1
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Miao Y, You H, Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao J, Li Y, Shen Y, Tang D, Liu B, Zhang K, Cheng Z. RETINOBLASTOMA RELATED 1 switches mitosis to meiosis in rice. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100857. [PMID: 38433446 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The transition from mitosis to meiosis is a critical event in the reproductive development of all sexually reproducing species. However, the mechanisms that regulate this process in plants remain largely unknown. Here, we find that the rice (Oryza sativa L.) protein RETINOBLASTOMA RELATED 1 (RBR1) is essential to the transition from mitosis to meiosis. Loss of RBR1 function results in hyper-proliferative sporogenous-cell-like cells (SCLs) in the anther locules during early stages of reproductive development. These hyper-proliferative SCLs are unable to initiate meiosis, eventually stagnating and degrading at late developmental stages to form pollen-free anthers. These results suggest that RBR1 acts as a gatekeeper of entry into meiosis. Furthermore, cytokinin content is significantly increased in rbr1 mutants, whereas the expression of type-B response factors, particularly LEPTO1, is significantly reduced. Given the known close association of cytokinins with cell proliferation, these findings imply that hyper-proliferative germ cells in the anther locules may be attributed to elevated cytokinin concentrations and disruptions in the cytokinin pathway. Using a genetic strategy, the association between germ cell hyper-proliferation and disturbed cytokinin signaling in rbr1 has been confirmed. In summary, we reveal a unique role of RBR1 in the initiation of meiosis; our results clearly demonstrate that the RBR1 regulatory module is connected to the cytokinin signaling pathway and switches mitosis to meiosis in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Miao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hanli You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Huixin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yangzi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jiangzhe Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Specialty Economic Plants, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yafei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yi Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ding Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Baohui Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Adaptation and Molecular Design, Innovative Center of Molecular Genetics and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Kewei Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Specialty Economic Plants, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
| | - Zhukuan Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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2
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Huang Y, Liu L, Chai M, Su H, Ma S, Liu K, Tian Y, Cao Z, Xi X, Zhu W, Qi J, Palanivelu R, Qin Y, Cai H. Epigenetic regulation of female germline development through ERECTA signaling pathway. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:1015-1033. [PMID: 37606225 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19217] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Germline development is a key step in sexual reproduction. Sexual plant reproduction begins with the formation of haploid spores by meiosis of megaspore mother cells (MMCs). Although many evidences, directly or indirectly, show that epigenetics plays an important role in MMC specification, how it controls the commitment of the MMC to downstream stages of germline development is still unclear. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), western blot, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR analyses were performed. Genetic interactions between BZR1 transcription factor family and the SWR1-SDG2-ER pathway in the control of female germline development were further studied. The present findings showed in Arabidopsis that two epigenetic factors, the chromatin remodeling complex SWI2/SNF2-RELATED 1 (SWR1) and a writer for H3K4me3 histone modification SET DOMAIN GROUP 2 (SDG2), genetically interact with the ERECTA (ER) receptor kinase signaling pathway and regulate female germline development by restricting the MMC cell fate to a single cell in the ovule primordium and ensure that only that single cell undergoes meiosis and subsequent megaspore degeneration. We also showed that SWR1-SDG2-ER signaling module regulates female germline development by promoting the protein accumulation of BZR1 transcription factor family on the promoters of primary miRNA processing factors, HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1 (HYL1), DICER-LIKE 1 (DCL1), and SERRATE (SE) to activate their expression. Our study elucidated a Gene Regulation Network that provides new insights for understanding how epigenetic factors and receptor kinase signaling pathways function in concert to control female germline development in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmei Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Mengnan Chai
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Han Su
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Suzhuo Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Kaichuang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yaru Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhuangyuan Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xinpeng Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Jingang Qi
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | | | - Yuan Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hanyang Cai
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
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3
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Zhang Z, Sun W, Wen L, Liu Y, Guo X, Liu Y, Yao C, Xue Q, Sun Z, Wang Z, Zhang Y. Dynamic gene regulatory networks improving spike fertility through regulation of floret primordia fate in wheat. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3628-3643. [PMID: 37485926 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The developmental process of spike is critical for spike fertility through affecting floret primordia fate in wheat; however, the genetic regulation of this dynamic and complex developmental process remains unclear. Here, we conducted a high temporal-resolution analysis of spike transcriptomes and monitored the number and morphology of floret primordia within spike. The development of all floret primordia in a spike was clearly separated into three distinct phases: differentiation, pre-dimorphism and dimorphism. Notably, we identified that floret primordia with meiosis ability at the pre-dimorphism phase usually develop into fertile floret primordia in the next dimorphism phase. Compared to control, increasing plant space treatment achieved the maximum increasement range (i.e., 50%) in number of fertile florets by accelerating spike development. The process of spike fertility improvement was directed by a continuous and dynamic regulatory network involved in transcription factor and genes interaction. This was based on the coordination of genes related to heat shock protein and jasmonic acid biosynthesis during differentiation phase, and genes related to lignin, anthocyanin and chlorophyll biosynthesis during dimorphism phase. The multi-dimensional association with high temporal-resolution approach reported here allows rapid identification of genetic resource for future breeding studies to realise the maximum spike fertility potential in more cereal crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wan Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyun Wen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqun Liu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolei Guo
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunsheng Yao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingwu Xue
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo, Amarillo, Texas, USA
| | - Zhencai Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Agriculture in Low Plain Areas, Hebei Province, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Agriculture in Low Plain Areas, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Agriculture in Low Plain Areas, Hebei Province, China
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4
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Siena LA, Michaud C, Selles B, Vega JM, Pessino SC, Ingouff M, Ortiz JPA, Leblanc O. TRIMETHYLGUANOSINE SYNTHASE1 mutations decanalize female germline development in Arabidopsis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:597-612. [PMID: 37548040 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report the characterization of a plant RNA methyltransferase, orthologous to yeast trimethylguanosine synthase1 (Tgs1p) and whose downregulation was associated with apomixis in Paspalum grasses. Using phylogenetic analyses and yeast complementation, we determined that land plant genomes all encode a conserved, specific TGS1 protein. Next, we studied the role of TGS1 in female reproduction using reporter lines and loss-of-function mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana. pAtTGS1:AtTGS1 reporters showed a dynamic expression pattern. They were highly active in the placenta and ovule primordia at emergence but, subsequently, showed weak signals in the nucellus. Although expressed throughout gametophyte development, activity became restricted to the female gamete and was also detected after fertilization during embryogenesis. TGS1 depletion altered the specification of the precursor cells that give rise to the female gametophytic generation and to the sporophyte, resulting in the formation of a functional aposporous-like lineage. Our results indicate that TGS1 participates in the mechanisms restricting cell fate acquisition to a single cell at critical transitions throughout the female reproductive lineage and, thus, expand our current knowledge of the mechanisms governing female reproductive fate in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena A Siena
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina
| | | | - Benjamin Selles
- DIADE, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Manuel Vega
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina
| | - Silvina C Pessino
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina
| | - Mathieu Ingouff
- DIADE, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Pablo A Ortiz
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina
| | - Olivier Leblanc
- DIADE, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, 34394, Montpellier, France
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5
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Finseth F. Female meiotic drive in plants: mechanisms and dynamics. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102101. [PMID: 37633231 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Female meiosis is fundamentally asymmetric, creating an arena for genetic elements to compete for inclusion in the egg to maximize their transmission. Centromeres, as mediators of chromosomal segregation, are prime candidates to evolve via 'female meiotic drive'. According to the centromere-drive model, the asymmetry of female meiosis ignites a coevolutionary arms race between selfish centromeres and kinetochore proteins, the by-product of which is accelerated sequence divergence. Here, I describe and compare plant models that have been instrumental in uncovering the mechanistic basis of female meiotic drive (maize) and the dynamics of active selfish centromeres in nature (monkeyflowers). Then, I speculate on the mechanistic basis of drive in monkeyflowers, discuss how centromere strength influences chromosomal segregation in plants, and describe new insights into the evolution of plant centromeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Findley Finseth
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, and Pitzer Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
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6
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Yang Q, Wang J, Zhang S, Zhan Y, Shen J, Chang F. ARF3-Mediated Regulation of SPL in Early Anther Morphogenesis: Maintaining Precise Spatial Distribution and Expression Level. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11740. [PMID: 37511499 PMCID: PMC10380544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Early anther morphogenesis is a crucial process for male fertility in plants, governed by the transcription factor SPL. While the involvement of AGAMOUS (AG) in SPL activation and microsporogenesis initiation is well established, our understanding of the mechanisms governing the spatial distribution and precise expression of SPL during anther cell fate determination remains limited. Here, we present novel findings on the abnormal phenotypes of two previously unreported SPL mutants, spl-4 and spl-5, during anther morphogenesis. Through comprehensive analysis, we identified ARF3 as a key upstream regulator of SPL. Our cytological experiments demonstrated that ARF3 plays a critical role in restricting SPL expression specifically in microsporocytes. Moreover, we revealed that ARF3 directly binds to two specific auxin response elements on the SPL promoter, effectively suppressing AG-mediated activation of SPL. Notably, the arf3 loss-of-function mutant exhibits phenotypic similarities to the SPL overexpression mutant (spl-5), characterized by defective adaxial anther lobes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of the genes involved in the morphogenesis pathway in both arf3 and spl mutants, with ARF3 and SPL exhibited opposing regulatory effects on this pathway. Taken together, our study unveils the precise role of ARF3 in restricting the spatial expression and preventing aberrant SPL levels during early anther morphogenesis, thereby ensuring the fidelity of the critical developmental process in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jianzheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shiting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yuyuan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingting Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Fang Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering and Institute of Biodiversity Sciences, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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7
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Panda K, Mohanasundaram B, Gutierrez J, McLain L, Castillo SE, Sheng H, Casto A, Gratacós G, Chakrabarti A, Fahlgren N, Pandey S, Gehan MA, Slotkin RK. The plant response to high CO 2 levels is heritable and orchestrated by DNA methylation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:2427-2439. [PMID: 36918471 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant responses to abiotic environmental challenges are known to have lasting effects on the plant beyond the initial stress exposure. Some of these lasting effects are transgenerational, affecting the next generation. The plant response to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2 ) levels has been well studied. However, these investigations are typically limited to plants grown for a single generation in a high CO2 environment while transgenerational studies are rare. We aimed to determine transgenerational growth responses in plants after exposure to high CO2 by investigating the direct progeny when returned to baseline CO2 levels. We found that both the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana and seedless nonvascular plant Physcomitrium patens continue to display accelerated growth rates in the progeny of plants exposed to high CO2 . We used the model species Arabidopsis to dissect the molecular mechanism and found that DNA methylation pathways are necessary for heritability of this growth response. More specifically, the pathway of RNA-directed DNA methylation is required to initiate methylation and the proteins CMT2 and CMT3 are needed for the transgenerational propagation of this DNA methylation to the progeny plants. Together, these two DNA methylation pathways establish and then maintain a cellular memory to high CO2 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Panda
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | | | - Jorge Gutierrez
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Lauren McLain
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | | | - Hudanyun Sheng
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Anna Casto
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Gustavo Gratacós
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Ayan Chakrabarti
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Noah Fahlgren
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Sona Pandey
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Malia A Gehan
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - R Keith Slotkin
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO, 63132, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, MO, 65211, Columbia, USA
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8
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Ouedraogo I, Lartaud M, Baroux C, Mosca G, Delgado L, Leblanc O, Verdeil JL, Conéjéro G, Autran D. 3D cellular morphometrics of ovule primordium development in Zea mays reveal differential division and growth dynamics specifying megaspore mother cell singleness. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1174171. [PMID: 37251753 PMCID: PMC10213557 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1174171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Differentiation of spore mother cells marks the somatic-to-reproductive transition in higher plants. Spore mother cells are critical for fitness because they differentiate into gametes, leading to fertilization and seed formation. The female spore mother cell is called the megaspore mother cell (MMC) and is specified in the ovule primordium. The number of MMCs varies by species and genetic background, but in most cases, only a single mature MMC enters meiosis to form the embryo sac. Multiple candidate MMC precursor cells have been identified in both rice and Arabidopsis, so variability in MMC number is likely due to conserved early morphogenetic events. In Arabidopsis, the restriction of a single MMC per ovule, or MMC singleness, is determined by ovule geometry. To look for potential conservation of MMC ontogeny and specification mechanisms, we undertook a morphogenetic description of ovule primordium growth at cellular resolution in the model crop maize. Methods We generated a collection of 48 three-dimensional (3D) ovule primordium images for five developmental stages, annotated for 11 cell types. Quantitative analysis of ovule and cell morphological descriptors allowed the reconstruction of a plausible developmental trajectory of the MMC and its neighbors. Results The MMC is specified within a niche of enlarged, homogenous L2 cells, forming a pool of candidate archesporial (MMC progenitor) cells. A prevalent periclinal division of the uppermost central archesporial cell formed the apical MMC and the underlying cell, a presumptive stack cell. The MMC stopped dividing and expanded, acquiring an anisotropic, trapezoidal shape. By contrast, periclinal divisions continued in L2 neighbor cells, resulting in a single central MMC. Discussion We propose a model where anisotropic ovule growth in maize drives L2 divisions and MMC elongation, coupling ovule geometry with MMC fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Ouedraogo
- DIADE, University of Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Marc Lartaud
- AGAP, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Célia Baroux
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Mosca
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Oliver Leblanc
- DIADE, University of Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Verdeil
- AGAP, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Geneviève Conéjéro
- IPSIM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Daphné Autran
- DIADE, University of Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
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9
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Cai H, Huang Y, Liu L, Zhang M, Chai M, Xi X, Aslam M, Wang L, Ma S, Su H, Liu K, Tian Y, Zhu W, Qi J, Dresselhaus T, Qin Y. Signaling by the EPFL-ERECTA family coordinates female germline specification through the BZR1 family in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1455-1473. [PMID: 36748257 PMCID: PMC10118260 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In most flowering plants, the female germline is initiated in the subepidermal L2 layer of ovule primordia forming a single megaspore mother cell (MMC). How signaling from the L1 (epidermal) layer could contribute to the gene regulatory network (GRN) restricting MMC formation to a single cell is unclear. We show that EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-like (EPFL) peptide ligands are expressed in the L1 layer, together with their ERECTA family (ERf) receptor kinases, to control female germline specification in Arabidopsis thaliana. EPFL-ERf dependent signaling restricts multiple subepidermal cells from acquiring MMC-like cell identity by activating the expression of the major brassinosteroid (BR) receptor kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 and the BR-responsive transcription factor BRASSINOZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1). Additionally, BZR1 coordinates female germline specification by directly activating the expression of a nucleolar GTP-binding protein, NUCLEOSTEMIN-LIKE 1 (NSN1), which is expressed in early-stage ovules excluding the MMC. Mutants defective in this GRN form multiple MMCs resulting in a strong reduction of seed set. In conclusion, we uncovered a ligand/receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling pathway acting upstream and coordinating BR signaling via NSN1 to restrict MMC differentiation to a single subepidermal cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyang Cai
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Youmei Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Man Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Tea Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Resources Innovation and Utilization, Dafeng Road 6, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Mengnan Chai
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xinpeng Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mohammad Aslam
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Suzhuo Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Han Su
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kaichuang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yaru Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jingang Qi
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Thomas Dresselhaus
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Yuan Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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Marchant DB, Walbot V. Anther development-The long road to making pollen. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:4677-4695. [PMID: 36135809 PMCID: PMC9709990 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Anthers express the most genes of any plant organ, and their development involves sequential redifferentiation of many cell types to perform distinctive roles from inception through pollen dispersal. Agricultural yield and plant breeding depend on understanding and consequently manipulating anthers, a compelling motivation for basic plant biology research to contribute. After stamen initiation, two theca form at the tip, and each forms an adaxial and abaxial lobe composed of pluripotent Layer 1-derived and Layer 2-derived cells. After signal perception or self-organization, germinal cells are specified from Layer 2-derived cells, and these secrete a protein ligand that triggers somatic differentiation of their neighbors. Historically, recovery of male-sterile mutants has been the starting point for studying anther biology. Many genes and some genetic pathways have well-defined functions in orchestrating subsequent cell fate and differentiation events. Today, new tools are providing more detailed information; for example, the developmental trajectory of germinal cells illustrates the power of single cell RNA-seq to dissect the complex journey of one cell type. We highlight ambiguities and gaps in available data to encourage attention on important unresolved issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Blaine Marchant
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94505, USA
| | - Virginia Walbot
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94505, USA
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Aslam M, Fakher B, Qin Y. Big Role of Small RNAs in Female Gametophyte Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041979. [PMID: 35216096 PMCID: PMC8878111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In living organisms, sexual reproduction relies on the successful development of the gametes. Flowering plants produce gametes in the specialized organs of the flower, the gametophytes. The female gametophyte (FG), a multicellular structure containing female gametes (egg cell and central cell), is often referred to as an embryo sac. Intriguingly, several protein complexes, molecular and genetic mechanisms participate and tightly regulate the female gametophyte development. Recent evidence indicates that small RNA (sRNA) mediated pathways play vital roles in female gametophyte development and specification. Here, we present an insight into our understanding and the recent updates on the molecular mechanism of different players of small RNA-directed regulatory pathways during ovule formation and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aslam
- Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China;
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
| | - Beenish Fakher
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
| | - Yuan Qin
- Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China;
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
- Correspondence:
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