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Adil MF, Sehar S, Ma Z, Tahira K, Askri SMH, El-Sheikh MA, Ahmad A, Zhou F, Zhao P, Shamsi IH. Insights into the alleviation of cadmium toxicity in rice by nano-zinc and Serendipita indica: Modulation of stress-responsive gene expression and antioxidant defense system activation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123952. [PMID: 38641035 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123952] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The adversities of cadmium (Cd) contamination are quite distinguished among other heavy metals (HMs), and so is the efficacy of zinc (Zn) nutrition in mitigating Cd toxicity. Rice (Oryza sativa) crop, known for its ability to absorb HMs, inadvertently facilitates the bioaccumulation of Cd, posing a significant risk to both the plant itself and to humans consuming its edible parts, and damaging the environment as well. The use of nanoparticles, such as nano-zinc oxide (nZnO), to improve the nutritional quality of crops and combat the harmful effects of HMs, have gained substantial attention among scientists and farmers. While previous studies have explored the individual effects of nZnO or Serendipita indica (referred to as S.i) on Cd toxicity, the synergistic action of these two agents has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the gift of nature, i.e., S. indica, was incorporated alongside nZnO (50 mg L-1) against Cd stress (15 μM L-1) and their alliance manifested as phenotypic level modifications in two rice genotypes (Heizhan43; Hz43 and Yinni801; Yi801). Antioxidant activities were enhanced, specifically peroxidase (61.5 and 122.5% in Yi801 and Hz43 roots, respectively), leading to a significant decrease in oxidative burst; moreover, Cd translocation was reduced (85% for Yi801 and 65.5% for Hz43 compared to Cd alone treatment). Microstructural study showed a decrease in number of vacuoles and starch granules with ameliorative treatments. Overall, plants treated with nZnO displayed gene expression pattern (particularly of ZIP genes), different from the ones with alone or combined S.i and Cd. Inferentially, the integration of nZnO and S.i holds great promise as an effective strategy for alleviating Cd toxicity in rice plants. By immobilizing Cd ions in the soil and promoting their detoxification, this novel approach contributes to environmental restoration and ensures food safety worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Faheem Adil
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shafaque Sehar
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhengxin Ma
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Khajista Tahira
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Muhammad Hassan Askri
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mohamed A El-Sheikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aqeel Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fanrui Zhou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Highly Efficient Utilization of Forestry Biomass Resources in Southwest China, College of Material and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Highly Efficient Utilization of Forestry Biomass Resources in Southwest China, College of Material and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China; Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Imran Haider Shamsi
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Payne TD, Dixon LR, Schmidt FC, Blakeslee JJ, Bennett AE, Schultz ZD. Identification and quantification of pigments in plant leaves using thin layer chromatography-Raman spectroscopy (TLC-Raman). ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:2449-2455. [PMID: 38563199 DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00082j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments commonly found in plants. In leaves, these molecules are essential for photosynthesis, but they also play a major role in plant growth and development. Efficiently monitoring concentrations of specific carotenoids in plant tissues could help to explain plant responses to environmental stressors, infection and disease, fertilization, and other conditions. Previously, Raman methods have been used to demonstrate a correlation between plant fitness and the carotenoid content of leaves. Due to solvatochromatic effects and structural similarities within the carotenoid family, current Raman spectroscopy techniques struggle to assign signals to specific carotenoids with certainty, complicating the determination of amounts of individual carotenoids present in a sample. In this work, we use thin layer chromatography-Raman spectroscopy, or TLC-Raman, to identify and quantify carotenoids extracted from tomato leaves. These quick and accurate methods could be applied to study the relationship between pigment content and a number of factors affecting plant health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor D Payne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Lily R Dixon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Fiona C Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Joshua J Blakeslee
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Laboratory for the Analysis of Metabolites from Plants (LAMP) Metabolomics Facility, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Alison E Bennett
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Zachary D Schultz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
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Bekkering C, Yu S, Kuo CC, Tian L. Distinct growth patterns in seedling and tillering wheat plants suggests a developmentally restricted role of HYD2 in salt-stress response. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:119. [PMID: 38632145 PMCID: PMC11024023 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Mutants lacking functional HYD2 homoeologs showed improved seedling growth, but comparable or increased susceptibility to salt stress in tillering plants, suggesting a developmentally restricted role of HYD2 in salt response. Salinity stress threatens global food security by reducing the yield of staple crops such as wheat (Triticum ssp.). Understanding how wheat responds to salinity stress is crucial for developing climate resilient varieties. In this study, we examined the interplay between carotenoid metabolism and the response to salt (NaCl) stress, a specific form of salinity stress, in tetraploid wheat plants with mutations in carotenoid β-hydroxylase 1 (HYD1) and HYD2. Our investigation encompassed both the vulnerable seedling stage and the more developed tillering stage of wheat plant growth. Mutant combinations lacking functional HYD2 homoeologs, including hyd-A2 hyd-B2, hyd-A1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, and hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2, had longer first true leaves and slightly enhanced root growth during germination under salt stress compared to the segregate wild-type (control) plants. Interestingly, these mutant seedlings also showed decreased levels of neoxanthin and violaxanthin (xanthophylls derived from β-carotene) and an increase in β-carotene in roots. However, tillering hyd mutant and segregate wild-type plants generally did not differ in their height, tiller count, and biomass production under acute or prolonged salt stress, except for decreases in these parameters observed in the hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2 mutant that indicate its heightened susceptibility to salt stress. Taken together, these findings suggest a significant, yet developmentally restricted role of HYD2 homoeologs in salt-stress response in tetraploid wheat. They also show that hyd-A2 hyd-B2 mutant plants, previously demonstrated for possessing enriched nutritional (β-carotene) content, maintain an unimpaired ability to withstand salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Bekkering
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Shu Yu
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Chih Chi Kuo
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Ezura K, Lu Y, Suzuki Y, Mitsuda N, Ariizumi T. Class II knotted-like homeodomain protein SlKN5 with BEL1-like homeodomain proteins suppresses fruit greening in tomato fruit. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38577750 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Knotted1-like homeodomain (KNOX) proteins are essential in regulating plant organ differentiation. Land plants, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), have two classes of the KNOX protein family, namely, class I (KNOX I) and class II KNOX (KNOX II). While tomato KNOX I proteins are known to stimulate chloroplast development in fruit, affecting fruit coloration, the role of KNOX II proteins in this context remains unclear. In this study, we employ CRISPR/Cas9 to generate knockout mutants of the KNOX II member, SlKN5. These mutants display increased leaf complexity, a phenotype commonly associated with reduced KNOX II activity, as well as enhanced accumulation of chloroplasts and chlorophylls in smaller cells within young, unripe fruit. RNA-seq data analyses indicate that SlKN5 suppresses the transcriptions of genes involved in chloroplast biogenesis, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and gibberellin catabolism. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction assays reveal that SlKN5 physically interacts with three transcriptional repressors from the BLH1-clade of BEL1-like homeodomain (BLH) protein family, SlBLH4, SlBLH5, and SlBLH7, with SlBLH7 showing the strongest interaction. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of these SlBLH genes confirmed their overlapping roles in suppressing chloroplast biogenesis, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and lycopene cyclization. Transient assays further demonstrate that the SlKN5-SlBLH7 interaction enhances binding capacity to regulatory regions of key chloroplast- and chlorophyll-related genes, including SlAPRR2-like1, SlCAB-1C, and SlGUN4. Collectively, our findings elucidate that the KNOX II SlKN5-SlBLH regulatory modules serve to inhibit fruit greening and subsequently promote lycopene accumulation, thereby fine-tuning the color transition from immature green fruit to mature red fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Ezura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
- Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), Kojimachi, Tokyo, 102-0083, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Yu Lu
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Mitsuda
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Tohru Ariizumi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
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Breniere T, Fanciullino AL, Dumont D, Le Bourvellec C, Riva C, Borel P, Landrier JF, Bertin N. Effect of long-term deficit irrigation on tomato and goji berry quality: from fruit composition to in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1339536. [PMID: 38328704 PMCID: PMC10847359 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1339536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Drought is a persistent challenge for horticulture, affecting various aspects of fruit development and ultimately fruit quality, but the effect on nutritional value has been under-investigated. Here, fruit quality was studied on six tomato genotypes and one goji cultivar under deficit irrigation (DI), from fruit composition to in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids. For both species, DI concentrated most health-related metabolites in fresh fruit. On a dry mass basis, DI increased total phenolic and sugar concentration, but had a negative or insignificant impact on fruit ascorbic acid, organic acid, and alcohol-insoluble matter contents. DI also reduced total carotenoids content in tomato (-18.7% on average), especially β-carotene (-32%), but not in goji berry DW (+15.5% and +19.6%, respectively). DI reduced the overall in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids to varying degrees depending on the compound and plant species. Consequently, mixed micelles produced by digestion of fruits subjected to DI contained either the same or lesser quantities of carotenoids, even though fresh fruits could contain similar or higher quantities. Thus, DI effects on fruit composition were species and genotype dependent, but an increase in the metabolite concentration did not necessarily translate into greater bioaccessibility potentially due to interactions with the fruit matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Breniere
- INRAE, PSH UR1115, Avignon, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
- Avignon Université, UPR4278 LaPEC, Avignon, France
| | - Anne-Laure Fanciullino
- INRAE, PSH UR1115, Avignon, France
- Univ Angers, Institut Agro, INRAE, IRHS, SFR QUASAV, Angers, France
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Borel
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
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Felemban A, Moreno JC, Mi J, Ali S, Sham A, AbuQamar SF, Al-Babili S. The apocarotenoid β-ionone regulates the transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana and increases its resistance against Botrytis cinerea. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 117:541-560. [PMID: 37932864 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments indispensable for photosynthesis. Moreover, they are the precursor of apocarotenoids, which include the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs) as well as retrograde signaling molecules and growth regulators, such as β-cyclocitral and zaxinone. Here, we show that the application of the volatile apocarotenoid β-ionone (β-I) to Arabidopsis plants at micromolar concentrations caused a global reprogramming of gene expression, affecting thousands of transcripts involved in stress tolerance, growth, hormone metabolism, pathogen defense, and photosynthesis. This transcriptional reprogramming changes, along with induced changes in the level of the phytohormones ABA, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid, led to enhanced Arabidopsis resistance to the widespread necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea (B.c.) that causes the gray mold disease in many crop species and spoilage of harvested fruits. Pre-treatment of tobacco and tomato plants with β-I followed by inoculation with B.c. confirmed the effect of β-I in increasing the resistance to this pathogen in crop plants. Moreover, we observed reduced susceptibility to B.c. in fruits of transgenic tomato plants overexpressing LYCOPENE β-CYCLASE, which contains elevated levels of endogenous β-I, providing a further evidence for its effect on B.c. infestation. Our work unraveled β-I as a further carotenoid-derived regulatory metabolite and indicates the possibility of establishing this natural volatile as an environmentally friendly bio-fungicide to control B.c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Felemban
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Juan C Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jianing Mi
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shawkat Ali
- Kentville Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, Nova Scotia, B4N 1J5, Canada
| | - Arjun Sham
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Synan F AbuQamar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
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Lim H, Kobayashi MJ, Marsoem SN, Irawati D, Kosugi A, Kondo T, Tani N. Transcriptomic responses of oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis) stem to waterlogging at plantation in relation to precipitation seasonality. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1213496. [PMID: 37636106 PMCID: PMC10448820 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1213496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Global warming-induced climate change causes significant agricultural problems by increasing the incidence of drought and flooding events. Waterlogging is an inevitable consequence of these changes but its effects on oil palms have received little attention and are poorly understood. Recent waterlogging studies have focused on oil palm seedlings, with particular emphasis on phenology. However, the transcriptomic waterlogging response of mature oil palms remains elusive in real environments. We therefore investigated transcriptomic changes over time in adult oil palms at plantations over a two-year period with pronounced seasonal variation in precipitation. A significant transcriptional waterlogging response was observed in the oil palm stem core but not in leaf samples when gene expression was correlated with cumulative precipitation over two-day periods. Pathways and processes upregulated or enriched in the stem core response included hypoxia, ethylene signaling, and carbon metabolism. Post-waterlogging recovery in oil palms was found to be associated with responses to heat stress and carotenoid biosynthesis. Nineteen transcription factors (TFs) potentially involved in the waterlogging response of mature oil palms were also identified. These data provide new insights into the transcriptomic responses of planted oil palms to waterlogging and offer valuable guidance on the sensitivity of oil palm plantations to future climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lim
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masaki J. Kobayashi
- Forestry Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Denny Irawati
- Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Akihiko Kosugi
- Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kondo
- Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Forestry Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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8
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Rosas-Saavedra C, Quiroz LF, Parra S, Gonzalez-Calquin C, Arias D, Ocarez N, Lopez F, Stange C. Putative Daucus carota Capsanthin-Capsorubin Synthase (DcCCS) Possesses Lycopene β-Cyclase Activity, Boosts Carotenoid Levels, and Increases Salt Tolerance in Heterologous Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2788. [PMID: 37570943 PMCID: PMC10421225 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant carotenoids are synthesized and accumulated in plastids through a highly regulated pathway. Lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) is a key enzyme involved directly in the synthesis of α-carotene and β-carotene through the cyclization of trans-lycopene. Daucus carota harbors two LCYB genes, of which DcLCYB2 (annotated as CCS-Like) is mostly expressed in mature storage roots, an organ that accumulates high α-carotene and β-carotene content. In this work, we determined that DcLCYB2 of the orange Nantes variety presents plastid localization and encodes for a functional LCYB enzyme determined by means of heterologous complementation in Escherichia coli. Also, ectopic expression of DcLCYB2 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) plants increases total carotenoid content showing its functional role in plants. In addition, transgenic tobacco T2 homozygous plants showed better performance under chronic salt treatment, while kiwi transgenic calli also presented a higher survival rate under salt treatments than control calli. Our results allow us to propose DcLCYB2 as a prime candidate to engineer carotenoid biofortified crops as well as crops resilient to saline environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rosas-Saavedra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Luis Felipe Quiroz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
- Genetics & Biotechnology Lab, Plant & AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Samuel Parra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Christian Gonzalez-Calquin
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Daniela Arias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Nallat Ocarez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), La Platina, Research Centre, Av. Santa Rosa 11610, Santiago 8820000, Chile
| | - Franco Lopez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
| | - Claudia Stange
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile; (C.R.-S.); (L.F.Q.); (S.P.); (C.G.-C.); (D.A.); (N.O.); (F.L.)
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Niaz M, Zhang B, Zhang Y, Yan X, Yuan M, Cheng Y, Lv G, Fadlalla T, Zhao L, Sun C, Chen F. Genetic and molecular basis of carotenoid metabolism in cereals. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2023; 136:63. [PMID: 36939900 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04336-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are vital pigments for higher plants and play a crucial function in photosynthesis and photoprotection. Carotenoids are precursors of vitamin A synthesis and contribute to human nutrition and health. However, cereal grain endosperm contains a minor carotenoid measure and a scarce supply of provitamin A content. Therefore, improving the carotenoids in cereal grain is of major importance. Carotenoid content is governed by multiple candidate genes with their additive effects. Studies on genes related to carotenoid metabolism in cereals would increase the knowledge of potential metabolic steps of carotenoids and enhance the quality of crop plants. Recognizing the metabolism and carotenoid accumulation in various staple cereal crops over the last few decades has broadened our perspective on the interdisciplinary regulation of carotenogenesis. Meanwhile, the amelioration in metabolic engineering approaches has been exploited to step up the level of carotenoid and valuable industrial metabolites in many crops, but wheat is still considerable in this matter. In this study, we present a comprehensive overview of the consequences of biosynthetic and catabolic genes on carotenoid biosynthesis, current improvements in regulatory disciplines of carotenogenesis, and metabolic engineering of carotenoids. A panoptic and deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid metabolism and genetic manipulation (genome selection and gene editing) will be useful in improving the carotenoid content of cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Niaz
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Bingyang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yixiao Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Xiangning Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Minjie Yuan
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - YongZhen Cheng
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Guoguo Lv
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Tarig Fadlalla
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Faculty of Agriculture, Nile valley University, Atbara, 346, Sudan
| | - Lei Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Congwei Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Feng Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science / CIMMYT-China Wheat and Maize Joint Research Center /Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzihu College District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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10
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Moreno JC, Al-Babili S. Are carotenoids the true colors of crop improvement? THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:1946-1950. [PMID: 36478583 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 4700, Saudi Arabia
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11
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D'Ambrosio C, Stigliani AL, Rambla JL, Frusciante S, Diretto G, Enfissi EMA, Granell A, Fraser PD, Giorio G. A xanthophyll-derived apocarotenoid regulates carotenogenesis in tomato chromoplasts. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 328:111575. [PMID: 36572066 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111575] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids possess important biological functions that make them essential components of the human diet. β-Carotene and some other carotenoids have vitamin A activity while lutein and zeaxanthin, typically referred to as the macular pigments, are involved in good vision and in delaying the onset of age-related eye diseases. In order to create a zeaxanthin-producing tomato fruit, two transgenic lines, one with a high β-carotene cyclase activity and the other with a high β-carotene hydroxylase activity, have been genetically crossed. Ripe fruits from the resulting progeny contained significant levels of violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and xanthophyll esters. However, their zeaxanthin content was not as high as expected, and the total level of carotenoids was only 25% of the carotenoids found in ripe fruits of the comparator line. Targeted transcript analysis and apocarotenoids determinations indicated that transcriptional regulation of the pathway or degradation of synthesized carotenoids were not responsible for the low carotenoid content of hybrid fruits which instead appeared to result from a substantial reduction of carotenoid biosynthesis. Notably, the content of an unidentified hydroxylated cyclic (C13) apocarotenoid was 13 times higher in the hybrid fruits than in the control fruits. Furthermore, a GC-MS-based metabolite profiling demonstrated a perturbation of carotenogenesis in ripening hybrid fruits compatible with a block of the pathway. Moreover, carotenoid profiling on leaf, fruit, and petal samples from a set of experimental lines carrying the hp3 mutation, in combination with the two transgenes, indicated that the carotenoid biosynthesis in petal and fruit chromoplasts could be regulated. Altogether the data were consistent with the hypothesis of the regulation of the carotenoid pathway in tomato chromoplasts through a mechanism of feedback inhibition mediated by a xanthophyll-derived apocarotenoid. This chromoplast-specific post-transcriptional mechanism was disclosed in transgenic fruits of HU hybrid owing to the abnormal production of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin, the more probable precursors of the apocarotenoid signal. A model describing the regulation of carotenoid pathway in tomato chromoplasts is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina D'Ambrosio
- Centro Ricerche Metapontum Agrobios, Agenzia Lucana di Sviluppo e di Innovazione in Agricoltura (ALSIA), Metaponto, MT, Italy
| | - Adriana Lucia Stigliani
- Centro Ricerche Metapontum Agrobios, Agenzia Lucana di Sviluppo e di Innovazione in Agricoltura (ALSIA), Metaponto, MT, Italy
| | - José L Rambla
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (UPV-CSIC), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain; Universitat Jaume I., Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Ciencias Naturales, Avda Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Sarah Frusciante
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia M A Enfissi
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL), Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Antonio Granell
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (UPV-CSIC), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Paul D Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL), Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Giovanni Giorio
- Centro Ricerche Metapontum Agrobios, Agenzia Lucana di Sviluppo e di Innovazione in Agricoltura (ALSIA), Metaponto, MT, Italy.
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12
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Stra A, Almarwaey LO, Alagoz Y, Moreno JC, Al-Babili S. Carotenoid metabolism: New insights and synthetic approaches. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1072061. [PMID: 36743580 PMCID: PMC9891708 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1072061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are well-known isoprenoid pigments naturally produced by plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria as well as by several heterotrophic microorganisms. In plants, they are synthesized in plastids where they play essential roles in light-harvesting and in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Carotenoids are also precursors of bioactive metabolites called apocarotenoids, including vitamin A and the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SLs). Genetic engineering of carotenogenesis made possible the enhancement of the nutritional value of many crops. New metabolic engineering approaches have recently been developed to modulate carotenoid content, including the employment of CRISPR technologies for single-base editing and the integration of exogenous genes into specific "safe harbors" in the genome. In addition, recent studies revealed the option of synthetic conversion of leaf chloroplasts into chromoplasts, thus increasing carotenoid storage capacity and boosting the nutritional value of green plant tissues. Moreover, transient gene expression through viral vectors allowed the accumulation of carotenoids outside the plastid. Furthermore, the utilization of engineered microorganisms allowed efficient mass production of carotenoids, making it convenient for industrial practices. Interestingly, manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis can also influence plant architecture, and positively impact growth and yield, making it an important target for crop improvements beyond biofortification. Here, we briefly describe carotenoid biosynthesis and highlight the latest advances and discoveries related to synthetic carotenoid metabolism in plants and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Stra
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamyaa O. Almarwaey
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yagiz Alagoz
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Juan C. Moreno
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Morelli L, Rodriguez-Concepcion M. Open avenues for carotenoid biofortification of plant tissues. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:100466. [PMID: 36303429 PMCID: PMC9860184 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant carotenoids are plastidial isoprenoids that function as photoprotectants, pigments, and precursors of apocarotenoids such as the hormones abscisic acid and strigolactones. Humans do not produce carotenoids but need to obtain them from their diet as precursors of retinoids, including vitamin A. Carotenoids also provide numerous other health benefits. Multiple attempts to improve the carotenoid profile of different crops have been carried out by manipulating carotenoid biosynthesis, degradation, and/or storage. Here, we will focus on open questions and emerging subjects related to the use of biotechnology for carotenoid biofortification. After impressive achievements, new efforts should be directed to extend the use of genome-editing technologies to overcome regulatory constraints and improve consumer acceptance of the carotenoid-enriched products. Another challenge is to prevent off-target effects like those resulting from altered hormone levels and metabolic homeostasis. Research on biofortification of green tissues should also look for new ways to deal with the negative impact that altered carotenoid contents may have on photosynthesis. Once a carotenoid-enriched product has been obtained, additional effort should be devoted to confirming that carotenoid intake from the engineered food is also improved. This work involves ensuring post-harvest stability and assessing bioaccessibility of the biofortified product to confirm that release of carotenoids from the food matrix has not been negatively affected. Successfully addressing these challenges will ensure new milestones in carotenoid biotechnology and biofortification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Morelli
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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14
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Bekkering CS, Yu S, Isaka NN, Sproul BW, Dubcovsky J, Tian L. Genetic dissection of the roles of β-hydroxylases in carotenoid metabolism, photosynthesis, and plant growth in tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2023; 136:8. [PMID: 36656368 PMCID: PMC9852137 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04276-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Functional redundancy and subfunctionalization of β-hydroxylases in tetraploid wheat tissues open up opportunities for manipulation of carotenoid metabolism for trait improvement. The genetic diversity provided by subgenome homoeologs in allopolyploid wheat can be leveraged for developing improved wheat varieties with modified chemical traits, including profiles of carotenoids, which play critical roles in photosynthesis, photoprotection, and growth regulation. Carotenoid profiles are greatly influenced by hydroxylation catalyzed by β-hydroxylases (HYDs). To genetically dissect the contribution of HYDs to carotenoid metabolism and wheat growth and yield, we isolated loss-of-function mutants of the two homoeologs of HYD1 (HYD-A1 and HYD-B1) and HYD2 (HYD-A2 and HYD-B2) from the sequenced ethyl methanesulfonate mutant population of the tetraploid wheat cultivar Kronos, and generated various mutant combinations. Although functional redundancy between HYD1 and HYD2 paralogs was observed in leaves, HYD1 homoeologs contributed more than HYD2 homoeologs to carotenoid β-ring hydroxylation in this tissue. By contrast, the HYD2 homoeologs functioned toward production of lutein, the major carotenoid in mature grains, whereas HYD1 homoeologs had a limited role. These results collectively suggested subfunctionalization of HYD genes and homoeologs in different tissues of tetraploid wheat. Despite reduced photoprotective responses observed in the triple hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 and the quadruple hyd-A1 hyd-B1 hyd-A2 hyd-B2 combinatorial mutants, comprehensive plant phenotyping analysis revealed that all mutants analyzed were comparable to the control for growth, yield, and fertility, except for a slight delay in anthesis and senescence as well as accelerated germination in the quadruple mutant. Overall, this research takes steps toward untangling the functions of HYDs in wheat and has implications for improving performance and consumer traits of this economically important global crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody S Bekkering
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Shu Yu
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nina N Isaka
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Benjamin W Sproul
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jorge Dubcovsky
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Mail Stop 3, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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15
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Quiroz-Iturra LF, Simpson K, Arias D, Silva C, González-Calquin C, Amaza L, Handford M, Stange C. Carrot DcALFIN4 and DcALFIN7 Transcription Factors Boost Carotenoid Levels and Participate Differentially in Salt Stress Tolerance When Expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and Actinidia deliciosa. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012157. [PMID: 36293018 PMCID: PMC9603649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
ALFIN-like transcription factors (ALs) are involved in several physiological processes such as seed germination, root development and abiotic stress responses in plants. In carrot (Daucus carota), the expression of DcPSY2, a gene encoding phytoene synthase required for carotenoid biosynthesis, is induced after salt and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Interestingly, the DcPSY2 promoter contains multiple ALFIN response elements. By in silico analysis, we identified two putative genes with the molecular characteristics of ALs, DcAL4 and DcAL7, in the carrot transcriptome. These genes encode nuclear proteins that transactivate reporter genes and bind to the carrot DcPSY2 promoter in yeast. The expression of both genes is induced in carrot under salt stress, especially DcAL4 which also responds to ABA treatment. Transgenic homozygous T3 Arabidopsis thaliana lines that stably express DcAL4 and DcAL7 show a higher survival rate with respect to control plants after chronic salt stress. Of note is that DcAL4 lines present a better performance in salt treatments, correlating with the expression level of DcAL4, AtPSY and AtDXR and an increase in carotenoid and chlorophyll contents. Likewise, DcAL4 transgenic kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) lines show increased carotenoid and chlorophyll content and higher survival rate compared to control plants after chronic salt treatment. Therefore, DcAL4 and DcAL7 encode functional transcription factors, while ectopic expression of DcAL4 provides increased tolerance to salinity in Arabidopsis and Kiwi plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Felipe Quiroz-Iturra
- Genetics & Biotechnology Lab, Plant & AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, H91 REW4 Galway, Ireland
| | - Kevin Simpson
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Daniela Arias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Silva
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Christian González-Calquin
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Leticia Amaza
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Michael Handford
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Claudia Stange
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-22-2978-7361
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