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International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023The AT-hook motif nuclear localized () gene family is a highly conserved transcription factor critical for the growth, development, and stress tolerance of plants....
The AT-hook motif nuclear localized () gene family is a highly conserved transcription factor critical for the growth, development, and stress tolerance of plants. However, the function of the gene family in () remains unclear. In this study, 42 family members were identified from the genome and mapped to nine chromosomes. Two clades have formed in the evolution of the gene family. The results showed that most products encoded by family genes are located in the nucleus. Gene duplication was common and expanded the gene family. According to the analysis of -regulatory elements, the genes interact with stress responses (osmotic, cold, and heavy metal stress), major hormones (abscisic acid), and light responses. In addition, the expression profiles revealed that genes are widely expressed in different tissues. was upregulated at 4 h under drought stress, highly expressed under cadmium conditions, and downregulated in response to cold conditions. and were upregulated at the initial time point and peaked at 12 h under cold and cadmium stress, respectively. Notably, the interactions between genes and proteins under drought, cold, and heavy metal stresses were observed when predicting the protein-protein interaction network.
Topics: Brassica rapa; Genes, Plant; Gene Expression Profiling; Cadmium; Genome, Plant; Stress, Physiological; Phylogeny; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 37569822
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512447 -
Plant Communications Nov 2023Rising demands for protein worldwide are likely to drive increases in livestock production, as meat provides ∼40% of dietary protein. This will come at a significant... (Review)
Review
Rising demands for protein worldwide are likely to drive increases in livestock production, as meat provides ∼40% of dietary protein. This will come at a significant environmental cost, and a shift toward plant-based protein sources would therefore provide major benefits. While legumes provide substantial amounts of plant-based protein, cereals are the major constituents of global foods, with wheat alone accounting for 15-20% of the required dietary protein intake. Improvement of protein content in wheat is limited by phenotyping challenges, lack of genetic potential of modern germplasms, negative yield trade-offs, and environmental costs of nitrogen fertilizers. Presenting wheat as a case study, we discuss how increasing protein content in cereals through a revised breeding strategy combined with robust phenotyping could ensure a sustainable protein supply while minimizing the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilizer.
Topics: Edible Grain; Dietary Proteins; Plant Proteins; Fabaceae; Nitrogen
PubMed: 37710958
DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100716 -
Plant Physiology Jul 2023Fruit formation depends on successful fertilization and is highly sensitive to weather fluctuations that affect pollination. Auxin promotes fruit initiation and growth...
Fruit formation depends on successful fertilization and is highly sensitive to weather fluctuations that affect pollination. Auxin promotes fruit initiation and growth following fertilization. Class A auxin response factors (Class A ARFs) repress transcription in the absence of auxin and activate transcription in its presence. Here, we explore how multiple members of the ARF family regulate fruit set and fruit growth in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Arabidopsis thaliana, and test whether reduction of SlARF activity improves yield stability in fluctuating temperatures. We found that several tomato Slarf mutant combinations produced seedless parthenocarpic fruits, most notably mutants deficient in SlARF8A and SlARF8B genes. Arabidopsis Atarf8 mutants deficient in the orthologous gene had less complete parthenocarpy than did tomato Slarf8a Slarf8b mutants. Conversely, Atarf6 Atarf8 double mutants had reduced fruit growth after fertilization. AtARF6 and AtARF8 likely switch from repression to activation of fruit growth in response to a fertilization-induced auxin increase in gynoecia. Tomato plants with reduced SlARF8A and SlARF8B gene dosage had substantially higher yield than the wild type under controlled or ambient hot and cold growth conditions. In field trials, partial reduction in the SlARF8 dose increased yield under extreme temperature with minimal pleiotropic effects. The stable yield of the mutant plants resulted from a combination of early onset of fruit set, more fruit-bearing branches and more flowers setting fruits. Thus, ARF8 proteins mediate the control of fruit set, and relieving this control with Slarf8 mutations may be utilized in breeding to increase yield stability in tomato and other crops.
Topics: Indoleacetic Acids; Fruit; Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Breeding; Arabidopsis; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 37032117
DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad205 -
Nature Communications Feb 2024Understanding how plants alter their development and architecture in response to ambient temperature is crucial for breeding resilient crops. Here, we identify the...
Understanding how plants alter their development and architecture in response to ambient temperature is crucial for breeding resilient crops. Here, we identify the quantitative trait locus qMULTIPLE INFLORESCENCE BRANCH 2 (qMIB2), which modulates inflorescence branching in response to high ambient temperature in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The non-functional mib2 allele may have been selected in large-fruited varieties to ensure larger and more uniform fruits under varying temperatures. MIB2 gene encodes a homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factor SPATULA; its expression is induced in meristems at high temperature. MIB2 directly binds to the promoter of its downstream gene CONSTANS-Like1 (SlCOL1) by recognizing the conserved G-box motif to activate SlCOL1 expression in reproductive meristems. Overexpressing SlCOL1 rescue the reduced inflorescence branching of mib2, suggesting how the MIB2-SlCOL1 module helps tomato inflorescences adapt to high temperature. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanism underlying inflorescence thermomorphogenesis and provide a target for breeding climate-resilient crops.
Topics: Inflorescence; Solanum lycopersicum; Vernalization; Plant Breeding; Meristem; Arabidopsis; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 38368437
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45722-0 -
BMC Microbiology Oct 2023Secretome analysis is a valuable tool to study host-pathogen protein interactions and to identify new proteins that are important for plant health. Microbial signatures...
BACKGROUND
Secretome analysis is a valuable tool to study host-pathogen protein interactions and to identify new proteins that are important for plant health. Microbial signatures elicit defense responses in plants, and by that, the plant immune system gets triggered prior to pathogen infection. Functional properties of secretory proteins from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (Xad1) involved in priming plant immunity was evaluated.
RESULTS
In this study, the secretome of Xad1 was analyzed under host plant extract-induced conditions, and mass spectroscopic analysis of differentially expressed protein was identified as plant-defense-activating protein viz., flagellin C (FliC). The flagellin and Flg22 peptides both elicited hypersensitive reaction (HR) in non-host tobacco, activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes, and increased pathogenesis-related (PR) gene expression viz., NPR1, PR1, and down-regulation of PR2 (β-1,3-glucanase). Protein docking studies revealed the Flg22 epitope of Xad1, a 22 amino acid peptide region in FliC that recognizes plant receptor FLS2 to initiate downstream defense signaling.
CONCLUSION
The flagellin or the Flg22 peptide from Xad1 was efficient in eliciting an HR in tobacco via salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense signaling that subsequently triggers systemic immune response epigenetically. The insights from this study can be used for the development of bio-based products (small PAMPs) for plant immunity and health.
Topics: Plant Proteins; Flagellin; Nicotiana; Arabidopsis Proteins; Xanthomonas axonopodis; Arabidopsis; Plants; Peptides; Plant Diseases
PubMed: 37798635
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03028-z -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Aug 2023To successfully colonise plants, pathogens must circumvent the plant immune system. Intracellular immune receptors of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR)... (Review)
Review
To successfully colonise plants, pathogens must circumvent the plant immune system. Intracellular immune receptors of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) class of proteins are major components of the plant immune system. NLRs function as disease resistance genes by recognising effectors secreted by diverse pathogens, triggering a localised form of programmed cell death known as the hypersensitive response. To evade detection, effectors have evolved to suppress NLR-mediated immunity by targeting NLRs either directly or indirectly. Here, we compile the latest discoveries related to NLR-suppressing effectors and categorise these effectors based on their mode of action. We discuss the diverse strategies pathogens use to perturb NLR-mediated immunity, and how we can use our understanding of effector activity to help guide new approaches for disease resistance breeding.
Topics: Disease Resistance; Plant Breeding; Plants; Plant Immunity; Plant Diseases; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 37295294
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102396 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Potato is an important food crop worldwide. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are widely involved in plant growth and development, and BIN2 (brassinosteroid insensitive 2) is the...
Potato is an important food crop worldwide. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are widely involved in plant growth and development, and BIN2 (brassinosteroid insensitive 2) is the negative regulator of their signal transduction. However, the function of BIN2 in the formation of potato tubers remains unclear. In this study, transgenic methods were used to regulate the expression level of in plants, and tuber related phenotypes were analyzed. The overexpression of significantly increased the number of potatoes formed per plant and the weight of potatoes in transgenic plants. In order to further explore the effect of StBIN2 on the formation of potato tubers, this study analyzed BRs, ABA hormone signal transduction, sucrose starch synthase activity, the expression levels of related genes, and interacting proteins. The results show that the overexpression of enhanced the downstream transmission of ABA signals. At the same time, the enzyme activity of the sugar transporter and the expression of synthetic genes were increased in potato plants overexpressing , which also demonstrated the upregulation of sucrose and the expression of the starch synthesis gene. Apparently, StBIN2 affected the conversion and utilization of key substances such as glucose, sucrose, and starch in the process of potato formation so as to provide a material basis and energy preparation for forming potatoes. In addition, StBIN2 also promoted the expression of the tuber formation factors StSP6A and StS6K. Altogether, this investigation enriches the study on the mechanism through which StBIN2 regulates potato tuber formation and provides a theoretical basis for achieving a high and stable yield of potato.
Topics: Solanum tuberosum; Sugars; Carbohydrates; Starch; Sucrose; Plant Tubers; Hormones; Signal Transduction; Plants, Genetically Modified; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 38003283
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216087 -
Plant Science : An International... Jun 2024Plants live in a highly dynamic environment and require to rapidly respond to a plethora of environmental stimuli, so that to maintain their optimal growth and... (Review)
Review
Plants live in a highly dynamic environment and require to rapidly respond to a plethora of environmental stimuli, so that to maintain their optimal growth and development. A small plant peptide, rapid alkalization factor (RALF), can rapidly increase the pH value of the extracellular matrix in plant cells. RALFs always function with its corresponding receptors. Mechanistically, effective amount of RALF is induced and released at the critical period of plant growth and development or under different external environmental factors. Recent studies also highlighted the role of RALF peptides as important regulators in plant intercellular communications, as well as their operation in signal perception and as ligands for different receptor kinases on the surface of the plasma membrane, to integrate various environmental cues. In this context, understanding the fine-print of above processes may be essential to solve the problems of crop adaptation to various harsh environments under current climate trends scenarios, by genetic means. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the structure and diversity of RALF peptides and their roles in plant development and response to stresses, highlighting unanswered questions and problems to be solved.
Topics: Plant Proteins; Plants; Peptides; Phosphotransferases; Plant Development
PubMed: 38588983
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112085 -
Plant Physiology Jul 2023Dwarfism is an agronomic trait that has substantial effects on crop yield, lodging resistance, planting density, and a high harvest index. Ethylene plays an important...
Dwarfism is an agronomic trait that has substantial effects on crop yield, lodging resistance, planting density, and a high harvest index. Ethylene plays an important role in plant growth and development, including the determination of plant height. However, the mechanism by which ethylene regulates plant height, especially in woody plants, remains unclear. In this study, a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACC) gene (ACS), which is involved in ethylene biosynthesis, was isolated from lemon (Citrus limon L. Burm) and named CiACS4. Overexpression of CiACS4 resulted in a dwarf phenotype in Nicotiana tabacum and lemon and increased ethylene release and decreased gibberellin (GA) content in transgenic plants. Inhibition of CiACS4 expression in transgenic citrus significantly increased plant height compared with the controls. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that CiACS4 interacted with an ethylene response factor (ERF), CiERF3. Further experiments revealed that the CiACS4-CiERF3 complex can bind to the promoters of 2 citrus GA20-oxidase genes, CiGA20ox1 and CiGA20ox2, and suppress their expression. In addition, another ERF transcription factor, CiERF023, identified using yeast one-hybrid assays, promoted CiACS4 expression by binding to its promoter. Overexpression of CiERF023 in N. tabacum caused a dwarfing phenotype. CiACS4, CiERF3, and CiERF023 expression was inhibited and induced by GA3 and ACC treatments, respectively. These results suggest that the CiACS4-CiERF3 complex may be involved in the regulation of plant height by regulating CiGA20ox1 and CiGA20ox2 expression levels in citrus.
Topics: Gibberellins; Citrus; Ethylenes; Transcription Factors; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 36913259
DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad159 -
Biomolecules Jul 2023The term allergy was coined in 1906 by the Austrian scientist and pediatrician Clemens Freiherr von Pirquet. In 1976, Dietrich Kraft became the head of the Allergy and... (Review)
Review
The term allergy was coined in 1906 by the Austrian scientist and pediatrician Clemens Freiherr von Pirquet. In 1976, Dietrich Kraft became the head of the Allergy and Immunology Research Group at the Department of General and Experimental Pathology of the University of Vienna. In 1983, Kraft proposed to replace natural extracts used in allergy diagnostic tests and vaccines with recombinant allergen molecules and persuaded Michael Breitenbach to contribute his expertise in molecular cloning as one of the mentors of this project. Thus, the foundation for the Vienna School of Molecular Allergology was laid. With the recruitment of Heimo Breiteneder as a young molecular biology researcher, the work began in earnest, resulting in the publication of the cloning of the first plant allergen Bet v 1 in 1989. Bet v 1 has become the subject of a very large number of basic scientific as well as clinical studies. Bet v 1 is also the founding member of the large Bet v 1-like superfamily of proteins with members-based on the ancient conserved Bet v 1 fold-being present in all three domains of life, i.e., archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. This suggests that the Bet v 1 fold most likely already existed in the last universal common ancestor. The biological function of this protein was probably related to lipid binding. However, during evolution, a functional diversity within the Bet v 1-like superfamily was established. The superfamily comprises 25 families, one of which is the Bet v 1 family, which in turn is composed of 11 subfamilies. One of these, the PR-10-like subfamily of proteins, contains almost all of the Bet v 1 homologous allergens from pollen and plant foods. Structural and functional comparisons of Bet v 1 and its non-allergenic homologs of the superfamily will pave the way for a deeper understanding of the allergic sensitization process.
Topics: Humans; Allergens; Betula; Plant Proteins; Antigens, Plant; Pollen; Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 37509186
DOI: 10.3390/biom13071151