and phenotypic diversity and benefit to crop breeding, but very few epialleles related to agricultural traits have been identified in maize. Here, we cloned a small kernel mutant, smk-wl10, from maize, which encoded a tubulin-folding cofactor B (ZmTFCB) protein. Expression of the ZmTFCB gene decreased in the smk-wl10 mutant, which arrested embryo, endosperm and basal endosperm transfer layer developments. Overexpression of ZmTFCB could complement the defective phenotype of smk-wl10. No nucleotide sequence variation in ZmTFCB could be found between smk-wl10 and wild type (WT). Instead, we detected hypermethylation of nucleotide CHG (where H is A, C or T nucleotide) sequence contexts and increased level of histone H3K9me2 methylation in the upstream sequence of ZmTFCB in smk-wl10 compared with WT, which might respond to the attenuating transcription of ZmTFCB. In addition, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays identified a strong interaction between ZmTFCB and its homolog ZmTFCE. Thus, our work identifies a novel epiallele of the maize ZmTFCB gene, which might represent a common phenomenon in the epigenetic regulation of important traits such as kernel development in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Guo
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiankun Li
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kaijian Fan
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Rongrong Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yunjun Liu
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Riliang Gu
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guoying Wang
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yu Cui
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuemei Du
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Xu X, Hummel S, Harter K, Kolukisaoglu Ü, Riemann M, Nick P. The Minus-End-Directed Kinesin OsDLK Shuttles to the Nucleus and Modulates the Expression of Cold-Box Factor 4. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116291. [PMID: 35682970 PMCID: PMC9181729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition to terrestrial plants was accompanied by a progressive loss of microtubule minus-end-directed dynein motors. Instead, the minus-end-directed class-XIV kinesins expanded considerably, likely related to novel functions. One of these motors, OsDLK (Dual Localisation Kinesin from rice), decorates cortical microtubules but moves into the nucleus in response to cold stress. This analysis of loss-of-function mutants in rice indicates that OsDLK participates in cell elongation during development. Since OsDLK harbours both a nuclear localisation signal and a putative leucin zipper, we asked whether the cold-induced import of OsDLK into the nucleus might correlate with specific DNA binding. Conducting a DPI-ELISA screen with recombinant OsDLKT (lacking the motor domain), we identified the Opaque2 motif as the most promising candidate. This motif is present in the promoter of NtAvr9/Cf9, the tobacco homologue of Cold-Box Factor 4, a transcription factor involved in cold adaptation. A comparative study revealed that the cold-induced accumulation of NtAvr9/Cfp9 was specifically quelled in transgenic BY-2 cells overexpressing OsDLK-GFP. These findings are discussed as a working model, where, in response to cold stress, OsDLK partitions from cortical microtubules at the plasma membrane into the nucleus and specifically modulates the expression of genes involved in cold adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Xu
- Molecular Cell Biology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany;
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (P.N.)
| | - Sabine Hummel
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.H.); (K.H.); (Ü.K.)
| | - Klaus Harter
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.H.); (K.H.); (Ü.K.)
| | - Üner Kolukisaoglu
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.H.); (K.H.); (Ü.K.)
| | - Michael Riemann
- Molecular Cell Biology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany;
| | - Peter Nick
- Molecular Cell Biology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany;
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (P.N.)
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Luo B, Hu H, Zhong H, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Gao J, Liu D, Wu L, Gao S, Gao D, Gao S. Identification of a new mutant allele of ZmYSL2 that regulates kernel development and nutritional quality in maize. MOLECULAR BREEDING : NEW STRATEGIES IN PLANT IMPROVEMENT 2022; 42:7. [PMID: 37309320 PMCID: PMC10248714 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-022-01278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and characterization of the opaque endosperm gene provide ideas and resources for the production and application of maize. We found an o213 mutant whose phenotype was opaque and shrunken endosperm with semi-dwarf plant height. The protein, lipid, and starch contents in the o213 endosperm were significantly decreased, while the free amino acid content in the o213 endosperm significantly increased. The aspartic acid, asparagine, and lysine contents were raised in the o213 endosperm by 6.5-, 8.5-, and 1.7-fold, respectively. Genetic analysis showed that this o213 mutant is a recessive single-gene mutation. The position mapping indicated that o213 is located in a 468-kb region that contains 11 protein-encoding genes on the long arm of chromosome 5. The coding sequence analysis of candidate genes between the WT and o213 showed that ZmYSL2 had only a single-base substitution (A-G) in the fifth exon, which caused methionine substitution to valine. Sequence analysis and the allelic test showed that o213 is a new mutant allele of ZmYSL2. The qRT-PCR results indicated that o213 is highly expressed in the stalks and anthers. Subcellular localization studies showed that o213 is a membrane transporter. In the variation analysis of o213, the amplification of 65 inbred lines in GWAS showed that this 3-bp deletion of the first exon of o213 was found only in temperate inbred lines, implying that the gene was artificially affected in the selection process. Our results suggest that o213 is an important endosperm development gene and may serve as a genetic resource. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01278-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Wang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Bowen Luo
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Hongmei Hu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Haixu Zhong
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Jiajia Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Dan Liu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Ling Wu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Duojiang Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Shibin Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
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Li DQ, Wu XB, Wang HF, Feng X, Yan SJ, Wu SY, Liu JX, Yao XF, Bai AN, Zhao H, Song XF, Guo L, Zhang SY, Liu CM. Defective mitochondrial function by mutation in THICK ALEURONE 1 encoding a mitochondrion-targeted single-stranded DNA-binding protein leads to increased aleurone cell layers and improved nutrition in rice. MOLECULAR PLANT 2021; 14:1343-1361. [PMID: 34015460 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2021.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cereal endosperm comprises an outer aleurone and an inner starchy endosperm. Although these two tissues have the same developmental origin, they differ in morphology, cell fate, and storage product accumulation, with the mechanism largely unknown. Here, we report the identification and characterization of rice thick aleurone 1 (ta1) mutant that shows an increased number of aleurone cell layers and increased contents of nutritional factors including proteins, lipids, vitamins, dietary fibers, and micronutrients. We identified that the TA1 gene, which is expressed in embryo, aleurone, and subaleurone in caryopses, encodes a mitochondrion-targeted protein with single-stranded DNA-binding activity named OsmtSSB1. Cytological analyses revealed that the increased aleurone cell layers in ta1 originate from a developmental switch of subaleurone toward aleurone instead of starchy endosperm in the wild type. We found that TA1/OsmtSSB1 interacts with mitochondrial DNA recombinase RECA3 and DNA helicase TWINKLE, and downregulation of RECA3 or TWINKLE also leads to ta1-like phenotypes. We further showed that mutation in TA1/OsmtSSB1 causes elevated illegitimate recombinations in the mitochondrial genome, altered mitochondrial morphology, and compromised energy supply, suggesting that the OsmtSSB1-mediated mitochondrial function plays a critical role in subaleurone cell-fate determination in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Xiao-Ba Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Hai-Feng Wang
- Rice Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Shi-Juan Yan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Sheng-Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Jin-Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Xue-Feng Yao
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Ai-Ning Bai
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiu-Fen Song
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shi-Yong Zhang
- Rice Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Chun-Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China; Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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11
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Zhou X, Shafique K, Sajid M, Ali Q, Khalili E, Javed MA, Haider MS, Zhou G, Zhu G. Era-like GTP protein gene expression in rice. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e250700. [PMID: 34259718 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.250700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutations are genetic changes in the genome sequences and have a significant role in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology even to find out the genome sequences of a cell DNA along with the viral RNA sequencing. The mutations are the alterations in DNA that may be natural or spontaneous and induced due to biochemical reactions or radiations which damage cell DNA. There is another cause of mutations which is known as transposons or jumping genes which can change their position in the genome during meiosis or DNA replication. The transposable elements can induce by self in the genome due to cellular and molecular mechanisms including hypermutation which caused the localization of transposable elements to move within the genome. The use of induced mutations for studying the mutagenesis in crop plants is very common as well as a promising method for screening crop plants with new and enhanced traits for the improvement of yield and production. The utilization of insertional mutations through transposons or jumping genes usually generates stable mutant alleles which are mostly tagged for the presence or absence of jumping genes or transposable elements. The transposable elements may be used for the identification of mutated genes in crop plants and even for the stable insertion of transposable elements in mutated crop plants. The guanine nucleotide-binding (GTP) proteins have an important role in inducing tolerance in rice plants to combat abiotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhou
- Linyi University, College of Life Science, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - K Shafique
- Government Sadiq College Women University, Department of Botany, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M Sajid
- University of Okara, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Q Ali
- University of Lahore, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - E Khalili
- Tarbiat Modarres University, Faculty of Science, Department of Plant Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - M A Javed
- University of the Punjab Lahore, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M S Haider
- University of the Punjab Lahore, Department of Plant Pathology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - G Zhou
- Yangzhou University, The Ministry of Education of China, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - G Zhu
- Yangzhou University, The Ministry of Education of China, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Chen Q, Zhang J, Wang J, Xie Y, Cui Y, Du X, Li L, Fu J, Liu Y, Wang J, Wang G, Gu R. Small kernel 501 (smk501) encodes the RUBylation activating enzyme E1 subunit ECR1 (E1 C-TERMINAL RELATED 1) and is essential for multiple aspects of cellular events during kernel development in maize. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:2337-2354. [PMID: 33749863 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
RUBylation plays essential roles in plant growth and development through regulating Cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligase (CRL) activities and the CRL-mediated protein degradations. However, the function of RUBylation in regulating kernel development remains unclear. Through genetic and molecular analyses of a small kernel 501 (smk501) mutant in maize (Zea mays), we cloned the smk501 gene, revealed its molecular function, and defined its roles in RUBylation pathway and seed development. Smk501 encodes a RUBylation activating enzyme E1 subunit ZmECR1 (E1 C-TERMINAL RELATED 1) protein. Destruction in RUBylation by smk501 mutation resulted in less embryo and endosperm cell number and smaller kernel size. The transcriptome and proteome profiling, hormone evaluation and cell proliferation observation revealed that disturbing ZmECR1 expression mainly affects pathways on hormone signal transduction, cell cycle progression and starch accumulation during kernel development. In addition, mutant in zmaxr1 (Auxin resistant 1), another RUB E1 subunit, also showed similar defects in kernel development. Double mutation of zmecr1 and zmaxr1 lead to empty pericarp kernel phenotype. RUBylation is a novel regulatory pathway affecting maize kernel development, majorly through its functions in modifying multiple cellular progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanquan Chen
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuxin Xie
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yu Cui
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xuemei Du
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Li Li
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yunjun Liu
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Guoying Wang
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Riliang Gu
- Beijing Innovation Center for Crop Seed Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Crop Heterosis Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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13
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Dai D, Ma Z, Song R. Maize endosperm development. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:613-627. [PMID: 33448626 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in transcriptome analysis and gene characterization have provided valuable resources and information about the maize endosperm developmental program. The high temporal-resolution transcriptome analysis has yielded unprecedented access to information about the genetic control of seed development. Detailed spatial transcriptome analysis using laser-capture microdissection has revealed the expression patterns of specific populations of genes in the four major endosperm compartments: the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL), aleurone layer (AL), starchy endosperm (SE), and embryo-surrounding region (ESR). Although the overall picture of the transcriptional regulatory network of endosperm development remains fragmentary, there have been some exciting advances, such as the identification of OPAQUE11 (O11) as a central hub of the maize endosperm regulatory network connecting endosperm development, nutrient metabolism, and stress responses, and the discovery that the endosperm adjacent to scutellum (EAS) serves as a dynamic interface for endosperm-embryo crosstalk. In addition, several genes that function in BETL development, AL differentiation, and the endosperm cell cycle have been identified, such as ZmSWEET4c, Thk1, and Dek15, respectively. Here, we focus on current advances in understanding the molecular factors involved in BETL, AL, SE, ESR, and EAS development, including the specific transcriptional regulatory networks that function in each compartment during endosperm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, Plant Science Center, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Zeyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Rentao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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14
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Yang T, Guo L, Ji C, Wang H, Wang J, Zheng X, Xiao Q, Wu Y. The B3 domain-containing transcription factor ZmABI19 coordinates expression of key factors required for maize seed development and grain filling. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:104-128. [PMID: 33751093 PMCID: PMC8136913 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Grain filling in maize (Zea mays) is regulated by a group of spatiotemporally synchronized transcription factors (TFs), but the factors that coordinate their expression remain unknown. We used the promoter of the grain filling-specific TF gene Opaque2 (O2) to screen upstream regulatory factors and identified a B3 domain TF, ZmABI19, that directly binds to the O2 promoter for transactivation. zmabi19 mutants displayed developmental defects in the endosperm and embryo, and mature kernels were opaque and reduced in size. The accumulation of zeins, starch and lipids dramatically decreased in zmabi19 mutants. RNA sequencing revealed an alteration of the nutrient reservoir activity and starch and sucrose metabolism in zmabi19 endosperms, and plant phytohormone signal transduction and lipid metabolism in zmabi19 embryos. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing coupled with differential expression analysis identified 106 high-confidence direct ZmABI19 targets. ZmABI19 directly regulates multiple key grain filling TFs including O2, Prolamine-box binding factor 1, ZmbZIP22, NAC130, and Opaque11 in the endosperm and Viviparous1 in the embryo. A number of phytohormone-related genes were also bound and regulated by ZmABI19. Our results demonstrate that ZmABI19 functions as a grain filling initiation regulator. ZmABI19 roles in coupling early endosperm and embryo development are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liangxing Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chen Ji
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haihai Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiechen Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xixi Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiao Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongrui Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Author for communication:
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15
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Hasan MM, Rima R. Genetic engineering to improve essential and conditionally essential amino acids in maize: transporter engineering as a reference. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:207-220. [PMID: 33583006 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00235-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ruminants and humans are unable to synthesize essential amino acids (EAAs) and conditionally essential amino acids (CEAAs) under normal conditions and need to acquire them from plant sources. Maize plays, as a major crop, a central role in global food security. However, maize is deficient in several EAAs and CEAAs. Genetic engineering has been successfully used to enrich the EAA content of maize to some extent, including the content of Lys, Trp, and Met. However, research on other EAAs is lacking. Genetic engineering provides several viable approaches for increasing the EAA content in maize, including transformation of a single gene, transformation of multiple genes in a single cassette, overexpression of putative amino acid transporters, engineering the amino acid biosynthesis pathway including silencing of feedback inhibition enzymes, and overexpression of major enzymes in this pathway. These challenging processes require a deep understanding of the biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of individual amino acids, and the interaction of individual amino acids with other metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, 7408, Bangladesh.
- The Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Rima Rima
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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16
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Dai D, Ma Z, Song R. Maize kernel development. MOLECULAR BREEDING : NEW STRATEGIES IN PLANT IMPROVEMENT 2021; 41:2. [PMID: 37309525 PMCID: PMC10231577 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-020-01195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) is a leading cereal crop in the world. The maize kernel is the storage organ and the harvest portion of this crop and is closely related to its yield and quality. The development of maize kernel is initiated by the double fertilization event, leading to the formation of a diploid embryo and a triploid endosperm. The embryo and endosperm are then undergone independent developmental programs, resulting in a mature maize kernel which is comprised of a persistent endosperm, a large embryo, and a maternal pericarp. Due to the well-characterized morphogenesis and powerful genetics, maize kernel has long been an excellent model for the study of cereal kernel development. In recent years, with the release of the maize reference genome and the development of new genomic technologies, there has been an explosive expansion of new knowledge for maize kernel development. In this review, we overviewed recent progress in the study of maize kernel development, with an emphasis on genetic mapping of kernel traits, transcriptome analysis during kernel development, functional gene cloning of kernel mutants, and genetic engineering of kernel traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, Plant Science Center, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China
| | - Zeyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Rentao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
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17
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Zang J, Huo Y, Liu J, Zhang H, Liu J, Chen H. Maize YSL2 is required for iron distribution and development in kernels. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5896-5910. [PMID: 32687576 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient and plays an irreplaceable role in plant growth and development. Although its uptake and translocation are important biological processes, little is known about the molecular mechanism of Fe translocation within seed. Here, we characterized a novel small kernel mutant yellow stripe like 2 (ysl2) in maize (Zea mays). ZmYSL2 was predominantly expressed in developing endosperm and was found to encode a plasma membrane-localized metal-nicotianamine (NA) transporter ZmYSL2. Analysis of transporter activity revealed ZmYSL2-mediated Fe transport from endosperm to embryo during kernel development. Dysfunction of ZmYSL2 resulted in the imbalance of Fe homeostasis and abnormality of protein accumulation and starch deposition in the kernel. Significant changes of nitric oxide accumulation, mitochondrial Fe-S cluster content, and mitochondrial morphology indicated that the proper function of mitochondria was also affected in ysl2. Collectively, our study demonstrated that ZmYSL2 had a pivotal role in mediating Fe distribution within the kernel and kernel development in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqing Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huairen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huabang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Li C, Song R. The regulation of zein biosynthesis in maize endosperm. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2020; 133:1443-1453. [PMID: 31897513 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-019-03520-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We review the current knowledge regarding the regulation of zein storage proteins biosynthesis and protein body formation, which are crucial processes for the successful accumulation of nutrients in maize kernels. Storage proteins in the seeds of crops in the grass family (Poaceae) are a major source of dietary protein for humans. In maize (Zea mays), proteins are the second largest nutrient component in the kernels, accounting for ~ 10% of the kernel weight. Over half of the storage proteins in maize kernels are zeins, which lack two essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan. This deficiency limits the use of maize proteins in the food and feed industries. Zeins are encoded by a large super-gene family. During endosperm development, zeins accumulate in protein bodies, which are derived from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In recent years, our knowledge of the pathways of zein biosynthesis and their deposition within the endosperm has been greatly expanded. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of zeins, including the genes encoding these proteins, their expression patterns and transcriptional regulation, the process of protein body formation, and other biological processes affecting zein accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Rentao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Joint International Research Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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19
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Identification of quantitative trait loci for kernel-related traits and the heterosis for these traits in maize (Zea mays L.). Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 295:121-133. [PMID: 31511973 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Heterosis has been extensively applied for many traits during maize breeding, but there has been relatively little attention paid to the heterosis for kernel size. In this study, we evaluated a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between 08-641 and YE478, as well as 298 hybrids from an immortalized F2 (IF2) population to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for six kernel-related traits and the mid-parent heterosis (MPH) for these traits. A total of 100 QTLs, six pairs of loci with epistatic interactions, and five significant QTL × environment interactions were identified in both mapping populations. Seven QTLs accounted for over 10% of the phenotypic variation. Only four QTLs affected both the trait means and the MPH, suggesting the genetic mechanisms for kernel-related traits and the heterosis for kernel size are not completely independent. Moreover, more than half of the QTLs for each trait in the IF2 population exhibited dominance, implying that dominance is more important than other genetic effects for the heterosis for kernel-related traits. Additionally, 20 QTL clusters comprising 46 QTLs were detected across ten chromosomes. Specific chromosomal regions (bins 2.03, 6.04-6.05, and 9.01-9.02) exhibited pleiotropy and congruency across diverse heterotic patterns in previous studies. These results may provide additional insights into the genetic basis for the MPH for kernel-related traits.
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Song W, Zhu J, Zhao H, Li Y, Liu J, Zhang X, Huang L, Lai J. OS1 functions in the allocation of nutrients between the endosperm and embryo in maize seeds. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 61:706-727. [PMID: 30506638 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering the genetic basis of seed development will provide useful tools for improving both crop yield and nutritional value. However, the genetic regulatory networks of maize (Zea mays) seed development remain largely unknown. The maize opaque endosperm and small germ 1 (os1) mutant has opaque endosperm and a small embryo. Here, we cloned OS1 and show that it encodes a putative transcription factor containing an RWP-RK domain. Transcriptional analysis indicated that OS1 expression is elevated in early endosperm development, especially in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL), conducting zone (CZ), and central starch endosperm (CSE) cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of the os1 mutant revealed sharp downregulation of certain genes in specific cell types, including ZmMRP-1 and Meg1 in BETL cells and a majority of zein- and starch-related genes in CSE cells. Using a haploid induction system, we show that wild-type endosperm could rescue the smaller size of os1 embryo, which suggests that nutrients are allocated by the wild-type endosperm. Therefore, our data imply that the network regulated by OS1 accomplishes a key step in nutrient allocation between endosperm and embryo within maize seeds. Identification of this network will help uncover the mechanisms regulating the nutritional balance between endosperm and embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Jinjie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Haiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Yingnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Jiangtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Xiangbo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Liangliang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Jinsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
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21
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NAC-type transcription factors regulate accumulation of starch and protein in maize seeds. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:11223-11228. [PMID: 31110006 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1904995116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Grain starch and protein are synthesized during endosperm development, prompting the question of what regulatory mechanism underlies the synchronization of the accumulation of secondary and primary gene products. We found that two endosperm-specific NAC transcription factors, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130, have such a regulatory function. Knockdown of expression of ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 with RNA interference (RNAi) caused a shrunken kernel phenotype with significant reduction of starch and protein. We could show that ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 regulate the transcription of Bt2 and then reduce its protein level, a rate-limiting step in starch synthesis of maize endosperm. Lack of ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 also reduced accumulation of zeins and nonzeins by 18% and 24% compared with nontransgenic siblings, respectively. Although ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 affected expression of zein genes in general, they specifically activated transcription of the 16-kDa γ-zein gene. The two transcription factors did not dimerize with each other but exemplified redundancy, whereas individual discovery of their function was not amenable to conventional genetics but illustrated the power of RNAi. Given that both the Bt2 and the 16-kDa γ-zein genes were activated by ZmNAC128 or ZmNAC130, we could identify a core binding site ACGCAA contained within their target promoter regions by combining Dual-Luciferase Reporter and Electrophoretic Mobility Shift assays. Consistent with these properties, transcriptomic profiling uncovered that lack of ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 had a pleiotropic effect on the utilization of carbohydrates and amino acids.
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Zhang S, Zhan J, Yadegari R. Maize opaque mutants are no longer so opaque. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2018; 31:319-326. [PMID: 29978299 PMCID: PMC6105308 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-018-0344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The endosperm of angiosperms is a zygotic seed organ that stores nutrient reserves to support embryogenesis and seed germination. Cereal endosperm is also a major source of human calories and an industrial feedstock. Maize opaque endosperm mutants commonly exhibit opaque, floury kernels, along with other abnormal seed and/or non-seed phenotypes. The opaque endosperm phenotype is sometimes accompanied by a soft kernel texture and increased nutritional quality, including a higher lysine content, which are valuable agronomic traits that have drawn attention of maize breeders. Recently, an increasing number of genes that underlie opaque mutants have been cloned, and their characterization has begun to shed light on the molecular basis of the opaque endosperm phenotype. These mutants are categorized by disruption of genes encoding zein or non-zein proteins localized to protein bodies, enzymes involved in endosperm metabolic processes, or transcriptional regulatory proteins associated with endosperm storage programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Junpeng Zhan
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Ramin Yadegari
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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Deng M, Li D, Luo J, Xiao Y, Liu H, Pan Q, Zhang X, Jin M, Zhao M, Yan J. The genetic architecture of amino acids dissection by association and linkage analysis in maize. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1250-1263. [PMID: 28218981 PMCID: PMC5595712 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids are both constituents of proteins, providing the essential nutrition for humans and animals, and signalling molecules regulating the growth and development of plants. Most cultivars of maize are deficient in essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan. Here, we measured the levels of 17 different total amino acids, and created 48 derived traits in mature kernels from a maize diversity inbred collection and three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. By GWAS, 247 and 281 significant loci were identified in two different environments, 5.1 and 4.4 loci for each trait, explaining 7.44% and 7.90% phenotypic variation for each locus in average, respectively. By linkage mapping, 89, 150 and 165 QTLs were identified in B73/By804, Kui3/B77 and Zong3/Yu87-1 RIL populations, 2.0, 2.7 and 2.8 QTLs for each trait, explaining 13.6%, 16.4% and 21.4% phenotypic variation for each QTL in average, respectively. It implies that the genetic architecture of amino acids is relative simple and controlled by limited loci. About 43.2% of the loci identified by GWAS were verified by expression QTL, and 17 loci overlapped with mapped QTLs in the three RIL populations. GRMZM2G015534, GRMZM2G143008 and one QTL were further validated using molecular approaches. The amino acid biosynthetic and catabolic pathways were reconstructed on the basis of candidate genes proposed in this study. Our results provide insights into the genetic basis of amino acid biosynthesis in maize kernels and may facilitate marker-based breeding for quality protein maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Deng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongqin Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyun Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingjie Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haijun Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingchun Pan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuehai Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Minliang Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingchao Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianbing Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Gayral M, Elmorjani K, Dalgalarrondo M, Balzergue SM, Pateyron S, Morel MH, Brunet S, Linossier L, Delluc C, Bakan B, Marion D. Responses to Hypoxia and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Discriminate the Development of Vitreous and Floury Endosperms of Conventional Maize ( Zea mays) Inbred Lines. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:557. [PMID: 28450877 PMCID: PMC5390489 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Major nutritional and agronomical issues relating to maize (Zea mays) grains depend on the vitreousness/hardness of its endosperm. To identify the corresponding molecular and cellular mechanisms, most studies have been conducted on opaque/floury mutants, and recently on Quality Protein Maize, a reversion of an opaque2 mutation by modifier genes. These mutant lines are far from conventional maize crops. Therefore, a dent and a flint inbred line were chosen for analysis of the transcriptome, amino acid, and sugar metabolites of developing central and peripheral endosperm that is, the forthcoming floury and vitreous regions of mature seeds, respectively. The results suggested that the formation of endosperm vitreousness is clearly associated with significant differences in the responses of the endosperm to hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This occurs through a coordinated regulation of energy metabolism and storage protein (i.e., zein) biosynthesis during the grain-filling period. Indeed, genes involved in the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle are up-regulated in the periphery, while genes involved in alanine, sorbitol, and fermentative metabolisms are up-regulated in the endosperm center. This spatial metabolic regulation allows the production of ATP needed for the significant zein synthesis that occurs at the endosperm periphery; this finding agrees with the zein-decreasing gradient previously observed from the sub-aleurone layer to the endosperm center. The massive synthesis of proteins transiting through endoplasmic reticulum elicits the unfolded protein responses, as indicated by the splicing of bZip60 transcription factor. This splicing is relatively higher at the center of the endosperm than at its periphery. The biological responses associated with this developmental stress, which control the starch/protein balance, leading ultimately to the formation of the vitreous and floury regions of mature endosperm, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Gayral
- Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueNantes, France
| | - Khalil Elmorjani
- Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueNantes, France
| | - Michèle Dalgalarrondo
- Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueNantes, France
| | - Sandrine M. Balzergue
- POPS (transcriptOmic Platform of iPS2) Platform, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-SaclayOrsay, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-CitéOrsay, France
| | - Stéphanie Pateyron
- POPS (transcriptOmic Platform of iPS2) Platform, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-SaclayOrsay, France
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-CitéOrsay, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Morel
- Agropolymer Engineering and Emerging Technologies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueMontpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Bénédicte Bakan
- Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueNantes, France
| | - Didier Marion
- Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies, Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueNantes, France
- *Correspondence: Didier Marion
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Maize endosperm-specific transcription factors O2 and PBF network the regulation of protein and starch synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:10842-7. [PMID: 27621432 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613721113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The maize endosperm-specific transcription factors opaque2 (O2) and prolamine-box binding factor (PBF) regulate storage protein zein genes. We show that they also control starch synthesis. The starch content in the PbfRNAi and o2 mutants was reduced by ∼5% and 11%, respectively, compared with normal genotypes. In the double-mutant PbfRNAi;o2, starch was decreased by 25%. Transcriptome analysis reveals that >1,000 genes were affected in each of the two mutants and in the double mutant; these genes were mainly enriched in sugar and protein metabolism. Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase 1 and 2 (PPDKs) and starch synthase III (SSIII) are critical components in the starch biosynthetic enzyme complex. The expression of PPDK1, PPDK2, and SSIII and their protein levels are further reduced in the double mutants as compared with the single mutants. When the promoters of these genes were analyzed, we found a prolamine box and an O2 box that can be additively transactivated by PBF and O2. Starch synthase IIa (SSIIa, encoding another starch synthase for amylopectin) and starch branching enzyme 1 (SBEI, encoding one of the two main starch branching enzymes) are not directly regulated by PBF and O2, but their protein levels are significantly decreased in the o2 mutant and are further decreased in the double mutant, indicating that o2 and PbfRNAi may affect the levels of some other transcription factor(s) or mRNA regulatory factor(s) that in turn would affect the transcript and protein levels of SSIIa and SBEI These findings show that three important traits-nutritional quality, calories, and yield-are linked through the same transcription factors.
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Divergent Transactivation of Maize Storage Protein Zein Genes by the Transcription Factors Opaque2 and OHPs. Genetics 2016; 204:581-591. [PMID: 27474726 PMCID: PMC5068848 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.192385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Maize transcription factors (TFs) opaque2 (O2) and the O2 heterodimerizing proteins (OHP1 and OHP2) originated from an ancient segmental duplication. The 22-kDa (z1C) and 19-kDa (z1A, z1B, and z1D) α-zeins are the most abundant storage proteins in maize endosperm. O2 is known to regulate α-zein gene expression, but its target motifs in the 19-kDa α-zein gene promoters have not been identified. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of α-zein genes by these TFs are also not well understood. In this study, we found that the O2 binding motifs in the α-zein gene promoters are quite flexible, with ACGT being present in the z1C and z1A promoters and a variant, ACAT, being present in the z1B and z1D promoters. OHPs recognized and transactivated all of the α-zein promoters, although to much lower levels than did O2. In the presence of O2, the suppression of OHPs did not cause a significant reduction in the transcription of α-zein genes, but in the absence of O2, OHPs were critical for the expression of residual levels of α-zeins. These findings demonstrated that O2 is the primary TF and that OHPs function as minor TFs in this process. This relationship is the converse of that involved in 27-kDa γ-zein gene regulation, indicating that the specificities of O2 and the OHPs for regulating zein genes diverged after gene duplication. The prolamine-box binding factor by itself has limited transactivation activity, but it promotes the binding of O2 to O2 motifs, resulting in the synergistic transactivation of α-zein genes.
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Chen J, Zavala C, Ortega N, Petroli C, Franco J, Burgueño J, Costich DE, Hearne SJ. The Development of Quality Control Genotyping Approaches: A Case Study Using Elite Maize Lines. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157236. [PMID: 27280295 PMCID: PMC4900658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quality control (QC) of germplasm identity and purity is a critical component of breeding and conservation activities. SNP genotyping technologies and increased availability of markers provide the opportunity to employ genotyping as a low-cost and robust component of this QC. In the public sector available low-cost SNP QC genotyping methods have been developed from a very limited panel of markers of 1,000 to 1,500 markers without broad selection of the most informative SNPs. Selection of optimal SNPs and definition of appropriate germplasm sampling in addition to platform section impact on logistical and resource-use considerations for breeding and conservation applications when mainstreaming QC. In order to address these issues, we evaluated the selection and use of SNPs for QC applications from large DArTSeq data sets generated from CIMMYT maize inbred lines (CMLs). Two QC genotyping strategies were developed, the first is a “rapid QC”, employing a small number of SNPs to identify potential mislabeling of seed packages or plots, the second is a “broad QC”, employing a larger number of SNP, used to identify each germplasm entry and to measure heterogeneity. The optimal marker selection strategies combined the selection of markers with high minor allele frequency, sampling of clustered SNP in proportion to marker cluster distance and selecting markers that maintain a uniform genomic distribution. The rapid and broad QC SNP panels selected using this approach were further validated using blind test assessments of related re-generation samples. The influence of sampling within each line was evaluated. Sampling 192 individuals would result in close to 100% possibility of detecting a 5% contamination in the entry, and approximately a 98% probability to detect a 2% contamination of the line. These results provide a framework for the establishment of QC genotyping. A comparison of financial and time costs for use of these approaches across different platforms is discussed providing a framework for institutions involved in maize conservation and breeding to assess the resource use effectiveness of QC genotyping. Application of these research findings, in combination with existing QC approaches, will ensure the regeneration, distribution and use in breeding of true to type inbred germplasm. These findings also provide an effective approach to optimize SNP selection for QC genotyping in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafa Chen
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
| | - Cristian Zavala
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
| | - Noemi Ortega
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
| | - Cesar Petroli
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
| | - Jorge Franco
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
- Departamento de Biometría, Universidad de la Republica, Paysandú; Uruguay CP 60000
| | - Juan Burgueño
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
| | - Denise E. Costich
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
- * E-mail: (DEC); (SJH)
| | - Sarah J. Hearne
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Texcoco; Edo. De Mexico; Mexico CP 56237
- * E-mail: (DEC); (SJH)
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Chen M, Rao RSP, Zhang Y, Zhong C, Thelen JJ. Metabolite variation in hybrid corn grain from a large-scale multisite study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cj.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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29
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Qiao Z, Qi W, Wang Q, Feng Y, Yang Q, Zhang N, Wang S, Tang Y, Song R. ZmMADS47 Regulates Zein Gene Transcription through Interaction with Opaque2. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005991. [PMID: 27077660 PMCID: PMC4831773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zeins, the predominent storage proteins in maize endosperm, are encoded by multiple genes and gene families. However, only a few transcriptional factors for zein gene regulation have been functionally characterized. In this study, a MADS-box protein, namely ZmMADS47, was identified as an Opaque2 (O2) interacting protein via yeast two-hybrid screening. The N-terminal portion of ZmMADS47 contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS), and its C-terminal portion contains a transcriptional activation domain (AD). Interestingly, the transcriptional activation activity is blocked in its full length form, suggesting conformational regulation of the AD. Molecular and RNA-seq analyses of ZmMADS47 RNAi lines revealed down regulation of α-zein and 50-kD γ-zein genes. ZmMADS47 binds the CATGT motif in promoters of these zein genes, but ZmMADS47 alone is not able to transactivate the promoters. However, when both O2 and ZmMADS47 are present, the transactivation of these promoters was greatly enhanced. This enhancement was dependent on the AD function of ZmMADS47 and the interaction between ZmMADS47 and O2, but it was independent from the AD function of O2. Therefore, it appears interaction with O2 activates ZmMADS47 on zein gene promoters. A newly identified transcription factor of seed storage proteins can engage its transactivation ability after interacting with another seed storage protein transcription factor in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Qiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center (CBRC), Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya’nan Feng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanping Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rentao Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center (CBRC), Beijing, China
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Maize has a long history of genetic and genomic tool development and is considered one of the most accessible higher plant systems. With a fully sequenced genome, a suite of cytogenetic tools, methods for both forward and reverse genetics, and characterized phenotype markers, maize is amenable to studying questions beyond plant biology. Major discoveries in the areas of transposons, imprinting, and chromosome biology came from work in maize. Moving forward in the post-genomic era, this classic model system will continue to be at the forefront of basic biological study. In this review, we outline the basics of working with maize and describe its rich genetic toolbox.
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Li C, Qiao Z, Qi W, Wang Q, Yuan Y, Yang X, Tang Y, Mei B, Lv Y, Zhao H, Xiao H, Song R. Genome-wide characterization of cis-acting DNA targets reveals the transcriptional regulatory framework of opaque2 in maize. THE PLANT CELL 2015; 27:532-45. [PMID: 25691733 PMCID: PMC4558662 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.114.134858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Opaque2 (O2) is a transcription factor that plays important roles during maize endosperm development. Mutation of the O2 gene improves the nutritional value of maize seeds but also confers pleiotropic effects that result in reduced agronomic quality. To reveal the transcriptional regulatory framework of O2, we studied the transcriptome of o2 mutants using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and determined O2 DNA binding targets using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq). The RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1605 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 383 differentially expressed long, noncoding RNAs. The DEGs cover a wide range of functions related to nutrient reservoir activity, nitrogen metabolism, stress resistance, etc. ChIP-Seq analysis detected 1686 O2 DNA binding sites distributed over 1143 genes. Overlay of the RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq results revealed 35 O2-modulated target genes. We identified four O2 binding motifs; among them, TGACGTGG appears to be the most conserved and strongest. We confirmed that, except for the 16- and 18-kD zeins, O2 directly regulates expression of all other zeins. O2 directly regulates two transcription factors, genes linked to carbon and amino acid metabolism and abiotic stress resistance. We built a hierarchical regulatory model for O2 that provides an understanding of its pleiotropic biological effects.
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MESH Headings
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
- DNA, Plant/genetics
- Down-Regulation/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
- Gene Ontology
- Genes, Plant
- Genome, Plant
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutation
- Nitrogen/metabolism
- Nucleotide Motifs/genetics
- Open Reading Frames/genetics
- Plant Proteins/genetics
- Plant Proteins/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Untranslated/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, RNA
- Stress, Physiological/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic
- Zea mays/genetics
- Zein/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobin Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhenyi Qiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuanping Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Bing Mei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuanda Lv
- Institute of Biotechnology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Institute of Biotechnology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Han Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics/CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rentao Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
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Kavi Kishor PB, Hima Kumari P, Sunita MSL, Sreenivasulu N. Role of proline in cell wall synthesis and plant development and its implications in plant ontogeny. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:544. [PMID: 26257754 PMCID: PMC4507145 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Proline is a proteogenic amino acid and accumulates both under stress and non-stress conditions as a beneficial solute in plants. Recent discoveries point out that proline plays an important role in plant growth and differentiation across life cycle. It is a key determinant of many cell wall proteins that plays important roles in plant development. The role of extensins, arabinogalactan proteins and hydroxyproline- and proline-rich proteins as important components of cell wall proteins that play pivotal roles in cell wall signal transduction cascades, plant development and stress tolerance is discussed in this review. Molecular insights are also provided here into the plausible roles of proline transporters modulating key events in plant development. In addition, the roles of proline during seed developmental transitions including storage protein synthesis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polavarapu B. Kavi Kishor
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, HyderabadIndia
- *Correspondence: Polavarapu B. Kavi Kishor, Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500007, India,
| | - P. Hima Kumari
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, HyderabadIndia
| | | | - Nese Sreenivasulu
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, GaterslebenGermany
- Grain Quality and Nutrition Center, International Rice Research Institute, Metro ManilaPhilippines
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Wang G, Zhang J, Wang G, Fan X, Sun X, Qin H, Xu N, Zhong M, Qiao Z, Tang Y, Song R. Proline responding1 Plays a Critical Role in Regulating General Protein Synthesis and the Cell Cycle in Maize. THE PLANT CELL 2014; 26:2582-2600. [PMID: 24951479 PMCID: PMC4114953 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.114.125559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Proline, an important amino acid, accumulates in many plant species. Besides its role in plant cell responses to environmental stresses, the potential biological functions of proline in growth and development are unclear. Here, we report cloning and functional characterization of the maize (Zea mays) classic mutant proline responding1 (pro1) gene. This gene encodes a Δ1-pyrroline-5- carboxylate synthetase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of proline from glutamic acid. Loss of function of Pro1 significantly inhibits proline biosynthesis and decreases its accumulation in the pro1 mutant. Proline deficiency results in an increased level of uncharged tRNApro AGG accumulation and triggers the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) in the pro1 mutant, leading to a general reduction in protein synthesis in this mutant. Proline deficiency also downregulates major cyclin genes at the transcriptional level, causing cell cycle arrest and suppression of cell proliferation. These processes are reversible when external proline is supplied to the mutant, suggesting that proline plays a regulatory role in the cell cycle transition. Together, the results demonstrate that proline plays an important role in the regulation of general protein synthesis and the cell cycle transition in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Jushan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Guifeng Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyu Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Xin Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Hongli Qin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Nan Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Mingyu Zhong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Zhenyi Qiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Yuanping Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Rentao Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China Coordinated Crop Biology Research Center, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
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Chen Y, Zhou Z, Zhao G, Li X, Song L, Yan N, Weng J, Hao Z, Zhang D, Li M, Zhang S. Transposable element rbg induces the differential expression of opaque-2 mutant gene in two maize o2 NILs derived from the same inbred line. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85159. [PMID: 24416355 PMCID: PMC3887028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The recessive opaque-2 mutant gene (o2) reduces α-zeins accumulation in maize endosperm, changes the amino acid composition of maize kernels, induces an opaque endosperm, and increases the lysine content of kernels. The quality protein maize (QPM) inbred line CA339 (o2o2) and an elite normal inbred line liao2345 (O2O2) were used to construct o2 near-isogenic lines (NILs) by marker-assisted selection (MAS) using the co-dominant SSR marker phi057. Two specific o2 NILs were constructed, named liao2345/o2-1 and liao2345/o2-2. However, the kernel phenotypes of the two o2 NILs were different from each other. liao2345/o2-1 had the wild-type vitreous endosperm, which is similar to its recurrent parent liao2345, while the endosperm of liao2345/o2-2 was opaque, identical to typical o2 mutant individuals. In comparison to their recurrent parent liao2345, the lysine concentration of liao2345/o2-1 was similar and the lysine concentration in liao2345/o2-2 was doubled. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that liao2345/o2-1 had the same zeins ratio as liao2345, whereas the zeins concentration of liao2345/o2-2 was markedly lower. Sequence and transcript abundance analyses indicated that the CDS of two o2 NILs are derived from CA339, but they have different promoters. The O2 transcript of liao2345/o2-2 is largely inhibited because of an rbg transposable element inserted between the TATA box and initiator codon of liao2345/o2-2. We concluded that different crossing-over patterns during the process of o2 NIL construction resulted in the different kernel phenotypes of the two o2 NILs. We surmise that the reversion of liao2345/o2-1 to wild type was due to the recombination with the wild type liao2345 promoter during introgression and backcrossing. The o2 mutant gene of donor (CA339) is a null mutant because of low O2 expression. However, its CDS probably encodes a protein with normal function which can maintain the normal accumulation of zeins in maize endosperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhai Li
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Liya Song
- Beijing Key Lab of Plant Resource Research and Development, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Yan
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Weng
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuanfang Hao
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Degui Zhang
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Mingshun Li
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Shihuang Zhang
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
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Jiang Y, Zeng B, Zhao H, Zhang M, Xie S, Lai J. Genome-wide transcription factor gene prediction and their expressional tissue-specificities in maize. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 54:616-30. [PMID: 22862992 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2012.01149.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are important regulators of gene expression. To better understand TF-encoding genes in maize (Zea mays L.), a genome-wide TF prediction was performed using the updated B73 reference genome. A total of 2298 TF genes were identified, which can be classified into 56 families. The largest family, known as the MYB superfamily, comprises 322 MYB and MYB-related TF genes. The expression patterns of 2 014 (87.64%) TF genes were examined using RNA-seq data, which resulted in the identification of a subset of TFs that are specifically expressed in particular tissues (including root, shoot, leaf, ear, tassel and kernel). Similarly, 98 kernel-specific TF genes were further analyzed, and it was observed that 29 of the kernel-specific genes were preferentially expressed in the early kernel developmental stage, while 69 of the genes were expressed in the late kernel developmental stage. Identification of these TFs, particularly the tissue-specific ones, provides important information for the understanding of development and transcriptional regulation of maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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36
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Zhang N, Qiao Z, Liang Z, Mei B, Xu Z, Song R. Zea mays Taxilin protein negatively regulates opaque-2 transcriptional activity by causing a change in its sub-cellular distribution. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43822. [PMID: 22937104 PMCID: PMC3427180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Zea mays (maize) Opaque-2 (ZmO2) protein is an important bZIP transcription factor that regulates the expression of major storage proteins (22-kD zeins) and other important genes during maize seed development. ZmO2 is subject to functional regulation through protein-protein interactions. To unveil the potential regulatory network associated with ZmO2, a protein-protein interaction study was carried out using the truncated version of ZmO2 (O2-2) as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen with a maize seed cDNA library. A protein with homology to Taxilin was found to have stable interaction with ZmO2 in yeast and was designated as ZmTaxilin. Sequence analysis indicated that ZmTaxilin has a long coiled-coil domain containing three conserved zipper motifs. Each of the three zipper motifs is individually able to interact with ZmO2 in yeast. A GST pull-down assay demonstrated the interaction between GST-fused ZmTaxilin and ZmO2 extracted from developing maize seeds. Using onion epidermal cells as in vivo assay system, we found that ZmTaxilin could change the sub-cellular distribution of ZmO2. We also demonstrated that this change significantly repressed the transcriptional activity of ZmO2 on the 22-kD zein promoter. Our study suggests that a Taxilin-mediated change in sub-cellular distribution of ZmO2 may have important functional consequences for ZmO2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyi Qiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Liang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Mei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengkai Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rentao Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
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37
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Le Gouis J, Bordes J, Ravel C, Heumez E, Faure S, Praud S, Galic N, Remoué C, Balfourier F, Allard V, Rousset M. Genome-wide association analysis to identify chromosomal regions determining components of earliness in wheat. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2012; 124:597-611. [PMID: 22065067 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-011-1732-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The modification of flowering date is considered an important way to escape the current or future climatic constraints that affect wheat crops. A better understanding of its genetic bases would enable a more efficient and rapid modification through breeding. The objective of this study was to identify chromosomal regions associated with earliness in wheat. A 227-wheat core collection chosen to be highly contrasted for earliness was characterized for heading date. Experiments were conducted in controlled conditions and in the field for 3 years to break down earliness in the component traits: photoperiod sensitivity, vernalization requirement and narrow-sense earliness. Whole-genome association mapping was carried out using 760 molecular markers and taking into account the five ancestral group structure. We identified 62 markers individually associated to earliness components corresponding to 33 chromosomal regions. In addition, we identified 15 other significant markers and seven more regions by testing marker pair interactions. Co-localizations were observed with the Ppd-1, Vrn-1 and Rht-1 candidate genes. Using an independent set of lines to validate the model built for heading date, we were able to explain 34% of the variation using the structure and the significant markers. Results were compared with already published data using bi-parental populations giving an insight into the genetic architecture of flowering time in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Le Gouis
- INRA, UMR 1095 Génétique, Diversité et Ecophysiologie des Céréales, 234 Avenue du Brézet, 63 100, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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38
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Zhao G, Li M, Zhang D, Li X, Wu Z, Ci X, Xie C, Bai L, Lu Z, Chen L, Hao Z, Zhang S. Kernel lysine content does not increase in some maize opaque2 mutants. PLANTA 2012; 235:205-215. [PMID: 21870098 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1491-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The recessive mutant allele of the opaque2 gene (o2) alters the endosperm protein pattern and increases the kernel lysine content of maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, sequencing results showed that the o2 mutant was successfully introgressed into 12 elite normal maize inbred lines by marker assisted selection (MAS). The average genetic similarity between these normal inbred lines and their o2 near-isogenic lines (NILs) was more than 95%. Kernel lysine content increased significantly in most of o2 NILs lines relative to normal elite inbreds, but remained unchanged in the genetic backgrounds Dan598o2 and Liao2345o2. Moreover, the kernel characteristics of these two o2 NILs did not differ from the other inbred lines. The results of lysine content analysis in the F1 hybrids between Liao2345o2 and Dan598o2 and other o2 NILs demonstrated that gene(s) other than opaque2 may control kernel lysine content in these two o2 NILs. The results of zein analysis showed that 22-kD α-zein synthesis was reduced or absent, and the 19-kD α-zein synthesis was greatly reduced compared with the recurrent parents in most o2 NILs except for Dan598o2 and Liao2345o2. Our results indicate that gene(s) other than opaque2 may play more important roles in zein synthesis and kernel lysine content in some maize genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhao
- Maize Center, Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
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Opaque7 encodes an acyl-activating enzyme-like protein that affects storage protein synthesis in maize endosperm. Genetics 2011; 189:1281-95. [PMID: 21954158 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.111.133967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In maize, a series of seed mutants with starchy endosperm could increase the lysine content by decreased amount of zeins, the main storage proteins in endosperm. Cloning and characterization of these mutants could reveal regulatory mechanisms for zeins accumulation in maize endosperm. Opaque7 (o7) is a classic maize starchy endosperm mutant with large effects on zeins accumulation and high lysine content. In this study, the O7 gene was cloned by map-based cloning and confirmed by transgenic functional complementation and RNAi. The o7-ref allele has a 12-bp in-frame deletion. The four-amino-acid deletion caused low accumulation of o7 protein in vivo. The O7 gene encodes an acyl-activating enzyme with high similarity to AAE3. The opaque phenotype of the o7 mutant was produced by the reduction of protein body size and number caused by a decrease in the α-zeins concentrations. Analysis of amino acids and metabolites suggested that the O7 gene might affect amino acid biosynthesis by affecting α-ketoglutaric acid and oxaloacetic acid. Transgenic rice seeds containing RNAi constructs targeting the rice ortholog of maize O7 also produced lower amounts of seed proteins and displayed an opaque endosperm phenotype, indicating a conserved biological function of O7 in cereal crops. The cloning of O7 revealed a novel regulatory mechanism for storage protein synthesis and highlighted an effective target for the genetic manipulation of storage protein contents in cereal seeds.
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40
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The maize high-lysine mutant opaque7 is defective in an acyl-CoA synthetase-like protein. Genetics 2011; 189:1271-80. [PMID: 21926304 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.111.133918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays) has a large class of seed mutants with opaque or nonvitreous endosperms that could improve the nutritional quality of our food supply. The phenotype of some of them appears to be linked to the improper formation of protein bodies (PBs) where zein storage proteins are deposited. Although a number of genes affecting endosperm vitreousness have been isolated, it has been difficult to clone opaque7 (o7), mainly because of its low penetrance in many genetic backgrounds. The o7-reference (o7-ref) mutant arose spontaneously in a W22 inbred, but is poorly expressed in other lines. We report here the isolation of o7 with a combination of map-based cloning and transposon tagging. We first identified an o7 candidate gene by map-based cloning. The putative o7-ref allele has a 12-bp in-frame deletion of codons 350-353 in a 528-codon-long acyl-CoA synthetase-like gene (ACS). We then confirmed this candidate gene by generating another mutant allele from a transposon-tagging experiment using the Activator/Dissociation (Ac/Ds) system in a W22 background. The second allele, isolated from ∼1 million gametes, presented a 2-kb Ds insertion that resembles the single Ds component of double-Ds, McClintock's original Dissociation element, at codon 496 of the ACS gene. PBs exhibited striking membrane invaginations in the o7-ref allele and a severe number reduction in the Ds-insertion mutant, respectively. We propose a model in which the ACS enzyme plays a key role in membrane biogenesis, by taking part in protein acylation, and that altered PBs render the seed nonvitreous.
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Lauria M, Rossi V. Epigenetic control of gene regulation in plants. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1809:369-78. [PMID: 21414429 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, including plants, the genome is compacted into chromatin, which forms a physical barrier for gene transcription. Therefore, mechanisms that alter chromatin structure play an essential role in gene regulation. When changes in the chromatin states are inherited trough mitotic or meiotic cell division, the mechanisms responsible for these changes are defined as epigenetic. In this paper, we review data arising from genome-wide analysis of the epigenetic landscapes in different plant species to establish the correlation between specific epigenetic marks and transcription. In the subsequent sections, mechanisms of epigenetic control of gene regulation mediated by DNA-binding transcription factors and by transposons located in proximity to genes are illustrated. Finally, plant peculiarities for epigenetic control of gene regulation and future perspectives in this research area are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Epigenetic Control of cellular and developmental processes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Lauria
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Milano, Italy
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42
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Abstract
Advances in sequencing technology have led to the availability of complete genome sequences of many different plant species. In order to make sense of this deluge of information, functional genomics efforts have been intensified on many fronts. With improvements in plant transformation technologies, T-DNA and/or transposon-based gene and enhancer-tagged populations in various crop species are being developed to augment functional annotation of genes and also to help clone important genes. State-of-the-art cloning and sequencing technologies, which would help identify T-DNA or transposon junction sequences in large genomes, have also been initiated. This chapter gives a brief history of enhancer trapping and then proceeds to describe gene and enhancer tagging in plants. The significance of reporter gene fusion populations in plant genomics, especially in important cereal crops, is discussed.
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An Ac transposon system based on maize chromosome 4S for isolating long-distance-transposed Ac tags in the maize genome. Genetica 2010; 138:1261-70. [PMID: 21104003 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-010-9526-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Transposon tagging is an important tool for gene isolation and functional studies. In maize, several transposon-tagging systems have been developed, mostly using Activator/Dissociation (Ac/Ds) and Mutator systems. Here, we establish another Ac-based transposon system with the donor Ac tightly linked with sugary1 (su1) on maize chromosome 4S. Newly transposed Ac (tr-Acs) were detected based on a negative dosage effect, and long-distance-transposed Ac events were identified and isolated from the donor Ac by a simple backcross scheme. In this study, we identified 208 independent long-distance-transposed Ac lines. Thirty-one flanking sequences of these tr-Acs were isolated and localized in the maize genome. As found in previous studies, the tr-Acs preferentially inserted into genic sequences. The distribution of tr-Acs is not random. In our study, the tr-Acs preferentially transposed into chromosomes 1, 2, 9 and 10. We discuss the preferential distribution of tr-Acs from Ac systems. Our system is complementary to two other Ac-based regional-mutagenesis systems in maize, and the combined use of these systems will achieve an even and high-density distribution of Ac elements throughout the maize genome for functional-genomics studies.
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44
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Abstract
Dramatic progress has been made in the development of gene transfer systems for higher plants. The ability to introduce foreign genes into plant cells and tissues and to regenerate viable, fertile plants has allowed for explosive expansion of our understanding of plant biology and has provided an unparalleled opportunity to modify and improve crop plants. Genetic engineering of plants offers significant potential for seed, agrichemical, food processing, specialty chemical, and pharmaceutical industries to develop new products and manufacturing processes. The extent to which genetically engineered plants will have an impact on key industries will be determined both by continued technical progress and by issues such as regulatory approval, proprietary protection, and public perception.
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45
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Frizzi A, Caldo RA, Morrell JA, Wang M, Lutfiyya LL, Brown WE, Malvar TM, Huang S. Compositional and transcriptional analyses of reduced zein kernels derived from the opaque2 mutation and RNAi suppression. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 73:569-85. [PMID: 20473554 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-010-9644-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Corn protein is largely made up of a group of nutritionally limited storage proteins known as zein. The reduction of zein can be achieved by a transcriptional mutation, opaque2 (o2), or a transgene targeting zein through RNA interference (RNAi). Zein reduction results in an increase of more nutritionally balanced non-zein proteins, and therefore enhance the overall quality of corn protein. In this study, the composition of mature kernels and the transcriptional profile of developing kernels of these two types of zein reduced kernels were compared. Both zein reduced kernels contained higher levels of lysine and tryptophan and free amino acids were 10-20-folds more abundant than the wild-type counterpart. We also found that free lysine contributed partially to the increased lysine in o2 kernels while protein-bound lysine was mainly responsible for the increased lysine in transgenic zein reduction (TZR) kernels. Although they had relatively similar gene expression patterns in developing endosperm, o2 kernels had greater transcriptional changes than TZR kernels in general. A number of transcripts that were specifically down-regulated in o2 were identified. Many promoter sequences of these transcripts contain putative O2 binding motifs, suggesting that their expression is directly regulated by O2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Frizzi
- Calgene Campus, Monsanto Company, 1920 Fifth Street, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Klein TM, Roth BA, Fromm ME. Regulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes introduced into intact maize tissues by microprojectiles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 86:6681-5. [PMID: 16594066 PMCID: PMC297909 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.86.17.6681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have employed microprojectiles to deliver genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis to cells within intact aleurone and embryo tissues of maize. Clones of the A1 or Bz1 genes were introduced into aleurone tissue that lacked anthocyanins due to mutations of the endogenous A1 or Bz1 gene. Following bombardment, cells within the aleurone developed purple pigmentation, indicating that the mutation in the a1 or bz1 genotypes was corrected by the introduced gene. To analyze the expression of these genes in different genetic backgrounds, chimeric genes containing the 5' and 3' regions of the A1 or Bz1 genes fused to a luciferase coding region were constructed. These constructs were introduced into aleurones of genotypes carrying either dominant or recessive alleles of the C1 and R genes, which are known to regulate anthocyanin production. Levels of luciferase activity in permissive backgrounds (C1, R) were 30- to 200-fold greater than those detected in tissue carrying one or both of the recessive alleles (c1, r) of these genes. These results show that genes delivered to intact tissues by microprojectiles are regulated in a manner similar to the endogenous genes. The transfer of genes directly to intact tissues provides a rapid means for analyzing the genetic and tissue-specific regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Klein
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service/University of California at Berkeley-Plant Gene Expression Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710
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High-lysine maize: the key discoveries that have made it possible. Amino Acids 2010; 39:979-89. [PMID: 20373119 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0576-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Forty-five years ago, a paper published by Mertz et al. (Science 145:279-280, 1964) initiated a revolution in the history of plant protein quality and affected dramatically the study of cereal crop storage proteins. The observation of the high lysine content of the endosperm of the opaque-2 (o2) maize mutant was a key factor in bringing about a new concept in the production of cereal seeds with a high nutritional value. It has been a long and very interesting road with astonishing results over these 45 years. We are now probably about to see the release of commercially engineered high-lysine maize lines. We have decided to pinpoint some key contributions to the science behind high-lysine plants and concentrated on the research done on maize, which is possibly the most complete and simple example to illustrate the advances achieved. However, studies on other plant species such as barley and model species such as tobacco are totally relevant and will be briefly addressed.
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48
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Locatelli S, Piatti P, Motto M, Rossi V. Chromatin and DNA modifications in the Opaque2-mediated regulation of gene transcription during maize endosperm development. THE PLANT CELL 2009; 21:1410-27. [PMID: 19482970 PMCID: PMC2700540 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.109.067256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/13/2009] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The maize (Zea mays) Opaque2 (O2) gene encodes an endosperm-specific bZIP-type transcription activator. In this study, we analyzed O2 targets for chromatin and DNA modifications and transcription factors binding during endosperm development and in leaves. In leaves, O2 targets exhibit high cytosine methylation levels and transcriptionally silent chromatin, enriched with histones H3 dimethylated at Lys-9 (H3K9me2) and Lys-27 (H3K27me2). Transcriptional activation in the endosperm occurs through a two-step process, with an early potentiated state and a later activated state. The potentiated state has cytosine demethylation at symmetric sites, substitution of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 with histones H3 acetylated at Lys-14 (H3K14ac) and dimethylated at Lys-4 (H3K4me2), and increased DNaseI sensitivity. During the activated state, the mRNA of O2 targets accumulates in correspondence to RNPII, O2, and Ada2/Gcn5 coactivator binding. The active state also exhibits further increases of H3K14ac/H3K4me2 and DNaseI accessibility levels and deposition of histone H3 acetylated at Lys-9 and trimethylated at Lys-4. Analysis of o2 mutants revealed that O2 targets differ in their dependence on O2 activity for coactivator recruitment and for formation of specific chromatin modification profiles. These results indicate gene-specific involvement of mechanisms that modify chromatin states in the O2-mediated regulation of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Locatelli
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Unità di Ricerca per la Maiscoltura, I-24126 Bergamo, Italy
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Feng L, Zhu J, Wang G, Tang Y, Chen H, Jin W, Wang F, Mei B, Xu Z, Song R. Expressional profiling study revealed unique expressional patterns and dramatic expressional divergence of maize alpha-zein super gene family. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2009; 69:649-659. [PMID: 19112555 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-008-9444-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Accepted: 12/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The alpha-zein super gene family encodes the most predominant storage protein in maize (Zea mays) endosperm. In maize inbred line B73, it consists of four gene families with 41 member genes. In this study, we combined quantitative real-time PCR and random clone sequencing to successfully profile the expression of alpha-zein super gene family during endosperm development. We found that only 18 of the 41 member genes were expressed, and their expression levels diverge greatly. At the gene family level, all families had characteristic "up-and-down" oscillating expressional patterns that diverged into two major groups. At the individual gene level, member genes showed dramatic divergence of expression patterns, indicating fast differentiation of their expression regulation. A comparison study among different inbred lines revealed significantly different expressed gene sets, indicating the existence of highly diverged haplotypes. Large gene families containing long gene clusters, e.g. z1A or z1C, mainly contributed the highly divergent haplotypes. In addition, allelic genes also showed significant divergence in their expressional levels. These results indicated a highly dynamic and fast evolving nature to the maize alpha-zein super gene family, which might be a common feature for other large gene families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingna Feng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-energy Crop, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
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50
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Settles AM. Transposon Tagging and Reverse Genetics. MOLECULAR GENETIC APPROACHES TO MAIZE IMPROVEMENT 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-68922-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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