Browsing by Author "Jonwal, Sarvesh"

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KRP3 stability controls rice plant architecture and productivity via MPK3-mediated phosphorylation
(John Wiley & Sons, 2026) Banerjee, Gopal; Jonwal, Sarvesh; Rengasamy, Balakrishnan; Pal, Uttam; Singh, Dhanraj; Mohit, Mohit; Sinha, Alok Krishna
Yield is a critical agronomic trait in cereal crops, shaped by factors like tiller and seed number, and seed weight. Understanding the factors governing these traits will help in improving the yield of plants. In this study, we identified an orphan gene, KRP3, belonging to cereal crops as a key regulator of rice plant architecture. Altered KRP3 protein homeostasis affected plant height, tiller number, and seed production, highlighting its role in maintaining rice plant vigor and productivity. The stability of the KRP3 protein is positively regulated by MPK3-mediated phosphorylation, as unphosphorylated KRP3 is targeted for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Our findings reveal that the identified MPK3-KRP3 module operates as an S-phase checkpoint, modulating the pace of cell division in the actively dividing zones and maintaining a balance between cell division and elongation. These findings provide valuable insights for improving plant growth and grain yield in rice.
Molecular analysis indicates the involvement of Jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway in low-potassium (K+) stress response and development in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Deepika, Deepika; Ankit; Jonwal, Sarvesh; Mali, Komal Vitthalrao; Sinha, Alok Krishna; Singh, Amarjeet
K+ is a major macronutrient and its deficiency hampers plant growth and yield. Plants combat low-K+ stress by modifying their root system architecture (RSA). Here, morphophysiological analysis revealed that chickpea plants exhibit sensitivity to low-K+ stress as shown by impaired primary root growth. Phytohormone JA regulates various facets of plant root growth, however, information of JA biosynthesis genes in chickpea is missing. We performed genome-wide identification and molecular characterization of JA biosynthesis pathway genes in chickpea. Total 33 genes belonging to different families i.e., LOXs-18, AOSs-3, AOCs-2, OPRs-6 and JARs-4 were identified in the chickpea genome. In-planta analysis revealed the localization of CaLOX7, − 10, CaAOS1, − 2 and CaAOC1 at subcellular compartments, such as membrane, chloroplast and cytoplasm. Protein expression and in-vitro enzymatic activity analysis showed that CaAOS1 an CaOPR2 are the functional enzymes in chickpea. Promoters of most genes harboured abiotic stress, hormone and development related cis-regulatory elements, suggesting their role in nutrient deficiency, abiotic stress and plant development. qRT-PCR expression profiling showed that about 15 JA biosynthesis genes from different families express differentially whereas, JA catabolism genes were repressed in chickpea root and shoot under low-K+ stress. In addition, JA biosynthesis genes showed differential expression in vegetative and reproductive development, senescence stages, desiccation, salinity and cold stress. These findings indicate the involvement of JA biosynthesis pathway in low-K+ stress response and development in chickpea. Low-K+ stress and development related genes identified in this study could be utilized in genetic engineering of chickpea plants for improved traits.
Regulation of photosynthesis by mitogen-activated protein kinase in rice: antagonistic adjustment by OsMPK3 and OsMPK6
(Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2023) Jonwal, Sarvesh; Rengasamy, Balakrishnan; Sinha, Alok Krishna
Photosynthesis is the basis of almost all life on earth and is the main component of crop yield that contributes to the carbohydrate partitioning to the grains. Maintaining the photosynthetic efficiency of plants in challenging environmental conditions by regulating the associated factors is a potential research arena which will help in the improvement of crop yield. Phosphorylation is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of photosynthesis. Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) cascade although known to regulate a diverse range of processes does not have any exact reported function in the regulation of photosynthesis. To elucidate the regulatory role of MAPKs in photosynthesis we investigated the changes in net photosynthesis rate and related parameters in DEX inducible over-expressing (OE) lines of two members of MAPK gene family namely, OsMPK3 and OsMPK6 in rice. Interestingly, significant changes were found in net photosynthesis rate and related physiological parameters in OsMPK3 and OsMPK6-OE lines compared to its wild-type relatives. OsMPK3 and OsMPK6 have regulatory effects on nuclear-encoded photosynthetic genes. Untargeted metabolite profiling reveals a higher accumulation of sugars and their derivatives in MPK6 overexpressing plants and a lower accumulation of sugars and organic acids in MPK3 overexpressing plants. The accumulation of amino acids was found in abundance in both MPK3 and MPK6 overexpressing plants. Understanding the effects of MPK3 and MPK6 on the CO2 assimilation of rice plants under normal growth conditions, will help in devising strategies that can be extended for crop improvement.
Regulation of photosynthetic light reaction proteins via reversible phosphorylation
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Jonwal, Sarvesh; Verma, Neetu; Sinha, Alok Krishna
The regulation of photosynthesis occurs at different levels including the control of nuclear and plastid genes transcription, RNA processing and translation, protein translocation, assemblies and their post translational modifications. Out of all these, post translational modification enables rapid response of plants towards changing environmental conditions. Among all post-translational modifications, reversible phosphorylation is known to play a crucial role in the regulation of light reaction of photosynthesis. Although, phosphorylation of PS II subunits has been extensively studied but not much attention is given to other photosynthetic complexes such as PS I, Cytochrome b6f complex and ATP synthase. Phosphorylation reaction is known to protect photosynthetic apparatus in challenging environment conditions such as high light, elevated temperature, high salinity and drought. Recent studies have explored the role of photosynthetic protein phosphorylation in conferring plant immunity against the rice blast disease. The evolution of phosphorylation of different subunits of photosynthetic proteins occurred along with the evolution of plant lineage for their better adaptation to the changing environment conditions. In this review, we summarize the progress made in the research field of phosphorylation of photosynthetic proteins and highlights the missing links that need immediate attention.
Rice Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase regulates serotonin accumulation and interacts with cell cycle regulators under prolonged UV-B exposure
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Banerjee, Gopal; Singh, Dhanraj; Pandey, Chandana; Jonwal, Sarvesh; Basu, Udita; Parida, Swarup K.; Pandey, Ashutosh; Sinha, Alok Krishna
Stress conditions such as UV-B exposure activates MAPKs in Arabidopsis and rice. UV-B radiation is hazardous to plant as it causes photosystem disruption, DNA damage and ROS generation. Here we report its effect on biological pathways by studying the global changes in transcript profile in rice seedling exposed to UV-B radiation for 1 h and 16 h. Short UV-B exposure (1 h) led to moderate changes, while a drastic change in transcript landscape was observed after long term UV-B exposure (16 h) in rice seedlings. Prolonged UV-B exposure negatively impacts the expression of cell cycle regulating genes and several other metabolic pathways in developing seedlings. MAP kinase signaling cascade gets activated upon UV-B exposure similar to reports in Arabidopsis indicating conservation of its function in both dicot and monocot. Expression analysis in inducible overexpression transgenic lines of MPK3 and MPK6 shows higher transcript abundance of phytoalexin biosynthesis gene like Oryzalexin D synthase and Momilactone A synthase, along with serotonin biosynthesis genes. An accumulation of serotonin was observed upon UV-B exposure and its abundance positively correlates with the MPK3 and MPK6 transcript level in the respective over-expression lines. Interestingly, multiple cell cycle inhibitor proteins including WEE1 and SMR1 interact with MPK3 and MPK6 thus, implying a major role of this pathway in cell cycle regulation under stress condition. Overall overexpression of MPK3 and MPK6 found to be detrimental for rice as overexpression lines shows higher cell death and compromised tolerance to UV-B.
A simplified and improved protocol of rice transformation to cater wide range of rice cultivars
(Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2024) Rengasamy, Balakrishnan; Manna, Mrinalini; Jonwal, Sarvesh; Sathiyabama, Muthukrishnan; Thajuddin, Nargis Begum; Sinha, Alok Krishna
The latest CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing technology is expected to bring about revolution in rice yield and quality improvement, and thus validation of rice transformation protocols using CRISPR-Cas9-gRNA constructs is the need of the hour. Moreover, regeneration of more number of transgenic rice plants is prerequisite for developing genome-edited rice lines, as recalcitrant rice varieties were shown to have lower editing efciencies which necessities screening of large number of transgenic plants to fnd the suitable edits. In the present study, we have simplifed the Agrobacterium-mediated rice transformation protocol for both Indica and Japonica rice cultivars using CRISPR/Cas9 empty vector construct, and the protocols have been suitably optimized for getting large numbers of the regenerated plantlets within the shortest possible time. The Japonica transgenic lines were obtained within 65 days and for the Indica cultivars, it took about 76–78 days. We also obtained about 90% regeneration efciency for both Japonica and Indica cultivars. The transformation efciency was about 97% in the case of Japonica and 69–83% in the case of Indica rice cultivars. Furthermore, we screened the OsWRKY24 gene editing efciency by transforming rice cultivars with CRISPR/Cas9 construct harbouring sgRNA against OsWRKY24 gene and found about 90% editing efciency in Japonica rice cultivars, while 30% of the transformed Indica cultivars were found to be edited. This implicated the presence of a robust repair mechanism in the Indica rice cultivars.
Unraveling the molecular aspects of iron-mediated OsWRKY76 signaling under arsenic stress in rice
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Mirza, Zainab; Jonwal, Sarvesh; Saini, Himanshu; Sinha, Alok Krishna; Gupta, Meetu
Arsenic (As) is a significant environmental element that restricts the growth and production of rice plants. Although the role of iron (Fe) to sequester As in rice is widely known, the molecular mechanism regarding As–Fe interaction remains opaque. Here, we show the differential response of two rice varieties (Ratna and Lalat) in terms of their morphological and biochemical changes in the presence of As and Fe. These results together with in-silico screening, gene expression analysis, and protein-protein interaction studies suggest the role of OsWRKY76 in Fe-mediated As stress alleviation. When OsWRKY76 is activated by MAPK signaling, it inhibits the gene expression of Fe transporters OsIRT1 and OsYSL2, which reduces the amount of Fe accumulated. However, MAPK signaling and OsWRKY76 remain down-regulated during Fe supplementation with As, which subsequently encourages the up-regulation of OsIRT1 and OsYSL2. This results in greater Fe content and decreased As accumulation and toxicity. The lower H2O2 and SOD, CAT, and APX activities were likewise seen under the As + Fe condition. Overall, results revealed the molecular aspects of Fe-mediated control of OsWRKY76 signaling and showed that Ratna is a more As tolerant variety than Lalat. Lalat, however, performs better in As stress due to the presence of Fe.