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Aina O, Bakare OO, Fadaka AO, Keyster M, Klein A. Plant biomarkers as early detection tools in stress management in food crops: a review. PLANTA 2024; 259:60. [PMID: 38311674 PMCID: PMC10838863 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04333-1] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Plant Biomarkers are objective indicators of a plant's cellular state in response to abiotic and biotic stress factors. They can be explored in crop breeding and engineering to produce stress-tolerant crop species. Global food production safely and sustainably remains a top priority to feed the ever-growing human population, expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. However, abiotic and biotic stress factors negatively impact food production systems, causing between 70 and 100% reduction in crop yield. Understanding the plant stress responses is critical for developing novel crops that can adapt better to various adverse environmental conditions. Using plant biomarkers as measurable indicators of a plant's cellular response to external stimuli could serve as early warning signals to detect stresses before severe damage occurs. Plant biomarkers have received considerable attention in the last decade as pre-stress indicators for various economically important food crops. This review discusses some biomarkers associated with abiotic and biotic stress conditions and highlights their importance in developing stress-resilient crops. In addition, we highlighted some factors influencing the expression of biomarkers in crop plants under stress. The information presented in this review would educate plant researchers, breeders, and agronomists on the significance of plant biomarkers in stress biology research, which is essential for improving plant growth and yield toward sustainable food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omolola Aina
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
| | - Olalekan O Bakare
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, 121001, Nigeria
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
| | - Adewale O Fadaka
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
| | - Marshall Keyster
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7530, South Africa
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7530, South Africa.
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Mochdia K, Tamaki S. Transcription Factor-Based Genetic Engineering in Microalgae. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10081602. [PMID: 34451646 PMCID: PMC8399792 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) are key components of gene regulatory networks. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have facilitated the rapid acquisition of whole genome assembly and TF repertoires in microalgal species. In this review, we summarize recent advances in gene discovery and functional analyses, especially for transcription factors in microalgal species. Specifically, we provide examples of the genome-scale identification of transcription factors in genome-sequenced microalgal species and showcase their application in the discovery of regulators involved in various cellular functions. Herein, we highlight TF-based genetic engineering as a promising framework for designing microalgal strains for microalgal-based bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Mochdia
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama 244-0813, Japan
- RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
- School of Information and Data Sciences, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-045-503-9111
| | - Shun Tamaki
- RIKEN Baton Zone Program, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
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Wang X, Liu H, Siddique KHM, Yan G. Transcriptomic profiling of wheat near-isogenic lines reveals candidate genes on chromosome 3A for pre-harvest sprouting resistance. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:53. [PMID: 33478384 PMCID: PMC7818928 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-02824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in wheat can cause severe damage to both grain yield and quality. Resistance to PHS is a quantitative trait controlled by many genes located across all 21 wheat chromosomes. The study targeted a large-effect quantitative trait locus (QTL) QPhs.ccsu-3A.1 for PHS resistance using several sets previously developed near-isogenic lines (NILs). Two pairs of NILs with highly significant phenotypic differences between the isolines were examined by RNA sequencing for their transcriptomic profiles on developing seeds at 15, 25 and 35 days after pollination (DAP) to identify candidate genes underlying the QTL and elucidate gene effects on PHS resistance. At each DAP, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the isolines were investigated. RESULTS Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of key DEGs suggested that six candidate genes underlie QPhs.ccsu-3A.1 responsible for PHS resistance in wheat. Candidate gene expression was further validated by quantitative RT-PCR. Within the targeted QTL interval, 16 genetic variants including five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 11 indels showed consistent polymorphism between resistant and susceptible isolines. CONCLUSIONS The targeted QTL is confirmed to harbor core genes related to hormone signaling pathways that can be exploited as a key genomic region for marker-assisted selection. The candidate genes and SNP/indel markers detected in this study are valuable resources for understanding the mechanism of PHS resistance and for marker-assisted breeding of the trait in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyi Wang
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Hui Liu
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Guijun Yan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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Fox Hunting in Wild Apples: Searching for Novel Genes in Malus Sieversii. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249516. [PMID: 33327659 PMCID: PMC7765095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Malus sieversii is considered the progenitor of modern apple (Malus pumila) cultivars and to represent a valuable source of genetic diversity. Despite the importance of M. sieversii as a source of disease resistance, stress tolerance, and novel fruit traits, little is known about gene function and diversity in M. sieversii. Notably, a publicly annotated genome sequence for this species is not available. In the current study, the FOX (Full-length cDNA OvereXpressing) gene hunting system was used to construct a library of transgenic lines of Arabidopsis in which each transgenic line overexpresses a full-length gene obtained from a cDNA library of the PI619283 accession of M. sieversii. The cDNA library was constructed from mRNA obtained from bark tissues collected in late fall–early winter, a time at which many abiotic stress-adaptative genes are expressed. Over 4000 apple FOX Arabidopsis lines have been established from the pool of transgenic seeds and cDNA inserts corresponding to various Gene Ontology (GO) categories have been identified. A total of 160 inserts appear to be novel, with no or limited homology to M. pumila, Arabidopsis, or poplar. Over 1300 lines have also been screened for freezing resistance. The constructed library of transgenic lines provides a valuable genetic resource for exploring gene function and diversity in Malus sieversii. Notably, no such library of t-DNA lines currently exists for any Malus species.
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Zhang L, Liu P, Wu J, Qiao L, Zhao G, Jia J, Gao L, Wang J. Identification of a novel ERF gene, TaERF8, associated with plant height and yield in wheat. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:263. [PMID: 32513101 PMCID: PMC7282131 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) is involved in various processes of plant development and stress responses. In wheat, several ERFs have been identified and their roles in mediating biotic or abiotic stresses have been elucidated. However, their effects on wheat plant architecture and yield-related traits remain poorly studied. RESULTS In this study, TaERF8, a new member of the ERF family, was isolated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three homoeologous TaERF8 genes, TaERF8-2A, TaERF8-2B and TaERF8-2D (named according to sub-genomic origin), were cloned from the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring. The three homoeologs showed highly similar protein sequences, with identical AP2 domain. Whereas homoeologs sequence polymorphism analysis allowed the establishment of ten, two and three haplotypes, respectively. Expression analysis revealed that TaERF8s were constitutively expressed through entire wheat developmental stages. Analysis of related agronomic traits of TaERF8-2B overexpressing transgenic lines showed that TaERF8-2B plays a role in regulating plant architecture and yield-related traits. Association analysis between TaERF8-2B haplotypes (Hap-2B-1 and Hap-2B-2) and agronomic traits showed that TaERF8-2B was associated with plant height, heading date and 1000 kernel weight (TKW). The TaERF8-2B haplotypes distribution analysis revealed that Hap-2B-2 frequency increased in domesticated emmer wheat and modern varieties, being predominant in five major China wheat producing zones. CONCLUSION These results indicated that TaERF8s are differentially involved in the regulation of wheat growth and development. Haplotype Hap-2B-2 was favored during domestication and in Chinese wheat breeding. Unveiling that the here described molecular marker TaERF8-2B-InDel could be used for marker-assisted selection, plant architecture and TKW improvement in wheat breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linyi Qiao
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Guangyao Zhao
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jizeng Jia
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Gao
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianming Wang
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China.
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Wani SH, Tripathi P, Zaid A, Challa GS, Kumar A, Kumar V, Upadhyay J, Joshi R, Bhatt M. Transcriptional regulation of osmotic stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 97:469-487. [PMID: 30109563 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-018-0761-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The current review provides an updated, new insights into the regulation of transcription mediated underlying mechanisms of wheat plants to osmotic stress perturbations. Osmotic stress tolerance mechanisms being complex are governed by multiple factors at physiological, biochemical and at the molecular level, hence approaches like "OMICS" that can underpin mechanisms behind osmotic tolerance in wheat is of paramount importance. The transcription factors (TFs) are a class of molecular proteins, which are involved in regulation, modulation and orchestrating the responses of plants to a variety of environmental stresses. Recent reports have provided novel insights on the role of TFs in osmotic stress tolerance via direct molecular links. However, our knowledge on the regulatory role TFs during osmotic stress tolerance in wheat remains limited. The present review in its first part sheds light on the importance of studying the role of osmotic stress tolerance in wheat plants and second aims to decipher molecular mechanisms of TFs belonging to several classes, including DREB, NAC, MYB, WRKY and bHLH, which have been reported to engage in osmotic stress mediated gene expression in wheat and third part covers the systems biology approaches to understand the transcriptional regulation of osmotic stress and the role of long non-coding RNAs in response to osmotic stress with special emphasis on wheat. The current concept may lead to an understanding in molecular regulation and signalling interaction of TFs under osmotic stress to clarify challenges and problems for devising potential strategies to improve complex regulatory events involved in plant tolerance to osmotic stress adaptive pathways in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir H Wani
- Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, Khudwani, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, 192101, India.
| | - Prateek Tripathi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Abbu Zaid
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Ghana S Challa
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
| | - Anuj Kumar
- Advance Centre for Computational and Applied Biotechnology, Uttarakhand Council for Biotechnology (UCB), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule, Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Jyoti Upadhyay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University, Campus Bhimtal, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, 293136, India
| | - Rohit Joshi
- Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Manoj Bhatt
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
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Ricachenevsky FK, Punshon T, Lee S, Oliveira BHN, Trenz TS, Maraschin FDS, Hindt MN, Danku J, Salt DE, Fett JP, Guerinot ML. Elemental Profiling of Rice FOX Lines Leads to Characterization of a New Zn Plasma Membrane Transporter, OsZIP7. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:865. [PMID: 30018622 PMCID: PMC6037872 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients required for proper development in both humans and plants. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains are the staple food for nearly half of the world's population, but a poor source of metals such as Fe and Zn. Populations that rely on milled cereals are especially prone to Fe and Zn deficiencies, the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in humans. Biofortification is a cost-effective solution for improvement of the nutritional quality of crops. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying grain accumulation of mineral nutrients is required before this approach can achieve its full potential. Characterization of gene function is more time-consuming in crops than in model species such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Aiming to more quickly characterize rice genes related to metal homeostasis, we applied the concept of high throughput elemental profiling (ionomics) to Arabidopsis lines heterologously expressing rice cDNAs driven by the 35S promoter, named FOX (Full Length Over-eXpressor) lines. We screened lines expressing candidate genes that could be used in the development of biofortified grain. Among the most promising candidates, we identified two lines ovexpressing the metal cation transporter OsZIP7. OsZIP7 expression in Arabidopsis resulted in a 25% increase in shoot Zn concentrations compared to non-transformed plants. We further characterized OsZIP7 and showed that it is localized to the plasma membrane and is able to complement Zn transport defective (but not Fe defective) yeast mutants. Interestingly, we showed that OsZIP7 does not transport Cd, which is commonly transported by ZIP proteins. Importantly, OsZIP7-expressing lines have increased Zn concentrations in their seeds. Our results indicate that OsZIP7 is a good candidate for developing Zn biofortified rice. Moreover, we showed the use of heterologous expression of genes from crops in A. thaliana as a fast method for characterization of crop genes related to the ionome and potentially useful in biofortification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe K. Ricachenevsky
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
- *Correspondence: Felipe K. Ricachenevsky,
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Sichul Lee
- Center for Plant Aging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Ben Hur N. Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thomaz S. Trenz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Maria N. Hindt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - John Danku
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - David E. Salt
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Janette P. Fett
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mary Lou Guerinot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
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Zhang L, Dong C, Zhang Q, Zhao G, Li F, Xia C, Zhang L, Han L, Wu J, Jia J, Liu X, Kong X. The wheat MYB transcription factor TaMYB18 regulates leaf rolling in rice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 481:77-83. [PMID: 27825968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leaf rolling is an important agronomic trait in crop breeding. Moderate leaf rolling maintains the erectness of leaves and minimizes shadowing between leaves, leading to improved photosynthetic efficiency. Although some genes controlling leaf rolling have been isolated from rice and other plant species, few studies have examined leaf rolling in wheat. In the present study, the leaf rolling regulator gene, TaMYB18, was identified in a large-scale transgene project involving the transformation of 1455 wheat transcription factor genes into rice. Three homologous sequences of TaMYB18 were isolated from hexaploid wheat and localized to chromosomes 5A, 5B and 5D, respectively. TaMYB18, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, localized to the nucleus. TaMYB18 overexpression induced leaf rolling in transgenic rice. Additionally, the three members of TaMYB18 exhibited functional redundancy in rice. Furthermore, the function of TaMYB18 in regulating leaf rolling in rice was a dose-dependent. Taken together, these results indicate that TaMYB18 may play an important role in the regulation of leaf development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Chunhao Dong
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Guangyao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Fu Li
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Chuan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Lina Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Longzhi Han
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jinxia Wu
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jizeng Jia
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Xu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Xiuying Kong
- Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement, Ministry of Agriculture, The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Abe K, Ichikawa H. Gene Overexpression Resources in Cereals for Functional Genomics and Discovery of Useful Genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1359. [PMID: 27708649 PMCID: PMC5030214 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Identification and elucidation of functions of plant genes is valuable for both basic and applied research. In addition to natural variation in model plants, numerous loss-of-function resources have been produced by mutagenesis with chemicals, irradiation, or insertions of transposable elements or T-DNA. However, we may be unable to observe loss-of-function phenotypes for genes with functionally redundant homologs and for those essential for growth and development. To offset such disadvantages, gain-of-function transgenic resources have been exploited. Activation-tagged lines have been generated using obligatory overexpression of endogenous genes by random insertion of an enhancer. Recent progress in DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics has enabled the preparation of genomewide collections of full-length cDNAs (fl-cDNAs) in some model species. Using the fl-cDNA clones, a novel gain-of-function strategy, Fl-cDNA OvereXpressor gene (FOX)-hunting system, has been developed. A mutant phenotype in a FOX line can be directly attributed to the overexpressed fl-cDNA. Investigating a large population of FOX lines could reveal important genes conferring favorable phenotypes for crop breeding. Alternatively, a unique loss-of-function approach Chimeric REpressor gene Silencing Technology (CRES-T) has been developed. In CRES-T, overexpression of a chimeric repressor, composed of the coding sequence of a transcription factor (TF) and short peptide designated as the repression domain, could interfere with the action of endogenous TF in plants. Although plant TFs usually consist of gene families, CRES-T is effective, in principle, even for the TFs with functional redundancy. In this review, we focus on the current status of the gene-overexpression strategies and resources for identifying and elucidating novel functions of cereal genes. We discuss the potential of these research tools for identifying useful genes and phenotypes for application in crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroaki Ichikawa
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research OrganizationTsukuba, Japan
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