Molecular and functional characterization of mulberry EST encoding remorin (MiREM) involved in abiotic stress

Reproductive Meristem (REM) family genes GhREM1 and GhREM5.4 act as potential regulators of temperature stress response in cotton

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is considered a major cash crop in agriculture, food, and textile industries all over the world. The foremost focus of scientists and farmers is to meet global food security needs, but unfortunately, evolving weather conditions have significantly reduced the overall production. Latest genome sequence of Gossypium hirsutum enables us to understand the molecular mechanisms and identify development-related and stress-responsive genes. The Reproductive Meristem (REM) gene family, a subfamily of B3 DNA-binding superfamily of transcription factors, is characterized in model plants including Arabidopsis and Chickpea, but no study reported in G. hirsutum. In current study, 33 members of REM gene family were predicted and confirmed to possess the conserved REM-related domains in G. hirsutum. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that REM family members are divided into six sub-groups consistent with Arabidopsis, further confirming the evolutionary relationship across species. The pattern of introns, exons, and conserved motifs also indicated evolutionary conservation. Gene duplication analysis suggested segmental duplication as a reason for the expansion of REM gene family. RNA-seq and real-time qPCR assisted expression analysis in root, leaf and stem under multiple abiotic stresses (drought, salt, low and high temperature) collectively suggesting GhREM1 and GhREM5.4 as potential regulators under low and high temperature stress which is supported with the presence of temperature responsive cis-elements. Furthermore, GhREM1-OE and GhREM5.4-OE revealed the significant regulation of peroxidase (POD) under both low and high temperature stress indicating the potential involvement in temperature tolerance. Green fluorescent protein GFP revealed that both genes were localized in the nucleus. Our findings elucidate the ground work for co-regulatory relationship of REM genes and antioxidant activity in cotton under temperature stress.

Molecular characterization of REM genes in Cajanus cajan suggests the role of CcREM1 and CcREM6 like genes in heat stress response

The increasing temperature is a major threat to plant growth and development. It severely alters various biochemical and physiological processes and ultimately affects the overall crop yield. The membrane-based remorin protein-encoding genes (REM) were previously reported as significantly involved in the regulation of various biotic and abiotic stressors. However, these REM genes were not studied in Cajanus Cajan, the sixth most important legume crop due to its rich protein source and traditional medicinal plant. In this study, 17 REM gene orthologs were identified in C. cajan against A. thaliana REM genes and verified through the presence of conserved REM-related domains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that REM genes were divided into six different groups. All the REM genes were unevenly distributed on 11 chromosomes of C. cajan. 3D protein structures and intron-exon organization indicate conserved evolutionary pattern within C. cajan. Various core, hormone-responsive, and stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements were found in promoter regions of REM genes, including TATA-box, CAAT-box, MYB, and G-box. The total estimation of antioxidant enzyme activity revealed the increase in POD and SOD activity, potentially due to a defense mechanism in response to high temperature. RNA sequencing data processing reveals higher expression of CcREM genes in leaf and flower, including CcREM1.1 and CcREM1.2. Furthermore, the differential change in expression was observed in response to high-temperature stress. Among these genes, one upregulated gene (CcREM1.3) and two downregulated genes (CcREM6.1 and CcREM6.5) are potential candidate targets for heat stress response, followed by qRT-PCR validation. Our findings suggest that CcREM1-like and CcREM6-like genes hold significant potential for future climate-smart heat-tolerant breeding of C. cajan.

Genome-Wide Identification of the Remorin Gene Family in Poplar and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses

The Remorin (REM) gene family is a plant-specific, oligomeric, filamentous family protein located on the cell membrane, which is important for plant growth and stress responses. In this study, a total of 22 PtREMs were identified in the genome of Populus trichocarpa. Subcellular localization analysis showed that they were predictively distributed in the cell membrane and nucleus. Only five PtREMs members contain both Remorin_C- and Remorin_N-conserved domains, and most of them only contain the Remorin_C domain. A total of 20 gene duplication pairs were found, all of which belonged to fragment duplication. Molecular evolutionary analysis showed the PtREMs have undergone purified selection. Lots of cis-acting elements assigned into categories of plant growth and development, stress response, hormone response and light response were detected in the promoters of PtREMs. PtREMs showed distinct gene expression patterns in response to diverse stress conditions where the mRNA levels of PtREM4.1, PtREM4.2 and PtREM6.11 were induced in most cases. A co-expression network centered by PtREMs was constructed to uncover the possible functions of PtREMs in protein modification, microtube-based movement and hormone signaling. The obtained results shed new light on understanding the roles of PtREMs in coping with environmental stresses in poplar species.

Genome-wide characterization of Remorin gene family and their responsive expression to abiotic stresses and plant hormone in Brassica napus

KEY MESSAGE

Remorin proteins could be positively related to salt and osmotic stress resistance in rapeseed. Remorins (REMs) play a crucial role in adaptations to adverse environments. However, their roles in abiotic stress and phytohormone responses in oil crops are still largely unknown. In this study, we identified 47 BnaREM genes in the B.napus genome. Phylogenetic relationship and synteny analysis revealed that they were categorized into 5 distinct groups and have gone through 55 segmental duplication events under purifying selection. Gene structure and conserved domains analysis demonstrated that they were highly conserved and all BnaREMs contained a conserved Remorin_C domain, with a variable N-terminal region. Promoter sequence analysis showed that BnaREM gene promoters contained various hormones and stress-related cis-acting elements. Transcriptome data from BrassicaEDB database exhibited that all BnaREMs were ubiquitously expressed in buds, stamens, inflorescences, young leaves, mature leaves, roots, stems, seeds, silique pericarps, embryos and seed coats. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that most of them were responsive to ABA, salt and osmotic treatments. Further mutant complementary experiments revealed that the expression of BnaREM1.3-4C-1 in the Arabidopsis rem1.3 mutant restored the retarded growth phenotype and the ability to resistance to salt and osmotic stresses. Our findings provide fundamental information on the structure and evolutionary relationship of the BnaREM family genes in rapeseed, and reveal the potential function of BnaREM1.3-4C-1 in stress and hormone response.

Melatonin Interaction with Other Phytohormones in the Regulation of Abiotic Stresses in Horticultural Plants

Horticultural crops play a vital role in global food production, nutrition, and the economy. Horticultural crops are highly vulnerable to abiotic stresses. These abiotic stresses hinder plant growth and development by affecting seed germination, impairing photosynthetic activity, and damaging root development, thus leading to a decrease in fruit yield, quality, and productivity. Scientists have conducted extensive research to investigate the mechanisms of resilience and the ability to cope with environmental stresses. In contrast, the use of phytohormones to alleviate the detrimental impacts of abiotic stresses on horticulture plants has been generally recognized as an effective method. Among phytohormones, melatonin (MT) is a novel plant hormone that regulates various plants' physiological functions such as seedling development, root system architecture, photosynthetic efficiency, balanced redox homeostasis, secondary metabolites production, accumulation of mineral nutrient uptake, and activated antioxidant defense system. Importantly, MT application significantly restricted heavy metals (HMs) uptake and increased mineral nutrient accumulation by modifying the root architecture system. In addition, MT is a naturally occurring, multifunctional, nontoxic biomolecule having antioxidant properties. Furthermore, this review described the hormonal interaction between MT and other signaling molecules in order to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in horticulture crops. This review focuses on current research advancements and prospective approaches for enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress.

Identification and characterization of the Remorin gene family in Saccharum and the involvement of ScREM1.5e-1/-2 in SCMV infection on sugarcane

Introduction

Remorins (REMs) are plant-specific membrane-associated proteins that play important roles in plant-pathogen interactions and environmental adaptations. Group I REMs are extensively involved in virus infection. However, little is known about the REM gene family in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hyrid), the most important sugar and energy crop around world.

Methods

Comparative genomics were employed to analyze the REM gene family in Saccharum spontaneum. Transcriptomics or RT-qPCR were used to analyze their expression files in different development stages or tissues under different treatments. Yeast two hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation assays were applied to investigate the protein interaction.

Results

In this study, 65 REMs were identified from Saccharum spontaneum genome and classified into six groups based on phylogenetic tree analysis. These REMs contain multiple cis-elements associated with growth, development, hormone and stress response. Expression profiling revealed that among different SsREMs with variable expression levels in different developmental stages or different tissues. A pair of alleles, ScREM1.5e-1/-2, were isolated from the sugarcane cultivar ROC22. ScREM1.5e-1/-2 were highly expressed in leaves, with the former expressed at significantly higher levels than the latter. Their expression was induced by treatment with H2O2, ABA, ethylene, brassinosteroid, SA or MeJA, and varied upon Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) infection. ScREM1.5e-1 was localized to the plasma membrane (PM), while ScREM1.5e-2 was localized to the cytoplasm or nucleus. ScREM1.5e-1/-2 can self-interact and interact with each other, and interact with VPgs from SCMV, Sorghum mosaic virus, or Sugarcane streak mosaic virus. The interactions with VPgs relocated ScREM1.5e-1 from the PM to the cytoplasm.

Discussion

These results reveal the origin, distribution and evolution of the REM gene family in sugarcane and may shed light on engineering sugarcane resistance against sugarcane mosaic pathogens.

Protein Disorder in Plant Stress Adaptation: From Late Embryogenesis Abundant to Other Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Global climate change has caused severe abiotic and biotic stresses, affecting plant growth and food security. The mechanical understanding of plant stress responses is critical for achieving sustainable agriculture. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are a group of proteins without unique three-dimensional structures. The environmental sensitivity and structural flexibility of IDPs contribute to the growth and developmental plasticity for sessile plants to deal with environmental challenges. This article discusses the roles of various disordered proteins in plant stress tolerance and resistance, describes the current mechanistic insights into unstructured proteins such as the disorder-to-order transition for adopting secondary structures to interact with specific partners (i.e., cellular membranes, membrane proteins, metal ions, and DNA), and elucidates the roles of liquid-liquid phase separation driven by protein disorder in stress responses. By comparing IDP studies in animal systems, this article provides conceptual principles of plant protein disorder in stress adaptation, reveals the current research gaps, and advises on the future research direction. The highlighting of relevant unanswered questions in plant protein disorder research aims to encourage more studies on these emerging topics to understand the mechanisms of action behind their stress resistance phenotypes.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of the remorin genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Remorin (REMs) are plant-specific and plasma membrane-associated proteins that play an essential role in the growth and development of plants and adaptations to adverse environments. To our knowledge, a genome-scale investigation of the REM genes in tomato has never been systematically studied. In this study, a total of 17 SlREM genes were identified in the tomato genome using bioinformatics methods. Our results demonstrated that the 17 members of SlREM were classified into 6 groups based on phylogenetic analysis and unevenly distributed on the eight chromosomes of tomato. There were 15 REM homologous gene pairs between tomato and Arabidopsis. The SlREM gene structures and motif compositions were similar. Promoter sequence analysis showed that the SlREM gene promoters contained some tissue-specific, hormones and stress-related cis-regulatory elements. Expression analysis based on qRT-PCR (Real-time quantitative PCR) analysis showed that SlREM family genes were were differentially expressed in different tissues, and they responded to ABA, MeJA, SA, low-temperature, drought and NaCl treatments. These results potentially provide relevant information for further research on the biological functions of SlREM family genes.

CaREM1.4 interacts with CaRIN4 to regulate Ralstonia solanacearum tolerance by triggering cell death in pepper

Remorins, plant-specific proteins, have a significant role in conferring on plants the ability to adapt to adverse environments. However, the precise function of remorins in resistance to biological stress remains largely unknown. Eighteen CaREM genes were identified in pepper genome sequences based on the C-terminal conserved domain that is specific to remorin proteins in this research. Phylogenetic relations, chromosomal localization, motif, gene structures, and promoter regions of these remorins were analyzed and a remorin gene, CaREM1.4, was cloned for further study. The transcription of CaREM1.4 in pepper was induced by infection with Ralstonia solanacearum. Knocking down CaREM1.4 in pepper using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technologies reduced the resistance of pepper plants to R. solanacearum and downregulated the expression of immunity-associated genes. Conversely, transient overexpression of CaREM1.4 in pepper and Nicotiana benthamiana plants triggered hypersensitive response-mediated cell death and upregulated expression of defense-related genes. In addition, CaRIN4-12, which interacted with CaREM1.4 at the plasma membrane and cell nucleus, was knocked down with VIGS, decreasing the susceptibility of Capsicum annuum to R. solanacearum. Furthermore, CaREM1.4 reduced ROS production by interacting with CaRIN4-12 upon co-injection in pepper. Taken together, our findings suggest that CaREM1.4 may function as a positive regulator of the hypersensitive response, and it interacts with CaRIN4-12, which negatively regulates plant immune responses of pepper to R. solanacearum. Our study provides new evidence for comprehending the molecular regulatory network of plant cell death.

Salicylic acid had the potential to enhance tolerance in horticultural crops against abiotic stress

Horticultural crops are greatly disturbed by severe abiotic stress conditions. This is considered one of the major threats to the healthy lives of the human population. Salicylic acid (SA) is famous as one of the multifunctional phytohormones that are widely found in plants. It is also an important bio-stimulator involved in the regulation of growth and the developmental stages of horticultural crops. The productivity of horticultural crops has been improved with the supplemental use of even small amounts of SA. It has good capability to reduce oxidative injuries that occur from the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially elevated photosynthesis, chlorophyll pigments, and stomatal regulation. Physiological and biochemical processes have revealed that SA enhances signaling molecules, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, osmolytes, and secondary metabolites activities within the cell compartments of plants. Numerous genomic approaches have also explored that SA regulates transcriptions profiling, transcriptional apprehensions, genomic expression, and metabolism of stress-related genes. Many plant biologists have been working on SA and its functioning in plants; however, its involvement in the enhancement of tolerance against abiotic stress in horticultural crops is still unidentified and needs more attention. Therefore, the current review is focused on a detailed exploration of SA in physiological and biochemical processes in horticultural crops subjected to abiotic stress. The current information is comprehensive and aims to be more supportive of the development of higher-yielding germplasm against abiotic stress.

Environmental Cues Contribute to Dynamic Plasma Membrane Organization of Nanodomains Containing Flotillin-1 and Hypersensitive Induced Reaction-1 Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plasma membranes are heterogeneous and contain multiple functional nanodomains. Although several signaling proteins have been shown to function by moving into or out of nanodomains, little is known regarding the effects of environmental cues on nanodomain organization. In this study, we investigated the heterogeneity and organization of distinct nanodomains, including those containing Arabidopsis thaliana flotillin-1 (AtFlot1) and hypersensitive induced reaction-1 proteins (AtHIR1), in response to biotic and abiotic stress. Variable-angle total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy coupled with single-particle tracking (SPT) revealed that AtFlot1 and AtHIR1 exhibit different lateral dynamics and inhabit different types of nanodomains. Furthermore, via SPT and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we observed lower density and intensity of AtFlot1 fluorescence in the plasma membrane after biotic stress. In contrast, the density and intensity of signal indicating AtHIR1 markedly increased in response to biotic stress. In response to abiotic stress, the density and intensity of both AtFlot1 and AtHIR1 signals decreased significantly. Importantly, SPT coupled with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed that biotic and abiotic stress can regulate the dynamics of AtFlot1; however, only the abiotic stress can regulate AtHIR1 dynamics. Taken together, these findings suggest that a plethora of highly distinct nanodomains coexist in the plasma membrane (PM) and that different nanodomains may perform distinct functions in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. These phenomena may be explained by the spatial clustering of plasma membrane proteins with their associated signaling components within dedicated PM nanodomains.

Transcriptome analysis of Kentucky bluegrass subject to drought and ethephon treatment

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is an excellent cool-season turfgrass utilized widely in Northern China. However, turf quality of Kentucky bluegrass declines significantly due to drought. Ethephon seeds-soaking treatment has been proved to effectively improve the drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass seedlings. In order to investigate the effect of ethephon leaf-spraying method on drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass and understand the underlying mechanism, Kentucky bluegrass plants sprayed with and without ethephon are subjected to either drought or well watered treatments. The relative water content and malondialdehyde conent were measured. Meanwhile, samples were sequenced through Illumina. Results showed that ethephon could improve the drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass by elevating relative water content and decreasing malondialdehyde content under drought. Transcriptome analysis showed that 58.43% transcripts (254,331 out of 435,250) were detected as unigenes. A total of 9.69% (24,643 out of 254,331) unigenes were identified as differentially expressed genes in one or more of the pairwise comparisons. Differentially expressed genes due to drought stress with or without ethephon pre-treatment showed that ethephon application affected genes associated with plant hormone, signal transduction pathway and plant defense, protein degradation and stabilization, transportation and osmosis, antioxidant system and the glyoxalase pathway, cell wall and cuticular wax, fatty acid unsaturation and photosynthesis. This study provides a theoretical basis for revealing the mechanism for how ethephon regulates drought response and improves drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass.

Tomato leaves under stress: a comparison of stress response to mild abiotic stress between a cultivated and a wild tomato species

Tomato is one of the most produced crop plants on earth and growing in the fields and greenhouses all over the world. Breeding with known traits of wild species can enhance stress tolerance of cultivated crops. In this study, we investigated responses of the transcriptome as well as primary and secondary metabolites in leaves of a cultivated and a wild tomato to several abiotic stresses such as nitrogen deficiency, chilling or warmer temperatures, elevated light intensities and combinations thereof. The wild species responded different to varied temperature conditions compared to the cultivated tomato. Nitrogen deficiency caused the strongest responses and induced in particular the secondary metabolism in both species but to much higher extent in the cultivated tomato. Our study supports the potential of a targeted induction of valuable secondary metabolites in green residues of horticultural production, that will otherwise only be composted after fruit harvest. In particular, the cultivated tomato showed a strong induction in the group of mono caffeoylquinic acids in response to nitrogen deficiency. In addition, the observed differences in stress responses between cultivated and wild tomato can lead to new breeding targets for better stress tolerance.

Connecting the dots: from nanodomains to physiological functions of REMORINs

REMORINs (REMs) are a plant-specific protein family, proposed regulators of membrane-associated molecular assemblies and well-established markers of plasma membrane nanodomains. REMs play a diverse set of functions in plant interactions with pathogens and symbionts, responses to abiotic stresses, hormone signaling and cell-to-cell communication. In this review, we highlight the established and more putative roles of REMs throughout the literature. We discuss the physiological functions of REMs, the mechanisms underlying their nanodomain-organization and their putative role as regulators of nanodomain-associated molecular assemblies. Furthermore, we discuss how REM phosphorylation may regulate their functional versatility. Overall, through data-mining and comparative analysis of the literature, we suggest how to further study the molecular mechanisms underpinning the functions of REMs.

Populus euphratica remorin 6.5 activates plasma membrane H+-ATPases to mediate salt tolerance

Remorins (REMs) play an important role in the ability of plants to adapt to adverse environments. PeREM6.5, a protein of the REM family in Populus euphratica (salt-resistant poplar), was induced by NaCl stress in callus, roots and leaves. We cloned the full-length PeREM6.5 from P. euphratica and transformed it into Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis thaliana. PeREM6.5 recombinant protein significantly increased the H+-ATPase hydrolytic activity and H+ transport activity in P. euphratica plasma membrane (PM) vesicles. Yeast two-hybrid assay showed that P. euphratica REM6.5 interacted with RPM1-interacting protein 4 (PeRIN4). Notably, the PeREM6.5-induced increase in PM H+-ATPase activity was enhanced by PeRIN4 recombinant protein. Overexpression of PeREM6.5 in Arabidopsis significantly improved salt tolerance in transgenic plants in terms of survival rate, root growth, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content. Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PeREM6.5 retained high PM H+-ATPase activity in both in vivo and in vitro assays. PeREM6.5-transgenic plants had reduced accumulation of Na+ due to the Na+ extrusion promoted by the H+-ATPases. Moreover, the H+ pumps caused hyperpolarization of the PM, which reduced the K+ loss mediated by the depolarization-activated channels in the PM of salinized roots. Therefore, we conclude that PeREM6.5 regulated H+-ATPase activity in the PM, thus enhancing the plant capacity to maintain ionic homeostasis under salinity.

Genome-Wide Association and Prediction of Traits Related to Salt Tolerance in Autotetraploid Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Soil salinity is a growing problem in world production agriculture. Continued improvement in crop salt tolerance will require the implementation of innovative breeding strategies such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS). Genetic analyses for yield and vigor traits under salt stress in alfalfa breeding populations with three different phenotypic datasets was assessed. Genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) developed markers with allele dosage and phenotypic data were analyzed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and GS using different models. GWAS identified 27 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with salt tolerance. Mapping SNPs markers against the Medicago truncatula reference genome revealed several putative candidate genes based on their roles in response to salt stress. Additionally, eight GS models were used to estimate breeding values of the training population under salt stress. Highest prediction accuracies and root mean square errors were used to determine the best prediction model. The machine learning methods (support vector machine and random forest) performance best with the prediction accuracy of 0.793 for yield. The marker loci and candidate genes identified, along with optimized GS prediction models, were shown to be useful in improvement of alfalfa with enhanced salt tolerance. DNA markers and the outcome of the GS will be made available to the alfalfa breeding community in efforts to accelerate genetic gains, in the development of biotic stress tolerant and more productive modern-day alfalfa cultivars.

Genome-Wide Association and Prediction of Traits Related to Salt Tolerance in Autotetraploid Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Soil salinity is a growing problem in world production agriculture. Continued improvement in crop salt tolerance will require the implementation of innovative breeding strategies such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS). Genetic analyses for yield and vigor traits under salt stress in alfalfa breeding populations with three different phenotypic datasets was assessed. Genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) developed markers with allele dosage and phenotypic data were analyzed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and GS using different models. GWAS identified 27 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with salt tolerance. Mapping SNPs markers against the Medicago truncatula reference genome revealed several putative candidate genes based on their roles in response to salt stress. Additionally, eight GS models were used to estimate breeding values of the training population under salt stress. Highest prediction accuracies and root mean square errors were used to determine the best prediction model. The machine learning methods (support vector machine and random forest) performance best with the prediction accuracy of 0.793 for yield. The marker loci and candidate genes identified, along with optimized GS prediction models, were shown to be useful in improvement of alfalfa with enhanced salt tolerance. DNA markers and the outcome of the GS will be made available to the alfalfa breeding community in efforts to accelerate genetic gains, in the development of biotic stress tolerant and more productive modern-day alfalfa cultivars.

The barley stripe mosaic virus expression system reveals the wheat C2H2 zinc finger protein TaZFP1B as a key regulator of drought tolerance

BACKGROUND

Drought stress is one of the major factors limiting wheat production globally. Improving drought tolerance is important for agriculture sustainability. Although various morphological, physiological and biochemical responses associated with drought tolerance have been documented, the molecular mechanisms and regulatory genes that are needed to improve drought tolerance in crops require further investigation. We have used a novel 4-component version (for overexpression) and a 3-component version (for underexpression) of a barley stripe mosaic virus-based (BSMV) system for functional characterization of the C2H2-type zinc finger protein TaZFP1B in wheat. These expression systems avoid the need to produce transgenic plant lines and greatly speed up functional gene characterization.

RESULTS

We show that overexpression of TaZFP1B stimulates plant growth and up-regulates different oxidative stress-responsive genes under well-watered conditions. Plants that overexpress TaZFP1B are more drought tolerant at critical periods of the plant's life cycle. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that plants overexpressing TaZFP1B reprogram their transcriptome, resulting in physiological and physical modifications that help wheat to grow and survive under drought stress. In contrast, plants transformed to underexpress TaZFP1B are significantly less tolerant to drought and growth is negatively affected.

CONCLUSIONS

This study clearly shows that the two versions of the BSMV system can be used for fast and efficient functional characterization of genes in crops. The extent of transcriptome reprogramming in plants that overexpress TaZFP1B indicates that the encoded transcription factor is a key regulator of drought tolerance in wheat.

New Insights into the Structure-Function Relationship of the Endosomal-Type Na+, K+/H+ Antiporter NHX6 from Mulberry (Morus notabilis)

The endosomal-type Na⁺, K⁺/H⁺ antiporters (NHXs) play important roles in K⁺, vesicle pH homeostasis, and protein trafficking in plant. However, the structure governing ion transport mechanism and the key residues related to the structure–function of the endosomal-type NHXs remain unclear. Here, the structure-function relationship of the only endosomal-type NHX from mulberry, MnNHX6, was investigated by homology modeling, mutagenesis, and localization analyses in yeast. The ectopic expression of MnNHX6 in arabidopsis and Nhx1 mutant yeast can enhance their salt tolerance. MnNHX6’s three-dimensional structure, established by homology modeling, was supported by empirical, phylogenetic, and experimental data. Structure analysis showed that MnNHX6 contains unusual 13 transmembrane helices, but the structural core formed by TM5-TM12 assembly is conserved. Localization analysis showed that MnNHX6 has the same endosomal localization as yeast Nhx1/VPS44, and Arg402 is important for protein stability of MnNHX6. Mutagenesis analysis demonstrated MnNHX6 contains a conserved cation binding mechanism and a similar charge-compensated pattern as NHE1, but shares a different role in ion selectivity than the vacuolar-type NHXs. These results improve our understanding of the role played by the structure–function related key residues of the plant endosomal-type NHXs, and provide a basis for the ion transport mechanism study of endosomal-type NHXs.

Organization and dynamics of functional plant membrane microdomains

Plasma membranes are heterogeneous and laterally compartmentalized into distinct microdomains. These membrane microdomains consist of special lipids and proteins and are thought to act as signaling platforms. In plants, membrane microdomains have been detected by super-resolution microscopy, and there is evidence that they play roles in several biological processes. Here, we review current knowledge about the lipid and protein components of membrane microdomains. Furthermore, we summarize the dynamics of membrane microdomains in response to different stimuli. We also explore the biological functions associated with membrane microdomains as signal integration hubs. Finally, we outline challenges and questions for further studies.

Comparative proteomics combined with analyses of transgenic plants reveal ZmREM1.3 mediates maize resistance to southern corn rust

Southern corn rust (SCR), which is a destructive disease caused by Puccinia polysora Underw. (P. polysora), commonly occurs in warm-temperate and tropical regions. To identify candidate proteins related to SCR resistance and characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the maize-P. polysora interaction, a comparative proteomic analysis of susceptible and resistant maize lines was performed. Statistical analyses revealed 1489 differentially abundant proteins in the resistant line, as well as 1035 differentially abundant proteins in the susceptible line. After the P. polysora infection, the abundance of one remorin protein (ZmREM1.3) increased in the resistant genotype, but decreased in the susceptible genotype. Plant-specific remorins are important for responses to microbial infections as well as plant signalling processes. In this study, transgenic maize plants overexpressing ZmREM1.3 exhibited enhanced resistance to the biotrophic P. polysora. In contrast, homozygous ZmREM1.3 UniformMu mutant plants were significantly more susceptible to P. polysora than wild-type plants. Additionally, the ZmREM1.3-overexpressing plants accumulated more salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Moreover, the expression levels of defence-related genes were higher in ZmREM1.3-overexpressing maize plants than in non-transgenic control plants in response to the P. polysora infection. Overall, our results provide evidence that ZmREM1.3 positively regulates maize defences against P. polysora likely via SA/JA-mediated defence signalling pathways. This study represents the first large-scale proteomic analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the maize-P. polysora interaction. This is also the first report confirming the remorin protein family affects plant resistance to SCR.

Global Dynamics in Protein Disorder during Maize Seed Development

Intrinsic protein disorder is a physicochemical attribute of some proteins lacking tridimensional structure and is collectively known as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Interestingly, several IDPs have been associated with protective functions in plants and with their response to external stimuli. To correlate the modulation of the IDPs content with the developmental progression in seed, we describe the expression of transcripts according to the disorder content of the proteins that they codify during seed development, from the early embryogenesis to the beginning of the desiccation tolerance acquisition stage. We found that the total expression profile of transcripts encoding for structured proteins is highly increased during middle phase. However, the relative content of protein disorder is increased as seed development progresses. We identified several intrinsically disordered transcription factors that seem to play important roles throughout seed development. On the other hand, we detected a gene cluster encoding for IDPs at the end of the late phase, which coincides with the beginning of the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. In conclusion, the expression pattern of IDPs is highly dependent on the developmental stage, and there is a general reduction in the expression of transcripts encoding for structured proteins as seed development progresses. We proposed maize seeds as a model to study the regulation of protein disorder in plant development and its involvement in the acquisition of desiccation tolerance in plants.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) at Its Southern Lineage in Europe. Implications for Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources

In the present paper we studied the genetic diversity and genetic structure of five Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) natural populations situated in Serbia, belonging to the southern lineage of the species at the southern margin of the species distribution range. Four populations occur as disjunct populations on the outskirts of the Dinaric Alps mountain chain, whereas one is located at the edge of Balkan Mountain range and, therefore, can be considered as ecologically marginal due to drier climatic conditions occurring in this region. Due to the negative effect of biotic and abiotic stress factors, the sustainability of these populations is endangered, making conservation of their genetic resources one of the key measures of Norway spruce persistence in Serbia under climatic changes. The insight on genetic diversity and genetic structure of the studied spruce populations can provide the information required for the initiation of programs aimed at the conservation and utilization of spruce genetic resources at the rear edge of species environmental limits. Norway spruce genetic variation and population genetic structure were estimated using eight EST-SSR markers. The results showed that mean expected heterozygosity was 0.616 and allelic richness 10.22. Genetic differentiation among populations was low (Fst = 0.007). No recent bottleneck effect or isolation by distance were detected. Bayesian clustering, obtained with STRUCTURE, grouped the populations into two genetic clusters, whereas UPGMA analysis distinguished three main groups approximately in line with the geographic area of occurrence. Based on the study results and the EUFORGEN Pan-European strategy for genetic conservation of forest trees, the establishment of additional dynamic gene conservation units must be considered in Serbia in order to protect the adaptive and neutral genetic diversity of the species.

REM1.3's phospho-status defines its plasma membrane nanodomain organization and activity in restricting PVX cell-to-cell movement

Plants respond to pathogens through dynamic regulation of plasma membrane-bound signaling pathways. To date, how the plant plasma membrane is involved in responses to viruses is mostly unknown. Here, we show that plant cells sense the Potato virus X (PVX) COAT PROTEIN and TRIPLE GENE BLOCK 1 proteins and subsequently trigger the activation of a membrane-bound calcium-dependent kinase. We show that the Arabidopsis thaliana CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 3-interacts with group 1 REMORINs in vivo, phosphorylates the intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain of the Group 1 REMORIN REM1.3, and restricts PVX cell-to-cell movement. REM1.3's phospho-status defines its plasma membrane nanodomain organization and is crucial for REM1.3-dependent restriction of PVX cell-to-cell movement by regulation of callose deposition at plasmodesmata. This study unveils plasma membrane nanodomain-associated molecular events underlying the plant immune response to viruses.

Viruses propagate in plants through membranous channels, called plasmodesmata, linking each cell to its neighboring cell. In this work, we challenge the role of the plasma membrane in the regulation of virus propagation. By studying the dynamics and the activation of a plant-specific protein called REMORIN, we found that the way this protein is organized inside the membrane is crucial to fulfill its function in the immunity of plants against viruses.

The mode of action of remorin1 in regulating fruit ripening at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels

Remorins are plant-specific and plasma membrane-associated proteins that display a variety of functions in plant growth, development, biotic and abiotic stresses, and signal transduction. However, little information is available for understanding their role in fruit ripening. Here, remorin 1 (SlREM1) is cloned from tomato and its localization is examined by co-localization analysis and immunoblotting. Functions of SlREM1 in fruit ripening are characterized based on gene expression, co-immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectroscopy and split luciferase complementation imaging assays in SlREM1 overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) lines. The results indicate that SlREM1 is localized at the plasma membrane. Overexpression of SlREM1 in tomato stimulates fruit ripening with an increase in ethylene production and lycopene accumulation as compared to the wild-type. Consistently, these genes involved in ethylene and lycopene biosynthesis and ripening regulators also are upregulated in SlREM1 overexpression lines. SlREM1 can interact with ethylene biosynthesis proteins SAM1, ACO1 and ACS2 and is degraded by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Our findings reveal that SlREM1 serves as a positive regulator of fruit ripening and provide novel cues for understanding of the molecular regulation network of fruit ripening.

Symbiotic root infections in Medicago truncatula require remorin-mediated receptor stabilization in membrane nanodomains

Plant cell infection is tightly controlled by cell surface receptor-like kinases (RLKs). Like other RLKs, the Medicago truncatula entry receptor LYK3 laterally segregates into membrane nanodomains in a stimulus-dependent manner. Although nanodomain localization arises as a generic feature of plant membrane proteins, the molecular mechanisms underlying such dynamic transitions and their functional relevance have remained poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that actin and the flotillin protein FLOT4 form the primary and indispensable core of a specific nanodomain. Infection-dependent induction of the remorin protein and secondary molecular scaffold SYMREM1 results in subsequent recruitment of ligand-activated LYK3 and its stabilization within these membrane subcompartments. Reciprocally, the majority of this LYK3 receptor pool is destabilized at the plasma membrane and undergoes rapid endocytosis in symrem1 mutants on rhizobial inoculation, resulting in premature abortion of host cell infections. These data reveal that receptor recruitment into nanodomains is indispensable for their function during host cell infection.

Ectopic expression of Triticum aestivum SERK genes (TaSERKs) control plant growth and development in Arabidopsis

Somatic embryogenesis receptor kinases (SERKs) belong to a small gene family of receptor-like kinases involved in signal transduction. A total of 54 genes were shortlisted from the wheat genome survey sequence of which 5 were classified as SERKs and 49 were identified as SERK-like (SERLs). Tissue- specific expression of TaSERKs at major developmental stages of wheat corroborates their indispensable role during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis. TaSERK transcripts show inherent differences in their hormonal sensitivities, i.e. TaSERK2 and TaSERK3 elicits auxin- specific responses while TaSERK1, 4 and 5 were more specific towards BR-mediated regulation. The ectopic expression of TaSERK1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Arabidopsis led to enhanced plant height, larger silique size and increased seed yield. Zygotic embryogenesis specific genes showed a differential pattern in TaSERK Arabidopsis transgenics specifically in the silique tissues. Elongated hypocotyls and enhanced root growth were observed in the overexpression transgenic lines of all five TaSERKs. The inhibitory action of auxin and brassinosteroid in all the TaSERK transgenic lines indicates their role in regulating root development. The results obtained imply redundant functions of TaSERKs in maintaining plant growth and development.

Improvement of abiotic stress adaptive traits in mulberry (Morus spp.): an update on biotechnological interventions

Mulberry (Morus spp.), being an economically important tree, is cultivated in China, India, Thailand, Brazil, Uzbekistan and other Countries across the globe, for its leaves to feed monophagous mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori). The sustainability of silk industry is directly correlated with the production and continuous supply of high-quality mulberry leaves. In India, it is cultivated on large scale in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions under irrigated conditions for silkworm rearing. Drought, low temperature, high salinity and alkalinity, being experienced in widespread areas, are the major abiotic stresses, causing reduction in its potential foliage yield and quality. Further, climate change effects may worsen the productivity of mulberry in near future, not only in India but also across the globe. Although traditional breeding methods contributed immensely towards the development of abiotic stress-tolerant mulberry varieties, still there is lot of scope for implementation of modern genomic and molecular biology tools for accelerating mulberry genetic improvement programmes. This review discusses omics approaches, molecular breeding, plant tissue culture and genetic engineering techniques exploited for mulberry genetic improvement for abiotic stress tolerance. However, high-throughput biotechnological tools such as RNA interference, virus-induced gene silencing, epigenomics and genome editing tools need to be utilized in mulberry to accelerate the progress of functional genomics. The application of genomic tools such as genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection and genomic selection in breeding programmes can hasten the development of climate resilient and productive mulberry varieties leading to the vertical and horizontal expansion for quality silk production.

Drought-Responsive Mechanisms in Plant Leaves Revealed by Proteomics

Plant drought tolerance is a complex trait that requires a global view to understand its underlying mechanism. The proteomic aspects of plant drought response have been extensively investigated in model plants, crops and wood plants. In this review, we summarize recent proteomic studies on drought response in leaves to reveal the common and specialized drought-responsive mechanisms in different plants. Although drought-responsive proteins exhibit various patterns depending on plant species, genotypes and stress intensity, proteomic analyses show that dominant changes occurred in sensing and signal transduction, reactive oxygen species scavenging, osmotic regulation, gene expression, protein synthesis/turnover, cell structure modulation, as well as carbohydrate and energy metabolism. In combination with physiological and molecular results, proteomic studies in leaves have helped to discover some potential proteins and/or metabolic pathways for drought tolerance. These findings provide new clues for understanding the molecular basis of plant drought tolerance.

OsREM4.1 Interacts with OsSERK1 to Coordinate the Interlinking between Abscisic Acid and Brassinosteroid Signaling in Rice

Crosstalk among phytohormones is crucial for balancing plant growth and adjustment to various environments. Abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BRs) exhibit antagonistic interactions during many plant development processes, but little is known about the molecular mechanism mediating those interactions. Here, we identified a rice (Oryza sativa) remorin gene, OsREM4.1, whose expression is upregulated by ABA through the transcriptional activator OsbZIP23. OsREM4.1, in return, negatively regulates BR signaling output. We discovered that OsREM4.1 interacts with OsSERK1 to inhibit its interaction with rice BR receptor OsBRI1. Moreover, OsBRI1 could phosphorylate OsREM4.1 to reduce the binding affinity of OsREM4.1 to OsSERK1. These results demonstrate that OsREM4.1 is transcriptionally regulated by ABA and functions as an OsBRI1 substrate and OsSERK1-interacting protein to inhibit the formation and subsequent activation of the OsBRI1-OsSERK1 receptor complex. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism by which the antagonistic interactions between ABA and BRs are coordinated in rice.

Wheat Brassinosteroid-Insensitive1 (TaBRI1) Interacts with Members of TaSERK Gene Family and Cause Early Flowering and Seed Yield Enhancement in Arabidopsis

Brassinosteroids (BRs) hormones are important for plant growth, development and immune responses. They are sensed by the transmembrane receptor kinase Brassinosteroid-Insensitive 1 (BRI1) when they bind to its extracellular Leu-rich repeat (LRR) domain. We cloned and characterized the TaBRI1 from T. aestivum and raised overexpression transgenics in Arabidopsis to decipher its functional role. TaBRI1 protein consists of a putative signal peptide followed by 25 leucine rich repeats (LRR), a transmembrane domain and a C-terminal kinase domain. The analysis determined the interaction of TaBRI1 with five members of the wheat Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase (TaSERKs) gene family (TaSERK1, TaSERK2, TaSERK3, TaSERK4 and TaSERK5), at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, overexpression of TaBRI1 in Arabidopsis leads to the early flowering, increased silique size and seed yield. Root growth analysis of TaBRI1 overexpressing transgenic plants showed hypersensitivity to epi-brassinolide (epi-BL) hormone in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, transgenic Arabidopsis plants show thermotolerance phenotype at the seedling stages as revealed by chlorophyll content, photosystem II activity and membrane stability. The transcriptome profiling on the basis of microarray analysis indicates up-regulation of several genes related to brassinosteroid signaling pathway, abiotic stress response, defense response and transcription factors. These studies predict the possible role of TaBRI1 gene in plant growth and development imparting tolerance to thermal stress.

Characterization and Functional Analysis of 4-Coumarate:CoA Ligase Genes in Mul-berry

A small, multigene family encodes 4-coumarate:CoA ligases (4CLs) that catalyze the ligation of CoA to hydroxycinnamic acids, a branch point directing metabolites to flavonoid or monolignol pathways. In this study, we characterized four 4CL genes from M. notabilis Genome Database, and cloned four Ma4CL genes from M. atropurpurea cv. Jialing No.40. A tissue-specific expression analysis indicated that Ma4CL3 was expressed at higher levels than the other genes, and that Ma4CL3 was strongly expressed in root bark, stem bark, and old leaves. Additionally, the expression pattern of Ma4CL3 was similar to the trend of the total flavonoid content throughout fruit development. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that Mn4CL1, Mn4CL2, and Mn4CL4 belong to class I 4CLs, and Mn4CL3 belongs to class II 4CLs. Ma4CL genes responded differently to a series of stresses. Ma4CL3 expression was higher than that of the other Ma4CL genes following wounding, salicylic acid, and ultraviolet treatments. An in vitro enzyme assay indicated that 4-coumarate acid was the best substrate among cinnamic acid, 4-coumarate acid, and caffeate acid, but no catalytic activity to sinapate acid and ferulate acid. The results of subcellular localization experiments showed that Ma4CL3 localized to the cytomembrane, where it activated transcription. We used different vectors and strategies to fuse Ma4CL3 with stilbene synthase (STS) to construct four Ma4CL-MaSTS co-expression systems to generate resveratrol. The results indicated that only a transcriptional fusion vector, pET-Ma4CL3-T-MaSTS, which utilized a T7 promoter and lac operator for the expression of MaSTS, could synthesize resveratrol.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of the mulberry Na(+)/H(+) exchanger gene family

Na(+)/H(+) exchangers (NHXs) have important roles in cellular pH, and Na(+) and K(+) homeostasis in plants. Mulberry is not only an important traditional economic woody plant known for its leaves, which are the exclusive food source of the silkworm Bombyx mori, but it can also adapt to many different adverse conditions, including saline environments. However, little is known about the NHXs in this important perennial tree. In this study, we identified and cloned seven putative NHX gene family members from Morus atropurpurea based on a genome-wide analysis of the Morus genome database. A phylogenetic analysis and genomic organization of mulberry NHXs suggested that the mulberry NHX family forms three distinct subgroups. Transcriptome data and real-time PCR of different mulberry varieties under normal culture conditions revealed that the mulberry NHX family has a different tissue-specific pattern in the two mulberry species. The MaNHX genes' expression analyses under different stresses (salt and drought) and signal molecules (abscisic acid, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide and methyl jasmonate) revealed that MaNHXs not only could be induced by salt, drought and abscisic acid as describe in the literature, but were also induced by other signal molecules, which indicated that MaNHX members exhibited diverse and complicated expression patterns in different mulberry tissues under various abiotic stresses, phytohormones and plant signaling molecules. Our results provide some insights into new and emerging cellular and physiological functions of this group of H(+)-coupled cation exchangers, beyond their function in salt tolerance, and also provide the basis for further characterizations of MaNHXs' physiological functions.

Molecular and Functional Characterization of a Wheat B2 Protein Imparting Adverse Temperature Tolerance and Influencing Plant Growth

Genomic attempts were undertaken to elucidate the plant developmental responses to heat stress, and to characterize the roles of B2 protein in mediating those responses. A wheat expressed sequence tag for B2 protein was identified which was cloned and characterized to assess its functional relevance causing plant growth and development during stress adaptation. Here, we show that wheat B2 protein is highly expressed in root and shoot tissues as well as in developing seed tissues under high temperature stress conditions. Morphological studies of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing gene encoding wheat B2 protein and Δb2 mutant plants were studied at major developmental stages. The stunted growth phenotype of mutant plants, together with hypocotyl and root elongation analysis of transgenic plants showed that B2 protein exhibits a crucial role in plant growth and development. Additional physiological analyses highlights the role of B2 protein in increased tolerance to heat and cold stresses by maintaining high chlorophyll content, strong activity of photosystem II and less membrane damage of overexpression transgenics as compared with the wild-type. Furthermore, the constitutive overexpression of TaB2 in Arabidopsis resulted in ABA hypersensitivity. Taken together, these studies suggest a novel perspectives of B2 protein in plant development and in mediating the thermal stress tolerance.

Mulberry Transcription Factor MnDREB4A Confers Tolerance to Multiple Abiotic Stresses in Transgenic Tobacco

The dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) transcription factors have been reported to be involved in stress responses. Most studies have focused on DREB genes in subgroups A-1 and A-2 in herbaceous plants, but there have been few reports on the functions of DREBs from the A-3-A-6 subgroups and in woody plants. Moreover, mulberry trees are ecologically and economically important perennial woody plants, but there has been little research on its stress physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. In this study, a DREB gene from the mulberry tree, designated as MnDREB4A, classified into the A-4 subgroup by our previous study, was selected for further characterization. Our results showed that the MnDREB4A protein was localized to the nucleus where it activated transcription. The promoter of MnDREB4A can direct prominent expression downstream of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene under heat, cold, drought and salt stress, and GUS staining was deepest after 12 h of stress treatment. The MnDREB4A-overexpression transgenic tobacco showed the improved growth phenotype under untreated conditions, such as greener leaves, longer roots, and lower water loss and senescence rates. Overexpression of MnDREB4A in tobacco can significantly enhance tolerance to heat, cold, drought, and salt stresses in transgenic plants. The leaf discs and seedlings of transgenic plants reduced leaf wilting and senescence rates compared to the wild type plants under the different stress conditions. Further investigation showed that transgenic plants also had higher water contents and proline contents, and lower malondialdehyde contents under untreated condition and stress conditions. Our results indicate that the MnDREB4A protein plays an important role in plant stress tolerance.

The impact of sodium nitroprusside and ozone in kiwifruit ripening physiology: a combined gene and protein expression profiling approach

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite their importance in many aspects of plant physiology, information about the function of oxidative and, particularly, of nitrosative signalling in fruit biology is limited. This study examined the possible implications of O3 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in kiwifruit ripening, and their interacting effects. It also aimed to investigate changes in the kiwifruit proteome in response to SNP and O3 treatments, together with selected transcript analysis, as a way to enhance our understanding of the fruit ripening syndrome.

METHODS

Kiwifruits following harvest were pre-treated with 100 μm SNP, then cold-stored (0 °C, relative humidity 95 %) for either 2 or 6 months in the absence or in the presence of O3 (0·3 μL L(-1)), and subsequently were allowed to ripen at 20 °C. The ripening behaviour of fruit was characterized using several approaches: together with ethylene production, several genes, enzymes and metabolites involved in ethylene biosynthesis were analysed. Kiwifruit proteins were identified using 2-D electrophoresis coupled with nanoliquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Expression patterns of kiwifruit ripening-related genes were also analysed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR).

KEY RESULTS

O3 treatment markedly delayed fruit softening and depressed the ethylene biosynthetic mechanism. Although SNP alone was relatively ineffective in regulating ripening, SNP treatment prior to O3 exposure attenuated the O3-induced ripening inhibition. Proteomic analysis revealed a considerable overlap between proteins affected by both SNP and O3. Consistent with this, the temporal dynamics in the expression of selected kiwifruit ripening-related genes were noticeably different between individual O3 and combined SNP and O3 treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that O3-induced ripening inhibition could be reversed by SNP and provides insights into the interaction between oxidative and nitrosative signalling in climacteric fruit ripening.

Constitutive expression of DaCBF7, an Antarctic vascular plant Deschampsia antarctica CBF homolog, resulted in improved cold tolerance in transgenic rice plants

Deschampsia antarctica is an Antarctic hairgrass that grows on the west coast of the Antarctic peninsula. In this report, we have identified and characterized a transcription factor, D. antarctica C-repeat binding factor 7 (DaCBF7), that is a member of the monocot group V CBF homologs. The protein contains a single AP2 domain, a putative nuclear localization signal, and the typical CBF signature. DaCBF7, like other monocot group V homologs, contains a distinct polypeptide stretch composed of 43 amino acids in front of the AP2 motif. DaCBF7 was predominantly localized to nuclei and interacted with the C-repeat/dehydration responsive element (CRT/DRE) core sequence (ACCGAC) in vitro. DaCBF7 was induced by abiotic stresses, including drought, cold, and salinity. To investigate its possible cellular role in cold tolerance, a transgenic rice system was employed. DaCBF7-overexpressing transgenic rice plants (Ubi:DaCBF7) exhibited markedly increased tolerance to cold stress compared to wild-type plants without growth defects; however, overexpression of DaCBF7 exerted little effect on tolerance to drought or salt stress. Transcriptome analysis of a Ubi:DaCBF7 transgenic line revealed 13 genes that were up-regulated in DaCBF7-overexpressing plants compared to wild-type plants in the absence of cold stress and in short- or long-term cold stress. Five of these genes, dehydrin, remorin, Os03g63870, Os11g34790, and Os10g22630, contained putative CRT/DRE or low-temperature responsive elements in their promoter regions. These results suggest that overexpression of DaCBF7 directly and indirectly induces diverse genes in transgenic rice plants and confers enhanced tolerance to cold stress.

Molecular principles of membrane microdomain targeting in plants

Plasma membranes (PMs) are heterogeneous lipid bilayers comprising diverse subdomains. These sites can be labeled by various proteins in vivo and may serve as hotspots for signal transduction. They are found at apical, basal, and lateral membranes of polarized cells, at cell equatorial planes, or almost isotropically distributed throughout the PM. Recent advances in imaging technologies and understanding of mechanisms that allow proteins to target specific sites in PMs have provided insights into the dynamics and complexity of their specific segregation. Here we present a comprehensive overview of the different types of membrane microdomain and describe the molecular modes that determine site-directed targeting of membrane-resident proteins at the PM.

Grain setting defect1 (GSD1) function in rice depends on S-acylation and interacts with actin 1 (OsACT1) at its C-terminal

Grain setting defect1 (GSD1), a plant-specific remorin protein specifically localized at the plasma membrane (PM) and plasmodesmata of phloem companion cells, affects grain setting in rice through regulating the transport of photoassimilates. Here, we show new evidence demonstrating that GSD1 is localized at the cytoplasmic face of the PM and a stretch of 45 amino acid residues at its C-terminal is required for its localization. Association with the PM is mediated by S-acylation of cysteine residues Cys-524 and Cys-527, in a sequence of 45 amino acid residues essential for GSD1 function in rice. Furthermore, the coiled-coil domain in GSD1 is necessary for sufficient interaction with OsACT1. Together, these results reveal that GSD1 attaches to the PM through S-acylation and interacts with OsACT1 through its coiled-coil domain structure to regulate plasmodesmata conductance for photoassimilate transport in rice.

A remorin gene SiREM6, the target gene of SiARDP, from foxtail millet (Setaria italica) promotes high salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

Remorin proteins (REMs) form a plant-specific protein family, with some REMs being responsive to abiotic stress. However, the precise functions of REMs in abiotic stress tolerance are not clear. In this study, we identified 11 remorin genes from foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and cloned a remorin gene, SiREM6, for further investigation. The transcript level of SiREM6 was increased by high salt stress, low temperature stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, but not by drought stress. The potential oligomerization of SiREM6 was examined by negative staining electron microscopy. The overexpression of SiREM6 improved high salt stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis at the germination and seedling stages as revealed by germination rate, survival rate, relative electrolyte leakage and proline content. The SiREM6 promoter contains two dehydration responsive elements (DRE) and one ABA responsive element (ABRE). An ABA responsive DRE-binding transcription factor, SiARDP, and an ABRE-binding transcription factor, SiAREB1, were cloned from foxtail millet. SiARDP could physically bind to the DREs, but SiAREB1 could not. These results revealed that SiREM6 is a target gene of SiARDP and plays a critical role in high salt stress tolerance.

Comparative 2D-DIGE analysis of salinity responsive microsomal proteins from leaves of salt-sensitive Arabidopsis thaliana and salt-tolerant Thellungiella salsuginea

Halophytes have evolved unique molecular strategies to overcome high soil salinity but we still know very little about the main mechanisms that these plants use to complete their lifecycle under salinity stress. One useful approach to further our understanding in this area is to directly compare the response to salinity of two closely related species which show diverse levels of salt tolerance. Here we present a comparative proteomic study using DIGE of leaf microsomal proteins to identify salt-responsive membrane associated proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (a glycophyte) and Thellungiella salsuginea (a halophyte). While a small number of distinct protein abundance changes were observed upon salt stress in both species, the most notable differences were observed between species and specifically, in untreated plants with a total of 36 proteins displaying significant abundance changes. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis showed that the majority of these proteins were distributed into two functional categories; transport (31%) and carbohydrate metabolism (17%). Results identify several novel salt responsive proteins in this system and support the theory that T. salsuginea shows a high degree of salt-tolerance because molecular mechanisms are primed to deal with the stress. This intrinsic ability to anticipate salinity stress distinguishes it from the glycophyte A. thaliana.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

There is significant interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that plants use to tolerate salinity as soil salinization is becoming an increasing concern for agriculture with high soil Na(+) levels leading to reduced yields and economic loss. Much of our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms employed by plants to combat salinity stress has come from work on salt-sensitive plants, but studies on naturally occurring highly salt-resistant plants, halophytes, and direct comparisons between closely related glycophytes and halophytes, could help to further our understanding of salinity tolerance mechanisms. In this study, employing two closely related species which differ markedly in their salt-tolerance, we carried out a quantitative proteomic approach using 2D-DIGE to identify salt-responsive proteins and compare and contrast the differences between the two plant species. Our work complements a previous study using iTRAQ technology (34) and highlights the benefits of using alternative technologies and approaches to gain a broader representation of the salt-responsive proteome in these species.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of mulberry MAPK gene family

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play an important role in regulating various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Although MAPKs have been identified and characterized in a few model plants, there is little information available for mulberry Morus sp. L., one of the most ecologically and economically important perennial trees. This study identified 47 mulberry Morus notabilis MAPK (MnMAPK) family genes: 32 MnMAPKKK, five MnMAPKK and ten MnMAPK genes, and cloned ten MnMAPK cDNA genes based on a genome-wide analysis of the morus genome database. Comparative analysis with MAPK gene families from other plants suggested that MnMAPKs could be divided into five subfamilies (groups A, B, C, D and E) and they could have similar functions in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. MnMAPK gene expression analysis of different stresses (high/low temperature, salt and drought) and signal molecules (ABA, SA, H2O2 and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)) revealed that all ten MnMAPK genes responded to high/low temperature, salt and drought stresses, and that nine of the ten MnMAPKs (MnMAPK7 excepted) could be induced by ABA, SA, H2O2 and MeJA, which suggested that MnMAPKs may play pivotal roles in signal transduction pathways. Our results indicated that almost all of the MnMAPKs may be involved in environmental stress and defense responses, which provides the basis for further characterization of the physiological functions of MnMAPKs.