Cloning and functional mechanism of the dwarf gene gba affecting stem elongation and cellulose biosynthesis in jute (Corchorus olitorius).

Plant height (PH) is an important factor affecting bast fiber yield in jute. Here, we report the mechanism of dwarfism in the 'Guangbaai' (gba) of jute. The mutant gba had shorter internode length and cell length compared to the standard cultivar 'TaiZi 4' (TZ4). Exogenous GA3 treatment indicated that gba is a GA-insensitive dwarf mutant. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of three PH-related traits via a high-density genetic linkage map according to re-seq showed that a total of 25 QTLs were identified, including 13 QTLs for PH, with phenotypic variation explained ranging from 2.42 to 74.16%. Notably, the functional mechanism of the candidate gene CoGID1a, the gibberellic acid receptor, of the major locus qPHIL5 was evaluated by transgenic analysis and virus-induced gene silencing. A dwarf phenotype-related single nucleotide mutation in CoGID1a was identified in gba, which was also unique to the dwarf phenotype of gba among 57 cultivars. Cogid1a was unable to interact with the growth-repressor DELLA even in the presence of highly accumulated gibberellins in gba. Differentially expressed genes between transcriptomes of gba and TZ4 after GA3 treatment indicated up-regulation of genes involved in gibberellin and cellulose synthesis in gba. Interestingly, it was found that up-regulation of CoMYB46, a key transcription factor in the secondary cell wall, by the highly accumulated gibberellins in gba promoted the expression of cellulose synthase genes CoCesA4 and CoCesA7. These findings provide valuable insights into fiber development affected by endogenous gibberellin accumulation in plants.

Genome-wide association study reveals loci and candidate genes of flowering time in jute (Corchorus L.).

Suitable flowering time can improve fiber yield and quality, which is of great significance for jute biological breeding. In this study, 242 jute accessions were planted in Fujian for 2 consecutive years, and 244,593 SNPs distributed in jute genome were used for genome-wide association analysis of flowering time. A total of 19 candidate intervals (P < 0.0001) were identified by using GLM and FaST-LMM and were significantly associated with flowering time, with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) ranging from 5.8 to 18.61%. Six stable intervals that were repeatedly detected in different environments were further identified by the linkage disequilibrium heatmap. The most likely 7 candidate genes involved to flowering time were further predicted according to the gene functional annotations. Notably, functional analysis of the candidate gene CcPRR7 of the major loci qFT-3-1, a key factor in circadian rhythm in the photoperiodic pathway, was evaluated by linkage, haplotype, and transgenic analysis. ß-glucuronidase (GUS) and luciferase (LUC) activity assay of the promoters with two specific haplotypes confirmed that the flowering time can be controlled by regulating the expression of CcPRR7. The model of CcPRR7 involved in the photoperiod regulation pathway under different photoperiods was proposed. These findings provide insights into genetic loci and genes for molecular marker-assisted selection in jute and valuable information for genetically engineering PRR7 homologs in plants. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01435-8.

MiR-204-5p Performs a Protective Effect on Cerulein-Induced Rat Pancreatic Acinar Cell AR42J Cell Damage by Targeting Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation Protein Gamma and Regulating PI3K/Hippo Pathways.

OBJECTIVE: This research plans to address the function of miR-204-5p/tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein gamma (YWHAG) in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Rat pancreatic acinar cell AR42J was stimulated by 100 nmol/L of cerulein to mimic the situation in AP. Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to select differentially expressed genes. StarBase database and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were used to select the target genes of miR-204-5p, which were further affirmed by dual luciferase assay. The biological behaviors of AR42J cells were measured by cell proliferation and flow cytometry assays. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were executed to assess YWHAG expression. The secretion of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2/Timp metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 in AR42J cells was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression of YAP1/p-YAP1/PI3K/p-PI3K was measured by western blot. RESULTS: miR-204-5p expression was profoundly reduced in cerulein-induced AP model. YWHAG was upregulated in cerulein-induced AP model and related to C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2/Timp1. In addition to the negative association between miR-204-5p and YWHAG, the alleviation impact of miR-204-5p mimic on cerulein-induced AR42J cell damage was blocked by YWHAG overexpression and PI3K/Hippo signaling pathways activation. CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicated that the alleviation impact of miR-204-5p on cerulein-induced AR42J cell damage was mediated via YWHAG and PI3K/Hippo signaling pathways.