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Oskam L, Snoek BL, Pantazopoulou CK, van Veen H, Matton SEA, Dijkhuizen R, Pierik R. A low-cost open-source imaging platform reveals spatiotemporal insight into leaf elongation and movement. Plant Physiol 2024:kiae097. [PMID: 38401532 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Plant organs move throughout the diurnal cycle, changing leaf and petiole positions to balance light capture, leaf temperature, and water loss under dynamic environmental conditions. Upward movement of the petiole, called hyponasty, is one of several traits of the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS). SAS traits are elicited upon perception of vegetation shade signals such as far-red light (FR) and improve light capture in dense vegetation. Monitoring plant movement at a high temporal resolution allows studying functionality and molecular regulation of hyponasty. However, high temporal resolution imaging solutions are often very expensive, making this unavailable to many researchers. Here, we present a modular and low-cost imaging set-up, based on small Raspberry Pi computers, that can track leaf movements and elongation growth with high temporal resolution. We also developed an open-source, semi-automated image analysis pipeline. Using this setup we followed responses to FR enrichment, light intensity, and their interactions. Tracking both elongation and the angle of the petiole, lamina, and entire leaf in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) revealed insight into R:FR sensitivities of leaf growth and movement dynamics and the interactions of R:FR with background light intensity. The detailed imaging options of this system allowed us to identify spatially separate bending points for petiole and lamina positioning of the leaf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Oskam
- Plant Environment-Signaling, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chrysoula K Pantazopoulou
- Plant Environment-Signaling, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Veen
- Plant Environment-Signaling, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne E A Matton
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rens Dijkhuizen
- Plant Environment-Signaling, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant Environment-Signaling, Dept. Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Pierik R, Pantazopoulou CK. Tree hugging is a shady business. Tree Physiol 2023; 43:1871-1873. [PMID: 37812451 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Pierik
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chrysoula K Pantazopoulou
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Pantazopoulou CK, Buti S, Nguyen CT, Oskam L, Weits DA, Farmer EE, Kajala K, Pierik R. Mechanodetection of neighbor plants elicits adaptive leaf movements through calcium dynamics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5827. [PMID: 37730832 PMCID: PMC10511701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants detect their neighbors via various cues, including reflected light and touching of leaf tips, which elicit upward leaf movement (hyponasty). It is currently unknown how touch is sensed and how the signal is transferred from the leaf tip to the petiole base that drives hyponasty. Here, we show that touch-induced hyponasty involves a signal transduction pathway that is distinct from light-mediated hyponasty. We found that mechanostimulation of the leaf tip upon touching causes cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt induction in leaf tip trichomes that spreads towards the petiole. Both perturbation of the calcium response and the absence of trichomes reduce touch-induced hyponasty. Finally, using plant competition assays, we show that touch-induced hyponasty is adaptive in dense stands of Arabidopsis. We thus establish a novel, adaptive mechanism regulating hyponastic leaf movement in response to mechanostimulation by neighbors in dense vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula K Pantazopoulou
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sara Buti
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chi Tam Nguyen
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Oskam
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daan A Weits
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edward E Farmer
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kaisa Kajala
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant-Environment Signaling, Institute of Environment Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Caspi Y, Pantazopoulou CK, Prompers JJ, Pieterse CMJ, Hulshoff Pol H, Kajala K. Why did glutamate, GABA, and melatonin become intercellular signalling molecules in plants? eLife 2023; 12:e83361. [PMID: 37338964 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Intercellular signalling is an indispensable part of multicellular life. Understanding the commonalities and differences in how signalling molecules function in two remote branches of the tree of life may shed light on the reasons these molecules were originally recruited for intercellular signalling. Here we review the plant function of three highly studied animal intercellular signalling molecules, namely glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and melatonin. By considering both their signalling function in plants and their broader physiological function, we suggest that molecules with an original function as key metabolites or active participants in reactive ion species scavenging have a high chance of becoming intercellular signalling molecules. Naturally, the evolution of machinery to transduce a message across the plasma membrane is necessary. This fact is demonstrated by three other well-studied animal intercellular signalling molecules, namely serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine, for which there is currently no evidence that they act as intercellular signalling molecules in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaron Caspi
- Institute of Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Jeanine J Prompers
- Department of Radiology, Imaging Division, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Corné M J Pieterse
- Institute of Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Kaisa Kajala
- Institute of Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Toulotte JM, Pantazopoulou CK, Sanclemente MA, Voesenek LACJ, Sasidharan R. Water stress resilient cereal crops: Lessons from wild relatives. J Integr Plant Biol 2022; 64:412-430. [PMID: 35029029 PMCID: PMC9255596 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cereal crops are significant contributors to global diets. As climate change disrupts weather patterns and wreaks havoc on crops, the need for generating stress-resilient, high-yielding varieties is more urgent than ever. One extremely promising avenue in this regard is to exploit the tremendous genetic diversity expressed by the wild ancestors of current day crop species. These crop wild relatives thrive in a range of environments and accordingly often harbor an array of traits that allow them to do so. The identification and introgression of these traits into our staple cereal crops can lessen yield losses in stressful environments. In the last decades, a surge in extreme drought and flooding events have severely impacted cereal crop production. Climate models predict a persistence of this trend, thus reinforcing the need for research on water stress resilience. Here we review: (i) how water stress (drought and flooding) impacts crop performance; and (ii) how identification of tolerance traits and mechanisms from wild relatives of the main cereal crops, that is, rice, maize, wheat, and barley, can lead to improved survival and sustained yields in these crops under water stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine M. Toulotte
- Department of Biology, Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrecht3584 CHThe Netherlands
| | - Chrysoula K. Pantazopoulou
- Department of Biology, Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrecht3584 CHThe Netherlands
| | - Maria Angelica Sanclemente
- Department of Biology, Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrecht3584 CHThe Netherlands
| | - Laurentius A. C. J. Voesenek
- Department of Biology, Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrecht3584 CHThe Netherlands
| | - Rashmi Sasidharan
- Department of Biology, Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrecht3584 CHThe Netherlands
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Huber M, Nieuwendijk NM, Pantazopoulou CK, Pierik R. Light signalling shapes plant-plant interactions in dense canopies. Plant Cell Environ 2021; 44:1014-1029. [PMID: 33047350 PMCID: PMC8049026 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Plants growing at high densities interact via a multitude of pathways. Here, we provide an overview of mechanisms and functional consequences of plant architectural responses initiated by light cues that occur in dense vegetation. We will review the current state of knowledge about shade avoidance, as well as its possible applications. On an individual level, plants perceive neighbour-associated changes in light quality and quantity mainly with phytochromes for red and far-red light and cryptochromes and phototropins for blue light. Downstream of these photoreceptors, elaborate signalling and integration takes place with the PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS, several hormones and other regulators. This signalling leads to the shade avoidance responses, consisting of hyponasty, stem and petiole elongation, apical dominance and life cycle adjustments. Architectural changes of the individual plant have consequences for the plant community, affecting canopy structure, species composition and population fitness. In this context, we highlight the ecological, evolutionary and agricultural importance of shade avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Huber
- Plant Ecophysiology, Dept. BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant Ecophysiology, Dept. BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Pantazopoulou CK, Bongers FJ, Pierik R. Reducing shade avoidance can improve Arabidopsis canopy performance against competitors. Plant Cell Environ 2021; 44:1130-1141. [PMID: 33034378 PMCID: PMC8048483 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants that grow in high density communities activate shade avoidance responses to consolidate light capture by individuals. Although this is an evolutionary successful strategy, it may not enhance performance of the community as a whole. Resources are invested in shade responses at the expense of other organs and light penetration through the canopy is increased, allowing invading competitors to grow better. Here we investigate if suppression of shade avoidance responses would enhance group performance of a monoculture community that is invaded by a competitor. Using different Arabidopsis genotypes, we show that suppression of shade-induced upward leaf movement in the pif7 mutant increases the pif7 communal performance against invaders as compared to a wild-type canopy. The invaders were more severely suppressed and the community grew larger as compared to wild type. Using computational modelling, we show that leaf angle variations indeed strongly affect light penetration and growth of competitors that invade the canopy. Our data thus show that modifying specific shade avoidance aspects can improve plant community performance. These insights may help to suppress weeds in crop stands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franca J. Bongers
- Plant Ecophysiology, Dept. of BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant Ecophysiology, Dept. of BiologyUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Buti S, Pantazopoulou CK, van Gelderen K, Hoogers V, Reinen E, Pierik R. A Gas-and-Brake Mechanism of bHLH Proteins Modulates Shade Avoidance. Plant Physiol 2020; 184:2137-2153. [PMID: 33051265 PMCID: PMC7723099 DOI: 10.1104/pp.20.00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants detect proximity of competitors through reduction in the ratio between red and far-red light that triggers the shade avoidance syndrome, inducing responses such as accelerated shoot elongation and early flowering. Shade avoidance is regulated by PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs, a group of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Another (b)HLH protein, KIDARI (KDR), which is non-DNA-binding, was identified in de-etiolation studies and proposed to interact with LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR-RED1 (HFR1), a (b)HLH protein that inhibits shade avoidance. Here, we established roles of KDR in regulating shade avoidance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and investigated how KDR regulates the shade avoidance network. We showed that KDR is a positive regulator of shade avoidance and interacts with several negative growth regulators. We identified KDR interactors using a combination of yeast two-hybrid screening and dedicated confirmations with bimolecular fluorescence complementation. We demonstrated that KDR is translocated primarily to the nucleus when coexpressed with these interactors. A genetic approach confirmed that several of these interactions play a functional role in shade avoidance; however, we propose that KDR does not interact with HFR1 to regulate shade avoidance. Based on these observations, we propose that shade avoidance is regulated by a three-layered gas-and-brake mechanism of bHLH protein interactions, adding a layer of complexity to what was previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Buti
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chrysoula K Pantazopoulou
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kasper van Gelderen
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Valérie Hoogers
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emilie Reinen
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Hayes S, Pantazopoulou CK, van Gelderen K, Reinen E, Tween AL, Sharma A, de Vries M, Prat S, Schuurink RC, Testerink C, Pierik R. Soil Salinity Limits Plant Shade Avoidance. Curr Biol 2019; 29:1669-1676.e4. [PMID: 31056387 PMCID: PMC6538826 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Global food production is set to keep increasing despite a predicted decrease in total arable land [1]. To achieve higher production, denser planting will be required on increasingly degraded soils. When grown in dense stands, crops elongate and raise their leaves in an effort to reach sunlight, a process termed shade avoidance [2]. Shade is perceived by a reduction in the ratio of red (R) to far-red (FR) light and results in the stabilization of a class of transcription factors known as PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs) [3, 4]. PIFs activate the expression of auxin biosynthesis genes [4, 5] and enhance auxin sensitivity [6], which promotes cell-wall loosening and drives elongation growth. Despite our molecular understanding of shade-induced growth, little is known about how this developmental program is integrated with other environmental factors. Here, we demonstrate that low levels of NaCl in soil strongly impair the ability of plants to respond to shade. This block is dependent upon abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and the canonical ABA signaling pathway. Low R:FR light enhances brassinosteroid (BR) signaling through BRASSINOSTEROID SIGNALING KINASE 5 (BSK5) and leads to the activation of BRI1 EMS SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1). ABA inhibits BSK5 upregulation and interferes with GSK3-like kinase inactivation by the BR pathway, thus leading to a suppression of BES1:PIF function. By demonstrating a link between light, ABA-, and BR-signaling pathways, this study provides an important step forward in our understanding of how multiple environmental cues are integrated into plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Hayes
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Calle Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Chrysoula K Pantazopoulou
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kasper van Gelderen
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emilie Reinen
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Adrian Louis Tween
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Michel de Vries
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Salomé Prat
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Calle Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Robert C Schuurink
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christa Testerink
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, Radix Building, Wageningen 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Pierik
- Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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