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Asadi M, Millar AA. Review: Plant microRNAs in pathogen defense: A panacea or a piece of the puzzle? PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 341:111993. [PMID: 38266718 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.111993] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) control key agronomic traits that are associated with their conserved role(s) in development. However, despite a multitude of studies, the utility of miRNAs in plant-pathogen resistance remains less certain. Reviewing the literature identifies three general classes of miRNAs regarding plant pathogen defense. Firstly, a number of evolutionary dynamic 22 nucleotide miRNA families that repress large numbers of plant immunity genes, either directly, or through triggering the biogenesis of secondary siRNAs. However, understanding of their role in defense and of their manipulation to enhance pathogen resistance are still lacking. Secondly, highly conserved miRNAs that indirectly impact disease resistance through their targets that are primarily regulating development or hormone signaling. Any alteration of these miRNAs usually results in pleiotropic impacts, which may alter disease resistance in some plant species, and against some pathogens. Thirdly, are the comparatively diverse and evolutionary dynamic set of non-conserved miRNAs, some of which contribute to pathogen resistance, but whose narrow evolutionary presence will likely restrict their utility. Therefore, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of plant-pathogen interactions, a complex interplay of plant miRNAs with pathogen responses exists. Any miRNA-based solution for pathogen resistance will likely be highly specific, rather than a general panacea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Asadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran; Department of Agricultural Science, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
| | - Anthony A Millar
- Division of Plant Science, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop development, ANU, Canberra, Australia.
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Mierziak J, Wojtasik W. Epigenetic weapons of plants against fungal pathogens. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:175. [PMID: 38443788 PMCID: PMC10916060 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04829-8] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In the natural environment, plants face constant exposure to biotic stress caused by fungal attacks. The plant's response to various biotic stresses relies heavily on its ability to rapidly adjust the transcriptome. External signals are transmitted to the nucleus, leading to activation of transcription factors that subsequently enhance the expression of specific defense-related genes. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and DNA methylation, which are closely linked to chromatin states, regulate gene expression associated with defense against biotic stress. Additionally, chromatin remodelers and non-coding RNA play a significant role in plant defense against stressors. These molecular modifications enable plants to exhibit enhanced resistance and productivity under diverse environmental conditions. Epigenetic mechanisms also contribute to stress-induced environmental epigenetic memory and priming in plants, enabling them to recall past molecular experiences and utilize this stored information for adaptation to new conditions. In the arms race between fungi and plants, a significant aspect is the cross-kingdom RNAi mechanism, whereby sRNAs can traverse organismal boundaries. Fungi utilize sRNA as an effector molecule to silence plant resistance genes, while plants transport sRNA, primarily through extracellular vesicles, to pathogens in order to suppress virulence-related genes. In this review, we summarize contemporary knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms of plant defense against attack by pathogenic fungi. The role of epigenetic mechanisms during plant-fungus symbiotic interactions is also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mierziak
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, Wroclaw, 51-148, Poland
| | - Wioleta Wojtasik
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, Wroclaw, 51-148, Poland.
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Dhingra Y, Lahiri M, Bhandari N, Kaur I, Gupta S, Agarwal M, Katiyar-Agarwal S. Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis unveil the roles of pseudouridine synthase (PUS) family proteins in rice development and stress response. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1981-2004. [PMID: 38222285 PMCID: PMC10784261 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-023-01396-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Pseudouridylation, the conversion of uridine (U) to pseudouridine (Ѱ), is one of the most prevalent and evolutionary conserved RNA modifications, which is catalyzed by pseudouridine synthase (PUS) enzymes. Ѱs play a crucial epitranscriptomic role by regulating attributes of cellular RNAs across diverse organisms. However, the precise biological functions of PUSs in plants remain largely elusive. In this study, we identified and characterized 21 members in the rice PUS family which were categorized into six distinct subfamilies, with RluA and TruA emerging as the most extensive. A comprehensive analysis of domain structures, motifs, and homology modeling revealed that OsPUSs possess all canonical features of true PUS proteins, essential for substrate recognition and catalysis. The exploration of OsPUS promoters revealed presence of cis-acting regulatory elements associated with hormone and abiotic stress responses. Expression analysis of OsPUS genes showed differential expression at developmental stages and under stress conditions. Notably, OsTruB3 displayed high expression in salt, heat, and drought stresses. Several OsRluA members showed induction in heat stress, while a significant decline in expression was observed for various OsTruA members in drought and salinity. Furthermore, miRNAs predicted to target OsPUSs were themselves responsive to variable stresses, adding an additional layer of regulatory complexity of OsPUSs. Study of protein-protein interaction networks provided substantial support for the potential regulatory role of OsPUSs in numerous cellular and stress response pathways. Conclusively, our study provides functional insights into the OsPUS family, contributing to a better understanding of their crucial roles in shaping the development and stress adaptation in rice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01396-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashika Dhingra
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Milinda Lahiri
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Nikunj Bhandari
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Inderjit Kaur
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Shitij Gupta
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
- Present Address: Institute of Plant Sciences, Universität Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manu Agarwal
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, North Campus, Delhi, 110007 India
| | - Surekha Katiyar-Agarwal
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
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Chandra T, Jaiswal S, Iquebal MA, Singh R, Gautam RK, Rai A, Kumar D. Revitalizing miRNAs mediated agronomical advantageous traits improvement in rice. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 202:107933. [PMID: 37549574 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107933] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the key enigmas in conventional and modern crop improvement programmes is how to introduce beneficial traits without any penalty impairment. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), among the essential staple food crops grown and utilized worldwide, needs to improve genotypes in multifaceted ways. With the global view to feed ten billion under the climatic perturbation, only a potent functional master regulator can withstand with hope for the next green revolution and food security. miRNAs are such, miniature, fine tuners for crop improvement and provide a value addition in emerging technologies, namely large-scale genotyping, phenotyping, genome editing, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection, to make rice production feasible. There has been surplus research output generated since the last decade on miRNAs in rice, however, recent functional knowledge is limited to reaping the benefits for conventional and modern improvements in rice to avoid ambiguity and redundancy in the generated data. Here, we present the latest functional understanding of miRNAs in rice. In addition, their biogenesis, intra- and inter-kingdom signaling and communication, implication of amiRNAs, and consequences upon integration with CRISPR-Cas9. Further, highlights refer to the application of miRNAs for rice agronomical trait improvements, broadly classified into three functional domains. The majority of functionally established miRNAs are responsible for growth and development, followed by biotic and abiotic stresses. Tabular cataloguing reveals and highlights two multifaceted modules that were extensively studied. These belong to miRNA families 156 and 396, orchestrate multifarious aspects of advantageous agronomical traits. Moreover, updated and exhaustive functional aspects of different supplemental miRNA modules that would strengthen rice improvement are also being discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilak Chandra
- Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Sarika Jaiswal
- Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Mir Asif Iquebal
- Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
| | - Rakesh Singh
- Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - R K Gautam
- Division of Germplasm Evaluation, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 110012, India.
| | - Anil Rai
- Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
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Lei X, Chen M, Xu K, Sun R, Zhao S, Wu N, Zhang S, Yang X, Xiao K, Zhao Y. The miR166d/ TaCPK7-D Signaling Module Is a Critical Mediator of Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Tolerance to K + Deficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097926. [PMID: 37175632 PMCID: PMC10178733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097926] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that potassium (K+) is an essential nutrient for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and development. Several microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR166, are reportedly vital roles related to plant growth and stress responses. In this study, a K+ starvation-responsive miRNA (miR166d) was identified, which showed increased expression in the roots of wheat seedlings exposed to low-K+ stress. The overexpression of miR166d considerably increased the tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants to K+ deprivation treatment. Furthermore, disrupting miR166d expression via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) adversely affected wheat adaptation to low-K+ stress. Additionally, miR166d directly targeted the calcium-dependent protein kinase 7-D gene (TaCPK7-D) in wheat. The TaCPK7-D gene expression was decreased in wheat seedling roots following K+ starvation treatment. Silencing TaCPK7-D in wheat increased K+ uptake under K+ starvation. Moreover, we observed that the miR166d/TaCPK7-D module could affect wheat tolerance to K+ starvation stress by regulating TaAKT1 and TaHAK1 expression. Taken together, our results indicate that miR166d is vital for K+ uptake and K+ starvation tolerance of wheat via regulation of TaCPK7-D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Miaomiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ruoxi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Sihang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ningjing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Shuhua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Xueju Yang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Kai Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Hebei, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
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