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20 pages, 9800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phylogeny of PmCCD Gene Family and Expression Analysis of Flower Coloration and Stress Response in Prunus mume

by Aiqin Ding, Fei Bao, Wenhui Cheng, Tangren Cheng and Qixiang Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13950; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813950 - 11 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1359

Abstract

The CCD gene family plays a crucial role in the cleavage of carotenoids, converting them into apocarotenoids. This process not only impacts the physiology and development of plants but also enhances their tolerance toward different stresses. However, the character of the PmCCD gene [...] Read more.

The CCD gene family plays a crucial role in the cleavage of carotenoids, converting them into apocarotenoids. This process not only impacts the physiology and development of plants but also enhances their tolerance toward different stresses. However, the character of the PmCCD gene family and its role in ornamental woody Prunus mume remain unclear. Here, ten non-redundant PmCCD genes were identified from the P. mume genome, and their physicochemical characteristics were predicted. According to the phylogenetic tree, PmCCD proteins were classified into six subfamilies: CCD1, CCD4, CCD7, CCD8, NCED and CCD-like. The same subfamily possessed similar gene structural patterns and numbers of conserved motifs. Ten PmCCD genes were concentrated on three chromosomes. PmCCD genes exhibited interspecific collinearity with P. armeniaca and P. persica. Additionally, PmCCD genes had obvious specificity in different tissues and varieties. Compared with white-flowered ‘ZLE’, PmCCD1 and PmCCD4 genes were low-expressed in ‘HJH’ with yellow petals, which suggested PmCCD1 and PmCCD4 might be related to the formation of yellow flowers in P. mume. Nine PmCCD genes could respond to NaCl or PEG treatments. These genes might play a crucial role in salt and drought resistance in P. mume. Moreover, PmVAR3 and PmSAT3/5 interacted with PmCCD4 protein in yeast and tobacco leaf cells. This study laid a foundation for exploring the role of the PmCCD gene family in flower coloration and stress response in P. mume. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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19 pages, 4433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emission Trade-Off between Isoprene and Other BVOC Components in Pinus massoniana Saplings May Be Regulated by Content of Chlorophylls, Starch and NSCs under Drought Stress

by Runxia Huang, Tianning Zhang, Xiaogai Ge, Yonghui Cao, Zhengcai Li and Benzhi Zhou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108946 - 18 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1523

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the changes in the BVOCs emission rates and physiological mechanistic response of Pinus massoniana saplings in response to drought stress. Drought stress significantly reduced the emission rates of total BVOCs, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, but had [...] Read more.

The aim of this work was to study the changes in the BVOCs emission rates and physiological mechanistic response of Pinus massoniana saplings in response to drought stress. Drought stress significantly reduced the emission rates of total BVOCs, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, but had no significant effect on the emission rate of isoprene, which slightly increased under drought stress. A significant negative relationship was observed between the emission rates of total BVOCs, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes and the content of chlorophylls, starch, and NSCs, and a positive relationship was observed between the isoprene emission rate and the content of chlorophylls, starch, and NSCs, indicating different control mechanism over the emission of the different components of BVOCs. Under drought stress, the emission trade-off between isoprene and other BVOCs components may be driven by the content of chlorophylls, starch, and NSCs. Considering the inconsistent responses of the different components of BVOCs to drought stress for different plant species, close attention should be paid to the effect of drought stress and global change on plant BVOCs emissions in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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14 pages, 3651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CsCIPK11-Regulated Metalloprotease CsFtsH5 Mediates the Cold Response of Tea Plants

by Taimei Di, Yedie Wu, Jing Peng, Jie Wang, Haoqian Wang, Mingming He, Nana Li, Xinyuan Hao, Yajun Yang, Dejiang Ni, Lu Wang and Xinchao Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076288 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1582

Abstract

Photosystem II repair in chloroplasts is a critical process involved in maintaining a plant’s photosynthetic activity under cold stress. FtsH (filamentation temperature-sensitive H) is an essential metalloprotease that is required for chloroplast photosystem II repair. However, the role of FtsH in tea plants [...] Read more.

Photosystem II repair in chloroplasts is a critical process involved in maintaining a plant’s photosynthetic activity under cold stress. FtsH (filamentation temperature-sensitive H) is an essential metalloprotease that is required for chloroplast photosystem II repair. However, the role of FtsH in tea plants and its regulatory mechanism under cold stress remains elusive. In this study, we cloned a FtsH homolog gene in tea plants, named CsFtsH5, and found that CsFtsH5 was located in the chloroplast and cytomembrane. RT-qPCR showed that the expression of CsFtsH5 was increased with leaf maturity and was significantly induced by light and cold stress. Transient knockdown CsFtsH5 expression in tea leaves using antisense oligonucleotides resulted in hypersensitivity to cold stress, along with higher relative electrolyte leakage and lower Fv/Fm values. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying CsFtsH5 involvement in the cold stress, we focused on the calcineurin B-like-interacting protein kinase 11 (CsCIPK11), which had a tissue expression pattern similar to that of CsFtsH5 and was also upregulated by light and cold stress. Yeast two-hybrid and dual luciferase (Luc) complementation assays revealed that CsFtsH5 interacted with CsCIPK11. Furthermore, the Dual-Luc assay showed that CsCIPK11-CsFtsH5 interaction might enhance CsFtsH5 stability. Altogether, our study demonstrates that CsFtsH5 is associated with CsCIPK11 and plays a positive role in maintaining the photosynthetic activity of tea plants in response to low temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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12 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome and GWAS Analyses Reveal Candidate Gene for Root Traits of Alfalfa during Germination under Salt Stress

by Fei He, Tianhui Yang, Fan Zhang, Xueqian Jiang, Xianyang Li, Ruicai Long, Xue Wang, Ting Gao, Chuan Wang, Qingchuan Yang, Lin Chen and Junmei Kang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076271 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1991

Abstract

Alfalfa growth and production in China are negatively impacted by high salt concentrations in soils, especially in regions with limited water supplies. Few reliable genetic markers are currently available for salt tolerance selection. As a result, molecular breeding strategies targeting alfalfa are hindered. [...] Read more.

Alfalfa growth and production in China are negatively impacted by high salt concentrations in soils, especially in regions with limited water supplies. Few reliable genetic markers are currently available for salt tolerance selection. As a result, molecular breeding strategies targeting alfalfa are hindered. Therefore, with the continuous increase in soil salinity in agricultural lands, it is indispensable that a salt-tolerant variety of alfalfa is produced. We collected 220 alfalfa varieties around the world for resequencing and performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Alfalfa seeds were germinated in saline water with different concentrations of NaCl, and the phenotypic differences in several key root traits were recorded. In the phenotypic analysis, the breeding status and geographical origin strongly affected the salt tolerance of alfalfa. Forty-nine markers were significantly associated with salt tolerance, and 103 candidate genes were identified based on linkage disequilibrium. A total of 2712 differentially expressed genes were upregulated and 3570 were downregulated based on transcriptomic analyses. Some candidate genes that affected root development in the seed germination stage were identified through the combination of GWASs and transcriptome analyses. These genes could be used for molecular breeding strategies to increase alfalfa’s salt tolerance and for further research on salt tolerance in general. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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15 pages, 29952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Phylogenetic and Expression Analyses of the PLATZ Gene Family in Medicago sativa L.

by Xianyang Li, Fei He, Guoqing Zhao, Mingna Li, Ruicai Long, Junmei Kang, Qingchuan Yang and Lin Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032388 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2351

Abstract

The PLATZ family is a novel class of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors with important roles in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. PLATZ members have been identified in many plants, including Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, [...] Read more.

The PLATZ family is a novel class of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors with important roles in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. PLATZ members have been identified in many plants, including Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Fagopyrum tataricum, and Arabidopsis thaliana; however, due to the complexity of the alfalfa reference genome, the members of the PLATZ gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been systematically identified and analyzed. In this study, 55 Medicago sativa PLATZ genes (MsPLATZs) were identified in the alfalfa “Xinjiangdaye” reference genome. Basic bioinformatic analysis was performed, including the characterization of sequence lengths, protein molecular weights, genomic positions, and conserved motifs. Expression analysis reveals that 7 MsPLATZs are tissue-specifically expressed, and 10 MsPLATZs are expressed in all examined tissues. The transcriptomic expression of these genes is obvious, indicating that these MsPLATZs have different functions in the growth and development of alfalfa. Based on transcriptome data analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), we identified 22, 22, and 21 MsPLATZ genes that responded to salt, cold, and drought stress, respectively, with 20 MsPLATZs responding to all three stresses. This study lays a foundation for further exploring the functions of MsPLATZs, and provides ideas for the improvement of alfalfa varieties and germplasm innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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19 pages, 23737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Characterization of B-Box Gene Family in Salvia miltiorrhiza

by Yunyun Li, Yunli Tong, Jun Ye, Caijuan Zhang, Bin Li, Suying Hu, Xiaoshan Xue, Qian Tian, Yueyue Wang, Lin Li, Junfeng Niu, Xiaoyan Cao, Donghao Wang and Zhezhi Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032146 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2085

Abstract

B-box (BBX) is a type of zinc finger transcription factor that contains a B-box domain. BBX transcription factors play important roles in plant photomorphogenesis, signal transduction, as well as abiotic and biological stress responses. However, the BBX gene family of Salvia miltiorrhiza has [...] Read more.

B-box (BBX) is a type of zinc finger transcription factor that contains a B-box domain. BBX transcription factors play important roles in plant photomorphogenesis, signal transduction, as well as abiotic and biological stress responses. However, the BBX gene family of Salvia miltiorrhiza has not been systematically investigated to date. For this study, based on the genomic data of Salvia miltiorrhiza, 27 SmBBXs genes were identified and clustered into five evolutionary branches according to phylogenetic analysis. The promoter analysis suggested that SmBBXs may be involved in the regulation of the light responses, hormones, stress signals, and tissue-specific development. Based on the transcriptome data, the expression patterns of SmBBXs under different abiotic stresses and plant hormones were analyzed. The results revealed that the expressions of the SmBBXs genes varied under different conditions and may play essential roles in growth and development. The transient expression analysis implied that SmBBX1, SmBBX4, SmBBX9, SmBBX20, and SmBBX27 were in the nucleus. A transcriptional activation assay showed SmBBX1, SmBBX4, SmBBX20, and SmBBX24 had transactivation activities, while SmBBX27 had none. These results provided a basis for further research on the role of SmBBXs in the development of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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16 pages, 3743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomics Analysis of the Root Responses of Orchardgrass to Submergence Stress

by Panpan Shang, Bingna Shen, Bing Zeng, Lei Bi, Minghao Qu, Yuqian Zheng, Yujing Ye, Wenwen Li, Xiaoli Zhou, Xingyun Yang, Yiwei Jiang and Bing Zeng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032089 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2001

Abstract

Submergence stress can severely affect plant growth. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an important forage grass, and the molecular mechanisms of orchardgrass to submergence stress are not well understood. The roots of the flood-tolerant cultivar “Dian Bei” were harvested at 0 h, [...] Read more.

Submergence stress can severely affect plant growth. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an important forage grass, and the molecular mechanisms of orchardgrass to submergence stress are not well understood. The roots of the flood-tolerant cultivar “Dian Bei” were harvested at 0 h, 8 h and 24 h of submergence stress. The combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that β-alanine metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of amino acid pathways were significantly enriched at 8 h and 24 h of submergence stress and were more pronounced at 24 h. Most of the flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes were down-regulated for the synthesis of metabolites such as naringenin, apigenin, naringin, neohesperidin, naringenin chalcone, and liquiritigenin in response to submergence stress. Metabolites such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were up-regulated under stress. The predominant response of flavonoid and amino acids biosynthesis to submergence stress suggests an important role of these pathways in the submergence tolerance of orchardgrass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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16 pages, 5660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BREVIPEDICELLUS Positively Regulates Salt-Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Huixian Cai, Yang Xu, Kang Yan, Shizhong Zhang, Guodong Yang, Changai Wu, Chengchao Zheng and Jinguang Huang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021054 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2714

Abstract

Salt stress is one of the major environmental threats to plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms of plants responding to salt stress are not fully understood. Through genetic screening, we identified and characterized a salt-sensitive mutant, ses5 (sensitive to salt 5 [...] Read more.

Salt stress is one of the major environmental threats to plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms of plants responding to salt stress are not fully understood. Through genetic screening, we identified and characterized a salt-sensitive mutant, ses5 (sensitive to salt 5), in Arabidopsis thaliana. Positional cloning revealed that the decreased salt-tolerance of ses5 was caused by a mutation in the transcription factor BP (BREVIPEDICELLUS). BP regulates various developmental processes in plants. However, the biological function of BP in abiotic stress-signaling and tolerance are still not clear. Compared with wild-type plants, the bp mutant exhibited a much shorter primary-root and lower survival rate under salt treatment, while the BP overexpressors were more tolerant. Further analysis showed that BP could directly bind to the promoter of XTH7 (xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase 7) and activate its expression. Resembling the bp mutant, the disruption of XTH7 gave rise to salt sensitivity. These results uncovered novel roles of BP in positively modulating salt-stress tolerance, and illustrated a putative working mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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21 pages, 6178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth Cessation and Dormancy Induction in Micropropagated Plantlets of Rheum rhaponticum ‘Raspberry’ Influenced by Photoperiod and Temperature

by Agnieszka Wojtania, Monika Markiewicz and Piotr Waligórski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010607 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2043

Abstract

Dormancy development in micropropagated plantlets at the acclimatization stage and early growth ex vitro is undesirable as it lowers their survival rate and restricts the efficient year-round production of planting material. Thus far, little is known about the factors and mechanisms involved in [...] Read more.

Dormancy development in micropropagated plantlets at the acclimatization stage and early growth ex vitro is undesirable as it lowers their survival rate and restricts the efficient year-round production of planting material. Thus far, little is known about the factors and mechanisms involved in the dormancy development of micropropagated herbaceous perennials, including rhubarb. This study determined physiological and molecular changes in the Rheum rhaponticum (culinary rhubarb) ‘Raspberry’ planting material in response to photoperiod and temperature. We found that the rhubarb plantlets that were grown under a 16-h photoperiod (LD) and a temperature within the normal growth range (17–23 °C) showed active growth of leaves and rhizomes and did not develop dormancy. Rapid growth cessation and dormancy development were observed in response to a 10-h photoperiod (SD) or elevated temperature under LD. These morphological changes were accompanied by enhanced abscisic acid (ABA) and starch levels and also the upregulation of various genes involved in carbohydrate synthesis and transport (SUS3, AMY3, BMY3, BGLU17) and ABA synthesis and signaling (ZEP and ABF2). We also found enhanced expression levels of heat shock transcription factors (HSFA2 and HSFA6B), heat shock proteins (HSP22, HSP70.1, HSP90.2 and HSP101) and antioxidant enzymes (PRX12, APX2 and GPX). This may suggest that dormancy induction in micropropagated rhubarb plantlets is a stress response to light deficiency and high temperatures and is endogenously coordinated by the ABA, carbohydrate and ROS pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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14 pages, 3458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of Mtr-miR319a Contributes to Leaf Curl and Salt Stress Adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula

by Mingna Li, Lei Xu, Lixia Zhang, Xiao Li, Chunyu Cao, Lin Chen, Junmei Kang, Qingchuan Yang, Yajiao Liu, Bilig Sod and Ruicai Long

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010429 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

Salt stress is a worldwide agronomic issue that limits crop yield and quality. Improving salt stress tolerance via genetic modification is the most efficient method to conquer soil salinization problems in crops. Crop miRNAs have been declared to be tightly associated with responding [...] Read more.

Salt stress is a worldwide agronomic issue that limits crop yield and quality. Improving salt stress tolerance via genetic modification is the most efficient method to conquer soil salinization problems in crops. Crop miRNAs have been declared to be tightly associated with responding and adapting to salt stress and are advantageous for salt tolerance modification. However, very few studies have validated vital salt tolerance miRNAs and coupled potent target genes in Medicago species, the most economically important forage legume species. In this study, Mtr-miR319a, a miRNA that was identified from the previous next-generation sequencing assay of salt-treated Medicago truncatula, was overexpressed in M. truncatula and Arabidopsis thaliana, inducing the curly leaves and salt stress tolerance phenotypes. Combining the elevated expression level of Mtr-miR319a in the M. truncatula overexpression lines under normal and salt-treatment conditions, the regulatory roles of Mtr-miR319a in leaf development and salt stress adaptation were demonstrated. Several predicted target genes of Mtr-miR319a were also regulated by Mtr-miR319a and were associated with the aforementioned phenotypes in M. truncatula plants, most notably MtTCP4. Our study clarified the functional role of Mtr-miR319a and its target genes in regulating leaf development and defending salt stress, which can help to inform crop breeding efforts for improving salt tolerance via genetic engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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15 pages, 4046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Arabidopsis J-Protein AtDjC5 Facilitates Thermotolerance Likely by Aiding in the ER Stress Response

by Ting-Ting Shen, Lin Wang, Chun-Huan Shang, Yi-Cai Zhen, Yu-Lu Fang, Li-Li Wei, Ting Zhou, Jiao-Teng Bai and Bing Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(21), 13134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232113134 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2004

Abstract

AtDjC5 belongs to the J-protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Its biological functions remain unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of AtDjC5 in resisting heat stress using reverse genetic analysis. After the seedlings were exposed directly to 44 °C for 90 [...] Read more.

AtDjC5 belongs to the J-protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Its biological functions remain unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of AtDjC5 in resisting heat stress using reverse genetic analysis. After the seedlings were exposed directly to 44 °C for 90 min, AtDjC5 knockout seedlings displayed decreases in the survival rate, membrane system stability, and cell vitality compared to WT seedlings, indicating that AtDjC5 is involved in plant basal thermotolerance. The AtDjC5 knockout seedlings pre-exposed to 37 °C for 30 min exhibited decreases in the survival rate and total chlorophyll contents and increased cell death when they were subsequently exposed to 45 °C compared to the WT seedlings, indicating that AtDjC5 plays an important role in plant acquired thermotolerance. AtDjC5 was found to localize to the endoplasmic reticulum. The expression of the AtDjC5 gene was induced by heat and TM (an ER stress inducer) treatment. Furthermore, we found that the knockout of AtDjC5 inhibited ER stress-induced autophagy and the expression of ER stress-related genes. Taken together, these results suggest that AtDjC5 facilitates thermotolerance, likely by aiding in the ER stress response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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22 pages, 4392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristic of the Ascorbate Oxidase Gene Family in Beta vulgaris and Analysis of the Role of AAO in Response to Salinity and Drought in Beet

by Monika Skorupa, Joanna Szczepanek, Seher Yolcu, Justyna Mazur, Andrzej Tretyn and Jarosław Tyburski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(21), 12773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232112773 - 23 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2149

Abstract

Ascorbate oxidase, which is known to play a key role in regulating the redox state in the apoplast, cell wall metabolism, cell expansion and abiotic stress response in plants, oxidizes apo-plastic ascorbic acid (AA) to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). However, there is little information [...] Read more.

Ascorbate oxidase, which is known to play a key role in regulating the redox state in the apoplast, cell wall metabolism, cell expansion and abiotic stress response in plants, oxidizes apo-plastic ascorbic acid (AA) to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). However, there is little information about the AAO genes and their functions in beets under abiotic stress. The term salt or drought stress refers to the treatment of plants with slow and gradual salinity/drought. Contrastingly, salt shock consists of exposing plants to high salt levels instantaneously and drought shock occurs under fast drought progression. In the present work, we have subjected plants to salinity or drought treatments to elicit either stress or shock and carried out a genome-wide analysis of ascorbate oxidase (AAO) genes in sugar beet (B. vulgaris cv. Huzar) and its halophytic ancestor (B. maritima). Here, conserved domain analyses showed the existence of twelve BvAAO gene family members in the genome of sugar beet. The BvAAO_1–12 genes are located on chromosomes 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. The phylogenetic tree exhibited the close relationships between BvAAO_1-12 and AAO genes of Spinacia oleracea and Chenopodium quinoa. In both beet genotypes, downregulation of AAO gene expression with the duration of salt stress or drought treatment was observed. This correlated with a decrease in AAO enzyme activity under defined experimental setup. Under salinity, the key downregulated gene was BvAAO_10 in Beta maritima and under drought the BvAAO_3 gene in both beets. This phenomenon may be involved in determining the high tolerance of beet to salinity and drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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12 pages, 3815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Promoter of Vegetable Soybean GmTIP1;6 Responds to Diverse Abiotic Stresses and Hormone Signals in Transgenic Arabidopsis

by Zhijuan Feng, Na Liu, Guwen Zhang, Yuanpeng Bu, Bin Wang and Yaming Gong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012684 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2175

Abstract

Tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), a sub-family of aquaporins (AQPs), are known to play important roles in plant abiotic stress responses. However, evidence for the promoters of TIPs involvement in abiotic stress processes remains scarce. In this study, the promoter of the vegetable soybean [...] Read more.

Tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), a sub-family of aquaporins (AQPs), are known to play important roles in plant abiotic stress responses. However, evidence for the promoters of TIPs involvement in abiotic stress processes remains scarce. In this study, the promoter of the vegetable soybean GmTIP1;6 gene, which had the highest similarity to TIP1-type AQPs from other plants, was cloned. Expression pattern analyses indicated that the GmTIP1;6 gene was dramatically induced by drought, salt, abscisic acid (ABA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stimuli. Promoter analyses revealed that the GmTIP1;6 promoter contained drought, ABA, and MeJA cis-acting elements. Histochemical staining of the GmTIP1;6 promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis corroborated that it was strongly expressed in the vascular bundles of leaves, stems, and roots. Beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity assays showed that the activities of the GmTIP1;6 promoter were enhanced by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000), NaCl, ABA, and MEJA treatments. Integrating these results revealed that the GmTIP1;6 promoter could be applied for improving the tolerance to abiotic stresses of the transgenic plants by promoting the expression of vegetable soybean AQPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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25 pages, 7431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Characterization of Heat Shock Factor (CrHsf) Families Provide Comprehensive Insight into the Adaptive Mechanisms of Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. to Tropical Coral Islands

by Mei Zhang, Zhengfeng Wang and Shuguang Jian

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012357 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1938

Abstract

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are key regulators in plant heat stress response, and therefore, they play vital roles in signal transduction pathways in response to environmental stresses, as well as in plant growth and development. Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. is an extremophile [...] Read more.

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are key regulators in plant heat stress response, and therefore, they play vital roles in signal transduction pathways in response to environmental stresses, as well as in plant growth and development. Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. is an extremophile halophyte with good adaptability to high temperature and salt-drought tolerance, and it can be used as a pioneer species for ecological reconstruction on tropical coral islands. To date, very little is known regarding the functions of Hsfs in the adaptation mechanisms of plant species with specialized habitats, especially in tropical leguminous halophytes. In this study, a genome-wide analysis was performed to identify all the Hsfs in C. rosea based on whole-genome sequencing information. The chromosomal location, protein domain or motif organization, and phylogenetic relationships of 28 CrHsfs were analyzed. Promoter analyses indicated that the expression levels of different CrHsfs were precisely regulated. The expression patterns also revealed clear transcriptional changes among different C. rosea tissues, indicating that the regulation of CrHsf expression varied among organs in a developmental or tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, the expression levels of most CrHsfs in response to environmental conditions or abiotic stresses also implied a possible positive regulatory role of this gene family under abiotic stresses, and suggested roles in adaptation to specialized habitats such as tropical coral islands. In addition, some CrHsfAs were cloned and their possible roles in abiotic stress tolerance were functionally characterized using a yeast expression system. The CrHsfAs significantly enhanced yeast survival under thermal and oxidative stress challenges. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the plant Hsf gene family and provide a basis for further study of CrHsf functions in environmental thermotolerance. Our results also provide valuable information on the evolutionary relationships among CrHsf genes and the functional characteristics of the gene family. These findings are beneficial for further research on the natural ecological adaptability of C. rosea to tropical environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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22 pages, 4845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights into Four NAC Transcription Factors Involved in Grain Development and in Response to Moderate Heat in the Triticeae Tribe

by Claire Guérin, Céline Dupuits, Said Mouzeyar and Jane Roche

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911672 - 2 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

NAC (NAM (no apical meristem)–ATAF (Arabidopsis transcription activation factor)–CUC (cup-shaped cotyledons)) are among the largest transcription factor families in plants, involved in a plethora of physiological mechanisms. This study focused on four NAC genes previously identified in bread wheat as specifically grain-expressed which [...] Read more.

NAC (NAM (no apical meristem)–ATAF (Arabidopsis transcription activation factor)–CUC (cup-shaped cotyledons)) are among the largest transcription factor families in plants, involved in a plethora of physiological mechanisms. This study focused on four NAC genes previously identified in bread wheat as specifically grain-expressed which could be considered as candidate genes for yield improvement under climate changes. Using in silico analyses, the Triticum aestivum “Grain-NAC” (TaGNAC) orthologs in 14 cereal species were identified. A conserved protein motif was identified only in Triticeae. The expression of TaGNAC and einkorn TmGNAC was studied in response to moderate heat stress during grain development and showed a similar expression pattern that is accelerated during cell division stages under heat stress. A conserved structure was found in the promoter of the Triticeae GNAC orthologs, which is absent in the other Poaceae species. A specific model of promoter structure in Triticeae was proposed, based on the presence of key cis-elements involved in the regulation of seed development, hormonal regulation and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In conclusion, GNAC genes could play a central role in the regulation of grain development in the Triticeae tribe, particularly in the accumulation of storage proteins, as well as in response to heat stress and could be used as candidate genes for breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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15 pages, 3971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The MKK2a Gene Involved in the MAPK Signaling Cascades Enhances Populus Salt Tolerance

by Jiali Wang, Zimou Sun, Caihui Chen and Meng Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 10185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231710185 - 5 Sep 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2030

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are highly conserved signal transduction modules, which transmit environmental signals in plant cells through stepwise phosphorylation and play indispensable roles in a wide range of physiological and biochemical processes. Here, we isolated and characterized a gene encoding MKK2 [...] Read more.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are highly conserved signal transduction modules, which transmit environmental signals in plant cells through stepwise phosphorylation and play indispensable roles in a wide range of physiological and biochemical processes. Here, we isolated and characterized a gene encoding MKK2 protein from poplar through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length PeMKK2a gene was 1571 bp, including a 1068 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 355 amino acids, and the putative PeMKK2a protein belongs to the PKc_like (protein kinase domain) family (70–336 amino acids) in the PKc_MAPKK_plant subfamily and contains 62 sites of possible phosphorylation and two conserved domains, DLK and S/T-xxxxx-S/T. Detailed information about its gene structure, sequence similarities, subcellular localization, and transcript profiles under salt-stress conditions was revealed. Transgenic poplar lines overexpressing PeMKK2a exhibited higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) than non-transgenic poplar under salt stress conditions. These results will provide insight into the roles of MAPK signaling cascades in poplar response to salt stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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16 pages, 11694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the NAC Gene Family in Alfalfa Revealed Its Potential Roles in Response to Multiple Abiotic Stresses

by Fei He, Lixia Zhang, Guoqing Zhao, Junmei Kang, Ruicai Long, Mingna Li, Qingchuan Yang and Lin Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 10015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231710015 - 2 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2673

Abstract

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors compose one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors; they are widely involved in plant growth and development and have especially important roles in improving stress resistance in plants. However, NAC gene family members in [...] Read more.

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors compose one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors; they are widely involved in plant growth and development and have especially important roles in improving stress resistance in plants. However, NAC gene family members in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been systematically identified and analyzed genome-wide due to the complexity of the alfalfa reference genome. In this study, a total of 421 M. sativa NAC genes (MsNACs) were identified from the alfalfa “Xinjiangdaye” reference genome. Basic bioinformatics analysis, including characterization of sequence length, protein molecular weight and genome position and conserved motif analysis, was conducted. Expression analysis showed that 47 MsNACs had tissue-specific expression, and 64 MsNACs were expressed in all tissues. The transcriptomic profiles of the genes were very different, indicating that these MsNACs have various functions in alfalfa growth and development. We identified 25, 42 and 47 MsNACs that respond to cold, drought and salt stress based on transcriptome data analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (RT–qPCR). Furthermore, 22 MsNACs were found to respond to both salt and drought stress, and 15 MsNACs were found to respond to cold, salt and drought stress. The results of this study could provide valuable information for further functional analysis of MsNACs and for the improvement of stress resistance in alfalfa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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18 pages, 3379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Combination of a Genome-Wide Association Study and a Transcriptome Analysis Reveals circRNAs as New Regulators Involved in the Response to Salt Stress in Maize

by Peng Liu, Yuxiao Zhu, Hao Liu, Zhenjuan Liang, Minyan Zhang, Chaoying Zou, Guangsheng Yuan, Shibin Gao, Guangtang Pan, Yaou Shen and Langlang Ma

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179755 - 28 Aug 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2417

Abstract

Salinization seriously threatens the normal growth of maize, especially at the seedling stage. Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in the regulation of plant stress resistance. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the survival rate [...] Read more.

Salinization seriously threatens the normal growth of maize, especially at the seedling stage. Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in the regulation of plant stress resistance. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the survival rate of 300 maize accessions under a salt stress treatment. A total of 5 trait-associated SNPs and 86 candidate genes were obtained by the GWAS. We performed RNA sequencing for 28 transcriptome libraries derived from 2 maize lines with contrasting salt tolerance under normal and salt treatment conditions. A total of 1217 highly expressed circRNAs were identified, of which 371 were responsive to a salt treatment. Using PCR and Sanger sequencing, we verified the reliability of these differentially expressed circRNAs. An integration of the GWAS and RNA-Seq analyses uncovered two differentially expressed hub genes (Zm00001eb013650 and Zm00001eb198930), which were regulated by four circRNAs. Based on these results, we constructed a regulation model of circRNA/miRNA/mRNA that mediated salt stress tolerance in maize. By conducting hub gene-based association analyses, we detected a favorable haplotype in Zm00001eb198930, which was responsible for high salt tolerance. These results help to clarify the regulatory relationship between circRNAs and their target genes as well as to develop salt-tolerant lines for maize breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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22 pages, 34955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proteomics Evidence of a Systemic Response to Desiccation in the Resurrection Plant Haberlea rhodopensis

by Petko Mladenov, Diana Zasheva, Sébastien Planchon, Céline C. Leclercq, Denis Falconet, Lucas Moyet, Sabine Brugière, Daniela Moyankova, Magdalena Tchorbadjieva, Myriam Ferro, Norbert Rolland, Jenny Renaut, Dimitar Djilianov and Xin Deng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8520; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158520 - 31 Jul 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2902

Abstract

Global warming and drought stress are expected to have a negative impact on agricultural productivity. Desiccation-tolerant species, which are able to tolerate the almost complete desiccation of their vegetative tissues, are appropriate models to study extreme drought tolerance and identify novel approaches to [...] Read more.

Global warming and drought stress are expected to have a negative impact on agricultural productivity. Desiccation-tolerant species, which are able to tolerate the almost complete desiccation of their vegetative tissues, are appropriate models to study extreme drought tolerance and identify novel approaches to improve the resistance of crops to drought stress. In the present study, to better understand what makes resurrection plants extremely tolerant to drought, we performed transmission electron microscopy and integrative large-scale proteomics, including organellar and phosphorylation proteomics, and combined these investigations with previously published transcriptomic and metabolomics data from the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. The results revealed new evidence about organelle and cell preservation, posttranscriptional and posttranslational regulation, photosynthesis, primary metabolism, autophagy, and cell death in response to desiccation in H. rhodopensis. Different protective intrinsically disordered proteins, such as late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs), and heat shock proteins (HSPs), were detected. We also found a constitutively abundant dehydrin in H. rhodopensis whose phosphorylation levels increased under stress in the chloroplast fraction. This integrative multi-omics analysis revealed a systemic response to desiccation in H. rhodopensis and certain targets for further genomic and evolutionary studies on DT mechanisms and genetic engineering towards the improvement of drought tolerance in crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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23 pages, 2690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitric Oxide Implication in Potato Immunity to Phytophthora infestans via Modifications of Histone H3/H4 Methylation Patterns on Defense Genes

by Andżelika Drozda, Barbara Kurpisz, Magdalena Arasimowicz-Jelonek, Daniel Kuźnicki, Przemysław Jagodzik, Yufeng Guan and Jolanta Floryszak-Wieczorek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 4051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23074051 - 6 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2928

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential redox-signaling molecule operating in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. However, evidence on putative NO engagement in plant immunity by affecting defense gene expressions, including histone modifications, is poorly recognized. Exploring the effect of biphasic NO generation regulated [...] Read more.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential redox-signaling molecule operating in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. However, evidence on putative NO engagement in plant immunity by affecting defense gene expressions, including histone modifications, is poorly recognized. Exploring the effect of biphasic NO generation regulated by S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GNSOR) activity after avr Phytophthora infestans inoculation, we showed that the phase of NO decline at 6 h post-inoculation (hpi) was correlated with the rise of defense gene expressions enriched in the TrxG-mediated H3K4me3 active mark in their promoter regions. Here, we report that arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 catalyzing histone H4R3 symmetric dimethylation (H4R3sme2) is necessary to ensure potato resistance to avr P. infestans. Both the pathogen and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) altered the methylation status of H4R3sme2 by transient reduction in the repressive mark in the promoter of defense genes, R3a and HSR203J (a resistance marker), thereby elevating their transcription. In turn, the PRMT5-selective inhibitor repressed R3a expression and attenuated the hypersensitive response to the pathogen. In conclusion, we postulate that lowering the NO level (at 6 hpi) might be decisive for facilitating the pathogen-induced upregulation of stress genes via histone lysine methylation and PRMT5 controlling potato immunity to late blight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 1858 KiB

Open AccessReview

Melatonin and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants

by Roshira Colombage, Mohan B. Singh and Prem L. Bhalla

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087447 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 3558

Abstract

Increasing food demand by the growing human population and declining crop productivity due to climate change affect global food security. To meet the challenges, developing improved crops that can tolerate abiotic stresses is a priority. Melatonin in plants, also known as phytomelatonin, is [...] Read more.

Increasing food demand by the growing human population and declining crop productivity due to climate change affect global food security. To meet the challenges, developing improved crops that can tolerate abiotic stresses is a priority. Melatonin in plants, also known as phytomelatonin, is an active component of the various cellular mechanisms that alleviates oxidative damage in plants, hence supporting the plant to survive abiotic stress conditions. Exogenous melatonin strengthens this defence mechanism by enhancing the detoxification of reactive by-products, promoting physiological activities, and upregulating stress-responsive genes to alleviate damage during abiotic stress. In addition to its well-known antioxidant activity, melatonin protects against abiotic stress by regulating plant hormones, activating ER stress-responsive genes, and increasing protein homoeostasis, heat shock transcription factors and heat shock proteins. Under abiotic stress, melatonin enhances the unfolded protein response, endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation, and autophagy, which ultimately protect cells from programmed cell death and promotes cell repair resulting in increased plant survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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11 pages, 1274 KiB

Open AccessReview

Heat Stress Decreases Rice Grain Weight: Evidence and Physiological Mechanisms of Heat Effects Prior to Flowering

by Chao Wu, Kehui Cui and Shah Fahad

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10922; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810922 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4763

Abstract

Heat stress during the preflowering panicle initiation stage seriously decreases rice grain weight in an invisible way and has not been given enough attention. The current review aims to (i) specify the heat effects on rice grain weight during the panicle initiation stage [...] Read more.

Heat stress during the preflowering panicle initiation stage seriously decreases rice grain weight in an invisible way and has not been given enough attention. The current review aims to (i) specify the heat effects on rice grain weight during the panicle initiation stage compared with the most important grain-filling stage; and (ii) discuss the physiological mechanisms of the decreased rice grain weight induced by heat during panicle initiation in terms of assimilate supply and phytohormone regulation, which are key physiological processes directly regulating rice grain weight. We emphasize that the effect of heat during the panicle initiation stage on rice grain weight is more serious than that during the grain-filling stage. Heat stress during the panicle initiation stage induces alterations in endogenous phytohormones, leading to the inhibition of the photosynthesis of functional leaves (source) and the formation of vascular bundles (flow), thus reducing the accumulation and transport of nonstructural carbohydrates and the growth of lemmata and paleae. The disruptions in the “flow” and restrictions in the preanthesis “source” tissue reduce grain size directly and decrease grain plumpness indirectly, resulting in a reduction in the final grain weight, which could be the direct physiological causes of the lower rice grain weight induced by heat during the panicle initiation stage. We highlight the seriousness of preflowering heat stress on rice grain weight, which can be regarded as an invisible disaster. The physiological mechanisms underlying the lower grain weight induced by heat during panicle initiation show a certain novelty because they distinguish this stage from the grain-filling stage. Additionally, a number of genes that control grain size through phytohormones have been summarized, but their functions have not yet been fully tested under heat conditions, except for the Grain Size and Abiotic stress tolerance 1 (GSA1) and BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 (OsBRI1) genes, which are reported to respond rapidly to heat stress. The mechanisms of reduced rice grain weight induced by heat during the panicle initiation stage should be studied in more depth in terms of molecular pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses 2.0)

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