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Hörandl E. Apomixis and the paradox of sex in plants. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 134:1-18. [PMID: 38497809 PMCID: PMC11161571 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae044] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The predominance of sex in eukaryotes, despite the high costs of meiosis and mating, remains an evolutionary enigma. Many theories have been proposed, none of them being conclusive on its own, and they are, in part, not well applicable to land plants. Sexual reproduction is obligate in embryophytes for the great majority of species. SCOPE This review compares the main forms of sexual and asexual reproduction in ferns and angiosperms, based on the generation cycling of sporophyte and gametophyte (leaving vegetative propagation aside). The benefits of sexual reproduction for maintenance of genomic integrity in comparison to asexuality are discussed in the light of developmental, evolutionary, genetic and phylogenetic studies. CONCLUSIONS Asexual reproduction represents modifications of the sexual pathway, with various forms of facultative sexuality. For sexual land plants, meiosis provides direct DNA repair mechanisms for oxidative damage in reproductive tissues. The ploidy alternations of meiosis-syngamy cycles and prolonged multicellular stages in the haploid phase in the gametophytes provide a high efficiency of purifying selection against recessive deleterious mutations. Asexual lineages might buffer effects of such mutations via polyploidy and can purge the mutational load via facultative sexuality. The role of organelle-nuclear genome compatibility for maintenance of genome integrity is not well understood. In plants in general, the costs of mating are low because of predominant hermaphroditism. Phylogenetic patterns in the archaeplastid clade suggest that high frequencies of sexuality in land plants are concomitant with a stepwise increase of intrinsic and extrinsic stress factors. Furthermore, expansion of genome size in land plants would increase the potential mutational load. Sexual reproduction appears to be essential for keeping long-term genomic integrity, and only rare combinations of extrinsic and intrinsic factors allow for shifts to asexuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Hörandl
- Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with herbarium), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Li X, Zhang L, Wei X, Datta T, Wei F, Xie Z. Polyploidization: A Biological Force That Enhances Stress Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1957. [PMID: 38396636 PMCID: PMC10888447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041957] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms with three or more complete sets of chromosomes are designated as polyploids. Polyploidy serves as a crucial pathway in biological evolution and enriches species diversity, which is demonstrated to have significant advantages in coping with both biotic stressors (such as diseases and pests) and abiotic stressors (like extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity), particularly in the context of ongoing global climate deterioration, increased agrochemical use, and industrialization. Polyploid cultivars have been developed to achieve higher yields and improved product quality. Numerous studies have shown that polyploids exhibit substantial enhancements in cell size and structure, physiological and biochemical traits, gene expression, and epigenetic modifications compared to their diploid counterparts. However, some research also suggested that increased stress tolerance might not always be associated with polyploidy. Therefore, a more comprehensive and detailed investigation is essential to complete the underlying stress tolerance mechanisms of polyploids. Thus, this review summarizes the mechanism of polyploid formation, the polyploid biochemical tolerance mechanism of abiotic and biotic stressors, and molecular regulatory networks that confer polyploidy stress tolerance, which can shed light on the theoretical foundation for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Improvements, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Institute of Horticulture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Graduate T & R Base of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Luyue Zhang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Improvements, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaochun Wei
- Institute of Horticulture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Graduate T & R Base of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Tanusree Datta
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Improvements, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Fang Wei
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Improvements, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhengqing Xie
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Improvements, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Dolferus R, Onyemaobi O. Editorial on Genetic Diversity of Plant Tolerance to Environmental Restraints. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1992. [PMID: 38002935 PMCID: PMC10670972 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental restraints like cold, drought and heat adversely affect growth and development in different ways and at different plant developmental stages, leading to reduced crop yield [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Dolferus
- Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture & Food, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;
| | - Olive Onyemaobi
- Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture & Food, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
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Hörandl E. Geographical Parthenogenesis in Alpine and Arctic Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:844. [PMID: 36840192 PMCID: PMC9959270 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The term "Geographical parthenogenesis" describes the phenomenon that asexual organisms usually occupy larger and more northern distribution areas than their sexual relatives, and tend to colonize previously glaciated areas. Several case studies on alpine and arctic plants confirm the geographical pattern, but the causal factors behind the phenomenon are still unclear. Research of the last decade in several plant families has shed light on the question and evaluated some of the classical evolutionary theories. Results confirmed, in general, that the advantages of uniparental reproduction enable apomictic plants to re-colonize faster in larger and more northern distribution areas. Associated factors like polyploidy seem to contribute mainly to the spatial separation of sexual and asexual cytotypes. Ecological studies suggest a better tolerance of apomicts to colder climates and temperate extremes, whereby epigenetic flexibility and phenotypic plasticity play an important role in occupying ecological niches under harsh conditions. Genotypic diversity appears to be of lesser importance for the distributional success of asexual plants. Classical evolutionary theories like a reduced pressure of biotic interactions in colder climates and hence an advantage to asexuals (Red Queen hypothesis) did not gain support from studies on plants. However, it is also still enigmatic why sexual outcrossing remains the predominant mode of reproduction also in alpine floras. Constraints for the origin of apomixis might play a role. Interestingly, some studies suggest an association of sexuality with abiotic stresses. Light stress in high elevations might explain why most alpine plants retain sexual reproduction despite other environmental factors that would favor apomixis. Directions for future research will be given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Hörandl
- Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium), University of Goettingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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Hao Y, Su X, Li W, Li L, Zhang Y, Mumtaz MA, Shu H, Cheng S, Zhu G, Wang Z. The creation of autotetraploid provides insights into critical features of DNA methylome changes after genome doubling in water spinach ( Ipomoea aquatica Forsk). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1155531. [PMID: 37123819 PMCID: PMC10140364 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1155531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) is an essential green leafy vegetable in Asia. In this study, we induced autotetraploid water spinach by colchicine. Furthermore, DNA methylation and transcriptome of tetraploid and diploid were compared using Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-sequencing techniques. Autotetraploid water spinach was created for the first time. Compared with the diploid parent, autotetraploid water spinach had wider leaves, thicker petioles and stems, thicker and shorter adventitious roots, longer stomas, and larger parenchyma cells. The whole genome methylation level of the autotetraploid was slightly higher than that of the diploid. Compared with the diploid, 12281 Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs)were found in the autotetraploid, including 2356 hypermethylated and 1310 hypomethylated genes, mainly enriched in 'Arginine and Proline metabolism', 'beta - Alanine metabolism', 'Plant homone signal translation', 'Ribome', and 'Plant - pathgen interaction' pathways. Correlation analysis of transcriptome and DNA methylation data showed that 121 differentially expressed genes undergone differential methylation, related to four pathways 'Other types of O-glycan biosynthesis', 'Terpenoid backbone biosynthesis', 'Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites', and 'Metabolic paths'. This work obtained important autotetraploid resources of water spinach and revealed the genomic DNA methylation changes after genome doubling, being helpful for further studying the molecular mechanism of variations caused by polyploids of the Ipomoea genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Hao
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Xiao Su
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Wen Li
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Muhammad Ali Mumtaz
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Huangying Shu
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Shanhan Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Guopeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiwei Wang,
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Redman RS, Anderson JA, Biaggi TM, Malmberg KEL, Rienstra MN, Weaver JL, Rodriguez RJ. Symbiotic Modulation as a Driver of Niche Expansion of Coastal Plants in the San Juan Archipelago of Washington State. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:868081. [PMID: 35814642 PMCID: PMC9260653 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.868081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern evolutionary theory and population genetics posit that adaptation and habitat expansion of plants result from processes exclusive to their genomes. Here, we present studies showing that plants can grow across complex habitat gradients by modulating symbiotic associations with Class 2 fungal endophytes. Endophyte analysis of three native (Leymus mollis, Distichlis spicata, and Salicornia pacifica) and one invasive (Spartina anglica) plant growing across adjacent microhabitats in the San Juan Archipelago altered associations with Class 2 fungal endophytes in response to soil salinity levels. At the microhabitat interfaces where the gradation of salinity varied, the plants were colonized by endophytes from both microhabitats. A reciprocal transplant study along a salt gradient demonstrated that Leymus mollis (dunegrass) required endophytes indigenous to each microhabitat for optimal fitness and/or survival. In contrast, when dunegrass and Grindelia integrifolia (gumweed) were found growing in low salinity, but high drought habitats, these plant species had their own unique dominant endophyte association regardless of geographic proximity and conferred drought but not high salt stress tolerance. Modulation of endophyte abundance occurred in planta based on the ability of the symbiont to confer tolerance to the stress imposed on plants. The ability of an endophyte to confer appropriate stress tolerance resulted in a significant increase of in planta fungal abundance. Conversely, the inability of an endophyte to confer stress tolerance resulted in a decrease of in planta fungal abundance. Our studies indicate that Class 2 fungal endophytes can provide a symbiotic mechanism for niche expansion and phenotypic plasticity across environmental gradients.
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