The Experts below are selected from a list of 285 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Kun-song Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR39-MYB8 complex regulates low-temperature-induced Lignification of loquat fruit
    Journal of experimental botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Flesh Lignification is a specific chilling response that causes deterioration in the quality of stored red-fleshed loquat fruit (Eribotrya japonica) and is one aspect of wider chilling injury. APETALA2/ETHLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are important regulators of plant low-temperature responses and lignin biosynthesis. In this study, the expression and action of 27 AP2/ERF genes from the red-fleshed loquat cultivar 'Luoyangqing' were investigated in order to identify transcription factors regulating low-temperature-induced Lignification. EjERF27, EjERF30, EjERF36, and EjERF39 were significantly induced by storage at 0 °C but inhibited by a low-temperature conditioning treatment (pre-storage at 5 °C for 6 days before storage at 0 °C, which reduces low-temperature-induced Lignification), and their transcript levels positively correlated with flesh Lignification. A dual-luciferase assay indicated that EjERF39 could transactivate the promoter of the lignin biosynthetic gene Ej4CL1, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that EjERF39 recognizes the DRE element in the promoter region of Ej4CL1. Furthermore, the combination of EjERF39 and the previously characterized EjMYB8 synergistically transactivated the Ej4CL1 promoter, and both transcription factors showed expression patterns correlated with Lignification in postharvest treatments and red-fleshed 'Luoyangqing' and white-fleshed 'Ninghaibai' cultivars with different Lignification responses. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation imaging assays confirmed direct protein-protein interaction between EjERF39 and EjMYB8. These data indicate that EjERF39 is a novel cold-responsive transcriptional activator of Ej4CL1 that forms a synergistic activator complex with EjMYB8 and contributes to loquat fruit Lignification at low temperatures.

  • EjHAT1 Participates in Heat Alleviation of Loquat Fruit Lignification by Suppressing the Promoter Activity of Key Lignin Monomer Synthesis Gene EjCAD5.
    Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2019
    Co-Authors: Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Texture attributes such as firmness and Lignification are important for fruit quality. Lignification has been widely studied in model plants and energy crops, but fruit Lignification has rarely been investigated, despite having an adverse effect on fruit quality and consumer preference. Chilling-induced loquat fruit Lignification that occurs after harvest can be alleviated by heat treatment (HT) applied prior to low temperature storage. Enzyme activity assay showed that HT treatment could retard the low temperature-induced increase in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity. Transcript analysis and substrate activity assays of recombinant CAD proteins highlighted the key role of EjCAD5 in chilling-induced lignin biosynthesis. A novel homeobox-leucine zipper protein (EjHAT1) was identified as a negative regulator of EjCAD5. Therefore, the effect of HT treatment on Lignification may be partially due to the suppression of the EjCAD5 promoter activity by EjHAT1.

  • Ternary complex EjbHLH1-EjMYB2-EjAP2-1 retards low temperature-induced flesh Lignification in loquat fruit.
    Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 2019
    Co-Authors: Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Abstracts Many transcription factors (TFs), including NACs and MYBs, are involved in regulation of lignin biosynthesis during plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The lignin biosynthesis gene Ej4CL1 has been identified as a target for cold-induced TFs. We isolated a bHLH gene from loquat, EjbHLH1, the expression of which was negatively correlated with cold-induced fruit Lignification. During low temperature storage (0 °C), EjbHLH1 transcripts were stable but accumulated during low-temperature conditioning (LTC) treatment, an acclimation process that reduces Lignification during subsequent storage at 0 °C. Dual luciferase assays showed EjbHLH1 could repress Ej4CL1 promoter, but yeast one hybrid assay indicated EjbHLH1 is not able to bind to the Ej4CL1 promoter. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) indicated that EjbHLH1 could interact with EjAP2-1 and EjMYB2, two previously characterized fruit Lignification related transcription factors and firefly luciferase complementation imaging assay indicated EjbHLH1, EjMYB2 and EjAP2-1 could form a ternary complex which enhanced repression of transcription from the Ej4CL1 promoter, reducing Lignification at 0 °C.

  • EjHAT1 Participates in Heat Alleviation of Loquat Fruit Lignification by Suppressing the Promoter Activity of Key Lignin Monomer Synthesis Gene EjCAD5
    2019
    Co-Authors: Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Texture attributes such as firmness and Lignification are important for fruit quality. Lignification has been widely studied in model plants and energy crops, but fruit Lignification has rarely been investigated, despite having an adverse effect on fruit quality and consumer preference. Chilling-induced loquat fruit Lignification that occurs after harvest can be alleviated by heat treatment (HT) applied prior to low temperature storage. Enzyme activity assay showed that HT treatment could retard the low temperature-induced increase in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity. Transcript analysis and substrate activity assays of recombinant CAD proteins highlighted the key role of EjCAD5 in chilling-induced lignin biosynthesis. A novel homeobox-leucine zipper protein (EjHAT1) was identified as a negative regulator of EjCAD5. Therefore, the effect of HT treatment on Lignification may be partially due to the suppression of the EjCAD5 promoter activity by EjHAT1

  • Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the regulation of metabolic processes during postharvest cold storage of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit
    Nature Publishing Group, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wenli Liu, Jing Zhang, Xue-ren Yin, Chen Jiao, Zhangjun Fei, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Loquat fruit: Investigating spoilage during cold storage Next-generation sequencing of loquat fruit stored in different ways reveals the genes and proteins that help reduce fruit spoil. Loquat fruit become rigid and woody during cold storage, thanks to the build-up of lignin polymers in the fruit flesh. Lignification can be prevented with exposure to heat or preconditioning to cool temperatures before cold storage. Zhangjin Fei at Cornell University, New York, US, Qingbiao Wu at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and co-workers used comparative RNA sequencing to explore the molecular mechanisms inherent in Lignification. The team placed three loquat groups in post-harvest cold storage for 8 days: one pre-treated with heat, one conditioned at cool temperatures, and one with no pre-treatment. They identified key genetic differences between the groups and several protein families that may regulate Lignification

Donald Grierson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR39-MYB8 complex regulates low-temperature-induced Lignification of loquat fruit
    Journal of experimental botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Flesh Lignification is a specific chilling response that causes deterioration in the quality of stored red-fleshed loquat fruit (Eribotrya japonica) and is one aspect of wider chilling injury. APETALA2/ETHLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are important regulators of plant low-temperature responses and lignin biosynthesis. In this study, the expression and action of 27 AP2/ERF genes from the red-fleshed loquat cultivar 'Luoyangqing' were investigated in order to identify transcription factors regulating low-temperature-induced Lignification. EjERF27, EjERF30, EjERF36, and EjERF39 were significantly induced by storage at 0 °C but inhibited by a low-temperature conditioning treatment (pre-storage at 5 °C for 6 days before storage at 0 °C, which reduces low-temperature-induced Lignification), and their transcript levels positively correlated with flesh Lignification. A dual-luciferase assay indicated that EjERF39 could transactivate the promoter of the lignin biosynthetic gene Ej4CL1, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that EjERF39 recognizes the DRE element in the promoter region of Ej4CL1. Furthermore, the combination of EjERF39 and the previously characterized EjMYB8 synergistically transactivated the Ej4CL1 promoter, and both transcription factors showed expression patterns correlated with Lignification in postharvest treatments and red-fleshed 'Luoyangqing' and white-fleshed 'Ninghaibai' cultivars with different Lignification responses. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation imaging assays confirmed direct protein-protein interaction between EjERF39 and EjMYB8. These data indicate that EjERF39 is a novel cold-responsive transcriptional activator of Ej4CL1 that forms a synergistic activator complex with EjMYB8 and contributes to loquat fruit Lignification at low temperatures.

  • EjHAT1 Participates in Heat Alleviation of Loquat Fruit Lignification by Suppressing the Promoter Activity of Key Lignin Monomer Synthesis Gene EjCAD5.
    Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2019
    Co-Authors: Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Texture attributes such as firmness and Lignification are important for fruit quality. Lignification has been widely studied in model plants and energy crops, but fruit Lignification has rarely been investigated, despite having an adverse effect on fruit quality and consumer preference. Chilling-induced loquat fruit Lignification that occurs after harvest can be alleviated by heat treatment (HT) applied prior to low temperature storage. Enzyme activity assay showed that HT treatment could retard the low temperature-induced increase in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity. Transcript analysis and substrate activity assays of recombinant CAD proteins highlighted the key role of EjCAD5 in chilling-induced lignin biosynthesis. A novel homeobox-leucine zipper protein (EjHAT1) was identified as a negative regulator of EjCAD5. Therefore, the effect of HT treatment on Lignification may be partially due to the suppression of the EjCAD5 promoter activity by EjHAT1.

  • Ternary complex EjbHLH1-EjMYB2-EjAP2-1 retards low temperature-induced flesh Lignification in loquat fruit.
    Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 2019
    Co-Authors: Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Abstracts Many transcription factors (TFs), including NACs and MYBs, are involved in regulation of lignin biosynthesis during plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The lignin biosynthesis gene Ej4CL1 has been identified as a target for cold-induced TFs. We isolated a bHLH gene from loquat, EjbHLH1, the expression of which was negatively correlated with cold-induced fruit Lignification. During low temperature storage (0 °C), EjbHLH1 transcripts were stable but accumulated during low-temperature conditioning (LTC) treatment, an acclimation process that reduces Lignification during subsequent storage at 0 °C. Dual luciferase assays showed EjbHLH1 could repress Ej4CL1 promoter, but yeast one hybrid assay indicated EjbHLH1 is not able to bind to the Ej4CL1 promoter. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) indicated that EjbHLH1 could interact with EjAP2-1 and EjMYB2, two previously characterized fruit Lignification related transcription factors and firefly luciferase complementation imaging assay indicated EjbHLH1, EjMYB2 and EjAP2-1 could form a ternary complex which enhanced repression of transcription from the Ej4CL1 promoter, reducing Lignification at 0 °C.

  • EjHAT1 Participates in Heat Alleviation of Loquat Fruit Lignification by Suppressing the Promoter Activity of Key Lignin Monomer Synthesis Gene EjCAD5
    2019
    Co-Authors: Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Texture attributes such as firmness and Lignification are important for fruit quality. Lignification has been widely studied in model plants and energy crops, but fruit Lignification has rarely been investigated, despite having an adverse effect on fruit quality and consumer preference. Chilling-induced loquat fruit Lignification that occurs after harvest can be alleviated by heat treatment (HT) applied prior to low temperature storage. Enzyme activity assay showed that HT treatment could retard the low temperature-induced increase in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity. Transcript analysis and substrate activity assays of recombinant CAD proteins highlighted the key role of EjCAD5 in chilling-induced lignin biosynthesis. A novel homeobox-leucine zipper protein (EjHAT1) was identified as a negative regulator of EjCAD5. Therefore, the effect of HT treatment on Lignification may be partially due to the suppression of the EjCAD5 promoter activity by EjHAT1

  • EjNAC3 transcriptionally regulates chilling-induced Lignification of loquat fruit via physical interaction with an atypical CAD-like gene
    Journal of experimental botany, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Yi-jin Zhang, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Lignin is an important component of many plant secondary cell walls. In the fruit of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Lignification of cell walls in the fleshy tissue occurs when fruit are subjected to low-temperature storage, which is commonly used to avoid the rapid senescence that occurs at room temperature. In this study, two NAC domain genes, EjNAC3 and EjNAC4, were isolated and shown to be significantly induced at 0 °C, which was concomitant with an increase in the fruit Lignification index. Lignification and expression of both EjNAC3 and EjNAC4 were inhibited by low-temperature conditioning and by heat treatment. In addition, EjNAC3 trans-activated the lignin biosynthesis-related EjCAD-like promoter, which was measured using a dual-luciferase assay. Further analysis with yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that EjNAC3 could physically bind to the promoter of the EjCAD-like gene. Thus, EjNAC3 is a direct regulator of loquat chilling-induced Lignification, via regulations of EjCAD-like.

Xue-ren Yin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR39-MYB8 complex regulates low-temperature-induced Lignification of loquat fruit
    Journal of experimental botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Flesh Lignification is a specific chilling response that causes deterioration in the quality of stored red-fleshed loquat fruit (Eribotrya japonica) and is one aspect of wider chilling injury. APETALA2/ETHLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are important regulators of plant low-temperature responses and lignin biosynthesis. In this study, the expression and action of 27 AP2/ERF genes from the red-fleshed loquat cultivar 'Luoyangqing' were investigated in order to identify transcription factors regulating low-temperature-induced Lignification. EjERF27, EjERF30, EjERF36, and EjERF39 were significantly induced by storage at 0 °C but inhibited by a low-temperature conditioning treatment (pre-storage at 5 °C for 6 days before storage at 0 °C, which reduces low-temperature-induced Lignification), and their transcript levels positively correlated with flesh Lignification. A dual-luciferase assay indicated that EjERF39 could transactivate the promoter of the lignin biosynthetic gene Ej4CL1, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that EjERF39 recognizes the DRE element in the promoter region of Ej4CL1. Furthermore, the combination of EjERF39 and the previously characterized EjMYB8 synergistically transactivated the Ej4CL1 promoter, and both transcription factors showed expression patterns correlated with Lignification in postharvest treatments and red-fleshed 'Luoyangqing' and white-fleshed 'Ninghaibai' cultivars with different Lignification responses. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation imaging assays confirmed direct protein-protein interaction between EjERF39 and EjMYB8. These data indicate that EjERF39 is a novel cold-responsive transcriptional activator of Ej4CL1 that forms a synergistic activator complex with EjMYB8 and contributes to loquat fruit Lignification at low temperatures.

  • Ternary complex EjbHLH1-EjMYB2-EjAP2-1 retards low temperature-induced flesh Lignification in loquat fruit.
    Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 2019
    Co-Authors: Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Abstracts Many transcription factors (TFs), including NACs and MYBs, are involved in regulation of lignin biosynthesis during plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The lignin biosynthesis gene Ej4CL1 has been identified as a target for cold-induced TFs. We isolated a bHLH gene from loquat, EjbHLH1, the expression of which was negatively correlated with cold-induced fruit Lignification. During low temperature storage (0 °C), EjbHLH1 transcripts were stable but accumulated during low-temperature conditioning (LTC) treatment, an acclimation process that reduces Lignification during subsequent storage at 0 °C. Dual luciferase assays showed EjbHLH1 could repress Ej4CL1 promoter, but yeast one hybrid assay indicated EjbHLH1 is not able to bind to the Ej4CL1 promoter. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) indicated that EjbHLH1 could interact with EjAP2-1 and EjMYB2, two previously characterized fruit Lignification related transcription factors and firefly luciferase complementation imaging assay indicated EjbHLH1, EjMYB2 and EjAP2-1 could form a ternary complex which enhanced repression of transcription from the Ej4CL1 promoter, reducing Lignification at 0 °C.

  • Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the regulation of metabolic processes during postharvest cold storage of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit
    Nature Publishing Group, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wenli Liu, Jing Zhang, Xue-ren Yin, Chen Jiao, Zhangjun Fei, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Loquat fruit: Investigating spoilage during cold storage Next-generation sequencing of loquat fruit stored in different ways reveals the genes and proteins that help reduce fruit spoil. Loquat fruit become rigid and woody during cold storage, thanks to the build-up of lignin polymers in the fruit flesh. Lignification can be prevented with exposure to heat or preconditioning to cool temperatures before cold storage. Zhangjin Fei at Cornell University, New York, US, Qingbiao Wu at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and co-workers used comparative RNA sequencing to explore the molecular mechanisms inherent in Lignification. The team placed three loquat groups in post-harvest cold storage for 8 days: one pre-treated with heat, one conditioned at cool temperatures, and one with no pre-treatment. They identified key genetic differences between the groups and several protein families that may regulate Lignification

  • EjNAC3 transcriptionally regulates chilling-induced Lignification of loquat fruit via physical interaction with an atypical CAD-like gene
    Journal of experimental botany, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Yi-jin Zhang, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Lignin is an important component of many plant secondary cell walls. In the fruit of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Lignification of cell walls in the fleshy tissue occurs when fruit are subjected to low-temperature storage, which is commonly used to avoid the rapid senescence that occurs at room temperature. In this study, two NAC domain genes, EjNAC3 and EjNAC4, were isolated and shown to be significantly induced at 0 °C, which was concomitant with an increase in the fruit Lignification index. Lignification and expression of both EjNAC3 and EjNAC4 were inhibited by low-temperature conditioning and by heat treatment. In addition, EjNAC3 trans-activated the lignin biosynthesis-related EjCAD-like promoter, which was measured using a dual-luciferase assay. Further analysis with yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that EjNAC3 could physically bind to the promoter of the EjCAD-like gene. Thus, EjNAC3 is a direct regulator of loquat chilling-induced Lignification, via regulations of EjCAD-like.

  • Involvement of PAL, C4H, and 4CL in chilling injury-induced flesh Lignification of loquat fruit.
    HortScience, 2017
    Co-Authors: Chen Zang, Donald Grierson, Jing Zhang, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a model fruit for investigating flesh Lignification during storage and response to chilling injury. However, the investigations of enzymes and coding genes and loquat fruit Lignification under low-temperature storage are still limited. Here, the activity and transcript levels of up-stream enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway, including l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL), were investigated. The results indicated that activity of these enzymes was positively correlated with loquat fruit Lignification and suppression of these increases by heat treatment (HT) and low-temperature conditioning (LTC) significantly alleviated loquat fruit Lignification. Coding genes for these enzymes were subsequently isolated based on information from an RNA-seq database and expression of Ej4CL1 was found to be the most responsive to low temperature and inhibition by HT and LTC treatment, whereas the other genes were less responsive to these treatments. Furthermore, function of Ej4CL1 was analyzed by transient overexpression in tobacco leaves, where it stimulated lignin accumulation. Ej4CL1 may be a key candidate that involved in CI-related loquat fruit Lignification.

Jing Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR39-MYB8 complex regulates low-temperature-induced Lignification of loquat fruit
    Journal of experimental botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Meng-xue Zhang, Yan-na Shi, Xiao-fen Liu, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Flesh Lignification is a specific chilling response that causes deterioration in the quality of stored red-fleshed loquat fruit (Eribotrya japonica) and is one aspect of wider chilling injury. APETALA2/ETHLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are important regulators of plant low-temperature responses and lignin biosynthesis. In this study, the expression and action of 27 AP2/ERF genes from the red-fleshed loquat cultivar 'Luoyangqing' were investigated in order to identify transcription factors regulating low-temperature-induced Lignification. EjERF27, EjERF30, EjERF36, and EjERF39 were significantly induced by storage at 0 °C but inhibited by a low-temperature conditioning treatment (pre-storage at 5 °C for 6 days before storage at 0 °C, which reduces low-temperature-induced Lignification), and their transcript levels positively correlated with flesh Lignification. A dual-luciferase assay indicated that EjERF39 could transactivate the promoter of the lignin biosynthetic gene Ej4CL1, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that EjERF39 recognizes the DRE element in the promoter region of Ej4CL1. Furthermore, the combination of EjERF39 and the previously characterized EjMYB8 synergistically transactivated the Ej4CL1 promoter, and both transcription factors showed expression patterns correlated with Lignification in postharvest treatments and red-fleshed 'Luoyangqing' and white-fleshed 'Ninghaibai' cultivars with different Lignification responses. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation imaging assays confirmed direct protein-protein interaction between EjERF39 and EjMYB8. These data indicate that EjERF39 is a novel cold-responsive transcriptional activator of Ej4CL1 that forms a synergistic activator complex with EjMYB8 and contributes to loquat fruit Lignification at low temperatures.

  • Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the regulation of metabolic processes during postharvest cold storage of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit
    Nature Publishing Group, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wenli Liu, Jing Zhang, Xue-ren Yin, Chen Jiao, Zhangjun Fei, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Loquat fruit: Investigating spoilage during cold storage Next-generation sequencing of loquat fruit stored in different ways reveals the genes and proteins that help reduce fruit spoil. Loquat fruit become rigid and woody during cold storage, thanks to the build-up of lignin polymers in the fruit flesh. Lignification can be prevented with exposure to heat or preconditioning to cool temperatures before cold storage. Zhangjin Fei at Cornell University, New York, US, Qingbiao Wu at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and co-workers used comparative RNA sequencing to explore the molecular mechanisms inherent in Lignification. The team placed three loquat groups in post-harvest cold storage for 8 days: one pre-treated with heat, one conditioned at cool temperatures, and one with no pre-treatment. They identified key genetic differences between the groups and several protein families that may regulate Lignification

  • EjNAC3 transcriptionally regulates chilling-induced Lignification of loquat fruit via physical interaction with an atypical CAD-like gene
    Journal of experimental botany, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Donald Grierson, Xue-ren Yin, Yi-jin Zhang, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Lignin is an important component of many plant secondary cell walls. In the fruit of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Lignification of cell walls in the fleshy tissue occurs when fruit are subjected to low-temperature storage, which is commonly used to avoid the rapid senescence that occurs at room temperature. In this study, two NAC domain genes, EjNAC3 and EjNAC4, were isolated and shown to be significantly induced at 0 °C, which was concomitant with an increase in the fruit Lignification index. Lignification and expression of both EjNAC3 and EjNAC4 were inhibited by low-temperature conditioning and by heat treatment. In addition, EjNAC3 trans-activated the lignin biosynthesis-related EjCAD-like promoter, which was measured using a dual-luciferase assay. Further analysis with yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that EjNAC3 could physically bind to the promoter of the EjCAD-like gene. Thus, EjNAC3 is a direct regulator of loquat chilling-induced Lignification, via regulations of EjCAD-like.

  • Involvement of PAL, C4H, and 4CL in chilling injury-induced flesh Lignification of loquat fruit.
    HortScience, 2017
    Co-Authors: Chen Zang, Donald Grierson, Jing Zhang, Xue-ren Yin, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a model fruit for investigating flesh Lignification during storage and response to chilling injury. However, the investigations of enzymes and coding genes and loquat fruit Lignification under low-temperature storage are still limited. Here, the activity and transcript levels of up-stream enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway, including l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL), were investigated. The results indicated that activity of these enzymes was positively correlated with loquat fruit Lignification and suppression of these increases by heat treatment (HT) and low-temperature conditioning (LTC) significantly alleviated loquat fruit Lignification. Coding genes for these enzymes were subsequently isolated based on information from an RNA-seq database and expression of Ej4CL1 was found to be the most responsive to low temperature and inhibition by HT and LTC treatment, whereas the other genes were less responsive to these treatments. Furthermore, function of Ej4CL1 was analyzed by transient overexpression in tobacco leaves, where it stimulated lignin accumulation. Ej4CL1 may be a key candidate that involved in CI-related loquat fruit Lignification.

  • regulation of loquat fruit low temperature response and Lignification involves interaction of heat shock factors and genes associated with lignin biosynthesis
    Plant Cell and Environment, 2016
    Co-Authors: Jiaoke Zeng, Xue-ren Yin, Jing Zhang, Kun-song Chen
    Abstract:

    Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying lignin metabolism have been widely studied in model plants and woody trees, as well as fruit, such as loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). Unlike the well-known NAC, MYB and AP2/ERF transcription factors, the roles of heat shock factors (HSFs) in lignin regulation have been rarely reported. Two treatments (heat treatment, HT; low temperature conditioning, LTC) were applied to alleviate low temperature-induced Lignification in loquat fruit. Gene expression analysis indicated that EjHSF1 transcript abundance, in parallel with heat shock protein genes (EjHsp), was induced by HT, while expression of EjHSF3 was repressed by LTC. Using dual-luciferase assays, EjHSF1 and EjHSF3 trans-activated the promoters of EjHsp genes and lignin biosynthesis-related genes, respectively. Thus, two distinct regulatory mechanisms of EjHSF transcription factors in chilling injury-induced fruit Lignification are proposed: EjHSF1 transcriptionally regulated EjHsp genes are involved in chilling tolerance, while EjHSF3 transcriptionally regulated lignin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the relations between EjHSF3 and previously characterized fruit Lignification regulators, including EjAP2-1, EjMYB1 and EjMYB2, were also investigated. Yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) and biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays demonstrated protein-protein interaction between EjHSF3 and EjAP2-1. Thus, the involvement of EjHSF3 in fruit Lignification is via both lignin biosynthetic genes and the regulator, EjAP2-1.

Yasushi Sato - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Analysis of expression profiles of three peroxidase genes associated with Lignification in Arabidopsis thaliana.
    Physiologia plantarum, 2009
    Co-Authors: Naohito Tokunaga, Tsuyoshi Kaneta, Seiichi Sato, Yasushi Sato
    Abstract:

    We have investigated the mechanism of Lignification during tracheary element (TE) differentiation using a Zinnia elegans xylogenic culture. In the process, we isolated ZPO-C, a peroxidase gene of Z. elegans that is expressed specifically in differentiating TEs. ZPO-C is suggested to be involved in Lignification of Z. elegans TEs in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, a peroxidase gene of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPrx66), which is homologous to ZPO-C, was identified. The expression profile and functions of the gene in planta remain to be investigated. In this study, we performed promoter::β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays to investigate the expression profiles and functions of the ZPO-C-like peroxidases in A. thaliana. We generated transgenic A. thaliana lines carrying AtPrx66, AtPrx47 or AtPrx64 (peroxidases showing high sequence similarity to AtPrx66) promoter::GUS reporter gene fusions. The GUS activities of AtPrx66, AtPrx47 and AtPrx64 promoter::GUS lines were arranged concentrically from the center to the periphery in the roots of seedlings. Furthermore, histochemical GUS assays using inflorescence stems showed that AtPrx66, AtPrx47 and AtPrx64 promoter-driven GUS were mainly expressed in the differentiating vessels, xylem parenchyma and sclerenchyma, respectively. These results suggest that the gene expressions of these three peroxidases, which showed high sequence similarity to one another, are differentially regulated in various tissues and organs. In addition, our results suggest that while AtPrx66 and AtPrx47 are associated with Lignification of vessels, AtPrx64 is associated with Lignification of sclerenchyma.

  • Involvement of gibberellin in tracheary element differentiation and Lignification in Zinnia elegans xylogenic culture
    Protoplasma, 2006
    Co-Authors: Naohito Tokunaga, Nami Uchimura, Yasushi Sato
    Abstract:

    Gibberellin (GA) is considered an important growth regulator involved in many aspects of plant development. However, little is known about the relationship between GA and Lignification. In this study, we analyzed the role of GA in tracheary element (TE) differentiation and Lignification using a Zinnia elegans xylogenic culture. When gibberellic acid-3 (GA3) was exogenously supplied, a slight increase in the frequency of TE differentiation and a remarkable increase in lignin content were observed. Computer image analysis of individual TEs showed that the Lignification level of each TE was significantly increased in the culture treated with GA3 compared with those of the control. In contrast, suppression of TE differentiation and Lignification was observed when GA biosynthesis was inhibited by ancymidol, paclobutrazol, or uniconazole. This suppression was restored by the addition of GA3. These results suggest that GA plays an important role in TE differentiation, and even more so in Lignification. When conditioned medium obtained after 120 h of control culture was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, many lignin precursors were detected. However, these lignin precursors were greatly reduced in the GA-treated culture. This result suggests that GA promotes Lignification by activating the polymerization of lignin precursors.

  • Progress of Lignification mediated by intercellular transportation of monolignols during tracheary element differentiation of isolated Zinnia mesophyll cells
    Plant & cell physiology, 2001
    Co-Authors: Mami Hosokawa, Shiro Suzuki, Toshiaki Umezawa, Yasushi Sato
    Abstract:

    Tracheary element (TE) differentiation is a typical example of programmed cell death (PCD) in higher plants, and maturation of TEs is completed by degradation of all cell contents. However, Lignification of TEs progresses even after PCD. We investigated how and whence monolignols are supplied to TEs which have undergone PCD during differentiation of isolated Zinnia mesophyll cells into TEs. Higher densities of cell culture induced greater Lignification of TEs. Whereas the continuous exchanging of culture medium suppressed Lignification of TEs, further addition of coniferyl alcohol into the exchanging medium reduced the suppression of Lignification. Analysis of the culture medium by HPLC and GC-MS showed that coniferyl alcohol, coniferaldehyde, and sinapyl alcohol accumulated in TE inductive culture. The concentration of coniferyl alcohol peaked at the beginning of secondary wall thickening, decreased rapidly during secondary wall thickening, then increased again. These results indicated that Lignification on TEs progresses by supply of monolignols from not only TEs themselves but also surrounding xylem parenchyma-like cells through medium in vitro.