In the realm of genetically transformed crops,the process of plant regeneration holds utmost significance.However,the low regeneration efficiency of several wheat varieties currently restricts the use of genetic trans...In the realm of genetically transformed crops,the process of plant regeneration holds utmost significance.However,the low regeneration efficiency of several wheat varieties currently restricts the use of genetic transformation for gene functional analysis and improved crop production.This research explores overex-pression of TaLAX PANICLE1(TaLAX1),which markedly enhances regeneration efficiency,thereby boost-ing genetic transformation and genome editing in wheat.Particularly noteworthy is the substantial increase in regeneration efficiency of common wheat varieties previously regarded as recalcitrant to genetic trans-formation.Our study shows that increased expression of TaGROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR(TaGRF)genes,alongside that of their co-factor,TaGRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1(TaGIF1),enhances cytokinin accumulation and auxin response,which may play pivotal roles in the improved regeneration and transfor-mation of TaLAX1-overexpressing wheat plants.Overexpression of TaLAX1 homologs also significantly in-creases the regeneration efficiency of maize and soybean,suggesting that both monocot and dicot crops can benefit from this enhancement.Ourfindings shed light on a gene that enhances wheat genetic trans-formation and elucidate molecular mechanisms that potentially underlie wheat regeneration.展开更多
The genetic transformation plays an important role in plant gene functional analysis and its geneticimprovement. However, only a limited number of maize germplasms can be routinely transformed. Themaize gene Wuschel-l...The genetic transformation plays an important role in plant gene functional analysis and its geneticimprovement. However, only a limited number of maize germplasms can be routinely transformed. Themaize gene Wuschel-like homeobox protein 2a (Wox2a) was shown to play a crucial role in promotingthe formation of embryonic cells and enhancing the efficiency of genetic transformation in maize. Thiscommentary discusses the mechanism by which the Wox2a gene contributes to the variation inembryogenic tissue culture response among different maize inbred lines. In addition, the frequency andintensity of Wox2a or Wus2/Bbm vector-induced somatic embryogenesis was also discussed. Theapplication of Wox2a in transformation of recalcitrant maize genotypes could well accelerate thedevelopment of maize genetic improvement.展开更多
Mitochondria, the main energy transducers in plant cells, require the proper assembly of respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ–Ⅴ for their function. The NADH dehydrogenase4(nad4) gene encodes mitochondrial respiratory chai...Mitochondria, the main energy transducers in plant cells, require the proper assembly of respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ–Ⅴ for their function. The NADH dehydrogenase4(nad4) gene encodes mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ subunit Ⅳ, but the mechanism underlying nad4 transcript splicing is unclear. Here, we report that the P-type pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR) protein DEFECTIVE KERNEL 43(DEK43) is responsible for cis-splicing of the nad4 transcript in maize. We demonstrate that DEK43 localizes to both the nucleus and mitochondria. The mutation of Dek43 resulted in embryo-lethal and light-colored defective kernels. Among the 22 mitochondrial group Ⅱ introns, the splicing efficiency of nad4 introns 1 and 3 was reduced by up to 50% compared to the wild type. The levels of complex Ⅰ and supercomplex Ⅰ+Ⅲ2 were also reduced in dek43. Furthermore, in-gel NADH dehydrogenase assays indicated that the activities of these complexes were significantly reduced in dek43. Further, the mitochondrial ultrastructure was altered in the mutant. Together, our findings indicate that DEK43, a dual-localized PPR protein,plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and maize kernel development.展开更多
Plant cells have a powerful capacity in their propagation to adapt to environmental change, given that a single plant cell can give rise to a whole plant via somatic embryogenesis without the need for fertilization. T...Plant cells have a powerful capacity in their propagation to adapt to environmental change, given that a single plant cell can give rise to a whole plant via somatic embryogenesis without the need for fertilization. The reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells is a critical step in somatic embryogenesis. This process can be induced by stimuli such as plant hormones, transcriptional regulators and stress. Here, we review current knowledge on how the identity of totipotent cells is determined and the stimuli required for reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells. We highlight key molecular regulators and associated networks that control cell fate transition from somatic to totipotent cells. Finally,we pose several outstanding questions that should be addressed to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant cell totipotency.展开更多
How somatic cells develop into a whole plant is a central question in plant developmental biology.This powerful ability of plant cells is recognized as their totipotency.Somatic embryogenesis is an excellent example a...How somatic cells develop into a whole plant is a central question in plant developmental biology.This powerful ability of plant cells is recognized as their totipotency.Somatic embryogenesis is an excellent example and a good research system for studying plant cell totipotency.However,very little is known about the molecular basis of cell reprogramming from somatic cells to totipotent cells in this process.During somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos in Arabidopsis,exogenous auxin treatment is required for embryonic callus formation,but removal of exogenous auxin inducing endogenous auxin biosynthesis is essential for somatic embryo(SE)induction.Ectopic expression of specific transcription factor genes,such as "LAFL" and BABY BOOM(BBM),can induce SEs without exogenous growth regulators.Somatic embryogenesis can also be triggered by stress,as well as by disruption of chromatin remodeling,including PRC2-mediated histone methylation,histone deacetylation,and PKL-related chromatin remodeling.It is evident that embryonic identity genes are required and endogenous auxin plays a central role for cell reprogramming during the induction of SEs.Thus,we focus on reviewing the regulation of cell reprogramming for somatic embryogenesis by auxin.展开更多
Plant stem cells are a small group of cells with a self-renewal capacity and serve as a steady supply of precursor cells to form new differentiated tissues and organs in plants.Root stem cells and shoot stem cells,whi...Plant stem cells are a small group of cells with a self-renewal capacity and serve as a steady supply of precursor cells to form new differentiated tissues and organs in plants.Root stem cells and shoot stem cells,which are located in the root apical meristem and in the shoot apical meristem,respectively,play a critical role in plant longitudinal growth.These stem cells in shoot and root apical meristems remain as pluripotent state throughout the lifespan of the plant and control the growth and development of plants.The molecular mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of plant stem cells have been extensively investigated.In this review,we mainly discuss how the plant phytohormones,such as auxin and cytokinin,coordinate with the key transcription factors to regulate plant stem cell initiation and maintenance in root and shoot apical meristems.In addition,we highlight the common regulatory mechanisms of both root and shoot apical meristems.展开更多
Protein arginine methylation plays important roles in diverse biological processes, but its role in regulating shoot regeneration remains elusive. In this study, we characterized the function of the protein arginine m...Protein arginine methylation plays important roles in diverse biological processes, but its role in regulating shoot regeneration remains elusive. In this study, we characterized the function of the protein arginine methyltransferase AtPRMT5 during de novo shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis. AtPRMT5 encodes a type II protein arginine methyltransferase that methylates proteins, including histories and RNA splicing factors. The frequency of shoot regeneration and the number of shoots per callus were decreased in the atprmt5 mutant compared with those in the wild type. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that AtPRMT5 targets KIP-RELATED PROTEINs （KRPs）, which encode the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors that repress the cell cycle. During shoot regeneration, the KRP transcript level increased in the atprmt5 mutant, which resulted from reduced histone H4R3 methylation in the KRP promoter. Overexpression of KRP significantly reduced the frequency of shoot regeneration and shoot number per callus. Furthermore, abnormal pre-mRNA splicing in the gene RELATED TO KPC1 （RKP）, which encodes an ubiquitin E3 ligase, was detected in the atprmt5 mutant. RKP functions in regulating KRP protein degradation, and mutation in RKP inhibited shoot regeneration. Thus, AtPRMT5 regulated shoot regeneration through histone modification-mediated KRP transcription and RKP pre-mRNA splicing. Our findings provide new insights into the function of protein arginine methylation in de novo shoot regeneration.展开更多
The molecular mechanism of the maintenance and differentiation of plant stem cells is an eternal theme in studies on plant growth and development.Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNAseq)methods have com...The molecular mechanism of the maintenance and differentiation of plant stem cells is an eternal theme in studies on plant growth and development.Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNAseq)methods have completely changed the understanding of cell heterogeneity and cell function,allowing research precision to identify the differentiation trajectory of stem cells maintained and differentiated at the cellular level.This review aimed to mainly discuss the novel insights provided by scRNA-seq for the maintenance and initiation of plant stem cells,cell differentiation,cell response to environmental changes,and improvement strategies for scRNA-seq.In addition,it highlighted additional perspectives beyond scRNA-seq,such as spatial transcriptomes,epigenomes,and single-cell multiomics,for a renewed understanding of stem cell maintenance and cell differentiation,thus providing potential targets and theoretical foundations for crop improvement.展开更多
Plant somatic cells have the capability to switch their cell fates from differentiated to undifferen-tiated status under proper culture conditions,which is designated as totipotency.As a result,plant cells can easily ...Plant somatic cells have the capability to switch their cell fates from differentiated to undifferen-tiated status under proper culture conditions,which is designated as totipotency.As a result,plant cells can easily regenerate new tissues or organs from a wide variety of explants.However,the mechanism by which plant cells have such remarkable regeneration ability is still largely unknown.In this study,we used a set of meristem-specific marker genes to analyze the patterns of stem cell differentiation in the processes of somatic embryogenesis as well as shoot or root organogenesis in vitro.Our studies furnish preliminary and important information on the patterns of the de novo stem cell differentiation during various types of in vitro organogenesis.展开更多
The green and lush Mt. Tai provided an appropriate backdrop for the First International Conference on Plant Meristem Biology held on June 9 and 10, 2016. Proposed and organized by Xian Sheng Zhang （Shandong Agricultu...The green and lush Mt. Tai provided an appropriate backdrop for the First International Conference on Plant Meristem Biology held on June 9 and 10, 2016. Proposed and organized by Xian Sheng Zhang （Shandong Agricultural University, China）, Jiayang Li （Insti- tute of Genetics ＆ Developmental Biology, China）, Elliot Meyero- witz （California Institute of Technology, USA）, and Yuling Jiao （Institute of Genetics ＆ Developmental Biology, China）, the con- ference was hosted by Shandong Agricultural University and sponsored by the Department of Education, Shandong Province, China. The first meeting of its kind, it brought about 300 attendees from nine countries together for discussions on molecular mechanisms underlying shoot, root, cambium,展开更多
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFF1002902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31730008,32070199)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022JQ12).
文摘In the realm of genetically transformed crops,the process of plant regeneration holds utmost significance.However,the low regeneration efficiency of several wheat varieties currently restricts the use of genetic transformation for gene functional analysis and improved crop production.This research explores overex-pression of TaLAX PANICLE1(TaLAX1),which markedly enhances regeneration efficiency,thereby boost-ing genetic transformation and genome editing in wheat.Particularly noteworthy is the substantial increase in regeneration efficiency of common wheat varieties previously regarded as recalcitrant to genetic trans-formation.Our study shows that increased expression of TaGROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR(TaGRF)genes,alongside that of their co-factor,TaGRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1(TaGIF1),enhances cytokinin accumulation and auxin response,which may play pivotal roles in the improved regeneration and transfor-mation of TaLAX1-overexpressing wheat plants.Overexpression of TaLAX1 homologs also significantly in-creases the regeneration efficiency of maize and soybean,suggesting that both monocot and dicot crops can benefit from this enhancement.Ourfindings shed light on a gene that enhances wheat genetic trans-formation and elucidate molecular mechanisms that potentially underlie wheat regeneration.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32270378,31730008 to XSZ).
文摘The genetic transformation plays an important role in plant gene functional analysis and its geneticimprovement. However, only a limited number of maize germplasms can be routinely transformed. Themaize gene Wuschel-like homeobox protein 2a (Wox2a) was shown to play a crucial role in promotingthe formation of embryonic cells and enhancing the efficiency of genetic transformation in maize. Thiscommentary discusses the mechanism by which the Wox2a gene contributes to the variation inembryogenic tissue culture response among different maize inbred lines. In addition, the frequency andintensity of Wox2a or Wus2/Bbm vector-induced somatic embryogenesis was also discussed. Theapplication of Wox2a in transformation of recalcitrant maize genotypes could well accelerate thedevelopment of maize genetic improvement.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91735301 and 91535109)the National Plant Transgenic Program(2016ZX08003-003)+2 种基金Taishan Scholars Project(ts201712024)Funds of Shandong“Double Tops”Program(SYL2017YSTD03)a project(dxkt201707)from the State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology。
文摘Mitochondria, the main energy transducers in plant cells, require the proper assembly of respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ–Ⅴ for their function. The NADH dehydrogenase4(nad4) gene encodes mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ subunit Ⅳ, but the mechanism underlying nad4 transcript splicing is unclear. Here, we report that the P-type pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR) protein DEFECTIVE KERNEL 43(DEK43) is responsible for cis-splicing of the nad4 transcript in maize. We demonstrate that DEK43 localizes to both the nucleus and mitochondria. The mutation of Dek43 resulted in embryo-lethal and light-colored defective kernels. Among the 22 mitochondrial group Ⅱ introns, the splicing efficiency of nad4 introns 1 and 3 was reduced by up to 50% compared to the wild type. The levels of complex Ⅰ and supercomplex Ⅰ+Ⅲ2 were also reduced in dek43. Furthermore, in-gel NADH dehydrogenase assays indicated that the activities of these complexes were significantly reduced in dek43. Further, the mitochondrial ultrastructure was altered in the mutant. Together, our findings indicate that DEK43, a dual-localized PPR protein,plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and maize kernel development.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31730008, 31872669)the Major Program of Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2017C03)。
文摘Plant cells have a powerful capacity in their propagation to adapt to environmental change, given that a single plant cell can give rise to a whole plant via somatic embryogenesis without the need for fertilization. The reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells is a critical step in somatic embryogenesis. This process can be induced by stimuli such as plant hormones, transcriptional regulators and stress. Here, we review current knowledge on how the identity of totipotent cells is determined and the stimuli required for reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells. We highlight key molecular regulators and associated networks that control cell fate transition from somatic to totipotent cells. Finally,we pose several outstanding questions that should be addressed to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant cell totipotency.
基金This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31670320,31700248)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2017JL016).
文摘How somatic cells develop into a whole plant is a central question in plant developmental biology.This powerful ability of plant cells is recognized as their totipotency.Somatic embryogenesis is an excellent example and a good research system for studying plant cell totipotency.However,very little is known about the molecular basis of cell reprogramming from somatic cells to totipotent cells in this process.During somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos in Arabidopsis,exogenous auxin treatment is required for embryonic callus formation,but removal of exogenous auxin inducing endogenous auxin biosynthesis is essential for somatic embryo(SE)induction.Ectopic expression of specific transcription factor genes,such as "LAFL" and BABY BOOM(BBM),can induce SEs without exogenous growth regulators.Somatic embryogenesis can also be triggered by stress,as well as by disruption of chromatin remodeling,including PRC2-mediated histone methylation,histone deacetylation,and PKL-related chromatin remodeling.It is evident that embryonic identity genes are required and endogenous auxin plays a central role for cell reprogramming during the induction of SEs.Thus,we focus on reviewing the regulation of cell reprogramming for somatic embryogenesis by auxin.
基金This work is supported by the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation of Major Basic Research Program(2017C03)by Qingdao’s Leading Technology Innovator Project,and by Youth Interdisciplinary Science and Innovative Research Groups of Shandong University(Grant No.2020QNQT014).
文摘Plant stem cells are a small group of cells with a self-renewal capacity and serve as a steady supply of precursor cells to form new differentiated tissues and organs in plants.Root stem cells and shoot stem cells,which are located in the root apical meristem and in the shoot apical meristem,respectively,play a critical role in plant longitudinal growth.These stem cells in shoot and root apical meristems remain as pluripotent state throughout the lifespan of the plant and control the growth and development of plants.The molecular mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of plant stem cells have been extensively investigated.In this review,we mainly discuss how the plant phytohormones,such as auxin and cytokinin,coordinate with the key transcription factors to regulate plant stem cell initiation and maintenance in root and shoot apical meristems.In addition,we highlight the common regulatory mechanisms of both root and shoot apical meristems.
文摘Protein arginine methylation plays important roles in diverse biological processes, but its role in regulating shoot regeneration remains elusive. In this study, we characterized the function of the protein arginine methyltransferase AtPRMT5 during de novo shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis. AtPRMT5 encodes a type II protein arginine methyltransferase that methylates proteins, including histories and RNA splicing factors. The frequency of shoot regeneration and the number of shoots per callus were decreased in the atprmt5 mutant compared with those in the wild type. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that AtPRMT5 targets KIP-RELATED PROTEINs （KRPs）, which encode the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors that repress the cell cycle. During shoot regeneration, the KRP transcript level increased in the atprmt5 mutant, which resulted from reduced histone H4R3 methylation in the KRP promoter. Overexpression of KRP significantly reduced the frequency of shoot regeneration and shoot number per callus. Furthermore, abnormal pre-mRNA splicing in the gene RELATED TO KPC1 （RKP）, which encodes an ubiquitin E3 ligase, was detected in the atprmt5 mutant. RKP functions in regulating KRP protein degradation, and mutation in RKP inhibited shoot regeneration. Thus, AtPRMT5 regulated shoot regeneration through histone modification-mediated KRP transcription and RKP pre-mRNA splicing. Our findings provide new insights into the function of protein arginine methylation in de novo shoot regeneration.
基金support from the Development Plan for Youth Innovation Team of Shandong Provincial(2019KJE012)Shandong Province Key Research and Development Program(2019GSF107079)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Demonstration Project of “Bohai Granary” of Shandong Province(2019BHLC002)the National Natural Science Research Foundation of China(31871538,U1906204).
文摘The molecular mechanism of the maintenance and differentiation of plant stem cells is an eternal theme in studies on plant growth and development.Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNAseq)methods have completely changed the understanding of cell heterogeneity and cell function,allowing research precision to identify the differentiation trajectory of stem cells maintained and differentiated at the cellular level.This review aimed to mainly discuss the novel insights provided by scRNA-seq for the maintenance and initiation of plant stem cells,cell differentiation,cell response to environmental changes,and improvement strategies for scRNA-seq.In addition,it highlighted additional perspectives beyond scRNA-seq,such as spatial transcriptomes,epigenomes,and single-cell multiomics,for a renewed understanding of stem cell maintenance and cell differentiation,thus providing potential targets and theoretical foundations for crop improvement.
基金supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2007CB948200)the National Natural Science Foundation(NNSF)of China(Grant Nos.90917015 and 30770217).
文摘Plant somatic cells have the capability to switch their cell fates from differentiated to undifferen-tiated status under proper culture conditions,which is designated as totipotency.As a result,plant cells can easily regenerate new tissues or organs from a wide variety of explants.However,the mechanism by which plant cells have such remarkable regeneration ability is still largely unknown.In this study,we used a set of meristem-specific marker genes to analyze the patterns of stem cell differentiation in the processes of somatic embryogenesis as well as shoot or root organogenesis in vitro.Our studies furnish preliminary and important information on the patterns of the de novo stem cell differentiation during various types of in vitro organogenesis.
文摘The green and lush Mt. Tai provided an appropriate backdrop for the First International Conference on Plant Meristem Biology held on June 9 and 10, 2016. Proposed and organized by Xian Sheng Zhang （Shandong Agricultural University, China）, Jiayang Li （Insti- tute of Genetics ＆ Developmental Biology, China）, Elliot Meyero- witz （California Institute of Technology, USA）, and Yuling Jiao （Institute of Genetics ＆ Developmental Biology, China）, the con- ference was hosted by Shandong Agricultural University and sponsored by the Department of Education, Shandong Province, China. The first meeting of its kind, it brought about 300 attendees from nine countries together for discussions on molecular mechanisms underlying shoot, root, cambium,
