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Yang X, Huang Y, Xia P. The property and function of proteins undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation in plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024. [PMID: 38808958 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
A wide variety of membrane-less organelles in cells play an essential role in regulating gene expression, RNA processing, plant growth and development, and helping organisms cope with changing external environments. In biology, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) usually refers to a reversible process in which one or more specific molecular components are spontaneously separated from the bulk environment, producing two distinct liquid phases: concentrated and dilute. LLPS may be a powerful cellular compartmentalisation mechanism whereby biocondensates formed via LLPS when biomolecules exceed critical or saturating concentrations in the environment where they are found will be generated. It has been widely used to explain the formation of membrane-less organelles in organisms. LLPS studies in the context of plant physiology are now widespread, but most of the research is still focused on non-plant systems; the study of phase separation in plants needs to be more thorough. Proteins and nucleic acids are the main components involved in LLPS. This review summarises the specific features and properties of biomolecules undergoing LLPS in plants. We describe in detail these biomolecules' structural characteristics, the mechanism of formation of condensates, and the functions of these condensates. Finally, We summarised the phase separation mechanisms in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengguo Xia
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Fan S, Zhang Y, Zhu S, Shen L. Plant RNA-binding proteins: Phase separation dynamics and functional mechanisms underlying plant development and stress responses. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:531-551. [PMID: 38419328 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) accompany RNA from synthesis to decay, mediating every aspect of RNA metabolism and impacting diverse cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes. Many RBPs undergo phase separation along with their bound RNA to form and function in dynamic membraneless biomolecular condensates for spatiotemporal coordination or regulation of RNA metabolism. Increasing evidence suggests that phase-separating RBPs with RNA-binding domains and intrinsically disordered regions play important roles in plant development and stress adaptation. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about how dynamic partitioning of RBPs into condensates controls plant development and enables sensing of experimental changes to confer growth plasticity under stress conditions, with a focus on the dynamics and functional mechanisms of RBP-rich nuclear condensates and cytoplasmic granules in mediating RNA metabolism. We also discuss roles of multiple factors, such as environmental signals, protein modifications, and N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation, in modulating the phase separation behaviors of RBPs, and highlight the prospects and challenges for future research on phase-separating RBPs in crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Fan
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Yu Zhang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Shaobo Zhu
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Lisha Shen
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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3
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Shang B, Li C, Zhang X. How intrinsically disordered proteins order plant gene silencing. Trends Genet 2024; 40:260-275. [PMID: 38296708 PMCID: PMC10932933 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) possess low sequence complexity of amino acids and display non-globular tertiary structures. They can act as scaffolds, form regulatory hubs, or trigger biomolecular condensation to control diverse aspects of biology. Emerging evidence has recently implicated critical roles of IDPs and IDR-contained proteins in nuclear transcription and cytoplasmic post-transcriptional processes, among other molecular functions. We here summarize the concepts and organizing principles of IDPs. We then illustrate recent progress in understanding the roles of key IDPs in machineries that regulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants, aiming at highlighting new modes of action of IDPs in controlling biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoshuan Shang
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization (Henan University), State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Changhao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xiuren Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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4
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Kim YO, Safdar M, Kang H, Kim J. Glycine-Rich RNA-Binding Protein AtGRP7 Functions in Nickel and Lead Tolerance in Arabidopsis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:187. [PMID: 38256744 PMCID: PMC10818801 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Plant glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) play crucial roles in the response to environmental stresses. However, the functions of AtGRP7 in plants under heavy metal stress remain unclear. In the present study, in Arabidopsis, the transcript level of AtGRP7 was markedly increased by Ni but was decreased by Pb. AtGRP7-overexpressing plants improved Ni tolerance, whereas the knockout mutant (grp7) was more susceptible than the wild type to Ni. In addition, grp7 showed greatly enhanced Pb tolerance, whereas overexpression lines showed high Pb sensitivity. Ni accumulation was reduced in overexpression lines but increased in grp7, whereas Pb accumulation in grp7 was lower than that in overexpression lines. Ni induced glutathione synthase genes GS1 and GS2 in overexpression lines, whereas Pb increased metallothionein genes MT4a and MT4b and phytochelatin synthase genes PCS1 and PCS2 in grp7. Furthermore, Ni increased CuSOD1 and GR1 in grp7, whereas Pb significantly induced FeSOD1 and FeSOD2 in overexpression lines. The mRNA stability of GS2 and PCS1 was directly regulated by AtGRP7 under Ni and Pb, respectively. Collectively, these results indicate that AtGRP7 plays a crucial role in Ni and Pb tolerance by reducing Ni and Pb accumulation and the direct or indirect post-transcriptional regulation of genes related to heavy metal chelators and antioxidant enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Ok Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
| | - Mahpara Safdar
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hunseung Kang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jangho Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
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5
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Wang J, Ma X, Hu Y, Feng G, Guo C, Zhang X, Ma H. Regulation of micro- and small-exon retention and other splicing processes by GRP20 for flower development. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:66-85. [PMID: 38195906 PMCID: PMC10808074 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01605-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is crucial for gene expression and depends on the spliceosome and splicing factors. Plant exons have an average size of ~180 nucleotides and typically contain motifs for interactions with spliceosome and splicing factors. Micro exons (<51 nucleotides) are found widely in eukaryotes and in genes for plant development and environmental responses. However, little is known about transcript-specific regulation of splicing in plants and about the regulators for micro exon splicing. Here we report that glycine-rich protein 20 (GRP20) is an RNA-binding protein and required for splicing of ~2,100 genes including those functioning in flower development and/or environmental responses. Specifically, GRP20 is required for micro-exon retention in transcripts of floral homeotic genes; these micro exons are conserved across angiosperms. GRP20 is also important for small-exon (51-100 nucleotides) splicing. In addition, GRP20 is required for flower development. Furthermore, GRP20 binds to poly-purine motifs in micro and small exons and a spliceosome component; both RNA binding and spliceosome interaction are important for flower development and micro-exon retention. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms of micro-exon retention in flower development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Xinwei Ma
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Guanhua Feng
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Chunce Guo
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Bamboo Germplasm Resources and Utilization, Forestry College, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Dragwidge JM, Van Damme D. Protein phase separation in plant membrane biology: more than just a compartmentalization strategy. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:3162-3172. [PMID: 37352127 PMCID: PMC10473209 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The formation of biomolecular condensates through phase separation is an important strategy to compartmentalize cellular functions. While it is now well established that condensates exist throughout eukaryotic cells, how condensates assemble and function on lipid membranes is only beginning to be understood. In this perspective, we highlight work from plant, animal, and yeast model systems showing that condensates assemble on many endomembrane surfaces to carry out diverse functions. In vesicle trafficking, condensation has reported roles in the formation of endocytic vesicles and autophagosomes and in the inactivation of secretory COPII vesicles. We briefly discuss how membranes and membrane lipids regulate the formation and function of membrane-associated condensates. This includes how membranes act as surfaces for condensate assembly, with lipids mediating the nucleation of condensates during endocytosis and other processes. Additionally, membrane-condensate interactions give rise to the biophysical property of "wetting", which has functional importance in shaping autophagosomal and vacuolar membranes. We also speculate on the existence of membrane-associated condensates during cell polarity in plants and discuss how condensation may help to establish functional plasma membrane domains. Lastly, we provide advice on relevant in vitro and in vivo approaches and techniques to study membrane-associated phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Michael Dragwidge
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniël Van Damme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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7
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Guo G, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li T. Sequence variations of phase-separating proteins and resources for studying biomolecular condensates. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1119-1132. [PMID: 37464880 PMCID: PMC10423696 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase separation (PS) is an important mechanism underlying the formation of biomolecular condensates. Physiological condensates are associated with numerous biological processes, such as transcription, immunity, signaling, and synaptic transmission. Changes in particular amino acids or segments can disturb the protein's phase behavior and interactions with other biomolecules in condensates. It is thus presumed that variations in the phase-separating-prone domains can significantly impact the properties and functions of condensates. The dysfunction of condensates contributes to a number of pathological processes. Pharmacological perturbation of these condensates is proposed as a promising way to restore physiological states. In this review, we characterize the variations observed in PS proteins that lead to aberrant biomolecular compartmentalization. We also showcase recent advancements in bioinformatics of membraneless organelles (MLOs), focusing on available databases useful for screening PS proteins and describing endogenous condensates, guiding researchers to seek the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaigai Guo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
- Key Laboratory for NeuroscienceMinistry of Education/National Health Commission of ChinaPeking UniversityBeijing100191China
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8
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Zhang Y, Li Z, Chen N, Huang Y, Huang S. Correction: Phase separation of Arabidopsis EMB1579 controls transcription, mRNA splicing, and development. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002095. [PMID: 37023391 PMCID: PMC10079304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000782.].
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9
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Wang L, Xu F, Yu F. Two environmental signal-driven RNA metabolic processes: Alternative splicing and translation. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:718-732. [PMID: 36609800 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants live in fixed locations and have evolved adaptation mechanisms that integrate multiple responses to various environmental signals. Among the different components of these response pathways, receptors/sensors represent nodes that recognise environmental signals. Additionally, RNA metabolism plays an essential role in the regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis. With the development of RNA biotechnology, recent advances have been made in determining the roles of RNA metabolism in response to different environmental signals-especially the roles of alternative splicing and translation. In this review, we discuss recent progress in research on how the environmental adaptation mechanisms in plants are affected at the posttranscriptional level. These findings improve our understanding of the mechanism through which plants adapt to environmental changes by regulating the posttranscriptional level and are conducive for breeding stress-tolerant plants to cope with dynamic and rapidly changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Fan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, China
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10
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Ostendorp A, Ostendorp S, Zhou Y, Chaudron Z, Wolffram L, Rombi K, von Pein L, Falke S, Jeffries CM, Svergun DI, Betzel C, Morris RJ, Kragler F, Kehr J. Intrinsically disordered plant protein PARCL colocalizes with RNA in phase-separated condensates whose formation can be regulated by mutating the PLD. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102631. [PMID: 36273579 PMCID: PMC9679465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In higher plants, long-distance RNA transport via the phloem is crucial for communication between distant plant tissues to align development with stress responses and reproduction. Several recent studies suggest that specific RNAs are among the potential long-distance information transmitters. However, it is yet not well understood how these RNAs enter the phloem stream, how they are transported, and how they are released at their destination. It was proposed that phloem RNA-binding proteins facilitate RNA translocation. In the present study, we characterized two orthologs of the phloem-associated RNA chaperone-like (PARCL) protein from Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus at functional and structural levels. Microscale thermophoresis showed that these phloem-abundant proteins can bind a broad spectrum of RNAs and show RNA chaperone activity in FRET-based in vitro assays. Our SAXS experiments revealed a high degree of disorder, typical for RNA-binding proteins. In agroinfiltrated tobacco plants, eYFP-PARCL proteins mainly accumulated in nuclei and nucleoli and formed cytosolic and nuclear condensates. We found that formation of these condensates was impaired by tyrosine-to-glutamate mutations in the predicted prion-like domain (PLD), while C-terminal serine-to-glutamate mutations did not affect condensation but reduced RNA binding and chaperone activity. Furthermore, our in vitro experiments confirmed phase separation of PARCL and colocalization of RNA with the condensates, while mutation as well as phosphorylation of the PLD reduced phase separation. Together, our results suggest that RNA binding and condensate formation of PARCL can be regulated independently by modification of the C-terminus and/or the PLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ostendorp
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany,For correspondence: Anna Ostendorp
| | - Steffen Ostendorp
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Department II, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Zoé Chaudron
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Wolffram
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Khadija Rombi
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Linn von Pein
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Falke
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany,Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cy M. Jeffries
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Site, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitri I. Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Site, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Betzel
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany,Universität Hamburg, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Richard J. Morris
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Friedrich Kragler
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Department II, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Kehr
- Universität Hamburg, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
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Liu ZW, Simmons CH, Zhong X. Linking transcriptional silencing with chromatin remodeling, folding, and positioning in the nucleus. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102261. [PMID: 35841650 PMCID: PMC10014033 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin organization is important for many DNA-templated processes in eukaryotic cells such as replication and transcription. Recent studies have uncovered the capacity of epigenetic modifications, phase separation, and nuclear architecture and spatial positioning to regulate chromatin organization in both plants and animals. Here, we provide an overview of the recent progress made in understanding how chromatin is organized within the nucleus at both the local and global levels with respect to the regulation of transcriptional silencing in plants. To be concise while covering important mechanisms across a range of scales, we focus on how epigenetic modifications and chromatin remodelers alter local chromatin structure, how liquid-liquid phase separation physically separates broader chromatin domains into distinct droplets, and how nuclear positioning affects global chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang-Wei Liu
- Laboratory of Genetics & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Carl H Simmons
- Laboratory of Genetics & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Xuehua Zhong
- Laboratory of Genetics & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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12
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Xiong F, Ren JJ, Wang YY, Zhou Z, Qi HD, Otegui MS, Wang XL. An Arabidopsis Retention and Splicing complex regulates root and embryo development through pre-mRNA splicing. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:621-639. [PMID: 35640107 PMCID: PMC9434225 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is an important step in the posttranscriptional processing of transcripts and a key regulator of development. The heterotrimeric retention and splicing (RES) complex plays vital roles in the growth and development of yeast, zebrafish, and humans by mediating pre-mRNA splicing of multiple genes. However, whether the RES complex is conserved in plants and what specific functions it has remain unknown. In this study, we identified Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) BUD13 (AtBUD13), GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND SPLICING 1 (GDS1), and DAWDLE (DDL) as the counterparts of the yeast RES complex subunits Bud site selection protein 13 (Bud13), U2 snRNP component Snu17 (Snu17), and Pre-mRNA leakage protein 1, respectively. Moreover, we showed that RES is an ancient complex evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes. GDS1 directly interacts with both AtBUD13 and DDL in nuclear speckles. The BUD13 domain of AtBUD13 and the RNA recognition motif domain of GDS1 are necessary and sufficient for AtBUD13-GDS1 interaction. Mutants of AtBUD13, GDS1, and DDL failed to properly splice multiple genes involved in cell proliferation and showed defects in early embryogenesis and root development. In addition, we found that GDS1 and DDL interact, respectively, with the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins auxiliary factor AtU2AF65B and the NineTeen Complex-related splicing factor SKIP, which are essential for early steps of spliceosome assembly and recognition of splice sites. Altogether, our work reveals that the Arabidopsis RES complex is important for root and early embryo development by modulating pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Jing-Jing Ren
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Yu-Yi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Zhou Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Hao-Dong Qi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Marisa S Otegui
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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13
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Yang D, Zhao F, Zhu D, Chen X, Kong X, Wu Y, Chen M, Du J, Qu LJ, Wu Z. Progressive chromatin silencing of ABA biosynthesis genes permits seed germination in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2871-2891. [PMID: 35522002 PMCID: PMC9338806 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Seed germination represents a major developmental switch in plants that is vital to agriculture, but how this process is controlled at the chromatin level remains obscure. Here we demonstrate that successful germination in Arabidopsis thaliana requires a chromatin mechanism that progressively silences 9-CIS-EPOXYCAROTENOID DIOXYGENASE 6 (NCED6), which encodes a rate-limiting enzyme in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, through the cooperative action of the RNA-binding protein RZ-1 and the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Simultaneous inactivation of RZ-1 and PRC2 blocked germination and synergistically derepressed NCEDs and hundreds of genes. At NCED6, in part by promoting H3 deacetylation and suppressing H3K4me3, RZ-1 facilitates transcriptional silencing and also an H3K27me3 accumulation process that occurs during seed germination and early seedling growth. Genome-wide analysis revealed that RZ-1 is preferentially required for transcriptional silencing of many PRC2 targets early during seed germination, when H3K27me3 is not yet established. We propose RZ-1 confers a novel silencing mechanism to compensate for and synergize with PRC2. Our work highlights the progressive chromatin silencing of ABA biosynthesis genes via the RNA-binding protein RZ-1 and PRC2 acting in synergy, a process that is vital for seed germination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danling Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiangxiong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yufeng Wu
- National Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Jiamu Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Li-Jia Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Author for correspondence:
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14
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Nsengimana B, Khan FA, Awan UA, Wang D, Fang N, Wei W, Zhang W, Ji S. Pseudogenes and Liquid Phase Separation in Epigenetic Expression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:912282. [PMID: 35875144 PMCID: PMC9305658 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.912282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes have been considered as non-functional genes. However, peptides and long non-coding RNAs produced by pseudogenes are expressed in different tumors. Moreover, the dysregulation of pseudogenes is associated with cancer, and their expressions are higher in tumors compared to normal tissues. Recent studies show that pseudogenes can influence the liquid phase condensates formation. Liquid phase separation involves regulating different epigenetic stages, including transcription, chromatin organization, 3D DNA structure, splicing, and post-transcription modifications like m6A. Several membrane-less organelles, formed through the liquid phase separate, are also involved in the epigenetic regulation, and their defects are associated with cancer development. However, the association between pseudogenes and liquid phase separation remains unrevealed. The current study sought to investigate the relationship between pseudogenes and liquid phase separation in cancer development, as well as their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Nsengimana
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Faiz Ali Khan
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Basic Sciences Research, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Usman Ayub Awan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Dandan Wang
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Na Fang
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wenqiang Wei
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Wenqiang Wei, ; Weijuan Zhang, ; Shaoping Ji,
| | - Weijuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Wenqiang Wei, ; Weijuan Zhang, ; Shaoping Ji,
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Wenqiang Wei, ; Weijuan Zhang, ; Shaoping Ji,
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15
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Xia X, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wang L, An Q, Tu Q, Wu L, Jiang P, Zhang P, Yu L, Li G, He Y. Characterization of the WAK Gene Family Reveals Genes for FHB Resistance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137157. [PMID: 35806165 PMCID: PMC9266398 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are important receptor-like proteins that play major roles in plant defense against pathogens. Fusarium head blight (FHB), one of the most widespread and devastating crop diseases, reduces wheat yield and leads to quality deterioration. Although WAK gene families have been studied in many plants, systematic research on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and its role in FHB resistance, in particular, is lacking. In this study, we identified and characterized 320 genes of the TaWAK family in wheat distributed across all chromosomes except 4B and divided them into three phylogenetic groups. Duplication and synteny analyses provided valuable information on the evolutionary characteristics of the TaWAK genes. The gene expression pattern analysis suggested that TaWAK genes play diverse roles in plant biological processes and that at least 30 genes may be involved in the response to Fusarium infection in wheat spikes, with most of the genes contributing to pectin- and chitin-induced defense pathways. Furthermore, 45 TaWAK genes were identified within 17 hcmQTLs that are related to wheat FHB resistance. Our findings provide potential candidate genes for improving FHB resistance and insights into the future functional analysis of TaWAK genes in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Xia
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yicong Zhang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Lirong Wang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Qi An
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Lei Wu
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Peng Jiang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Peng Zhang
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lixuan Yu
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
| | - Gang Li
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yi He
- CIMMYT-JAAS Joint Center for Wheat Diseases, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation in Downstream of Huaihe River (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.X.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.); (Q.A.); (Q.T.); (L.W.); (P.J.); (P.Z.); (L.Y.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (Y.H.)
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16
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Huang X, Xiao N, Zou Y, Xie Y, Tang L, Zhang Y, Yu Y, Li Y, Xu C. Heterotypic transcriptional condensates formed by prion-like paralogous proteins canalize flowering transition in tomato. Genome Biol 2022; 23:78. [PMID: 35287709 PMCID: PMC8919559 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02646-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paralogs that arise from gene duplications during genome evolution enable genetic redundancy and phenotypic robustness. Variation in the coding or regulatory sequence of paralogous transcriptional regulators diversifies their functions and relationships, which provides developmental robustness against genetic or environmental perturbation. The fate transition of plant shoot stem cells for flowering and reproductive success requires a robust transcriptional control. However, how paralogs function and interact to achieve such robustness is unknown. RESULTS Here, we explore the genetic relationship and protein behavior of ALOG family transcriptional factors with diverse transcriptional abundance in shoot meristems. A mutant spectrum covers single and higher-order mutant combinations of five ALOG paralogs and creates a continuum of flowering transition defects, showing gradually enhanced precocious flowering, along with inflorescence simplification from wild-type-like to progressively fewer flowers until solitary flower with sterile floral organs. Therefore, these paralogs play unequal roles and act together to achieve a robust genetic canalization. All five proteins contain prion-like intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and undergo phase separation. Accumulated mutations following gene duplications lead to IDR variations among ALOG paralogs, resulting in divergent phase separation and transcriptional regulation capabilities. Remarkably, they retain the ancestral abilities to assemble into a heterotypic condensate that prevents precocious activation of the floral identity gene ANANTHA. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a novel genetic canalization mechanism enabled by heterotypic transcriptional condensates formed by paralogous protein interactions and phase separation, uncovering the molecular link between gene duplication caused IDR variation and robust transcriptional control of stem cell fate transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yupan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingli Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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17
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Godwin J, Farrona S. The Importance of Networking: Plant Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 and Its Interactors. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6010008. [PMID: 35323212 PMCID: PMC8948837 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is arguably the best-known plant complex of the Polycomb Group (PcG) pathway, formed by a group of proteins that epigenetically represses gene expression. PRC2-mediated deposition of H3K27me3 has amply been studied in Arabidopsis and, more recently, data from other plant model species has also been published, allowing for an increasing knowledge of PRC2 activities and target genes. How PRC2 molecular functions are regulated and how PRC2 is recruited to discrete chromatin regions are questions that have brought more attention in recent years. A mechanism to modulate PRC2-mediated activity is through its interaction with other protein partners or accessory proteins. Current evidence for PRC2 interactors has demonstrated the complexity of its protein network and how far we are from fully understanding the impact of these interactions on the activities of PRC2 core subunits and on the formation of new PRC2 versions. This review presents a list of PRC2 interactors, emphasizing their mechanistic action upon PRC2 functions and their effects on transcriptional regulation.
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18
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Schmitz RJ, Grotewold E, Stam M. Cis-regulatory sequences in plants: Their importance, discovery, and future challenges. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:718-741. [PMID: 34918159 PMCID: PMC8824567 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of cis-regulatory DNA sequences and how they function to coordinate responses to developmental and environmental cues is of paramount importance to plant biology. Key to these regulatory processes are cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), which include enhancers and silencers. Despite the extraordinary advances in high-quality sequence assemblies and genome annotations, the identification and understanding of CRMs, and how they regulate gene expression, lag significantly behind. This is especially true for their distinguishing characteristics and activity states. Here, we review the current knowledge on CRMs and breakthrough technologies enabling identification, characterization, and validation of CRMs; we compare the genomic distributions of CRMs with respect to their target genes between different plant species, and discuss the role of transposable elements harboring CRMs in the evolution of gene expression. This is an exciting time to study cis-regulomes in plants; however, significant existing challenges need to be overcome to fully understand and appreciate the role of CRMs in plant biology and in crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Schmitz
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Erich Grotewold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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19
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Lei Z, Wang L, Kim EY, Cho J. Phase separation of chromatin and small RNA pathways in plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 108:1256-1265. [PMID: 34585805 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including chromatin modifications and small regulatory RNAs. These pathways are unevenly distributed within a cell and usually take place in specific intracellular regions. Unfortunately, the fundamental driving force and biological relevance of such spatial differentiation is largely unknown. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a natural propensity of demixing liquid phases and has been recently suggested to mediate the formation of biomolecular condensates that are relevant to diverse cellular processes. LLPS provides a mechanistic explanation for the self-assembly of subcellular structures by which the efficiency and specificity of certain cellular reactions are achieved. In plants, LLPS has been observed for several key factors in the chromatin and small RNA pathways. For example, the formation of facultative and obligate heterochromatin involves the LLPS of multiple relevant factors. In addition, phase separation is observed in a set of proteins acting in microRNA biogenesis and the small interfering RNA pathway. In this Focused Review, we highlight and discuss the recent findings regarding phase separation in the epigenetic mechanisms of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lei
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ling Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Eun Yu Kim
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jungnam Cho
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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20
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Xu X, Zheng C, Lu D, Song CP, Zhang L. Phase separation in plants: New insights into cellular compartmentalization. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:1835-1855. [PMID: 34314106 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge for cells is how to coordinate various biochemical reactions in space and time. To achieve spatiotemporal control, cells have developed organelles that are surrounded by lipid bilayer membranes. Further, membraneless compartmentalization, a process induced by dynamic physical association of biomolecules through phase transition offers another efficient mechanism for intracellular organization. While our understanding of phase separation was predominantly dependent on yeast and animal models, recent findings have provided compelling evidence for emerging roles of phase separation in plants. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current knowledge of phase separation, including its definition, biophysical principles, molecular features and regulatory mechanisms. Then we summarize plant-specific phase separation phenomena and describe their functions in plant biological processes in great detail. Moreover, we propose that phase separation is an evolutionarily conserved and efficient mechanism for cellular compartmentalization which allows for distinct metabolic processes and signaling pathways, and is especially beneficial for the sessile lifestyle of plants to quickly and efficiently respond to the changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Canhui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Dandan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Chun-Peng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
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21
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Liu X, Wan Y, An J, Zhang X, Cao Y, Li Z, Liu X, Ma H. Morphological, Physiological, and Molecular Responses of Sweetly Fragrant Luculia gratissima During the Floral Transition Stage Induced by Short-Day Photoperiod. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:715683. [PMID: 34456954 PMCID: PMC8385556 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.715683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Photoperiod-regulated floral transition is vital to the flowering plant. Luculia gratissima "Xiangfei" is a flowering ornamental plant with high development potential economically and is a short-day woody perennial. However, the genetic regulation of short-day-induced floral transition in L. gratissima is unclear. To systematically research the responses of L. gratissima during this process, dynamic changes in morphology, physiology, and transcript levels were observed and identified in different developmental stages of long-day- and short-day-treated L. gratissima plants. We found that floral transition in L. gratissima occurred 10 d after short-day induction, but flower bud differentiation did not occur at any stage under long-day conditions. A total of 1,226 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 146 genes were associated with flowering pathways of sugar, phytohormones, photoperiod, ambient temperature, and aging signals, as well as floral integrator and meristem identity genes. The trehalose-6-phosphate signal positively modulated floral transition by interacting with SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING-LIKE PROTEIN 4 (SPL4) in the aging pathway. Endogenous gibberellin, abscisic acid, cytokinin, and jasmonic acid promoted floral transition, whereas strigolactone inhibited it. In the photoperiod pathway, FD, CONSTANS-LIKE 12, and nuclear factors Y positively controlled floral transition, whereas PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 7, FLAVIN-BINDING KELCH REPEAT F-BOX PROTEIN 1, and LUX negatively regulated it. SPL4 and pEARLI1 positively affected floral transition. Suppressor of Overexpression of Constans 1 and AGAMOUSLIKE24 integrated multiple flowering signals to modulate the expression of FRUITFULL/AGL8, AP1, LEAFY, SEPALLATAs, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, and TERMINAL FLOWER 1, thereby regulating floral transition. Finally, we propose a regulatory network model for short-day-induced floral transition in L. gratissima. This study improves our understanding of flowering time regulation in L. gratissima and provides knowledge for its production and commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfang Liu
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Youming Wan
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Jing An
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Xiujiao Zhang
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Yurong Cao
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Zhenghong Li
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Xiuxian Liu
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Ma
- Research Institute of Resources Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, China
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22
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Dorone Y, Boeynaems S, Flores E, Jin B, Hateley S, Bossi F, Lazarus E, Pennington JG, Michiels E, De Decker M, Vints K, Baatsen P, Bassel GW, Otegui MS, Holehouse AS, Exposito-Alonso M, Sukenik S, Gitler AD, Rhee SY. A prion-like protein regulator of seed germination undergoes hydration-dependent phase separation. Cell 2021; 184:4284-4298.e27. [PMID: 34233164 PMCID: PMC8513799 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many organisms evolved strategies to survive desiccation. Plant seeds protect dehydrated embryos from various stressors and can lay dormant for millennia. Hydration is the key trigger to initiate germination, but the mechanism by which seeds sense water remains unresolved. We identified an uncharacterized Arabidopsis thaliana prion-like protein we named FLOE1, which phase separates upon hydration and allows the embryo to sense water stress. We demonstrate that biophysical states of FLOE1 condensates modulate its biological function in vivo in suppressing seed germination under unfavorable environments. We find intragenic, intraspecific, and interspecific natural variation in FLOE1 expression and phase separation and show that intragenic variation is associated with adaptive germination strategies in natural populations. This combination of molecular, organismal, and ecological studies uncovers FLOE1 as a tunable environmental sensor with direct implications for the design of drought-resistant crops, in the face of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanniv Dorone
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven Boeynaems
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eduardo Flores
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UC Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | - Benjamin Jin
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shannon Hateley
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Flavia Bossi
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elena Lazarus
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Janice G Pennington
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Emiel Michiels
- EM-platform@VIB Bio Imaging Core and VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathias De Decker
- EM-platform@VIB Bio Imaging Core and VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katlijn Vints
- EM-platform@VIB Bio Imaging Core and VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Baatsen
- EM-platform@VIB Bio Imaging Core and VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - George W Bassel
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Marisa S Otegui
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Alex S Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Moises Exposito-Alonso
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shahar Sukenik
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UC Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Seung Y Rhee
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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23
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Sanchez-Burgos I, Joseph JA, Collepardo-Guevara R, Espinosa JR. Size conservation emerges spontaneously in biomolecular condensates formed by scaffolds and surfactant clients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15241. [PMID: 34315935 PMCID: PMC8316449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are liquid-like membraneless compartments that contribute to the spatiotemporal organization of proteins, RNA, and other biomolecules inside cells. Some membraneless compartments, such as nucleoli, are dispersed as different condensates that do not grow beyond a certain size, or do not present coalescence over time. In this work, using a minimal protein model, we show that phase separation of binary mixtures of scaffolds and low-valency clients that can act as surfactants-i.e., that significantly reduce the droplet surface tension-can yield either a single drop or multiple droplets that conserve their sizes on long timescales (herein 'multidroplet size-conserved' scenario'), depending on the scaffold to client ratio. Our simulations demonstrate that protein connectivity and condensate surface tension regulate the balance between these two scenarios. The multidroplet size-conserved scenario spontaneously arises at increasing surfactant-to-scaffold concentrations, when the interfacial penalty for creating small liquid droplets is sufficiently reduced by the surfactant proteins that are preferentially located at the interface. In contrast, low surfactant-to-scaffold concentrations enable continuous growth and fusion of droplets without restrictions. Overall, our work proposes one thermodynamic mechanism to help rationalize how size-conserved coexisting condensates can persist inside cells-shedding light on the roles of protein connectivity, binding affinity, and droplet composition in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Sanchez-Burgos
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Jerelle A Joseph
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Rosana Collepardo-Guevara
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Jorge R Espinosa
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
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24
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Kim J, Lee H, Lee HG, Seo PJ. Get closer and make hotspots: liquid-liquid phase separation in plants. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51656. [PMID: 33913240 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) facilitates the formation of membraneless compartments in a cell and allows the spatiotemporal organization of biochemical reactions by concentrating macromolecules locally. In plants, LLPS defines cellular reaction hotspots, and stimulus-responsive LLPS is tightly linked to a variety of cellular and biological functions triggered by exposure to various internal and external stimuli, such as stress responses, hormone signaling, and temperature sensing. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of physicochemical forces and molecular factors that drive LLPS in plant cells. We illustrate how the biochemical features of cellular condensates contribute to their biological functions. Additionally, we highlight major challenges for the comprehensive understanding of biological LLPS, especially in view of the dynamic and robust organization of biochemical reactions underlying plastic responses to environmental fluctuations in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hongwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong Gil Lee
- Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Pil Joon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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25
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Parker MT, Knop K, Zacharaki V, Sherwood AV, Tomé D, Yu X, Martin PGP, Beynon J, Michaels SD, Barton GJ, Simpson GG. Widespread premature transcription termination of Arabidopsis thaliana NLR genes by the spen protein FPA. eLife 2021; 10:e65537. [PMID: 33904405 PMCID: PMC8116057 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes involved in disease resistance are some of the fastest evolving and most diverse components of genomes. Large numbers of nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes are found in plant genomes and are required for disease resistance. However, NLRs can trigger autoimmunity, disrupt beneficial microbiota or reduce fitness. It is therefore crucial to understand how NLRs are controlled. Here, we show that the RNA-binding protein FPA mediates widespread premature cleavage and polyadenylation of NLR transcripts, thereby controlling their functional expression and impacting immunity. Using long-read Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, we resolved the complexity of NLR transcript processing and gene annotation. Our results uncover a co-transcriptional layer of NLR control with implications for understanding the regulatory and evolutionary dynamics of NLRs in the immune responses of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Knop
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Anna V Sherwood
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel Tomé
- School of Life Sciences, University of WarwickCoventryUnited Kingdom
| | - Xuhong Yu
- Department of Biology, Indiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Pascal GP Martin
- Department of Biology, Indiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | - Jim Beynon
- School of Life Sciences, University of WarwickCoventryUnited Kingdom
| | - Scott D Michaels
- Department of Biology, Indiana UniversityBloomingtonUnited States
| | | | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
- The James Hutton InstituteInvergowrieUnited Kingdom
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26
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Farahi N, Lazar T, Wodak SJ, Tompa P, Pancsa R. Integration of Data from Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Databases Highlights Concentration and Dosage Sensitivity of LLPS Drivers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063017. [PMID: 33809541 PMCID: PMC8002189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a molecular process that leads to the formation of membraneless organelles, representing functionally specialized liquid-like cellular condensates formed by proteins and nucleic acids. Integrating the data on LLPS-associated proteins from dedicated databases revealed only modest agreement between them and yielded a high-confidence dataset of 89 human LLPS drivers. Analysis of the supporting evidence for our dataset uncovered a systematic and potentially concerning difference between protein concentrations used in a good fraction of the in vitro LLPS experiments, a key parameter that governs the phase behavior, and the proteomics-derived cellular abundance levels of the corresponding proteins. Closer scrutiny of the underlying experimental data enabled us to offer a sound rationale for this systematic difference, which draws on our current understanding of the cellular organization of the proteome and the LLPS process. In support of this rationale, we find that genes coding for our human LLPS drivers tend to be dosage-sensitive, suggesting that their cellular availability is tightly regulated to preserve their functional role in direct or indirect relation to condensate formation. Our analysis offers guideposts for increasing agreement between in vitro and in vivo studies, probing the roles of proteins in LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Farahi
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (N.F.); (T.L.); (S.J.W.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Tamas Lazar
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (N.F.); (T.L.); (S.J.W.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Shoshana J. Wodak
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (N.F.); (T.L.); (S.J.W.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Tompa
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (N.F.); (T.L.); (S.J.W.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence: (P.T.); (R.P.)
| | - Rita Pancsa
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence: (P.T.); (R.P.)
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27
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Zhang X, Man Y, Zhuang X, Shen J, Zhang Y, Cui Y, Yu M, Xing J, Wang G, Lian N, Hu Z, Ma L, Shen W, Yang S, Xu H, Bian J, Jing Y, Li X, Li R, Mao T, Jiao Y, Sodmergen, Ren H, Lin J. Plant multiscale networks: charting plant connectivity by multi-level analysis and imaging techniques. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:1392-1422. [PMID: 33974222 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In multicellular and even single-celled organisms, individual components are interconnected at multiscale levels to produce enormously complex biological networks that help these systems maintain homeostasis for development and environmental adaptation. Systems biology studies initially adopted network analysis to explore how relationships between individual components give rise to complex biological processes. Network analysis has been applied to dissect the complex connectivity of mammalian brains across different scales in time and space in The Human Brain Project. In plant science, network analysis has similarly been applied to study the connectivity of plant components at the molecular, subcellular, cellular, organic, and organism levels. Analysis of these multiscale networks contributes to our understanding of how genotype determines phenotype. In this review, we summarized the theoretical framework of plant multiscale networks and introduced studies investigating plant networks by various experimental and computational modalities. We next discussed the currently available analytic methodologies and multi-level imaging techniques used to map multiscale networks in plants. Finally, we highlighted some of the technical challenges and key questions remaining to be addressed in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yi Man
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhuang
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jinbo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yaning Cui
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jingjing Xing
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 457004, China
| | - Guangchao Wang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Na Lian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zijian Hu
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Lingyu Ma
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weiwei Shen
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shunyao Yang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiahui Bian
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yanping Jing
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ruili Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Tonglin Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuling Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Sodmergen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Haiyun Ren
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jinxing Lin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China. .,College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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28
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Sanchez-Burgos I, Espinosa JR, Joseph JA, Collepardo-Guevara R. Valency and Binding Affinity Variations Can Regulate the Multilayered Organization of Protein Condensates with Many Components. Biomolecules 2021; 11:278. [PMID: 33672806 PMCID: PMC7918469 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, which assemble via the process of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), are multicomponent compartments found ubiquitously inside cells. Experiments and simulations have shown that biomolecular condensates with many components can exhibit multilayered organizations. Using a minimal coarse-grained model for interacting multivalent proteins, we investigate the thermodynamic parameters governing the formation of multilayered condensates through changes in protein valency and binding affinity. We focus on multicomponent condensates formed by scaffold proteins (high-valency proteins that can phase separate on their own via homotypic interactions) and clients (proteins recruited to condensates via heterotypic scaffold-client interactions). We demonstrate that higher valency species are sequestered to the center of the multicomponent condensates, while lower valency proteins cluster towards the condensate interface. Such multilayered condensate architecture maximizes the density of LLPS-stabilizing molecular interactions, while simultaneously reducing the surface tension of the condensates. In addition, multilayered condensates exhibit rapid exchanges of low valency proteins in and out, while keeping higher valency proteins-the key biomolecules involved in condensate nucleation-mostly within. We also demonstrate how modulating the binding affinities among the different proteins in a multicomponent condensate can significantly transform its multilayered structure, and even trigger fission of a condensate into multiple droplets with different compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Sanchez-Burgos
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK; (I.S.-B.); (J.R.E.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Jorge R. Espinosa
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK; (I.S.-B.); (J.R.E.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Jerelle A. Joseph
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK; (I.S.-B.); (J.R.E.); (J.A.J.)
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Rosana Collepardo-Guevara
- Maxwell Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK; (I.S.-B.); (J.R.E.); (J.A.J.)
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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