Duplication of the tRNA MetM and tRNACys genes and of fragments of a gene encoding a subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase complex in Neurospora grassa mitochondrial DNA

Neurospora crassa mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contains duplications of the tRNA MetMgene upstream of a gene (ND2) encoding a subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase complex and of the tRNACys gene which is found downstream of the apocytochrome b gene. Both duplicated genes are located upstream of the small rRNA gene. The duplications are extended to flanking sequences. In the case of the tRNA MetMduplication, two fragments of the ND2 gene are also duplicated. These two fragments, which are not contiguous in the ND2 gene, are connected to each other by a palindromic sequence of 37 by and together they constitute an open reading frame. The possible involvement of this palindromic sequence in the processes of gene duplication and transfer is discussed. Two overlapping reading frames are present between the tRNA MetMand tRNACys copies. All information of the ND2 duplication and the two overlapping reading frames are present on a polycistronic transcrip

Transforming, Genome Editing and Phenotyping the Nitrogen-fixing Tropical Cannabaceae Tree Parasponia andersonii

Parasponia andersonii is a fast-growing tropical tree that belongs to the Cannabis family (Cannabaceae). Together with 4 additional species, it forms the only known non-legume lineage able to establish a nitrogen-fixing nodule symbiosis with rhizobium. Comparative studies between legumes and P. andersonii could provide valuable insight into the genetic networks underlying root nodule formation. To facilitate comparative studies, we recently sequenced the P. andersonii genome and established Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated stable transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. Here, we provide a detailed description of the transformation and genome editing procedures developed for P. andersonii. In addition, we describe procedures for the seed germination and characterization of symbiotic phenotypes. Using this protocol, stable transgenic mutant lines can be generated in a period of 2-3 months. Vegetative in vitro propagation of T0 transgenic lines allows phenotyping experiments to be initiated at 4 months after A. tumefaciens co-cultivation. Therefore, this protocol takes only marginally longer than the transient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-based root transformation method available for P. andersonii, though offers several clear advantages. Together, the procedures described here permit P. andersonii to be used as a research model for studies aimed at understanding symbiotic associations as well as potentially other aspects of the biology of this tropical tree.</p

The Arabidopsis Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase 1 Gene Is Expressed in Developing Ovules and Embryos and Enhances Embryogenic Competence in Culture

We report here the isolation of the Arabidopsis SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 1 (AtSERK1) gene and we demonstrate its role during establishment of somatic embryogenesis in culture. The AtSERK1 gene is highly expressed during embryogenic cell formation in culture and during early embryogenesis. The AtSERK1 gene is first expressed in planta during megasporogenesis in the nucleus of developing ovules, in the functional megaspore, and in all cells of the embryo sac up to fertilization. After fertilization, AtSERK1 expression is seen in all cells of the developing embryo until the heart stage. After this stage, AtSERK1 expression is no longer detectable in the embryo or in any part of the developing seed. Low expression is detected in adult vascular tissue. Ectopic expression of the full-length AtSERK1 cDNA under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter did not result in any altered plant phenotype. However, seedlings that overexpressed the AtSERK1 mRNA exhibited a 3- to 4-fold increase in efficiency for initiation of somatic embryogenesis. Thus, an increased AtSERK1 level is sufficient to confer embryogenic competence in culture

CRISPR/cas9-mediated mutagenesis of four putative symbiosis genes of the tropical tree parasponia andersonii reveals novel phenotypes

Parasponia represents five fast-growing tropical tree species in the Cannabaceae and is the only plant lineage besides legumes that can establish nitrogen-fixing nodules with rhizobium. Comparative analyses between legumes and Parasponia allows identification of conserved genetic networks controlling this symbiosis. However, such studies are hampered due to the absence of powerful reverse genetic tools for Parasponia. Here, we present a fast and efficient protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of Parasponia andersonii. Using this protocol, knockout mutants are obtained within 3 months. Due to efficient micro-propagation, bi-allelic mutants can be studied in the T0 generation, allowing phenotypic evaluation within 6 months after transformation. We mutated four genes – PanHK4, PanEIN2, PanNSP1, and PanNSP2 – that control cytokinin, ethylene, or strigolactone hormonal networks and that in legumes commit essential symbiotic functions. Knockout mutants in Panhk4 and Panein2 displayed developmental phenotypes, namely reduced procambium activity in Panhk4 and disturbed sex differentiation in Panein2 mutants. The symbiotic phenotypes of Panhk4 and Panein2 mutant lines differ from those in legumes. In contrast, PanNSP1 and PanNSP2 are essential for nodule formation, a phenotype similar as reported for legumes. This indicates a conserved role for these GRAS-type transcriptional regulators in rhizobium symbiosis, illustrating the value of Parasponia trees as a research model for reverse genetic studies

Duplication of symbiotic lysin motif receptors predates the evolution of nitrogen-fixing nodule symbiosis

Rhizobium nitrogen-fixing nodule symbiosis occurs in two taxonomic lineages: legumes (Fabaceae) and the genus Parasponia (Cannabaceae). Both symbioses are initiated upon the perception of rhizobium-secreted lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs), called Nod factors. Studies in the model legumes Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula showed that rhizobium LCOs are perceived by a heteromeric receptor complex of distinct Lys motif (LysM)-type transmembrane receptors named NOD FACTOR RECEPTOR1 (LjNFR1) and LjNFR5 (L. japonicus) and LYSM DOMAIN CONTAINING RECEPTOR KINASE3 (MtLYK3)-NOD FACTOR PERCEPTION (MtNFP; M. truncatula). Recent phylogenomic comparative analyses indicated that the nodulation traits of legumes, Parasponia spp., as well as so-called actinorhizal plants that establish a symbiosis with diazotrophic Frankia spp. bacteria share an evolutionary origin about 110 million years ago. However, the evolutionary trajectory of LysM-type LCO receptors remains elusive. By conducting phylogenetic analysis, transcomplementation studies, and CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis in Parasponia andersonii, we obtained insight into the origin of LCO receptors essential for nodulation. We identified four LysM-type receptors controlling nodulation in P. andersonii: PanLYK1, PanLYK3, PanNFP1, and PanNFP2. These genes evolved from ancient duplication events predating and coinciding with the origin of nodulation. Phylogenetic and functional analyses associated the occurrence of a functional NFP2-orthologous receptor to LCO-driven nodulation. Legumes and Parasponia spp. use orthologous LysM-type receptors to perceive rhizobium LCOs, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin of LCO-driven nodulation. Furthermore, we found that both PanLYK1 and PanLYK3 are essential for intracellular arbuscule formation of mutualistic endomycorrhizal fungi. PanLYK3 also acts as a chitin oligomer receptor essential for innate immune signaling, demonstrating functional analogy to CHITIN ELECITOR RECEPTOR KINASE-type receptors.</p

Strigolactone biosynthesis requires the symbiotic GRAS-type transcription factors NSP1 and NSP2

Legume GRAS-type transcription factors NSP1 and NSP2 are essential for Rhizobium Nod factor-induced nodulation. Both proteins are considered to be Nod factor response factors regulating gene expression upon symbiotic signalling. However, legume NSP1 and NSP2 can be functionally replaced by non-legume orthologs; including rice (Oryza sativa) OsNSP1 and OsNSP2. This shows that both proteins are functionally conserved in higher plants, suggesting an ancient function that was conserved during evolution. Here we show that NSP1 and NSP2 are indispensable for strigolactone biosynthesis in the legume Medicago truncatula as well as rice. Mutant nsp1-nsp2 plants hardly produce strigolactones. The lack of strigolactone biosynthesis coincides with strongly reduced DWARF27 expression in both species. Rice and Medicago represent distinct phylogenetic lineages that split ~150 million years ago. Therefore we conclude that regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis by NSP1 and NSP2 is an ancestral function conserved in higher plants. Since strigolactone biosynthesis is highly regulated by environmental conditions like phosphate starvation, NSP1 and NSP2 will be important tools in future studies on the molecular mechanisms by which environmental sensing is translated into regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis. As NSP1 and NSP2 are single copy genes in legumes, it implies that a single protein complex fulfills a dual regulatory function of different downstream targets; symbiotic and non-symbiotic, respectively

Strigolactone biosynthesis requires the symbiotic GRAS-type transcription factors NSP1 and NSP2

Legume GRAS-type transcription factors NSP1 and NSP2 are essential for Rhizobium Nod factor-induced nodulation. Both proteins are considered to be Nod factor response factors regulating gene expression upon symbiotic signalling. However, legume NSP1 and NSP2 can be functionally replaced by non-legume orthologs; including rice (Oryza sativa) OsNSP1 and OsNSP2. This shows that both proteins are functionally conserved in higher plants, suggesting an ancient function that was conserved during evolution. Here we show that NSP1 and NSP2 are indispensable for strigolactone biosynthesis in the legume Medicago truncatula as well as rice. Mutant nsp1-nsp2 plants hardly produce strigolactones. The lack of strigolactone biosynthesis coincides with strongly reduced DWARF27 expression in both species. Rice and Medicago represent distinct phylogenetic lineages that split ~150 million years ago. Therefore we conclude that regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis by NSP1 and NSP2 is an ancestral function conserved in higher plants. Since strigolactone biosynthesis is highly regulated by environmental conditions like phosphate starvation, NSP1 and NSP2 will be important tools in future studies on the molecular mechanisms by which environmental sensing is translated into regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis. As NSP1 and NSP2 are single copy genes in legumes, it implies that a single protein complex fulfills a dual regulatory function of different downstream targets; symbiotic and non-symbiotic, respectively

Strigolactone Biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula and Rice Requires the Symbiotic GRAS-Type Transcription Factors NSP1 and NSP2[W][OA]

This work examines the functions of the Medicago truncatula and rice GRAS-type transcription factors NSP1 and NSP2. They were found to be essential for strigolactone synthesis, possibly through direct regulation of DWARF27

Data_Sheet_1.PDF

<p>Parasponia represents five fast-growing tropical tree species in the Cannabaceae and is the only plant lineage besides legumes that can establish nitrogen-fixing nodules with rhizobium. Comparative analyses between legumes and Parasponia allows identification of conserved genetic networks controlling this symbiosis. However, such studies are hampered due to the absence of powerful reverse genetic tools for Parasponia. Here, we present a fast and efficient protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of Parasponia andersonii. Using this protocol, knockout mutants are obtained within 3 months. Due to efficient micro-propagation, bi-allelic mutants can be studied in the T₀ generation, allowing phenotypic evaluation within 6 months after transformation. We mutated four genes – PanHK4, PanEIN2, PanNSP1, and PanNSP2 – that control cytokinin, ethylene, or strigolactone hormonal networks and that in legumes commit essential symbiotic functions. Knockout mutants in Panhk4 and Panein2 displayed developmental phenotypes, namely reduced procambium activity in Panhk4 and disturbed sex differentiation in Panein2 mutants. The symbiotic phenotypes of Panhk4 and Panein2 mutant lines differ from those in legumes. In contrast, PanNSP1 and PanNSP2 are essential for nodule formation, a phenotype similar as reported for legumes. This indicates a conserved role for these GRAS-type transcriptional regulators in rhizobium symbiosis, illustrating the value of Parasponia trees as a research model for reverse genetic studies.</p