Presentation_1_Functional characterization of Fagopyrum tataricum ZIP gene family as a metal ion transporter.pptx

The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIP) family acts as an important transporter for divalent metal cations such as Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and even Cd. However, their condition is unclear in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Here, 13 ZIP proteins were identified and were predicted to be mostly plasma membrane-localized. The transient expressions of FtZIP2 and FtZIP6 in tobacco confirmed the prediction. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of FtZIP proteins revealed that most of them had 8 putative transmembrane (TM) domains and a variable region rich in histidine residues between TM3 and TM4, indicating the reliable affinity to metal ions. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR showed that FtZIP genes were markedly different in different organs, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. However, in seedlings, the relative expression of FtZIP10 was notably induced under the CdCl2 treatment, while excessive Zn2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Cd2+ increased the transcript of FtZIP5 or FtZIP13, in comparison to normal conditions. Complementation of yeast mutants with the FtZIP family genes demonstrate that FtZIP7/10/12 transport Zn, FtZIP5/6/7/9/10/11 transport Fe, FtZIP12 transports Mn and FtZIP2/3/4/7 transport Cd. Our data suggest that FtZIP proteins have conserved functions of transportation of metal ions but with distinct spatial expression levels.</p

Table_1_Functional characterization of Fagopyrum tataricum ZIP gene family as a metal ion transporter.xlsx

The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIP) family acts as an important transporter for divalent metal cations such as Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and even Cd. However, their condition is unclear in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Here, 13 ZIP proteins were identified and were predicted to be mostly plasma membrane-localized. The transient expressions of FtZIP2 and FtZIP6 in tobacco confirmed the prediction. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of FtZIP proteins revealed that most of them had 8 putative transmembrane (TM) domains and a variable region rich in histidine residues between TM3 and TM4, indicating the reliable affinity to metal ions. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR showed that FtZIP genes were markedly different in different organs, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. However, in seedlings, the relative expression of FtZIP10 was notably induced under the CdCl2 treatment, while excessive Zn2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Cd2+ increased the transcript of FtZIP5 or FtZIP13, in comparison to normal conditions. Complementation of yeast mutants with the FtZIP family genes demonstrate that FtZIP7/10/12 transport Zn, FtZIP5/6/7/9/10/11 transport Fe, FtZIP12 transports Mn and FtZIP2/3/4/7 transport Cd. Our data suggest that FtZIP proteins have conserved functions of transportation of metal ions but with distinct spatial expression levels.</p

Table_1_FlbZIP12 gene enhances drought tolerance via modulating flavonoid biosynthesis in Fagopyrum leptopodum.xlsx

Karst lands provide a poor substrate to support plant growth, as they are low in nutrients and water content. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is becoming a popular crop for its gluten-free grains and their high levels of phenolic compounds, but buckwheat yields are affected by high water requirements during grain filling. Here, we describe a wild population of drought-tolerant Fagopyrum leptopodum and its potential for enhancing drought tolerance in cultivated buckwheat. We determined that the expression of a gene encoding a Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, FlbZIP12, from F. leptopodum is induced by abiotic stresses, including treatment with the phytohormone abscisic acid, salt, and polyethylene glycol. In addition, we show that overexpressing FlbZIP12 in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) root hairs promoted drought tolerance by increasing the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, decreasing malondialdehyde content, and upregulating the expression of stress-related genes. Notably, FlbZIP12 overexpression induced the expression of key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. We also determined that FlbZIP12 interacts with protein kinases from the FlSnRK2 family in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results provide a theoretical basis for improving drought tolerance in buckwheat via modulating the expression of FlbZIP12 and flavonoid contents.</p

Presentation_1_FlbZIP12 gene enhances drought tolerance via modulating flavonoid biosynthesis in Fagopyrum leptopodum.pptx

Karst lands provide a poor substrate to support plant growth, as they are low in nutrients and water content. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is becoming a popular crop for its gluten-free grains and their high levels of phenolic compounds, but buckwheat yields are affected by high water requirements during grain filling. Here, we describe a wild population of drought-tolerant Fagopyrum leptopodum and its potential for enhancing drought tolerance in cultivated buckwheat. We determined that the expression of a gene encoding a Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, FlbZIP12, from F. leptopodum is induced by abiotic stresses, including treatment with the phytohormone abscisic acid, salt, and polyethylene glycol. In addition, we show that overexpressing FlbZIP12 in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) root hairs promoted drought tolerance by increasing the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, decreasing malondialdehyde content, and upregulating the expression of stress-related genes. Notably, FlbZIP12 overexpression induced the expression of key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. We also determined that FlbZIP12 interacts with protein kinases from the FlSnRK2 family in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results provide a theoretical basis for improving drought tolerance in buckwheat via modulating the expression of FlbZIP12 and flavonoid contents.</p

Insight into the Chemical Complexity of Soluble Portions from Cornstalk Methanolysis

Cornstalk was subjected to methanolysis in the presence of NaOH at 220–320 °C to afford soluble portions (SPs) 1–5 (SP₁–SP₅) and an inextractable portion (IEP). The maximum total yield (ca. 51%) of SPs was acquired at 300 °C with the same mass of NaOH and cornstalk. Under the same conditions, SP₁ has the highest yield, followed by SP₅ and SP₂. The relatively volatile and less polar species in the resulting SPs and IEP were identified with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The polar species in SP₁, SP₂, and SP₅ were further analyzed with a negative-ion electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICRMS). The analysis with GC/MS shows that phenolic compounds and alcohols are the dominant group components in SP₁ and SP₂, respectively, while the predominant compounds in esterified SP₃–SP₅ and IEP are esters. According to analysis with FTICRMS, thousands of compounds were detected in SP₁, SP₂, and SP₅. Most of the compounds are <i>O</i>_<i>n</i> (<i>n</i> = 1–10) class species with double bond equivalent (DBE) values of 1–14 and carbon atom numbers of 5–35. The most abundant class species in SP₁, SP₂, and SP₅ are <i>O</i>₃, <i>O</i>₃, and <i>O</i>₈, respectively. SP₁ and SP₂ are rich in <i>O</i>₂–<i>O</i>₄ class species with DBE values of 5–8, which may be attributed to lignin-derived compounds. Different from SP₁ and SP₂, SP₅ has relatively high contents of <i>O</i>₅–<i>O</i>₁₀ class species, corresponding to various acidic species. In addition, <i>N</i>₁<i>O</i>_<i>n</i> (<i>n</i> = 0–8) class species with DBE values of 3–14 were also identified, which should contain a pyrrole ring as the parent structure