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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 10238

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuxuan Hou

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China
Interests: plant genetics; molecular biology; epigenetics; plant pathology; disease resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zhiyong Li

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Guest Editor

State Key Lab of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311400, China
Interests: plant genomics and genetics; molecular breeding; plant physiology; carbon partitioning; seed development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

The growth and development of plants are under strict genetic regulation. Although also influenced by a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses, plants have evolved complex defense mechanisms. In recent decades, significant progresses have been made in research on the genetic regulation of plant growth and protection, depending on the rapid development of plant genomics and genetics, as well as the modern biotechnologies.

As the Guest Editors of this Special Issue of IJMS, “Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection”, We aim to cover the latest fundamental discoveries in the field of genetic regulatory mechanism in plant growth and response to various stresses. All types of submissions, including original research, reviews, methodologies, mini reviews, perspectives, and opinion articles in this field are welcome to contribute to this issue.

Dr. Yuxuan Hou
Dr. Zhiyong Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

molecular regulation
genetic resources
functional genomics
plant growth and development
abiotic and biotic stresses
plant–microbe interactions

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Detection of SPX Family and Profiling of CoSPX-MFS3 in Regulating Low-Phosphate Stress in Tea-Oil Camellia

by Juanjuan Chen, Xiaojiao Han, Linxiu Liu, Bingbing Yang, Renying Zhuo and Xiaohua Yao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411552 - 17 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1016

Abstract

Camellia oleifera a member of the family Theaceae, is a phosphorus (P) tolerator native to southern China. The SPX gene family critically regulates plant growth and development and maintains phosphate (Pi) homeostasis. However, the involvement of SPX genes in Pi signaling in Tea-Oil Camellia remains unknown. In this work, 20 SPX genes were identified and categorized into four subgroups. Conserved domains, motifs, gene structure, chromosomal location and gene duplication events were also investigated in the SPX gene family. Defense and stress responsiveness cis-elements were identified in the SPX gene promoters, which participated in low-Pi stress responses. Based on transcriptome data and qRT-PCR results, nine CoSPX genes had similar expression patterns and eight genes (except CoPHO1H3) were up-regulated at 30 days after exposure to low-Pi stress. CoSPX-MFS3 was selected as a key candidate gene by WGCNA analysis. CoSPX-MFS3 was a tonoplast protein. Overexpression of CoSPX-MFS3 in Arabidopsis promoted the accumulation of total P content and decreased the anthocyanin content. Overexpression of CoSPX-MFS3 could enhance low-Pi tolerance by increased biomass and organic acid contents in transgenic Arabidopsis lines. Furthermore, the expression patterns of seven phosphate starvation genes were higher in transgenic Arabidopsis than those in the wild type. These results highlight novel physiological roles of the SPX family genes in C. oleifera under low-Pi stress, and lays the foundation for a deeper knowledge of the response mechanism of C. oleifera to low-Pi stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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20 pages, 7711 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

ABF1 Positively Regulates Rice Chilling Tolerance via Inducing Trehalose Biosynthesis

by Yazhou Shu, Wensheng Zhang, Liqun Tang, Zhiyong Li, Xinyong Liu, Xixi Liu, Wanning Liu, Guanghao Li, Jiezheng Ying, Jie Huang, Xiaohong Tong, Honghong Hu, Jian Zhang and Yifeng Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 11082; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241311082 - 4 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1225

Abstract

Chilling stress seriously limits grain yield and quality worldwide. However, the genes and the underlying mechanisms that respond to chilling stress remain elusive. This study identified ABF1, a cold-induced transcription factor of the bZIP family. Disruption of ABF1 impaired chilling tolerance with increased ion leakage and reduced proline contents, while ABF1 over-expression lines exhibited the opposite tendency, suggesting that ABF1 positively regulated chilling tolerance in rice. Moreover, SnRK2 protein kinase SAPK10 could phosphorylate ABF1, and strengthen the DNA-binding ability of ABF1 to the G-box cis-element of the promoter of TPS2, a positive regulator of trehalose biosynthesis, consequently elevating the TPS2 transcription and the endogenous trehalose contents. Meanwhile, applying exogenous trehalose enhanced the chilling tolerance of abf1 mutant lines. In summary, this study provides a novel pathway ‘SAPK10-ABF1-TPS2’ involved in rice chilling tolerance through regulating trehalose homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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9 pages, 1265 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Complete Genomic Sequence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Strain, LA20, for Studying Resurgence of Rice Bacterial Blight in the Yangtze River Region, China

by Yuxuan Hou, Yan Liang, Changdeng Yang, Zhijuan Ji, Yuxiang Zeng, Guanghao Li and Zhiguo E

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 8132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098132 - 1 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1954

Abstract

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a causative agent of rice bacterial blight (BB). In 2020–2022, BB re-emerged, and there was a break out in the Yangtze River area, China. The pandemic Xoo strain, LA20, was isolated and identified from cultivar Quanyou1606 and demonstrated to be the Chinese R9 Xoo strain, which is able to override the widely adopted xa5-, Xa7- and xa13-mediated resistance in rice varieties in Yangtze River. Here, we report the complete genome of LA20 by PacBio and Illumina sequencing. The assembled genome consists of one circular chromosome of 4,960,087 bp, sharing 99.65% sequence identity with the traditional representative strain, YC11 (R5), in the Yangtze River. Comparative genome analysis of LA20 and YC11 revealed the obvious variability in Tal genes (the uppermost virulence determinants) in numbers and sequences. Particularly, six Tal genes were only found in LA20, but not in YC11, among which Tal1b (pthXo1)/Tal4 (pthXo6), along with the lost one, pthXo3 (avrXa7), might be the major factors for LA20 to overcome xa5-, Xa7- and xa13-mediated resistance, thus, leading to the resurgence of BB. This complete genome of the new pandemic Xoo strain will provide novel insights into pathogen evolution, the traits of pathogenicity on genomic level and the epidemic disease status in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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19 pages, 6226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Overexpression of Oryza sativa L. CYP85A1 Promotes Growth and Biomass Production in Transgenic Trees

by Guodong Li, Xinzhuan Yao, Zhouzhuoer Chen, Xingyu Tian and Litang Lu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6480; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076480 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are important hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth, reproduction, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. CYP85A1 is a castasterone (CS) synthase that catalyzes C-6 oxidation of 6-deoxocastasterone (6-deoxoCS) to CS, after which CS is converted into brassinolide (BL) in a reaction catalyzed by CYP85A2. Here, we report the functional characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) OsCYP85A1. Constitutive expression of OsCYP85A1 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter increased endogenous BR levels and significantly promoted growth and biomass production in three groups of transgenic Populus tomentosa lines. The plant height and stem diameter of the transgenic poplar plants were increased by 17.6% and 33.6%, respectively, in comparison with control plants. Simultaneously, we showed that expression of OsCYP85A1 enhanced xylem formation in transgenic poplar without affecting cell wall thickness or the composition of cellulose. Our findings suggest that OsCYP85A1 represents a potential target candidate gene for engineering fast-growing trees with improved wood production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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19 pages, 3076 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systematic Analysis of BELL Family Genes in Zizania latifolia and Functional Identification of ZlqSH1a/b in Rice Seed Shattering

by Yan-Ning Xie, Ting Yang, Bin-Tao Zhang, Qian-Qian Qi, An-Ming Ding, Lian-Guang Shang, Yu Zhang, Qian Qian, Zhong-Feng Zhang and Ning Yan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(24), 15939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415939 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

The loss of seed shattering is an important event in crop domestication, and elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying seed shattering can help reduce yield loss during crop production. This study is the first to systematically identify and analyse the BELL family of transcription factor-encoding genes in Chinese wild rice (Zizania latifolia). ZlqSH1a (Zla04G033720) and ZlqSH1b (Zla02G027130) were identified as key candidate genes involved in seed shattering in Z. latifolia. These genes were involved in regulating the development of the abscission layer (AL) and were located in the nucleus of the cell. Over-expression of ZlqSH1a and ZlqSH1b resulted in a complete AL between the grain and pedicel and significantly enhanced seed shattering after grain maturation in rice. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that 172 genes were differentially expressed between the wild type (WT) and the two transgenic (ZlqSH1a and ZlqSH1b over-expressing) plants. Three of the differentially expressed genes related to seed shattering were validated using qRT-PCR analysis. These results indicate that ZlqSH1a and ZlqSH1b are involved in AL development in rice grains, thereby regulating seed shattering. Our results could facilitate the genetic improvement of seed-shattering behaviour in Z. latifolia and other cereal crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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15 pages, 8578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing of NtAITRs, a Family of Transcription Repressor Genes, Leads to Enhanced Drought Tolerance in Tobacco

by Guimin Li, Yanxing Ma, Xiaoping Wang, Nini Cheng, Deyu Meng, Siyu Chen, Wei Wang, Xutong Wang, Xiaojun Hu, Li Yan and Shucai Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 15268; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315268 - 3 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1978

Abstract

Tobacco is a cash crop throughout the world, and its growth and development are affected by abiotic stresses including drought stress; therefore, drought-tolerant breeding may help to improve tobacco yield and quality under drought stress conditions. Considering that the plant hormone ABA (abscisic acid) is able to regulate plant responses to abiotic stresses via activating ABA response genes, the characterization of ABA response genes may enable the identification of genes that can be used for molecular breeding to improve drought tolerance in tobacco. We report here the identification of NtAITRs (Nicotiana tabacum ABA-induced transcription repressors) as a family of novel regulators of drought tolerance in tobacco. Bioinformatics analysis shows that there are a total of eight NtAITR genes in tobacco, and all the NtAITRs have a partially conserved LxLxL motif at their C-terminus. RT-PCR results show that the expression levels of at least some NtAITRs were increased in response to ABA and drought treatments, and NtAITRs, when recruited to the Gal4 promoter via a fused GD (Gal4 DNA-binding domain), were able to repress transcription activator LD-VP activated expression of the LexA-Gal4-GUS reporter gene. Roles of NtAITRs in regulating drought tolerance in tobacco were analyzed by generating CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited mutants. A total of three Cas9-free ntaitr12356 quintuple mutants were obtained, and drought treatment assays show that drought tolerance was increased in the ntaitr12356 quintuple mutants. On the other hand, results of seed germination and seedling greening assays show that ABA sensitivity was increased in the ntaitr12356 quintuple mutants, and the expression levels of some ABA signaling key regulator genes were altered in the ntaitr12356-c3 mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that NtAITRs are ABA-responsive genes, and that NtAITRs function as transcription repressors and negatively regulate drought tolerance in tobacco, possibly by affecting plant ABA response via affecting the expression of ABA signaling key regulator genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Plant Growth and Protection)

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