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Xu W, Cheng H, Cheng J, Zhu S, Cui Y, Wang C, Wu J, Lan X, Cheng Y. A COBRA family protein, PtrCOB3, contributes to gelatinous layer formation of tension wood fibers in poplar. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 196:323-337. [PMID: 38850037 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Angiosperm trees usually develop tension wood (TW) in response to gravitational stimulation. TW comprises abundant gelatinous (G-) fibers with thick G-layers primarily composed of crystalline cellulose. Understanding the pivotal factors governing G-layer formation in TW fiber remains elusive. This study elucidates the role of a Populus trichocarpa COBRA family protein, PtrCOB3, in the G-layer formation of TW fibers. PtrCOB3 expression was upregulated, and its promoter activity was enhanced during TW formation. Comparative analysis with wild-type trees revealed that ptrcob3 mutants, mediated by Cas9/gRNA gene editing, were incapable of producing G-layers within TW fibers and showed severely impaired stem lift. Fluorescence immunolabeling data revealed a dearth of crystalline cellulose in the tertiary cell wall (TCW) of ptrcob3 TW fibers. The role of PtrCOB3 in G-layer formation is contingent upon its native promoter, as evidenced by the comparative phenotypic assessments of pCOB11::PtrCOB3, pCOB3::PtrCOB3, and pCOB3::PtrCOB11 transgenic lines in the ptrcob3 background. Overexpression of PtrCOB3 under the control of its native promoter expedited G-layer formation within TW fibers. We further identified 3 transcription factors that bind to the PtrCOB3 promoter and positively regulate its transcriptional levels. Alongside the primary TCW synthesis genes, these findings enable the construction of a 2-layer transcriptional regulatory network for the G-layer formation of TW fibers. Overall, this study uncovers mechanistic insight into TW formation, whereby a specific COB protein executes the deposition of cellulose, and consequently, G-layer formation within TW fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jiyao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Siran Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yongyao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jianzhen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xingguo Lan
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yuxiang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Li H, Yang Y, Zhang H, Li C, Du P, Bi M, Chen T, Qian D, Niu Y, Ren H, An L, Xiang Y. The Arabidopsis GPI-anchored protein COBL11 is necessary for regulating pollen tube integrity. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113353. [PMID: 38007687 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113353] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollen tube integrity is required for achieving double fertilization in angiosperms. The rapid alkalinization factor4/19-ANXUR1/2-Buddha's paper seal 1/2 (RALF4/19-ANX1/2-BUPS1/2)-complex-mediated signaling pathway is critical to maintain pollen tube integrity, but the underlying mechanisms regulating the polar localization and distribution of these complex members at the pollen tube tip remain unclear. Here, we find that COBRA-like protein 11 (COBL11) loss-of-function mutants display a low pollen germination ratio, premature pollen tube burst, and seed abortion in Arabidopsis. COBL11 could interact with RALF4/19, ANX1/2, and BUPS1/2, and COBL11 functional deficiency could result in the disrupted distribution of RALF4 and ANX1, altered cell wall composition, and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species in pollen tubes. In conclusion, COBL11 is a regulator of pollen tube integrity during polar growth, which is conducted by a direct interaction that ensures the correct localization and polar distribution of RALF4 and ANX1 at the pollen tube tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yang Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hongkai Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chengying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pingzhou Du
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, Zhuhai-Macao Biotechnology Joint Laboratory, Advanced Institute of Natural Science, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Mengmeng Bi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Dong Qian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yue Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Haiyun Ren
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, Zhuhai-Macao Biotechnology Joint Laboratory, Advanced Institute of Natural Science, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Lizhe An
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yun Xiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Sajjad M, Ahmad A, Riaz MW, Hussain Q, Yasir M, Lu M. Recent genome resequencing paraded COBRA- Like gene family roles in abiotic stress and wood formation in Poplar. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1242836. [PMID: 37780503 PMCID: PMC10540467 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1242836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
A cell wall determines the mechanical properties of a cell, serves as a barrier against plant stresses, and allows cell division and growth processes. The COBRA-Like (COBL) gene family encodes a putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that controls cellulose deposition and cell progression in plants by contributing to the microfibril orientation of a cell wall. Despite being studied in different plant species, there is a dearth of the comprehensive global analysis of COBL genes in poplar. Poplar is employed as a model woody plant to study abiotic stresses and biomass production in tree research. Improved genome resequencing has enabled the comprehensive exploration of the evolution and functional capacities of PtrCOBLs (Poplar COBRA-Like genes) in poplar. Phylogeny analysis has discerned and classified PtrCOBLs into two groups resembling the Arabidopsis COBL family, and group I genes possess longer proteins but have fewer exons than group II. Analysis of gene structure and motifs revealed PtrCOBLs maintained a rather stable motif and exon-intron pattern across members of the same group. Synteny and collinearity analyses exhibited that the evolution of the COBL gene family was heavily influenced by gene duplication events. PtrCOBL genes have undergone both segmental duplication and tandem duplication, followed by purifying selection. Promotor analysis flaunted various phytohormone-, growth- and stress-related cis-elements (e.g., MYB, ABA, MeJA, SA, AuxR, and ATBP1). Likewise, 29 Ptr-miRNAs of 20 families were found targeting 11 PtrCOBL genes. PtrCOBLs were found localized at the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix, while gene ontology analysis showed their involvement in plant development, plant growth, stress response, cellulose biosynthesis, and cell wall biogenesis. RNA-seq datasets depicted the bulk of PtrCOBL genes expression being found in plant stem tissues and leaves, rendering mechanical strength and rejoinders to environmental cues. PtrCOBL2, 3, 10, and 11 manifested the highest expression in vasculature and abiotic stress, and resemblant expression trends were upheld by qRT-PCR. Co-expression network analysis identified PtrCOBL2 and PtrCOBL3 as hub genes across all abiotic stresses and wood developing tissues. The current study reports regulating roles of PtrCOBLs in xylem differentiating tissues, tension wood formation, and abiotic stress latency that lay the groundwork for future functional studies of the PtrCOBL genes in poplar breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sajjad
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Adeel Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan, China
| | - Muhammad Waheed Riaz
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resource Protection and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Quaid Hussain
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Muhammad Yasir
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng‐Zhu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, China
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Liu J, Sun C, Guo S, Yin X, Yuan Y, Fan B, Lv Q, Cai X, Zhong Y, Xia Y, Dong X, Guo Z, Song G, Huang W. Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Pathways and Genes Associated With Brittle Stalk Phenotype in Maize. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:849421. [PMID: 35548303 PMCID: PMC9083323 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.849421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical strength of the stalk affects the lodging resistance and digestibility of the stalk in maize. The molecular mechanisms regulating the brittleness of stalks in maize remain undefined. In this study, we constructed the maize brittle stalk mutant (bk5) by crossing the W22:Mu line with the Zheng 58 line. The brittle phenotype of the mutant bk5 existed in all of the plant organs after the five-leaf stage. Compared to wild-type (WT) plants, the sclerenchyma cells of bk5 stalks had a looser cell arrangement and thinner cell wall. Determination of cell wall composition showed that obvious differences in cellulose content, lignin content, starch content, and total soluble sugar were found between bk5 and WT stalks. Furthermore, we identified 226 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 164 genes significantly upregulated and 62 genes significantly downregulated in RNA-seq analysis. Some pathways related to cellulose and lignin synthesis, such as endocytosis and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored biosynthesis, were identified by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) analysis. In bulked-segregant sequence analysis (BSA-seq), we detected 2,931,692 high-quality Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and identified five overlapped regions (11.2 Mb) containing 17 candidate genes with missense mutations or premature termination codons using the SNP-index methods. Some genes were involved in the cellulose synthesis-related genes such as ENTH/ANTH/VHS superfamily protein gene (endocytosis-related gene) and the lignin synthesis-related genes such as the cytochrome p450 gene. Some of these candidate genes identified from BSA-seq also existed with differential expression in RNA-seq analysis. These findings increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the brittle stalk phenotype in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Chuanbo Sun
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Siqi Guo
- College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaohong Yin
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Yuling Yuan
- Hulun Buir Agricultural Reclamation Technology Development Co., Ltd., Hailar, China
| | - Bing Fan
- Hulun Buir Agricultural Reclamation Technology Development Co., Ltd., Hailar, China
| | - Qingxue Lv
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Xinru Cai
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Yuanfeng Xia
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Xiaomei Dong
- College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhifu Guo
- College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangshu Song
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Maize Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
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Julius BT, McCubbin TJ, Mertz RA, Baert N, Knoblauch J, Grant DG, Conner K, Bihmidine S, Chomet P, Wagner R, Woessner J, Grote K, Peevers J, Slewinski TL, McCann MC, Carpita NC, Knoblauch M, Braun DM. Maize Brittle Stalk2-Like3, encoding a COBRA protein, functions in cell wall formation and carbohydrate partitioning. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:3348-3366. [PMID: 34323976 PMCID: PMC8505866 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Carbohydrate partitioning from leaves to sink tissues is essential for plant growth and development. The maize (Zea mays) recessive carbohydrate partitioning defective28 (cpd28) and cpd47 mutants exhibit leaf chlorosis and accumulation of starch and soluble sugars. Transport studies with 14C-sucrose (Suc) found drastically decreased export from mature leaves in cpd28 and cpd47 mutants relative to wild-type siblings. Consistent with decreased Suc export, cpd28 mutants exhibited decreased phloem pressure in mature leaves, and altered phloem cell wall ultrastructure in immature and mature leaves. We identified the causative mutations in the Brittle Stalk2-Like3 (Bk2L3) gene, a member of the COBRA family, which is involved in cell wall development across angiosperms. None of the previously characterized COBRA genes are reported to affect carbohydrate export. Consistent with other characterized COBRA members, the BK2L3 protein localized to the plasma membrane, and the mutants condition a dwarf phenotype in dark-grown shoots and primary roots, as well as the loss of anisotropic cell elongation in the root elongation zone. Likewise, both mutants exhibit a significant cellulose deficiency in mature leaves. Therefore, Bk2L3 functions in tissue growth and cell wall development, and this work elucidates a unique connection between cellulose deposition in the phloem and whole-plant carbohydrate partitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T Julius
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA
| | - Tyler J McCubbin
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Rachel A Mertz
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
- Present address: Inari Agriculture, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906, USA
| | - Nick Baert
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Jan Knoblauch
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - DeAna G Grant
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Kyle Conner
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Saadia Bihmidine
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Paul Chomet
- NRGene Inc., 8910 University Center Lane, San Diego, California 92122, USA
| | - Ruth Wagner
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA
| | - Jeff Woessner
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA
| | - Karen Grote
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA
| | | | | | - Maureen C McCann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Nicholas C Carpita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Michael Knoblauch
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - David M Braun
- Divisions of Plant Science and Technology, Biological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, and the Missouri Maize Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
- Author for correspondence:
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Rong H, Yang W, Zhu H, Jiang B, Jiang J, Wang Y. Genomic imprinted genes in reciprocal hybrid endosperm of Brassica napus. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:140. [PMID: 33726676 PMCID: PMC7968328 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-02908-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic imprinting results in the expression of parent-of-origin-specific alleles in the offspring. Brassica napus is an oil crop with research values in polyploidization. Identification of imprinted genes in B. napus will enrich the knowledge of genomic imprinting in dicotyledon plants. RESULTS In this study, we performed reciprocal crosses between B. napus L. cultivars Yangyou 6 (Y6) and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11) to collect endosperm at 20 and 25 days after pollination (DAP) for RNA-seq. In total, we identified 297 imprinted genes, including 283 maternal expressed genes (MEGs) and 14 paternal expressed genes (PEGs) according to the SNPs between Y6 and ZS11. Only 36 genes (35 MEGs and 1 PEG) were continuously imprinted in 20 and 25 DAP endosperm. We found 15, 2, 5, 3, 10, and 25 imprinted genes in this study were also imprinted in Arabidopsis, rice, castor bean, maize, B. rapa, and other B. napus lines, respectively. Only 26 imprinted genes were specifically expressed in endosperm, while other genes were also expressed in root, stem, leaf and flower bud of B. napus. A total of 109 imprinted genes were clustered on rapeseed chromosomes. We found the LTR/Copia transposable elements (TEs) were most enriched in both upstream and downstream of the imprinted genes, and the TEs enriched around imprinted genes were more than non-imprinted genes. Moreover, the expression of 5 AGLs and 6 pectin-related genes in hybrid endosperm were significantly changed comparing with that in parent endosperm. CONCLUSION This research provided a comprehensive identification of imprinted genes in B. napus, and enriched the gene imprinting in dicotyledon plants, which would be useful in further researches on how gene imprinting regulates seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Rong
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Haotian Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Jinjin Jiang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Youping Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, 225009 China
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Han X, An Y, Zhou Y, Liu C, Yin W, Xia X. Comparative transcriptome analyses define genes and gene modules differing between two Populus genotypes with contrasting stem growth rates. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:139. [PMID: 32782475 PMCID: PMC7415184 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01758-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wood provides an important biomass resource for biofuel production around the world. The radial growth of tree stems is central to biomass production for forestry and biofuels, but it is challenging to dissect genetically because it is a complex trait influenced by many genes. In this study, we adopted methods of physiology, transcriptomics and genetics to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of tree radial growth and wood development. RESULTS Physiological comparison showed that two Populus genotypes presented different rates of radial growth of stems and accumulation of woody biomass. A comparative transcriptional network approach was used to define and characterize functional differences between two Populus genotypes. Analyses of transcript profiles from wood-forming tissue of the two genotypes showed that 1542, 2295 and 2110 genes were differentially expressed in the pre-growth, fast-growth and post-growth stages, respectively. The co-expression analyses identified modules of co-expressed genes that displayed distinct expression profiles. Modules were further characterized by correlating transcript levels with genotypes and physiological traits. The results showed enrichment of genes that participated in cell cycle and division, whose expression change was consistent with the variation of radial growth rates. Genes related to secondary vascular development were up-regulated in the faster-growing genotype in the pre-growth stage. We characterized a BEL1-like (BELL) transcription factor, PeuBELL15, which was up-regulated in the faster-growing genotype. Analyses of transgenic Populus overexpressing as well as CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutants for BELL15 showed that PeuBELL15 improved accumulation of glucan and lignin, and it promoted secondary vascular growth by regulating the expression of genes relevant for cellulose synthases and lignin biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrated that active division and expansion of vascular cambium cells and secondary cell wall deposition of xylem cells contribute to stem radial increment and biomass accumulation, and it identified relevant genes for these complex growth traits, including a BELL transcription factor gene PeuBELL15. This provides genetic resources for improving and breeding elite genotypes with fast growth and high wood biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Hangzhou, 311300 China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Yi An
- Sino-Australia Plant Cell Wall Research Centre, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Hangzhou, 311300 China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Yangyan Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Chao Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Weilun Yin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Xinli Xia
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China
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8
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Sato-Izawa K, Nakamura SI, Matsumoto T. Mutation of rice bc1 gene affects internode elongation and induces delayed cell wall deposition in developing internodes. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1749786. [PMID: 32299283 PMCID: PMC7238885 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1749786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A rice COBRA-like gene, BRITTLE CULM1 (BC1) has been shown to be involved in assembling cell wall components and cellulose crystallinity, which determines mechanical strength in above ground organs. However, the detailed roles of BC1 in rice development are poorly understood. In this study, we found that, unlike the known brittle culm mutants, the internode length of the bc1 mutant was ~1.27 times longer than that of wild type in rice. In order to analyze the effects of bc1 mutation on internode development, we compared the deposition of cell wall components among each developmental stage of the elongating second internodes from wild type, Kinmaze, and the bc1 mutant. In wild type, histochemical observations of lignin revealed that lignin deposition was gradually increased after the cell elongation stage of the internodes. Cellulose and p-coumaric acid (pCA) content also gradually increased along with the progress of the developmental stage. The ferulic acid (FA) content rapidly increased in the cell elongation stage and decreased at the late secondary cell wall formation stage. In the bc1 mutant, the contents of cell wall components were lower than those of wild type from the cell elongation stage, in which the BC1 started to express at this stage in wild type. In the bc1 mutant, the deposition patterns of cell wall components, especially phenolic components including lignin, pCA, and FA, were delayed compared with those of wild type. These results suggest that the BC1 gene plays a role in synthesizing appropriate cell walls at each stage in the developing internode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanna Sato-Izawa
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-ichi Nakamura
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsumoto
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Midorikawa K, Kuroda M, Yamashita H, Tamura T, Abe K, Asakura T. Oryza sativa Brittle Culm 1-like 6 modulates β-glucan levels in the endosperm cell wall. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217212. [PMID: 31120929 PMCID: PMC6532911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosperm cell wall affects post-harvest grain quality by affecting the mechanical fragility and water absorption of the grain. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying endosperm cell wall synthesis is important for determining the growth and quality of cereals. However, the molecular machinery mediating endosperm cell wall biosynthesis is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of Oryza sativa Brittle Culm 1-like 6 (OsBC1L6), a member of the COBRA-like protein family, in cellulose synthesis in rice. OsBC1L6 mRNA was expressed in ripening seeds during endosperm enlargement. When OsBC1L6-RFP was expressed in Arabidopsis cell cultures, this fusion protein was transported to the plasma membrane. To investigate the target molecules of OsBC1L6, we analyzed the binding interactions of OsBC1L6 with cellohexaose and the analogs using surface plasmon resonance, determining that cellohexaose bound to OsBC1L6. The β-glucan contents were significantly reduced in OsBC1L6-RNAi calli and OsBC1L6-deficient seeds from a Tos insertion mutant, compared to their wild-type counterparts. These findings suggest that OsBC1L6 modulates β-glucan synthesis during endosperm cell wall formation by interacting with cellulose moieties on the plasma membrane during seed ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Midorikawa
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaharu Kuroda
- Division of Crop Development, Central Region Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Niigata, Japan
- * E-mail: (TA); (MK)
| | - Haruyuki Yamashita
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Tamura
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Abe
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Life Science & Environmental Research Center (LiSE), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomiko Asakura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (TA); (MK)
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Ben-Tov D, Abraham Y, Stav S, Thompson K, Loraine A, Elbaum R, de Souza A, Pauly M, Kieber JJ, Harpaz-Saad S. COBRA-LIKE2, a member of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored COBRA-LIKE family, plays a role in cellulose deposition in arabidopsis seed coat mucilage secretory cells. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 167:711-24. [PMID: 25583925 PMCID: PMC4347734 DOI: 10.1104/pp.114.240671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of the maternally derived seed coat epidermal cells into mucilage secretory cells is a common adaptation in angiosperms. Recent studies identified cellulose as an important component of seed mucilage in various species. Cellulose is deposited as a set of rays that radiate from the seed upon mucilage extrusion, serving to anchor the pectic component of seed mucilage to the seed surface. Using transcriptome data encompassing the course of seed development, we identified COBRA-LIKE2 (COBL2), a member of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored COBRA-LIKE gene family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), as coexpressed with other genes involved in cellulose deposition in mucilage secretory cells. Disruption of the COBL2 gene results in substantial reduction in the rays of cellulose present in seed mucilage, along with an increased solubility of the pectic component of the mucilage. Light birefringence demonstrates a substantial decrease in crystalline cellulose deposition into the cellulosic rays of the cobl2 mutants. Moreover, crystalline cellulose deposition into the radial cell walls and the columella appears substantially compromised, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and in situ quantification of light birefringence. Overall, the cobl2 mutants display about 40% reduction in whole-seed crystalline cellulose content compared with the wild type. These data establish that COBL2 plays a role in the deposition of crystalline cellulose into various secondary cell wall structures during seed coat epidermal cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ben-Tov
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Yael Abraham
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Shira Stav
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Kevin Thompson
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Ann Loraine
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Rivka Elbaum
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Amancio de Souza
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Markus Pauly
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Joseph J Kieber
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
| | - Smadar Harpaz-Saad
- Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel (D.B.-T., Y.A., R.E., S.H.-S.);Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081 (S.S., K.T., A.L.);Energy Biosciences Institute (A.d.S., M.P.) and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (M.P.), University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; andBiology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 (J.J.K.)
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11
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Sorek N, Sorek H, Kijac A, Szemenyei HJ, Bauer S, Hématy K, Wemmer DE, Somerville CR. The Arabidopsis COBRA protein facilitates cellulose crystallization at the plasma membrane. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:34911-20. [PMID: 25331944 PMCID: PMC4263889 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.607192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Arabidopsis COBRA gene lead to defects in cellulose synthesis but the function of COBRA is unknown. Here we present evidence that COBRA localizes to discrete particles in the plasma membrane and is sensitive to inhibitors of cellulose synthesis, suggesting that COBRA and the cellulose synthase complex reside in close proximity on the plasma membrane. Live-cell imaging of cellulose synthesis indicated that, once initiated, cellulose synthesis appeared to proceed normally in the cobra mutant. Using isothermal calorimetry, COBRA was found to bind individual β1-4-linked glucan chains with a KD of 3.2 μm. Competition assays suggests that COBRA binds individual β1-4-linked glucan chains with higher affinity than crystalline cellulose. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the cell wall of the cobra mutant also indicated that, in addition to decreases in cellulose amount, the properties of the cellulose fibrils and other cell wall polymers differed from wild type by being less crystalline and having an increased number of reducing ends. We interpret the available evidence as suggesting that COBRA facilitates cellulose crystallization from the emerging β1-4-glucan chains by acting as a "polysaccharide chaperone."
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Sorek
- From the Energy Biosciences Institute, the Plant and Microbial Biology Department, and
| | | | - Aleksandra Kijac
- the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Heidi J Szemenyei
- From the Energy Biosciences Institute, the Plant and Microbial Biology Department, and
| | | | - Kian Hématy
- the INRA, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, UMR 1318, ERL CNRS3559, Saclay Plant Sciences, RD10, F-78026 Versailles, France, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, UMR 1318, ERL CNRS3559, Saclay Plant Sciences, RD10, F-78026 Versailles, France, and
| | - David E Wemmer
- From the Energy Biosciences Institute, the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Chris R Somerville
- From the Energy Biosciences Institute, the Plant and Microbial Biology Department, and Department of Arid Land Agriculture, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Liu L, Shang-Guan K, Zhang B, Liu X, Yan M, Zhang L, Shi Y, Zhang M, Qian Q, Li J, Zhou Y. Brittle Culm1, a COBRA-like protein, functions in cellulose assembly through binding cellulose microfibrils. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003704. [PMID: 23990797 PMCID: PMC3749933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulose represents the most abundant biopolymer in nature and has great economic importance. Cellulose chains pack laterally into crystalline forms, stacking into a complicated crystallographic structure. However, the mechanism of cellulose crystallization is poorly understood. Here, via functional characterization, we report that Brittle Culm1 (BC1), a COBRA-like protein in rice, modifies cellulose crystallinity. BC1 was demonstrated to be a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored protein and can be released into cell walls by removal of the GPI anchor. BC1 possesses a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) at its N-terminus. In vitro binding assays showed that this CBM interacts specifically with crystalline cellulose, and several aromatic residues in this domain are essential for binding. It was further demonstrated that cell wall-localized BC1 via the CBM and GPI anchor is one functional form of BC1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) assays revealed that mutations in BC1 and knockdown of BC1 expression decrease the crystallite width of cellulose; overexpression of BC1 and the CBM-mutated BC1s caused varied crystallinity with results that were consistent with the in vitro binding assay. Moreover, interaction between the CBM and cellulose microfibrils was largely repressed when the cell wall residues were pre-stained with two cellulose dyes. Treating wild-type and bc1 seedlings with the dyes resulted in insensitive root growth responses in bc1 plants. Combined with the evidence that BC1 and three secondary wall cellulose synthases (CESAs) function in different steps of cellulose production as revealed by genetic analysis, we conclude that BC1 modulates cellulose assembly by interacting with cellulose and affecting microfibril crystallinity. Cellulose is an important natural resource with great economic value. Plant cellulose packs laterally into a complicated crystallographic structure, which determines cellulose quality and commercial uses. However, the mechanism of cellulose crystallization is poorly understood. Here we report that Brittle Culm1 (BC1), a COBRA-like (COBL) protein of rice, modifies cellulose crystallinity. Although previous studies have indicated the involvement of COB and COBL proteins in cellulose biosynthesis, the underlying molecular basis for this remains elusive. We demonstrate that BC1 localizes to the cell-wall and functions in a process that is distinct from that of the three secondary wall cellulose synthases (CESAs). A carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) at the N-terminus of BC1 interacts specifically with crystalline cellulose and regulates microfibril crystallite size. We conclude that BC1 modulates cellulose structure by binding to cellulose and affecting microfibril crystallinity. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of cellulose assembly and further our understanding of the roles of COB and COBLs in cell wall biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Keke Shang-Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baocai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meixian Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiayang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yihua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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13
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Liu L, Shang-Guan K, Zhang B, Liu X, Yan M, Zhang L, Shi Y, Zhang M, Qian Q, Li J, Zhou Y. Brittle Culm1, a COBRA-like protein, functions in cellulose assembly through binding cellulose microfibrils. PLoS Genet 2013. [PMID: 23990797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.100374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellulose represents the most abundant biopolymer in nature and has great economic importance. Cellulose chains pack laterally into crystalline forms, stacking into a complicated crystallographic structure. However, the mechanism of cellulose crystallization is poorly understood. Here, via functional characterization, we report that Brittle Culm1 (BC1), a COBRA-like protein in rice, modifies cellulose crystallinity. BC1 was demonstrated to be a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored protein and can be released into cell walls by removal of the GPI anchor. BC1 possesses a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) at its N-terminus. In vitro binding assays showed that this CBM interacts specifically with crystalline cellulose, and several aromatic residues in this domain are essential for binding. It was further demonstrated that cell wall-localized BC1 via the CBM and GPI anchor is one functional form of BC1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) assays revealed that mutations in BC1 and knockdown of BC1 expression decrease the crystallite width of cellulose; overexpression of BC1 and the CBM-mutated BC1s caused varied crystallinity with results that were consistent with the in vitro binding assay. Moreover, interaction between the CBM and cellulose microfibrils was largely repressed when the cell wall residues were pre-stained with two cellulose dyes. Treating wild-type and bc1 seedlings with the dyes resulted in insensitive root growth responses in bc1 plants. Combined with the evidence that BC1 and three secondary wall cellulose synthases (CESAs) function in different steps of cellulose production as revealed by genetic analysis, we conclude that BC1 modulates cellulose assembly by interacting with cellulose and affecting microfibril crystallinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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