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Bawin T, Krause K. Rising from the shadows: Selective foraging in model shoot parasitic plants. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:1118-1127. [PMID: 38058242 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14781] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite being sessile, plants nonetheless forage for resources by modulating their growth. Adaptative foraging in response to changes in resource availability and presence of neighbours has strong implications for performance and fitness. It is an even more pressing issue for parasitic plants, which draw resources directly from other plants. Indeed, parasitic plants were demonstrated over the years to direct their growth towards preferred hosts and invest resources in parasitism relative to host quality. In contrast to root parasites that rely mostly on chemical cues, some shoot parasites seem to profit from the ability to integrate different types of abiotic and biotic cues. While significant progress in this field has been made recently, there are still many open questions regarding the molecular perception and the integration of diverse signalling pathways under different ecological contexts. Addressing how different cues are integrated in parasitic plants will be important when unravelling variations in plant interaction pathways, and essential to predict the spread of parasites in natural and agricultural environments. In this review, we discuss this with a focus on Cuscuta species as an emerging parasitic model, and provide research perspectives based on the recent advances in the topic and plant-plant interactions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bawin
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kirsten Krause
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Yokoyama T, Watanabe A, Asaoka M, Nishitani K. Germinating seedlings and mature shoots of Cuscuta campestris respond differently to light stimuli during parasitism but not during circumnutation. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1774-1784. [PMID: 36823722 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Seedlings of the parasitic plant genus Cuscuta (dodder) locate hosts by circumnutation, coil around the host near soil level and form a haustorium, establishing a primary parasitism beneath the canopy. Mature shoots elongating from the parasitic region parasitize other hosts on the upper surfaces of their canopy. Although parasitism by dodder is stimulated by blue and far-red light, and inhibited by red light, the responses to light signals during the developmental stages are not comprehensively understood. Therefore, we compared the effects of different types of light on both circumnutation and parasitism by germinating seedlings and mature shoots of Cuscuta campestris. Seedlings established parasitism under blue and far-red light, but not under red light, as has been reported repeatedly. By contrast, mature shoots exhibited coiling around the host and haustoria formation even under a red light as well as under blue and far-red light. These findings indicate that C. campestris modified its response to red light during the transition from young seedlings to mature shoots, facilitating parasitism. Light quality did not affect the circumnutation of either seedlings or mature shoots, indicating that circumnutation and the coiling movement that leads to parasitism were regulated by different environmental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiya Yokoyama
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mariko Asaoka
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nishitani
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Chaudhry A, Hassan AU, Khan SH, Abbasi A, Hina A, Khan MT, Abdelsalam NR. The changing landscape of agriculture: role of precision breeding in developing smart crops. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:167. [PMID: 37204621 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01093-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Food plants play a crucial role in human survival, providing them essential nutrients. However, traditional breeding methods have not been able to keep up with the demands of the growing population. The improvement of food plants aims to increase yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. With CRISPR/Cas9, researchers can identify and edit key genes conferring desirable qualities in agricultural plants, including increased yield, enhanced product quality attributes, and increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic challenges. These modifications have enabled the creation of "smart crops" that exhibit rapid climatic adaptation, resistance to extreme weather conditions and high yield and quality. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 combined with viral vectors or growth regulators has made it possible to produce more efficient modified plants with certain conventional breeding methods. However, ethical and regulatory aspects of this technology must be carefully considered. Proper regulation and application of genome editing technology can bring immense benefits to agriculture and food security. This article provides an overview of genetically modified genes and conventional as well as emerging tools, including CRISPR/Cas9, that have been utilized to enhance the quality of plants/fruits and their products. The review also discusses the challenges and prospects associated with these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Chaudhry
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CASAFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Ahtsham Ul Hassan
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Sultan Habibullah Khan
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CASAFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Asim Abbasi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohsar University, Murree, 47150, Pakistan.
| | - Aiman Hina
- Soybean Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean (General), MOA National Centre for Soybean Improvement, State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Muhammad Tajammal Khan
- Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
- Division of Science and Technology, Department of Botany, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nader R Abdelsalam
- Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21531, Egypt
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Hartenstein M, Albert M, Krause K. The plant vampire diaries: a historic perspective on Cuscuta research. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:2944-2955. [PMID: 36882965 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The angiosperm genus Cuscuta lives as an almost achlorophyllous root- and leafless holoparasite and has therefore occupied scientists for more than a century. The 'evolution' of Cuscuta research started with early studies that established the phylogenetic framework for this unusual genus. It continued to produce groundbreaking cytological, morphological, and physiological insight throughout the second half of the 20th century and culminated in the last two decades in exciting discoveries regarding the molecular basis of Cuscuta parasitism that were facilitated by the modern 'omics' tools and traceable fluorescent marker technologies of the 21st century. This review will show how present activities are inspired by those past breakthroughs. It will describe significant milestones and recurring themes of Cuscuta research and connect these to the remaining as well as newly evolving questions and future directions in this research field that is expected to sustain its strong growth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maleen Hartenstein
- Department of Biology, Molecular Plant Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Albert
- Department of Biology, Molecular Plant Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Krause
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Framstredet 39, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
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Aguilar-Venegas M, Quintana-Rodríguez E, Aguilar-Hernández V, López-García CM, Conejo-Dávila E, Brito-Argáez L, Loyola-Vargas VM, Vega-Arreguín J, Orona-Tamayo D. Protein Profiling of Psittacanthus calyculatus during Mesquite Infection. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:464. [PMID: 36771550 PMCID: PMC9920738 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030464] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Psittacanthus calyculatus is a hemiparasite mistletoe that represents an ecological problem due to the impacts caused to various tree species of ecological and commercial interest. Although the life cycle for the Psittacanthus genus is well established in the literature, the development stages and molecular mechanism implicated in P. calyculatus host infection are poorly understood. In this study, we used a manageable infestation of P. laevigata with P. calyculatus to clearly trace the infection, which allowed us to describe five phenological infective stages of mistletoe on host tree branches: mature seed (T1), holdfast formation (T2), haustorium activation (T3), haustorium penetration (T4), and haustorium connection (T5) with the host tree. Proteomic analyses revealed proteins with a different accumulation and cellular processes in infective stages. Activities of the cell wall-degrading enzymes cellulase and β-1,4-glucosidase were primarily active in haustorium development (T3), while xylanase, endo-glucanase, and peptidase were highly active in the haustorium penetration (T4) and xylem connection (T5). Patterns of auxins and cytokinin showed spatial concentrations in infective stages and moreover were involved in haustorium development. These results are the first evidence of proteins, cell wall-degrading enzymes, and phytohormones that are involved in early infection for the Psittacanthus genus, and thus represent a general infection mechanism for other mistletoe species. These results could help to understand the molecular dialogue in the establishment of P. calyculatus parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Aguilar-Venegas
- Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad León, UNAM, León CP 37684, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Víctor Aguilar-Hernández
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, CICY, A.C., Mérida CP 97205, Yucatán, Mexico
| | | | - Efraín Conejo-Dávila
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería Campus Guanajuato, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Silao de la Victoria CP 36275, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Ligia Brito-Argáez
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, CICY, A.C., Mérida CP 97205, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Víctor M. Loyola-Vargas
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, CICY, A.C., Mérida CP 97205, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Julio Vega-Arreguín
- Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad León, UNAM, León CP 37684, Guanajuato, Mexico
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Jhu MY, Sinha NR. Cuscuta species: Model organisms for haustorium development in stem holoparasitic plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1086384. [PMID: 36578337 PMCID: PMC9792094 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1086384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic plants are notorious for causing serious agricultural losses in many countries. Specialized intrusive organs, haustoria, confer on parasitic plants the ability to acquire water and nutrients from their host plants. Investigating the mechanism involved in haustorium development not only reveals the fascinating mystery of how autotrophic plants evolved parasitism but also provides the foundation for developing more effective methods to control the agricultural damage caused by parasitic plants. Cuscuta species, also known as dodders, are one of the most well-known and widely spread stem holoparasitic plants. Although progress has been made recently in understanding the evolution and development of haustoria in root parasitic plants, more and more studies indicate that the behaviors between root and stem haustorium formation are distinct, and the mechanisms involved in the formation of these organs remain largely unknown. Unlike most endoparasites and root holoparasitic plants, which have high host-specificity and self- or kin-recognition to avoid forming haustoria on themselves or closely related species, auto-parasitism and hyper-parasitism are commonly observed among Cuscuta species. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of haustorium development in dodders and the unique characteristics of their parasitizing behaviors. We also outline the advantages of using Cuscuta species as model organisms for haustorium development in stem holoparasitic plants, the current unknown mysteries and limitations in the Cuscuta system, and potential future research directions to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Yao Jhu
- Crop Science Centre, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Neelima R. Sinha
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
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