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Wang L, Tian T, Liang J, Li R, Xin X, Qi Y, Zhou Y, Fan Q, Ning G, Becana M, Duanmu D. A transcription factor of the NAC family regulates nitrate-induced legume nodule senescence. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:2113-2129. [PMID: 36945893 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18896] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Legumes establish symbioses with rhizobia by forming nitrogen-fixing nodules. Nitrate is a major environmental factor that affects symbiotic functioning. However, the molecular mechanism of nitrate-induced nodule senescence is poorly understood. Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals an NAC-type transcription factor in Lotus japonicus, LjNAC094, that acts as a positive regulator in nitrate-induced nodule senescence. Stable overexpression and mutant lines of NAC094 were constructed and used for phenotypic characterization. DNA-affinity purification sequencing was performed to identify NAC094 targeting genes and results were confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift and transactivation assays. Overexpression of NAC094 induces premature nodule senescence. Knocking out NAC094 partially relieves nitrate-induced degradation of leghemoglobins and abolishes nodule expression of senescence-associated genes (SAGs) that contain a conserved binding motif for NAC094. Nitrate-triggered metabolic changes in wild-type nodules are largely affected in nac094 mutant nodules. Induction of NAC094 and its targeting SAGs was almost blocked in the nitrate-insensitive nlp1, nlp4, and nlp1 nlp4 mutants. We conclude that NAC094 functions downstream of NLP1 and NLP4 by regulating nitrate-induced expression of SAGs. Our study fills in a key gap between nitrate and the execution of nodule senescence, and provides a potential strategy to improve nitrogen fixation and stress tolerance of legumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Tao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jianjun Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Runhui Li
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xian Xin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yongmei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yumiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qiuling Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Guogui Ning
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Manuel Becana
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Deqiang Duanmu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Nasrollahi V, Yuan ZC, Kohalmi SE, Hannoufa A. SPL12 Regulates AGL6 and AGL21 to Modulate Nodulation and Root Regeneration under Osmotic Stress and Nitrate Sufficiency Conditions in Medicago sativa. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11223071. [PMID: 36432802 PMCID: PMC9697194 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The highly conserved plant microRNA, miR156, affects root architecture, nodulation, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and stress response. In Medicago sativa, transcripts of eleven SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE, SPLs, including SPL12, are targeted for cleavage by miR156. Our previous research revealed the role of SPL12 and its target gene, AGL6, in nodulation in alfalfa. Here, we investigated the involvement of SPL12, AGL6 and AGL21 in nodulation under osmotic stress and different nitrate availability conditions. Characterization of phenotypic and molecular parameters revealed that the SPL12/AGL6 module plays a negative role in maintaining nodulation under osmotic stress. While there was a decrease in the nodule numbers in WT plants under osmotic stress, the SPL12-RNAi and AGL6-RNAi genotypes maintained nodulation under osmotic stress. Moreover, the results showed that SPL12 regulates nodulation under a high concentration of nitrate by silencing AGL21. AGL21 transcript levels were increased under nitrate treatment in WT plants, but SPL12 was not affected throughout the treatment period. Given that AGL21 was significantly upregulated in SPL12-RNAi plants, we conclude that SPL12 may be involved in regulating nitrate inhibition of nodulation in alfalfa by targeting AGL21. Taken together, our results suggest that SPL12, AGL6, and AGL21 form a genetic module that regulates nodulation in alfalfa under osmotic stress and in response to nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Nasrollahi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Ze-Chun Yuan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
| | - Susanne E. Kohalmi
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Abdelali Hannoufa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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Chakraborty S, Harris JM. At the Crossroads of Salinity and Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2022; 35:540-553. [PMID: 35297650 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-09-21-0231-fi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Legume roots interact with soil bacteria rhizobia to develop nodules, de novo symbiotic root organs that host these rhizobia and are mini factories of atmospheric nitrogen fixation. Nodulation is a sophisticated developmental process and is sensitive to several abiotic factors, salinity being one of them. While salinity influences both the free-living partners, symbiosis is more vulnerable than other aspects of plant and microbe physiology, and the symbiotic interaction is strongly impaired even under moderate salinity. In this review, we tease apart the various known components of rhizobium-legume symbiosis and how they interact with salt stress. We focus primarily on the initial stages of symbiosis since we have a greater mechanistic understanding of the interaction at these stages.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanhita Chakraborty
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, U.S.A
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, U.S.A
| | - Jeanne M Harris
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, U.S.A
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Benitez-Alfonso Y. George Washington Carver: A plant scientist's perspective. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R9-R13. [PMID: 35016001 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso discusses the work and influence of African American agricultural scientist and inventor George Washington Carver, whose under-recognised studies of crop rotation and soil depletion greatly improved the lives of farmers, and whose teachings continue to inspire and remain relevant today.
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Matamoros MA, Becana M. Molecular responses of legumes to abiotic stress: post-translational modifications of proteins and redox signaling. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:5876-5892. [PMID: 33453107 PMCID: PMC8355754 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Legumes include several major crops that can fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic root nodules, thus reducing the demand for nitrogen fertilizers and contributing to sustainable agriculture. Global change models predict increases in temperature and extreme weather conditions. This scenario might increase plant exposure to abiotic stresses and negatively affect crop production. Regulation of whole plant physiology and nitrogen fixation in legumes during abiotic stress is complex, and only a few mechanisms have been elucidated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and reactive sulfur species (RSS) are key players in the acclimation and stress tolerance mechanisms of plants. However, the specific redox-dependent signaling pathways are far from understood. One mechanism by which ROS, RNS, and RSS fulfil their signaling role is the post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins. Redox-based PTMs occur in the cysteine thiol group (oxidation, S-nitrosylation, S-glutathionylation, persulfidation), and also in methionine (oxidation), tyrosine (nitration), and lysine and arginine (carbonylation/glycation) residues. Unraveling PTM patterns under different types of stress and establishing the functional implications may give insight into the underlying mechanisms by which the plant and nodule respond to adverse conditions. Here, we review current knowledge on redox-based PTMs and their possible consequences in legume and nodule biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Matamoros
- Departamento de Nutrición Vegetal, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado 13034, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel Becana
- Departamento de Nutrición Vegetal, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado 13034, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain
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Chakraborty S, Driscoll HE, Abrahante JE, Zhang F, Fisher RF, Harris JM. Salt Stress Enhances Early Symbiotic Gene Expression in Medicago truncatula and Induces a Stress-Specific Set of Rhizobium-Responsive Genes. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2021; 34:904-921. [PMID: 33819071 PMCID: PMC8578154 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-01-21-0019-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Salt stress is a major agricultural concern inhibiting not only plant growth but also the symbiotic association between legume roots and the soil bacteria rhizobia. This symbiotic association is initiated by a molecular dialogue between the two partners, leading to the activation of a signaling cascade in the legume host and, ultimately, the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Here, we show that a moderate salt stress increases the responsiveness of early symbiotic genes in Medicago truncatula to its symbiotic partner, Sinorhizobium meliloti while, conversely, inoculation with S. meliloti counteracts salt-regulated gene expression, restoring one-third to control levels. Our analysis of early nodulin 11 (ENOD11) shows that salt-induced expression is dynamic, Nod-factor dependent, and requires the ionic but not the osmotic component of salt. We demonstrate that salt stimulation of rhizobium-induced gene expression requires NSP2, which functions as a node to integrate the abiotic and biotic signals. In addition, our work reveals that inoculation with S. meliloti succinoglycan mutants also hyperinduces ENOD11 expression in the presence or absence of salt, suggesting a possible link between rhizobial exopolysaccharide and the plant response to salt stress. Finally, we identify an accessory set of genes that are induced by rhizobium only under conditions of salt stress and have not been previously identified as being nodulation-related genes. Our data suggest that interplay of core nodulation genes with different accessory sets, specific for different abiotic conditions, functions to establish the symbiosis. Together, our findings reveal a complex and dynamic interaction between plant, microbe, and environment.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanhita Chakraborty
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Heather E. Driscoll
- Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN), Department of Biology, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont 05663, USA
| | - Juan E. Abrahante
- University of Minnesota Informatics Institute (UMII) (CCRB 1-210C), 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN), Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
- Institute for Translational Research and Department of family medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107
| | - Robert F. Fisher
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, California 94305-5020, USA
| | - Jeanne M. Harris
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Corresponding author: Jeanne M. Harris ()
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Goyal RK, Mattoo AK, Schmidt MA. Rhizobial-Host Interactions and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Legume Crops Toward Agriculture Sustainability. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:669404. [PMID: 34177848 PMCID: PMC8226219 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.669404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) process makes legume crops self-sufficient in nitrogen (N) in sharp contrast to cereal crops that require an external input by N-fertilizers. Since the latter process in cereal crops results in a huge quantity of greenhouse gas emission, the legume production systems are considered efficient and important for sustainable agriculture and climate preservation. Despite benefits of SNF, and the fact that chemical N-fertilizers cause N-pollution of the ecosystems, the focus on improving SNF efficiency in legumes did not become a breeder’s priority. The size and stability of heritable effects under different environment conditions weigh significantly on any trait useful in breeding strategies. Here we review the challenges and progress made toward decoding the heritable components of SNF, which is considerably more complex than other crop allelic traits since the process involves genetic elements of both the host and the symbiotic rhizobial species. SNF-efficient rhizobial species designed based on the genetics of the host and its symbiotic partner face the test of a unique microbiome for its success and productivity. The progress made thus far in commercial legume crops with relevance to the dynamics of host–rhizobia interaction, environmental impact on rhizobial performance challenges, and what collectively determines the SNF efficiency under field conditions are also reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder K Goyal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada
| | - Autar K Mattoo
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Maria Augusta Schmidt
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada
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Echeverria A, Larrainzar E, Li W, Watanabe Y, Sato M, Tran CD, Moler JA, Hirai MY, Sawada Y, Tran LSP, Gonzalez EM. Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula Show Contrasting Root Metabolic Responses to Drought. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:652143. [PMID: 33968107 PMCID: PMC8097159 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.652143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Drought is an environmental stressor that affects crop yield worldwide. Understanding plant physiological responses to stress conditions is needed to secure food in future climate conditions. In this study, we applied a combination of plant physiology and metabolomic techniques to understand plant responses to progressive water deficit focusing on the root system. We chose two legume plants with contrasting tolerance to drought, the widely cultivated alfalfa Medicago sativa (Ms) and the model legume Medicago truncatula (Mt) for comparative analysis. Ms taproot (tapR) and Mt fibrous root (fibR) biomass increased during drought, while a progressive decline in water content was observed in both species. Metabolomic analysis allowed the identification of key metabolites in the different tissues tested. Under drought, carbohydrates, abscisic acid, and proline predominantly accumulated in leaves and tapRs, whereas flavonoids increased in fibRs in both species. Raffinose-family related metabolites accumulated during drought. Along with an accumulation of root sucrose in plants subjected to drought, both species showed a decrease in sucrose synthase (SUS) activity related to a reduction in the transcript level of SUS1, the main SUS gene. This study highlights the relevance of root carbon metabolism during drought conditions and provides evidence on the specific accumulation of metabolites throughout the root system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Echeverria
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz Larrainzar
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Weiqiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Stress Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuko Watanabe
- Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Muneo Sato
- Metabolic System Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Cuong Duy Tran
- Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Agricultural Genetics Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jose A. Moler
- Department of Statistics, Computing and Mathematics, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Masami Yokota Hirai
- Metabolic System Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuji Sawada
- Metabolic System Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Lam-Son Phan Tran
- Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Lam-Son Phan Tran,
| | - Esther M. Gonzalez
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Esther M. Gonzalez,
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