Expression Analysis of PIN Genes in Root Tips and Nodules of Lotus japonicus

Evolution of PIN gene family between monocotyledons and dicotyledons and VvPIN1 negatively regulates freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

The PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins mediate the auxin flow throughout the plant and have been identified in many species. However, evolution differences in the PIN gene families have not been systematically analyzed, and their functions under abiotic stresses in grape are largely unexplored. In this study, 373 PIN genes were identified from 25 species and divided into 3 subgroups. Physicochemical properties analysis indicated that most of the PIN proteins were unstable alkaline hydrophobic proteins in nature. The synteny analysis showed that the PINs contained strong gene duplication. Motif composition revealed that PIN gene sequence differences between monocotyledons and dicotyledons were due to evolutionary-induced base loss, and the loss was more common in dicotyledonous. Meanwhile, the codon usage bias showed that the PINs showed stronger codon preference in monocotyledons, monocotyledons biased towards C3s and G3s, and dicotyledons biased towards A3s and T3s. In addition, the VvPIN1 can interact with VvCSN5. Significantly, under freezing treatment, the ion leakage,O 2 · - $$ \left({O}_2^{\cdotp -}\right) $$ , H2O2, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were obviously increased, while the proline (Pro) content, peroxidase (POD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) content were decreased in VvPIN1-overexpressing Arabidopsis compared to the wild type (WT). And quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that AtICE1, AtICE2, AtCBF1, AtCBF2, and AtCBF3 were down-regulated in overexpression lines. These results demonstrated that VvPIN1 negatively regulated the freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Collectively, this study provides a novel insight into the evolution and a basis for further studies on the biological functions of PIN genes in monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Single-cell analysis identifies genes facilitating rhizobium infection in Lotus japonicus

Legume-rhizobium signaling during establishment of symbiotic nitrogen fixation restricts rhizobium colonization to specific cells. A limited number of root hair cells allow infection threads to form, and only a fraction of the epidermal infection threads progress to cortical layers to establish functional nodules. Here we use single-cell analysis to define the epidermal and cortical cell populations that respond to and facilitate rhizobium infection. We then identify high-confidence nodulation gene candidates based on their specific expression in these populations, pinpointing genes stably associated with infection across genotypes and time points. We show that one of these, which we name SYMRKL1, encodes a protein with an ectodomain predicted to be nearly identical to that of SYMRK and is required for normal infection thread formation. Our work disentangles cellular processes and transcriptional modules that were previously confounded due to lack of cellular resolution, providing a more detailed understanding of symbiotic interactions.

Genome-wide analysis of PIN genes in cultivated peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.): identification, subcellular localization, evolution, and expression patterns

BACKGROUND

Auxin is an important hormone in plants and the PIN-FORMED (PIN) genes are essential to auxin distribution in growth and developmental processes of plants. Peanut is an influential cash crop, but research into PIN genes in peanuts remains limited.

RESULTS

In this study, 16 PIN genes were identified in the genome of cultivated peanut, resolving into four subfamilies. All PIN genes were predicted to be located in the plasma membrane and a subcellular location experiment confirmed this prediction for eight of them. The gene structure, cis-elements in the promoter, and evolutionary relationships were elucidated, facilitating our understanding of peanut PINs and their evolution. In addition, the expression patterns of these PINs in various tissues were analyzed according to a previously published transcriptome dataset and qRT-PCR, which gave us a clear understanding of the temporal and spatial expression of PIN genes in different growth stages and different tissues. The expression trend of homologous genes was similar. AhPIN2A and AhPIN2B exhibited predominant expression in roots. AhPIN1A-1 and AhPIN1B-1 displayed significant upregulation following peg penetration, suggesting a potential close association with peanut pod development. Furthermore, we presented the gene network and gene ontology enrichment of these PINs. Notably, AhABCB19 exhibited a co-expression relationship with AhPIN1A and AhPIN1B-1, with all three genes displaying higher expression levels in peanut pegs and pods. These findings reinforce their potential role in peanut pod development.

CONCLUSIONS

This study details a comprehensive analysis of PIN genes in cultivated peanuts and lays the foundation for subsequent studies of peanut gene function and phenotype.

Plant Hormones Differentially Control the Sub-Cellular Localization of Plasma Membrane Microdomains during the Early Stage of Soybean Nodulation

Phytohormones regulate the mutualistic symbiotic interaction between legumes and rhizobia, nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, notably by controlling the formation of the infection thread in the root hair (RH). At the cellular level, the formation of the infection thread is promoted by the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains at the tip of the RH. We hypothesize that phytohormones regulate the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains to regulate infection thread formation. Accordingly, we treated with hormone and hormone inhibitors transgenic soybean roots expressing fusions between the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and GmFWL1 or GmFLOT2/4, two microdomain-associated proteins translocated at the tip of the soybean RH in response to rhizobia. Auxin and cytokinin treatments are sufficient to trigger or inhibit the translocation of GmFWL1 and GmFLOT2/4 to the RH tip independently of the presence of rhizobia, respectively. Unexpectedly, the application of salicylic acid, a phytohormone regulating the plant defense system, also promotes the translocation of GmFWL1 and GmFLOT2/4 to the RH tip regardless of the presence of rhizobia. These results suggest that phytohormones are playing a central role in controlling the early stages of rhizobia infection by regulating the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains. They also support the concept of crosstalk of phytohormones to control nodulation.

Small-Scale Bioreactor for Sterile Hydroponics and Hairy Roots: Metabolic Diversity and Salicylic Acid Exudation by Hairy Roots of Hyoscyamus niger

The volume and complexity of commercial bioreactors for sterile hydroponics and hairy roots are too large for comparative analysis of many cultures. Here a small-scale bioreactor fabricated from standard glass materials and suitable for both airlift and bubble aeration mode is described. The performance of the bioreactor was tested by growing oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and rose plants (Rosa canina L.) in sterile hydroponics and by cultivating hairy roots of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) and sesame (Hyoscyamus niger L.). Plants grown in hydroponics for up to six weeks did not show chloroses or necroses. Hairy roots grew faster or comparably fast in bioreactors as compared to shaking flasks. Root exudates of roses and exudates of hairy roots of henbane were subjected to targeted and nontargeted analysis by HPLC coupled with optical and mass spectrometric detectors. The diversity and concentration of hairy root exudates were higher in bioreactors than in shaking flasks. The composition of hairy root exudates of three accessions of H. niger did not match the genetic relatedness among the accessions. Hairy roots of Hyoscyamus niger exuded salicylic acid in amounts varying among plant accessions and between bioreactors and shaking flask cultures.

Transcriptomic Changes in Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus Root Nodules during Drought Stress

Drought is one of the major environmental factors limiting biomass and seed yield production in agriculture. In this research, we focused on plants from the Fabaceae family, which has a unique ability for the establishment of symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and are relatively susceptible to water limitation. We have presented the changes in nitrogenase activity and global gene expression occurring in Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus root nodules during water deficit. Our results proved a decrease in the efficiency of nitrogen fixation, as well as extensive changes in plant and bacterial transcriptomes, shortly after watering cessation. We showed for the first time that not only symbiotic plant components but also Sinorhizobium meliloti and Mesorhizobium loti bacteria residing in the root nodules of M. truncatula and L. japonicus, respectively, adjust their gene expression in response to water shortage. Although our results demonstrated that both M. truncatula and L. japonicus root nodules were susceptible to water deprivation, they indicated significant differences in plant and bacterial response to drought between the tested species, which might be related to the various types of root nodules formed by these species.

A Toolkit for High Resolution Imaging of Cell Division and Phytohormone Signaling in Legume Roots and Root Nodules

Legume plants benefit from a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in association with rhizobia hosted in specialized root nodules. Formation of root nodules is initiated by de novo organogenesis and coordinated infection of these developing lateral root organs by rhizobia. Both bacterial infection and nodule organogenesis involve cell cycle activation and regulation by auxin and cytokinin is tightly integrated in the process. To characterize the hormone dynamics and cell division patterns with cellular resolution during nodulation, sensitive and specific sensors suited for imaging of multicellular tissues are required. Here we report a modular toolkit, optimized in the model legume Lotus japonicus, for use in legume roots and root nodules. This toolkit includes synthetic transcriptional reporters for auxin and cytokinin, auxin accumulation sensors and cell cycle progression markers optimized for fluorescent and bright field microscopy. The developed vectors allow for efficient one-step assembly of multiple units using the GoldenGate cloning system. Applied together with a fluorescence-compatible clearing approach, these reporters improve imaging depth and facilitate fluorescence examination in legume roots. We additionally evaluate the utility of the dynamic gravitropic root response in altering the timing and location of auxin accumulation and nodule emergence. We show that alteration of auxin distribution in roots allows for preferential nodule emergence at the outer side of the bend corresponding to a region of high auxin signaling capacity. The presented tools and procedures open new possibilities for comparative mutant studies and for developing a more comprehensive understanding of legume-rhizobia interactions.