Evolution of a ZW sex chromosome system in willows

Transitions in the heterogamety of sex chromosomes (e.g., XY to ZW or vice versa) fundamentally alter the genetic basis of sex determination, however the details of these changes have been studied in only a few cases. In an XY to ZW transition, the X is likely to give rise to the W because they both carry feminizing genes and the X is expected to harbour less genetic load than the Y. Here, using a new reference genome for Salix exigua, we trace the X, Y, Z, and W sex determination regions during the homologous transition from an XY system to a ZW system in willow (Salix). We show that both the W and the Z arose from the Y chromosome. We find that the new Z chromosome shares multiple homologous putative masculinizing factors with the ancestral Y, whereas the new W lost these masculinizing factors and gained feminizing factors. The origination of both the W and Z from the Y was permitted by an unexpectedly low genetic load on the Y and this indicates that the origins of sex chromosomes during homologous transitions may be more flexible than previously considered.

Functional analysis of Salix purpurea genes support roles for ARR17 and GATA15 as master regulators of sex determination

The Salicaceae family is of growing interest in the study of dioecy in plants because the sex determination region (SDR) has been shown to be highly dynamic, with differing locations and heterogametic systems between species. Without the ability to transform and regenerate Salix in tissue culture, previous studies investigating the mechanisms regulating sex in the genus Salix have been limited to genome resequencing and differential gene expression, which are mostly descriptive in nature, and functional validation of candidate sex determination genes has not yet been conducted. Here, we used Arabidopsis to functionally characterize a suite of previously identified candidate genes involved in sex determination and sex dimorphism in the bioenergy shrub willow Salix purpurea. Six candidate master regulator genes for sex determination were heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis, followed by floral proteome analysis. In addition, 11 transcription factors with predicted roles in mediating sex dimorphism downstream of the SDR were tested using DAP-Seq in both male and female S. purpurea DNA. The results of this study provide further evidence to support models for the roles of ARR17 and GATA15 as master regulator genes of sex determination in S. purpurea, contributing to a regulatory system that is notably different from that of its sister genus Populus. Evidence was also obtained for the roles of two transcription factors, an AP2/ERF family gene and a homeodomain-like transcription factor, in downstream regulation of sex dimorphism.

Structural variation of a sex-linked region confers monoecy and implicates GATA15 as a master regulator of sex in Salix purpurea

The Salicaceae, including Populus and Salix, are dioecious perennials that utilize different sex determination systems. This family provides a useful system to better understand the evolution of dioecy and sex chromosomes. Here, a rare monoecious genotype of Salix purpurea, 94003, was self- and cross-pollinated and progeny sex ratios were used to test hypotheses on possible mechanisms of sex determination. To delimit genomic regions associated with monoecious expression, the 94003 genome sequence was assembled and DNA- and RNA-Seq of progeny inflorescences was performed. Based on alignments of progeny shotgun DNA sequences to the haplotype-resolved monoecious 94003 genome assembly and reference male and female genomes, a 1.15 Mb sex-linked region on Chr15W was confirmed to be absent in monecious plants. Inheritance of this structural variation is responsible for the loss of a male-suppressing function in what would otherwise be genetic females (ZW), resulting in monoecy (ZW^H or WW^H ), or lethality, if homozygous (W^H W^H ). We present a refined, two-gene sex determination model for Salix purpurea, mediated by ARR17 and GATA15 that is different from the single-gene ARR17-mediated system in the related genus Populus.

Expanding the application of anti-CRISPR proteins in plants for tunable genome editing

Anti-CRISPR proteins are very efficient for inhibiting CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing tools in both herbaceous and woody plant species.

BCH1 expression pattern contributes to the fruit carotenoid diversity between peach and apricot

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) are two species of economic importance for fruit production in the genus Prunus. Peach and apricot fruits exhibit significant differences in carotenoid levels and profiles. HPLC-PAD analysis showed that a greater content of β-carotene in mature apricot fruits is primarily responsible for orange color, while peach fruits showed a prominent accumulation of xanthophylls (violaxanthin and cryptoxanthin) with yellow color. There are two β-carotene hydroxylase genes in both peach and apricot genomes. Transcriptional analysis revealed that BCH1 expresses highly in peach but lowly in apricot fruit, showing a correlation with peach and apricot fruit carotenoid profiles. By using a carotenoid engineered bacterial system, it was demonstrated that there was no difference in the BCH1 enzymatic activity between peach and apricot. Comparative analysis about the putative cis-acting regulatory elements between peach and apricot BCH1 promoters provided important information for our understanding of the differences in promoter activity of the BCH1 genes in peach and apricot. Therefore, we investigated the promoter activity of BCH1 gene through a GUS detection system, and confirmed that the difference in the transcription level of the BCH1 gene resulted from the difference of the promoter function. This study provides important perspective to understanding the diversity of carotenoid accumulation in Prunus fruits such as peach and apricot. In particular, BCH1 gene is proposed as a main predictor for β-carotene content in peach and apricot fruits during the ripening process.

Protoplast-Based Transient Expression and Gene Editing in Shrub Willow (Salix purpurea L.)

Shrub willows (Salix section Vetrix) are grown as a bioenergy crop in multiple countries and as ornamentals across the northern hemisphere. To facilitate the breeding and genetic advancement of shrub willow, there is a strong interest in the characterization and functional validation of genes involved in plant growth and biomass production. While protocols for shoot regeneration in tissue culture and production of stably transformed lines have greatly advanced this research in the closely related genus Populus, a lack of efficient methods for regeneration and transformation has stymied similar advancements in willow functional genomics. Moreover, transient expression assays in willow have been limited to callus tissue and hairy root systems. Here we report an efficient method for protoplast isolation from S. purpurea leaf tissue, along with transient overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9 mediated mutations. This is the first such report of transient gene expression in Salix protoplasts as well as the first application of CRISPR technology in this genus. These new capabilities pave the way for future functional genomics studies in this important bioenergy and ornamental crop.

Genetic mapping of sexually dimorphic volatile and non-volatile floral secondary chemistry of a dioecious willow

Secondary chemistry often differs between sexes in dioecious plant species, a pattern attributed to its possible role in the evolution and/or maintenance of dioecy. We used GC-MS to measure floral volatiles emitted from, and LC-MS to quantitate non-volatile secondary compounds contained in, female and male Salix purpurea willow catkins from an F2 family. Using the abundance of these chemicals, we then performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to locate them on the genome, identified biosynthetic candidate genes in the QTL intervals, and examined expression patterns of candidate genes using RNA-seq. Male flowers emitted more total terpenoids than females, but females produced more benzenoids. Male tissue contained greater amounts of phenolic glycosides, but females had more chalcones and flavonoids. A flavonoid pigment and a spermidine derivative were found only in males. Male catkins were almost twice the mass of females. Forty-two QTL were mapped for 25 chemical traits and catkin mass across 16 of the 19 S. purpurea chromosomes. Several candidate genes were identified, including a chalcone isomerase associated with seven compounds. A better understanding of the genetic basis of the sexually dimorphic chemistry of a dioecious species may shed light on how chemically mediated ecological interactions may have helped in the evolution and maintenance of dioecy.

Integrative genomics reveals paths to sex dimorphism in Salix purpurea L

Sex dimorphism and gene expression were studied in developing catkins in 159 F2 individuals from the bioenergy crop Salix purpurea, and potential mechanisms and pathways for regulating sex development were explored. Differential expression, eQTL, bisulfite sequencing, and network analysis were used to characterize sex dimorphism, detect candidate master regulator genes, and identify pathways through which the sex determination region (SDR) may mediate sex dimorphism. Eleven genes are presented as candidates for master regulators of sex, supported by gene expression and network analyses. These include genes putatively involved in hormone signaling, epigenetic modification, and regulation of transcription. eQTL analysis revealed a suite of transcription factors and genes involved in secondary metabolism and floral development that were predicted to be under direct control of the sex determination region. Furthermore, data from bisulfite sequencing and small RNA sequencing revealed strong differences in expression between males and females that would implicate both of these processes in sex dimorphism pathways. These data indicate that the mechanism of sex determination in Salix purpurea is likely different from that observed in the related genus Populus. This further demonstrates the dynamic nature of SDRs in plants, which involves a multitude of mechanisms of sex determination and a high rate of turnover.

Double NCED isozymes control ABA biosynthesis for ripening and senescent regulation in peach fruits

During ripening, peach fruits (Prunus persica L. Batsch) rapidly progress to the senescent stage, resulting in a brief shelf life. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in regulating the ripening process, both in climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. A key enzyme for ABA biosynthesis in higher plants is 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED). In this study, two NCED isozymes, PpNCED1 and PpNCED5, were identified in peach fruits. While both NCED genes had similar transcriptional patterns (up-regulation) at the beginning of peach ripening, PpNCED5 showed a consistently lower expression level than PpNCED1. During the post-harvest stage, gene expression of PpNCED1 declined, while PpNCED5 expression increased relative to PpNCED1 expression. Considering the dynamic process of ABA accumulation during fruit ripening and senescence in peach, this study indicates that both NCED genes cooperatively control ABA biosynthesis in peach fruits. Moreover, spatio-temporal expression and transcriptional response to hormone and abiotic stress suggested that there is functional divergence between PpNCED1 and PpNCED5 genes in peach. A carotenoid-rich callus system was used to verify the function of PpNCED1 and PpNCED5. In the transgenic callus system, both PpNCED1 and PpNCED5 isozymes promoted ABA biosynthesis, which likely accelerated cell senescence through activating ROS signals. The results from this study provide evidence supporting an ABA biosynthetic regulation process via the two NCED genes in peach fruit, and suggest a mechanism of ABA-induced fruit ripening and senescence.

Enhancing oil production and harvest by combining the marine alga Nannochloropsis oceanica and the oleaginous fungus Mortierella elongata

BACKGROUND

Although microalgal biofuels have potential advantages over conventional fossil fuels, high production costs limit their application in the market. We developed bio-flocculation and incubation methods for the marine alga, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779, and the oleaginous fungus, Mortierella elongata AG77, resulting in increased oil productivity.

RESULTS

By growing separately and then combining the cells, the M. elongata mycelium could efficiently capture N. oceanica due to an intricate cellular interaction between the two species leading to bio-flocculation. Use of a high-salt culture medium induced accumulation of triacylglycerol (TAG) and enhanced the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in M. elongata. To increase TAG productivity in the alga, we developed an effective, reduced nitrogen-supply regime based on ammonium in environmental photobioreactors. Under optimized conditions, N. oceanica produced high levels of TAG that could be indirectly monitored by following chlorophyll content. Combining N. oceanica and M. elongata to initiate bio-flocculation yielded high levels of TAG and total fatty acids, with ~ 15 and 22% of total dry weight (DW), respectively, as well as high levels of PUFAs. Genetic engineering of N. oceanica for higher TAG content in nutrient-replete medium was accomplished by overexpressing DGTT5, a gene encoding the type II acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 5. Combined with bio-flocculation, this approach led to increased production of TAG under nutrient-replete conditions (~ 10% of DW) compared to the wild type (~ 6% of DW).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of M. elongata and N. oceanica with available genomes and genetic engineering tools for both species opens up new avenues to improve biofuel productivity and allows for the engineering of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Comparative ultrastructure of fruit plastids in three genetically diverse genotypes of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) during development

Comparative ultrastructural developmental time-course analysis has identified discrete stages at which the fruit plastids undergo structural and consequently functional transitions to facilitate subsequent development-guided understanding of the complex plastid biology. Plastids are the defining organelle for a plant cell and are critical for myriad metabolic functions. The role of leaf plastid, chloroplast, is extensively documented; however, fruit plastids-chromoplasts-are poorly understood, especially in the context of the diverse metabolic processes operating in these diverse plant organs. Recently, in a comparative study of the predicted plastid-targeted proteomes across seven plant species, we reported that each plant species is predicted to harbor a unique set of plastid-targeted proteins. However, the temporal and developmental context of these processes remains unknown. In this study, an ultrastructural analysis approach was used to characterize fruit plastids in the epidermal and collenchymal cell layers at 11 developmental timepoints in three genotypes of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.): chlorophyll-predominant 'Granny Smith', carotenoid-predominant 'Golden Delicious', and anthocyanin-predominant 'Top Red Delicious'. Plastids transitioned from a proplastid-like plastid to a chromoplast-like plastid in epidermis cells, while in the collenchyma cells, they transitioned from a chloroplast-like plastid to a chloro-chromo-amyloplast plastid. Plastids in the collenchyma cells of the three genotypes demonstrated a diverse array of structures and features. This study enabled the identification of discrete developmental stages during which specific functions are most likely being performed by the plastids as indicated by accumulation of plastoglobuli, starch granules, and other sub-organeller structures. Information regarding the metabolically active developmental stages is expected to facilitate biologically relevant omics studies to unravel the complex biochemistry of plastids in perennial non-model systems.