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Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Xiao J, Huang M, Zhuo L, Zhang D. Enhancement of salt tolerance of alfalfa: Physiological and molecular responses of transgenic alfalfa plants expressing Syntrichia caninervis-derived ScABI3. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 207:108335. [PMID: 38190765 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108335] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial forage plant, is a rich source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Salt stress, however, impedes its growth. The plant-specific transcription factor abscisic acid insensitive 3 (ABI3) has a critical contribution to the control of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway and abiotic stress response. The gene ScABI3 from Syntrichia caninervis, a moss species tolerant to desiccation, could be considered a potential candidate gene to modify alfalfa's nutritional and growth aspects. However, it remains unclear how ScABI3 affects the salt stress response of transgenic alfalfa. Therefore, we elucidated the role and molecular mechanism of ScABI3 from S. caninervis as an ABA signaling factor in transgenic alfalfa. Our findings demonstrate that ScABI3 overexpression in transgenic alfalfa improves salt tolerance by promoting relative water content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and photosynthetic parameters. Furthermore, the key genes of plant hormone signaling and the classical salt tolerance pathway were activated in ScABI3 transgenic lines under salt stress. Based on these results, ScABI3 could be considered a potentially critical candidate gene to alleviate salt stress in alfalfa. The present study provides valuable insights for developing transgenic crop breeding strategies for saline-alkaline soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yigong Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Jiangyuan Xiao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Mingqi Huang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Lu Zhuo
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China.
| | - Daoyuan Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
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2
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Wang L, Tanveer M, Wang H, Arnao MB. Melatonin as a key regulator in seed germination under abiotic stress. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12937. [PMID: 38241678 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Seed germination (SG) is the first stage in a plant's life and has an immense importance in sustaining crop production. Abiotic stresses reduce SG by increasing the deterioration of seed quality, and reducing germination potential, and seed vigor. Thus, to achieve a sustainable level of crop yield, it is important to improve SG under abiotic stress conditions. Melatonin (MEL) is an important biomolecule that interplays in developmental processes and regulates many adaptive responses in plants, especially under abiotic stresses. Thus, this review specifically summarizes and discusses the mechanistic basis of MEL-mediated SG under abiotic stresses. MEL regulates SG by regulating some stress-specific responses and some common responses. For instance, MEL induced stress specific responses include the regulation of ionic homeostasis, and hydrolysis of storage proteins under salinity stress, regulation of C-repeat binding factors signaling under cold stress, starch metabolism under high temperature and heavy metal stress, and activation of aquaporins and accumulation of osmolytes under drought stress. On other hand, MEL mediated regulation of gibberellins biosynthesis and abscisic acid catabolism, redox homeostasis, and Ca2+ signaling are amongst the common responses. Nonetheless factors such as endogenous MEL contents, plant species, and growth conditions also influence above-mentioned responses. In conclusion, MEL regulates SG under abiotic stress conditions by interacting with different physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Mohsin Tanveer
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Hongling Wang
- CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Marino B Arnao
- Phytohormones & Plant Development Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology (Plant Physiology), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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3
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Li Q, Guan C, Zhao Y, Duan X, Yang Z, Zhu J. Salicylic acid alleviates Zn-induced inhibition of growth via enhancing antioxidant system and glutathione metabolism in alfalfa. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 265:115500. [PMID: 37757624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115500] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is considered as one of the heavy metal pollutants in soil affecting agriculture. Salicylic acid (SA) is an important phytohormone that can mitigate effects against various abiotic stresses in plants, however, its exploration to improve Zn stress tolerance in alfalfa plants is still elusive. Thus, in the present study, exogenous SA treatment was conducted on alfalfa plants under Zn stress. The effects of exogenous SA on the physiological effects of alfalfa plants and the expression levels related genes were studied. This study tested the biomass, relative water content, chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic capacity, proline and soluble sugar contents, detected the activity of antioxidant enzymes (such as peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), glutathione biosynthesis, and endogenous SA levels, and quantified the genes associated with the antioxidant system and glutathione metabolism-mediated Zn stress. The results showed that exogenous SA could elevate the physiological adaptability of alfalfa plants through enhancing photosynthesis, proline and soluble sugar levels, stimulating antioxidant system and glutathione metabolism, and inducing the transcription level of related genes, thereby diminishing oxidative stress, inhibiting excessive Zn accumulation of alfalfa plants, increasing tolerance to Zn stress, and reducing the toxicity of Zn. Collectively, the application of SA alleviates Zn toxicity in alfalfa plants. The findings gave first insights into the regulatory mechanism of the Zn stress tolerance of alfalfa by exogenous SA and this might have positive implications for managing other plants which are suffering Zn stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China; State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Chunfeng Guan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Xiaoye Duan
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Zhihui Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
| | - Jiehua Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
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4
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Bryant N, Engle N, Tschaplinski T, Pu Y, Ragauskas AJ. Variable lignin structure revealed in Populus leaves. RSC Adv 2023; 13:20187-20197. [PMID: 37416906 PMCID: PMC10320358 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03142j] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignin has long been a trait of interest, especially in bioenergy feedstocks such as Populus. While the stem lignin of Populus is well studied, foliar lignin has received significantly less consideration. To this end, leaves from 11 field grown, natural variant Populus trichocarpa genotypes were investigated by NMR, FTIR, and GC-MS. Five of these genotypes were sufficiently irrigated, and the other six genotypes were irrigated at a reduced rate (59% of the potential evapotranspiration for the site) to induce drought treatment. Analysis by HSQC NMR revealed highly variable lignin structure among the samples, especially for the syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, which ranged from 0.52-11.9. Appreciable levels of a condensed syringyl lignin structure were observed in most samples. The same genotype subjected to different treatments exhibited similar levels of condensed syringyl lignin, suggesting this was not a response to stress. A cross peak of δC/δH 74.6/5.03, consistent with the erythro form of the β-O-4 linkage, was observed in genotypes where significant syringyl units were present. Principle component analysis revealed that FTIR absorbances associated with syringyl units (830 cm-1, 1317 cm-1) greatly contributed to variability between samples. Additionally, the ratio of 830/1230 cm-1 peak intensities were reasonably correlated (p-value < 0.05) with the S/G ratio determined by NMR. Analysis by GC-MS revealed significant variability of secondary metabolites such as tremuloidin, trichocarpin, and salicortin. Additionally, salicin derivatives were found to be well correlated with NMR results, which has been previously hypothesized. These results highlight previously unexplored nuance and variability associated with foliage tissue of poplar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Bryant
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee 37996 USA
| | - Nancy Engle
- BioEnergy Science Center & Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Timothy Tschaplinski
- BioEnergy Science Center & Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- BioEnergy Science Center & Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Arthur J Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee 37996 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center & Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Center for Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville TN 37996 USA
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5
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Xiao L, Ma W, Zhang J, Pu X, Rengel Z, Song Z, Chen Q. Phytomelatonin interferes with flavonols biosynthesis to regulate ROS production and stomatal closure in tobacco. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 284:153977. [PMID: 37062233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.153977] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Flavonols are well-known antioxidants that prevent stomatal closure via interfering with ROS signaling. Phytomelatonin regulates stomatal closure, but the signaling pathways are still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of flavonols in phytomelatonin-mediated stomatal closure in tobacco plants. The application of melatonin induced stomatal closure through NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production. Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing soybean GmSNAT1 (coding for serotonin N-acetyltransferase that catalyzes the penultimate step in phytomelatonin biosynthesis) had higher phytomelatonin concentration, accumulated more ROS in guard cells and were more sensitive to melatonin-induced stomatal closure than the wild-type plants, which was associated with the higher expression of PMTR1-homologous genes. Exogenous melatonin decreased flavonol concentrations in guard cells and the expression of flavonoid-related genes in wild-type and transgenic tobacco plants, and these inhibitory effects were more obvious in GmSNAT1-overexpressing plants than the wild type. However, the melatonin-mediated stomatal closure and ROS production were diminished by the application of kaempferol (a type of flavonol). Additionally, transgenic tobacco plants with increased expression of NtFLS (encoding flavonol synthase) were less sensitive to melatonin-induced stomatal closure. In conclusion, phytomelatonin hampers the biosynthesis of flavonols in guard cells, which results in high concentration of ROS and induces stomatal closure in tobacco plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Wenna Ma
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Jiarong Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China; Yunnan Modern Professional Technology College, 675000, Chuxiong, China
| | - Xiaojun Pu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Zed Rengel
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Zhongbang Song
- Yunnan Academy of Tobacco Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China.
| | - Qi Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China.
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6
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Pan Y, Xu X, Li L, Sun Q, Wang Q, Huang H, Tong Z, Zhang J. Melatonin-mediated development and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1100827. [PMID: 36778689 PMCID: PMC9909564 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is a multifunctional molecule that has been widely discovered in most plants. An increasing number of studies have shown that melatonin plays essential roles in plant growth and stress tolerance. It has been extensively applied to alleviate the harmful effects of abiotic stresses. In view of its role in regulating aspects of plant growth and development, we ponder and summarize the scientific discoveries about seed germination, root development, flowering, fruit maturation, and senescence. Under abiotic and biotic stresses, melatonin brings together many pathways to increase access to treatments for the symptoms of plants and to counteract the negative effects. It has the capacity to tackle regulation of the redox, plant hormone networks, and endogenous melatonin. Furthermore, the expression levels of several genes and the contents of diverse secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids, were significantly altered. In this review, we intend to examine the actions of melatonin in plants from a broader perspective, explore the range of its physiological functions, and analyze the relationship between melatonin and other metabolites and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoshan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Li
- Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qinglin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiguang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huahong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zaikang Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zaikang Tong, ; Junhong Zhang,
| | - Junhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zaikang Tong, ; Junhong Zhang,
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7
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Khan TA, Saleem M, Fariduddin Q. Recent advances and mechanistic insights on Melatonin-mediated salt stress signaling in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 188:97-107. [PMID: 35995025 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic constraints that limit plant growth and yield, which thereby is a serious concern to world food security. It adversely affects crop production by inducing hyperosmotic stress and ionic toxicity as well as secondary stresses such as oxidative stress, all of which disturb optimum physiology and metabolism. Nonetheless, various strategies have been employed to improve salt tolerance in crop plants, among which the application of Melatonin (Mel) could also be used as it has demonstrated promising results. The ongoing experimental evidence revealed that Mel is a pleiotropic signaling molecule, which besides being involved in various growth and developmental processes also mediates environmental stress responses. The current review systematically discusses and summarizes how Mel mediates the response of plants under salt stress and could optimize the balance between plant growth performances and stress responses. Specifically, it covers the latest advances of Mel in fine-tuning the signaling in plants. Furthermore, it highlights plant-built tolerance of salt stress by manifesting the biosynthesis of Mel, its cross talks with nitric oxide (NO), and Mel as a multifaceted antioxidant molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Ahmad Khan
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Mohd Saleem
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Qazi Fariduddin
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
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8
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Chen Q, Hou S, Pu X, Li X, Li R, Yang Q, Wang X, Guan M, Rengel Z. Dark secrets of phytomelatonin. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:5828-5839. [PMID: 35522068 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac168] [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: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Phytomelatonin is a newly identified plant hormone, and its primary functions in plant growth and development remain relatively poorly appraised. Phytomelatonin is a master regulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and acts as a darkness signal in circadian stomatal closure. Plants exhibit at least three interrelated patterns of interaction between phytomelatonin and ROS production. Exogenous melatonin can induce flavonoid biosynthesis, which might be required for maintenance of antioxidant capacity under stress, after harvest, and in leaf senescence conditions. However, several genetic studies have provided direct evidence that phytomelatonin plays a negative role in the biosynthesis of flavonoids under non-stress conditions. Phytomelatonin delays flowering time in both dicot and monocot plants, probably via its receptor PMTR1 and interactions with the gibberellin, strigolactone, and ROS signaling pathways. Furthermore, phytomelatonin signaling also functions in hypocotyl and shoot growth in skotomorphogenesis and ultraviolet B (UV-B) exposure; the G protein α-subunit (Arabidopsis GPA1 and rice RGA1) and constitutive photomorphogenic1 (COP1) are important signal components during this process. Taken together, these findings indicate that phytomelatonin acts as a darkness signal with important regulatory roles in circadian stomatal closure, flavonoid biosynthesis, flowering, and hypocotyl and shoot growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Suying Hou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaojun Pu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Rongrong Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xinjia Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Miao Guan
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zed Rengel
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth WA, Australia
- Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Split, Croatia
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9
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Wang K, Xing Q, Ahammed GJ, Zhou J. Functions and prospects of melatonin in plant growth, yield, and quality. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:5928-5946. [PMID: 35640564 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indole molecule widely found in animals and plants. It is well known that melatonin improves plant resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses due to its potent free radical scavenging ability while being able to modulate plant signaling and response pathways through mostly unknown mechanisms. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that melatonin plays a crucial role in improving crop quality and yield by participating in the regulation of various aspects of plant growth and development. Here, we review the effects of melatonin on plant vegetative growth and reproductive development, and systematically summarize its molecular regulatory network. Moreover, the effective concentrations of exogenously applied melatonin in different crops or at different growth stages of the same crop are analysed. In addition, we compare endogenous phytomelatonin concentrations in various crops and different organs, and evaluate a potential function of phytomelatonin in plant circadian rhythms. The prospects of different approaches in regulating crop yield and quality through exogenous application of appropriate concentrations of melatonin, endogenous modification of phytomelatonin metabolism-related genes, and the use of nanomaterials and other technologies to improve melatonin utilization efficiency are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixin Wang
- Department of Horticulture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Qufan Xing
- Department of Horticulture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Golam Jalal Ahammed
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Stress Resistance Regulation and Safe Production of Protected Vegetables, Luoyang, 471023, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Horticulture/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plants Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Agricultural Ministry of China, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Shandong (Linyi) Institute of Modern Agriculture, Zhejiang University, Linyi, 276000, China
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10
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Song JL, Wang ZY, Wang YH, Du J, Wang CY, Zhang XQ, Chen S, Huang XL, Xie XM, Zhong TX. Overexpression of Pennisetum purpureum CCoAOMT Contributes to Lignin Deposition and Drought Tolerance by Promoting the Accumulation of Flavonoids in Transgenic Tobacco. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:884456. [PMID: 35620690 PMCID: PMC9129916 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.884456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is a fast-growing and low-nutrient demand plant that is widely used as a forage grass and potential energy crop in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the United States. Transgenic tobacco with the PpCCoAOMT gene from Pennisetum purpureum produces high lignin content that is associated with drought tolerance in relation to lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with higher antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic adjustment. In this study, transgenic tobacco plants revealed no obvious cost to plant growth when expressing the PpCCoAOMT gene. Metabolomic studies demonstrated that tobacco plants tolerant to drought stress accumulated flavonoids under normal and drought conditions, which likely explains the observed tolerance phenotype in wild-type tobacco. Our results suggest that plants overexpressing PpCCoAOMT were better able to cope with water deficit than were wild-type controls; metabolic flux was redirected within primary and specialized metabolism to induce metabolites related to defense to drought stress. These results could help to develop drought-resistant plants for agriculture in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Ling Song
- Office of Academic Research, Xingyi Normal University for Nationalities, Xingyi, China
| | - Ze-Yu Wang
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Hua Wang
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK, United States
| | - Chen-Yu Wang
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Qian Zhang
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Huang
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Ming Xie
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Xiu Zhong
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Grassland Science, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Agathokleous E, Zhou B, Xu J, Ioannou A, Feng Z, Saitanis CJ, Frei M, Calabrese EJ, Fotopoulos V. Exogenous application of melatonin to plants, algae, and harvested products to sustain agricultural productivity and enhance nutritional and nutraceutical value: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111746. [PMID: 34302829 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is produced by plants, algae, and animals. Worldwide studies show diverse positive effects of exogenous melatonin on plants, edible plant products, and algae, but the potential of melatonin to enhance food and feed systems through these positive effects remains largely unexplored. Through a meta-analysis of about 25,000 observations, we show for the first time that exogenous application of melatonin significantly increases crop productivity and yields, and enhances the nutritional and nutraceutical value of edible plant products and algae by regulating diverse biological functions. We demonstrate that melatonin can improve plants, edible plant products, and algae under various current climate change scenarios, environmental pollution factors, and other stresses by about 7% to nearly 30%, on average, depending on the stressor. We also analyze various technical/methodological factors influencing the desired outcomes and identify conditions that offer optimal enhancement. We show that the positive effect of melatonin on plants and edible plant products varies among species, genera, and families, and strongly depends on the concentration of melatonin and treatment duration. The effect of melatonin is slightly lower on the monocot clade Commelinids than on the eudicot clades Asterids and Rosids. We also show that its stimulatory effect on plants depends on cultivation system, with a larger effect obtained in hydroponic systems. However, it does not depend on application stage (seed or vegetative), application route (foliage, roots, or seed), and whether the cultivation system is ex vivo or in vivo. This is the first meta-analysis examining the effects of melatonin on plants, edible plant products, and algae, and offers a scientific and technical roadmap facilitating sustainable food and feed production through the application of exogenous melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Boya Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Jianing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Andreas Ioannou
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, 3603, Cyprus
| | - Zhaozhong Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Costas J Saitanis
- Lab of Ecology and Environmental Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Michael Frei
- Institute of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Vasileios Fotopoulos
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, 3603, Cyprus
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Lam PY, Lui ACW, Wang L, Liu H, Umezawa T, Tobimatsu Y, Lo C. Tricin Biosynthesis and Bioengineering. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:733198. [PMID: 34512707 PMCID: PMC8426635 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.733198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tricin (3',5'-dimethoxyflavone) is a specialized metabolite which not only confers stress tolerance and involves in defense responses in plants but also represents a promising nutraceutical. Tricin-type metabolites are widely present as soluble tricin O-glycosides and tricin-oligolignols in all grass species examined, but only show patchy occurrences in unrelated lineages in dicots. More strikingly, tricin is a lignin monomer in grasses and several other angiosperm species, representing one of the "non-monolignol" lignin monomers identified in nature. The unique biological functions of tricin especially as a lignin monomer have driven the identification and characterization of tricin biosynthetic enzymes in the past decade. This review summarizes the current understanding of tricin biosynthetic pathway in grasses and tricin-accumulating dicots. The characterized and potential enzymes involved in tricin biosynthesis are highlighted along with discussion on the debatable and uncharacterized steps. Finally, current developments of bioengineering on manipulating tricin biosynthesis toward the generation of functional food as well as modifications of lignin for improving biorefinery applications are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Ying Lam
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Andy C. W. Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lanxiang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongjia Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Tobimatsu
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Clive Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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