Hypericum Perforatum L. Hairy Root Extracts – Regulation of Glycemic, Metabolic, Serum Enzyme and Lipid Profile in Stz - Induced Diabetic Rats

Apart from currently available therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, much attention has been paid to discover phytochemicals from natural resources, mainly due to their low side-effects. Hypericum perforatum hairy root (HR) transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 represent prospective experimental system enriched in xanthones, known as potent antidiabetic agents. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate HR extracts for their potential antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, also compared to the effects of wild-growing Hyperici herba (HH). We conducted an acute-toxicity study, multiple dose study, and 24h blood glucose measurements after a single dose administration of HH and HR (200 mg/kg) in diabetic rats. Furthermore, we examined the effects of 14-days administration of HH and HR extracts on blood glucose levels, metabolic parameters, enzyme, and lipid status in healthy and diabetic rats. Both extracts produced a fall of about 70% in blood glucose level after 24h of administration. Two-week treatment with HH and HR induced a significant decrease (70-72%) in blood glucose levels. Moreover, we found an improvement of the dysregulated metabolic parameters (body weight, food, and water consumption and urine output). Serum enzyme (AST, ALT, and γ-GT) and lipid profile parameters (CHOL, TAG, and HDL) were also improved by both extracts. These findings might provide a new insight for managing diabetic hyperglycemia and dysregulated serum enzyme and lipid profile, using extracts from transgenic roots cultures from H. perforatum.

Hairy CRISPR: Genome Editing in Plants Using Hairy Root Transformation

CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing is a powerful tool of plant functional genomics. Hairy root transformation is a rapid and convenient approach for obtaining transgenic roots. When combined, these techniques represent a fast and effective means of studying gene function. In this review, we outline the current state of the art reached by the combination of these approaches over seven years. Additionally, we discuss the origins of different Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains that are widely used for hairy root transformation; the components of CRISPR/Cas vectors, such as the promoters that drive Cas or gRNA expression, the types of Cas nuclease, and selectable and screenable markers; and the application of CRISPR/Cas genome editing in hairy roots. The modification of the already known vector pKSE401 with the addition of the rice translational enhancer OsMac3 and the gene encoding the fluorescent protein DsRed1 is also described.

Soybean cyst nematode resistance QTL cqSCN-006 alters the expression of a ɣ-SNAP protein

Soybean cyst nematode is the most economically damaging pathogen of soybean and host resistance is a core management strategy. The SCN resistance QTL cqSCN-006, introgressed from the wild relative Glycine soja, provides intermediate resistance against nematode populations including those with increased virulence on the heavily used rhg1-b resistance locus. cqSCN-006 was previously fine-mapped to a genome interval on chromosome 15. The present study determined that Glyma.15G191200 at cqSCN-006, encoding a ɣ-SNAP (gamma-SNAP), contributes to SCN resistance. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the cqSCN-006 allele reduced SCN resistance in transgenic roots. There are no encoded amino acid polymorphisms between resistant and susceptible alleles. However, other cqSCN-006-specific DNA polymorphisms in the Glyma.15G191200 promoter and gene body were identified, and we observed differing induction of ɣ-SNAP protein abundance at SCN infection sites between resistant and susceptible roots. We identified alternative RNA splice forms transcribed from the Glyma.15G191200 ɣ-SNAP gene and observed differential expression of the splice forms two days after SCN infection. Heterologous overexpression of ɣ-SNAPs in plant leaves caused moderate necrosis, suggesting that careful regulation of this protein is required for cellular homeostasis. Apparently, certain G. soja evolved quantitative SCN resistance through altered regulation of ɣ-SNAP. Previous work has demonstrated SCN resistance impacts of the soybean α-SNAP proteins encoded by Glyma.18G022500 (Rhg1) and Glyma.11G234500. The present study shows that a different type of SNAP protein can also impact SCN resistance. Little is known about ɣ-SNAPs in any system, but the present work suggests a role for ɣ-SNAPs during susceptible responses to cyst nematodes.

Use of the rhizobial type III effector gene nopP to improve Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Lotus japonicus

Background Protocols for Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transformation of the model legume Lotus japonicus have been established previously. However, little efforts were made in the past to quantify and improve the transformation efficiency. Here, we asked whether effectors (nodulation outer proteins) of the nodule bacterium Sinorhizobium sp. NGR234 can promote hairy root transformation of L. japonicus. The co-expressed red fluorescent protein DsRed1 was used for visualization of transformed roots and for estimation of the transformation efficiency. Results Strong induction of hairy root formation was observed when A. rhizogenes strain LBA9402 was used for L. japonicus transformation. Expression of the effector gene nopP in L. japonicus roots resulted in a significantly increased transformation efficiency while nopL, nopM, and nopT did not show such an effect. In nopP expressing plants, more than 65% of the formed hairy roots were transgenic as analyzed by red fluorescence emitted by co-transformed DsRed1. A nodulation experiment indicated that nopP expression did not obviously affect the symbiosis between L. japonicus and Mesorhizobium loti. Conclusion We have established a novel protocol for hairy root transformation of L. japonicus. The use of A. rhizogenes LBA9402 carrying a binary vector containing DsRed1 and nopP allowed efficient formation and identification of transgenic roots.

An NADPH oxidase regulates carbon metabolism and the cell cycle during root nodule symbiosis in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Background Rhizobium–legume symbiosis is a specific, coordinated interaction that results in the formation of a root nodule, where biological nitrogen fixation occurs. NADPH oxidases, or Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs (RBOHs) in plants, are enzymes that generate superoxide (O2•−). Superoxide produces other reactive oxygen species (ROS); these ROS regulate different stages of mutualistic interactions. For example, changes in ROS levels are thought to induce ROS scavenging, cell wall remodeling, and changes in phytohormone homeostasis during symbiotic interactions. In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), PvRbohB plays a key role in the early stages of nodulation. Results In this study, to explore the role of PvRbohB in root nodule symbiosis, we analyzed transcriptomic data from the roots of common bean under control conditions (transgenic roots without construction) and roots with downregulated expression of PvRbohB (by RNA interference) non-inoculated and inoculated with R. tropici. Our results suggest that ROS produced by PvRBOHB play a central role in infection thread formation and nodule organogenesis through crosstalk with flavonoids, carbon metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin during the early stages of this process. Conclusions Our findings provide important insight into the multiple roles of ROS in regulating rhizobia–legume symbiosis.

Control of the Rhizobia Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiosis by Common Bean MADS-Domain/AGL Transcription Factors

Plants MADS-domain/AGL proteins constitute a large transcription factor (TF) family that controls the development of almost every plant organ. We performed a phylogeny of (ca. 500) MADS-domain proteins from Arabidopsis and four legume species. We identified clades with Arabidopsis MADS-domain proteins known to participate in root development that grouped legume MADS-proteins with similar high expression in roots and nodules. In this work, we analyzed the role of AGL transcription factors in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) – Rhizobium etli N-fixing symbiosis. Sixteen P. vulgaris AGL genes (PvAGL), out of 93 family members, are expressed – at different levels – in roots and nodules. From there, we selected the PvAGL gene denominated PvFUL-like for overexpression or silencing in composite plants, with transgenic roots and nodules, that were used for phenotypic analysis upon inoculation with Rhizobium etli. Because of sequence identity in the DNA sequence used for RNAi-FUL-like construct, roots, and nodules expressing this construct -referred to as RNAi_AGL- showed lower expression of other five PvAGL genes highly expressed in roots/nodules. Contrasting with PvFUL-like overexpressing plants, rhizobia-inoculated plants expressing the RNAi_AGL silencing construct presented affection in the generation and growth of transgenic roots from composite plants, both under non-inoculated or rhizobia-inoculated condition. Furthermore, the rhizobia-inoculated plants showed decreased rhizobial infection concomitant with the lower expression level of early symbiotic genes and increased number of small, ineffective nodules that indicate an alteration in the autoregulation of the nodulation symbiotic process. We propose that the positive effects of PvAGL TF in the rhizobia symbiotic processes result from its potential interplay with NIN, the master symbiotic TF regulator, that showed a CArG-box consensus DNA sequence recognized for DNA binding of AGL TF and presented an increased or decreased expression level in roots from non-inoculated plants transformed with OE_FUL or RNAi_AGL construct, respectively. Our work contributes to defining novel transcriptional regulators for the common bean – rhizobia N-fixing symbiosis, a relevant process for sustainable agriculture.

A Root Tip-Specific Expressing Anthocyanin Marker for Direct Identification of Transgenic Tissues by the Naked Eye in Symbiotic Studies

The Agrobacterium rhizogenes hairy root transformation system is widely used in symbiotic studies of model legumes. It typically relies on fluorescent reporters, such as DsRed, for identification of transgenic roots. The MtLAP1 transcription factor has been utilized as a reporter system in Medicago truncatula based on production of anthocyanin pigment. Here, we describe a version of this reporter driven by a root-cap specific promoter for direct observation of anthocyanin accumulation in root tips, which allows the identification of transgenic hairy roots by the naked eye. Results from our analysis suggest that the reporter had no significant effects on nodulation of M. truncatula. This approach, by virtue of its strong and specific expression in root cap cells, greatly reduces false positives and false negatives, and its use of an easily scored visible pigment should allow greater versatility and efficiency in root biology studies.

Construction of a new plant expression vector and the development of maize germplasm expressing the Aspergillus ficuum phytase gene PhyA2

Phytases, which belong to a special category of orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolases, degrade inositol hexaphosphate to produce lower-grade inositol phosphate derivatives and inorganic phosphate. Thus, phytases may improve phosphorus utilization, eliminate the anti-nutrient properties of phytic acid, and mitigate environmental pollution due to phosphorus contamination. In this study, we constructed a new root-specific expression vector by inserting the Aspergillus ficuum phytase gene PhyA2 into pCAMBIA3301-ZmGLU1P-Nos. The subsequent molecular analysis confirmed that six T4 generation transgenic plants carried and expressed PhyA2. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated PhyA2 was highly expressed in the transgenic roots. Additionally, the phytase activity was 10.9-fold higher in the transgenic roots (peak activity of 5.432 U/g) than in the control roots. Moreover, compared with the control rhizosphere, the organic phosphorus content in the rhizosphere of the transgenic plants decreased significantly (by up to 5.21 mg/kg). An agronomic trait analysis indicated that PhyA2 expression can increase maize seed weight by up to 25.8 g. Therefore, the integration of PhyA2 into the maize genome can enhance the ability of maize plants to use the phosphorus compounds in soil, while also improving the plant growth status and increasing the seed yield.

Caffeoylquinic Acids with Potential Biological Activity from Plant In vitro Cultures as Alternative Sources of Valuable Natural Products

Background: For a long time, the researchers have been looking for new efficient methods to enhance production and obtain valuable plant secondary metabolites, which would contribute to the protection of the natural environment through the preservation of various plant species, often rare and endangered. These possibilities offer plant in vitro cultures which can be performed under strictly-controlled conditions, regardless of the season or climate and environmental factors. Biotechnological methods are promising strategies for obtaining the valuable plant secondary metabolites with various classes of chemical compounds including caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) and their derivatives. CQAs have been found in many plant species which are components in the daily diet and exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepato- and neuroprotective, anti-hyperglycemic, anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial activities. They have also been found to offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease, and play a role in weight reduction and lipid metabolism control, as well as modulating the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase involved in glucose metabolism. Methods: This work presents the review of the recent advances in use in vitro cultures of various plant species for the alternative system to the production of CQAs and their derivatives. Production of the secondary metabolites in in vitro culture is usually performed with cell suspension or organ cultures, such as shoots and adventitious or transformed roots. To achieve high production of valuable secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures, the optimization of the culture condition is necessary with respect to both biomass accumulation and metabolite content. The optimization of the culture conditions can be achieved by choosing the type of medium, growth regulators or growth conditions, selection of high-productivity lines or culture period, supplementation of the culture medium with precursors or elicitor treatments. Cultivation for large-scale in bioreactors and genetic engineering: Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and expression improvement of transcriptional factor or genes involved in the secondary metabolite production pathway are also efficient strategies for enhancement of the valuable secondary metabolites. Results: Many studies have been reported to obtain highly productive plant in vitro cultures with respect to CQAs. Among these valuable secondary metabolites, the most abundant compound accumulated in in vitro cultures was 5-CQA (chlorogenic acid). Highly productive cultures with respect to this phenolic acid were Leonurus sibiricus AtPAP1 transgenic roots, Lonicera macranthoides and Eucomia ulmoides cell suspension cultures which accumulated above 20 mg g-1 DW 5-CQA. It is known that di- and triCQAs are less common in plants than monoCQAs, but it was also possible to obtain them by biotechnological methods. Conclusion: The results indicate that the various in vitro cultures of different plant species can be a profitable approach for the production of CQAs. In particular, an efficient production of these valuable compounds is possible by Lonicera macranthoides and Eucomia ulmoides cell suspension cultures, Leonurus sibiricus transformed roots and AtPAP1 transgenic roots, Echinacea angustifolia adventitious shoots, Rhaponticum carthamoides transformed plants, Lavandula viridis shoots, Sausera involucrata cell suspension and Cichorium intybus transformed roots.