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Talarico E, Zambelli A, Araniti F, Greco E, Chiappetta A, Bruno L. Unravelling the Epigenetic Code: DNA Methylation in Plants and Its Role in Stress Response. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:30. [PMID: 39189256 PMCID: PMC11348131 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8030030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental stress significantly affects plant growth, development, and survival. Plants respond to stressors such as temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, nutrient deficiencies, and pathogen attacks through intricate molecular and physiological adaptations. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in regulating gene expression in response to environmental stress. This review explores the current understanding of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and their roles in modulating gene expression patterns under environmental stress conditions. The dynamic nature of epigenetic modifications, their crosstalk with stress-responsive pathways, and their potential implications for plant adaptation and crop improvement are highlighted in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Talarico
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.T.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Alice Zambelli
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.Z.); (F.A.)
| | - Fabrizio Araniti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.Z.); (F.A.)
| | - Eleonora Greco
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.T.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Adriana Chiappetta
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.T.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Leonardo Bruno
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.T.); (E.G.); (A.C.)
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Kaya C, Uğurlar F, Adamakis IDS. Epigenetic Modifications of Hormonal Signaling Pathways in Plant Drought Response and Tolerance for Sustainable Food Security. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8229. [PMID: 39125799 PMCID: PMC11311266 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Drought significantly challenges global food security, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of plant molecular responses for effective mitigation strategies. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, are key in regulating genes and hormones essential for drought response. While microRNAs (miRNAs) primarily regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, they can also interact with epigenetic pathways as potential effectors that influence chromatin remodeling. Although the role of miRNAs in epigenetic memory is still being explored, understanding their contribution to drought response requires examining these indirect effects on epigenetic modifications. A key aspect of this exploration is epigenetic memory in drought-adapted plants, offering insights into the transgenerational inheritance of adaptive traits. Understanding the mechanisms that govern the maintenance and erasure of these epigenetic imprints provides nuanced insights into how plants balance stability and flexibility in their epigenomes. A major focus is on the dynamic interaction between hormonal pathways-such as those for abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, jasmonates, and salicylic acid (SA)-and epigenetic mechanisms. This interplay is crucial for fine-tuning gene expression during drought stress, leading to physiological and morphological adaptations that enhance plant drought resilience. This review also highlights the transformative potential of advanced technologies, such as bisulfite sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9, in providing comprehensive insights into plant responses to water deficit conditions. These technologies pave the way for developing drought-tolerant crops, which is vital for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cengiz Kaya
- Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department, Harran University, Sanliurfa 63200, Turkey; (C.K.); (F.U.)
| | - Ferhat Uğurlar
- Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department, Harran University, Sanliurfa 63200, Turkey; (C.K.); (F.U.)
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Rao X, Yang S, Lü S, Yang P. DNA Methylation Dynamics in Response to Drought Stress in Crops. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1977. [PMID: 39065503 PMCID: PMC11280950 DOI: 10.3390/plants13141977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Drought is one of the most hazardous environmental factors due to its severe damage on plant growth, development and productivity. Plants have evolved complex regulatory networks and resistance strategies for adaptation to drought stress. As a conserved epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation dynamically alters gene expression and chromosome interactions in plants' response to abiotic stresses. The development of omics technologies on genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics has led to a rapid increase in research on epigenetic variation in non-model crop species. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings on the roles of DNA methylation under drought stress in crops, including methylating and demethylating enzymes, the global methylation dynamics, the dual regulation of DNA methylation on gene expression, the RNA-dependent DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, alternative splicing (AS) events and long non-coding RNAs (lnc RNAs). We also discuss drought-induced stress memory. These epigenomic findings provide valuable potential for developing strategies to improve crop drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pingfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China; (X.R.); (S.Y.); (S.L.)
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Yadav S, Meena S, Kalwan G, Jain PK. DNA methylation: an emerging paradigm of gene regulation under drought stress in plants. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:311. [PMID: 38372841 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09243-9] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Drought is an enormous threat to global crop production. In order to ensure food security for the burgeoning population, we must develop drought tolerant crop varieties. This necessitates the identification of drought-responsive genes and understanding the mechanisms involved in their regulation. DNA methylation is a widely studied mechanism of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is known to play vital role in conferring tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stress factors. The recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, has allowed unprecedented access to genome-wide methylation marks, with single base resolution. The most important roles of DNA methylation have been studied in terms of gene body methylation (gbM), which is associated with regulation of both transcript abundance and its stability. The availability of mutants for the various genes encoding enzymes involved in methylation of DNA has allowed ascertainment of the biological significance of methylation. Even though a vast number of reports have emerged in the recent past, where both genome-wide methylation landscape and locus specific changes in DNA methylation have been studied, a conclusive picture with regards to the biological role of DNA methylation is still lacking. Compounding this, is the lack of sufficient evidence supporting the heritability of these epigenetic changes. Amongst the various epigenetic variations, the DNA methylation changes are observed to be the most stable. This review describes the drought-induced changes in DNA methylation identified across different plant species. We also briefly describe the stress memory contributed by these changes. The identification of heritable, drought-induced methylation marks would broaden the scope of crop improvement in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheel Yadav
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India
- PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
- Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Shashi Meena
- PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Gopal Kalwan
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India
- PG School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - P K Jain
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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Zhang D, Gan Y, Le L, Pu L. Epigenetic variation in maize agronomical traits for breeding and trait improvement. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00028-6. [PMID: 38310944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetics-mediated breeding (Epibreeding) involves engineering crop traits and stress responses through the targeted manipulation of key epigenetic features to enhance agricultural productivity. While conventional breeding methods raise concerns about reduced genetic diversity, epibreeding propels crop improvement through epigenetic variations that regulate gene expression, ultimately impacting crop yield. Epigenetic regulation in crops encompasses various modes, including histone modification, DNA modification, RNA modification, non-coding RNA, and chromatin remodeling. This review summarizes the epigenetic mechanisms underlying major agronomic traits in maize and identifies candidate epigenetic landmarks in the maize breeding process. We propose a valuable strategy for improving maize yield through epibreeding, combining CRISPR/Cas-based epigenome editing technology and Synthetic Epigenetics (SynEpi). Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with maize trait improvement through epibreeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daolei Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010021, China
| | - Yujun Gan
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Liang Le
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Li Pu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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Shoaib N, Pan K, Mughal N, Raza A, Liu L, Zhang J, Wu X, Sun X, Zhang L, Pan Z. Potential of UV-B radiation in drought stress resilience: A multidimensional approach to plant adaptation and future implications. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:387-407. [PMID: 38058262 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14774] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The escalating impact of climate change and ultraviolet (UV) radiation is subjecting plants to unique combinations of UV-B and drought stress. These combined stressors could have additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects, but the precise nature of these impacts remains uncertain, hampering our ability to predict plant adaptations approach towards stressors. Our analysis of various studies shows that UV-B or drought conditions detrimentally influence plant growth and health metrics by the enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species causing damage to lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. Further reducing biomass accumulation, plant height, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf area, and water transpiration, while enhancing stress-related symptoms. In response to UV-B radiation and drought stress, plants exhibit a notable up-regulation of specific acclimation-associated metabolites, including proline, flavonoids, anthocyanins, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants. These metabolites play a pivotal role in conferring protection against environmental stresses. Their biosynthesis and functional roles are potentially modulated by signalling molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene, all of which have associated genetic markers that further elucidate their involvement in stress response pathways. In comparison to single stress, the combination of UV-B and drought induces the plant defence responses and growth retardation which are less-than-additive. This sub-additive response, consistent across different study environments, suggests the possibility of a cross-resistance mechanism. Our outlines imply that the adverse effects of increased drought and UV-B could potentially be mitigated by cross-talk between UV-B and drought regimes utilizing a multidimensional approach. This crucial insight could contribute significantly to refining our understanding of stress tolerance in the face of ongoing global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noman Shoaib
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kaiwen Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Nishbah Mughal
- Engineering Research Centre for Crop Strip Intercropping System, Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in Southwest China (Ministry of Agriculture), College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ali Raza
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liling Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaogang Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhifen Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
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Tang X, Li Q, Feng X, Yang B, Zhong X, Zhou Y, Wang Q, Mao Y, Xie W, Liu T, Tang Q, Guo W, Wu F, Feng X, Wang Q, Lu Y, Xu J. Identification and Functional Analysis of Drought-Responsive Long Noncoding RNAs in Maize Roots. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15039. [PMID: 37894720 PMCID: PMC10606207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015039] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with lengths of more than 200 nt and limited protein-coding potential. They were found to play important roles in plant stress responses. In this study, the maize drought-tolerant inbred line AC7643 and drought-sensitive inbred line AC7729/TZSRW, as well as their recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were selected to identify drought-responsive lncRNAs in roots. Compared with non-responsive lncRNAs, drought-responsive lncRNAs had different sequence characteristics in length of genes and number of exons. The ratio of down-regulated lncRNAs induced by drought was significantly higher than that of coding genes; and lncRNAs were more widespread expressed in recombination sites in the RILs. Additionally, by integration of the modifications of DNA 5-methylcytidine (5mC), histones, and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A), it was found that the enrichment of histone modifications associated with transcriptional activation in the genes generated lncRNAs was lower that coding genes. The lncRNAs-mRNAs co-expression network, containing 15,340 coding genes and 953 lncRNAs, was constructed to investigate the molecular functions of lncRNAs. There are 13 modules found to be associated with survival rate under drought. We found nine SNPs located in lncRNAs among the modules associated with plant survival under drought. In conclusion, we revealed the characteristics of lncRNAs responding to drought in maize roots based on multiomics studies. These findings enrich our understanding of lncRNAs under drought and shed light on the complex regulatory networks that are orchestrated by the noncoding RNAs in response to drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qimeng Li
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaoju Feng
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiu Zhong
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yan Mao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Wubin Xie
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Tianhong Liu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qi Tang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Fengkai Wu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xuanjun Feng
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qingjun Wang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yanli Lu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.T.); (Q.L.); (X.F.); (B.Y.); (X.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Y.M.); (W.X.); (T.L.); (Q.T.); (W.G.); (F.W.); (X.F.); (Q.W.)
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
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Li M, Ou M, He X, Ye H, Ma J, Liu H, Yang H, Zhao P. DNA methylation role in subgenome expression dominance of Juglans regia and its wild relative J. mandshurica. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:1313-1329. [PMID: 37403190 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Subgenome expression dominance plays a crucial role in the environmental adaptation of polyploids. However, the epigenetic molecular mechanism underlying this process has not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in perennial woody plants. Persian walnut (Juglans regia) and its wild relative, Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica), are woody plants of great economic importance and are both paleopolyploids that have undergone whole-genome duplication events. In this study, we explored the characteristics of subgenome expression dominance in these 2 Juglans species and examined its epigenetic basis. We divided their genomes into dominant subgenome (DS) and submissive subgenome (SS) and found that the DS-specific genes might play critical roles in biotic stress response or pathogen defense. We comprehensively elucidated the characteristics of biased gene expression, asymmetric DNA methylation, transposable elements (TEs), and alternative splicing (AS) events of homoeologous gene pairs between subgenomes. The results showed that biased expression genes (BEGs) in 2 Juglans species were mainly related to external stimuli response, while non-BEGs were related to complexes that might be involved in signal transduction. DS genes had higher expression and more AS events while having less DNA methylation and TEs than homoeologous genes from the SS in the 2 Juglans species. Further studies showed that DNA methylation might contribute to the biased expression of gene pairs by modifying LTR/TIR/nonTIR TEs and improving the AS efficiency of corresponding precursor mRNAs in a particular context. Our study contributes to understanding the epigenetic basis of subgenome expression dominance and the environmental adaptation of perennial woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Mengwei Ou
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Xiaozhou He
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Hang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Jiayu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Hengzhao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
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Rehman S, Ahmad Z, Ramakrishnan M, Kalendar R, Zhuge Q. Regulation of plant epigenetic memory in response to cold and heat stress: towards climate resilient agriculture. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:298. [PMID: 37700098 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved to adapt and grow in hot and cold climatic conditions. Some also adapt to daily and seasonal temperature changes. Epigenetic modifications play an important role in regulating plant tolerance under such conditions. DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histone proteins influence gene expression during plant developmental stages and under stress conditions, including cold and heat stress. While short-term modifications are common, some modifications may persist and result in stress memory that can be inherited by subsequent generations. Understanding the mechanisms of epigenomes responding to stress and the factors that trigger stress memory is crucial for developing climate-resilient agriculture, but such an integrated view is currently limited. This review focuses on the plant epigenetic stress memory during cold and heat stress. It also discusses the potential of machine learning to modify stress memory through epigenetics to develop climate-resilient crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsur Rehman
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Zishan Ahmad
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Muthusamy Ramakrishnan
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
- Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Ruslan Kalendar
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, Biocenter 3, Viikinkaari 1, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
| | - Qiang Zhuge
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.
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10
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Zheng J, Wen S, Yu Z, Luo K, Rong J, Ding M. Alternative Splicing during Fiber Development in G. hirsutum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11812. [PMID: 37511571 PMCID: PMC10380772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cotton is a valuable cash crop in many countries. Cotton fiber is a trichome that develops from a single epidermal cell and serves as an excellent model for understanding cell differentiation and other life processes. Alternative splicing (AS) of genes is a common post-transcriptional regulatory process in plants that is essential for plant growth and development. The process of AS during cotton fiber formation, on the other hand, is mainly unknown. A substantial number of multi-exon genes were discovered to be alternatively spliced during cotton fiber formation in this study, accounting for 23.31% of the total number of genes in Gossypium hirsutum. Retention intron (RI) is not necessarily the most common AS type, indicating that AS genes and processes during fiber development are very temporal and tissue-specific. When compared to fiber samples, AS is more prevalent at the fiber initiation stages and in the ovule, indicating that development stages and tissues use different AS strategies. Genes involved in fiber development have gone through stage-specific AS, demonstrating that AS regulates cotton fiber development. Furthermore, AS can be regulated by trans-regulation elements such as splicing factor and cis-regulation elements such as gene length, exon numbers, and GC content, particularly at exon-intron junction sites. Our findings also suggest that increased DNA methylation may aid in the efficiency of AS, and that gene body methylation is key in AS control. Finally, our research will provide useful information about the roles of AS during the cotton fiber development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zheng
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Shuhan Wen
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Zhipeng Yu
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Keyan Luo
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Junkang Rong
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Mingquan Ding
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Linan, Hangzhou 311300, China
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11
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Xue Y, Zou C, Zhang C, Yu H, Chen B, Wang H. Dynamic DNA methylation changes reveal tissue-specific gene expression in sugarcane. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1036764. [PMID: 36311126 PMCID: PMC9606695 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1036764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important mechanism for the dynamic regulation of gene expression and silencing of transposons during plant developmental processes. Here, we analyzed genome-wide methylation patterns in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) leaves, roots, rinds, and piths at single-base resolution. DNA methylation patterns were similar among the different sugarcane tissues, whereas DNA methylation levels differed. We also found that DNA methylation in different genic regions or sequence contexts plays different roles in gene expression. Differences in methylation among tissues resulted in many differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between tissues, particularly CHH DMRs. Genes overlapping with DMRs tended to be differentially expressed (DEGs) between tissues, and these DMR-associated DEGs were enriched in biological pathways related to tissue function, such as photosynthesis, sucrose synthesis, stress response, transport, and metabolism. Moreover, we observed many DNA methylation valleys (DMVs), which always overlapped with transcription factors (TFs) and sucrose-related genes, such as WRKY, bZIP, WOX, SPS, and FBPase. Collectively, these findings provide significant insights into the complicated interplay between DNA methylation and gene expression and shed light on the epigenetic regulation of sucrose-related genes in sugarcane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Chengwu Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Hang Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Baoshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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Sun M, Yang Z, Liu L, Duan L. DNA Methylation in Plant Responses and Adaption to Abiotic Stresses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136910. [PMID: 35805917 PMCID: PMC9266845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their sessile state, plants are inevitably affected by and respond to the external environment. So far, plants have developed multiple adaptation and regulation strategies to abiotic stresses. One such system is epigenetic regulation, among which DNA methylation is one of the earliest and most studied regulatory mechanisms, which can regulate genome functioning and induce plant resistance and adaption to abiotic stresses. In this review, we outline the most recent findings on plant DNA methylation responses to drought, high temperature, cold, salt, and heavy metal stresses. In addition, we discuss stress memory regulated by DNA methylation, both in a transient way and the long-term memory that could pass to next generations. To sum up, the present review furnishes an updated account of DNA methylation in plant responses and adaptations to abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Li Liu
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (L.D.)
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13
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Genome-Wide Profiling of Alternative Splicing and Gene Fusion during Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus Stress in Maize (Zea mays L.). Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030456. [PMID: 35328010 PMCID: PMC8955601 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) causes maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD), which is a viral disease that significantly affects maize yields worldwide. Plants tolerate stress through transcriptional reprogramming at the alternative splicing (AS), transcriptional, and fusion gene (FG) levels. However, it is unclear whether and how AS and FG interfere with transcriptional reprogramming in MRDD. In this study, we performed global profiling of AS and FG on maize response to RBSDV and compared it with transcriptional changes. There are approximately 1.43 to 2.25 AS events per gene in maize infected with RBSDV. GRMZM2G438622 was only detected in four AS modes (A3SS, A5SS, RI, and SE), whereas GRMZM2G059392 showed downregulated expression and four AS events. A total of 106 and 176 FGs were detected at two time points, respectively, including six differentially expressed genes and five differentially spliced genes. The gene GRMZM2G076798 was the only FG that occurred at two time points and was involved in two FG events. Among these, 104 GOs were enriched, indicating that nodulin-, disease resistance-, and chloroplastic-related genes respond to RBSDV stress in maize. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying post-transcriptional and transcriptional regulation of maize response to RBSDV stress.
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Ackah M, Guo L, Li S, Jin X, Asakiya C, Aboagye ET, Yuan F, Wu M, Essoh LG, Adjibolosoo D, Attaribo T, Zhang Q, Qiu C, Lin Q, Zhao W. DNA Methylation Changes and Its Associated Genes in Mulberry ( Morus alba L.) Yu-711 Response to Drought Stress Using MethylRAD Sequencing. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11020190. [PMID: 35050078 PMCID: PMC8780187 DOI: 10.3390/plants11020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress remains one of the most detrimental environmental cues affecting plant growth and survival. In this work, the DNA methylome changes in mulberry leaves under drought stress (EG) and control (CK) and their impact on gene regulation were investigated by MethylRAD sequencing. The results show 138,464 (37.37%) and 56,241 (28.81%) methylation at the CG and CWG sites (W = A or T), respectively, in the mulberry genome between drought stress and control. The distribution of the methylome was prevalent in the intergenic, exonic, intronic and downstream regions of the mulberry plant genome. In addition, we discovered 170 DMGs (129 in CG sites and 41 in CWG sites) and 581 DMS (413 in CG sites and 168 in CWG sites). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicates that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, spliceosome, amino acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, RNA transport, plant hormone, signal transduction pathways, and quorum sensing play a crucial role in mulberry response to drought stress. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR analysis indicates that the selected 23 genes enriched in the KEGG pathways are differentially expressed, and 86.96% of the genes share downregulated methylation and 13.04% share upregulation methylation status, indicating the complex link between DNA methylation and gene regulation. This study serves as fundamentals in discovering the epigenomic status and the pathways that will significantly enhance mulberry breeding for adaptation to a wide range of environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ackah
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Liangliang Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Shaocong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Xin Jin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Charles Asakiya
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Evans Tawiah Aboagye
- Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Feng Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Lionnelle Gyllye Essoh
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Daniel Adjibolosoo
- Key Laboratory of Cotton Genetics, Genomics and Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Thomas Attaribo
- School of Agriculture, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Navrongo UK-0215-5321, Ghana;
| | - Qiaonan Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Changyu Qiu
- Sericultural Research Institute, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530007, China; (C.Q.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qiang Lin
- Sericultural Research Institute, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530007, China; (C.Q.); (Q.L.)
| | - Weiguo Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.J.); (F.Y.); (M.W.); (L.G.E.); (Q.Z.)
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Sheoran S, Kaur Y, Kumar S, Shukla S, Rakshit S, Kumar R. Recent Advances for Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize ( Zea mays L.): Present Status and Future Prospects. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:872566. [PMID: 35707615 PMCID: PMC9189405 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.872566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress has severely hampered maize production, affecting the livelihood and economics of millions of people worldwide. In the future, as a result of climate change, unpredictable weather events will become more frequent hence the implementation of adaptive strategies will be inevitable. Through utilizing different genetic and breeding approaches, efforts are in progress to develop the drought tolerance in maize. The recent approaches of genomics-assisted breeding, transcriptomics, proteomics, transgenics, and genome editing have fast-tracked enhancement for drought stress tolerance under laboratory and field conditions. Drought stress tolerance in maize could be considerably improved by combining omics technologies with novel breeding methods and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP). This review focuses on maize responses against drought, as well as novel breeding and system biology approaches applied to better understand drought tolerance mechanisms and the development of drought-tolerant maize cultivars. Researchers must disentangle the molecular and physiological bases of drought tolerance features in order to increase maize yield. Therefore, the integrated investments in field-based HTP, system biology, and sophisticated breeding methodologies are expected to help increase and stabilize maize production in the face of climate change.
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