1
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Moss BL. AuxSynBio: synthetic biology tools to understand and engineer auxin. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 90:103194. [PMID: 39255527 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The plant hormone auxin is a crucial coordinator of nearly all plant growth and development processes. Because of its centrality to plant physiology and the modular nature of the signaling pathway, auxin has played a critical role at the forefront of plant synthetic biology. This review will highlight how auxin is both a subject and an object of synthetic biology. Engineering biology approaches are deepening our understanding of how auxin pathways are wired and tuned, particularly through the creative use of signaling pathway recapitulation in yeast and engineered orthogonal auxin-receptor pairs. Auxin biology has also been mined for parts by synthetic biologists, with components being used for inducible protein degradation systems (auxin-inducible degron), auxin biosensors, synthetic cell-cell communication, and plant engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney L Moss
- Department of Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA.
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2
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Ferreira SS, Antunes MS. Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:674-687. [PMID: 38752334 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has the potential to revolutionize biotechnology, public health, and agriculture. Recent studies have shown the enormous potential of plants as chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, tools to precisely manipulate metabolic pathways for bioproduction in plants are still needed. We used bacterial allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) that control gene expression in a ligand-specific manner and tested their ability to repress semi-synthetic promoters in plants. We also tested the modulation of their repression activity in response to specific plant metabolites, especially phenylpropanoid-related molecules. Using these aTFs, we also designed synthetic genetic circuits capable of computing Boolean logic operations. Three aTFs, CouR, FapR, and TtgR, achieved c. 95% repression of their respective target promoters. For TtgR, a sixfold de-repression could be triggered by inducing its ligand accumulation, showing its use as biosensor. Moreover, we designed synthetic genetic circuits that use AND, NAND, IMPLY, and NIMPLY Boolean logic operations and integrate metabolite levels as input to the circuit. We showed that biosensors can be implemented in plants to detect phenylpropanoid-related metabolites and activate a genetic circuit that follows a predefined logic, demonstrating their potential as tools for exerting control over plant metabolic pathways and facilitating the bioproduction of natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savio S Ferreira
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | - Mauricio S Antunes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
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3
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Vollen K, Zhao C, Alonso JM, Stepanova AN. Sourcing DNA parts for synthetic biology applications in plants. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103140. [PMID: 38723389 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103140] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Transgenic approaches are now standard in plant biology research aiming to characterize gene function or improve crops. Recent advances in DNA synthesis and assembly make constructing transgenes a routine task. What remains nontrivial is the selection of the DNA parts and optimization of the transgene design. Early career researchers and seasoned molecular biologists alike often face difficult decisions on what promoter or terminator to use, what tag to include, and where to place it. This review aims to inform about the current approaches being employed to identify and characterize DNA parts with the desired functionalities and give general advice on basic construct design. Furthermore, we hope to share the excitement about new experimental and computational tools being developed in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Vollen
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Chengsong Zhao
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jose M Alonso
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Anna N Stepanova
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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4
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Akter S, Castaneda-Méndez O, Beltrán J. Synthetic reprogramming of plant developmental and biochemical pathways. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103139. [PMID: 38691988 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103139] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Plant synthetic biology (Plant SynBio) is an emerging field with the potential to enhance agriculture, human health, and sustainability. Integrating genetic tools and engineering principles, Plant SynBio aims to manipulate cellular functions and construct novel biochemical pathways to develop plants with new phenotypic traits, enhanced yield, and be able to produce natural products and pharmaceuticals. This review compiles research efforts in reprogramming plant developmental and biochemical pathways. We highlight studies leveraging new gene expression toolkits to alter plant architecture for improved performance in model and crop systems and to produce useful metabolites in plant tissues. Furthermore, we provide insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of Plant SynBio in addressing complex issues impacting agriculture and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shammi Akter
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, USA
| | - Oscar Castaneda-Méndez
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, USA
| | - Jesús Beltrán
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, USA.
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5
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Khan MA, Herring G, Zhu JY, Oliva M, Fourie E, Johnston B, Zhang Z, Potter J, Pineda L, Pflueger J, Swain T, Pflueger C, Lloyd JPB, Secco D, Small I, Kidd BN, Lister R. CRISPRi-based circuits to control gene expression in plants. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02236-w. [PMID: 38769424 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02236-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The construction of synthetic gene circuits in plants has been limited by a lack of orthogonal and modular parts. Here, we implement a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) interference (CRISPRi)-based reversible gene circuit platform in plants. We create a toolkit of engineered repressible promoters of different strengths and construct NOT and NOR gates in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. We determine the optimal processing system to express single guide RNAs from RNA Pol II promoters to introduce NOR gate programmability for interfacing with host regulatory sequences. The performance of a NOR gate in stably transformed Arabidopsis plants demonstrates the system's programmability and reversibility in a complex multicellular organism. Furthermore, cross-species activity of CRISPRi-based logic gates is shown in Physcomitrium patens, Triticum aestivum and Brassica napus protoplasts. Layering multiple NOR gates together creates OR, NIMPLY and AND logic functions, highlighting the modularity of our system. Our CRISPRi circuits are orthogonal, compact, reversible, programmable and modular and provide a platform for sophisticated spatiotemporal control of gene expression in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adil Khan
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Herring
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jia Yuan Zhu
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marina Oliva
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elliott Fourie
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Benjamin Johnston
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Zhining Zhang
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jarred Potter
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Luke Pineda
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jahnvi Pflueger
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tessa Swain
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christian Pflueger
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James P B Lloyd
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Secco
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian Small
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brendan N Kidd
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ryan Lister
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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6
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Balcerowicz M. Detecting the ebb and flow of a phytohormone: a ratiometric biosensor to analyse gibberellin dynamics. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:925-926. [PMID: 38743849 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
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7
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Andres J, Schmunk LJ, Grau-Enguix F, Braguy J, Samodelov SL, Blomeier T, Ochoa-Fernandez R, Weber W, Al-Babili S, Alabadí D, Blázquez MA, Zurbriggen MD. Ratiometric gibberellin biosensors for the analysis of signaling dynamics and metabolism in plant protoplasts. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:927-939. [PMID: 38525669 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16725] [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: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Gibberellins (GAs) are major regulators of developmental and growth processes in plants. Using the degradation-based signaling mechanism of GAs, we have built transcriptional regulator (DELLA)-based, genetically encoded ratiometric biosensors as proxies for hormone quantification at high temporal resolution and sensitivity that allow dynamic, rapid and simple analysis in a plant cell system, i.e. Arabidopsis protoplasts. These ratiometric biosensors incorporate a DELLA protein as a degradation target fused to a firefly luciferase connected via a 2A peptide to a renilla luciferase as a co-expressed normalization element. We have implemented these biosensors for all five Arabidopsis DELLA proteins, GA-INSENSITIVE, GAI; REPRESSOR-of-ga1-3, RGA; RGA-like1, RGL1; RGL2 and RGL3, by applying a modular design. The sensors are highly sensitive (in the low pm range), specific and dynamic. As a proof of concept, we have tested the applicability in three domains: the study of substrate specificity and activity of putative GA-oxidases, the characterization of GA transporters, and the use as a discrimination platform coupled to a GA agonists' chemical screening. This work demonstrates the development of a genetically encoded quantitative biosensor complementary to existing tools that allow the visualization of GA in planta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Andres
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa J Schmunk
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Federico Grau-Enguix
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
| | - Justine Braguy
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- The BioActives Lab, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sophia L Samodelov
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tim Blomeier
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rocio Ochoa-Fernandez
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS and Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- The BioActives Lab, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - David Alabadí
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel A Blázquez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- CEPLAS-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
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8
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Tansley C, Patron NJ, Guiziou S. Engineering Plant Cell Fates and Functions for Agriculture and Industry. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:998-1005. [PMID: 38573786 PMCID: PMC11036505 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Many plant species are grown to enable access to specific organs or tissues, such as seeds, fruits, or stems. In some cases, a value is associated with a molecule that accumulates in a single type of cell. Domestication and subsequent breeding have often increased the yields of these target products by increasing the size, number, and quality of harvested organs and tissues but also via changes to overall plant growth architecture to suit large-scale cultivation. Many of the mutations that underlie these changes have been identified in key regulators of cellular identity and function. As key determinants of yield, these regulators are key targets for synthetic biology approaches to engineer new forms and functions. However, our understanding of many plant developmental programs and cell-type specific functions is still incomplete. In this Perspective, we discuss how advances in cellular genomics together with synthetic biology tools such as biosensors and DNA-recording devices are advancing our understanding of cell-specific programs and cell fates. We then discuss advances and emerging opportunities for cell-type-specific engineering to optimize plant morphology, responses to the environment, and the production of valuable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Tansley
- Engineering
Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ United Kingdom
- Department
of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA United
Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Patron
- Engineering
Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ United Kingdom
- Department
of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA United
Kingdom
| | - Sarah Guiziou
- Engineering
Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ United Kingdom
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9
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Lin H, Jiang X, Qian C, Zhang Y, Meng X, Liu N, Li L, Wang J, Ju Y. Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of the HD-Zip Gene Family in Lagerstroemia for Regulating Plant Height. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:428. [PMID: 38674363 PMCID: PMC11049174 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family of transcription factors is crucial in helping plants adapt to environmental changes and promoting their growth and development. Despite research on the HD-Zip family in various plants, studies in Lagerstroemia (crape myrtle) have not been reported. This study aimed to address this gap by comprehensively analyzing the HD-Zip gene family in crape myrtle. This study identified 52 HD-Zip genes in the genome of Lagerstroemia indica, designated as LinHDZ1-LinHDZ52. These genes were distributed across 22 chromosomes and grouped into 4 clusters (HD-Zip I-IV) based on their phylogenetic relationships. Most gene structures and motifs within each cluster were conserved. Analysis of protein properties, gene structure, conserved motifs, and cis-acting regulatory elements revealed diverse roles of LinHDZs in various biological contexts. Examining the expression patterns of these 52 genes in 6 tissues (shoot apical meristem, tender shoot, and mature shoot) of non-dwarf and dwarf crape myrtles revealed that 2 LinHDZs (LinHDZ24 and LinHDZ14) and 2 LinHDZs (LinHDZ9 and LinHDZ35) were respectively upregulated in tender shoot of non-dwarf crape myrtles and tender and mature shoots of dwarf crape myrtles, which suggested the important roles of these genes in regulate the shoot development of Lagerstroemia. In addition, the expression levels of 2 LinHDZs (LinHDZ23 and LinHDZ34) were significantly upregulated in the shoot apical meristem of non-dwarf crape myrtle. These genes were identified as key candidates for regulating Lagerstroemia plant height. This study enhanced the understanding of the functions of HD-Zip family members in the growth and development processes of woody plants and provided a theoretical basis for further studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying Lagerstroemia plant height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Lin
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Xinqiang Jiang
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Cheng Qian
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Yue Zhang
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Xin Meng
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Nairui Liu
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Lulu Li
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Jingcai Wang
- East China Academy of Inventory and Planning of NFGA, Hangzhou 310019, China
| | - Yiqian Ju
- College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (H.L.); (X.J.); (C.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.M.); (N.L.); (L.L.)
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10
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Abdeeva IA, Panina YS, Maloshenok LG. Synthetic Biology Approaches to Posttranslational Regulation in Plants. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:S278-S289. [PMID: 38621756 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924140165] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
To date synthetic biology approaches involving creation of functional genetic modules are used in a wide range of organisms. In plants, such approaches are used both for research in the field of functional genomics and to increase the yield of agricultural crops. Of particular interest are methods that allow controlling genetic apparatus of the plants at post-translational level, which allow reducing non-targeted effects from interference with the plant genome. This review discusses recent advances in the plant synthetic biology for regulation of the plant metabolism at posttranslational level and highlights their future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna A Abdeeva
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Yulia S Panina
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Liliya G Maloshenok
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
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11
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Bull T, Khakhar A. Design principles for synthetic control systems to engineer plants. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:1875-1889. [PMID: 37789180 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03072-z] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Synthetic control systems have led to significant advancement in the study and engineering of unicellular organisms, but it has been challenging to apply these tools to multicellular organisms like plants. The ability to predictably engineer plants will enable the development of novel traits capable of alleviating global problems, such as climate change and food insecurity. Engineering predictable multicellular phenotypes will require the development of synthetic control systems that can precisely regulate how the information encoded in genomes is translated into phenotypes. Many efficient control systems have been developed for unicellular organisms. However, it remains challenging to use such tools to study or engineer multicellular organisms. Plants are a good chassis within which to develop strategies to overcome these challenges, thanks to their capacity to withstand large-scale reprogramming without lethality. Additionally, engineered plants have great potential for solving major societal problems. Here we briefly review the progress of control system development in unicellular organisms, and how that information can be leveraged to characterize control systems in plants. Further, we discuss strategies for developing control systems designed to regulate the expression of transgenes or endogenous loci and generate dosage-dependent or discrete traits. Finally, we discuss the utility that mathematical models of biological processes have for control system deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawni Bull
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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12
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Yang EJ, Nemhauser JL. Building a pipeline to identify and engineer constitutive and repressible promoters. QUANTITATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 4:e12. [PMID: 37901686 PMCID: PMC10600573 DOI: 10.1017/qpb.2023.10] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
To support the increasingly complex circuits needed for plant synthetic biology applications, additional constitutive promoters are essential. Reusing promoter parts can lead to difficulty in cloning, increased heterogeneity between transformants, transgene silencing and trait instability. We have developed a pipeline to identify genes that have stable expression across a wide range of Arabidopsis tissues at different developmental stages and have identified a number of promoters that are well expressed in both transient (Nicotiana benthamiana) and stable (Arabidopsis) transformation assays. We have also introduced two genome-orthogonal gRNA target sites in a subset of the screened promoters, converting them into NOR logic gates. The work here establishes a pipeline to screen for additional constitutive promoters and can form the basis of constructing more complex information processing circuits in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J.Y. Yang
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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13
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Wong C, Alabadí D, Blázquez MA. Spatial regulation of plant hormone action. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:6089-6103. [PMID: 37401809 PMCID: PMC10575700 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad244] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Although many plant cell types are capable of producing hormones, and plant hormones can in most cases act in the same cells in which they are produced, they also act as signaling molecules that coordinate physiological responses between different parts of the plant, indicating that their action is subject to spatial regulation. Numerous publications have reported that all levels of plant hormonal pathways, namely metabolism, transport, and perception/signal transduction, can help determine the spatial ranges of hormone action. For example, polar auxin transport or localized auxin biosynthesis contribute to creating a differential hormone accumulation across tissues that is instrumental for specific growth and developmental responses. On the other hand, tissue specificity of cytokinin actions has been proposed to be regulated by mechanisms operating at the signaling stages. Here, we review and discuss current knowledge about the contribution of the three levels mentioned above in providing spatial specificity to plant hormone action. We also explore how new technological developments, such as plant hormone sensors based on FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) or single-cell RNA-seq, can provide an unprecedented level of resolution in defining the spatial domains of plant hormone action and its dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Wong
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022-Valencia, Spain
| | - David Alabadí
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022-Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel A Blázquez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (CSIC-UPV), 46022-Valencia, Spain
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14
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Gomez MD, Cored I, Barro-Trastoy D, Sanchez-Matilla J, Tornero P, Perez-Amador MA. DELLA proteins positively regulate seed size in Arabidopsis. Development 2023; 150:dev201853. [PMID: 37435751 PMCID: PMC10445750 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Human and animal nutrition is mainly based on seeds. Seed size is a key factor affecting seed yield and has thus been one of the primary objectives of plant breeders since the domestication of crop plants. Seed size is coordinately regulated by signals of maternal and zygotic tissues that control the growth of the seed coat, endosperm and embryo. Here, we provide previously unreported evidence for the role of DELLA proteins, key repressors of gibberellin responses, in the maternal control of seed size. The gain-of-function della mutant gai-1 produces larger seeds as a result of an increase in the cell number in ovule integuments. This leads to an increase in ovule size and, in turn, to an increase in seed size. Moreover, DELLA activity promotes increased seed size by inducing the transcriptional activation of AINTEGUMENTA, a genetic factor that controls cell proliferation and organ growth, in the ovule integuments of gai-1. Overall, our results indicate that DELLA proteins are involved in the control of seed size and suggest that modulation of the DELLA-dependent pathway could be used to improve crop yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dolores Gomez
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Cored
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniela Barro-Trastoy
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Joaquin Sanchez-Matilla
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Tornero
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Perez-Amador
- Department of Development and Hormonal Action in Plants, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CPI 8E, Ingeniero Fausto Elio s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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15
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Yang JS, Reyna-Llorens I. Plant synthetic biology: exploring the frontiers of sustainable agriculture and fundamental plant biology. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:3787-3790. [PMID: 37462736 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Seong Yang
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivan Reyna-Llorens
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Kocaoglan EG, Radhakrishnan D, Nakayama N. Synthetic developmental biology: molecular tools to re-design plant shoots and roots. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:3864-3876. [PMID: 37155965 PMCID: PMC10826796 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad169] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plant morphology and anatomy strongly influence agricultural yield. Crop domestication has strived for desirable growth and developmental traits, such as larger and more fruits and semi-dwarf architecture. Genetic engineering has accelerated rational, purpose-driven engineering of plant development, but it can be unpredictable. Developmental pathways are complex and riddled with environmental and hormonal inputs, as well as feedback and feedforward interactions, which occur at specific times and places in a growing multicellular organism. Rational modification of plant development would probably benefit from precision engineering based on synthetic biology approaches. This review outlines recently developed synthetic biology technologies for plant systems and highlights their potential for engineering plant growth and development. Streamlined and high-capacity genetic construction methods (Golden Gate DNA Assembly frameworks and toolkits) allow fast and variation-series cloning of multigene transgene constructs. This, together with a suite of gene regulation tools (e.g. cell type-specific promoters, logic gates, and multiplex regulation systems), is starting to enable developmental pathway engineering with predictable outcomes in model plant and crop species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Gediz Kocaoglan
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dhanya Radhakrishnan
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Naomi Nakayama
- Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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17
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Koukara J, Papadopoulou KK. Advances in plant synthetic biology approaches to control expression of gene circuits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 654:55-61. [PMID: 36889035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The applications of synthetic biology range from creating simple circuits to monitor an organism's state to complex circuits capable of reconstructing aspects of life. The latter has the potential to be used in plant synthetic biology to address current societal issues by reforming agriculture and enhancing production of molecules of increased demand. For this reason, development of efficient tools to precisely control gene expression of circuits must be prioritized. In this review, we report the latest efforts towards characterization, standardization and assembly of genetic parts into higher-order constructs, as well as available types of inducible systems to modulate their transcription in plant systems. Subsequently, we discuss recent developments in the orthogonal control of gene expression, Boolean logic gates and synthetic genetic toggle-like switches. Finally, we conclude that by combining different means of controlling gene expression, we can create complex circuits capable of reshaping plant life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Koukara
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliope K Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
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18
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Khakhar A. A roadmap for the creation of synthetic lichen. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 654:87-93. [PMID: 36898228 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Lichens represent a charismatic corner of biology that has a rich history of scientific exploration, but to which modern biological techniques have been sparsely applied. This has limited our understanding of phenomena unique to lichen, such as the emergent development of physically coupled microbial consortia or distributed metabolisms. The experimental intractability of natural lichens has prevented studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of their biology. Creating synthetic lichen from experimentally tractable, free-living microbes has the potential to overcome these challenges. They could also serve as powerful new chassis for sustainable biotechnology. In this review we will first briefly introduce what lichen are, what remains mysterious about their biology, and why. We will then articulate the scientific insights that creating a synthetic lichen will generate and lay out a roadmap for how this could be achieved using synthetic biology. Finally, we will explore the translational applications of synthetic lichen and detail what is needed to advance the pursuit of their creation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Biology Department, Colorado State University, 251 West Pitkin Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
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19
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Hsu SY, Lee J, Sychla A, Smanski MJ. Rational search of genetic design space for a heterologous terpene metabolic pathway in Streptomyces. Metab Eng 2023; 77:1-11. [PMID: 36863605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Modern tools in DNA synthesis and assembly give genetic engineers control over the nucleotide-level design of complex, multi-gene systems. Systematic approaches to explore genetic design space and optimize the performance of genetic constructs are lacking. Here we explore the application of a five-level Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design to improve the titer of a heterologous terpene biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces. A library of 125 engineered gene clusters encoding the production of diterpenoid ent-atiserenoic acid (eAA) via the methylerythritol phosphate pathway was constructed and introduced into Streptomyces albidoflavus J1047 for heterologous expression. The eAA production titer varied within the library by over two orders of magnitude and host strains showed unexpected and reproducible colony morphology phenotypes. Analysis of Plackett-Burman design identified expression of dxs, the gene encoding the first and the flux-controlling enzyme, having the strongest impact on eAA titer, but with a counter-intuitive negative correlation between dxs expression and eAA production. Finally, simulation modeling was performed to determine how several plausible sources of experimental error/noise and non-linearity impact the utility of Plackett-Burman analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Yi Hsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, USA; Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Jihaeng Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, USA; Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Adam Sychla
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, USA; Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Michael J Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, USA; Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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20
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Li L, Lv B, Zang K, Jiang Y, Wang C, Wang Y, Wang K, Zhao M, Chen P, Lei J, Wang Y, Zhang M. Genome-wide identification and systematic analysis of the HD-Zip gene family and its roles in response to pH in Panax ginseng Meyer. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:30. [PMID: 36639779 PMCID: PMC9838044 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer, is a traditional herb that is immensely valuable both for human health and medicine and for medicinal plant research. The homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) gene family is a plant-specific transcription factor gene family indispensable in the regulation of plant growth and development and plant response to environmental stresses. RESULTS We identified 117 HD-Zip transcripts from the transcriptome of ginseng cv. Damaya that is widely grown in Jilin, China where approximately 60% of the world's ginseng is produced. These transcripts were positioned to 64 loci in the ginseng genome and the ginseng HD-Zip genes were designated as PgHDZ genes. Identification of 82 and 83 PgHDZ genes from the ginseng acc. IR826 and cv. ChP genomes, respectively, indicated that the PgHDZ gene family consists of approximately 80 PgHDZ genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the gene family originated after Angiosperm split from Gymnosperm and before Dicots split from Monocots. The gene family was classified into four subfamilies and has dramatically diverged not only in gene structure and functionality but also in expression characteristics. Nevertheless, co-expression network analysis showed that the activities of the genes in the family remain significantly correlated, suggesting their functional correlation. Five hub PgHDZ genes were identified that might have central functions in ginseng biological processes and four of them were shown to be actively involved in plant response to environmental pH stress in ginseng. CONCLUSIONS The PgHDZ gene family was identified from ginseng and analyzed systematically. Five potential hub genes were identified and four of them were shown to be involved in ginseng response to environmental pH stress. The results provide new insights into the characteristics, diversity, evolution, and functionality of the PgHDZ gene family in ginseng and lay a foundation for comprehensive research of the gene family in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Boxin Lv
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Kaiyou Zang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Chaofan Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Yanfang Wang
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Kangyu Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Mingzhu Zhao
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Jun Lei
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
| | - Meiping Zhang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
- Research Center for Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Jilin Province, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
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21
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Berry HM, Argueso CT. More than growth: Phytohormone-regulated transcription factors controlling plant immunity, plant development and plant architecture. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 70:102309. [PMID: 36344376 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Activation of immunity by exogenous signals or mutations leading to autoimmunity has long been associated with decreased plant growth, known as the growth-defense tradeoff. Originally thought to be a redirection of metabolic resources towards defense and away from growth, recent studies have demonstrated that growth and defense can be uncoupled, indicating that metabolic regulation is not solely responsible for the growth-defense tradeoff. Immunity activation has effects on plant development beyond the reduction of plant biomass, including changes in plant architecture. Phytohormone signaling pathways, and crosstalk between these pathways, are responsible for regulating plant growth and development, and plant defense responses. Here we review the hormonal regulation of transcription factors that play roles in both defense and development, with a focus on their effects on plant architecture, and suggest the targeting of these transcription factors to increase plant immunity and change plant growth and form for enhancement of agronomical traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Berry
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Cristiana T Argueso
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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22
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Liu Y, Yuan G, Hassan MM, Abraham PE, Mitchell JC, Jacobson D, Tuskan GA, Khakhar A, Medford J, Zhao C, Liu CJ, Eckert CA, Doktycz MJ, Tschaplinski TJ, Yang X. Biological and Molecular Components for Genetically Engineering Biosensors in Plants. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9863496. [PMID: 37850147 PMCID: PMC10521658 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9863496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants adapt to their changing environments by sensing and responding to physical, biological, and chemical stimuli. Due to their sessile lifestyles, plants experience a vast array of external stimuli and selectively perceive and respond to specific signals. By repurposing the logic circuitry and biological and molecular components used by plants in nature, genetically encoded plant-based biosensors (GEPBs) have been developed by directing signal recognition mechanisms into carefully assembled outcomes that are easily detected. GEPBs allow for in vivo monitoring of biological processes in plants to facilitate basic studies of plant growth and development. GEPBs are also useful for environmental monitoring, plant abiotic and biotic stress management, and accelerating design-build-test-learn cycles of plant bioengineering. With the advent of synthetic biology, biological and molecular components derived from alternate natural organisms (e.g., microbes) and/or de novo parts have been used to build GEPBs. In this review, we summarize the framework for engineering different types of GEPBs. We then highlight representative validated biological components for building plant-based biosensors, along with various applications of plant-based biosensors in basic and applied plant science research. Finally, we discuss challenges and strategies for the identification and design of biological components for plant-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Guoliang Yuan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Md Mahmudul Hassan
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Paul E. Abraham
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Julie C. Mitchell
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Daniel Jacobson
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - June Medford
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Chang-Jun Liu
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - Carrie A. Eckert
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Mitchel J. Doktycz
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Xiaohan Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
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23
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Gomide MDS, Leitão MDC, Coelho CM. Biocircuits in plants and eukaryotic algae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:982959. [PMID: 36212277 PMCID: PMC9545776 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.982959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As one of synthetic biology's foundations, biocircuits are a strategy of genetic parts assembling to recognize a signal and to produce a desirable output to interfere with a biological function. In this review, we revisited the progress in the biocircuits technology basis and its mandatory elements, such as the characterization and assembly of functional parts. Furthermore, for a successful implementation, the transcriptional control systems are a relevant point, and the computational tools help to predict the best combinations among the biological parts planned to be used to achieve the desirable phenotype. However, many challenges are involved in delivering and stabilizing the synthetic structures. Some research experiences, such as the golden crops, biosensors, and artificial photosynthetic structures, can indicate the positive and limiting aspects of the practice. Finally, we envision that the modulatory structural feature and the possibility of finer gene regulation through biocircuits can contribute to the complex design of synthetic chromosomes aiming to develop plants and algae with new or improved functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayna da Silveira Gomide
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Castro Leitão
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Marques Coelho
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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24
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Hsiao AS, Huang JY. Bioimaging tools move plant physiology studies forward. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:976627. [PMID: 36204075 PMCID: PMC9530904 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.976627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- An-Shan Hsiao
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ji-Ying Huang
- Cell Biology Core Lab, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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25
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Jedličková V, Ebrahimi Naghani S, Robert HS. On the trail of auxin: Reporters and sensors. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:3200-3213. [PMID: 35708654 PMCID: PMC9421466 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The phytohormone auxin is a master regulator of plant growth and development in response to many endogenous and environmental signals. The underlying coordination of growth is mediated by the formation of auxin maxima and concentration gradients. The visualization of auxin dynamics and distribution can therefore provide essential information to increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which auxin orchestrates these growth and developmental processes. Several auxin reporters have been developed to better perceive the auxin distribution and signaling machinery in vivo. This review focuses on different types of auxin reporters and biosensors used to monitor auxin distribution and its dynamics, as well as auxin signaling, at the cellular and tissue levels in different plant species. We provide a brief history of each reporter and biosensor group and explain their principles and utilities.
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26
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A review on CRISPR/Cas-based epigenetic regulation in plants. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:1261-1271. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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27
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Smalley S, Hellmann H. Review: Exploring possible approaches using ubiquitylation and sumoylation pathways in modifying plant stress tolerance. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 319:111275. [PMID: 35487671 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin and similar proteins, such as SUMO, are utilized by plants to modify target proteins to rapidly change their stability and activity in cells. This review will provide an overview of these crucial protein interactions with a focus on ubiquitylation and sumoylation in plants and how they contribute to stress tolerance. The work will also explore possibilities to use these highly conserved pathways for novel approaches to generate more robust crop plants better fit to cope with abiotic and biotic stress situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Smalley
- Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States
| | - Hanjo Hellmann
- Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States.
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28
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Abstract
Plant hormones are signalling compounds that regulate crucial aspects of growth, development and environmental stress responses. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, heat, cold and flooding, have profound effects on plant growth and survival. Adaptation and tolerance to such stresses require sophisticated sensing, signalling and stress response mechanisms. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding how diverse plant hormones control abiotic stress responses in plants and highlight points of hormonal crosstalk during abiotic stress signalling. Control mechanisms and stress responses mediated by plant hormones including abscisic acid, auxin, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, ethylene and gibberellins are discussed. We discuss new insights into osmotic stress sensing and signalling mechanisms, hormonal control of gene regulation and plant development during stress, hormone-regulated submergence tolerance and stomatal movements. We further explore how innovative imaging approaches are providing insights into single-cell and tissue hormone dynamics. Understanding stress tolerance mechanisms opens new opportunities for agricultural applications.
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29
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Gardiner J, Ghoshal B, Wang M, Jacobsen SE. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1811-1824. [PMID: 35134247 PMCID: PMC8968285 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tools for sequence-specific DNA binding have opened the door to new approaches in investigating fundamental questions in biology and crop development. While there are several platforms to choose from, many of the recent advances in sequence-specific targeting tools are focused on developing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR Associated (CRISPR-Cas)-based systems. Using a catalytically inactive Cas protein (dCas), this system can act as a vector for different modular catalytic domains (effector domains) to control a gene's expression or alter epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Recent trends in developing CRISPR-dCas systems include creating versions that can target multiple copies of effector domains to a single site, targeting epigenetic changes that, in some cases, can be inherited to the next generation in the absence of the targeting construct, and combining effector domains and targeting strategies to create synergies that increase the functionality or efficiency of the system. This review summarizes and compares DNA targeting technologies, the effector domains used to target transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis, and the different CRISPR-dCas systems used in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ming Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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30
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Park J, Demirer GS, Cheung LS. Toolboxes for plant systems biology research. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102692. [PMID: 35144172 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The terms 'systems' and 'synthetic biology' are often used together, with most scientists striding between the two fields rather than adhering to a single side. Often too, scientists want to understand a system to inform the design of gene circuits that could endow it with new functions. However, this does not need to be the progression of research, as synthetic constructs can help improve our understanding of a system. Here, we review synthetic biology tool kits with the potential to overcome pleiotropic effects, compensatory mechanisms, and redundancy in plants. Combined with -omics techniques, these tools could reveal novel insights on plant growth and development, an aim that has gained renewed urgency given the impact of climate change on crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Park
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gozde S Demirer
- Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Lily S Cheung
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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31
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Brophy JAN. Toward synthetic plant development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:738-748. [PMID: 34904660 PMCID: PMC8825267 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to engineer plant form will enable the production of novel agricultural products designed to tolerate extreme stresses, boost yield, reduce waste, and improve manufacturing practices. While historically, plants were altered through breeding to change their size or shape, advances in our understanding of plant development and our ability to genetically engineer complex eukaryotes are leading to the direct engineering of plant structure. In this review, I highlight the central role of auxin in plant development and the synthetic biology approaches that could be used to turn auxin-response regulators into powerful tools for modifying plant form. I hypothesize that recoded, gain-of-function auxin response proteins combined with synthetic regulation could be used to override endogenous auxin signaling and control plant structure. I also argue that auxin-response regulators are key to engineering development in nonmodel plants and that single-cell -omics techniques will be essential for characterizing and modifying auxin response in these plants. Collectively, advances in synthetic biology, single-cell -omics, and our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning development have set the stage for a new era in the engineering of plant structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A N Brophy
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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32
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Pfeiffer ML, Winkler J, Van Damme D, Jacobs TB, Nowack MK. Conditional and tissue-specific approaches to dissect essential mechanisms in plant development. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 65:102119. [PMID: 34653951 PMCID: PMC7612331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Reverse genetics approaches are routinely used to investigate gene function. However, mutations, especially in critical genes, can lead to pleiotropic effects as severe as lethality, thus limiting functional studies in specific contexts. Approaches that allow for modifications of genes or gene products in a specific spatial or temporal setting can overcome these limitations. The advent of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technologies has not only revolutionized targeted genome modification in plants but also enabled new possibilities for inducible and tissue-specific manipulation of gene functions at the DNA and RNA levels. In addition, novel approaches for the direct manipulation of target proteins have been introduced in plant systems. Here, we review the current development in tissue-specific and conditional manipulation approaches at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L Pfeiffer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joanna Winkler
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniël Van Damme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas B Jacobs
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Moritz K Nowack
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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33
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Calvache C, Vazquez‐Vilar M, Selma S, Uranga M, Fernández‐del‐Carmen A, Daròs J, Orzáez D. Strong and tunable anti-CRISPR/Cas activities in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:399-408. [PMID: 34632687 PMCID: PMC8753356 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome engineering in plants. However, the use of anti-CRISPR proteins as tools to prevent CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing and gene activation in plants has not been explored yet. This study describes the characterization of two anti-CRISPR proteins, AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that AcrIIA4 prevents site-directed mutagenesis in leaves when transiently co-expressed with CRISPR/Cas9. In a similar way, AcrVA1 is able to prevent CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated gene editing. Moreover, using a N. benthamiana line constitutively expressing Cas9, we show that the viral delivery of AcrIIA4 using Tobacco etch virus is able to completely abolish the high editing levels obtained when the guide RNA is delivered with a virus, in this case Potato virus X. We also show that AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 repress CRISPR/dCas-based transcriptional activation of reporter genes. In the case of AcrIIA4, this repression occurs in a highly efficient, dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the fusion of an auxin degron to AcrIIA4 results in auxin-regulated activation of a downstream reporter gene. The strong anti-Cas activity of AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 reported here opens new possibilities for customized control of gene editing and gene expression in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calvache
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Marta Vazquez‐Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Sara Selma
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Mireia Uranga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Asun Fernández‐del‐Carmen
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
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34
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Lohani N, Singh MB, Bhalla PL. Biological Parts for Engineering Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9819314. [PMID: 37850130 PMCID: PMC10521667 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9819314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
It is vital to ramp up crop production dramatically by 2050 due to the increasing global population and demand for food. However, with the climate change projections showing that droughts and heatwaves becoming common in much of the globe, there is a severe threat of a sharp decline in crop yields. Thus, developing crop varieties with inbuilt genetic tolerance to environmental stresses is urgently needed. Selective breeding based on genetic diversity is not keeping up with the growing demand for food and feed. However, the emergence of contemporary plant genetic engineering, genome-editing, and synthetic biology offer precise tools for developing crops that can sustain productivity under stress conditions. Here, we summarize the systems biology-level understanding of regulatory pathways involved in perception, signalling, and protective processes activated in response to unfavourable environmental conditions. The potential role of noncoding RNAs in the regulation of abiotic stress responses has also been highlighted. Further, examples of imparting abiotic stress tolerance by genetic engineering are discussed. Additionally, we provide perspectives on the rational design of abiotic stress tolerance through synthetic biology and list various bioparts that can be used to design synthetic gene circuits whose stress-protective functions can be switched on/off in response to environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeta Lohani
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Mohan B. Singh
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Prem L. Bhalla
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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35
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Abstract
Auxin biology as a field has been at the forefront of advances in delineating the structures, dynamics, and control of plant growth networks. Advances have been enabled by combining the complementary fields of top-down, holistic systems biology and bottom-up, build-to-understand synthetic biology. Continued collaboration between these approaches will facilitate our understanding of and ability to engineer auxin's control of plant growth, development, and physiology. There is a need for the application of similar complementary approaches to improving equity and justice through analysis and redesign of the human systems in which this research is undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Clay Wright
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Britney L Moss
- Department of Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington 99362, USA
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36
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Andres J, Zurbriggen MD. Genetically Encoded Biosensors for the Quantitative Analysis of Auxin Dynamics in Plant Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2379:183-195. [PMID: 35188663 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1791-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plants, as sessile organisms, possess complex and intertwined signaling networks to react and adapt their behavior toward different internal and external stimuli. Due to this high level of complexity, the implementation of quantitative molecular tools in planta remains challenging. Synthetic biology as an ever-growing interdisciplinary field applies basic engineering principles in life sciences. A plethora of synthetic switches, circuits, and even higher order networks has been implemented in different organisms, such as bacteria and mammalian cells, and facilitates the study of signaling and metabolic pathways. However, the application of such tools in plants lags behind, and thus only a few genetically encoded biosensors and switches have been engineered toward the quantitative investigation of plant signaling. Here, we present a protocol for the quantitative analysis of auxin signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. We implemented genetically encoded, ratiometric, degradation-based luminescent biosensors and applied them for studying auxin perception dynamics. For this, we utilized three different Aux/IAAs as sensor modules and analyzed their degradation behavior in response to auxin. Our experimental approach requires simple hardware and experimental reagents and can thus be implemented in every plant-related or cell culture laboratory. The system allows for the analysis of auxin perception and signaling aspects on various levels and can be easily expanded to other hormones, as for example strigolactones. In addition, the modular sensor design enables the implementation of sensor modules in a straightforward and time-saving approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Andres
- Institute of Synthetic Biology and CEPLAS, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology and CEPLAS, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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37
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Balcerowicz M, Shetty KN, Jones AM. Fluorescent biosensors illuminating plant hormone research. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:590-602. [PMID: 35237816 PMCID: PMC8491072 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Phytohormones act as key regulators of plant growth that coordinate developmental and physiological processes across cells, tissues and organs. As such, their levels and distribution are highly dynamic owing to changes in their biosynthesis, transport, modification and degradation that occur over space and time. Fluorescent biosensors represent ideal tools to track these dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in a minimally invasive manner. Substantial progress has been made in generating a diverse set of hormone sensors with recent FRET biosensors for visualising hormone concentrations complementing information provided by transcriptional, translational and degron-based reporters. In this review, we provide an update on fluorescent biosensor designs, examine the key properties that constitute an ideal hormone biosensor, discuss the use of these sensors in conjunction with in vivo hormone perturbations and highlight the latest discoveries made using these tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander M. Jones
- Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK
- Author for communication:
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38
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Guiziou S, Chu JC, Nemhauser JL. Decoding and recoding plant development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:515-526. [PMID: 35237818 PMCID: PMC8491033 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The development of multicellular organisms has been studied for centuries, yet many critical events and mechanisms of regulation remain challenging to observe directly. Early research focused on detailed observational and comparative studies. Molecular biology has generated insights into regulatory mechanisms, but only for a limited number of species. Now, synthetic biology is bringing these two approaches together, and by adding the possibility of sculpting novel morphologies, opening another path to understanding biology. Here, we review a variety of recently invented techniques that use CRISPR/Cas9 and phage integrases to trace the differentiation of cells over various timescales, as well as to decode the molecular states of cells in high spatiotemporal resolution. Most of these tools have been implemented in animals. The time is ripe for plant biologists to adopt and expand these approaches. Here, we describe how these tools could be used to monitor development in diverse plant species, as well as how they could guide efforts to recode programs of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Guiziou
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Jonah C. Chu
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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39
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Huang D, Kosentka PZ, Liu W. Synthetic biology approaches in regulation of targeted gene expression. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:102036. [PMID: 33930839 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches are highly sought-after to facilitate the regulation of targeted gene expression in plants for functional genomics research and crop trait improvement. To date, synthetic regulation of gene expression predominantly focuses at the transcription level via engineering of synthetic promoters and transcription factors, while pioneering examples have started to emerge for synthetic regulation of gene expression at the levels of mRNA stability, translation, and protein degradation. This review discusses recent advances in plant synthetic biology for the regulation of gene expression at multiple levels, and highlights their future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debao Huang
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Pawel Z Kosentka
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Wusheng Liu
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
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40
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Wu T, Kerbler SM, Fernie AR, Zhang Y. Plant cell cultures as heterologous bio-factories for secondary metabolite production. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 2:100235. [PMID: 34746764 PMCID: PMC8554037 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has been developing rapidly in the last decade and is attracting increasing attention from many plant biologists. The production of high-value plant-specific secondary metabolites is, however, limited mostly to microbes. This is potentially problematic because of incorrect post-translational modification of proteins and differences in protein micro-compartmentalization, substrate availability, chaperone availability, product toxicity, and cytochrome p450 reductase enzymes. Unlike other heterologous systems, plant cells may be a promising alternative for the production of high-value metabolites. Several commercial plant suspension cell cultures from different plant species have been used successfully to produce valuable metabolites in a safe, low cost, and environmentally friendly manner. However, few metabolites are currently being biosynthesized using plant platforms, with the exception of the natural pigment anthocyanin. Both Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum cell cultures can be developed by multiple gene transformations and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Given that the introduction of heterologous biosynthetic pathways into Arabidopsis and N. tabacum is not widely used, the biosynthesis of foreign metabolites is currently limited; however, therein lies great potential. Here, we discuss the exemplary use of plant cell cultures and prospects for using A. thaliana and N. tabacum cell cultures to produce valuable plant-specific metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sandra M. Kerbler
- Leibniz-Institute für Gemüse- und Zierpflanzenbau, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979 Groβbeeren, Germany
| | - Alisdair R. Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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41
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Deciphering Plant Chromatin Regulation via CRISPR/dCas9-Based Epigenome Engineering. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5030017. [PMID: 34968366 PMCID: PMC8594717 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based epigenome editing uses dCas9 as a platform to recruit transcription or chromatin regulators at chosen loci. Despite recent and ongoing advances, the full potential of these approaches to studying chromatin functions in vivo remains challenging to exploit. In this review we discuss how recent progress in plants and animals provides new routes to investigate the function of chromatin regulators and address the complexity of associated regulations that are often interconnected. While efficient transcriptional engineering methodologies have been developed and can be used as tools to alter the chromatin state of a locus, examples of direct manipulation of chromatin regulators remain scarce in plants. These reports also reveal pitfalls and limitations of epigenome engineering approaches that are nevertheless informative as they are often associated with locus- and context-dependent features, which include DNA accessibility, initial chromatin and transcriptional state or cellular dynamics. Strategies implemented in different organisms to overcome and even take advantage of these limitations are highlighted, which will further improve our ability to establish the causality and hierarchy of chromatin dynamics on genome regulation.
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42
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Gala HP, Lanctot A, Jean-Baptiste K, Guiziou S, Chu JC, Zemke JE, George W, Queitsch C, Cuperus JT, Nemhauser JL. A single-cell view of the transcriptome during lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:2197-2220. [PMID: 33822225 PMCID: PMC8364244 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Root architecture is a major determinant of plant fitness and is under constant modification in response to favorable and unfavorable environmental stimuli. Beyond impacts on the primary root, the environment can alter the position, spacing, density, and length of secondary or lateral roots. Lateral root development is among the best-studied examples of plant organogenesis, yet there are still many unanswered questions about its earliest steps. Among the challenges faced in capturing these first molecular events is the fact that this process occurs in a small number of cells with unpredictable timing. Single-cell sequencing methods afford the opportunity to isolate the specific transcriptional changes occurring in cells undergoing this fate transition. Using this approach, we successfully captured the transcriptomes of initiating lateral root primordia in Arabidopsis thaliana and discovered many upregulated genes associated with this process. We developed a method to selectively repress target gene transcription in the xylem pole pericycle cells where lateral roots originate and demonstrated that the expression of several of these targets is required for normal root development. We also discovered subpopulations of cells in the pericycle and endodermal cell files that respond to lateral root initiation, highlighting the coordination across cell files required for this fate transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik P. Gala
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Amy Lanctot
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ken Jean-Baptiste
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarah Guiziou
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jonah C. Chu
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joseph E. Zemke
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Wesley George
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Josh T. Cuperus
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.T.C.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Jennifer L. Nemhauser
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.T.C.); (J.L.N.)
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43
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Calla B, Moreno JE. VipariNama: combining CRISPR and systemic virus-based vectors for rapid phenotyping of complex plant traits. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1754-1756. [PMID: 34618118 PMCID: PMC8331155 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernarda Calla
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Javier Edgardo Moreno
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (UNL-Conicet), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
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44
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Khakhar A, Wang C, Swanson R, Stokke S, Rizvi F, Sarup S, Hobbs J, Voytas DF. VipariNama: RNA viral vectors to rapidly elucidate the relationship between gene expression and phenotype. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:2222-2238. [PMID: 34009393 PMCID: PMC8331131 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic transcription factors have great promise as tools to help elucidate relationships between gene expression and phenotype by allowing tunable alterations of gene expression without genomic alterations of the loci being studied. However, the years-long timescales, high cost, and technical skill associated with plant transformation have limited their use. In this work, we developed a technology called VipariNama (ViN) in which vectors based on the tobacco rattle virus are used to rapidly deploy Cas9-based synthetic transcription factors and reprogram gene expression in planta. We demonstrate that ViN vectors can implement activation or repression of multiple genes systemically and persistently over several weeks in Nicotiana benthamiana, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). By exploring strategies including RNA scaffolding, viral vector ensembles, and viral engineering, we describe how the flexibility and efficacy of regulation can be improved. We also show how this transcriptional reprogramming can create predictable changes to metabolic phenotypes, such as gibberellin biosynthesis in N. benthamiana and anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis, as well as developmental phenotypes, such as plant size in N. benthamiana, Arabidopsis, and tomato. These results demonstrate how ViN vector-based reprogramming of different aspects of gibberellin signaling can be used to engineer plant size in a range of plant species in a matter of weeks. In summary, ViN accelerates the timeline for generating phenotypes from over a year to just a few weeks, providing an attractive alternative to transgenesis for synthetic transcription factor-enabled hypothesis testing and crop engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Cecily Wang
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Ryan Swanson
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Sydney Stokke
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Furva Rizvi
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Surbhi Sarup
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - John Hobbs
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Daniel F Voytas
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
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Khakhar A, Voytas DF. RNA Viral Vectors for Accelerating Plant Synthetic Biology. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:668580. [PMID: 34249040 PMCID: PMC8261061 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.668580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The tools of synthetic biology have enormous potential to help us uncover the fundamental mechanisms controlling development and metabolism in plants. However, their effective utilization typically requires transgenesis, which is plagued by long timescales and high costs. In this review we explore how transgenesis can be minimized by delivering foreign genetic material to plants with systemically mobile and persistent vectors based on RNA viruses. We examine the progress that has been made thus far and highlight the hurdles that need to be overcome and some potential strategies to do so. We conclude with a discussion of biocontainment mechanisms to ensure these vectors can be used safely as well as how these vectors might expand the accessibility of plant synthetic biology techniques. RNA vectors stand poised to revolutionize plant synthetic biology by making genetic manipulation of plants cheaper and easier to deploy, as well as by accelerating experimental timescales from years to weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Daniel F. Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
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Leydon AR, Wang W, Gala HP, Gilmour S, Juarez-Solis S, Zahler ML, Zemke JE, Zheng N, Nemhauser JL. Repression by the Arabidopsis TOPLESS corepressor requires association with the core mediator complex. eLife 2021; 10:66739. [PMID: 34075876 PMCID: PMC8203292 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The plant corepressor TOPLESS (TPL) is recruited to a large number of loci that are selectively induced in response to developmental or environmental cues, yet the mechanisms by which it inhibits expression in the absence of these stimuli are poorly understood. Previously, we had used the N-terminus of Arabidopsis thaliana TPL to enable repression of a synthetic auxin response circuit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast). Here, we leveraged the yeast system to interrogate the relationship between TPL structure and function, specifically scanning for repression domains. We identified a potent repression domain in Helix 8 located within the CRA domain, which directly interacted with the Mediator middle module subunits Med21 and Med10. Interactions between TPL and Mediator were required to fully repress transcription in both yeast and plants. In contrast, we found that multimer formation, a conserved feature of many corepressors, had minimal influence on the repression strength of TPL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Seattle, United States
| | - Hardik P Gala
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Sabrina Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | | | - Mollye L Zahler
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Joseph E Zemke
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Ning Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Seattle, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
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Harnvanichvech Y, Gorelova V, Sprakel J, Weijers D. The Arabidopsis embryo as a quantifiable model for studying pattern formation. QUANTITATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 2:e3. [PMID: 37077211 PMCID: PMC10095805 DOI: 10.1017/qpb.2021.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic diversity of flowering plants stems from common basic features of the plant body pattern with well-defined body axes, organs and tissue organisation. Cell division and cell specification are the two processes that underlie the formation of a body pattern. As plant cells are encased into their cellulosic walls, directional cell division through precise positioning of division plane is crucial for shaping plant morphology. Since many plant cells are pluripotent, their fate establishment is influenced by their cellular environment through cell-to-cell signaling. Recent studies show that apart from biochemical regulation, these two processes are also influenced by cell and tissue morphology and operate under mechanical control. Finding a proper model system that allows dissecting the relationship between these aspects is the key to our understanding of pattern establishment. In this review, we present the Arabidopsis embryo as a simple, yet comprehensive model of pattern formation compatible with high-throughput quantitative assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosapol Harnvanichvech
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vera Gorelova
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joris Sprakel
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dolf Weijers
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Zhao C, Yaschenko A, Alonso JM, Stepanova AN. Leveraging synthetic biology approaches in plant hormone research. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 60:101998. [PMID: 33476945 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.101998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The study of plant hormones is critical to understanding development, physiology and interactions of plants with their environment. Synthetic biology holds promise to provide a new perspective and shed fresh light on the molecular mechanisms of plant hormone action and propel the design of novel biotechnologies. With the recent adoption of synthetic biology in plant sciences, exciting first examples of successful tool development and their applications in the area of plant hormone research are emerging, paving the way for new cadres to enter this promising field of science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsong Zhao
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Anna Yaschenko
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jose M Alonso
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Anna N Stepanova
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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Verma S, Attuluri VPS, Robert HS. An Essential Function for Auxin in Embryo Development. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2021; 13:cshperspect.a039966. [PMID: 33431580 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis in seed plants is the process during which a single cell develops into a mature multicellular embryo that encloses all the modules and primary patterns necessary to build the architecture of the new plant after germination. This process involves a series of cell divisions and coordinated cell fate determinations resulting in the formation of an embryonic pattern with a shoot-root axis and cotyledon(s). The phytohormone auxin profoundly controls pattern formation during embryogenesis. Auxin functions in the embryo through its maxima/minima distribution, which acts as an instructive signal for tissue specification and organ initiation. In this review, we describe how disruptions of auxin biosynthesis, transport, and response severely affect embryo development. Also, the mechanism of auxin action in the development of the shoot-root axis and the three-tissue system is discussed with recent findings. Biological tools that can be implemented to study the auxin function during embryo development are presented, as they may be of interest to the reader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Verma
- Mendel Centre for Genomics and Proteomics of Plants Systems, CEITEC MU - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Venkata Pardha Saradhi Attuluri
- Mendel Centre for Genomics and Proteomics of Plants Systems, CEITEC MU - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hélène S Robert
- Mendel Centre for Genomics and Proteomics of Plants Systems, CEITEC MU - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Vrana J, de Lange O, Yang Y, Newman G, Saleem A, Miller A, Cordray C, Halabiya S, Parks M, Lopez E, Goldberg S, Keller B, Strickland D, Klavins E. Aquarium: open-source laboratory software for design, execution and data management. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab006. [PMID: 34151028 PMCID: PMC8209617 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Automation has been shown to improve the replicability and scalability of biomedical and bioindustrial research. Although the work performed in many labs is repetitive and can be standardized, few academic labs can afford the time and money required to automate their workflows with robotics. We propose that human-in-the-loop automation can fill this critical gap. To this end, we present Aquarium, an open-source, web-based software application that integrates experimental design, inventory management, protocol execution and data capture. We provide a high-level view of how researchers can install Aquarium and use it in their own labs. We discuss the impacts of the Aquarium on working practices, use in biofoundries and opportunities it affords for collaboration and education in life science laboratory research and manufacture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Vrana
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Orlando de Lange
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yaoyu Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garrett Newman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ayesha Saleem
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Abraham Miller
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cameron Cordray
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samer Halabiya
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michelle Parks
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eriberto Lopez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah Goldberg
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Benjamin Keller
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Devin Strickland
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eric Klavins
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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