Abscisic acid-mediated autoregulation of the MYB41-BRAHMA module enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Drought stress poses a substantial challenge to plant growth and agricultural productivity worldwide. Upon water depletion, plants activate an abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, leading to stomatal closure to reduce water loss. The MYB family of transcription factors plays diverse roles in growth, development, stress responses and biosynthesis, yet their involvement in stomatal regulation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that ABA significantly upregulates the expression of MYB41, MYB74, and MYB102, with MYB41 serving as a key regulator that induces the expression of both MYB74 and MYB102. Through luciferase assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), we reveal that MYB41 engages in positive feedback regulation by binding to its own promoter, thus amplifying its transcription in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Furthermore, our investigation showed that MYB41 recruits BRAHMA (BRM), the core ATPase subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, to the MYB41 promoter, facilitating the binding of HISTONE DEACETYLASE 6 (HDA6). This recruitment triggers epigenetic modifications, resulting in reduced MYB41 expression characterized by elevated H3K27me3 levels and concurrent decreases in H3ac, H3K27ac, and H3K14ac levels in wild-type plants compared to brm knockout mutant plants. Our genetic and molecular analyses show that ABA mediates autoregulation of the MYB41-BRM module, which intricately modulates stomatal movement in A. thaliana. This discovery sheds light on a drought response mechanism with the potential to greatly enhance agricultural productivity.

Ethylene controls three-dimensional growth involving reduced auxin levels in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

The conquest of land by plants was concomitant with, and possibly enabled by, the evolution of three-dimensional (3D) growth. The moss Physcomitrium patens provides a model system for elucidating molecular mechanisms in the initiation of 3D growth. Here, we investigate whether the phytohormone ethylene, which is believed to have been a signal before land plant emergence, plays a role in 3D growth regulation in P. patens. We report ethylene controls 3D gametophore formation, based on results from exogenously applied ethylene and genetic manipulation of PpEIN2, which is a central component in the ethylene signaling pathway. Overexpression (OE) of PpEIN2 activates ethylene responses and leads to earlier formation of gametophores with fewer gametophores produced thereafter, phenocopying ethylene-treated wild-type. Conversely, Ppein2 knockout mutants, which are ethylene insensitive, show initially delayed gametophore formation with more gametophores produced later. Furthermore, pharmacological and biochemical analyses reveal auxin levels are decreased in the OE lines but increased in the knockout mutants. Our results suggest that evolutionarily, ethylene and auxin molecular networks were recruited to build the plant body plan in ancestral land plants. This might have played a role in enabling ancient plants to acclimate to the continental surfaces of the planet.

Development of PEG-mediated genetic transformation and gene editing system of Bryum argenteum as an abiotic stress tolerance model plant.

KEY MESSAGE: To establish a sterile culture system and protoplast regeneration system for Bryum argenteum, and to establish and apply CRISPR/Cas9 system in Bryum argenteum. Bryum argenteum is a fascinating, cosmopolitan, and versatile moss species that thrives in various disturbed environments. Because of its comprehensive tolerance to the desiccation, high UV and extreme temperatures, it is emerging as a model moss for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the lack of basic tools such as gene transformation and targeted genome modification has hindered the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the survival of B. argenteum in different environments. Here, we reported the protonema of B. argenteum can survive up to 95.4% water loss. In addition, the genome size of B. argenteum is approximately 313 Mb by kmer analysis, which is smaller than the previously reported 700 Mb. We also developed a simple method for protonema induction and an efficient protoplast isolation and regeneration protocol for B. argenteum. Furthermore, we established a PEG-mediated protoplast transient transfection and stable transformation system for B. argenteum. Two homologues of ABI3(ABA-INSENSITIVE 3) gene were successfully cloned from B. argenteum. To further investigate the function of the ABI3 gene in B. argenteum, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing system to target the BaABI3A and BaABI3B gene in B. argenteum protoplasts. This resulted in mutagenesis at the target in about 2-5% of the regenerated plants. The isolated abi3a and abi3b mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to desiccation, suggesting that BaABI3A and BaABI3B play redundant roles in desiccation stress. Overall, our results provide a rapid and simple approach for molecular genetics in B. argenteum. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to extreme environmental.

TEB/POLQ plays dual roles in protecting Arabidopsis from NO-induced DNA damage.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key player in numerous physiological processes. Excessive NO induces DNA damage, but how plants respond to this damage remains unclear. We screened and identified an Arabidopsis NO hypersensitive mutant and found it to be allelic to TEBICHI/POLQ, encoding DNA polymerase θ. The teb mutant plants were preferentially sensitive to NO- and its derivative peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage and subsequent double-strand breaks (DSBs). Inactivation of TEB caused the accumulation of spontaneous DSBs largely attributed to endogenous NO and was synergistic to DSB repair pathway mutations with respect to growth. These effects were manifested in the presence of NO-inducing agents and relieved by NO scavengers. NO induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in the teb mutant, indicative of stalled replication forks. Genetic analyses indicate that Polθ is required for translesion DNA synthesis across NO-induced lesions, but not oxidation-induced lesions. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that Polθ bypasses NO-induced base adducts in an error-free manner and generates mutations characteristic of Polθ-mediated end joining. Our experimental data collectively suggests that Polθ plays dual roles in protecting plants from NO-induced DNA damage. Since Polθ is conserved in higher eukaryotes, mammalian Polθ may also be required for balancing NO physiological signaling and genotoxicity.

Structural basis for plant lutein biosynthesis from α-carotene.

Two cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP97A3 and CYP97C1, catalyze hydroxylations of the ß- and ε-rings of α-carotene to produce lutein. Chirality is introduced at the C-3 atom of both rings, and the reactions are both pro-3R-stereospecific. We determined the crystal structures of CYP97A3 in substrate-free and complex forms with a nonnatural substrate and the structure of CYP97C1 in a detergent-bound form. The structures of CYP97A3 in different states show the substrate channel and the structure of CYP97C1 bound with octylthioglucoside confirms the binding site for the carotenoid substrate. Biochemical assays confirm that the ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR)-ferredoxin pair is used as the redox partner. Details of the pro-3R stereospecificity are revealed in the retinal-bound CYP97A3 structure. Further analysis indicates that the CYP97B clan bears similarity to the ß-ring-specific CYP97A clan. Overall, our research describes the molecular basis for the last steps of lutein biosynthesis.

ADH2/GSNOR1 is a key player in limiting genotoxic damage mediated by formaldehyde and UV-B in Arabidopsis.

Maintenance of genome stability is an essential requirement for all living organisms. Formaldehyde and UV-B irradiation cause DNA damage and affect genome stability, growth and development, but the interplay between these two genotoxic factors is poorly understood in plants. We show that Arabidopsis adh2/gsnor1 mutant, which lacks alcohol dehydrogenase 2/S-nitrosoglutathione reductase 1 (ADH2/GSNOR1), are hypersensitive to low fluence UV-B irradiation or UV-B irradiation-mimetic chemicals. Although the ADH2/GSNOR1 enzyme can act on different substrates, notably on S-hydroxymethylglutathione (HMG) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), our study provides several lines of evidence that the sensitivity of gsnor1 to UV-B is caused mainly by UV-B-induced formaldehyde accumulation rather than other factors such as alteration of the GSNO concentration. Our results demonstrate an interplay between formaldehyde and UV-B that exacerbates genome instability, leading to severe DNA damage and impaired growth and development in Arabidopsis, and show that ADH2/GSNOR1 is a key player in combating these effects.

A chloride efflux transporter, BIG RICE GRAIN 1, is involved in mediating grain size and salt tolerance in rice.

Grain size is determined by the size and number of cells in the grain. The regulation of grain size is crucial for improving crop yield; however, the genes and molecular mechanisms that control grain size remain elusive. Here, we report that a member of the detoxification efflux carrier /Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion (DTX/MATE) family transporters, BIG RICE GRAIN 1 (BIRG1), negatively influences grain size in rice (Oryza sativa L.). BIRG1 is highly expressed in reproductive organs and roots. In birg1 grain, the outer parenchyma layer cells of spikelet hulls are larger than in wild-type (WT) grains, but the cell number is unaltered. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, BIRG1 exhibits chloride efflux activity. Consistent with this role of BIRG1, the birg1 mutant shows reduced tolerance to salt stress at a toxic chloride level. Moreover, grains from birg1 plants contain a higher level of chloride than those of WT plants when grown under normal paddy field conditions, and the roots of birg1 accumulate more chloride than those of WT under saline conditions. Collectively, the data suggest that BIRG1 in rice functions as a chloride efflux transporter that is involved in mediating grain size and salt tolerance by controlling chloride homeostasis.

OSCA1 mediates osmotic-stress-evoked Ca2+ increases vital for osmosensing in Arabidopsis.

Water is crucial to plant growth and development. Environmental water deficiency triggers an osmotic stress signalling cascade, which induces short-term cellular responses to reduce water loss and long-term responses to remodel the transcriptional network and physiological and developmental processes. Several signalling components that have been identified by extensive genetic screens for altered sensitivities to osmotic stress seem to function downstream of the perception of osmotic stress. It is known that hyperosmolality and various other stimuli trigger increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). Considering that in bacteria and animals osmosensing Ca(2+) channels serve as osmosensors, hyperosmolality-induced [Ca(2+)]i increases have been widely speculated to be involved in osmosensing in plants. However, the molecular nature of corresponding Ca(2+) channels remain unclear. Here we describe a hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channel and its function in osmosensing in plants. Using calcium-imaging-based unbiased forward genetic screens we isolated Arabidopsis mutants that exhibit low hyperosmolality-induced [Ca(2+)]i increases. These mutants were rescreened for their cellular, physiological and developmental responses to osmotic stress, and those with clear combined phenotypes were selected for further physical mapping. One of the mutants, reduced hyperosmolality-induced [Ca(2+)]i increase 1 (osca1), displays impaired osmotic Ca(2+) signalling in guard cells and root cells, and attenuated water transpiration regulation and root growth in response to osmotic stress. OSCA1 is identified as a previously unknown plasma membrane protein and forms hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channels, revealing that OSCA1 may be an osmosensor. OSCA1 represents a channel responsible for [Ca(2+)]i increases induced by a stimulus in plants, opening up new avenues for studying Ca(2+) machineries for other stimuli and providing potential molecular genetic targets for engineering drought-resistant crops.

Arabidopsis cryptochrome 1 functions in nitrogen regulation of flowering.

The phenomenon of delayed flowering after the application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer has long been known in agriculture, but the detailed molecular basis for this phenomenon is largely unclear. Here we used a modified method of suppression-subtractive hybridization to identify two key factors involved in N-regulated flowering time control in Arabidopsis thaliana, namely ferredoxin-NADP(+)-oxidoreductase and the blue-light receptor cryptochrome 1 (CRY1). The expression of both genes is induced by low N levels, and their loss-of-function mutants are insensitive to altered N concentration. Low-N conditions increase both NADPH/NADP(+) and ATP/AMP ratios, which in turn affect adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. Moreover, our results show that the AMPK activity and nuclear localization are rhythmic and inversely correlated with nuclear CRY1 protein abundance. Low-N conditions increase but high-N conditions decrease the expression of several key components of the central oscillator (e.g., CCA1, LHY, and TOC1) and the flowering output genes (e.g., GI and CO). Taken together, our results suggest that N signaling functions as a modulator of nuclear CRY1 protein abundance, as well as the input signal for the central circadian clock to interfere with the normal flowering process.

PpAKR1A, a Novel Aldo-Keto Reductase from Physcomitrella Patens, Plays a Positive Role in Salt Stress.

The moss Physcomitrella patens is tolerant of highly saline environments. In plants, salinity stress may induce the production of toxic reactive carbonyl species (RCS) and oxidative damage. Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are a large group of NADP-dependent oxidoreductases involved in RCS detoxification. However, many members in this superfamily remain uncharacterized. In this study, we cloned and characterised a putative AKR1 from P. patens, named PpAKR1A. Notably, the transcription level of PpAKR1A was induced by salt and methylglyoxal (MG) stress, and the recombinant PpAKR1A protein catalysed the reduction of toxic aldehydes. PpAKR1A knockout mutants of P. patens (ppakr1a) were sensitive to NaCl and MG treatment, as indicated by much lower concentrations of chlorophyll and much higher concentrations of MG and H2O2 than those in WT plants. Meanwhile, ppakr1a plants exhibited decreases in the MG-reducing activity and reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability in response to salt stress, possibly due to decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD). Our results indicate that PpAKR1A is an aldo-keto reductase that detoxifies MG and thus plays an important role in salt stress tolerance in P. patens.

Tetrahydrofolate Modulates Floral Transition through Epigenetic Silencing.

Folates, termed from tetrahydrofolate (THF) and its derivatives, function as coenzymes in one-carbon transfer reactions and play a central role in synthesis of nucleotides and amino acids. Dysfunction of cellular folate metabolism leads to serious defects in plant development; however, the molecular mechanisms of folate-mediated cellular modifications and physiological responses in plants are still largely unclear. Here, we reported that THF controls flowering time by adjusting DNA methylation-regulated gene expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Wild-type seedlings supplied with THF as well as the high endogenous THF content mutant dihydrofolate synthetase folypoly-Glu synthetase homolog B exhibited significant up-regulation of the flowering repressor of Flowering Wageningen and thereby delaying floral transition in a dose-dependent manner. Genome-wide transcripts and DNA methylation profiling revealed that THF reduces DNA methylation so as to manipulate gene expression activity. Moreover, in accompaniment with elevated cellular ratios between monoglutamylated and polyglutamylated folates under increased THF levels, the content of S-adenosylhomo-Cys, a competitive inhibitor of methyltransferases, was obviously higher, indicating that enhanced THF accumulation may disturb cellular homeostasis of the concerted reactions between folate polyglutamylation and folate-dependent DNA methylation. In addition, we found that the loss-of-function mutant of CG DNA methyltransferase MET1 displayed much less responsiveness to THF-associated flowering time alteration. Taken together, our studies revealed a novel regulatory role of THF on epigenetic silencing, which will shed lights on the understanding of interrelations in folate homeostasis, epigenetic variation, and flowering control in plants.

Desiccation tolerance in Physcomitrella patens: Rate of dehydration and the involvement of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA).

The moss Physcomitrella patens, a model system for basal land plants, tolerates several abiotic stresses, including dehydration. We previously reported that Physcomitrella patens survives equilibrium dehydration to -13 MPa in a closed system at 91% RH. Tolerance of desiccation to water potentials below -100 MPa was only achieved by pretreatment with exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). We report here that gametophores, but not protonemata, can survive desiccation below -100 MPa after a gradual drying regime in an open system, without exogenous ABA. In contrast, faster equilibrium drying at 90% RH for 3-5 days did not induce desiccation tolerance in either tissue. Endogenous ABA accumulated in protonemata and gametophores under both drying regimes, so did not correlate directly with desiccation tolerance. Gametophores of a Ppabi3a/b/c triple knock out transgenic line also survived the gradual dehydration regime, despite impaired ABA signaling. Our results suggest that the initial drying rate, and not the amount of endogenous ABA, may be critical in the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. Results from this work will provide insight into ongoing studies to uncover the role of ABA in the dehydration response and the underlying mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in this bryophyte.

The resurrection genome of Boea hygrometrica: A blueprint for survival of dehydration.

"Drying without dying" is an essential trait in land plant evolution. Unraveling how a unique group of angiosperms, the Resurrection Plants, survive desiccation of their leaves and roots has been hampered by the lack of a foundational genome perspective. Here we report the ∼1,691-Mb sequenced genome of Boea hygrometrica, an important resurrection plant model. The sequence revealed evidence for two historical genome-wide duplication events, a compliment of 49,374 protein-coding genes, 29.15% of which are unique (orphan) to Boea and 20% of which (9,888) significantly respond to desiccation at the transcript level. Expansion of early light-inducible protein (ELIP) and 5S rRNA genes highlights the importance of the protection of the photosynthetic apparatus during drying and the rapid resumption of protein synthesis in the resurrection capability of Boea. Transcriptome analysis reveals extensive alternative splicing of transcripts and a focus on cellular protection strategies. The lack of desiccation tolerance-specific genome organizational features suggests the resurrection phenotype evolved mainly by an alteration in the control of dehydration response genes.

Regulatory Mechanism of ABA and ABI3 on Vegetative Development in the Moss Physcomitrella patens.

The moss Physcomitrella patens is a model system for studying plant developmental processes. ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3), a transcription factor of the ABA signaling pathway, plays an important role in plant growth and development in vascular plant. To understand the regulatory mechanism of ABA and PpABI3 on vegetative development in Physcomitrella patens, we applied physiological, cellular, and RNA-seq analyses in wild type (WT) plants and ∆abi3 mutants. During ABA treatment, the growth of gametophytes was inhibited to a lesser extent ∆abi3 plants compared with WT plants. Microscopic observation indicated that the differentiation of caulonemata from chloronemata was accelerated in ∆abi3 plants when compared with WT plants, with or without 10 µM of ABA treatment. Under normal conditions, auxin concentration in ∆abi3 plants was markedly higher than that in WT plants. The auxin induced later differentiation of caulonemata from chloronemata, and the phenotype of ∆abi3 plants was similar to that of WT plants treated with exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). RNA-seq analysis showed that the PpABI3-regulated genes overlapped with genes regulated by the ABA treatment, and about 78% of auxin-related genes regulated by the ABA treatment overlapped with those regulated by PpABI3. These results suggested that ABA affected vegetative development partly through PpABI3 regulation in P. patens; PpABI3 is a negative regulator of vegetative development in P. patens, and the vegetative development regulation by ABA and PpABI3 might occur by regulating the expression of auxin-related genes. PpABI3 might be associated with cross-talk between ABA and auxin in P. patens.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Developmental Reprogramming in Protoplasts of the Moss Physcomitrella patens.

The moss Physcomitrella patens is a model system for studying Plant developmental processes. To better understand the biochemical and physiological changes involved in developmental reprogramming, we conducted a quantitative proteomics analysis for protonemata, protoplasts made therefrom and protoplasts regenerated for 2 d. Using an iTRAQ peptide labeling strategy and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), >3,000 peptides and 1,000 proteins were quantified. Of these, 162 proteins were identified as having differential abundances during developmental reprogramming. These proteins were involved in various biological functions, such as defense, energy production, translation, metabolism, protein destination and storage, transcription, transport, cell growth/division, cell structure and signal transduction. Of these, the proteins involved in energy production and translation increased in abundance, while many of the metabolism and defense proteins decreased in abundance. In addition, most of the cell growth/division, protein stability and cell structure proteins were also down-regulated. This is the first report on the metabolic changes involved in developmental reprogramming in protoplasts. The significance of metabolic networks in developmental programming is beginning to emerge. Our study suggested that stress signals, energy metabolism and ribosomal proteins are pivotal components during developmental programming.

Nitric oxide modifies root growth by S-nitrosylation of plastidial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential role in a myriad of physiological and pathological processes, but the molecular mechanism of the action and the corresponding direct targets have remained largely unknown. We used cellular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to decipher the potential role of NO in root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. We specifically demonstrate that exogenous application of NO simulates the phenotype of NO overproducing mutant (nox1), displaying reduced root growth and meristem size. Using root specific cell marker lines, we show that the cell in the cortex layer are more sensitive to NO as they show enhanced size. Examination of total S-nitrosylated proteins showed higher levels in nox1 mutant than wild type. Using an in vitro assay we demonstrate that plastidial glyderaldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is one of NO direct targets. The function of GAPDH in glycolysis provide a rational for S-nitrosylation of this enzyme and its subsequent reduced activity and ultimately reduced growth in roots. Indeed, the rescue of the root growth phenotype in nox1 by exogenous application of glycine and serine, the downstream products of plastidial GAPDH provide unequivocal evidence for mechanism of NO action through S-nitrosylation of key proteins, thereby delicately balancing growth and stress responses.

Nitric oxide induces monosaccharide accumulation through enzyme S-nitrosylation.

Nitric oxide (NO) is extensively involved in various growth processes and stress responses in plants; however, the regulatory mechanism of NO-modulated cellular sugar metabolism is still largely unknown. Here, we report that NO significantly inhibited monosaccharide catabolism by modulating sugar metabolic enzymes through S-nitrosylation (mainly by oxidizing dihydrolipoamide, a cofactor of pyruvate dehydrogenase). These S-nitrosylation modifications led to a decrease in cellular glycolysis enzymes and ATP synthase activities as well as declines in the content of acetyl coenzyme A, ATP, ADP-glucose and UDP-glucose, which eventually caused polysaccharide-biosynthesis inhibition and monosaccharide accumulation. Plant developmental defects that were caused by high levels of NO included delayed flowering time, retarded root growth and reduced starch granule formation. These phenotypic defects could be mediated by sucrose supplementation, suggesting an essential role of NO-sugar cross-talks in plant growth and development. Our findings suggest that molecular manipulations could be used to improve fruit and vegetable sweetness.

Nitric oxide negatively regulates AKT1-mediated potassium uptake through modulating vitamin B6 homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Nitric oxide (NO), an active signaling molecule in plants, is involved in numerous physiological processes and adaptive responses to environmental stresses. Under high-salt conditions, plants accumulate NO quickly, and reorganize Na(+) and K(+) contents. However, the molecular connection between NO and ion homeostasis is largely unknown. Here, we report that NO lowers K(+) channel AKT1-mediated plant K(+) uptake by modulating vitamin B6 biosynthesis. In a screen for Arabidopsis NO-hypersensitive mutants, we isolated sno1 (sensitive to nitric oxide 1), which is allelic to the previously noted mutant sos4 (salt overly sensitive 4) that has impaired Na(+) and K(+) contents and overproduces pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), an active form of vitamin B6. We showed that NO increased PLP and decreased K(+) levels in plant. NO induced SNO1 gene expression and enzyme activity, indicating that NO-triggered PLP accumulation mainly occurs through SNO1-mediated vitamin B6 salvage biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PLP significantly repressed the activity of K(+) channel AKT1 in the Xenopus oocyte system and Arabidopsis root protoplasts. Together, our results suggest that NO decreases K(+) absorption by promoting the synthesis of vitamin B6 PLP, which further represses the activity of K(+) channel AKT1 in Arabidopsis. These findings reveal a previously unidentified pivotal role of NO in modulating the homeostasis of vitamin B6 and potassium nutrition in plants, and shed light on the mechanism of NO in plant acclimation to environmental changes.

Dehydration-responsive features of Atrichum undulatum.

Drought is an increasingly important limitation on plant productivity worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms of drought tolerance in plants can lead to new strategies for developing drought-tolerant crops. Many moss species are able to survive desiccation-a more severe state of dehydration than drought. Research into the mechanisms and evolution of desiccation tolerance in basal land plants is of particular significance to both biology and agriculture. In this study, we conducted morphological, cytological, and physiological analyses of gametophytes of the highly desiccation-tolerant bryophyte Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv during dehydration and rehydration. Our results suggested that the mechanisms underlying the dehydration-recovery cycle in A. undulatum gametophytes include maintenance of membrane stability, cellular structure protection, prevention of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, elimination of ROS, protection against ROS-induced damage, and repair of ROS-induced damage. Our data also indicate that this dehydration-recovery cycle consists not only of the physical removal and addition of water, but also involves a highly organized series of cytological, physiological, and biochemical changes. These attributes are similar to those reported for other drought- and desiccation-tolerant plant species. Our findings provide major insights into the mechanisms of dehydration-tolerance in the moss A. undulatum.