Добірка наукової літератури з теми "Wheat Genetics. Plant genetic regulation. Plant gene expression"

Within many different cytotoxic activities of heavy metals in plant cells, one of the most important is connected with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanism of plant cell defense against reactive oxygen species and free radicals has a comprehensive character. The aim of presented paper is characterization of changes in mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene transcript level that occurred in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings during copper and manganese treatment. Our results show down-regulation of MnSOD expression in most cases after the oxidative burst evoked by copper excess. Manganese treatment, on the other hand, caused differential reaction of tested material indicating the substantial impact of cultivar genetic background in molecular response to the same stress-inducing conditions.

Jasmonates are plant hormones that are involved in the regulation of different aspects of plant life, wherein their functions and molecular mechanisms of action in wheat are still poorly studied. With the aim of gaining more insights into the role of jasmonic acid (JA) in wheat growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses, we have generated transgenic bread wheat plants overexpressing Arabidopsis 12-OXOPHYTODIENOATE REDUCTASE 3 (AtOPR3), one of the key genes of the JA biosynthesis pathway. Analysis of transgenic plants showed that AtOPR3 overexpression affects wheat development, including germination, growth, flowering time, senescence, and alters tolerance to environmental stresses. Transgenic wheat plants with high AtOPR3 expression levels have increased basal levels of JA, and up-regulated expression of ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE, a jasmonate biosynthesis pathway gene that is known to be regulated by a positive feedback loop that maintains and boosts JA levels. Transgenic wheat plants with high AtOPR3 expression levels are characterized by delayed germination, slower growth, late flowering and senescence, and improved tolerance to short-term freezing. The work demonstrates that genetic modification of the jasmonate pathway is a suitable tool for the modulation of developmental traits and stress responses in wheat.

Freezing tolerance in plants is a complex trait that occurs in many plant species during growth at low, nonfreezing temperatures, a process known as cold acclimation. This process is regulated by a multigenic system expressing broad variation in the degree of freezing tolerance among wheat cultivars. Microarray analysis is a powerful and rapid approach to gene discovery. In species such as wheat, for which large scale mutant screening and transgenic studies are not currently practical, genotype comparison by this methodology represents an essential approach to identifying key genes in the acquisition of freezing tolerance. A microarray was constructed with PCR amplified cDNA inserts from 1184 wheat expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that represent 947 genes. Gene expression during cold acclimation was compared in 2 cultivars with marked differences in freezing tolerance. Transcript levels of more than 300 genes were altered by cold. Among these, 65 genes were regulated differently between the 2 cultivars for at least 1 time point. These include genes that encode potential regulatory proteins and proteins that act in plant metabolism, including protein kinases, putative transcription factors, Ca2+ binding proteins, a Golgi localized protein, an inorganic pyrophosphatase, a cell wall associated hydrolase, and proteins involved in photosynthesis.Key words: wheat microarray, expression profile, plant transcription, cold-regulated genes, freezing tolerance, cold acclimation, winter hardiness, stress genes, gene regulation, wheat transcriptome.

Abiotic stresses are major constraints limiting crop growth and production. Heat shock factors (Hsfs) play significant roles in mediating plant resistance to various environmental stresses, including heat, drought and salinity. In this study, we explored the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of wheat TaHsfA6f in plant tolerance to various abiotic stresses. Gene expression profiles showed that TaHsfA6f has relatively high expression levels in wheat leaves at the reproductive stage. Transcript levels of TaHsfA6f were substantially up-regulated by heat, dehydration, salinity, low temperature, and multiple phytohormones, but was not induced by brassinosteroids (BR). Subcellular localization analyses revealed that TaHsfA6f is localized to the nucleus. Overexpression of the TaHsfA6f gene in Arabidopsis results in improved tolerance to heat, drought and salt stresses, enhanced sensitivity to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), and increased accumulation of ABA. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing data demonstrated that TaHsfA6f functions through up-regulation of a number of genes involved in ABA metabolism and signaling, and other stress-associated genes. Collectively, these results provide evidence that TaHsfA6f participates in the regulation of multiple abiotic stresses, and that TaHsfA6f could serve as a valuable gene for genetic modification of crop abiotic stress tolerance.

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a widely used trait for hybrid seed production. Although male sterility is caused by S cytoplasm (male-sterility inducing mitochondria), the action of S cytoplasm is suppressed by restorer-of-fertility (Rf), a nuclear gene. Hence, the genetics of Rf has attained particular interest among plant breeders. The genetic model posits Rf diversity in which an Rf specifically suppresses the cognate S cytoplasm. Molecular analysis of Rf loci in plants has identified various genes; however, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein (a specific type of RNA-binding protein) is so prominent as the Rf-gene product that Rfs have been categorized into two classes, PPR and non-PPR. In contrast, several shared features between PPR- and some non-PPR Rfs are apparent, suggesting the possibility of another grouping. Our present focus is to group Rfs by molecular genetic classes other than the presence of PPRs. We propose three categories that define partially overlapping groups of Rfs: association with post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial gene expression, resistance gene-like copy number variation at the locus, and lack of a direct link to S-orf (a mitochondrial ORF associated with CMS). These groups appear to reflect their own evolutionary background and their mechanism of conferring S cytoplasm specificity.

Tillering and spike differentiation are two key events for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A study on the transcriptomes and microRNA group profiles of wheat at the two key developmental stages will bring insight into the molecular regulation mechanisms. Guomai 301 is a representative excellent new high yield wheat cultivar in the Henan province in China. The transcriptomes and microRNA (miRNA) groups of tiller primordia (TPs), stem tips (STs), and young spikes (YSs) in Guomai 301 were compared to each other. A total of 1741 tillering specifically expressed and 281 early spikes differentiating specifically expressed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Six major expression profile clusters of tissue-specific DEGs for the three tissues were classified by gene co-expression analysis using K-means cluster. The ribosome (ko03010), photosynthesis-antenna proteins (ko00196), and plant hormone signal transduction (ko04075) were the main metabolic pathways in TPs, STs, and YSs, respectively. Similarly, 67 TP specifically expressed and 19 YS specifically expressed differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, 65 of them were novel. The roles of 3 well known miRNAs, tae-miR156, tae-miR164, and tae-miR167a, in post-transcriptional regulation were similar to that of other researches. There were 651 significant negative miRNA–mRNA interaction pairs in TPs and YSs, involving 63 differentially expressed miRNAs (fold change > 4) and 416 differentially expressed mRNAs. Among them 12 key known miRNAs and 16 novel miRNAs were further analyzed, and miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks during tillering and early spike differentiating were established.

The circadian clock is a finely balanced timekeeping mechanism that coordinates programmes of gene expression. It is currently unknown how the clock regulates expression of homoeologous genes in polyploids. Here, we generate a high-resolution time-course dataset to investigate the circadian balance between sets of 3 homoeologous genes (triads) from hexaploid bread wheat. We find a large proportion of circadian triads exhibit imbalanced rhythmic expression patterns, with no specific subgenome favoured. In wheat, period lengths of rhythmic transcripts are found to be longer and have a higher level of variance than in other plant species. Expression of transcripts associated with circadian controlled biological processes is largely conserved between wheat and Arabidopsis; however, striking differences are seen in agriculturally critical processes such as starch metabolism. Together, this work highlights the ongoing selection for balance versus diversification in circadian homoeologs and identifies clock-controlled pathways that might provide important targets for future wheat breeding.

Plants possess regulatory mechanisms that allow them to flower under conditions that maximize reproductive success. Selection of natural variants affecting those mechanisms has been critical in agriculture to modulate the flowering response of crops to specific environments and to increase yield. In the temperate cereals, wheat and barley, the photoperiod and vernalization pathways explain most of the natural variation in flowering time. However, other pathways also participate in fine-tuning the flowering response. In this work, we integrate the conserved microRNA miR172 and its targets APETALA2-like (AP2L) genes into the temperate grass flowering network involving VERNALIZATION 1 (VRN1), VRN2 and FLOWERING LOCUS T 1 (FT1 = VRN3) genes. Using mutants, transgenics and different growing conditions, we show that miR172 promotes flowering in wheat, while its target genes AP2L1 (TaTOE1) and AP2L5 (Q) act as flowering repressors. Moreover, we reveal that the miR172-AP2L pathway regulates FT1 expression in the leaves, and that this regulation is independent of VRN2 and VRN1. In addition, we show that the miR172-AP2L module and flowering are both controlled by plant age through miR156 in spring cultivars. However, in winter cultivars, flowering and the regulation of AP2L1 expression are decoupled from miR156 downregulation with age, and induction of VRN1 by vernalization is required to repress AP2L1 in the leaves and promote flowering. Interestingly, the levels of miR172 and both AP2L genes modulate the flowering response to different vernalization treatments in winter cultivars. In summary, our results show that conserved and grass specific gene networks interact to modulate the flowering response, and that natural or induced mutations in AP2L genes are useful tools for fine-tuning wheat flowering time in a changing environment.

Cold-acclimation-specific (CAS) gene expression was examined by screening a cDNA library prepared from poly(A)$ sp+$ RNA of cold-acclimated seedlings of a freezing-tolerant variety of alfalfa (Medicago falcata cv Anik). Three distinct CAS cDNA clones, pSM784, pSM2201, and pSM2358 were isolated. The genes corresponding to all three clones are coordinately induced by cold. Expression of these genes is not triggered by other stress treatments such as heat shock, water stress, wounding, or treatment with exogenous ABA. A positive correlation was observed between the level of expression of each gene and the degree of freezing tolerance of four alfalfa cultivars.
A full-length cDNA clone for the most abundantly-expressed gene, cas18 was isolated and sequenced. The deduced polypeptide, CAS18, is relatively small (167 amino acids), is highly hydrophillic, rich in glycine and threonine, and contains two distinctive repeat elements. It exhibits homology with members of the LEA/RAB/Dehydrin gene family--proteins which accumulate in response to water stress or abscisic acid (ABA). The cas18 cDNA hybridizes to three transcripts of 1.6, 1.4 and 1.0 kb in cold acclimated seedlings and cell cultures. The clone described here, Acs784, corresponds to the 1.0 kb transcript.
Expression of this gene is 30-fold greater in cold-acclimated cells than in nonacclimated cells after one week of low temperature treatment. Return to room temperature (deacclimation) results in the rapid disappearance of the three transcripts within just 5 hours. Studies of nuclear "run-on" transcription and transcript stability show that low temperature regulates the expression of cas18 at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.

The master research project went through eight months from February 5th to September 27th, and has successfully been completed as we planned at the beginning. The research was mainly focusing on the analysis of a new wheat promoter, pTdDHN8/WCOR410, which was originally presumed as a drought-inducible promoter. As a backup research plan, we also tested nine lines of the T1 transgenic barley plants transformed with the pRab17-GUS fusion under 250mM salt stress. We spent nearly five months to optimize the experimental conditions of transient expression assay using cell suspension cultures that are rarely used for the analysis of inducible promoter in plants. The effort included: 1) which plant tissue was optimum to characterize the activity and inducibility of the TdDHN8/WCOR410 promoter; 2) how to minimize the factors that affected the transformation efficiency in cell suspension cultures via particle bombardment; 3) how to precisely induce the osmotic stress in the growth medium. Finally, we efficiently optimized the experiment conditions, paving the way to further dissect the TdDHN8/WCOR410 promoter activity using transient expression assay in cell suspension cultures. In term of the backup research, we got four transgenic plants that were qualified using GUS staining assay, and they have been transplanted into soil for T2 seeds. In the present thesis, the revised version of literature review, which has been examined by Dr. Andrew Jacobs, Dr. Oliver Cotsaftis, and Prof. John Randles on March, is present in the first part. The second part is the revised manuscript of the TdDHN8/WCOR410 promoter analysis according to the format of The Plant Journal. The final version of my master thesis was revised based on the critical suggestions by Prof. Peter Langridge, Dr. Oliver Cotsaftis, and Dr. Bujun Shi. Although some big progress was made in last few months, yet we recognize that more hard work is still needed to address the problem of the big variation of transformation efficiency in cell suspension cultures via particle bombardment, and extend our findings in the thesis in the next few months. At the end of my master study, I thank those lovely persons who help me for the master research in plant genomics center. The big gratitude are also given to our program coordinator Dr. Amanda Able for her assistance during my two-year master study in The University of Adelaide, and my supervisors Dr. Sergiy Lopato and Dr. Serik Eliby for their kindness and patience in my master research project.
Thesis (M.Bio (PB)) - University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2008

This thesis investigates the effect of Russian wheat aphid (RWA; Diuraphis noxia) infestation on the defence responses of the bread wheat line, PI 137739, on a molecular level. PI 137739 is known to contain the RWA resistance gene, Dn1. The study was conducted by utilising and combining a vast array of molecular biological techniques. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to a summary of the resistance responses observed within infested plants. A detailed description of the Russian wheat aphid follows and the genes responsible for RWA resistance in wheat is discussed. A brief report of research performed on the bread wheat genome is given and the biochemical defence responses of plants against insect infestation are discussed. This is followed by a concise description of resistance (R) genes and resistance gene categories in plants. The last discussion concerns microarray technology, a molecular tool utilised during this study. Chapter 2 aims at identifying genes involved in resistance against RWA infestation; specifically, genes containing the conserved nucleotide binding site¬leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) motif. Genomic, as well as complementary DNA (cDNA), was utilised in order to compare functional gene expression in wheat infested with the RWA. This was executed by employing PCR-based methods, single-pass sequencing and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) analyses. Chapter 3 introduces suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) as a tool to further identify NBS-LRR or other resistance-related sequences in RWA infested wheat plants. SSH allows the comparative analysis of differential gene expression in RWA infested and uninfested wheat in order to identify resistance-¬related genes expressed in the infested, resistant wheat plants. The effect of RWA infestation on wheat resistance responses was examined further in chapter 4 through microarray analysis. The aim was the introduction and establishment of the microarray technique and to test the feasibility of using microarrays for differential gene expression and regulation studies. Microarray slides were assembled in order to monitor the up- and down¬regulation of genes at different time intervals - day 2, day 5 and day 8 - of RWA infestation. Clones isolated throughout this study were assembled on microarray slides and probed with control and RWA infested RNA. Differential gene regulation was assessed and further confirmed through Northern blot analyses, as well as quantitative real-time PCR. The thesis concludes with a general summary of the results obtained in chapter 5 and future prospects are outlined.
Thesis (PhD(Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2005.
Genetics
unrestricted

Plant reproductive development begins when vegetative shoot apical meristems change their fate to inflorescence meristems which develop floral meristems on the flanks. This process of meristem fate change and organ development involves regulated activation and/or repression of many cell fate determining factors that execute down-stream gene expression cascades. Flowers are formed when floral organs are specified on the floral meristem in four concentric whorls. In the model dicot plant Arabidopsis, the identity and pattern of floral organs is determined by combined actions of MADS-domain containing transcription factors of the classes A, B, C, D and E. Rice florets are produced on a compact higher order branch of the inflorescence and have morphologically distinct non-reproductive organs that are positioned peripheral to the male and female reproductive organs. These unique outer organs are the lemma and palea that create a closed floret internal to which are a pair of lodicules that are asymmetrically positioned fleshy and reduced petal-like organs. The unique morphology of these rice floret organs pose intriguing questions on how evolutionary conserved floral meristem specifying and organ fate determining factors bring about their distinct developmental functions in rice. We have studied the functions for two rice MADS-box proteins, OsMADS2 and OsMADS1, to understand their role as master regulators of gene expression during rice floret meristem specification and organ development. OsMADS2; a transcriptional regulator of genes expression required for lodicule development Arabidopsis B-function genes AP3 and PI are stably expressed in the whorl 2 and 3 organ primordia and they together with other MADS-factors (Class A+E or C+E) regulate the differentiation of petals and stamens (Jack et al, 1992; Goto and Meyerowitz, 1994). Rice has a single AP3 ortholog, SPW1 (OsMADS16) but has duplicated PI-like genes, OsMADS2 and OsMADS4. Prior studies in our lab on one of these rice PI-like genes OsMADS2 showed that it is needed for lodicule development but is dispensable for stamen specification (Kang et al., 1998; Prasad and Vijayraghavan, 2003). Functional divergence between OsMADS2 and OsMADS4 may arise from protein divergence or from differences in their expression patterns within lodicule and stamen whorls. In this study, we have examined the dynamic expression pattern of both rice PI-like genes and have examined the likelihood of their functional redundancy for lodicule development. We show OsMADS2 transcripts occur at high levels in developing lodicules and transcripts are at reduced levels in stamens. In fully differentiated lodicules, OsMADS2 transcripts are more abundant in the distal and peripheral regions of lodicules, which are the tissues that are severely affected in OsMADS2 knock-down florets (Prasad and Vijayraghavan, 2003). The onset of OsMADS4 expression is in very young floret meristems before organ primordia emergence and this is expressed before OsMADS2. In florets undergoing organogenesis, high level OsMADS4 expression occurs in stamens and carpels and transcripts are at low level in lodicules (Yadav, Prasad and Vijayraghvan, 2007). Thus, we show that these paralogous genes differ in the onset of their activation and their stable transcript distribution within lodicules and stamens that are the conserved expression domains for PI-like genes. Since the expression of OsMADS4 in OsMADS2 knock-down florets is normal, our results show OsMADS2 has unique functions in lodicule development. Thus our data show subfunctionalization of these paralogous rice PI-like genes. To identify target genes regulated by OsMADS2 that could contribute to lodicule differentiation, we have adopted whole genome transcript analysis of wild-type and dsRNAiOsMADS2 panicles with developing florets. This analysis has identified potential down-stream targets of OsMADS2 many of which encode transcription factors, components of cell division cycle and signalling factors whose activities likely control lodicule differentiation. The expression levels of few candidate targets of OsMADS2 were examined in various floret organs. Further, the spatial expression pattern for four of these down-stream targets of OsMADS2 was analysed and we find overlap with OsMADS2 expression domains (Yadav, Prasad and Vijayraghvan, 2007). The predicted functions of these OsMADS2 target genes can explain the regulation of growth and unique vascular differentiation of this short fleshy modified petal analog. OsMADS1, a rice E-class gene, is a master regulator of other transcription factors and auxin and cytokinin signalling pathways In Arabidopsis four redundant SEPALLATA factors (E-class) are co-activators of other floral organ fate determining MADS-domain factors (classes ABCD) and thus contribute to floral meristem and floral organ development (Krizek and Fletcher, 2005). Among the grass-specific sub-clade of SEP-like genes, rice OsMADS1 is the best characterized. Prior studies in our lab showed that OsMADS1 is expressed early throughout the floret meristem before organ primordia emergence and later is restricted to the developing lemma and palea primordia with weak expression in carpel (Prasad et al, 2001). Stable expression continues in these floret organs. OsMADS1 plays critical non-redundant functions to specify a determinate floret meristem and also regulates floret organ identities (Jeon et al., 2000; Prasad et al, 2001; 2005; Agarwal et al., 2005; Chen et al., 2006). In the present study, we have adopted two different functional genomic approaches to identify genes down-stream of OsMADS1 in order to understand its mechanism of action during floret development. We have studied global transcript profiles in WT and dsRNAiOsMADS1 panicles and find OsMADS1 is a master regulator of a significant fraction of the genome’s transcription factors and also a number of genes involved in hormone-dependent cell signalling. We have validated few representative genes for transcription factors as targets regulated by OsMADS1. In a complementary approach, we have determined the consequences of induced-ectopic over-expression of a OsMADS1:ΔGR fusion protein in shoot apical meristems of transgenic plants. Transcript levels for candidate target genes were assessed in induced tissues and compared to mock-treated meristems and also with meristems induced for OsMADS1:ΔGR but blocked for new protein synthesis. These analyses show that OsMADS55 expression is directly regulated by OsMADS1. Importantly, OsMADS55 is related to SVP that plays an important role in floral transition and floral meristem identity in Arabidopsis. OsHB3 and OsHB4, homeodomain transcription factors, with a probable role in meristem function, are also directly regulated by OsMADS1. The regulation of such genes by OsMADS1 can explain its role in floret meristem specification. In addition to regulating other transcription factors, OsMADS1 knock-down affects expression of genes encoding proteins in various steps of auxin and cytokinin signalling pathways. Our differential expression profiling showed OsMADS1 positively regulates the auxin signalling pathway and negatively regulates cytokinin mediated signalling events. Through our induced ectopic expression studies of OsMADS1:ΔGR, we show OsMADS1 directly regulates the expression of OsETTIN2, an auxin response transcription factor, during floret development. Overall, we demonstrate that OsMADS1 modulates hormonal pathways to execute its functions during floret development on the spikelet meristems. Functional studies of OsMGH3; an auxin-responsive indirect target of OsMADS1 To better understand the contribution of auxin signalling during floret development, we have functionally characterized OsMGH3, a down-stream indirect target of OsMADS1, which is a member of the auxin-responsive GH3 family. The members of this family are direct targets of auxin response factors (ARF) class of transcription factors. GH3-proteins inactivate cellular auxin by conjugating them with amino acids and thus regulate auxin homeostasis in Arabidopsis (Staswick et al., 2005). OsMGH3 expression in rice florets overlaps with that of OsMADS1 (Prasad et al, 2005). In this study, we have demonstrated the consequences of OsMGH3 over-expression and knock-down. The over-expression of OsMGH3 during vegetative development causes auxin-deficient phenotypes such as dwarfism and loss of apical dominance. Its over-expression in developing panicles that was obtained by driving its expression from tissue-specific promoters created short panicles with reduced branching. The latter is a phenotype similar to that observed upon over-expression of OsMADS1. In contrast, the down-regulation of endogenous OsMGH3 through RNA-interference produced auxin over-production phenotypes such as ectopic rooting from aerial nodes. Knock-down of OsMGH3 expression in florets affected carpel development and pollen viability both of which affect floret fertility. Taken together, this study provides evidence for the importance of auxin homeostasis and its transcriptional regulation during rice panicle branching and floret organ development. Our analysis of various conserved transcription factors during rice floret development suggest that factors like OsMADS2, OsMADS4 and OsMADS1 are master regulators of gene expression during floret meristem specification and organ development. The target genes regulated by these factors contribute to development of morphologically distinct rice florets.

Salinity is a major obstacle to global grain crop production, especially rice and wheat. The identification and improvement of salt-tolerant rice and wheat depending upon the genetic diversity and salt stress response could be a promising solution to deal with soil salinity and the increasing food demands. Plant responses to salt stress occur at the organismic, cellular, and molecular levels and the salt stress tolerance in those crop plant involving (1) regulation of ionic homeostasis, (2) maintenance of osmotic potential, (3) ROS scavenging and antioxidant enzymes activity, and (4) plant hormonal regulation. In this chapter, we summarize the recent research progress on these four aspects of plant morpho-physiological and molecular response, with particular attention to ionic, osmolytic, enzymatic, hormonal and gene expression regulation in rice and wheat plants. Moreover, epigenetic diversity could emerge as novel of phenotypic variations to enhance plant adaptation to an adverse environmental conditions and develop stable stress-resilient crops. The information summarized here will be useful for accelerating the breeding of salt-tolerant rice. This information may help in studies to reveal the mechanism of plant salt tolerance, screen high efficiency and quality salt tolerance in crops.

Genetics has come a long way since the pioneering work on plant inheritance patterns by the Augustinian monk, Gregor Mendel, in the mid-nineteenth century. In the first decades of the twentieth century, Archibald Garrod, a London physician, was studying a class of diseases which came to be called ‘inborn errors of metabolism’. As a result of studies on conditions such as alkaptonuria (a rare disease involving altered phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, with production of dark urine and a rare form of arthritis), Garrod postulated the ‘one gene – one enzyme’ hypothesis, namely that most inborn errors of metabolism result from errors in single genes that code for enzymes. This showed remarkable foresight, since the actual nature of DNA and the way genes are transcribed and translated was not fully established until the work of Watson and Crick and others in the 1950s and beyond. One gene – one enzyme (or one protein) has now been modified to become one gene – one peptide, but the principle holds. As more has been learned about human genetics and genetic mutation, especially following the Human Genome Project, the number of genetic defects known to underpin diseases and predisposition to disease has burgeoned. All this new knowledge is adding to earlier knowledge of diseases that were detected by studying chromosome number (cytogenetics) or by examining family pedigrees for the patterns of disease inheritance. Studies of family pedigrees exposed the genetic nature of diseases as diverse as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, sickle-cell disease, and Huntington’s disease. Nowadays, a doctor’s training in medical genetics will cover the genetic code, gene expression, gene regulation and mutation, cancer genetics, chromosomal abnormalities, abnormalities at the gene level, genetic polymorphism, the principles of gene therapy, and the emerging science of pharmacogenetics. As it has become evident not only that diseases are a direct expression of particular genes or mutations, but that genetic predisposition can be identified for a great number of diseases, both ethical and therapeutic questions arise. For example, will every healthy person want or need to have knowledge of his or her own future risk for specific diseases? To what extent will gene therapies or pharmacogenetics have to be tailored to an individual’s genetic constitution, and at what financial cost?

Understanding the genetics of C3 photosynthesis, particularly its regulation, is essential to undertake photosynthetic improvement. The expression of the photosynthesis-associated genes is regulated at different levels (transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational), but very little is known about the regulatory networks involved. This chapter introduces the photosynthesis-associated core genes encoded either in the nucleus or in the chloroplast and discusses how different internal (e.g. redox state, circadian rhythm) and external (e.g. abiotic stresses, light) signals regulate their transcription, particularly in crop plants. Since the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of photosynthesis-associated genes is poorly understood, this chapter also discusses what is known regarding the transcriptional regulation of photosynthesis in C3 crops, mainly rice and tomato. Among the regulators described, few were shown in the field to have the potential to improve photosynthesis. How the state-of-the-art knowledge can be used for photosynthesis improvement and future work perspectives, including the use of transplastomics, is also discussed.

Abstract: The long-term goals of our research are to understand the regulation of sclerotial development and pathogenicity in S. sclerotior11111. The focus in this project was on the elucidation of the signaling events and environmental cues involved in the regulation of these processes, utilizing and continuously developing tools our research groups have established and/or adapted for analysis of S. sclerotiorum, Our stated objectives: To take advantage of the recent conceptual (ROS/PPs signaling) and technical (amenability of S. sclerotiorumto manipulations coupled with chemical genomics and next generation sequencing) developments to address and extend our fundamental and potentially applicable knowledge of the following questions concerning the involvement of REDOX signaling and protein dephosphorylation in the regulation of hyphal/sclerotial development and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum: (i) How do defects in genes involved in ROS signaling affect S. sclerotiorumdevelopment and pathogenicity? (ii) In what manner do phosphotyrosinephosphatases affect S. sclerotiorumdevelopment and pathogenicity and how are they linked with ROS and other signaling pathways? And (iii) What is the nature of activity of newly identified compounds that affect S. sclerotiori,111 growth? What are the fungal targets and do they interfere with ROS signaling? We have met a significant portion of the specific goals set in our research project. Much of our work has been published. Briefly. we can summarize that: (a) Silencing of SsNox1(NADPHoxidase) expression indicated a central role for this enzyme in both virulence and pathogenic development, while inactivation of the SsNox2 gene resulted in limited sclerotial development, but the organism remained fully pathogenic. (b) A catalase gene (Scatl), whose expression was highly induced during host infection is involved in hyphal growth, branching, sclerotia formation and infection. (c) Protein tyrosine phosphatase l (ptpl) is required for sclerotial development and is involved in fungal infection. (d) Deletion of a superoxidedismutase gene (Sssodl) significantly reduced in virulence on both tomato and tobacco plants yet pathogenicity was mostly restored following supplementation with oxalate. (e) We have participated in comparative genome sequence analysis of S. sclerotiorumand B. cinerea. (f) S. sclerotiorumexhibits a potential switch between biotrophic and necrotrophic lifestyles (g) During plant­ microbe interactions cell death can occur in both resistant and susceptible events. Non­ pathogenic fungal mutants S. sclerotior111n also cause a cell death but with opposing results. We investigated PCD in more detail and showed that, although PCD occurs in both circumstances they exhibit distinctly different features. The mutants trigger a restricted cell death phenotype in the host that unexpectedly exhibits markers associated with the plant hypersensitive (resistant) response. Using electron and fluorescence microscopy, chemical effectors and reverse genetics, we have established that this restricted cell death is autophagic. Inhibition of autophagy rescued the non-pathogenic mutant phenotype. These findings indicate that autophagy is a defense response in this interaction Thus the control of cell death, dictated by the plant (autophagy) סr the fungus (apoptosis), is decisive to the outcome of certain plant­ microbe interactions. In addition to the time and efforts invested towards reaching the specific goals mentioned, both Pls have initiated utilizing (as stated as an objective in our proposal) state of the art RNA-seq tools in order to harness this technology for the study of S. sclerotiorum. The Pls have met twice (in Israel and in the US), in order to discuss .נחd coordinate the research efforts. This included a working visit at the US Pls laboratory for performing RNA-seq experiments and data analysis as well as working on a joint publication (now published). The work we have performed expands our understanding of the fundamental biology (developmental and pathogenic) of S. sclerotioז111וז. Furthermore, based on our results we have now reached the conclusion that this fungus is not a bona fide necrotroph, but can also display a biotrophic lifestyle at the early phases of infection. The data obtained can eventually serve .נ basis of rational intervention with the disease cycle of this pathogen.

Arabidopsis mutants that we have isolated, encode for fertilization-independent endosperm (fie), fertilization-independent seed2 (fis2) and medea (mea) genes, act in the female gametophyte and allow endosperm to develop without fertilization when mutated. We cloned the FIE and MEA genes and showed that they encode WD and SET domain polycomb (Pc G) proteins, respectively. Homologous proteins of FIE and MEA in other organisms are known to regulate gene transcription by modulating chromatin structure. Based on our results, we proposed a model whereby both FIE and MEA interact to suppress transcription of regulatory genes. These genes are transcribed only at proper developmental stages, as in the central cell of the female gametophyte after fertilization, thus activating endosperm development. To test our model, the following questions were addressed: What is the Composition and Function of the Polycomb Complex? Molecular, biochemical, genetic and genomic approaches were offered to identify members of the complex, analyze their interactions, and understand their function. What is the Temporal and Spatial Pattern of Polycomb Proteins Accumulation? The use of transgenic plants expressing tagged FIE and MEA polypeptides as well as specific antibodies were proposed to localize the endogenous polycomb complex. How is Polycomb Protein Activity Controlled? To understand the molecular mechanism controlling the accumulation of FIE protein, transgenic plants as well as molecular approaches were proposed to determine whether FIE is regulated at the translational or posttranslational levels. The objectives of our research program have been accomplished and the results obtained exceeded our expectation. Our results reveal that fie and mea mutations cause parent-of-origin effects on seed development by distinct mechanisms (Publication 1). Moreover our data show that FIE has additional functions besides controlling the development of the female gametophyte. Using transgenic lines in which FIE was not expressed or the protein level was reduced during different developmental stages enabled us for the first time to explore FIE function during sporophyte development (Publication 2 and 3). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that FIE, a single copy gene in the Arabidopsis genome, represses multiple developmental pathways (i.e., endosperm, embryogenesis, shot formation and flowering). Furthermore, we identified FIE target genes, including key transcription factors known to promote flowering (AG and LFY) as well as shoot and leaf formation (KNAT1) (Publication 2 and 3), thus demonstrating that in plants, as in mammals and insects, PcG proteins control expression of homeobox genes. Using the Yeast two hybrid system and pull-down assays we demonstrated that FIE protein interact with MEA via the N-terminal region (Publication 1). Moreover, CURLY LEAF protein, an additional member of the SET domain family interacts with FIE as well. The overlapping expression patterns of FIE, with ether MEA or CLF and their common mutant phenotypes, demonstrate the versatility of FIE function. FIE association with different SET domain polycomb proteins, results in differential regulation of gene expression throughout the plant life cycle (Publication 3). In vitro interaction assays we have recently performed demonstrated that FIE interacts with the cell cycle regulatory component Retinobalsoma protein (pRb) (Publication 4). These results illuminate the potential mechanism by which FIE may restrain embryo sac central cell division, at least partly, through interaction with, and suppression of pRb-regulated genes. The results of this program generated new information about the initiation of reproductive development and expanded our understanding of how PcG proteins regulate developmental programs along the plant life cycle. The tools and information obtained in this program will lead to novel strategies which will allow to mange crop plants and to increase crop production.

Plant species synthesize a multitude of specialized compounds 10 help ward off pests. and these in turn may well serve as an alternative to synthetic pesticides to reduce environmental damage and health risks to humans. The general goal of this research was to perform a genetic and biochemical dissection of the natural-insecticides methylketone pathway that is specific to the glandular trichomes of the wild species of tomato, Solanumhabrochaites f. glabratum (accession PI126449). Previous study conducted by us have demonstrated that these compounds are synthesized de novo as a derivate pathway of the fatty acid biosynthesis, and that a key enzyme. designated MethylketoneSynthase 1 (MKS 1). catalyzes conversion of the intermediate B-ketoacyl- ACPs to the corresponding Cn-1 methylketones. The approach taken in this proposed project was to use an interspecific F2 population. derived from the cross between the cultivated lV182 and the wild species PIl26449. for three objectives: (i) Analyze the association between allelic status of candidate genes from the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway with the methylketone content in the leaves (ii) Perform bulk segregant analysis of genetic markers along the tomato genome for identifying genomic regions that harbor QTLs for 2TD content (iii) Apply differential gene expression analysis using the isolated glands of bulk segregant for identifying new genes that are involved in the pathway. The genetic mapping in the interspecific F2 population included app. 60 genetic markers, including the candidate genes from the FAS pathway and SSR markers spread evenly across the genome. This initial; screening identified 5 loci associated with MK content including the candidate genes MKS1, ACC and MaCoA:ACP trans. Interesting observation in this genetic analysis was the connection between shape and content of the glands, i.e. the globularity of the four cells, typical to the wild species. was associated with increased MK in the segregating population. In the next step of the research transcriptomic analysis of trichomes from high- and 10w-MK plants was conducted. This analysis identified a new gene, Methy1ketone synthase 2 (MKS2), whose protein product share sequence similarity to the thioesterase super family of hot-dog enzymes. Genetic analysis in the segregating population confirmed its association with MK content, as well as its overexpression in E. coli that led to formation of MK in the media. There are several conclusions drawn from this research project: (i) the genetic control of MK accumulation in the trichomes is composed of biochemical components in the FAS pathway and its vicinity (MKS 1 and MKS2). as well as genetic factors that mediate the morphology of these specialized cells. (ii) the biochemical pathway is now realized different from what was hypothesized before with MKS2 working upstream to I\1KS 1 and serves as the interface between primary (fatty acids) and secondary (MK) metabolism. We are currently testing the possible physical interactions between these two proteins in vitro after the genetic analysis showed clear epistatic interactions. (iii) the regulation of the pathway that lead to specialized metabolism in the wild species is largely mediated by transcription and one of the achievements of this project is that we were able to isolate and verify the specificity of the MKS1 promoter to the trichomes which allows manipulation of the pathways in these cells (currently in progress). The scientific implications of this research project is the advancement in our knowledge of hitherto unknown biochemical pathway in plants and new leads for studying a new family in plants (hot dog thioesterase). The agricultural and biotechnological implication are : (i) generation of new genetic markers that could assist in importing this pathway to cultivated tomato hence enhancing its natural resistance to insecticides, (ii) the discovery of MKS2 adds a new gene for genetic engineering of plants for making new fatty acid derived compounds. This could be assisted with the use of the isolated and verified MKS1 promoter. The results of this research were summarized to a manuscript that was published in Plant Physiology (cover paper). to a chapter in a proceeding book. and one patent was submitted in the US.

High Grain Protein Content (GPC) of wheat is important for improved nutritional value and industrial quality. However, selection for this trait is limited by our poor understanding of the genes involved in the accumulation of protein in the grain. A gene with a large effect on GPC was detected on the short arm of chromosome 6B in a Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides accession from Israel (DIC, hereafter). During the previous BARD project we constructed a half-million clones Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library of tetraploid wheat including the high GPC allele from DIC and mapped the GPC-B1 locus within a 0.3-cM interval. Our long-term goal is to provide a better understanding of the genes controlling grain protein content in wheat. The specific objectives of the current project were to: (1) complete the positional cloning of the GPC-B1 candidate gene; (2) characterize the allelic variation and (3) expression profile of the candidate gene; and (4) validate this gene by using a transgenic RNAi approach to reduce the GPC transcript levels. To achieve these goals we constructed a 245-kb physical map of the GPC-B1 region. Tetraploid and hexaploid wheat lines carrying this 245-kb DIC segment showed delayed senescence and increased GPC and grain micronutrients. The complete sequencing of this region revealed five genes. A high-resolution genetic map, based on approximately 9,000 gametes and new molecular markers enabled us to delimit the GPC-B1 locus to a 7.4-kb region. Complete linkage of the 7.4-kb region with earlier senescence and increase in GPC, Zn, and Fe concentrations in the grain suggested that GPC-B1 is a single gene with multiple pleiotropic effects. The annotation of this 7.4-kb region identified a single gene, encoding a NAC transcription factor, designated as NAM-B1. Allelic variation studies demonstrated that the ancestral wild wheat allele encodes a functional NAC transcription factor whereas modern wheat varieties carry a non-functional NAM-B1 allele. Quantitative PCR showed that transcript levels for the multiple NAMhomologues were low in flag leaves prior to anthesis, after which their levels increased significantly towards grain maturity. Reduction in RNA levels of the multiple NAMhomologues by RNA interference delayed senescence by over three weeks and reduced wheat grain protein, Zn, and Fe content by over 30%. In the transgenic RNAi plants, residual N, Zn and Fe in the dry leaves was significantly higher than in the control plants, confirming a more efficient nutrient remobilization in the presence of higher levels of GPC. The multiple pleiotropic effects of NAM genes suggest a central role for these genes as transcriptional regulators of multiple processes during leaf senescence, including nutrient remobilization to the developing grain. The cloning of GPC-B1 provides a direct link between the regulation of senescence and nutrient remobilization and an entry point to characterize the genes regulating these two processes. This may contribute to their more efficient manipulation in crops and translate into food with enhanced nutritional value. The characterization of the GPC-B1 gene will have a significant impact on wheat production in many regions of the world and will open the door for the identification of additional genes involved in the accumulation of protein in the grain.