RESUMO
Plants rely on complex regulatory mechanisms to ensure proper growth and development. As plants are sessile organisms, these mechanisms must be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the environment. GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORS (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that act as a central hub controlling plant growth and development, which offer promising biotechnological applications to enhance plant performance. Here, we analyze the complex molecular mechanisms that regulate GRFs activity, and how their natural and synthetic variants can impact on plant growth and development. We describe the biological roles of the GRFs and examine how they regulate gene expression and contribute to the control of organ growth and plant responses to a changing environment. This review focuses on the premise that unlocking the full biotechnological potential of GRFs requires a thorough understanding of the various regulatory layers governing GRF activity, the functional divergence among GRF family members, and the gene networks that they regulate.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Desenvolvimento Vegetal , Desenvolvimento Vegetal/genética , Reguladores de Crescimento de Plantas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Meio Ambiente , Plantas/metabolismo , Plantas/genéticaRESUMO
We have previously shown that Acinetobacter baumannii as well as other relevant clinical bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, perceive and respond to light at 37 °C, the normal temperature in mammal hosts. In this work, we present evidence indicating that the two-component system BfmRS transduces a light signal in A. baumannii at this temperature, showing selective involvement of the BfmR and BfmS components depending on the specific cellular process. In fact, both BfmR and BfmS participate in modulation of motility by light, while only BfmR is involved in light regulation of desiccation tolerance in this microorganism. Neither BfmR nor BfmS contain a photoreceptor domain and then most likely, the system is sensing light indirectly. Intriguingly, this system inhibits blsA expression at 37 °C, suggesting antagonistic functioning of both signaling systems. Furthermore, we present evidence indicating that the phosphorylatable form of BfmR represses motility. Overall, we provide experimental evidence on a new biological function of this multifaceted system that broadens our understanding of A. baumannii's physiology and responses to light.
Assuntos
Acinetobacter baumannii , Biofilmes , Animais , Humanos , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Acinetobacter baumannii/metabolismo , Dessecação , Transdução de Sinal Luminoso , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMO
The processes that contribute to plant organ morphogenesis are spatial-temporally organized. Within the meristem, mitosis produces new cells that subsequently engage in cell expansion and differentiation programs. The latter is frequently accompanied by endoreplication, being an alternative cell cycle that replicates the DNA without nuclear division, causing a stepwise increase in somatic ploidy. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis SCL28 transcription factor promotes organ growth by modulating cell expansion dynamics in both root and leaf cells. Gene expression studies indicated that SCL28 regulates members of the SIAMESE/SIAMESE-RELATED (SIM/SMR) family, encoding cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors with a role in promoting mitotic cell cycle (MCC) exit and endoreplication, both in response to developmental and environmental cues. Consistent with this role, mutants in SCL28 displayed reduced endoreplication, both in roots and leaves. We also found evidence indicating that SCL28 co-expresses with and regulates genes related to the biogenesis, assembly, and remodeling of the cytoskeleton and cell wall. Our results suggest that SCL28 controls, not only cell proliferation as reported previously but also cell expansion and differentiation by promoting MCC exit and endoreplication and by modulating aspects of the biogenesis, assembly, and remodeling of the cytoskeleton and cell wall.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Ciclo Celular/genética , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Proliferação de Células , Endorreduplicação , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , MitoseRESUMO
Gene expression is reconfigured rapidly during the cell cycle to execute the cellular functions specific to each phase. Studies conducted with synchronized plant cell suspension cultures have identified hundreds of genes with periodic expression patterns across the phases of the cell cycle, but these results may differ from expression occurring in the context of intact organs. Here, we describe the use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting to analyze the gene expression profile of G2/M cells in the growing root. To this end, we isolated cells expressing the early mitosis cell cycle marker CYCLINB1;1-GFP from Arabidopsis root tips. Transcriptome analysis of these cells allowed identification of hundreds of genes whose expression is reduced or enriched in G2/M cells, including many not previously reported from cell suspension cultures. From this dataset, we identified SCL28, a transcription factor belonging to the GRAS family, whose messenger RNA accumulates to the highest levels in G2/M and is regulated by MYB3R transcription factors. Functional analysis indicates that SCL28 promotes progression through G2/M and modulates the selection of cell division planes.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Arabidopsis/citologia , Mitose , Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Genoma de Planta , Meristema/metabolismo , Mitose/genética , Organogênese , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Transcriptoma/genéticaRESUMO
The regulatory mechanisms involved in plant development include many signals, some of them acting as graded positional cues regulating gene expression in a concentration-dependent manner. These regulatory molecules, that can be considered similar to animal morphogens, control cell behavior in developing organs. A suitable experimental approach to study expression gradients in plants is quantitative laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) using Arabidopsis thaliana root tips as a model system. In this chapter, we outline a detailed method for image acquisition using LSCM, including detailed microscope settings and image analysis using FIJI as software platform.
Assuntos
Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Microscopia Confocal/métodos , Raízes de Plantas/metabolismo , Arabidopsis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Arabidopsis/ultraestrutura , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Raízes de Plantas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Raízes de Plantas/ultraestrutura , SoftwareRESUMO
An increase in crop yield is essential to reassure food security to meet the accelerating global demand. Several genetic modifications can increase organ size, which in turn might boost crop yield. Still, only in a few cases their performance has been evaluated under stress conditions. MicroRNA miR396 repress the expression of GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF) genes that codes for transcription factors that promote organ growth. Here, we show that both Arabidopsis thaliana At-GRF2 and At-GRF3 genes resistant to miR396 activity (rGRF2 and rGRF3) increased organ size, but only rGRF3 can produce this effect without causing morphological defects. Furthermore, introduction of At-rGRF3 in Brassica oleracea can increase organ size, and when At-rGRF3 homologs from soybean and rice are introduced in Arabidopsis, leaf size is also increased. This suggests that regulation of GRF3 activity by miR396 is important for organ growth in a broad range of species. Plants harboring rGRF3 have larger leaves also under drought stress, a condition that stimulates miR396 accumulation. These plants also showed an increase in the resistance to virulent bacteria, suggesting that the size increment promoted by rGRF3 occurs without an obvious cost on plant defenses. Our findings indicate that rGRF3 can increase plant organ size under both normal and stress conditions and is a valuable tool for biotechnological applications.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Arabidopsis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Folhas de Planta/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Brassica/genética , Brassica/crescimento & desenvolvimento , MicroRNAs/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Tamanho do Órgão/genética , Oryza/genética , Oryza/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Folhas de Planta/genética , RNA de Plantas/genética , RNA de Plantas/metabolismo , Glycine max/genética , Glycine max/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fatores de Transcrição/genéticaRESUMO
In the root meristem, the quiescent center (QC) is surrounded by stem cells, which in turn generate the different cell types of the root. QC cells rarely divide under normal conditions but can replenish damaged stem cells. In the proximal meristem, the daughters of stem cells, which are referred to as transit-amplifying cells, undergo additional rounds of cell division prior to differentiation. Here, we describe the functions of GRF-INTERACTING FACTORs (GIFs), including ANGUSTIFOLIA3 (AN3), in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. GIFs have been shown to interact with GRF transcription factors and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes. We found that combinations of GIF mutants cause the loss of QC identity. However, despite their QC impairment, GIF mutants have a significantly enlarged root meristem with additional lateral root cap layers. We show that the increased expression of PLETHORA1 (PLT1) is at least partially responsible for the large root meristems of an3 mutants. Furthermore, we found that GIFs are necessary for maintaining the precise expression patterns of key developmental regulators and that AN3 complexes bind directly to the promoter regions of PLT1 as well as SCARECROW We propose that AN3/GIFs participate in different pathways that control QC organization and the size of the meristem.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Arabidopsis/fisiologia , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Divisão Celular/genética , Montagem e Desmontagem da Cromatina/genética , Homeostase/genética , Meristema/genética , Meristema/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Meristema/fisiologia , Mutação , Raízes de Plantas/genética , Raízes de Plantas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Raízes de Plantas/fisiologia , Transativadores/genética , Transativadores/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
The characteristic leaf shapes we see in all plants are in good part the outcome of the combined action of several transcription factor networks that translate into cell division activity during the early development of the organ. We show here that wild-type leaves have distinct transcriptomic profiles in center and marginal regions. Certain transcripts are enriched in margins, including those of CINCINNATA-like TCPs (TEOSINTE BRANCHED, CYCLOIDEA and PCF1/2) and members of the NGATHA and STYLISH gene families. We study in detail the contribution of microRNA319 (miR319)-regulated TCP transcription factors to the development of the center and marginal regions of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves. We compare in molecular analyses the wild type, the tcp2 tcp4 mutant that has enlarged flat leaves, and the tcp2 tcp3 tcp4 tcp10 mutant with strongly crinkled leaves. The different leaf domains of the tcp mutants show changed expression patterns for many photosynthesis-related genes, indicating delayed differentiation, especially in the marginal parts of the organ. At the same time, we found an up-regulation of cyclin genes and other genes that are known to participate in cell division, specifically in the marginal regions of tcp2 tcp3 tcp4 tcp10 Using GUS reporter constructs, we confirmed extended mitotic activity in the tcp2 tcp3 tcp4 tcp10 leaf, which persisted in small defined foci in the margins when the mitotic activity had already ceased in wild-type leaves. Our results describe the role of miR319-regulated TCP transcription factors in the coordination of activities in different leaf domains during organ development.
Assuntos
Arabidopsis/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , MicroRNAs/genética , Arabidopsis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição Hélice-Alça-Hélice Básicos/genética , Fatores de Transcrição Hélice-Alça-Hélice Básicos/metabolismo , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Folhas de Planta/genética , Folhas de Planta/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
Plants have the ability to generate different and new organs throughout their life cycle. Organ growth is mostly determined by the combinatory effects of cell proliferation and cell expansion. Still, organ size and shape are adjusted constantly by environmental conditions and developmental timing. The plasticity of plant development is further illustrated by the diverse organ forms found in nature. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to control key biological processes in plants. In this review, we will discuss recent findings showing the participation of miRNA networks in the regulation of cell proliferation and organ growth. It has become clear that miRNA networks play both integrative and specific roles in the control of organ development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, recent work in different species demonstrated a broad role for miR396 in the control of organ size, and that specific tuning of the miR396 network can improve crop yield.
Assuntos
MicroRNAs/genética , Arabidopsis/citologia , Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Proliferação de Células/fisiologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas/fisiologiaRESUMO
The combinatory effects of cell proliferation and cell elongation determines the rate at which organs growth. In the root meristematic zone cells both divide and expand, while post-mitotic cells in the elongation zone only expands until they reach their final size. The transcription factors of the GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF) class promote cell proliferation in various plant organs. Their expression is restricted to cells with a high proliferative capacity, yet strong downregulation of the GRF activity compromise the plant survival. Part of expression pattern of the GRFs is ensured by the post-transcriptional repression mediated by the conserved microRNA miR396. Here we show the quantitative effects in root growth caused by GRF depletion in a series of transgenic lines with different miR396 levels. We show that high miRNA levels affect cell elongation and proliferation in roots. Detailed analysis suggests that cell proliferation is restricted due to a reduction in cell cycle speed that might result from defects in the accumulation of mitotic cyclins. The results provide insights into the participation of the miRNA-GRF regulatory network in root development.