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1.
Am J Bot ; 111(2): e16271, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38265745

ABSTRACT

PREMISE: Duplicated genes (paralogs) are abundant in plant genomes, and their retention may influence the function of genetic programs and contribute to evolutionary novelty. How gene duplication affects genetic modules and what forces contribute to paralog retention are outstanding questions. The CYCLOIDEA(CYC)-dependent flower symmetry program is a model for understanding the evolution of gene duplication, providing multiple examples of paralog partitioning and novelty. However, a novel CYC gene lineage duplication event near the origin of higher core Lamiales (HCL) has received little attention. METHODS: To understand the evolutionary fate of duplicated HCL CYC2 genes, we determined the effects on flower symmetry by suppressing MlCYC2A and MlCYC2B expression using RNA interference (RNAi). We determined the phenotypic effects on flower symmetry in single- and double-silenced backgrounds and coupled our functional analyses with expression surveys of MlCYC2A, MlCYC2B, and a putative downstream RADIALIS (MlRAD5) ortholog. RESULTS: MlCYC2A and MlCYC2B jointly contribute to bilateral flower symmetry. MlCYC2B exhibits a clear dorsal flower identity function and may additionally function in carpel development. MlCYC2A functions in establishing dorsal petal shape. Further, our results suggest an MlCYC2A-MlCYC2B regulatory interaction, which may affect pathway homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CYC paralogs specific to higher core Lamiales may be selectively retained for their joint contribution to bilateral flower symmetry, similar to the independently derived CYC paralogs in the Lamiales model for bilateral flower symmetry research, Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon).


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Lamiales , Mimulus , Phylogeny , Mimulus/genetics , Genes, Plant , Plant Proteins/genetics , Lamiales/genetics , Flowers , Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
2.
Yi Chuan ; 45(6): 526-535, 2023 Jun 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37340966

ABSTRACT

MYB is one of the largest transcription factor families in plants. Among them, the R3-MYB transcription factor RADIALIS (RAD) plays a very important role in the flowers development in Antirrhinum majus. In this study, a R3-MYB gene similar to RAD was found by analyzing the genome of A. majus, which was named AmRADIALIS-like 1 (AmRADL1). The gene function was predicted through bioinformatics. The relative expression levels in different tissues and organs of wild-type A. majus were analyzed by qRT-PCR. AmRADL1 was overexpressed in A. majus, and the transgenic plants were analyzed by morphological observation and histological staining. The results showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of AmRADL1 gene was 306 bp in length, encoding 101 amino acids. It has typical SANT domain, and the C-terminal contains a CREB motif, which was highly homologous to tomato SlFSM1. The results of qRT-PCR showed that AmRADL1 was expressed in roots, stems, leaves and flowers, and the expression level was higher in flowers. Further analysis of its expression in different floral organs showed that AmRADL1 had the highest expression in carpel. The results of histological staining analysis of the transgenic plants showed that compared with the wild type, although the size of the carpel cells of the transgenic plants did not change significantly, the placenta area in the carpel became smaller and the number of cell decreased. In summary, AmRADL1 may be involved in the regulation of carpel development, but the specific mechanism of action in carpel remains to be further studied.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Phenotype , Cloning, Molecular , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Flowers/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Phylogeny
3.
Mol Biol Evol ; 40(4)2023 04 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37014787

ABSTRACT

The genus Antirrhinum has been used as a model to study self-incompatibility extensively. The multi-allelic S-locus, carrying a pistil S-RNase and dozens of S-locus F-box (SLF) genes, underlies the genetic control of self-incompatibility (SI) in Antirrhinum hispanicum. However, there have been limited studies on the genomic organization of the S-locus supergene due to a lack of high-quality genomic data. Here, we present the chromosome-level reference and haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of a self-incompatible A. hispanicum line, AhS7S8. For the first time, 2 complete A. hispanicum S-haplotypes spanning ∼1.2 Mb and containing a total of 32 SLFs were reconstructed, whereas most of the SLFs derived from retroelement-mediated proximal or tandem duplication ∼122 Mya. Back then, the S-RNase gene and incipient SLFs came into linkage to form the pro-type of type-1 S-locus in the common ancestor of eudicots. Furthermore, we detected a pleiotropic cis-transcription factor (TF) associated with regulating the expression of SLFs, and two miRNAs may control the expression of this TF. Interspecific S-locus and intraspecific S-haplotype comparisons revealed the dynamic nature and polymorphism of the S-locus supergene mediated by continuous gene duplication, segmental translocation or loss, and TE-mediated transposition events. Our data provide an excellent resource for future research on the evolutionary studies of the S-RNase-based self-incompatibility system.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Pollen/genetics , Pollen/metabolism , Biological Evolution , Ribonucleases/genetics , Ribonucleases/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics
4.
Genes Genet Syst ; 97(4): 177-184, 2022 Dec 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36372414

ABSTRACT

The transposon Tam3 of Antirrhinum (snapdragon) has acquired properties that distinguish it from other transposons. Mobile DNA, commonly referred to as a transposable element or transposon, is considered to be synonymous with a selfish factor. That is, a transposable element increases in copy number and moves copies of itself independently of the survival of the host organism. Therefore, the host collectively regulates the transposition activities of most transposable elements in its genome by epigenetic means. However, our analyses of the structure and behavior of Tam3, as shown by the following five results, provide evidence that it does not behave in a selfish manner in relation to the host. 1) Active transposable elements normally increase the abundance of their non-autonomous elements, whereas Tam3 is known to have no non-autonomous elements, and a limited number of around 10 copies of autonomous elements present in the genome have been isolated as active copies. 2) Tam3 does not transpose at 25 ℃, which is the optimal growth temperature for Antirrhinum. Transposition of Tam3 occurs only at low temperatures of about 15 ℃, which is stressful for Antirrhinum. 3) Few strains of Antirrhinum have been found to contain genes that specifically suppress Tam3 transposition. 4) Most of the Tam3 insertions found in Antirrhinum genes do not affect the host genome, and the expression of these host genes is not completely suppressed. 5) Transcription and translation of the Tam3 transposase gene are not epigenetically regulated by the host. These five experimental results constitute evidence that Tam3 retains features that are dissimilar to those of many other transposons and that it does not behave in a selfish manner that is detrimental to the survival of the host. In this review, we consider what kinds of behavior are required if transposons are to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with their hosts, with reference to Tam3.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , DNA Transposable Elements/genetics , Cold Temperature , Temperature
5.
New Phytol ; 231(2): 849-863, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33616943

ABSTRACT

Floral pigmentation patterning is important for pollinator attraction as well as aesthetic appeal. Patterning of anthocyanin accumulation is frequently associated with variation in activity of the Myb, bHLH and WDR transcription factor complex (MBW) that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis. Investigation of two classic mutants in Antirrhinum majus, mutabilis and incolorata I, showed they affect a gene encoding a bHLH protein belonging to subclade bHLH-2. The previously characterised gene, Delila, which encodes a bHLH-1 protein, has a bicoloured mutant phenotype, with residual lobe-specific pigmentation conferred by Incolorata I. Both Incolorata I and Delila induce expression of the anthocyanin biosynthetic gene DFR. Rosea 1 (Myb) and WDR1 proteins compete for interaction with Delila, but interact positively to promote Incolorata I activity. Delila positively regulates Incolorata I and WDR1 expression. Hierarchical regulation can explain the bicoloured patterning of delila mutants, through effects on both regulatory gene expression and the activity of promoters of biosynthetic genes like DFR that mediate MBW regulation. bHLH-1 and bHLH-2 proteins contribute to establishing patterns of pigment distribution in A. majus flowers in two ways: through functional redundancy in regulating anthocyanin biosynthetic gene expression, and through differences between the proteins in their ability to regulate genes encoding transcription factors.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Anthocyanins , Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Flowers/genetics , Flowers/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Pigmentation/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism
6.
Cells ; 8(8)2019 08 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31426490

ABSTRACT

The plant circadian clock controls a large number of internal processes, including growth and metabolism. Scent emission displays a circadian pattern in many species such as the snapdragon. Here we show that knocking down LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL in Antirrhinum majus affects growth and scent emission. In order to gain an understanding of the growth kinetics, we took a phenomic approach using in-house artificial vision systems, obtaining time-lapse videos. Wild type flowers showed a higher growth speed than knockdown plants. The maximal growth rate was decreased by 22% in plants with lower LHY expression. Floral volatiles were differentially affected as RNAi plants showed advanced emission of compounds synthesized from cinnamic acid and delayed emission of metabolites of benzoic acid. The monoterpenes myrcene and ocimene were delayed, whereas the sesquiterpene farnesene was advanced. Overall, transgenic lines showed an altered volatile emission pattern and displayed a modified scent profile. Our results show that AmLHY plays an important role in the quantitative and qualitative control of floral growth and scent emission.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum , Circadian Clocks/physiology , Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins/physiology , Flowers , Plant Proteins/physiology , Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Flowers/growth & development , Flowers/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
7.
Physiol Plant ; 166(3): 762-771, 2019 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30187495

ABSTRACT

Photoperiodic lighting can promote flowering of long-day plants (LDPs) and inhibit flowering of short-day plants (SDPs). Red (R) and far-red (FR) light regulate flowering through phytochromes, whereas blue light does so primarily through cryptochromes. In contrast, the role of green light in photoperiodic regulation of flowering has been inconsistent in previous studies. We grew four LDP species (two petunia cultivars, ageratum, snapdragon and Arabidopsis) and two SDP species (three chrysanthemum cultivars and marigold) in a greenhouse under truncated 9-h short days with or without 7-h day-extension lighting from green light (peak = 521 nm) at 0, 2, 13 or 25 µmol m-2  s-1 or R + white (W) + FR light at 2 µmol m-2  s-1 . Increasing the green photon flux density from 0 to 25 µmol m-2  s-1 accelerated flowering of all LDPs and delayed flowering of all SDPs. Petunia flowered similarly fast under R + W + FR light and moderate green light but was shorter and developed more branches under green light. To be as effective as R + W + FR light, saturation green photon flux densities were 2 µmol m-2  s-1 for LDP ageratum and SDP marigold and 13 µmol m-2  s-1 for LDP petunia. Snapdragon was the least sensitive to green light. In Arabidopsis, cryptochrome 2 mediated promotion of flowering under moderate green light, whereas both phytochrome B and cryptochrome 2 mediated that under R + W + FR light. We conclude that 7-h day-extension lighting from green light-emitting diodes can control flowering of photoperiodic ornamentals and that in Arabidopsis, cryptochrome 2 mediates promotion of flowering under green light.


Subject(s)
Cryptochromes/metabolism , Flowers/metabolism , Light , Ageratum/metabolism , Ageratum/radiation effects , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Antirrhinum/radiation effects , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Arabidopsis/radiation effects , Arabidopsis Proteins , Chrysanthemum/metabolism , Chrysanthemum/radiation effects , Flowers/radiation effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/radiation effects , Photons , Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified/radiation effects
8.
ACS Synth Biol ; 7(10): 2322-2330, 2018 10 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30212620

ABSTRACT

Due to autotrophic growing capacity and extremely rich secondary metabolism, plants should be preferred targets of synthetic biology. However, developments in plants usually run below those in other taxonomic groups. In this work we engineered genetic circuits capable of logic YES, OR and AND Boolean computation in plant tissues with a visual output signal. The circuits, which are deployed by means of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, perform with the conditional activity of the MYB transcription factor Rosea1 from Antirrhinum majus inducing the accumulation of anthocyanins, plant endogenous pigments that are directly visible to the naked eye or accurately quantifiable by spectrophotometric analysis. The translational fusion of Rosea1 to several viral proteins, such as potyvirus NIb or fragments thereof, rendered the transcription factor inactive. However, anthocyanin accumulation could be restored by inserting protease cleavage sites between both moieties of the fusion and by coexpressing specific proteases, such as potyvirus nuclear inclusion a protease.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Synthetic Biology/methods , Agrobacterium/physiology , Anthocyanins/analysis , Anthocyanins/metabolism , Peptide Hydrolases/genetics , Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism , Plasmids/genetics , Plasmids/metabolism , Potyvirus/enzymology , Potyvirus/metabolism , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Spectrophotometry , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Viral Proteins/genetics , Viral Proteins/metabolism
9.
Plant J ; 94(2): 372-392, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29421843

ABSTRACT

Flavonoid metabolons (weakly-bound multi-enzyme complexes of flavonoid enzymes) are believed to occur in diverse plant species. However, how flavonoid enzymes are organized to form a metabolon is unknown for most plant species. We analyzed the physical interaction partnerships of the flavonoid enzymes from two lamiales plants (snapdragon and torenia) that produce flavones and anthocyanins. In snapdragon, protein-protein interaction assays using yeast and plant systems revealed the following binary interactions: flavone synthase II (FNSII)/chalcone synthase (CHS); FNSII/chalcone isomerase (CHI); FNSII/dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR); CHS/CHI; CHI/DFR; and flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase/CHI. These results along with the subcellular localizations and membrane associations of snapdragon flavonoid enzymes suggested that FNSII serves as a component of the flavonoid metabolon tethered to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The observed interaction partnerships and temporal gene expression patterns of flavonoid enzymes in red snapdragon petal cells suggested the flower stage-dependent formation of the flavonoid metabolon, which accounted for the sequential flavone and anthocyanin accumulation patterns therein. We also identified interactions between FNSII and other flavonoid enzymes in torenia, in which the co-suppression of FNSII expression was previously reported to diminish petal anthocyanin contents. The observed physical interactions among flavonoid enzymes of these plant species provided further evidence supporting the long-suspected organization of flavonoid metabolons as enzyme complexes tethered to the ER via cytochrome P450, and illustrated how flavonoid metabolons mediate flower coloration. Moreover, the observed interaction partnerships were distinct from those previously identified in other plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana and soybean), suggesting that the organization of flavonoid metabolons may differ among plant species.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/metabolism , Flavonoids/metabolism , Lamiales/metabolism , Acyltransferases/metabolism , Alcohol Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Anthocyanins/metabolism , Antirrhinum/enzymology , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Flowers/growth & development , Flowers/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Intramolecular Lyases/metabolism , Lamiales/enzymology , Lamiales/growth & development , Metabolic Networks and Pathways , Protein Interaction Maps , Two-Hybrid System Techniques
10.
Plant Signal Behav ; 12(5): e1318238, 2017 05 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28426280

ABSTRACT

The Antirrhinum DNA transposon Tam3 uniquely demonstrates low temperature-dependent transposition (LTDT), so transposition does not occur at high temperatures. We previously showed that the detainment of Tam3 transposase (TPase) at the plasma membrane occurs when transposition is inactive, and that TPase is released at the permissive state of Tam3 transposition. LTDT of Tam3 is attributed to interactions between Tam3 and its host. In this addendum, we propose a model to explain the LTDT of Tam3, which is regarded as an equilibrium state reached between the host and parasite to maximize the fitness of both.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/metabolism , DNA Transposable Elements/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Antirrhinum/genetics , Cell Membrane/genetics , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Cold Temperature , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/physiology , Plant Proteins/genetics
11.
Sci Rep ; 7: 41319, 2017 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28145519

ABSTRACT

Plant forms display a wide variety of architectures, depending on the number of lateral branches, internode elongation and phyllotaxy. These are in turn determined by the number, the position and the fate of the Axillary Meristems (AMs). Mutants that affect AM determination during the vegetative phase have been isolated in several model plants. Among these genes, the GRAS transcription factor LATERAL SUPPRESSOR (Ls) plays a pivotal role in AM determination during the vegetative phase. Hereby we characterize the phylogenetic orthologue of Ls in Antirrhinum, ERAMOSA (ERA). Our data supported ERA control of AM formation during both the vegetative and the reproductive phase in snapdragon. A phylogenetic analysis combined with an analysis of the synteny of Ls in several species strongly supported the hypothesis that ERA is a phylogenetic orthologue of Ls, although it plays a broader role. During the reproductive phase ERA promotes the establishment of the stem niche at the bract axis but, after the reproductive transition, it is antagonized by the MADS box transcription factor SQUAMOSA (SQUA). Surprisingly double mutant era squa plants display a squa phenotype developing axillary meristems, which can eventually turn into inflorescences or flowers.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Meristem/growth & development , Meristem/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Epistasis, Genetic , Flowers/physiology , In Situ Hybridization , Likelihood Functions , Mutation/genetics , Phenotype , Phylogeny , Protein Multimerization , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Synteny/genetics
12.
Plant Physiol ; 173(2): 1492-1501, 2017 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28008001

ABSTRACT

Transposable elements (TEs) are considered to be parasites of host genomes because they act as powerful mutagens. If not kept in check, they can cause gene disruption, genome rearrangement, and genomic takeover. Hence, activities of TEs are under the rigid control of hosts. To date, all identified TE regulations have been epigenetic dependent, with the exception of the DNA transposon Tam3. Blocking nuclear translocation of Tam3 transposase (TPase) is consistent with the suppression of Tam3 in Antirrhinum majus In this article, we discovered that epigenetic-independent regulation of Tam3 is mediated by the BED-zinc finger (Znf-BED) domain of Tam3 TPase. The host targets the N terminus of the Znf-BED domain, which contains two highly conserved aromatic amino acids, to detain Tam3 TPase at the plasma membrane and to silence Tam3. Zinc finger proteins perform broader functions in transcriptional regulation through their DNA binding ability. Our data revealed that the posttranslational epigenetic-independent silencing against TEs was a result of the protein binding ability of the Znf-BED domain.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/metabolism , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Transposases/chemistry , Transposases/metabolism , Zinc Fingers , Amino Acid Sequence , Antirrhinum/genetics , Conserved Sequence , DNA Transposable Elements , Epigenesis, Genetic , Plant Proteins/chemistry , Plant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Transposases/genetics
13.
Sci Rep ; 6: 19807, 2016 Jan 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26804132

ABSTRACT

Plants grow under climatic changing conditions that cause modifications in vegetative and reproductive development. The degree of changes in organ development i.e. its phenotypic plasticity seems to be determined by the organ identity and the type of environmental cue. We used intraspecific competition and found that Antirrhinum majus behaves as a decoupled species for lateral organ size and number. Crowding causes decreases in leaf size and increased leaf number whereas floral size is robust and floral number is reduced. Genes involved in shoot apical meristem maintenance like ROA and HIRZ, cell cycle (CYCD3a; CYCD3b, HISTONE H4) or organ polarity (GRAM) were not significantly downregulated under crowding conditions. A transcriptomic analysis of inflorescence meristems showed Gene Ontology enriched pathways upregulated including Jasmonic and Abscisic acid synthesis and or signalling. Genes involved in auxin synthesis such as AmTAR2 and signalling AmANT were not affected by crowding. In contrast, AmJAZ1, AmMYB21, AmOPCL1 and AmABA2 were significantly upregulated. Our work provides a mechanistic working hypothesis where a robust SAM and stable auxin signalling enables a homogeneous floral size while changes in JA and ABA signalling maybe responsible for the decreased leaf size and floral number.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/genetics , Meristem/genetics , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plant Proteins/biosynthesis , Abscisic Acid/genetics , Abscisic Acid/metabolism , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Cyclopentanes/metabolism , Flowers/genetics , Flowers/growth & development , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism , Meristem/growth & development , Meristem/metabolism , Oxylipins/metabolism , Plant Leaves/growth & development , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Shoots/genetics , Plant Shoots/growth & development , Plants, Genetically Modified , Signal Transduction/genetics
14.
New Phytol ; 204(4): 901-12, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25109749

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the CINCINNATA (CIN) gene in Antirrhinum majus and its orthologs in Arabidopsis result in crinkly leaves as a result of excess growth towards the leaf margin. CIN homologs code for TCP (TEOSINTE-BRANCHED 1, CYCLOIDEA, PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1 AND 2) transcription factors and are expressed in a broad zone in a growing leaf distal to the proliferation zone where they accelerate cell maturation. Although a few TCP targets are known, the functional basis of CIN-mediated leaf morphogenesis remains unclear. We compared the global transcription profiles of wild-type and the cin mutant of A. majus to identify the targets of CIN. We cloned and studied the direct targets using RNA in situ hybridization, DNA-protein interaction, chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter gene analysis. Many of the genes involved in the auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways showed altered expression in the cin mutant. Further, we showed that CIN binds to genomic regions and directly promotes the transcription of a cytokinin receptor homolog HISTIDINE KINASE 4 (AmHK4) and an IAA3/SHY2 (INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID INDUCIBLE 3/SHORT HYPOCOTYL 2) homolog in A. majus. Our results suggest that CIN limits excess cell proliferation and maintains the flatness of the leaf surface by directly modulating the hormone pathways involved in patterning cell proliferation and differentiation during leaf growth.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/genetics , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Cytokinins/metabolism , Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Arabidopsis/genetics , Cell Proliferation , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation , Cytokinins/genetics , Expressed Sequence Tags , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation , Plant Leaves/cytology , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plants, Genetically Modified , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Signal Transduction/genetics
15.
Plant J ; 75(4): 527-38, 2013 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23638688

ABSTRACT

The establishment of meristematic domains with different transcriptional activity is essential for many developmental processes. The asymmetry of the Antirrhinum majus flower is established by transcription factors with an asymmetric pattern of activity. To understand how this asymmetrical pattern is established, we studied the molecular mechanism through which the dorsal MYB protein RADIALIS (RAD) restricts the activity of the MYB transcription factor DIVARICATA (DIV) to the ventral region of the flower meristem. We show that RAD competes with DIV for binding with other MYB-like proteins, termed DRIF1 and DRIF2 (DIV- and-RAD-interacting-factors). DRIF1 and DIV interact to form a protein complex that binds to the DIV-DNA consensus region, suggesting that the DRIFs act as co-regulators of DIV transcriptional activity. In the presence of RAD, the interaction between DRIF1 and DIV bound to DNA is disrupted. Moreover, the DRIFs are sequestered in the cytoplasm by RAD, thus, preventing or reducing the formation of DRIF-DIV heterodimers in the nuclei. Our results suggest that in the dorsal region of the Antirrhinum flower meristem the dorsal protein RAD antagonises the activity of the ventral identity protein DIV in a subcellular competition for a DRIF protein promoting the establishment of the asymmetric pattern of gene activity in the Antirrhinum flower.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/genetics , Flowers/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Transcription Factors/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Antirrhinum/cytology , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Cytoplasm/metabolism , Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay , Flowers/growth & development , Flowers/metabolism , Meristem/cytology , Meristem/genetics , Meristem/growth & development , Meristem/metabolism , Models, Biological , Molecular Sequence Data , Phenotype , Phylogeny , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Protein Binding , Recombinant Proteins , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Two-Hybrid System Techniques
16.
Int J Phytoremediation ; 15(4): 299-306, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23487996

ABSTRACT

Characteristics of accumulation and tolerance of lead (Pb) in Quamolit pennata, Antirrhinum majus L. and Celosia cristata pyramidalis were investigated to identify Pb-accumulating plants. In this study, pot culture experiment was conducted to assess whether these plants are Pb-hyperaccumulators or accumulators. The results indicated that the Pb enrichment factor (concentration in plant/soil) and Pb translocation factor (concentration in shoot/root) of these plants were principally <1 in pot culture and concentration gradient experiments. However, the Pb concentration in Celosia cristata pyramidalis shoots was higher than 1000 mg kg(-1), the threshold concentration for a Pb-hyperaccumulator. Shoot biomass of Celosia cristata pyramidalis had no significantly (p < 0.05) variation compared to the control. Based on these results, only Celosia cristata pyramidalis could be identified as a Pb-accumulator.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/metabolism , Celosia/metabolism , Lead/metabolism , Magnoliopsida/metabolism , Soil Pollutants/metabolism , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Biodegradation, Environmental , Biological Transport , Biomass , Celosia/growth & development , Lead/analysis , Magnoliopsida/growth & development , Plant Components, Aerial/growth & development , Plant Components, Aerial/metabolism , Plant Roots/growth & development , Plant Roots/metabolism , Soil/chemistry , Soil Pollutants/analysis
17.
Methods Mol Biol ; 940: 63-74, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23104334

ABSTRACT

RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the most commonly used techniques for examining the function of genes of interest. In this chapter we present two examples of RNAi that use the particle inflow gun for delivery of the DNA constructs. In one example transient RNAi is used to show the function of an anthocyanin regulatory gene in flower petals. In the second example stably transformed cell cultures are produced with an RNAi construct that results in a change in the anthocyanin hydroxylation pattern.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/genetics , Biolistics/instrumentation , RNA Interference , Solanum tuberosum/genetics , Antirrhinum/enzymology , Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Culture Techniques , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/deficiency , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics , DNA/administration & dosage , DNA/chemistry , DNA/genetics , Flowers/growth & development , Gold/chemistry , Inverted Repeat Sequences/genetics , Phenotype , Pigmentation/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Solanum tuberosum/cytology , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transformation, Genetic
18.
BMC Plant Biol ; 12: 176, 2012 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23025792

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The YABBY (YAB) family of transcription factors participate in a diverse range of processes that include leaf and floral patterning, organ growth, and the control of shoot apical meristem organisation and activity. How these disparate functions are regulated is not clear, but based on interactions with the LEUNIG-class of co-repressors, it has been proposed that YABs act as transcriptional repressors. In the light of recent work showing that DNA-binding proteins associated with the yeast co-repressor TUP1 can also function as activators, we have examined the transcriptional activity of the YABs. RESULTS: Of the four Arabidopsis YABs tested in yeast, only FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL) activated reporter gene expression. Similar analysis with Antirrhinum YABs identified the FIL ortholog GRAMINIFOLIA as an activator. Plant-based transactivation assays not only confirmed the potential of FIL to activate transcription, but also extended this property to the FIL paralog YABBY3 (YAB3). Subsequent transcriptomic analysis of lines expressing a steroid-inducible FIL protein revealed groups of genes that responded either positively or negatively to YAB induction. Included in the positively regulated group of genes were the polarity regulators KANADI1 (KAN1), AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 4 (ARF4) and ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1). We also show that modifying FIL to function as an obligate repressor causes strong yab loss-of-function phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively these data show that FIL functions as a transcriptional activator in plants and that this activity is involved in leaf patterning. Interestingly, our study also supports the idea that FIL can act as a repressor, as transcriptomic analysis identified negatively regulated FIL-response genes. To reconcile these observations, we propose that YABs are bifunctional transcription factors that participate in both positive and negative regulation. These findings fit a model of leaf development in which adaxial/abaxial patterning is maintained by a regulatory network consisting of positive feedback loops.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Arabidopsis/growth & development , Organogenesis , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Genes, Dominant/genetics , Genome, Plant/genetics , Models, Biological , Mutation/genetics , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Organogenesis/genetics , Phenotype , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plant Leaves/growth & development , Plant Leaves/ultrastructure , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Reproducibility of Results , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transcription, Genetic
19.
Plant Biotechnol J ; 10(9): 1046-55, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22924954

ABSTRACT

The health-promoting property of diets rich in fruits and vegetables is based, in part, on the additive and synergistic effects of multiple antioxidants. In an attempt to further enhance food quality, we introduced into crops the capability to synthesize a yellow antioxidant, aureusidin, that is normally produced only by some ornamental plants. For this purpose, the snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) chalcone 4'-O-glucosyltransferase (Am4'CGT) and aureusidin synthase (AmAs1) genes, which catalyse the synthesis of aureusidin from chalcone, were expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants that displayed a functionally active chalcone/flavanone biosynthetic pathway. Leaves of the resulting transgenic plants developed a yellow hue and displayed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibiting and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) activities than control leaves. Our results suggest that the nutritional qualities of leafy vegetables can be enhanced through the introduction of aurone biosynthetic pathways.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Antirrhinum/genetics , Benzofurans/metabolism , Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism , Pigmentation , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Chalcones/metabolism , Color , Flowers/metabolism , Lactuca , Mixed Function Oxygenases/genetics , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Nicotiana
20.
PLoS One ; 7(7): e40381, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22808147

ABSTRACT

Evolutionary and reproductive success of angiosperms, the most diverse group of land plants, relies on visual and olfactory cues for pollinator attraction. Previous work has focused on elucidating the developmental regulation of pathways leading to the formation of pollinator-attracting secondary metabolites such as scent compounds and flower pigments. However, to date little is known about how flowers control their entire metabolic network to achieve the highly regulated production of metabolites attracting pollinators. Integrative analysis of transcripts and metabolites in snapdragon sepals and petals over flower development performed in this study revealed a profound developmental remodeling of gene expression and metabolite profiles in petals, but not in sepals. Genes up-regulated during petal development were enriched in functions related to secondary metabolism, fatty acid catabolism, and amino acid transport, whereas down-regulated genes were enriched in processes involved in cell growth, cell wall formation, and fatty acid biosynthesis. The levels of transcripts and metabolites in pathways leading to scent formation were coordinately up-regulated during petal development, implying transcriptional induction of metabolic pathways preceding scent formation. Developmental gene expression patterns in the pathways involved in scent production were different from those of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, highlighting distinct developmental regulation of secondary metabolism and primary metabolic pathways feeding into it.


Subject(s)
Antirrhinum/growth & development , Antirrhinum/metabolism , Flowers/growth & development , Flowers/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics , Antirrhinum/genetics , Biomass , Down-Regulation/genetics , Flowers/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Genes, Plant/genetics , Glycolysis/genetics , Metabolome/genetics , Metabolomics , Molecular Sequence Annotation , Pentose Phosphate Pathway/genetics , Phenotype , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Sucrose/metabolism , Up-Regulation/genetics , Volatilization
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