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Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 6352

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Dr. Moxian Chen

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State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Research and Development Center for Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Interests: proteogenomics; abiotic stress; post-transcriptional regulation; genetic engineering
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Dear Colleagues,

Genetic engineering is a crucial tool in modern agriculture, allowing scientists to precisely modify the genetic composition of plants to enhance desirable traits. One of the key applications of this technology is the development of stress-tolerant crops. Environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and pests can severely reduce agricultural productivity, posing a significant threat to food security.

Plant stress tolerance, enhanced through genetic engineering, is vital for ensuring stable crop yields under adverse conditions. By introducing genes that confer resistance to these stressors, genetically engineered crops can maintain productivity where traditional crops would fail. This not only boosts food production but also reduces the need for chemical inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, promoting more sustainable farming practices.

This Special Issue aims to address the pressing challenge of enhancing plant resilience to various stressors through genetic engineering. We invite contributions that provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance, biotechnologies developed to enhance plant stress tolerant traits, case studies demonstrating successful genetic modifications, and reviews of current advancements and future directions in this field. By compiling cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews, this Special Issue seeks to offer valuable knowledge and practical solutions for improving crop resilience, ultimately contributing to sustainable agriculture and global food security. Potential authors are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that align with these themes.

This Special Issue is supervised by Dr. Moxian Chen (Guizhou University) and assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Members, Dr. Yinggao Liu (Shandong Agricultural University) and Dr. Abazar Ghorbani (Guizhou University).

Dr. Moxian Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

CRISPR-Cas system
RNA interference
abiotic stresses
transcriptional regulation
post-transcriptional regulation
post-translational modification
genetic evolution
biotechnology
molecular mechanism
regulatory circuits

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 9585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of the Brassinazole-Resistant (BZR) Gene Family in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of TaBZR2.1

by Yan Zhang, Jingzi Qin, Jinna Hou, Congcong Liu, Shenghui Geng, Maomao Qin, Wenxu Li, Ziju Dai, Zhengqing Wu, Zhensheng Lei and Zhengfu Zhou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312545 - 22 Nov 2024

Viewed by 186

Abstract

Brassinazole-resistant (BZR) transcription factors are important transcription factors in Brassinosteroid (BR)-responsive gene expression. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the BZR genes in wheat and a limited number of BZR family genes have been previously reported in wheat. In this study, the synteny analyses of the TaBZR genes suggested that gene duplication events have played an essential role in the TaBZR family during evolution. The results of RT-qPCR and transcriptome data analyses exhibited remarkable expression patterns in the BZR genes in different tissues and under different treatments. The yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen result showed that the TaBZR2.1 protein interacts with Argonaute 4 (AGO4). Taken together, our results not only provide us a basis for understanding the molecular characteristics and expression patterns of the TaBZR family genes but also offered the functional characterization of TaBZR2.1 in wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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20 pages, 5113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of the DnaJ Gene Family in Citrus and Functional Characterization of ClDJC24 in Response to Citrus Huanglongbing

by Yuzhen Tian, Xizi Wang, Huoqing Huang, Xin Deng, Baihong Zhang, Yixuan Meng, Libo Wu, Hang Chen, Yun Zhong and Wenli Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 11967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211967 - 7 Nov 2024

Viewed by 487

Abstract

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most destructive citrus disease worldwide. The etiological agent responsible for this disease is “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), a phloem-restricted bacterium transmitted by psyllid vectors. To date, effective practical strategies for curing Citrus HLB remain elusive. Additionally, no susceptibility genes associated with HLB have been identified in Citrus species, thereby complicating the application of gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 to enhance resistance to HLB. The co-chaperone DnaJ plays a crucial role in protein folding and the regulation of various physiological activities, and it is also associated with multiple pathological processes. DnaJ has been extensively studied in many species, including Arabidopsis, rice, and wheat. However, there is limited information available regarding the DnaJ gene family in citrus. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the DnaJ family genes in various Citrus species. The Citrus genome was identified to contain 86 DnaJ genes, which were unevenly distributed across nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these genes could be classified into six distinct groups. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that nine DnaJ genes exhibited significantly higher induction in HLB-infected samples relative to non-HLB-infected Citrus. Cis-acting elements within the promoters of DnaJ genes were also examined, revealing the presence of hormone and defense/stress responsiveness elements (TC-rich) distributed on the ClDJC24 gene. The results were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Additionally, the silencing of ClDJC24 suggested that this gene negatively regulates disease resistance in Citrus. Our study provided useful clues for further functional characterization and constructed a theoretical foundation for disease-resistant breeding in Citrus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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17 pages, 3727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Identification and Expression Analysis of Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1-Domain Protein Family in Maize

by Rui Liu, Tian Ma, Yu Li, Xiongbiao Lei, Hongjing Ji, Hewei Du, Jianhua Zhang and Shi-Kai Cao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111437 - 24 Oct 2024

Viewed by 504

Abstract

Abiotic stress affects the growth and development of maize (Zea mays). The regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1)-containing proteins (RCPs) plays crucial roles in plant growth and development and response to abiotic stresses. However, a comprehensive analysis of the maize RCP family has not been reported in detail. This study presents a systematic bioinformatics analysis of the ZmRCP family, identifying a total of 30 members distributed across nine chromosomes. The physicochemical properties and cis-acting elements in the promoters of ZmRCP members are predicted. The results of subcellular localization showed that ZmRCP3 and ZmRCP10 are targeted to mitochondria and ZmRCP2 is localized in the nucleus. A heatmap of expression levels among family members under abiotic stress conditions revealed varying degrees of induced expression, and the expression levels of 10 ZmRCP members were quantified using RT-qPCR under abiotic stress and plant hormone treatments. The results showed that ZmRCP members exhibit induced or inhibited responses to these abiotic stresses and plant hormones. These results contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history and potential role of the ZmRCP family in mediating responses to abiotic stress in maize. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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13 pages, 3445 KiB

Open AccessArticle

StEPF2 and StEPFL9 Play Opposing Roles in Regulating Stomatal Development and Drought Tolerance in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

by Le Kang, Junke Liu, Hongqing Zhu, Leqin Liao, Muying Ye, Yun Wei, Nairong Liu, Qingbo Ke, Ho Soo Kim, Sang-Soo Kwak and Quanlu Zhou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10738; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910738 - 5 Oct 2024

Viewed by 846

Abstract

Stomata are essential for photosynthesis and water-use efficiency in plants. When expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants, the potato (Solanum tuberosum) proteins EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR 2 (StEPF2) and StEPF-LIKE9 (StEPFL9) play antagonistic roles in regulating stomatal density. Little is known, however, about how these proteins regulate stomatal development, growth, and response to water deficit in potato. Transgenic potato plants overexpressing StEPF2 (E2 plants) or StEPFL9 (ST plants) were generated, and RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to select two lines overexpressing each gene. E2 plants showed reduced stomatal density, whereas ST plants produced excessive stomata. Under well-watered conditions, ST plants displayed vigorous growth with improved leaf gas exchange and also showed increased biomass/yields compared with non-transgenic and E2 plants. E2 plants maintained lower H₂O₂ content and higher levels of stomatal conductance and photosynthetic capacity than non-transgenic and ST plants, which resulted in higher water-use efficiency and biomass/yields during water restriction. These results suggest that StEPF2 and StEPFL9 functioned in pathways regulating stomatal development. These genes are thus promising candidates for use in future breeding programs aimed at increasing potato water-use efficiency and yield under climate change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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15 pages, 9042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cloning and Functional Study of AmGDSL1 in Agropyron mongolicum

by Xiuxiu Yan, Xiaojuan Wu, Fengcheng Sun, Hushuai Nie, Xiaohong Du, Xiaolei Li, Yongyu Fang, Yongqing Zhai, Yan Zhao, Bobo Fan and Yanhong Ma

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9467; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179467 - 30 Aug 2024

Viewed by 538

Abstract

Agropyron mongolicum Keng is a diploid perennial grass of triticeae in gramineae. It has strong drought resistance and developed roots that can effectively fix the soil and prevent soil erosion. GDSL lipase or esterases/lipase has a variety of functions, mainly focusing on plant abiotic stress response. In this study, a GDSL gene from A. mongolicum, designated as AmGDSL1, was successfully cloned and isolated. The subcellular localization of the AmGDSL1 gene (pCAMBIA1302-AmGDSL1-EGFP) results showed that the AmGDSL1 protein of A. mongolicum was only localized in the cytoplasm. When transferred into tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana), the heterologous expression of AmGDSL1 led to enhanced drought tolerance. Under drought stress, AmGDSL1 overexpressing plants showed fewer wilting leaves, longer roots, and larger root surface area. These overexpression lines possessed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and proline (PRO) activities. At the same time, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower than that in wild-type (WT) tobacco. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in the GDSL gene’s role in drought resistance, contributing to the discovery and utilization of drought-resistant genes in A. mongolicum for enhancing crop drought resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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21 pages, 4155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regulating Leaf Photosynthesis and Soil Microorganisms through Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Can Effectively Alleviate the Stress of Elevated Ambient Ozone on Winter Wheat

by Nanyan Zhu, Yinsen Qian, Lingqi Song, Qiaoqiao Yu, Haijun Sheng, Ying Li and Xinkai Zhu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179381 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 558

Abstract

The mitigation mechanisms of a kind of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (sulfur-coated controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer, SCNF) in response to O₃ stress on a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety (Nongmai-88) were studied in crop physiology and soil biology through the ozone-free-air controlled enrichment (O₃-FACE) simulation platform and soil microbial metagenomics. The results showed that SCNF could not delay the O₃-induced leaf senescence of winter wheat but could enhance the leaf size and photosynthetic function of flag leaves, increase the accumulation of nutrient elements, and lay the foundation for yield by regulating the release rate of nitrogen (N). By regulating the soil environment, SCNF could maintain the diversity and stability of soil bacterial and archaeal communities, but there was no obvious interaction with the soil fungal community. By alleviating the inhibition effects of O₃ on N-cycling-related genes (ko00910) of soil microorganisms, SCNF improved the activities of related enzymes and might have great potential in improving soil N retention. The results demonstrated the ability of SCNF to improve leaf photosynthetic function and increase crop yield under O₃-polluted conditions in the farmland ecosystem, which may become an effective nitrogen fertilizer management measure to cope with the elevated ambient O₃ and achieve sustainable production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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17 pages, 14271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic Insights into Salt Stress Response in Two Pepper Species: The Role of MAPK and Plant Hormone Signaling Pathways

by Muhammad Aamir Farooq, Muhammad Zeeshan Ul Haq, Liping Zhang, Shuhua Wu, Naveed Mushtaq, Hassam Tahir and Zhiwei Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179355 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 832

Abstract

Salt stress imposes significant plant limitations, altering their molecular, physiological, and biochemical functions. Pepper, a valuable herbaceous plant species of the Solanaceae family, is particularly susceptible to salt stress. This study aimed to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of salt tolerance in two pepper species (Capsicum baccatum (moderate salt tolerant) and Capsicum chinense (salt sensitive)) through a transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach to provide detailed insights. A continuous increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels in C. chinense and higher activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) in C. baccatum indicated more tissue damage in C. chinense than in C. baccatum. In transcriptome analysis, we identified 39 DEGs related to salt stress. Meanwhile, KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment of MAPK and hormone signaling pathways, with six DEGs each. Through WGCNA, the ME.red module was identified as positively correlated. Moreover, 10 genes, A-ARR (CQW23_24856), CHIb (CQW23_04881), ERF1b (CQW23_08898), PP2C (CQW23_15893), ABI5 (CQW23_29948), P450 (CQW23_16085), Aldedh1 (CQW23_06433), GDA (CQW23_12764), Aldedh2 (CQW23_14182), and Aldedh3 (CQW23_11481), were validated by qRT-PCR. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in pepper. It offers potential targets for future breeding efforts to enhance salt stress resilience in this crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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15 pages, 9605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic and Hormonal Changes in Wheat Roots Enhance Growth under Moderate Soil Drying

by Ying Li, Shuqiu Jiang, Yonghui Hong, Zixuan Yao, Yadi Chen, Min Zhu, Jinfeng Ding, Chunyan Li, Xinkai Zhu, Weifeng Xu, Wenshan Guo, Nanyan Zhu and Jianhua Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179157 - 23 Aug 2024

Viewed by 667

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate plant root growth under soil drying is an important challenge in root biology. We observed that moderate soil drying promotes wheat root growth. To understand whether metabolic and hormonic changes are involved in this regulation, we performed transcriptome sequencing on wheat roots under well-watered and moderate soil drying conditions. The genes upregulated in wheat roots under soil drying were mainly involved in starch and sucrose metabolism and benzoxazinoid biosynthesis. Various plant hormone-related genes were differentially expressed during soil drying. Quantification of the plant hormones under these conditions showed that the concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA), cis-zeatin (CZ), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) significantly increased during soil drying, whereas the concentrations of salicylic (SA), jasmonic (JA), and glycosylated salicylic (SAG) acids significantly decreased. Correlation analysis of total root length and phytohormones indicated that CZ, ABA, and IAA are positively associated with wheat root length. These results suggest that changes in metabolic pathways and plant hormones caused by moderate soil drying help wheat roots grow into deeper soil layers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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16 pages, 3952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on the Potential Functions of ZmEPF/EPFL Family Members in Response to Abiotic Stress in Maize

by Rui Liu, Keli Xu, Yu Li, Wanqing Zhao, Hongjing Ji, Xiongbiao Lei, Tian Ma, Juan Ye, Jianhua Zhang, Hewei Du and Shi-Kai Cao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137196 - 29 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 900

Abstract

Maize is an important crop used for food, feed, and fuel. Abiotic stress is an important factor affecting maize yield. The EPF/EPFL gene family encodes class-specific secretory proteins that play an important role in the response to abiotic stress in plants. In order to explore and utilize the EPF/EPFL family in maize, the family members were systematically identified, and their chromosomal localization, physicochemical properties, cis-acting element prediction in promoters, phylogenetic tree construction, and expression pattern analysis were carried out using bioinformatics techniques. A total of 18 ZmEPF/EPFL proteins were identified in maize, which are mostly alkaline and a small portion acidic. Subcellular localization results showed that ZmEPF6, ZmEPF12, and ZmEPFL2 are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that members of the ZmEPF/EPFL family contain regulatory elements such as light response, anoxic, low temperature, and hormone response regulatory elements. RT-qPCR results showed that these family members are indeed responding to cold stress and hormone treatments. These results of this study provide a theoretical basis for improving the abiotic stress resistance of maize in future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance)

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