1
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Zhang F, Long R, Ma Z, Xiao H, Xu X, Liu Z, Wei C, Wang Y, Peng Y, Yang X, Shi X, Cao S, Li M, Xu M, He F, Jiang X, Zhang T, Wang Z, Li X, Yu LX, Kang J, Zhang Z, Zhou Y, Yang Q. Evolutionary genomics of climatic adaptation and resilience to climate change in alfalfa. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:867-883. [PMID: 38678365 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.04.013] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Given the escalating impact of climate change on agriculture and food security, gaining insights into the evolutionary dynamics of climatic adaptation and uncovering climate-adapted variation can empower the breeding of climate-resilient crops to face future climate change. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa), the queen of forages, shows remarkable adaptability across diverse global environments, making it an excellent model for investigating species responses to climate change. In this study, we performed population genomic analyses using genome resequencing data from 702 accessions of 24 Medicago species to unravel alfalfa's climatic adaptation and genetic susceptibility to future climate change. We found that interspecific genetic exchange has contributed to the gene pool of alfalfa, particularly enriching defense and stress-response genes. Intersubspecific introgression between M. sativa subsp. falcata (subsp. falcata) and alfalfa not only aids alfalfa's climatic adaptation but also introduces genetic burden. A total of 1671 genes were associated with climatic adaptation, and 5.7% of them were introgressions from subsp. falcata. By integrating climate-associated variants and climate data, we identified populations that are vulnerable to future climate change, particularly in higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. These findings serve as a clarion call for targeted conservation initiatives and breeding efforts. We also identified pre-adaptive populations that demonstrate heightened resilience to climate fluctuations, illuminating a pathway for future breeding strategies. Collectively, this study enhances our understanding about the local adaptation mechanisms of alfalfa and facilitates the breeding of climate-resilient alfalfa cultivars, contributing to effective agricultural strategies for facing future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ruicai Long
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiyao Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xiaodong Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Zhongjie Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Chunxue Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yanling Peng
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xuanwen Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xiaoya Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Shuo Cao
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Mingna Li
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fei He
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xueqian Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tiejun Zhang
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Xianran Li
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Long-Xi Yu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research, Prosser, WA 99350, USA
| | - Junmei Kang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiwu Zhang
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Yongfeng Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China; National Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China.
| | - Qingchuan Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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Yu P, Li C, Li M, He X, Wang D, Li H, Marcon C, Li Y, Perez-Limón S, Chen X, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Koller R, Metzner R, van Dusschoten D, Pflugfelder D, Borisjuk L, Plutenko I, Mahon A, Resende MFR, Salvi S, Akale A, Abdalla M, Ahmed MA, Bauer FM, Schnepf A, Lobet G, Heymans A, Suresh K, Schreiber L, McLaughlin CM, Li C, Mayer M, Schön CC, Bernau V, von Wirén N, Sawers RJH, Wang T, Hochholdinger F. Seedling root system adaptation to water availability during maize domestication and global expansion. Nat Genet 2024; 56:1245-1256. [PMID: 38778242 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01761-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The maize root system has been reshaped by indirect selection during global adaptation to new agricultural environments. In this study, we characterized the root systems of more than 9,000 global maize accessions and its wild relatives, defining the geographical signature and genomic basis of variation in seminal root number. We demonstrate that seminal root number has increased during maize domestication followed by a decrease in response to limited water availability in locally adapted varieties. By combining environmental and phenotypic association analyses with linkage mapping, we identified genes linking environmental variation and seminal root number. Functional characterization of the transcription factor ZmHb77 and in silico root modeling provides evidence that reshaping root system architecture by reducing the number of seminal roots and promoting lateral root density is beneficial for the resilience of maize seedlings to drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yu
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Chunhui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Xiaoming He
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Danning Wang
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hongjie Li
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Caroline Marcon
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Sergio Perez-Limón
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Xinping Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, and Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Robert Koller
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich, Germany
| | - Ralf Metzner
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich, Germany
| | - Dagmar van Dusschoten
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich, Germany
| | - Daniel Pflugfelder
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich, Germany
| | - Ljudmilla Borisjuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Iaroslav Plutenko
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Audrey Mahon
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Marcio F R Resende
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Silvio Salvi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Asegidew Akale
- Chair of Root-Soil Interactions, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Mohanned Abdalla
- Chair of Root-Soil Interactions, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Mutez Ali Ahmed
- Chair of Root-Soil Interactions, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Felix Maximilian Bauer
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Andrea Schnepf
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Guillaume Lobet
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, UCLouvain, Belgium
| | - Adrien Heymans
- Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, UCLouvain, Belgium
| | - Kiran Suresh
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany (IZMB), Department of Ecophysiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Schreiber
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany (IZMB), Department of Ecophysiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Chloee M McLaughlin
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Plant Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Chunjian Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Manfred Mayer
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Chris-Carolin Schön
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Vivian Bernau
- North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, USDA-Agriculture Research Service and Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Nicolaus von Wirén
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Ruairidh J H Sawers
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
| | - Tianyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Frank Hochholdinger
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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3
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Cao S, Chen ZJ. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance during plant evolution and breeding. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024:S1360-1385(24)00112-2. [PMID: 38806375 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Plants can program and reprogram their genomes to create genetic variation and epigenetic modifications, leading to phenotypic plasticity. Although consequences of genetic changes are comprehensible, the basis for transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic variation is elusive. This review addresses contributions of external (environmental) and internal (genomic) factors to the establishment and maintenance of epigenetic memory during plant evolution, crop domestication, and modern breeding. Dynamic and pervasive changes in DNA methylation and chromatin modifications provide a diverse repertoire of epigenetic variation potentially for transgenerational inheritance. Elucidating and harnessing epigenetic inheritance will help us develop innovative breeding strategies and biotechnological tools to improve crop yield and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Beyond plants, epigenetic principles are shared across sexually reproducing organisms including humans with relevance to medicine and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Cao
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Z Jeffrey Chen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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4
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Zhan J, Bélanger S, Lewis S, Teng C, McGregor M, Beric A, Schon MA, Nodine MD, Meyers BC. Premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are present in the Zea genus and unique in biogenesis mechanism and molecular function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2402285121. [PMID: 38739785 PMCID: PMC11127045 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402285121] [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: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive phasiRNAs (phased, small interfering RNAs) are broadly present in angiosperms and play crucial roles in sustaining male fertility. While the premeiotic 21-nt (nucleotides) phasiRNAs and meiotic 24-nt phasiRNA pathways have been extensively studied in maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), a third putative category of reproductive phasiRNAs-named premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs-have recently been reported in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). To determine whether premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are also present in maize and related species and begin to characterize their biogenesis and function, we performed a comparative transcriptome and degradome analysis of premeiotic and meiotic anthers from five maize inbred lines and three teosinte species/subspecies. Our data indicate that a substantial subset of the 24-nt phasiRNA loci in maize and teosinte are already highly expressed at the premeiotic phase. The premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are similar to meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in genomic origin and dependence on DCL5 (Dicer-like 5) for biogenesis, however, premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are unique in that they are likely i) not triggered by microRNAs, ii) not loaded by AGO18 proteins, and iii) not capable of mediating PHAS precursor cleavage. In addition, we also observed a group of premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in rice using previously published data. Together, our results indicate that the premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs constitute a unique class of reproductive phasiRNAs and are present more broadly in the grass family (Poaceae) than previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Zhan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, China
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
| | - Sébastien Bélanger
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, ScotlandDD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - Scott Lewis
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO63130
| | - Chong Teng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA95616
| | | | - Aleksandra Beric
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211
| | - Michael A. Schon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Michael D. Nodine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Blake C. Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO63132
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211
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5
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Zhan W, Cui L, Yang S, Zhang K, Zhang Y, Yang J. Natural variations of heterosis-related allele-specific expression genes in promoter regions lead to allele-specific expression in maize. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:476. [PMID: 38745122 PMCID: PMC11092226 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10395-y] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterosis has successfully enhanced maize productivity and quality. Although significant progress has been made in delineating the genetic basis of heterosis, the molecular mechanisms underlying its genetic components remain less explored. Allele-specific expression (ASE), the imbalanced expression between two parental alleles in hybrids, is increasingly being recognized as a factor contributing to heterosis. ASE is a complex process regulated by both epigenetic and genetic variations in response to developmental and environmental conditions. RESULTS In this study, we explored the differential characteristics of ASE by analyzing the transcriptome data of two maize hybrids and their parents under four light conditions. On the basis of allele expression patterns in different hybrids under various conditions, ASE genes were divided into three categories: bias-consistent genes involved in basal metabolic processes in a functionally complementary manner, bias-reversal genes adapting to the light environment, and bias-specific genes maintaining cell homeostasis. We observed that 758 ASE genes (ASEGs) were significantly overlapped with heterosis quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and high-frequency variations in the promoter regions of heterosis-related ASEGs were identified between parents. In addition, 10 heterosis-related ASEGs participating in yield heterosis were selected during domestication. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive analysis of ASEGs offers a distinctive perspective on how light quality influences gene expression patterns and gene-environment interactions, with implications for the identification of heterosis-related ASEGs to enhance maize yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Zhan
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Editing, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lianhua Cui
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Shuling Yang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Kangni Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yanpei Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Jianping Yang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
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6
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Chen S, Gao S, Wang D, Liu J, Ren Y, Wang Z, Wei X, Wang Q, Huang X. FKF1b controls reproductive transition associated with adaptation to geographical distribution in maize. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:943-955. [PMID: 38501459 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13639] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays subspecies mays) is an important commercial crop across the world, and its flowering time is closely related to grain yield, plant cycle and latitude adaptation. FKF1 is an essential clock-regulated blue-light receptor with distinct functions on flowering time in plants, and its function in maize remains unclear. In this study, we identified two FKF1 homologs in the maize genome, named ZmFKF1a and ZmFKF1b, and indicated that ZmFKF1a and ZmFKF1b independently regulate reproductive transition through interacting with ZmCONZ1 and ZmGI1 to increase the transcription levels of ZmCONZ1 and ZCN8. We demonstrated that ZmFKF1b underwent artificial selection during modern breeding in China probably due to its role in geographical adaptation. Furthermore, our data suggested that ZmFKF1bHap_C7 may be an elite allele, which increases the abundance of ZmCONZ1 mRNA more efficiently and adapt to a wider range of temperature zone than that of ZmFKF1bHap_Z58 to promote maize floral transition. It extends our understanding of the genetic diversity of maize flowering. This allele is expected to be introduced into tropical maize germplasm to enrich breeding resources and may improve the adaptability of maize at different climate zones, especially at temperate region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhui Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Dongyang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Yingying Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Zhihan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Xuehui Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
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7
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Liu X, Jones M. Needs for a conceptual bridge between biological domestication and early food globalization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2219055121. [PMID: 38536744 PMCID: PMC11032431 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219055121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The past 15 y has seen much development in documentation of domestication of plants and animals as gradual traditions spanning millennia. There has also been considerable momentum in understanding the dispersals of major domesticated taxa across continents spanning thousands of miles. The two processes are often considered within different theoretical strains. What is missing from our repertoire of explanations is a conceptual bridge between the protracted process over millennia and the multiregional, globally dispersed nature of domestication. The evidence reviewed in this paper bears upon how we conceptualize domestication as an episode or a process. By bringing together the topics of crop domestication and crop movement, those complex, protracted, and continuous outcomes come more clearly into view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Liu
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
| | - Martin Jones
- McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 3DZ, United Kingdom
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8
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Zhan J, Bélanger S, Lewis S, Teng C, McGregor M, Beric A, Schon MA, Nodine MD, Meyers BC. Premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are present in the Zea genus and unique in biogenesis mechanism and molecular function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587306. [PMID: 38617318 PMCID: PMC11014486 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Reproductive phasiRNAs are broadly present in angiosperms and play crucial roles in sustaining male fertility. While the premeiotic 21-nt phasiRNAs and meiotic 24-nt phasiRNA pathways have been extensively studied in maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), a third putative category of reproductive phasiRNAs-named premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs-have recently been reported in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). To determine whether premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are also present in maize and related species and begin to characterize their biogenesis and function, we performed a comparative transcriptome and degradome analysis of premeiotic and meiotic anthers from five maize inbred lines and three teosinte species/subspecies. Our data indicate that a substantial subset of the 24-nt phasiRNA loci in maize and teosinte are already highly expressed at premeiotic phase. The premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are similar to meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in genomic origin and dependence on DCL5 for biogenesis, however, premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are unique in that they are likely (i) not triggered by microRNAs, (ii) not loaded by AGO18 proteins, and (iii) not capable of mediating cis-cleavage. In addition, we also observed a group of premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in rice using previously published data. Together, our results indicate that the premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs constitute a unique class of reproductive phasiRNAs and are present more broadly in the grass family (Poaceae) than previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Zhan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Sébastien Bélanger
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, Scotland DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Scott Lewis
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Chong Teng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | | | - Aleksandra Beric
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Michael A. Schon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Michael D. Nodine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Blake C. Meyers
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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9
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Cao S, Zhang H, Liu Y, Sun Y, Chen ZJ. Cytoplasmic genome contributions to domestication and improvement of modern maize. BMC Biol 2024; 22:64. [PMID: 38481288 PMCID: PMC10938767 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01859-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on maize evolution and domestication are largely limited to the nuclear genomes, and the contribution of cytoplasmic genomes to selection and domestication of modern maize remains elusive. Maize cytoplasmic genomes have been classified into fertile (NA and NB) and cytoplasmic-nuclear male-sterility (CMS-S, CMS-C, and CMS-T) groups, but their contributions to modern maize breeding have not been systematically investigated. RESULTS Here we report co-selection and convergent evolution between nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes by analyzing whole genome sequencing data of 630 maize accessions modern maize and its relatives, including 24 fully assembled mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. We show that the NB cytotype is associated with the expansion of modern maize to North America, gradually replaces the fertile NA cytotype probably through unequal division, and predominates in over 90% of modern elite inbred lines. The mode of cytoplasmic evolution is increased nucleotypic diversity among the genes involved in photosynthesis and energy metabolism, which are driven by selection and domestication. Furthermore, genome-wide association study reveals correlation of cytoplasmic nucleotypic variation with key agronomic and reproductive traits accompanied with the diversification of the nuclear genomes. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate convergent evolution between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes during maize domestication and breeding. These new insights into the important roles of mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes in maize domestication and improvement should help select elite inbred lines to improve yield stability and crop resilience of maize hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang Road, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Huanhuan Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Minor Crops Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang Road, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Minor Crops Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Z Jeffrey Chen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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10
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González GE, Poggio L. Polyploid speciation in Zea (Poaceae): cytogenetic insights. PLANTA 2024; 259:67. [PMID: 38332313 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04345-x] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION The analysis of meiotic pairing affinities and genomic formulae in species and hybrids of Zea allowed us to speculate an evolutionary model to recreate the ancient polyploidization of maize and allied species. The meiotic pairing affinities and the genomic formulae analysis in Zea species and hybrids obtained in new and previous crosses, together with the molecular data known in the genus, allowed us to speculate an evolutionary model to attempt to recreate the ancient polyploidization process of Zea species. We propose that x = 5 semispecies are the ancestors of all modern species of the genus. The complex evolutionary process that originated the different taxa could be included hybridization between sympatric diploid ancestral semispecies (2n = 10) and recurrent duplication of the hybrid chromosome number, resulting in distinct auto- and allopolyploids. After the merger and doubling of independent genomes would have undergone cytological and genetical diploidization, implying revolutionary changes in genome organization and genic balance processes. Based on the meiotic behaviour of the 2n = 30 hybrids, that showed homoeology between the A subgenomes of all parental species, we propose that this subgenome A would be pivotal in all the species and would have conserved the rDNA sequences and the pairing regulator locus (PrZ). In the hypothetical model postulated here, the ancestral semispecies with the pivotal subgenome A would have had a wide geographic distribution, co-occurring and hybridizing with the semispecies harbouring B subgenomes, thus enabling sympatric speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Esther González
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET), Laboratorio de Citogenética y Evolución (LaCyE), Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lidia Poggio
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET), Laboratorio de Citogenética y Evolución (LaCyE), Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Acosta-Bayona J, León-Martínez G, Vielle-Calzada JP. Origin and diversification of maize: Two teosintes but different contributions. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:233-235. [PMID: 38168636 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Acosta-Bayona
- Grupo de Desarrollo Reproductivo y Apomixis, UGA Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Irapuato, Irapuato Gto CP36825, México
| | - Gloria León-Martínez
- Grupo de Desarrollo Reproductivo y Apomixis, UGA Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Irapuato, Irapuato Gto CP36825, México
| | - Jean-Philippe Vielle-Calzada
- Grupo de Desarrollo Reproductivo y Apomixis, UGA Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Irapuato, Irapuato Gto CP36825, México.
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12
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Zhang X, Sun J, Zhang Y, Li J, Liu M, Li L, Li S, Wang T, Shaw RK, Jiang F, Fan X. Hotspot Regions of Quantitative Trait Loci and Candidate Genes for Ear-Related Traits in Maize: A Literature Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 15:15. [PMID: 38275597 PMCID: PMC10815758 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010015] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, hotspot regions, QTL clusters, and candidate genes for eight ear-related traits of maize (ear length, ear diameter, kernel row number, kernel number per row, kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, and 100-kernel weight) were summarized and analyzed over the past three decades. This review aims to (1) comprehensively summarize and analyze previous studies on QTLs associated with these eight ear-related traits and identify hotspot bin regions located on maize chromosomes and key candidate genes associated with the ear-related traits and (2) compile major and stable QTLs and QTL clusters from various mapping populations and mapping methods and techniques providing valuable insights for fine mapping, gene cloning, and breeding for high-yield and high-quality maize. Previous research has demonstrated that QTLs for ear-related traits are distributed across all ten chromosomes in maize, and the phenotypic variation explained by a single QTL ranged from 0.40% to 36.76%. In total, 23 QTL hotspot bins for ear-related traits were identified across all ten chromosomes. The most prominent hotspot region is bin 4.08 on chromosome 4 with 15 QTLs related to eight ear-related traits. Additionally, this study identified 48 candidate genes associated with ear-related traits. Out of these, five have been cloned and validated, while twenty-eight candidate genes located in the QTL hotspots were defined by this study. This review offers a deeper understanding of the advancements in QTL mapping and the identification of key candidates associated with eight ear-related traits. These insights will undoubtedly assist maize breeders in formulating strategies to develop higher-yield maize varieties, contributing to global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjie Zhang
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (X.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Jiachen Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Yudong Zhang
- Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650205, China; (Y.Z.); (R.K.S.); (F.J.)
| | - Jinfeng Li
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (X.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Meichen Liu
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (X.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Linzhuo Li
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (X.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Shaoxiong Li
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (X.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Tingzhao Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Ranjan Kumar Shaw
- Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650205, China; (Y.Z.); (R.K.S.); (F.J.)
| | - Fuyan Jiang
- Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650205, China; (Y.Z.); (R.K.S.); (F.J.)
| | - Xingming Fan
- Institute of Food Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650205, China; (Y.Z.); (R.K.S.); (F.J.)
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