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Wang X, Zhou Y, Chai X, Foster TM, Deng CH, Wu T, Zhang X, Han Z, Wang Y. miR164-MhNAC1 regulates apple root nitrogen uptake under low nitrogen stress. New Phytol 2024; 242:1218-1237. [PMID: 38481030 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and serves as a signaling molecule to regulate gene expression inducing physiological, growth and developmental responses. An excess or deficiency of nitrogen may have adverse effects on plants. Studying nitrogen uptake will help us understand the molecular mechanisms of utilization for targeted molecular breeding. Here, we identified and functionally validated an NAC (NAM-ATAF1/2-CUC2) transcription factor based on the transcriptomes of two apple rootstocks with different nitrogen uptake efficiency. NAC1, a target gene of miR164, directly regulates the expression of the high-affinity nitrate transporter (MhNRT2.4) and citric acid transporter (MhMATE), affecting root nitrogen uptake. To examine the role of MhNAC1 in nitrogen uptake, we produced transgenic lines that overexpressed or silenced MhNAC1. Silencing MhNAC1 promoted nitrogen uptake and citric acid secretion in roots, and enhanced plant tolerance to low nitrogen conditions, while overexpression of MhNAC1 or silencing miR164 had the opposite effect. This study not only revealed the role of the miR164-MhNAC1 module in nitrogen uptake in apple rootstocks but also confirmed that citric acid secretion in roots affected nitrogen uptake, which provides a research basis for efficient nitrogen utilization and molecular breeding in apple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaofen Chai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Toshi M Foster
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research), Motueka, 7198, New Zealand
| | - Cecilia H Deng
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research), Auckland, 1025, New Zealand
| | - Ting Wu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xinzhong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhenhai Han
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China
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Sun Q, Zhai L, Zhao D, Gao M, Wu Y, Wu T, Zhang X, Xu X, Han Z, Wang Y. Kinase MxMPK4-1 and calmodulin-binding protein MxIQM3 enhance apple root acidification during Fe deficiency. Plant Physiol 2023; 191:1968-1984. [PMID: 36534987 PMCID: PMC10022619 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) deficiency is a long-standing issue in plant mineral nutrition. Ca2+ signals and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade are frequently activated in parallel to perceive external cues, but their interplay under Fe deficiency stress remains largely unclear. Here, the kinase MxMPK4-1, which is induced during the response to Fe deficiency stress in apple rootstock Malus xiaojinensis, cooperates with IQ-motif containing protein3 (MxIQM3). MxIQM3 gene expression, protein abundance, and phosphorylation level increased under Fe deficiency stress. The overexpression of MxIQM3 in apple calli and rootstocks mitigated the Fe deficiency phenotype and improved stress tolerance, whereas RNA interference or silencing of MxIQM3 in apple calli and rootstocks, respectively, worsened the phenotype and reduced tolerance to Fe deficiency. MxMPK4-1 interacted with MxIQM3 and subsequently phosphorylated MxIQM3 at Ser393, and co-expression of MxMPK4-1 and MxIQM3 in apple calli and rootstocks enhanced Fe deficiency responses. Furthermore, MxIQM3 interacted with the central-loop region of the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase MxHA2. Phospho-mimicking mutation of MxIQM3 at Ser393 inhibited binding to MxHA2, but phospho-abolishing mutation promoted interaction with both the central-loop and C terminus of MxHA2, demonstrating phosphorylation of MxIQM3 caused dissociation from MxHA2 and therefore increased H+ secretion. Moreover, Ca2+/MxCAM7 (Calmodulin7) regulated the MxMPK4-1-MxIQM3 module in response to Fe deficiency stress. Overall, our results demonstrate that MxMPK4-1-MxIQM3 forms a functional complex and positively regulates PM H+-ATPase activity in Fe deficiency responses, revealing a versatile mechanism of Ca2+/MxCAM7 signaling and MAPK cascade under Fe deficiency stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiran Sun
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Longmei Zhai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Danrui Zhao
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Min Gao
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yue Wu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Ting Wu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Xinzhong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Zhenhai Han
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Nutrition and Physiology), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, PR China
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Wang X, Chai X, Gao B, Deng C, Günther CS, Wu T, Zhang X, Xu X, Han Z, Wang Y. Multi-omics analysis reveals the mechanism of bHLH130 responding to low-nitrogen stress of apple rootstock. Plant Physiol 2023; 191:1305-1323. [PMID: 36417197 PMCID: PMC9922409 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen is critical for plant growth and development. With the increase of nitrogen fertilizer application, nitrogen use efficiency decreases, resulting in wasted resources. In apple (Malus domestica) rootstocks, the potential molecular mechanism for improving nitrogen uptake efficiency to alleviate low-nitrogen stress remains unclear. We utilized multi-omics approaches to investigate the mechanism of nitrogen uptake in two apple rootstocks with different responses to nitrogen stress, Malus hupehensis and Malus sieversii. Under low-nitrogen stress, Malus sieversii showed higher efficiency in nitrogen uptake. Multi-omics analysis revealed substantial differences in the expression of genes involved in flavonoid and lignin synthesis pathways between the two materials, which were related to the corresponding metabolites. We discovered that basic helix-loop-helix 130 (bHLH130) transcription factor was highly negatively associated with the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. bHLH130 may directly bind to the chalcone synthase gene (CHS) promoter and inhibit its expression. Overexpressing CHS increased flavonoid accumulation and nitrogen uptake. Inhibiting bHLH130 increased flavonoid biosynthesis while decreasing lignin accumulation, thus improving nitrogen uptake efficiency. These findings revealed the molecular mechanism by which bHLH130 regulates flavonoid and lignin biosyntheses in apple rootstocks under low-nitrogen stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofen Chai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Beibei Gao
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Cecilia Deng
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, 120 Mt Albert Road, 1025 Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Catrin S Günther
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Ruakura Research Campus, Bisley Road, 3216 Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Ting Wu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xinzhong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhai Han
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural (Nutrition and Physiology), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
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