When to branch: seasonal control of shoot architecture in trees

Long-lived perennial plants optimize their shoot architecture by responding to seasonal cues. The main strategy used by plants of temperate and boreal regions with respect to surviving the extremely unfavourable conditions of winter comprises the protection of their apical and lateral meristematic tissues. This involves myriads of transcriptional, translational and metabolic changes in the plants because shoot architecture is controlled by multiple pathways that regulate processes such as bud formation and flowering, small RNAs, environmental factors (especially light quality, photoperiod and temperature), hormones, and sugars. Recent studies have begun to reveal how these pathways are recruited for the seasonal adaptation and regulation of shoot architecture in perennial plants, including the role of a regulatory module consisting of antagonistic players terminal flower 1 (TFL1) and like-ap1 (LAP1) in the hybrid aspen. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the genetic control of shoot architecture in perennials compared to in annuals.

Branching Regulator BRC1 Mediates Photoperiodic Control of Seasonal Growth in Hybrid Aspen

Cessation of growth as winter approaches is a key adaptive trait for survival of perennial plants, such as long-lived trees native to boreal and temperate regions [1, 2]. The timing of growth cessation in these plants is controlled by photoperiodic cues. As shown recently, perception of growth-repressive short photoperiod (SP) mediated via components of circadian clock results in downregulation of the tree ortholog of Arabidopsis flowering regulator FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), FT2 [3, 4]. Downregulation of FT2 results in suppression of downstream components LAP1 (orthologous to the Arabidopsis floral meristem identity gene APETALA1) and AIL1 (orthologous to AINTEGUMENTA in Arabidopsis), culminating in induction of growth cessation and bud set [5-7]. Results presented here reveal that, in addition to the CO/FT pathway, a photoperiodically controlled negative feedback loop involving a tree ortholog of Arabidopsis BRANCHED1 (BRC1) (a member of TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1, CYCLOIDEA, PCF family), LAP1, and FT2 participates in regulation of seasonal growth in the model tree hybrid aspen. In growth-promotive long photoperiod, LAP1 suppresses expression of BRC1, but upon perception of growth-repressive SP, downregulation of LAP1 de-represses expression of its downstream target BRC1. BRC1 physically interacts with FT2, and BRC1-FT interaction further reinforces the effect of SP and triggers growth cessation by antagonizing FT action. Accordingly, BRC1 gain and loss of function result in early and retarded growth cessation responses to SP, respectively. Thus, these results reveal a regulatory feedback loop that reinforces responses to SP and induction of seasonal growth cessation.

Functional interrelation of MYC2 and HY5 plays an important role in Arabidopsis seedling development

Arabidopsis MYC2 bHLH transcription factor plays a negative regulatory role in blue light (BL)-mediated seedling development. HY5 bZIP protein works as a positive regulator of multiple wavelengths of light and promotes photomorphogenesis. Both MYC2 and HY5, belonging to two different classes of transcription factors, are the integrators of multiple signaling pathways. However, the functional interrelations of these two transcription factors in seedling development remain unknown. Additionally, whereas HY5-mediated regulation of gene expression has been investigated in detail, the transcriptional regulation of HY5 itself is yet to be understood. Here, we show that HY5 and MYC2 work in an antagonistic manner in Arabidopsis seedling development. Our results reveal that HY5 expression is negatively regulated by MYC2 predominantly in BL, and at various stages of development. On the other hand, HY5 negatively regulates the expression of MYC2 at various wavelengths of light. In vitro and in vivo DNA-protein interaction studies suggest that MYC2 binds to the E-box cis-acting element of HY5 promoter. Collectively, this study demonstrates a coordinated regulation of MYC2 and HY5 in blue-light-mediated Arabidopsis seedling development.

A Tree Ortholog of SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE Floral Repressor Mediates Photoperiodic Control of Bud Dormancy

Perennials in boreal and temperate ecosystems display seasonally synchronized growth. In many tree species, prior to the advent of winter, exposure to photoperiods shorter than a critical threshold for growth (short days; SDs) induces growth cessation, culminating in the formation of an apical bud that encloses the shoot apical meristem and arrested leaf primordia [1-4]. Following growth cessation, subsequent exposure to SDs induces transition to dormancy in the shoot apex [5]. Establishment of dormancy is crucial for winter survival and is characterized by the inability of the shoot meristem to respond to growth-promotive signals [6]. Recently, SDs were shown to induce bud dormancy by activating the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway. ABA upregulates expression of CALLOSE SYNTHASE 1 (CALS1) and suppresses glucanases that break down callose to induce the blockage of intracellular conduits (plasmodesmata; PDs) with callosic plugs called "dormancy sphincters" that by restricting access to growth-promotive signals promote dormancy [7]. However, components downstream of ABA in dormancy regulation remain largely unknown, and thus there are significant gaps in our understanding of photoperiodic control of bud dormancy. Here we demonstrate that SVL, orthologous to Arabidopsis floral repressor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), is a mediator of photoperiodic control of dormancy downstream of the ABA pathway in hybrid aspen. SVL downregulation impairs dormancy, whereas SVL overexpression suppresses dormancy defects resulting from ABA insensitivity. Downstream, SVL induces callose synthase expression and negatively regulates the gibberellic acid (GA) pathway to promote dormancy, thus revealing the regulatory module mediating photoperiodic control of dormancy by ABA.

Environmentally Sensitive Molecular Switches Drive Poplar Phenology

Boreal and temperate woody perennials are highly adapted to their local climate, which delimits the length of the growing period. Moreover, seasonal control of growth-dormancy cycles impacts tree productivity and geographical distribution. Therefore, traits related to phenology are of great interest to tree breeders and particularly relevant in the context of global warming. The recent application of transcriptional profiling and genetic association studies to poplar species has provided a robust molecular framework for investigating molecules with potential links to phenology. The environment dictates phenology by modulating the expression of endogenous molecular switches, the identities of which are currently under investigation. This review outlines the current knowledge of these molecular switches in poplar and covers several perspectives concerning the environmental control of growth-dormancy cycles. In the process, we highlight certain genetic pathways which are affected by short days, low temperatures and cold-induced signaling.

Photoperiod- and temperature-mediated control of growth cessation and dormancy in trees: a molecular perspective

BACKGROUND

How plants adapt their developmental patterns to regular seasonal changes is an important question in biology. The annual growth cycle in perennial long-lived trees is yet another example of how plants can adapt to seasonal changes. The two main signals that plants rely on to respond to seasonal changes are photoperiod and temperature, and these signals have critical roles in the temporal regulation of the annual growth cycle of trees.

SCOPE

This review presents the latest findings to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie how photoperiodic and temperature signals regulate seasonal growth in trees.

CONCLUSION

The results point to a high level of conservation in the signalling pathways that mediate photoperiodic control of seasonal growth in trees and flowering in annual plants such as arabidopsis. Furthermore, the data indicate that symplastic communication may mediate certain aspects of seasonal growth. Although considerable insight into the control of phenology in model plants such as poplar and spruce has been obtained, the future challenge is extending these studies to other, non-model trees.

Interaction of MYC2 and GBF1 results in functional antagonism in blue light-mediated Arabidopsis seedling development

Regulations of Arabidopsis seedling growth by two proteins, which belong to different classes of transcription factors, are poorly understood. MYC2 and GBF1 belong to bHLH and bZIP classes of transcription factors, respectively, and function in cryptochrome-mediated blue light signaling. Here, we have investigated the molecular and functional interrelation of MYC2 and GBF1 in blue light-mediated photomorphogenesis. Our study reveals that MYC2 and GBF1 colocalize and physically interact in the nucleus. This interaction requires the N-terminal domain of each protein. The atmyc2 gbf1 double mutant analyses and transgenic studies have revealed that MYC2 and GBF1 act antagonistically and inhibit the activity of each other to regulate hypocotyl growth and several other biological processes. This study further reveals that MYC2 and GBF1 bind to HYH promoter and inhibit each other through non-DNA binding bHLH-bZIP heterodimers. These results, taken together, provide insights into the mechanistic view on the concerted regulatory role of MYC2 and GBF1 in Arabidopsis seedling development.

Arabidopsis CAM7 and HY5 physically interact and directly bind to the HY5 promoter to regulate its expression and thereby promote photomorphogenesis

Arabidopsis thaliana CALMODULIN7 (CAM7), a unique member of the calmodulin gene family, plays a crucial role as a transcriptional regulator in seedling development. The elongated HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) bZIP protein, an integrator of multiple signaling pathways, also plays an important role in photomorphogenic growth and light-regulated gene expression. CAM7 acts synergistically with HY5 to promote photomorphogenesis at various wavelengths of light. Although the genetic relationships between CAM7 and HY5 in light-mediated seedling development have been demonstrated, the molecular connectivity between CAM7 and HY5 is unknown. Furthermore, whereas HY5-mediated gene regulation has been fairly well investigated, the transcriptional regulation of HY5 is largely unknown. Here, we report that HY5 expression is regulated by HY5 and CAM7 at various wavelengths of light and also at various stages of development. In vitro and in vivo DNA-protein interaction studies suggest that HY5 and CAM7 bind to closely located T/G- and E-box cis-acting elements present in the HY5 promoter, respectively. Furthermore, CAM7 and HY5 physically interact and regulate the expression of HY5 in a concerted manner. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CAM7 and HY5 directly interact with the HY5 promoter to mediate the transcriptional activity of HY5 during Arabidopsis seedling development.

Z-box binding transcription factors (ZBFs): a new class of transcription factors in Arabidopsis seedling development

One set of genes encoding diverse groups of transcription factors that interact with the Z-box (ATACGTGT; a potential Z-DNA forming sequence) is called ZBFs (Z-box Binding Factors). ZBFs include ZBF1, ZBF2, and ZBF3, which encode ZBF1/MYC2 (bHLH), ZBF2/GBF1 (bZIP), and ZBF3/CAM7 (Calmodulin) proteins, respectively. With several recent reports, it is becoming increasingly evident that ZBFs play crucial roles in Arabidopsis seedling photomorphogenesis. ZBFs integrate signals from various wavelengths of light to coordinate the regulation of transcriptional networks that affect multiple facets of plant growth and development. The function of each ZBF is qualitatively and quantitatively distinct. The zbf mutants display pleiotropic effects including altered hypocotyl elongation, cotyledon expansion, lateral root development, and flowering time. In this inaugural review, we discuss the identification, molecular functions, and interacting partners of ZBFs in light-mediated Arabidopsis seedling development.

The regulation of the Z- and G-box containing promoters by light signaling components, SPA1 and MYC2, in Arabidopsis

Although many transcription factors and regulatory proteins have been identified and functionally characterized in light signaling pathways, photoperception to transcription remains largely fragmented. The Z-box is one of the LREs (Light responsive elements) that plays important role in the regulation of transcription during light-controlled Arabidopsis seedling development. The involvement of photoreceptors in the modulation of the activity of the Z-box containing promoters has been demonstrated. However, the role of downstream signaling components such as SPA1 and MYC2/ZBF1, which are functionally interrelated, remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated the regulation of the Z-box containing synthetic and native promoters by SPA1 and MYC2 by using stable transgenic lines. Our studies suggest that SPA1 negatively regulates the expression of CAB1 native promoter. MYC2 negatively regulates the activity of Z- and/or G-box containing synthetic as well as native promoters irrespective of light quality. Moreover, MYC2 negatively regulates the expression of Z/G-NOS101-GUS even in the darkness. Furthermore, analyses of tissue specific expression in adult plants suggest that MYC2 strongly regulates the activity of Z- and G-box containing promoters specifically in leaves and stems. In roots, whereas MYC2 positively regulates the activity of the Z-box containing synthetic promoter, it does not seem to control the activity of the G-box containing promoters. Taken together, these results provide insights into SPA1- and MYC2-mediated transcriptional regulation of the Z- and G-box containing promoters in light signaling pathways.