International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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16 pages, 3342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Photoperiod- and Phytohormone-Responsive DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger (Dof) Transcription Factors in Akebia trifoliata via Genome-Wide Expression Analysis

by Qiuyi Zhang, Shengfu Zhong, Qing Dong, Hao Yang, Huai Yang, Feiquan Tan, Chen Chen, Tianheng Ren, Jinliang Shen, Guoxing Cao and Peigao Luo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4973; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054973 - 4 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2111

Abstract

As a kind of plant-specific transcription factor (TF), DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger (Dof) is widely involved in the response to environmental change, and as an evolutionarily important perennial plant species, Akebia trifoliata is ideal for studying environmental adaptation. In this study, a total [...] Read more.

As a kind of plant-specific transcription factor (TF), DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger (Dof) is widely involved in the response to environmental change, and as an evolutionarily important perennial plant species, Akebia trifoliata is ideal for studying environmental adaptation. In this study, a total of 41 AktDofs were identified in the A. trifoliata genome. First, the characteristics, including the length, exon number, and chromosomal distribution of the AktDofs and the isoelectric point (PI), amino acid number, molecular weight (MW), and conserved motifs of their putative proteins, were reported. Second, we found that all AktDofs evolutionarily underwent strong purifying selection, and many (33, 80.5%) of them were generated by whole-genome duplication (WGD). Third, we outlined their expression profiles by the use of available transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis. Finally, we identified four candidate genes (AktDof21, AktDof20, AktDof36, and AktDof17) and three other candidate genes (AktDof26, AktDof16, and AktDof12) that respond to long day (LD) and darkness, respectively, and that are closely associated with phytohormone-regulating pathways. Overall, this research is the first to identify and characterize the AktDofs family and is very helpful for further research on A. trifoliata adaptation to environmental factors, especially photoperiod changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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13 pages, 2599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Induced Mutation in GmCOP1b Enhances the Performance of Soybean under Dense Planting Conditions

by Ronghuan Ji, Xinying Xu, Jun Liu, Tao Zhao, Hongyu Li, Jixian Zhai and Bin Liu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(10), 5394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105394 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2366

Abstract

CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) is the key photomorphogenic inhibitor that has been extensively studied in higher plants. Nevertheless, its role has not been documented in the economically important soybean. Here we investigated the functions of two COP1 homologous genes, GmCOP1a and GmCOP1b, [...] Read more.

CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) is the key photomorphogenic inhibitor that has been extensively studied in higher plants. Nevertheless, its role has not been documented in the economically important soybean. Here we investigated the functions of two COP1 homologous genes, GmCOP1a and GmCOP1b, by analyzing Gmcop1a and Gmcop1b mutants with indels using CRISPR in soybean. We revealed that, although both genes are required for skotomorphogenesis in the dark, the GmCOP1b gene seems to play a more prominent role than GmCOP1a in promoting stem elongation under normal light conditions. Consistently, the bZIP transcriptional factors STF1/2, which repress stem elongation in soybean, accumulated to the highest level in the Gmcop1a1b double mutant, followed by the Gmcop1b and Gmcop1a mutants. Furthermore, the Gmcop1b mutants showed reduced shade response and enhanced performance under high-density conditions in field trials. Taken together, this study provides essential genetic resources for elucidating functional mechanisms of GmCOP1 and breeding of high yield soybean cultivars for future sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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25 pages, 3886 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lighting from Top and Side Enhances Photosynthesis and Plant Performance by Improving Light Usage Efficiency

by Jingli Yang, Jinnan Song and Byoung Ryong Jeong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2448; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052448 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3068

Abstract

Light is a critical environmental factor that influences plant growth and development, ranging from seed germination to flowering and fruiting. This study was carried out to explore how the optimal combination of various lighting directions increases the light usage efficiency and influences the [...] Read more.

Light is a critical environmental factor that influences plant growth and development, ranging from seed germination to flowering and fruiting. This study was carried out to explore how the optimal combination of various lighting directions increases the light usage efficiency and influences the plant morphophysiology, by investigating the plant growth parameters, leaf anatomy, epidermal morphology, stomatal properties, chlorophyll content, key physiological changes, and correlated gene expressions. In closed-type plant growth chambers, rooted cuttings of two chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cultivars, “Pearl Egg” and “Gaya Glory”, were subjected to a 10-h photoperiod with 600 μmol∙m⁻²·s⁻¹ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in each light-direction combination (top (1/1) (T), top (1/2) + side (1/2) (TS), top (1/2) + bottom (1/2) (TB), side (1/2) + bottom (1/2) (SB), and top (1/3) + side (1/3) + bottom (1/3) (TSB)). The TS lighting significantly enhanced the morphophysiological performance, compared to the other lighting direction combinations. Notably, the excellent branch formation and earlier flowering were induced by the TS lighting in both “Pearl Egg” and “Gaya Glory” plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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18 pages, 2749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

OsBIC1 Directly Interacts with OsCRYs to Regulate Leaf Sheath Length through Mediating GA-Responsive Pathway

by Cong Li, Xin Wang, Liya Zhang, Chunyu Zhang, Chunsheng Yu, Tao Zhao, Bin Liu, Hongyu Li and Jun Liu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010287 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2213

Abstract

Cryptochrome 1 and 2 (CRY1 and CRY2) are blue light receptors involved in the regulation of hypocotyl elongation, cotyledon expansion, and flowering time in Arabidopsisthaliana. Two cryptochrome-interacting proteins, Blue-light Inhibitor of Cryptochrome 1 and 2 (BIC1 and BIC2), have been found [...] Read more.

Cryptochrome 1 and 2 (CRY1 and CRY2) are blue light receptors involved in the regulation of hypocotyl elongation, cotyledon expansion, and flowering time in Arabidopsisthaliana. Two cryptochrome-interacting proteins, Blue-light Inhibitor of Cryptochrome 1 and 2 (BIC1 and BIC2), have been found in Arabidopsis. BIC1 plays critical roles in suppressing the physiological activities of CRY2, which include the blue light-dependent dimerization, phosphorylation, photobody formation, and degradation process, but the functional characterization of BIC protein in other crops has not yet been performed. To investigate the function of BIC protein in rice (Oryza sativa), two homologous genes of Arabidopsis BIC1 and BIC2, namely OsBIC1 and OsBIC2 (OsBICs), were identified. The overexpression of OsBIC1 and OsBIC2 led to increased leaf sheath length, whereas mutations in OsBIC1 displayed shorter leaf sheath in a blue light intensity-dependent manner. OsBIC1 regulated blue light-induced leaf sheath elongation through direct interaction with OsCRY1a, OsCRY1b, and OsCRY2 (OsCRYs). Longitudinal sections of the second leaf sheath demonstrated that OsBIC1 and OsCRYs controlled leaf sheath length by influencing the ratio of epidermal cells with different lengths. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis further proved that OsBIC1 and OsCRYs regulated similar transcriptome changes in regulating Gibberellic Acids (GA)-responsive pathway. Taken together, these results suggested that OsBIC1 and OsCRYs worked together to regulate epidermal cell elongation and control blue light-induced leaf sheath elongation through the GA-responsive pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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26 pages, 4332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Side Lighting Enhances Morphophysiology by Inducing More Branching and Flowering in Chrysanthemum Grown in Controlled Environment

by Jingli Yang and Byoung Ryong Jeong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 12019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222112019 - 6 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2677

Abstract

Light is one of the most important factors that influence plant growth and development. This study was conducted to examine how lighting direction affects plant morphophysiology by investigating plant growth parameters, leaf anatomy, epidermal cell elongation, stomatal properties, chloroplast arrangement, and physiological changes. [...] Read more.

Light is one of the most important factors that influence plant growth and development. This study was conducted to examine how lighting direction affects plant morphophysiology by investigating plant growth parameters, leaf anatomy, epidermal cell elongation, stomatal properties, chloroplast arrangement, and physiological changes. In closed-type plant factory units, the rooted cuttings of two chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cultivars, ‘Gaya Glory’ and ‘Pearl Egg’, were subjected to a 10 h photoperiod with a 300 μmol∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from three directions relative to the plant including the top, side, and bottom. Compared to the top or bottom lighting, the side lighting greatly enhanced the plant growth, improved the leaf internal structure and chloroplast arrangement, induced small stomata with a higher density, and promoted stomatal opening, which is associated with an increased stomatal conductance and photosynthetic efficiency. It is worth noting that the side lighting significantly enhanced the induction of branching and flowering for both cultivars., The plants grown with side lighting consistently exhibited the greatest physiological performance. We conclude that the lighting direction had a profound effect on the morphophysiological characteristics of chrysanthemum, and that side lighting dramatically promoted their growth and development, especially in their branching and flowering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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13 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GmFULc Is Induced by Short Days in Soybean and May Accelerate Flowering in Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

by Jingzhe Sun, Mengyuan Wang, Chuanlin Zhao, Tianmeng Liu, Zhengya Liu, Yuhuan Fan, Yongguo Xue, Wenbin Li, Xiaoming Zhang and Lin Zhao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910333 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2719

Abstract

Flowering is an important developmental process from vegetative to reproductive growth in plant; thus, it is necessary to analyze the genes involved in the regulation of flowering time. The MADS-box transcription factor family exists widely in plants and plays an important role in [...] Read more.

Flowering is an important developmental process from vegetative to reproductive growth in plant; thus, it is necessary to analyze the genes involved in the regulation of flowering time. The MADS-box transcription factor family exists widely in plants and plays an important role in the regulation of flowering time. However, the molecular mechanism of GmFULc involved in the regulation of plant flowering is not very clear. In this study, GmFULc protein had a typical MADS domain and it was a member of MADS-box transcription factor family. The expression analysis revealed that GmFULc was induced by short days (SD) and regulated by the circadian clock. Compared to wild type (WT), overexpression of GmFULc in transgenic Arabidopsis caused significantly earlier flowering time, while ful mutants flowered later, and overexpression of GmFULc rescued the late-flowering phenotype of ful mutants. ChIP-seq of GmFULc binding sites identified potential direct targets, including TOPLESS (TPL), and it inhibited the transcriptional activity of TPL. In addition, the transcription levels of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1) and LEAFY (LFY) in the downstream of TPL were increased in GmFULc- overexpressionArabidopsis, suggesting that the early flowering phenotype was associated with up-regulation of these genes. Our results suggested that GmFULc inhibited the transcriptional activity of TPL and induced expression of FT, SOC1 and LFY to promote flowering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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14 pages, 3558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification MIKC-Type MADS-Box Gene Family and Their Roles during Development of Floral Buds in Wheel Wingnut (Cyclocarya paliurus)

by Yinquan Qu, Weilong Kong, Qian Wang and Xiangxiang Fu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 10128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221810128 - 19 Sep 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2995

Abstract

MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) have fundamental roles in regulating floral organ formation and flowering time in flowering plants. In order to understand the function of MIKC-type MADS-box family genes in Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja, we first implemented a genome-wide analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box [...] Read more.

MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) have fundamental roles in regulating floral organ formation and flowering time in flowering plants. In order to understand the function of MIKC-type MADS-box family genes in Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja, we first implemented a genome-wide analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in C. paliurus. Here, the phylogenetic relationships, chromosome location, conserved motif, gene structure, promoter region, and gene expression profile were analyzed. The results showed that 45 MIKC-type MADS-box were divided into 14 subfamilies: BS (3), AGL12 (1), AP3-PI (3), MIKC* (3), AGL15 (3), SVP (5), AGL17 (2), AG (3), TM8 (1), AGL6 (2), SEP (5), AP1-FUL (6), SOC1 (7), and FLC (1). The 43 MIKC-type MADS-box genes were distributed unevenly in 14 chromosomes, but two members were mapped on unanchored scaffolds. Gene structures were varied in the same gene family or subfamily, but conserved motifs shared similar distributions and sequences. The element analysis in promoters’ regions revealed that MIKC-type MADS-box family genes were associated with light, phytohormone, and temperature responsiveness, which may play important roles in floral development and differentiation. The expression profile showed that most MIKC-type MADS-box genes were differentially expressed in six tissues (specifically expressed in floral buds), and the expression patterns were also visibly varied in the same subfamily. CpaF1st24796 and CpaF1st23405, belonging to AP3-PI and SEP subfamilies, exhibited the high expression levels in PA-M and PG-F, respectively, indicating their functions in presenting heterodichogamy. We further verified the MIKC-type MADS-box gene expression levels on the basis of transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis. This study would provide a theoretical basis for classification, cloning, and regulation of flowering mechanism of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in C. paliurus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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15 pages, 6210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Arabidopsis HY2 Gene Acts as a Positive Regulator of NaCl Signaling during Seed Germination

by Mingxin Piao, Jinpeng Zou, Zhifang Li, Junchuan Zhang, Liang Yang, Nan Yao, Yuhong Li, Yaxing Li, Haohao Tang, Li Zhang, Deguang Yang, Zhenming Yang, Xinglin Du and Zecheng Zuo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 9009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22169009 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2974

Abstract

Phytochromobilin (PΦB) participates in the regulation of plant growth and development as an important synthetase of photoreceptor phytochromes (phy). In addition, Arabidopsis long hypocotyl 2 (HY2) appropriately works as a key PΦB synthetase. However, whether HY2 takes part in the plant stress response [...] Read more.

Phytochromobilin (PΦB) participates in the regulation of plant growth and development as an important synthetase of photoreceptor phytochromes (phy). In addition, Arabidopsis long hypocotyl 2 (HY2) appropriately works as a key PΦB synthetase. However, whether HY2 takes part in the plant stress response signal network remains unknown. Here, we described the function of HY2 in NaCl signaling. The hy2 mutant was NaCl-insensitive, whereas HY2-overexpressing lines showed NaCl-hypersensitive phenotypes during seed germination. The exogenous NaCl induced the transcription and the protein level of HY2, which positively mediated the expression of downstream stress-related genes of RD29A, RD29B, and DREB2A. Further quantitative proteomics showed the patterns of 7391 proteins under salt stress. HY2 was then found to specifically mediate 215 differentially regulated proteins (DRPs), which, according to GO enrichment analysis, were mainly involved in ion homeostasis, flavonoid biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, hormone response (SA, JA, ABA, ethylene), the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolic pathway, photosynthesis, and detoxification pathways to respond to salt stress. More importantly, ANNAT1–ANNAT2–ANNAT3–ANNAT4 and GSTU19–GSTF10–RPL5A–RPL5B–AT2G32060, two protein interaction networks specifically regulated by HY2, jointly participated in the salt stress response. These results direct the pathway of HY2 participating in salt stress, and provide new insights for the plant to resist salt stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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17 pages, 2786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

QTL Mapping and Diurnal Transcriptome Analysis Identify Candidate Genes Regulating Brassica napus Flowering Time

by Jurong Song, Bao Li, Yanke Cui, Chenjian Zhuo, Yuanguo Gu, Kaining Hu, Jing Wen, Bin Yi, Jinxiong Shen, Chaozhi Ma, Tingdong Fu and Jinxing Tu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147559 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3330

Abstract

Timely flowering is important for seed formation and maximization of rapeseed (Brassica napus) yield. Here, we performed flowering-time quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using a double haploid (DH) population grown in three environments to study the genetic architecture. Brassica 60 K [...] Read more.

Timely flowering is important for seed formation and maximization of rapeseed (Brassica napus) yield. Here, we performed flowering-time quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using a double haploid (DH) population grown in three environments to study the genetic architecture. Brassica 60 K Illumina Infinium™ single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used for genotyping of the DH population, and a high-density genetic linkage map was constructed. QTL analysis of flowering time from the three environments revealed five consensus QTLs, including two major QTLs. A major QTL located on chromosome A03 was detected specifically in the semi-winter rapeseed growing region, and the one on chromosome C08 was detected in all environments. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on the parents’ leaves at seven time-points in a day to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The biological processes and pathways with significant enrichment of DEGs were obtained. The DEGs in the QTL intervals were analyzed, and four flowering time-related candidate genes were found. These results lay a foundation for the genetic regulation of rapeseed flowering time and create a rapeseed gene expression library for seven time-points in a day. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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Review

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18 pages, 1839 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Roles of BLH Transcription Factors in Plant Development and Environmental Response

by Xiaolin Niu and Daqi Fu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073731 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4248

Abstract

Despite recent advancements in plant molecular biology and biotechnology, providing enough, and safe, food for an increasing world population remains a challenge. The research into plant development and environmental adaptability has attracted more and more attention from various countries. The transcription of some [...] Read more.

Despite recent advancements in plant molecular biology and biotechnology, providing enough, and safe, food for an increasing world population remains a challenge. The research into plant development and environmental adaptability has attracted more and more attention from various countries. The transcription of some genes, regulated by transcript factors (TFs), and their response to biological and abiotic stresses, are activated or inhibited during plant development; examples include, rooting, flowering, fruit ripening, drought, flooding, high temperature, pathogen infection, etc. Therefore, the screening and characterization of transcription factors have increasingly become a hot topic in the field of plant research. BLH/BELL (BEL1-like homeodomain) transcription factors belong to a subfamily of the TALE (three-amino-acid-loop-extension) superfamily and its members are involved in the regulation of many vital biological processes, during plant development and environmental response. This review focuses on the advances in our understanding of the function of BLH/BELL TFs in different plants and their involvement in the development of meristems, flower, fruit, plant morphogenesis, plant cell wall structure, the response to the environment, including light and plant resistance to stress, biosynthesis and signaling of ABA (Abscisic acid), IAA (Indoleacetic acid), GA (Gibberellic Acid) and JA (Jasmonic Acid). We discuss the theoretical basis and potential regulatory models for BLH/BELL TFs’ action and provide a comprehensive view of their multiple roles in modulating different aspects of plant development and response to environmental stress and phytohormones. We also present the value of BLHs in the molecular breeding of improved crop varieties and the future research direction of the BLH gene family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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20 pages, 1802 KiB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Genetic Understanding of Photoperiodic Regulation of Flowering Time in Arabidopsis and Soybean

by Xiao Luo, Mengnan Yin and Yuehui He

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010466 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 8269

Abstract

The developmental switch from a vegetative phase to reproduction (flowering) is essential for reproduction success in flowering plants, and the timing of the floral transition is regulated by various environmental factors, among which seasonal day-length changes play a critical role to induce flowering [...] Read more.

The developmental switch from a vegetative phase to reproduction (flowering) is essential for reproduction success in flowering plants, and the timing of the floral transition is regulated by various environmental factors, among which seasonal day-length changes play a critical role to induce flowering at a season favorable for seed production. The photoperiod pathways are well known to regulate flowering time in diverse plants. Here, we summarize recent progresses on molecular mechanisms underlying the photoperiod control of flowering in the long-day plant Arabidopsis as well as the short-day plant soybean; furthermore, the conservation and diversification of photoperiodic regulation of flowering in these two species are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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20 pages, 2674 KiB

Open AccessReview

Integration of Light and Brassinosteroid Signaling during Seedling Establishment

by Fang Lin, Jing Cao, Jiale Yuan, Yuxia Liang and Jia Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312971 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3842

Abstract

Light and brassinosteroid (BR) are external stimuli and internal cue respectively, that both play critical roles in a wide range of developmental and physiological process. Seedlings grown in the light exhibit photomorphogenesis, while BR promotes seedling etiolation. Light and BR oppositely control the [...] Read more.

Light and brassinosteroid (BR) are external stimuli and internal cue respectively, that both play critical roles in a wide range of developmental and physiological process. Seedlings grown in the light exhibit photomorphogenesis, while BR promotes seedling etiolation. Light and BR oppositely control the development switch from skotomorphogenesis in the dark to photomorphogenesis in the light. Recent progress report that substantial components have been identified as hubs to integrate light and BR signals. Photomorphogenic repressors including COP1, PIFs, and AGB1 have been reported to elevate BR response, while photomorphogenesis-promoting factors such as HY5, BZS1, and NF-YCs have been proven to repress BR signal. In addition, BR components also modulate light signal. Here, we review the current research on signaling network associated with light and brassinosteroids, with a focus on the integration of light and BR signals enabling plants to thrive in the changeable environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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12 pages, 911 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lessons Learned from the Studies of Roots Shaded from Direct Root Illumination

by Jozef Lacek, Judith García-González, Wolfram Weckwerth and Katarzyna Retzer

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12784; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312784 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3746

Abstract

The root is the below-ground organ of a plant, and it has evolved multiple signaling pathways that allow adaptation of architecture, growth rate, and direction to an ever-changing environment. Roots grow along the gravitropic vector towards beneficial areas in the soil to provide [...] Read more.

The root is the below-ground organ of a plant, and it has evolved multiple signaling pathways that allow adaptation of architecture, growth rate, and direction to an ever-changing environment. Roots grow along the gravitropic vector towards beneficial areas in the soil to provide the plant with proper nutrients to ensure its survival and productivity. In addition, roots have developed escape mechanisms to avoid adverse environments, which include direct illumination. Standard laboratory growth conditions for basic research of plant development and stress adaptation include growing seedlings in Petri dishes on medium with roots exposed to light. Several studies have shown that direct illumination of roots alters their morphology, cellular and biochemical responses, which results in reduced nutrient uptake and adaptability upon additive stress stimuli. In this review, we summarize recent methods that allow the study of shaded roots under controlled laboratory conditions and discuss the observed changes in the results depending on the root illumination status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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19 pages, 2538 KiB

Open AccessReview

PIF4 and PIF4-Interacting Proteins: At the Nexus of Plant Light, Temperature and Hormone Signal Integrations

by Yang Xu and Ziqiang Zhu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910304 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 8541

Abstract

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family transcription factor PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) is necessary for plant adaption to light or high ambient temperature. PIF4 directly associates with plenty of its target genes and modulates the global transcriptome to induce or reduce gene expression levels. [...] Read more.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family transcription factor PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) is necessary for plant adaption to light or high ambient temperature. PIF4 directly associates with plenty of its target genes and modulates the global transcriptome to induce or reduce gene expression levels. However, PIF4 activity is tightly controlled by its interacting proteins. Until now, twenty-five individual proteins have been reported to physically interact with PIF4. These PIF4-interacting proteins act together with PIF4 and form a unique nexus for plant adaption to light or temperature change. In this review, we will discuss the different categories of PIF4-interacting proteins, including photoreceptors, circadian clock regulators, hormone signaling components, and transcription factors. These distinct PIF4-interacting proteins either integrate light and/or temperature cues with endogenous hormone signaling, or control PIF4 abundances and transcriptional activities. Taken together, PIF4 and PIF4-interacting proteins play major roles for exogenous and endogenous signal integrations, and therefore establish a robust network for plants to cope with their surrounding environmental alterations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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17 pages, 776 KiB

Open AccessReview

Crosstalk between Light- and Temperature-Mediated Processes under Cold and Heat Stress Conditions in Plants

by Tibor Janda, Sylva Prerostová, Radomíra Vanková and Éva Darkó

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168602 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3867

Abstract

Extreme temperatures are among the most important stressors limiting plant growth and development. Results indicate that light substantially influences the acclimation processes to both low and high temperatures, and it may affect the level of stress injury. The interaction between light and temperature [...] Read more.

Extreme temperatures are among the most important stressors limiting plant growth and development. Results indicate that light substantially influences the acclimation processes to both low and high temperatures, and it may affect the level of stress injury. The interaction between light and temperature in the regulation of stress acclimation mechanisms is complex, and both light intensity and spectral composition play an important role. Higher light intensities may lead to overexcitation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain; while different wavelengths may act through different photoreceptors. These may induce various stress signalling processes, leading to regulation of stomatal movement, antioxidant and osmoregulation capacities, hormonal actions, and other stress-related pathways. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our knowledge in both light and temperature sensing and signalling. The present review provides a synthesis of results for understanding how light influences the acclimation of plants to extreme low or high temperatures, including the sensing mechanisms and molecular crosstalk processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light as a Growth and Development Regulator to Control Plant Biology)

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