1
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Maple R, Zhu P, Hepworth J, Wang JW, Dean C. Flowering time: From physiology, through genetics to mechanism. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:190-212. [PMID: 38417841 PMCID: PMC11060688 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Plant species have evolved different requirements for environmental/endogenous cues to induce flowering. Originally, these varying requirements were thought to reflect the action of different molecular mechanisms. Thinking changed when genetic and molecular analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that a network of environmental and endogenous signaling input pathways converge to regulate a common set of "floral pathway integrators." Variation in the predominance of the different input pathways within a network can generate the diversity of requirements observed in different species. Many genes identified by flowering time mutants were found to encode general developmental and gene regulators, with their targets having a specific flowering function. Studies of natural variation in flowering were more successful at identifying genes acting as nodes in the network central to adaptation and domestication. Attention has now turned to mechanistic dissection of flowering time gene function and how that has changed during adaptation. This will inform breeding strategies for climate-proof crops and help define which genes act as critical flowering nodes in many other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Maple
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Pan Zhu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Jo Hepworth
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Jia-Wei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics (NKLPMG), CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200032, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Caroline Dean
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
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2
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Gao Z, He Y. Molecular epigenetic understanding of winter memory in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1952-1961. [PMID: 37950890 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuehui He
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences in Weifang, Shandong 261325, China
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3
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Nishio H, Kawakatsu T, Yamaguchi N. Beyond heat waves: Unlocking epigenetic heat stress memory in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1934-1951. [PMID: 37878744 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Plants remember their exposure to environmental changes and respond more effectively the next time they encounter a similar change by flexibly altering gene expression. Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in establishing such memory of environmental changes and fine-tuning gene expression. With the recent advancements in biochemistry and sequencing technologies, it has become possible to characterize the dynamics of epigenetic changes on scales ranging from short term (minutes) to long term (generations). Here, our main focus is on describing the current understanding of the temporal regulation of histone modifications and chromatin changes during exposure to short-term recurring high temperatures and reevaluating them in the context of natural environments. Investigations of the dynamics of histone modifications and chromatin structural changes in Arabidopsis after repeated exposure to heat at short intervals have revealed the detailed molecular mechanisms of short-term heat stress memory, which include histone modification enzymes, chromatin remodelers, and key transcription factors. In addition, we summarize the spatial regulation of heat responses. Based on the natural temperature patterns during summer, we discuss how plants cope with recurring heat stress occurring at various time intervals by utilizing 2 distinct types of heat stress memory mechanisms. We also explore future research directions to provide a more precise understanding of the epigenetic regulation of heat stress memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishio
- Data Science and AI Innovation Research Promotion Center, Shiga University, Shiga 522-8522, Japan
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
| | - Taiji Kawakatsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Yamaguchi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
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4
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Davis GV, de Souza Moraes T, Khanapurkar S, Dromiack H, Ahmad Z, Bayer EM, Bhalerao RP, Walker SI, Bassel GW. Toward uncovering an operating system in plant organs. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023:S1360-1385(23)00365-5. [PMID: 38036390 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular motifs can explain information processing within single cells, while how assemblies of cells collectively achieve this remains less well understood. Plant fitness and survival depend upon robust and accurate decision-making in their decentralised multicellular organ systems. Mobile agents, including hormones, metabolites, and RNAs, have a central role in coordinating multicellular collective decision-making, yet mechanisms describing how cell-cell communication scales to organ-level transitions is poorly understood. Here, we explore how unified outputs may emerge in plant organs by distributed information processing across different scales and using different modalities. Mathematical and computational representations of these events are also explored toward understanding how these events take place and are leveraged to manipulate plant development in response to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn V Davis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Tatiana de Souza Moraes
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biogenèse Membranaire, UMR 5200, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Swanand Khanapurkar
- ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Hannah Dromiack
- ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Zaki Ahmad
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Emmanuelle M Bayer
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biogenèse Membranaire, UMR 5200, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Rishikesh P Bhalerao
- Umeå Plant Science Center, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara I Walker
- ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - George W Bassel
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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5
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Larran AS, Pajoro A, Qüesta JI. Is winter coming? Impact of the changing climate on plant responses to cold temperature. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3175-3193. [PMID: 37438895 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14669] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is causing alterations in annual temperature regimes worldwide. Important aspects of this include the reduction of winter chilling temperatures as well as the occurrence of unpredicted frosts, both significantly affecting plant growth and yields. Recent studies advanced the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cold responses and tolerance in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, how these cold-responsive pathways will readjust to ongoing seasonal temperature variation caused by global warming remains an open question. In this review, we highlight the plant developmental programmes that depend on cold temperature. We focus on the molecular mechanisms that plants have evolved to adjust their development and stress responses upon exposure to cold. Covering both genetic and epigenetic aspects, we present the latest insights into how alternative splicing, noncoding RNAs and the formation of biomolecular condensates play key roles in the regulation of cold responses. We conclude by commenting on attractive targets to accelerate the breeding of increased cold tolerance, bringing up biotechnological tools that might assist in overcoming current limitations. Our aim is to guide the reflection on the current agricultural challenges imposed by a changing climate and to provide useful information for improving plant resilience to unpredictable cold regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Santiago Larran
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) IRTA-CSIC-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alice Pajoro
- National Research Council, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome, Italy
| | - Julia I Qüesta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) IRTA-CSIC-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Kinmonth-Schultz H, Sønstebø JH, Croneberger AJ, Johnsen SS, Leder E, Lewandowska-Sabat A, Imaizumi T, Rognli OA, Vinje H, Ward JK, Fjellheim S. Responsiveness to long days for flowering is reduced in Arabidopsis by yearly variation in growing season temperatures. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3337-3352. [PMID: 37249162 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14632] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Conservative flowering behaviours, such as flowering during long days in summer or late flowering at a high leaf number, are often proposed to protect against variable winter and spring temperatures which lead to frost damage if premature flowering occurs. Yet, due the many factors in natural environments relative to the number of individuals compared, assessing which climate characteristics drive these flowering traits has been difficult. We applied a multidisciplinary approach to 10 winter-annual Arabidopsis thaliana populations from a wide climactic gradient in Norway. We used a variable reduction strategy to assess which of 100 climate descriptors from their home sites correlated most to their flowering behaviours when tested for responsiveness to photoperiod after saturation of vernalization; then, assessed sequence variation of 19 known environmental-response flowering genes. Photoperiod responsiveness inversely correlated with interannual variation in timing of growing season onset. Time to flowering appeared driven by growing season length, curtailed by cold fall temperatures. The distribution of FLM, TFL2 and HOS1 haplotypes, genes involved in ambient temperature response, correlated with growing-season climate. We show that long-day responsiveness and late flowering may be driven not by risk of spring frosts, but by growing season temperature and length, perhaps to opportunistically maximize growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Kinmonth-Schultz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jørn H Sønstebø
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
| | | | - Sylvia S Johnsen
- Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Erica Leder
- Department of Marine Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Takato Imaizumi
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Odd Arne Rognli
- Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Hilde Vinje
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Joy K Ward
- College of Arts and Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Siri Fjellheim
- Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
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7
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Zhu P, Schon M, Questa J, Nodine M, Dean C. Causal role of a promoter polymorphism in natural variation of the Arabidopsis floral repressor gene FLC. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4381-4391.e3. [PMID: 37729909 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Noncoding polymorphism frequently associates with phenotypic variation, but causation and mechanism are rarely established. Noncoding single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) characterize the major haplotypes of the Arabidopsis thaliana floral repressor gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). This noncoding polymorphism generates a range of FLC expression levels, determining the requirement for and the response to winter cold. The major adaptive determinant of these FLC haplotypes was shown to be the autumnal levels of FLC expression. Here, we investigate how noncoding SNPs influence FLC transcriptional output. We identify an upstream transcription start site (uTSS) cluster at FLC, whose usage is increased by an A variant at the promoter SNP-230. This variant is present in relatively few Arabidopsis accessions, with the majority containing G at this site. We demonstrate a causal role for the A variant at -230 in reduced FLC transcriptional output. The G variant upregulates FLC expression redundantly with the major transcriptional activator FRIGIDA (FRI). We demonstrate an additive interaction of SNP-230 with an intronic SNP+259, which also differentially influences uTSS usage. Combinatorial interactions between noncoding SNPs and transcriptional activators thus generate quantitative variation in FLC transcription that has facilitated the adaptation of Arabidopsis accessions to distinct climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhu
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Michael Schon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Julia Questa
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Michael Nodine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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8
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Meyer RC, Weigelt-Fischer K, Tschiersch H, Topali G, Altschmied L, Heuermann MC, Knoch D, Kuhlmann M, Zhao Y, Altmann T. Dynamic growth QTL action in diverse light environments: characterization of light regime-specific and stable QTL in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:5341-5362. [PMID: 37306093 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad222] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant growth is a complex process affected by a multitude of genetic and environmental factors and their interactions. To identify genetic factors influencing plant performance under different environmental conditions, vegetative growth was assessed in Arabidopsis thaliana cultivated under constant or fluctuating light intensities, using high-throughput phenotyping and genome-wide association studies. Daily automated non-invasive phenotyping of a collection of 382 Arabidopsis accessions provided growth data during developmental progression under different light regimes at high temporal resolution. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for projected leaf area, relative growth rate, and PSII operating efficiency detected under the two light regimes were predominantly condition-specific and displayed distinct temporal activity patterns, with active phases ranging from 2 d to 9 d. Eighteen protein-coding genes and one miRNA gene were identified as potential candidate genes at 10 QTL regions consistently found under both light regimes. Expression patterns of three candidate genes affecting projected leaf area were analysed in time-series experiments in accessions with contrasting vegetative leaf growth. These observations highlight the importance of considering both environmental and temporal patterns of QTL/allele actions and emphasize the need for detailed time-resolved analyses under diverse well-defined environmental conditions to effectively unravel the complex and stage-specific contributions of genes affecting plant growth processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda C Meyer
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Kathleen Weigelt-Fischer
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Henning Tschiersch
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Georgia Topali
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Lothar Altschmied
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Marc C Heuermann
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Dominic Knoch
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Markus Kuhlmann
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Yusheng Zhao
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Breeding Research, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Thomas Altmann
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Department of Molecular Genetics, OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
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9
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Basu U, Parida SK. Restructuring plant types for developing tailor-made crops. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1106-1122. [PMID: 34260135 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Plants have adapted to different environmental niches by fine-tuning the developmental factors working together to regulate traits. Variations in the developmental factors result in a wide range of quantitative variations in these traits that helped plants survive better. The major developmental pathways affecting plant architecture are also under the control of such pathways. Most notable are the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL pathway regulating shoot apical meristem fate, GID1-DELLA module influencing plant height and tillering, LAZY1-TAC1 module controlling branch/tiller angle and the TFL1-FT determining the floral fate in plants. Allelic variants of these key regulators selected during domestication shaped the crops the way we know them today. There is immense yield potential in the 'ideal plant architecture' of a crop. With the available genome-editing techniques, possibilities are not restricted to naturally occurring variations. Using a transient reprogramming system, one can screen the effect of several developmental gene expressions in novel ecosystems to identify the best targets. We can use the plant's fine-tuning mechanism for customizing crops to specific environments. The process of crop domestication can be accelerated with a proper understanding of these developmental pathways. It is time to step forward towards the next-generation molecular breeding for restructuring plant types in crops ensuring yield stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udita Basu
- Genomics-Assisted Breeding and Crop Improvement Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, India
| | - Swarup K Parida
- Genomics-Assisted Breeding and Crop Improvement Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, India
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10
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Kim J, Bordiya Y, Xi Y, Zhao B, Kim DH, Pyo Y, Zong W, Ricci WA, Sung S. Warm temperature-triggered developmental reprogramming requires VIL1-mediated, genome-wide H3K27me3 accumulation in Arabidopsis. Development 2023; 150:dev201343. [PMID: 36762655 PMCID: PMC10110417 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Changes in ambient temperature immensely affect developmental programs in many species. Plants adapt to high ambient growth temperature in part by vegetative and reproductive developmental reprogramming, known as thermo-morphogenesis. Thermo-morphogenesis is accompanied by massive changes in the transcriptome upon temperature change. Here, we show that transcriptome changes induced by warm ambient temperature require VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3-LIKE 1 (VIL1), a facultative component of the Polycomb repressive complex PRC2, in Arabidopsis. Warm growth temperature elicits genome-wide accumulation of H3K27me3 and VIL1 is necessary for the warm temperature-mediated accumulation of H3K27me3. Consistent with its role as a mediator of thermo-morphogenesis, loss of function of VIL1 results in hypo-responsiveness to warm ambient temperature. Our results show that VIL1 is a major chromatin regulator in responses to high ambient temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghyun Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yogendra Bordiya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yanpeng Xi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Bo Zhao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Dong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Youngjae Pyo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Wei Zong
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - William A. Ricci
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sibum Sung
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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11
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Nishio H, Kudoh H. Distinct responses to autumn and spring temperatures by the key flowering-time regulator FLOWERING LOCUS C. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 78:102016. [PMID: 36549195 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite the similarity in temperature regimes between late autumn and early spring, plants exhibit distinct developmental responses that result in distinct morphologies, that is, overwintering and reproductive forms. In Arabidopsis, the control of autumn-spring distinction involves the transcriptional regulation of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). The memory of winter cold is registered as epigenetic silencing of FLC. Recent studies on A. thaliana FLC revealed detailed and additional mechanisms of silencing in response to autumn and winter cold. Studies on perennial Arabidopsis FLC revealed that its expression responds to spring warmth and is robustly upregulated, ignoring cold. These new studies provide mechanistic insights into the distinct regulation of FLC under autumn and spring temperature regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishio
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga 520-2113, Japan; Data Science and AI Innovation Research Promotion Center, Shiga University, Shiga 522-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kudoh
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Shiga 520-2113, Japan.
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12
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Zhu T, van Zanten M, De Smet I. Wandering between hot and cold: temperature dose-dependent responses. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:1124-1133. [PMID: 35810070 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants in most natural habitats are exposed to a continuously changing environment, including fluctuating temperatures. Temperature variations can trigger acclimation or tolerance responses, depending on the severity of the signal. To guarantee food security under a changing climate, we need to fully understand how temperature response and tolerance are triggered and regulated. Here, we put forward the concept that responsiveness to temperature should be viewed in the context of dose-dependency. We discuss physiological, developmental, and molecular examples, predominantly from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, illustrating monophasic signaling responses across the physiological temperature gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhu
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martijn van Zanten
- Plant Stress Resilience, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ive De Smet
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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13
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Preston JC, Fjellheim S. Flowering time runs hot and cold. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:5-18. [PMID: 35274728 PMCID: PMC9434294 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that anthropogenically-mediated global warming results in accelerated flowering for many plant populations. However, the fact that some plants are late flowering or unaffected by warming, underscores the complex relationship between phase change, temperature, and phylogeny. In this review, we present an emerging picture of how plants sense temperature changes, and then discuss the independent recruitment of ancient flowering pathway genes for the evolution of ambient, low, and high temperature-regulated reproductive development. As well as revealing areas of research required for a better understanding of how past thermal climates have shaped global patterns of plasticity in plant phase change, we consider the implications for these phenological thermal responses in light of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siri Fjellheim
- Department of Plant Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås 1430, Norway
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14
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Memory of plants: present understanding. THE NUCLEUS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-022-00399-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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15
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Cha JK, O'Connor K, Alahmad S, Lee JH, Dinglasan E, Park H, Lee SM, Hirsz D, Kwon SW, Kwon Y, Kim KM, Ko JM, Hickey LT, Shin D, Dixon LE. Speed vernalization to accelerate generation advance in winter cereal crops. MOLECULAR PLANT 2022; 15:1300-1309. [PMID: 35754174 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There are many challenges facing the development of high-yielding, nutritious crops for future environments. One limiting factor is generation time, which prolongs research and plant breeding timelines. Recent advances in speed breeding protocols have dramatically reduced generation time for many short-day and long-day species by optimizing light and temperature conditions during plant growth. However, winter crops with a vernalization requirement still require up to 6-10 weeks in low-temperature conditions before the transition to reproductive development. Here, we tested a suite of environmental conditions and protocols to investigate whether the vernalization process can be accelerated. We identified a vernalization method consisting of exposing seeds at the soil surface to an extended photoperiod of 22 h day:2 h night at 10°C with transfer to speed breeding conditions that dramatically reduces generation time in both winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare). Implementation of the speed vernalization protocol followed by speed breeding allowed the completion of up to five generations per year for winter wheat or barley, whereas only two generations can be typically completed under standard vernalization and plant growth conditions. The speed vernalization protocol developed in this study has great potential to accelerate biological research and breeding outcomes for winter crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Kyung Cha
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Kathryn O'Connor
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Samir Alahmad
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jong-Hee Lee
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Eric Dinglasan
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Hyeonjin Park
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - So-Myeong Lee
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Dominique Hirsz
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Soon-Wook Kwon
- Department of Plant Bioscience, Pusan National University, Miryang 60463, Korea
| | - Youngho Kwon
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Kyeong-Min Kim
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Jong-Min Ko
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea
| | - Lee T Hickey
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Dongjin Shin
- National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Miryang 50424, Korea.
| | - Laura E Dixon
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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16
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Clauw P, Kerdaffrec E, Gunis J, Reichardt-Gomez I, Nizhynska V, Koemeda S, Jez J, Nordborg M. Locally adaptive temperature response of vegetative growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. eLife 2022; 11:77913. [PMID: 35904422 PMCID: PMC9337855 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated early vegetative growth of natural Arabidopsis thaliana accessions in cold, nonfreezing temperatures, similar to temperatures these plants naturally encounter in fall at northern latitudes. We found that accessions from northern latitudes produced larger seedlings than accessions from southern latitudes, partly as a result of larger seed size. However, their subsequent vegetative growth when exposed to colder temperatures was slower. The difference was too large to be explained by random population differentiation, and is thus suggestive of local adaptation, a notion that is further supported by substantial transcriptome and metabolome changes in northern accessions. We hypothesize that the reduced growth of northern accessions is an adaptive response and a consequence of reallocating resources toward cold acclimation and winter survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Clauw
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Envel Kerdaffrec
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Gunis
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Viktoria Nizhynska
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Koemeda
- Plant Sciences Facility, Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jakub Jez
- Plant Sciences Facility, Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Magnus Nordborg
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Liu L, Pu Y, Niu Z, Wu J, Fang Y, Xu J, Xu F, Yue J, Ma L, Li X, Sun W. Transcriptomic Insights Into Root Development and Overwintering Transcriptional Memory of Brassica rapa L. Grown in the Field. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:900708. [PMID: 35937315 PMCID: PMC9355659 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.900708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As the only overwintering oil crop in the north area of China, living through winter is the primary feature of winter rapeseed. Roots are the only survival organ during prolonged cold exposure during winter to guarantee flowering in spring. However, little is known about its root development and overwintering memory mechanism. In this study, root collar tissues (including the shoot apical meristem) of three winter rapeseed varieties with different cold resistance, i.e., Longyou-7 (strong cold tolerance), Tianyou-4 (middle cold tolerance), and Lenox (cold-sensitive), were sampled in the pre-winter period (S1), overwintering periods (S2-S5), and re-greening stage (S6), and were used to identify the root development and overwintering memory mechanisms and seek candidate overwintering memory genes by measuring root collar diameter and RNA sequencing. The results showed that the S1-S2 stages were the significant developmental stages of the roots as root collar diameter increased slowly in the S3-S5 stages, and the roots developed fast in the strong cold resistance variety than in the weak cold resistance variety. Subsequently, the RNA-seq analysis revealed that a total of 37,905, 45,102, and 39,276 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), compared to the S1 stage, were identified in Longyou-7, Tianyou-4, and Lenox, respectively. The function enrichment analysis showed that most of the DEGs are significantly involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling pathway, starch and sucrose metabolism, photosynthesis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and spliceosome, ribosome, proteasome, and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathways. Furthermore, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction pathways were related to the difference in root development of the three varieties, DEGs involved in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism processes may participate in overwintering memory of Longyou-7 and Tianyou-4, and the spliceosome pathway may contribute to the super winter resistance of Longyou-7. The transcription factor enrichment analysis showed that the WRKY family made up the majority in different stages and may play an important regulatory role in root development and overwintering memory. These results provide a comprehensive insight into winter rapeseed's complex overwintering memory mechanisms. The identified candidate overwintering memory genes may also serve as important genetic resources for breeding to further improve the cold resistance of winter rapeseed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Pu
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zaoxia Niu
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junyan Wu
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Shanghai OE Biotech Co., Ltd.,Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Xu
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinli Yue
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuecai Li
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wancang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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18
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Jeong G, Jeon M, Shin J, Lee I. HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR B2b acts as a transcriptional repressor of VIN3, a gene induced by long-term cold for flowering. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10963. [PMID: 35768490 PMCID: PMC9243095 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15052-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vernalization, an acceleration of flowering after long-term winter cold, is an intensively studied flowering mechanism in winter annual plants. In Arabidopsis, Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated suppression of the strong floral repressor, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), is critical for vernalization and a PHD finger domain protein, VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3), recruits PRC2 on FLC chromatin. The level of VIN3 was found to gradually increase in proportion to the length of cold period during vernalization. However, how plants finely regulate VIN3 expression according to the cold environment has not been completely elucidated. As a result, we performed EMS mutagenesis using a transgenic line with a minimal promoter of VIN3 fused to the GUS reporter gene, and isolated a mutant, hyperactivation of VIN3 1 (hov1), which showed increased GUS signal and endogenous VIN3 transcript levels. Using positional cloning combined with whole-genome resequencing, we found that hov1 carries a nonsense mutation, leading to a premature stop codon on the HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR B2b (HsfB2b), which encodes a repressive heat shock transcription factor. HsfB2b directly binds to the VIN3 promoter, and HsfB2b overexpression leads to reduced acceleration of flowering after vernalization. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel fine-tuning mechanism to regulate VIN3 for proper vernalization response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goowon Jeong
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.,Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Myeongjune Jeon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.,Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Jinwoo Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.,Department of Molecular Biology and Centre for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ilha Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea. .,Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
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19
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Sharma M, Kumar P, Verma V, Sharma R, Bhargava B, Irfan M. Understanding plant stress memory response for abiotic stress resilience: Molecular insights and prospects. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 179:10-24. [PMID: 35305363 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
As sessile species and without the possibility of escape, plants constantly face numerous environmental stresses. To adapt in the external environmental cues, plants adjust themselves against such stresses by regulating their physiological, metabolic and developmental responses to external environmental cues. Certain environmental stresses rarely occur during plant life, while others, such as heat, drought, salinity, and cold are repetitive. Abiotic stresses are among the foremost environmental variables that have hindered agricultural production globally. Through distinct mechanisms, these stresses induce various morphological, biochemical, physiological, and metabolic changes in plants, directly impacting their growth, development, and productivity. Subsequently, plant's physiological, metabolic, and genetic adjustments to the stress occurrence provide necessary competencies to adapt, survive and nurture a condition known as "memory." This review emphasizes the advancements in various epigenetic-related chromatin modifications, DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, phytohormones, and microRNAs associated with abiotic stress memory. Plants have the ability to respond quickly to stressful situations and can also improve their defense systems by retaining and sustaining stressful memories, allowing for stronger or faster responses to repeated stressful situations. Although there are relatively few examples of such memories, and no clear understanding of their duration, taking into consideration plenty of stresses in nature. Understanding these mechanisms in depth could aid in the development of genetic tools to improve breeding techniques, resulting in higher agricultural yield and quality under changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Vipasha Verma
- Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Rajnish Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Bhavya Bhargava
- Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Mohammad Irfan
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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20
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Kyung J, Jeon M, Jeong G, Shin Y, Seo E, Yu J, Kim H, Park CM, Hwang D, Lee I. The two clock proteins CCA1 and LHY activate VIN3 transcription during vernalization through the vernalization-responsive cis-element. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:1020-1037. [PMID: 34931682 PMCID: PMC8894950 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Vernalization, a long-term cold-mediated acquisition of flowering competence, is critically regulated by VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3), a gene induced by vernalization in Arabidopsis. Although the function of VIN3 has been extensively studied, how VIN3 expression itself is upregulated by long-term cold is not well understood. In this study, we identified a vernalization-responsive cis-element in the VIN3 promoter, VREVIN3, composed of a G-box and an evening element (EE). Mutations in either the G-box or the EE prevented VIN3 expression from being fully induced upon vernalization, leading to defects in the vernalization response. We determined that the core clock proteins CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) and LATE-ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) associate with the EE of VREVIN3, both in vitro and in vivo. In a cca1 lhy double mutant background harboring a functional FRIGIDA allele, long-term cold-mediated VIN3 induction and acceleration of flowering were impaired, especially under mild cold conditions such as at 12°C. During prolonged cold exposure, oscillations of CCA1/LHY transcripts were altered, while CCA1 abundance increased at dusk, coinciding with the diurnal peak of VIN3 transcripts. We propose that modulation of the clock proteins CCA1 and LHY participates in the systems involved in sensing long-term cold for the activation of VIN3 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinseul Kyung
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Myeongjune Jeon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Goowon Jeong
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Yourae Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Eunjoo Seo
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jihyeon Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hoyeun Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Chung-Mo Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Ilha Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Research Center for Plant Plasticity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Author for correspondence:
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21
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Mesejo C, Marzal A, Martínez-Fuentes A, Reig C, de Lucas M, Iglesias DJ, Primo-Millo E, Blázquez MA, Agustí M. Reversion of fruit-dependent inhibition of flowering in Citrus requires sprouting of buds with epigenetically silenced CcMADS19. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:526-533. [PMID: 34403516 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17681] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In Citrus, the response to environmental floral inductive signals is inhibited by the presence of developing fruits. The mechanism involves epigenetic activation of the CcMADS19 locus (FLC orthologue), encoding a floral repressor. To understand how this epigenetic regulation is reverted to allow flowering in the following season, we have forced precocious sprouting of axillary buds in fruit-bearing shoots, and examined the competence to floral inductive signals of old and new leaves derived from them. We have found that CcMADS19 is enriched in repressive H3K27me3 marks in young, but not old leaves, revealing that axillary buds retain a silenced version of the floral repressor that is mitotically transmitted to the newly emerging leaves, which are able to induce flowering. Therefore, we propose that flowering in Citrus is necessarily preceded by vegetative sprouting, so that the competence to respond to floral inductive signals is reset in the new leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mesejo
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
| | - Andrés Marzal
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
| | - Amparo Martínez-Fuentes
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
| | - Carmina Reig
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
| | - Miguel de Lucas
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Rd, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Domingo J Iglesias
- Centro de Citricultura y Producción Vegetal, IVIA-GV, Moncada, València, 46113, Spain
| | - Eduardo Primo-Millo
- Centro de Citricultura y Producción Vegetal, IVIA-GV, Moncada, València, 46113, Spain
| | - Miguel A Blázquez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, CSIC-UPV, València, 46022, Spain
| | - Manuel Agustí
- Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
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22
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Kinmonth-Schultz H, Lewandowska-Sabat A, Imaizumi T, Ward JK, Rognli OA, Fjellheim S. Flowering Times of Wild Arabidopsis Accessions From Across Norway Correlate With Expression Levels of FT, CO, and FLC Genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:747740. [PMID: 34790213 PMCID: PMC8591261 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.747740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Temperate species often require or flower most rapidly in the long daylengths, or photoperiods, experienced in summer or after prolonged periods of cold temperatures, referred to as vernalization. Yet, even within species, plants vary in the degree of responsiveness to these cues. In Arabidopsis thaliana, CONSTANS (CO) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) genes are key to photoperiod and vernalization perception and antagonistically regulate FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) to influence the flowering time of the plants. However, it is still an open question as to how these genes vary in their interactions among wild accessions with different flowering behaviors and adapted to different microclimates, yet this knowledge could improve our ability to predict plant responses in variable natural conditions. To assess the relationships among these genes and to flowering time, we exposed 10 winter-annual Arabidopsis accessions from throughout Norway, ranging from early to late flowering, along with two summer-annual accessions to 14 weeks of vernalization and either 8- or 19-h photoperiods to mimic Norwegian climate conditions, then assessed gene expression levels 3-, 5-, and 8-days post vernalization. CO and FLC explained both FT levels and flowering time (days) but not rosette leaf number at flowering. The correlation between FT and flowering time increased over time. Although vernalization suppresses FLC, FLC was high in the late-flowering accessions. Across accessions, FT was expressed only at low FLC levels and did not respond to CO in the late-flowering accessions. We proposed that FT may only be expressed below a threshold value of FLC and demonstrated that these three genes correlated to flowering times across genetically distinct accessions of Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Kinmonth-Schultz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | | | - Takato Imaizumi
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Joy K. Ward
- College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Odd Arne Rognli
- Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Siri Fjellheim
- Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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23
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Zhu P, Lister C, Dean C. Cold-induced Arabidopsis FRIGIDA nuclear condensates for FLC repression. Nature 2021; 599:657-661. [PMID: 34732891 PMCID: PMC8612926 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04062-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plants use seasonal temperature cues to time the transition to reproduction. In Arabidopsis thaliana, winter cold epigenetically silences the floral repressor locus FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) through POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX 2 (PRC2)1. This vernalization process aligns flowering with spring. A prerequisite for silencing is transcriptional downregulation of FLC, but how this occurs in the fluctuating temperature regimes of autumn is unknown2-4. Transcriptional repression correlates with decreased local levels of histone H3 trimethylation at K36 (H3K36me3) and H3 trimethylation at K4 (H3K4me3)5,6, which are deposited during FRIGIDA (FRI)-dependent activation of FLC7-10. Here we show that cold rapidly promotes the formation of FRI nuclear condensates that do not colocalize with an active FLC locus. This correlates with reduced FRI occupancy at the FLC promoter and FLC repression. Warm temperature spikes reverse this process, buffering FLC shutdown to prevent premature flowering. The accumulation of condensates in the cold is affected by specific co-transcriptional regulators and cold induction of a specific isoform of the antisense RNA COOLAIR5,11. Our work describes the dynamic partitioning of a transcriptional activator conferring plasticity in response to natural temperature fluctuations, thus enabling plants to effectively monitor seasonal progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhu
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Clare Lister
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
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24
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Xu S, Dong Q, Deng M, Lin D, Xiao J, Cheng P, Xing L, Niu Y, Gao C, Zhang W, Xu Y, Chong K. The vernalization-induced long non-coding RNA VAS functions with the transcription factor TaRF2b to promote TaVRN1 expression for flowering in hexaploid wheat. MOLECULAR PLANT 2021; 14:1525-1538. [PMID: 34052392 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Vernalization is a physiological process in which prolonged cold exposure establishes flowering competence in winter plants. In hexaploid wheat, TaVRN1 is a cold-induced key regulator that accelerates floral transition. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the gradual activation of TaVRN1 during the vernalization process remains unknown. In this study, we identified the novel transcript VAS (TaVRN1 alternative splicing) as a non-coding RNA derived from the sense strand of the TaVRN1 gene only in winter wheat, which regulates TaVRN1 transcription for flowering. VAS was induced during the early period of vernalization, and its overexpression promoted TaVRN1 expression to accelerate flowering in winter wheat. VAS physically associates with TaRF2b and facilitates docking of the TaRF2b-TaRF2a complex at the TaVRN1 promoter during the middle period of vernalization. TaRF2b recognizes the Sp1 motif within the TaVRN1 proximal promoter region, which is gradually exposed along with the disruption of a loop structure at the TaVRN1 locus during vernalization, to activate the transcription of TaVRN1. The tarf2b mutants exhibited delayed flowering, whereas transgenic wheat lines overexpressing TaRF2b showed earlier flowering. Taken together, our data reveal a distinct regulatory mechanism by which a long non-coding RNA facilitates the transcription factor targeting to regulate wheat flowering, providing novel insights into the vernalization process and a potential target for wheat genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Min Deng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Dexing Lin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Peilei Cheng
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Lijing Xing
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yuda Niu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yunyuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Kang Chong
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
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25
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Lövkvist C, Mikulski P, Reeck S, Hartley M, Dean C, Howard M. Hybrid protein assembly-histone modification mechanism for PRC2-based epigenetic switching and memory. eLife 2021; 10:66454. [PMID: 34473050 PMCID: PMC8412945 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone modification H3K27me3 plays a central role in Polycomb-mediated epigenetic silencing. H3K27me3 recruits and allosterically activates Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which adds this modification to nearby histones, providing a read/write mechanism for inheritance through DNA replication. However, for some PRC2 targets, a purely histone-based system for epigenetic inheritance may be insufficient. We address this issue at the Polycomb target FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana, as a narrow nucleation region of only ~three nucleosomes within FLC mediates epigenetic state switching and subsequent memory over many cell cycles. To explain the memory's unexpected persistence, we introduce a mathematical model incorporating extra protein memory storage elements with positive feedback that persist at the locus through DNA replication, in addition to histone modifications. Our hybrid model explains many features of epigenetic switching/memory at FLC and encapsulates generic mechanisms that may be widely applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Lövkvist
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
| | - Pawel Mikulski
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
| | - Svenja Reeck
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom.,Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Hartley
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dean
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Howard
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, United Kingdom
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26
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Penfield S, Warner S, Wilkinson L. Molecular responses to chilling in a warming climate and their impacts on plant reproductive development and yield. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021:erab375. [PMID: 34409451 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Responses to prolonged winter chilling are universal in temperate plants which use seasonal temperature cues in the seed, vegetative and reproductive phases to align development with the earth's orbit. Climate change is driving a decline in reliable winter chill and affecting the sub-tropical extent of cultivation for temperate over-wintering crops. Here we explore molecular aspects of plant responses to winter chill including seasonal bud break and flowering, and how variation in the intensity of winter chilling or de-vernalisation can lead to effects on post-chilling plant development, including that of structures necessary for crop yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Penfield
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Samuel Warner
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Laura Wilkinson
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
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27
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Yuan X, Wang Q, Yan B, Zhang J, Xue C, Chen J, Lin Y, Zhang X, Shen W, Chen X. Single-Molecule Real-Time and Illumina-Based RNA Sequencing Data Identified Vernalization-Responsive Candidate Genes in Faba Bean ( Vicia faba L.). Front Genet 2021; 12:656137. [PMID: 34290734 PMCID: PMC8287337 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.656137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most widely grown cool season legume crops in the world. Winter faba bean normally has a vernalization requirement, which promotes an earlier flowering and pod setting than unvernalized plants. However, the molecular mechanisms of vernalization in faba bean are largely unknown. Discovering vernalization-related candidate genes is of great importance for faba bean breeding. In this study, the whole transcriptome of faba bean buds was profiled by using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) full-length transcriptome sequencing technology. A total of 29,203 high-quality non-redundant transcripts, 21,098 complete coding sequences (CDS), 1,045 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 12,939 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. Furthermore, 4,044 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through pairwise comparisons. By Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, these differentially expressed transcripts were found to be enriched in binding and transcription factor activity, electron carrier activity, rhythmic process, and receptor activity. Finally, 50 putative vernalization-related genes that played important roles in the vernalization of faba bean were identified; we also found that the levels of vernalization-responsive transcripts showed significantly higher expression levels in cold-treated buds. The expression of VfSOC1, one of the candidate genes, was sensitive to vernalization. Ectopic expression of VfSOC1 in Arabidopsis brought earlier flowering. In conclusion, the abundant vernalization-related transcripts identified in this study will provide a basis for future researches on the vernalization and faba bean breeding and established a reference full-length transcriptome for future studies on faba bean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenchen Xue
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingbin Chen
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Lin
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenbiao Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
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28
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Menon G, Schulten A, Dean C, Howard M. Digital paradigm for Polycomb epigenetic switching and memory. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 61:102012. [PMID: 33662809 PMCID: PMC8250048 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
How epigenetic memory states are established and maintained is a central question in gene regulation. A major epigenetic process important for developmental biology involves Polycomb-mediated chromatin silencing. Significant progress has recently been made on elucidating Polycomb silencing in plant systems through analysis of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Quantitative silencing of FLC by prolonged cold exposure was shown to represent an ON to OFF switch in an increasing proportion of cells. Here, we review the underlying all-or-nothing, digital paradigm for Polycomb epigenetic silencing. We then examine other Arabidopsis Polycomb-regulated targets where digital regulation may also be relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govind Menon
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Anna Schulten
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Caroline Dean
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Martin Howard
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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29
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Zhao Y, Zhu P, Hepworth J, Bloomer R, Antoniou-Kourounioti RL, Doughty J, Heckmann A, Xu C, Yang H, Dean C. Natural temperature fluctuations promote COOLAIR regulation of FLC. Genes Dev 2021; 35:888-898. [PMID: 33985972 PMCID: PMC8168555 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348362.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Zhao et al. set out to characterize how plants respond to cold through regulation of FLC expression. Using genetics and genomics approaches, the authors reveal how natural temperature fluctuations promote COOLAIR regulation of FLC, with the first autumn frost acting as a key indicator of autumn/winter arrival. Plants monitor many aspects of their fluctuating environments to help align their development with seasons. Molecular understanding of how noisy temperature cues are registered has emerged from dissection of vernalization in Arabidopsis, which involves a multiphase cold-dependent silencing of the floral repressor locus FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Cold-induced transcriptional silencing precedes a low probability PRC2 epigenetic switching mechanism. The epigenetic switch requires the absence of warm temperatures as well as long-term cold exposure. However, the natural temperature inputs into the earlier transcriptional silencing phase are less well understood. Here, through investigation of Arabidopsis accessions in natural and climatically distinct field sites, we show that the first seasonal frost strongly induces expression of COOLAIR, the antisense transcripts at FLC. Chamber experiments delivering a constant mean temperature with different fluctuations showed the freezing induction of COOLAIR correlates with stronger repression of FLC mRNA. Identification of a mutant that ectopically activates COOLAIR revealed how COOLAIR up-regulation can directly reduce FLC expression. Consistent with this, transgenes designed to knockout COOLAIR perturbed the early phase of FLC silencing. However, all transgenes designed to remove COOLAIR resulted in increased production of novel convergent FLC antisense transcripts. Our study reveals how natural temperature fluctuations promote COOLAIR regulation of FLC, with the first autumn frost acting as a key indicator of autumn/winter arrival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Zhao
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Pan Zhu
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Jo Hepworth
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Bloomer
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jade Doughty
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Amelie Heckmann
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Congyao Xu
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Hongchun Yang
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
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30
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Li C, Fang X. Phase Separation as a Molecular Thermosensor. Dev Cell 2021; 55:118-119. [PMID: 33108753 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
How organisms sense temperature is a long-standing question. However, the identification of molecular thermosensors has been limited. Now, in a recent issue of Nature, Jung et al. demonstrate that phase separation of ELF3, a component of the circadian clock, acts as a thermosensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxuan Li
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaofeng Fang
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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31
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Calderwood A, Lloyd A, Hepworth J, Tudor EH, Jones DM, Woodhouse S, Bilham L, Chinoy C, Williams K, Corke F, Doonan JH, Ostergaard L, Irwin JA, Wells R, Morris RJ. Total FLC transcript dynamics from divergent paralogue expression explains flowering diversity in Brassica napus. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:3534-3548. [PMID: 33289112 PMCID: PMC7986421 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Flowering time is a key adaptive and agronomic trait. In Arabidopsis, natural variation in expression levels of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) leads to differences in vernalization. In Brassica napus there are nine copies of FLC. Here, we study how these multiple FLC paralogues determine vernalization requirement as a system. We collected transcriptome time series for Brassica napus spring, winter, semi-winter, and Siberian kale crop types. Modelling was used to link FLC expression dynamics to floral response following vernalization. We show that relaxed selection pressure has allowed expression of FLC paralogues to diverge, resulting in variation of FLC expression during cold treatment between paralogues and accessions. We find that total FLC expression dynamics best explains differences in cold requirement between cultivars, rather than expression of specific FLC paralogues. The combination of multiple FLC paralogues with different expression dynamics leads to rich behaviour in response to cold and a wide range of vernalization requirements in B. napus. We find evidence for different strategies to determine the response to cold in existing winter rapeseed accessions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- Institute of BiologicalEnvironmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)Aberystwyth University, PenglaisAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3DAUK
| | - Jo Hepworth
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Eleri H. Tudor
- Institute of BiologicalEnvironmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)Aberystwyth University, PenglaisAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3DAUK
| | - D. Marc Jones
- Computational and Systems BiologyJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
- VIB‐UGent Centre for Plant Systems BiologyTechnologiepark 71Gent9052Belgium
| | - Shannon Woodhouse
- Computational and Systems BiologyJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Lorelei Bilham
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | | | - Kevin Williams
- Institute of BiologicalEnvironmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)Aberystwyth University, PenglaisAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3DAUK
| | - Fiona Corke
- Institute of BiologicalEnvironmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)Aberystwyth University, PenglaisAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3DAUK
| | - John H. Doonan
- Institute of BiologicalEnvironmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)Aberystwyth University, PenglaisAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3DAUK
| | - Lars Ostergaard
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Judith A. Irwin
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Rachel Wells
- Department of Crop GeneticsJohn Innes CentreNorwichNR4 7UHUK
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32
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Antoniou-Kourounioti RL, Zhao Y, Dean C, Howard M. Feeling Every Bit of Winter - Distributed Temperature Sensitivity in Vernalization. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:628726. [PMID: 33584778 PMCID: PMC7873433 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.628726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Temperature intrinsically influences all aspects of biochemical and biophysical processes. Organisms have therefore evolved strategies to buffer themselves against thermal perturbations. Many organisms also use temperature signals as cues to align behavior and development with certain seasons. These developmentally important thermosensory mechanisms have generally been studied in constant temperature conditions. However, environmental temperature is an inherently noisy signal, and it has been unclear how organisms reliably extract specific temperature cues from fluctuating temperature profiles. In this context, we discuss plant thermosensory responses, focusing on temperature sensing throughout vernalization in Arabidopsis. We highlight many different timescales of sensing, which has led to the proposal of a distributed thermosensing paradigm. Within this paradigm, we suggest a classification system for thermosensors. Finally, we focus on the longest timescale, which is most important for sensing winter, and examine the different mechanisms in which memory of cold exposure can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yusheng Zhao
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dean
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Howard
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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33
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Gauley A, Boden SA. Stepwise increases in FT1 expression regulate seasonal progression of flowering in wheat (Triticum aestivum). THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 229:1163-1176. [PMID: 32909250 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Flowering is regulated by genes that respond to changing daylengths and temperature, which have been well studied using controlled conditions; however, the molecular processes underpinning flowering in nature remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the genetic pathways that coordinate flowering and inflorescence development of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as daylengths extend naturally in the field, using lines that contain variant alleles for the key photoperiod gene, Photoperiod-1 (Ppd-1). We found flowering involves a stepwise increase in the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T1 (FT1), which initiates under day-neutral conditions of early spring. The incremental rise in FT1 expression is overridden in plants that contain a photoperiod-insensitive allele of Ppd-1, which hastens the completion of spikelet development and accelerates flowering time. The accelerated inflorescence development of photoperiod-insensitive lines is promoted by advanced seasonal expression of floral meristem identity genes. The completion of spikelet formation is promoted by FLOWERING LOCUS T2, which regulates spikelet number and is activated by Ppd-1. In wheat, flowering under natural photoperiods is regulated by stepwise increases in the expression of FT1, which responds dynamically to extending daylengths to promote early inflorescence development. This research provides a strong foundation to improve yield potential by fine-tuning the photoperiod-dependent control of inflorescence development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gauley
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Scott A Boden
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
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34
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Jánosi IM, Silhavy D, Tamás J, Csontos P. Bulbous perennials precisely detect the length of winter and adjust flowering dates. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:1535-1547. [PMID: 32538474 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify the most relevant environmental parameters that regulate flowering time of bulbous perennials, first flowering dates of 329 taxa over 33 yr are correlated with monthly and daily mean values of 16 environmental parameters (such as insolation, precipitation, temperature, soil water content, etc.) spanning at least 1 yr back from flowering. A machine learning algorithm is deployed to identify the best explanatory parameters because the problem is strongly prone to overfitting for traditional methods: if the number of parameters is the same or greater than the number of observations, then a linear model can perfectly fit the dependent variable (observations). Surprisingly, the best proxy of flowering date fluctuations is the daily snow depth anomaly, which cannot be a signal itself, however it should be related to some integrated temperature signal. Moreover, daily snow depth anomaly as proxy performs much better than mean soil temperature preceding the flowering, the best monthly explanatory parameter. Our findings support the existence of complicated temperature sensing mechanisms operating on different timescales, which is a prerequisite to precisely observe the length and severity of the winter season and translate for example, 'lack of snow' information to meaningful internal signals related to phenophases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imre M Jánosi
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, Dresden, 01187, Germany
| | - Dániel Silhavy
- Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Júlia Tamás
- Department of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Könyves Kálmán krt. 40, Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Péter Csontos
- Institute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Centre for Agricultural Research, Herman Ottó u. 15, Budapest, H-1022, Hungary
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35
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Merrick CJ. Hypnozoites in Plasmodium: Do Parasites Parallel Plants? Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:273-282. [PMID: 33257270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The phenomenon of relapsing malaria has been recognised for centuries. It is caused in humans by the parasite species Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which can arrest growth at an early, asymptomatic stage as hypnozoites inside liver cells. These dormant parasites can remain quiescent for months or years, then reactivate causing symptomatic malaria. The dynamics of hypnozoite dormancy and reactivation are well documented but the molecular basis remains a complete mystery. Here, I observe that the process has striking parallels with plant vernalisation, whereby plants remain dormant through the winter before flowering in spring. Vernalisation is thoroughly studied in several plant species and its mechanisms are known in exquisite detail. Vernalisation may thus provide a useful framework for interrogating hypnozoite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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36
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Sharma N, Geuten K, Giri BS, Varma A. The molecular mechanism of vernalization in Arabidopsis and cereals: role of Flowering Locus C and its homologs. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2020; 170:373-383. [PMID: 32623749 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Winter varieties of plants can flower only after exposure to prolonged cold. This phenomenon is known as vernalization and has been widely studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as in monocots. Through the repression of floral activator genes, vernalization prevents flowering in winter. In Arabidopsis, FLOWERING LOCUS C or FLC is the key repressor during vernalization, while in monocots vernalization is regulated through VRN1, VRN2 and VRN3 (or FLOWERING LOCUS T). Interestingly, VRN genes are not homologous to FLC but FLC homologs are found to have a significant role in vernalization response in cereals. The presence of FLC homologs in monocots opens new dimensions to understand, compare and retrace the evolution of vernalization pathways between monocots and dicots. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism of vernalization-induced flowering along with epigenetic regulations in Arabidopsis and temperate cereals. A better understanding of cold-induced flowering will be helpful in crop breeding strategies to modify the vernalization requirement of economically important temperate cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India
| | - Koen Geuten
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Balendu Shekhar Giri
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Ajit Varma
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India
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37
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Nishio H, Iwayama K, Kudoh H. Duration of cold exposure defines the rate of reactivation of a perennial FLC orthologue via H3K27me3 accumulation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16056. [PMID: 32994432 PMCID: PMC7525499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vernalisation is the process in which long-term cold exposure makes plants competent to flower. In vernalisation of Arabidopsis thaliana, a floral repressor, AtFLC, undergoes epigenetic silencing. Although the silencing of AtFLC is maintained under warm conditions after a sufficient duration of cold, FLC orthologues are reactivated under the same conditions in perennial plants, such as A. halleri. In contrast to the abundant knowledge on cold requirements in AtFLC silencing, it has remained unknown how cold duration affects the reactivation of perennial FLC. Here, we analysed the dynamics of A. halleri FLC (AhgFLC) mRNA, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3 over 8 weeks and 14 weeks cold followed by warm conditions. We showed that the minimum levels of AhgFLC mRNA and H3K4me3 were similar between 8 and 14 weeks vernalisation; however, the maximum level of H3K27me3 was higher after 14 weeks than after 8 weeks vernalisation. Combined with mathematical modelling, we showed that H3K27me3 prevents a rapid increase in AhgFLC expression in response to warm temperatures after vernalisation, which controls AhgFT expression and the initiation of flowering. Thus, the duration of cold defines the rate of AhgFLC reactivation via the buffering function of H3K27me3 against temperature increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishio
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 2-509-3 Hirano, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.
| | - Koji Iwayama
- Faculty of Data Science, Shiga University, 1-1-1 Bamba, Hikone, Shiga, 522-8522, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kudoh
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 2-509-3 Hirano, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.
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38
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Zhao L, Richards S, Turck F, Kollmann M. Information integration and decision making in flowering time control. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239417. [PMID: 32966329 PMCID: PMC7511014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to successfully reproduce, plants must sense changes in their environment and flower at the correct time. Many plants utilize day length and vernalization, a mechanism for verifying that winter has occurred, to determine when to flower. Our study used available temperature and day length data from different climates to provide a general understanding how this information processing of environmental signals could have evolved in plants. For climates where temperature fluctuation correlations decayed exponentially, a simple stochastic model characterizing vernalization was able to reconstruct the switch-like behavior of the core flowering regulatory genes. For these and other climates, artificial neural networks were used to predict flowering gene expression patterns. For temperate plants, long-term cold temperature and short-term day length measurements were sufficient to produce robust flowering time decisions from the neural networks. Additionally, evolutionary simulations on neural networks confirmed that the combined signal of temperature and day length achieved the highest fitness relative to neural networks with access to only one of those inputs. We suggest that winter temperature memory is a well-adapted strategy for plants’ detection of seasonal changes, and absolute day length is useful for the subsequent triggering of flowering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhao
- Institute of Mathematical Modeling for Biological Systems, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail: (MK); (LZ)
| | - Sarah Richards
- Institute of Population Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Franziska Turck
- Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Kollmann
- Institute of Mathematical Modeling for Biological Systems, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail: (MK); (LZ)
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39
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Hepworth J, Antoniou-Kourounioti RL, Berggren K, Selga C, Tudor EH, Yates B, Cox D, Collier Harris BR, Irwin JA, Howard M, Säll T, Holm S, Dean C. Natural variation in autumn expression is the major adaptive determinant distinguishing Arabidopsis FLC haplotypes. eLife 2020; 9:57671. [PMID: 32902380 PMCID: PMC7518893 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In Arabidopsis thaliana, winter is registered during vernalization through the temperature-dependent repression and epigenetic silencing of floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Natural Arabidopsis accessions show considerable variation in vernalization. However, which aspect of the FLC repression mechanism is most important for adaptation to different environments is unclear. By analysing FLC dynamics in natural variants and mutants throughout winter in three field sites, we find that autumnal FLC expression, rather than epigenetic silencing, is the major variable conferred by the distinct Arabidopsis FLChaplotypes. This variation influences flowering responses of Arabidopsis accessions resulting in an interplay between promotion and delay of flowering in different climates to balance survival and, through a post-vernalization effect, reproductive output. These data reveal how expression variation through non-coding cis variation at FLC has enabled Arabidopsis accessions to adapt to different climatic conditions and year-on-year fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Hepworth
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kristina Berggren
- Department of Natural Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Catja Selga
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eleri H Tudor
- Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Bryony Yates
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Cox
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Judith A Irwin
- Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Howard
- Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Torbjörn Säll
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Svante Holm
- Department of Natural Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Caroline Dean
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
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40
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Dhami N, Cazzonelli CI. Prolonged cold exposure to Arabidopsis juvenile seedlings extends vegetative growth and increases the number of shoot branches. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1789320. [PMID: 32631114 PMCID: PMC8550187 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1789320] [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: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors such as photoperiod, temperature, phytohormones, sugars, and soil nutrients can affect the development of axillary meristems and emergence of shoot branches in plants. We investigated how an extended period of cold exposure to Arabidopsis plants before and after inflorescence meristem differentiation would affect plant growth and shoot branching. The number of rosette leaves and shoot branches increased when wild type (WT) juvenile seedlings, but not adult plants, were subjected to a prolonged cold exposure (10/7°C day/night cycle). As the duration of cold exposure to WT juvenile seedlings increased, so too did the rosette area, number of leaves, and rosette branches revealing an extended period of vegetative growth. The prolonged cold treatment also increased the primary inflorescence stem height and number of cauline branches in WT plants revealing a delay in reproductive development that could be altered by early (set domain group 8; sdg8) and late (methyltransferase 1; met1) flowering mutants. The axillary buds/leaf and rosette branches/leaf ratios declined significantly in WT, yet were enhanced in the loss-of-function of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 7 (ccd7) and teosinte branched 1 (brc1) hyper-branched mutants. This indicated that axillary meristem differentiation continued during the cold exposure, which did not directly impact axillary bud formation or shoot branching. We conclude that a prolonged cold exposure to juvenile seedlings prior to inflorescence meristem development extended vegetative growth and delayed the reproductive phase to allow additional leaf primordia and axillary meristems to differentiate that enhanced the number of shoot branches in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namraj Dhami
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
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41
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Bäurle I, Trindade I. Chromatin regulation of somatic abiotic stress memory. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5269-5279. [PMID: 32076719 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In nature, plants are often subjected to periods of recurrent environmental stress that can strongly affect their development and productivity. To cope with these conditions, plants can remember a previous stress, which allows them to respond more efficiently to a subsequent stress, a phenomenon known as priming. This ability can be maintained at the somatic level for a few days or weeks after the stress is perceived, suggesting that plants can store information of a past stress during this recovery phase. While the immediate responses to a single stress event have been extensively studied, knowledge on priming effects and how stress memory is stored is still scarce. At the molecular level, memory of a past condition often involves changes in chromatin structure and organization, which may be maintained independently from transcription. In this review, we will summarize the most recent developments in the field and discuss how different levels of chromatin regulation contribute to priming and plant abiotic stress memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Bäurle
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Inês Trindade
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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42
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Perrella G, Vellutini E, Zioutopoulou A, Patitaki E, Headland LR, Kaiserli E. Let it bloom: cross-talk between light and flowering signaling in Arabidopsis. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2020; 169:301-311. [PMID: 32053223 PMCID: PMC7383826 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The terrestrial environment is complex, with many parameters fluctuating on daily and seasonal basis. Plants, in particular, have developed complex sensory and signaling networks to extract and integrate information about their surroundings in order to maximize their fitness and mitigate some of the detrimental effects of their sessile lifestyles. Light and temperature each provide crucial insights on the surrounding environment and, in combination, allow plants to appropriately develop, grow and adapt. Cross-talk between light and temperature signaling cascades allows plants to time key developmental decisions to ensure they are 'in sync' with their environment. In this review, we discuss the major players that regulate light and temperature signaling, and the cross-talk between them, in reference to a crucial developmental decision faced by plants: to bloom or not to bloom?
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Perrella
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
- ENEA – Trisaia Research Centre 75026MateraItaly
| | - Elisa Vellutini
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
| | - Anna Zioutopoulou
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
| | - Eirini Patitaki
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
| | - Lauren R. Headland
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
| | - Eirini Kaiserli
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
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43
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Zhao Y, Antoniou-Kourounioti RL, Calder G, Dean C, Howard M. Temperature-dependent growth contributes to long-term cold sensing. Nature 2020; 583:825-829. [PMID: 32669706 PMCID: PMC7116785 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2485-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is a key factor in the growth and development of all organisms1,2. Plants have to interpret temperature fluctuations, over hourly to monthly timescales, to align their growth and development with the seasons. Much is known about how plants respond to acute thermal stresses3,4, but the mechanisms that integrate long-term temperature exposure remain unknown. The slow, winter-long upregulation of VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3)5-7, a PHD protein that functions with Polycomb repressive complex 2 to epigenetically silence FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) during vernalization, is central to plants interpreting winter progression5,6,8-11. Here, by a forward genetic screen, we identify two dominant mutations of the transcription factor NTL8 that constitutively activate VIN3 expression and alter the slow VIN3 cold induction profile. In the wild type, the NTL8 protein accumulates slowly in the cold, and directly upregulates VIN3 transcription. Through combining computational simulation and experimental validation, we show that a major contributor to this slow accumulation is reduced NTL8 dilution due to slow growth at low temperatures. Temperature-dependent growth is thus exploited through protein dilution to provide the long-term thermosensory information for VIN3 upregulation. Indirect mechanisms involving temperature-dependent growth, in addition to direct thermosensing, may be widely relevant in long-term biological sensing of naturally fluctuating temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Zhao
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Grant Calder
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
| | - Martin Howard
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
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44
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Jarad M, Antoniou-Kourounioti R, Hepworth J, Qüesta JI. Unique and contrasting effects of light and temperature cues on plant transcriptional programs. Transcription 2020; 11:134-159. [PMID: 33016207 PMCID: PMC7714439 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2020.1820299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants have adapted to tolerate and survive constantly changing environmental conditions by reprogramming gene expression in response to stress or to drive developmental transitions. Among the many signals that plants perceive, light and temperature are of particular interest due to their intensely fluctuating nature which is combined with a long-term seasonal trend. Whereas specific receptors are key in the light-sensing mechanism, the identity of plant thermosensors for high and low temperatures remains far from fully addressed. This review aims at discussing common as well as divergent characteristics of gene expression regulation in plants, controlled by light and temperature. Light and temperature signaling control the abundance of specific transcription factors, as well as the dynamics of co-transcriptional processes such as RNA polymerase elongation rate and alternative splicing patterns. Additionally, sensing both types of cues modulates gene expression by altering the chromatin landscape and through the induction of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, while light sensing is channeled through dedicated receptors, temperature can broadly affect chemical reactions inside plant cells. Thus, direct thermal modifications of the transcriptional machinery add another level of complexity to plant transcriptional regulation. Besides the rapid transcriptome changes that follow perception of environmental signals, plant developmental transitions and acquisition of stress tolerance depend on long-term maintenance of transcriptional states (active or silenced genes). Thus, the rapid transcriptional response to the signal (Phase I) can be distinguished from the long-term memory of the acquired transcriptional state (Phase II - remembering the signal). In this review we discuss recent advances in light and temperature signal perception, integration and memory in Arabidopsis thaliana, focusing on transcriptional regulation and highlighting the contrasting and unique features of each type of cue in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Jarad
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jo Hepworth
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Julia I. Qüesta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
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45
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Nishio H, Buzas DM, Nagano AJ, Iwayama K, Ushio M, Kudoh H. Repressive chromatin modification underpins the long-term expression trend of a perennial flowering gene in nature. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2065. [PMID: 32358518 PMCID: PMC7195410 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural environments require organisms to possess robust mechanisms allowing responses to seasonal trends. In Arabidopsis halleri, the flowering regulator AhgFLC shows upregulation and downregulation phases along with long-term past temperature, but the underlying machinery remains elusive. Here, we investigate the seasonal dynamics of histone modifications, H3K27me3 and H3K4me3, at AhgFLC in a natural population. Our advanced modelling and transplant experiments reveal that H3K27me3-mediated chromatin regulation at AhgFLC provides two essential properties. One is the ability to respond to the long-term temperature trends via bidirectional interactions between H3K27me3 and H3K4me3; the other is the ratchet-like character of the AhgFLC system, i.e. reversible in the entire perennial life cycle but irreversible during the upregulation phase. Furthermore, we show that the long-term temperature trends are locally indexed at AhgFLC in the form of histone modifications. Our study provides a more comprehensive understanding of H3K27me3 function at AhgFLC in a complex natural environment. The flowering regulator FLC shows upregulation and downregulation phases along with long-term past temperature in Arabidopsishalleri. Here, the authors reveal that H3K27me3-mediated chromatin regulation at AhgFLC provides the ability to respond to both the seasonal temperature trends and the perennial life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishio
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.
| | - Diana M Buzas
- Tsukuba-Plant Innovation Research Center and Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Atsushi J Nagano
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.,Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University, Seta Oe-cho, Otsu, 520-2194, Japan
| | - Koji Iwayama
- Faculty of Data Science, Shiga University, Hikone, 522-8522, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ushio
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Japan.,Hakubi Center, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kudoh
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan.
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46
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Qüesta JI, Antoniou-Kourounioti RL, Rosa S, Li P, Duncan S, Whittaker C, Howard M, Dean C. Noncoding SNPs influence a distinct phase of Polycomb silencing to destabilize long-term epigenetic memory at Arabidopsis FLC. Genes Dev 2020; 34:446-461. [PMID: 32001513 PMCID: PMC7050481 DOI: 10.1101/gad.333245.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In Arabidopsis thaliana, the cold-induced epigenetic regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) involves distinct phases of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) silencing. During cold, a PHD-PRC2 complex metastably and digitally nucleates H3K27me3 within FLC On return to warm, PHD-PRC2 spreads across the locus delivering H3K27me3 to maintain long-term silencing. Here, we studied natural variation in this process in Arabidopsis accessions, exploring Lov-1, which shows FLC reactivation on return to warm, a feature characteristic of FLC in perennial Brassicaceae This analysis identifies an additional phase in this Polycomb silencing mechanism downstream from H3K27me3 spreading. In this long-term silencing (perpetuated) phase, the PHD proteins are lost from the nucleation region and silencing is likely maintained by the read-write feedbacks associated with H3K27me3. A combination of noncoding SNPs in the nucleation region mediates instability in this long-term silencing phase with the result that Lov-1 FLC frequently digitally reactivates in individual cells, with a probability that diminishes with increasing cold duration. We propose that this decrease in reactivation probability is due to reduced DNA replication after flowering. Overall, this work defines an additional phase in the Polycomb mechanism instrumental in natural variation of silencing, and provides avenues to dissect broader evolutionary changes at FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia I Qüesta
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stefanie Rosa
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Peijin Li
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Duncan
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Whittaker
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Howard
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
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47
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O'Neill CM, Lu X, Calderwood A, Tudor EH, Robinson P, Wells R, Morris R, Penfield S. Vernalization and Floral Transition in Autumn Drive Winter Annual Life History in Oilseed Rape. Curr Biol 2019; 29:4300-4306.e2. [PMID: 31813609 PMCID: PMC6926474 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Plants with winter annual life history germinate in summer or autumn and require a period of prolonged winter cold to initiate flowering, known as vernalization. In the Brassicaceae, the requirement for vernalization is conferred by high expression of orthologs of the FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) gene, the expression of which is known to be silenced by prolonged exposure to winter-like temperatures [1]. Based on a wealth of vernalization experiments, typically carried out in the range of 5°C-10°C, we would expect field environments during winter to induce flowering in crops with winter annual life history. Here, we show that, in the case of winter oilseed rape, expression of multiple FLC orthologs declines not during winter but predominantly during October when the average air temperature is 10°C-15°C. We further demonstrate that plants proceed through the floral transition in early November and overwinter as inflorescence meristems, which complete floral development in spring. To validate the importance of pre-winter temperatures in flowering time control, we artificially simulated climate warming in field trial plots in October. We found that increasing the temperature by 5°C in October results in raised FLC expression and delays the floral transition by 3 weeks but only has a mild effect on flowering date the following spring. Our work shows that winter annuals overwinter as a floral bud in a manner that resembles perennials and highlights the importance of studying signaling events in the field for understanding how plants transition to flowering under real environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel M O'Neill
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Xiang Lu
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Alexander Calderwood
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Eleri H Tudor
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Philip Robinson
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Rachel Wells
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Richard Morris
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Steven Penfield
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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48
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Panter PE, Muranaka T, Cuitun-Coronado D, Graham CA, Yochikawa A, Kudoh H, Dodd AN. Circadian Regulation of the Plant Transcriptome Under Natural Conditions. Front Genet 2019; 10:1239. [PMID: 31850080 PMCID: PMC6895068 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms produce a biological measure of the time of day. In plants, circadian regulation forms an essential adaptation to the fluctuating environment. Most of our knowledge of the molecular aspects of circadian regulation in plants is derived from laboratory experiments that are performed under controlled conditions. However, it is emerging that the circadian clock has complex roles in the coordination of the transcriptome under natural conditions, in both naturally occurring populations of plants and in crop species. In this review, we consider recent insights into circadian regulation under natural conditions. We examine how circadian regulation is integrated with the acute responses of plants to the daily and seasonally fluctuating environment that also presents environmental stresses, in order to coordinate the transcriptome and dynamically adapt plants to their continuously changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E. Panter
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Cuitun-Coronado
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Calum A. Graham
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Aline Yochikawa
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Kudoh
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Japan
| | - Antony N. Dodd
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
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49
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Li Y, Wang X, Ban Q, Zhu X, Jiang C, Wei C, Bennetzen JL. Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals gene expression associated with cold adaptation in the tea plant Camellia sinensis. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:624. [PMID: 31366321 PMCID: PMC6670155 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low temperature restricts the planting range of all crops, but cold acclimation induces adaption to cold stress in many plants. Camellia sinensis, a perennial evergreen tree that is the source of tea, is mainly grown in warm areas. Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (CSS) has greater cold tolerance than Camellia sinensis var. assamica (CSA). To gain deep insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying cold adaptation, we investigated the physiological responses and transcriptome profiles by RNA-Seq in two tea varieties, cold resistant SCZ (classified as CSS) and cold susceptible YH9 (classified as CSA), during cold acclimation. Results Under freezing stress, lower relative electrical conductivity and higher chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) values were detected in SCZ than in YH9 when subjected to freezing acclimation. During cold treatment, 6072 and 7749 DEGs were observed for SCZ and YH9, respectively. A total of 978 DEGs were common for both SCZ and YH9 during the entire cold acclimation process. DEGs were enriched in pathways of photosynthesis, hormone signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation of plant-pathogen interactions. Further analyses indicated that decreased expression of Lhca2 and higher expression of SnRK2.8 are correlated with cold tolerance in SCZ. Conclusions Compared with CSA, CSS was significantly more resistant to freezing after cold acclimation, and this increased resistance was associated with an earlier expression of cold-induced genes. Because the greater transcriptional differentiation during cold acclimation in SCZ may contribute to its greater cold tolerance, our studies identify specific genes involved in photoinhibition, ABA signal conduction, and plant immunity that should be studied for understanding the processes involved in cold tolerance. Marker-assisted breeding focused on the allelic variation at these loci provides an avenue for the possible generation of CSA cultivars that have CSS-level cold tolerance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5988-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Qiuyan Ban
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangxiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoling Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jeffrey L Bennetzen
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects, Anhui Agricultural University, West 130 Changjiang Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Duran-Nebreda S, Bassel GW. Plant behaviour in response to the environment: information processing in the solid state. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180370. [PMID: 31006360 PMCID: PMC6553596 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Information processing and storage underpins many biological processes of vital importance to organism survival. Like animals, plants also acquire, store and process environmental information relevant to their fitness, and this is particularly evident in their decision-making. The control of plant organ growth and timing of their developmental transitions are carefully orchestrated by the collective action of many connected computing agents, the cells, in what could be addressed as distributed computation. Here, we discuss some examples of biological information processing in plants, with special interest in the connection to formal computational models drawn from theoretical frameworks. Research into biological processes with a computational perspective may yield new insights and provide a general framework for information processing across different substrates. This article is part of the theme issue 'Liquid brains, solid brains: How distributed cognitive architectures process information'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George W. Bassel
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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