Effects of Radiation on Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 23867

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Radiation Breeding Research Team, Jeongeup 56212, Korea
Interests: mutation breeding; plant phenomics; functional genomics; metabolites

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Research Division for Radiation, Jeongeup 56212, Korea
Interests: plant secondary metabolism; natural products; plant environmental stress physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the discovery of ionizing radiations as physical mutagens, mutation research appeared as a new field in plant science. These mutagens may cause genetic variations such as DNA single- or double strand breakage and chromosomal aberrations in plants. These changes caused by radiation may be repaired by machinery such as a nucleotide excision repair (NER) and homologous recombination (HR). Despite this, some of the damaged nucleotides cannot be repaired or may be repaired incorrectly.

Ionizing radiations are most commonly used to generate useful mutations in plants, owing to their ease of application and high mutation frequency. The effects on living organisms from a form of ionizing radiation, including mutation rate, cytogenetic effects and biological responses, have been reported in many plant species. An understanding of genetic variations, including physiological and morphological changes by radiation, is essential not only for the characterization of mutations, but also for the application of a mutational technique for plant breeding and molecular genetics. Through this Special Issue, we will deeply review the related topics and share novel plant effects caused by radiation.

Dr. Jin-Baek Kim
Dr. Sungbeom Lee
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • radiation effect
  • DNA damage and recovery
  • production of ROS
  • antioxidant reaction
  • hormesis
  • mutation breeding
  • radiation-induced omics

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2676 KiB  
Article
Application of Gamma Ray-Responsive Genes for Transcriptome-Based Phytodosimetry in Rice
by Jin-Hong Kim, Kwon Hwangbo, Eujin Lee, Shubham Kumar Dubey, Moon-Soo Chung, Byung-Yeoup Chung and Sungbeom Lee
Plants 2021, 10(5), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050968 - 13 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2501
Abstract
Transcriptome-based dose–response curves were recently applied to the phytodosimetry of gamma radiation in a dicot plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, as an alternative biological assessment of genotoxicity using DNA damage response (DDR) genes. In the present study, we characterized gamma ray-responsive marker genes for [...] Read more.
Transcriptome-based dose–response curves were recently applied to the phytodosimetry of gamma radiation in a dicot plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, as an alternative biological assessment of genotoxicity using DNA damage response (DDR) genes. In the present study, we characterized gamma ray-responsive marker genes for transcriptome-based phytodosimetry in a monocot plant, rice (Oryza sativa L.), and compared different phytodosimetry models between rice and Arabidopsis using gamma-H2AX, comet, and quantitative transcriptomic assays. The transcriptome-based dose–response curves of four marker genes (OsGRG, OsMutS, OsRAD51, and OsRPA1) were reliably fitted to quadratic or exponential decay equations (r2 > 0.99). However, the single or integrated dose–response curves of these genes were distinctive from the conventional models obtained by the gamma-H2AX or comet assays. In comparison, rice displayed a higher dose-dependency in the comet signal and OsRAD51 transcription, while the gamma-H2AX induction was more dose-dependent in Arabidopsis. The dose-dependent transcriptions of the selected gamma-ray-inducible marker genes, including OsGRG, OsMutS, OsRAD51, and OsRPA1 in rice and AtGRG, AtPARP1, AtRAD51, and AtRPA1E in Arabidopsis, were maintained similarly at different vegetative stages. These results suggested that the transcriptome-based phytodosimetry model should be further corrected with conventional genotoxicity- or DDR-based models despite the high reliability or dose-dependency of the model. In addition, the relative weighting of each gene in the integrated transcriptome-based dose–response model using multiple genes needs to be considered based on the trend and amplitude of the transcriptional change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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23 pages, 12897 KiB  
Article
A Comparison of the Transcriptomes of Cowpeas in Response to Two Different Ionizing Radiations
by Ryulyi Kang, Eunju Seo, Aron Park, Woon Ji Kim, Byeong Hee Kang, Jeong-Hee Lee, Sang Hoon Kim, Si-Yong Kang and Bo-Keun Ha
Plants 2021, 10(3), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10030567 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2154
Abstract
In this study, gene expression changes in cowpea plants irradiated by two different types of radiation: proton-beams and gamma-rays were investigated. Seeds of the Okdang cultivar were exposed to 100, 200, and 300 Gy of gamma-rays and proton-beams. In transcriptome analysis, the 32, [...] Read more.
In this study, gene expression changes in cowpea plants irradiated by two different types of radiation: proton-beams and gamma-rays were investigated. Seeds of the Okdang cultivar were exposed to 100, 200, and 300 Gy of gamma-rays and proton-beams. In transcriptome analysis, the 32, 75, and 69 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at each dose of gamma-ray irradiation compared with that of the control were identified. A total of eight genes were commonly up-regulated for all gamma-ray doses. However, there were no down-regulated genes. In contrast, 168, 434, and 387 DEGs were identified for each dose of proton-beam irradiation compared with that of the control. A total of 61 DEGs were commonly up-regulated for all proton-beam doses. As a result of GO and KEGG analysis, the ranks of functional categories according to the number of DEGs were not the same in both treatments and were more diverse in terms of pathways in the proton-beam treatments than gamma-ray treatments. The number of genes related to defense, photosynthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), plant hormones, and transcription factors (TF) that were up-/down-regulated was higher in the proton beam treatment than that in gamma ray treatment. Proton-beam treatment had a distinct mutation spectrum and gene expression pattern compared to that of gamma-ray treatment. These results provide important information on the mechanism for gene regulation in response to two ionizing radiations in cowpeas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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14 pages, 2870 KiB  
Article
Effects of Acute and Chronic Gamma Irradiation on the Cell Biology and Physiology of Rice Plants
by Hong-Il Choi, Sung Min Han, Yeong Deuk Jo, Min Jeong Hong, Sang Hoon Kim and Jin-Baek Kim
Plants 2021, 10(3), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10030439 - 25 Feb 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3106
Abstract
The response to gamma irradiation varies among plant species and is affected by the total irradiation dose and dose rate. In this study, we examined the immediate and ensuing responses to acute and chronic gamma irradiation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice [...] Read more.
The response to gamma irradiation varies among plant species and is affected by the total irradiation dose and dose rate. In this study, we examined the immediate and ensuing responses to acute and chronic gamma irradiation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice plants at the tillering stage were exposed to gamma rays for 8 h (acute irradiation) or 10 days (chronic irradiation), with a total irradiation dose of 100, 200, or 300 Gy. Plants exposed to gamma irradiation were then analyzed for DNA damage, oxidative stress indicators including free radical content and lipid peroxidation, radical scavenging, and antioxidant activity. The results showed that all stress indices increased immediately after exposure to both acute and chronic irradiation in a dose-dependent manner, and acute irradiation had a greater effect on plants than chronic irradiation. The photosynthetic efficiency and growth of plants measured at 10, 20, and 30 days post-irradiation decreased in irradiated plants, i.e., these two parameters were more severely affected by acute irradiation than by chronic irradiation. In contrast, acutely irradiated plants produced seeds with dramatically decreased fertility rate, and chronically irradiated plants failed to produce fertile seeds, i.e., reproduction was more severely affected by chronic irradiation than by acute irradiation. Overall, our findings suggest that acute gamma irradiation causes instantaneous and greater damage to plant physiology, whereas chronic gamma irradiation causes long-term damage, leading to reproductive failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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12 pages, 2327 KiB  
Article
Detecting Genetic Mobility Using a Transposon-Based Marker System in Gamma-Ray Irradiated Soybean Mutants
by Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Dong-Gun Kim, Jae Il Lyu, Kyong-Cheul Park, Jung Min Kim, Jin-Baek Kim, Bo-Keun Ha and Soon-Jae Kwon
Plants 2021, 10(2), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020373 - 15 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2511
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs)—major components of eukaryotic genomes—have the ability to change location within a genome. Because of their mobility, TEs are important for genome diversification and evolution. Here, a simple rapid method, using the consensus terminal inverted repeat sequences of PONG, miniature inverted-repeat [...] Read more.
Transposable elements (TEs)—major components of eukaryotic genomes—have the ability to change location within a genome. Because of their mobility, TEs are important for genome diversification and evolution. Here, a simple rapid method, using the consensus terminal inverted repeat sequences of PONG, miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE)-Tourist (M-t) and MITE-Stowaway (M-s) as target region amplification polymorphism (TE-TRAP) markers, was employed to investigate the mobility of TEs in a gamma-irradiated soybean mutant pool. Among the different TE-TRAP primer combinations, the average polymorphism level and polymorphism information content value were 57.98% and 0.14, respectively. Only the PONG sequence separated the mutant population into three major groups. The inter-mutant population variance, determined using the PONG marker (3.151 and 29%) was greater than that of the M-t (2.209 and 20%) and M-s (2.766 and 18%) markers, whereas the reverse was true for the intra-mutant population variations, with M-t and M-s values, being 15.151 (82%) and 8.895 (80%), respectively, compared with the PONG marker (7.646 and 71%). Thus, the MITE markers revealed more dynamic and active mobility levels than the PONG marker in gamma-ray irradiated soybean mutant lines. The TE-TRAP technique associated with sensitive MITEs is useful for investigating genetic diversity and TE mobilization, providing tools for mutant selection in soybean mutation breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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13 pages, 2980 KiB  
Article
Genotype-by-Sequencing Analysis of Mutations and Recombination in Pepper Progeny of Gamma-Irradiated Gametophytes
by Yeong Deuk Jo, Han Sol Kang, Hong-Il Choi and Jin-Baek Kim
Plants 2021, 10(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010144 - 12 Jan 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2208
Abstract
The irradiation of dry seeds is the most widely-used irradiation method for improving seed-propagated crops; however, the irradiation of other tissues also has useful effects. The irradiation of plant reproductive organs, rather than seeds, for mutation breeding has advantages, such as producing non-chimeric [...] Read more.
The irradiation of dry seeds is the most widely-used irradiation method for improving seed-propagated crops; however, the irradiation of other tissues also has useful effects. The irradiation of plant reproductive organs, rather than seeds, for mutation breeding has advantages, such as producing non-chimeric progeny. However, the mutation frequency and spectrum produced using this method have not been analyzed on a genome-wide level. We performed a genotype-by-sequencing analysis to determine the frequencies of single-base substitutions and small (1–2 bp) insertions and deletions in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants derived from crosses using gamma-irradiated female or male gametophytes. The progeny of irradiated gametophytes showed similar or higher DNA mutation frequencies, which were dependent on the irradiation dose and irradiated tissue, and less biased single base substitutions than progeny of irradiated seeds. These characteristics were expected to be beneficial for development of mutation population with a high frequency of small DNA mutations and performing reverse-genetics-based mutation screening. We also examined the possible use of this irradiation method in manipulating the meiotic recombination frequency; however, no statistically significant increase was detected. Our results provide useful information for further research and breeding using irradiated gametophytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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13 pages, 5729 KiB  
Article
Development of a Rapid Selection System for Salt-Resistant Mutants of Nicotiana benthamiana through Protoplast Culture after Gamma Irradiation
by Da Mon Jin, Seung Hee Choi, Myoung Hui Lee, Eun Yee Jie, Woo Seok Ahn, Su Ji Joo, Joon-Woo Ahn, Yeong Deuk Jo, Sung-Ju Ahn and Suk Weon Kim
Plants 2020, 9(12), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121720 - 7 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 9109
Abstract
We aimed to develop a novel technology capable of rapidly selecting mutant plant cell lines. Salt resistance was chosen as a rapid selection trait that is easily applicable to protoplast-derived cell colonies. Mesophyll protoplasts were cultured in a medium supplemented with 0, 50, [...] Read more.
We aimed to develop a novel technology capable of rapidly selecting mutant plant cell lines. Salt resistance was chosen as a rapid selection trait that is easily applicable to protoplast-derived cell colonies. Mesophyll protoplasts were cultured in a medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mM NaCl. At NaCl concentrations ≥ 100 mM, cell colony formation was strongly inhibited after 4 weeks of culture. Tobacco protoplasts irradiated with 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 Gy were then cultured to investigate the effects of radiation intensity on cell division. The optimal radiation intensity was 50 Gy. To develop salt-resistant tobacco mutant plants, protoplasts irradiated with 50 Gy were cultured in a medium containing 100 mM NaCl. The efficiency of cell colony formation from these protoplasts was approximately 0.002%. A salt-resistant mutant callus was selected and proliferated in the same medium and then transferred to a shoot inducing medium for adventitious shoot formation. The obtained shoots were then cultured in a medium supplemented with 200 mM NaCl and developed into normal plantlets. This rapid selection technology for generating salt-resistant tobacco mutants will be useful for the development of crop varieties resistant to environmental stresses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Radiation on Plants)
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