Lateral root primordium: Formation, influencing factors and regulation.

Roots are the primary determinants of water and nutrient uptake by plants. The structure of roots is largely determined by the repeated formation of new lateral roots (LR). A new lateral root primordium (LRP) is formed between the beginning and appearance of LR, which defines the organization and function of LR. Therefore, proper LRP morphogenesis is a crucial process for lateral root formation. The development of LRP is regulated by multiple factors, including hormone and environmental signals. Roots integrate signals and regulate growth and development. At the molecular level, many genes regulate the growth and development of root organs to ensure stable development plans, while also being influenced by various environmental factors. To gain a better understanding of the LRP formation and its influencing factors, this study summarizes previous research. The cell cycle involved in LRP formation, as well as the roles of ROS, auxin, other auxin-related plant hormones, and genetic regulation, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the effects of gravity, mechanical stress, and cell death on LRP formation are explored. Throughout the text unanswered or poorly understood questions are identified to guide future research in this area.

Divergent structures and functions of the Cupin proteins in plants.

Cupin superfamily proteins have extensive functions. Their members are not only involved in the development of plants but also responded to various stresses. Whereas, the research on the Cupin members has not attracted enough attention. In this article, we summarized the research progress on these family genes in recent years and explored their evolution, structural characteristics, and biological functions. The significance of members of the Cupin family in the development of plant cell walls, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds and their role in stress response are highlighted. Simultaneously, the prospective application of Cupin protein in crop enhancement was introduced. Some members can enhance plant growth, development, and resistance to adversity, thereby increasing crop yield. It will be as a foundation for future effective crop research and breeding.

Insights into the environmental factors shaping lateral root development.

Roots are important organs of plants. Plants rely on roots for water, nutrients, and organic salts. In the whole root system, lateral roots (LRs) account for a large proportion and are critical to the development of the plant. Many environmental factors affect LR development. Therefore, a systematic understanding of these factors can provide a theoretical basis for creating optimal growth conditions for plants. In this paper, the factors affecting LR development are systematically and comprehensively summarized, and the molecular mechanism and regulatory network of LR development are described. Changes in the external environment not only lead to hormone homeostasis in plants but also affect the composition and activity of rhizosphere microbial communities, which in turn affect plants' nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and growth dynamics. LR development is influenced by hormone levels and external environment. In particular, auxin and abscisic acid coordinate with each other to maintain normal LR development. Of course, changes in the external environment are also important for root development, and they affect the intrinsic hormone levels of plants by affecting the accumulation and transport of hormones. For example, nitrogen, phosphorus, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, water, drought, light, and rhizosphere microorganisms affect LR development and plant tolerance in a variety of ways, including regulating hormone levels. This review summarizes the factors affecting LR development and the regulatory network and points out the direction for future research.

Decipher the molecular evolution and expression patterns of Cupin family genes in oilseed rape.

Cupin proteins are involved in plant growth and development as well as in response to various stresses. Here, a total of 173 Cupin genes were identified in Brassica napus, and their molecular evolution and expression patterns were analyzed. These genes were classified into ten groups. Motif and exon-intron structure indicated a high degree of conservation within each group during evolution. BnaCupins were distributed on 19 chromosomes and their expansion is mainly contributed by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication events. BnaCupins have undergone severe purifying selection during a long evolutionary process. Meanwhile, some positive selection sites were identified. Expression patterns and cis-element analysis indicated that BnaCupins play significant roles in plant growth and stress responses. In addition, the expression levels of some BnCupins were significantly altered when treated with different conditions (cold, salt, drought, IAA, ABA, and 6-BA). Some BnaCupin interacting proteins, such as glycosyl hydrolase5 (GHs5), carbohydrate kinase (CHKs), ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK), S-adenosylmethionine synthase (S-MAT), and aldolase class II (ALD II), were identified by the protein-protein interaction network. It will contribute to enriching our knowledge of the Cupin gene family in B. napus and provide a basis for further studies of their functions.

The plant specific SHORT INTERNODES/STYLISH (SHI/STY) proteins: Structure and functions.

Plant specific SHORT INTERNODES/STYLISH (SHI/STY) protein is a transcription factor involved in the formation and development of early lateral organs in plants. However, research on the SHI/STY protein family is not focused enough. In this article, we review recent studies on SHI/STY genes and explore the evolution and structure of SHI/STY. The biological functions of SHI/STYs are discussed in detail in this review, and the application of each biological function to modern agriculture is discussed. All SHI/STY proteins contain typical conserved RING-like zinc finger domain and IGGH domain. SHI/STYs are involved in the formation and development of lateral root, stem extension, leaf morphogenesis, and root nodule development. They are also involved in the regulation of pistil and stamen development and flowering time. At the same time, the regulation of some GA, JA, and auxin signals also involves these family proteins. For each aspect, unanswered or poorly understood questions were identified to help define future research areas. This review will provide a basis for further functional study of this gene family.

Identification and molecular evolution of the La and LARP genes in 16 plant species: A focus on the Gossypium hirsutum.

La and La-related proteins (LARPs) are RNA-binding proteins regulating gene expression. Here, identification and molecular evolution of La and LARP gene family were performed in 16 plant species. Firstly, 188 La and LARP genes were identified. Based on phylogenetic tree and gene structure, they can be divided into three categories: La, LARP1 and LARP6. LARP1 can be further divided into LARP1-L and LARP1-S sub-categories. Compared with the LARP1-S, one additional DM15 domain was found in the C-terminal of LARP1-L. La and LARP genes are mainly distributed at both ends of chromosomes with a relatively consistent distribution position in A and D genomes of Gossypium hirsutum. Las and LARPs of G. hirsutum probably came from cruciferae, and gene recombination and chromosome structure variation occurred in G. hirsutum during evolution. The expression patterns and the distribution of cis-acting elements were also analyzed. The results showed that Las and LARPs respond to some abiotic stresses and hormone stimulation. The protein interaction network indicated that La and LARP proteins may be involved in meristem differentiation, hormone signal transduction, and post-translational modification. This study will provide a basis for the further functional and evolutional study of this gene family.

Molecular evolutionary analysis of the SHI/STY gene family in land plants: A focus on the Brassica species.

The plant-specific SHORT INTERNODES/STYLISH (SHI/STY) proteins belong to a family of transcription factors that are involved in the formation and development of early lateral roots. However, the molecular evolution of this family is rarely reported. Here, a total of 195 SHI/STY genes were identified in 21 terrestrial plants, and the Brassica species is the focus of our research. Their physicochemical properties, chromosome location and duplication, motif distribution, exon-intron structures, genetic evolution, and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. These genes are divided into four clades (Clade 1/2/3/4) based on phylogenetic analysis. Motif distribution and gene structure are similar in each clade. SHI/STY proteins are localized in the nucleus by the prediction of subcellular localization. Collinearity analysis indicates that the SHI/STYs are relatively conserved in evolution. Whole-genome duplication is the main factor for their expansion. SHI/STYs have undergone intense purifying selection, but several positive selection sites are also identified. Most promoters of SHI/STY genes contain different types of cis-elements, such as light, stress, and hormone-responsive elements, suggesting that they may be involved in many biological processes. Protein-protein interaction predicted some important SHI/STY interacting proteins, such as LPAT4, MBOATs, PPR, and UBQ3. In addition, the RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis were studied in detail in rape. As a result, SHI/STYs are highly expressed in root and bud, and can be affected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, drought, cold, and heat stresses. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses indicates that expression levels of BnSHI/STYs are significantly altered in different treatments (cold, salt, drought, IAA, auxin; ABA, abscisic acid; 6-BA, cytokinin). It provides a new understanding of the evolution and expansion of the SHI/STY family in land plants and lays a foundation for further research on their functions.

AT-HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) proteins of ancient origin radiate new functions.

AHL (AT-HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED) protein is an important transcription factor in plants that regulates a wide range of biological process. It is considered to have evolved from an independent PPC domain in prokaryotes to a complete protein in modern plants. AT-hook motif and PPC conserved domains are the main functional domains of AHL. Since the discovery of AHL, their evolution and function have been continuously studied. The AHL gene family has been identified in multiple species and the functions of several members of the gene family have been studied. Here, we summarize the evolution and structural characteristics of AHL genes, and emphasize their biological functions. This review will provide a basis for further functional study and crop breeding.

Charge-Storage Nickel Substrate-Boosted CuP2 Nanosheet for the Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an essential anodic reaction that converts sustainable energy into chemical fuels, as it can provide protons and electrons. One of the most challenging research directions for the practical application of the OER is the elevation of the activity of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts. Here, we report that the nickel foam can be used as an electron-deficient substrate to tune the surface oxidation state of catalytic electrodes and thus boost the OER activity of CuP2 nanosheets via a charge-storage mechanism. The as-obtained self-standing CuP2/Ni electrodes delivered a current density of 220 mA cm-2 at 370 mV overpotential, which is approximately 5.5 times higher than the benchmarked IrO2 on nickel foam. This work sheds some new light on the design of low-cost electrocatalysts or electrodes with high activity for the electrochemical OER.

Insights Into the Molecular Evolution of AT-Hook Motif Nuclear Localization Genes in Brassica napus.

AT-hook motif nuclear localization (AHL) proteins belong to a family of transcription factors, and play important roles in plant growth and development and response to various stresses through protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions. To better understand the Brassica napus AHL gene family, AHL genes in B. napus and related species were analyzed. Using Arabidopsis as a reference, 122 AHL gene family members were first identified in B. napus. According to the phylogenetic tree and gene organization, the BnaAHLs were classified into two clades (Clade-A and Clade-B) and three types (Type-I, Type-II, and Type-III). Gene organization and motif distribution analysis suggested that the AHL gene family is relatively conserved during evolution. These BnaAHLs are unevenly distributed on 38 chromosomes and expanded by whole-genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication. And large-scale loss events have also occurred in evolution. All types of BnaAHLs are subject to purification or neutral selection, while some positive selection sites are also identified in Type-II and Type-III groups. At the same time, the purification effect of Type-I members are stronger than that of the others. In addition, RNA-seq data and cis-acting element analysis also suggested that the BnaAHLs play important roles in B. napus growth and development, as well as in response to some abiotic and biotic stresses. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified some important BnaAHL-binding proteins, which also play key roles in plant growth and development. This study is helpful to fully understand the origin and evolution of the AHL gene in B. napus, and lays the foundation for their functional studies.

Comprehensive analyses of the BES1 gene family in Brassica napus and examination of their evolutionary pattern in representative species.

BACKGROUND: The BES1 gene family, an important class of plant-specific transcription factors, play key roles in the BR signal pathway in plants, regulating various development processes. Until now, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the BES1 gene family in Brassica napus, and a cross-genome exploration of their origin, copy number changes, and functional innovation in plants was also not available. RESULTS: We identified 28 BES1 genes in B. napus from its two subgenomes (AA and CC). We found that 71.43% of them were duplicated in the tetraploidization, and their gene expression showed a prominent subgenome bias in the roots. Additionally, we identified 104 BES1 genes in another 18 representative angiosperms and performed a comparative analysis with B. napus, including evolutionary trajectory, gene duplication, positive selection, and expression pattern. Exploiting the available genome datasets, we performed a large-scale analysis across plants and algae suggested that the BES1 gene family could have originated from group F, expanding to form other groups (A to E) by duplicating or alternatively deleting some domains. We detected an additional domain containing M4 to M8 in exclusively groups F1 and F2. We found evidence that whole-genome duplication (WGD) contributed the most to the expansion of this gene family among examined dicots, while dispersed duplication contributed the most to expansion in certain monocots. Moreover, we inferred that positive selection might have occurred on major phylogenetic nodes during the evolution of plants. CONCLUSIONS: Grossly, a cross-genome comparative analysis of the BES1 genes in B. napus and other species sheds light on understanding its copy number expansion, natural selection, and functional innovation.