Planta最新文献

Main conclusion

Seed-application of the natural products protects sugar beet and wheat plants against infection with plasmodiophorid-transmitted viruses and thus may represent an efficient, environmentally friendly, easy and cost effective biocontrol strategy.

Abstract

In times of intensive agriculture, resource shortening and climate change, alternative, more sustainable and eco-friendly plant protection strategies are required. Here, we tested the potential of the natural plant substances Glycyrrhiza glabra leaf extract (GE) and the rhamnolipid Rhapynal (Rha) applied to seeds to protect against infection of sugar beet and wheat with soil-borne plant viruses. The soil-borne Polymyxa betae- and Polymyxa graminis-transmitted viruses cause extensive crop losses in agriculture and efficient control strategies are missing. We show that GE and Rha both efficiently protect plants against infection with soil-borne viruses in sugar beet and wheat when applied to seeds. Moreover, the antiviral protection effect is independent of the cultivar used. No protection against Polymyxa sp. was observed after seed treatment with the bio-substances at our analysis time points. However, when we applied the bio-substances directly to soil a significant anti-Polymyxa graminis effect was obtained in roots of barley plants grown in the soil as well as in the treated soil. Despite germination can be affected by high concentrations of the substances, a range of antiviral protection conditions with no effect on germination were identified. Seed-treatment with the bio-substances did not negatively affect plant growth and development in virus-containing soil, but was rather beneficial for plant growth. We conclude that seed treatment with GE and Rha may represent an efficient, ecologically friendly, non-toxic, easy to apply and cost efficient biocontrol measure against soil-borne virus infection in plants.

Main conclusion

This review focuses on HATs and HDACs that modify non-histone proteins, summarizes functional mechanisms of non-histone acetylation as well as the roles of HATs and HDACs in rice and Arabidopsis.

Abstract

The growth and development of plants, as well as their responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, are governed by intricate gene and protein regulatory networks, in which epigenetic modifying enzymes play a crucial role. Histone lysine acetylation levels, modulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), are well-studied in the realm of transcriptional regulation. However, the advent of advanced proteomics has unveiled that non-histone proteins also undergo acetylation, with its underlying mechanisms now being clarified. Indeed, non-histone acetylation influences protein functionality through diverse pathways, such as modulating protein stability, adjusting enzymatic activity, steering subcellular localization, influencing interactions with other post-translational modifications, and managing protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions. This review delves into the recent insights into the functional mechanisms of non-histone acetylation in plants. We also provide a summary of the roles of HATs and HDACs in rice and Arabidopsis, and explore their potential involvement in the regulation of non-histone proteins.

Main conclusion

Lysine plays an essential role in the growth differences between male and female S. linearistipularis plants under salt stress. Furthermore, SlDHDPS is identified as a vital gene contributing to the differences in saline-alkali tolerance between male and female plants of S. linearistipularis.

Abstract

Soil salinization is a significant problem that severely restricts agricultural production worldwide. High salinity and low nutrient concentrations consequently prevent the growth of most plant species. Salix linearistipularis is the only woody plant (shrub) naturally distributed in the saline-alkali lands of the Songnen Plain in Northeast China, and it is one of the few plants capable of thriving in soils with extremely high salt and alkaline pH (>9.0) levels. However, insufficient attention has been given to the interplay between salt and nitrogen in the growth and development of S. linearistipularis. Here, the male and female plants of S. linearistipularis were subjected to salt stress with nitrogen-starvation or nitrogen-supplement treatments, and it was found that nitrogen significantly affects the difference in salt tolerance between male and female plants, with nitrogen-starvation significantly enhancing the salt stress tolerance of female plants compared to male plants. Transcriptional analyses showed 66 differentially expressed nitrogen-responsive genes in female and male roots, with most of them showing sexual differences in expression patterns under salinity stress. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that six genes had an opposite salt-induced expression pattern in female and male roots. The expression of the 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate synthase encoding gene (SlDHDPS) in female roots was higher than that in male roots. Further treatment with exogenous lysine could significantly alleviate the inhibitory effect of salt stress on the growth of female and male plants. These results indicate that the SlDHDPS in the nitrogen metabolism pathway is involved in the resistance of S. linearistipularis to salt stress, which lays a foundation for further exploring the mechanism of nitrogen on salt tolerance of S. linearistipularis, and has a significant reference value for saline-alkali land management and sustainable agricultural development.

Main Conclusion

The Ustilaginoidea virens –rice pathosystem has been used as a model for flower-infecting fungal pathogens. The molecular biology of the interactions between U. virens and rice, with an emphasis on the attempt to get a deeper comprehension of the false smut fungus's genomes, proteome, host range, and pathogen biology, has been investigated. Meta-QTL analysis was performed to identify potential QTL hotspots for use in marker-assisted breeding.

Abstract

The Rice False Smut (RFS) caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens currently threatens rice cultivators across the globe. RFS infects rice panicles, causing a significant reduction in grain yield. U. virens can also parasitize other hosts though they play only a minor role in its life cycle. Furthermore, because it produces mycotoxins in edible rice grains, it puts both humans and animals at risk of health problems. Although fungicides are used to control the disease, some fungicides have enabled the pathogen to develop resistance, making its management challenging. Several QTLs have been reported but stable gene(s) that confer RFS resistance have not been discovered yet. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the pathogen, its virulence mechanisms, the genome and proteome of U. virens, and its molecular interactions with rice. In addition, information has been compiled on reported resistance QTLs, facilitating the development of a consensus genetic map using meta-QTL analysis for identifying potential QTL hotspots. Finally, this review highlights current developments and trends in U. virens–rice pathosystem research while identifying opportunities for future investigations.

Main conclusion

Nine TkOSC genes have been identified by genome-wide screening. Among them, TkOSC4-6 might be more crucial for natural rubber biosynthesis in Taraxacum kok-saghyz roots.

Abstract

Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS) roots contain large amounts of natural rubber, inulin, and valuable metabolites. Oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) is a key member for regulating natural rubber biosynthesis (NRB) via the triterpenoid biosynthesis pathway. To explore the functions of OSC on natural rubber producing in TKS, its gene family members were identified in TKS genome via genome-wide screening. Nine TkOSCs were identified, which were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. Their family genes experienced a neutral selection during the evolution process. Overall sequence homology analysis OSC proteins revealed 80.23% similarity, indicating a highly degree of conservation. Pairwise comparisons showed a multiple sequence similarity ranging from 57% to 100%. Protein interaction prediction revealed that TkOSCs may interact with baruol synthase, sterol 1,4-demethylase, lupeol synthase and squalene epoxidase. Phylogenetic analysis showed that OSC family proteins belong to two branches. TkOSC promoter regions contain cis-acting elements related to plant growth, stress response, hormones response and light response. Protein accumulation analysis demonstrated that TkOSC4, TkOSC5 and TkOSC6 proteins had strong expression levels in the root, latex and plumular axis. Comparison of gene expression patterns showed TkOSC1, TkOSC4, TkOSC5, TkOSC6, TkOSC7, TkOSC8 and TkOSC9 might be important in regulating NRB. Combination of gene and protein results revealed TkOSC4-6 might be more crucial, and the data might contribute to a more profound understanding of the roles of OSCs for NRB in TKS roots.

Plants produce secondary metabolites that serve various functions, including defense against biotic and abiotic stimuli. Many of these secondary metabolites possess valuable applications in diverse fields, including medicine, cosmetic, agriculture, and food and beverage industries, exhibiting their importance in both plant biology and various human needs. Small RNAs (sRNA), such as microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), have been shown to play significant roles in regulating the metabolic pathways post-transcriptionally by targeting specific key genes and transcription factors, thus offering a promising tool for enhancing plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In this review, we summarize current approaches for manipulating sRNAs to regulate secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plants. We provide an overview of the latest research strategies for sRNA manipulation across diverse plant species, including the identification of potential sRNAs involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in non-model plants. We also highlight the potential future research directions, focusing on the manipulation of sRNAs to produce high-value compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agriculture, cosmetics, and other industries. By exploring these advanced techniques, we aim to unlock new potentials for biotechnological applications, contributing to the production of high-value plant-derived products.

Main conclusion

The high intrinsic water-use efficiency of Erianthus may be due to the low abaxial stomatal density and the accumulation of leaf metabolites such as betaine and gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Abstract

Sugarcane is an important crop that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Because drought is among the main impediments limiting sugarcane production in these regions, breeding of drought-tolerant sugarcane varieties is important for sustainable production. Erianthus arundinaceus, a species closely related to sugarcane, exhibits high intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), the underlying mechanisms for which remain unknown. To improve the genetic base for conferring drought tolerance in sugarcane, in the present study, we performed a comprehensive comparative analysis of leaf gas exchange and metabolites in different organs of sugarcane and Erianthus under wet and dry soil-moisture conditions. Erianthus exhibited lower stomatal conductance under both conditions, which resulted in a higher iWUE than in sugarcane. Organ-specific metabolites showed gradations between continuous parts and organs, suggesting linkages between them. Cluster analysis of organ-specific metabolites revealed the effects of the species and treatments in the leaves. Principal component analysis of leaf metabolites confirmed a rough ordering of the factors affecting their accumulations. Compared to sugarcane leaf, Erianthus leaf accumulated more raffinose, betaine, glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and S-adenosylmethionine, which function as osmolytes and stress-response compounds, under both the conditions. Our extensive analyses reveal that the high iWUE of Erianthus may be due to the specific accumulation of such metabolites in the leaves, in addition to the low stomatal density on the abaxial side of leaves. The identification of drought-tolerance traits of Erianthus will benefit the generation of sugarcane varieties capable of withstanding drought stress.

Graphical abstract

Main conclusion

Genetic ablation of the female gametophyte provides direct evidence for the existence of interregional communication during Arabidopsis ovule development and the importance of the female gametophyte in nucellar-tip degeneration.

The angiosperm ovule consists of three regions: the female gametophyte, the nucellus, and the integuments, all of which develop synchronously and coordinately. Previously, interregional communication enabling cooperative ovule development had been proposed; however, the evidence for these communications mostly relies on the analysis of mutant phenotypes. To provide direct evidence, we specifically ablated the Arabidopsis female gametophyte by expressing the diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) under the female gametophyte-specific DD13 promoter and analyzed its effects on the development of the nucellus and the integuments. We found that the female gametophyte is not required for integument development or for the orientation and curvature of the ovule body, but is necessary for nucellar-tip degeneration. The results presented here provide direct evidence for communication from the female gametophyte to the nucellus and demonstrate that Arabidopsis ovules require interregional communication for cooperative development.

Main conclusion: The review offers insights into the current state of research on insect pest-resistant GM crops and the regulations governing the cultivation of GM crops in India. India has a rich crop diversity of more than 160 major and minor crops through its diverse agroclimatic conditions. Insect pests alone cause around USD 36 billion in crop loss annually in India. The last two decades witnessed considerable progress in managing insect pests by adopting innovative techniques including transgenics. In research, significant advancement has been brought in insect pest-resistant transgenics in India since its inception in 2002. However, any events have not been endorsed owing to biosafety impediments, except Bt cotton reaching the commercial release stage. A landmark decision to exempt certain types of gene-edited plants from genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations offers great promise for developing novel insect-resistant crops in India. The article reviews the current research on insect pest-resistant transgenics and its regulations in India.

Main conclusion: Biofortification of legumes using diverse techniques such as plant breeding, agronomic practices, genetic modification, and nano-technological approaches presents a sustainable strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies of underprivileged populations. The widespread issue of chronic malnutrition, commonly referred to as "hidden hunger," arises from the consumption of poor-quality food, leading to various health and cognitive impairments. Biofortified food crops have been a sustainable solution to address micronutrient deficiencies. This review highlights multiple biofortification techniques, such as plant breeding, agronomic practices, genetic modification, and nano-technological approaches, aimed at enhancing the nutrient content of commonly consumed crops. Emphasizing the biofortification of legumes, this review employs bibliometric analysis to examine research trends from 2000 to 2023. It identifies key authors, influential journals, contributing countries, publication trends, and prevalent keywords in this field. The review highlights the progress in developing biofortified crops and their potential to improve global nutrition and help underprivileged populations.