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Jin L, Zhang G, Yang G, Dong J. Identification of the Karyopherin Superfamily in Maize and Its Functional Cues in Plant Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214103. [PMID: 36430578 PMCID: PMC9699179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning of proteins is a vital regulatory mechanism in phytohormone signaling and plant development. However, how this is achieved remains incompletely understood. The Karyopherin (KAP) superfamily is critical for separating the biological processes in the nucleus from those in the cytoplasm. The KAP superfamily is divided into Importin α (IMPα) and Importin β (IMPβ) families and includes the core components in mediating nucleocytoplasmic transport. Recent reports suggest the KAPs play crucial regulatory roles in Arabidopsis development and stress response by regulating the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of members in hormone signaling. However, the KAP members and their associated molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood in maize. Therefore, we first identified seven IMPα and twenty-seven IMPβ genes in the maize genome and described their evolution traits and the recognition rules for substrates with nuclear localization signals (NLSs) or nuclear export signals (NESs) in plants. Next, we searched for the protein interaction partners of the ZmKAPs and selected the ones with Arabidopsis orthologs functioning in auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling to predict their potential function. Finally, we found that several ZmKAPs share similar expression patterns with their interacting proteins, implying their function in root development. Overall, this article focuses on the Karyopherin superfamily in maize and starts with this entry point by systematically comprehending the KAP-mediated nucleo-cytoplasmic transport process in plants, and then predicts the function of the ZmKAPs during maize development, with a perspective on a closely associated regulatory mechanism between the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and the phytohormone network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Guobin Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Guixiao Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jiaqiang Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Correspondence:
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Bhadmus OA, Badu-Apraku B, Adeyemo OA, Agre PA, Queen ON, Ogunkanmi AL. Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals Genetic Architecture and Candidate Genes Associated with Grain Yield and Other Traits under Low Soil Nitrogen in Early-Maturing White Quality Protein Maize Inbred Lines. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050826. [PMID: 35627211 PMCID: PMC9141126 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maize production in the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is constrained by the low nitrogen in the soils. The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring tolerance to low soil nitrogen (low-N) is crucial for the successful breeding of high-yielding QPM maize genotypes under low-N conditions. The objective of this study was to identify QTLs significantly associated with grain yield and other low-N tolerance-related traits under low-N. The phenotypic data of 140 early-maturing white quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were evaluated under low-N. The inbred lines were genotyped using 49,185 DArTseq markers, from which 7599 markers were filtered for population structure analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS). The inbred lines were grouped into two major clusters based on the population structure analysis. The GWAS identified 24, 3, 10, and 3 significant SNPs respectively associated with grain yield, stay-green characteristic, and plant and ear aspects, under low-N. Sixteen SNP markers were physically located in proximity to 32 putative genes associated with grain yield, stay-green characteristic, and plant and ear aspects. The putative genes GRMZM2G127139, GRMZM5G848945, GRMZM2G031331, GRMZM2G003493, GRMZM2G067964, GRMZM2G180254, on chromosomes 1, 2, 8, and 10 were involved in cellular nitrogen assimilation and biosynthesis, normal plant growth and development, nitrogen assimilation, and disease resistance. Following the validation of the markers, the putative candidate genes and SNPs could be used as genomic markers for marker-assisted selection, to facilitate genetic gains for low-N tolerance in maize production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunde A. Bhadmus
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria; (O.A.B.); (O.A.A.); (A.L.O.)
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, PMB 5320 Oyo Road, Ibadan 200285, Nigeria; (P.A.A.); (O.N.Q.)
| | - Baffour Badu-Apraku
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, PMB 5320 Oyo Road, Ibadan 200285, Nigeria; (P.A.A.); (O.N.Q.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Oyenike A. Adeyemo
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria; (O.A.B.); (O.A.A.); (A.L.O.)
| | - Paterne A. Agre
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, PMB 5320 Oyo Road, Ibadan 200285, Nigeria; (P.A.A.); (O.N.Q.)
| | - Offornedo N. Queen
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, PMB 5320 Oyo Road, Ibadan 200285, Nigeria; (P.A.A.); (O.N.Q.)
| | - Adebayo L. Ogunkanmi
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria; (O.A.B.); (O.A.A.); (A.L.O.)
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Yamoune A, Cuyacot AR, Zdarska M, Hejatko J. Hormonal orchestration of root apical meristem formation and maintenance in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:6768-6788. [PMID: 34343283 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant hormones are key regulators of a number of developmental and adaptive responses in plants, integrating the control of intrinsic developmental regulatory circuits with environmental inputs. Here we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying hormonal regulation of root development. We focus on key events during both embryonic and post-embryonic development, including specification of the hypophysis as a future organizer of the root apical meristem (RAM), hypophysis asymmetric division, specification of the quiescent centre (QC) and the stem cell niche (SCN), RAM maturation and maintenance of QC/SCN activity, and RAM size. We address both well-established and newly proposed concepts, highlight potential ambiguities in recent terminology and classification criteria of longitudinal root zonation, and point to contrasting results and alternative scenarios for recent models. In the concluding remarks, we summarize the common principles of hormonal control during root development and the mechanisms potentially explaining often antagonistic outputs of hormone action, and propose possible future research directions on hormones in the root.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Yamoune
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Plants, Central European Institute of Technology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Abigail Rubiato Cuyacot
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Plants, Central European Institute of Technology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Zdarska
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Plants, Central European Institute of Technology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hejatko
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Plants, Central European Institute of Technology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Post-Embryonic Lateral Organ Development and Adaxial-Abaxial Polarity Are Regulated by the Combined Effect of ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 1 and WUSCHEL in Arabidopsis Shoots. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910621. [PMID: 34638958 PMCID: PMC8508843 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of above-ground lateral organs is initiated at the peripheral zone of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). The coordination of cell fate determination and the maintenance of stem cells are achieved through a complex regulatory network comprised of transcription factors. Two AP2/ERF transcription factor family genes, ESR1/DRN and ESR2/DRNL/SOB/BOL, regulate cotyledon and flower formation and de novo organogenesis in tissue culture. However, their roles in post-embryonic lateral organ development remain elusive. In this study, we analyzed the genetic interactions among SAM-related genes, WUS and STM, two ESR genes, and one of the HD-ZIP III members, REV, whose protein product interacts with ESR1 in planta. We found that esr1 mutations substantially enhanced the wus and stm phenotypes, which bear a striking resemblance to those of the wus rev and stm rev double mutants, respectively. Aberrant adaxial–abaxial polarity is observed in wus esr1 at relatively low penetrance. On the contrary, the esr2 mutation partially suppressed stm phenotypes in the later vegetative phase. Such complex genetic interactions appear to be attributed to the distinct expression pattern of two ESR genes because the ESR1 promoter-driving ESR2 is capable of rescuing phenotypes caused by the esr1 mutation. Our results pose the unique genetic relevance of ESR1 and the SAM-related gene interactions in the development of rosette leaves.
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Control of vein-forming, striped gene expression by auxin signaling. BMC Biol 2021; 19:213. [PMID: 34556094 PMCID: PMC8461865 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activation of gene expression in striped domains is a key building block of biological patterning, from the recursive formation of veins in plant leaves to that of ribs and vertebrae in our bodies. In animals, gene expression is activated in striped domains by the differential affinity of broadly expressed transcription factors for their target genes and the combinatorial interaction between such target genes. In plants, how gene expression is activated in striped domains is instead unknown. We address this question for the broadly expressed MONOPTEROS (MP) transcription factor and its target gene ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX FACTOR8 (ATHB8). Results We find that ATHB8 promotes vein formation and that such vein-forming function depends on both levels of ATHB8 expression and width of ATHB8 expression domains. We further find that ATHB8 expression is activated in striped domains by a combination of (1) activation of ATHB8 expression through binding of peak levels of MP to a low-affinity MP-binding site in the ATHB8 promoter and (2) repression of ATHB8 expression by MP target genes of the AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC-ACID-INDUCIBLE family. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a common regulatory logic controls activation of gene expression in striped domains in both plants and animals despite the independent evolution of their multicellularity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01143-9.
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Hao Z, Zhang Z, Xiang D, Venglat P, Chen J, Gao P, Datla R, Weijers D. Conserved, divergent and heterochronic gene expression during Brachypodium and Arabidopsis embryo development. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2021; 34:207-224. [PMID: 33950292 PMCID: PMC8360882 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-021-00413-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Developmental and transcriptomic analysis of Brachypodium embryogenesis and comparison with Arabidopsis identifies conserved and divergent phases of embryogenesis and reveals widespread heterochrony of developmental gene expression. Embryogenesis, transforming the zygote into the mature embryo, represents a fundamental process for all flowering plants. Current knowledge of cell specification and differentiation during plant embryogenesis is largely based on studies of the dicot model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the major crops are monocots and the transcriptional programs associated with the differentiation processes during embryogenesis in this clade were largely unknown. Here, we combined analysis of cell division patterns with development of a temporal transcriptomic resource during embryogenesis of the monocot model plant Brachypodium distachyon. We found that early divisions of the Brachypodium embryo were highly regular, while later stages were marked by less stereotypic patterns. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between Brachypodium and Arabidopsis revealed that early and late embryogenesis shared a common transcriptional program, whereas mid-embryogenesis was divergent between species. Analysis of orthology groups revealed widespread heterochronic expression of potential developmental regulators between the species. Interestingly, Brachypodium genes tend to be expressed at earlier stages than Arabidopsis counterparts, which suggests that embryo patterning may occur early during Brachypodium embryogenesis. Detailed investigation of auxin-related genes shows that the capacity to synthesize, transport and respond to auxin is established early in the embryo. However, while early PIN1 polarity could be confirmed, it is unclear if an active response is mounted. This study presents a resource for studying Brachypodium and grass embryogenesis and shows that divergent angiosperms share a conserved genetic program that is marked by heterochronic gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaodong Hao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongjuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daoquan Xiang
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Prakash Venglat
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jinhui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Raju Datla
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Dolf Weijers
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Jiang YT, Tang RJ, Zhang YJ, Xue HW, Ferjani A, Luan S, Lin WH. Two tonoplast proton pumps function in Arabidopsis embryo development. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:1606-1617. [PMID: 31569267 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two types of tonoplast proton pumps, H+ -pyrophosphatase (V-PPase) and the H+ -ATPase (V-ATPase), establish the proton gradient that powers molecular traffic across the tonoplast thereby facilitating turgor regulation and nutrient homeostasis. However, how proton pumps regulate development remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of two types of proton pumps in Arabidopsis embryo development and pattern formation. While disruption of either V-PPase or V-ATPase had no obvious effect on plant embryo development, knocking out both resulted in severe defects in embryo pattern formation from the early stage. While the first division in wild-type zygote was asymmetrical, a nearly symmetrical division occurred in the mutant, followed by abnormal pattern formation at all stages of embryo development. The embryonic defects were accompanied by dramatic differences in vacuole morphology and distribution, as well as disturbed localisation of PIN1. The development of mutant cotyledons and root, and the auxin response of mutant seedlings supported the hypothesis that mutants lacking tonoplast proton pumps were defective in auxin transport and distribution. Taking together, we proposed that two tonoplast proton pumps are required for vacuole morphology and PIN1 localisation, thereby controlling vacuole and auxin-related developmental processes in Arabidopsis embryos and seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tong Jiang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Ren-Jie Tang
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yan-Jie Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Wei Xue
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Ali Ferjani
- Department of Biology, Tokyo Gakugei University, 184-8501, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Sheng Luan
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Wen-Hui Lin
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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8
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Xiang D, Quilichini TD, Liu Z, Gao P, Pan Y, Li Q, Nilsen KT, Venglat P, Esteban E, Pasha A, Wang Y, Wen R, Zhang Z, Hao Z, Wang E, Wei Y, Cuthbert R, Kochian LV, Sharpe A, Provart N, Weijers D, Gillmor CS, Pozniak C, Datla R. The Transcriptional Landscape of Polyploid Wheats and Their Diploid Ancestors during Embryogenesis and Grain Development. THE PLANT CELL 2019; 31:2888-2911. [PMID: 31628162 PMCID: PMC6925018 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.19.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Modern wheat production comes from two polyploid species, Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum (var durum), which putatively arose from diploid ancestors Triticum urartu, Aegilops speltoides, and Aegilops tauschii How gene expression during embryogenesis and grain development in wheats has been shaped by the differing contributions of diploid genomes through hybridization, polyploidization, and breeding selection is not well understood. This study describes the global landscape of gene activities during wheat embryogenesis and grain development. Using comprehensive transcriptomic analyses of two wheat cultivars and three diploid grasses, we investigated gene expression at seven stages of embryo development, two endosperm stages, and one pericarp stage. We identified transcriptional signatures and developmental similarities and differences among the five species, revealing the evolutionary divergence of gene expression programs and the contributions of A, B, and D subgenomes to grain development in polyploid wheats. The characterization of embryonic transcriptional programming in hexaploid wheat, tetraploid wheat, and diploid grass species provides insight into the landscape of gene expression in modern wheat and its ancestral species. This study presents a framework for understanding the evolution of domesticated wheat and the selective pressures placed on grain production, with important implications for future performance and yield improvements.plantcell;31/12/2888/FX1F1fx1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoquan Xiang
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Teagen D Quilichini
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Ziying Liu
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Peng Gao
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Youlian Pan
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Qiang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kirby T Nilsen
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Prakash Venglat
- Department of Plant Sciences and Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Eddi Esteban
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Asher Pasha
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Yejun Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Rui Wen
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Zhongjuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, 6703HA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Zhaodong Hao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, 6703HA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Wang
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yangdou Wei
- College of Art and Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A5, Canada
| | - Richard Cuthbert
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 3X2, Canada
| | - Leon V Kochian
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4J8, Canada
| | - Andrew Sharpe
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4J8, Canada
| | - Nicholas Provart
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Dolf Weijers
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, 6703HA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - C Stewart Gillmor
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, Guanajuato 36824, México
| | - Curtis Pozniak
- Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Raju Datla
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W9, Canada
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Xiong F, Ren JJ, Yu Q, Wang YY, Kong LJ, Otegui MS, Wang XL. AtBUD13 affects pre-mRNA splicing and is essential for embryo development in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 98:714-726. [PMID: 30720904 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is an important step for gene expression regulation. Yeast Bud13p (bud-site selection protein 13) regulates the budding pattern and pre-mRNA splicing in yeast cells; however, no Bud13p homologs have been identified in plants. Here, we isolated two mutants that carry T-DNA insertions at the At1g31870 locus and shows early embryo lethality and seed abortion. At1g31870 encodes an Arabidopsis homolog of yeast Bud13p, AtBUD13. Although AtBUD13 homologs are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms, phylogenetic analysis revealed that their protein domain organization is more complex in multicellular species. AtBUD13 is expressed throughout plant development including embryogenesis and AtBUD13 proteins is localized in the nucleus in Arabidopsis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that AtBUD13 mutation predominantly results in the intron retention, especially for shorter introns (≤100 bases). Within this group of genes, we identified 52 genes involved in embryogenesis, out of which 22 are involved in nucleic acid metabolism. Our results demonstrate that AtBUD13 plays critical roles in early embryo development by effecting pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Jing-Jing Ren
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Qin Yu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Yu-Yi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Lan-Jing Kong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Marisa S Otegui
- Departments of Botany and Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53706, USA
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53706, USA
| | - Xiu-Ling Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
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10
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Gao P, Xiang D, Quilichini TD, Venglat P, Pandey PK, Wang E, Gillmor CS, Datla R. Gene expression atlas of embryo development in Arabidopsis. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2019; 32:93-104. [PMID: 30762127 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-019-00364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis represents a critical phase in the life cycle of flowering plants. Here, we characterize transcriptome landscapes associated with key stages of embryogenesis by combining an optimized method for the isolation of developing Arabidopsis embryos with high-throughput RNA-seq. The resulting RNA-seq datasets identify distinct overlapping patterns of gene expression, as well as temporal shifts in gene activity across embryogenesis. Network analysis revealed stage-specific and multi-stage gene expression clusters and biological functions associated with key stages of embryo development. Methylation-related gene expression was associated with early- and middle-stage embryos, initiation of photosynthesis components with the late embryogenesis stage, and storage/energy-related protein activation with late and mature embryos. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of transcriptome programming in Arabidopsis embryogenesis and identify modules of gene expression corresponding to key stages of embryo development. This dataset and analysis are a unique resource to advance functional genetic analysis of embryo development in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4J8, Canada
| | - Daoquan Xiang
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Teagen D Quilichini
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Prakash Venglat
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada
- Department of Plant Sciences and Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Prashant K Pandey
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Edwin Wang
- Center for Health Genomics and Informatics, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - C Stewart Gillmor
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
| | - Raju Datla
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada.
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4J8, Canada.
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11
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Winnicki K, Polit JT, Żabka A, Maszewski J. Mitogen-activated protein kinases participate in determination of apical-basal symmetry in Pisum sativum. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2017; 256:186-195. [PMID: 28167032 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2017.01.002] [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: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are implicated in various processes in plants. Apart from response to biotic and abiotic stresses they are involved in regulation of embryo development. Although MAPKs were found to be indispensable during embryo development it has never been established at which stages of embryogenesis and in which regions of a plant embryo activated MAPKs can be observed. Here, we show that apical and basal regions display activation of the same types of MAPKs and the only difference concerns the level of their phosphorylation and cellular localization. Dually-phosphorylated MAPKs were found in nuclei of the apical region of an embryo both at the early and late cotyledonary stage while no immunofluorescence signals were detected in nuclei of the basal region. However, in this case phosphorylated MAPKs were immunodetected in cytoplasm in the apical domain of cortex cells, indicating their role in auxin transport from the basal to apical region of an embryo. Furthermore, obtained data indicate that nuclear localization of activated MAPKs may result from epigenetic modifications and polar auxin transport. The presented data and previous studies lead to the conclusion that activated MAPKs and their cellular localization define apical and basal regions during formation of an apical-basal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Winnicki
- Department of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143 9, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Justyna Teresa Polit
- Department of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143 9, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Aneta Żabka
- Department of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143 9, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Janusz Maszewski
- Department of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143 9, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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12
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Deng K, Yu L, Zheng X, Zhang K, Wang W, Dong P, Zhang J, Ren M. Target of Rapamycin Is a Key Player for Auxin Signaling Transduction in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:291. [PMID: 27014314 PMCID: PMC4786968 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Target of rapamycin (TOR), a master sensor for growth factors and nutrition availability in eukaryotic species, is a specific target protein of rapamycin. Rapamycin inhibits TOR kinase activity viaFK506 binding protein 12 kDa (FKBP12) in all examined heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms. In Arabidopsis, several independent studies have shown that AtFKBP12 is non-functional under aerobic condition, but one study suggests that AtFKBP12 is functional during anaerobic growth. However, the functions of AtFKBP12 have never been examined in parallel under aerobic and anaerobic growth conditions so far. To this end, we cloned the FKBP12 gene of humans, yeast, and Arabidopsis, respectively. Transgenic plants were generated, and pharmacological examinations were performed in parallel with Arabidopsis under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. ScFKBP12 conferred plants with the strongest sensitivity to rapamycin, followed by HsFKBP12, whereas AtFKBP12 failed to generate rapamycin sensitivity under aerobic condition. Upon submergence, yeast and human FKBP12 can significantly block cotyledon greening while Arabidopsis FKBP12 only retards plant growth in the presence of rapamycin, suggesting that hypoxia stress could partially restore the functions of AtFKBP12 to bridge the interaction between rapamycin and TOR. To further determine if communication between TOR and auxin signaling exists in plants, yeast FKBP12 was introduced into DR5::GUS homozygous plants. The transgenic plants DR5/BP12 were then treated with rapamycin or KU63794 (a new inhibitor of TOR). GUS staining showed that the auxin content of root tips decreased compared to the control. DR5/BP12 plants lost sensitivity to auxin after treatment with rapamycin. Auxin-defective phenotypes, including short primary roots, fewer lateral roots, and loss of gravitropism, occurred in DR5/BP12 plants when seedlings were treated with rapamycin+KU63794. This indicated that the combination of rapamycin and KU63794 can significantly inhibit TOR and auxin signaling in DR5/BP12 plants. These studies demonstrate that TOR is essential for auxin signaling transduction in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexuan Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Lihua Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Xianzhe Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Wanjing Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Pan Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Jiankui Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Maozhi Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing UniversityChongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Maozhi Ren
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13
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Chuang HW, Feng JH, Feng YL, Wei MJ. An Arabidopsis WDR protein coordinates cellular networks involved in light, stress response and hormone signals. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 241:23-31. [PMID: 26706055 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2015.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The WD-40 repeat (WDR) protein acts as a scaffold for protein interactions in various cellular events. An Arabidopsis WDR protein exhibited sequence similarity with human WDR26, a scaffolding protein implicated in H2O2-induced cell death in neural cells. The AtWDR26 transcript was induced by auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), osmostic stress and salinity. The expression of AtWDR26 was regulated by light, and seed germination of the AtWDR26 overexpression (OE) and seedling growth of the T-DNA knock-out (KO) exhibited altered sensitivity to light. Root growth of the OE seedlings increased tolerance to ZnSO4 and NaCl stresses and were hypersensitive to inhibition of osmotic stress. Seedlings of OE and KO altered sensitivities to multiple hormones. Transcriptome analysis of the transgenic plants overexpressing AtWDR26 showed that genes involved in the chloroplast-related metabolism constituted the largest group of the up-regulated genes. AtWDR26 overexpression up-regulated a large number of genes related to defense cellular events including biotic and abiotic stress response. Furthermore, several members of genes functioning in the regulation of Zn homeostasis, and hormone synthesis and perception of auxin and JA were strongly up-regulated in the transgenic plants. Our data provide physiological and transcriptional evidence for AtWDR26 role in hormone, light and abiotic stress cellular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huey-Wen Chuang
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan.
| | - Ji-Huan Feng
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Lin Feng
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Miam-Ju Wei
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
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14
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Chen H, Zou W, Zhao J. Ribonuclease J is required for chloroplast and embryo development in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2015; 66:2079-91. [PMID: 25871650 PMCID: PMC4378637 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Chloroplasts perform many essential metabolic functions and their proper development is critically important in embryogenesis. However, little is known about how chloroplasts function in embryogenesis and more relevant components need to be characterized. In this study, we show that Arabidopsis Ribonuclease J (RNase J) is required for chloroplast and embryo development. Mutation of AtRNJ led to albino ovules containing aborted embryos; the morphological development of rnj embryos was disturbed after the globular stage. Observation of ultrastructures indicated that these aborted embryos may result from impaired chloroplast development. Furthermore, by analyzing the molecular markers of cell fate decisions (STM, FIL, ML1, SCR, and WOX5) in rnj embryos, we found that this impairment of chloroplast development may lead to aberrant embryo patterning along the apical-basal axis, indicating that AtRNJ is important in initiating and maintaining the organization of shoot apical meristems (SAMs), cotyledons, and hypocotyls. Moreover, the transport and response of auxin in rnj embryos was found to be disrupted, suggesting that AtRNJ may be involved in auxin-mediated pathways during embryogenesis. Therefore, we speculate that RNJ plays a vital role in embryo morphogenesis and apical-basal pattern formation by regulating chloroplast development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenxuan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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15
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Risseeuw E, Venglat P, Xiang D, Komendant K, Daskalchuk T, Babic V, Crosby W, Datla R. An activated form of UFO alters leaf development and produces ectopic floral and inflorescence meristems. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83807. [PMID: 24376756 PMCID: PMC3871548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants are unique in their ability to continuously produce new meristems and organ primordia. In Arabidopsis, the transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) functions as a master regulator of a gene network that is important for floral meristem and organ specification. UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS (UFO) is a co-activator of LEAFY and is required for proper activation of APETALA3 in the floral meristem during the specification of stamens and petals. The ufo mutants display defects in other parts of the flower and the inflorescence, suggestive of additional roles. Here we show that the normal determinacy of the developing Arabidopsis leaves is affected by the expression of a gain-of-function UFO fusion protein with the VP16 transcriptional activator domain. In these lines, the rosette and cauline leaf primordia exhibit reiterated serration, and upon flowering produce ectopic meristems that develop into flowers, bract leaves and inflorescences. These striking phenotypes reveal that developing leaves maintain the competency to initiate flower and inflorescence programs. Furthermore, the gain-of-function phenotypes are dependent on LFY and the SEPALLATA (SEP) MADS-box transcription factors, indicative of their functional interactions with UFO. The findings of this study also suggest that UFO promotes the establishment of the lateral meristems and primordia in the peripheral zone of the apical and floral meristems by enhancing the activity of LFY. These novel phenotypes along with the mutant phenotypes of UFO orthologs in other plant species suggest a broader function for UFO in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddy Risseeuw
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
- * E-mail: (ER); (RD)
| | - Prakash Venglat
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Daoquan Xiang
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Kristina Komendant
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Tim Daskalchuk
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Vivijan Babic
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - William Crosby
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - Raju Datla
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Saskatoon, Canada
- * E-mail: (ER); (RD)
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16
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Li Q, Zhao P, Li J, Zhang C, Wang L, Ren Z. Genome-wide analysis of the WD-repeat protein family in cucumber and Arabidopsis. Mol Genet Genomics 2013; 289:103-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-013-0789-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Fornari M, Calvenzani V, Masiero S, Tonelli C, Petroni K. The Arabidopsis NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 genes are functionally redundant and are required in early embryogenesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82043. [PMID: 24303077 PMCID: PMC3841131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a trimeric transcription factor composed of three distinct subunits called NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. In Arabidopsis thaliana, NF-Y subunits are known to play roles in many processes, such as gametogenesis, embryogenesis, seed development, drought resistance, ABA signaling, flowering time, primary root elongation, Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress response and blue light responses. Here, we report that the closely related NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 genes control early embryogenesis. Detailed GUS and in situ analyses showed that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues with the highest expression being during embryo development from the globular to the torpedo embryo stage. Plants from the nf-ya3 and nf-ya8 single mutants do not display any obvious phenotypic alteration, whereas nf-ya3 nf-ya8 double mutants are embryo lethal. Morphological analyses showed that the nf-ya3 nf-ya8 embryos fail to undergo to the heart stage and develop into abnormal globular embryos with both proembryo and suspensor characterized by a disordered cell cluster with an irregular shape, suggesting defects in embryo development. The suppression of both NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 gene expression by RNAi experiments resulted in defective embryos that phenocopied the nf-ya3 nf-ya8 double mutants, whereas complementation experiments partially rescued the abnormal globular nf-ya3 nf-ya8 embryos, confirming that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are required in early embryogenesis. Finally, the lack of GFP expression of the auxin responsive DR5rev::GFP marker line in double mutant embryos suggested that mutations in both NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 affect auxin response in early developing embryos. Our findings indicate that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are functionally redundant genes required in early embryogenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Fornari
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Simona Masiero
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Tonelli
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Katia Petroni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
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18
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Kumar S, Jordan MC, Datla R, Cloutier S. The LuWD40-1 gene encoding WD repeat protein regulates growth and pollen viability in flax (Linum Usitatissimum L.). PLoS One 2013; 8:e69124. [PMID: 23935935 PMCID: PMC3728291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
As a crop, flax holds significant commercial value for its omega-3 rich oilseeds and stem fibres. Canada is the largest producer of linseed but there exists scope for significant yield improvements. Implementation of mechanisms such as male sterility can permit the development of hybrids to assist in achieving this goal. Temperature sensitive male sterility has been reported in flax but the leakiness of this system in field conditions limits the production of quality hybrid seeds. Here, we characterized a 2,588 bp transcript differentially expressed in male sterile lines of flax. The twelve intron gene predicted to encode a 368 amino acid protein has five WD40 repeats which, in silico, form a propeller structure with putative nucleic acid and histone binding capabilities. The LuWD40-1 protein localized to the nucleus and its expression increased during the transition and continued through the vegetative stages (seed, etiolated seedling, stem) while the transcript levels declined during reproductive development (ovary, anthers) and embryonic morphogenesis of male fertile plants. Knockout lines for LuWD40-1 in flax failed to develop shoots while overexpression lines showed delayed growth phenotype and were male sterile. The non-viable flowers failed to open and the pollen grains from these flowers were empty. Three independent transgenic lines overexpressing the LuWD40-1 gene had ∼80% non-viable pollen, reduced branching, delayed flowering and maturity compared to male fertile genotypes. The present study provides new insights into a male sterility mechanism present in flax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mark C. Jordan
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Raju Datla
- National Research Council, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sylvie Cloutier
- Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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