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Xiang X, Deng Q, Zheng Y, He Y, Ji D, Vejlupkova Z, Fowler JE, Zhou L. Genome-wide investigation of the LARP gene family: focus on functional identification and transcriptome profiling of ZmLARP6c1 in maize pollen. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:348. [PMID: 38684961 PMCID: PMC11057080 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05054-z] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The La-related proteins (LARPs) are a superfamily of RNA-binding proteins associated with regulation of gene expression. Evidence points to an important role for post-transcriptional control of gene expression in germinating pollen tubes, which could be aided by RNA-binding proteins. RESULTS In this study, a genome-wide investigation of the LARP proteins in eight plant species was performed. The LARP proteins were classified into three families based on a phylogenetic analysis. The gene structure, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements in the promoter, and gene expression profiles were investigated to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary history and potential functions of ZmLARP genes in maize. Moreover, ZmLARP6c1 was specifically expressed in pollen and ZmLARP6c1 was localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm in maize protoplasts. Overexpression of ZmLARP6c1 enhanced the percentage pollen germination compared with that of wild-type pollen. In addition, transcriptome profiling analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes included PABP homologous genes and genes involved in jasmonic acid and abscisic acid biosynthesis, metabolism, signaling pathways and response in a Zmlarp6c1::Ds mutant and ZmLARP6c1-overexpression line compared with the corresponding wild type. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide a basis for further evolutionary and functional analyses, and provide insight into the critical regulatory function of ZmLARP6c1 in maize pollen germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Xiang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qianxia Deng
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yi He
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dongpu Ji
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zuzana Vejlupkova
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - John E Fowler
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Lian Zhou
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Maize Research Institute, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Bousquet-Antonelli C. LARP6 proteins in plants. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1975-1983. [PMID: 34709399 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
RNA binding proteins, through control of mRNA fate and expression, are key players of organism development. The LARP family of RBPs sharing the La motif, are largely present in eukaryotes. They classify into five subfamilies which members acquired specific additional domains, including the RRM1 moiety which teams up with the La motif to form a versatile RNA binding unit. The LARP6 subfamily has had a peculiar history during plant evolution. While containing a single LARP6 in algae and non-vascular plants, they expanded and neofunctionalized into three subclusters in vascular plants. Studies from Arabidopsis thaliana, support that they acquired specific RNA binding properties and physiological roles. In particular LARP6C participates, through spatiotemporal control of translation, to male fertilization, a role seemingly conserved in maize. Interestingly, human LARP6 also acts in translation control and mRNA transport and similarly to LARP6C which is required for pollen tube guided elongation, is necessary to cell migration, through protrusion extension. This opens the possibility that some cellular and molecular functions of LARP6 were retained across eukaryote evolution. With their peculiar evolutionary history, plants provide a unique opportunity to uncover how La-module RNA binding properties evolved and identify species specific and basal roles of the LARP6 function. Deciphering of how LARP6, in particular LARP6C, acts at the molecular level, will foster novel knowledge on translation regulation and dynamics in changing cellular contexts. Considering the seemingly conserved function of LARP6C in male reproduction, it should fuel studies aimed at deriving crop species with improved seed yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Bousquet-Antonelli
- CNRS LGDP-UMR5096, 58 Av. Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, LGDP-UMR5096, 58 Av. Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
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