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Kwiatkowski M, Wong A, Fiderewicz A, Gehring C, Jaworski K. A SNF1-related protein kinase regulatory subunit functions as a molecular tuner. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2024; 224:114146. [PMID: 38763313 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114146] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic processes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms are often modulated by kinases which are in turn, dependent on Ca2+ and the cyclic mononucleotides cAMP and cGMP. It has been established that some proteins have both kinase and cyclase activities and that active cyclases can be embedded within the kinase domains. Here, we identified phosphodiesterase (PDE) sites, enzymes that hydrolyse cAMP and cGMP, to AMP and GMP, respectively, in some of these proteins in addition to their kinase/cyclase twin-architecture. As an example, we tested the Arabidopsis thaliana KINγ, a subunit of the SnRK2 kinase, to demonstrate that all three enzymatic centres, adenylate cyclase (AC), guanylate cyclase (GC) and PDE, are catalytically active, capable of generating and hydrolysing cAMP and cGMP. These data imply that the signal output of the KINγ subunit modulates SnRK2, consequently affecting the downstream kinome. Finally, we propose a model where a single protein subunit, KINγ, is capable of regulating cyclic mononucleotide homeostasis, thereby tuning stimulus specific signal output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Kwiatkowski
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
| | - Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Wenzhou, 325060, Zhejiang Province, China; Research Center for Integrative Plant Sciences, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Wenzhou, 325060, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Adam Fiderewicz
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Chris Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Krzysztof Jaworski
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
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2
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Fan T, Ren R, Tang S, Zhou Y, Cai M, Zhao W, He Y, Xu J. Transcriptomics combined with metabolomics unveiled the key genes and metabolites of mycelium growth in Morchella importuna. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1079353. [PMID: 36819010 PMCID: PMC9929000 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1079353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Morels (Morchella) are one of the most popular edible fungi in the world, especially known for their rich nutrition and delicious taste. Earlier research indicates that the production of fruiting bodies can be affected by the growth of mycelium. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying mycelium growth in Morchella importuna, we performed transcriptome analysis and metabolomics analysis of three growth stages of the hypha of M. importuna. As a result, 24 differentially expressed genes, such as transketolase (tktA), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), fructose-diphosphate aldolase (Fba), and ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (rpiA), as well as 15 differentially accumulated metabolites, including succinate and oxaloacetate, were identified and considered as the key genes and metabolites to mycelium growth in M. importuna. In addition, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), guanosine-5'-monophosphate (GMP), and several small peptides were found to differentially accumulate in different growth stages. Furthermore, five pathways, namely, starch and sucrose metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, fructose and mannose metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and purine nucleotides, enriched by most DEGs, existed in the three compared groups and were also recognized as important pathways for the development of mycelium in morels. The comprehensive transcriptomics and metabolomics data generated in our study provided valuable information for understanding the mycelium growth of M. importuna, and these data also unveiled the key genes, metabolites, and pathways involved in mycelium growth. This research provides a great theoretical basis for the stable production and breeding of morels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Fan
- The Laboratory of Forestry Genetics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Rui Ren
- The Center of Culture Preservation, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, China
| | - Shaojun Tang
- The Center of Culture Preservation, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, China
| | - Yiyun Zhou
- The Laboratory of Forestry Genetics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Cai
- The Laboratory of Forestry Genetics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Wenwen Zhao
- The Laboratory of Forestry Genetics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Yuelin He
- The Center of Culture Preservation, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Xu
- The Center of Culture Preservation, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Jun Xu ✉
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3
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The Course of Mechanical Stress: Types, Perception, and Plant Response. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020217. [PMID: 36829495 PMCID: PMC9953051 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli, together with the corresponding plant perception mechanisms and the finely tuned thigmomorphogenetic response, has been of scientific and practical interest since the mid-17th century. As an emerging field, there are many challenges in the research of mechanical stress. Indeed, studies on different plant species (annual/perennial) and plant organs (stem/root) using different approaches (field, wet lab, and in silico/computational) have delivered insufficient findings that frequently impede the practical application of the acquired knowledge. Accordingly, the current work distils existing mechanical stress knowledge by bringing in side-by-side the research conducted on both stem and roots. First, the various types of mechanical stress encountered by plants are defined. Second, plant perception mechanisms are outlined. Finally, the different strategies employed by the plant stem and roots to counteract the perceived mechanical stresses are summarized, depicting the corresponding morphological, phytohormonal, and molecular characteristics. The comprehensive literature on both perennial (woody) and annual plants was reviewed, considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of the two plant types, which allowed us to highlight current gaps in knowledge as areas of interest for future research.
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4
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Wong A, Bi C, Chi W, Hu N, Gehring C. Amino acid motifs for the identification of novel protein interactants. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 21:326-334. [PMID: 36582434 PMCID: PMC9791077 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological systems consist of multiple components of different physical and chemical properties that require complex and dynamic regulatory loops to function efficiently. The discovery of ever more novel interacting sites in complex proteins suggests that we are only beginning to understand how cellular and biological functions are integrated and tuned at the molecular and systems levels. Here we review recently discovered interacting sites which have been identified through rationally designed amino acid motifs diagnostic for specific molecular functions, including enzymatic activities and ligand-binding properties. We specifically discuss the nature of the latter using as examples, novel hormone recognition and gas sensing sites that occur in moonlighting protein complexes. Drawing evidence from the current literature, we discuss the potential implications at the cellular, tissue, and/or organismal levels of such non-catalytic interacting sites and provide several promising avenues for the expansion of amino acid motif searches to discover hitherto unknown protein interactants and interaction networks. We believe this knowledge will unearth unexpected functions in both new and well-characterized proteins, thus filling existing conceptual gaps or opening new avenues for applications either as drug targets or tools in pharmacology, cell biology and bio-catalysis. Beyond this, motif searches may also support the design of novel, effective and sustainable approaches to crop improvements and the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China,Wenzhou Municipal Key Lab for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China,Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China
| | - Chuyun Bi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China,Wenzhou Municipal Key Lab for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China,Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China
| | - Wei Chi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China
| | - Ningxin Hu
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325060, China
| | - Chris Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology & Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06121, Italy,Corresponding author.
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Qi N, Wang N, Hou X, Li Y, Liao W. Involvement of Calcium and Calmodulin in NO-Alleviated Salt Stress in Tomato Seedlings. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11192479. [PMID: 36235348 PMCID: PMC9571744 DOI: 10.3390/plants11192479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Salt stress is an adverse impact on the growth and development of plants, leading to yield losses in crops. It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) and calcium ion (Ca2+) act as critical signals in regulating plant growth. However, their crosstalk remains unclear under stress condition. In this study, we demonstrate that NO and Ca2+ play positive roles in the growth of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) seedlings under salt stress. Our data show that Ca2+ channel inhibitor lanthanum chloride (LaCl3), Ca2+ chelator ethylene glycol-bis (2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), or calmodulin (CaM) antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfona-mide hydrochloride (W-7) significantly reversed the effect of NO-promoted the growth of tomato seedlings under salt stress. We further show that NO and Ca2+ significantly decreased reactive oxygen accumulation, increased proline content, and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, as well as increased expression of antioxidant enzymes related genes. However, LaCl3, EGTA, and W-7 prevented the positive roles of NO. In addition, the activity of downstream target enzymes related to Ca2+/CaM was increased by NO under salt stress, while LaCl3, EGTA, and W-7 reversed this enhancement. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Ca2+/CaM might be involved in NO-alleviate salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Weibiao Liao
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-138-9328-7942; Fax: +86-931-7632155
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6
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Crosstalk and gene expression in microorganisms under metals stress. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:410. [PMID: 35729415 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02978-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Contamination of the environment with heavy metals (HMs) has led to huge global environmental issues. Industrialization activities such as mining, manufacturing, and construction generate massive amounts of toxic waste, posing environmental risks. HMs soil pollution causes a variety of environmental issues and has a detrimental effect on both animals and plants. To remove HMs from the soil, traditional physico-chemical techniques such as immobilization, electro-remediation, stabilization, and chemical reduction are used. Moreover, the high energy, trained manpower, and hazardous chemicals required by these methods make them expensive and non-environmentally friendly. Bioremediation process, which involves microorganism-based and microorganism-associated-plant-based approaches, is an ecologically sound and cost-effective strategy for restoring HMs polluted soil. Microbes adjust their physiology to these conditions to live, which can involve significant variations in the expression of the genes. A set of genes are activated in response to toxic metals in microbes. They can also adapt by modifying their shape, fruiting bodies creating biofilms, filaments, or chemotactically migrating away from stress chemicals. Microbes including Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Aspergillus sp. has been found to have high metals remediation and tolerance capacity of up to 98% whether isolated or in combination with plants like Helianthus annuus, Trifolium repens, and Vallisneria denseserrulata. Several of the regulatory systems that have been discovered are unique, but there is also a lot of "cross-talk" among networks. This review discusses the current state of knowledge regarding the microbial signaling responses, and the function of microbes in HMs stress resistance.
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7
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Wong A, Gehring C. New Horizons in Plant Cell Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5826. [PMID: 35628641 PMCID: PMC9147848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Responding to environmental stimuli with appropriate molecular mechanisms is essential to all life forms and particularly so in sessile organisms such as plants [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Wenzhou 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Lab for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou 325060, China
| | - Christoph Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology & Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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8
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Dynamic Expression, Differential Regulation and Functional Diversity of the CNGC Family Genes in Cotton. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042041. [PMID: 35216157 PMCID: PMC8878070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) constitute a family of non-selective cation channels that are primarily permeable to Ca2+ and activated by the direct binding of cyclic nucleotides (i.e., cAMP and cGMP) to mediate cellular signaling, both in animals and plants. Until now, our understanding of CNGCs in cotton (Gossypium spp.) remains poorly addressed. In the present study, we have identified 40, 41, 20, 20, and 20 CNGC genes in G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. herbaceum, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii, respectively, and demonstrated characteristics of the phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal localization, gene duplication, and synteny. Further investigation of CNGC genes in G. hirsutum, named GhCNGC1-40, indicated that they are not only extensively expressed in various tissues and at different developmental stages, but also display diverse expression patterns in response to hormones (abscisic acid, salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, ethylene), abiotic (salt stress) and biotic (Verticillium dahlia infection) stimuli, which conform with a variety of cis-acting regulatory elements residing in the promoter regions; moreover, a set of GhCNGCs are responsive to cAMP signaling during cotton fiber development. Protein–protein interactions supported the functional aspects of GhCNGCs in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Accordingly, the silencing of the homoeologous gene pair GhCNGC1&18 and GhCNGC12&31 impaired plant growth and development; however, GhCNGC1&18-silenced plants enhanced Verticillium wilt resistance and salt tolerance, whereas GhCNGC12&31-silenced plants had opposite effects. Together, these results unveiled the dynamic expression, differential regulation, and functional diversity of the CNGC family genes in cotton. The present work has laid the foundation for further studies and the utilization of CNGCs in cotton genetic improvement.
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Kwiatkowski M, Wong A, Kozakiewicz-Piekarz A, Gehring C, Jaworski K. In Search of Monocot Phosphodiesterases: Identification of a Calmodulin Stimulated Phosphodiesterase from Brachypodium distachyon. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179654. [PMID: 34502563 PMCID: PMC8431786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, rapid and reversible biological responses to environmental cues may require complex cellular reprograming. This is enabled by signaling molecules such as the cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (cNMPs) cAMP and cGMP, as well as Ca2+. While the roles and synthesis of cAMP and cGMP in plants are increasingly well-characterized, the “off signal” afforded by cNMP-degrading enzymes, the phosphodiesterases (PDEs), is, however, poorly understood, particularly so in monocots. Here, we identified a candidate PDE from the monocot Brachypodium distachyon (BDPDE1) and showed that it can hydrolyze cNMPs to 5′NMPs but with a preference for cAMP over cGMP in vitro. Notably, the PDE activity was significantly enhanced by Ca2+ only in the presence of calmodulin (CaM), which interacts with BDPDE1, most likely at a predicted CaM-binding site. Finally, based on our biochemical, mutagenesis and structural analyses, we constructed a comprehensive amino acid consensus sequence extracted from the catalytic centers of annotated and/or experimentally validated PDEs across species to enable a broad application of this search motif for the identification of similar active sites in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Kwiatkowski
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-56-611-44-56; Fax: +48-56-61-14-772
| | - Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou 325060, China;
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou 325060, China
| | - Anna Kozakiewicz-Piekarz
- Department of Biomedical and Polymer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarina St. 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Christoph Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Borgo XX giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Krzysztof Jaworski
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
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10
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Kiyono H, Katano K, Suzuki N. Links between Regulatory Systems of ROS and Carbohydrates in Reproductive Development. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10081652. [PMID: 34451697 PMCID: PMC8401158 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
To thrive on the earth, highly sophisticated systems to finely control reproductive development have been evolved in plants. In addition, deciphering the mechanisms underlying the reproductive development has been considered as a main research avenue because it leads to the improvement of the crop yields to fulfill the huge demand of foods for the growing world population. Numerous studies revealed the significance of ROS regulatory systems and carbohydrate transports and metabolisms in the regulation of various processes of reproductive development. However, it is poorly understood how these mechanisms function together in reproductive tissues. In this review, we discuss mode of coordination and integration between ROS regulatory systems and carbohydrate transports and metabolisms underlying reproductive development based on the hitherto findings. We then propose three mechanisms as key players that integrate ROS and carbohydrate regulatory systems. These include ROS-dependent programmed cell death (PCD), mitochondrial and respiratory metabolisms as sources of ROS and energy, and functions of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). It is likely that these key mechanisms govern the various signals involved in the sequential events required for proper seed production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanako Kiyono
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, 7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Kazuma Katano
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, 7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Suzuki
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, 7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan; (H.K.); (K.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-3238-3884
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11
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Miras-Moreno B, Zhang L, Senizza B, Lucini L. A metabolomics insight into the Cyclic Nucleotide Monophosphate signaling cascade in tomato under non-stress and salinity conditions. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 309:110955. [PMID: 34134851 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.110955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic Nucleotides Monophosphate (cNMP) are key signalling compounds whose role in plant cell signal transduction is still poorly understood. In this work we used sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor used in human, to amplify the signal cascade triggered by cNMP using tomato as model plant. Metabolomics was then used, together with plant growth and root architecture parameters, to unravel the changes elicited by PDE inhibition either under non-stress and 100 mM NaCl salinity conditions. The PDE inhibitor elicited a significant increase in biomass (+62 %) and root length (+56 %) under no stress conditions, and affected root architecture in terms of distribution over diameter classes. Together with cGMP, others cNMP were modulated by the treatment. Moreover, PDE inhibition triggered a broad metabolic reprogramming involving photosynthesis and secondary metabolism. A complex crosstalk network of phytohormones and other signalling compounds could be observed in treated plants. Nonetheless, metabolites related to redox imbalance processes and NO signalling could be highlighted in tomato following PDE application. Despite salinity damped down the growth-promoting effects of sildenafil, interesting implications in plant mitigation to stress-related detrimental effects could be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Miras-Moreno
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Leilei Zhang
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Senizza
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
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12
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Zhou W, Chi W, Shen W, Dou W, Wang J, Tian X, Gehring C, Wong A. Computational Identification of Functional Centers in Complex Proteins: A Step-by-Step Guide With Examples. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 1:652286. [PMID: 36303732 PMCID: PMC9581015 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2021.652286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In proteins, functional centers consist of the key amino acids required to perform molecular functions such as catalysis, ligand-binding, hormone- and gas-sensing. These centers are often embedded within complex multi-domain proteins and can perform important cellular signaling functions that enable fine-tuning of temporal and spatial regulation of signaling molecules and networks. To discover hidden functional centers, we have developed a protocol that consists of the following sequential steps. The first is the assembly of a search motif based on the key amino acids in the functional center followed by querying proteomes of interest with the assembled motif. The second consists of a structural assessment of proteins that harbor the motif. This approach, that relies on the application of computational tools for the analysis of data in public repositories and the biological interpretation of the search results, has to-date uncovered several novel functional centers in complex proteins. Here, we use recent examples to describe a step-by-step guide that details the workflow of this approach and supplement with notes, recommendations and cautions to make this protocol robust and widely applicable for the discovery of hidden functional centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Chi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanting Shen
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanying Dou
- Department of Computer Science, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Junyi Wang
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xuechen Tian
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Christoph Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Aloysius Wong
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