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Planta Jul 2024In this study, six ZaBZRs were identified in Zanthoxylum armatum DC, and all the ZaBZRs were upregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and drought. Overexpression of ZaBZR1...
In this study, six ZaBZRs were identified in Zanthoxylum armatum DC, and all the ZaBZRs were upregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and drought. Overexpression of ZaBZR1 enhanced the drought tolerance of transgenic Nicotiana benthamian. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a pivotal class of sterol hormones in plants that play a crucial role in plant growth and development. BZR (brassinazole resistant) is a crucial transcription factor in the signal transduction pathway of BRs. However, the BZR gene family members have not yet been identified in Zanthoxylum armatum DC. In this study, six members of the ZaBZR family were identified by bioinformatic methods. All six ZaBZRs exhibited multiple phosphorylation sites. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses revealed a closest relationship between ZaBZRs and ZbBZRs located on the B subgenomes. Expression analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of ZaBZRs in Z. armatum, and their promoter regions contained cis-acting elements associated with hormone response and stress induction. Additionally, all six ZaBZRs showed upregulation upon treatment after abscisic acid (ABA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), indicating their participation in drought response. Subsequently, we conducted an extensive investigation of ZaBZR1. ZaBZR1 showed the highest expression in the root, followed by the stem and terminal bud. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that ZaBZR1 is present in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Overexpression of ZaBZR1 in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana improved seed germination rate and root growth under drought conditions, reducing water loss rates compared to wild-type plants. Furthermore, ZaBZR1 increased proline content (PRO) and decreased malondialdehyde content (MDA), indicating improved tolerance to drought-induced oxidative stress. The transgenic plants also showed a reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Importantly, ZaBZR1 up-regulated the expression of drought-related genes such as NbP5CS1, NbDREB2A, and NbWRKY44. These findings highlight the potential of ZaBZR1 as a candidate gene for enhancing drought resistance in transgenic N. benthamiana and provide insight into the function of ZaBZRs in Z. armatum.
Topics: Droughts; Plants, Genetically Modified; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Zanthoxylum; Phylogeny; Nicotiana; Abscisic Acid; Multigene Family; Brassinosteroids; Transcription Factors; Stress, Physiological; Plant Growth Regulators; Drought Resistance
PubMed: 38954109
DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04469-0 -
Plant Cell Reports Jul 2024Overexpressing the copper transporter LbCOPT1 leads to a notable increase in the abundance of mycorrhizal arbuscules that suggests the potential application of LbCOPT1...
Overexpressing the copper transporter LbCOPT1 leads to a notable increase in the abundance of mycorrhizal arbuscules that suggests the potential application of LbCOPT1 in breeding programs aimed at enhancing symbiotic nutrient uptake in Lycium barbarum L.
Topics: Lycium; Mycorrhizae; Plant Proteins; Nicotiana; Copper; Plant Roots; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plants, Genetically Modified; Symbiosis; Nutrients
PubMed: 38954032
DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03271-2 -
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology Jul 2024The plant hormone jasmonate (JA) regulates plant growth and immunity by orchestrating a genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming. In the resting stage, JASMONATE-ZIM...
The plant hormone jasmonate (JA) regulates plant growth and immunity by orchestrating a genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming. In the resting stage, JASMONATE-ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins act as main repressors to regulate the expression of JA-responsive genes in the JA signaling pathway. However, the mechanisms underlying de-repression of JA-responsive genes in response to JA treatment remain elusive. Here, we report two nuclear factor Y transcription factors NF-YB2 and NF-YB3 (thereafter YB2 and YB3) play key roles in such de-repression in Arabidopsis. YB2 and YB3 function redundantly and positively regulate plant resistance against the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea, which are specially required for transcriptional activation of a set of JA-responsive genes following inoculation. Furthermore, YB2 and YB3 modulated their expression through direct occupancy and interaction with histone demethylase Ref6 to remove repressive histone modifications. Moreover, YB2 and YB3 physically interacted with JAZ repressors and negatively modulated their abundance, which in turn attenuated the inhibition of JAZ proteins on the transcription of JA-responsive genes, thereby activating JA response and promoting disease resistance. Overall, our study reveals the positive regulators of YB2 and YB3 in JA signaling by positively regulating transcription of JA-responsive genes and negatively modulating the abundance of JAZ proteins.
PubMed: 38953749
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13732 -
MBio Jul 2024Phytopathogens secrete numerous molecules into the environment to establish a microbial niche and facilitate host infection. The phytopathogenic fungus which causes...
UNLABELLED
Phytopathogens secrete numerous molecules into the environment to establish a microbial niche and facilitate host infection. The phytopathogenic fungus which causes pear anthracnose, can colonize different plant tissues like leaves and fruits, which are occupied by a diversity of microbes. We speculate that this fungus produces antimicrobial effectors to outcompete host-associated competitive microorganisms. Herein, we identified two secreted ribonucleases, CfRibo1 and CfRibo2, from the secretome. The two ribonucleases both possess ribonuclease activity and showed cytotoxicity in without triggering immunity in an enzymatic activity-dependent manner. CfRibo1 and CfRibo2 recombinant proteins exhibited toxicity against , , and, importantly, the phyllosphere microorganisms isolated from the pear host. Among these isolated microbial strains, is a pathogenic bacterium causing pear soft rot. Strikingly, CfRibo1 and CfRibo2 were found to directly antagonize to facilitate infection. More importantly, CfRibo1 and CfRibo2 functioned as essential virulence factors of in the presence of host-associated microorganisms. Further analysis revealed these two ribonucleases are widely distributed in fungi and are undergoing purifying selection. Our results provide the first evidence of antimicrobial effectors in fungi and extend the functional diversity of fungal ribonucleases in plant-pest-environment interactions.
IMPORTANCE
is emerging as a devastating pathogenic fungus causing anthracnose in various crops in agriculture, and understanding how this fungus establishes successful infection is of great significance for anthracnose disease management. Fungi are known to produce secreted effectors as weapons to promote virulence. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating how effectors manipulate plant immunity; however, their importance in modulating environmental microbes is frequently neglected. The present study identified two secreted ribonucleases, CfRibo1 and CfRibo2, as antimicrobial effectors of . These two proteins both possess toxicity to pear phyllosphere microorganisms, and they efficiently antagonize competitive microbes to facilitate the infection of pear hosts. This study represents the first evidence of antimicrobial effectors in fungi, and we consider that CfRibo1 and CfRibo2 could be targeted for anthracnose disease management in diverse crops in the future.
PubMed: 38953357
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01053-24 -
Food & Function Jul 2024Edible plant-derived nanovesicles (ePDNs) have shown potential as a non-pharmacological option for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by maintaining gut health and showing...
Edible plant-derived nanovesicles (ePDNs) have shown potential as a non-pharmacological option for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by maintaining gut health and showing anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of -derived nanovesicles (ADNs) on colitis have not been studied to date. Here, we extracted exosome-like nanovesicles from and investigated whether they have an anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells and colitis mice. The results showed that ADNs reduced the elevated levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB pathway-related proteins as a consequence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, our mouse experiments demonstrated that ADNs could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis symptoms (, increased disease activity index score, intestinal permeability, and histological appearance). Additionally, ADNs counteracted DSS-induced colitis by downregulating the expression of serum amyloid A (SAA), IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and increasing the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that ADN intervention restored the gut microbial composition, which was similar to that of the DSS non-treated group, by decreasing the ratio of to and the relative abundance of . Furthermore, ADNs induced acetic acid production along with an increase in the abundance of . Overall, our findings suggest that ADN supplementation has a crucial role in maintaining gut health and is a novel preventive therapy for IBD.
PubMed: 38953279
DOI: 10.1039/d4fo01366b -
PeerJ 2024FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors are derived from transposase, which play important roles in light signal transduction, growth and development, and response to stress by...
BACKGROUND
FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors are derived from transposase, which play important roles in light signal transduction, growth and development, and response to stress by regulating downstream gene expression. Although many FAR1/FHY3 members have been identified in various species, the genes in maize are not well characterized and their function in drought are unknown.
METHOD
The FAR1/FHY3 family in the maize genome was identified using PlantTFDB, Pfam, Smart, and NCBI-CDD websites. In order to investigate the evolution and functions of FAR1 genes in maize, the information of protein sequences, chromosome localization, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, evolutionary relationships and tissue expression patterns were analyzed by bioinformatics, and the expression patterns under drought stress were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
RESULTS
A total of 24 ZmFAR members in maize genome, which can be divided into five subfamilies, with large differences in protein and gene structures among subfamilies. The promoter regions of contain abundant abiotic stress-responsive and hormone-respovensive -elements. Among them, drought-responsive -elements are quite abundant. were expressed in all tissues detected, but the expression level varies widely. The expression of were mostly down-regulated in primary roots, seminal roots, lateral roots, and mesocotyls under water deficit. Most were down-regulated in root after PEG-simulated drought stress.
CONCLUSIONS
We performed a genome-wide and systematic identification of genes in maize. And most were down-regulated in root after drought stress. These results indicate that FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors have important roles in drought stress response, which can lay a foundation for further analysis of the functions of in response to drought stress.
Topics: Zea mays; Droughts; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 38952979
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17684 -
Physiologia Plantarum 2024Under changing climatic conditions, plants are simultaneously facing conflicting stresses in nature. Plants can sense different stresses, induce systematic ROS signals,...
Under changing climatic conditions, plants are simultaneously facing conflicting stresses in nature. Plants can sense different stresses, induce systematic ROS signals, and regulate transcriptomic, hormonal, and stomatal responses. We performed transcriptome analysis to reveal the integrative stress response regulatory mechanism underlying heavy metal stress alone or in combination with heat and drought conditions in pitaya (dragon fruit). A total of 70 genes were identified from 31,130 transcripts with conserved differential expression. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified trait-associated modules. By integrating information from three modules and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, we identified 10 interconnected genes associated with the multifaceted defense mechanism employed by pitaya against co-occurring stresses. To further confirm the reliability of the results, we performed a comparative analysis of 350 genes identified by three trait modules and 70 conserved genes exhibiting their dynamic expression under all treatments. Differential expression pattern of genes and comparative analysis, have proven instrumental in identifying ten putative structural genes. These ten genes were annotated as PLAT/LH2, CAT, MLP, HSP, PB1, PLA, NAC, HMA, and CER1 transcription factors involved in antioxidant activity, defense response, MAPK signaling, detoxification of metals and regulating the crosstalk between the complex pathways. Predictive analysis of putative candidate genes, potentially governing single, double, and multifactorial stress response, by several signaling systems and molecular patterns. These findings represent a valuable resource for pitaya breeding programs, offering the potential to develop resilient "super pitaya" plants.
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gene Regulatory Networks; Fruit; Vanadium; Stress, Physiological; Caragana; Plant Proteins; Protein Interaction Maps; Gene Expression Profiling; Droughts; Transcriptome; Cactaceae
PubMed: 38952344
DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14416 -
Molecular Plant Pathology Jul 2024Employing race-specific resistance genes remains an effective strategy to protect wheat from leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt) worldwide, while the newly...
Employing race-specific resistance genes remains an effective strategy to protect wheat from leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt) worldwide, while the newly emerged Pt races, owing to rapid genetic evolution, frequently overcome the immune response delivered by race-specific resistance genes. The molecular mechanisms underlying the newly evolved virulence Pt pathogen remain unknown. Here, we identified an avirulence protein AvrLr15 from Pt that induced Lr15-dependent immune responses. Heterologously produced AvrLr15 triggered pronounced cell death in Lr15-isogenic wheat leaves. AvrLr15 contains a functional signal peptide, localized to the plant nucleus and cytosol and can suppress BAX-induced cell death. Evasion of Lr15-mediated resistance in wheat was associated with a deletion and point mutations of amino acids in AvrLr15 rather than AvrLr15 gene loss in the Lr15-breaking Pt races, implying that AvrLr15 is required for the virulence function of Pt. Our findings identified the first molecular determinant of wheat race-specific immunity and facilitated the identification of the first AVR/R gene pair in the Pt-wheat pathosystem, which will provide a molecular marker to monitor natural Pt populations and guide the deployment of Lr15-resistant wheat cultivars in the field.
Topics: Triticum; Plant Diseases; Disease Resistance; Puccinia; Fungal Proteins; Genes, Plant; Virulence; Mutation; Plant Proteins; Basidiomycota; Plant Leaves; Cell Death; Sequence Deletion
PubMed: 38952297
DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13490 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Slow-controlled release fertilizers are experiencing a popularity in rice cultivation due to their effectiveness in yield and quality with low environmental costs....
Slow-controlled release fertilizers are experiencing a popularity in rice cultivation due to their effectiveness in yield and quality with low environmental costs. However, the underlying mechanism by which these fertilizers regulate grain quality remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the effects of five fertilizer management practices on rice yield and quality in a two-year field experiment: CK, conventional fertilization, and four applications of slow-controlled release fertilizer (UF, urea formaldehyde; SCU, sulfur-coated urea; PCU, polymer-coated urea; BBF, controlled-release bulk blending fertilizer). In 2020 and 2021, the yields of UF and SCU groups showed significant decreases when compared to conventional fertilization, accompanied by a decline in nutritional quality. Additionally, PCU group exhibited poorer cooking and eating qualities. However, BBF group achieved increases in both yield (10.8 t hm and 11.0 t hm) and grain quality reaching the level of CK group. The adequate nitrogen supply in PCU group during the grain-filling stage led to a greater capacity for the accumulation of proteins and amino acids in the PCU group compared to starch accumulation. Intriguingly, BBF group showed better carbon-nitrogen metabolism than that of PCU group. The optimal nitrogen supply present in BBF group suitable boosted the synthesis of amino acids involved in the glycolysis/ tricarboxylic acid cycle, thereby effectively coordinating carbon-nitrogen metabolism. The application of the new slow-controlled release fertilizer, BBF, is advantageous in regulating the carbon flow in the carbon-nitrogen metabolism to enhance rice quality.
Topics: Oryza; Fertilizers; Nitrogen; Carbon; Edible Grain; Delayed-Action Preparations
PubMed: 38951829
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05309-9 -
Microbial Cell Factories Jul 2024Advancing the engineering of photosynthesis-based prokaryotic cell factories is important for sustainable chemical production and requires a deep understanding of the...
BACKGROUND
Advancing the engineering of photosynthesis-based prokaryotic cell factories is important for sustainable chemical production and requires a deep understanding of the interplay between bioenergetic and metabolic pathways. Rearrangements in photosynthetic electron flow to increase the efficient use of the light energy for carbon fixation must be balanced with a strong carbon sink to avoid photoinhibition. In the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the flavodiiron protein Flv3 functions as an alternative electron acceptor of photosystem I and represents an interesting engineering target for reorganizing electron flow in attempts to enhance photosynthetic CO fixation and increase production yield.
RESULTS
We have shown that inactivation of Flv3 in engineered sucrose-excreting Synechocystis (S02:Δflv3) induces a transition from photoautotrophic sucrose production to mixotrophic growth sustained by sucrose re-uptake and the formation of intracellular carbon sinks such as glycogen and polyhydroxybutyrate. The growth of S02:Δflv3 exceeds that of the sucrose-producing strain (S02) and demonstrates unforeseen proteomic and metabolomic changes over the course of the nine-day cultivation. In the absence of Flv3, a down-regulation of proteins related to photosynthetic light reactions and CO assimilation occurred concomitantly with up-regulation of those related to glycolytic pathways, before any differences in sucrose production between S02 and S02:Δflv3 strains were observed. Over time, increased sucrose degradation in S02:Δflv3 led to the upregulation of respiratory pathway components, such as the plastoquinone reductase complexes NDH-1 and NDH-2 and the terminal respiratory oxidases Cyd and Cox, which transfer electrons to O. While glycolytic metabolism is significantly up-regulated in S02:Δflv3 to provide energy for the cell, the accumulation of intracellular storage compounds and the increase in respiration serve as indirect sinks for photosynthetic electrons.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that the presence of strong carbon sink in the engineered sucrose-producing Synechocystis S02 strain, operating under high light, high CO and salt stress, cannot compensate for the lack of Flv3 by directly balancing the light transducing source and carbon fixing sink reactions. Instead, the cells immediately sense the imbalance, leading to extensive reprogramming of cellular bioenergetic, metabolic and ion transport pathways that favor mixotrophic growth rather than enhancing photoautotrophic sucrose production.
Topics: Synechocystis; Photosynthesis; Sucrose; Bacterial Proteins; Carbon; Electron Transport; Proteomics; Carbon Dioxide
PubMed: 38951789
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02462-6