Characterization of a Unique GATA Family Gene That Responds to Both Light and Cytokinin inArabidopsis thaliana

MYB-related transcription factors control chloroplast biogenesis

Chloroplast biogenesis is dependent on master regulators from the GOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) family of transcription factors. However, glk mutants contain residual chlorophyll, indicating that other proteins must be involved. Here, we identify MYB-related transcription factors as regulators of chloroplast biogenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana. In both species, double-mutant alleles in MYB-related genes show very limited chloroplast development, and photosynthesis gene expression is perturbed to a greater extent than in GLK mutants. Genes encoding enzymes of chlorophyll biosynthesis are controlled by MYB-related and GLK proteins, whereas those allowing CO2 fixation, photorespiration, and photosystem assembly and repair require MYB-related proteins. Regulation between the MYB-related and GLK transcription factors appears more extensive in A. thaliana than in M. polymorpha. Thus, MYB-related and GLK genes have overlapping as well as distinct targets. We conclude that MYB-related and GLK transcription factors orchestrate chloroplast development in land plants.

Streamlined regulation of chloroplast development in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

Chloroplasts develop from undifferentiated plastids in response to light. In angiosperms, after the perception of light, the Elongated Hypocotyl 5 (HY5) transcription factor initiates photomorphogenesis, and two families of transcription factors known as GOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) and GATA are considered master regulators of chloroplast development. In addition, the MIR171-targeted SCARECROW-LIKE GRAS transcription factors also impact chlorophyll biosynthesis. The extent to which these proteins carry out conserved roles in non-seed plants is not known. Using the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, we show that GLK controls chloroplast biogenesis, and HY5 shows a small conditional effect on chlorophyll content. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) revealed that MpGLK has a broader set of targets than has been reported in angiosperms. We also identified a functional GLK homolog in green algae. In summary, our data support the hypothesis that GLK carries out a conserved role relating to chloroplast biogenesis in land plants and green algae.

Rice bundle sheath cell shape is regulated by the timing of light exposure during leaf development

Plant leaves contain multiple cell types which achieve distinct characteristics whilst still coordinating development within the leaf. The bundle sheath possesses larger individual cells and lower chloroplast content than the adjacent mesophyll, but how this morphology is achieved remains unknown. To identify regulatory mechanisms determining bundle sheath cell morphology we tested the effects of perturbing environmental (light) and endogenous signals (hormones) during leaf development of Oryza sativa (rice). Total chloroplast area in bundle sheath cells was found to increase with cell size as in the mesophyll but did not maintain a 'set-point' relationship, with the longest bundle sheath cells demonstrating the lowest chloroplast content. Application of exogenous cytokinin and gibberellin significantly altered the relationship between cell size and chloroplast biosynthesis in the bundle sheath, increasing chloroplast content of the longest cells. Delayed exposure to light reduced the mean length of bundle sheath cells but increased corresponding leaf length, whereas premature light reduced final leaf length but did not affect bundle sheath cells. This suggests that the plant hormones cytokinin and gibberellin are regulators of the bundle sheath cell-chloroplast relationship and that final bundle sheath length may potentially be affected by light-mediated control of exit from the cell cycle.

GLK transcription factors accompany ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 to orchestrate light-induced seedling development in Arabidopsis

Light-induced de-etiolation is an important aspect of seedling photomorphogenesis. GOLDEN2 LIKE (GLK) transcriptional regulators are involved in chloroplast development, but to what extent they participate in photomorphogenesis is not clear. Here, we show that ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) binds to GLK promoters to activate their expression, and also interacts with GLK proteins in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The chlorophyll content in the de-etiolating Arabidopsis seedlings of the hy5 glk2 double mutants was lower than that in the hy5 single mutant. GLKs inhibited hypocotyl elongation, and the phenotype could superimpose on the hy5 phenotype. Correspondingly, GLK2 regulated the expression of photosynthesis and cell elongation genes partially independent of HY5. Before exposure to light, DE-ETIOLATED 1 (DET1) affected accumulation of GLK proteins. The enhanced etioplast development and photosystem gene expression observed in the det1 mutant were attenuated in the det1 glk2 double mutant. Our study reveals that GLKs act downstream of HY5, or additive to HY5, and are likely quantitatively adjusted by DET1, to orchestrate multiple developmental traits during the light-induced skotomorphogenesis-to-photomorphogenesis transition in Arabidopsis.

Regulation of chloroplast biogenesis, development, and signaling by endogenous and exogenous cues

Chloroplasts are one of the defining features in most plants, primarily known for their unique property to carry out photosynthesis. Besides this, chloroplasts are also associated with hormone and metabolite productions. For this, biogenesis and development of chloroplast are required to be synchronized with the seedling growth to corroborate the maximum rate of photosynthesis following the emergence of seedlings. Chloroplast biogenesis and development are dependent on the signaling to and from the chloroplast, which are in turn regulated by several endogenous and exogenous cues. Light and hormones play a crucial role in chloroplast maturation and development. Chloroplast signaling involves a coordinated two-way connection between the chloroplast and nucleus, termed retrograde and anterograde signaling, respectively. Anterograde and retrograde signaling are involved in regulation at the transcriptional level and downstream modifications and are modulated by several metabolic and external cues. The communication between chloroplast and nucleus is essential for plants to develop strategies to cope with various stresses including high light or high heat. In this review, we have summarized several aspects of chloroplast development and its regulation through the interplay of various external and internal factors. We have also discussed the involvement of chloroplasts as sensors of various external environment stress factors including high light and temperature, and communicate via a series of retrograde signals to the nucleus, thus playing an essential role in plants' abiotic stress response.

The GATA transcription factor TaGATA1 recruits demethylase TaELF6-A1 and enhances seed dormancy in wheat by directly regulating TaABI5

Seed dormancy is an important agronomic trait in crops, and plants with low dormancy are prone to preharvest sprouting (PHS) under high-temperature and humid conditions. In this study, we report that the GATA transcription factor TaGATA1 is a positive regulator of seed dormancy by regulating TaABI5 expression in wheat. Our results demonstrate that TaGATA1 overexpression significantly enhances seed dormancy and increases resistance to PHS in wheat. Gene expression patterns, abscisic acid (ABA) response assay, and transcriptome analysis all indicate that TaGATA1 functions through the ABA signaling pathway. The transcript abundance of TaABI5, an essential regulator in the ABA signaling pathway, is significantly elevated in plants overexpressing TaGATA1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) and transient expression analysis showed that TaGATA1 binds to the GATA motifs at the promoter of TaABI5 and induces its expression. We also demonstrate that TaGATA1 physically interacts with the putative demethylase TaELF6-A1, the wheat orthologue of Arabidopsis ELF6. ChIP-qPCR analysis showed that H3K27me3 levels significantly decline at the TaABI5 promoter in the TaGATA1-overexpression wheat line and that transient expression of TaELF6-A1 reduces methylation levels at the TaABI5 promoter, increasing TaABI5 expression. These findings reveal a new transcription module, including TaGATA1-TaELF6-A1-TaABI5, which contributes to seed dormancy through the ABA signaling pathway and epigenetic reprogramming at the target site. TaGATA1 could be a candidate gene for improving PHS resistance.

Functional identification of moss PpGATA1 provides insights into the evolution of LLM-domain B-GATA transcription factors in plants

B-GATA transcription factors with the LLM domain (LLM-domain B-GATAs) play important roles in developmental processes and environmental responses in flowering plants. Their characterization can therefore provide insights into the structural and functional evolution of functional gene families. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis suggests that LLM-domain B-GATAs evolved from ancestral GATA transcription factors before the divergence of chlorophyte algae and Streptophyta. We compared the function of PpGATA1, a LLM-domain B-GATA gene in moss Physcomitrium patens, with Arabidopsis thaliana counterparts and showed that, in P. patens, PpGATA1 controls growth and greening in haploid gametophytes, while in transgenic Arabidopsis it affects germination, leaf development, flowering time, greening and light responses in diploid sporophytes. These PpGATA1 functions are similar to those of Arabidopsis counterparts, AtGNC, AtGNL and AtGATA17. PpGATA1 was able to complement the role of GNC and GNL in a gnc gnl double mutant, and the LLM domains of PpGATA1 and GNC behaved similarly. The functions of LLM-domain B-GATAs regulating hypocotyl elongation and cotyledon epinasty in flowering plants pre-exist before the divergence of mosses and the lineage leading to flowering plants. This study sheds light on adaption of PpGATA1 and its homologs to new developmental designs during the evolution.

Genome-wide identification of Mg2+ transporters and functional characteristics of DlMGT1 in Dimocarpus longan

Longan (Dimocarpus Longan) is one of the most important fruit crops in Southern China. Lack of available Mg in acidic soil conditions is a limitation to further increasing longan yield. Magnesium transporter (MGT/MRS2) mediates the uptake, transport, and redistribution of Mg2+ in higher plants. To understand the role of MGTs family members in longan Mg deficiency. We identified and analyzed the protein characteristics, phylogeny, expression changes, subcellular localization, and transcriptional regulation of DlMGTs members. The results showed that, twelve DlMGTs are localized in the cell membrane, chloroplast, and nucleus. The evolutionary differences in MGTs between herbaceous and woody species in different plants. The DlMGTs promoters contained many cis-acting elements and transcription factor binding sites related to the hormone, environmental, and stress response. Subcellular localization assays showed that DlMGT1 localizes in the cell membrane of Arabidopsis protoplasts. The candidate transcription factor DlGATA16, which may regulate the expression of DlMGT1, was localized in the nucleus of tobacco leaves. Dual luciferase analysis demonstrated that DlGATA16 is a potential factor regulating the transcriptional activity of DlMGT1. In this study, we identified and analyzed DlMGTs on a genome-wide scale and the subcellular localization and interaction of DlMGT1 and DlGATA16, which has important implications for further functional analysis studies of MGTs and the use of MGT for longan genetic improvement.

Genome‑wide identification, phylogenetic and expression pattern analysis of GATA family genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica)

Background

Transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in plants. Among the major TFs, GATA plays a crucial role in plant development, growth, and stress responses. However, there have been few studies on the GATA gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). The release of the foxtail millet reference genome presents an opportunity for the genome-wide characterization of these GATA genes.

Results

In this study, we identified 28 GATA genes in foxtail millet distributed on seven chromosomes. According to the classification method of GATA members in Arabidopsis, SiGATA was divided into four subfamilies, namely subfamilies I, II, III, and IV. Structural analysis of the SiGATA genes showed that subfamily III had more introns than other subfamilies, and a large number of cis-acting elements were abundant in the promoter region of the SiGATA genes. Three tandem duplications and five segmental duplications were found among SiGATA genes. Tissue-specific results showed that the SiGATA genes were mainly expressed in foxtail millet leaves, followed by peels and seeds. Many genes were significantly induced under the eight abiotic stresses, such as SiGATA10, SiGATA16, SiGATA18, and SiGATA25, which deserve further attention.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings will be helpful for further in-depth studies of the biological function of SiGATA, and will provide a reference for the future molecular breeding of foxtail millet.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08786-0.

Plant GATA Factors: Their Biology, Phylogeny, and Phylogenomics

GATA factors are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that are found in animals, fungi, and plants. Compared to that of animals, the size of the plant GATA family is increased. In angiosperms, four main GATA classes and seven structural subfamilies can be defined. In recent years, knowledge about the biological role and regulation of plant GATAs has substantially improved. Individual family members have been implicated in the regulation of photomorphogenic growth, chlorophyll biosynthesis, chloroplast development, photosynthesis, and stomata formation, as well as root, leaf, and flower development. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of plant GATA factors. Using phylogenomic analysis, we trace the evolutionary origin of the GATA classes in the green lineage and examine their relationship to animal and fungal GATAs. Finally, we speculate about a possible conservation of GATA-regulated functions across the animal, fungal, and plant kingdoms.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis of GATA Transcription Factors in Response to Methyl Jasmonate in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an important medicinal plant, which is mainly used for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. GATA transcription factors are evolutionarily conser-ved proteins that play essential roles in biological process of plants. In this study, we systematically characterized the GATA transcription factors in S. miltiorrhiza. A total 28 SmGATA genes were identified and divided into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and domain. SmGATA genes being clustered into a subfamily have similar conserved motifs and exon-intron patterns, and unevenly distribute on eight chromosomes of S. miltiorrhiza. Tissue-specific expression analysis based on transcriptome datasets showed that the majority of SmGATA genes were preferentially expressed in roots. Under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment, the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that several SmGATA genes in roots showed distinct upregulation post-MeJA treatment, especially SmGATA08, which was highly responsive to MeJA, and might be involved in the jasmonate signal, thereby affecting root growth, development, tolerance to various stresses, or secondary metabolites biosynthesis. The study found that several SmGATAs, like SmGATA08, are highly responsive to MeJA, indicating that these SmGATAs might be vital in the biosynthesis of tanshinones and phenolic acids by regulating the response to MeJA in S. miltiorrhiza. Our results laid the foundation for understanding their biological roles and quality improvement in S. miltiorrhiza.

Chloroplast development in green plant tissues: the interplay between light, hormone, and transcriptional regulation

Chloroplasts are best known for their role in photosynthesis, but they also allow nitrogen and sulphur assimilation, amino acid, fatty acid, nucleotide and hormone synthesis. How chloroplasts develop is therefore relevant to these diverse and fundamental biological processes, but also to attempts at their rational redesign. Light is strictly required for chloroplast formation in all angiosperms and directly regulates the expression of hundreds of chloroplast-related genes. Light also modulates the levels of several hormones including brassinosteriods, cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins, which themselves control chloroplast development particularly during early stages of plant development. Transcription factors such as GOLDENLIKE1&2 (GLK1&2), GATA NITRATE-INDUCIBLE CARBON METABOLISM-INVOLVED (GNC) and CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR 1 (CGA1) act downstream of both light and phytohormone signalling to regulate chloroplast development. Thus, in green tissues transcription factors, light signalling and hormone signalling form a complex network regulating the transcription of chloroplast- and photosynthesis-related genes to control the development and number of chloroplasts per cell. We use this conceptual framework to identify points of regulation that could be harnessed to modulate chloroplast abundance and increase photosynthetic efficiency of crops, and to highlight future avenues to overcome gaps in current knowledge.

The chromatin remodelling ATPase BRAHMA interacts with GATA-family transcription factor GNC to regulate flowering time in Arabidopsis

BRAHMA (BRM) is the ATPase of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodelling complex, which is indispensable for transcriptional inhibition and activation, associated with vegetative and reproductive development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that BRM directly binds to the chromatin of SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1), which integrates multiple flowering signals to regulate floral transition, leading to flowering. In addition, genetic and molecular analysis showed that BRM interacts with GNC (GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON METABOLISM INVOLVED), a GATA transcription factor that represses flowering by directly repressing SOC1 expression. Furthermore, BRM is recruited by GNC to directly bind to the chromatin of SOC1. The transcript level of SOC1 is elevated in brm-3, gnc, and brm-3/gnc mutants, which is associated with increased histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4Me3) but decreased DNA methylation. Taken together, our results indicate that BRM associates with GNC to regulate SOC1 expression and flowering time.

Engineering chloroplast development in rice through cell-specific control of endogenous genetic circuits

The engineering of C₄ photosynthetic activity into the C₃ plant rice has the potential to nearly double rice yields. To engineer a two-cell photosynthetic system in rice, the rice bundle sheath (BS) must be rewired to enhance photosynthetic capacity. Here, we show that BS chloroplast biogenesis is enhanced when the transcriptional activator, Oryza sativa Cytokinin GATA transcription factor 1 (OsCGA1), is driven by a vascular specific promoter. Ectopic expression of OsCGA1 resulted in increased BS chloroplast planar area and increased expression of photosynthesis-associated nuclear genes (PhANG), required for the biogenesis of photosynthetically active chloroplasts in BS cells of rice. A further refinement using a DNAse dead Cas9 (dCas9) activation module driven by the same cell-type specific promoter, directed enhanced chloroplast development of the BS cells when gRNA sequences were delivered by the dCas9 module to the promoter of the endogenous OsCGA1 gene. Single gRNA expression was sufficient to mediate the transactivation of both the endogenous gene and a transgenic GUS reporter fused with OsCGA1 promoter. Our results illustrate the potential for tissue-specific dCas9-activation and the co-regulation of genes needed for multistep engineering of C₄ rice.

Genome-wide comparative analyses of GATA transcription factors among 19 Arabidopsis ecotype genomes: Intraspecific characteristics of GATA transcription factors

GATA transcription factors (TFs) are widespread eukaryotic regulators whose DNA-binding domain is a class IV zinc finger motif (CX2CX17-20CX2C) followed by a basic region. Due to the low cost of genome sequencing, multiple strains of specific species have been sequenced: e.g., number of plant genomes in the Plant Genome Database (http://www.plantgenome.info/) is 2,174 originated from 713 plant species. Thus, we investigated GATA TFs of 19 Arabidopsis thaliana genome-widely to understand intraspecific features of Arabidopsis GATA TFs with the pipeline of GATA database (http://gata.genefamily.info/). Numbers of GATA genes and GATA TFs of each A. thaliana genome range from 29 to 30 and from 39 to 42, respectively. Four cases of different pattern of alternative splicing forms of GATA genes among 19 A. thaliana genomes are identified. 22 of 2,195 amino acids (1.002%) from the alignment of GATA domain amino acid sequences display variations across 19 ecotype genomes. In addition, maximally four different amino acid sequences per each GATA domain identified in this study indicate that these position-specific amino acid variations may invoke intraspecific functional variations. Among 15 functionally characterized GATA genes, only five GATA genes display variations of amino acids across ecotypes of A. thaliana, implying variations of their biological roles across natural isolates of A. thaliana. PCA results from 28 characteristics of GATA genes display the four groups, same to those defined by the number of GATA genes. Topologies of bootstrapped phylogenetic trees of Arabidopsis chloroplasts and common GATA genes are mostly incongruent. Moreover, no relationship between geographical distribution and their phylogenetic relationships was found. Our results present that intraspecific variations of GATA TFs in A. thaliana are conserved and evolutionarily neutral along with 19 ecotypes, which is congruent to the fact that GATA TFs are one of the main regulators for controlling essential mechanisms, such as seed germination and hypocotyl elongation.

Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic and expression pattern analysis of GATA family genes in Brassica napus

BACKGROUND

Transcription factors GATAs are involved in plant developmental processes and respond to environmental stresses through binding DNA regulatory regions to regulate their downstream genes. However, little information on the GATA genes in Brassica napus is available. The release of the reference genome of B. napus provides a good opportunity to perform a genome-wide characterization of GATA family genes in rapeseed.

RESULTS

In this study, 96 GATA genes randomly distributing on 19 chromosomes were identified in B. napus, which were classified into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and their domain structures. The amino acids of BnGATAs were obvious divergence among four subfamilies in terms of their GATA domains, structures and motif compositions. Gene duplication and synteny between the genomes of B. napus and A. thaliana were also analyzed to provide insights into evolutionary characteristics. Moreover, BnGATAs showed different expression patterns in various tissues and under diverse abiotic stresses. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributions of BnGATAs in a core collection germplasm are probably associated with functional disparity under environmental stress condition in different genotypes of B. napus.

CONCLUSION

The present study was investigated genomic structures, evolution features, expression patterns and SNP distributions of 96 BnGATAs. The results enrich our understanding of the GATA genes in rapeseed.

A GATA Transcription Factor from Soybean (Glycine max) Regulates Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Suppresses Growth in the Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Chlorophyll plays an essential role in photosynthetic light harvesting and energy transduction in green tissues of higher plants and is closely related to photosynthesis and crop yield. Identification of transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis is still limited in soybean (Glycine max), and the previously identified GmGATA58 is suggested to potentially modulate chlorophyll and nitrogen metabolisms, but its complete function is still unknown. In this study, subcellular localization assay showed that GmGATA58 was localized in the nucleus. Histochemical GUS assay and qPCR assay indicated that GmGATA58 was mainly expressed in leaves and responded to nitrogen, light and phytohormone treatments. Overexpression of GmGATA58 in the Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog AtGATA21 (gnc) mutant complemented the greening defect, while overexpression in Arabidopsis wild-type led to increasing chlorophyll content in leaves through up-regulating the expression levels of the large of chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway genes, but suppressing plant growth and yield, although the net photosynthetic rate was slightly improved. Dual-luciferase reporter assay also supported that GmGATA58 activated the transcription activities of three promoters of key chlorophyll biosynthetic genes of soybean in transformed protoplast of Arabidopsis. It is concluded that GmGATA58 played an important role in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis, but suppressed plant growth and yield in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Transcriptome wide identification and characterization of regulatory genes involved in EAA metabolism and validation through expression analysis in different developmental stages of finger millet spikes

Finger millet is a rich source of seed storage proteins (SSPs). Various regulatory genes play an important role to maintain the quality and accumulation of SSPs in crop seeds. In the present study, nine regulatory genes of EAAs metabolic pathway, i.e., aspartate kinase, homoserine dehydrogenase, threonine synthase, threonine dehydratase, dihydrodipicolinate synthase, cystathionine γ synthase, anthranilate synthase, acetolactate synthase and lysine 2-oxoglutarato reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase (LOR/SD) were identified from the transcriptomic data of developing spikes of two finger millet genotypes, i.e., GP-45 and GP-1. Results of sequence alignment search and motif/domain analysis showed high similarity of nucleotide sequences of identified regulatory genes with their respective homologs in rice. Results of promoter analysis revealed the presence of various cis-regulatory elements, like nitrogen responsive cis-elements (O2-site and GCN4), light responsive cis-elements, and stress responsive cis-elements. The presence of nine regulatory genes identified from the transcriptomic data of GP-45 and GP-1 was further confirmed by real time expression analysis in high and low protein containing genotypes, i.e., GE-3885 and GE-1437. Results of real time expression analysis showed significantly higher expression (p ≤ 0.01) of regulatory genes in GE-3885 rather than GE-1437 under control and treatment condition. Crude protein content of GE-3885 was found to be significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) in comparison to GE-1437 under control condition, while under treatment condition GE-1437 was found to be more responsive to KNO₃ treatment rather than GE-3885.

The characterization of Mediator 12 and 13 as conditional positive gene regulators in Arabidopsis

Mediator 12 (MED12) and MED13 are components of the Mediator multi-protein complex, that facilitates the initial steps of gene transcription. Here, in an Arabidopsis mutant screen, we identify MED12 and MED13 as positive gene regulators, both of which contribute broadly to morc1 de-repressed gene expression. Both MED12 and MED13 are preferentially required for the expression of genes depleted in active chromatin marks, a chromatin signature shared with morc1 re-activated loci. We further discover that MED12 tends to interact with genes that are responsive to environmental stimuli, including light and radiation. We demonstrate that light-induced transient gene expression depends on MED12, and is accompanied by a concomitant increase in MED12 enrichment during induction. In contrast, the steady-state expression level of these genes show little dependence on MED12, suggesting that MED12 is primarily required to aid the expression of genes in transition from less-active to more active states.

Mediator is a multiprotein complex required to activate gene transcription by RNAPII. Here, the authors report that MED12 and MED13 are conditional positive regulators that facilitate the expression of genes depleted in active chromatin marks and the induction of gene expression in response to environmental stimuli in Arabidopsis.

Genetic and molecular basis of floral induction in Arabidopsis thaliana

Many plants synchronize their life cycles in response to changing seasons and initiate flowering under favourable environmental conditions to ensure reproductive success. To confer a robust seasonal response, plants use diverse genetic programmes that integrate environmental and endogenous cues and converge on central floral regulatory hubs. Technological advances have allowed us to understand these complex processes more completely. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms that control flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Gene Expression Analyses of GATA Transcription Factors in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Moso bamboo is well-known for its rapid-growth shoots and widespread rhizomes. However, the regulatory genes of these two processes are largely unexplored. GATA transcription factors regulate many developmental processes, but their roles in moso bamboo height control and rhizome development remains unexplored. Here, thirty-one bamboo GATA factors (PeGATAs) were identified, which are evolutionarily closer to rice than Arabidopsis, and their gene expression patterns were analyzed in bamboo development and phytohormone response with bioinformatics and molecular methods. Interestingly, PeGATAs could only be classified into three groups. Phytohormone responsive cis-elements were found in PeGATA promoters and the expression profiles showed that PeGATA genes might respond to gibberellin acid and abscisic acid but not to auxin at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, PeGATA genes have a tissue-specific expression pattern in bamboo rhizomes. Interestingly, most PeGATA genes were down-regulated during the rapid-growth of bamboo shoots. In addition, over-expressing one of the PeGATA genes, PeGATA26, significantly repressed the primary root length and plant height of transgenic Arabidopsis plants, which may be achieved by promoting the gibberellin acid turnover. Overall, our results provide insight into the function of GATA transcription factors in bamboo, and into genetic resources for engineering plant height.

Static magnetic field regulates Arabidopsis root growth via auxin signaling

Static magnetic field (SMF) plays important roles in biological processes of many living organisms. In plants, however, biological significance of SMF and molecular mechanisms underlying SMF action remain largely unknown. To address these questions, we treated Arabidopsis young seedlings with different SMF intensities and directions. Magnetic direction from the north to south pole was adjusted in parallel (N0) with, opposite (N180) and perpendicular to the gravity vector. We discovered that root growth is significantly inhanced by 600 mT treatments except for N180, but not by any 300 mT treatments. N0 treatments lead to more active cell division of the meristem, and higher auxin content that is regulated by coordinated expression of PIN3 and AUX1 in root tips. Consistently, N0-promoted root growth disappears in pin3 and aux1 mutants. Transcriptomic and gene ontology analyses revealed that in roots 85% of the total genes significantly down-regulated by N0 compared to untreatment are enriched in plastid biological processes, such as metabolism and chloroplast development. Lastly, no difference in root length is observed between N0-treated and untreated roots of the double cryptochrome mutant cry1 cry2. Taken together, our data suggest that SMF-regulated root growth is mediated by CRY and auxin signaling pathways in Arabidopsis.

Transcriptional Regulation of Abscission Zones

Precise and timely regulation of organ separation from the parent plant (abscission) is consequential to improvement of crop productivity as it influences both the timing of harvest and fruit quality. Abscission is tightly associated with plant fitness as unwanted organs (petals, sepals, filaments) are shed after fertilization while seeds, fruits, and leaves are cast off as means of reproductive success or in response to abiotic/biotic stresses. Floral organ abscission in Arabidopsis has been a useful model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the separation processes, and multiple abscission signals associated with the activation and downstream pathways have been uncovered. Concomitantly, large-scale analyses of omics studies in diverse abscission systems of various plants have added valuable insights into the abscission process. The results suggest that there are common molecular events linked to the biosynthesis of a new extracellular matrix as well as cell wall disassembly. Comparative analysis between Arabidopsis and soybean abscission systems has revealed shared and yet disparate regulatory modules that affect the separation processes. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the transcriptional regulation of abscission in several different plants that has improved on the previously proposed four-phased model of organ separation.

Transcriptional control of photosynthetic capacity: conservation and divergence from Arabidopsis to rice

Contents 32 I. 32 II. 33 III. 36 IV. 41 43 References 43 SUMMARY: Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological processes on Earth. It provides the consumable energy upon which almost all organisms are dependent, and modulates the composition of the planet's atmosphere. To carry out photosynthesis, plants require a large cohort of genes. These genes encode proteins that capture light energy, store energy in sugars and build the subcellular structures required to facilitate this energy capture. Although the function of many of these genes is known, little is understood about the transcriptional networks that coordinate their expression. This review places our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana in an evolutionary context, to provide new insight into transcriptional regulatory networks that control photosynthesis gene expression in grasses. The similarities and differences between the rice and Arabidopsis networks are highlighted, revealing substantial disparity between the two systems. In addition, avenues are identified that may be exploited for photosynthesis engineering projects in the future.

Genome-wide binding analysis of AtGNC and AtCGA1 demonstrates their cross-regulation and common and specific functions

GATA transcription factors are involved in multiple processes in plant growth and development. Two GATA factors, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE,CARBON METABOLISM-INVOLVED (GNC) and CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR 1 (CGA1, also named GNL), are important regulators in greening, flowering, senescence, and hormone signaling. However, their direct target genes related to these biological processes are poorly characterized. Here, GNC and CGA1 are shown to be transcription activators and by using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), 1475 and 638 genes are identified to be associated with GNC and CGA1 binding, respectively. Enrichment of diverse motifs in the peak binding regions for GNC and CGA1 suggests the possibility that these two transcription factors also interact with other transcription factors and in addition genes coding for DNA-binding proteins are highly enriched among GNC- and CGA1-associated genes. Despite the fact that these two GATA factors are known to share a large portion of co-expressed genes, our analysis revealed a low percentage of overlapping binding-associated genes for these two homologues. This suggests a possible cross-regulation between these, which is verified using ChIP-qPCR. The common and specific biological processes regulated by GNC and CGA1 also support this notion. Functional analysis of the binding-associated genes revealed that those encoding transcription factors, E3 ligase, as well as genes with roles in plant development are highly enriched, indicating that GNC and CGA1 mediate complex genetic networks in regulating different aspects of plant growth and development.

Transcriptome Analysis of Soybean Leaf Abscission Identifies Transcriptional Regulators of Organ Polarity and Cell Fate

Abscission, organ separation, is a developmental process that is modulated by endogenous and environmental factors. To better understand the molecular events underlying the progression of abscission in soybean, an agriculturally important legume, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of RNA isolated from the leaf abscission zones (LAZ) and petioles (Non-AZ, NAZ) after treating stem/petiole explants with ethylene for 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. As expected, expression of several families of cell wall modifying enzymes and many pathogenesis-related (PR) genes specifically increased in the LAZ as abscission progressed. Here, we focus on the 5,206 soybean genes we identified as encoding transcription factors (TFs). Of the 5,206 TFs, 1,088 were differentially up- or down-regulated more than eight-fold in the LAZ over time, and, within this group, 188 of the TFs were differentially regulated more than eight-fold in the LAZ relative to the NAZ. These 188 abscission-specific TFs include several TFs containing domains for homeobox, MYB, Zinc finger, bHLH, AP2, NAC, WRKY, YABBY, and auxin-related motifs. To discover the connectivity among the TFs and highlight developmental processes that support organ separation, the 188 abscission-specific TFs were then clustered based on a >four-fold up- or down-regulation in two consecutive time points (i.e., 0 and 12 h, 12 and 24 h, 24 and 48 h, or 48 and 72 h). By requiring a sustained change in expression over two consecutive time intervals and not just one or several time intervals, we could better tie changes in TFs to a particular process or phase of abscission. The greatest number of TFs clustered into the 0 and 12 h group. Transcriptional network analysis for these abscission-specific TFs indicated that most of these TFs are known as key determinants in the maintenance of organ polarity, lateral organ growth, and cell fate. The abscission-specific expression of these TFs prior to the onset of abscission and their functional properties as defined by studies in Arabidopsis indicate that these TFs are involved in defining the separation cells and initiation of separation within the AZ by balancing organ polarity, roles of plant hormones, and cell differentiation.

Transcriptional regulatory networks in Arabidopsis thaliana during single and combined stresses

Differentially evolved responses to various stress conditions in plants are controlled by complex regulatory circuits of transcriptional activators, and repressors, such as transcription factors (TFs). To understand the general and condition-specific activities of the TFs and their regulatory relationships with the target genes (TGs), we have used a homogeneous stress gene expression dataset generated on ten natural ecotypes of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, during five single and six combined stress conditions. Knowledge-based profiles of binding sites for 25 stress-responsive TF families (187 TFs) were generated and tested for their enrichment in the regulatory regions of the associated TGs. Condition-dependent regulatory sub-networks have shed light on the differential utilization of the underlying network topology, by stress-specific regulators and multifunctional regulators. The multifunctional regulators maintain the core stress response processes while the transient regulators confer the specificity to certain conditions. Clustering patterns of transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) have reflected the combinatorial nature of transcriptional regulation, and suggested the putative role of the homotypic clusters of TFBS towards maintaining transcriptional robustness against cis-regulatory mutations to facilitate the preservation of stress response processes. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the TGs reflected sequential regulation of stress response mechanisms in plants.

Regulation of chloroplast development and function by cytokinin

A role of the plant hormone cytokinin in regulating the development and activity of chloroplasts was described soon after its discovery as a plant growth regulator more than 50 years ago. Its promoting action on chloroplast ultrastructure and chlorophyll synthesis has been reported repeatedly, especially during etioplast-to-chloroplast transition. Recently, a protective role of the hormone for the photosynthetic apparatus during high light stress was shown. Details about the molecular mechanisms of cytokinin action on plastids are accumulating from genetic and transcriptomic studies. The cytokinin receptors AHK2 and AHK3 are mainly responsible for the transduction of the cytokinin signal to B-type response regulators, in particular ARR1, ARR10, and ARR12, which are transcription factors of the two-component system mediating cytokinin functions. Additional transcription factors linking cytokinin and chloroplast development include CGA1, GNC, HY5, GLK2, and CRF2. In this review, we summarize early and more recent findings of the long-known relationship between the hormone and the organelle and describe crosstalk between cytokinin, light, and other hormones during chloroplast development.

GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR5 stimulates Arabidopsis chloroplast division, photosynthesis, and leaf longevity

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf development relies on subsequent phases of cell proliferation and cell expansion. During the proliferation phase, chloroplasts need to divide extensively, and during the transition from cell proliferation to expansion, they differentiate into photosynthetically active chloroplasts, providing the plant with energy. The transcription factor GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR5 (GRF5) promotes the duration of the cell proliferation period during leaf development. Here, it is shown that GRF5 also stimulates chloroplast division, resulting in a higher chloroplast number per cell with a concomitant increase in chlorophyll levels in 35S:GRF5 leaves, which can sustain higher rates of photosynthesis. Moreover, 35S:GRF5 plants show delayed leaf senescence and are more tolerant for growth on nitrogen-depleted medium. Cytokinins also stimulate leaf growth in part by extending the cell proliferation phase, simultaneously delaying the onset of the cell expansion phase. In addition, cytokinins are known to be involved in chloroplast development, nitrogen signaling, and senescence. Evidence is provided that GRF5 and cytokinins synergistically enhance cell division and chlorophyll retention after dark-induced senescence, which suggests that they also cooperate to stimulate chloroplast division and nitrogen assimilation. Taken together with the increased leaf size, ectopic expression of GRF5 has great potential to improve plant productivity.

B-GATA transcription factors - insights into their structure, regulation, and role in plant development

GATA transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulators that recognize promoter elements with a G-A-T-A core sequence. In comparison to animal genomes, the GATA transcription factor family in plants is comparatively large with approximately 30 members. Here, we review the current knowledge on B-GATAs, one of four GATA factor subfamilies from Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that B-GATAs can be subdivided based on structural features and their biological function into family members with a C-terminal LLM- (leucine-leucine-methionine) domain or an N-terminal HAN- (HANABA TARANU) domain. The paralogous GNC (GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM INVOLVED) and CGA1/GNL (CYTOKININ-INDUCED GATA1/GNC-LIKE) are introduced as LLM-domain containing B-GATAs from Arabidopsis that control germination, greening, senescence, and flowering time downstream from several growth regulatory signals. Arabidopsis HAN and its monocot-specific paralogs from rice (NECK LEAF1), maize (TASSEL SHEATH1), and barley (THIRD OUTER GLUME) are HAN-domain-containing B-GATAs with a predominant role in embryo development and floral development. We also review GATA23, a regulator of lateral root initiation from Arabidopsis that is closely related to GNC and GNL but has a degenerate LLM-domain that is seemingly specific for the Brassicaceae family. The Brassicaceae-specific GATA23 and the monocot-specific HAN-domain GATAs provide evidence that neofunctionalization of B-GATAs was used during plant evolution to expand the functional repertoire of these transcription factors.

Functional diversification within the family of B-GATA transcription factors through the leucine-leucine-methionine domain

The transcription of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GATA transcription factors GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON METABOLISM-INVOLVED (GNC) and GNC-LIKE (GNL)/CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR1 is controlled by several growth regulatory signals including light and the phytohormones auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin. To date, GNC and GNL have been attributed functions in the control of germination, greening, flowering time, floral development, senescence, and floral organ abscission. GNC and GNL belong to the 11-member family of B-class GATA transcription factors that are characterized to date solely by their high sequence conservation within the GATA DNA-binding domain. The degree of functional conservation among the various B-class GATA family members is not understood. Here, we identify and examine B-class GATAs from Arabidopsis, tomato (Solanum lycopersicon), Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon), and barley (Hordeum vulgare). We find that B-class GATAs from these four species can be subdivided based on their short or long N termini and the presence of the 13-amino acid C-terminal leucine-leucine-methionine (LLM) domain with the conserved motif LLM. Through overexpression analyses and by complementation of a gnc gnl double mutant, we provide evidence that the length of the N terminus may not allow distinguishing between the different B-class GATAs at the functional level. In turn, we find that the presence and absence of the LLM domain in the overexpressors has differential effects on hypocotyl elongation, leaf shape, and petiole length, as well as on gene expression. Thus, our analyses identify the LLM domain as an evolutionarily conserved domain that determines B-class GATA factor identity and provides a further subclassification criterion for this transcription factor family.

Was low CO2 a driving force of C4 evolution: Arabidopsis responses to long-term low CO2 stress

The responses of long-term growth of plants under elevated CO2 have been studied extensively. Comparatively, the responses of plants to subambient CO2 concentrations have not been well studied. This study aims to investigate the responses of the model C3 plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to low CO2 at the molecular level. Results showed that low CO2 dramatically decreased biomass productivity, together with delayed flowering and increased stomatal density. Furthermore, alteration of thylakoid stacking in both bundle sheath and mesophyll cells, upregulation of PEPC and PEPC-K together with altered expression of a number of regulators known involved in photosynthesis development were observed. These responses to low CO2 are discussed with regard to the fitness of C3 plants under low CO2. This work also briefly discusses the relevance of the data to C4 photosynthesis evolution.

Cytokinins

Cytokinins are N (6) substituted adenine derivatives that affect many aspects of plant growth and development, including cell division, shoot initiation and growth, leaf senescence, apical dominance, sink/source relationships, nutrient uptake, phyllotaxis, and vascular, gametophyte, and embryonic development, as well as the response to biotic and abiotic factors. Molecular genetic studies in Arabidopsis have helped elucidate the mechanisms underlying the function of this phytohormone in plants. Here, we review our current understanding of cytokinin biosynthesis and signaling in Arabidopsis, the latter of which is similar to bacterial two-component phosphorelays. We discuss the perception of cytokinin by the ER-localized histidine kinase receptors, the role of the AHPs in mediating the transfer of the phosphoryl group from the receptors to the response regulators (ARRs), and finally the role of the large ARR family in cytokinin function. The identification and genetic manipulation of the genes involved in cytokinin metabolism and signaling have helped illuminate the roles of cytokinins in Arabidopsis. We discuss these diverse roles, and how other signaling pathways influence cytokinin levels and sensitivity though modulation of the expression of cytokinin signaling and metabolic genes.

Cross-repressive interactions between SOC1 and the GATAs GNC and GNL/CGA1 in the control of greening, cold tolerance, and flowering time in Arabidopsis

The paralogous and functionally redundant GATA transcription factors GNC (for GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM INVOLVED) and GNL/CGA1 (for GNC-LIKE/CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR1) from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) promote greening and repress flowering downstream from the phytohormone gibberellin. The target genes of GNC and GNL with regard to flowering time control have not been identified as yet. Here, we show by genetic and molecular analysis that the two GATA factors act upstream from the flowering time regulator SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1) to directly repress SOC1 expression and thereby repress flowering. Interestingly, this analysis inversely also reveals that the MADS box transcription factor SOC1 directly represses GNC and GNL expression to control cold tolerance and greening, two further physiological processes that are under the control of SOC1. In summary, these findings support the case of a cross-repressive interaction between the GATA factors GNC and GNL and the MADS box transcription factor SOC1 in flowering time control on the one side and greening and cold tolerance on the other that may be governed by the various signaling inputs that are integrated at the level of SOC1 expression.

Convergence of auxin and gibberellin signaling on the regulation of the GATA transcription factors GNC and GNL in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant growth is regulated by a complex network of signaling events. Points of convergence for the signaling cross-talk between the phytohormones auxin and gibberellin (GA), which partly control overlapping processes during plant development, are largely unknown. At the cellular level, auxin responses are controlled by members of the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) family of transcription factors as well as AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID INDUCIBLE (AUX/IAA) proteins that repress the activity of at least a subset of ARFs. Here, we show that the two paralogous GATA transcription factors GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM INVOLVED (GNC) and GNC-LIKE (GNL)/CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR1 (CGA1) are direct and critical transcription targets downstream from ARF2 in the control of greening, flowering time, and senescence. Mutants deficient in the synthesis or signaling of the phytohormone GA are also impaired in greening, flowering, and senescence, and interestingly, GNC and GNL were previously identified as important transcription targets of the GA signaling pathway. In line with a critical regulatory role for GNC and GNL downstream from both auxin and GA signaling, we show here that the constitutive activation of GA signaling is sufficient to suppress arf2 mutant phenotypes through repression of GNC and GNL. In addition, we show that GA promotes ARF2 protein abundance through a translation-dependent mechanism that could serve to override the autoinhibitory negative feedback regulation of ARF2 on its own transcription and thereby further promote GA signaling.

Rice cytokinin GATA transcription Factor1 regulates chloroplast development and plant architecture

Chloroplast biogenesis has been well documented in higher plants, yet the complex methods used to regulate chloroplast activity under fluctuating environmental conditions are not well understood. In rice (Oryza sativa), the CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (Cga1) shows increased expression following light, nitrogen, and cytokinin treatments, while darkness and gibberellin reduce expression. Strong overexpression of Cga1 produces dark green, semidwarf plants with reduced tillering, whereas RNA interference knockdown results in reduced chlorophyll and increased tillering. Coexpression, microarray, and real-time expression analyses demonstrate a correlation between Cga1 expression and the expression of important nucleus-encoded, chloroplast-localized genes. Constitutive Cga1 overexpression increases both chloroplast biogenesis and starch production but also results in delayed senescence and reduced grain filling. Growing the transgenic lines under different nitrogen regimes indicates potential agricultural applications for Cga1, including manipulation of biomass, chlorophyll/chloroplast content, and harvest index. These results indicate a conserved mechanism by which Cga1 regulates chloroplast development in higher plants.

Transcription repressor HANABA TARANU controls flower development by integrating the actions of multiple hormones, floral organ specification genes, and GATA3 family genes in Arabidopsis

Plant inflorescence meristems and floral meristems possess specific boundary domains that result in proper floral organ separation and specification. HANABA TARANU (HAN) encodes a boundary-expressed GATA3-type transcription factor that regulates shoot meristem organization and flower development in Arabidopsis thaliana, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Through time-course microarray analyses following transient overexpression of HAN, we found that HAN represses hundreds of genes, especially genes involved in hormone responses and floral organ specification. Transient overexpression of HAN also represses the expression of HAN and three other GATA3 family genes, HANL2 (HAN-LIKE 2), GNC (GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM-INVOLVED), and GNL (GNC-LIKE), forming a negative regulatory feedback loop. Genetic analysis indicates that HAN and the three GATA3 family genes coordinately regulate floral development, and their expression patterns are partially overlapping. HAN can homodimerize and heterodimerize with the three proteins encoded by these genes, and HAN directly binds to its own promoter and the GNC promoter in vivo. These findings, along with the fact that constitutive overexpression of HAN produces an even stronger phenotype than the loss-of-function mutation, support the hypothesis that HAN functions as a key repressor that regulates floral development via regulatory networks involving genes in the GATA3 family, along with genes involved in hormone action and floral organ specification.

Functional characterization of the GATA transcription factors GNC and CGA1 reveals their key role in chloroplast development, growth, and division in Arabidopsis

Chloroplasts develop from proplastids in a process that requires the interplay of nuclear and chloroplast genomes, but key steps in this developmental process have yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that the nucleus-localized transcription factors GATA NITRATE-INDUCIBLE CARBON-METABOLISM-INVOLVED (GNC) and CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA1 (CGA1) regulate chloroplast development, growth, and division in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). GNC and CGA1 are highly expressed in green tissues, and the phytohormone cytokinin regulates their expression. A gnc cga1 mutant exhibits a reduction in overall chlorophyll levels as well as in chloroplast size in the hypocotyl. Ectopic overexpression of either GNC or CGA1 promotes chloroplast biogenesis in hypocotyl cortex and root pericycle cells, based on increases in the number and size of the chloroplasts, and also results in expanded zones of chloroplast production into the epidermis of hypocotyls and cotyledons and into the cortex of roots. Ectopic overexpression also promotes the development of etioplasts from proplastids in dark-grown seedlings, subsequently enhancing the deetiolation process. Inducible expression of GNC demonstrates that GNC-mediated chloroplast biogenesis can be regulated postembryonically, notably so for chloroplast production in cotyledon epidermal cells. Analysis of the gnc cga1 loss-of-function and overexpression lines supports a role for these transcription factors in regulating the effects of cytokinin on chloroplast division. These data support a model in which GNC and CGA1 serve as two of the master transcriptional regulators of chloroplast biogenesis, acting downstream of cytokinin and mediating the development of chloroplasts from proplastids and enhancing chloroplast growth and division in specific tissues.

Gibberellin signaling in plants - the extended version

The plant hormone gibberellin (GA) controls major aspects of plant growth such as germination, elongation growth, flower development, and flowering time. In recent years, a number of studies have revealed less apparent roles for GA in a surprisingly broad set of developmental as well as cell biological processes. The identification of GA receptor proteins on the one end of the signaling cascade, DELLA proteins as central repressors of the pathway and transcription regulators such as the phytochrome interacting factors and the GATA-type transcription factors GNC and CGA1/GNL on the current other end of the signaling cascade have extended our knowledge about how GA and DELLAs regulate a diverse set of plant responses.

Gene regulation by cytokinin in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone cytokinin realizes at least part of its signaling output through the regulation of gene expression. A great part of the early transcriptional regulation is mediated by type-B response regulators, which are transcription factors of the MYB family. Other transcription factors, such as the cytokinin response factors of the AP2/ERF family, have also been shown to be involved in this process. Additional transcription factors mediate distinct parts of the cytokinin response through tissue- and cell-specific downstream transcriptional cascades. In Arabidopsis, only a single cytokinin response element, to which type-B response regulators bind, has been clearly proven so far, which has 5'-GAT(T/C)-3' as a core sequence. This motif has served to construct a synthetic cytokinin-sensitive two-component system response element, which is useful for monitoring the cellular cytokinin status. Insight into the extent of transcriptional regulation has been gained by genome-wide gene expression analyses following cytokinin treatment and from plants having an altered cytokinin content or signaling. This review presents a meta analysis of such microarray data resulting in a core list of cytokinin response genes. Genes encoding type-A response regulators displayed the most stable response to cytokinin, but a number of cytokinin metabolism genes (CKX4, CKX5, CYP735A2, UGT76C2) also belong to them, indicating homeostatic mechanisms operating at the transcriptional level. The cytokinin core response genes are also the target of other hormones as well as biotic and abiotic stresses, documenting crosstalk of the cytokinin system with other hormonal and environmental signaling pathways. The multiple links of cytokinin to diverse functions, ranging from control of meristem activity, hormonal crosstalk, nutrient acquisition, and various stress responses, are also corroborated by a compilation of genes that have been repeatedly found by independent gene expression profiling studies. Such functions are, at least in part, supported by genetic studies.

GNC and CGA1 modulate chlorophyll biosynthesis and glutamate synthase (GLU1/Fd-GOGAT) expression in Arabidopsis

Chloroplast development is an important determinant of plant productivity and is controlled by environmental factors including amounts of light and nitrogen as well as internal phytohormones including cytokinins and gibberellins (GA). The paralog GATA transcription factors GNC and CGA1/GNL up-regulated by light, nitrogen and cytokinin while also being repressed by GA signaling. Modifying the expression of these genes has previously been shown to influence chlorophyll content in Arabidopsis while also altering aspects of germination, elongation growth and flowering time. In this work, we also use transgenic lines to demonstrate that GNC and CGA1 exhibit a partially redundant control over chlorophyll biosynthesis. We provide novel evidence that GNC and CGA1 influence both chloroplast number and leaf starch in proportion to their transcript level. GNC and CGA1 were found to modify the expression of chloroplast localized GLUTAMATE SYNTHASE (GLU1/Fd-GOGAT), which is the primary factor controlling nitrogen assimilation in green tissue. Altering GNC and CGA1 expression was also found to modulate the expression of important chlorophyll biosynthesis genes (GUN4, HEMA1, PORB, and PORC). As previously demonstrated, the CGA1 transgenic plants demonstrated significantly altered timing to a number of developmental events including germination, leaf production, flowering time and senescence. In contrast, the GNC transgenic lines we analyzed maintain relatively normal growth phenotypes outside of differences in chloroplast development. Despite some evidence for partial divergence, results indicate that regulation of both GNC and CGA1 by light, nitrogen, cytokinin, and GA acts to modulate nitrogen assimilation, chloroplast development and starch production. Understanding the mechanisms controlling these processes is important for agricultural biotechnology.

Ectopic expression of different cytokinin-regulated transcription factor genes of Arabidopsis thaliana alters plant growth and development

The plant hormone cytokinin rapidly alters the steady state transcript levels of a number of transcription factor genes suggesting that these might have a function in mediating cytokinin effects. Here we report the analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana plants with an altered expression level of four different cytokinin-regulated transcription factor genes. These include GATA22 (also known as CGA1/GNL), two genes coding for members of the homeodomain zip (HD zip) class II transcription factor family (HAT4, HAT22), and bHLH64. Ectopic expression of the GATA22 gene induced the development of chloroplasts in root tissue where it is normally suppressed and led to the formation of shorter and less branched roots. Overexpression of HAT22 lowered the seedlings chlorophyll content and caused an earlier onset of leaf senescence. Enhanced expression of the HAT4 gene led to severe defects in inflorescence stem development and to a decrease in root growth and branching, while hat4 insertional mutants developed a larger root system. 35S:bHLH64 transgenic plants showed a pleiotropic phenotype, consisting of larger rosettes, reduced chlorophyll content and an elongated and thickened hypocotyl. Flower development was strongly disturbed leading to sterile plants. The results are consistent with specific functions of these transcription factor genes in regulating part of the cytokinin activities and suggest their action as convergence point with other signalling pathways, particularly those of gibberellin and light.

Understanding plant response to nitrogen limitation for the improvement of crop nitrogen use efficiency

Development of genetic varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for sustainable agriculture. Generally, NUE can be divided into two parts. First, assimilation efficiency involves nitrogen (N) uptake and assimilation and second utilization efficiency involves N remobilization. Understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes is crucial for the improvement of NUE in crop plants. One important approach is to develop an understanding of the plant response to different N regimes, especially to N limitation, using various methods including transcription profiling, analysing mutants defective in their normal response to N limitation, and studying plants that show better growth under N-limiting conditions. One can then attempt to improve NUE in crop plants using the knowledge gained from these studies. There are several potential genetic and molecular approaches for the improvement of crop NUE discussed in this review. Increased knowledge of how plants respond to different N levels as well as to other environmental conditions is required to achieve this.

The GATA-type transcription factors GNC and GNL/CGA1 repress gibberellin signaling downstream from DELLA proteins and PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS

The phytohormone gibberellin (GA) regulates various developmental processes in plants such as germination, greening, elongation growth, and flowering time. DELLA proteins, which are degraded in response to GA, repress GA signaling by inhibitory interactions with PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF) family transcription factors. How GA signaling is controlled downstream from the DELLA and PIF regulators is, at present, unclear. Here, we characterize GNC (GATA, NITRATE-INDUCIBLE, CARBON-METABOLISM INVOLVED) and GNL/CGA1 (GNC-LIKE/CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA FACTOR1), two homologous GATA-type transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana that we initially identified as GA-regulated genes. Our genetic analyses of loss-of-function mutants and overexpression lines establish that GNC and GNL are functionally redundant regulators of germination, greening, elongation growth and flowering time. We further show by chromatin immunoprecipitation that both genes are potentially direct transcription targets of PIF transcription factors, and that their expression is up-regulated in pif mutant backgrounds. In line with a key role of GNC or GNL downstream from DELLA and PIF signaling, we find that their overexpression leads to gene expression changes that largely resemble those observed in a ga1 biosynthesis mutant or a pif quadruple mutant. These findings, together with the fact that gnc and gnl loss-of-function mutations suppress ga1 phenotypes, support the hypothesis that GNC and GNL are important repressors of GA signaling downstream from the DELLA and PIF regulators.

The maize root stem cell niche: a partnership between two sister cell populations

Using transcript profile analysis, we explored the nature of the stem cell niche in roots of maize (Zea mays). Toward assessing a role for specific genes in the establishment and maintenance of the niche, we perturbed the niche and simultaneously monitored the spatial expression patterns of genes hypothesized as essential. Our results allow us to quantify and localize gene activities to specific portions of the niche: to the quiescent center (QC) or the proximal meristem (PM), or to both. The data point to molecular, biochemical and physiological processes associated with the specification and maintenance of the niche, and include reduced expression of metabolism-, redox- and certain cell cycle-associated transcripts in the QC, enrichment of auxin-associated transcripts within the entire niche, controls for the state of differentiation of QC cells, a role for cytokinins specifically in the PM portion of the niche, processes (repair machinery) for maintaining DNA integrity and a role for gene silencing in niche stabilization. To provide additional support for the hypothesized roles of the above-mentioned and other transcripts in niche specification, we overexpressed, in Arabidopsis, homologs of representative genes (eight) identified as highly enriched or reduced in the maize root QC. We conclude that the coordinated changes in expression of auxin-, redox-, cell cycle- and metabolism-associated genes suggest the linkage of gene networks at the level of transcription, thereby providing additional insights into events likely associated with root stem cell niche establishment and maintenance.

Cytokinin signaling: two-components and more

The hormone cytokinin is perceived via a phosphorelay that is similar to the two-component systems with which bacteria sense and respond to environmental stimuli. Characterization of two-component elements in Arabidopsis, maize and rice shows that cytokinin responses are mediated via partially redundant two-component protein families: histidine kinases, histidine phosphotransfer proteins and response regulators, as well as by novel players, such as the cytokinin response factors. Recent studies in the model plant Arabidopsis have revealed that cytokinin regulates these signaling components through a variety of mechanisms, including modulating transcription, controlling phosphorelay and regulating protein localization and stability. Genetic analyses of cytokinin signaling components have clarified the roles of cytokinin signaling in development and revealed novel functions for this 'classic' phytohormone.