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Cantrell AC, Besanson J, Williams Q, Hoang N, Edwards K, Bishop GR, Chen Y, Zeng H, Chen JX. Ferrostatin-1 specifically targets mitochondrial iron-sulfur clusters and aconitase to improve cardiac function in Sirtuin 3 cardiomyocyte knockout mice. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 192:36-47. [PMID: 38734062 PMCID: PMC11164624 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Ferroptosis is a form of iron-regulated cell death implicated in ischemic heart disease. Our previous study revealed that Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is associated with ferroptosis and cardiac fibrosis. In this study, we tested whether the knockout of SIRT3 in cardiomyocytes (SIRT3cKO) promotes mitochondrial ferroptosis and whether the blockade of ferroptosis would ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS Mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions were isolated from the ventricles of mice. Cytosolic and mitochondrial ferroptosis were analyzed by comparison to SIRT3loxp mice. An echocardiography study showed that SIRT3cKO mice developed heart failure as evidenced by a reduction of EF% and FS% compared to SIRT3loxp mice. Comparison of mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of SIRT3cKO and SIRT3loxp mice revealed that, upon loss of SIRT3, mitochondrial, but not cytosolic, total lysine acetylation was significantly increased. Similarly, acetylated p53 was significantly upregulated only in the mitochondria. These data demonstrate that SIRT3 is the primary mitochondrial deacetylase. Most importantly, loss of SIRT3 resulted in significant reductions of frataxin, aconitase, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the mitochondria. This was accompanied by a significant increase in levels of mitochondrial 4-hydroxynonenal. Treatment of SIRT3cKO mice with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) for 14 days significantly improved preexisting heart failure. Mechanistically, Fer-1 treatment significantly increased GPX4 and aconitase expression/activity, increased mitochondrial iron‑sulfur clusters, and improved mitochondrial membrane potential and Complex IV activity. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of ferroptosis ameliorated cardiac dysfunction by specifically targeting mitochondrial aconitase and iron‑sulfur clusters. Blockade of mitochondrial ferroptosis may be a novel therapeutic target for mitochondrial cardiomyopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey C Cantrell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Jessie Besanson
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Quinesha Williams
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Ngoc Hoang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Kristin Edwards
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - G Reid Bishop
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Yingjie Chen
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Heng Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
| | - Jian-Xiong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
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Yu H, Li W, Liu X, Song Q, Li J, Xu J. Physiological and molecular bases of the nickel toxicity responses in tomato. STRESS BIOLOGY 2024; 4:25. [PMID: 38722370 PMCID: PMC11082119 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-024-00162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Nickel (Ni), a component of urease, is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development, but excess Ni is toxic to plants. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the important vegetables worldwide. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides led to Ni contamination in agricultural soils, thus reducing yield and quality of tomatoes. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Ni toxicity responses in tomato plants have largely not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the Ni toxicity response in tomato plants by physio-biochemical, transcriptomic and molecular regulatory network analyses. Ni toxicity repressed photosynthesis, induced the formation of brush-like lateral roots and interfered with micronutrient accumulation in tomato seedlings. Ni toxicity also induced reactive oxygen species accumulation and oxidative stress responses in plants. Furthermore, Ni toxicity reduced the phytohormone concentrations, including auxin, cytokinin and gibberellic acid, thereby retarding plant growth. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Ni toxicity altered the expression of genes involved in carbon/nitrogen metabolism pathways. Taken together, these results provide a theoretical basis for identifying key genes that could reduce excess Ni accumulation in tomato plants and are helpful for ensuring food safety and sustainable agricultural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yu
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Weimin Li
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Liu
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Junjun Li
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Jin Xu
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Innovation and Utilization of Vegetable and Flower, Taiyuan, 030031, China.
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Khalil S, Strah R, Lodovici A, Vojta P, Berardinis FD, Ziegler J, Pompe Novak M, Zanin L, Tomasi N, Forneck A, Griesser M. The activation of iron deficiency responses of grapevine rootstocks is dependent to the availability of the nitrogen forms. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:218. [PMID: 38532351 PMCID: PMC10964708 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04906-y] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In viticulture, iron (Fe) chlorosis is a common abiotic stress that impairs plant development and leads to yield and quality losses. Under low availability of the metal, the applied N form (nitrate and ammonium) can play a role in promoting or mitigating Fe deficiency stresses. However, the processes involved are not clear in grapevine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the response of two grapevine rootstocks to the interaction between N forms and Fe uptake. This process was evaluated in a hydroponic experiment using two ungrafted grapevine rootstocks Fercal (Vitis berlandieri x V. vinifera) tolerant to deficiency induced Fe chlorosis and Couderc 3309 (V. riparia x V. rupestris) susceptible to deficiency induced Fe chlorosis. RESULTS The results could differentiate Fe deficiency effects, N-forms effects, and rootstock effects. Interveinal chlorosis of young leaves appeared earlier on 3309 C from the second week of treatment with NO3-/NH4+ (1:0)/-Fe, while Fercal leaves showed less severe symptoms after four weeks of treatment, corresponding to decreased chlorophyll concentrations lowered by 75% in 3309 C and 57% in Fercal. Ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity was by trend enhanced under Fe deficiency in Fercal with both N combinations, whereas 3309 C showed an increase in FCR activity under Fe deficiency only with NO3-/NH4+ (1:1) treatment. With the transcriptome analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) revealed multiple biological processes and molecular functions that were significantly regulated in grapevine rootstocks under Fe-deficient conditions, with more genes regulated in Fercal responses, especially when both forms of N were supplied. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in the auxin and abscisic acid metabolic pathways was markedly increased by the equal supply of both forms of N under Fe deficiency conditions. In addition, changes in the expression of genes related to Fe uptake, regulation, and transport reflected the different responses of the two grapevine rootstocks to different N forms. CONCLUSIONS Results show a clear contribution of N forms to the response of the two grapevine rootstocks under Fe deficiency, highlighting the importance of providing both N forms (nitrate and ammonium) in an appropriate ratio in order to ease the rootstock responses to Fe deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarhan Khalil
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Viticulture and Pomology, Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
| | - Rebeka Strah
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana,, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Arianna Lodovici
- University of Udine, Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental, and Animal Sciences, Udine, Italy
| | - Petr Vojta
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Computational Biology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Federica De Berardinis
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Viticulture and Pomology, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Jörg Ziegler
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department Molecular Signal Processing, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maruša Pompe Novak
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana,, Slovenia
- University of Nova Gorica, Faculty of Viticulture and Enology, Vipava, Slovenia
| | - Laura Zanin
- University of Udine, Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental, and Animal Sciences, Udine, Italy
| | - Nicola Tomasi
- University of Udine, Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental, and Animal Sciences, Udine, Italy
| | - Astrid Forneck
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Viticulture and Pomology, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Michaela Griesser
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Viticulture and Pomology, Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
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González DA, de la Torre VSG, Fernández RR, Barreau L, Merlot S. Divergent roles of IREG/Ferroportin transporters from the nickel hyperaccumulator Leucocroton havanensis. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14261. [PMID: 38527955 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
In response to our ever-increasing demand for metals, phytotechnologies are being developed to limit the environmental impact of conventional metal mining. However, the development of these technologies, which rely on plant species able to tolerate and accumulate metals, is partly limited by our lack of knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this work, we aimed to better understand the role of metal transporters of the IRON REGULATED 1/FERROPORTIN (IREG/FPN) family from the nickel hyperaccumulator Leucocroton havanensis from the Euphorbiaceae family. Using transcriptomic data, we identified two homologous genes, LhavIREG1 and LhavIREG2, encoding divalent metal transporters of the IREG/FPN family. Both genes are expressed at similar levels in shoots, but LhavIREG1 shows higher expression in roots. The heterologous expression of these transporters in A. thaliana revealed that LhavIREG1 is localized to the plasma membrane, whereas LhavIREG2 is located on the vacuole. In addition, the expression of each gene induced a significant increase in nickel tolerance. Taken together, our data suggest that LhavIREG2 is involved in nickel sequestration in vacuoles of leaf cells, whereas LhavIREG1 is mainly involved in nickel translocation from roots to shoots, but could also be involved in metal sequestration in cell walls. Our results suggest that paralogous IREG/FPN transporters may play complementary roles in nickel hyperaccumulation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubiel Alfonso González
- Jardín Botánico Nacional, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
- Universidad Agraria de La Habana, Facultad de Agronomía, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | | | - Rolando Reyes Fernández
- Universidad Agraria de La Habana, Facultad de Agronomía, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Louise Barreau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sylvain Merlot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales (LRSV), UMR5546 CNRS/UPS/INPT, France
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Müller B. Iron transport mechanisms and their evolution focusing on chloroplasts. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 288:154059. [PMID: 37586271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential element for photosynthetic organisms, required for several vital biological functions. Photosynthesis, which takes place in the chloroplasts of higher plants, is the major Fe consumer. Although the components of the root Fe uptake system in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants have been extensively studied, the Fe transport mechanisms of chloroplasts in these two groups of plants have received little attention. This review focuses on the comparative analysis of Fe transport processes in the evolutionary ancestors of chloroplasts (cyanobacteria) with the processes in embryophytes and green algae (Viridiplantae). The aim is to summarize how chloroplasts are integrated into cellular Fe homeostasis and how Fe transporters and Fe transport mechanisms have been modified by evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Müller
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary.
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Sági-Kazár M, Sárvári É, Cseh B, Illés L, May Z, Hegedűs C, Barócsi A, Lenk S, Solymosi K, Solti Á. Iron uptake of etioplasts is independent from photosynthesis but applies the reduction-based strategy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1227811. [PMID: 37636109 PMCID: PMC10457162 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1227811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Iron (Fe) is one of themost important cofactors in the photosynthetic apparatus, and its uptake by chloroplasts has also been associated with the operation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain during reduction-based plastidial Fe uptake. Therefore, plastidial Fe uptake was considered not to be operational in the absence of the photosynthetic activity. Nevertheless, Fe is also required for enzymatic functions unrelated to photosynthesis, highlighting the importance of Fe acquisition by non-photosynthetic plastids. Yet, it remains unclear how these plastids acquire Fe in the absence of photosynthetic function. Furthermore, plastids of etiolated tissues should already possess the ability to acquire Fe, since the biosynthesis of thylakoid membrane complexes requires a massive amount of readily available Fe. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether the reduction-based plastidial Fe uptake solely relies on the functioning photosynthetic apparatus. Methods In our combined structure, iron content and transcript amount analysis studies, we used Savoy cabbage plant as a model, which develops natural etiolation in the inner leaves of the heads due to the shading of the outer leaf layers. Results Foliar and plastidial Fe content of Savoy cabbage leaves decreased towards the inner leaf layers. The leaves of the innermost leaf layers proved to be etiolated, containing etioplasts that lacked the photosynthetic machinery and thus were photosynthetically inactive. However, we discovered that these etioplasts contained, and were able to take up, Fe. Although the relative transcript abundance of genes associated with plastidial Fe uptake and homeostasis decreased towards the inner leaf layers, both ferric chelate reductase FRO7 transcripts and activity were detected in the innermost leaf layer. Additionally, a significant NADP(H) pool and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activity was detected in the etioplasts of the innermost leaf layer, indicating the presence of the reducing capacity that likely supports the reduction-based Fe uptake of etioplasts. Discussion Based on these findings, the reduction-based plastidial Fe acquisition should not be considered exclusively dependent on the photosynthetic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Sági-Kazár
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Sárvári
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barnabás Cseh
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Levente Illés
- Department of Atomic Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán May
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Hegedűs
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Barócsi
- Department of Atomic Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Lenk
- Department of Atomic Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Solymosi
- Department of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Solti
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Mai HJ, Baby D, Bauer P. Black sheep, dark horses, and colorful dogs: a review on the current state of the Gene Ontology with respect to iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1204723. [PMID: 37554559 PMCID: PMC10406446 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1204723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Cellular homeostasis of the micronutrient iron is highly regulated in plants and responsive to nutrition, stress, and developmental signals. Genes for iron management encode metal and other transporters, enzymes synthesizing chelators and reducing substances, transcription factors, and several types of regulators. In transcriptome or proteome datasets, such iron homeostasis-related genes are frequently found to be differentially regulated. A common method to detect whether a specific cellular pathway is affected in the transcriptome data set is to perform Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Hence, the GO database is a widely used resource for annotating genes and identifying enriched biological pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, iron homeostasis-related GO terms do not consistently reflect gene associations and levels of evidence in iron homeostasis. Some genes in the existing iron homeostasis GO terms lack direct evidence of involvement in iron homeostasis. In other aspects, the existing GO terms for iron homeostasis are incomplete and do not reflect the known biological functions associated with iron homeostasis. This can lead to potential errors in the automatic annotation and interpretation of GO term enrichment analyses. We suggest that applicable evidence codes be used to add missing genes and their respective ortholog/paralog groups to make the iron homeostasis-related GO terms more complete and reliable. There is a high likelihood of finding new iron homeostasis-relevant members in gene groups and families like the ZIP, ZIF, ZIFL, MTP, OPT, MATE, ABCG, PDR, HMA, and HMP. Hence, we compiled comprehensive lists of genes involved in iron homeostasis that can be used for custom enrichment analysis in transcriptomic or proteomic studies, including genes with direct experimental evidence, those regulated by central transcription factors, and missing members of small gene families or ortholog/paralog groups. As we provide gene annotation and literature alongside, the gene lists can serve multiple computational approaches. In summary, these gene lists provide a valuable resource for researchers studying iron homeostasis in A. thaliana, while they also emphasize the importance of improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Gene Ontology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jörg Mai
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dibin Baby
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Petra Bauer
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Heinrich Heine University, Center of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Düsseldorf, Germany
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Vargas J, Gómez I, Vidal EA, Lee CP, Millar AH, Jordana X, Roschzttardtz H. Growth Developmental Defects of Mitochondrial Iron Transporter 1 and 2 Mutants in Arabidopsis in Iron Sufficient Conditions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1176. [PMID: 36904036 PMCID: PMC10007191 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Iron is the most abundant micronutrient in plant mitochondria, and it has a crucial role in biochemical reactions involving electron transfer. It has been described in Oryza sativa that Mitochondrial Iron Transporter (MIT) is an essential gene and that knockdown mutant rice plants have a decreased amount of iron in their mitochondria, strongly suggesting that OsMIT is involved in mitochondrial iron uptake. In Arabidopsis thaliana, two genes encode MIT homologues. In this study, we analyzed different AtMIT1 and AtMIT2 mutant alleles, and no phenotypic defects were observed in individual mutant plants grown in normal conditions, confirming that neither AtMIT1 nor AtMIT2 are individually essential. When we generated crosses between the Atmit1 and Atmit2 alleles, we were able to isolate homozygous double mutant plants. Interestingly, homozygous double mutant plants were obtained only when mutant alleles of Atmit2 with the T-DNA insertion in the intron region were used for crossings, and in these cases, a correctly spliced AtMIT2 mRNA was generated, although at a low level. Atmit1 Atmit2 double homozygous mutant plants, knockout for AtMIT1 and knockdown for AtMIT2, were grown and characterized in iron-sufficient conditions. Pleiotropic developmental defects were observed, including abnormal seeds, an increased number of cotyledons, a slow growth rate, pinoid stems, defects in flower structures, and reduced seed set. A RNA-Seq study was performed, and we could identify more than 760 genes differentially expressed in Atmit1 Atmit2. Our results show that Atmit1 Atmit2 double homozygous mutant plants misregulate genes involved in iron transport, coumarin metabolism, hormone metabolism, root development, and stress-related response. The phenotypes observed, such as pinoid stems and fused cotyledons, in Atmit1 Atmit2 double homozygous mutant plants may suggest defects in auxin homeostasis. Unexpectedly, we observed a possible phenomenon of T-DNA suppression in the next generation of Atmit1 Atmit2 double homozygous mutant plants, correlating with increased splicing of the AtMIT2 intron containing the T-DNA and the suppression of the phenotypes observed in the first generation of the double mutant plants. In these plants with a suppressed phenotype, no differences were observed in the oxygen consumption rate of isolated mitochondria; however, the molecular analysis of gene expression markers, AOX1a, UPOX, and MSM1, for mitochondrial and oxidative stress showed that these plants express a degree of mitochondrial perturbation. Finally, we could establish by a targeted proteomic analysis that a protein level of 30% of MIT2, in the absence of MIT1, is enough for normal plant growth under iron-sufficient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Vargas
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Isabel Gómez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Elena A. Vidal
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Chun Pong Lee
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Bayliss Building M316, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - A. Harvey Millar
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Bayliss Building M316, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Xavier Jordana
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Hannetz Roschzttardtz
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
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Huertas R, Karpinska B, Ngala S, Mkandawire B, Maling'a J, Wajenkeche E, Kimani PM, Boesch C, Stewart D, Hancock RD, Foyer CH. Biofortification of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with iron and zinc: Achievements and challenges. Food Energy Secur 2023; 12:e406. [PMID: 38440694 PMCID: PMC10909572 DOI: 10.1002/fes3.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger), particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), remain one of the most serious public health challenges, affecting more than three billion people globally. A number of strategies are used to ameliorate the problem of micronutrient deficiencies and to improve the nutritional profile of food products. These include (i) dietary diversification, (ii) industrial food fortification and supplements, (iii) agronomic approaches including soil mineral fertilisation, bioinoculants and crop rotations, and (iv) biofortification through the implementation of biotechnology including gene editing and plant breeding. These efforts must consider the dietary patterns and culinary preferences of the consumer and stakeholder acceptance of new biofortified varieties. Deficiencies in Zn and Fe are often linked to the poor nutritional status of agricultural soils, resulting in low amounts and/or poor availability of these nutrients in staple food crops such as common bean. This review describes the genes and processes associated with Fe and Zn accumulation in common bean, a significant food source in Africa that plays an important role in nutritional security. We discuss the conventional plant breeding, transgenic and gene editing approaches that are being deployed to improve Fe and Zn accumulation in beans. We also consider the requirements of successful bean biofortification programmes, highlighting gaps in current knowledge, possible solutions and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Huertas
- Environmental and Biochemical SciencesThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
| | - Barbara Karpinska
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonUK
| | - Sophia Ngala
- Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, College of Agriculture and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of NairobiNairobiKenya
| | - Bertha Mkandawire
- The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)PretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Joyce Maling'a
- Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)Food Crops Research InstituteKitaleKenya
| | - Elizabeth Wajenkeche
- Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)Food Crops Research InstituteKitaleKenya
| | - Paul M. Kimani
- Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, College of Agriculture and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of NairobiNairobiKenya
| | | | - Derek Stewart
- Environmental and Biochemical SciencesThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
- School of Engineering and Physical SciencesHeriot‐Watt UniversityEdinburghUK
| | | | - Christine H. Foyer
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonUK
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Wu X, Wang T, Song H, Jia Y, Ma Q, Tao M, Zhu X, Cao S. The transcription factor WRKY12 negatively regulates iron entry into seeds in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:415-426. [PMID: 36223275 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Yellow Stripe 1-Like 1 (YSL1) and Yellow Stripe 1-Like 3 (YSL3) transport metal-nicotianamine (NA) complexes to leaves, pollen, and developing seeds and play an important role in regulating iron (Fe) accumulation during the seed development and maturation stages; however, how their gene transcript levels are regulated remains unknown. In this study, we used yeast one-hybrid screening to identify a transcription factor, WRKY12, in Arabidopsis that directly regulates the transcription levels of YSL1 and YSL3 genes. WRKY12 has opposite expression patterns to YSL1 and YSL3. wrky12 mutants are tolerant to Fe deficiency, whereas WRKY12 overexpression lines are sensitive to Fe deficiency. During the development and maturation of seeds, WRKY12 can directly bind to the promoters of YSL1 and YSL3 and inhibit their expression. Genetic analysis showed that WRKY12 functions upstream of YSL1 and YSL3 in Fe intake during the seed development and maturation stages. Together, our results suggest that WRKY12 negatively regulates the iron intake in plant seeds by inhibiting the expression of YSL1 and YSL3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Hui Song
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Yafeng Jia
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Qian Ma
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Manzhi Tao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Shuqing Cao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
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11
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Kan M, Fujiwara T, Kamiya T. Golgi-Localized OsFPN1 is Involved in Co and Ni Transport and Their Detoxification in Rice. RICE (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 15:36. [PMID: 35817888 PMCID: PMC9273799 DOI: 10.1186/s12284-022-00583-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) are beneficial and essential elements for plants, respectively, with the latter required for urease activity, which hydrolyzes urea into ammonium in plants. However, excess Co and Ni are toxic to plants and their transport mechanisms in rice are unclear. Here, we analyzed an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized rice mutant, 1187_n, with increased Co and Ni contents in its brown rice and shoots. 1187_n has a mutation in OsFPN1, which was correlated with a high Co and Ni phenotype in F2 crosses between the parental line and mutant. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9 mutants exhibited a phenotype similar to that of 1187_n, demonstrating that OsFPN1 is the causal gene of the mutant. In addition to the high Co and Ni in brown rice and shoots, the mutant also exhibited high Co and Ni concentrations in the xylem sap, but low concentrations in the roots, suggesting that OsFPN1 is involved in the root-to-shoot translocation of Co and Ni. The growth of 1187_n and CRISPR/Cas9 lines were suppressed under high Co and Ni condition, indicating OsFPN1 is required for the normal growth under high Co and Ni. An OsFPN1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was localized to the Golgi apparatus. Yeast carrying GFP-OsFPN1 increased sensitivity to high Co contents and decreased Co and Ni accumulation. These results suggest that OsFPN1 can transport Co and Ni and is vital detoxification in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Kan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Toru Fujiwara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takehiro Kamiya
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
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12
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Yao Z, Hao W, Wang Y, Chen Z, Cao S, Jiang L. Loss-of-function mutations in the ERF96 gene enhance iron-deficient tolerance in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 175:1-11. [PMID: 35158317 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development. Here we provide evidence for a role of ERF96 in iron-deficiency response in Arabidopsis thaliana. The ERF96-loss-of-function mutants were found to be more tolerant to iron-deficiency stress than wild type (WT) and to have higher iron and chlorophyll content. Further studies showed that the transcriptional levels of iron-uptake related genes IRT1, FRO2, AHA2, FIT and bHLH38 in mutants were significantly higher than in WT under iron deficiency. Comparative transcriptome analysis suggested that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ERF96-loss-of-function mutant and WT under iron deficiency were mainly enriched in iron uptake and chlorophyll degradation. According to the specific analysis of these two kinds of DEGs, the expression of iron uptake and transport related genes in ERF96-loss-of-function mutant was higher and the expression of chlorophyll degradation related genes was lower under iron deficiency. Furthermore, loss-of-function of ERF96 influenced the plant hormone, especially auxin and ethylene signal transduction. Altogether, our results demonstrate that loss-of-function of ERF96 increased Fe uptake and chlorophyll level through ethylene and auxin signal pathway in the regulation of iron-deficiency response in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Yao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Wanting Hao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Yijia Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Ziping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Shuqing Cao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Li Jiang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China.
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13
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Sági-Kazár M, Solymosi K, Solti Á. Iron in leaves: chemical forms, signalling, and in-cell distribution. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1717-1734. [PMID: 35104334 PMCID: PMC9486929 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential transition metal. Based on its redox-active nature under biological conditions, various Fe compounds serve as cofactors in redox enzymes. In plants, the photosynthetic machinery has the highest demand for Fe. In consequence, the delivery and incorporation of Fe into cofactors of the photosynthetic apparatus is the focus of Fe metabolism in leaves. Disturbance of foliar Fe homeostasis leads to impaired biosynthesis of chlorophylls and composition of the photosynthetic machinery. Nevertheless, mitochondrial function also has a significant demand for Fe. The proper incorporation of Fe into proteins and cofactors as well as a balanced intracellular Fe status in leaf cells require the ability to sense Fe, but may also rely on indirect signals that report on the physiological processes connected to Fe homeostasis. Although multiple pieces of information have been gained on Fe signalling in roots, the regulation of Fe status in leaves has not yet been clarified in detail. In this review, we give an overview on current knowledge of foliar Fe homeostasis, from the chemical forms to the allocation and sensing of Fe in leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Sági-Kazár
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin Solymosi
- Department of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Ádám Solti
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
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14
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Rahman H, Fukushima C, Kaya H, Yaeno T, Kobayashi K. Knockout of Tobacco Homologs of Arabidopsis Multi-Antibiotic Resistance 1 Gene Confers a Limited Resistance to Aminoglycoside Antibiotics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2006. [PMID: 35216118 PMCID: PMC8878083 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore a possible recessive selective marker for future DNA-free genome editing by direct delivery of a CRISPR/Cas9-single guide RNA (sgRNA) ribonucleoprotein complex, we knocked out homologs of the Arabidopsis Multi-Antibiotic Resistance 1 (MAR1)/RTS3 gene, mutations of which confer aminoglycoside resistance, in tobacco plants by an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. A Cas9 gene was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana sylvestris together with an sgRNA gene for one of three different target sequences designed to perfectly match sequences in both S- and T-genome copies of N. tabacum MAR1 homologs (NtMAR1hs). All three sgRNAs directed the introduction of InDels into NtMAR1hs, as demonstrated by CAPS and amplicon sequencing analyses, albeit with varying efficiency. Leaves of regenerated transformant shoots were evaluated for aminoglycoside resistance on shoot-induction media containing different aminoglycoside antibiotics. All transformants tested were as sensitive to those antibiotics as non-transformed control plants, regardless of the mutation rates in NtMAR1hs. The NtMAR1hs-knockout seedlings of the T1 generation showed limited aminoglycoside resistance but failed to form shoots when cultured on shoot-induction media containing kanamycin. The results suggest that, like Arabidopsis MAR1, NtMAR1hs have a role in plants' sensitivity to aminoglycoside antibiotics, and that tobacco has some additional functional homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafizur Rahman
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; (H.R.); (H.K.); (T.Y.)
| | - Chika Fukushima
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan;
| | - Hidetaka Kaya
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; (H.R.); (H.K.); (T.Y.)
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan;
- Research Unit for Citromics, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan
| | - Takashi Yaeno
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; (H.R.); (H.K.); (T.Y.)
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan;
- Research Unit for Citromics, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan
| | - Kappei Kobayashi
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; (H.R.); (H.K.); (T.Y.)
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan;
- Research Unit for Citromics, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan
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15
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Rinne J, Witte CP, Herde M. Loss of MAR1 Function is a Marker for Co-Selection of CRISPR-Induced Mutations in Plants. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:723384. [PMID: 34713265 PMCID: PMC8525433 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.723384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we describe the establishment of the knockout marker gene MAR1 for selection of CRISPR/Cas9-edited Arabidopsis seedlings and tomato explants in tissue culture. MAR1 encodes a transporter that is located in mitochondria and chloroplasts and is involved in iron homeostasis. It also opportunistically transports aminoglycoside antibiotics into these organelles and defects of the gene render plants insensitive to those compounds. Here, we show that mutations of MAR1 induced by the CRISPR system confer kanamycin-resistance to Arabidopsis plants and tomato tissues. MAR1 is single-copy in a variety of plant species and the corresponding proteins form a distinct phylogenetic clade allowing easy identification of MAR1 orthologs in different plants. We demonstrate that in multiplexing approaches, where Arabidopsis seedlings were selected via a CRISPR/Cas9-induced kanamycin resistance mediated by MAR1 mutation, a mutation in a second target gene was observed with higher frequency than in a control population only selected for the presence of the transgene. This so called co-selection has not been shown before to occur in plants. The technique can be employed to select for edited plants, which might be particularly useful if editing events are rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannis Rinne
- Department of Molecular Nutrition and Biochemistry of Plants, Leibniz University Hanover, Hanover, Germany
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16
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Bernal M, Krämer U. Involvement of Arabidopsis Multi-Copper Oxidase-Encoding LACCASE12 in Root-to-Shoot Iron Partitioning: A Novel Example of Copper-Iron Crosstalk. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:688318. [PMID: 34707625 PMCID: PMC8544784 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.688318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Numerous central biological processes depend on the participation of the essential elements iron (Fe) or copper (Cu), including photosynthesis, respiration, cell wall remodeling and oxidative stress protection. Yet, both Fe and Cu metal cations can become toxic when accumulated in excess. Because of the potent ligand-binding and redox chemistries of these metals, there is a need for the tight and combined homeostatic control of their uptake and distribution. Several known examples pinpoint an inter-dependence of Fe and Cu homeostasis in eukaryotes, mostly in green algae, yeast and mammals, but this is less well understood in multicellular plants to date. In Arabidopsis, Cu deficiency causes secondary Fe deficiency, and this is associated with reduced in vitro ferroxidase activity and decreased root-to-shoot Fe translocation. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the cross-talk between Cu and Fe homeostasis and present a partial characterization of LACCASE12 (LAC12) that encodes a member of the multicopper oxidase (MCO) protein family in Arabidopsis. LAC12 transcript levels increase under Fe deficiency. The phenotypic characterization of two mutants carrying T-DNA insertions suggests a role of LAC12 in root-to-shoot Fe partitioning and in maintaining growth on Fe-deficient substrates. A molecular understanding of the complex interactions between Fe and Cu will be important for combating Fe deficiency in crops and for advancing biofortification approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Bernal
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Physiology of Plants, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Plant Nutrition, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
- *Correspondence: María Bernal,
| | - Ute Krämer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Physiology of Plants, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Ute Krämer,
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