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Resentini F, Orozco-Arroyo G, Cucinotta M, Mendes MA. The impact of heat stress in plant reproduction. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1271644. [PMID: 38126016 PMCID: PMC10732258 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1271644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The increment in global temperature reduces crop productivity, which in turn threatens food security. Currently, most of our food supply is produced by plants and the human population is estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050. Gaining insights into how plants navigate heat stress in their reproductive phase is essential for effectively overseeing the future of agricultural productivity. The reproductive success of numerous plant species can be jeopardized by just one exceptionally hot day. While the effects of heat stress on seedlings germination and root development have been extensively investigated, studies on reproduction are limited. The intricate processes of gamete development and fertilization unfold within a brief timeframe, largely concealed within the flower. Nonetheless, heat stress is known to have important effects on reproduction. Considering that heat stress typically affects both male and female reproductive structures concurrently, it remains crucial to identify cultivars with thermotolerance. In such cultivars, ovules and pollen can successfully undergo development despite the challenges posed by heat stress, enabling the completion of the fertilization process and resulting in a robust seed yield. Hereby, we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant resistance to abiotic heat stress, focusing on the reproductive process in the model systems of Arabidopsis and Oryza sativa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marta A. Mendes
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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2
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Di Marzo M, Herrera-Ubaldo H, Caporali E, Novák O, Strnad M, Balanzà V, Ezquer I, Mendes MA, de Folter S, Colombo L. SEEDSTICK Controls Arabidopsis Fruit Size by Regulating Cytokinin Levels and FRUITFULL. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2846-2857.e3. [PMID: 32101756 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon fertilization, the ovary increases in size and undergoes a complex developmental process to become a fruit. We show that cytokinins (CKs), which are required to determine ovary size before fertilization, have to be degraded to facilitate fruit growth. The expression of CKX7, which encodes a cytosolic CK-degrading enzyme, is directly positively regulated post-fertilization by the MADS-box transcription factor STK. Similar to stk, two ckx7 mutants possess shorter fruits than wild type. Quantification of CKs reveals that stk and ckx7 mutants have high CK levels, which negatively control cell expansion during fruit development, compromising fruit growth. Overexpression of CKX7 partially complements the stk fruit phenotype, confirming a role for CK degradation in fruit development. Finally, we show that STK is required for the expression of FUL, which is essential for valve elongation. Overall, we provide insights into the link between CKs and molecular pathways that control fruit growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Di Marzo
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Humberto Herrera-Ubaldo
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato 36824, México
| | - Elisabetta Caporali
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science of Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Olomouc, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Strnad
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science of Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Olomouc, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Vicente Balanzà
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy; Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigacione Cientificas, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ezquer
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Marta A Mendes
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefan de Folter
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato 36824, México
| | - Lucia Colombo
- Dipartimento di BioScienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Milan 20133, Italy.
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3
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Wang Y, Ye H, Bai J, Ren F. The regulatory framework of developmentally programmed cell death in floral organs: A review. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 158:103-112. [PMID: 33307422 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.11.052] [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: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Developmentally programmed cell death (dPCD) is a tightly controlled biological process. In recent years, vital roles of dPCD on regulating floral organ growth and development have been reported. It is well known that flower is an essential organ for reproduction and a turning point of plants' life cycle. Hence, uncovering the complex molecular networks which regulates dPCD processes in floral organs is utmost important. So far, our understanding of dPCD on floral organ growth and development is just starting. Herein, we summarize the important factors that involved in the tapetal degeneration, pollen tube rupture, receptive synergid cell death, nucellar degradation, and antipodal cell degradation. Meanwhile, the known factors that involved in transmitting tract formation and self-incompatibility-induced PCD were also introduced. Furthermore, the genes that associated with anther dehiscence and petal senescence and abscission were reviewed as well. The functions of various types of factors involved in floral dPCD processes are highlighted principally. The regulatory panorama described here can provide us some insights about flower-specific dPCD process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Wang
- Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, 630-0192, Japan.
| | - Hong Ye
- Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Jianfang Bai
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Hybrid Wheat, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, PR China
| | - Fei Ren
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Shaoguan University, 288 Daxue Road, Shaoguan, 512000, PR China.
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4
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Mendes MA, Petrella R, Cucinotta M, Vignati E, Gatti S, Pinto SC, Bird DC, Gregis V, Dickinson H, Tucker MR, Colombo L. The RNA-dependent DNA methylation pathway is required to restrict SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE expression to specify a single female germ cell precursor in Arabidopsis. Development 2020; 147:dev194274. [PMID: 33158925 PMCID: PMC7758631 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In higher plants, the female germline is formed from the megaspore mother cell (MMC), a single cell in the premeiotic ovule. Previously, it was reported that mutants in the RNA-dependent DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway might be involved in restricting the female germline to a single nucellus cell. We show that the DRM methyltransferase double mutant drm1drm2 also presents ectopic enlarged cells, consistent with supernumerary MMC-like cells. In wild-type ovules, MMC differentiation requires SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE (SPL/NZZ), as demonstrated by the spl/nzz mutant failing to develop an MMC. We address the poorly understood upstream regulation of SPL/NZZ in ovules, showing that the RdDM pathway is important to restrict SPL/NZZ expression. In ago9, rdr6 and drm1drm2 mutants, SPL/NZZ is expressed ectopically, suggesting that the multiple MMC-like cells observed might be attributable to the ectopic expression of SPL/NZZ. We show that the ovule identity gene, SEEDSTICK, directly regulates AGO9 and RDR6 expression in the ovule and therefore indirectly regulates SPL/NZZ expression. A model is presented describing the network required to restrict SPL/NZZ expression to specify a single MMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Mendes
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Rosanna Petrella
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Mara Cucinotta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Edoardo Vignati
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Gatti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sara C Pinto
- LAQV REQUIMTE, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Dayton C Bird
- School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Veronica Gregis
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Hugh Dickinson
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Matthew R Tucker
- School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Lucia Colombo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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5
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Terceros GC, Resentini F, Cucinotta M, Manrique S, Colombo L, Mendes MA. The Importance of Cytokinins during Reproductive Development in Arabidopsis and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218161. [PMID: 33142827 PMCID: PMC7662338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization and seed formation are fundamental events in the life cycle of flowering plants. The seed is a functional unit whose main purpose is to propagate the plant. The first step in seed development is the formation of male and female gametophytes and subsequent steps culminate in successful fertilization. The detailed study of this process is highly relevant because it directly impacts human needs, such as protecting biodiversity and ensuring sustainable agriculture to feed the increasing world population. Cytokinins comprise a class of phytohormones that play many important roles during plant growth and development and in recent years, the role of this class of phytohormones during reproduction has become clear. Here, we review the role of cytokinins during ovule, pollen and seed formation at the genetic and molecular levels. The expansion of knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms that control plant reproduction is extremely important to optimise seed production.
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6
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Yu Y, Qiao L, Chen J, Rong Y, Zhao Y, Cui X, Xu J, Hou X, Dong CH. Arabidopsis REM16 acts as a B3 domain transcription factor to promote flowering time via directly binding to the promoters of SOC1 and FT. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 103:1386-1398. [PMID: 32391591 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) is a key modulator for dynamic organization of actin cytoskeleton. Interestingly, it was found that the ADF1 gene silencing delays flowering, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, ADF1 was used as a bait to screen its interacting proteins by the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system. One of them, the REM16 transcription factor was identified. As one of the AP2/B3-like transcriptional factor family members, the REM16 contains two B3 domains and its transcript levels kept increasing during the floral transition stage. Overexpression of REM16 accelerates flowering while silencing of REM16 delays flowering. Gene expression analysis indicated that the key flowering activation genes such as CONSTANS (CO), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), LEAFY (LFY) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS (SOC1) were upregulated in the REM16 overexpression lines, while the transcription of the flowering suppression gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was decreased. In contrast, the REM16 gene silencing lines contained lower transcript levels of the CO, FT, LFY and SOC1 but higher transcript levels of the FLC compared with the wild-type plants. It was proved that REM16 could directly bind to the promoter regions of SOC1 and FT by in vitro and in vivo assays. Genetic analysis supported that REM16 acts upstream of SOC1 and FT in flowering pathways. All these studies provided strong evidence demonstrating that REM16 promotes flowering by directly activating SOC1 and FT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchong Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Longfei Qiao
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiacai Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yongheng Rong
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuhang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiankui Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jinpeng Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaomin Hou
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chun-Hai Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
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7
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Petrella R, Caselli F, Roig-Villanova I, Vignati V, Chiara M, Ezquer I, Tadini L, Kater MM, Gregis V. BPC transcription factors and a Polycomb Group protein confine the expression of the ovule identity gene SEEDSTICK in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 102:582-599. [PMID: 31909505 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) GAGA (C-box) binding proteins belong to a small plant transcription factor family. We previously reported that class I BPCs bind directly to C-boxes in the SEEDSTICK (STK) promoter and the mutagenesis of these cis-elements affects STK expression in the flower. The MADS-domain factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) is another key regulator of STK. Direct binding of SVP to CArG-boxes in the STK promoter are required to repress its expression during the first stages of flower development. Here we show that class II BPCs directly interact with SVP and that MADS-domain binding sites in the STK promoter region are important for the correct spatial and temporal expression of this homeotic gene. Furthermore, we show that class I and class II BPCs act redundantly to repress STK expression in the flower, most likely by recruiting TERMINAL FLOWER 2/LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (TFL2/LHP1) and mediating the establishment and the maintenance of H3K27me3 repressive marks on DNA. We investigate the role of LHP1 in the regulation of STK expression. In addition to providing a better understanding of the role of BPC transcription factors in the regulation of STK expression, our results suggest the existence of a more general regulatory complex composed of BPCs, MADS-domain factors and Polycomb Repressive Complexes that co-operate to regulate gene expression in reproductive tissues. We believe that our data along with the molecular model described here could provide significant insights for a more comprehensive understanding of gene regulation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Petrella
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Caselli
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Irma Roig-Villanova
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Barcelona School of Agricultural Engineering, UPC, Esteve Terrades 8, Building 4, 08860, Castelldefels, Spain
| | - Valentina Vignati
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Chiara
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Ignacio Ezquer
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Tadini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Martin M Kater
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Gregis
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
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8
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Hater F, Nakel T, Groß-Hardt R. Reproductive Multitasking: The Female Gametophyte. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 71:517-546. [PMID: 32442389 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-081519-035943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization of flowering plants requires the organization of complex tasks, many of which become integrated by the female gametophyte (FG). The FG is a few-celled haploid structure that orchestrates division of labor to coordinate successful interaction with the sperm cells and their transport vehicle, the pollen tube. As reproductive outcome is directly coupled to evolutionary success, the underlying mechanisms are under robust molecular control, including integrity check and repair mechanisms. Here, we review progress on understanding the development and function of the FG, starting with the functional megaspore, which represents the haploid founder cell of the FG. We highlight recent achievements that have greatly advanced our understanding of pollen tube attraction strategies and the mechanisms that regulate plant hybridization and gamete fusion. In addition, we discuss novel insights into plant polyploidization strategies that expand current concepts on the evolution of flowering plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Hater
- Centre for Biomolecular Interactions, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
| | - Thomas Nakel
- Centre for Biomolecular Interactions, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
| | - Rita Groß-Hardt
- Centre for Biomolecular Interactions, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
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9
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Di Marzo M, Roig-Villanova I, Zanchetti E, Caselli F, Gregis V, Bardetti P, Chiara M, Guazzotti A, Caporali E, Mendes MA, Colombo L, Kater MM. MADS-Box and bHLH Transcription Factors Coordinate Transmitting Tract Development in Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:526. [PMID: 32435255 PMCID: PMC7219087 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The MADS-domain transcription factor SEEDSTICK (STK) controls several aspects of plant reproduction. STK is co-expressed with CESTA (CES), a basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factor-encoding gene. CES was reported to control redundantly with the brassinosteroid positive signaling factors BRASSINOSTEROID ENHANCED EXPRESSION1 (BEE1) and BEE3 the development of the transmitting tract. Combining the stk ces-4 mutants led to a reduction in ovule fertilization due to a defect in carpel fusion which, caused the formation of holes at the center of the septum where the transmitting tract differentiates. Combining the stk mutant with the bee1 bee3 ces-4 triple mutant showed an increased number of unfertilized ovules and septum defects. The transcriptome profile of this quadruple mutant revealed a small subset of differentially expressed genes which are mainly involved in cell death, extracellular matrix and cell wall development. Our data evidence a regulatory gene network controlling transmitting tract development regulated directly or indirectly by a STK-CES containing complex and reveal new insights in the regulation of transmitting tract development by bHLH and MADS-domain transcription factors.
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10
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Zhong S, Qu LJ. Peptide/receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling involved in male-female interactions. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 51:7-14. [PMID: 30999163 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In flowering plants, extensive male-female interactions during pollen germination on the stigma, pollen tube growth and guidance in the transmitting tract, and pollen tube reception by the female gametophyte are required for successful double fertilization in which various signaling cascades are involved. Peptide/receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling has been found playing important roles in these male-female interactions. Here, we mainly summarized the progress made on the regulatory roles of peptide/receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling pathways in four critical stages during reproduction in higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Jia Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China; The National Plant Gene Research Center (Beijing), Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Lopes AL, Moreira D, Ferreira MJ, Pereira AM, Coimbra S. Insights into secrets along the pollen tube pathway in need to be discovered. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:2979-2992. [PMID: 30820535 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The process of plant fertilization provides an outstanding example of refined control of gene expression. During this elegant process, subtle communication occurs between neighboring cells, based on chemical signals, that induces cellular mechanisms of patterning and growth. Having faced an immediate issue of self-incompatibility responses, the pathway to fertilization starts once the stigmatic cells recognize a compatible pollen grain, and it continues with numerous players interacting to affect pollen tube growth and the puzzling process of navigation along the transmitting tract. The pollen tube goes through a guidance process that begins with a preovular stage (i.e. prior to the influence of the target ovule), with interactions with factors from the transmitting tissue. In the subsequent ovular-guidance stage a specific relationship develops between the pollen tube and its target ovule. This stage is divided into the funicular and micropylar guidance steps, with numerous receptors working in signalling cascades. Finally, just after the pollen tube has passed beyond the synergids, fusion of the gametes occurs and the developing seed-the ultimate aim of the process-will start to mature. In this paper, we review the existing knowledge of the crucial biological processes involved in pollen-pistil interactions that give rise to the new seed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute - BioISI, Porto, Portugal
- Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre - GreenUPorto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Diana Moreira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Ferreira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Marta Pereira
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Sílvia Coimbra
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre - GreenUPorto, Vairão, Portugal
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12
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Herrera-Ubaldo H, Lozano-Sotomayor P, Ezquer I, Di Marzo M, Chávez Montes RA, Gómez-Felipe A, Pablo-Villa J, Diaz-Ramirez D, Ballester P, Ferrándiz C, Sagasser M, Colombo L, Marsch-Martínez N, de Folter S. New roles of NO TRANSMITTING TRACT and SEEDSTICK during medial domain development in Arabidopsis fruits. Development 2019; 146:dev.172395. [PMID: 30538100 DOI: 10.1242/dev.172395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The gynoecium, the female reproductive part of the flower, is key for plant sexual reproduction. During its development, inner tissues such as the septum and the transmitting tract tissue, important for pollen germination and guidance, are formed. In Arabidopsis, several transcription factors are known to be involved in the development of these tissues. One of them is NO TRANSMITTING TRACT (NTT), essential for transmitting tract formation. We found that the NTT protein can interact with several gynoecium-related transcription factors, including several MADS-box proteins, such as SEEDSTICK (STK), known to specify ovule identity. Evidence suggests that NTT and STK control enzyme and transporter-encoding genes involved in cell wall polysaccharide and lipid distribution in gynoecial medial domain cells. The results indicate that the simultaneous loss of NTT and STK activity affects polysaccharide and lipid deposition and septum fusion, and delays entry of septum cells to their normal degradation program. Furthermore, we identified KAWAK, a direct target of NTT and STK, which is required for the correct formation of fruits in Arabidopsis These findings position NTT and STK as important factors in determining reproductive competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto Herrera-Ubaldo
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Paulina Lozano-Sotomayor
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Ignacio Ezquer
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Maurizio Di Marzo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ricardo Aarón Chávez Montes
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Andrea Gómez-Felipe
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Jeanneth Pablo-Villa
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - David Diaz-Ramirez
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Unidad Irapuato, CINVESTAV-IPN, Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Patricia Ballester
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, CSIC-UPV Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Cristina Ferrándiz
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, CSIC-UPV Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022, Spain
| | - Martin Sagasser
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Chair of Genetics and Genomics of Plants, Bielefeld 33615, Germany
| | - Lucia Colombo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Nayelli Marsch-Martínez
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Unidad Irapuato, CINVESTAV-IPN, Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
| | - Stefan de Folter
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (LANGEBIO), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, México
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13
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Caselli F, Beretta VM, Mantegazza O, Petrella R, Leo G, Guazzotti A, Herrera-Ubaldo H, de Folter S, Mendes MA, Kater MM, Gregis V. REM34 and REM35 Control Female and Male Gametophyte Development in Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1351. [PMID: 31708954 PMCID: PMC6821719 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The REproductive Meristem (REM) gene family encodes for transcription factors belonging to the B3 DNA binding domain superfamily. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the REM gene family is composed of 45 members, preferentially expressed during flower, ovule, and seed developments. Only a few members of this family have been functionally characterized: VERNALIZATION1 (VRN1) and, most recently, TARGET OF FLC AND SVP1 (TFS1) regulate flowering time and VERDANDI (VDD), together with VALKYRIE (VAL) that control the death of the receptive synergid cell in the female gametophyte. We investigated the role of REM34, REM35, and REM36, three closely related and linked genes similarly expressed in both female and male gametophytes. Simultaneous silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) caused about 50% of the ovules to remain unfertilized. Careful evaluation of both ovule and pollen developments showed that this partial sterility of the transgenic RNAi lines was due to a postmeiotic block in both female and male gametophytes. Furthermore, protein interaction assays revealed that REM34 and REM35 interact, which suggests that they work together during the first stages of gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Caselli
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Otho Mantegazza
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosanna Petrella
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Leo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Guazzotti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Humberto Herrera-Ubaldo
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Stefan de Folter
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, Mexico
| | | | - Martin M. Kater
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Gregis
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Gregis,
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14
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Zhou LZ, Dresselhaus T. Friend or foe: Signaling mechanisms during double fertilization in flowering seed plants. Curr Top Dev Biol 2018; 131:453-496. [PMID: 30612627 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the first description of double fertilization 120 years ago, the processes of pollen tube growth and guidance, sperm cell release inside the receptive synergid cell, as well as fusion of two sperm cells to the female gametes (egg and central cell) have been well documented in many flowering plants. Especially microscopic techniques, including live cell imaging, were used to visualize these processes. Molecular as well as genetic methods were applied to identify key players involved. However, compared to the first 11 decades since its discovery, the past decade has seen a tremendous advancement in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating angiosperm fertilization. Whole signaling networks were elucidated including secreted ligands, corresponding receptors, intracellular interaction partners, and further downstream signaling events involved in the cross-talk between pollen tubes and their cargo with female reproductive cells. Biochemical and structural biological approaches are now increasingly contributing to our understanding of the different signaling processes required to distinguish between compatible and incompatible interaction partners. Here, we review the current knowledge about signaling mechanisms during above processes with a focus on the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays (maize). The analogy that many of the identified "reproductive signaling mechanisms" also act partly or fully in defense responses and/or cell death is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Zi Zhou
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dresselhaus
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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15
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Cubría-Radío M, Nowack MK. Transcriptional networks orchestrating programmed cell death during plant development. Curr Top Dev Biol 2018; 131:161-184. [PMID: 30612616 PMCID: PMC7116394 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional gene regulation is a fundamental biological principle in the development of eukaryotes. It does control not only cell proliferation, specification, and differentiation, but also cell death processes as an integral feature of an organism's developmental program. As in animals, developmentally regulated cell death in plants occurs in numerous contexts and is of vital importance for plant vegetative and reproductive development. In comparison with the information available on the molecular regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in animals, however, our knowledge on plant PCD still remains scarce. Here, we discuss the functions of different classes of transcription factors that have been implicated in the control of developmentally regulated cell death. Though doubtlessly representing but a first layer of PCD regulation, information on PCD-regulating transcription factors and their targets represents a promising strategy to understand the complex machinery that ensures the precise and failsafe execution of PCD processes in plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cubría-Radío
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Moritz K Nowack
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium.
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16
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Escamez S, Tuominen H. Contribution of cellular autolysis to tissular functions during plant development. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2017; 35:124-130. [PMID: 27936412 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Plant development requires specific cells to be eliminated in a predictable and genetically regulated manner referred to as programmed cell death (PCD). However, the target cells do not merely die but they also undergo autolysis to degrade their cellular corpses. Recent progress in understanding developmental cell elimination suggests that distinct proteins execute PCD sensu stricto and autolysis. In addition, cell death alone and cell dismantlement can fulfill different functions. Hence, it appears biologically meaningful to distinguish between the modules of PCD and autolysis during plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha Escamez
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hannele Tuominen
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
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17
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Huysmans M, Lema A S, Coll NS, Nowack MK. Dying two deaths - programmed cell death regulation in development and disease. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2017; 35:37-44. [PMID: 27865098 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental cellular process that has adopted a plethora of vital functions in multicellular organisms. In plants, PCD processes are elicited as an inherent part of regular development in specific cell types or tissues, but can also be triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses. Although over the last years we have seen progress in our understanding of the molecular regulation of different plant PCD processes, it is still unclear whether a common core machinery exists that controls cell death in development and disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the field, comparing some aspects of the molecular regulation controlling developmental and pathogen-triggered PCD in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Huysmans
- VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Gent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Saul Lema A
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra-Cerdanyola del Valles 08193, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Nuria S Coll
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra-Cerdanyola del Valles 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Moritz K Nowack
- VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Gent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
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18
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Ingram GC. Dying to live: cell elimination as a developmental strategy in angiosperm seeds. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:785-796. [PMID: 27702990 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The complete elimination of unwanted cells during development is a repeated theme in both multicellular animals and in plants. In plants, such events have been extensively studied and reviewed in terms of their molecular regulation, of marker genes and proteins expressed, and in terms of cellular changes associated with their progression. This review will take a slightly different view of developmental cell elimination and will concentrate specifically on the numerous elimination events that occur during ovule and seed development (here grouped together as seed development). It asks why this cell elimination occurs in specific seed tissues, in order to understand something about the commonalities underlying how seemingly disparate events are triggered and regulated. Finally, by placing the seed in its broader evolutionary context, the question of why cell elimination may have emerged as such a key component of the seed developmental toolbox will be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwyneth C Ingram
- Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, CNRS (UMR 5667), INRA (UMR 0879), UCB Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, F-69342 Lyon, France
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19
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Pereira AM, Lopes AL, Coimbra S. Arabinogalactan Proteins as Interactors along the Crosstalk between the Pollen Tube and the Female Tissues. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1895. [PMID: 28018417 PMCID: PMC5159419 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) have long been considered to be implicated in several steps of the reproductive process of flowering plants. Pollen tube growth along the pistil tissues requires a multiplicity of signaling pathways to be activated and turned off precisely, at crucial timepoints, to guarantee successful fertilization and seed production. In the recent years, an outstanding effort has been made by the plant reproduction scientific community in order to better understand this process. This resulted in the discovery of a fairly substantial number of new players essential for reproduction, as well as their modes of action and interactions. Besides all the indications of AGPs involvement in reproduction, there were no convincing evidences about it. Recently, several studies came out to prove what had long been suggested about this complex family of glycoproteins. AGPs consist of a large family of hydroxyproline-rich proteins, predicted to be anchored to the plasma membrane and extremely rich in sugars. These two last characteristics always made them perfect candidates to be involved in signaling mechanisms, in several plant developmental processes. New findings finally relate AGPs to concrete functions in plant reproduction. In this review, it is intended not only to describe how different molecules and signaling pathways are functioning to achieve fertilization, but also to integrate the recent discoveries about AGPs along this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do PortoPorto, Portugal
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences InstitutePorto, Portugal
| | - Ana L. Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do PortoPorto, Portugal
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences InstitutePorto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Coimbra
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do PortoPorto, Portugal
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences InstitutePorto, Portugal
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