scholarly journals RabA2b Overexpression Alters the Plasma-Membrane Proteome and Improves Drought Tolerance in Arabidopsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Ambastha ◽  
Ifat Matityahu ◽  
Dafna Tidhar ◽  
Yehoram Leshem
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Native Promoter ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Drought Resistant

Rab proteins are small GTPases that are important in the regulation of vesicle trafficking. Through data mining, we identified RabA2b to be stress responsive, though little is known about the involvement of RabA in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Analysis of the RabA2b native promoter showed strong activity during osmotic stress, which required the stress hormone Abscisic acid (ABA) and was restricted to the vasculature. Sequence analysis of the promoter region identified predicted binding motifs for several ABA-responsive transcription factors. We cloned RabA2b and overexpressed it in Arabidopsis. The resulting transgenic plants were strikingly drought resistant. The reduced water loss observed in detached leaves of the transgenic plants could not be explained by stomatal aperture or density, which was similar in all the genotypes. Subcellular localization studies detected strong colocalization between RabA2b and the plasma membrane (PM) marker PIP2. Further studies of the PM showed, for the first time, a distinguished alteration in the PM proteome as a result of RabA2b overexpression. Proteomic analysis of isolated PM fractions showed enrichment of stress-coping proteins as well as cell wall/cuticle modifiers in the transgenic lines. Finally, the cuticle permeability of transgenic leaves was significantly reduced compared to the wild type, suggesting that it plays a role in its drought resistant properties. Overall, these data provide new insights into the roles and modes of action of RabA2b during water stresses, and indicate that increased RabA2b mediated PM trafficking can affect the PM proteome and increase drought tolerance.

Rab proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum: functions and interactors

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1426-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Ortiz Sandoval ◽  
Thomas Simmen
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Retrograde Trafficking ◽  
Rab Family ◽  
Intermediate Compartment

Whereas most of what we know today about the Ras-related small GTPases of the Rab family stems from observations made on Golgi complex, endosome and plasma membrane trafficking, a subset of Rabs localizes in part or predominantly to the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). Here, Rabs such as Rab1, Rab2, Rab6 and Rab33 can regulate the anterograde and retrograde trafficking of vesicles between the Golgi complex, the ERGIC (ER–Golgi intermediate compartment) and the ER itself. However, among the ER-associated Rabs, some Rabs appear to perform roles not directly related to trafficking: these Rabs (e.g. Rab32 or Rab24) could aid proteins of the atlastin and reticulon families in determining the extent and direction of ER tubulation. In so doing, these Rabs regulate not only ER contacts with other organelles such as mitochondria, but also the formation of autophagosomes.

scholarly journals The bHLH transcription factor AhbHLH112 improves the drought tolerance of peanut

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunjuan Li ◽  
Caixia Yan ◽  
Quanxi Sun ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Cuiling Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Ros Scavenging ◽  
Drought Treatment ◽  
Stress Responding

Abstract Background Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) are one of the largest gene families in plants. They regulate gene expression through interactions with specific motifs in target genes. bHLH TFs are not only universally involved in plant growth but also play an important role in plant responses to abiotic stress. However, most members of this family have not been functionally characterized. Results Here, we characterized the function of a bHLH TF in the peanut, AhHLH112, in response to drought stress. AhHLH112 is localized in the nucleus and it was induced by drought stress. The overexpression of this gene improves the drought tolerance of transgenic plants both in seedling and adult stages. Compared to wild-type plants, the transgenic plants accumulated less reactive oxygen species (ROS), accompanied by increased activity and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase). In addition, the WT plants demonstrated higher MDA concentration levels and higher water loss rate than the transgenic plants under drought treatment. The Yeast one-hybrid result also demonstrates that AhbHLH112 directly and specifically binds to and activates the promoter of the peroxidase (POD) gene. Besides, overexpression of AhHLH112 improved ABA level under drought condition, and elevated the expression of genes associated with ABA biosynthesis and ABA responding, including AtNCED3 and AtRD29A. Conclusions Drawing on the results of our experiments, we propose that, by improving ROS-scavenging ability, at least in part through the regulation of POD -mediated H2O2 homeostasis, and possibly participates in ABA-dependent stress-responding pathway, AhbHLH112 acts as a positive factor in drought stress tolerance.

scholarly journals Expression of a novel DREB 5-A subgroup transcription factor gene from Ricinus communis (RcDREB1) enhanced growth, drought tolerance and pollen viability in tobacco

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Lima Aragão ◽  
Tomas Felipe Costa do Rego ◽  
Mirella Pupo Santos ◽  
Glaucia Barbosa Cabral ◽  
Thaís de Moura Cipriano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Ricinus Communis ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Transgenic Lines

Abstract Climate change has increased the frequency of long periods of drought, affecting crop cultivation worldwide. Losses due to water stress exceed ten percent of world production of major crops, reaching three-quarters of production areas, with severe economic losses. Therefore, the generation of environmental stress-tolerant genotypes that are more efficient in water use is extremely important. We have previously isolated and characterized a DREB transcription factor coding gene, named RcDREB1, from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), which probably belongs to the CBF/DREB subfamily subgroup A-5. Aiming to develop drought-tolerant lines, we have stably introduced and expressed the RcDREB1 transgene into tobacco. Transgenic lines have revealed an enhanced drought tolerance. Genetically modified lines cultivated under water deficit presented a higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and leaf water content when compared to the control. Transgenic lines revealed lower transpiration rates. In addition, biometric analyses showed that transgenic lines cultivated under water stress presented higher biomass, higher fresh and dry weight and higher plant height than the non-transgenic lines. After re-watering, transgenic lines recovered faster than non-transgenic plants. Moreover, pollen grains from transgenic plants revealed a remarkable increase in viability after exposure to heat (38 ºC) and desiccation stresses. The results presented here will be the foundation for production of commercial crops that are more tolerant to environmental stresses and long-life pollen grains, increasing pollination and in consequence, productivity.

scholarly journals Revising Endosomal Trafficking under Insulin Receptor Activation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6978
Author(s):  
Maria J. Iraburu ◽  
Tommy Garner ◽  
Cristina Montiel-Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Insulin Receptor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Early Endosome ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase Receptors ◽  
Endosomal Trafficking ◽  
Cell Functions

The endocytosis of ligand-bound receptors and their eventual recycling to the plasma membrane (PM) are processes that have an influence on signalling activity and therefore on many cell functions, including migration and proliferation. Like other tyrosine kinase receptors (TKR), the insulin receptor (INSR) has been shown to be endocytosed by clathrin-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Once at the early endosome (EE), the sorting of the receptor, either to the late endosome (LE) for degradation or back to the PM through slow or fast recycling pathways, will determine the intensity and duration of insulin effects. Both the endocytic and the endosomic pathways are regulated by many proteins, the Arf and Rab families of small GTPases being some of the most relevant. Here, we argue for a specific role for the slow recycling route, whilst we review the main molecular mechanisms involved in INSR endocytosis, sorting and recycling, as well as their possible role in cell functions.

scholarly journals Characterization of Interactions between the Soybean Salt-Stress Responsive Membrane-Intrinsic Proteins GmPIP1 and GmPIP2

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1312
Author(s):  
Jia Liu ◽  
Weicong Qi ◽  
Haiying Lu ◽  
Hongbo Shao ◽  
Dayong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Salt Stress ◽  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Constitutive Overexpression ◽  
Important Trait

Salt tolerance is an important trait in soybean cultivation and breeding. Plant responses to salt stress include physiological and biochemical changes that affect the movement of water across the plasma membrane. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) localize to the plasma membrane and regulate the water and solutes flow. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR and yeast two-hybridization were engaged to analyze the early gene expression profiles and interactions of a set of soybean PIPs (GmPIPs) in response to salt stress. A total of 20 GmPIPs-encoding genes had varied expression profiles after salt stress. Among them, 13 genes exhibited a downregulated expression pattern, including GmPIP1;6, the constitutive overexpression of which could improve soybean salt tolerance, and its close homologs GmPIP1;7 and 1;5. Three genes showed upregulated patterns, including the GmPIP1;6 close homolog GmPIP1;4, when four genes with earlier increased and then decreased expression patterns. GmPIP1;5 and GmPIP1;6 could both physically interact strongly with GmPIP2;2, GmPIP2;4, GmPIP2;6, GmPIP2;8, GmPIP2;9, GmPIP2;11, and GmPIP2;13. Definite interactions between GmPIP1;6 and GmPIP1;7 were detected and GmPIP2;9 performed homo-interaction. The interactions of GmPIP1;5 with GmPIP2;11 and 2;13, GmPIP1;6 with GmPIP2;9, 2;11 and GmPIP2;13, and GmPIP2;9 with itself were strengthened upon salt stress rather than osmotic stress. Taken together, we inferred that GmPIP1 type and GmPIP2 type could associate with each other to synergistically function in the plant cell; a salt-stress environment could promote part of their interactions. This result provided new clues to further understand the soybean PIP–isoform interactions, which lead to potentially functional homo- and heterotetramers for salt tolerance.

scholarly journals Overexpression of the pitaya phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene (HpPEAMT) enhanced simulated drought stress in tobacco

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Hua Wang ◽  
Lan Yang ◽  
Xin-Zhuan Yao ◽  
Xiao-Peng Wen
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Transgenic Tobacco ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence Similarity ◽  
Transgenic Tobacco Plants ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tobacco Plants

AbstractPhosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMTase) catalyzes the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to produce phosphocholine and plays an important role in the abiotic stress response. Although the PEAMT genes has been isolated from many species other than pitaya, its role in the drought stress response has not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we isolated a 1485 bp cDNA fragment of HpPEAMT from pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Phylogenetic analysis showed that, during its evolution, HpPEAMT has shown a high degree of amino acid sequence similarity with the orthologous genes in Chenopodiaceae species. To further investigate the function of HpPEAMT, we generated transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing HpPEAMT, and the transgenic plants accumulated significantly more glycine betaine (GB) than did the wild type (WT). Drought tolerance trials indicated that, compared with those of the wild-type (WT) plants, the roots of the transgenic plants showed higher drought tolerance ability and exhibited improved drought tolerance. Further analysis revealed that overexpression of HpPEAM in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in upregulation of transcript levels of GB biosynthesis-related genes (NiBADH, NiCMO and NiSDC) in the leaves. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type plants, the transgenic tobacco plants displayed a significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and higher activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) antioxidant enzymes under drought stress. Taken together, our results suggested that HpPEAMT enhanced the drought tolerance of transgenic tobacco.

scholarly journals Transcriptomic and genetic approaches reveal an essential role of the NAC transcription factor SlNAP1 in the growth and defense response of tomato

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Wang ◽  
Chenfei Zheng ◽  
Xiangqi Shao ◽  
Zhangjian Hu ◽  
Jianxin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Defense Response ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Multiple Stresses ◽  
Bacterial Diseases ◽  
Bacterial Wilt Disease ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Breeding Target

AbstractWith global climate change, plants are frequently being exposed to various stresses, such as pathogen attack, drought, and extreme temperatures. Transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in numerous plant biological processes; however, the functions of many tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) TFs that regulate plant responses to multiple stresses are largely unknown. Here, using an RNA-seq approach, we identified SlNAP1, a NAC TF-encoding gene, which was strongly induced by various stresses. By generating SlNAP1 transgenic lines and evaluating their responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato, we found that SlNAP1-overexpressing plants showed significantly enhanced defense against two widespread bacterial diseases, leaf speck disease, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000, and root-borne bacterial wilt disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In addition, SlNAP1 overexpression dramatically improved drought tolerance in tomato. Although the SlNAP1-overexpressing plants were shorter than the wild-type plants during the early vegetative stage, eventually, their fruit yield increased by 10.7%. Analysis of different hormone contents revealed a reduced level of physiologically active gibberellins (GAs) and an increased level of salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) in the SlNAP1-overexpressing plants. Moreover, EMSAs and ChIP-qPCR assays showed that SlNAP1 directly activated the transcription of multiple genes involved in GA deactivation and both SA and ABA biosynthesis. Our findings reveal that SlNAP1 is a positive regulator of the tomato defense response against multiple stresses and thus may be a potential breeding target for improving crop yield and stress resistance.

Over-expression of the rice OsAMT1-1 gene increases ammonium uptake and content, but impairs growth and development of plants under high ammonium nutrition

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Hoque ◽  
Josette Masle ◽  
Michael K. Udvardi ◽  
Peter R. Ryan ◽  
Narayana M. Upadhyaya
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Ammonium Assimilation ◽  
Ammonium Transporter ◽  
Ammonium Uptake ◽  
Vegetative Stage ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Ammonium Nutrition ◽  
Maize Ubiquitin Promoter

A transgenic approach was undertaken to investigate the role of a rice ammonium transporter (OsAMT1-1) in ammonium uptake and consequent ammonium assimilation under different nitrogen regimes. Transgenic lines overexpressing OsAMT1-1 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of two rice cultivars, Taipei 309 and Jarrah, with an OsAMT1-1 cDNA gene construct driven by the maize ubiquitin promoter. Transcript levels of OsAMT1-1 in both Taipei 309 and Jarrah transgenic lines correlated positively with transgene copy number. Shoot and root biomass of some transgenic lines decreased during seedling and early vegetative stage compared to the wild type, especially when grown under high (2 mm) ammonium nutrition. Transgenic plants, particularly those of cv. Jarrah recovered in the mid-vegetative stage under high ammonium nutrition. Roots of the transgenic plants showed increased ammonium uptake and ammonium content. We conclude that the decreased biomass of the transgenic lines at early stages of growth might be caused by the accumulation of ammonium in the roots owing to the inability of ammonium assimilation to match the greater ammonium uptake.

Rab22a affects the morphology and function of the endocytic pathway

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4041-4049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Mesa ◽  
Cristina Salomón ◽  
Marcelo Roggero ◽  
Philip D. Stahl ◽  
Luis S. Mayorga
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Endocytic Pathway ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Rab Protein ◽  
Late Endosomes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Negative Mutant

Soon after endocytosis, internalized material is sorted along different pathways in a process that requires the coordinated activity of several Rab proteins. Although abundant information is available about the subcellular distribution and function of some of the endocytosis-specific Rabs (e.g. Rab5 and Rab4), very little is known about some other members of this family of proteins. To unveil some of the properties of Rab22a, one of the less studied endosome-associated small GTPases, we have expressed the protein tagged with the green fluorescent protein in CHO cells. The results indicate that Rab22a associates with early and late endosomes (labeled by a 5 minute rhodamine-transferrin uptake and the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, respectively) but not with lysosomes (labeled by 1 hour rhodamine horseradish peroxidase uptake followed by 1 hour chase). Overexpression of the protein causes a prominent morphological enlargement of the early and late endosomes. Two mutants were generated by site-directed mutagenesis, a negative mutant (Rab22aS19N, with reduced affinity for GTP) and a constitutively active mutant (Rab22aQ64L, with reduced endogenous GTPase activity). The distribution of the negative mutant was mostly cytosolic, whereas the positive mutant associated with early and late endosomes and, interestingly also with lysosomes and autophagosomes (labeled with monodansylcadaverine). Cells expressing Rab22a wild type and Rab22aS19N displayed decreased endocytosis of a fluid phase marker. Conversely, overexpression of Rab22aQ64L, which strongly affects the morphology of endosomes, did not inhibit bulk endocytosis. Our results show that Rab22a has a unique distribution along the endocytic pathway that is not shared by any other Rab protein, and that it strongly affects the morphology and function of endosomes.

scholarly journals Exogenous Promoter Triggers APETALA3 Silencing through RNA-Directed DNA Methylation Pathway in Arabidopsis

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benqi Wang ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Lei Chu ◽  
Xue Jing ◽  
Huadong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Plant Reproduction ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Class A ◽  
Methylation Pathway ◽  
Class B ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Morphological Defects

The development of floral organs plays a vital role in plant reproduction. In our research, the APETALA3 (AP3) promoter-transgenic lines showed abnormal developmental phenotypes in stamens and petals. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms of the morphological defects in transgenic plants. By performing transgenic analysis, it was found that the AP3-promoted genes and the vector had no relation to the morphological defects. Then, we performed the expression analysis of the class A, B, and C genes. A dramatic reduction of transcript levels of class B genes (AP3 and PISTILLATA) was observed. Additionally, we also analyzed the methylation of the promoters of class B genes and found that the promoter of AP3 was hypermethylated. Furthermore, combining mutations in rdr2-2, drm1/2, and nrpd1b-11 with the AP3-silencing lines rescued the abnormal development of stamens and petals. The expression of AP3 was reactivated and the methylation level of AP3 promoter was also reduced in RdDM-defective AP3-silencing lines. Our results showed that the RdDM pathway contributed to the transcriptional silencing in the transgenic AP3-silencing lines. Moreover, the results revealed that fact that the exogenous fragment of a promoter could trigger the methylation of homologous endogenous sequences, which may be ubiquitous in transgenic plants.

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