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Ur Rahman S, Han JC, Ahmad M, Ashraf MN, Khaliq MA, Yousaf M, Wang Y, Yasin G, Nawaz MF, Khan KA, Du Z. Aluminum phytotoxicity in acidic environments: A comprehensive review of plant tolerance and adaptation strategies. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115791. [PMID: 38070417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al), a non-essential metal for plant growth, exerts significant phytotoxic effects, particularly on root growth. Anthropogenic activities would intensify Al's toxic effects by releasing Al3+ into the soil solution, especially in acidic soils with a pH lower than 5.5 and rich mineral content. The severity of Al-induced phytotoxicity varies based on factors such as Al concentration, ionic form, plant species, and growth stages. Al toxicity leads to inhibited root and shoot growth, reduced plant biomass, disrupted water uptake causing nutritional imbalance, and adverse alterations in physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. These effects collectively lead to diminished plant yield and quality, along with reduced soil fertility. Plants employ various mechanisms to counter Al toxicity under stress conditions, including sequestering Al in vacuoles, exuding organic acids (OAs) like citrate, oxalate, and malate from root tip cells to form Al-complexes, activating antioxidative enzymes, and overexpressing Al-stress regulatory genes. Recent advancements focus on enhancing the exudation of OAs to prevent Al from entering the plant, and developing Al-tolerant varieties. Gene transporter families, such as ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC), Aluminum-activated Malate Transporter (ALMT), Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp), Multidrug and Toxic compounds Extrusion (MATE), and aquaporin, play a crucial role in regulating Al toxicity. This comprehensive review examined recent progress in understanding the cytotoxic impact of Al on plants at the cellular and molecular levels. Diverse strategies developed by both plants and scientists to mitigate Al-induced phytotoxicity were discussed. Furthermore, the review explored recent genomic developments, identifying candidate genes responsible for OAs exudation, and delved into genome-mediated breeding initiatives, isolating transgenic and advanced breeding lines to cultivate Al-tolerant plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafeeq Ur Rahman
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Jing-Cheng Han
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Ashraf
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | | | - Maryam Yousaf
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ghulam Yasin
- Department of Forestry and Range Management, FAS & T, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | | | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia; Applied College, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhenjie Du
- Farmland Irrigation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang 453002, China; Water Environment Factor Risk Assessment Laboratory of Agricultural Products Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China.
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Concha C, Doerner P. The impact of the rhizobia-legume symbiosis on host root system architecture. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:3902-3921. [PMID: 32337556 PMCID: PMC7316968 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Legumes form symbioses with rhizobia to fix N2 in root nodules to supplement their nitrogen (N) requirements. Many studies have shown how symbioses affect the shoot, but far less is understood about how they modify root development and root system architecture (RSA). RSA is the distribution of roots in space and over time. RSA reflects host resource allocation into below-ground organs and patterns of host resource foraging underpinning its resource acquisition capacity. Recent studies have revealed a more comprehensive relationship between hosts and symbionts: the latter can affect host resource acquisition for phosphate and iron, and the symbiont's production of plant growth regulators can enhance host resource flux and abundance. We review the current understanding of the effects of rhizobia-legume symbioses on legume root systems. We focus on resource acquisition and allocation within the host to conceptualize the effect of symbioses on RSA, and highlight opportunities for new directions of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristobal Concha
- Institute for Molecular Plant Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter Doerner
- Institute for Molecular Plant Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Anur RM, Mufithah N, Sawitri WD, Sakakibara H, Sugiharto B. Overexpression of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Enhanced Sucrose Content and Biomass Production in Transgenic Sugarcane. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9020200. [PMID: 32041093 PMCID: PMC7076389 DOI: 10.3390/plants9020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) is a key enzyme in sucrose synthesis, which controls sucrose content in plants. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of the overexpression of SoSPS1 gene on sucrose accumulation and carbon partitioning in transgenic sugarcane. The overexpression of SoSPS1 gene increased SPS activity and sucrose content in transgenic sugarcane leaves. More importantly, the overexpression enhanced soluble acid invertase (SAI) activity concomitant with the increase of glucose and fructose levels in the leaves, whereas sucrose synthase activity exhibited almost no change. In the stalk, a similar correlation was observed, but a higher correlation was noted between SPS activity and sugar content. These results suggest that SPS overexpression has both direct and indirect effects on sugar concentration and SAI activity in sugarcane. In addition, SPS overexpression resulted in a significant increase in plant height and stalk number in some transgenic lines compared to those in non-transgenic control. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that enhancing SPS activity is a useful strategy for improving sugarcane yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risky Mulana Anur
- Center for Development of Advanced Science and Technology (CDAST), University of Jember, Jember 68121, Indonesia; (R.M.A.); (N.M.); (W.D.S.)
| | - Nurul Mufithah
- Center for Development of Advanced Science and Technology (CDAST), University of Jember, Jember 68121, Indonesia; (R.M.A.); (N.M.); (W.D.S.)
| | - Widhi Dyah Sawitri
- Center for Development of Advanced Science and Technology (CDAST), University of Jember, Jember 68121, Indonesia; (R.M.A.); (N.M.); (W.D.S.)
- Present address: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gadjahmada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Hitoshi Sakakibara
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Bambang Sugiharto
- Center for Development of Advanced Science and Technology (CDAST), University of Jember, Jember 68121, Indonesia; (R.M.A.); (N.M.); (W.D.S.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Science, University of Jember, Jember 68121, Indonesia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +62-331-321825 or +62-811-350314
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Padhi S, Grimes MM, Muro-Villanueva F, Ortega JL, Sengupta-Gopalan C. Distinct nodule and leaf functions of two different sucrose phosphate synthases in alfalfa. PLANTA 2019; 250:1743-1755. [PMID: 31422508 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In alfalfa, the B form of Sucrose phosphate synthase synthesizes sucrose in the leaves while the A form participates in regulatory cycles of synthesis/breakdown of sucrose/starch in the root nodules. Sucrose (Suc) is the major stable product of photosynthesis that is transported to all heterotrophic organs as a source of energy and carbon. The enzyme sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) catalyzes the synthesis of Suc. Besides the leaves, SPS is also found in heterotrophic organs. There are two isoforms of SPS in alfalfa (Medicago sativa): SPSA and SPSB. While SPSA is expressed in the vasculature of all the organs and in the N2-fixing zone in the nodules, SPSB is exclusively expressed in the photosynthetic cells. Two classes of alfalfa transformants were produced, one with a gene construct consisting of the alfalfa SPSA promoter and the other with the SPSB promoter-both driving the maize SPS coding region-referred to as SPSA-ZmSPS and SPSB-ZmSPS, respectively. Both classes of transformants showed increased growth compared to control plants. The SPSB-ZmSPS transformants showed increased SPS protein levels and activity along with a significant increase in the Suc levels in the leaves. The SPSA-ZmSPS transformants showed an increase in the SPS protein level and enzyme activity both in the leaves and the nodules with no increase in Suc content in the leaves but a substantial increase in the nodules. Both SPSA and SPSB have unique roles in the nodules (sink) and leaves (source). SPSB is responsible for the synthesis of Suc in the photosynthetic cells and SPSA participates in a regulatory cycle in which Suc is simultaneously degraded and re-synthesized; both these functions contribute to plant growth in rhizobia nodulated alfalfa plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanta Padhi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Martha M Grimes
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Fabiola Muro-Villanueva
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jose Luis Ortega
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Champa Sengupta-Gopalan
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.
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Schwember AR, Schulze J, Del Pozo A, Cabeza RA. Regulation of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Legume Root Nodules. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 8:E333. [PMID: 31489914 PMCID: PMC6784058 DOI: 10.3390/plants8090333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In most legume nodules, the di-nitrogen (N2)-fixing rhizobia are present as organelle-like structures inside their root host cells. Many processes operate and interact within the symbiotic relationship between plants and nodules, including nitrogen (N)/carbon (C) metabolisms, oxygen flow through nodules, oxidative stress, and phosphorous (P) levels. These processes, which influence the regulation of N2 fixation and are finely tuned on a whole-plant basis, are extensively reviewed in this paper. The carbonic anhydrase (CA)-phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC)-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is a key pathway inside nodules involved in this regulation, and malate seems to play a crucial role in many aspects of symbiotic N2 fixation control. How legumes specifically sense N-status and how this stimulates all of the regulatory factors are key issues for understanding N2 fixation regulation on a whole-plant basis. This must be thoroughly studied in the future since there is no unifying theory that explains all of the aspects involved in regulating N2 fixation rates to date. Finally, high-throughput functional genomics and molecular tools (i.e., miRNAs) are currently very valuable for the identification of many regulatory elements that are good candidates for accurately dissecting the particular N2 fixation control mechanisms associated with physiological responses to abiotic stresses. In combination with existing information, utilizing these abundant genetic molecular tools will enable us to identify the specific mechanisms underlying the regulation of N2 fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés R Schwember
- Departamento de Ciencias Vegetales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 306-22, Chile.
| | - Joachim Schulze
- Department of Crop Science, Section for Plant Nutrition and Crop Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Goettingen, Carl-Sprengel-Weg 1, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Alejandro Del Pozo
- Centro de Mejoramiento Genético y Fenómica Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile.
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile.
| | - Ricardo A Cabeza
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile.
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Zhang Z, Ke D, Hu M, Zhang C, Deng L, Li Y, Li J, Zhao H, Cheng L, Wang L, Yuan H. Quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses provide evidence for extensive phosphorylation of regulatory proteins in the rhizobia-legume symbiosis. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:265-283. [PMID: 30989446 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-019-00857-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in root nodules of grain legumes is essential for high yielding. Protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation plays important role in root nodule development. Differences in the phosphoproteomes may either be developmental specific and related to nitrogen fixation activity. An iTRAQ-based quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses during nodule development enables identification of specific phosphorylation signaling in the Lotus-rhizobia symbiosis. During evolution, legumes (Fabaceae) have evolved a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia, which fix atmospheric nitrogen and produce ammonia that host plants can then absorb. Root nodule development depends on the activation of protein phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction cascades. To investigate possible molecular mechanisms of protein modulation during nodule development, we used iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analyses to identify root phosphoproteins during rhizobial colonization and infection of Lotus japonicus. 1154 phosphoproteins with 2957 high-confidence phosphorylation sites were identified. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of functional groups of these genes revealed that the biological processes mediated by these proteins included cellular processes, signal transduction, and transporter activity. Quantitative data highlighted the dynamics of protein phosphorylation during nodule development and, based on regulatory trends, seven groups were identified. RNA splicing and brassinosteroid (BR) signaling pathways were extensively affected by phosphorylation, and most Ser/Arg-rich (SR) proteins were multiply phosphorylated. In addition, many proposed kinase-substrate pairs were predicted, and in these MAPK6 substrates were found to be highly enriched. This study offers insights into the regulatory processes underlying nodule development, provides an accessible resource cataloging the phosphorylation status of thousands of Lotus proteins during nodule development, and develops our understanding of post-translational regulatory mechanisms in the Lotus-rhizobia symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaibao Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Danxia Ke
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Menghui Hu
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Lijun Deng
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Yuting Li
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Jiuli Li
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China.
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China.
| | - Hongyu Yuan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China.
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China.
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Kaur H, Peel A, Acosta K, Gebril S, Ortega JL, Sengupta‐Gopalan C. Comparison of alfalfa plants overexpressing glutamine synthetase with those overexpressing sucrose phosphate synthase demonstrates a signaling mechanism integrating carbon and nitrogen metabolism between the leaves and nodules. PLANT DIRECT 2019; 3:e00115. [PMID: 31245757 PMCID: PMC6508842 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Alfalfa, like other legumes, establishes a symbiotic relationship with the soil bacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti, which results in the formation of the root nodules. Nodules contain the bacteria enclosed in a membrane-bound vesicle, the symbiosome where it fixes atmospheric N2 and converts it into ammonia using the bacterial enzyme, nitrogenase. The ammonia released into the cytoplasm from the symbiosome is assimilated into glutamine (Gln) using carbon skeletons produced by the metabolism of sucrose (Suc), which is imported into the nodules from the leaves. The key enzyme involved in the synthesis of Suc in the leaves is sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and glutamine synthetase (GS) is the enzyme with a role in ammonia assimilation in the root nodules. Alfalfa plants, overexpressing SPS or GS, or both showed increased growth and an increase in nodule function. The endogenous genes for the key enzymes in C/N metabolism showed increased expression in the nodules of both sets of transformants. Furthermore, the endogenous SPS and GS genes were also induced in the leaves and nodules of the transformants, irrespective of the transgene, suggesting that the two classes of plants share a common signaling pathway regulating C/N metabolism in the nodules. This study reaffirms the utility of the nodulated legume plant to study C/N interaction and the cross talk between the source and sink for C and N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew Mexico
| | - Amanda Peel
- Department of Learning, Teaching and CurriculumUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouri
| | - Karen Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Sayed Gebril
- Department of HorticultureSohag UniversitySohagEgypt
| | - Jose Luis Ortega
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew Mexico
| | - Champa Sengupta‐Gopalan
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew Mexico
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Singer SD, Hannoufa A, Acharya S. Molecular improvement of alfalfa for enhanced productivity and adaptability in a changing environment. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2018; 41:1955-1971. [PMID: 29044610 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Due to an expanding world population and increased buying power, the demand for ruminant products such as meat and milk is expected to grow substantially in coming years, and high levels of forage crop production will therefore be a necessity. Unfortunately, urbanization of agricultural land, intensive agricultural practices, and climate change are all predicted to limit crop production in the future, which means that the development of forage cultivars with improved productivity and adaptability will be essential. Because alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated perennial forage crops, it has been the target of much research in this field. In this review, we discuss progress that has been made towards the improvement of productivity, abiotic stress tolerance, and nutrient-use efficiency, as well as disease and pest resistance, in alfalfa using biotechnological techniques. Furthermore, we consider possible future priorities and avenues for attaining further enhancements in this crop as a means of contributing to the realization of food security in a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy D Singer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Abdelali Hannoufa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, Ontario, N5V 4T3, Canada
| | - Surya Acharya
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4B1, Canada
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Wang H, Gong M, Xin H, Tang L, Dai D, Gao Y, Liu C. Effects of chilling stress on the accumulation of soluble sugars and their key enzymes in Jatropha curcas seedlings. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 24:857-865. [PMID: 30150860 PMCID: PMC6103934 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-018-0568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As osmolytes and signaling molecules, soluble sugars participate in the response and adaptation of plants to environmental stresses. In the present study, we measured the effect of chilling (12 °C) stress on the contents of eight soluble sugars in the leaves, cotyledons, stems, and roots of Jatropha curcas seedlings, as well as on the activities of eight rate-limiting enzymes that are critical to the metabolism of those soluble sugars. Chilling stress promoted both starch hydrolysis and soluble sugar accumulation. The soluble sugar contents of the leaves and cotyledons were affected more than that of the stems and roots. Meanwhile, the activities of the corresponding metabolic enzymes (e.g., β-amylase, uridine diphosphate glucose phosphorylase, and sucrose phosphate synthase) also increased in some organs. The gradual increase of soluble neutral alkaline invertase activity in the four studied organs suggested that sucrose catabolic production, such as glucose and fructose, was especially important in determining resistance to chilling stress and hexose signal transduction pathway. In addition, the substantial accumulation of raffinose family oligosaccharides and increase in corresponding metabolic enzyme activity suggested that galactinol and raffinose play an important role in determining the chilling resistance of J. curcas. Together, these findings establish a foundation for determining the relationship between the chilling resistance and soluble sugar accumulation of J. curcas and for investigating the mechanisms underlying sugar signaling transduction and stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wang
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province Universities of the Diversity and Ecological Adaptive Evolution for Animals and Plants on YunGui Plateau, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Gong
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Hu Xin
- Academy of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Lizhou Tang
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province Universities of the Diversity and Ecological Adaptive Evolution for Animals and Plants on YunGui Plateau, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongqin Dai
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province Universities of the Diversity and Ecological Adaptive Evolution for Animals and Plants on YunGui Plateau, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Gao
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province Universities of the Diversity and Ecological Adaptive Evolution for Animals and Plants on YunGui Plateau, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Liu
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province Universities of the Diversity and Ecological Adaptive Evolution for Animals and Plants on YunGui Plateau, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011 Yunnan People’s Republic of China
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Wang J, Du J, Mu X, Wang P. Cloning and characterization of the Cerasus humilis sucrose phosphate synthase gene (ChSPS1). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186650. [PMID: 29036229 PMCID: PMC5643142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sucrose is crucial to the growth and development of plants, and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) plays a key role in sucrose synthesis. To understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of sucrose synthesis in Cerasus humilis, ChSPS1, a homologue of SPS, was cloned using RT-PCR. Sequence analysis showed that the open reading frame (ORF) sequence of ChSPS1 is 3174 bp in length, encoding a predicted protein of 1057 amino acids. The predicted protein showed a high degree of sequence identity with SPS homologues from other species. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that ChSPS1 mRNA was detected in all tissues and the transcription level was the highest in mature fruit. There is a significant positive correlation between expression of ChSPS1 and sucrose content. Prokaryotic expression of ChSPS1 indicated that ChSPS1 protein was expressed in E. coli and it had the SPS activity. Overexpression of ChSPS1 in tobacco led to upregulation of enzyme activity and increased sucrose contents in transgenic plants. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of ChSPS1 in transgenic tobacco was significantly higher than in wild type plants. These results suggested that ChSPS1 plays an important role in sucrose synthesis in Cerasus humilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
- Institute of Pomology, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junjie Du
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Xiaopeng Mu
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
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Lei Y, Hannoufa A, Yu P. The Use of Gene Modification and Advanced Molecular Structure Analyses towards Improving Alfalfa Forage. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E298. [PMID: 28146083 PMCID: PMC5343834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfalfa is one of the most important legume forage crops in the world. In spite of its agronomic and nutritive advantages, alfalfa has some limitations in the usage of pasture forage and hay supplement. High rapid degradation of protein in alfalfa poses a risk of rumen bloat to ruminants which could cause huge economic losses for farmers. Coupled with the relatively high lignin content, which impedes the degradation of carbohydrate in rumen, alfalfa has unbalanced and asynchronous degradation ratio of nitrogen to carbohydrate (N/CHO) in rumen. Genetic engineering approaches have been used to manipulate the expression of genes involved in important metabolic pathways for the purpose of improving the nutritive value, forage yield, and the ability to resist abiotic stress. Such gene modification could bring molecular structural changes in alfalfa that are detectable by advanced structural analytical techniques. These structural analyses have been employed in assessing alfalfa forage characteristics, allowing for rapid, convenient and cost-effective analysis of alfalfa forage quality. In this article, we review two major obstacles facing alfalfa utilization, namely poor protein utilization and relatively high lignin content, and highlight genetic studies that were performed to overcome these drawbacks, as well as to introduce other improvements to alfalfa quality. We also review the use of advanced molecular structural analysis in the assessment of alfalfa forage for its potential usage in quality selection in alfalfa breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaogeng Lei
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
| | - Abdelali Hannoufa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada.
| | - Peiqiang Yu
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada.
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Yu J, Han J, Wang R, Li X. Down-regulation of nitrogen/carbon metabolism coupled with coordinative hormone modulation contributes to developmental inhibition of the maize ear under nitrogen limitation. PLANTA 2016; 244:111-24. [PMID: 26979324 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-016-2499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Developmental inhibition of the maize ear by nitrogen limitation is due to overall down-regulation of nitrogen/carbon metabolism, coordinative hormonal modulation, and probable early senescence. The kernel number is primarily determined from 2 weeks pre-silking to 3 weeks post-silking, largely depending on dynamic nitrogen (N) and carbohydrate metabolism and accumulation in the maize ear. Underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms of kernel abortion caused by N limitation needs to be further investigated. Using a widely grown maize hybrid ZD958, we found that the N deficient ear was shorter, with less biomass accumulation, lower N concentrations, and overall lower concentrations of N assimilates and soluble sugars at 1- or 2-week after silking. Such negative alterations were probably due to significant decreases in activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, sucrose phosphate synthetase, and sucrose synthetase in the N deficient maize ear especially after silking. Compensatory up-regulation of corresponding gene expression, together with co-downregulation of gene expression and enzyme activities in certain circumstances, suggested regulatory complexity and mechanistic differentiation from gene expression to functioning at physiological and molecular levels in quickly developing maize ear in counteracting N deficiency. Importantly, auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, and abscisic acid may act in a coordinative manner to negatively modulate ear development under N limitation, as indicated by their concentration variations and substantial up-regulation of IAA14, GA2-ox1, and CKX12. Lastly, early senescence may occur in the low-N ear driven by interplay of hormone functioning and senescence-related gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Yu
- Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- The Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MOE, Beijing, China
| | - Jienan Han
- Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- The Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MOE, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- The Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MOE, Beijing, China
| | - Xuexian Li
- Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MOE, Beijing, China.
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Quan W, Liu X, Wang H, Chan Z. Comparative Physiological and Transcriptional Analyses of Two Contrasting Drought Tolerant Alfalfa Varieties. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 6:1256. [PMID: 26793226 PMCID: PMC4709457 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drought is one of major environmental determinants of plant growth and productivity. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a legume perennial forage crop native to the arid and semi-arid environment, which is an ideal candidate to study the biochemical and molecular mechanisms conferring drought resistance in plants. In this study, drought stress responses of two alfalfa varieties, Longdong and Algonquin, were comparatively assayed at the physiological, morphological, and transcriptional levels. Under control condition, the drought-tolerant Longdong with smaller leaf size and lower stomata density showed less water loss than the drought-sensitive Algonquin. After exposing to drought stress, Longdong showed less severe cell membrane damage, more proline, and ascorbate (ASC) contents and less accumulation of H2O2 than Algonquin. Moreover, significantly higher antioxidant enzymes activities after drought treatment were found in Longdong when compared with Algonquin. In addition, transcriptional expression analysis showed that Longdong exhibited significantly higher transcripts of drought-responsive genes in leaf and root under drought stress condition. Taken together, these results indicated that Longdong variety was more drought-tolerant than Algonquin variety as evidenced by less leaf firing, more lateral root number, higher relative aboveground/underground biomass per plant and survival rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Quan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Xun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Haiqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology – Chinese Academy of SciencesXining, China
| | - Zhulong Chan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden/Sino-Africa Joint Research Center – Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan, China
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